051024 - New York & New Jersey Edition

US House weighs bill that would add citizenship

question

to 2023

Census

ALL eyes are on Capitol Hill over the coming days as lawmakers weigh the pros and cons of H.R. 7109, a controversial bill that many say could negatively impact the future of representation and census integrity nationwide.

H.R. 7109, dubbed The Equal Representation Act, has sparked intense reactions among civil rights advocates and census experts alike.

“Fair and balanced representation is essential for ensuring that every

Chinese warship, 2 other vessels spotted off Batanes during ‘Balikatan’

by JOHN ERIC MENDOZA Inquirer.net

LAOAG CITY — A Chinese warship and two other vessels from Beijing were spotted off Batanes during the conduct of bilateral war games between Manila and Washington.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that around 10:45 a.m. on May 1, the BRP Melchora Aquino spotted a People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel of China and two other Chinese-flagged vessels in the vicinity of Itbayat, Batanes, where the Balikatan Exercise was being held.

“Our BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-

heat as thunderstorms are likely to occur in the latter half of May. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ismael De Juan

barriers to foreign investments - survey

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, May 6 merely laughed off drug use allegations hurled against him and actress Maricel Soriano, as claimed by a document purportedly leaked by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Alleged PDEA files linking Marcos

by GABRIEL PABICO LALU Inquirer.net

suggested. In March, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed economic charter changer, which aims to lift restrictive provisions in public utilities, education, and advertising to attract

9702) engaged in radio challenges with the two unidentified Chinese-flagged vessels and later saw them leaving the area. While the PLA Navy ship, which was positioned farther away than the two other Chinese ships, had also left the area,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said in a statement. 

by HELEN FLORES, JANVIC MATEO Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines has no plans of “attacking anyone with water cannons or any other offensive,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday, May 6 in the wake of the most serious act yet by the Chinese against Filipino vessels in Philippine waters. Marcos made the remark days after China Coast Guard ships used high-pressure water cannons to try to stop Philippine vessels on routine humanitarian mission to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal last April 30.

President Joe Biden honors contributions of Asian Americans and Paci c Islanders

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has proclaimed May 2024 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month, recognizing the “ingenuity, grit and perseverance” of these communities and their contributions to American society. In his proclamation, Biden said AA and NHPI heritage “has long been a part of the history of our

great country and a defining force in the soul of our nation.” Biden commended the diverse talents of individuals from these communities, highlighting their significant roles in various sectors including arts, journalism, healthcare and technology. The president said he is proud that some of them are serving at

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano Photos from the official Facebook pages of Bongbong Marcos and Maricel Soriano

F rom the F ront P age

Philippines won’t use...

PAGE 1

“We will not follow the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese vessels down that road,” the president told reporters in an interview in Pasay City.

“What we are doing is defending our sovereign rights and our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. And we have no intention of attacking anyone with water cannons or any other such offensive… I would have to call them weapons as these were causing damage already,” Marcos pointed out.

One of his ranking security officials said Beijing should accept the Philippines’ standing invitation to hold the next bilateral consultation meeting if it really is committed to defusing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News on Monday, National Security Council assistant director Jonathan Malaya said China should sit down and talk with the Philippines regarding the recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea.

“We already sent an invitation to China. We urge China to favorably consider the standing Philippine invitations. We ask China: to defuse tension, we are inviting you to the bilateral consultation mechanism,” Malaya said.

The last such meeting was hosted by China in Shanghai last January.

The latest water cannon attack caused severe damage to vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal – located 220 kilometers off Zambales – is a traditional fishing ground of Filipinos, Vietnamese and Chinese, according to the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague.

The same ruling invalidated China’s massive claims in the South China Sea and reaffirmed Philippines’ maritime entitlements.

The shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, which sets an EEZ at 200 miles or about 370 km from a country’s coast.

Some quarters have proposed allowing Philippine vessels to retaliate against Chinese water cannon attacks by using their own water cannons. The president is against such proposal.

“Because it is not the mission of the Navy, our Coast Guard to start, or to increase tensions. Their mission is precisely the opposite – it’s to lower tensions,” the chief executive said.

Marcos maintained the Philippines would continue to resort to diplomacy to assert its sovereignty over its territorial sea and sovereign rights in its EEZ.

“That’s why, all we do is when our vessels were being hit with water cannons, we send demarche to China and other stakeholders,” the president said.

A démarche is a diplomatic gesture to state a government’s position on an issue or subject.

By ruling out the use of water cannon against the Chinese, Marcos has effectively debunked the pro-China narrative that he is for an escalation of the West Philippine Sea row, according to PCG-WPS spokesman

Commodore Jay Tarriela.

“How can the pro-China trolls explain why President @bongbongmarcos Marcos will not allow the PCG to use water cannons if they claim that he wants to engage in war and escalate tension in the West Philippine Sea?”

Tarriela said on X.

He pointed out that the mission of the PCG ships is to maintain presence in Philippine waters and assert the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

“The pro-China narrative of threatening the Filipino people with the possibility of war is simply another example of the lies and misinformation they are spreading to confuse and mislead the Filipino people,” Tarriela said.

“Their true intention is to make us submissive and silent in the face of the illegal presence, provocative actions and bullying tactics of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia against the Filipino fishermen, the PCG and even the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he added.

Disinformation

In his interview with Storycon, Malaya said China’s claim of a “new model” arrangement for resupply missions to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal is a disinformation tactic to divert attention from its recent activities in the West Philippine Sea.

He noted that the embassy made the claim

Majority of Filipinos see red tape...

more foreign investments.

A survey conucted by Pulse Asia from March 6 to 10, 2024 found that 56% of Filipinos cited complicated rules and regulations such as red tape and changes in government policies and regulations, while 55% identified restrictive rules on foreign ownership as the most significant factors that hinder foreign investment in the Philippines.

Nearly half or 46% saw corruption in the public sector as a major hurdle for foreign investment. It was followed by inadequate transportation infrastructure (40%) and high electricity costs (37%).

Inadequate telecommunication infrastructure (32%) and insufficient investor incentive (21%) were also seen as significant hurdles.

The Pulse Asia survey also revealed that 64% of Filipinos believe that removing restrictions on foreign investors will create more high quality jobs with high salaries and better benefits.

Fifty-five percent said that easing foreign investment regulations will lead to better services to stakeholders, while 55% said it will result in foreign capital dominating local investors and businesses.

Fifty-four percent, on the other hand, said that opening up the economy to foreign businesses will decrease the

price of goods and services and 43% said it will put national security at risk.

A survey released by Pulse Asia last March 27 showed that 88% of Filipinos opposed moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.

The poll also found strong opposition to foreign ownership in the Philippines. For example, 86% disapproved of foreign individuals exploiting the country’s natural resources, and 81% opposed foreign ownership of residential and industrial lands.

Amending the Constitution to loosen restrictions on foreign investments

could heighten the risk of environmental degradation and pose a greater threat to local communities, especially indigenous peoples, groups warned.

The Constitution limits the stake of foreign nationals and corporations in businesses at 40%.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has expressed his support for liberalizing the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, said he wants the charter change plebiscite to be held simultaneously with the midterm elections in 2025. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ Philstar.com)

President Joe Biden honors contributions...

the highest levels of his administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Ambassador Katherine Tai, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Arati Prabhakar.

Addressing current challenges, Biden condemned racism, harassment and hate crimes against AA and NHPI communities – “a tragic reminder that hate never goes away; it only hides.”

“Hate must have no safe harbor in America — that is why I signed the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act,

which makes it easier for Americans to report hate crimes, and I also hosted the first-ever White House summit against hate-fueled violence,” he said.

Biden urged all Americans to commemorate AA and NHPI Heritage Month through educational programs and activities.

