051124 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

More Fil-Ams are applying for dual citizenship

A TREND has emerged among naturalized American citizens of Filipino descent since the COVID-19 pandemic: An increasing number of dual citizenship reacquisitions and applications. Ricarte Abejuela, head of the Legalization Department and Dual Citizenship Section at the Philippine Consulate in New York, told Inquirer.net USA that the surge of dual citizenship applications began during the pandemic. Abejuela said the increased demand for dual citizenship was “an immediate effect of the lockdown in the Philippines during the height of the (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.”

The Balikbayan program by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Disease, which allowed former Filipino citizens to visit the Philippines without the requirements

THE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is making a last call for nominees for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO).

The PAFIOO awards are conferred by the president of the Philippines every two years to honor and recognize individuals and organizations abroad who contribute to Philippine development initiatives and promote the cause and interest of the Filipino diaspora overseas. Since 1991, a total of 541 awards have been given out by the presidents of the Republic of the Philippines to individuals and organizations from 55 countries and territories. All nominations shall be coursed through the Philippine embassy or consulate general

JULIE M. AURELIO Inquirer.net

including rejoining the tribunal.

Malacañang on Thursday, May 9 said the DOJ was just preparing a briefer on what measures the president could take in case the ICC orders the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“This is standard procedure, not a change in position, ensuring that our administration remains prepared for any scenario,” said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

Garafil stressed that the president’s stance on the ICC’s lack of jurisdiction in investigating Duterte’s bloody antinarcotics campaign “remains clear and

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government has not received any reports of destabilization plots against him among active police and military officials, adding that discontent may be within the retired personnel. In an ambush interview on Friday, May 10 in General Santos City, Marcos said they have not monitored any movement among current Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials as personnel from both organizations are not engaged in politicking.

“I don’t see — wala kaming report na in the ranks. Iyong mga retired baka mayroon, mayroong mga gumagalaw, sumasama

sa mga destab na ginagawa,” Marcos told reporters. (We don’t have a report within the ranks. Retired individuals might be the ones moving or joining destabilization efforts.)

“Pero sa ating mga kapulisan at siyempre lalo na sa officer corps, wala naman tayong nakikitang ganun na namumulitika ang mga police,” he added. (But among our police,  PAGE A2

consistent.”

“However, it is the duty of the DOJ to explore all legal avenues and ensure that the president is fully informed of his options,” she said. She made the remarks after Assistant Justice Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV said on Wednesday, May 8 that the legal brief being prepared would guide Marcos on “how he will move.”

Clavano was responding to an earlier statement by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that the ICC may soon issue an arrest warrant against Duterte and others in relation to its investigation of crimes against humanity in the former president’s bloody drug war.

One of the options is the possibility of rejoining the Rome Statute, the 2002 treaty that established the ICC, Clavano said. It was Duterte who ordered the Philippines’

by CHARIE ABARCA Inquirer.net

MANILA — Two senators on Thursday, May 9 called on the camps of President Bongbong Marcos and former President Rodrigo Duterte to “cease” from its supposed rift.

At a press conference, Senator Sonny Angara said the alleged disagreement between Marcoses and Dutertes does not help the country.

“Parang nadi-distract tayo dito sa tit-fortat between the two camps, ‘di ba? Imbes

na mag-focus – palagay ko, mas mahalaga sa ating mga kababayan ang issues sa inflation, issues sa national security. We should learn from the past where politics should not always be at the forefront. Dapat, isantabi muna ang pulitika. Unahin natin ‘yung importante,” said Angara.

(It seems we are being distracted by this titfor-tat between the two camps, right? I think the issue of inflation and national security are more important for our countrymen. We should learn from the past where politics should not always be at the forefront. We

MANILA — Filipinos have a “nuanced” view on the possible impact of lifting the foreign ownership restrictions in the 1987 Constitution, according to Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes.

Holmes issued the statement to provide additional context on commissioned survey results released by think tank Stratbase ADR Institute last month.

In a statement released on April 3, Stratbase ADR noted that most Filipinos believe that lifting the restrictions on foreign investments –which is among the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution – could result in “more high quality jobs, better services and lower prices of goods.”

The think tank, however, did not highlight the negative impacts seen by Filipinos if foreign ownership restrictions are lifted.

The commissioned survey, conducted from March 6 to 10, asked Filipinos to identify up to three things they think will be the impact of lifting foreign ownership restrictions.

GABRIEL PABICO LALU Inquirer.net

MANILA — A bill that seeks to allow Filipinos staying overseas to register as voters and ultimately, cast their vote electronically has been approved on second reading at the House of Representatives.

During the session on Wednesday, May 8, House Bill (HB) No. 10178 which proposes amendments to Republic Act No. 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 was approved on second reading via viva voce or voice voting.

If approved by Congress and enacted into law, Section 6 (Overseas Registration and/ or Certification) of RA No. 9189 would now allow registration or certification of voters

to be done personally or through mail, or electronic means.

Coordinate The Commission on Elections Office for Overseas Voting (Comelec-OFOV) will be tasked to coordinate with different government agencies to obtain the biometric data of the overseas Filipino applicants.

“The commission, through the OFOV, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and other relevant government agencies shall obtain biometric data of qualified overseas voters,”

Some 64 percent identified an increase in high quality jobs with high salaries and benefits, while 56 percent said services would be better.

Fifty-five percent said foreign capital would dominate local investors and business, 54 percent said the prices of goods and services would decrease and 43 percent said national security would be at risk.

“The results of the Stratbase-ADR Institute rider questions clearly indicate that the public has a much more nuanced view on issues relating to the lifting of the restrictive provisions of the 1987 Constitution,” Holmes said.

“The public does see both negative and positive outcomes of removing the restrictions against foreign investors in our Constitution,” he added.

The survey results, Holmes said, also show that the public is aware of the factors that deter the entry of foreign capital, including those that have nothing to do with the lifting of restrictive provisions in the Constitution.

Palace clarifies ‘options...

withdrawal from the treaty, which took effect in March 2019.

Mr. Marcos was one of the 17 senators who voted to ratify the Rome Statute in 2011.

In November last year, he acknowledged a proposed “sense of the House” resolution to cooperate in the ICC investigation of Duterte’s alleged crimes.

But he said that after the withdrawal from the ICC, there were “fundamental” questions regarding its jurisdiction and Philippine sovereignty in allowing foreign investigators to conduct a criminal probe in the country when its own police could do the same. It wasn’t right for foreign entities to investigate and arrest Filipinos, he said.

Marcos said, however, that rejoining the ICC was among the “options” under study as early as then.

Considered a ‘threat’

But in a statement to reporters on Jan. 23 this year, he made a more forceful statement against the ICC.

“I do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines. I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty,” he said.

Amid reports earlier this year that ICC investigators were in the country, the president ordered government agencies not to cooperate with the ICC’s probe of Duterte’s war on drugs, which killed more than 6,000 people, according to official figures.

Duterte’s former spokesperson and chief presidential legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, castigated the DOJ, suggesting that it was stoking the simmering conflict between the president and the Duterte family.

“The DOJ should refrain from intriguing and stop making the president look like he would renege on his unequivocal stand against ICC’s intrusion on our legal system,” he said.

‘Ignorance’

He criticized the DOJ for its “ignorance or pretended ignorance” of Marcos’ refusal to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.

Panelo said the DOJ should follow the president’s policy and “not undermine it,” warning that the ICC’s arrest warrant against any Filipino citizen was an “outright and brazen assault on

[the] sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.”

Panelo pointed out that what may appear as the flipflopping stance of the president might lead to the “possible wanton disregard” of his duty to protect and uphold the 1987 Constitution.

Sen. Chiz Escudero on Thursday expressed similar concerns, questioning the motive behind the DOJ announcement on its preparation of a legal brief for the President.

Escudero said the DOJ’s remarks would only exacerbate the tension between the Marcoses and the Dutertes.

“What I don’t understand is why a presscon had to be called to announce something that is in the normal course of things or as it should be?” Escudero said. “Providing legal briefings to the president is standard procedure.”

Escudero noted that tensions between the Marcos and Duterte camps remained high.

“Surely, such actions are not helping cool down or mend tensions between the Dutertes and the Marcoses,” Escudero pointed out.

Bato disappointed

Meanwhile, Sen. Bato dela Rosa expressed disappointment over one of his seniors in the Philippine Military Academy who was allegedly trying to convince police officials to testify against him and others in the ICC.

Dela Rosa said he personally persuaded Duterte to keep the official in his post, where he was appointed by the former president’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III.

“So sad of my upperclassman. When PRRD was about to remove u frm ur post coz ur a Pnoy appointee, I move heaven & earth to dissuade him. U finished the whole 6 yr term. Now, ur busy convincing pnp officers to testify against us in ICC. God bless u sir,” the senator said in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday.

Dela Rosa was the chief implementer of Duterte’s brutal antidrug campaign. He was among 11 other former Duterte administration officials named in a complaint of crimes against humanity in the drug war submitted to the ICC.

Several pro-Marcos

administration members of the House, however, seem to be warming up to the idea of returning to the ICC fold.

Supportive lawmakers Speaking to reporters, House Deputy Majority Leaders Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre, Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy and Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. expressed openness to rejoining or cooperating with the court.

“Considering that we live in a rules-based international order, I think it’s important that we are part of structures like the ICC, especially in a world that’s getting smaller amid borderless crimes and during circumstances where countries are unable to hold criminals to account— especially when they are in power,” Acidre said.

