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First-ever Listas campaign helps women prepare for emergencies

WOMEN are among the leading groups primed for disaster preparation, according to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).

As a result, CalOES is launching Listas, a first-of-its-kind campaign to empower women with emergency resilience knowledge in the face of disasters ranging from extreme heat to winter storms to wildfires.

At a Thursday, April 4 briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media, a CalOES leader, a state assemblymember and a mother of two who works as a teacher discussed the Listas

31 provinces now a ected by drought

MANILA — The number of provinces affected by drought has risen to 31, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Nineteen of the drought-hit provinces are in Luzon.

These are Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental

Envoy: Patience of PH on China ‘stretched to the limit’

by DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN, NESTOR CORRALES Inquirer.net

WASHINGTON, DC — The Philippines’ envoy to Washington said the country’s patience over being harassed by Beijing in

its own waters has now been “stretched to the limit,” amid protests on Tuesday, April 9 against China’s aggression outside the Chinese consulate in Manila.

In a television interview ahead of the Philippines’ trilateral summit on Thursday,

‘Quiboloy can’t set surrender conditions’

by NILLICENT BAUTISTA Philstar.com

MANILA — In hiding after being ordered arrested by a Davao City court for abuse of minors, pastor Apollo Quiboloy “is in no position” to demand conditions “or any kind of guarantee” for his surrender, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on

Monday, April 8.

“Quiboloy cannot impose any conditions. He must surrender, not according to his terms but according to the terms of the law. The law applies to all, without exception,” Remulla said in a statement.

“We are all equal in the eyes of the law. With all our rights,  PAGE 2

April 11 with the United States and Japan, Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said the Marcos administration had taken a “multilateral approach” on the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

More Pinoys identify with Marcos than Duterte – poll

by JANVIC MATEO Philstar.com

MANILA — A majority of Filipinos identify themselves either as pro-Marcos administration or pro-Duterte family, with most of them saying they support the current president more than his predecessor, according to a survey on political preference conducted by the OCTA Research Group.

Results of the March 11 to 14 survey released on Monday, April 8 showed that about 31 percent of the respondents said they support President Ferdind Marcos Jr. and his administration, while 20 percent said they support the Duterte family and their political allies.

‘Love is with me’ – 2nd Gen Asian Americans share challenges of care giving for elderly immigrant parents

THE tradition of caring for one’s aging parents is embedded in Asian culture. But 2nd generation AAPIs face multiple challenges in caring for their immigrant parents, including a lack of support, finances, and just plain time.

In its 2020 report: “Asian Americans 65 and Older,” the

Administration for Community Living — an agency within the federal Department of Health and Human Services — notes that the Asian American population age 65 and older was 2,492,874 in 2019 and is projected to grow to 7.9 million by 2060. Older AAPIs largely

PAGE 4

A BLESSED EID. Muslim Filipinos gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Wednesday morning, April 10 to celebrate Eid’l Fitr, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan. Muslim communities here and abroad prayed for peace and the end of conflict, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

A farmer checks a portion of a dried rice field along PulilanBaliuag Bypass Road in Bulacan on February 26, 2024.

STAR / Michael Varcas

More Pinoys identify with Marcos...

Only four percent of the respondents said they support the opposition, while 29 percent said they neither support the Marcos administration, the Duterte family nor the opposition.

Another 15 percent said they do not know or refused to answer the question.

The survey was conducted amid the public disagreements between Marcos and his allies and some members of the Duterte family.

Earlier this year, former President Rodrigo Duterte publicly criticized his successor over the current administration’s push for Charter change.

Duterte even accused Marcos of drug use, although he later denied doing so.

The former president’s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, has called for Marcos’ resignation.

The Department of Justice under the current administration also pursued criminal charges against Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte’s spiritual adviser.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte – who maintains that she remains in good terms with the president –was reported to have had a falling out with Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin and close ally of Marcos.

The vice president also has publicly opposed Charter change, which is primarily being pushed by Romualdez and his allies in Congress.

Bailiwicks

Across areas, support for the Marcos administration was highest among those in Metro Manila at 43 percent, followed by those in the Visayas at 38 percent, the rest of Luzon at 32 percent and Mindanao at 17 percent.

More than half of the number of respondents from Mindanao – 53 percent –said they support the Duterte family, followed by those in the Visayas at 18 percent, Metro Manila at 14 percent and the rest of Luzon at seven percent.

Support for the “opposition” ranged from three to five percent across areas, while those who were ambivalent were highest among those in the Visayas (35 percent) and the rest of Luzon (33 percent).

In terms of socioeconomic class, the Marcos

Envoy: Patience of PH on...

The Philippines, he said, has been generally “accepting” of the situation in its own waters, including the blockade by China at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal since a standoff in 2012.

“We have been very patient. The Philippines’ patience has been stretched to the limit,” said Romualdez.

‘Enough is enough’

“What President Marcos is doing is simply saying, ‘Enough is enough. We are going to talk to you seriously. We are not here because we want to have a conflict. We are not here because we are looking for a fight.’ We are the ones that are being aggressively bullied,” he added.

“We need to have some kind of muscle, for lack of any other word, to be able to implement what we have said, that we would protect our territory,” Romualdez stressed.

minded nations.”

This strategy serves to “enable the Philippines to both secure its territory and its rights under international law and be an effective partner of other countries in ensuring freedom of navigation, overflight and security in international waters,” Teodoro said.

In his Day of Valor message, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. urged Filipinos to remember “the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers who gallantly defended our nation’s honor in the face of adversity in past wars and armed conflicts.”

These statements followed on the heels of Sunday’s first joint military exercises between the Philippines and three of its allies—the United States, Australia and Japan—in the West Philippine Sea.

Balikatan in Batanes

administration obtained its highest support from among those in class D (32 percent), followed by those in class E (30 percent) and class ABC (27 percent).

Support for the Duterte family was highest among class E (30 percent), followed by those in class D (19 percent) and class ABC (14 percent).

Based on the survey, support for the Marcos administration was highest among middle-aged Filipinos (39 percent for the 55-64 age group and 35 percent for the 45-54 age group), as well as who reached high school (37 percent) or took vocational programs (34 percent).

The Duterte family obtained their highest support from among age groups 25-34 (27 percent) and 65-74 (26 percent), as well as those with no formal education or reached elementary (32 percent).

OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent for national percentages and plus/minus six percent for each of the geographic areas.

Sara: 2028 still a long way down

In a related development, the vice president on Monday shot down talks of running for president in 2028 following a recent pre-electoral survey that showed she was statistically tied with Sen. Raffy Tulfo as the current most popular potential candidate to succeed President Marcos.

Duterte told reporters that 2028 “is still a long way down for us to talk about it. What we need to do is to continue

doing our jobs and working together in nation-building.”

The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 6 to 10 showed Tulfo leading in popularity, with 35 percent of the respondents indicating support for the lawmaker and about 34 percent preferring Duterte.

Pulse Asia said the results are from “rider questions” included in its March 2024 Ulat ng Bayan survey.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent at the 95-percent confidence level.

The vice president’s political plans have been the subject of widespread speculation amid the soured ties between her family and Marcos.

Despite refusing to comment on the recent surveys, Duterte thanked her supporters for their trust in the face of controversies surrounding her and her offices.

Meanwhile, sought for comment on the continued Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the vice president still refused to give remarks and deferred to the statement of her brother Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, where he said questions relating to China should be addressed by concerned government agencies.

“No comment. I think Congressman Paolo’s statement is already comprehensive. That should be answered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the secretary of national defense,” the vice president said.  (With reports from Neil Jayson Servallos)

“We can’t continue to be like this. [Some] people have this wrong notion that we just sit back and nothing will happen to us. We may wake up one day and we won’t have a country anymore,” he warned.

Also on Tuesday, activists marked the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) holiday with a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Makati City, as they condemned China’s aggression against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

“China, leave!” the protesters chanted as they also trampled on an effigy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Mong Palatino, one of the leaders of the rally, said, “Our message is addressed to the Chinese government: Move out of the West Philippine Sea, dismantle its illegal structures, …recognize the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, and stop the harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and …Philippine supply missions.”