Meanwhile, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center have unveiled their joint 2024 theme for AA and NHPI Heritage Month: “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.”

The White House and WHIAANHPI will use this theme to foster discussions during their May activities, including a landmark celebration on May 13, 2024, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC.

This historic convening, uniting over 1,000 AA and NHPI leaders spanning five presidential administrations, will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the White House Initiative and the president’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders during the Clinton Administration. (Inquirer.net)

Groups hold a protest against charter change in front of the House of Representatives in March 2024. Philstar.com photo

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo and Commodore Arnaldo Lim inspect the damages on BRP Bagacay at Pier 13 in Manila South Harbor on May 2. Philstar.com photo

Marcos laughs

and Soriano to drug use circulated online, with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa seemingly lending credence to the reports, saying these documents are not fabricated.

Sought for comment in an ambush interview at an event in Pasay City, Marcos brushed off the question with a laugh.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who was with the president during the interview, called the allegation “contrived.”

This is not the first time that the president has laughed off allegations of drug use.

Former President Rodrigo

Duterte alleged back in January that Marcos was on the PDEA’s drug watch list.

Asked for a response to his predecessor’s claims, Marcos said he “won’t even dignify the question.”

At a recent Senate hearing, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo categorically stated that the documents were fake. This, however, was contradicted by former PDEA investigation agent Jonathan Morales, who stood firm on the authenticity of the leaked documents linking Marcos and Soriano to illegal drugs.

Soriano, meanwhile, has yet to give a statement on the matter. (By Jean Mangaluz/ Inquirer.net)

Philippines won’t use water cannons...

over the weekend following the release of a report regarding the degradation of Sandy or Pag-asa Cay, a group of sand bars within territorial waters of Pag-asa Island.

“This is all part of the Chinese propaganda disinformation operations because this came at the heel of the revelations by the biologists from the UP Institute of Biology that they are doing something in Sandy Cay,” said Malaya.

“They are doing this to hide the environmental degradation that they are doing in Sandy Cay,” he added.

Last Saturday, May 4, Jonathan Anticamara of the UP Institute of Biology revealed that the Pag-asa Cays 1, 2 and 3 are “in a degraded state.”

Malaya raised the possibility that China was transforming the maritime feature into another artificial island that it could use as basis for claiming “maritime entitlement” or even challenge the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its expansive claim in the region.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, voiced their approval of Marcos’ position against the use of water cannon.

“Our Navy and Coast Guard have a crucial duty of safeguarding our territorial integrity and maritime rights. Instead of resorting to retaliatory measures, we will assert our rights through diplomatic means. We have consistently filed diplomatic protests to address China’s aggression within our territorial waters,” Estrada, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense, said.

“We must focus our efforts on ensuring the protection of our territorial and maritime interests by adhering to the principles of the rule of law. This entails the use of diplomatic channels and peaceful means of conflict resolution,” he said.

“By adhering to these principles,

we can successfully safeguard our sovereign rights and protect our territorial integrity while maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region,” he added.

Tolentino called Marcos’ stand “pragmatic and responsible” and that it was “calculated to maintain the current moral high ground of the Philippines. Whether said decision is ephemeral, only the president could decide.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Sen. Robin Padilla earlier said PCG ships should be equipped with water cannons so that they can fight back in the event of another water cannon attack by the Chinese.

Pimentel said President Marcos should not have brought in military allies or increased the number of sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation if he was really wary of escalating tensions.

The Philippine military is engaged in Balikatan exercises with the U.S. and allies Australia and France.

Unconstitutional

Meanwhile, lawmakers said China’s “new model” or an arrangement for resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is a violation of the 1987 Constitution.

“If ever there is indeed a secret agreement or any type of agreement, assuming for the sake of argument that this is true, I think this will have a constitutional issue,” Rep. Joel Chua of Manila’s third district told a news briefing.

“If indeed there is an agreement that didn’t pass through the Senate, or which the Senate had rejected, then this simply means this is illegal and unconstitutional,” he added.

“This is what has been stated in our Constitution – that it should be concurred with two-third votes in the Senate. If they discussed this only between and among themselves, then there will definitely be a constitutional

US House weighs bill...

community receives the resources and services it needs to thrive,” says Rebecca Briscoe, a bootson-the-ground partnership coordinator for the U.S. Census Bureau during the 2020 Decennial, supervising efforts in Greater Houston and Southeast Texas.

She continued, “As someone who has worked closely with local communities, I’ve seen firsthand the vital importance of an inclusive and accurate census.”

“Is this person a citizen of the U.S.”

At the heart of the matter lies the proposed inclusion of a citizenship question in the decennial census and the subsequent exclusion of noncitizens from the count used for congressional apportionment.

issue – this is unconstitutional and therefore void,” Chua pointed out.

Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon of partylist Ako Bicol raised the same position.

“I fully agree that this has serious legal implications. If this secret deal with China is not embodied in a written agreement or treaty, then therefore it is void for being unconstitutional,” Bongalon said.

“As mentioned in the Constitution, any international agreement or treaty must be embodied in a written agreement and must be ratified by the Senate. So, if this arrangement is not ratified by the Senate or concurred in, therefore it is not valid,” the lawyer-legislator argued.

“Why? Firstly, because the Filipino people were not properly informed of the details of such. This amounts to gross inexcusable negligence, and it is also tainted with evident bad faith because it is only they who know about it. We are not properly informed,” Bongalon stressed.

He said Filipino fishermen would be affected most if the government allowed the Chinese some form of official control over Panatag Shoal.

“There are serious legal implications and therefore we have to act on it. That’s why we have to know the details, considering that this is a temporary special arrangement. At any time, President Marcos can rescind this because it is not binding to us, it is not binding to the present administration.”

Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, of Lanao del Sur’s first district, said the issue goes beyond territories.

“I think beyond the legal issues we can see here that this is just one of the tactics of China part two of the propaganda PR of China. I think the Chinese is resorting to different kind of tactics like bullying,” he told reporters covering the House.

“It’s because they (Chinese) understand the importance of propaganda because it puts legitimacy to their illegal claim,” Adiong said. g

by creating a climate of fear among all immigrants.”

The April 9 letter is cosigned by 74 national civil rights organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Education Fund.

Critics also warn that the bill could jeopardize the equitable distribution of federal resources, essential for supporting vital services across communities.

Supporters of the bill, championed by Rep. Chuck Edwards (R. N.C.), argue that incorporating a citizenship question into the census questionnaire is essential for upholding the integrity of electoral processes and ensuring accurate representation.

“Congressional apportionment and electoral votes should be based solely on the needs of American citizens,” argued the conservative advocacy group Heritage Action, part of the right-leaning think tank The Heritage Foundation, in a statement. Heritage Action played a key role in pushing the bill before lawmakers.

On the other side of the debate stand vocal critics, civil rights organizations among them, who vehemently oppose the bill’s provisions, arguing in part that it would violate the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which dictates that congressional seats be apportioned based on the “whole number of persons in each state.”

The 14th Amendment was enacted to repeal earlier provisions in the U.S. Constitution that treated slaves as three-fifths of a person.

“H.R. 7109 evokes this shameful legacy by treating noncitizens as less than a person,” warned The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in a letter to the House Oversight Committee, adding, “H.R. 7109 would undermine 2030 Census accuracy in every state and every community

The non-partisan Texas Census Institute released a public statement that read, in part, “the addition of a citizenship question and the exclusion of noncitizens from congressional apportionment fundamentally alters the constitutional mandate of apportionment, creating imbalances in representation that impact states, congressional districts, and citizens and non-citizens alike.”

To ask or not to ask

This is not the first time the citizenship question loomed over America. In late 2017, the Department of Justice under Attorney General Jeff Sessions requested that the Census Bureau incorporate a citizenship question into the 2020 census. Previous census counts from 1820 to 2000 included a citizenship question. The question was scrapped from the census in 2010 under then-President Obama.

