042624 - Northern California Edition

Californians

A YEAR ago, with the end of the federal COVID-19 emergency, California started redetermining eligibility for one out of three of its residents on Medi-Cal, its version of Medicaid.

At a time when many states are using this process to drop Medicaid members from the rolls en masse — Texas, for instance, has removed over two million members since the pandemic-era protections were lifted, while Florida has removed nearly one million — California is on the front line of efforts not only to retain but expand health coverage.

At an Ethnic Media Services Briefing, a state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) official, community health care enrollment workers and Medi-Cal enrollees shared how redetermination has impacted enrollment, efforts to keep eligible members enrolled and the importance of keeping Medi-Cal services.

An overview of the unwinding

The nationwide redetermination of Medicaid, known as “the great unwinding,”

Biden administration sets higher sta ng mandates

Most nursing homes don’t meet them

THE Biden administration finalized nursing home staffing rules Monday, April 22 that will require thousands of them to hire more nurses and aides — while giving them years to do so.

The new rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are the most substantial changes to federal oversight of the nation’s roughly 15,000 nursing homes in more than three decades. But they are less stringent than what patient advocates said was needed to provide high-quality care. Spurred by disproportionate deaths from COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, the rules aim to address perennially sparse staffing that can be a root cause of missed diagnoses, severe bedsores, and frequent falls.

“For residents, this will mean more staff, which means fewer ER visits potentially, more independence,” Vice President Kamala Harris said while meeting with nursing home

— Malacañang warned the public against a manipulated video circulating online featuring an audio of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supposedly ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to "act against a particular foreign country." In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the president has "no such directive" and the audio "deepfake" was created using generative artificial intelligence (AI).

The PCO said deepfakes were an advanced form of digital content manipulation through the use of generative AI.

meeting was attended by senior officials of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Defense, National Security Council, as well as their counterparts in the U.S.

It was held in Washington, D.C. on April 24 (Philippine time).

“The parties discussed outcomes from the recent leaders’ engagements and how both countries can continue to facilitate a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the media note reads.

“The parties further decided to explore additional opportunities to strengthen global support for upholding the international law of the sea,” it adds.

The assembly followed the annual U.S.-PH Bilateral Strategic Dialogue held April 22 to April 23, as well as the historic trilateral leaders’ summit between the Philippines, U.S. and Japan on April 11. �

"The audio deepfake attempts to make it appear as if the president has directed our Armed Forces of the Philippines to act against a particular foreign country. No such directive exists nor has been made," the PCO said. Citing its Media and Information Literacy Campaign, the PCO said it was actively working on measures to combat fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo from Facebook/@MayorIndaySaraDuterteOfficial

In the years of the Aquino administration, from 2011 to 2015, the Philippines received a total of $43 billion worth of investments from the Chinese government.

From 2017 to 2021, the Duterte government brought in $164.64 billion in investments from China. This includes the two years, 2020 and 2021 when the world was struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019 alone, the Philippines received $89.64 billion worth of investments from China, more than double the combined amount received during the five years of the Aquino government that have been included in this study.

There were more Chinese investments received by the country at the height of Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi

Malacañang file photo

MANILA

EJK remains a ‘serious problem...

police in connection with antidrug operations” as the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continued the war on drugs started by his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Compared to Duterte’s method, which saw thousands of casualties as recorded by local and international human rights organizations, the agency pointed out that the current administration focused on “treatment and rehabilitation, due process, and rule of lawbased investigations.”

Citing data from the nongovernmental organization Dahas PH, the agency said that there were 209 killings related to anti-drug operations from January to August 2023.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also looked into 51 new complaints of alleged EJKs, as reported by the agency.

These incidents, which affected 82 victims, reportedly involved six personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), two members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, seven insurgents, four civilians and 33 unidentified individuals.

Aside from these incidents, the report also mentioned that the CHR investigated 15 drugrelated EJKs with 18 victims where eight of the cases involved the police.

The report of the U.S. State Department likewise mentioned the case of slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and five other individuals who were killed in March 2023.

The alleged mastermind of the killing of Degamo is expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is currently in pre-trial detention in TimorLeste.

The agency also cited the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy

Baltazar, shot dead by Navotas City police officers in August 2023.

The six cops were initially charged with murder by the Department of Justice last year. However, five of these cops received lighter penalties while one was acquitted.

Aside from the EJKs, the report also tackled other significant human rights issues such as arbitrary or unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture or inhumane punishment by and on behalf of the government, other physical abuses by nonstate actors, use of child soldiers by terrorists, serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom and extensive gender-based violence.

The agency submits its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices to the U.S. Congress on a yearly basis. g

Data: China aid highest under...

the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 ($15.8 billion) than in each of the four years of the Aquino administration (2012, $3.8 billion; 2013, $1.7 billion; 2014, $12.5 billion; 2015, $3.5 billion).

The figures included during the administration of Aquino were those from 2011 to 2015, since 2010 was a shared year with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, while 2016 was a shared year with Duterte.

On the other hand, the figures included during the Duterte government were those recorded for 2017 to 2021, since 2016 was a shared year with Aquino and 2022 was a shared year with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Philippines also received higher official development assistance (ODA) from China during the time of Duterte than during the incumbency of Aquino.

The grants the Philippines received from China rose by 81.83 percent from the time of Aquino to Duterte, from $1.56 million to $127.66 million. Marcos distorts Ayungin pacts to accuse Duterte of betraying country

The projects covered by the grants from China during the Duterte government include the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila and the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in Mandaluyong City.

In addition, the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) extended $2.4 billion in loans during the Duterte

Among the projects that reached various stages of development are the $5.4 billion investments in the third telecom player DITO-China telecom partnership; the 250MW South Pulangi hydroelectric power plant project in Damulog, Bukidnon; the $1.5-billion petrochemical refinery processing plant complex in the Tubalan Cove Business and Industrial Park; the $40 million collaboration to promote indigenous, new and renewable energy resources; and the $500-million construction of infrastructure for nationwide Wi-Fi connectivity.

administration. It was under the Aquino administration that the Philippines became one of the founding members of AIIB. Covered by China development loans during the time of Duterte were the Metro Manila Flood Management Project, the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project and the Samal Island-Davao City Bridge. There were also numerous donations that China extended to the Philippines during the Duterte administration, including P1 billion in rescue and relief equipment for the Marawi rehabilitation; P169 million in 3,000 assault rifles, ammunition and accessories; 12-meter-long boats and 30 rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) launchers that was delivered during the height of the Marawi crisis; and other disaster and relief assistance including 10,000 tons of rice that were distributed to the families affected by the series of typhoons, and medical supplies and vaccines during the pandemic. g

Palace warns vs Marcos ‘deepfake’ video...

malinformation. The PCO said it was also closely coordinating and working with relevant government agencies and private sector partners to address the proliferation and malicious use of video and audio deepfakes and other generative AI content.

"We ask everyone to be proactive in exposing and fighting against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Let us remain and be more mindful and responsible of the content we choose to share in our shared digital spaces," the PCO said.

"Let us all be more vigilant against such manipulated digital content that are deployed by actors to propagate malicious content online and advance a malign influence agenda. We encourage everyone to work with us in fostering a more aware, resilient, and engaged citizenry in our digital commons," it added. g

One year after Medi-Cal renewals, health care...

is “one of the biggest healthcare events after the Affordable Care Act,” said Yingjia Huang, DHCS Assistant Deputy Director of Health Care Benefits and Eligibility. “It ends next month, in May 2024. California was able to renew and is continuing to renew nearly 15 million Medi-Cal members — and we’ve learned quite a bit.”

In November 2023, with 1 million Californians up for renewal that month, the state had a 21 percent disenrollment rate, whether due to ineligibility or errors with returning paperwork.

