051724 - New York & New Jersey Edition

Fil-Am journalists among nalists in 2024 Pulitzer Prizes

FILIPINO American investigative journalist Nicole Dungca has been recognized as one of the outstanding finalists in the 2024 Pulitzer Prizes, the highest recognition for journalistic excellence in the U.S. Dungca is no stranger to doing impactful work. As part of a team from “The Washington Post,” including journalists Claire Healy and Davao visual artist Ren Galeno, the journalist is a finalist in the “Illustrated Reporting and Commentary” category for their collaborative effort on the

South China Sea has most excessive maritime claims challenged by United States

MANILA — Excessive maritime claims advanced by China and two other claimants in the South China Sea (SCS) were the most operationally challenged by United States forces under the Freedom of Navigation program, according to the latest annual U.S. Department of Defense FON report. The defense department released on Thursday, May 9 its annual FON Report

Marcos forms special body on human rights

by MELVIN GASCON, RUSSEL LORETO Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. has issued Administrative Order No. 22 creating what the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) described as an interagency “super body” tasked to “enhance [government] mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.”

Critics, however, called the move an attempt by his administration to evade accountability for and window-dress the country’s human

rights situation.

“A Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination is hereby created under the (Presidential Human Rights Committee)… [which] shall be in charge of sustaining initiatives and accomplishments of the (United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights) in the areas of law enforcement, criminal justice, and policy-making,” Marcos said in the order signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 8, which will take effect immediately upon its publication.

The issuance of AO 22 came just as Malacañang said it had given the Department

China warns PH against expelling its diplomats over leaked recording

by JAVIER JOE ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the Philippine government against expelling its diplomats in Manila, saying that "any hasty action" could "potentially harm" the Philippines amid tensions

over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Lin Jian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, issued the statement on Friday, May 10 after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to

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of Justice (DOJ) instructions to prepare a legal brief to list the legal options the President may take once the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant on former President Rodrigo Duterte and others who played a key role in the past administration’s drug war.

The PCO later clarified that the preparation of a legal brief did not mean the government was changing its stand on its refusal to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction to investigate Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity over the drug war killings.

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Philstar.com

MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into possible violations of the wiretapping law by the Chinese embassy.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 14, Remulla said he gave the order for an “indepth investigation” after the Chinese embassy released an alleged transcript of a conversation between its diplomat and the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command regarding a “new model” for managing the Ayungin Shoal issue.

by DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States have agreed to further cooperation on space technology, including its use for maritime domain surveillance of Manila’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Both sides held the inaugural

bilateral space dialogue in Washington on May 2, aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation on outer space innovation, “including the use of space-based Earth observation satellite data for a wide variety of socioeconomic applications.”

“The delegations recognized the potential for expanded cooperation

FARMERS FESTIVAL. Thousands gather along the streets of Lucban, Quezon on Tuesday, May 15, for the annual Pahiyas Festival to give thanks to San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. The highlight of the festival is the decoration of houses along the main streets with elaborate and intricate designs made from vegetables, fruits, rice wafers, and other agricultural products. These vibrant and eye-catching displays, called "kiping," are a testament to the community's gratitude for a bountiful harvest. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote

This handout photo taken on March 23, 2024 and released by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (PCG/BFAR) on March 25, 2024 shows an aerial view of BRP Datu Pagbuaya as it sails from the Philippine-held Thitu Island sheltered port, in the Spratly Islands, in the disputed South China Sea. Photo courtesy of Philippinne Coast Guard

F rom the F ront P age

Marcos forms special body on... China warns PH against expelling its...

According to PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil, the legal brief is part of “standard procedure” to ensure “that our administration remains prepared for any scenario.”

Under AO 22, the special committee will be composed of Bersamin as chair and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as cochair, with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos as members.

Described by the PCO as a “super body,” the committee is also mandated to “strengthen existing mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights.”

Committee’s functions

The new body will cover matters like “investigation and accountability,” “datagathering on alleged human rights violations by law enforcement agencies,” and “expanding civic space and engagement with [the] private sector.”

It will also tackle matters involving “national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up” and a “human rights-based approach toward drug control.”

“For this purpose, the special committee may, whenever necessary, invite as member and/or observer such other government agencies, including the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Dangerous Drugs Board and AntiTerrorism Council-Program Management Center,” Marcos said in AO 22.

According to him, the super body is also tasked to “facilitate access to redress mechanism by victims of human rights violations.”

“[The committee shall] monitor and ensure effective implementation of government policies and programs aimed at upholding and protecting human rights of persons deprived of liberty, particularly in guaranteeing that no one is subjected to torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment,” he said.

The PCO did not reply to queries about concerns that the “special committee” usurps or duplicates the functions of the CHR.

But in issuing the order,

the president cited the significance of maintaining and intensifying the accomplishments of the United Nations for the Joint Program on Human Rights (UNJP).

He said the imminent expiration of the UNJP on July 31 raised the need for the government to “[institutionalize] a strong and healthy multistakeholder process for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.”

The country is a state party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its state-party involvement led to the creation of the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) to comply with the Philippines’ obligations to international human rights groups.

The PHRC is also tasked with formulating a National Human Rights Action Plan.

Critics weigh in For Carlos Conde, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, the committee’s lack of an accountability mechanism and independence from government influence was a cause for concern.

“On paper, the special committee’s aim are laudable. God knows institutionalizing respect for and protection of human rights in the Philippines is of utmost concern,” Conde told the Inquirer. “However, I view the creation of this committee with some concern… [The] committee will function mainly as a propaganda tool of the government to respond to criticism of the government’s dismal human rights record.”

He also noted that the special committee did not have UN or civil society participation.

“Even the CHR is not included and will only be optional. The committee is composed of government agencies that have a poor record when it comes to accountability for human rights abuses,” Conde said. “The human rights situation under Marcos demands accountability. That is the key need of the moment. If Marcos

really wants to ensure accountability, he needs to keep the CHR independent and give it all the resources it needs,” he added.

Bayan Muna executive vice president Carlos Isagani Zarate echoed a similar sentiment, saying that there was “nothing special regarding this committee as it is just another bureaucratic layer to make the Marcos Jr. administration acceptable in the community of nations where human rights is of paramount concern.”

“If Marcos Jr. is truly sincere in the promotion and protection of human rights, his administration should start by abolishing the [National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict], the main government machinery created by his disgraced predecessor that promotes and enables the massive and grave violation of human rights in the country these past years and until now,” Zarate said.

Human rights group Karapatan called the committee “a desperate attempt to window-dress the grave human rights situation in the country.”

“With its premise of addressing human rights issues through mere ‘coordination,’ one cannot expect much from this ‘special committee,’” Karapatan said in a statement. “It will go the way of the Inter-Agency Committee created under Administrative Order No. 35 tasked to resolve extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations of human rights, which has a pitiful record.”

Amnesty International, in a statement, said: “The government doesn’t need a ‘super body’ to champion human rights. What it needs to do is accept and implement the recommendations of the UNHRC, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion and get serious about returning to the ICC. What the President needs to do is to walk the talk — address and resolve human rights violations by leaning in on the proposals presented by Amnesty International in its annual report and human rights legislative agenda.” g

expel the Chinese diplomat who illegally recorded a phone call with the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command. This action, if proven, could have severe diplomatic and legal implications.

"The Philippines' response shows precisely their guilty conscience in the face of facts and evidence and how exasperated and desperate they have become. We ask the Philippines to ensure that Chinese diplomats can carry out their duty normally

and to stop provocations and infringements," said Lin in a press conference.

He emphasized that the Philippines must refrain from making "reckless moves," which could only "backfire" on the Philippines.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila, on May7, shared a phone call recording between an individual claiming to be the "AFP WesCom chief" and a Chinese diplomat with selected media organizations. They reportedly agreed on four points under a "new model"

for managing disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). However, the authenticity of the recording has not been confirmed.

Teodoro strongly urged the DFA to initiate a thorough investigation into the alleged recording, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for swift action.

Año also said that the Chinese officials may have violated Philippine laws, particularly the Anti-Wire Tapping Act, and breached diplomatic protocols and conventions. g

NBI to probe China embassy...

“Diplomatic immunity should never be used as a license to exploit our country’s peace and harmony for selfish motives. This privilege does not shield anyone from the consequences of the rule of Law,” Remulla said.

