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LA County is home to the largest Filipino, other AAPI communities in US

Around 321,000 Filipinos live in Los Angeles County and nearly 400,000 in other counties in Southern California

THE Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) diaspora has spread across the United States but one county stands out as a hub for these vibrant communities: Los Angeles. A mosaic of AAPI communities, Los Angeles County is a melting pot of cultures. The term “Asian American,” coined by Chinese, Japanese and Filipino American activists in the late 1960s, was first perceived as a political identity. Today, it is attributed to ethnic groups tracing their roots to Southeast, East, Central and South Asia. These communities and their contributions are recognized in the U.S. this May during Asian American, Native Hawaiian

Fil-Am PhD student arrested at UCLA explains why they’re protesting

Exclusive interview with UCLA student Lauren Daus

SAN FRANCISCO – Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have recently rocked college campuses, and police have arrested more than 2,000 protesters nationwide. Students and faculty at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), including Filipino Americans, were calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war and divestment from companies supporting Israel’s military efforts in Gaza.

Most of the rally participants declined to be interviewed for fear of retaliation by the university, but one Fil-Am protester courageously stepped forward and gave us an interview to shed light on why students have participated in rallies and encampments.

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Marcos vows to sustain PH economic growth

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, May 21 said the Philippine economy was not only growing but thriving as he vowed to sustain the country’s fiscal impetus.

“We are one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, [and] we are committed to fostering and continuing this momentum,” Marcos said in his speech during the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Taguig City.

The president said the Philippine economy grew by 5.5 percent last year based on the latest available data, surpassing major economies in Asia.

“With this region accounting for over one-third of global economic activity, this presents immense opportunities for our nation. We are proud to be a major contributor, with our GDP ranking among the fastest-growing in the region, coupled with our burgeoning population and significant trading outputs,” he said.

Supercharged dollar sinks peso below 58

Currency at weakest in almost 2 years as prospect of delay in US Fed cut bolsters greenback

by ian niColaS P. Cigaral Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine peso on

Tuesday, May 21 sank to the 58-per-dollar level, a territory it had not seen in almost two years as expectations of a delayed rate cut in the United States supercharge the greenback.

The local currency closed at 58.27 against the dollar, 37 centavos weaker than its previous day’s finish of 57.9. This was the peso’s worst closing since

Mayor Guo: I am a Filipino

by roMina Cabrera Philstar.com

MANILA — She is the lovechild of a Chinese father and a Filipino househelper, and she is a Filipino, Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac asserted on Tuesday, May 21. Guo denied allegations that she is involved in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), a spy or an asset of a foreign country.

She said of all the allegations hurled against her, it is being called a spy that hurts her the most.

“I am not a spy, that’s what hurt me most. I am not a spy. I am a Filipino and I love my country. I am not a spy, I am not an asset,” she said.

Guo said her biological mother was a former maid at their farm, and that her father admitted to her when she was 12 or 14 years old she was their lovechild.

“I am a Filipino. My biological mother is

Screengrab shows Bamban Mayor Alice Guo answering questions in an interview on ANC. STAR / File a Filipina. I am a Philippine passport holder and I have only one passport. I did not grow up with my biological mother. I found out when I was 12 years old that she was a househelp,” she said in an interview with

Nov. 8, 2022, when it finished at 58.275. The local unit’s worst showing on Tuesday stood at 58.28-per-dollar.

In a statement, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the peso’s weakness on Tuesday was “in line with other currencies in the region” after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled a delay in cutting interest rates despite the slightly softer April inflation stateside.

But the BSP chief vowed to defend the local unit from too much volatility that can

Divorce bill gets final House nod

by Delon PorCalla Philstar.com

MANILA — A divided House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 22 approved on third and final reading the absolute divorce bill that in nearly four decades only reached plenary debates in the halls of Congress.

Congressmen voted 126-109 – with 20 abstentions – in stamping their approval on House Bill 9349 authored by long-time divorce advocate Rep. Edcel Lagman, who said there is now “the imminent liberation for Filipino wives who are entombed in toxic, abusive and long-dead marriages.”

“By legalizing divorce, the Philippines acknowledges the need to provide options for individuals trapped in unhappy and irreparable marriages. This recognition

Marcos added that the law, allowing 100 percent foreign ownership of inexhaustible RE sources, is attractive for clean energy investments.

“We intend to tap this vast potential as we target to increase the share of renewables in our power

Marcos said that foreign direct investments in the country increased continually in four consecutive months of expansion. He added that the Renewable Energy Act boosted the country’s renewable energy (RE) potential, with over 491,821 megawatts from sources like geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind ready to be utilized.

Peter Cayetano nominated Escudero to be the next Senate president. Escudero, accompanied by his actress wife Heart Evangelista, immediately took his oath administered by Senator Mark Villar. In his speech, the new Senate chief was all praises for his predecessor.

“Nais kong pasalamatan si Senate President Zubiri sa kanyang talino, sa kanyang galing, sa kanyang pasensya, sa kanyang kasipagan, sa kanyang hindi mapagkakailang pagmamahal sa bayan, at gayun din sa institusyong ito, at sa ating mga kababayan,” Escudero said.

(I want to thank Senate President Zubiri for his wisdom, patience, diligence, and undeniable love for our country, for this institution, and for our countrymen)

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Get to know Chelsea Anne Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024

THE Philippines has found a new queen in Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024 during the grand coronation night on Wednesday, May 22, beating 52 other delegates and the first ever half-Black to win the title.

Dubbed “Bulacan Barbie,” the 24-year-old was born and raised in Meycauyan City to a Black American father and a Filipino mother, who divorced in 2000. After the divorce, her mother married a Filipino. She has been joining beauty pageants since high school and has also been modeling since

she was 14 years old and has landed covers in magazines such as Mega. In 2017, Manalo participated in Miss World Philippines, finishing in the top 15. She graduated with a tourism degree in college, and aside from pageantry, she developed a greater passion for music and dancing. In her journey as a pageant competitor, one of her advocacies is championing the cause of indigenous youth education.

According to her Miss Universe Philippines profile, she is a dedicated advocate of youth empowerment, focusing on children’s education, especially among indigenous

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by Maila ager Inquirer.net

by JeSSiCa ann eVangeliSta Inquirer.net

SANTACRUZAN PREPS. Paper Flowers Manila owner and designer JF Encarnacion prepares an arch for the upcoming Santacruzan, at his residence on Imperial Street, Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 22. The rental price for these flower arches ranges from P1,500 to P3,000, depending on the design and size.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

MANILA — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is the new Senate president, replacing Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri. No one objected on the Senate floor on Monday, May 20 when Senator Alan

Chelsea Anne Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Photo from Instagram/@manalochelsea

Get to know Chelsea Anne Manalo...

communities. Her advocacy aims to provide educational opportunities for indigenous youth and unlock their full potential.

Manalo worked closely with Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization founded in 2015 that aims to create a safe space for children. This initiative intends to empower and educate the youth to be the catalysts of change in their respective communities. She also advocates the welfare of the Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan.

The Filipino-American beauty queen also promotes body positivity, as she openly communicated that she was bullied for her physical appearance, specifically her skin color, which took a great toll on her insecurity. As a beauty queen, she uses her experiences to uplift those who are

suffering from cruel beauty standards and to inspire them to embrace themselves as they are.

Standing 5’7 tall, when Manalo is not channeling her beauty queen self, she is a loving fur parent to her shih tzu, a basset hound, pomchi dogs, and love birds. She also said that she has a huge fascination with food, which is why she doesn’t follow a diet but is a big advocate of consuming a lot of water.

The Bulakeña beauty also mentioned in one of her Instagram Q&As that she never imagined that she would be a model but rather dreamed of being a car racer instead. But over the years, she learned to love and thrive at what she does best: pageantry and modeling. Manalo is set to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Miss Universe 2024, which will be held in Mexico sometime this year. n

Chiz Escudero is new Senate...

“My hats off to you Senate President Zubiri. I salute you, and I hope I will make you proud. You especially among our other colleagues and hopefully you will not leave my side whenever I ask you for guidance. Whenever I ask for help, and whenever I ask for your wisdom,” he added.

Before this, Zubiri announced his resignation, saying he “failed to follow instructions from the powers that be.”

“I fought the good fight. If I have ruffled some feathers in doing so, if I have upset the powers that be, then so be it,” he said in a privilege speech Monday.

“I did not accept the Senate presidency just to let it go down,” Zubiri also said.

In leaving his post, Zubiri promised to continue serving as an independent member of the Senate.

“I leave with my head held high, knowing I did what is right for the Senate and for the nation,” he said.

Speaking to reporters before the session, Zubiri indicated that he lost his post probably “for not following instructions.”

He did not elaborate, even when asked if the ongoing probe into alleged leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency documents had something to do with his removal as Senate’s top leader.

“That includes everything,” Zubiri simply said.

In another interview, he said he was saddened by what happened, noting he did everything to protect the Senate’s autonomy.