Dionisio said he saw “no reason to be afraid of the ICC.”

“If there is nothing to hide, then why be afraid?” he said. “[If] (Mr. Marcos) sees a valid reason to pivot, I think it’s possible (to return to the ICC).”

Dy said that since Duterte had unilaterally withdrawn from the Rome Statute, Mr. Marcos could also “unilaterally enter” the same treaty.

“So, definitely, nothing is impossible,” he said.

This is not the first time that House members, led by the president’s cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, expressed openness to cooperating with the ICC as the relationship between the Marcoses and Dutertes deteriorated.

Calls for cooperation

Last year, pro administration lawmakers Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante and 1-Rider party list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez filed House Resolution Nos. 1393 and 1477 urging the government to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation.

These were discussed by the committees on justice and on human rights shortly after the House removed Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds for 2024.

The younger Duterte had already been at odds with Romualdez, resigning as chair of the Lakas-CMD party shortly after the speaker ousted her mentor, former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as senior deputy speaker. 

Marcos: No reports of ouster plot

especially in the officer corps, we don’t see any politicking within the force.)

Marcos also said he does not see why a loyalty check would be required of officials because everybody would say they are loyal when asked. He also assured officials that it would not matter if they voted for him in the 2022 national elections as long as both the PNP and the AFP stay professional.

“So, ang loyalty check, hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung loyalty check katotohanan. Anong sasabihin mo doon sa tao? Sasabihin, ‘loyal ka ba sa akin?’ Siyempre, oo ang sagot noon ‘di ba kahit na hindi siya loyal sa’yo. Pero titingnan natin mga record,” he said.

(So, the loyalty check, I don’t know what the real loyalty check is. What would you tell the person? You’d say, ‘Are you loyal to me?’ Of course, the answer

would be ‘yes,’ even if they’re not loyal to you. But let’s look at their records.)

“Ang ano ko naman, kahit hindi mo ako binoto, okay lang sa akin basta’t maging professional ka, gawin mo ‘yung trabaho mo nang tama. Iyon lang naman ang hinihiling ko sa lahat ng police, sa lahat ng armed forces,” he added.

(What matters to me is that even if you didn’t vote for me, it’s okay as long as you’re professional, you do your job right. That’s all I’m asking for from all police, from all armed forces.)

Marcos gave these statements after being asked about former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s claims that there may be an ouster plot being hatched by active senior PNP personnel and retired AFP officials — supposedly meant to install Vice President Sara Duterte as president.

Lawmakers from the House

among...

of Representatives initially asked Trillanes to keep the AFP and PNP away from such talks, but some are now questioning whether the former senator’s claims are true.

Trillanes said the ouster plot may be because there is a sense of urgency on the side of former president Rodrigo Duterte since the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue a warrant against those involved in the drug war. However, the PNP leadership has appealed to Trillanes to spare the organization from such issues.

Duterte, who implemented the war against illegal drugs when he was in office from 2016 to 2022, is facing complaints for allegedly committing the crime against humanity of mass murder.

Last April 24, Trillanes claimed that the ICC had contacted 50 past and present PNP officials to discuss the complaints against Duterte. 

Angara, Binay on alleged Marcos...

that has jurisdiction over the place of residence, work or operations of the nominated individual or organization.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco covers Alaska, Northern and Central California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington State and Wyoming.

Original copies of the duly endorsed nominations and supporting documents must be submitted to the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in Manila no later than May 30, 2024 (Philippine Time). For more information, visit the PAFIOO website.

Since all nominees are required to secure two documents from the consulate – an endorsement form and a certificate of no derogatory record, all prospective nominees in the above-mentioned U.S. states are requested to send the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco an email at cultural@pcgsanfrancisco.org expressing their intent to be a nominee and with soft copies

should set aside politics and prioritize important issues.)

“I don’t want to get into the merits or the actions of both camps, ‘di ba?

Tama na muna (Let’s stop this), ceasefire muna. Let’s focus on Philippine interests rather than just more parochial interests,” he added.

In a separate briefing also on Wednesday, May 8, Senator Nancy Binay joined Angara in his call for a ceasefire.

“Oo naman. Syempre, I support ‘yung panawagan ni Sen. Sonny Angara na — maganda rin siguro na mas madalas pang nakikita na magkasama si Presidente [Marcos] at Vice President Sara [Duterte], ‘di ba? Para maipakita talaga sa mga supporters nila na tigilan niyo muna ang bangayan,” said Binay.

(Of course, I support Sen. Angara’s call. I think it would be better if people would see the president and the vice president together more often, right? It would send a message to their supporters to once and for all end the rift.)

Binay noted that there seems to be “no problem” between the president and vice president, adding that the “back and forth discussions” on the supposed rift occur between their supporters. 

BOOSTING

Senator Sonny Angara

Senator Nancy Binay Inquirer.net file photos

In a national rst, Medi-Cal is helping unhoused Californians

by SELEN OZTURK Ethnic Media Services

IN the nation’s most ambitious effort to address social needs, a $12 billion Medi-Cal initiative now provides services for the unhoused including stable housing navigation, rent deposit aid and street medicine.

At a virtual news briefing for ethnic media on May 2, a state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) leader, a homelessness health care director and a community provider shared how they’re using Medi-Cal to help Californians experiencing and at risk of homelessness lead healthier lives.

New Medi-Cal programs for the unhoused

“When we’re talking about Medi-Cal transformation, we’re talking about bringing services to our unhoused members to meet them where they’re at in life,” said DHCS Homelessness and Housing Policy Advisor

Glenn Tsang.

“Instead of asking them to navigate the bureaucracy of the clinic,” he added, “we go to them at the shelter, the street, the encampment, and you connect them to housing support and health care in two ways: Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports,” both launched in January 1, 2022.

Through Enhanced Care Management (ECM), unhoused or at-risk members are assigned a lead care provider who connects them to medical services at a local clinic as well as social services including transitional housing programs, and basic needs like clothing and food.

Community Supports (CS)

“swim upstream to address the social factors driving adverse health,” Tsang explained. “If an unhoused member is constantly getting care in the ER, we treat the health conditions driving this. For instance, how can we reasonably expect an unhoused member with diabetes to store insulin if they don’t have a refrigerator or apartment? How can we help them well before, say, the amputation of a leg?”

Among the 14 CS programs under Medi-Cal are housing transition navigation services including housing search

and application help; security deposit aid; tenancy sustaining services like landlord mediation; short-term post-hospitalization housing; recuperative care; day habilitation for social skills and daily activities like using public transit; and street medicine from trusted community providers now reimbursed under Medi-Cal plans.

“We’re seeing more and more states follow our preventative lead in recognizing that housing is an incredible determinant of one’s health,” Tsang said.

Among at least 19 states directing Medicaid funds into housing aid, for instance, Arizona is spending $550 million primarily to cover six months of rent for unhoused members. Oregon is spending over $1 billion on housing services including emergency rent aid, while Arkansas will spend $100 billion on housing aid.

In January 2024, Tennessee, West Virginia, Montana and New York received federal approval to follow suit.

“183,000 Californians are experiencing homelessness right now, and personally, I think that that number is underestimating the total, with so many people couchsurfing or one family fight away from being unhoused,” Tsang added. “It’s crucial that we funnel our resources through the community workers providing care to those who most need it.”

Community housing support as health care

“What a community care worker can do through these new programs is break down barriers to the patient’s health,” said Amber Middleton, director of the HOPE Program addressing homelessness at Shasta Community Health Center (SCHC) in northern Shasta County.

“We need to be soft on people and hard on systems that create housing and wage deficits,” she continued, “especially since most of us in the U.S. are one medical emergency away from being at risk of being unsheltered … Our goal is to create access points in all areas where those needing care might be, rather than waiting for things to get so bad that they’re having to seek out services.”

These access points include

a clinic at the local homeless shelter, a 20-bed medical respite program with personal case managers, six month short-term post-hospitalization housing, stable housing navigation and transition aid, deposit aid, tenancy support and a mobile street medicine program providing key needs like wheelchairs, medication and oxygen as well as basic needs like clothing and food.

SCHC also has a Consumer Advisory Board made up of individuals who are or have been unsheltered, meeting bimonthly “to give us feedback on our practices, and to do community outreach,” said Middleton. “Many members started in one of our programs, so the needs of the population we’re serving directly inform our care.”

“Because, understandably, not everyone is willing to accept our care right away, it’s crucial that our community health workers have related experience of homelessness, or come from the neighborhoods we serve, because that’s how they build trust,” said Brian Zunner-Keating, director of the UCLA Homeless Healthcare Collaborative, which has provided over 9000 clinical evaluations to nearly 5000 individuals on the streets of Los Angeles County since January 2022.

“For many people, the best we can do is say hello, give them a warm smile and offer them water, snacks and a hygiene kit for a few weeks if they’re not ready,” he explained. “After a few weeks of this, or after talking to their friends who received care, they might start to open up about their needs. Our team may make connections by talking inlanguage, or asking if they’re Dodgers fans, or asking for help — ‘This is my first time on this block, who’s in the neighborhood and what’s the typical day like here?’”

“We get such a wide variety of patients,” Zunner-Keating said. “One elderly gentleman we served was living in an alley, could barely walk or see, he used a shopping cart to get around, his teeth were in such poor shape that he couldn’t chew, and he was  PAGE A4

Negative, positive outcomes seen in...