‘Leveraging alliances’

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in a statement on Tuesday, said the country was “changing its defense paradigms, strengthening its own capabilities and leveraging alliances with allies and like-

As they did last year, Philippine and U.S. troops will again train to defend Batanes, the country’s northernmost province, in Balikatan exercises scheduled on April 25 to May 10.

The joint drills will be held in the capital town of Basco and the islands of Itbayat and Mavulis, Gov. Marilou Cayco said on Facebook.

The troops will conduct reconnaissance, free fall and island seizure drills as well as the transport of state-of-the-art High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, Cayco said.

The Inquirer reported last week that two ranking U.S. Army engineers had arrived in Itbayat to prepare the construction of a humanitarian logistics warehouse.

Batanes, which has served as Balikatan site in the past, is located about 150 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Taiwan, the stronghold of Nationalist forces fleeing the communist takeover in mainland China in 1949. China threatens to retake the island, which has since developed into a selfgoverning democracy.

Balikatan will officially open on April 22 at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. —with a report from Reuters n

‘Quiboloy can’t set

surrender...

we also share the burden of responsibility,” he said in a separate statement sent through text to The STAR What the government can guarantee, according to Remulla, is Quiboloy’s safety. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said Quiboloy was wagging the dog with his conditions, and that the government could only promise the pastor fair proceedings.

Quiboloy outlined the conditions for his surrender in a 30-minute recorded statement on the YouTube channel of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which he reportedly owns.

In his message, Quiboloy said he would not show

his face unless the Marcos administration gave him a written guarantee that the U.S. would not meddle in his cases in the Philippines.

His message was also addressed to the Philippine National Police, the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation under the Department of Justice (DOJ). The fugitive pastor said he wants a guarantee “that the Americans will not interfere in his case in the Philippines and that their FBI, Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. embassy will not meddle.”

Calling the accusations against Quiboloy “serious and morally abhorrent,”

Results of the March 11 to 14 survey released on Monday, April 8 showed that about 31 percent of the respondents said they support President Ferdind Marcos Jr. and his administration, while 20 percent said they support the Duterte family and their political allies. Photo from Facebook/@MayorIndaySaraDuterteOfficial

31 provinces now affected by...

Mindoro, Palawan and Rizal. Metro Manila was included in the list.

In the Visayas, Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Samar were affected by drought.

Lanao del Norte is the only province in Mindanao experiencing drought.

Drought conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall or a 21 to 60 percent reduction from the average for five consecutive months, or way below normal rainfall for three consecutive months.

PAGASA said Batangas, Laguna and Masbate were affected by the dry spell. Capiz, Siquijor and

Southern Leyte in the Visayas and Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, TawiTawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao also experienced dry spell.

Fifteen provinces nationwide – nine in Luzon, two in the Visayas and four in Mindanao – experienced dry conditions.

Dry spell means below normal rainfall for three consecutive months, while dry conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall for two months.

PAGASA said El Nino may persist unti May.

In Cagayan Valley, damage to agriculture due to El Niño

has reached more than P560 million, Monico Castro Jr., Department of Agriculture (DA) field operations division chief, reported during a management committee meeting last week.

Cornfields incurred the biggest damage with losses of 32,166.95 metric tons followed by rice, 3,657.95 MT, and high-value crops, 80.33 MT.

The DA has coordinated with affected local government units and endorsed the list of farmers to concerned agencies for financial assistance, according to Rose Mary Aquino, acting DA regional executive director.

Cagayan Valley is the top corn producer in the country. State of calamity in Negros

Occidental town

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Enrique approved during a special session on Monday the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to declare a state of calamity in the town due to the damage caused by El Niño.

Mayor Jilson Tubillara said damage to crops and fisheries was estimated at P9.9 million, with 600 farmers and 6,000 households affected.

San Enrique is among the rice producing towns in Negros Occidental. — Gilbert Bayoran, Victor Martin (Romina Cabrera/Philstar. com)

First-ever Listas campaign helps women prepare...

campaign and how it can empower women as resilience leaders in ethnic communities.

Preparing women for emergencies

The campaign, launched in March during Women’s History Month, builds off of research that identified two key groups of women who would most benefit from disaster preparation resources: “the head of the household and the messenger,” said Diana CroftsPelayo, Assistant Director of Crisis Communication & Public Affairs at CalOES.

“These heads are women who bear the weight of responsibility making ends meet while taking care of children or elderly parents, while the messengers are first- or secondgeneration women helping support their families within the unit,” she explained. “We saw that women over the age of 18, mostly in Latino, AAPI and black communities, are the ones that would listen to our message, pass it on and actually use it during an emergency.”

CalOES is providing Californians with videos and actionable disaster safety tips, as well as local county emergency alert signups, through over 73 community organization outreach grantees.

These organizations have worked alongside a larger statewide partnership network to make over 400,000 calls to California women since March asking them to sign up for alerts and sharing preparedness information.

Local phone, text and email alerts in multiple languages for disasters like flooding, earthquakes and wildfires are available for Californians in each county through listoscalifornia.org/ alerts.

Women across communities

“My grandma never learned English. My mom was born in Mexico, and she

was always seen as the leader within our family here and back in Mexico,” said Crofts-Pelayo. “Women are the ones that push their families to do things. It’s not necessarily the man of the household anymore. At the end of the day, they’re the ones that are most likely to be looking after elderly parents, or engaging with their community through schools and local associations.”

“What we want is for women to have that knowledge and talk about it with their partners, family, friends and children,” she continued. “Emergencies are not fun; it’s not if but when the next one happens. The more that a family can talk about it, the more you demystify responding to it.”

“The most important thing we saw in our research is that people need to see an emergency to truly believe it,” CroftsPelayo added. “We got anecdotes from people that said ‘I might not evacuate my home until I see the water rising on my street corner,’ or ‘unless I see the flames down the street.’ There are still many communities that have never experienced a natural disaster, and our aim is showing people that this is real, this happens every day … All disasters are local, which is why communitybased preparedness is so important.”

“It’s the women who are taking care of parents, grandparents, children, doing the shopping, taking care of the house, preparing for tomorrow,” said District 10 Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen. “For emergency situations, it’s key that women not only hear these messages but deliver them.”

“When disaster comes, it affects everybody across communities, and seeing different women talk from their cultures about having go-bags ready, batteries charged, water for washing and drinking — women across communities can think, ‘If she’s doing this, I should be doing this in my home

‘Love is with me’...

live in three states: California, Texas, and New York, noted the report. More than 9% of the elderly AAPI population lives in poverty, with an average annual income of $30,788, and just $19,561 for older Asian American women. About 25% of Asian American seniors live with their adult children.

‘We Care’

as well,’” she added.

A teacher’s perspective

“Thinking about the safety and wellbeing of my family and students, knowing that I have the knowledge and the tools to protect them, is always a top priority for me, and thinking about emergency preparedness goes hand in hand with that,” said Shayla Happi Amenra-Warmsley, a Sacramentobased mother of two and second grade teacher.

“I’ve started implementing these tools both in my personal family and within my classroom — from creating emergency kits, to developing family communication plans and emergency contact systems, this campaign definitely helped bring many ‘whatifs’ into the practical reality of what I would do in the case of an earthquake, fire, flood, or a power outage, which did happen to my home a month ago,” she continued, adding that Listas enabled her to respond to it.

“In times of crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, especially for young people,” Amenra-Warmsley said. “Having a plan just as important as practicing it, so a lot of what I do at home and with my students alongside teaching the tools we need to be prepared — like shelter-in-place plans, memorizing emergency phone contacts, planning evacuation routes and having snack bags — is teaching the tools we need for mental resilience, whether that’s morning yoga or emotional regulation exercises.”