“But that’s just how politics is. There’s nothing we can do about it,” he said.

The change in leadership happened Monday after several talks of an ouster plot against Zubiri since heading the Senate in July 2022. Zubiri dismissed a coup rumor against him, which first floated in March 2023 — or barely a year after he was elected Senate president. This was supposedly because of the low output of the chamber under his watch and his stand on Charter change (Cha-cha).

to

their support for his leadership after another talk of an alleged move to remove him in June 2023. Zubiri’s leadership was again confronted with another ouster rumor early this year. This time, however, a colleague – Sen. Imee Marcos – confirmed it.

“Yes, there’s a lot of pressure to change Migz Zubiri,” Marcos said then. But this move fizzled out after majority of senators signed a statement of support for Zubiri.n

Marcos vows to sustain PH...

generation mix from the current 22 percent to 50 percent by the year 2040,” he added

The president said that the country’s digital transformation was a catalyst for growth, empowering micro, small and medium enterprises.

Marcos commended the Philippines’ involvement in free trade agreements and generalized system of preference, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, saying it is a testament to the country’s commitment to fostering economic growth and international cooperation.

“As we forge international collaborations and trade agreements, we create stronger economic ties with nations across the globe. Therefore, I am confident to be able to say that the Philippines stands at a pivotal moment in its economic journey,” he added. n

Supercharged dollar sinks peso below 58...

stoke inflation.

“The BSP continues to monitor the foreign exchange market but allows the market to function without aiming to protect a certain exchange rate,” Remolona said.

Nonetheless, the BSP will participate in the market when necessary to smoothen excessive volatility and restore order during periods of stress,” he added.

Sharp depreciation

The BSP can intervene in the foreign exchange market by selling some dollars from its reserves to ease any sharp depreciation of the peso. In an interview with Bloomberg last week, Remolona said the BSP has “ample reserves” to prop up

the local unit in case it sharply falls.

This, as Remolona also expects the BSP to cut interest rates in August ahead of the Fed, which he had forecast to start easing in September. The central bank chief said he’s not worried about such a move’s impact on the peso, which may come under pressure if local yields become less attractive to capital inflows while interest rates are still high elsewhere.

Strong fundamentals

For Robert Dan Roces, an economist at Security Bank, the BSP has enough space to loosen monetary policy ahead of the Fed as inflation at home remains within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target range.

“This view may be based on factors such as the Philippines’ strong economic fundamentals, that the peso’s current depreciation may be just temporary, adequate foreign exchange reserves, and the potential for the rate cut to stimulate domestic growth and attract foreign investment in the longer term,” Roces said.

“However, cutting rates before the Fed does carry some risks, particularly in terms of the potential impact on the Philippine peso. When a central bank lowers interest rates while other major central banks maintain higher rates, it can make the currency less attractive to foreign investors seeking higher yields,” he added. n

Mayor Guo: I am a Filipino...

ANC Digital’s Headstart hosted by Karen Davila. Guo said she has never met her mother personally. She apologized to Sen. Risa Hontiveros for not answering her queries during a Senate hearing, saying she did not want to disclose matters she deemed private.

“During the Senate hearing, I had a mental block. I am not from Manila, I am a probinsyana I am not used (to being a city girl) and I was scared. I had a mental block, that’s the correct term,” she said.

Guo said hearing insinuations that she should be deported hurts as she insisted she is a Filipino citizen.

She said she chose to be a Filipino when her Chinese father asked her to pick her citizenship.

“My own mother abandoned me, now my own country is turning her back on me… is going to deport me? Where to? China, Malaysia, Singapore? I have only one passport… I am a Filipino,” she said.

Guo clarified that she did not apply for a permit or license to operate POGOs, noting she only introduced her former business partners for a letter of no objection.

She said she offered the Baofu compound to some of her associates, an area used by the Zun Yuan Technology Inc., which was raided for illegal POGO operations.

Guo denied she was a protector of POGOs, saying she now realizes that there should be no such operations in her town.

“Now I’m against. Now, as long as I am mayor, I will no longer allow any POGO in my town,” she said.

No McLaren, only helicopter

Guo denied owning a luxury vehicle, a McLaren 620R, that was put on a car show contest in the nearby town of Concepcion and won.

She said she merely borrowed the McLaren from a friend and made this as an entry for Bamban in the car show.

Guo, however, admitted owning a helicopter, which she said she sold this year to a British company.

She said she acquired the helicopter in 2019 for business purposes. She said she planned to operate it as a motor taxi, noting how lucrative the business was at the time.

Guo said she was compelled to sell her helicopter as things did not turn out as she expected.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended putting Guo under preventive suspension for “serious illegal acts” involving POGOs.

The DILG task force recommended Guo’s suspension to the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘Criminal ties’ Hontiveros on Tuesday questioned Guo’s

alleged ties with criminals, whom she said were incorporators in the mayor’s company, Baofu Land Development Inc.

“Mayor Alice Guo has a lot of red flags. Her records in the Philippines are not even in order, now there’s information that she has connections with criminals. Is this why she is able to afford her lavish lifestyle? Does she buy from criminals and fugitives? Choppers and luxury cars?” Hontiveros asked.

“Given her connections with criminals, I welcome a move of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to remove Mayor Guo’s power over the local police. The mayor should no longer have access to our police if she is also the protector of criminals,” Hontiveros added. Guo faced the Senate last week to answer allegations that she was backing a POGO that was raided in March.

The raiding team reportedly found evidence of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, physical abuse and even torture at the POGO hub. Documents submitted in 2019 by the Baofu Land Development Inc. to the Securities and Exchange Commission showed the company incorporators included Guo, Filipino Rachel Joan Malonzo Carreon, Cypriot Zhiyang Huang, Chinese Zhang Ruijin and Baoying Lin of the Dominican Republic.

Zhang was convicted last month for having links to the reported “largest money laundering case in Singapore.”

According to a report by Channel News Asia, Zhang has “$41 million worth of assets overseas, including shareholdings in a Philippine real estate development company.”

Baoying Lin also allegedly faces charges.

“According to the mayor herself, her friends helped her to run in the 2022 election. Are these criminals and fugitives the friends she is talking about?” Hontiveros asked.

“Even if she says she divested from Baofu before running, the fact remains: she has ties with these criminals. Is it possible for her to run for mayor so she can protect her friends? I am looking forward to our hearing on Wednesday (today). I hope the mayor can now remember something,” Hontiveros added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would look into information received by the office of Hontiveros that Guo has ties with criminals.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the PNP would coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in verifying the information.

The entire Bamban police is under investigation for allegedly failing to monitor the illegal activities of a POGO hub said to be connected to Guo.

The probe will cover the possible negligence of police officers assigned in Bamban. — Cecille Suerte Felipe, Emmanuel Tupas, Daphne Galvezn

Just months after, Zubiri’s allies in the Senate had

openly express

After announcing his resignation, Juan Miguel Zubiri later approached his wife, Audrey (upper photo), and his successor, Senator Francis Escudero. PNA photos by Avito Dalan

Fil-Am PhD student arrested at UCLA...

Lauren Daus is a PhD student in the Urban Schooling Division, Department of Education at UCLA.

Q: Why have you staged protest rallies and set up encampments on campus?

A: As the No. 1 public university in the United States, UCLA needs to stop being complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people. As a student collective fighting for the liberation of Palestine, we have five demands:

• Divest funds from companies and institutions that support Israeli occupation.

• Disclose all assets such as investments, donations and grants for full transparency

• Abolish the heavy policing of Pro-Palestinian advocacy on campus and cut all ties with the LAPD (more cops on campus do not make us feel safe).

• Call for an immediate ceasefire (in Gaza).

• Boycott by severing all UC-wide connections to Israeli universities, programs, fellowships and collaborations, such as UCLA’s Nazarian Center.

I believe (what’s happening in Gaza) is not a conflict. This is a war on Gaza in which over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 14,500 children as of May 7, 2024, which marked seven months of this ongoing genocide.

We have been witnessing a genocide happening right in front of our eyes for the past seven months. College students across the country are mobilizing their power to speak out and stand against white supremacy, imperialism and repression. The same fascist tactics being used to execute a genocide in Gaza are being used to silence and repress college students across the nation. Our struggle and fight for liberation are tied together.

Tents and trash are left behind at the site of a pro-Palestinian encampment which was cleared by police overnight on the UCLA campus, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Q: Who are the rally/ encampment participants?

A: Participants range from UCLA students, alumni and professors to community members.

Q: Can you tell us what happened when law enforcement officers dismantled the encampments and share your

thoughts on this incident?

A: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) made 210 arrests (myself included) at UCLA’s Palestine solidarity encampment early Thursday morning, May 2, 2024. Despite peacefully protecting our encampment with wooden and human barricades, CHP violently stormed our encampment with rubber bullets, flashbangs and batons.