He added that while diplomats enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded to them, they are duty-bound to respect the laws and regulations of their host countries.

The Chinese embassy earlier said the recorded conversation was between a Chinese diplomat and Wescom chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos. The conversation reportedly took place last Jan. 3.

In the reported “new model,” the Chinese agreed to allow the delivery only of food and provisions to troops on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, but not construction materials.

The Navy intentionally beached the Sierra Madre in 1999 so it would serve as outpost for a handful of Marines.

Under the Anti-Wiretapping Act, it is illegal to record conversations without the consent of all those participating. Secret wiretapping is also illegal without court approval.

Violators face imprisonment of up to six years and foreigners would be deported, but there is no specific provision for offenders who are diplomats.

The DOJ noted that under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomats, employees of international organizations and their immediate family members are covered by a certain degree of diplomatic immunity during their stay in a receiving state.

However, diplomatic immunity is only with respect to official acts performed in the exercise of official duties and functions necessary for advocating international comity, policies and interests, it added.

“If the Chinese embassy official is entitled to diplomatic immunity, he cannot be prosecuted but he can be expelled as persona non grata,” retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio earlier said.

Philippine security officials are urging the expulsion of the Chinese embassy officers for violating Philippine law sand diplomatic protocols.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Committee

on Foreign Students (IACFS) said it wants the NBI and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to make a “security assessment” on the alleged activities of spies and sleeper cells in the country.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said at the IACFS meeting on Monday that while they were unable to detect anything irregular with the bureau’s process of issuing student visas to foreigners, there were national security concerns that should be considered.

Sandoval did not say if the “security assessment” would be targeting a particular nationality.

“Of course they could have all the complete documents but then the national concern on sleeper cells was also raised, but that would be under NBI and the NICA already. But in terms of visa issue, they did not find anything irregular,” said Sandoval.

Sandoval said they would cooperate with the NBI or NICA in case the two agencies request for data. “We would gladly share the data as part of the inter-agency.”

It was reported last month that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is conducting background checks on Chinese students studying in Cagayan province amid speculations that they might be spies or part of sleeper cells for the Chinese military.

In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Sandoval said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, they noticed an increase in the number of foreign students in the country in 2023.

The BI, NBI, NICA, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Education (DepEd) are member-agencies of the IACFS which is chaired by the Commission on Higher Education.

POGO hospital raided

In Pasay City, Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission raided and shut down on Monday a clandestine hospital catering to employees of Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firms.

PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said policemen and BI personnel swooped down on the hospital located inside the Hobbies of Asia compound on Macapagal Ave. at around 5:30 p.m.

South China Sea has most excessive maritime claims... Fil-Am

for fiscal year 2023. During the period from Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023, U.S. forces operationally challenged 29 different excessive maritime claims advanced by 17 different claimants throughout the world.

Excessive maritime claims are unlawful attempts by coastal states to restrict the rights and freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea. These are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They include

a variety of restrictions on the exercise of navigation and overflight rights and other freedoms and lawful uses of the seas.

“If left unchallenged, excessive maritime claims could permanently infringe upon the freedom of the seas enjoyed by all nations,” the department said.

The Annual Freedom of Navigation Report 2023 identified excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea by China, Vietnam and Taiwan that were challenged by U.S. FON Program.

Challenged were China’s straight baselines not drawn in conformance

with international law or the Chinese government’s Declaration on the Baselines of the Territorial Sea; requiring prior approval for military survey activities in the exclusive economic zone; restrictions on foreign aircraft flying through an Air Defense Identification Zone without the intent to enter national airspace; requiring prior permission for innocent passage of foreign military ships through the territorial sea; and Beijing’s claims of “historic rights” in the South China Sea.

Also challenged were Taiwan requiring prior notice for foreign military vessels to conduct innocent passage in the territorial sea and Vietnam’s straight baselines that do not conform with UNCLOS and imposing prior notification for foreign warships to enter the territorial sea.

The U.S. rejected unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea that pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.

According to the U.S.

Navy, China, Vietnam and Taiwan “purport to require either permission or advance notification before a foreign military vessel engages in ‘innocent passage’ through the territorial sea.”

U.S. forces also challenged excessive maritime claims by Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand; Colombia (Caribbean Sea), Croatia (Adriatic Sea); Dominican Republic; Iran (Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman); Japan (vicinity of Tsushima Strait and Senkaku Islands); Latvia (Baltic Sea); Maldives; Malta (Mediterranean Sea); Oman (Strait of Hormuz); Russia (Bering Strait); Thailand (Andaman Sea); United Arab Emirates (Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman), and Yemen (Bab el-Mandep Strait).

“Unlawful and sweeping excessive maritime claims –or incoherent legal theories or maritime entitlement –pose a threat to the legal foundation of the rulesbased international order,” according to the report.

The defense department said the U.S. is committed to confronting this threat by challenging excessive maritime claims.

“As long as some countries continue to assert limits on

tie-up on space tech to help...

on the use of space for maritime domain awareness, including through the U.S. Department of Transportationled SeaVision program,” said a joint statement released on Tuesday, May 14.

“Such programs can help monitor and document vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters and EEZ, ensure the safety of mariners at sea, monitor and help protect the environment, and help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” it added.

Free system access

SeaVision is a web-based maritime situational awareness tool that provides a broad array of maritime information.

The system uses satellite imagery, transponders and infrared to track ships round the clock, providing near real-time and historical information on vessel positions and details.

Since 2021, the United States has been providing free access to the system to the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and National Coast Watch Center.

Both sides also agreed to “consider the possible hosting in the Philippines of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat ground station,” according to the joint statement.

The Landsat program is a U.S. satellite system capable of repeated multi-spectral observations of the global land surface at a moderate scale that show both natural and human-induced change.

The Philippines also expressed interest in the “possible expansion of cooperation of the joint USAID-Nasa SERVIR program, which expanded last year to include the Philippines,” the statement also said.

Tracking tool

A joint program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and United States Agency for International Development (Usaid), SERVIR provides critical information and support services to track environmental changes, evaluate ecological threats, and respond to damage from disasters.

The Philippine delegation was led by Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Deputy Director General for space science and technology Gay Jane Perez.

The U.S. delegation was led by State Department Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Rahima Kandahari.

PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano Jr., Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs acting Assistant Secretary Jennifer

story titled “Searching for Maura.”

This investigative piece tackles the narrative surrounding Maura and her role in uncovering racial injustices within the Smithsonian’s brain collection, demonstrating the power of storytelling to ignite change.

In an Instagram post, the visual artist shared, “I am endlessly grateful to the incredible team at the Washington Post, whose infectious passion and drive transcends oceans.”

“[Healy], [Dungca], thank you for your fearless reporting. You’ve helped bring this dark chapter of our history into the light. It’s been an honor to work with you,” the artist added.

Notably, Dungca’s dedication to investigative journalism extends beyond this prestigious nomination. As the co-host of the investigative podcast “Broken Doors,” she played an integral role in the podcast’s recognition with the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Radio.

Furthermore, her previous nomination as a finalist in the Audio Reporting category of the Pulitzer Prizes in 2023 speaks volumes about her consistent commitment to excellence in impactful journalistic endeavors.

In addition to her journalistic pursuits, Dungca currently serves as the president of the Asian American Journalists Association.

Alongside her, two other Filipinas, photographer Hannah Reyes Morales and Galeno, have also secured their places among the finalists.

Morales has been acknowledged as a finalist in the “Feature Photography” category for her photographic work featured in the New York Times story titled “How the Youth Boom in Africa Will Change the World.”

Expressing her gratitude at the news of her nomination, Morales took to her Instagram page to reflect on the profound impact of her work and the invaluable contributions of those she had the privilege to photograph.

“I’m still in a daze since that call, overwhelmed and grateful for the chance to have worked on this story, written by @ declanwalsh. Thank you to everyone we photographed – it was not the easiest assignment but those we photographed helped us understand, bit by bit, what it means to be young and reshaping Africa, and the world.” (Hans Carbonilla/ Inquirer.net)

Littlejohn and National Space Council Executive Secretary Chirag Parikh gave the welcome and keynote messages.

PhilSA mandate

PhilSA was created under Republic Act No. 11363, or the Philippine Space Act.

An attached agency of the Office of the President for purposes of policy and program coordination, it is the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space science and technology applications, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.