“There are changing elements to what it means to be prepared, it means being both flexible and adaptable in the face of adversity,” she added. “As a teacher, I not only educate my students academically but also teach them lifelong skills of resiliency, emerging from any storm as a stronger version of themselves. Learning how to prepare for emergencies is at the heart of that.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)

The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging is one of five organizations involved with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC’s Narrative Change and Caregiving Project. The initiative is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For the project, NAPCA created four videos of  families discussing the myriad of challenges involved in care-giving. The filmmakers brought together a deeply-moving range of narratives. One film tells the story of two Indian American daughters caring for their mother, formerly a physician, who can now only communicate by blinking as her disease progresses. Another film focuses on a Filipino American man trying to balance the twin challenges of a full time job and being the sole care giver for his 91 year old mother. In a sweet moment, the two chat about old times as they make egg rolls together.

A young Hawaiian Chinese woman lives with her elderly mother, who suffers from multiple illnesses. They are forced to talk about end of life expectations as a close family member is moved to hospice care. And in another film, a Thai American woman, whose elderly parents still work at their restaurant despite health challenges, says: “I feel like I’m the parent of two really stubborn children.”

The series is titled: “We Care.”

Patience and Love

“Every story is different, the expectations are different,” Benny Lai, a spokesman for NAPCA, told Ethnic Media Services. “But the mindset is the same. You have to have a lot of patience and love. Otherwise you cannot be a caregiver.”

“Asian folks are more willing and common to be caregivers. Back in our home countries, it’s very common that the second generation are living with their parents,” said Lai. “And when they are in the States, living in bigger homes, getting married, moving out of their parents’ homes, they find it easier to hire a couple of domestic helpers at maybe $3,000 to $4,000 a month per person, or put them in elderly houses for $4,000 a month. But not a whole lot of people can afford them,” he said, noting that by default, adult children become their parent’s caregivers.

Denyse Woo Ockerman, who lives with her mother Irma in Hemet, California, characterizes her mom as “my best friend.”

Ohana

“We were meant to be together,” she says in her film. “Caregiving is imprinted in our culture. It is ohana,” says Woo Ockerman, using her culture’s word for a deeply-tied family.

“Love is With Me,” are the words that echoed through Manisha and Nayana Shahane’s mother’s journal, which she began to write shortly after being diagnosed with Multiple Symptom Atrophy. The family’s long term care insurance ran out: Manisha and Nayana had to step up round-the-clock care, often at expense to their own well-being.

The loss of time for self care was a theme that echoed through all four videos. But each caregiver also spoke about the deep satisfaction they had gained from caring for a vulnerable human being.

All four films will be featured at various film festivals around the U.S. beginning in May. They can be viewed on NAPCA’s YouTube channel next month. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)

PRE-SHOW. To ensure seamless entertainment, a cleaner makes a last-minute inspection of the Rizal Park dancing fountain in Manila on Saturday, April 6. The lights and sounds show runs in intervals from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

FEATURES OPINION

Valor in the WPS

The Philippines marked Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor on Tuesday, April 9 in the shadow of continuing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. The special day is meant to honor all those who fought foreign colonizers and invaders, particularly those who repelled Japanese forces in Bataan for four months until April 9, 1942. Following the fall of Bataan, the Filipino and American soldiers who survived the siege were made to walk to Tarlac in the infamous Death March.

Both during World War II and in the revolution against Spanish colonial rule, Filipinos have shown courage in their readiness to fight a superior military force and die for their country. Today, that valor is again being tested as the country faces a challenge to its sovereignty and maritime economic entitlements, which have been officially recognized by an international arbitration court based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Editorial

In the past months, Filipino Navy and Coast Guard personnel along with fishermen and civilian boat crew have been injured by water cannon blasts from China Coast Guard ships preventing Philippine vessels from undertaking resupply missions to the BRP

WHEN presented by opinion polls with the top choices for senators at next year’s midterm elections, middle-class educated Filipinos typically react with a mixture of disbelief and despair. They rue the fact that from the same list are names of politicians who

Sierra Madre, a rusty ship serving as a naval outpost on Ayungin Shoal. The Chinese also shoo away Filipino fishers from Panatag Shoal.

President Marcos has said his administration continues to talk with China to ease tension in the West Philippine Sea. Instead of easing, however, the tension appears to be escalating, as Beijing insists that Manila had promised to remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin. Beijing has shown no proof of this promise or identified the Filipino who supposedly made the commitment. There are conflicting versions of whether Rodrigo Duterte during his presidency had a “gentleman’s agreement” with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for a status quo in the WPS that would effectively make the Sierra

may someday be perceived as “presidentiable.”

In the current election cycle, the ones that consistently stand out in the top 12 are individuals who appear to have mainly made a mark in the mass media for the roles they have played as heroes, protectors of the poor, and dispensers of quick justice. It is easy to scoff at these choices as nothing more than vessels of illusory empowerment, the

Madre disintegrate from disrepair into the sea.

In the absence of a valid confirmation of this supposed agreement, Philippine Navy and Coast Guard personnel backed by civilians continue to brave Chinese harassment within the Philippines’ maritime exclusive

economic zone to regularly bring supplies to Filipinos stationed on the Sierra Madre. The observance of Araw ng Kagitingan today is a tribute to their valor, along with those of earlier generations who were not deterred by a superior force in defending their country (Philstar.com)

Overcoming political despair

outcome of voter immaturity and ignorance.

But if they are, then nothing much has changed in our political life. From the very moment of our founding as a nation, Filipinos have searched for political figures who embody a form of redemptive hope, a break from the systemic oppression and inequality in which the country has historically been mired. Many such leaders have failed to deliver on

their promises or satisfy their people’s expectations.

Yet, Filipinos do not tire of voting for the same type of politicians, never giving up hope, preferring to invest their trust in elections rather than in revolutions.

Nation-building, however, demands more than personal charisma. It requires a vision that includes the painstaking creation of a professional civil service, the formation of an educated

citizenry, the development of a productive economy, and the establishment of a capable government under a functioning rule of law. These are collective undertakings that, by their long-term nature, have to be sustained beyond the tenure of any charismatic leader. As essential as they are to nation-building, there is usually nothing romantic about them. The civil servants who quietly work on

these tasks are rarely seen as heroes.

But more than that, because they are unelected, these unsung civil servants are expected to defer to those who wield political power by virtue of their election to public office. This is probably the hardest part of nation-building—how to establish a professional bureaucracy that can competently administer

RANDY DAVID

Dateline PhiliPPines

Speaker urges PH to appreciate Filipino Muslims’ contribution to society

by GabrieL PabiCo LaLu Inquirer.net

HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand

Martin Romualdez has urged Filipinos to celebrate and appreciate the contribution of Muslim brothers and sisters to nation-building, as the Islamic world celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Romualdez in his statement for Eid’l Fitr on Tuesday, April 9, the Philippines has benefitted from the contributions of the Muslim community which has enriched the country’s culture.

“As we join in the celebrations of Eid’l Fitr, let us also recognize the diversity that enriches our nation. The Philippines is home to a vibrant Muslim community whose contributions have greatly enriched our great nation,” Romualdez said.

“Let us embrace the spirit of inclusivity and understanding, fostering unity and respect for all faiths and beliefs,” he added.

At the same time, the Speaker also urged Filipino Muslims to remember the deeper meaning behind the sacrifices for Ramadan— which is to embody patience, empathy, and self-

discipline.

Rejoice in deeper spiritual meaning

“On the occasion of Eid’l Fitr, let us come together to celebrate the culmination of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and reflection for our Muslim brothers and sisters. As we gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, let us not only rejoice in the abundance of food and blessings but also in the deeper spiritual meaning behind this sacred time,” Romualdez said.

“Ramadan teaches us the values of patience, empathy and self-discipline. It is a time for introspection,

Comelec

receives 1.9 million new voter registrations out of 3 million target

by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Commission of Elections (Comelec) is nearing the two-million mark for new voter registrants ahead of the May 2025 national and local elections.

In a report sent to reporters on Tuesday, April 9, the poll body said there are already 1,920,887 new voter registrations from all regions of the country, including its main office in Intramuros, Manila, as of Monday, April 8.

This figure is almost double the 1 million new registrations logged over a month ago.

The Comelec earlier said it was targeting around 3 million new voters before the midterm elections.

In a Viber message sent to INQUIRER. net, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia acknowledged that there it is still far from reaching the target.