In December, however, DHCS automated much of the online enrollment process, “reducing that 21 percent disenrollment to about 9 percent,” said Huang. “Our January and February data shows that it continues to decrease, and those who are disenrolled for procedural reasons have 90 days to re-enroll with no gap in coverage.”

“One of the major obstacles was filling out that hefty redetermination packet. Many of our members came onto the program during the pandemic, and never did redetermination before, as the annual process was paused,” she explained. “Alongside automating the process to help members, we’ve created how-to videos and outreach to enroll over the phone or online, translated into 19 languages.”

In January 2024, DHCS also expanded Medi-Cal to eligible undocumented individuals of all ages adding about 700,000 people to full-scope benefits, she continued. “We did all that as we were going through the unwinding, and we’re very proud of where we are.”

“Now that Medi-Cal has expanded/ to everyone regardless of citizenship and immigration status, it’s evermore vital for the health of the communities we serve and gets us closer to health care for all,” said Vilma Champion,

Director of Managed Care and Enrollment at Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC) in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. With the expansion, NEVHC expects to provide primary and preventive services to over 6,000 newly eligible patients. With the unwinding, its clinics have helped over 5,000 patients re-enroll, the bulk of whom were monolingual Spanish speakers from immigrant backgrounds. Champion suggested that, “to meet our patients where they are with access to care before they need it when they’re sick,” DHCS have culturally-tailored outreach for those with public charge or immigration status concerns, and reintroduce Saturday hours to increase accessibility and reduce wait times for those with conflicting work schedules.

Firsthand stories

“As the mother of three children, I’m very thankful that the workers at my clinic in Sun Valley made re-enrollment so smooth,” said Griselda, a Spanish-speaking NEVHC patient, through a translator. “Good health ensures the future for our children. I hope Medi-Cal is always there for them.”

She said she was especially grateful to be able to take her children to yearly physicals, and have them access normally expensive dental care: “My 15 year old daughter had a problem where she couldn’t close her teeth, and she was aware that kids who have this get bullied in school. She was very happy to get braces and prevent that from happening.”

“Last August, near San Diego, my mother, from Yucatan, had her first seizure,” said Dara Montejo, daughter of a new enrollee. “She was undocumented and I didn’t know much about Medi-Cal at the time; I thought she was dying. Even when I was calling the ambulance, in the back of my mind, I thought, ‘How much will the bill be?’ and when the

EMTs came, we decided to take her in my dad’s car. I wasn’t feeling safe, but it felt like the only option.”

“That was last August,” she continued. “As of January, Medi-Cal has now opened its arms to her and I’m not scared of telling her to go to the emergency room whenever she feels bad, because I know we won’t get a bill of thousands of dollars, or over $100 for each bottle of her monthly prescriptions. It’s really nice not having to worry about that anymore.”

Although Medi-Cal is expanding and improving, some still fear accessibility gaps and stigma.

“When my daughter got pregnant, she didn’t know how to navigate Medi-Cal. I helped get her enrolled, but we kept having to go to different clinics and doctors,” said Fitzgerald Graves, an enrollee with the African American Network of Kern County. “There was no rapport or consistent diagnosis … it turned out the baby had encephalitis, but the doctor told us the heartbeat was fine, and actually cursed us.”

“At a second hospital, they told us there was no heartbeat. The baby had passed in the womb,” he continued.

“I’m happy to say that all of our family is now on Medi-Cal,” Graves said. “My daughter and her fiancee are now expecting a little girl and I’ve tried to get her to use this new enrollment as a tool to get therapy and advocate for herself in finding physicians … I’m now scheduled for knee surgery due to a car accident. I’m confident in my surgeon and relieved to have the coverage.”

“What the state’s doing to keep people on Medi-Cal is the right way to go, and it’s only getting better,” he added. “My hope for the future of health care in California is that people have support in navigating the benefits they now have access to.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)

ADVOCACY SHOW. “The Wave of Change Towards a Plastic-Free Quezon City” exhibit at the city hall’s High Rise Building lobby piques the curiosity of a boy on Saturday, April 20. The 12-feet art installation, up until April 30, is made of thousands of plastic straws, utensils and other single-use plastics that are prohibited when dining in within the city. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Roman Gabriel, rst Fil-Am quarterback in NFL, dies at 83

LOS ANGELES – Roman Gabriel, the first Filipino American quarterback in the NFL and the league MVP in 1969, died on Saturday, April 20. He was 83. Gabriel’s death at his home in Little River, South Carolina was announced by his son, Roman Gabriel III. A cause was not specified.

Following a college career at North Carolina State that would lead to his election to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, the Rams made Gabriel the second pick of the 1962 NFL draft, behind Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ernie Davis, and he signed with them, choosing them over the Oakland Raiders, who made Gabriel the first choice in the American Football League draft. He was the Rams’ starting quarterback from 1966 through 1972.

After splitting time as the starter with Zeke Bratkowski and Bill Munson, first-year coach George Allen made Gabriel the starter in 1966, who guided the team to an 8-6 record, its first winning season since 1958. The Rams won the Coastal Division title in 1967, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1955. Gabriel led the NFL with 24 touchdown passes in 1969, as the Rams won their first 11 games, but lost their final three regular-season games and firstround playoff game.

The Rams acquired John Hadl from the San Diego Chargers in 1973, with the intention of making him their number-one quarterback. Gabriel requested a trade and was shipped off to a struggling Philadelphia team, where he would spend his final five seasons. Gabriel played 11 seasons with the Rams, and was selected for the Pro Bowl three times. In his first year with the Eagles, Gabriel was voted Comeback Player of the Year by sports writers after he tied for the league-lead in touchdown passes, and led in passing yards and completions.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl once with his new team before retiring after the 1977 season, having accumulated 29,444 yards passing and 201 touchdowns. After his playing days were over, Gabriel went into broadcasting. He also coached at Cal Poly Pomona, from 1980-82, was the offensive coordinator for the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League in 1983 and coach of the Raleigh*Durham Skyhawks of the World League of American Football in 1991. Born Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr., Aug. 5, 1940 in Wilmington, North Carolina, Gabriel was the son of a Filipino father, Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Sr., and an Irish American mother, Edna Mae Wyatt. Gabriel was a three-sport star in high school, also excelling in basketball and baseball. He was offered a contract by the New York Yankees, which he turned down to accept a football scholarship from North Carolina State, earning All-America honors twice. (Inquirer.net)

When the regulations are fully enacted, 4 in 5 homes will need to augment their payrolls, CMS estimated. But the new standards are likely to require slight if any improvements for many of the 1.2 million residents in facilities that are already quite close to or meet the minimum levels.

“Historically, this is a big deal, and we’re glad we have now established a floor,” Blanca Castro, California’s long-term care ombudsman, said in an interview. “From here we can go upward, recognizing there will be a lot of complaints about where we are going to get more people to fill these positions.”

The rules primarily address staffing levels for three types of nursing home workers. Registered nurses, or RNs, are the most skilled and responsible for guiding overall care and setting treatment plans. Licensed practical nurses, sometimes called licensed vocational nurses, work under the direction of RNs and perform

such as taking vital signs. Certified nursing assistants are supposed to be the most plentiful and help residents with daily activities like going to the bathroom, getting dressed, and eating.

While the industry has increased wages by 27% since February 2020, homes say they are still struggling to compete against better-paying work for nurses at hospitals and at retail shops and restaurants for aides.

On average, nursing home RNs earn $40 an hour, licensed practical nurses make $31 an hour, and nursing assistants are paid $19 an hour, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

CMS estimated the rules will ultimately cost $6 billion annually, but the plan omits any more payments from Medicare or Medicaid, the public insurers that cover most residents’ stays — meaning additional wages would have to come out of owners’ pockets or existing facility budgets.