Among its mandate is “to safeguard Philippine sovereignty, territorial integrity, Philippine interest, and the right to self-determination as mandated by Article II, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution.”

It is also tasked to support “the development, application and utilization of science and technology that will foster patriotism and nationalism and accelerate social progress, such as the development of space technology and applications for its security and for the benefit of its citizens.”

PhilSA also seeks to ensure that the Philippines is officially represented in the international space community for establishing cooperation agreements and linkages on space development. g

Cruz said the operation was based on information that the hospital was operating without a license from the Department of Health.

Three doctors – two Vietnamese and a Chinese – were taken into custody. Also apprehended were a Vietnamese nurse and a Chinese pharmacist.

“They failed to show

their licenses to practice as foreign professionals from the Professional Regulation Commission,” Cruz said in a message on Viber.

The suspects were brought to the BI for immigration inquest.

Two patients, a Vietnamese and a Chinese, were allowed to leave after they presented their visas.  — Evelyn Macairan, Emmanuel Tupas g

MRT CARES. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) relays a simple message, displayed in the form of a heart-shaped pin, as shown by an employee at the Quezon Avenue Station in Quezon City on Monday, May 13. MRT said it is their commitment to provide excellent service to the riding public. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla speaks on July 19, 2023. STAR / Ernie Penaredondo

FEATURES OPINION

Abusing visa powers

WILL anomalies never end in the Bureau of Immigration? On Nov. 9, 2020 while the COVID pandemic was raging with no vaccine available, Rodrigo Duterte summoned over 40 BI employees to Malacañang to berate them over the so-called pastillas scam. This referred to the anomalous entry of foreigners mostly from China who ended up working in Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO firms. The cash payments for facilitating the entry were reportedly handed over to BI personnel in rolled-up bundles resembling pastillas or local milk

Duterte did not carry out his threat to make the BI employees eat paper rolled up like pastillas, which supposedly contained cash. The BI employees were already suspended at the time over the scam. In June 2022, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed 45 of them from the service.

You’d think BI personnel would have learned their lesson from that scandal. Yet here we are again, with the House of Representatives investigating reports that unscrupulous BI personnel are abusing for a fee the bureau’s authority to convert tourist

Negosyo Pilipinas Angat Lahat!

I HAVE said it time and again, and I will not tire of saying it: the Philippines has so much to offer the traveler. There is so much potential in Philippine tourism: it’s a real goldmine. That is why we had again our annual Tourism Summit at the Ayala

visas into student visas.

The authority is given to the BI under Executive Order 285, issued in 2000 during the presidency of Joseph Estrada. EO 285 also created an inter-agency committee on foreign students, chaired by the Commission on Higher Education. The committee members are the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education, National Bureau of Investigation and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

With questions raised about a reported influx of Chinese students in Cagayan, a House committee has learned that in 2023,

the BI granted student visas to 16,200 Chinese nationals. It’s unclear if most of the 16,200 initially entered the Philippines on tourist visas. But Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers is urging Malacañang to scrap EO 285, and to instead transfer to the DFA the authority to convert tourist visas to student visas.

Barbers has acknowledged that under normal circumstances, the influx of foreign

students should not be a problem, but the country’s dispute with China over maritime issues as well as peace and order problems associated with POGOs give a national security dimension to the entry of Chinese citizens. The DFA itself is tightening visa requirements for Chinese nationals. Possible corruption in the BI is another reason to tighten and streamline visa rules.

(Philstar.com)

The goldmine that is Philippine tourism

Malls Manila Bay.

This year’s Tourism Summit got a boost with the presence of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, who has been very supportive of our MSMEs by making it a point to grace our events.

Of course, Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco was with us, and personally congratulated the winners for this year’s Inspiring Tourism

Entrepreneurs Awards. She was also with us at our Tourism Summit last year in Cebu, and I was glad for the opportunity to travel again to this city.

I travel a lot. Mostly for work and, when time allows it, for leisure. For my work with the ASEAN, I go on short trips throughout Southeast Asia; I also enjoy visiting Japan and Hong Kong. Here in the Philippines, every

year I get on the boat and sail around our beautiful islands. I also visit Baguio almost regularly for our RFM meetings, and last year I had the opportunity to visit some provinces where we conducted our nationwide mentoring and national events.

For leisure, my travel mode of choice is by water. It is the best way to see

covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”)

PAGE 10

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco kicked off a series of panel discussions on Monday, May 13, formally launching Go Negosyo’s Tourism Summit for the current year at the Ayala Malls By the Bay venue. DOT photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

Marcos wants ‘stronger’ air force

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, May 13 said he wanted a "stronger" Philippine Air Force (PAF) "as it defends the country's sovereignty, territory and development."

The president spoke during a command conference with the military's top brass at the PAF headquarters in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

"The president was briefed on the recent activities, plans and proposed projects of the Philippine Air Force," Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a text message to reporters.

Garafil did not give other details on what was discussed during the meeting and only said that Marcos "gave his guidance and instructions on some of the proposed programs" of the

Air Force to help boost its capabilities as the country's first line of defense against threats as well as enhancing its efficiency for disaster response.

It was not also mentioned if the president and military leaders, led by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., discussed the supposed involvement of retired and active military and police officers in an attempt to remove him from power.

In a separate statement, the PAF said its senior commanders, led by PAF chief Lt. Gen Stephen Parreño, briefed Marcos, senior Malacañang officials and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on its recent activities and plans.

It said it looks forward to the president's "continuous support in our modernization efforts to become a truly capable, credible, and sustainable Air Force that our nation needs and deserves." g

Marcos’ 2021 negative drug test result brought up in Senate ‘PDEA leaks’ hearing

MANILA —

Representatives of the hospital that administered the drug test of then-presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2021 assured senators there was nothing irregular with how the test, which produced negative results, was conducted.

Two representatives from St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City's (SLMCBGC) told a Senate hearing on Tuesday, May 14 that Marcos did test negative for cocaine and that there was nothing unusual with the three minutes it took to see the results after the test was administered.

The Senate dangerous drugs and public order committee is currently leading a probe into supposed documents by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) linking Marcos to illegal drug use.

Senate panel chair Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said that he stands by the legitimacy of the documents in question even as the PDEA itself has denied its authenticity.

Cecilia Lim, head of the SLMC-BGC drug testing laboratory, said that Marcos' drug test results came out in two minutes and 54 seconds, which is within the maximum waiting time of five minutes.

Meanwhile, Geresza Reyes, the drug analyst of the SLMC-BGC who signed the drug test report, said that the drug test kit produced a line that showed Marcos tested negative for cocaine.

"As for the analysis, a line appeared. In our drug test kit, there's a control line and a line for the drug analyte. In the result, a line indeed appeared indicating negative," Reyes said in Filipino.

Asked by senators to clarify whether Marcos tested negative for all drugs, Fernandez said that Marcos only requested to be tested for cocaine.

This made Sen. Chiz Escudero comment that drug tests should test for

Bam Aquino gears up for political comeback in 2025 midterm polls

by Cristina Chi Philstar.com

MANILA — Former Sen. Bam Aquino — who abandoned his Senate bid in 2022 to run Leni Robredo's presidential campaign and earlier failed to get reelected in the 2019 elections that bludgeoned Otso Diretso — is staging his political comeback in the 2025 midterm polls with a familiar banner of championing youth leadership.

Vowing to address people's "real concerns" amid the ruling parties' feud, the former Liberal Party stalwart now leads the country's "youngest political party" Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP), as chairperson, Aquino said in a television interview.

"People don't feel like they are being heard. Parties are fighting, while the issue of inflation is not being addressed," Aquino said in an interview with ANC on Tuesday, May 14.

"I think more people who want to bring back the issues to people's needs must engage and be part of the political process," the former senator added.

The KANP chairperson declared that he is "ready to return to politics" after around half a decade since his term as senator from 2013 to 2019 ended.

Aquino said he left the Liberal Party in 2019. "Since I was a private citizen, we didn't release the information to the public," he said.

The former senator then created the KNP to bolster the presidential bid of Robredo, who ended up running as an independent candidate, Aquino added.

After Robredo's loss, KNP members agreed to keep the party alive after the flood of support during the campaign trail.

said. Aquino said in a press release that KANP "will present itself as a viable alternative for Filipinos weary of traditional politics and politicians."