The DOJ argued that more detailed citizenship data would aid in enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, aimed at preventing discrimination in voting based on race, color, or language minority status.

The proposed question, “Is this person a citizen of the United States?” with various response options, sparked immediate controversy. Opposition swiftly arose from local governments and advocacy groups representing ethnic minorities, citing concerns that the question’s presence would deter noncitizens and legal immigrants from participating in the census out of fear of government repercussions.

As discussions intensified, fear and mistrust of the federal government reached unprecedented levels. Experts warned that the citizenship question could lead to nearly 9 million

RICE PRICES. Workers unload sacks of rice at a warehouse in Tondo, Manila, on Tuesday, May 7. Congress and the Department of Agriculture are finding measures to reduce the price of rice to below PHP30 per kilo by July. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

FEATURES OPINION

Honoring the heroes

Murals were painted in recognition of their sacrifices and they were hailed as heroes of a pandemic that has killed over seven million people and infected 775,364,261 between Jan. 5, 2020 and April 21 this year, based on official data. Yet health professionals marched again on Tuesday, May 7 to press for higher pay including an entry pay of P33,000 for both public and private sector workers, release of benefits and job security.

Even before COVID-19 rampaged around the planet, the country has recognized the valuable service rendered by health professionals. Republic Act 10069, signed in April 2010, declared May 7 as Health Workers Day. But over a decade later, and even after the horrific death and misery unleashed by SARS-CoV-2, health workers still feel underappreciated. Many are still waiting to receive their emergency allowance from the pandemic days.

Editorial

On Tuesday, a special working holiday in honor of their sector, thousands of health workers marched in different parts of the country to press for their long-standing demands for better pay and working conditions. Still mindful of the nature of their service, however, many

IN strongest words ever yet, our Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officially demanded from the People’s Republic of China to get out of our maritime territories around the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In behalf of the

members of organized health professionals’ groups were unable to join the mass actions reportedly because the health facilities where they work are understaffed.

The pandemic highlighted the serious inadequacies of public health care in the Philippines. Because they were the frontliners in a battle where the weapons to fight back became available only after a year, the ranks of health professionals – and their household members – bore the brunt of the initial onslaught of COVID. Yet the health workers soldiered on, fashioning personal protective equipment out of garbage bags and packing tape and living away from home to minimize infection risks.

Even with the pandemic over, the country

remains in dire need of health workers, as many continue to be lured by jobs overseas with better pay and working conditions. On the eve of Health Workers Day, the Alliance of Health Workers released this statement to describe their plight: “Health workers are getting depleted, demoralized and burned out. So, many have resigned, filed early retirement

Gentlemen’s row

Philippine government, the DFA – headed by Secretary Enrique Manalo – issued this demand following the latest water cannon attacks involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels at the Panatag Shoal last April 30.

In the same vein, our DFA again cautioned Filipinos from the ongoing misinformation and manipulation of the WPS issue. The DFA Secretary

underscored these calls before the Bagong Pilipinas National Security Cluster Communications Media Workshop held last week at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso, Zambales.

“The South China Sea is shared by many coastal states, and our portion of it is what we call the West Philippine Sea,” Manalo pointed out. The other

countries that also claim isles, islands, atolls, shoals, reefs and rocks around the South China Sea are, namely, Brunei, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“For far too long, the narrative surrounding the WPS has been obscured by misinformation and manipulation,” the DFA Secretary deplored.

“Disinformation campaigns run rampant,

because of low wages, non-payment of benefits, no security of tenure and unsafe working conditions.”

Beyond creating a special day and heaping praise, the government can show its appreciation for the heroes of the health sector by addressing their demands for better working conditions. (Philstar.com)

seeking to distort the truth and sow discord amongst nations and amongst our people,” Manalo warned. This obviously includes the persistent narratives from Beijing about our country’s reneging on a supposed “gentlemen’s agreement” between the two highest leaders of the Philippines and China. In fact, the Chinese Embassy in Manila has repeatedly referred to this purported “special arrangement” between the Philippines and China. Under this “special arrangement” claimed by Beijing, the Philippine government vessels and aircraft are forbidden to enter within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal. Locally called Panatag Shoal, the rich fishing grounds located at Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales supposedly also bars our Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal lagoon under the same “special

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MARICHU VILLANUEVA

Dateline PhiliPPines

Zubiri flags hearsay, lack of evidence in Bato’s ‘PDEA leaks’ hearing

President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday, May 7 reminded his colleagues to be careful in the conduct of public inquiries, which he said should not be used for political persecution.

Zubiri issued the reminder during a press briefing after monitoring the public hearing conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chaired by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa where, the senate president noted, "very serious accusations have been made" without evidence.

"While certain claims were made, documentary evidence is yet to be presented. There were no pictures, no corroborating testimonies. In other words, this was solely based on the testimony of one person based on what appears to be hearsay evidence," he said.

Zubiri noted that former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales presented a document, "which he claims to have seen, by virtue of his former position, although he did not personally witness any wrongdoing."

In a recent Senate hearing, Morales provided testimony on the purported “authenticity” of leaked 2012 documents allegedly

Filipino Franciscan priest called to serve congregation in Rome

MANILA — A Filipino Franciscan priest will soon assume his new role as general bursar of his congregation in Rome.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website reported on Tuesday, May 7 that Fr. Joel Sulse has been appointed to head the Order of Friars Minors’ (OFM) general curia, the administrative center of the congregation.

implicating then Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to illegal drug use.

"The drug test of the president is being brought up, even though it does not appear to be germane to the subject of the motu proprio investigation," Zubiri said. Under a court of law, the senate president noted that guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

He said while legislative inquiries are very liberal in terms of adhering to rules of evidence, hearings should be aimed at “ferreting out the truth using evidence and facts.”

"Otherwise, the faith of people in inquiries in aid of legislation may be diminished, especially when it causes reputational damage

to other parties," Zubiri said, noting that it could lead to the Senate losing its credibility as an institution.

In a separate press briefing, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said he is convinced that Morales is a "liar" and might be the one who leaked the supposedly confidential documents of PDEA allegedly containing the names of President Marcos and other well-known personalities.

"Wala siyang ebidensya. Ewan ko kung sino ang naglagay ng pangalan ng presidente, and other wellknown personalities in show business and politics. Wala namang makakapagpatunay, pati PDEA, na sangkot yung mga personalidad na sinasabi ni Morales (He has no evidence. I don't know

US House weighs bill...

people, especially immigrants and people of color, not completing their 2020 census forms, potentially skewing demographic data and allocation of resources.

In 2019, the controversy reached its climax when the Supreme Court intervened. In a landmark ruling, the Court blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to include the citizenship question on the 2020 census.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, criticized the administration’s rationale, stating that its use of the Voting Rights Act as justification “seems to have been contrived.”

Then-Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross, who was nominated to the position by President Donald Trump, expressed disagreement with the Supreme Court’s ruling. The count went on as planned despite various challenges, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Skewed census counts

Key findings from the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), which measures the accuracy of a census count, reveal that several states exhibited notable undercounts, including Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, a fact opponents of the bill say highlights the need for widespread participation of all residents, without fear of intimidation or exclusion.

“It’s imperative that we prioritize the integrity of the census process and focus on counting every individual once, only once, and in the right place, regardless of political considerations,” says Briscoe.

A companion bill, S 3659 is making its way through the Senate. The House version currently has 114 sponsors, all of them Republican. Lawmakers in the House are scheduled to consider the proposal as early as Monday. (Nakia Cooper/Ethnic Media Services)

Sulse left for Rome on Tuesday. He will formally assume his new position on Aug. 1.