The American Health Care Association, which represents the nursing home industry, called

“an unreasonable standard” that “creates an impossible task for providers” amid a persistent worker shortage nationwide. “This unfunded mandate doesn’t magically solve the nursing crisis,” the association’s CEO, Mark Parkinson, said in a statement. Parkinson said the industry will keep pressing Congress to overturn the regulation. Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a New York City-based advocacy nonprofit, said “it is hard to call this a win for nursing home residents and families” given that the minimum levels were below what studies have found to be ideal.

The plan was welcomed by labor unions that represent nurses — and whom President Joe Biden is counting on for support in his reelection campaign. Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry called it a “long-overdue sea change.” This political bond was underscored by the administration’s decision

Photo from the Los Angeles Rams

PRO-ENVIRONMENT. Multisectoral groups air their call for a climate emergency during a press conference in Quezon City on Earth Day Monday, April 22. They also asked for the phasing out of fossil fuels and more assistance for El Niño victims. PNA photo by Ben Briones REDWOOD

Unsheltered people are losing Medicaid in redetermination mix-ops

by AAron Bolton, MtPr KFF Health News

KALISPELL — On a cold

February morning at the Flathead Warming Center, Tashya Evans waited for help with her Medicaid application as others at the shelter got ready for the day in this northwestern Montana city. Evans said she lost Medicaid coverage in September because she hadn’t received paperwork after moving from Great Falls, Montana. She has had to forgo the blood pressure medication she can no longer pay for since losing coverage. She has also had to put off needed dental work.

“The teeth broke off. My gums hurt. There’s some times where I’m not feeling good, I don’t want to eat,” she said. Evans is one of about 130,000 Montanans who have lost Medicaid coverage as the state reevaluates everyone’s eligibility following a pause in disenrollments during the covid-19 pandemic. About two-thirds of those who were kicked off state Medicaid rolls lost coverage for technical reasons, such as incorrectly filling out paperwork. That’s one of the highest procedural disenrollment rates in the nation, according to a KFF analysis.

Even unsheltered people like Evans are losing their coverage, despite state officials saying they would automatically renew people who should still qualify by using Social Security and disability data.

As other guests filtered out of the shelter that February morning, Evans sat down in a spare office with an application counselor from Greater Valley Health Clinic, which serves much of the homeless population here, and recounted her struggle to reenroll. She said that she had asked for help at the state public assistance office, but that the staff didn’t have time to answer her questions about which forms she needed to fill out or to walk her through the paperwork. She tried the state’s help line, but couldn’t get through.

“You just get to the point where you’re like, ‘I’m frustrated right now. I just have other things that are more important,

and let’s not deal with it,’” she said. Evans has a job and spends her free time finding a place to sleep since she doesn’t have housing. Waiting on the phone most of the day isn’t feasible.

There’s no public data on how many unhoused people in Montana or nationwide have lost Medicaid, but homeless service providers and experts say it’s a big problem.

Those assisting unsheltered people who have lost coverage say they spend much of their time helping people contact the Montana Medicaid office.

Sorting through paperwork

mistakes is also a headache, said Crystal Baker, a case manager at HRDC, a homeless shelter in Bozeman. “We’re getting mail that’s like, ‘Oh, this needs to be turned in by this date,’ and that’s already two weeks past. So, now we have to start the process all over again,” she said. “Now, they have to wait two to three months without insurance.” Montana health officials told NPR and KFF Health News in a statement that they provided training to help homeless service agencies prepare their clients for redetermination. Federal health officials have warned Montana and some other conservative states against disenrolling high rates of people for technicalities, also known as procedural disenrollment. They also warned states about unreasonable barriers to accessing help, such as long hold times on help lines. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said if states don’t reduce the rate of procedural disenrollments, the agency could force them to halt their redetermination process altogether. So far, CMS hasn’t taken that step.

Charlie Brereton, the director of the Montana health department, resisted calls from Democratic state lawmakers to pause the redetermination process. Redetermination ended in January, four months ahead of the federal deadline. “I’m confident in our redetermination process,” Brereton told lawmakers in December. “I do believe that many of the Medicaid members who’ve been disenrolled were

disenrolled correctly. Health industry observers say that both liberal-leaning and conservative-leaning states are kicking homeless people off their rolls and that the redetermination process has been chaotic everywhere. Because of the barriers that unsheltered people face, it’s easy for them to fall through the cracks.

Margot Kushel, a physician and a homeless researcher at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, said it may not seem like a big deal to fill out paperwork. But, she said, “put yourself in the position of an elder experiencing homelessness,” especially those without access to a computer, phone, or car.

If they still qualify, people can usually get their Medicaid coverage renewed — eventually — and it may reimburse patients retroactively for care received while they were unenrolled.

Kushel said being without Medicaid for any period can be particularly dangerous for people who are homeless. This population tends to have high rates of chronic health conditions.

“Being out of your asthma medicine for three days can be life-threatening. If you have high blood pressure and you suddenly stop your medicine, your blood pressure shoots up, and your risk of having a heart attack goes way up,” she said.

When people don’t understand why they’re losing coverage or how to get it back, that erodes their trust in the medical system, Kushel said. Evans, the homeless woman, was able to get help with her application and is likely to regain coverage.

Agencies that serve unhoused people said it could take years to get everyone who lost coverage back on Medicaid. They worry that those who go without coverage will resort to using the emergency room rather than managing their health conditions proactively.

Baker, the case manager at the Bozeman shelter, set up several callbacks from the state Medicaid office for one client. The state needed to interview him to make sure he still

u PAGE 7

Marcos says VP Sara to stay as education...

will be replaced if they do not do their jobs. All the other things are not part of the discussion. If they cannot do it, if they get sick, just say it and you will be replaced. If they are inept or corrupt, you will be removed. Inday is not like that.)

Lawmakers’ calls for Sara Duterte’s resignation came for different reasons. Some have questioned her lack of experience in education, while others cited the Duterte family’s barrage of insults against Marcos.

“The vice president should show some decency by resigning from her DepEd post at the very least. Her family unleashed a barrage of insults and attacks directly to the president and yet she does nothing and is still enjoying the perks of being part of the official family,” Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua said in a statement on April 19.

“If he were to replace his secretary, then he should get someone he should have gotten in the first place: someone who knows education and whose decisions actually better the sector,” Castro said. g

In a January rally, former President Rodrigo Duterte publicly called Marcos “bangag”, a slang term for drug user. Sara Duterte attended the said rally and was caught on camera ‘laughing’ during her father’s speech. This earned her the ire of First Lady Liza Marcos. Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said that the country needs someone better fitted for the role of Education Secretary.

Biden administration sets higher staffing...

to have Harris announce the rule with SEIU members in Wisconsin, a swing state.

The new rules supplant the vague federal mandate that has been in place since the 1980s requiring nursing homes to have “sufficient” staffing to meet residents’ needs. In practice, inspectors rarely categorized inadequate staffing as a serious infraction resulting in possible penalties, federal records show.

Starting in two years, most homes must provide an average of at least 3.48 hours of daily care per resident. About 6 in 10 nursing homes are already operating at that level, a KFF analysis found. The rules give homes breathing room before they must comply with more specific requirements. Within three years, most nursing homes will need to provide daily RN care of at least 0.55 hours per resident and 2.45 hours from aides. CMS also mandated that within two years an RN must be on duty at all times in case of a patient crisis on weekends or overnight. Currently, CMS requires at least eight consecutive hours of RN presence each day and a licensed nurse of any level on duty around the clock. An inspector general report found that nearly a thousand nursing homes didn’t meet those basic requirements. Nursing homes in rural areas will have longer to staff up. Within three years, they must meet the overall staffing numbers and the round-the-clock RN requirement. CMS’ rule said rural homes have four years to achieve the RN and nurse aide thresholds, although there was some confusion within CMS, as its press materials said rural homes would have five

years. Under the new rules, the average nursing home, which has around 100 residents, would need to have at least two RNs working each day, and at least 10 or 11 nurse aides, the administration said. Homes could meet the overall requirements through two more workers, who could be RNs, vocational nurses, or aides.