“It’s still a long way to go. We will still double our efforts and we have to reach the furthest places and bring our service to the communities,” Garcia said.

“Our efforts are more focused on the

vulnerable sectors and the youth,” he added.

The voter registration for the 2025 elections started last February 12 and will last until September 30.

Eligible voters only need to visit the office of the election officer (OEO) or satellite registration sites in their areas from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registrants may access the application form via OEO and the Comelec website.

Applicants need to bring one of the following government-issued identification cards (ID) with their signature:

• National ID under the Philippine Identification System

• Postal ID card

• PWD ID card

• Student’s ID card or library card signed by the school authority

• Senior citizen’s ID card

• Land Transportation Office Driver’s License/Student Permit

• National Bureau of Investigation clearance

• Philippine Passport

where individuals strive for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment,” he added. “Through fasting and acts of charity, Muslims demonstrate their commitment to compassion and generosity, reaching out to those in need and fostering solidarity within their communities.”

On Tuesday, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta confirmed that Eid al-Fitr, which marks the conclusion of the sacred month of Ramadan, will fall on Wednesday, April 10.

Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani made the announcement after the crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday evening, which signifies that the feast of breaking the fast would commence on the next day.

Last April 4, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared April 10 as a regular holiday to celebrate Eid’l Fitr through Proclamation No. 514.

“May this Eid bring not only joy but also renewed hope and optimism for our shared future. Let us carry forward the values of compassion, generosity and unity that define this occasion, extending kindness and goodwill to all,” Romualdez said. g

NEW OFFICER. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (in Barong Tagalog, main photo) joins the Philippine Army Reserve Command as lieutenant colonel during the Donning of Rank ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, April 8. He is congratulated by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (upper left photo) and takes his oath (upper right) to protect the sovereignty and democracy of the country and the Filipino people. Senate photos

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez Inquirer.net file photo

966 Filipino WW2 veterans still alive

MANILA – The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) said 966 Filipino veterans of World War 2 (WW2) are still alive as of April 8.

PVAO Undersecretary Resty Aguilar shared the data on the eve of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) and the 82nd anniversary of the Fall of Bataan.

In an interview on Monday, Aguilar said the oldest is Emelia Guerrero, 105, who was recently awarded a medal for her services in defending the country during WW2.

The 966 living WW2 veterans, he said, continue to receive their monthly pensions and benefits, including free hospitalization and health services.

Aguilar, a retired army brigadier general, also said there are 16,899 spouses of WW2 veterans who are receiving pension pay.

Another war veteran, Col. Cesar Pobre, who wrote over a dozen of WW2 books, recalled the historic Battle of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija where he and his colleagues clashed with Japanese troops.

Pobre was a member of the famous United States 98 Mortar Brigade, which engaged the Japanese in a closequarter battle.

The bravery of Filipino soldiers was displayed during WW2 when they held their ground in defending the country against the Japanese on Dec. 8, 1941.

For over three months, Filipino and American forces fought the Japanese, delaying advancing enemy forces and enabling Gen. Douglas McArthur to escape to Australia.

McArthur fulfilled his “I shall return” promise when he landed in Leyte on Oct. 20, 1944 to help liberate the Philippines.

It was in Bataan that the combined Filipino and American

‘Quiboloy can’t set surrender...

Remulla said evidence was strong enough to pin down the religious sect leader.

“Argue your charges before the court where you remain the accused, tell the naked truth, that way you can redeem yourself,” Remulla said, addressing Quiboloy.

The DOJ is awaiting the issuance of another arrest warrant against Quiboloy by a Pasig City court for qualified human trafficking.

Who’s wagging the dog

For President Marcos, Quiboloy may be trying to “wag the dog” by demanding conditions for his surrender.

“It seems to me a little bit, tail wagging the dog,” the president told reporters after attending a National Grid Corp. of the Philippines event in Bacolod City.

“So, I mean, we will exercise all the compassion. To Pastor Quiboloy, we’ve known him for a very long time. What I can promise him is all the proceedings will be fair,” the president said.

Marcos also shrugged off Quiboloy’s fears that the U.S. government would interfere

in his cases in the Philippines.

“Now, as to the involvement of the United States… That’s going to take years, yet. So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about, quite frankly,” the president said.

“Well, he is wagging the dog,” Ferdinand Topacio, one of Quiboloy’s lawyers said, referring to Marcos. “The dog seems to be wagging now. Because no less than the president of the Philippines is making comments,” Topacio said.

He said he last saw his client before his Singapore trip on March 22 “in a state of meditation and contemplation at a prayer mountain,” the exact location of which he declined to reveal.

While acknowledging that Quiboloy’s case before a Davao court is bailable, Topacio said it is the “general unfairness” of the situation that dissuades the pastor from surrendering.

“It is very difficult to believe that there is due process, that there is fairness. If you would look at the flow of events, it cannot be a mere

coincidence,” Topacio said in an interview over One News’ “Storycon.”

A Davao City court earlier issued warrants of arrest against Quiboloy and five of his followers for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Quiboloy is also wanted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for child sex trafficking.

In 2021, the U.S. Justice Department charged Quiboloy with sex trafficking of girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” who were allegedly required to have sex with him.

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

The Senate earlier also ordered his arrest for contempt after he snubbed committee hearings on his alleged sexual abuses committed against members of his sect.

Representatives of the Senate Office of Sergeantat-Arms on Monday met

with the joint team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation to hand over the transmittal order of arrest of Quiboloy.

Shameless audacity

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee investigating Quiboloy’s alleged abuses, said the fugitive pastor should face the Senate and tell the stories he had told bloggers.

“Pastor Quiboloy, come out of your cave. Anyway, you were getting interviewed by vloggers, so let us in the Senate interview you,” she said.

“Those audio files were unable to hide your fear as the stinking truth came out… You don’t have a shred of evidence against our brave witnesses, and you have no right to discredit the institution of the Senate and its mandate,” Hontiveros added.

“If you are really brave, repeat everything you said about the Senate, here in the Senate. Make your words on record. Record your

‘Quiboloy can’t...

shameless audacity in history,” Hontiveros said.

She stressed her committee will continue hearing the allegations of abuse against Quiboloy even in his absence.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, for his part, said the chamber can file charges of disobedience against Quiboloy for disregarding a Senate order.

“If you are referring to the Senate (arrest order against Quiboloy), this is Article 150 of the revised penal code, the Senate can file an appropriate case with RTC (regional trial court) maybe in Pasay that will also have a hearing, a warrant of arrest can be issued because of that defiance,” Tolentino, a lawyer, told reporters.

“The two warrants of arrest that we are talking about are the Senate warrant and the RTC warrant. One in the regional trial court, post bail if you don’t want to post bail, have the warrant quashed. If you don’t want to follow the Senate’s warrant, wait for the Supreme Court’s decision,” he explained. Gun permits

Meanwhile, Quiboloy may lose his license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) as well as the permits for his collection of guns.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP chief information officer, said that based on the Firearms and Explosives Office’s guidelines, gun owners who used their firearms for illegal activities could lose their firearms license after a review.

The situation is different in Quiboloy’s case because his alleged offenses did not involve the use of guns.

“We’re checking with the FEO if the child abuse case against Quiboloy will be sufficient ground for the possible revocation and cancellation of his LTOPF,” she said at a news briefing in Camp Crame.

Quiboloy has 19 assorted firearms based on the FEO’s record. The license for one of the guns expired last March while the licenses for the other weapons are still valid.

Even if the fugitive televangelist has a cache of firearms, Fajardo said they do not consider yet Quiboloy armed and dangerous as there is no indication so far that the leader of the religious sect has resorted to violence.

“We’ve not monitored any indications so far that he’s maintaining a private armed group,” she said.

On Quiboloy’s setting conditions for his surrender, Fajardo reminded him that the issuance of warrants is part of the judicial powers of courts that should be respected.

Instead of evading arrest, Fajardo urged Quiboloy to surrender and face the charges against him in court where he can present evidence to prove his innocence.