As the general bursar or the new general oeconomus, Sulse will oversee the financial management of the entire OFM, one of the main Catholic orders tracing its roots to St. Francis of Assisi.

On the other hand, Fr.

presided a send-off Mass for Sulse, asked the faithful to pray for him as he takes on his “very unique kind of mission”.

“He is going to be the general treasurer of the Order,” he said in his Homily during the May 5 Mass held at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Makati City.

“We bring our wishes and prayers as you serve the Order and the whole Church,” Redoblado said in his message to Sulse.

Before his new assignment in Rome, the Catholic priest’s last assignment was at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Malabon City.

He has served as Secretary for Formation and Studies and chairperson of the Committee on Promotions for Clerical Ministry of the OFM in the country. (PNA)

Lino Gregorio Redoblado, the minister provincial of the OFM Philippines who

Fr. Joel Sulse CBCP photo

MANILA — Senate

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, presides over the hearing and investigation on the so-called “PDEA leaks” at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, May 7.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

QUIET GETAWAY. No big crowd for a handful of tourists, just the clear and refreshing waters of Bitbit River in Norzagaray, Bulacan on Tuesday, May 7. Cyclists, adventureseekers and even those just going on a day trip rave about the picturesque view while swimming or just walking around.

Zubiri

who put the name of the president, and other wellknown personalities in show business and politics. No one, not even PDEA, can prove that the personalities Morales is talking about are involved)," he said.

During the hearing itself, Estrada put into question the credibility of Morales who had been dishonorably dismissed from service and could not recall the identity of his source of information, as well as the time when he

was dismissed from police service before his stint in PDEA.

Last Tuesday, House of Representatives Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre, Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy, and Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora said the former agent’s testimony is part of a “larger effort to discredit and destabilize” the current administration. (PNA)

PAGASA on severe heat: Worst is over

by Bella Cariaso Philstar.com

MANILA — The worst is over in terms of the record-high temperatures and searing heat, with many areas in the country possibly experiencing thunderstorms in the second half of May, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It is possible that the hottest temperature for this year has been recorded after an actual temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius

was observed in Tarlac on April 27, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section chief Ana Liza Solis said on Monday, May 6 in a radio interview.

“Hopefully, this is the hottest daytime temperature for this year,” Solis added.

But many areas could still experience a high heat index between 45 and 48 degrees Celsius, she noted.

There is a 60 percent possibility that La Niña will prevail in June, July and August, she added.

“The peak of El Niño is in March, April and May. Many areas have already

declared a state of calamity and hopefully this will not increase,” Solis said.

Localized thunderstorms could occur in the second half of May, she noted.

“This will lessen the high heat index that we are experiencing. If the localized thunderstorms will persist and there will be big weather systems like low-pressure areas, intertropical convergence zones or typhoons, this can trigger the declaration of the onset of the rainy season,” she said.

El Niño could also delay rains in the country, she added.

“Hopefully we can experience rains but historically, Angat Dam usually fully recovers at the start of July, August, September, so there was a lag in the recovery of Angat Dam,” Solis said.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, May 6, Angat Dam’s water level dropped by 0.45 meters, reaching 185.65 meters compared to the previous 186.10 meters.

It was 5.65 meters above its minimum operating level of 180 meters and 26.35 meters below its normal high water level. g

House panel invites Alvarez to answer ethics complaint

by reina C. TolenTino ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — The House of Representatives' Committee on Ethics and Privileges has asked Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to answer a complaint filed against him.

Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, a member of the committee, said in a press conference on Monday, May 6

that the complaint included Alvarez's call last month for the armed forces to withdraw support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and hs alleged habitual absences in Congress.

Bongalon said that "as found out by the committee, the complaint filed by [Tagum Mayor] Rey Uy is sufficient in form and in content and that is why the committee decided to send a notice to the office of Congressman Alvarez for him to answer these allegations within

10 days from receipt."

The notice was sent to Alvarez's office "through registered mail on Friday, May 3 and also via electronic copy through the registered and official e-mail address of Congressman Alvarez as well as his chief of staff", Bongalon said.

Bongalon said the committee on May 2 decided that a committee hearing would be held after the 10-day period lapses. g

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

'No Cabinet-level official' in Marcos govt agreed to Chinese proposal in WPS—DFA

by Bernadette e. tamayo ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, May 7 confirmed that "no Cabinet-level" official of the Marcos administration has agreed to any Chinese proposal pertaining to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

ICC warrant vs Duterte expected by June - Trillanes

by Ian LaquI Philstar.com

MANILA — Former

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV anticipates that a warrant for the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and others linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation will likely be handed in by the international tribunal by June.

The former senator said this in a press conference in Mandaluyong, saying that the warrant may be issued through the Interpol.

“Kung idadaan sa Interpol 'yung warrant of arrest, kahit na hindi tayo miyembro ng ICC pero miyembro tayo ng Interpol. May international agreement tayo,” Trillanes said.

(If the warrant of arrest goes through Interpol, even if we are no longer a member of the ICC, we are still a member of Interpol. We have an international agreement.)

“Ang ICC naman may cooperation agreement kay Interpol kaya pwede silang magpasa ng red notice diyan,” he added.

(The ICC has a cooperation agreement with Interpol so they can pass the red notice to them.)

According to Trillanes, the said warrants of the ICC are expected to be issued in “batches” wherein the first batch is for former President Duterte, and the following batches will be for the other officials being investigated by the international tribunal, which include now-senator and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa.

Trillanes also claimed that there were personnel from the PNP who already cooperated with the ICC probe, implicating Duterte

on the extra-judicial killings which saw thousands of deaths during his administration’s drug war.

Duterte's intensified antidrug campaign has resulted in 6,000 deaths, based on the records of the government.

However, local and international human rights organizations estimate the actual number of victims to be between 12,000 to 30,000.

On April 15, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that the ICC has no jurisdiction to investigate the previous administration’s drug war, a position also being echoed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Concerning the cooperation of government officials and law enforcement personnel, the DOJ previously said that individuals who will cooperate with the ICC “will be held accountable”.

Arrest warrant execution

According to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, assuming that an arrest warrant from the ICC pretrial chamber is issued, its execution can only be done through PNP or other Philippine law enforcement agencies.

“The Interpol cannot intervene without coordinating with the PNP. So if the Philippine government will not cooperate, the ICC warrants of arrest cannot be implemented in Philippine territory,” Guevarra said in a Viber message to Philstar. com.

DOJ, on the other hand, has yet to respond to Philstar.com's request for comment on the former senator’s pronouncements. This will be updated with the department's response. g

of the discussion when Philippine military officials supposedly agreed to a "new model" of arrangement on how to manage Ayungin Shoal to avoid conflict.

The DFA stressed that "only the president of the Republic of the Philippines can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine government on matters pertaining to the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea."

The Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed that there was a "record" or "minutes"

However, the DFA said, "As far as the Philippine government is concerned, no such document, or record, or deal exists as purported by the Chinese Embassy."

The DFA on Sunday, May 5 said it was "not aware" of any "model arrangement" being referred to by the Chinese Embassy in Manila with regard to Ayungin Shoal.

The DFA reiterated its firm position that

Gentlemen’s row...

PAGE 6

arrangement.” The shoal lies within our country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the WPS.

Likewise, Beijing has also been insisting for the Philippines to comply with its “official commitment” to tow away BRP Sierra Madre out of our Ayungin Shoal, also located at the WPS.

These “special arrangements” were reportedly made in 2016 coinciding with the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping. Not officially acknowledged, ex-president Duterte’s pro-China bias during his administration has given credence to Beijing’s claim on the questioned existence of such “gentlemen’s agreement.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM), however, swore he is not aware of any such “special arrangements” on the WPS between Manila and Beijing. PBBM declared he is “rescinding” it effectively, if there’s any. In his latest public declaration on the same issue, PBBM admitted he was even “horrified” just thinking about such kind of deals if indeed expresident Duterte agreed to but failed to inform him before or after the transition of their administrations on June 30, 2022.