It found that 56 percent of the respondents cited complicated rules and regulations like red tape as among the most significant factors that hinder foreign investments in the Philippines.

Some 55 percent cited restrictive rules on foreign ownership, while 46 percent cited corruption.

These were followed by inadequate transportation infrastructure, 40 percent; high cost of electricity, 37; inadequate telecommunications infrastructure, 32, and not enough incentive for investors, 21 percent.

Like in the other question, the total exceeded 100 percent because the respondents were allowed to choose up to three answers.

“The above results indicate that the public is keenly aware of the factors that deter the entry of foreign capital, including those that have nothing to do with the lifting of the restrictive provisions in the Constitution,” Holmes said.

“These results explain the unfavorable position of a significant majority of Filipinos on moves to remove the provisions in the 1987 Constitution that limit foreign involvement in specific economic and social sectors,” he added.

Aside from commissioned rider questions, Pulse Asia also

a non-commissioned poll of the Filipinos’ perspective on the proposed Charter change. Only eight percent supported amending the Constitution now, while 88 percent opposed it. A majority of the respondents also opposed lifting foreign

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5/11/24 CNS-3810943# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.) SOUTHERN

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5/11/24

CNS-3811037# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Paid sick leave sticks after many pandemic protections vanish

by ZACH DYER California Healthline

BILL Thompson’s wife had never seen him smile with confidence. For the first 20 years of their relationship, an infection in his mouth robbed him of teeth, one by one.

“I didn’t have any teeth to smile with,” the 53-year-old of Independence, Missouri, said.

Thompson said he dealt with throbbing toothaches and painful swelling in his face from abscesses for years working as a cook at Burger King. He desperately needed to see a dentist but said he couldn’t afford to take time off without pay.

Missouri is one of many states that do not require employers to provide paid sick leave.

So, Thompson would swallow

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5/11/24 CNS-3810816# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Tylenol and push through the pain as he worked over the hot grill.

“Either we go to work, have a paycheck,” Thompson said.

“Or we take care of ourselves.

We can’t take care of ourselves because, well, this vicious circle that we’re stuck in.”

In a nation that was sharply divided about government health mandates during the covid-19 pandemic, the public has been warming to the idea of government rules providing for paid sick leave.

Before the pandemic, 10 states and the District of Columbia had laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. Since then, Colorado, New York, New Mexico, Illinois, and Minnesota have passed laws offering some kind of paid time off for illness.

Oregon and California expanded previous paid leave laws. In Missouri, Alaska, and Nebraska, advocates are pushing to put the issue on the ballot this fall.

The U.S. is one of nine countries that do not guarantee paid sick leave, according to data compiled by the World Policy Analysis Center.

In response to the pandemic, Congress passed the Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion acts. These temporary measures allowed employees to take up to two weeks of paid sick leave for covid-related illness and caregiving. But the provisions expired in 2021.

“When the pandemic hit, we finally saw some real political will to solve the problem of not having federal paid sick leave,” said economist Hilary Wething.

Wething co-authored a recent Economic Policy Institute report on the state of sick leave in the United States. It found that more than half, 61%, of the lowest-paid workers can’t get time off for an illness.

“I was really surprised by how quickly losing pay — because you’re sick — can translate into immediate and devastating cuts to a family’s household budget,” she said.

Wething noted that the lost wages of even a day or two can be equivalent to a month’s worth of gasoline a worker would need to get to their job, or the choice between paying an electric bill or buying food. Wething

said showing up to work sick poses a risk to co-workers and customers alike. Low-paying jobs that often lack paid sick leave — like cashiers, nail technicians, home health aides, and fast-food workers — involve lots of face-toface interactions.

“So paid sick leave is about both protecting the public health of a community and providing the workers the economic security that they desperately need when they need to take time away from work,” she said.

The National Federation of Independent Business has opposed mandatory sick leave rules at the state level, arguing that workplaces should have the flexibility to work something out with their employees when they get sick. The group said the cost of paying workers for time off, extra paperwork, and lost productivity burdens small employers.

According to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, once these mandates go into effect, employees take, on average, two more sick days a year than before a law took effect.

Illinois’ paid time off rules went into effect this year. Lauren Pattan is co-owner of the Old Bakery Beer Co. there. Before this year, the craft brewery did not offer paid time off for its hourly employees. Pattan said she supports Illinois’ new law but she has to figure out how to pay for it.

“We really try to be respectful of our employees and be a good place to work, and at the same time we get worried about not being able to afford things,” she said.

That could mean customers have to pay more to cover the cost, Pattan said.

As for Bill Thompson, he wrote an op-ed for the Kansas City Star newspaper about his dental struggles.

“Despite working nearly 40 hours a week, many of my coworkers are homeless,” he wrote.

“Without health care, none of us can afford a doctor or a dentist.”

That op-ed generated attention locally and, in 2018, a dentist in his community donated his time and labor to remove Thompson’s remaining teeth and replace them with dentures. This allowed his mouth to recover from the infections he’d been dealing with

Bill seeking e-registration, voting for...

the proposed additional phrase to Section 6 states.

“Provided, that processing of personal data shall comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the data privacy act of 2012, its implementing rules and regulations and related issuances of the national privacy commission,” it added.

HB 10178 is a substitute bill to HB 6770, which was a consolidated bill on the different proposals regarding electronic registration and voting.

Appreciation of OFWs

OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino said that the bill is a testament to the lawmakers’ appreciation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and overseas Filipinos’ hard work and sacrifices.

“Today, we stand for them. We stand for our OFWs and all other Overseas Filipinos or OFs permanently or temporarily living abroad, but still hold Filipino citizenship. We are making history and changing the landscape of suffrage for our overseas voters with House Bill 10178,” she said.

According to Magsino, while Congress has provided laws for absentee voting of OFWs and other Filipinos abroad, low voter turnout during elections is still a concern — one that can be addressed by the said bill.

“Mr./Madame Speaker, my dear colleagues, this is a case of electoral disenfranchisement, regardless whether of voluntary or involuntary nature.

“House Bill No. 10178 seeks to expand the registration and voting methods available to overseas Filipino voters under existing laws to include internet or electronic registration and voting through available technologies as the Comeelc may deem appropriate, as an additional option,” she added. 

“Yet, despite these options, low voter turn-out among overseas voters remains a challenge. The dilemma is attributable to the considerable physical distance between the overseas voters’ workplaces or residences and the location of the Posts in their host countries, to the itinerant character of their employment as in the case of Filipino seafarers, and on other restrictive personal circumstances of the overseas voters while at work,” Magsino said.

More Fil-Ams are applying for dual...

for foreign nationals, was halted to alleviate COVID-19 risks.

The Balikbayan privilege was suspended and “only Philippine citizens were allowed entry into the Philippines,” Abejuela said.

“U.S. citizens who were former Filipinos could not enter the Philippines as balikbayans, thus the surge in the increase in dual citizenship petitions.”

The demand decreased when the Philippines eased the restrictions and once again allowed the entry of foreign visitors, but there

has been sustained interest in dual citizenship, with an average of 5,000 per year since 2022, Abejuela said.

Navigating the dual citizenship process Under Republic Act No. 9225, natural-born Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship through naturalization in a foreign country may re-acquire Filipino citizenship by taking the Philippine Oath of Allegiance before a duly authorized Philippine official.

What are the advantages of

re-acquiring Filipino citizenship?

Filipinos who have re-acquired their Filipino citizenship under this Act may once again enjoy full civil and political rights under the Philippines’ existing laws, including the right to:

• Vote in the Philippine national elections

• Own land and property in the Philippines

• Engage in business or commerce as a Filipino

• Travel bearing a Filipino passport. (Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net)

In a national rst, Medi-Cal is helping...

panhandling to buy milk every day … While we provided him immediate care, we also got him insurance for advanced care. I’m happy to say that he now has glasses, a full set of dentures, a hip replacement, and is living in a shelter where he feels supported as he works on getting permanent housing.”

“Even providing more simple care can be life-changing,” he continued. “Another patient was very worried about how

for years. Today, Thompson has a new smile and a job — with paid sick leave — working in food service at a hotel.

In his free time, he’s been collecting signatures to put an initiative on the November ballot

tired she felt all the time, so we talked to her to learn about what was going on in her life, got her simple blood tests and medications. Over the weeks, her mood and health improved, but a month later, she stopped contact for a few weeks — which is not untypical, as our folks tend to move around a lot.”

“When she did call us, we were so excited,” he said. “She told our team: ‘I just want to tell you how you saved my life, because my depression got the best of me

that would guarantee at least five days of earned paid sick leave a year for Missouri workers.

Organizers behind the petition said they have enough signatures to take it before the voters.

This article was produced by KFF

and you showed such generosity and care and I will forever be thankful. She told us she had just gotten housing that day.”

“She didn’t have complex needs, just a few simple tests and medications,” he added. “But we usually can’t just walk up to somebody and say, ‘Do you need to see a doctor?’ What works so much better is to make a caring human connection, making sure that they feel seen and heard. That gives them the motivation to seek care.” 

Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Jingyuan Huang Wins “Best Original Screenplay in International Communication” at Los Angeles Event

Los Angeles, CA –Jingyuan Huang has been awarded the “Best Original Screenplay in International Communication” at the 13th China-U.S. Business Summit’s opening ceremony in Los Angeles this year. Huang’s debut documentary, “Huo Tong’s Cave Heaven,” was recognized for its unique perspective and deep insights, earning high praise and the award, which was presented by threetime Oscar winner Mark Harris.