Fajardo also said the PNP is unaware of any U.S. plot to have Quiboloy either kidnapped or assassinated. She assured the televangelist of his safety should he opt to surrender to the police. “We will provide the necessary security to Pastor Quiboloy,” she said, adding there is no indication that Quiboloy has left the country.

Vice President Sara Duterte, whose family considers Quiboloy a close friend and spiritual adviser, said the filing of charges against the controversial pastor was a “good development” as the allegations against him would now be tried in a proper forum.

Asked if she would be willing to put on her lawyer’s hat to help facilitate Quiboloy’s surrender to authorities, Duterte said, “I no longer work as a lawyer and the fact that there’s a case in the right venue – within a court – is a good development.”

“Whatever Pastor Quiboloy decides to do from here on out is his personal decision and I’m sure that would be something he thought about,” she added.

CHR wants PH-UN partnership to continue

by Moises Cruz ManilaTimes.net

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday, April 8 recommended the continued implementation of the United Nations Joint Program (UNJP), citing the Philippine’s progress in effectively undertaking measures and actively promoting human rights in the country.

“As the end of the program nears in July 2024, we recommend the prospect of continuing this partnership as a foundational pillar, ensuring that the country stays clear-

sighted towards its goal to comply with its international human rights obligations and to implement domestic policies that respond to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalized,” the CHR said in a statement on Monday.

This three-year partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the Philippine government, along with the CHR and civil society organizations, strengthens the country’s existing institutions to ensure that Filipinos’ rights are constantly exercised and enjoyed.

With the passage of

Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 45/33 in 2020, the UNJP paved the way for increased UN involvement with the Philippines through effective technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives in the human rights sector.

“It must be noted that the strategic framework of the UNJP envisions broadening human rightsbased approaches amongst duty-bearers, strengthening domestic accountability mechanisms that address human rights violations and abuses, and ensuring that rights holders, especially

victims, are able to be afforded better means to claim their rights,” the CHR said.

Also, the CHR expects that further work must be done to ensure that the partnership’s intended purpose remains consistent with its initial intentions.

“We are hopeful that the technical capacity-building efforts will be utilized immediately to address the very matters that prompted the establishment of UNJP in the Philippines, such as the alleged war on drugs that resulted in extrajudicial killings,” the CHR said. g

US, PH jet fighters in drills over Luzon

by FranCisCo Tuyay ManilaTimes.net

AIR Force pilots from the Philippines and the United States are set to conduct maneuvers over a wide area of Luzon during the Cope Thunder-Philippines military exercise that began Monday, April 8 at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Air Force Public Affairs chief Col. Consuelo Castillo

said that at least 12 U.S. F-16 supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft and four FA50s from the Philippines would participate in the reconnaissance and training maneuvers. A Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130J cargo aircraft will join the drills.

The first iteration of Cope Thunder this year, taking place in the Northern Luzon Intensive Military Training Area, Basa Air Base and

Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, involves about 700 airmen and will last until April 19.

Castillo said the exercise would focus on expert exchanges, field exercises in air and ground operations, logistics, and mission support planning and execution.

The exercise is part of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board activities for this year.

A second iteration of Cope

Thunder is scheduled for June.

Air Defense Command chief Maj. Gen. Fabian Pedregosa said the exercise highlights “the unwavering commitment of the PAF and its international allies to enhancing interoperability, strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities, promoting regional security and stability, and bolstering diplomatic ties.” g

Comelec receives 1.9 million new voter...

• Social Security System/ Government Service Insurance System or other unified multi-purpose ID card

• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID card

• License issued by the Professional Regulatory

Commission (PRC)

• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in case of members of ICCs or IPs

• Barangay Identification/ Certification with photo

• Any other governmentissued valid ID. g

Overcoming political despair...

the day-to-day affairs of government, especially during the most difficult political transitions. A well-trained nonpartisan career administrative service that is immune to the vagaries of political contestation is the prime achievement of all mature democracies. Such political systems can tolerate the most eccentric and disruptive of all politicians because of their strong institutions.

966 Filipino WW2...

The “Fall of Bataan” was followed by the infamous “Bataan Death March” where thousands of Filipino and American soldiers died.

Duterte earlier came to the defense of Quiboloy against his accusers in Congress, saying he was being persecuted.  (With reports from Helen Flores, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Neil Jayson Servallos, Emmanuel Tupas, Diana Lhyd Suelto) forces made their last stand until they ran out of bullets and ammunition which forced them to surrender on April 9, 1942.

(PNA)

But there is often a downside to these modern public institutions— and this is best summed up by the term “bureaucratic” in all its negative connotations. This happens when officials become so fixated on the rules and procedures that they lose sight of the larger mandate of their agencies. Instead of dispensing public service, they become empires of petty authority. Such organizations become so calcified that they turn into fetters impeding change and reinvention.

The German sociologist Max Weber saw this as the unexpected outcome of

rationalization, a disease in modernity that can only be cured by the restoration of value rationality through politics. This necessary interruption is the role he assigns to charismatic leaders who have a vocation for politics. He did not mean the narcissists and demagogues who habitually promise to rescue the masses from the dysfunctions of a corrupt and uncaring bureaucracy. He was referring, rather, to redemptive figures who exemplify a practicable vision of political renewal.

The political philosopher Wendy Brown, in her recent book, “Nihilistic Times: Thinking with Max Weber,” writes: “Charisma, with its capacity to incite and excite, inspire and mobilize, and above all lead beyond business as usual, is an indisputably potent element of political life.” It is a tragedy that the ones who have been adept at appropriating it are the political egotists who—beyond their antics on stage— are incapable of offering a new vision of “who we are” and “what we should do.” On the other hand, we have a lot of

young progressive political leaders who have a clear notion of what lies ahead for the country and what needs to be done but, lacking the passionate and visceral language in which to articulate this, fail to capture the imagination of the masses. Brown describes their accustomed political style as “free of rhetorical power, prevailing only on the basis of their evidentiary and logical soundness.” In short, bland.

What is needed is the re-enchantment of political life—which, in recent years, has been the monopoly of rude, intimidating, and angry demagogues— by charismatic leaders who can mesmerize crowds with visions and actions that remind them of their power to change the world. (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.

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Tragic event leads to a sweet and successful ending on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

DOLORES was petitioned by her U.S. citizen mother in 2003 as a married child under the F3 classification. After 18 long years, the National Visa Center (NVC) notified them they could now start preparing their paperwork.

a bitter turn when Dolores’ husband had a heart attack and passed away a month later.

Unfortunately, events took

Dolores’ brother, Don, consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel where leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Gurfinkel proposed that they inform the NVC of the husband’s death, so Dolores’ petition could be converted from “married” (F3) to “single” (F1), resulting in visas being immediately available for Dolores and her children. Atty. Gurfinkel also requested expedited processing because the

BITTERSWEET GREEN CARD BECAUSE HUSBAND DIED, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Dolores (center) was petitioned by her U.S. citizen mother in 2003 as a married child of a U.S. citizen (F3). Finally, in 2021, the National Visa Center (NVC) notified the family that they could now start preparing their paperwork, even though the priority date was not yet current. However, the husband, who had a heart condition, became excited over the prospect of immigrating to the U.S. and had a heart attack and died. It was a bitter turn of events. Ironically, because of her husband’s death, Dolores’ petition was converted from “married” (F3) to “single” (F1) and it was considered “current.” Leading Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (extreme right) was able to have the case queued for interview and requested expedited processing because the petitioner was already elderly and sickly. The “sweet” outcome of the unfortunate turn of events was that Dolores and her children – Keno (extreme left) and Kobey (2nd from left) – were able to immigrate to the U.S. sooner. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, April 14 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Don Rosete (left) hired leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) to help with the case of his sister, Dolores (center).

Health@Heart On red meat and cancer

RED meat, believe it or not, is a known carcinogen, a food item associated a lot with cancer. Studies have repeatedly shown, confirmed by new findings, that eating red meat, especially processed red meat more than once a week, raises the risk for colorectal cancer, and even higher among those with genetic predisposition.

A recent report (pooled 27 studies, 29,842 cases) identified “two biomarkers associated with a higher risk for colorectal cancer from red meat consumption. Participants with these biomarkers had a higher risk for colorectal cancer when they consumed higher amounts of red meat… Colorectal cancer is one of the more serious cancer subtypes.”