It is a complete disgrace that UCLA’s administration would rather call in the police to inflict violence on their own students and faculty than engage with our demands to stop being complicit in the genocide (in Gaza) and the militarization of our campus.

We are reminded of the many times students have resisted UC war profiteering, such as in 1985, when UCLA students and community members fought for divestment from the apartheid in South Africa, eventually forcing UC regents to divest from the apartheid in 1986.

From the unwavering mobilization of students, we are continuing to learn the importance of abolishing the police, divesting from war and continuing to hold onto our collective liberation. We are the ones who protect each other and we are the ones who keep us safe.

Q: Can you share more details about your arrest and the arrests of other students?

A: My initial reaction was that I couldn’t believe that UCLA’s administration would approve of such violence and arrest its own students and faculty.

I was arrested with a few faculty members and I deeply admire the way they stood up for us students, consistently telling

CHP not to harm students, that students were unarmed and that there was no reason for them to respond with batons, flashbangs and rubber bullets.

Yet, students were trampled over, shoved, pushed to the ground and shot at with rubber bullets before being arrested. I was also reflecting on how police have been violently responding to the encampments across the nation.

This tells us that police are not here to protect us. I was detained for almost six hours. I was so upset that it took so long for them to process our information.

I could barely move my arms the moment they removed the zip ties from my wrists.

When we were released around 9 a.m. on Thursday, we were welcomed by community members who were waiting for us to provide rides home, feed us and provide us with legal support.

My experience has definitely motivated and inspired me even more to continue fighting for the liberation of Palestine and for the liberation of college students who have been subjected to institutional violence. We take care of each other and are willing to do what it takes to stand against the dehumanization of all peoples.

Q: Any other insights on the issues you have mentioned?

A: The struggles of Palestine and the Philippines are interconnected. In the Philippines, we see the violent repression of people fighting for their basic needs. It is vital that our mass mobilization continues, to struggle towards collective liberation for all. (Jun Nucum/ Inquirer.net) n

Divorce bill gets final House nod...

reflects an evolving understanding of the complexities and challenges that can arise within marital unions,” he said.

“Divorce is not the monster plaguing a marriage. It is marital infidelity, abandonment, violence and cruelty, among others, which are the devils that destroy marriages,” the first district congressman of Albay province reiterated.

Among those who voted against the measure were Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Rufus Rodriguez, Richard Gomez, evangelist-lawmaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list and preacher Bienvenido Abante of Manila’s sixth district.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, a former seminarian, also voted no.

“May God have mercy on our nation!” Villanueva, the Jesus is Lord movement evangelist, said.

“We have explained and warned our colleagues of the ill effects of the measure; the accountability is now between them and God.”

“We should have realized that annulment and legal separation exist to remedy problematic marriages without rebelling against God, insulting Him and drawing the curses of disobeying Him,” Villanueva warned.

The opposition lawmakers usually lumped for voting practically against all pieces of legislation, the three-member Makabayan bloc expressly manifested their desire to have the measure approved by their House colleagues from the super majority coalition.

“This victory is nearly two decades in the making, following our initial introduction of a bill to legalize divorce back in 2005. The necessity for this legislation has only grown more urgent over the years,” Rep. Arlene Brosas of women’s group Gabriela stated.

“It is easy to romanticize the Filipino family as perfect and conflict-free. But the reality is that political, economic and social factors often strain marriages, leading to inequalities and violence,” she added.

“Gabriela Women’s Party looks forward to a future where all Filipinos have the legal means to escape harmful marriages and rebuild their lives. Let us give abused women and their children another chance to live in a loving and supportive family environment,” Brosas said.

In a statement, Gabriela reported that the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey revealed that “18 percent of women with intimate partners have experienced violence, while nearly 40 percent of women aged 15-49 have faced controlling behaviors from their partners.”

“The socio-economic challenges in the Philippines – such as labor export, low wages, joblessness and rising living costs – exacerbate marital issues. The proposed divorce legislation acknowledges these realities, providing legal recognition to existing social conditions without further fragmenting already broken homes,” Brosas said.

HB 9349 provides the limited grounds and welldefined judicial procedures for divorce and aims to save children from the pain, stress and agony brought about by their parents’ marital clashes or irreconcilable differences.

It also allows divorced spouses the right to marry again for another chance at marital bliss.

Under the bill, troubled couples may file a petition for absolute divorce using the following grounds:

1) legal separation under Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines, as modified;

2) annulment of marriage under Article 45 of the Family Code of the Philippines, as modified;

3) separation of the spouses in fact for at least five years at the time the petition for absolute divorce is filed, and reconciliation is highly improbable;

4) psychological incapacity as provided in Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines;

5) irreconcilable differences; and

6) domestic or marital abuse to include acts under Republic Act 9262, or the Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. n

TAKING IT EASY. These senior citizens enjoy a day of relaxation at the Senior Care Center in Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 22. The project, spearheaded by Barangay Chairman Christopher Dong Cheng, aims to give the elderly a chance to unwind and enjoy some Filipino movies, snacks, and even foot massages. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Police in riot gear arrest protesters at UCLA.

Contributed photo

City of San Diego wins 2024 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability

ADU bonus program recognized for potential to rapidly increase supply and density of affordable housing

File photo/www.sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO – Recognizing progress toward its goal of creating homes that all San Diegans can afford, the City of San Diego has been named a winner of Ivory Innovations’ annual national Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability in its Public Policy and Regulatory Reform category. The Ivory Prize aims to recognize ambitious, feasible and scalable solutions to housing affordability throughout the nation. The city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bonus Program, which allows additional ADUs to be built on

a property when those ADUs are designated and guaranteed as affordable housing, was recognized as a top housing innovation in the country.

“Being recognized by Ivory Innovations for aggressive changes to our local Land Development Code to allow for a large-scale increase in ADU production is an honor for the City of San Diego,” said Development Services Department (DSD) Assistant Director Gary Geiler, leader of the city’s Accessory Dwelling

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LA County is home to the largest...

and Pacific Islander (AANHPI)

Heritage Month, which also honors the Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders from Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia.

Overview of AAPI communities in Los Angeles

With more than 6 million Californians of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, California is home to the “dynamic AAPI communities that are an invaluable part of our state and nation,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said as he proclaimed AANPI Heritage Month in the state earlier this month.

Seven Southern California counties, including the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego, account for half of AAPI’s overall population.

To further shed light on the AAPI diaspora in Southern California, 40 years’ worth of data from the Census Bureau was distilled into this story in the Los Angeles Times penned by Aida Ylanan and Sandhya Kambhampati.

For decades, census documents presented Asians as a monolith and didn’t include categories per race, according to the LA Times article. In 1980, roughly a million Asians and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County were recorded as “Other.” Furthermore, over a quarter of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in LA still record as a group unlisted on the latest

census forms. Although there are over 25 Asian countries and five Pacific Islander countries recognized by federal statistics, the allocation of federal funding still depends on a complete enumeration of AAPI individuals.

“Since our state’s founding, AAPIs have been instrumental in writing the California story and building our state as we know it,” Gov. Newsom said in his proclamation of AANHPI Heritage Month.

AAPI communities have helped shape Southern California since the 1800s, with some of the region’s first Asian settlers building ethnic enclaves such as the Old Chinatown and Little Tokyo.

With the influx of migrants following the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, neighborhoods like Historic Filipinotown, Koreatown and Thai Town came to life. AAPI population in Los Angeles grew from 198,000 in 1970 to nearly a million in 1990, according to UCLA researchers.

Fast forward to the present, AAPI communities have tripled in size, with Santa Clarita having the fastest-growing Asian population – from less than 600 to almost 19,000 today, reported the LA Times Antonio Miranda Rodriguez, recorded as a Filipino in the 1783 census, was one of the early settlers who founded the pueblo that became Los Angeles. Chinese laborers were recorded in the census of 1850

— the year when California officially became a state.

Meanwhile, Japanese immigrants first appeared in the census in 1870 with two Japanese-born men who were recognized as servants to a judge in San Marino.

The Vietnamese people opted to settle in Orange County, with the world’s largest Vietnamese community outside Vietnam.

Home to the largest number of Bangladeshi, Koreatown in Los Angeles is also where the second biggest Thai population lives.

In the Westside, the Indian population grew by six times, from just below 350 people in 1980 to over 2,200 by 2022.

Meanwhile, Hawaiians showed significant interest in the continental U.S. after World War II. The majority of the settlers moved to areas with a rich music scene, including Los Angeles, while some settled south for its affordable cost of living.

Filipino influence

Established in the 1920s, Little Manila was the first Filipino community in downtown LA.

A thriving business, cultural and entertainment hub for Filipinos, Little Manila’s existence diminished in the 1950s following redevelopment in the area.

In the 2020 Census, 41.6 percent of Filipinos make up the total AAPI population in LA County. Today, around 321,000 Filipinos live in Los Angeles County and 400,000 reside in other Southern California

counties.