While no longer formally part of LP, Aquino's former LP party mates, such as LP President Edcel Lagman, LP Spokesperson Leila de Lima and former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan also expressed their support for Aquino.

all substances, not just cocaine but also shabu and marijuana, which he said were "poor man's drugs."

"That reveals a loophole in so far as drug testing is concerned in (law enforcement agencies)," Escudero said, adding that he will ask the Dangerous Drugs Board to come up with guidelines related to the matter.

During his presentation, Francis del Valle, head of PDEA's legal division, said that the two documents that former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales claims to be true are "purely fabricated."

Speaking on behalf of PDEA, Del Valle pointed out that the alleged "pre-

"We are ready and we are preparing for it," Aquino said.

"We may have lost, but people came out and expressed their desire for better (sic)... We saw that and did not want to take it for granted. So now we're running for 2025," Aquino

maritime rights and freedoms that exceed coastal state authorities nested under customary international law, the United States will continue to challenge such unlawful claim,” it said.

‘Only Philippines can create island in Escoda’

The Philippines is the only country that can create an artificial island on Escoda Shoal, an island within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio on Saturday, May 11.

“(Escoda Shoal) is part of the 200 nautical mile EEZ of the Philippines. As such, only the Philippines can create an artificial island on Escoda Shoal,” Carpio told The STAR in a text

The KANP is also ready to "endorse like-minded potential candidates and form alliances with political parties with similar principles in preparation for the midterm elections in 2025," its press release read. g

message.

“Any structure or artificial island erected by China on Escoda Shoal is illegal under international law,” he added.

In such instances that China constructs an artificial island or any structure in Escoda Shoal, Carpio said the Philippines can seek legal options, such as filing a case for damage to the marine environment for the destruction of the coral reef.

“The case will be filed with an UNCLOS tribunal,” he added.

Carpio also pointed out that the purpose of China in creating an artificial island is to create a military outpost that would “prevent the Philippines from getting the gas in Reed Bank and in other nearby areas.” (by Pia LeeBrago/Philstar.com)

Former Senator Bam Aquino Philstar.com file photo

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang file photo

Most Filipino families not reaping long-term gains of preschool education

by Cristina Chi Philstar.com

MANILA — Parents’ lack of awareness about the long-term gains of preschool education and limited government daycare centers have made most Filipino children lose out on the benefits of early childhood education.

A new report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) shows that while a slew of laws has been passed since 2000 to widen access to early childhood education, 12-year data up to 2022 shows that fewer than half of all children aged 3 to 4 years old attended preschool.

The long-term benefits of enrolling children in preschool are welldocumented as studies that

show children who did not enroll in preschool "have higher chances of dropping out and lower chances of attaining upper levels of schooling,” said the report by Edcom II in collaboration with state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Meanwhile, UNICEF’s 2019 analysis of a 2019 international assessment found that children who attended just one year of early education programs were “seven times more likely” to have mastered the fundamental reading skills expected by the end of elementary school and “four times more likely” to have learned the same for mathematics.

International Nurses Day: Better wages sought

by rhOdina VillanueVa Philstar.com

MANILA — A nurse’s group is calling attention to the worsening state of nurses, who are overworked and underpaid, as International Nurses Day is commemorated on Sunday, May 12.

The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) said nurses in the Philippines continue to suffer from very low wages amid the increasing cost of living, including the rise in prices of basic commodities and services.

Eleanor Nolasco, FNU president, has said that aside from receiving a low salary, the 1:20 – or one nurse to 20 patients – ratio in the country persists.

“In other hospitals, understaffing is very much felt with the one (nurse) is to 30 or even 40 (patients) ratio, depending on the number of hospital personnel,” Nolasco said in an interview.

She added, “Because of the lack of

nurses, they work for 16 hours instead of the usual eight hours.”

Nolasco said that what should be observed in hospitals is the safe ratio of 1:8 – one nurse to eight patients.

The FNU said this dismal nurse work situation was addressed by the national government with the hiring of 300 unlicensed nurses and revision of the nursing education curriculum and masteral program.

“This is a mismatch and irrational solution to the nursing issues of understaffing, low wages and poor working conditions that discourage nurses to stay,” said Nolasco.

The group said this kind of situation pushes nurses further to massive migration, given the attractive offers abroad of nursing education scholarships with guaranteed employment, including bringing their families with them.

“There is apparent inadequate government support and lack of

prioritization as to public health service budget allocation that incapacitates nurses in performing their tasks or leads to inadequacies of the health care system, thus not being able respond to the Filipinos’ health needs,” stressed Nolasco.

To commemorate International Nurses Day, Nolasco said nurses in hospitals, communities, schools and other settings all over the country will put up placards indicating their calls regarding salary increase, regularization and decent working conditions in their respective work areas.

“It is high time that concerned government authorities respond with concrete and decisive measures that will rescue nurses from the serious concerns, such as the legislation of just, decent wage increase, mass hiring of qualified nurses and regularize contractual nurses to fill up and add to more plantilla positions,” she added. g

Trillanes files cybercrime raps vs. Roque, SMNI, vloggers

by arlie O. CalalO ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed on Tuesday, May 14 a complaint for cyberlibel against officials of ex-

president Rodrigo Duterte, including his spokesman.

Also in the complaint were Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) and vlogger Byron Cristobal, also known as Banat By. Trillanes told The Manila

Times that he decided to take legal action following persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations by the respondents against him.

In separate complaintaffidavits, Trillanes charged

By for accusing him of selling and giving away of the Scarborough

to China during his backchannel talks in 2012.

Duterte spokesman Harry Roque and Banat

Shoal

Most Filipino families not reaping...

Edcom II said that the Philippines — a country where learning poverty is at 91% — still struggles to reap the gains from early childhood education due to parents’ lack of knowledge about how or why their children should go to school at 3 years old, as well as limited and inaccessible daycare or child development centers in rural areas.

As a result, participation rates have remained “stagnant” from 2011 to 2024, according to Edcom II, with modest gains derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of 2022 (latest available data), only 20% or one out of five children aged 3-4 years old were enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs.

“Many parents of 3- to 4-year-old children opt out of early education programs because they believe it is premature for educational activities, a perception observed across poor and affluent households,” Edcom II said in its report.

According to a 2019

survey among parents cited by Edcom II, financial constraints and available of early education programs make up only a tiny portion of parents’ overall reasoning.

“In our focus group discussions with mothers in the poorest provinces of the Philippines, financial limitations emerged as a prominent barrier, making formal daycare services unaffordable due to prohibitive opportunity costs and related expenses, particularly for certain socioeconomic groups,” Edcom II added.

Even though some parents may want to enroll their children in pre-kindergarten centers, concerns remain about the poor upkeep of these facilities, while several poor municipalities still do not have one.

The report said that the country’s current prekindergarten facilities are short of around 33,000 to meet the 96,000 daycare / child development centers required to meet 100% of the demand, which “falls short of meeting the goal of

universal access for children aged 3-4 to (Early Childhood Care and Development) services.”

Edcom II’s focus group discussions with mothers in BARMM (whose identities were not disclosed) also highlighted issues with the quality of educational facilities. Some of the mothers who cannot afford to enroll their children in private daycare said they are limited to choosing public schools that “lack workforce, teachers, and facilities.”

“I took my child to an Arabic school, and she didn't go back to that school because the facilities were bad—dark rooms. This provides many not-sogood experiences for the learners,” one mother told Edcom II.

“These concerns have been amplified by the recent pandemic, manmade conflicts, and political climate in various regions that deter parents from utilizing formal childcare services,” Edcom II said.

Edcom II also noted that enrolling in daycare centers

may not be entirely free, as half of those attending (48%) pay participation fees.

Shortage of daycare workers

There are also not enough daycare or child development workers –arguably the most important component in delivering pre-kindergarten services. On average, there are 19 enrolled children per daycare/child development worker in the country, which is three times the recommended standard by the ECCD Council (1 worker per 10 enrolled children).

Currently, there is also no standardized salary for daycare or child development workers, with local governments left to decide their compensation system on their own.

“To meet the goal of universal access for children, the country needs three times its current stock of daycare/child development workers (around 89,000) or approximately 240,000,” the report said. (Cristina Chi/ Philstar.com)

The goldmine that is Philippine tourism...

what I believe are the Philippines’ greatest travel assets: its islands. Although I stopped diving years ago and just snorkel nowadays, it is still quite an enjoyable experience hopping from island to island in the southern corridors.