Each year, almost 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancers (second leading cause of death, next to heart attack) are found in the United States, and 50,000 die each year from this disease. Eating red meat also increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, besides other forms of cancer.

Red meat is not essential in our diet; we can live without eating red meat. Fish, chicken, and vegetables, some fruits and nuts, olive oil, and avocado oil are popular items in Mediterranean Diet, the popular healthy diet today.

Fasting is healthy

New studies revealed that intermittent fasting may offer other health benefits besides weight loss, such as protection against cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. It might also help in protecting the health of our gastrointestinal system, especially the small intestines (jejunum, which helps digestion, absorbs nutrients and water), and it is also associated with better glucose control and decreased inflammation.

According to the studies, “some of the more popular patterns of intermittent fasting include timerestrictive eating, where the fast lasts 12, 14, or 16 hours, and the eating period stretches over the remaining hours of the day, or the 5:2

method, where a person consumes only 500 calories for 2 days of the week and then eats normally for the remaining 5 days.”

Currently the most popular diet, intermittent fasting, done properly, is deemed safe and is a healthy practice among 12 percent of Americans. It also benefits those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). This also improves cholesterol level, better blood sugar control, and body composition.

If interested, especially among diabetics, consult with your physician about his recommendation on strategies: (1) Eating early dinner, and not eating from 6 p.m. till 8 a.m. the following day; (2) Eating on alternative days; (3) 5:2 diet, fasting for 2 days consecutively and eating normally for 5 days; (4) Time-restricted – “eating window” to 4-12 hours (normal calories), a fasting period of 12-20 hours, a very popular strategy. Of this, the 16:8 pattern, eating during an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 hours each day is the most recommended eating pattern.

Eating by following the Mediterranean diet for 5 years has been shown to reduce the rate of heart attack and stroke by 30 percent, without fasting. Obviously combining the two strategies confer all those benefits from both.

Bird Flu

The Bird Flu detected this week in some herds of dairy cows across six states is the first time the virus has infected cattle. The Texas health officials also “confirmed that a farm worker contracted the virus, only the second known case of H5N1 in the United States.” With this outbreak, although human-to-human transmission of the bird flu is rare, experts are warning “against eating runny eggs for the time being.” Those who are working in close contact with animals are, obviously, more prone to get infected. The symptoms could be like those of common flu, sometimes only with pink eyes (conjunctivitis). The virus is also seen in wild birds. Caution is very important. For any concerns, consult your physician.

Pancreatic cancer

A great preliminary report:

A new blood test “appears capable of detecting earlystage pancreatic cancer with up to 97 percent accuracy.” This very deadly cancer of the pancreas is usually diagnosed very late because of its posterior location in the abdomen. By the time it is discovered, spread to other parts of the body has already occurred, precluding surgery. Patients with pancreatic cancer usually die within 4-6 months after diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate, with spread, is about 3 percent. The most current trial among 523 patients in the U.S. and Japan shows 98 percent detection rate, when the blood test was combined with the already-established bio-marker CA 19-9. This blood test will obviously result in a greater survival rate from this treacherous fatal malignancy.

Sleep Apnea and diet

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), breath holding for a prolonged period dozens of times while asleep, increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, hypertension, diabetes T2, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. Breathholding severely reduces the oxygen in the body which is detrimental to all vital organs. New studies found that eating plantbased diet significantly reduces the risk for the development of OSA, but the unhealthy plant-based ones (refined grains, sugar, salt, and animal-based food items), increases the risk, especially processed foods, which also elevate the risk for cancer.

Latest data also show that “consuming a diet high in ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea due to factors such as obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, poor sleep quality, and exacerbation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).”

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article is general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes

Paulo, Kylie and the highs and lows of love and life

By Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

PAULO Avelino and Kylie Verzosa may have starred in the 2018 movie “Kasal,” but working together on the upcoming film “Elevator” felt like a first-time experience for them all over again.

“During ‘Kasal,’ Paulo was like my acting coach because I was a newcomer then. So this time — [when I’m armed with more experience] — felt like the first because I got to really ‘act’ alongside him,” explained the beauty queenturned-actress at the movie’s media conference.

“I’ve waited so long for a reunion project, and I’m glad we get to do it with great material in ‘Elevator,” Verzosa added.

Avelino agreed, “It felt like the first time because in ‘Kasal,’ she would always share scenes with Derek [Ramsay], but here in ‘Elevator,’ we did almost all the scenes together.”

Since their 2018 starrer, Verzosa and Avelino have carved deeper names in the industry and even reaped prominent acting awards

along the way.

Avelino earned Best Actor accolades from prestigious organizations, including the 35th Gawad Urian Awards (“Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”) and the 46th Metro Manila Film Festival (“Fan Girl”). Verzosa, on the other hand, was hailed Best Actress at the 2022 Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (“The Housemaid”).

Despite the five-year gap between their two projects,

Avelino and Verzosa said it didn’t take much time for them to get back in the zone, embody their characters and develop the chemistry the ‘Elevator’ demanded.

“It didn’t feel awkward [to be back on the set with Kylie] because before shooting the film, we had several script readings and workshops,” Avelino volunteered.

“I’d like to add that we felt comfortable because we became friends [after we

Tragic event leads to a sweet...

petitioner was elderly and sickly. If something

happened to her, the petition could be at an end.

The “sweet” ending of

Atty.

to your health.

* * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to

your health.

* * *

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.

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, health advocate, newspaper columnist,

this tragic situation was that Dolores and her children, Keno and Kobey, were able to immigrate to the U.S. sooner while the petitioner – Dolores’ mother and the boys’ grandmother – was still alive.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, April 14 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Gurfinkel was able to bring Dolores (center) and her children Keno (extreme left) and Kobey (2nd from left) to the U.S. sooner after the reclassification of Dolores’ petition from F3 to F1.

Paulo Avelino and Kylie Verzosa play characters who must choose whether to be together or keep working toward the better future they seek as OFWs in Singapore.

Photo from Instagram/@viva_tv

Rekindling wanderlust: Winter Escapade 8 beckons balikbayans back to the Philippines

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

REVENGE travel was all the rage at the recently concluded Winter Escapade 8, the annual balikbayan travel initiative of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Foreign of Foreign Affairs (DFA) which made its triumphant return after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

This year, over 250 enthusiastic participants, including nearly 50 from the United States, embraced the opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Philippine culture and heritage.

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo extended his appreciation to the tour participants “for choosing the Philippines as the place of respite from the winter chill” and acknowledged that the increasing participation in this program “is proof positive of the consistent and growing interest in the tourism, culture, and heritage of the Philippines.”

“This was one of the best years in terms of the participation and the enthusiasm of the participants,” Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria told the Asian Journal. “We listened to what they really wanted so we made sure that there was something for every type, the more adventurous ones or the ones who want to relax.”

The ambassador expressed her fondness for swimming with the whale

sharks in Oslob, emphasizing the abundance of natural resources and environmental treasures present in the country. She underscored

the importance of preserving and highlighting these assets, emphasizing the need to showcase the Philippines’ rich biodiversity and pristine

ecosystems.

“We tend to forget how beautiful the Philippines is,” she emphasized.

The ambassador also brought gifts to the governors of Bohol and Cebu who hosted reception dinners for the guests.

“We wanted to tell a story of the potential of the Philippines so we thought, rather than to bring a gift from Canada, we brought a gift that is exported to many countries like the U.S. and Canada,” Austria explained. “It’s a little-known secret that the Philippine crab meat is the closest relative of the Maryland blue swimming crab, yung alimasag natin. People from the U.S. buy that and make them into Maryland crab cakes.”

“It’s like the story of our people, how we are so adaptable and how we are essential to many of the countries but we Filipinos do not know about it,” she added.

Creating memories

From February 18 to 27, eager travelers embarked

option to

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria led the wreath laying ceremony at Luneta Park to signify the start of the Winter Escapade 8. Among the elected officials and participants were Manila Vice Mayor Yul Siervo Nieto and the Consuls General in Canada - Rea Oreta (Ottawa), Arlene Magno (Vancouver), Zaldy Patron (Calgary), and Angelica Escalona (Toronto).