Homes can get a hardship exemption from the minimums if they are in regions with low populations of nurses or aides and demonstrate good-faith efforts to recruit.

Democrats praised the rules, though some said the administration did not go nearly far enough. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, said the changes were “modest improvements” but that “much more is needed to ensure sufficient care and resident safety.” A Republican senator from Nebraska, Deb Fischer, said the rule would “devastate nursing homes across the country and worsen the staffing shortages we are already facing.”

Advocates for nursing home residents have been pressing CMS for years to adopt a higher standard than what it ultimately settled on. A CMS-commissioned study in 2001 found that the quality of care improved with increases of staff up to a level of 4.1 hours per resident per day — nearly a fifth higher than what CMS will require. The consultants CMS hired in preparing its new rules did not incorporate the earlier findings in their evaluation of options.

CMS said the levels it endorsed were more financially feasible for homes, but that assertion didn’t

quiet the ongoing battle about how many people are willing to work in homes at current wages and how financially strained homes owners actually are.

“If states do not increase Medicaid payments to nursing homes, facilities are going to close,” said John Bowblis, an economics professor and research fellow with the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University. “There aren’t enough workers and there are shortages everywhere. When you have a 3% to 4% unemployment rate, where are you going to get people to work in nursing homes?”

Researchers, however, have been skeptical that all nursing homes are as broke as the industry claims or as their books show. A study published in March by the National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that 63% of profits were secretly siphoned to owners through inflated rents and other fees paid to other companies owned by the nursing homes’ investors.

Charlene Harrington, a professor emeritus at the nursing school of the University of California-San Francisco, said: “In their unchecked quest for profits, the nursing home industry has created its own problems by not paying adequate wages and benefits and setting heavy nursing workloads that cause neglect and harm to residents and create an unsatisfactory and stressful work environment.” (Jordan Ray/KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

THE country joined Earth Day activities on Monday, April 22 with environmental issues capturing public attention. In Bohol, the national and local governments must clarify policies on development in the Chocolate Hills, balancing the need to preserve the protected area while allowing sustainable tourism.

Balancing economic growth and commercial development with environmental protection is also needed in the massive reclamation projects approved by the Duterte administration in Manila Bay while national attention was diverted to a cleanup of Boracay island. In Bulacan, fishermen are lamenting the loss of their livelihoods while residents are suffering from massive flooding, which they blame on reclamation and construction along coastal communities. It’s not just Manila Bay. Laguna de Bay keeps getting smaller and more polluted from ongoing feverish reclamation, endangering the fish and fresh water supplies of Greater Manila, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources seemingly unmindful, unwilling or unable to stop the activities. At the Masungi Georeserve, a nongovernment organization engaged in protecting the area is fighting with the DENR and the Bureau of Corrections. On top of pollution and anything-goes development is the existential threat posed by climate change.

THERE is so much activity in Washington, D.C. at the start of the spring season, especially with the political situation getting warmer as the U.S. presidential election draws near. The ongoing legal case against former President Donald Trump and the impeachment trial of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that was swiftly dismissed are just some of the issues that underscore the widening political divide between Republicans and Democrats. While people may think Washington, D.C. is defined by pure politics, the reality is there are so many events and activities that are happening, among them the annual International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) spring meetings that bring together finance ministers, central bankers, private sector executives, academics and civil society executives to tackle poverty eradication, climate change, debt, economic recovery and other global economic concerns.

Editorial

The country, which has one of the world’s most extensive coastlines, is among the most vulnerable to rising ocean temperatures. Global warming is threatening Philippine agriculture and fisheries production, aggravating food insecurity especially among poor households. Sustainable forestry has yet to be institutionalized. Denuded watersheds have led to deadly landslides and catastrophic flooding during the wet season.

Over half a century since a mass protest in New York City launched Earth Day in 1970, there has been progress in efforts to protect the planet, but the challenges keep evolving and piling up. This year, Earth Day is focused on pursuing a 60 percent reduction in the production of plastics by 2049, and the approval of the United Nations Global Plastic Treaty.

The plastics campaign is best accompanied by an equally aggressive effort to promote proper waste disposal. All types of waste, not just plastics, end up polluting the seas and communities. People must be made aware that drainage systems clogged by

garbage cause flooding, that piles of garbage draw vermin and disease-causing mosquitoes, and that polluted lakes and seas endanger the food supply.

This Earth Day, simply tossing used tissue and food discards into a garbage bin would be a meaningful contribution in saving the planet. (Philstar.com)

Springtime in Washington: A lot of hope for the future

Together with the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, our Economic Team at the Philippine embassy in Washington co-organized the “Philippine Dialogue,” which is an expanded version of the Philippine Economic Briefing that we have been doing for the past several years.

The dialogue gave the Philippine economic managers led by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto with National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila the opportunity to engage in more deep and productive conversations with American investors, with the end goal of strengthening our trade and investment ties and deepening public-private sector collaboration.

As I underscored during my welcome remarks, it has been nearly two years since President Marcos Jr. tasked his economic managers – with the full support of the Philippine Congress – to create an economic landscape that is open, transparent, connected, inclusive and progressive – and the reforms that have been put in place and

those that are still forthcoming make the Philippines an even more attractive investment destination than ever.

Secretary Recto noted the common consensus among economists that the Philippines is set to lead Asian growth over the next decade, outlining the country’s promising growth trajectory which he attributed to “strong consumer spending, which continues to account for more than 70 percent of the economy.”

The dialogue was very successful, and one particular speaker that inspired everyone in the briefing was Citigroup vice chairman of Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory Jay Collins who said, “Now is the best time to invest in the Philippines because so much is going right.”

Jay Collins has over three decades of leadership experience in international finance and global policy, and is convinced that on “the rating of A, it’s clear to Citi… that the Philippines is on that pathway.”

Describing the country’s growth story as “absolutely extraordinary,” he told everyone present that they “just need to look across to the continent to see the plummeting of growth

in China… and yet, you see the exact opposite in this divergent, extraordinary growth paradigm in the Philippines.” The Citi executive praised the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos. “For those of you who have seen year in and year out the quality of the Cabinet and leadership in the Philippines, again, this Cabinet just screams leadership,” he stated, sharing that those who saw and heard the president during the trilateral summit between the U.S., the Philippines and Japan noted his magnanimous leadership style, grace and charisma. We received so much feedback globally and thousands of congratulatory messages at the inclusion of President Marcos in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2024 under the “Leaders” category. “Bongbong has stood steadfast against Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea and bolstered his nation’s alliance with the U.S. in the face of ‘rising tensions in our region and the world,’ as he said last May,” the short Time Magazine profile went, noting that “despite geopolitical tensions and the hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Marcos has

elevated the Philippines on the world stage and contributed to regional stability, notably in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Indeed, the president has undoubtedly put the Philippines on centerstage, especially with the high profile and extremely successful trilateral summit at the White House with U.S. President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and PBBM.

In the most recent online commentary by Greg Poling and Erin Murphy published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, they highlighted the strategic imperative of economic security, noting that Japan and the U.S. are showing their deep and abiding commitment by investing in the Philippines’ infrastructure, digital economy and other areas – at the same time proving that “partnering with Tokyo and Washington can deliver public goods to Filipinos and economic growth for the nation” – allowing President Marcos to “counter those domestic critics who argue that by standing up to China he is sacrificing the potential economic benefits that Beijing could provide.”

Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has never missed a

presidential trip, stayed behind after the trilateral summit and was our special guest during the Philippine economic briefing. The Philippine embassy arranged for him several meetings with U.S. legislators that included Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee who, on the eve of the trilateral summit, introduced a bipartisan bill to provide $2.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines for the next five years. Upon the initiative of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in requesting U.S. support for the AFP modernization program, Senator Hagerty sponsored the bill to help the military modernization efforts of the Philippines. Speaker Romualdez thanked the good senator for this initiative.

Hope indeed springs eternal, and no doubt springtime in Washington gives us a lot of hope for the future. (Philstar. com)

DESCRIBING herself as a very private and apolitical person, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos came out of her sheltered life and publicly shared her innermost feelings and sentiments. FLAM, as she is referred to for short, did this in her first ever media interview two years after husband President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) moved back to Malacañang Palace. The first lady literally stepped out of the president’s shadow during the interview by veteran broadcaster Anthony “Tunying” Taberna. FLAM was clad in a casual dress and wearing a pair of stud earrings, a watch and a bracelet she disclosed was a gift to her from PBBM. The interview was done last April 12 but it was aired only last Thursday night (April 18) in Taberna’s “Tune In Kay Tunying” program on his YouTube channel and at his personal Facebook page. What ticked off FLAM was the question about her present relations with Vice President and concurrent Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte. FLAM retorted: “Bad shot na sya sa akin.” The two, both lawyers by profession, are the women closest to PBBM. The 64-year-old FLAM though has the advantage as the first woman PBBM sees when he wakes up in the morning and the last woman he sees before sleeping. This is not to mention the pillow talks between FLAM and PBBM before and after bedtime. FLAM explains to the public she only goes to Malacañang at least once a week to check on the internal household office and staff. She reveals anew she spends a “dinner date” with PBBM every Wednesday night. And every Sunday is a lunch gathering with the Marcos clan. But FLAM begged off on commenting on her relations with PBBM’s elder sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, for openly taking the opposition line. “You should ask her. I am just the out-law.

Sen. Imee has been noticeably nowhere in the Marcos family photos. She, too, is a close friend and defender of VP Sara and the latter’s father.

grandstand a few hours earlier that day before that “prayer rally” in Davao City in December 2023.

But perhaps PBBM likewise whispered to VP Sara the same reminder to “behave,” who knows?

I know what line not to cross,” FLAM stressed. She hastened to clarify though that her sisterin-law is included in the family lunch chat group reminder.

Even before FLAM’s admission, the falling out between FLAM and VP Sara did not escape public notice. It all started after a televised event of PBBM flying to Vietnam in January this year when FLAM intentionally avoided the VP at the send-off rites. As in any state visit, FLAM accompanied PBBM as part of the official delegation.

On the other hand, PBBM usually designated the VP as the head of the “caretaker” government.

In fact, FLAM herself narrated these in detail during Taberna’s hour-long interview. She bitterly recalled at that time she was still smarting from the stinging attacks on the Marcoses. When the camera panned to the VP, she noted her “laughing” at the digs dished out by her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as well as Davao City Mayor Baste against PBBM and son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro. Yet, she added, VP Sara joined PBBM in the grand launch of Bagong Pilipinas” at Luneta

“So, after that (rally), I snubbed her (Sara). I’d do it again. I mean, that’s not right, you don’t do that. That’s entitled politics. You’re in the government, you’re the vice president,” FLAM fumed. “I’m many things but I’m not a hypocrite,” she added.

As far as FLAM is concerned, the VP “crossed the line” while calling her husband as ever “mabait” (good-hearted) who still protects the Dutertes. What she obviously forgot, PBBM clapped back at Mr. Duterte. Before he left for that state visit to Vietnam, PBBM returned to Mr. Duterte’s own self-confession as a user of “fentanyl” pain-killer in the past.

In another official event, she related, when she and the vice president crossed paths again, PBBM supposedly reminded her to “behave.” With raised brows, she quoted her curt retort: “I told him: Wrong person, honey.”

Walking the talk, PBBM even had “beso-beso” with VP Sara a day after his wife’s “bad shot” comments came out in media.

What FLAM also could not ignore was ex-Pres. Duterte’s digs at her congressman-son Sandro as someone wishing to become the next prime minister of the country, purportedly “to perpetuate themselves in power.”

In obvious digs at the body tattoos of the Dutertes, FLAM described the better upbringing of her three sons. She proudly swore her sons have not been involved in any troublemaking, or have any “tattoos” painted on any part of their bodies.

The 45-year-old VP Sara also has three sons with husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. Thus, for sure, she shares the laments of a fellow wife and mother like FLAM when someone says bad things about her husband and children. FLAM branded as “myths” the claims she is actually the one acting as the president, or is the go-to person for those aspiring to be appointed to key positions in government. FLAM begs Filipinos to understand the situation of

PBBM who, like any other leader or head of government, needs a break once in a while. Describing PBBM as a “rock star” in his own dream, FLAM cited as example their attending together the recent concert in Manila of 76-year-old rock singer James Taylor. It is brave of FLAM on how she will face the ensuing fire and brimstone stirred by her no holds barred interview. As expected, the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) lashed back at the first lady. The DDS army of trolls riled at FLAM as a powerless, un-elected woman unlike VP Sara as the most popularly elected second highest official of the land.

In a seemingly veiled threat, FLAM shrugged them off, saying they could fight the same way but she “won’t stoop” to their level. With PBBM and ascribing herself as “the Fierce Lady” of the land, she tells them: “Let them do their thing.” (Philstar. com)

Philippines

Dateline PhiliPPines

Willie Revillame scraps Senate run

by Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

BARELY three months after proclaiming he was ready to seek public office, former TV host Willie Revillame is reported to have dropped plans to run for the Senate. Citing Cristy Fermin, The Manila Times' Ronnie Carrasco III wrote in his Entertainment column on Tuesday, April 23 that as of April, Revillame "has decidedly given up on his senatorial dream." Several reports claimed that Revillame would rather focus on the return of his daily show "Wowowin" on TV5. The show will reportedly return on air in the third quarter

of 2024 and will take the slot right after TV5's flagship noontime program, "Eat Bulaga." Should Revillame decide to run in May next year, he would have to abide by the election rule that bans aspiring candidates from appearing on television, films and social media as soon as he files his certificate of candidacy in October. The former "Wowowin" host joined a prayer rally on January 28 in Davao City at the invitation of former President Rodrigo Duterte. During his speech, Revillame recalled a meeting with Duterte where he was offered to run for the Senate. "Three years ago, after COVID[-19], the beloved

President Duterte and Sen. Bong Go summoned me to talk to me at Malacañang. We started at 8 p.m. and finished at 2 a.m."

Revillame shared in Tagalog. "That was the time they urged me to run for senator, and during that time, I had a program on GMA 7 called 'Wowowin.' I told the beloved president I still have a contract, and I'm not ready yet. I said when I am ready, I will consider it. They didn't force me, and the president even told me, 'Follow what's in your heart and mind,'" he said.

Revillame said he believed one must be ready to be a public servant, and after much thought, he saw himself differently this time around. g

Former Sen. De Lima has advice to VP Sara

by Faith argosino Inquirer.net

drug addict.

In an interview streamed on Politiko’s YouTube page last April 19, de Lima said the “cracks” between the Duterte and Marcos respective sides “are getting clearer,” as she advised the vice president to examine herself and carefully think about what to respond to AranetaMarcos’ remarks.

sentiments

“I think the first lady has the right to air her sentiments about the VP. It’s up to the VP if she will answer that or not. She must examine why she ended up on the first lady’s wrong side: What did I do?

I should change that,” the former senator said.

“It’s up to VP Sara if she will aggravate the situation; would she still make some moves? Would she still utter certain statements or remarks that further widen the gap between them? The cracks are getting clearer,” she added.

De Lima likewise reminded Duterte that she is part of the Marcos cabinet and should be conscious and supportive of the policies pushed by the current administration.