Many Filipinos served in the U.S. military and settled in areas in close proximity to military bases, including Long Beach – site of a former naval center.

Filipinos and Cambodians make up almost two-thirds of the Asian communities in Long Beach.

Even with the addition of 30 Asian and Pacific Islander ethnicities to census records since 1980, AAPI community advocates say other communities remain underrepresented.

“We know, without data, [the AAPI population doesn’t] exist in the eyes of policymakers,” noted Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPI Data.

Gov. Newsom has acknowledged that throughout California’s history, AAPIs have been “the target of violence, disenfranchisement, efforts to restrict immigration, and other xenophobic policies at the federal, state, and local level.”

“The echoes of this dark history are evident today in the shameful Anti-Asian hate acts seen across the country,” he said.

“It is imperative that we confront past and present racism and fight for the safety and inclusion of our AAPI friends and neighbors.”

During AANHPI Heritage Month, President Joe Biden honored the legacy of AAPI communities, recognizing their “ingenuity, grit and perseverance” and contributions to American society. (Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net) n

Olympic-bound EJ Obiena secures first US win at LA Grand Prix

The winning leap is his season opener as he fine-tunes his performance ahead of

by Hans Carbonilla Inquirer.net

Ahead of the event, Obiena

the Filipino athlete ascended to the top, outperforming Norwegian Simen Guttormsen and Lightfoot, who claimed silver and bronze respectively.

Reflecting on his performance, Obiena described the Olympic season-opener as a bonus win.

“2024 Olympic Season Opened,” he shared on social media. “[Los Angeles Grand Prix] was a blast with all the Filipinos who came out waving flags and screamed their hearts out. Some were even wearing the #EJxPUMA shirts!!!”

He concluded his post writing, “5.80m to get things rolling and a bonus win,” accompanied by photos with his Filipino supporters and his winning leap.

EJ Obiena has spent the past six weeks in the U.S., honing his skills and preparing for the forthcoming season. He will soon head to Europe for more competitions, using these events to fine-tune his performance ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The international athlete continues to defy gravity and expectations, finishing 2023 with a score of 1,443 to maintain his position as number two in the World Rankings. n

EJ Obiena

Photo from instagram/@ernestobienapv

Dateline PhiliPPines

Agriculture losses due to El Niño reach P9.5 billion

MANILA

— The Department of Agriculture (DA)

reported on Tuesday, May 21 that the ongoing El Niño phenomenon has caused around P9.5 billion in damage to the agriculture sector.

El Niño’s wrath has affected 175,063 farmers and fisherfolk, and devastated 163,694 hectares of agricultural land, according to the DA. Regions most affected were Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, Davao Region and Soccsksargen.

The agriculture department also reported that El Niño has caused an estimated 426,798 metric tons (MT) in production losses across various crops, including 185,561 MT for palay, 180,807 MT for corn, 48,949 MT for high-value crops, and 147 MT

for cassava.

The impacted area accounted for 3.91% of the targeted planting area, while the production loss was equivalent to 2.01% of the production target for this year’s dry cropping seasons

Meanwhile, corn losses represent 6.08% of the targeted planting area and 4.02% of the production loss.

The DA said that it has provided financial assistance of around P8.59 billion and P658.22 worth of aid for production support.

El Niño, a climate pattern associated with extreme heat and drought, continues to weaken, but its impacts are expected to persist until June.

There is around 60% chance of La Niña, a cooling climate pattern, developing in the JuneJuly-August season. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ Philstar.com) n

CBCP: Pro-divorce lawmakers tarnished sanctity of family, marriage

– Lawmakers in the

MANILA

House of Representatives who voted in favor of the Absolute Divorce Bill have betrayed their constitutional mandate to protect the sanctity of marriage and family, an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Thursday, May 23.

“In essence, divorce is antifamily, anti-marriage, and antichildren,” Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP -

Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (ECPA), said in a phone interview.

He said legalizing divorce in the Philippines is not necessary.

“The fact remains that divorce is not the ultimate solution to problematic unions. We already have existing legal remedies to couple separation, and yet Congress decided to add more,” he added.

Voting 131 in favor, 109 against and 20 abstentions, the

lower chamber on Wednesday, May 22 approved on third and final reading a measure that will legalize absolute divorce in the Philippines.

The bill seeks to institute absolute divorce as an alternative mode of dissolving an irreparably broken or dysfunctional marriage in the country.

Vatican City and the Philippines are the only two nations in the world that prohibit divorce. (PNA) n

‘No border tightening’ amid new COVID threat

THE Department of Health (DoH) on Wednesday, May 22 said it would not recommend border restrictions amid the resurgence of COVID-19 infections in neighboring Singapore.

“I’m not thinking of border control, mandatory mask... I’m not thinking that, but I’m advising every Filipino to observe minimum public health standards,’’ Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said during a briefing in Malacañang.

‘’No requirement for border control, no requirement for mandatory masks, no requirement for additional vaccination. But we’re monitoring these cases,’’ he added.

The new COVID variants, known as FLiRT, triggered the surge in cases in Singapore that surpassed the 25,000 mark for the period of May 5 to 11.

Currently, KP.1 and KP.2 make up over two-thirds of the cases in the city-state.

The resurgence of the disease has resulted in high demand for at-home testing kits among Singaporeans.

Herbosa advised the public to get tested for COVID-19 when their respiratory distress last longer than five days, adding the number of COVID-19 infections in the country was still very low.

“We are asking our doctors and hospitals to report antigen testing. For now, the testing is not PCR (polymerase chain reaction); it’s rapid antigen.

So, we are asking our doctors to report that or even our Epidemiology Bureau,” he said. Herbosa added that while it’s possible for the new variant to reach the country, it is not as dangerous as many people think.

“That’s why it’s classified as [a] variant under monitoring.

The one we are monitoring really is ILA or influenza-like illnesses, of which COVID-19 is one of those, right? So, we monitor that. Luckily, even the one in Singapore is mostly respiratory tract infection — cough, common colds... If you are sick, you have a cough, cold, sore throat, better to stay home. If you need to go out, wear a mask,” he said.

Herbosa reminded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has battled COVID-19 three times in the past, to be extra cautious against the disease.

Marcos was due to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the 21st edition of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, regarded as Asia’s premier defense summit, on May 31.

“I’m sure his security would take into consideration the atmosphere or the situation. That’s one of the security risks, so they’ll take care of that and make sure the president is protected,” Herbosa said.

Marcos on Wednesday tasked the Health Department to address the shortage of healthcare workers in the Philippines.

“We will need the human resources, so we saw the gap. I presented to the president that we need to have about 190,000 to actually fill the gaps in our health care system. That’s with the net flow, those who migrated as OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) plus those who graduate from our schools,” Herbosa said. n

City of San Diego wins...

Unit program. “Coupling density bonuses for affordable units and the ability to utilize high-cost land parcels more efficiently with multiple ADUs by waiving Development Impact Fees has created a wave of new development in San Diego and beyond.”

The ADU Bonus Program was launched in 2021 to incentivize the construction of affordable ADUs. The program allows for one unrestricted ADU to be permitted for every affordable deed-restricted unit at a very low-, low- or moderate-income level. In addition, the DSD team prioritized ADU reviews, delivering the reviewed permits quickly and ministerially, contributing to cost savings by the ADU developer.

The affordable ADUs must be comparable in size, bedroom mix, amenities and features to the market-rate ADU(s). To date, there have been over 220 approved deed-restricted units as a result of the program. The city’s density bonus ADU policy has been adopted by the State of California for other municipalities to utilize, scaling up this housing solution. Since 2019, over 4,500 ADUs have been approved for construction throughout San Diego.

“San Diego’s bonus ADU program is a great example of what cities can accomplish when they

truly want to build more housing: Be creative about opening up locations, make the process transparent and easy to navigate and provide meaningful incentives in exchange for affordable homes,” said Ivory Prize Advisory Board Member Jenny Scheutz, Author of Fixer Upper and Senior Fellow at Brookings. Ivory Innovations is a nonprofit that operates as an applied academic institution at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business dedicated to catalyzing high-impact innovations in housing affordability. Ivory Innovations seeks to promote the most compelling ideas in housing affordability by working across sectors, providing monetary awards for groundbreaking innovations and leveraging its network and resources. Other programs designed to address affordable housing needs in San Diego have included Affordable Housing Permit Now, which was announced by Mayor Todd Gloria in 2023 and expedites permit processing times for qualifying developments and contributed to the 9700 new San Diego homes permitted in 2023. Additionally, the Complete Communities Now program, in response to an executive order issued by Mayor Gloria, requires DSD to review qualifying housing projects within 30 days. (City of San Diego Release) n

ANTI-RABIES VAX. Dog and cat owners in Davao City avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination at the city veterinarian’s office on Thursday, May 23. The office offers free anti-rabies vaccination in its 11 district offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Features OpiniOn

Leadership change

IT has happened many times in the history of Congress, so it was no big surprise that Juan Miguel Zubiri was replaced on Monday, May 20 as Senate president. Zubiri, who held the post in the first two years of the Marcos administration, was accorded a graceful exit, by officially resigning instead of being ousted in a vote, although he counted 14 colleagues who wanted him out.