Mark Harris, a professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a renowned documentary filmmaker in the United States, has been creating documentaries since the 1960s. His works, including “The Redwoods,” which won an Oscar for Best Short Documentary in 1967, and the feature documentaries “The Long Way Home” (1997) and “Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport” (2001), have each earned him Academy Awards. The summit, a

hallmark event since its inception in 2009, aims to foster economic and cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. by providing a nongovernmental platform for cooperation and understanding. It opened grandly in April 2024 in Los Angeles, drawing hundreds of politicians, scholars, cultural icons, and entrepreneurs from both countries to discuss collaborative initiatives.

During the summit, Huang’s “Huo Tong’s Cave Heaven” captivated attendees with its immersive portrayal of China’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The film not only showcases cultural depth but also highlights Huang’s creative spirit and literary talent as a promising new filmmaker.

Jingyuan Huang, who studied East Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley for her undergraduate degree, has been accepted into Boston University’s school of the Arts for graduate studies, where she will continue to pursue her passion in arts and literary creation.

by Haiyang Zhou

The documentary “Huo Tong’s Cave Heaven” explores Huo Mountain in Southern China, a cradle of Taoism and traditionally considered a sacred site in Taoist cosmology. The film intertwines historical figures, humanistic landscapes, and natural scenery, earning a nomination for Best Documentary at the Montreal Independent Film Festival.

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Single e-Travel QR code takes o

by EVELYN MACAIRAN Philstar.com

MANILA

— The e-Travel System was implemented on Friday, May 10 at international airports nationwide by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The unified and simplified digital data collection platform will provide each passenger with one QR code for seamless travel clearance.

The QR code will be presented, upon arrival or before departure, to a Customs officer for clearance, and passports will be presented to immigration officers for e-Travel registration confirmation.

Inbound and outbound

passengers can fill out the electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (e-CBDF) and electronic Currencies Declaration Form (e-CDF) on the e-Travel website or by downloading the eGovPH application within 72 hours before arrival or departure. The e-CBDF must be filled out by arriving passengers while the e-CDF must be filled out by passengers bringing into or taking out local or foreign currencies beyond the allowed threshold.

The BOC will strictly implement rules on the cross-border transfer of currencies, wherein persons bringing into or taking out of the Philippines foreign currency more than $10,000 or equivalent are required to declare the whole amount in the e-CDF. For Philippine currency,

persons may bring into or take out an amount not exceeding P50,000. Beyond the P50,000 limit, passengers are required to present written authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and declare the whole amount in the e-CDF. The BSP allows the cross-border transfer of local currency above the limit only for testing, calibration, or configuration of money counting or sorting machines, numismatics or collection of currency and currency awareness. Violation of rules shall result in confiscation by Customs authorities.

Passengers are reminded that the BSP does not issue a written authorization upon arrival or after confiscation of the excess peso. 

DFA tells diplomats to respect the law

DIPLOMATS should respect the laws and not interfere in the internal affairs of their host country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday, May 9, after the Chinese Embassy released a transcript of a supposed phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a ranking Filipino military officer.

The embassy said the recording showed that Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos agreed to a "new model" for managing the dispute over Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

In a statement on Thursday, the DFA cautioned the public "against falling for false narratives."

Amid the brouhaha over the audio recording, a report said a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel has been dispatched to Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, 125 nautical miles off Palawan within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, possibly to oppose a Philippine Coast Guard ship patrolling the area for the last two days.

Based on satellite monitoring by Sealight, a maritime transparency project that monitors and reports activities in the South China Sea, CCG 4202 was sent on May 8 to "confront" BRP Cabra at Rozul Reef at the southwest corner of Reed Bank.

"I hope to get a satellite picture of the BRP Cabra and China Coast

Guard 4202 from [May 8] in a couple of days," retired U.S. Air Force colonel Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, told The Manila Times.

"They were definitely there together. The Cabra has gone AIS-dark so I don't know if it's still there now," he added.

Vienna Convention

Responding to the latest Chinese embassy actions, the DFA said diplomats should strictly adhere to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, particularly Article 41 which states that "...it is the duty of all persons to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that state."

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday, May 8 slammed the Chinese Embassy for violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law or Republic Act 4200, a day after it released the audio recording.

"Resorting to tactics such as releasing unverifiable recordings of supposed conversations with Philippine officials could demonstrate efforts to sow discord and confusion among Philippine agencies and the Filipino public," the DFA said.

Li Jian, China Foreign Ministry spokesman, said the Philippines "hurts its own credibility and puts peace and stability in the South

China Sea in jeopardy" when it denied the phone conversation between the Chinese diplomat in Manila and Carlos.

"The facts are clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied. The Philippines has insisted on denying these objective facts and seeks to mislead the international community," Li said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila shared the transcript of Li's press conference.

"China urged the Philippines to honor its commitment, stop maritime infringement and provocation at once, and return to the right track of properly handling disputes with China through dialogue and consultation," Li said.

Carlos was on leave on the day the audio recording was released, and it could not be determined if it was his voice on the tape.

The DFA on May 7 said "no Cabinet-level" official of the Marcos administration has agreed to any Chinese proposal pertaining to the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The DFA said "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." (ManilaTimes.net)

Quiboloy campsurrenders 5 rearms to PNP

MANILA — The camp of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy has surrendered five of the 19 firearms registered under his name, after the Philippine National Police (PNP) revoked its permits due to the cases filed against him.

In a media interview in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 8, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the five firearms were surrendered at the regional office of the Civil Security Group (CSG) at the Police Regional Office 11 (Davao Region) in Davao City.

“We implemented the notice of surrender this morning, and they surrendered them,” he said on the sidelines of his visit to the wake of slain Maguindanao del Norte police officer Capt. Rolando Moralde.

He said he believes Quiboloy’s camp would surrender the remaining 14 firearms soon.

On April 26, Marbil approved the recommendation of the Firearms and Explosives Office board to revoke all the firearms registered under Quiboloy.

In the same resolution approved by Marbil, Quiboloy was given six months to surrender all the guns.

The revocation of Quiboloy’s gun permits stemmed from the charges of human trafficking and child and sexual abuse filed against him. He has standing arrest warrants issued by courts in Davao City and Pasig City.

According to Section 4 (g) of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, among the requisites for the issuance of and obtaining a license to own and possess firearms is that “the applicant has not been convicted or is currently an accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of more than two years.”

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, meanwhile, expressed hope that Quiboloy would also soon submit himself to authorities and face the charges against him.

"Sana itong gesture na ito na pakikiisa sa batas ay sana tuloy-tuloy na so I would like to

commend the PNP chief at ang mga tao namin on the ground sa paggawa nito (I hope this gesture of compliance of the law would continue. I would like to commend the PNP chief and our personnel on the ground for this move )," Abalos said. Quiboloy was also indicted in the United States in November 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking of children. He is currently on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's wanted list.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION

AUTHORITY (LACMTA)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

LACMTA will receive Proposals for AE121870Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project Geotechnical and Common Servicesat the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

A virtual Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m.. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. AE121870. For a copy of the Proposal specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Diana Sogomonyan at sogomonyand@metro.net.

5/11/24 CNS-3811377# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Meanwhile, Quiboloy's legal counsel Israelito Torreon said his client has already submitted documents to prove that the 14 other firearms previously listed in his name "were already validly disposed of or duly transferred in other persons' names."

In a statement, Torreon said while they have appealed Marbil's order, Quiboloy complied with the directive to "dispel the vicious rumors being circulated by certain biased sources that he is armed and dangerous or that he has a private army." (PNA)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID

LACMTA will receive Bids/ Proposals for C123265Regional Connector Safety, Security, and Architectural Enhancements electronically via bids@metro.net A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Gateway Room 03-28. LACMTA will only receive bids for the above identified solicitation electronically via bids@ metro.net., on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each Bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. C123265.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Roli Khanna at khannar@ metro.net.

5/11/24

CNS-3811457# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

OPINION FEATURES

Disinformation

THE latest controversy over the West Philippine Sea should serve as a warning to all government officials including members of the uniformed services when dealing with Chinese officials. A supposed transcript of a phone conversation last January between a Chinese embassy diplomat and Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, chief of the military’s Western Command, has been leaked.

The transcript showed Carlos telling the Chinese that he and his superiors concurred with its proposed “new model” for peacefully managing the situation in Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal. Carlos went on leave last Tuesday, May 7 in what the Armed Forces of the Philippines claimed was not connected to the reports linking him to the new model.

Editorial

Granted the conversation took place, why would any foreign government take as the official position of the Philippine government on such a sensitive issue statements given in a phone call by a lowlevel military officer? This is a policy matter that is way above the pay grade of the Wescom chief.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, for his part, takes offense at the recording by a foreign government of the alleged phone conversation with an AFP officer. This is illegal wiretapping that warrants the expulsion of Chinese diplomats behind it, Teodoro said.

Teodoro himself along with National Security Adviser Eduardo Año had previously also been mentioned by China in insisting that the Philippine

government had approved of the socalled new model for kowtowing to Beijing on Ayungin and the West Philippine Sea. Both Teodoro and Año have dismissed the stories as lies. The Department of Foreign Affairs has also stressed that no Cabinet member has agreed to the new model, and that only the president of the Philippines can give the green light for it. China appears to be engaged in a disinformation campaign that has so far failed to reduce the outrage generated by its water cannon attacks on Philippine vessels in the WPS and its ongoing attempt to stake a claim on Sandy Cay off Pag-asa island. The Chinese are not clueless on diplomatic protocol, and must be aware of the proper channels for reaching any agreement on a matter as important as conduct in the South China Sea.