Although no details were provided, the existence of the Duterte-Xi “gentlemen’s agreement” was attested to by former presidential spokesman Harry Roque. However, three other former Duterte Cabinet officials belied the claims of Roque. These were, namely, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, exDefense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and ex-Chief Presidential Legal

the Philippines has "not entered into agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, including on the Ayungin Shoal."

It added that on issues of such importance, "any agreements or arrangements would be made only if authorized at the highest level of government."

The DFA said the Secretary of National Defense and National Security Adviser have both "denied the existence of any informal arrangements on the Ayungin Shoal, which shows the untruthfulness of China's narrative."

"China should desist from disseminating

Counsel Salvador Panelo. Roque subsequently clarified that he actually referred to the “modus vivendi” arrangement that Lorenzana testified to before a House committee public hearing several years ago. At the resumption of sessions of the 19th Congress last week, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced in a press conference they will invite these former Duterte Cabinet officials to shed light on the alleged “gentlemen’s agreement.” Romualdez declared the Lower House intends to exercise its congressional oversight functions to ferret out the truth on this very sensitive national security issue on the WPS.

Romualdez, a maternal first cousin of PBBM, disclosed the House national defense committee chaired by Rep. Raul Tupas called for public hearing on this controversy. It was after Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun filed a House Resolution seeking legislative inquiry into the controversial “gentlemen’s agreement” on the WPS. The Speaker cited he is also as “horrified” as PBBM to be told there is an official deal secretly done but nobody in the Philippines is privy to except the former president.

Romualdez noted even these former Duterte Cabinet officials have differing versions of the truth. “Baka nabubudol na tayo nila,” the Speaker quipped. (Roughly translated: “We are as if gullible.”) We know where the Speaker is coming from. After all, he also has a running feud with expresident Duterte and daughter Vice President Sara Duterte.

From the highest office of the land, let us take this issue down to the lower level of the chain of command in the Armed Forces of the Philippines

such disinformation or insinuations against Philippine officials, which create confusion among the Filipino public and distract from the real issues created by China's unfounded claims, and illegal and aggressive actions in our waters," the DFA said.The Philippines has been "earnest in seeking ways to reduce tensions with China through established diplomatic channels," it added.

"If China is serious about properly managing the differences at sea, we urge China to favorably consider the standing Philippine invitation to convene the next meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea as soon as possible," the DFA said. g

(AFP). Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad during our Kapihan sa Manila Bay last Wednesday publicly declared the AFP never received at their level any order – in verbal or in writing – to execute and implement “special arrangements” with China on WPS.

Trinidad, from Class 1991 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), recalled his particular stint as head of the Philippine Navy Staff Operations Group from 2016-2017 that handled the resupply missions to Ayungin during those years. “We in the military move on orders. There is no such official order not to conduct patrols or resupply missions,” Trinidad averred.

Trinidad stressed the AFP fully adheres to its Constitutional mandates to carry out the instructions of their incumbent Commander-in-Chief and act according to the guidance of the Chief Executive as the country’s principal foreign policy architect.

Trinidad explained the BRP Sierra Madre in particular remains a commissioned ship of the Philippine Navy and is considered an extension of the Philippine territory. Thus, he stressed, the AFP would continue to ensure the comfort and habitability of the BRP Sierra Madre for the military personnel on board.

Before ex-President Duterte bowed out of office at Malacañang Palace, the last resupply mission to Ayungin was carried out on June 20-22, 2022. So what’s the gentlemen’s row all about? (Philstar.com) *

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.

TRIBUTE. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (center) leads a tribute for their late former colleague Rene Saguisag during the Tuesday, May 7 plenary session. Saguisag's son, Rebo, received from Zubiri the Senate Resolution of profound sympathy and condolences on the death of the human rights lawyer on April 24 at the age of 84. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

From Makati to Houston: The culinary journey of Bhogz culminates in a green card as a cook, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

BHOGZ'S journey from his Nanay’s kitchen in the Philippines, to the bustling kitchen of Gerry's Grill in Houston, Texas, is a testament to dedication, passion, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

He fondly recalls watching his Nanay cook for their large family, until he mastered cooking dinengdeng – a vegetable dish that originated form the Ilocos region in the Philippines – while he was only 10 years old. At 17, Bhogz was a working student, determined to pave his way through school, and at 21, he was a husband and father, working tirelessly to provide for his growing family.

Bhogz's culinary journey led him to a bakery, and then, to an American-Italian restaurant, honing his skills and passion for

cooking. In 2001, he applied at Gerry's Grill in Makati and cooked his signature blue marlin recipe for the practical test and was instantly hired. Through the years, Bhogz rose through the ranks until he became head cook.

As Gerry's Grill expanded their business in the United States, Bhogz's talents caught the attention of the company, leading to an offer to manage the kitchen at the Gerry's Grill branch in Houston, Texas, which included being petitioned for a green card.

Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel handled the I-140 petition (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) for Bhogz, which culminated in the attainment of his green card in PAGE 12

FROM COOKING DINENGDENG IN A HOME KITCHEN, TO BEING HEAD COOK IN HOUSTON WITH A GREEN CARD, ON A BRAND-NEW SUCCESS STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Bhogz's (left) culinary journey, from cooking his Nanay’s dinengdeng – a Filipino vegetable dish that originated from the Ilocos region in the Philippines – to being head cook at Gerry’s Grill in Houston, Texas, showed his determination and the pursuit of opportunities. Starting as an intern, Bhogz's passion for cooking led him through various kitchens until he found his place at Gerry's Grill in Makati. Rising through the ranks, his talents caught the eye of the company's management, and he was chosen to manage the kitchen at the Houston branch. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) handled Bhogz's I-140 petition, and in September 2023, the latter got his green card. He now eagerly anticipates bringing his wife and children to the U.S. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, May 12 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Has COVID-19 left?

Health@Heart

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

NO. Thanks to those vulnerable unvaccinated, COVID-19 is still with us. Had everyone been vaccinated against COVID-19 from the first day vaccines were available, we should have had herd immunity, and COVID-19 would have left us. Between April 21 to April 27, 2024, there were still 5,098 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. While the death rate was down to 0.8 percent, that is still significant. As I have said often, one life lost is one too many.

While the respiratory season may be ending in the United States, a new group of COVID-19 variants, called “FLiRT” is now flirting with us as variant KP.2, which overtook the JN.1 omicron subvariant. KP.2 accounts for 25 percent of infections nationwide, according to the U.S.-CDC. The other variant is KP.1.1.

Will there be another surge of COVID-19?

Let us get the new vaccine for the new strains of COVID-19 and continue our vigilance.

Rice and diabetes

All carbohydrates (sugars), which have high glycemic index (easily digested after eating and cause blood glucose (sugar) spikes) are the nemesis of diabetics. Among these carbs are the notorious soft drinks, rice, bread, pasta, potato, beans, milk, popcorn, cookies, corn, cakes, ice-cream, pies, and most desserts.

Rice is the staple food in most Asian countries, and now also in Latin America and Africa. It usually provides more than 50 percent of the calories consumed in those continents.

Diabetics are advised to minimize carbs (like rice, bread, sweets) in the diet, which significantly and rapidly affect blood sugar levels.

Brown rice, which has more fibers and nutrients, fewer calories and carb in it, is actually not healthier than white rice, as previously thought. The hull of brown rice (which is removed, only bran remains) contains significant toxins like lectins

that injures gut lining, causes brain fog, and triggers the auto immune system in some people. The hull that has been removed also contains arsenic.