Zubiri cited the Senate’s opposition to the people’s initiative to amend the Constitution and its timetable on economic Charter change that is deemed too slow by the House of Representatives, along with the ongoing probe of the so-called PDEA leaks, as key reasons for his ouster. With his replacement, Senate committees are also being reorganized, with Sen. Ronald dela Rosa likely to lose the panel on public order and dangerous drugs. The panel is undertaking the probe on the alleged inclusion of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in 2012. The PDEA allegedly failed to validate this raw intel because it was stopped by the executive secretary at the time, Paquito Ochoa, a partner in the law firm of Marcos’ wife Liza. Ochoa faced Dela Rosa’s panel on Monday and denied stopping the PDEA surveillance. PDEA officials had previously denied the

WE are extremely pleased with the announcement by Cerberus Capital Management that they have finalized a lease agreement for HD Hyundai –the global leader in shipbuilding and offshore engineering – to lease a portion of the Agila Subic facility in Subic Bay. It can be recalled that the Subic shipyard was abandoned by Hanjin Heavy Industries that declared bankruptcy in 2019 after incurring over $412 million in debts, leaving thousands of Filipinos jobless.

We were fortunate to play a role in saving the facility during a meeting at the White House with then-deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger to discuss the shuttered facility in Subic Bay. The administration of President Donald Trump was interested in saving the shipyard and put it to good use, such as a docking and repair facility for U.S. ships and still make it commercially viable. Obviously, what was important for us was to make the Subic site economically viable and get our local banks paid, plus making sure that it does not fall into the wrong hands. The process was very challenging and complex because Hanjin had a lot of lenders, both domestic and international. It took almost three years for us and

PALO ALTO — Whenever I visit Stanford University, with its gorgeous architecture and temperate climate, I tend to succumb to a surreal combination of healthy skepticism and cautious optimism. On one hand, I never bought into the whole techno-optimist hype of “Big Tech” companies in the surrounding Silicon Valley. From laying out underwater fiber optic cables to launching satellites into space and dumping billions on speculative metaverses and cyborgs, the market hegemony of Tech Titans evokes a neomedieval era of aristocratic selfindulgence with a vengeance. The unjustifiable meta-wealth and puerile rants of Elon Musks of this world are a mockery of our most fundamental ideals as

existence of any document that mentioned Bongbong Marcos as a drug personality. Ironically for Zubiri, as he was forced to step down on Monday, Dela Rosa himself cited in contempt his star witness, former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales, along with another person for inconsistencies and lying to the committee. President Marcos had earlier dismissed Morales as a “jukebox” that would play any song when a coin is inserted.

An emotional Zubiri explained on Monday that he was forced out of his post because “I failed to follow the instructions of the powers that be.” He stressed that he had no regrets, and he took pride in maintaining the independence of the Senate amid pressure from those powers on various issues. Although the probe on the PDEA leaks was among the factors believed to have led to his ouster, Zubiri congratulated Dela Rosa for standing firm in efforts to ferret out the

The Senate has in fact been seen as a chamber that shows independence even when its members are predominantly allies of the administration. Senators can even be deemed independent to a fault; their description as

“independent republics” is not always given as a compliment. Still, the public has come to expect this independence from senators. Under new leadership, the senators must not forget that their loyalty is not to whoever is in power, but to the nation and the Filipino people. (Philstar.com)

Cerberus and Hyundai Subic partnership

then-finance secretary Sonny Dominguez to put the Hanjin project together, with leading private equity firm Cerberus emerging as the “white knight” and whose unwavering commitment resulted in the completion of the agreement in April 2022.

As Cerberus senior managing director Alex Benard noted, it was not easy to get an abandoned, 350-hectare facility back on its feet and make it operational again. I remember when we visited the site in June 2022 with members of the U.S.Philippines Society and Cabinet officials, several of the buildings were already rundown and dilapidated.

But in just two years since the American financial firm took over the facility through its portfolio company Agila Subic, they have managed to attract several tenants that include global subsea fiberoptic cable company Subcom, logistics company V2X and the Philippine Navy that was the facility’s very first tenant, occupying some 100 hectares in the northern portion.

No doubt Cerberus is getting closer to realizing its vision of revitalizing the Subic shipyard and transforming it into a multi-use facility to make it more economically sustainable instead of using it as just one huge shipbuilding site.

As explained by Alex, a key component to their business plan is a diversified business model where different parts of

the shipyard would be used for different purposes.

The major objective, however, is to bring shipbuilding back to Subic, and Cerberus has taken a very major step towards that direction through the partnership with HD Hyundai that, along with its affiliates, is acknowledged as a global leader in shipbuilding and offshore engineering. As a matter of fact, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro admits that he was “floored” and impressed by the shipbuilding capabilities of Hyundai during his visit to the Korean shipbuilder’s headquarters in Ulsan earlier this year.

Hyundai is leasing the bigger of the two drydocks in Subic and is expected to bring largescale maritime manufacturing back to the facility, initially focusing on offshore wind platforms. Site preparations will be commencing soon, with operations projected to start within the next 18 months.

According to the Korean shipbuilder, they plan to build a state-of-the-art maritime complex capable of handling offshore wind structures, ship block fabrication, ship repairs and other services. Aside from creating jobs and boosting the local economy, we’re optimistic that Hyundai’s presence will also equip Filipino workers – who are talented and very hardworking – with world-class skills, knowledge and expertise.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was very pleased by this

latest development, saying this is an opportunity that would “bring maritime manufacturing back to Subic and restore the glory days of shipbuilding back to our shores.”

The president also took note of Cerberus’ “impeccable track record,” describing it as a “powerful force that would spur growth and development across many sectors.”

He also expressed optimism that the investments that will be created from thereon will be “especially beneficial to Subic because these will strengthen the freeport area’s vital role as a hotspot for industrial, commercial and other economic activities” – becoming a growth driver for the rest of the Philippines.

* * * We commend the Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition for

demonstrating what true Filipino nationalism is all about when its advance team of 10 people successfully breached the blockade put up by China at Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, and delivered essential supplies to Filipino fishers in the area. They showed the true spirit and courage of the Filipino – standing by what is rightfully ours.

Talagang atin ‘to” is all I can say to those few misguided individuals who continue to defend China’s harassment and bullying in the West Philippine Sea, saying we are being used by the United States to fight their war. Really?

To those people challenging the leadership of President Marcos, saying he is “masyadong mabait” (too softhearted) or weak – they are gravely mistaken. They

are underestimating him for his politeness reflective of his upbringing and British education.

PBBM, born under the Virgo sign, is a perfectionist and I know him well enough to categorically say that when he puts his mind into something –he will get it done. He did not become president by accident. And when he says he will protect our sovereignty and will not give up even a square inch of our maritime territory, you can be darn sure he will – and without a doubt do what is right for our country. (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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Philippines: Asia’s unsung success story?

modern citizens. Tech Titans’ self-serving libertarian policy advocacies and Nietzschean nihilism constitute a clear threat to democracy, which is anchored in egalitarianism and robust state institutions. Nevertheless, I always welcomed visionary leadership based on realistic recognition of potential and positive trends. My latest talk at Stanford concerned the future of the Southeast Asian region. Joined by Indonesia’s former trade minister Gita Wirjawan as well as Professor Don Emmerson of Stanford University, I forwarded a vision of a region filled with increasingly assertive and self-assured middle powers. From Indonesia to Vietnam and Thailand, the region is set to feature multiple trillion-dollar economies with relatively robust militaries—and a greater sense of themselves and their place in the world. Far from a rosetinted worldview, however, I acknowledged increasing

political polarization at home, growing economic inequality, and the disruptive power of climate change and artificial intelligence, which could upend some Southeast Asian societies in coming decades.

It’s my contention, however, that, against all odds, the Philippines is Asia’s unsung success story. Despite our broken politics and kakistocracy, the country has managed to become one of the fastestgrowing economies on earth. In fact, the Philippines is expected to go toe-to-toe with Vietnam and India in terms of annual GDP rate in the coming years. Thanks to our more favorable demographic trends, and healthy rates of remittances from overseas, the Philippines will likely outgrow Vietnam, which has a similar per capita income to us. As The Economist magazine recently put it, “Without fanfare, the Philippines is getting richer” (4/23/24).

Global interest in the Philippines is growing. Over the past year alone, I have met with at least three senior journalists from The Economist magazine, including a deputy editor, who picked my mind on the country’s overall political economy and long-term prospects. I think the dynamic and visionary Sabin Aboitiz was up to something when he argued, before global investors, that the Philippines is “the next big thing in Asia.”