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia hosted a dinner for the tour participants as she welcomed the balikbayans to her province.

Tour participants have the

choose the tour that they want. In Manila, one option was the Chinatown walking tour, where they visited Binondo, Sta. Cruz and Escolta).

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya Bohol is renowned for its famous calamay, a sticky and sweet delicacy made from glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and brown sugar. Lily Busano, president of the Albur Calamay Association, demonstrates the traditional method of making Bohol calamay in the town of Alburquerque. As a fourth-generation calamay maker from Barangay Ponong, Busano is part of a cooperative with 65 members, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Ernie and Nene Marie France Macabenta opened Lasang Farm in March 2021. They have a hectare planted with 1,500 cacao trees. He and his wife showcased to the tour participants the process of making cacao tablea and other byproducts from the cacao pods to drying and grinding the beans. Photos courtesy of Manila Public Information Office

Among the must-visit sites in Iloilo is the Molo Church (in photo); others were able to visit some of Panay’s most beautiful churches, including the Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some of the younger participants chose the adventurous side tours such as the sardine run in Moalboal, the island hopping in Balicasag and the trip to the Cadapdapan rice paddies. In Guimaras, they enjoyed posing with the performers with mango props.

Why Alden Richards is at a career crossroads

by Ronnie CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net

IN an early December interview, Alden Richards gave the entertainment press a staggering impression that he found his career at a snail’s pace at one point last year.

It is for this reason that depression consumed him, and he even questioned his self-worth.

Speaking in the vernacular, Alden expressed: “Pakiramdam ko, wala akong silbi (I felt useless)!”

He was then able to trace the root cause of it all: it was his woebegone life.

It was a crisis that involved every aspect of his being: three months of no job offers, a string of business undertakings not doing well, plus “personal demons” he had to deal with.

If our timeline proves accurate, this period was shortly after he wrapped up work in GMA Network’s Filipino adaptation of “Start-Up,” which paired him with Bea Alonzo.

It took GMA, however, to make him realize he was wrong — short of saying it was all in the mind.

“Maybe, I was just being ungrateful,” he sighed.

Alden’s case of depression — he admitted — nearly spiraled out of control, “But not to the point that I thought of doing drugs!”

All that he needed to invalidate his feeling of worthlessness was simply a job, one after another.

It was when he began shooting for the film, “Five Romances and A Breakup” with Julia Montes did Alden acknowledge something was amiss with his life perspective.

It literally didn’t take five romances and a breakup before his next project came along — that with Sharon Cuneta for last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

Instantly, Alden was able to break free from the shackles of depression.

It is also intriguing to note that Alden’s episodes of depression coincided with talks some media outlet out there was poised to pursue the actor no matter what.

Reportedly, it was to the observation of a representative from the anonymous media entity (or, to be blunt about it, a TV network) that Alden was “being shortchanged” in terms of projects.

In the words of a reliable Vignettes tipster: “Nasasayangan sila sa talent ni Alden (the media outlet felt Alden’s talent was being wasted), considering he’s a homegrown artist at that. Spanning his 13 years with GMA, there’s much to be desired.”

Did such words, supposedly coming from the unknown mercenary, contribute to what Alden had aptly termed as depression?

Did the actor in any way bargain with the media rep — that if he still gets thrown into a tailspin — career-wise — this 2024, then out he goes? g

Rekindling wanderlust: Winter...

on a journey that spanned the enchanting landscapes of Manila, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, and Iloilo, forging unforgettable memories and fostering cross-cultural exchange.

Among them was Edith Sobeng from Vancouver, a seasoned traveler whose curiosity was piqued by fliers promoting the tour at the consulate during her dual citizenship appointment. Despite initial apprehensions about joining a group tour for the first time, Edith found herself captivated by the diverse array of experiences awaiting her.

“For me, every moment is a highlight. The first time I joined, we explored Bohol, Dumaguete, Siquijor, and Cebu, so Iloilo is a new addition for me. There’s just so much to see and do,” Edith remarked, reflecting on her sixth Winter Escapade adventure.

Expressing her admiration for the Philippines’ natural beauty, she emphasized the importance of promoting tourism for economic growth. “I have no complaints about this tour, especially with such a lively group. It’s wonderful to see so many millennials this year,” she added, already looking forward to future excursions.

For Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, hosting balikbayan tour groups such as the Very Important (VIP) Tour and Winter Escapade is an opportunity they grabbed so they can proudly showcase their city to the world.

“Our involvement with the Very Important Pinoy Tour of the USA and Winter Escapade Tour from Canada was due to a partnership with DOT and TPB and Rajah Tours,” the mayor remarked. “We are very honored and proud to be chosen as one of the destinations for these tours projects; Iloilo City has

the best of both worlds, they say it is where the past meets the present.”

“Of course, we welcomed the chance to host because we want our balikbayans to experience our city’s beauty, its development and improvements, its gastronomic offerings, and we know by hosting, we will be able to promote investments and increase economic activities within the city,” Mayor Treñas added.

Noriel Favis from Edmonton echoed Edith’s sentiments, describing his fourth Winter Escapade as an enriching experience that surpassed his expectations.

“It was hectic visiting three cities, but we enjoyed every moment. The abundance of delicious food was a highlight, although we may have been short on sleep,” he chuckled.

From exploring the vibrant streets of Iloilo and Guimaras to rediscovering the charm of Bohol’s landscapes, Noriel cherished every moment shared with his family of 16, including several first-time participants.

Joining the tour to accompany his grandmother, Lola Lillian Soriano from Maryland, Ynigo Munoz found delight in exploring iconic landmarks such as Cebu’s historic pilgrimage sites and the picturesque shores of Balicasag Island in Bohol.

“I relished every moment of our travels, from exploring Intramuros to embarking on island-hopping adventures. It was a truly unforgettable experience,” he exclaimed, grateful for the opportunity to create lasting memories with his loved ones.

For Sarah Gonzales, the Winter Escapade offered a chance to explore beyond Luzon, a departure from her usual travel routine. Snorkeling in Moalboal, encountering sardines and

sea turtles, stood out as a memorable experience, reigniting her love for the Philippines since her last visit in 2016. Encouraged by her aunts who had previously embarked on the journey, Gonzales and her family eagerly joined the tour, seeking to immerse herself in the diverse beauty of the country.

Reflecting on her adventure, Gonzales voiced a desire for a smaller group size to enhance the quality of activities and allow for a more leisurely pace. Despite feeling rushed at times, she appreciated the opportunity to explore four different regions and recommended the Winter Escapade to those seeking a comprehensive tour experience.

Lucy Reyes, representing the Philippine Canadian Nurses Association in Calgary, found the trip to be both eye-opening and nostalgic. Immersed in the

natural and cultural wonders of the Philippines. She was particularly moved by the warmth of the welcome extended by Governor Gwen Garcia and her team in Cebu.

However, she noted room for improvement, particularly the Sinigang Valley tour, suggesting a separation between advertising and tourism activities to enhance the overall experience.

“As tourists, we wanted to sightsee, not listen to lectures,” she quipped.

Despite these observations, Reyes commended the organizers for their exceptional organization, citing the Winter Escapade as the most well-coordinated tour she had ever participated in. Encouraged by Consul General Zaldy Patron to join the journey, Reyes found inspiration in reconnecting with her roots and discovering the unparalleled beauty of her homeland. g

The more than 250 tour participants at the Bellevue Hotel in Bohol for their farewell dinner, a fitting finale to the 10-day travel adventure.

Despite being one of the country’s biggest stars, Alden Richards admits that he has experienced feelings of worthlessness before.

Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02

Participants enjoyed a festive Filipiniana buffet during the Bohol Countryside River Cruise in Loboc, indulging in karaoke, line dancing, and mingling with local performers along the scenic route.