Philippine officials, whether civilian or military, must also be made fully aware of the protocols governing their interactions with foreign governments. There can be no room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation of statements. Philippine officials must know

enough not to shoot their mouths off especially on matters outside their mandate. When dealing with the Chinese government, such officials

must remember that anything they say can and will be used against them and the Philippines.

Our leaders are a mirror image of our voters

EXACTLY one year from this week, we will hold new elections. This early, I can fearlessly forecast the results. There will again be bewilderment, disgust, cursing, and vows to leave the Philippines for abroad, when the winners are declared. The disillusionment will come from the ranks of civil society, opposition supporters (the non-Duterte variety), and voters repulsed by the crop of politicians that now rule our country.

The candidates who will again win, will be entertainers, traditional politicians, scions of big business, and chameleon re-electionists who swiftly change loyalties as soon as a new lord occupies Malacañang. There may be one or two pink or yellow candidates who will

Sketches

MARIE PAMINTUAN

ALL that’s needed is for the split of the Bongbong MarcosSara Duterte tandem to be formalized. As I have written, it looks like the vice president is staying on as secretary of education simply because both she and President Marcos are keeping friends close and enemies closer.

Less certain is whether the VP and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, will be handed over by the Marcos 2.0 administration to the International Criminal Court.

ICC probers, as disclosed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and confirmed by Duterte’s former spokesman Harry Roque, were allowed to enter the country late last year, with the knowledge of the Bureau of Immigration (according to Roque). The BI is an executive agency under the Department of Justice.

Nagpakilala silang mga imbestigador ” – they even introduced themselves as ICC probers, and yet they were allowed to enter the country, Roque told One News’ “Storycon” last Friday, May 10. Surely the government knew that the ICC probers weren’t

manage to eke out slim wins in the Senate. However, the super majority of winning senators— and even more so, victorious congresspersons—will be the kind of politicians who view both the Senate and the House of Representatives as rubber stamps of the chief executive.

As clear as the light of day, the same mold of candidates despised by citizens aspiring for change, will win in the 2025 elections. Why will this happen? The same citizens who will be disillusioned by the results, will make it happen. They will be voting for a change of leaders, when they should have been working on a change in our voters. More appropriately, they should be working on transforming and effecting change in the lives of our voters. Our well-meaning electorate fail to realize one fundamental truth—our leaders are mirror images of our voters. Attempting to change the image in the mirror

in the country for tourism, he said: “ Hindi naman para magswimming sa Boracay.”

The government has yet to react to Roque’s allegations. While dismissing Trillanes as a KSP ( kulang sa pansin or needing attention), there’s talk that the Duterte camp suspects the former senator identified with the traditional opposition of now working with the Marcos administration.

In a previous episode of Storycon, Trillanes admitted being on friendly terms with BBM, having been former colleagues in the Senate and Nacionalista party mates. Trillanes has not ruled out the possibility that the administration at the very least will not work against him in his bid for the post of Caloocan mayor in 2025.

* * * BBM’s avowed policy is noncooperation with the ICC in its investigation of the bloody campaign against illegal drugs when Rodrigo Duterte was president and earlier, when he and his daughter Sara alternated as mayor of Davao City.

Considering the entry of ICC probers and other developments last year, however, Roque must be speaking for the Duterte camp in insisting that the Marcos administration should put its

is futile. We must change the image that makes its reflection on the mirror. Only then can we change the image in the mirror.

The past presidential election has made this starkly clear for civil society. There was an unprecedented volunteering of time, lending of talents, and sharing of resources by an exceptional number of civil society members. Never have we seen an extraordinary number of people spending their own money to buy election campaign materials, and distributing or putting them up themselves. But all of these were aimed at changing the image in the mirror. All those efforts went for naught because they were not aimed at changing the lives of voters whose collective image is reflected in the mirror.How do we then effect change in our voters? It’s not a job for those impatient for change. It’s not a task for the selfish, callous, and self-righteous. It’s a mission for those who are willing to make

sacrifices and selfless acts to help improve the lives of our voters. It’s a long and arduous undertaking that requires us to volunteer our time, lend our talents, and share our resources with the mass of voters who constitute the majority in our country and whose numbers define and create the image in the mirror. There are groups of individuals working without publicity to transform the lives of our electorate and, in the process, help change their aspirations for their country, and their choice of leaders who will help them achieve their aspirations.

There’s the Center for Community Transformation which has been quietly working to transform poor communities with livelihood trainings, microfinance, cooperatives, educational assistance, and spiritual formation. There’s the Onesimo foundations which provide halfway houses, education, and vocational training for street kids. There’s

the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica’s College who have a “Streets to Strings” program where street kids and children from poor communities are trained to play the violin, viola, and cello, and those who persevere are bestowed scholarships. There’s the Angat Buhay Foundation of former Vice President Leni Robredo which is trying to create the largest volunteer network in order to bridge the willingness of the privileged to help with the need for assistance of the less privileged. Angat Buhay has been harnessing our people’s innate bayanihan spirit by empowering “Filipinos to become communities of active citizens.” The foundation supports programs on education, health and nutrition, disaster relief and rehabilitation, and community empowerment among our marginalized communities. Our country needs a sprouting of similar initiatives in

Arrest, maybe

policy on the ICC in writing.

If it’s verbal, Roque points out, it can be changed verbally. Somewhat like the “gentleman’s agreement” on the West Philippine Sea that Duterte supposedly forged during his presidency with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Whether or not there was such an agreement, according to BBM, he was rescinding it. BBM’s pivot back to the U.S. and reversal of Duterte’s embrace of Beijing is another sore point between the two camps.

In the case of cooperation with the ICC, Marcos 2.0 may be genuinely against a formal investigation being conducted in the country, which Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has described as an insult to the nation’s sovereignty and the justice system whose pillars remain functional.

But even if the government wanted to, it can’t stop the ICC from getting in touch with witnesses, victims’ relatives and possibly even direct participants in the drug war. Digital technology facilitates such contacts and submission of testimonies and material evidence.

The Duterte camp may understand if the ICC obtained such testimonies via Zoom or WhatsApp. Trillanes

said he helped facilitate contacts between the ICC and personalities in the drug war, although he did not specify the mode of contact. What rankles the Duterte camp is that ICC probers were actually allowed to enter the country, supposedly with the knowledge of the government. Roque told Storycon that apart from the BI knowing about the entry and departure of the probers, a “high-level government official” even met with the ICC team. He would not identify the “high-level” official, but said the person has “the second highest government salaried classification – one notch lower than the salary grade of the president.”

Those with the second highest salary grade classification, below the president, are the VP, the Senate president, House speaker and chief justice.

Roque said the probers entered the country shortly after the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for cooperation with the ICC. It was also in November when Marcos said the possibility of the country rejoining the ICC was “under study.”

* * * For a while, Roque had dismissed as mere intrigue reports of a rift between BBM

and VP Sara. But now Roque confirms the split in the UniTeam. And he blames this on BBM’s flip-flopping on the ICC issue.

“Let’s just say the balentong of the president on the ICC... is very much responsible for the state of the UniTeam now. Had it not been for this flipping of position on the ICC, we probably would still have a UniTeam to speak of,” Roque said. “This actually marked the beginning of the end of UniTeam – when the secretary of justice made that (180)-degree turn on the issue of cooperation... after that, the refusal to reduce in writing the non-cooperation with ICC has further worsened the relationship.”

The Duterte camp has said the ICC issue is raised each time the matter of BBM’s supposed drug abuse crops up. Rodrigo Duterte’s description of BBM as bangag drew stinging comments from First Lady Liza Marcos, who disclosed in an interview that VP Sara had become “bad shot” or had fallen out of her favor.

People have wondered if VP Sara shared the sentiments of her father and brothers, who are also calling for BBM’s ouster and are now seen as the “major” opposition.

Roque said the VP remains part of the Marcos

thousands of our neighborhood communities, if we are to see change happening soon.

Some Robredo supporters are disappointed at her perceived lack of involvement in efforts to rebuild the ranks of the political opposition. But by putting up Angat Buhay Robredo understands that the real need is to effect change in society. She comprehends that efforts to change the image in the mirror are futile, because the real need is to effect change in the lives of our electorate. We need to effect change in the lives of our voters, and only by doing so will we change the image in the mirror. But first, we need change in ourselves. (Inquirer.net)

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

* * * Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail. com

administration, but added:

“What I can confirm is that the Dutertes are now one politically. They are united politically now.”

Trillanes told Storycon that the ICC arrest warrants would be issued in batches. The first, expected in June or July, will cover only Rodrigo Duterte. The next batches, to include the VP and other personalities including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and Digong’s super alalay Sen. Bong Go, will be issued later.

Roque says he sees no risk that the Dutertes “will be brought to The Hague at all.” If the ICC is allowed to enter the Philippines and conduct a probe without a formal green light from the government, will Marcos 2.0 also hand over the Dutertes and the other personalities in the drug war to the ICC without being seen as directly responsible for it? There are indications that this is also under study. The ICC can issue the arrest warrants as it pleases. Whether these will be served in the Philippines is – borrowing a word from President Marcos –complicated. (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.