It goes without saying that we should up our game. Unlike Vietnam, which has successfully lifted tens of millions out of poverty, the Philippines is yet to build a robust manufacturing sector, which is sine qua non for inclusive and sustained development. And unlike India, which is set to become the third largest economy on earth, we don’t have a particularly large domestic market to leverage on the global stage.

As I have repeatedly argued

in these pages, the Philippines desperately needs, not only good governance, but also a proactive industrial and trade policy. As Harvard economist Dani Rodrik has correctly argued, an effective 21stcentury industrial policy will have to combine specificity (i.e., targeting particular sectors), social partnership (i.e., based on public-private collaboration), and systemic scrutiny (i.e., subsidize and support only successful firms and sectors).

For instance, we need a more modest version of America’s CHIPS and Science Act to develop our semiconductor industry.

Just as crucial, however, is developing a proper narrative of national success. As my copanelist in my latest Stanford engagement, Gita Wirjawan, rightly emphasized: We also need “good story-tellers” in our region to inspire economic dynamism and good governance. At once, we should reject both politically motivated naysayers as well as toxic-positivity propagandists. Instead, we need thought leaders, who transcend poverty porn narratives about the Philippines in favor of those that celebrate our large aspirational middle class, worldclass professionals, and young and dynamic entrepreneurs, who are collectively catapulting our country into a new era of prosperity and self-confidence. Time to dispense with selfdefeating mindsets and performative populism—and make the most out of our new moment in the sun. (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.

* * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

Babe’s Eye View

RichaRd heydaRian

About 100 fishing boats sail toward Pan- atag Shoal during the second civilian-led resupply mission by the Atin Ito Coalition. Philstar.com photo

US approves funds for modernization of Philippine power sector

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has approved the release of funds that will support efforts for the modernization and buildout of electricity transmission and distribution networks in the Philippines.

Such support will be carried out by bringing a delegation of government officials and private sector utilities to the US. .to observe innovations and best practices in smart grid technologies.

The USTDA, which announced the grant at the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum held in Manila on Tuesday, May 21, said these innovations can help integrate renewable energy sources, increase service quality and resilience and reduce technical losses and costs.

At a digital press briefing, USTDA director Enoh Ebong said the USTDA intends to engage with the energy industry of the Philippines and is in fact already doing so.

“We have undertaken projects in the clean energy space in wind, in geothermal and exploring more all the time. Our conversations are continual as we try and scope projects where we can bring U.S. innovation, technologies and goods and services to really enhance the goals and objectives – and accomplish them – of our partners,” she said.

U.S. senior official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Matt Murray said that during the APEC Economic Leaders Week in November, the U.S. and the Philippines signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement or the 123 Agreement, which supports expanded cooperation on zeroemission energy and on nonproliferation.

“And today at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum, we also welcomed the new partnership in this area held at an MOU signing between the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Philippines’ Department of Energy to develop and implement a comprehensive civil nuclear energy policy. So, in that area as well, it’s really important to note some of the progress that we’re making with the Philippines,” Murray said. n

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DOT welcomes downgrading of US travel alert in 4 Mindanao areas

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday, May 23 welcomed the United States’ decision to lower its travel alert in four key Mindanao destinations, seeing it as a positive development that will attract more foreign tourists to the stigma-ridden region.

“We’re very grateful to our friends from the government of the U.S. for having downgraded certain areas in Mindanao,”

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said in an interview on the sidelines of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP): Northern Mindanao leg in Cagayan de Oro.

“We feel that this will also encourage our tourists from all over the world to come and visit and to see that Mindanao is safe and Mindanao is a wonderful place for any type of traveler.”

The State Department last week updated its travel advisory for the Philippines to reflect the rescinding of the “state of national emergency in Mindanao.”

From alert level 3 (reconsider travel), it eased its warning for travel in Davao City, Davao del Norte province, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands to 2 or “exercise increased caution.” (PNA) n

BI warns travelers vs. ‘foreign currency fine’ scam

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday, May 21 warned the public against unscrupulous individuals using the agency’s name to scam people.

BI Commissioner Norman

Tansingco issued the warning after the agency received a request for verification from a Filipino woman whose American partner was allegedly held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on May 15.

The American supposedly received an order from a BI Facebook account to pay PHP40,000 as a penalty for arriving with undocumented foreign currency found in his luggage, which exceeds the legal amount.

Tansingco clarified that the BI does not deal with incoming

currencies and luggage, noting this is a scam.

He said these matters are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Under the BOC’s rules, travelers must declare foreign currencies in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies.

Earlier this month, the BI also received a request for verification from a Filipina whose South Korean partner received a similar order.

The BI said the Facebook account reportedly sent a message to the Filipina demanding payment of US$350 for fines.

Tansingco also lauded the effort of the two Filipinas for coming forward to verify such demands for payment.

The public has been

advised to send verification requests to the BI’s Facebook account at Facebook.com/ officialbureauofimmigration or via their hotline at +632 8 4652400. Chinese with fake docs intercepted Meanwhile, BI officers recently intercepted a passenger traveling from Bangkok at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 for presenting counterfeit documents.

According to the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement (I-PROBES), 32-year-old Wang Weiqiang arrived in the country onboard a Philippine Airlines flight and attempted to clear the immigration counter with his counterfeit Mauritius passport and identification card on May 17.

BI records show that Wang previously traveled in the Philippines by presenting a Chinese passport.

Wang revealed during interrogation that he acquired the fraudulent document after allegedly investing US$200,000, but admitted to have never traveled to Mauritius for the processing.

He instead received the passport and identity card while he was in Thailand.

A verification done by BI’s forensic documents laboratory revealed that the documents presented were counterfeit.

Tansingco has ordered the foreigner’s immediate exclusion from the Philippines, and his inclusion in the BI’s blacklist to prevent him from returning to the country. (PNA) n

AFP chief, US Pacific Fleet head tackle regional peace efforts

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and United States Pacific Fleet commander, Adm. Stephen Koehler met on Monday, May 20 to discuss ways to further uphold peace in the Indo-Pacific Region.

“In their meeting, Gen. Brawner Jr. expressed his gratitude to Admiral Koehler for the continued support of the enduring U.S.Philippine alliance amidst evolving security challenges,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement on Tuesday, May 21. During their meeting at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Brawner reaffirmed the AFP’s dedication to upholding a free and stable Indo-Pacific region through rules-based approaches under international law.

Trinidad said Koehler’s courtesy call reflects the AFP’s strategic partnership to strengthen interoperability and further advance combined capabilities in the maritime domain.

The two officials also discussed the conduct of the first-ever multilateral maritime cooperative activity and its regular holding between Manila and Washington D.C.

These activities are part of the ongoing effort to underscore collective commitment to regional and international cooperation in safeguarding the Indo-Pacific Region. (PNA) n

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: CC25-0157-05-00-00 SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY AT MARCY, MISSION BAY, AND NEW DAWN HIGH SCHOOLS

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2024, outside the main office of Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave., San Diego, CA 92109. Upon completion of the first site, contractors shall proceed to the following sites in the order listed: Marcy High School, 4150 Ute Dr. San Diego, CA 92117, New Dawn High School, 5650 Mt. Ackerly Dr., San Diego, CA 92111. Prime contractors must be present at all 3 sites in order to bid this project. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on June 14, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC25-0157-05-00-00 Single Point of Entry at Marcy, Mission Bay, and New Dawn High Schools. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $950,000 and $990,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CC25-0157-05-00-00. SD#0341

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (right) and US Pacific Fleet commander, Adm. Stephen Koehler, Commander hold talks during the latter’s courtesy call at the AFP headquarters on Monday, May 20. The two officials discussed ways to further uphold peace in the Indo-Pacific Region and other areas of cooperation.

Photo courtesy of the AFP

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páginas, debe tomar

inmediatas. Se le advierte que si no lo hace, el caso puede proceder sin usted y el tribunal puede dictar un decreto de divorcio o anulación en su contra. También se puede dictar un fallo en su contra por cualquier otro reclamo o reparación solicitada en estos documentos por el demandante. Puede perder dinero o bienes u otros derechos importantes para usted, incluida la custodia o las visitas de sus hijos. Cuando el motivo del divorcio es indignidades o ruptura irreparable del matrimonio, puede solicitar asesoramiento matrimonial. Una lista de consejeros matrimoniales está disponible en la Oficina del Protonotario, Palacio de Justicia del Condado de Luzerne, 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18711. SI NO PRESENTA UN RECLAMO DE PENSIÓN ALIMENTICIA, DIVISIÓN DE BIENES, HONORARIOS DE ABOGADOS O GASTOS ANTES DE QUE SE OTORGUE UN DIVORCIO O ANULACIÓN, PUEDE PERDER EL DERECHO A RECLAMAR CUALQUIERA DE ELLOS. DEBE LLEVAR ESTE DOCUMENTO A SU ABOGADO DE INMEDIATO. SI NO TIENE UN ABOGADO O NO PUEDE PAGAR UNO, VAYA O LLAME POR

indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 06/28/2024 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 25 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego North County Division 325 S. Melrose Dr., Dept 25 Vista, CA 92081 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: MAY 14, 2024 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Brad A. Weinres Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1411 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/24 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1411

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009523

Todo Blanco Candle Company located at 1990 Kent St, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Liliana V. Bello Recio, PO BOX 210852, Chula Vista, CA 91921. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Liliana V. Bello

Recio. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2024. AJ 1410 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1410

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010484

Thai Taste II located at 4252 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902. Registrant: a. Mike Xayavong, 4252 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902. b. Chindaphorn Xayavong, 4252 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902. This business is conducted by A Married Couple. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/05/2024. Signature: Mike Xayavong. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/15/2024. AJ 1417 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1417

Registrant: Alexandra Nath, 10106 Gem Tree Way, Santee, CA 92071. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Alexandra Nath. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2024.