White rice (refined carb) lacks fiber and nutrients, hence it is enriched during production. It has a high glycemic index, compared to brown rice. White rice is one of the reasons why Asian countries, especially the Philippines, have very high prevalence of diabetes Mellitus T2.

Basmati rice, which has higher fiber, lower calories, and lower glycemic index, is healthier than refined white rice. It has more nutrients, lower arsenic contamination, more folate, thiamine, selenium, B Vitamin, Zinc, phosphorus in it.

The best strategy is moderation in intake of rice in general. Personally, I love basmati rice, but am minimizing it for caloric control. Diabetics should get at least 50 percent of their daily carb from whole grains (lower glycemic index than rice), which contains complex carbs that takes the body longer to break down, reducing sugar spikes. Many health-conscious people are giving up rice for vegetable salad with olive oil-vinegar dressing.

Some of the whole grain foods are oats, whole grain wheat bread, quinoa, rye, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, millet, whole barley, spelt (ancient wheat) and brown rice. Nothing beats vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Red meat is not essential, and man can stay healthier without red meat.

Caloric portion or quantity is essential, especially for those who are overweight and/or are diabetics. Discuss this with your physician or dietician for proper guidance, or “consult Dr. Google.”

Nightshades and arthritis

There are vegetables that are called nightshades (belonging to the Solanaceae family). They are inflammatory food items that are bad for the body, especially for those with arthritis. They aggravate joint pains. Some of these items are tomatoes, white potatoes, pepper, eggplants, paprika. Tobacco actually belongs to the nightshade family and tobacco contains a carcinogenic substance in it.

The inflammatory ingredients in tomatoes are in the skin and in the seeds; removing them before cooking helps minimize them. It seems to be the same for eggplants, which are good antioxidants. Avoiding inflammatory food items is important for everyone, not only to those with arthritis. Our bodies’ enemies are oxidation, inflammation, and imbalanced microbiome. Luckily, we have the knowledge and resources to fight these nemeses. It’s now up to us.

Olive Oil: Benefits

Olive oil, especially the one from Morocco, northwest Africa, with high levels of monosaturated fats (73 percent healthy oleic acid) and a lot of powerful antioxidants, polyphenols (hydroxy-thyrosol), provide large healthy antiinflammatory properties. For cooking (frying, etc.) the light tasting olive oil is the best, better than canola, vegetable oil, coconut oil, palm oil or corn oil. The extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), cold pressed, is especially good for dips, and for drinking (one teaspoon daily). Monosaturated fats are quite resistant to high heat, unlike canola and other oils, making light olive oil a healthy choice for cooking. Oil that is not heat-resistant and burns is detrimental to health, much like charcoalburnt red meats, and poses a risk for cancer.

The biologically active antioxidants and antiinflammatory substances (oleocanthal, with action like ibuprofen) in olive oil reduce the risk for chronic illnesses and lower cholesterol, hence heart healthy. Olive oil can reduce biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol, helps prevent stroke, and reduces heart disease. It lubricates the joints and reduces joint pains in osteoarthritis, and also in rheumatoid arthritis, especially when combined with fish oil.

Olive oil may also help prevent Alzheimer’s, which is associated with plaques in the brain. Olive oil was shown to reduce plaques in the brain in mice. It also has anti-cancer properties by reducing oxidative damage due to free radicals, a leading driver of cancer. Olive oil also has antibacterial properties

From Makati to Houston: The...

PAGE 11

September 2023.

Bhogz's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the pursuit of excellence, and the enduring belief in the promise of a better future. He now eagerly anticipates the next chapter of his American Dream, as he plans to bring his wife and children to the United States.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, May 12 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)

Lovi Poe on filming international, local movie

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Lovi Poe stressed that she could not compare filming a Hollywood film to a local one. During the Skin Care

Lovi Poe

photo and also lowers the risk for dementia-related death. Olive oil is a wonderful drug for prevention of diseases and for maximal health and longevity.

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to 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 to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is

Depot eighth anniversary celebration in Subic last weekend, Philstar.com asked Lovi how different it is to film an international movie and a local one.

“Hindi ko siya makocompare. Bawat production naman is different. Kanyakanyang style ng directors, producers kung paano nila gustong i-set ‘yung mood ng set," Lovi said.

"It’s just the same type of work. It doesn’t matter where it’s gonna be. You bring the same effort and compassion,” she added.

Lovi is currently working on "Guilty Pleasure" movie with JM de Guzman and Jameson Blake.

“We’re in the middle of filming 'Guilty Pleasure.' Everything is looking good. Napakahusay ng direktor namin na si direk Connie Macatuno at saka ‘yung mga co-actors ko. Unbelievably good,” she said.

"Si JM de Guzman, sobrang grabe umarte, ‘yung

your best ally when it comes 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

mata niya. Pumasok lang siya sa room talagang his eyes speak. Si Jameson naman, he sweeps me off my feet when I do scenes with him. It’s really such a nice experience,” the actress added.

Lovi graced the SCD event as the endorser of the brand.

The brand celebrated its eighth year anniversary with a fairy tale-themed event held in Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center Subic Apart from Lovi, the event was attended by its endorsers social media personality Boss Toyo, Maui Taylor, Sassa Dagdag, Khel Pangilinan and its CEO and founder Gracee Angeles.

It was also a night for the company's distributors who came all the way from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and National Capital Region. They gathered to celebrate, mingle, party, win prices and watched SCD's celebrity endorsers and supporters perform. g

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, 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.

Philstar.com

Next Move, Grandmaster: Megan Paragua sets sights on chess elite

Young chess prodigy shines with double gold at FIDE World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championship

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

AT just 11 years old, Megan Paragua has etched her name in the annals of chess history, emerging victorious with two first-place trophies from the prestigious 2024 World Cadet Rapid and Blitz Championships in Durres, Albania.

Hailing from a lineage of chess aficionados, with her uncle Mark Paragua distinguished as a grandmaster, Megan's meteoric rise in the world of chess has captivated the game’s enthusiasts.

Megan's chess journey commenced at the tender age of five, under the tutelage of her father, Jan Vincent Paragua. Encouraged by her family's passion for the game, Megan embarked on her maiden tournament at the age of six.

Recounting her early forays into chess, Megan reminisced, "I liked the feeling when I first joined; I was excited, and I continued playing after that." Her tenacity bore fruit early on, clinching her first podium finish at just her third tournament—a milestone that instilled in her a profound sense of pride and determination.

Balancing rigorous training sessions with school obligations, Megan exemplifies dedication, commitment, and discipline. "I wake up early around 6:30 to prepare to go to school," she shared, shedding light on her daily routine. She goes to school at the Columbia Grammar Preparatory School in New York City where she is currently in fifth grade.

Post-classes, Megan immerses herself in the intricacies of chess, honing her skills under her father's watchful eye. "My dad coaches me, and I started beating him around eight years old," Megan quipped, a testament to her rapid progress and competitive spirit.

Looking ahead, Megan's sights are set on scaling greater heights in the world of chess, harboring aspirations of attaining grandmaster status, like her uncle Mark.

"My blood is Filipino; I was raised by Filipino parents," she affirmed, underscoring her deep-rooted connection to her heritage. With plans to visit the Philippines this summer, Megan seeks to pay homage to her roots while inspiring future generations of Filipino chess enthusiasts.

During a recent courtesy call on

Consul General Senen Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, Megan engaged in a spirited chess match, demonstrating her prowess on the board.

Reflecting on their encounter, Consul General Mangalile commended Megan's remarkable achievements, hailing her as a beacon of hope for young Filipino Americans. "We're very proud of what she has accomplished," he remarked, emphasizing the community's support for Megan's endeavors.

For Megan, chess is more than just a mere game—it's a vehicle for personal growth, problem-solving, and forging meaningful connections. "Chess has helped me a lot," she affirmed, highlighting its transformative impact on her life.