Prior to the first lady’s comment, the chief executive said on April 15 that his relationship with the education secretary “remains the same” but admitted that his connection with her clan is “complicated.”

“I have the most contact with Inday Sara, and how we were with each other during the campaign; after the election, it hasn’t really changed,” he said.

In November 2023, Duterte said the relationship with the president was “okay,” while Marcos described his connection with the former as “excellent.” g

China concerned over US deployment of missiles in PH

by Javier Joe ismael ManilaTimes.net

CHINA expressed concern over the U.S. deployment of medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) in the Asia-Pacific, particularly in the Philippines, after it was announced by the U.S. Army Pacific Command.

“The U.S.’ move exacerbates regional tensions and increases the risk of misjudgment and miscalculation. We urge the U.S. to respect other countries’ security concerns earnestly, stop stoking military confrontation, stop undermining peace and stability in the region, and take concrete actions to reduce strategic risks,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Jin Lian during a media briefing.

The Global Times, quoting the U.S. Army Pacific Command, said the U.S. deployed the midrange capability missile system, also known as Typhon, to the Philippines, as part of their joint military exercise.

This is the first time that the U.S. has deployed a landbased, ground-launch system after withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The Chinese official said the Philippines needed to be mindful of what the U.S. truly wanted and the consequences of going along with the U.S. in deploying MRBMs. He said that the Philippines needed to think twice about being a cat’s paw for the U.S. at the expense of its security interests.

Jin Lian restated China’s strong opposition to the practice of bloc politics by certain nations.

“We firmly oppose any acts that stoke and drive up tensions and harm other countries’ strategic security and interests. We are seriously against forming exclusive groupings in this region. China does not accept relevant countries’ groundless accusations and deliberate smears against us on the South China Sea,” he said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman added that the South China Sea Arbitration Award was “illegal, null, and void.”

“China does not accept or take part in the Arbitration. We do not accept or acknowledge the so-called award. Still less so, do we accept any claim or action based on the award?”

He stressed that the South China Sea Arbitration and its “illegal” award harmed the interests of countries in the region, including the Philippines.

“No matter how some may try to frame the South China Sea issue, the issue remains what it is. No political manipulation disguised as legal moves will go anywhere or deter China from safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China will firmly safeguard its lawful rights by domestic and international laws,” Jin Lian said.

He urged relevant countries to be sober-minded and change course instead of going further down the wrong path.

In defense of trilateral cooperation

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the trilateral cooperation was a partnership and a cooperative framework for promoting peace, stability, and

economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

“It is an admirable aspiration that should not be considered a threat by any peace-loving country.”

The DFA said that the trilateral initiative responded to the Philippines’ development needs, aligning with President Marcos’ socioeconomic agenda and economic diplomacy objectives. It will deliver valuable capacity-building support for priority economic sectors, including infrastructure and critical and emerging technologies.

Additionally, the trilateral initiative is “another platform to promote regional peace and security further; it is only reasonable and responsible for the participants to discuss regional security issues of mutual concern, challenges to the rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes.”

In the case of the South China Sea, the agency maintains that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the final and legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award provide a definitive lawful basis for determining the sovereign rights and jurisdiction within the Philippines’ maritime entitlements.

“It is the sovereign choice and decision of the Philippines to strengthen our alliance with the United States and our strategic partnership with Japan, in accordance with our national interests and in line with our independent foreign policy. Our actions align with international law and complement our commitments in other regional and multilateral forums,” the DFA said. g

MANILA — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte should reflect on how she ended up on the “bad side” of First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos amid the criticisms her family threw against the current chief executive, according to former Senator Leila De Lima. De Lima’s advice came after the first lady admitted to snubbing the vice president following her attendance at the

controversial prayer rally where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was called “bangag” or a

Right to air

Former Senator Leila De Lima Inquirer.net photo

“for opportunities that may come my way as a newbie actor.” “Shooting for a teleserye takes several months. I can’t keep going back and forth. Doing the series would have been nice, especially since I enjoyed my experience doing ‘A Broken Marriage Vow.’ It helped me with bookings because a lot of Filipinos in the U.S. watch TFC (The Filipino Channel),” Rachel told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent interview. She has been in Manila for almost a month now for some performances, including one with her dad, Hajji Alejandro, titled “Awit ng Panahon: Noon at Ngayon” on April 21 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. Rachel’s decision to relocate to New York was partly because her husband, Spanish journalist Carlos Santamaria, works there. “When the pandemic hit, I found myself in NY because we couldn’t travel and there was no work for singers anywhere. I was there for 10 months straight. I eventually got to like it there. After the pandemic, all the opportunities that came my way were in the U.S., except that one from ABS-CBN,” she explained. “That’s the tradeoff. Sometimes, I’d have shows that are booked nine months in advance. I also couldn’t find the time to stay in Manila for a long period.”

Rachel’s monthlong stay in Manila was for three live-show appearances, “and a few other small appearances bunched together.” “I want to focus my attention on auditions, particularly for pilot TV shows in Hollywood with productions that got stalled because of the recent strike. I really want to give it a try, especially now that we still have this window. Bago magsara ang karinderya. Hangga’t may asim pa,” she said laughing.

Challenging When asked what it was like in Hollywood for her so far, Rachel said: “It’s very challenging at this age also, and starting from scratch in the U.S. While there

are now more roles for Asians in America, the requirements are very specific. For example, they’d be looking for an Asian actor, but someone who speaks Japanese or Chinese. In other words, maybe we’d never be really cast in just necessarily an Asian role. What we have to look for is a Filipino role. “We’re not complaining, I’m grateful that at least there’s still representation for Filipinos in Hollywood. Sadly, the roles, up to this day, are still very stereotyped to play certain kinds of roles. It’s always as a domestic helper—not that there’s anything wrong with that. We’ve had fantastic performances, but I’m just confused that with all the nurses in the U.S. and all the medical drama shows being produced, why is no Filipino actor in the cast? They haven’t thought of this? That’s strange,” she pointed out.

Starting slow Rachel said work “has been kind of slow moving. In fact, because I’m already a SAG (Screen Actors’ Guild) member, there are a lot of projects I cannot do anymore because they’re non-union. So far, I’m lucky that I’ve done a few commercials, more on print ads, because aside from the acting, there’s also modeling.”

The effect of the Writers Guild of America strike was felt way up to December 2023, said Rachel. “A lot of people lost their work, not only writers, but pretty much everyone in the industry. In fact, I did what they call an ‘industrial.’ It’s a video for a company on cybersecurity. The people I worked with in the shoot said it was good that we had those kinds of corporate gigs. That became the bread and butter of a lot of production people.” Rachel also did a short film a

few months ago. “And, again, I played a servant in a mansion. I worked with another Pinoy actor. He played the butler,” she recalled. “Everything is starting slow. All of a sudden, because the strike has ended, they are now shooting the TV shows meant for last year. Hopefully, later this year, there will be more opportunities for a newbie actor like me.”

What is actually doing great right now is the Philippine concert scene in the United States, reported Rachel. “The actor I did the short film with is actually a dance captain on Broadway. Filipinos are now thriving on Broadway because that’s our forte. We’re fantastic live performers,” she pointed out. “So far, I’ve not auditioned for anything on that. What happened was that I’ve become part of one concert after another. There’s a show practically every week—we had Gary Valenciano, then Piolo Pascual—some even in the same cities. Sometimes, happening all at the same time. I was lucky in that aspect. I’m in that kind of scene right now.”