(Philstar.com)

JOEL RUIZ BUTUYAN

Flea Market of Ideas

Asian Journal WKND

From Makati to Houston:

Sarah Geronimo dreams of putting up own food business

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

ASIDE from flourishing further in her showbiz career, Sarah Geronimo includes putting up a food business as part of her long-term goals.

Geronimo revealed this while talking about why she decided to attend a baking school, as seen in a vlog on her actor husband Matteo Guidicelli’s YouTube channel on Sunday, May 5.

“My passion for baking— talagang na-intrigue ako,” she said, recalling how she started exploring baking during the pandemic lockdown.

“Although nakakapag-bake naman ako following the recipes I see on YouTube, pero syempre gusto kong matutunan ‘yung proper technique. ‘Yung

consistency, siyempre ‘yon ang mahalaga when baking,” she added.

When asked who inspired her to do such, the actress-singer said it was Guidicelli.

“Ikaw ang inspiration ko kasi syempre gusto ko ‘pag nag-bake ako [ay] magustuhan mo,” she told the actor who was filming the video. “Na sana makagawa rin ako ng ganito; makapagcreate rin ako ng recipe na masarap at magugustuhan din ng mga tao, kasi happiness ko ‘yon.”

Geronimo then revealed that one of the reasons why she strived to acquire professional knowledge on baking was to be able to put up her own bakeshop in the future.

“I wanted eventually to make it a business, [kasi] siyempre

Claudine Barretto not open to new love

a relationship despite some expressing their affection toward her.

“Wala pa ring laman ang puso ko kundi mga anak ko. Sa ilang years kong hiwalay, kasal pa rin ako,” the actress stated, as per a report from Bandera.

“Sarado ang puso ko ngayon hanggang ma-annulled,” she underscored.

Barretto then talked about the relationship of their children Sabina, 19, and Santino, 16, with Santiago, saying they have

Ayokong makita ng mga anak ko na may ibang lalaki na umaaligid or magkaroon ako ng ibang relasyon until matapos ang annulment namin ni Raymart,” she stressed. Barretto further noted that she is not accepting suitors at the moment, contrary to rumors that she said have no proof.

by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

Sarah Geronimo Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/Matteo Guidicelli

From Makati to Houston: The...

PAGE B1

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 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)

Dingdong Dantes denies having child with Lindsay de Vera

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

DINGDONG Dantes said that he and wife Marian Rivera laughed off the rumors that he had fathered a child with his co-star Lindsay de Vera, but on Thursday’s (May 9) episode of “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” the box-office actor said that he had to clear the issue once and for all. “Wala po,” Dingdong denied the issue several times on Thursday’s episode of the afternoon showbiz talk show.

Boy noted how the rumor persisted even after four years since it started. Dingdong and Lindsay were co-stars in two shows, namely, “Pari ‘Koy” (2015) and “Alyas Robin Hood” (2016).

He asked Dingdong to comment on the issue and why he chose to break his silence regarding it.

“Sa totoo lang nagdadalawang isip talaga ako kagabi kung may sasabihin ba ako about the topic and the issue kasi alam kong baka tanungin ninyo e “Pero para po sa akin kasi, may mga tumatawag na rin po kasi na mga kaibigan, mga kamag-anak, ‘yung mga nagmamalasakit po sa akin, and because I have a responsibility dito sa aking mga mahal sa buhay, sa aking mga kaibigan e, responsibilidad ko na klaruhin ang isyung ito dahil mahalagangmahalaga po ang aspetong ito para sa akin.”

“I have a responsibility sa aking pamilya to clear things like this because I love my wife, I love my family very much, my kids, that’s why I’m saying that it is not true,” Dingdong said.

He added that he and Marian used to laugh the speculations off but he saw the need to address it.

“Sa totoo lang no’ng una, pinagtatawanan talaga namin siya, kami ni Marian [Rivera] pinagtatawanan namin siya pero dumating na rin sa puntong marami na ang nagtatanong sa akin,” the actor said.

“Once and for all I’m clarifying na hindi siya totoo,” he stressed.

Lindsay also denied the rumors in her 2021 interview with veteran showbiz columnist Jobert Sucaldito on his online show.

“Never akong nabuntis ni Kuya Dong and never kaming nagka-relationship. I respect Kuya Dong very much as a person, as a husband and as an actor,” the actress said in the interview.

Boy pointed this out and asked the actor why the rumor continues to persist.

“I have no idea,” the actor replied, adding that it was hard to speculate on reasons why it continues to be talked about when Boy asked it might have something to do with his film’s recent success.

Dingdong and Marian’s comeback movie

“Rewind” is now the highest-grossing movie of all time, grossing over P900 million in gross ticket sales from Philippine and international screenings. Dingdong said that it was okay for Boy to ask him that awkward question.

“It’s okay and I think I’m okay that I cleared it because kailangan po talaga dahil mahal ko ang pamilya ko and kailangan na maging klaro ang mga bagay na ganito,” the actor replied. g

Andrea Brillantes expressed interest in ‘Dyesebel’ if reboot will be made

By hannah mallorca Inquirer.net

ANDREA Brillantes said she has no idea if the story of wellloved Filipino mermaid Dyesebel would get a reboot on television, but she expressed interest for the role, saying it would be an honor to breathe new life into it. In a chance interview with

reporters on the sidelines of the media conference for her new TV series “High Street,” Brillantes was asked about the possible reboot for the character and she recalled that she actually auditioned for Dyesebel at GMA when she was just four years old.

“I’m a big fan kasi alam niyo naman na lagi akong nagsiswimming, nagfe-freedive. So if pagbibigyan ako ng chance talaga, I would be so honored (I’m a big fan because I love to swim and go freediving. So if I’m given a chance to do it, I would be so honored),” she said. When asked if past photos of her swimming are part of the preparation for the character, Brillantes insisted that she has

Claudine Barretto not...

no ill-feelings toward their dad despite his differences with the actress.

“Kung anuman ang problem namin ni Raymart, sa amin na lang ‘yon. As they grow old, alam na nila kung ano ang nangyayari,” she said.

“I explain to them that there are things I have to fight for and this is para sa [kanila]. Hanggang doon lang ang explanation ko. ‘Yung mga details wala na,” she

added. Barretto and Santiago were married twice: first in May 2004 and then in March 2006.

The former couple separated in 2013.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old actor Yasser Marta earlier revealed he developed “romantic feelings” for Barretto, his co-star in the TV series “Lovers & Liars.” Barretto did not immediately comment on Marta’s declaration of feelings. g

Sarah Geronimo dreams of...

sayang din naman ‘yung na-acquire na knowledge at natutunan mo through experience and formal training kung kayo-kayo lang, within your family mo lang mashi-share ang baked goods mo or cooking mo,” she stated.

“Pero matagal pa ‘yon kasi syempre meron pa

‘yan

Dingdong Dantes GMA photo

Claudine Barretto

Photo from Instagram/@claubarretto

‘Back to Basics 2.0’ summit: Navigating rapid changes in importing industry

LONG BEACH – In response to the rapidly evolving landscape of the importing industry, EC Ferrer Customs House Brokers (CHB) Inc. in partnership with the Filipino American Chamber of Cerritos and Gateway Cities and the Pangasinan Brotherhood USA Inc., is proud to announce “Back to Basics 2.0,” an informative summit designed to equip importers with essential knowledge and strategies for success in today’s dynamic marketplace.

With a focus on providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of importing fundamentals while highlighting the latest industry advancements, “Back to Basics 2.0” promises to be an invaluable resource for importers seeking to navigate the complexities of global trade.

“At EC Ferrer, we recognize the importance of staying informed and adapting to the rapid changes in the importing industry,” said Eddie Ferrer, President of EC Ferrer. “Through ‘Back to Basics 2.0,’ our goal is to empower importers with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing

of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and feature a series of informative sessions by industry leaders covering a wide range of topics essential to importing success, including:

• Make It Easy to Import the Right Way: Strategies for streamlining the importing process and ensuring compliance with regulations.

• Broker Expectations with Clients and Customs: Best practices for communication and collaboration between brokers, clients, and customs authorities.

• Reasonable Care and Responsible Supervision: Understanding the importance of due diligence and oversight in the importing process.

• Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Guidelines: Navigating FDA regulations and requirements for imported food and drug products.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Exploring the role of AI technologies in optimizing importing operations and decision-making processes.

• Insurance – Marine & Surety Bond: Insights into the importance of insurance

• Trucking - Border Crossing: Strategies for efficient and compliant trucking operations across international borders.

• Security Partnerships – CTPAT: Understanding the benefits and requirements of participating in CustomsTrade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) for enhancing supply chain security.

“Back to Basics 2.0” will provide attendees with actionable insights, practical tips, and expert guidance to help them navigate the complexities of importing with confidence and success.

“Back to Basics 2.0” will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel. For more information and to register for the summit, please contact EC Ferrer CHB via email at christine@ecferrer.com.

EC Ferrer CHB Inc. is a licensed Custom House Broker, Freight Forwarder (Ocean Transport Intermediary), and Property Broker for Interstate or foreign commerce in the transportation of freight by motor vehicle. EC Ferrer CHB is a leading authority in the importing industry,

no knowledge is such a project is in the works, and that she was only going swimming for fun.

Reports of Brillantes reprising Dyesebel circulated after entertainment insider Ogie Diaz said that a reboot is in the works in his showbiz vlog in December 2022.

Created by Mars Ravelo, Dyesebel is a Filipina mermaid who made her first appearance in “Pilipino Komiks #1” in 1952. She turns into a woman after engaging in a deal with a sea witch.