Her journey in chess is not just about winning titles but also about embracing her unique strengths. Despite not considering herself strong or physically athletic, she finds joy in the intellectual challenge of the game. Ahead of her matches, she adopts a calming routine, taking time to rest, draw, and clear her mind.

Reflecting on her recent triumphs at the World Cadet Championships, Megan credits her success to a combination of confidence and diligent preparation. As she aptly puts it, "It was not easy definitely. I had confidence and I knew I had a chance. The training helped a lot."

In August 2023, she placed first at the 33rd Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 in the girls U12 (Under 12) category, where she received the Woman FIDE (International Chess Federation) master title as a result of her performance. The Woman FIDE Master title (WFM) is officially given by the FIDE to female chess players. After the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title and the Woman International Master (WIM) title, it is the highest-ranking title that the FIDE gives exclusively to women.

Megan Paragua's choice to pursue chess over traditional sports stems from her recognition of her strengths, acknowledging that physical athleticism isn't her forte. Her pre-game routine involves relaxation and mental preparation, reflecting her strategic approach to the game.

Reflecting on her recent double win at the World Cadet Championships, Paragua emphasized the importance of confidence and preparation, attributing her success to both her mindset and rigorous training regimen.

Consul General Senen Mangalile congratulates Megan for her achievements such as securing impressive victories and titles in major international youth chess competitions,earning double gold medals in the rapid and blitz events at the 2024 FIDE World Cadet Championships.

Megan with her proud parents - dad Jan Vincent, a full-time chess coach and her mom Jennifer, a dialysis technician, with Consul General Mangalile at the Kalayaan Hall Annex of the Philippine Consulate General.

The 11-year-old chess prodigy and Consul General Mangalile played an 8-minute game of chess at the Sentro Rizal. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

At 48, Geneva Cruz feels younger and stronger than before

By Leah C. SaLterio Philstar.com

SINGER-ACTRESS Geneva Cruz may be 48 now, but she amazingly feels stronger than when she did in her 20s and 30s.

“I believe that it’s never too late to improve one’s health and strength,” admitted Geneva. “When it comes to fitness, there are no shortcuts; you only get out what you put in.”

For somebody who used to dislike running, it is surprising that Geneva is now setting her sights on joining the 2024 Clark Triathlon Classic this coming June, a first for her.

Joining a triathlon was never in Geneva’s bucket list. “I had never experienced the ‘runner’s high’ many runners talk about,” Geneva said.

“However, that pushed me to want to know what it feels like, so I started participating in more fun runs including 5k, 10k and 21k races, as well as a duathlon (run-bike-run) and cycling races.

“I continued to join more races until I finally felt the runner’s high, which only happened recently. Last year alone, I completed 14 races and last April was my 17th race.”

Geneva is excited to see how far she can push herself and what she can achieve through the experience. She likes to challenge herself because it helps her grow. She is preparing for the June triathlon and even learns how to swim.

“For me, the race is not only about winning, but also about the journey of training and the challenges that come with it,” Geneva admitted. “I believe overcoming the challenges will make me physically and mentally stronger and help me become a better version of myself.”

“But I never do those challenges without preparation, so I always incorporate cardio and endurance training, strength and conditioning under coach Kelvin Labrador of Fit Twenty-One Gym. I also do some mobility and flexibility (yoga and dance) on my own at home.”

Two years ago, it will be remembered that Geneva constantly wanted to challenge herself. During the pandemic, she signed up as a reservist of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), recruited by her Smokey Mountain friend, 2nd lieutenant Tony Lambino, in 2022.

“We went to the mountains where we had our PAFR (Philippine Air Force Reserve Command) FTX (Field Training Exercises) for four days,” Geneva shared. “That’s what excites me because I’m learning a lot with my training in the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

“I joined the reservist because I want to help without entering politics. We go on medical missions, join the manpower and assist in many places around the Philippines and encourage more Filipinos.”

When she became an army reservist, Geneva struggled with her scoliosis because they all had to carry a heavy backpack and the M16 while doing their basic citizen military training,

“I knew I had to learn how to manage my thoracic scoliosis better and that came with physical therapy treatment combined

says being in the military reserve grew her a stronger backbone. Photo from Instagram/@genevacruzofficial with chiropractic therapy, strength and conditioning, and now, swimming.

“Being in the military reserve grew me a stronger backbone and I am willing to use it to assist others and my loved ones in times of need.”

As an Aries-Dragon, Geneva remains very agile and active more than three decades after she joined the entertainment industry as a female soloist of Smokey Mountain quartet, with Lambino, Jeffrey Hidalgo and James Coronel.

“It’s not just dancing with me now,” Geneva said. “I ran. I do marathons. At 48, I have become this strong woman. Strong not just on the inside, but even on the outside.”

Participating in a triathlon is a personal challenge for Geneva. It didn’t just start out with a dare. Nor did anyone challenge her in any way. She didn’t just wake up one day and say, “I want to join a triathlon!”

“It just seems more fun than just running in itself because you get to do more than just running,” Geneva maintained. “I also want to prove to myself that with proper training, people in their 40s and 50s can achieve the same physical feat as younger individuals.”

Losing her mom to COVID-19 in 2021 prodded Geneva to step up her fitness game. “My sisters started training with me and our cousin Glenda (Cruz Bayona) at the gym, joining us at fun runs only this year, which has been very exciting,” Geneva shared. “I stay in training mode and have more fun with my friends and family.”

Her male, pro-athlete friends inspired her and also her cousin Glenda. Inevitably they became Geneva’s inspirational pegs in fitness. Her cousin, Glenda, likewise enlisted for the triathlon.

“Glenda encouraged me to get into weightlifting and running and she also became my gym buddy,” Geneva offered. “She introduced me to Fit Twenty-One Gym two years ago and they showed me that it could be done. Since then, I never looked back at my old self.”

Fil-Canadian Manny Jacinto joins Star Wars series 'The Acolyte'

By KathLeen a. LLemit Philstar.com

IT is the fourth of May weekend, and in true "Star Wars" fashion, FilipinoCanadian Manny Jacinto invites viewers to watch his upcoming starrer "The Acolyte."

The upcoming Disney+ series is a prequel to the popular main "Star Wars" films or the Skywalker saga.

Manny plays a former smuggler named Qimir.

He joins a cast that includes Korean star Lee Jung-jae, who plays the vital role of Jedi master Sol; Amandla Stenberg as Mae, a former Padawan learner turned into a dangerous warrior; and Dafne Keen, the

An ode to Floy Quintos

By ronnie CarraSCo ManilaTimes.net

FEELING slightly recharged from siesta in the afternoon of April 27, I woke up to a message that came with an obituary: "RIP, direk Floy Quintos."

In disbelief, I replied: "'Di nga (Really)?"

For a stroke patient battling Parkinson's disease at the same time, it has become "normal" especially in my case to experience bouts of palpitation.

But on that day, it felt like I was having a heart attack as I frenetically scrolled Google for any details, praying fervently that I only fell victim to a prankster or fake news purveyor.

Around that time in the afternoon is usually my early dinner, which I fetch from a neighbor. Walking toward the door to get it packed in styrofoam that time meant heavy steps. So did bringing in the food back to my stuffy room to wolf it down.

The food just lay on my bed, gazing at me for nearly an hour. The day's weather was at its hottest yet my trembling hands felt coldest.

All throughout I couldn't shake Floy's sudden passing off my mind. Well, even his niece posted on Facebook her entire family was in a state of shock.

That didn't exclude me from wondering myself. My former "Startalk" creative director-head writer gone?

over 20

How could it have been possible when I even sent him a message of love on his 63rd birthday last April 17, as much as he did when I turned just a year younger 10 days ahead?