AJ 1389 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024 AJSD 1389

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009223

iCell Phones located at 1632 Connoley Ave, Chula VIsta, CA 91911.

Registrant: Marvin Morales, 416 W San Ysidro Blvd L973, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Marvin Morales. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/29/2024. AJ 1401 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1401

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008279

a. Dirty Birds SD located at 253 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

b. SD Dirty Birds located at 253 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

Registrant: Born In Brooklyn INC, 253 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/01/2016.

Signature: Scott Rothman. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/17/2024.

AJ 1406 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1406

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010333

FST Motorsports located at 842 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Broadway Suspension And Tires, LLC, 842 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/30/2024. Signature: Luis E Lopez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/14/2024. AJ 1412 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1412

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010615 Star Brows & Lashes located at 2667 Camino Del Rio South Suite#110-2, San Diego, CA 92108. Registrant: Sharon B Saucedo Flores, 2667 Camino Del Rio South Suite #110-2, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2024. Signature: Sharon B Saucedo Flores. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2024. AJ 1418 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1418

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009141

Plaza Alta Recycling LLC located at 8927 Campo Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

Registrant: Plaza Alta Recycling LLC, 9246 Jamacha Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Susana Garcia Amezcua. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/26/2024.

AJ 1398 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1398

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9006882

ELR Trucking located at 812 Plaza Mar, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Earbin Lopez Rivera, 780 Dennery Rd. Ste 303, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/11/2018.

Signature: Earbin Lopez Rivera. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/27/2024. AJ 1402 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1402

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009152

Boba Me This located at 4269 Lowell Street #4, La Mesa, CA 91941.

Registrant: Sokha Chouth, 4269 Lowell Street #4, La Mesa, CA 91941. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Sokha Chouth. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/29/2024. AJ 1407 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1407

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010423

Otay Warehouse located at 2380 Marconi Ct, San Diego, CA 92154. Registrant: Cores Depot Inc, 2380 Marconi Ct, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/28/2004. Signature: Pedro M Coronel. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/15/2024. AJ 1413 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1413

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010594

JVO Virtual IP Paralegal Services located at 362 Inkopah St, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Jonathan Ong, 362 Inkopah St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2024.

Signature: Jonathan Ong. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2024. AJ 1419 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1419

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008950

LV Nails located at 1660 Broadway #10, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Kieu Linh Thi Le, 1660 Broadway #10, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/24/2024.

Signature: Kieu Linh Thi Le. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/24/2024.

AJ 1399 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1399

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009499

SSR Supports located at 6106 Lakewood Street, San Diego, CA 92122.

Registrant: Ming Ye, 6106 Lakewood Street, San Diego, CA 92122. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2024.

Signature: Ming Ye. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2024. AJ 1403 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1403

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009648

Date Shake located at 441 Casselman St Apt 13, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: Alla Alagha, 441 Casselman St Apt 13, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Alla Alagha. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/06/2024. AJ 1408 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1408

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009569

South Bay Surveys located at 8685 Rio San Diego, 4214, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Wilson Land Surveys, INC , 8685 Rio San Diego Dr, 4214, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/27/2024.

Signature: Erich T. Wilson. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/03/2024. AJ 1414 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1414

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009410

a. Synergy HomeCare of Scripps Ranch located at 10085 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 240, San Diego, CA 92131. b. Synergy HomeCare of Poway located at 10085 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 240, San Diego, CA 92131.

Registrant: SD HomeCare Services, 16136 Paseo Del Sur, San Diego, CA 92127. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/25/2024. Signature: Greg Enrique. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/01/2024. AJ 1420 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1420

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008982

XM Properties located at 1843 El Prado Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

Registrant: Xavier Kevin McDonnell, 1843 El Prado Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/01/2005. Signature: Xavier Kevin McDonnell. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2024. AJ 1400 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1400

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009521

Myreen’s Hair & Nails located at 3142 E Plaza Blvd, National City, 91950.

Registrant: a. Arlan Ivan Arcelon, 1704 La Posada St, National City, CA 91950.

b. Jonathan Macaspac, 1704 La Posada St, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A General Partnership.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Arlan Arcelon. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2024. AJ 1404 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1404

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010146

Panda Pancakes located at 1539 Glenwood Springs Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Sugar Rush LLC, 1539 Glenwood Springs Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Dulce Lozano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/10/2024. AJ 1409 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1409

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009570

a. Mission Bell Fiduciary located at 8685 Rio San Diego Dr. #4214, San Diego, CA 92108.

b. Virtual Legal Docs located at 8685 Rio San Diego Dr. #4214, San Diego, CA 92108. Registrant: Erich T. Wilson, 8685 Rio San Diego Dr, 4214, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/25/2024. Signature: Erich T. Wilson. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/03/2024. AJ 1415 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1415

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9007675

Peter Ahn Sales located at 8489 Lower Scarborough, San Diego, CA 92127. Registrant: Sales Coach 101, 8489 Lower Scarborough, San Diego, CA 92127. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2023. Signature: Peter Jongki Ahn. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/09/2024. AJ 1421 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1421

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009004

D’Hair Lash Studio located at 940 Eastlake Parkway #33, Chula Vista, CA 91914. Registrant: Dalila Sandoval, 940 Eastlake Parkway #33, Chula Vista, CA 91914. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/25/2024. Signature: Dalila Sandoval. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2024. AJ 1416 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1416

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010557

I&L Ventures located at 5092 Elkhart St, San Diego, CA 92105. Registrant: Hong Tran Thu Le, 5092 Elkhart St, San Diego, CA 92105. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/08/2023. Signature: Hong Tran Thu Le. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/16/2024. AJ 1422 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1422

SAN DIEGO

Celebrating Filipino ar tistr y and creativit y at MoMA PS1

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

LOOKING for a delightful weekend adventure in New York? Hop aboard the 7 train and whisk yourself away to MoMA PS1 for a dose of Filipino art that will surely uplift your spirits!

Start your journey with the vibrant world of Pacita Abad’s exhibition, running until September 2. Then, dive into the captivating narrative of “Little Manila Queens: Mabuhay!” which runs from May 16 to October 21, 2024.

This exhibition delves into the profound social impact of migration policies on Filipino communities, spotlighting the vibrant Woodside Little Manila neighborhood. It was one of the four new exhibitions launched last week at an Open House that featured talks, performances, and workshops from artists and curators.

After immersing yourself in Filipino creativity, hop back on the 7 train and venture to the heart of Queens’ Little Manila. Indulge in a hearty Filipino dinner or stock up on authentic ingredients to recreate your favorite dishes at home. It’s a weekend escapade filled with art, culture, and delicious flavors – what more could you ask for?

Pacita Abad and her ‘trapuntos’

This is the first retrospective of Filipino-American artist Pacita Abad. Spanning the artist’s 32-year career, the exhibition includes more than 50 works—most of which have never been on public view in the United States prior to this exhibition.

Largely self-taught, Abad is best known for her trapuntos, quilted paintings made by stitching and stuffing her canvases as opposed to stretching them over a wood frame. After moving to the United

persecution from the authoritarian Marcos regime, Abad sought to give visibility to political refugees and oppressed peoples through her

Keeping our neighborhoods clean as we commemorate Memorial Day and continue to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

by Vince Yuen Community Organizer

MAY is an exciting month for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Not only is May AAPI Heritage Month, a month-long celebration that pays tribute to the generations of AAPIs who have shaped our nation’s history, it is also when we honor and recognize our brave men and women who sacrificed for our freedom. As we commemorate Memorial Day, celebrating what our community has achieved and sacrificed, I encourage all of us right here in California to do our part in honoring our community by keeping it litter free and beautiful.

As a long-time community organizer dedicated to mobilizing residents to keep our communities clean, I know the holidays can create a bit more trash than we would like. Not only does litter and debris create an unwelcoming and unattractive atmosphere for us, but it also damages the environment and can be harmful to wildlife. So, whether you’re out on a fishing trip, road tripping or having a barbeque with your family at the park during this extended Memorial Day weekend, please remember we all have a part to play in keeping our community at its best. To help, here are some simple tips we can all practice to keep our community litter- and debris -free.