Close to Manila is the BatangasMindoro corridor. If you’re a diving enthusiast like me, you could ease into the trip starting with Anilao and Puerto Galera. Apo Reef in Mindoro offers one of the best diving in these parts. This also is a convenient entry point to my favorite travel destination, Palawan. I especially enjoy sailing around the islands in this area, which are unlike anything else on the planet. Coron, Linapacan and El Nido – one could stay for days here, living on the boat and diving when the time is best to see the corals and the marine life, or just relax along the spectacular white sand beaches like the one on Balabac Island. The nice thing about the strait of Coron to Linapacan is the long stretch of islands up to El Nido. From there, you can go all the way to Puerto Princesa. It can be possible to sail for a whole month, maybe even two, exploring the Visayas corridor. Start in Cebu and trace the famous sailing triangle there; going down to Malapascua to see the tiger sharks, passing the night on the beaches around the tiny island of Calanggaman. And on the way back you can go through Cabilao, maybe do a side trip to Bohol to sail beside (or even swim with) the dolphins there.

Or maybe sail through Balicasag and all the way to Oslob, where the whale sharks are, and then to Siquijor to spend a few days exploring their whitesand beaches and reefs teeming with marine life.

From my experience, the best time to explore the islands is from April to May, two months that ensure calm waters and smooth inter-island sailing. This could maybe stretch until June, but after that, the habagat (southwest monsoon) might make for rough waters.

But there’s more to the sights. I’ve been on guided tours in Palawan that give you the real island experience. One such tour operator took us on a backpacker type of adventure on the islands around Palawan, but of course sparing us the rougher parts because, I suppose, that is part of the service.

I find that travel allows you to step back and discover new concepts and, more importantly, to challenge your own ideas. I remember it was through travel that I got the idea for Kettle Korn. I saw something similar in the U.S. and I was so inspired by it that, once I got back to the Philippines, I registered the new business right away and set out to create something a little different from the other brands that were already here.

Travel is so important for anyone who’s in business; you have to know what is out there: either to find out what you can improve or what unique product you can offer. It’s an opportunity to see what the competition is up to.

I realized this during my recent trip to Laos to attend meetings for the ASEAN.

Trillanes files cybercrime...

PAGE 9

"Despite my repeated explanations on what transpired during my backchannel talks, including official statements from incumbent government officials during Senate hearings conducted, we did not lose Scarborough. These pro-Duterte personalities continue to harp on this fake news to deflect blame from the Duterte administration," Trillanes said.

Meanwhile, the former senator filed libel and cyber libel charges against a certain Guillermina Barrido and SMNI hosts and executives for publishing an interview in which Barrido repeatedly alleged that he (Trillanes) tried to convince her and purportedly paid her to be a fake witness against then president Duterte.

Barrido filed a kidnapping case against Trillanes during the Duterte administration which was eventually dismissed by the Department of Justice.

The rail systems that are coming up and connecting cities in Southeast Asia, for example, could change the game drastically. I can imagine how easy it will be to travel from the cosmopolitan city of Bangkok to rural Luang Prabang, eliminating for travelers the hassle of booking separate trips and giving the tourism business of these two countries a tremendous boost.

The small entrepreneurs I’ve spoken to find that travel is a gift that keeps on giving. Some of these young travel entrepreneurs told me that they build their own travel experiences in order to enhance the products and services they offer their customers. They discover small, hidden places or exciting experiences and weave these into the customized packages they create.

Travel content creators and influencers, meanwhile, mine their experiences for content that can bring them not just advertising revenues but also potential brand deals and affiliate marketing opportunities. This is an example of how digitalization has created an industry that has become more inclusive and exciting, where small tourism operators have an equal footing with the giants.

And with a gem like the Philippines, who knows how much farther we can take Philippine tourism. (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.

A Trillanes staff, Abigail Valerio, told this newspaper that she will also file criminal complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation against the social media account owners of Mr. Realtalker or Lods Chinito (with Tiktok handles @chinitorealtalker and @chinitotisoy01); Melagin Nastor Evangelista or CATASTROPHE (with X handle @gurlbehindthisb); JoeLas (with X handle "@j_ laspinas), Michael Gorre or KampilaBoy (with X handle @ KampilanBoy); Hampaslupang Mandaragat (with X handle @JohnAmasa2); and X handle @SaraAll2028, for similarly spreading disinformation and libelous statements about him.

"The filing of cases is a push back against the culture of disinformation which propagated and was encouraged during the Duterte administration," Trillanes said. g

operation report" and "authority to operate" documents do not have PDEA control numbers, which indicate that these were never submitted to the PDEA.

The documents are also "incomplete and marred with redactions," according to the drug enforcement agency.

Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada asked Del Valle: "If an agent prepares a preoperation report and does not submit it, let's say he hesitated or perhaps he was scared or paid off...

And as you testified, it's not in your records. Is that document confidential? Is that document part of official records?"

Del Valle said that the documents would not be part of PDEA's official record. "It may be just the personal files of the resource person," he added.

The PDEA official added that Morales did not follow standard procedure by failing to bring up the findings of his alleged inteview with a confidential informant to his direct supervisor.

Dela Rosa said in his opening statement that he believes some of Morales' testimonies, while there are other testimonies he doubts. "I am putting my life on the line for this hearing as far as objectivity and neutrality is concerned," the senator added. (Philstar.com)

Former senator Antonio Trillanes appears before the prosecutors office in Quezon City where he files a case against presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, May 14. The former senator included in his complaint other pro duterte Social media accounts. The complaint stemmed from alleged back channel talks with China and the former senator in 2012. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote

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

BHOGZ'S journey from his Nanay’s kitchen in the Philippines, to the bustling kitchen of Gerry's Grill in Houston, Texas, is a testament to dedication, passion, and the pursuit of the American Dream. He fondly recalls watching his Nanay cook for their large family, until he mastered cooking dinengdeng – a vegetable dish that originated form the Ilocos region in the Philippines – while he was only 10 years old. At 17, Bhogz was a working student, determined to pave his way through school, and at 21, he was a husband and father, working tirelessly to provide for his growing family.

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

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

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

Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel handled the I-140 petition (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) for Bhogz, which culminated

12

FROM COOKING DINENGDENG IN A HOME KITCHEN, TO BEING HEAD COOK IN HOUSTON WITH A

STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Bhogz's (left) culinary journey, from

Filipino vegetable dish that originated from the Ilocos region in the Philippines – to being

in Houston, Texas, showed his determination and the pursuit of opportunities. Starting as an intern,

ON AN

for cooking led him through various kitchens until he found his place at Gerry's

in

through the ranks, his talents caught the eye of the company's management, and he was chosen to manage the

the Houston branch. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael

and in September 2023, the latter got his green card. He now eagerly anticipates

his wife and children to the U.S. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, May 19 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

GREEN CARD,

ENCORE

cooking his Nanay’s dinengdeng – a

head cook at Gerry’s Grill

Bhogz's passion

Grill

Makati. Rising

kitchen at

J. Gurfinkel (right) handled Bhogz's I-140 petition,

bringing

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

THE famous search for the elusive fountain of youth, which Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon undertook in 1513, started during the first European expedition (and others before him), shows that man has always been fascinated with the idea of slowing down aging, or, at least, looking (and feeling) younger than his natural age.

With the advent of the informational age, where vast data could be at our fingertips in seconds (versus our manual use of the volumes of the archaic encyclopedia from our bookshelves in yesteryears), everyone now has convenient and rapid access to more scientific resources and valuable tools for our quest for a healthier lifestyle, disease prevention, and maximal longevity.

Most of the data related to man’s obsession with the elixir of youth are from studies and discoveries about

The elixir of youth

diet and physical activities that date back to biblical times and earlier periods.

Jesus and MedDi Jesus Christ, for instance, is claimed to have been on the Mediterranean Diet (MedDi), or a version very similar to it, popular in the culture and tradition from 12th century BCE and before. The modes of transportation then were walking or donkey-riding, and manual labor dominated the activities of man. So, people had a lot of physical exercise and significantly less stress, on top of MedDi, providing people with an overall healthy lifestyle. This translated to having more protection against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and cancer, which “medical records” and autopsies on mummies revealed.

The basic foundation of the Mediterranean Diet is its being a plant-based diet, one almost devoid of red meat (except for once a week or so), and protein derived mainly from fish, seafood, legumes, and nuts. Red meat, according to various multinational studies, is associated with a high risk for cancer

and cardiovascular illnesses.