Awit ng Panahon: Noon at Ngayon” will also feature Gino Padilla, Kris Lawrence, Nitoy Mallilin (formerly of The Boyfriends), Edwin Cando (seventime “Tawag ng Tanghalan” winner) and John Raymundo (eight-time defending champion of “Tawag ng Tanghalan”), Male Rigor (of VST and Company), Pete Gatela and Carlos Parsons (of Hagibis), Arabelle dela Cruz, Rachel Gabreza and Luzviminda Piedad (of TNT), and Geoff Taylor (of “Pinoy Dream Academy”). The show, directed by Ferdi Aguas, is produced by Pro-Entertainment Production, Avolution and Mallillins Music Production.

ANGELICA Panganiban was a gorgeous bride as she walked down the aisle anew to wed Gregg Homan in Siargao. Photos and videos from her beach wedding to her non-showbiz beau surfaced on Sunday, with the actress herself reposting the reels of her guests taken from her wedding.

Some of her close friends from showbiz, such as Glaiza de Castro, Bela Padilla and Kim Chiu, attended their beach wedding. "We love a chill, real and relaxed wedding. Angelica and Gregg's wedding had that vibe and everyone enjoyed they made it all the way and partied inside the pool!" wrote photographer Pat Dy on Instagram. Angelica and Gregg tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Los Angeles, California in December 2023. They got engaged in 2022 after the actress got pregnant with their firstborn Amila Sabine, whom they fondly call Bean.

by JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

“DOREMI” stars Donna Cruz, Regine Velasquez, and Mikee Cojuangco brought nostalgia to their fans after they recently reunited once more. On Instagram, Cruz’s husband, Cebu-based ophthalmologist Yong Larrazabal III, shared backstage photos of the three as they showed support for Velasquez’s recent concert, “Regine Rocks: The Repeat,” on April 19. “DoReMi reunited! I am so happy to see my wife enjoying her time with friends. We watched Regine Rocks: The Repeat at MOA Arena, and Regine truly rocked the whole arena with her timeless songs and covers. Donna and Mikee were on their feet several times. We had a great time singing, dancing, and celebrating this milestone for Reg,” he wrote. “Donna had the best night reuniting with her long-time friends. And seeing her happy makes me happy. Anyway, congratulations Regine, and team, for putting up a stunning show. It’s always great to see you and Mikee!” added Larrazabal. Cruz reposted her husband’s post to greet Velasquez who celebrated her 54th birthday on April 22. “Happy Birthday, Reg! May

God bless you and your family always! Congrats ulit ha? Napakagaling talaga (palagi

him throughout the years.

“What could be next after 40 years? Well, this is next—to be accepted to a family, like Star Magic. Kasi akala ko ang focus nila ay nasa kabataan, so tinanong ko isang beses, what’s my role in this? It was explained to me what my role is, and I’m excited to play that role for everyone,” Gary V said. He is excited to embrace an extended role as a mentor to the younger artists, as well as to industry veterans.

“Maybe some of the projects may not be performing, you know, but there will be projects that are meant to move and to make an impact on the hearts of young people, hearts of seasoned people, and I like that role. And if that’s the role I’m supposed to play, then I’ll play it to the hills,” he added.

The reason why he is keen on being a mentor stems from his passion for empowering the youth, a sentiment he has shown through his outreach activities in various campuses, where he shares his life experiences to inspire students.

“I went to various schools, colleges, and universities where I shared my life, and I am going to continue doing that. I have seen the impact on the hearts of these people, and that’s another thing I wanted to do,” Gary elaborated.

But Gary’s reinvention doesn’t stop at mentoring. He is also willing to return to acting. He said, “I don’t mind going back into acting a bit more. If the right opportunity comes, I will keep myself open to that.”

As he expressed his willingness to make an onscreen acting comeback, Gary then shared what he wanted to work on as an actor. “I would like to play a role where I am part of, let’s say, four men. They knew each other in high school and they planned to become somebody with their dreams, but they never became that.

They became somebody totally different. It could be good, it could be bad. As in really far from what they want to become,” Gary said during the mediacon. “Another role I’d like to play is offbeat. Like, a bad person who turned good. He dreams of becoming good and impactful but what happened was his life turned chaotic. He did things that hindered those dreams. I’d like to play a role like that with some redeeming factor in the end,” he added. He is also open to reuniting with former co-ASAP host Dayanara Torres in reprising their roles as Robbie and Anna in their 1995 dance flick “Hataw Na,” but with a twist — putting a spotlight this time on the younger performers, with the likes of Darren Espanto and AC Bonifacio, among others. But his aspirations in his acting comeback all connect to one purpose — inspiring the younger generations that they can be anything they want and be a positive influence on their respective communities. That, for him, is the reinvention he aspires to achieve in his 40-year career filled with music, faith, and inspiration.

Relive “The Magic of Pure Energy: Gary V Contract Signing” anytime on Star Magic’s YouTube channel.

naman)! So happy nagkita ulit tayo ni Mikes! Love you both,” she wrote. The fans expressed their joy to see the iconic trio together again, saying they were hoping a reunion project between the three of them would be possible in the future. “This is ICONIC! Such a generous source of nostalgia for all the batang 90s out there (including myself) Hopefully a new song or movie would come out (manifesting),” wrote one IG user. In 2023, Cojuangco and Velasquez reunited and edited Cruz in their picture, as they wrote, “Dadating din ang araw na di natin kakailanganin ang Photoshop.” The friendship of the three actresses started when they starred in the 1996 hit comedymusical movie “DoReMi.” Their duet of the song “I Can” left a memorable mark on their fans. teleseryes from Jeepney TV in different parts of the

ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast ‘TV Patrol’ is anchored by veteran broadcast journalists Noli de Castro, Karen Davila, Henry Omaga-Diaz and Bernadette Sembrano, with Gretchen Fullido

is enthusiastic about exploring new horizons beyond music and live performances. Gary also sees this move as an opportunity to leverage his experience, saying he still has much to offer to the industry and audiences who have supported and followed

Nurse balances work and home by petitioning family member as household help, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

With historic targets, California will use millions of acres of land to fight the climate crisis

SACRAMENTO – California is taking unprecedented action to strategically harness the power of the equivalent of more than half of its land to fight the climate crisis.

As called for by Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Climate Commitment, the state unveiled 81 targets for nature-based solutions on Monday, April 22 that will help California achieve its world-leading climate goals, including reaching carbon neutrality by 2045.

Nature-based solutions support the ability of lands to absorb more carbon than they release – a critical tool in the state’s climate arsenal. Since 2020, the Newsom Administration has invested approximately $9.6 billion in nature-based solutions that combat the effects of climate change.

“We’re setting aggressive and ambitious new targets to use California’s lands to fight the climate crisis. This scale of action is unprecedented, and yet another example of California punching above its weight. From restoring and conserving lands to greening our urban spaces and treating more acres to prevent wildfires, we’re protecting nature and allowing it to work for our communities,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement released by his office.

What the targets call for by 2045:

• 33.5 million acres managed to reduce wildfire risk, mostly through beneficial fire

• 11.9 million acres of forest managed for biodiversity protection, carbon storage, and water supply protection

• 7.6 million acres conserved with protections

• 3.4 million acres of croplands managed to boost healthy soils, drought resilience, and below-ground biodiversity

• 4.2 million trees planted to protect California communities

from the climate crisis, remove carbon and increase access to nature where it’s needed most

• 2.7 million acres of shrublands and chaparral managed for carbon storage, resilience, and habitat connectivity

• 1.6 million acres of grasslands managed to restore native grasslands and protect biodiversity

• 1.5 million acres of sparsely vegetated lands (deserts, beaches, etc.) to protect fragile ecosystems

• 233,000 acres of wetlands and seagrasses managed to protect water supply, deliver carbon benefits, and buffer communities from flooding.

Why California is setting these targets

• For the first time, California’s 2022 Scoping Plan analyzed the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced and

absorbed by California’s lands and found that California’s lands currently emit more than they absorb.