Miag-ao Church, one of the four great Baroque Spanish-era churches in the Philippines, along with San Agustín Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, and San Agustín Church in Paoay. The church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Donita Rose: ‘Now I know that marriage is pure bliss’

By Boy ABundA Philstar.com

DONITA Rose has received a beautiful assurance of God’s love. This, she revealed when she began talking about her fervent prayer, among others, that her next life partner would be a virgin.

The actress-turned-chef narrated that she had a long list of the characteristics she was looking for in a guy, and she was amazed at how God answered her prayer.

“I have a prayer list, (it’s) very specific. I said (the guy) should be a pastor, a worship leader, a Pinoy, or at least half. (He) must be handsome, he should be taller than me, he should be a breadwinner because I’ve been through a lot. He should be funny,” said Donita of her “requirements” in a guy.

“I even joked with the Lord which I didn’t expect (to be granted). I said, ‘Lord, I wish my husband would be a virgin.’ It came true,” gushed Donita who exchanged “I do’s” with U.S.-based Filipino singer Felson Palad in September 2022 in California.

She learned that her prayers were granted when Felson confessed to her that he was a virgin during one of their dates. “When I met him and we started talking as friends, eventually we started dating. He said, ‘I have a confession to make. I am still a virgin.’

“I didn’t answer him. He said, ‘Why, did it turn you off?’ I said, ‘That’s my prayer to the Lord which I don’t think He would fulfill; that He can answer even the small things,’” she continued.

I went through a lot before I reached this moment. I went through depression. But now, I have no regrets about what I’ve been through.”

Donita declared feeling “complete” as a person. “Parang ngayon ako naging buo. Now I know who I am. My identity is not in another person because there was a time when my husband (her first, Eric Villarama) and I separated I was like, ‘Who am I now?’ Iniwan ako, and people judged me na parang, ‘Tumaba kasi, hindi na siya maganda.’

“There were a lot of internal struggles. But I came back to my first love, Jesus Christ. I was reminded of my identity in Christ.”

She also made clear that she was already complete before Felson came into her life. “But the fact that I met a guy who loves God as much as I do, that’s where the dream is. I can’t believe it. This is not a dream because we’re serving God together and we’re loving God together. There’s nothing better.”

“I felt like I was dreaming. I couldn’t believe that I’ve got a husband again because did ‘Kasal,’ which] makes our job easier,” Verzosa echoed.

To recall, Donita and

Felson got engaged in May 2022 and the two got married four months later. Her divorce with ex-husband Eric was finalized in 2016. She and Eric have a son named Joshua Paul.

Meanwhile, Donita has not completely turned her back to acting as she topbills “Malice in Manila,” streaming on Amazon Prime. Viewers can also expect to see her husband Felson taking on a role in the said independent film.

“I play the role of a mail-order bride. Felson portrays my ex-husband so siya ang contravida ng film. What happened was when I was being interviewed for the film, I was with Felson because he drove me there. Then when the director found out that they’re both from Cavite, he said, ‘Bakit hindi na lang ikaw?’ I couldn’t stop laughing for like a week because I couldn’t believe na ang kalaban ko sa pelikula is my husband in real life,” Donita amusingly said. She, too, would love to do a TV series or movie in the Philippines if and when

there is an offer but what she is not sure though is to leave her husband in the U.S. for a long time for acting stints in the country.

“Hindi kasi importante sa akin maging sikat or successful sa mata ng buong mundo. I’m happy even if I don’t work (as an actress). My husband said that there is no need for me to work anymore because he will be the one in-charge.

“So, I don’t have to worry about finances anymore but I’m not expecting a lot. Hindi naman mayaman ang asawa ko pero mayaman kami sa mga experiences in life. We’re just enjoying and savoring every moment. He works hard. He’s a singer in Orange County retirement homes.”

What does she pray for every day?

“That my son would love the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength.”

What’s the best thing about his husband Felson?

“Lahat. (And) now I know, for sure, that marriage is pure bliss,” Donita concluded. g

Regine Velasquez on calls to name her National Artist

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

SINGER-HOST Regine Velasquez admitted she was flattered by calls from Filipinos to name her a National Artist, although she believes others are currently more qualified to receive the recognition.

Calls to consider Regine a National Artist erupted after she was honored with the Powerhouse award for her 37 years of making Original Pilipino Music at the inaugural Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards last month.

Meanwhile, she then responded to the prospect of becoming a National Artist when she attended a surprise birthday party for her “Magandang Buhay” co-host Melai CantiverosFrancisco last week and was interviewed by entertainment reporter MJ Felipe.

“Parang nahihiya ako, parang there are artists who are more qualified,” Regine admitted. “I don’t think I’m qualified yet.”

Some of the artists she wanted to see given the recognition instead were Pilita Corrales and Jose Mari

Chan, reiterating that it is not her time yet.

Related: ‘My son is my legacy’: Regine Velasquez receives Women in Music’s Powerhouse award

While she personally believe she has a long way to go, Regine is still grateful for those pushing her for the recognition.

“Pero huwag muna kasi maraming mas iniisip ko na sila dapat. Those are the people who should be there and sana malagay sila habang buhay pa sila,” Regine ended, noting how it took years before Nora Aunor was finally named a National Artist in 2022.

Fourteen of the 81 Filipinos that have been named National Artists were recognized for their contributions to music including Ryan Cayabyab, Levi Celerio, Ramon Santos, Jovita Fuentes, Felipe de Leon, Antonio Molina and most recently Fides CuyuganAsensio.

The most recent batch of National Artists included Nora, Fides, Ricky Lee, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Salvacion Lim-Higgins, Gemino Abad, Tony Mabesa and Agnes Locsin. g

Paulo, Kylie and the highs and lows of love and life...

Written and directed by Rein Entertainment’s Philip King [“Nanahimik Ang Gabi,” “Bagman”], “Elevator” follows the story of Jared [Avelino], an elevator attendant at a hotel-casino complex in Singapore. Ambitious and hardworking, Jared develops an innovative app for Filipino migrant workers. He pitches his concept to affluent businessmen he encounters in the elevator, hoping to entice them into investment.

Despite his relentless efforts, he is always rejected until he meets Byron (veteran Singaporean actor Adrian Pang), a successful businessman who takes an interest in his app.

But before sealing the deal, Byron instructs Jared to ask his secretary, Bettina (Verzosa), who is also Filipino, to help him refine his business proposal.

Bettina is initially ill-tempered and dismissive towards Jared, but after spending much time working together, the fellow OFWs grow closer. As they share their hopes and dreams with one another, Jared finds himself smitten by Bettina, who warned from the start never to fall in love with her.

Eventually, the two characters must choose whether to be together or keep working toward the better future they seek in Singapore.

Asked why the film is titled “Elevator,” King explained, “We use it as a metaphor. If you want to punch ‘up’ in your life [as you

would in an elevator], it means you’re not satisfied or in an abyss. For me an elevator is like that — it’s not part of a building’s floor, you go up and you go down. But as long as you punch that floor number it means you are fighting, it means you want to be somewhere and Paulo’s character is like that.”

In support, Avelino said that while their film is marketed as a romantic-comedy with all the elements of both genres, he finds it more inspirational.

“It’s more of a feel-good movie and it gives a better glimpse of the lives of our kababayans working abroad. I think at its core, the movie is about hope, not just for migrant workers, not just OFWs, but for everyone.

“We all get confused in our lives — what to choose, what to prioritize — and I hope

this film will help viewers decide on what they want not just for the betterment of their careers but for their lives as well,” Avelino concluded.

“Elevator” is a landmark project of Viva Films, Studio Viva, Rein Entertainment, and Cineko Productions. The cast and crew filmed for 10 days in Singapore, where 90 percent of the scenes took place.

Its producers, Lino Cayetano and Shugo Praico — who, together with King co-founded Rein Entertainment — shared they also partnered with Singaporean production outfit Dogma Films for the movie. Given this multiway production, the group told The Manila Times Entertainment in a previous interview that “Elevator” is another realization of the industry’s goal to go international. g

‘Asia’s Songbird’ Regine Velasquez ABS-CBN photo

Donita and husband Felson with the actresss’ son Joshua Paul during their September 2022 wedding held four months after they got engaged. Photo from Instagram/@dashofdonita