The modern concept of the plant-based MedDi as we know it today was first publicized in 1975 by biologist Ancel Keys and his chemist-wife, Margaret Keys, in their book “How to Eat Well and Stay Well.” It somehow failed to gain recognition until the 1990s.

The age of information and lightning speed communication (the internet was born January 1, 1983) and social media (which started in 1997) may have educated and inspired people to be more health- (and diet) conscious, which helped finally propel the MedDi to popularity.

However, as medical science advances, we now know that some of the items in the MedDi are actually not healthy. These are the foods in MedDi that contain gluten and lectins, two proteins that are harmful anti-nutrients and inflammation-inducers, especially in their raw state (some fruits, nuts, and vegetables), and which could wreak havoc on our guts, our digestive system. Dr. Steven

From Makati to Houston: The...

11 PAGE 15

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

in the United States. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, May 19 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)

Niño Muhlach sells FAMAS trophy to Boss Toyo

FORMER child actor and entrepreneur Niño Muhlach sold one of his trophies from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) to Boss Toyo P500,000, but the latter said the trophy is “priceless”

Boss Toyo said he plans to display Muhlach’s FAMAS trophy at a museum he’s planning to put up.

In an episode of Pinoy Pawnstars last Monday, May 13, Boss Toyo haggled with Muhlach, who visited the content creator's shop in Quezon City to personally hand over one of the five Best Child Performer trophies.

an episode of Pinoy

last

“Aalagaan mo yan, irerestore mo yan [Take care of that, restore it],” Muhlach told Boss Toyo.

Boss Toyo said that he wants to restore the trophy — one of Muhlach's five FAMAS awards — to its former glory and showcase it in his planned museum alongside the award that Jiro Manio, another former child actor, sold to him a few months ago.

Muhlach said that it was Toyo who personally inquired about the award, and that he eventually decided to sell it to the content creator.

“I decided to give it to him, pero big deal, kailangan alagaan niya and i-restore

Paolo

Best Child Performer trophies. Photo screengrabbed from Youtube/Boss Toyo Production nya and ilagay nya sa museum nya, dahil hindi ko na naalagaan. Yun ang deal namin [I decided to give it to him, but big deal because he needs to take care of it seriously, restore it and put it in his museum because I never take care of it. That’s our deal],” Muhlach said.

Boss Toyo said that Muhlach's FAMAS award is one of his dream items, noting how the former child actor changed Filipino entertainment through his movies with legends like Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy.

“Ikaw ang barometer,

pag sinabing 'child actor', tandaan natin, wala pa akong nakitang nakadaig sayo as a child actor [You are the barometer of a ‘child actor’ because we have to remember nobody does it better than you],” Toyo said. Apart from the award, Muhlach gave Boss Toyo some of the theater lobby cards from the movies he starred in and produced. Aside from acting, Muhlach runs several business outfits, including his El Niño Apartments and Muhlach Ensaymada. (Philstar.com)

Contis ‘no comment’

on relationship status with Yen Santos

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

PAOLO Contis remained tight-lipped about his relationship with actress Yen Santos, saying he wants to keep some parts of his personal life to himself as the public already knows a lot about it.

“No comment!” the actor

In

Pawnstars

Monday, May 13, Boss Toyo haggled with Muhlach, who visited the content creator's shop in Quezon City to personally hand over one of the five

TAAF Heritage Month Summit celebrates AANHPI achievements and solidarity

THE Asian American Foundation (TAAF) held its Third Annual Heritage Month Summit in New York City last week, spotlighting crucial discussions on identity, coalition building, and solidarity within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) community.

The two-day event brought together influential speakers and over 600 attendees to celebrate the community's achievements and address pressing issues. With highprofile speakers, insightful panels, and empowering discussions, the summit marked TAAF's third anniversary and celebrated AAPI Heritage Month with a theme of "Together We Build Power."

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

The Summit included a panel about AANHPI identity and belonging moderated by Define American founder Jose Antonio Vargas with Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor and musician Darren Criss, who shared his personal experience grappling with his own identity as an Asian American; composer and performer “Hamilton” Ari Afsar; actor, content creator, and speaker Ryan Alexander Holmes; and actor, author, and activist Maulik Pancholy, dove into the nuances and intersectionality of the AANHPI community, and how their upbringings and lived experiences each contributed to their own unique understanding of their sense of belonging.

shared his introspective journey of navigating identity as someone "blatantly White passing" but with a rich cultural heritage. "I was unaware of the privilege I had," he confessed during the panel on identity and belonging which was moderated by Jose Antonio Vargas.

Star Mayors

“When we launched TAAF three years ago, we envisioned gatherings like tonight, where we can come together, celebrate our wins, and connect on the next goals we can accomplish as partners united against hate,” said Sheila Lirio Marcelo, one of TAAF’s board members, as she welcomed the guests to the gala dinner. “Because even as our community faces challenging, turbulent times, there is power in us coming together in support of what unites us.”

On the first day of the summit, notable figures like actor Darren Criss, and former U.S. Associate

Attorney General Vanita Gupta took the stage to discuss themes of identity and belonging.

Criss, known for his Emmy and Golden Globewinning performances,

Mayors Aftab Pureval of Cincinnati, Sheng Thao of Oakland, and Michelle Wu of Boston made history by coming together on stage as groundbreaking Asian American leaders. Pureval is Tibetan and Indian American and the first Asian American mayor of his city, Sheng Thao is the first Hmong American mayor of any major city in the U.S., and Michelle Wu is the first minority mayor of Boston. Each shared their unique journeys and highlighted the significance of representation in politics.

Pureval emphasized the potential for Asian Americans to succeed in various political arenas, despite being a minority in his city. “Asians can run and win anywhere in this country,” he told the audience, adding that Cincinnati only has 2% Asian American population.

Thao, the first Hmong American mayor of a major U.S. city, urged Asian Americans to step up and participate in civic engagement, emphasizing the importance of voting. Born in Stockton, California to Hmong refugee parents who escaped genocide in Laos, she grew up in poverty and lived in public housing with nine other siblings. At age 17, Thao moved out on

At the TAAF Awards Dinner, TAAF recognized the achievements of courageous AANHPI leaders across various industries, including philanthropy, public service, business, culture, and impact. Among the awardees were Congressman Andy Kim with the TAAF Award for his contributions to public service. As the first Democratic member of Korean descent in Congress, TAAF honored Congressman Kim for his commitment to the advancement of the AANHPI community in culture and entertainment. Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh presented Oscar-nominated actor Steven Yeun (“Beef,” “Minari, “The Walking Dead”) with a TAAF Award, naming him “one of the most talented actors of his generation.”

TAAF Board Member Sheila Lirio Marcelo with other TAAF officers and actor Steven Yeun and Juju Chang. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

Oscar-nominated actor Steven Yeun opened up about transcending stereotypes, breaking ground in Hollywood, and the urgent need for diverse storytelling and AANHPI representation. “We [AANHPIs] want to depict life as it is, as we are — a declaration that we are allowed to be here in our fullness,” he said.

Fil-Am Camryn Bynum talked about how he is bringing football to the Philippines.

Another ‘fan favorite’ session was the conversation between Pablo Torre (sportswriter and host, “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast), Cam Bynum (NFL Player – Safety, Minnesota Vikings), Kaitlyn Chen (Princeton University Tigers Guard), and Joe Tsai (Chairman, Alibaba; Governor, Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty), covering how AANHPIs are breaking barriers from the MLB to the NBA and the NFL.

Ryan Alexander Holmes, Darren Criss, Ari Afsar, Maulik Pancholy, and Jose Antonio Vargas Photos by Janice Yim/Getty Images for The Asian American Foundation

Michelle Yeoh and Vera Wang

Erika Moritsugu and Gina Ortiz Jones

TAAF Heritage Month...

her own. As a young single mother, she experienced domestic violence and periods of homelessness while raising her son.

Wu, reflecting on her upbringing as a child of Taiwanese immigrants, spoke about her motivation to serve her community and address systemic inequities. Wu was elected to the Boston City Council in 2013 at age 28, becoming the first Asian-American woman to serve on the council. She won as Mayor of Boston in November 2021 and became Boston's first woman, person of color, and millennial mayor.

“When you most needed services or help is when you’re most invisible because those services are not set up for families like us,” she said.