Rivera, Anne Curtis, Vilma Santos, and Alice Dixson, just to name a few.

Meanwhile, in the same interview, Brillantes said that while she’s aware that “Senior High” would get a sequel, she didn’t expect that it would be done right away.

“Noong pinitch sa’kin itong ‘High Street,’ nagulat din ako. Nag-expect ako na [magkakaroon ng sequel ang ‘Senior High], pero hindi ko inexpect na ganito kabilis,” she said. (When ‘High Street was pitched to me, I was surprised.

LGPA stars compete in 17th Annual CM Pro-Am at Journey at

SOME thirty professional golfers from the different echelons of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) competed at the 17th Annual CM Pro-Am held at the beautiful Journey at Pechanga golf course in Temecula, California on April 9, 2024.

Prominent golfers, including Ashley Lau (234th in Rolex Ranking as of March 25, 2024), Robyn Choi (284th in Rolex Ranking), college standout and now professional golfer Jennifer Chang, Soo Bin Joo (376th in Rolex Ranking) and 2014 Asian Games silver medalist Ssu-Chia Cheng (390th in Rolex Ranking), were on hand to compete for the Pro-Am cup and other prizes. Joining Lau, Choi, Chang, Joo and Cheng were other LPGA stars like Abegail Arevalo, Amelia Garvey, Amy Lee, Annika Borrelli, Brianna Do, Gabriella Then, Gigi Stoll, Greta Voelker, ILHee Lee, Jenny Rosenberg, Jillian Hollis, Kaley In, Karen Chung, Louise Ridderström, Malia Nam, Min-G Kim, Mo Martin, Olivia Schmidt, Rebecca LeeBentham, Jenny Coleman, Savannah Grewal, Selena Costabile, Sydnee Michaels, Tisha Alyn, and Vicky Hurst.

The event started with the long-drive competition, pairing an LPGA star with a local golfer before groups of foursomes took to the course. Brianna Do was the big winner in this year’s CM Pro-Am, taking home three awards – her foursome won the tournament, she and partner Josh Levitt bagged the longest drive competition with a combined score of 556 yards, and Do also made a Hole-in-One.

In between the longest drive challenge and golf proam, Pechanga Resort Casino executives, led by Pechanga Development Corporation 2nd Vice President John Palinkas, Pechanga Resort Casino General Manager Tjeerd Brink and Pechanga Resort Casino Chief Marketing Officer Bill Anderson, had the opportunity to speak to media and those present, and welcome the LPGA golfers and sponsors who took the time to participate in the event. Palinkas, Brink and Anderson were also joined by Journey at Pechanga Director of Golf Scott Mallory, Director of Sales & Catering Sutisa Spellman, Vice President of Hotel Operations Thomas Mueller, Character Media Publisher James Ryu and SC Global Enterprise and iGraphix Advertising CEO/ President Wade Lai. In an interview with Filipino

media, LPGA golfers Abegail Arevalo, Tisha Alyn and Greta Voelker all expressed enthusiasm with the pro-am event. Alyn and Voelker have participated in the event for a few years, while this was Arevalo’s first time to join the CM Pro-Am. Greta Voelker, who is from Germany, expressed delight at how the LPGA has become a home to many international

players, which she started to see when she came to the United States and competed for her college.

The CM Pro-Am, although it may seem as a more relaxed event, still fires up the competitive juices of the golfers, Voelker told the Asian Journal. She includes it in her schedule when she makes it at the start of the year. “I love this event so much so it’s always on my schedule,” she said.

“It’s a perfect time… you finish on a Sunday, come here on a Monday and the pro-am is on Tuesday. Afterwards, you can leave for the next tournament, so it fits perfectly.”

Filipina Abegail Arevalo, who is currently playing on the Epson Tour, dreams of getting into the main tour in the LPGA.

Originally from Parañaque, Arevalo learned the sport from her father when she was five years old. Her dad was a caddie in Intramuros, Manila, and it was through golf that her dad earned his opportunities to establish a business and make a living. In turn, he encouraged family members to take up the sport.

Abegail is a San Jose State University alumna where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Systems Integration. She currently lives in San Francisco, CA.

Arevalo has represented the Philippines, notably winning gold as part of the country’s team in the Southeast Asian Games in 2019. It is one of Abegail’s top goals to be able to represent the country in the Olympics someday.

According to Arevalo, the best part of her game is her mental game. “It’s not common for people to say that, but I’m okay with driving, I’m okay with

clients’ needs – she can be a model, broadcaster, trick shot artist, speaker, fitness trainer or content creator, among other things. “It’s like golf entertainment in a different way,” she told the Asian Journal

This being her first year at the pro-am, Arevalo stated that looks forward to playing the course at Journey at Pechanga, which she described as beautiful and spectacular.

As for her advice to young golfers, Abegail stated:

“Follow your dreams, and dream big!”

For Fil-Am Tisha Alyn, who has hung up her clubs professionally, the event is a time for her to reunite with fellow golfers, catch up with sponsors and just enjoy herself. Alyn is a multi-hyphenate nowadays, as she caters to her

Asked about preparations or training that young, aspiring kababayan golfers can include in their regimen as they shore up their games, Tisha responded: “I think that one thing about golf that’s different from other sports is that it takes a lot of time. It’s not as strenuous as other sports like football or soccer… as long as you can take the sun, you can go out there and train.”

Alyn added that you can train up to 8 hours a day. When she was playing professionally, she would hit golf balls for two hours, practice putting and PAGE B6

Professional golfers (from left) Tisha Alyn, Greta Voelker and Abegail Arevalo spoke to media about the sport and the pro-am event.

Pechanga Resort Casino executives led by Pechanga Development Corporation 2nd Vice President John Palinkas, Pechanga Resort Casino General Manager Tjeerd Brink and Pechanga Resort Casino Chief Marketing Officer Bill Anderson pose with the professional golfers from the LPGA ranks. Photos by Joseph L. Peralta/AJPress

Executive casino hosts were on hand to assist media and the players during the event. Photo above shows (from left) Filipino senior executive casino host Vhergie Bermejo, Assistant Director of Asian Marketing Anna Tran, Korean executive casino host Cecilia Vadeboncoeur, Thai executive casino host Jen DeSanti, Chinese executive casino host Gabriel Tang and Vietnamese senior executive casino host Khai Tran.

Thirty LPGA golfers took part in the

Sharon Cuneta, Kiko Pangilinan file Cyber

Libel vs Cristy

Fermin

by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

MANILA — Celebrity couple Sharon Cuneta and former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan are the latest personalities who have filed Cyber Libel against showbiz columnist and online talk show host Cristy Fermin.

GMA News reporter Nelson Canlas on Friday, May 10 posted the photo of the couple at the Makati Prosecutors Office where they filed the charges against the veteran showbiz columnist.

“Former Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan and his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta filed cyber libel charges before the Makati City Prosecutors Office against showbiz columnist and host Cristy Fermin for broadcasting baseless and malicious statements regarding their personal and family affairs,” the caption read.

Last week, actress Bea Alonzo had filed Cyber Libel against Cristy. The actress alleged that she was the victim of “false, malicious and damaging information.” Apart from Fermin, Bea also filed charges against another veteran showbiz columnist Ogie Diaz and the cohosts of Diaz and Fermin on their respective online shows. g

Navigating the child custody move away process in California

Barrister’s Corner

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

THE high cost of living in California and over regulation has made a lot of parents evaluate whether to move out of state. The most common states that people move to are Texas, Arizona, Nevada, or Florida where the cost of living is lower and taxes are less or non-existent. However, if a parent with shared custody wants to move away with the children, they must follow a specific legal process to ensure the move is in the child’s best interests. The move has to be allowed by the court through a court order because it will affect the non-moving parent’s custody/ visitation rights. A parent cannot simply decide to move with the children without a court order. With the distance between the parents, the existing custody and visitation orders will no longer work out.

If a child custody order is in effect, the moving parent must notify the other parent that they intend to move, and oftentimes, they must often bring a request to modify the child custody and visitation order to court. The parent planning to move must provide written notice to the other parent at least 45 days before the intended move date. The notice should include the new address and contact information, the reason for the move, the proposed new custody and visitation arrangements.

The parents can try to reach an agreement on the move and the new custody/visitation schedule

can be tuned into a court order by signing a stipulation and order for the move away containing the new custody/ visitation orders. This would be the best case scenario where the parents are working together on deciding whether the child gets to move with the other parent and what the new custody schedule is going to be.

If the parents cannot agree, the moving parent must file a Request for Order (RFO) to relocate with the court. The RFO should explain the reasons for the move and how it is in the child’s best interests. The Court will set a hearing on the move away request. Often, the Family Court in Los Angeles would order a Parenting Plan Assessment (PPA2) in which a custody evaluator will evaluate the facts of your case and make a recommendation to the Court whether to allow the move away and what the new custody/ visitation order is going to be. The parties will have a chance to examine the evaluator in court and present their own witnesses. The legal analysis in a moveaway situation depend on the current custody arrangement.

A parent with sole physical custody of a child has the presumptive right to change the child’s residence, subject to the court’s ability to prevent a relocation that would “prejudice the rights or welfare” of the child, pursuant to Family Code 7501, which states: (a) A parent entitled to the custody of a child has a right to change the residence of the child, subject to the power of the court to restrain a removal that would prejudice the rights or welfare of the child. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to affirm the decision in In re Marriage of Burgess (1996) 13 Cal.4th 25, and to declare that

Elijah Canlas on real score with Miles Ocampo: ‘Taking it easy’

ELIJAH Canlas briefly spoke about the real score with his ex-girlfriend Miles Ocampo, two months after the latter revealed they are trying to rekindle their relationship.