No, it couldn't be possible: I repeatedly told myself.

I had known Floy for more than 20 years, including several months of brainstorming sessions for Startalk that was to pilot in October of 1995.

Not once did he fall ill, let alone complain about minor health discomforts.

I barely knew Floy's creative background except he had a long-standing friendship with Boy Abunda since their Metropolitan Theatre days. Floy had always been (Kuya) Boy's go-to artistic director in many an Ai Ai de las Alas

comedy concert.

In fact, it was Floy who was the brains behind Ai Ai's Cheenee Lachica's sketch on GMA's now-defunct "Show & Tell" which Boy hosted. The succeeding years opened up to my profound discoveries and realizations about Floy, his works from TV to film and theatre in between most of the time.

But underneath the veneer of a polymath — who walked with an air of gravitas that commanded a great deal of respect and admiration — lay a good-hearted, compassionate, at times irreverent person who was never afraid to go downright "cheap" and "luka-luka" if occasions called for it.

Fun to be with, I knew exactly what would make Floy easily burst into attention-getting laughter — jokes or tales using gutter language. "Jologs," if I may put it.

But Floy's response to such could be way, way above it.

His academic wit and urban "kasosyalan" were not without it, which set him apart from me/us, deprived of the finer things in life.

On most Saturdays during the airing of Startalk, it was always me and Floy on the studio floor.

As such, he bore witness to the program hosts' movements, on- and offcam.

It was either one of the

breakout star in "Logan" and stars as Sol's apprentice in the series.

The trailer also teased

the inclusion of "Matrix" star Carrie-Anne Moss, who will play Indara, a proficient Jedi master. g

Geneva

Manny Jacinto as Qimir in 'The Acolyte' Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm

The author had known the award-winning director and writer for

years. Photo from Facebook/Celina Quintos

judyannskitchen

Judy Ann Santos reunites with ‘Gimik’ co-stars: Real friends stay forever

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

JUDY Ann Santos drew excitement and cheers from ’90s fans after she held a get-together with her fellow “Gimik” stars Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Mylene Dizon and Dominic Ochoa.

During the reunion, the group filmed for a vlog for Santos’ YouTube channel, Judy Ann’s Kitchen. The actress shared a sneak peek into their gathering on her Instagram page on Tuesday, May 7.

The group was seen cooking together, exchanging banters while reminiscing moments from the 1996 show, and enjoying a drink in an outdoor area.

“That one fine day. Friends come and go but the real ones, they stay. They stay with you forever,” Santos captioned her post.

Dizon, Agustin and Ochoa also showed moments from their gathering through their respective Instagram pages.

“May reunion na naganap!” Dizon exclaimed.

“Best Sunday ever!” Agustin, meanwhile, said.

Fans were ecstatic upon seeing the group together again, and some couldn’t help but remember the late Rico Yan, one of the cast members.

“Gimik” aired from 1996 to 1999 on ABS-CBN. Other celebrities who were part of its cast include Giselle “G” Töngi, Patrick Garcia, Kaye Abad and Diether Ocampo. g

An ode to Floy...

Floy's theatrical discipline ingrained in him through the years was understandable.

Alden Richards wants to keep it ‘personal’ with Kathryn Bernardo

by HAnnAH MAllorcA Inquirer.net

ALDEN Richards remained tightlipped on the real score with “Hello, Love, Goodbye” co-star Kathryn Bernardo, as he pointed out that he wants to keep the details of their friendship “personal.”

In his cover story with fashion magazine Preview, Richards spoke about the reported budding romance between him and Bernardo. “Whatever is happening between Kath (Bernardo) and I, I really want it to be personal,” he said.

The actor also touched on his onscreen partnership with Bernardo in the hit 2019 film, in which he admitted that he was surprised they earned support the support of viewers as it was their first time working together.

“I was actually surprised [with] how people reacted to [us]… I don’t want to

be the first person to say a lot of things about it, but I’m glad that it’s being received well,” he said of the KathDen craze.

Richards shared that he, Bernardo, and the “Hello, Love, Goodbye” cast built a “solid” friendship, which lasted until today. He also

said its success, which is currently the second highest-grossing movie in the Philippines, still overwhelms him up to now.

“The friendship never ended. Naging solid din talaga yung samahan naming lahat [during filming]. And right now, I’m

just quite overwhelmed,” he said.

In a recent interview with GMA’s 24 Oras, the actor also chose to keep mum on the status of his relationship with Bernardo, saying “what you see is what you get.” Richards said he would rather keep it “personal.” Richards and Bernardo’s friendship remained a topic of interest after the actor was first seen at the Kapamilya actress’ birthday party in Palawan, before surprising her with a bouquet of flowers and a Bacarrat box at another surprise celebration for Bernardo. He also made an appearance at the actress’ housewarming party last month.

In a report from entertainment insider Ogie Diaz, Richards is said to have been courting Bernardo, but the actor has not addressed this directly, as of writing. g

Xian Lim flexes new girlfriend on social media

by jAn Milo severo Philstar.com

AFTER confirming his relationship with the Viva producer, actor and director Xian Lim flexed Iris Lee on social media.

In his Instagram account, Xian posted behind-the-scenes photos of his upcoming movie.

In one of the photos, Xian and Iris were seen chilling.

Xian recently revealed that he is now in a relationship with Iris.

In his interview with Esquire, Xian said that he wanted to clear things out that's why he is now speaking about the issue.

"Yes, I’m seeing Iris,” he said.

“Just to clear everything, to clear all the speculations. We are seeing each other and we are very happy," he added.

14 PAGE 14

Xian, however, said that Iris was not the reason for their breakup. He added

that he began dating Iris after breaking up with Kim. "There's no third party. That's it.

That's plain and simple," he said. "Kuman Thong," Xian captioned his post. g hosts was doing pretty well or was doing way below his expectations.

As Startalk director, I witnessed Floy's patience with "pasaway" hosts (I won't name names), particularly those who insisted they do what they believed was right but was actually the other way around.

"Tell me, Ron, how am I supposed to deal with that cantankerous host?! That host won't simply toe the line! Hay, naku!" Floy would often whisper to me as he sighed in frustration.

Yet for all his artistic quirks and temper, Floy was always delightful to work with, joke around with and swap naughty, if raunchy stories with, with nary a whiff of condescension.

With direk Floy, it had always been work at play.

If only for this — yes, Floy — I will sorely miss the fun times you wrote and directed yourself with so much gusto and cheerful spontaneity.

May you rest in God's embrace. g

At 48, Geneva Cruz feels younger and...

That made Geneva say to herself, “Yeah! I want to be like them! I want to be lean and mean! I want to be a winner!”

Geneva acknowledges her weakness — swimming — and knows she needs to work harder at it.

“I have mighty long fingers and feet (laughs). Kidding aside, all thanks to my fantastic coach, Al Gonzales, who was introduced to me by my triathlete BFF Jeffrey Hidalgo.”

With just a month away, Geneva observes a proper diet (clean eating and no junk foods or sweets), swim classes, fun runs, cycling, weights, yoga, pilates, even dance, and of

course, recovery in between.

“After realizing that the fire inside me needed to be balanced by more graceful activities, I decided to stop taking taekwondo lessons and chose to learn how to swim, instead,” Geneva said.

“Joining an event like this triathlon, I know I will gain strength both mentally and physically and even become a better swimmer. I will be able to use it to finally join the Philippine Air Force Search And Rescue Auxiliary Training (SARAT), so I can serve my country better,” Geneva asserted. g

(From right) “Gimik” stars Dominic Ochoa, Mylene Dizon, Judy Ann Santos, Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin.

Photos from Instagram/@missmylenedizon,

Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards Photo from Instagram/@niceprintphoto

Xian Lim and girlfriend Iris Lee

Photo from Instagram/@xianlimm