Empowerment and representation

The second day of the summit continued the momentum with discussions on workplace belonging, mental health, storytelling, and sports representation. Notable speakers included Oscar-nominated actor Steven Yeun, journalist Juju Chang, author Joanne Lee Molinaro, and NFL player Camryn Bynum, among others.

Key moments included a fireside chat with Yeun, who emphasized the importance of diverse storytelling and AANHPI representation in Hollywood.

Yeun, renowned for his groundbreaking performances in "Minari" and "The Walking Dead," captivated the audience with his impassioned plea for diverse representation in Hollywood. "We want to depict life as it is, as we are—a declaration that we are allowed to be here in our fullness," he proclaimed, rallying support for authentic storytelling.

Panel discussions explored topics ranging from workplace equity to AANHPI representation in children's literature and sports. Capping the summit was the conversation between Pablo Torre (sportswriter and host, “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast), Cam Bynum (NFL Player – Safety, Minnesota Vikings), Kaitlyn Chen (Princeton University Tigers Guard), and Tsai, covering how AANHPIs are breaking barriers from the MLB to the NBA and the NFL.

Celebrating achievement and legacy

The TAAF Awards Dinner honored courageous AANHPI leaders across various industries, including philanthropy, public service, business, and culture. Notable awardees included Congressman Andy Kim, Dan Lin, Dr. Rajiv Shah, and Wen Zhou, among others. The event also introduced the Angela Chao Legacy Award in memory of Angela Chao, celebrating her contributions as a trailblazing business leader.

For his opening welcome remarks, TAAF CEO Norman Chen said, “TAAF knows we can build power and meet any challenge our community faces, by investing in our organizations, storytellers, and cities, innovating new initiatives and leveraging data as a force of change – to bring together our incredible community and strengthen our relationships.”

TAAF recognized the achievements of courageous AANHPI leaders across various industries, including philanthropy, public service, business, culture, and impact. The first-ever Angela Chao Legacy Award was presented in memory of Angela Chao, a founding member of the TAAF Advisory Council, beloved business leader, and former CEO of Foremost Group.

Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes win Film Actor of the Year award

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA star Piolo

Pascual and Kapuso Star Dingdong Dantes won the Film Actor of the Year award for their performances in “Mallari” and “Rewind” respectively at the recent Box Office Entertainment Awards presented by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF), Inc.

Elaine Chao (former Secretary of Transportation) honored Wen Zhou (CoFounder and CEO, 3.1 Phillip Lim) with the Angela Chao Legacy Award, celebrating her role as a trailblazing woman in business who helms a global fashion brand that she helped build from the ground up.

TAAF board member and Co-CEO of KKR Joseph Y. Bae presented Congressman Andy Kim with the TAAF Award for his contributions to public service. As the first Democratic member of Korean descent in Congress, TAAF honored Congressman Kim for his commitment to the advancement of the AANHPI community in culture and entertainment.

Joe Tsai, TAAF board member, Chairman of Alibaba, and Governor of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, honored Dan Lin (Chairman of Netflix Films; Founder and Board Chair, Rideback Rise) with the TAAF Award, paying tribute to his long-standing support of AANHPI artists and allies and his visionary leadership in creating critical opportunities on main stages for voices from underrepresented communities.

TAAF board member, Founder of AME Cloud Ventures, and Co-Founder of Yahoo! Jerry Yang presented Dr. Rajiv Shah (President, Rockefeller Foundation) with a TAAF Award, honoring his philanthropic efforts to create a more equitable and sustainable society and his dedication to advancing large-scale change around the world.

Ending the awards portion of the night, Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh presented Oscar-nominated actor Steven Yeun (“Beef,” “Minari, “The Walking Dead”) with a TAAF Award, naming him “one of the most talented actors of his generation.”

The TAAF Heritage Month Summit provided a platform for dialogue, empowerment, and celebration within the AANHPI community. By amplifying diverse voices and promoting solidarity, TAAF continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Originally established in response to the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents during the pandemic, TAAF continues its mission to uplift AAPI communities and bridge gaps in support. With a focus on philanthropy and community empowerment, the foundation aims to combat underinvestment and promote representation across various sectors. g

This marks Piolo's second Best Actor recognition, following his victory at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) last January, held in Hollywood, USA.

Vilma Santos was named as the Film Actress of the Year.

Piolo, accompanied by Mentorque producer John Bryan Diamante aka Bryan Dy, executive producer Rona Banaag, Clever Minds co-owner and supervising producer Omar Sortijas, director Derick Cabrido, along with his Mallaris costars Janella Salvador and Ron Angeles, personally accepted the prestigious award.

“Mallari,” an official entry to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is a chilling cinematic journey into the depths of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari's psyche, the Philippines' sole documented serial killer from the 19th century. This meticulously crafted and the first-ever Filipino film to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures intertwines historical accuracy with psychological horror. Three major characters were brought to life by Piolo.

The film's impact extended far beyond domestic borders, becoming an official part of the inaugural MIFF, a visionary project launched by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority/ MMFF Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes. Mallari's overwhelming success and positive reception have opened doors for numerous collaborations, much to the delight of the budding producer.

Meanwhile, Mentorque Productions, in partnership with Project 8 Projects, owned by directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, is set to make waves at the 2024 Cinemalaya Film Festival this August.

The recently completed shooting of "Kono Basho" in Japan was proudly announced by Mentorque's President and CEO on his Facebook account, featuring an image of two women adorned in black kimonos.

Recent sightings of Bryan with Angkas President George Royeca and directors Dolly Dulu and Ivan Andrew

Payawal also suggest a potential collaboration with Angkas in an upcoming project.

Additionally, a post featuring Bryan alongside TEN17P producer director Paul Soriano, his wife Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, and the couple Mikee Morada and Alex GonzagaMorada, owners of TinCan Productions, hints at further exciting partnerships.

Amid these developments, the Mentorque producer is laser-focused on his entry for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, the fantasy-drama "Biringan."

Bryan's joy is further amplified by the 14 out of 18 nominations garnered by "Mallari" at the upcoming FAMAS Awards night on May 26, 7 p.m., in the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel. The nominations include Best Actor (Piolo Pascual), Best Picture (Mentorque Productions/Clever Minds), Best Director (Derick Cabrido), Best Screenplay (Enrico C. Santos), Best PAGE 15

Paolo Contis ‘no comment’ on...

PAGE 12

immediately responded after some members of the press shifted their tone from asking about his new film “Fuchsia Libre” to personal questions at the movie’s premiere night on Monday, May 13.

Contis was then asked about Santos’ earlier social media activity of unfollowing the actor and removing their photos together on her Instagram page. Contis, in response, stressed that he also unfollowed certain

individuals on Instagram but that it doesn’t mean he parted ways with them.

The actor also dodged the question whether he and Santos are still friends. “No comment,” he reiterated with a teasing smile.

“As I always say, masyado na kayong may alam sa buhay ko so I’d like to keep my personal life personal,” Contis underscored.

Contis confirmed his relationship with Santos in January 2023, after over a year of speculations from

the public. Months after the confirmation, he declared that he had plans of marrying Santos sometime in the future.

The pair was rumored to have broken up as well last November after Contis was linked to his former fellow noontime show host Arra San Agustin.

The actor dismissed the split speculations at the time, and clarified that the videos of him and San Agustin circulating on social media were “maliciously edited.” g

Piolo, accompanied by Mentorque producer John Bryan Diamante aka Bryan Dy, executive producer Rona Banaag, Clever Minds co-owner and supervising producer Omar Sortijas, director Derick Cabrido, along with his Mallaris co-stars Janella Salvador and Ron Angeles, personally accepted the prestigious award.

Photo from Instagram/@mentorque

Mayor Sheng Thao of Oakland, Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston, and Mayor Aftab Pureval of Cincinnati discussed their own political paths and the future they see in building power and impact for AANHPIs across the country during a political year and beyond.

Photo by Janice Yim/Getty Images for

The Asian American Foundation

Gundry, professor and chairman, cardiac surgery at Loma Linda University, is a strong anti-gluten, anti-lectin proponent. Harmful lectin and gluten

Lectins interfere with the absorption of iron, phosphorus, zinc, and calcium, among other minerals and vitamins. Gluten, which is found in all whole-grain wheat (except for lectin-free, low-gluten white sourdough, practically all bread has gluten and lectin, which are significantly reduced by baking), rye, and barley, is foreign to the human gut, difficult to digest, irritant and destructive to the lining of the gut (causing inflammation, making it leak), may impair the immune system, and could trigger a full-flown allergic reaction.