On the sidelines of the “High Street” media conference, Canlas said in a chance interview with reporters — including INQUIRER.net — that he and Ocampo are “taking [things] easy.”

The actor said this in response to a question about their relationship status after he was spotted at Ocampo’s surprise “birthday salubong” with her loved ones last May 2.

“We’re doing good. We’re very happy. Of course, of course. We’re taking it easy,” he said. Canlas previously said that he and Ocampo remain to be on good terms after their split,

and are “enjoying what [they] have” so there would be “no pressure” between them.

Meanwhile, the “Eat Bulaga” host in March stopped short at saying the two of them are trying to patch up their relationship. The “High Street” star and Ocampo were in a relationship for two years before confirming their breakup in November 2023. (by Hannah Mallorca/Inquirer.net)

ruling to be the public policy and law of this state. Moreover, under California child custody law the custodial parent does not have to show that the move is “necessary,” assuming the parent is moving in good faith.

(See Marriage of Burgess (1996) 13 Cal.4th 25) The non-custodial parent can then challenge the relocation by requesting a custody modification based on a showing of changed circumstances and detriment to the child.

As discussed in Burgess, the non-custodial parent must show a substantial change in circumstances rendering it “essential or expedient for the welfare of the children” that there be a custody change.

Family courts are given the widest discretion to fashion orders and make determinations under these circumstances because each case is unique and these orders determine where, and with whom, minor children will live based on the La Musga factors. The LaMusga Court provided California family judges with a roadmap for deciding whether to modify a custody order in light of a parent’s proposal to change the residence of the child. The following is a checklist of the LaMusga factors family courts will consider:

• The child’s interest in stability and continuity in the custodial arrangement.

• A significant change in circumstances.

• The distance of the move.

• The age of the child.

• The social impact of the move on the child.

• The impact on the child’s education.

• The child’s relationship with both parents.

• The relationship between parents.

• The wishes of the child.

• The reason for the move.

•

Move-aways are

or

(From left) Elijah Canlas and Miles Ocampo Photo from Instagram/@milesocampo

Former senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan and actress Sharon Cuneta at the Makati Prosecutors Office filing Cyber Libel charges against veteran columnist Cristy Fermin as posted on the Instagram of entertainment reporter Nelson Canlas on Friday, May 10. Photo by Nelson Canlas

LGPA stars compete in 17th...

short game for an hour, and go play which takes about four hours or so. Then she would go back and do some more putting, and work out and eat meals in between. It also helps to have a team behind you, which may include mentors, a swing coach, a mental coach, a physio, a physical trainer, an agent and a public relations team.

doing enough, there’s someone out there doing one step more. If you can push yourself, give it all you’ve got because there’s someone out there who wants it just as bad or more than you,” she added.

PAGE B4 has worked at Pechanga for 20 years, revealed that she is very happy doing her job and lauded the support that the entire company, including management and the tribal leadership, extends to employees like her. “This has been my longest employment,” she said, “and I think I would retire here.”

“If you think that you’re

The Asian Journal also had a brief opportunity to catch up with a member of Pechanga’s executive casino host Filipino team.

Senior executive casino host Vhergie Bermejo, who

Bermejo revealed that Filipino Americans are among the highest-tenured employees at Pechanga Resort Casino and she believes that it is a great opportunity for her fellow kababayans to join the team in the resort-casino.

“We’re closer than [Las] Vegas and it’s a very friendly environment… pang-pamilya (caters to families), I would say. We have everything… concerts, the spa, our beautiful golf course, the hotel, the pool area, dining… we have a lot to offer and are continually developing,” she answered when asked what makes Pechanga a good place to visit.

Bermejo added that Pechanga has catered many activities to the Filipino community, including bringing in celebrated Filipino singers and performers to hold shows at the property’s concert venue. With regard to the proam, Vhergie hopes that more Filipina golfers will participate in the event in the future, owing to the explosion of the sport internationally.

As every year shows, the CM Pro-Am Golf Tournament celebrates the camaraderie and sportsmanship among professional golfers, sponsors, the Pechanga Resort Casino team and attendees. It is one of the annual memorable events that players and golf enthusiasts look forward to when springtime comes to Temecula.

[Journey at Pechanga championship golf course, one of the many high-end amenities at Pechanga Resort Casino, is consistently rated among the top public courses in California. When golfers partner their rounds with a luxury stay at the adjacent resort, the value of the experience rises. Visit Pechanga.com or call (877) 711-2946 to for more information or to book your next stay at Pechanga Resort Casino.]

The countdown to your ‘summer-body’ begins today! Here’s how to get rid of that ‘bra-fat’ in no time

DEALING with bra-fat, lovehandles, banana rolls, armpit-fat and those fat around the knees? Ugh! so frustrating, right?… But I know just the best solution for melting those stubborn fats away.”

So you finally decided on making sure you fit right into that shapely, va-va-voom swimsuit for that long-awaited summer get away. Good for you. I totally support you! Now let’s get right down to business. If you want to pull off an attractive summer get-up (yes, those bikini and one-piece sets) then you may have to loose some of those unflattering bulges you’ve been wanting to get rid of for many summers. We are talking bra- fat (that stubborn bulge spilling out of the bra), love handles (cute-but-unwanted for-summer-wear), armpit fat, fats around your thighs and, of course, the “banana rolls” (the crescent-shaped bulge of fat directly underneath the butt cheek). These “bulges” can sometimes spill out of your underwear and potentially ruin your chances of confidently wearing that summer outfit you’ve been dying to wear.

I definitely understand. Dealing with bra-fat, lovehandles, banana rolls, armpit-fat and those fat around the knees? Ugh! so frustrating, right? In many of these areas, achieving skin tightening and fat reduction can be very diffcult. And I believe you when you say that it’s hard to naturally reduce fat in this area through exercise and dieting alone. I say this to my clients: when our body stores fat in hard to reach places, it may seem like a perfectly toned figure is out of reach. You would need a tool that would help sculpt areas of localized fat deposits such as the stomach, love-handles, tops of thighs, banana rolls, bra fat,

armpit fat and around the knees. Now here’s what we can do for you through our Iskin Signature treatments via ISKIN EXION Body. ISKIN EXION Body Treatment is the perfect remedy for hard-toreach areas needing fat reduction and skin tightening. It utilizes monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound for precise body contouring, permanent fat reduction in those areas that are hard-to-reach – and remedy.

There are two main things that ISKIN EXION Body do very effectively: (1) Skin Laxity Improvement and (2) Localized Fat Reduction. You would see an improvement in your skin as this tool uses a patented combination of Monopolar Radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound addresses production of hyaluronic acid, collagen & elastin to treat skin laxity on the body. It also uses deep dermal heating stimulates the extracellular matrix and enhances skin firmness.

On the other hand, directing heat to fat tissue in hard to reach areas via the integrated active cooling protects the skin and allows for increasing the temperature in the fat tissue to levels leading to fat cell apoptosis resulting to a localized fat reduction.

“Non-invasive, no downtime and it is FDA-approved” Exion™ is an FDA-approved radio-frequency / targeted ultra sound device that eliminates fat and improves skin elasticity. Iskin Signature treatments via Exion Body are pain-free so it requires no downtime and it is The best non-surgical way to get rid of unflattering localized fats. ISKIN EXION Body uses patented monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen, elastin, and reduce fat. This tightens and firms the skin in the targeted area. ISKIN EXION Body can be combined with other treatments for even better results including our Iskin EmSculpt Neo (but we’ll save that for another column).

As I always remind my clients “beauty and skincare

is a lifestyle” And it is good to have somebody who would support you in your body-goals and while were at it, join you in your countdown to a healthier and more vibrant summerbody. I am sure you want more information about how to get this protocol started so I invite you to talk to me and my team at Iskin and/or MiSkin. We provide a customized treatment plan based on your needs and preferences. And we are proud to be one of the registered providers ISKIN EXION Face and Body.

If you are in the LA area, feel free to swing by iSkin Beverly Hills. And if you happen to be in the Inland Empire and Orange County, we have MiSkin Spa for your self-love and selfpampering needs. For more information you may visit iskinbeverlyhills.com. Visit iSkin Med Spa and MiSkin MedSpa for a free consultation. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire Blvd. Penthouse Beverly Hills ,90211 or call 424382-1002 MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, 91370 or call 909-9898464. You may also follow us on social media: @iskinmedspa and @miskinmedspa or watch her Youtube channel that talks about how you can make “beauty a lifestyle,” on “Beauty Talk with Imee.” * * * Known to several Filipino-American awarding circles, Imee has been awarded the “Premier in Beauty and Skin Treatment.” for iSkin Face and Body Spa. She maintains a monthly beauty column on Asian Journal, and a YouTube Channel, “Beauty Talk With Imee.” Imee Ong-Maghanoy is an established aesthetician, a business owner and CEO of iSkin Beverly Hills, iSkin MedSpa and MiSkin MedSpa. Imee has been in the aesthetics industry for more than 20 years. She has a degree in Biology and Doctor of Dental Medicine. iSkin MedSpa and MiSkin MedSpa are fast emerging as a top spa destination in LA. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire Blvd penthouse Beverly Hills, CA 90211. MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 91370. (Advertising Supplement)