• This shift from carbon sink to carbon emitter is largely due to historic land use decisions, including disconnection from beneficial land management practices utilized by California Native American tribes, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

• Modeling suggests that aggressive near-term efforts to increase climate action on California’s lands will put this sector on the path to course correction.

• The 2022 Scoping Plan set a numeric goal for California’s lands to contribute as much as possible to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045: no more than 4% additional carbon stock losses below 2014 levels from California’s lands by 2045.

(CA Governor’s Office Release)

water-sewer-utilities/water-conservation/water-rebates. The City of Santa Clara hopes you’ll help stretch precious water resources by switching from thirsty lawn to a water wise, habitat-boosting California native garden. To further encourage you, it is offering up to $5,000 to residents and $110,000 to businesses. That's a lot of green!

If you're tempted, but not sure where to start, check out the city’s Garden Guide (https:// www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/ departments-g-z/water-sewer-utilities/water-conservation/ garden-guide) with native plant

and gardening resources, qualifying plant photo glossaries and other helpful resources.

(City of Santa Clara Release)

SAB’s Review

Sharon ann Bathan-San Pedro WELCOME to SAB’s Review (Sab Real Estate View), your goto column for all things related to Philippine real estate. Join me on this journey as I aim to connect Filipino-Americans with the real estate opportunities in the Philippines.

the legal and financial intricacies involved. From the nuances of foreign ownership, due diligence and the strategic considerations of property liquidation, there’s a lot to unpack.

So, let's use the SAB Framework to get started: Simplify, Amplify, Benefit is a strategy I have carefully developed and learned over the years as a realtor to streamline real estate transactions, ensuring they're successful and profitable.

The simplified approach to buying in real estate:

• S: Streamlined Strategies

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, led by Consul General Neil Ferrer, hosted a meeting and networking event for science and technology diplomats based in the San Francisco Bay Area on March 19, 2024 at the Philippine Center. The event – attended by members of a network of science attachés, including convenor Dr. Florence Chaverneff, Senior Science and Innovation Officer of the British Consulate General in San Francisco – provided an invaluable platform for the diplomats to exchange insights and approaches in engaging science, technology, and innovation (STI) diasporas.

Consul General Ferrer made a presentation, which underscored the contributions of diasporas to the socio-economic growth of their communities at both national and global levels.

“As we talk about engaging our diasporas in the fields of science, technology and innovation, it bears noting that they have significantly contributed to fostering economic development in this country and globally –other countries where they have grown roots and contributed to their adoptive communities,” said ConGen Ferrer. Highlighting the achievements of Filipino immigrants and firstgeneration Filipino Americans in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, Consul General Ferrer mentioned luminaries such as Dado Banatao, who pioneered the personal computer (PC) chipset and graphics acceleration architecture, which remain two of the foundational technologies in all PCs. The Banatao family supports the Center

for Information Technology

Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, and a number of educational initiatives in STI in the Philippines through the non-profit PhilDev. Consul General Ferrer reaffirmed the Philippine government's commitment to fostering innovation through programs like the Balik Scientist (Returning Scientist) Program (https://www.pchrd.dost.gov. ph/news_and_updates/balikscientist-program/), which encourages Filipino scientists to stay in the Philippines for a period of time and contribute to scientific research and development. The Philippine consul general also highlighted the consulate and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley’s engagements with the community and publicprivate partnership with a co-

working space and startup accelerator Dynamico Space in supporting Philippine startups. He also mentioned a consulate initiative to register students and alumni in the U.S. for tailored activities.

The consulate’s participation in the event is aligned with the Philippine government's National Innovation Agenda, which focuses on priority areas crucial for national progress.

Science Attachés from the Consulates General of Chile, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as Philippine Consulate representatives Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona and Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug participated in the meeting.

Dr. Chaverneff and Dr. Emmanuelle Pauliac-Vaujour, Science and Technology Attaché of the French Consulate, made presentations on their experiences in engaging their own STI diasporas. (PCGSF Release)

stormwater treatment, flood management, additional drinking water sources, and protection of the environment.

Both projects are anticipated to begin by the summer of 2025.

“On behalf of the community, I want to extend my gratitude to Congressman Mullin for his partnership and prioritization of bipartisan federal government funding to support two significant projects,” said Mayor Juslyn C. Manalo. “The Serramonte Street Resurfacing Project and Vista Grande Drainage Basin Improvement Project are critical projects that will enhance the

quality of life in Daly City.”

“Delivering for my district is my primary goal as a Member of Congress and I was incredibly pleased to bring home $14.36 million in federal funding for local communities, including almost $2 million for Daly City. These community projects will have widespread environmental and economic benefits including improving stormwater and flood protection, as well as roadway safety enhancements for those visiting a major regional shopping center,” said U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15). (Daly City Release)

With this column, I intend to help you navigate through every twist and turn of our homeland's property market. Whether you’re interested in acquisition, management or strategic divestment, consider me your trusted guide. Here, Philippine developers, landowners and investors can come together to explore the property market even from thousands of miles away.

With every piece, I hope to enrich your understanding and offer insights and opportunities to close the distance between us and the place we call home. Investing and Divesting from Abroad: For Filipino-Americans, investing in the Philippine real estate isn’t just a financial move, but a heartfelt connection to our roots. But it’s essential to consider

– Making real estate investment and management understandable and accessible to everyone.

• A: Actionable Advice –Offering practical tips and steps for understanding property transactions.

• B: Buyer’s Blueprint –Providing a comprehensive guide for navigating the property market with ease.

The simplified approach to selling in real estate:

• S: Streamlined Sales – Making the process of selling properties successful for homeowners and investors.

• A: Actionable Insights –Delivering practical strategies and tips to maximize property value and facilitate quick sales.

• B: Blueprint for Success –Developing a comprehensive strategy for property owners to achieve a smooth and successful sale. Embrace simplicity and success in real estate with our SAB Approach: Sell, Amplify, Benefit – a comprehensive strategy to curate your property spaces across borders ensuring smooth processes and substantial profits.

The Philippine real estate scene goes beyond transactions; it's a melting pot of relationships, culture, and community. Whether you're buying your first investment, acquiring large tracts of land, selling a property or turning your family’s estate into a lucrative venture, I'm here to lend a helping hand. Until our next issue, I’m here to bridge the gap between your aspirations and the abundant opportunities awaiting in the Philippines.

PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through

Philippine fabrics and artistry. He has artistically modernized the use and look of the country’s native fabrics, creating eco-couture collections that are stunning, sustainable, and well received by the international fashion community. The “Terno de Mayo” Couture Gala will showcase Sampaguita Circle Members in their Oliver Tolentino-made terno barongs and gowns. The event will also feature performances from countertenor Kyle Tingzon, pop singer Zeyonce Brown, DJ Darwin Laurencio, cultural group Parangal Dance Company, and other Bay Area-based Filipino American artists. The Hinabi Project (THP) is a 501(c)(3) San Francisco-based nonprofit organization. It aims to sustain and preserve the rich tradition of Philippine natural fiber weavings, textiles, and related crafts. THP has engaged in several activities to accomplish their aims, including:

• Created channels to educate and market products produced by master weavers and artisans to promote, discover, or rediscover the rich textile heritage of the Philippines and worked collaboratively with weavers;

• Curated exhibits in wellrespected art and event venues showcase both traditional and modern applications of the craft by the families of weavers, embroiderers, and designers;

• Organized pop-up trunk sales concurrent with exhibits to increase sales of artisan products from Philippine partners; and

• Channeled economic support flows from patrons and donors to Filipino artisans through commissioned works for the exhibits. For more information on the “Terno de Mayo” Couture Gala, send an email to The Hinabi Project at contact@ thehinabiproject.org or info@ ternodemayo.com. For more information on the organization, visit www.thehinabiproject.org.

Linggo.

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