Cruciferous veggies, peanuts, soy, and strawberries could mess up the absorption of iodine to cause potential goiter problems. Both gluten and lectin negatively impact the microbiome, the community of 100 trillion microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes that naturally live in our bodies, 85 percent of them beneficial to our health) that are so essential in big ways to human health and wellness.

Some of the items which contain gluten and lectins are bread, pasta, kidney beans, legumes in general, nightshade vegetables (potato, tomato, eggplant, pepper, paprika – aggravators of arthritis), ripe bananas, watermelon, zucchini, carrots, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, lemons, plum, sweet oranges, tangerines, pomegranates, dates, beets, blueberries, black berries, and dairy products from cows and chicken raised on corn and soybeans.

Minus the ingredients loaded with gluten and lectins, the MedDi would be the healthiest diet on earth, especially with the liberal use of virgin and extra virgin olive oil in this diet.

Lectin-free foods

Some of the lectin-free items include fish, seafood, pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed beef, buffalo, goat, sheep dairy products, avocado, blueberries, sweet potatoes, some cruciferous veggies (arugula, Bok choy, chard, kale, rutabaga, turnip, watercress), pistachios, pecan, hemp seeds, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, flax seeds. Apple, strawberry, broccoli, celery, cabbage, have low lectin levels. Minimizing lectins and glutens

Besides avoiding them, foods containing gluten and lectin could be soaked overnight, fully cooked, baked, or fermented to severely reduce the gluten and lectin in them. This is our saving grace. This is how the level of gluten and lectin in food items is severely reduced, allowing most people to enjoy them. For tomatoes, peeling the skin and removing the seeds where the pectin is, will remove the lectin.

This strategy of minimizing gluten and lectin in our diet has prevented disruption of our microbiome, destruction of our gut lining, and impairment of our immune system, allowing us, in various countries, to enjoy our various traditional food staples, with minimal or no side-effects.

Knowing well what we eat and drink and exercising moderation in the quality and quantity of what we ingest is fundamental, not only for weight management but for overall health and longevity, not necessarily an elixir for good looks, but for wholesome living and well-being.

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

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

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Rosanna Roces wants dear friend Ai Ai back

by Ronnie CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net

THEIR common showbiz friends — for certain — can't wait to see erstwhile bosom buddies Ai Ai delas Alas and Rosanna Roces back in each other's oasis.

This is especially true soon after Rosanna — in a recent vlog interview by Aiko Melendez — expressed her desire to rebuild her friendship with the comedienne that had remained strained for 20 years.

To be honest, I found her peace offering to be very "un-Rosanna" — certainly not the typical Osang (her pet name) I've known her to be. For Rosanna to have allowed 20 long years to slip by makes me think she wouldn't mind it all even if she and Ai Ai remain hostile to each other thy kingdom come.

Why wait that long when she could have offered an olive branch, say, five or 10 years after their falling out? That would have been a more sincere gesture.

In the same vein, why did it have to take a vlog by a colleague-friend when Rosanna could have resorted to non-social media means like mainstream outlets way ahead of its advent?

But whatever Rosanna's

Rosanna Roces

friendship with Ai Ai delas Alas that remained strained for 20 years.

Photos from Instagram/@therealrosannaroces, @msaiaidelasalas

reason for it is no longer as weighty as seeing her shattered friendship with Ai Ai restored to how it was two decades ago.

Asked to label what their sisterly closeness looked like, Rosanna told the Quezon City councilor, "'Yung sa amin kasi ni Ai Ai, sobrang totoo. Masarap siyang kasama (Ours was genuine friendship. Ai Ai was so much fun to be with)."

Could Rosanna take us back during those happy times together? What made them — or either — fall out when as far as I could remember, neither was there any trade of negative issues between them?

Rosanna recalled their enmity reared its ugly head sometime in 2004.

"We were like picking apples that time because we were in demand in

provincial gigs. Ai Ai was supposed to have a show in Dagupan. Prior to that, she had a show there with Ara Mina but it was a flop.

Still, the show producer went right ahead promoting ours, but the producer took Ai Ai's picture down off the poster. Maybe Ai Ai thought I had a hand in it but I was totally clueless. She took it against me. But it was a case of misunderstanding," Rosanna recounted.

Unlike many other showbiz alliances gone awry Rosanna said theirs was different as not even once did they badmouth each other.

Rosanna misses that particular bond she shared with Ai Ai, and she longs to rekindle that connection.

For sure, as this writer's Tuesday, May 14 opinion piece comes out — Rosanna

The elixir of... Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes win Film Actor...

and Ai Ai must have already met up to thresh things out.

"I don't mind meeting up with her wherever she may be, that is, if she's also willing to patch things up," Rosanna said.

If I may serve as Ai Ai's mouthpiece, the comedienne is in fact welcoming of their reconciliation more so if she feels there's sincerity in Rosanna's "bati-na-tayo" gesture.

It's the strange kind of reconciliation where there abounds more "halakhakan" than "sumbatan," more smiling than frowning faces, more touching moments of rekindled sisterly love than intense, blood-shedding confrontations.

Rosanna who projects a brash, cocky image humbling herself? Why not?

Remember that she has already made amends with "Batang Quiapo" co-star Lorna Tolentino last year over a forgotten past.

After LT and Ai Ai, we can only keep guessing who else does Rosanna have a bone to pick with.

Could it possibly be either her former manager Lolit Solis or then-close ally Cristy Fermin — or both?

We never can tell' can we? Take it from Julia Barretto on her 2021 issue with Bea Alonzo: "The world is healing." g

Heart Evangelista reveals 4th miscarriage

ACTRESS Heart Evangelista revealed on Sunday, May 12, Mother's Day, that she has experienced another miscarriage.

The 39-year-old shared on her Instagram post a handwritten letter dedicated to her son with Sen. Francis Escudero, whom they also named Francis.

"A few days ago our baby boy's heart stopped beating [dove emoji] this will be our 4th angel. and although this could be one of my biggest heartbreaks ... thank YOU for still... trying to be with me and for making me feel so much love already. Love and hope that this world could never give," Evangelista said.

"I love you "francisKo" I shall keep my heart intact while you find your way back to us. To all the mothers, fur moms, mothers to friends, thank you for your

heart and all the women like me ... going through same struggle ... Happy Mothers Day. (FrancisKo, my Francis I love you anak)," she added.

"My son FrancisKo." her letter began.

"I was sure to meet you soon. I had prepared a few things you may like but for some reason your beating heart lost its way to us. I don't blame you for being scared — it is a scary world but I would like to let you know I was prepared for you. Even if I am heartbroken I will keep my heart intact while you find your way back to us. Your beating heart has healed me in so many ways. I love you anak...I'll be waiting for you. Mama Heart."

It wasn't until the March 16, 2024 airing of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" that Evangelista disclosed her last miscarriage,

which occurred in February. During the interview, she disclosed that she and Escudero had chosen the name Sophia Heart for their unborn child.

In September 2022, Evangelista opened up about her experience with in vitro fertilization (IVF), describing it as "one of the toughest, challenging" periods of her life.

In 2018, Evangelista experienced her first miscarriage. Initially announcing her pregnancy with her and Escudero's first child, she later disclosed that she was carrying twins but lost them successively. Evangelista and Escudero married in Balesin Island on Feb. 15, 2015. The couple renewed their wedding vows also in the same place after nine years.

(By Iza Iglesias/ManilaTimes.net)

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Cinematography (Pao Orendain), Best Child Actor (Kian Co), Best Supporting Actress (Gloria Diaz), Best Supporting Actor (JC Santos), Best Editing (Noah Tonga), Best Sound (Immanuel Verona and Nerikka Salim), Best Production

Design (Marielle Hizon), Best Visual Effects (Gaspar Mangarin), Best Theme Song ("Pag-ibig na Sumpa" by JK Labajo), and Best Musical Score (Von De Guzman).

“Mallari” previously bagged Best Supporting Actor, Best Musical Score,

Best Visual Effects, and Third Best Picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Gabi ng Parangal. Months have passed but efforts to put up such a huge film project are still reaping success. The film makes its highly anticipated debut on Netflix on June 21. g

(left) expressed her desire to rebuild her