• Pack out what you bring in. Litter builds up and easily ruins our environment. To prevent this, bring a trash bag with you on your outings to ensure you’re able to easily dispose of your trash. Whether you’re outdoors hiking or picnicking or on a road trip, be responsible and pick up after yourself. I encourage you to go the extra mile and pick up litter you see, even if it’s not yours. Picking up even one piece of trash can make a drastic change if we all work together.

• Choose reusable over single-use items. This sustainable practice reduces waste and helps prevent harmful toxins from getting into our water and recreational spaces through litter. Plus, reusable items are more economical in the long run.

• Properly dispose of trash, recycling, and broken large items like canopies, chairs, and coolers. Plastic is one of the main contributors to waste and litter. Recycling contributes to a healthier environment when done correctly. Trash and recycling should not mix, and improper sorting can lead to more trash, so please sort your items beforehand, especially if you use cans or plastic water bottles. Leaving large and/or broken items at beaches or parks can be considered illegally dumping, even if it’s near a trash bin, and you could be fined up to $10,000. Don’t take the risk—take it home to dispose of properly.

• Secure your load. Make sure you are properly tying down items to your vehicles to prevent them from falling off onto highways and roads during transit. This small step of extra care can go a long way towards keeping our roads safer and cleaner.

• Teach your children or families how to be

litter conscious. Change starts with you, and this is something I practice in my house too. Pick up small, littered items such as bottle caps, food wrappers, and cigarette butts and dispose of them. Encourage your family to pick up after themselves and educate them on how they can contribute to a cleaner California.

I have made it a priority in my house to maintain and beautify our public spaces. I encourage my family to do the same. I do this because I believe change starts with us, and by motivating our families to do the same, we can create a ripple effect that will also inspire others to participate.

We all want to live in a healthy, clean, and beautiful community. Let’s be diligent and do our part to keep our communities clean, preserving our resources for our children and their futures. Not only is it our responsibility, it’s also the right thing to do. By making small changes and utilizing sustainable practices, we can keep our spaces clean for future generations.

If you would like to join the statewide movement to keep California litter free, organize a cleanup in your neighborhood or order cleanup kits, visit Clean California’s website at CleanCA.com. Have a wonderful, clean Memorial Day Weekend, and let’s make zero litter in California our goal!

Vince Yuen, Community Organizer and Founder, Refuse Refuse

Vince Yuen is a regular Californian who cares about creating a clean environment for future generations. He started out by cleaning his block with his two daughters. Through these local clean-up efforts, he discovered others who felt the same way and were already picking up trash. Word spread to neighbors from all over the city. They came together and joined the Refuse Refuse movement to keep their city clean. Yuen discovered that caring for San Francisco was one of his greatest passions. He established Refuse Refuse in March 2021 and has organized over 1,500 community cleanups. Through a collective community-driven effort of 10,000 volunteers, Refuse Refuse has collected more than 425,000 gallons of litter. Learn more about Vince Yuen and his work at Refuse Refuse by visiting www. refuserefusesf.org. n

work.

“I have always believed that an artist has a special obligation to remind society of its social responsibility,” she said.

Organized by the Walker Art Center in collaboration with Abad’s estate, the presentation celebrates the multifaceted work of an artist whose vibrant visual, material, and conceptual concerns push forward salient conversations around globalization, power, and resilience.

Mabuhay!

“Little Manila Queens: Mabuhay!” is a creative placekeeping project in Homeroom by Little Manila Queens Bayanihan Arts, a grassroots collective of artists and cultural workers who celebrate the diasporic Filipino communities in Woodside, Queens, and throughout New York. Homeroom, rooted in the building’s rich history as Long Island City’s first school and later a hub for artistic experimentation since PS1’s inception in 1976, serves as the perfect backdrop for

u PAGE 10

States in 1970 to escape political

Pacita Abad’s first major retrospective celebrates her under-recognized artistry with a presentation of over 50 textiles, costumes, ceramics, and works on paper, most of which have never before been seen in the US. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

"We Are They (still)” from the Little Manila Queens: Mabuhay! exhibition Image courtesy Diana Diroy/Little Manila Queens Bayanihan Arts

Little Manila Queens: Mabuhay! examines the social impact of migration policies that have deployed Filipino workers outside the Philippines, with a focus on the Woodside Little Manila neighborhood. The centerpiece of this presentation is the Balikbayan Arch, a newly commissioned counter-monument that facilitates exchange between the Philippines and its diaspora. Photo from Instagram_@littlemanilaqueens

On Medicare, Medigap and LIHEAP

IN this month’s column, the National Asian Pacific Center for Aging selected general questions about Medicare and other social benefits from the calls and letters it received, and is sharing the information via the following question and answer segment.

Question 1: I just turned 65. Can I sign up for Medicare?

Yes. Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 or older.

If you have been receiving Social Security benefits for at least 4 months prior to turning 65, you’ll get Medicare automatically. If not, you must actively sign up. When you first sign up for Medicare during your 7 month-IEP (Initial Enrollment Period), you will have Medicare Part A (hospital/inpatient coverage) and Part B (medical/outpatient coverage), which is known as Original Medicare or Traditional Medicare.

You must pay a monthly premium for Part B and/or Part A (almost all beneficiaries don’t have to pay a Part A monthly premium if they or their spouse have at least 40 Social Security work credits). You still have to pay 20% coinsurance and deductible. If you want to fill this expense gap, you can choose to purchase either Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plan) or Medigap (also called Medicare Supplement Insurance). Lastly, there is Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage. Part D covers prescription drugs. If you have Original Medicare and want prescription drug coverage, you should purchase a stand-alone drug plan; however, many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage.

Question 2: What are Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap?

If you have Part A and Part B, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan, sometimes called “Part C” or an “MA plan.” MA plans must offer, at minimum, the same benefits as Original Medicare. Unlike Original Medicare, MA plans can offer additional benefits such as dental or vision coverage and have annual out-of-pocket maximum limits. Many MA plans provide Part D coverage as part of their benefits package. You have to pay a monthly premium for MA, but some MA plans have $0 monthly premiums. So, you can save significantly on your health care costs. However, MA plans typically have network restrictions, meaning that you will likely be more limited in your choice of doctors, hospitals, and service areas. Plans may require a referral for specialist visits or prior authorization from your plan. If cost is your prior concern or you live in an urban area, MA plan may be a good option.

Medigap (also called Medicare Supplement Insurance) is a private health insurance policy to fill cost-sharing gaps such as 20% coinsurance in Medicare Parts A & B and only those enrolled in Original Medicare can purchase a Medigap plan. Medigap offers neither prescription drugs nor additional benefits such as dental or vision. If you want additional coverage, you’ll need to purchase the plan you want to add separately. You will need to pay monthly premiums for Part B and Medigap plan (and if applicable, additional coverage plans), totaling about $400 or more per month. Original Medicare supported by Medigap (with/ without a prescription drug plan) would be a good choice for those who need recurring care for a chronic condition, travel a lot, or live in rural areas.

Question 3: Do you know that you may also be eligible for energy cost assistance?

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households to meet their immediate home energy needs. This program provides your household with an annual cash grant to help you pay for your home heating and cooling costs. The grants are paid either directly to you or to your energy company. To be eligible a household must have an income that does not exceed the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guideline(e.g., $2,555 for a twoperson household) or 60% of the state median income level. Enrollment periods may not be year-round, and the open period depends on the state. The application processes and agencies vary depending on the area where you live. Please call us to see if you are eligible.

* * *

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages. If you have additional questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, Social Benefits for Seniors, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach us today: Call our Senior Assistance Center at: (English) 1-800-336-2722, Email: askNAPCA@napca.org, Mail: 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101.

Celebrating Filipino artistry and creativity...

this celebration. It’s a space where connections are forged, lessons are learned, and new possibilities are imagined, all with an emphasis on care and reciprocity.

For over fifty years, Filipino migrant workers have filled crucial roles in New York’s healthcare system, particularly in the neighborhood surrounding Elmhurst Hospital, which bore the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. Many of these workers have found a sense of community in Little Manila Queens, where exhaustion in a strained healthcare system is understood and supported.

LMQBA emerged that year as a resource and amplifier of the experiences of nurses, homecare aids, childcare providers, teachers, domestic workers, and other essential care-workers who continue to experience exhaustion in a strained healthcare system.

The organization embraces an ethos of compassion in their art-making, centering anticolonial frameworks and bayanihan, a collective civic spirit. For this project, participating artists created films, murals, banners, and dances in collaboration with members of the Filipino diaspora in Queens.

The centerpiece of this Homeroom presentation is the Balikbayan Arch, a newly commissioned countermonument that facilitates exchange between the Philippines and its diaspora.

The work subverts the Roman triumphal architecture of Manhattan’s Dewey Arch (1899–1900)—a nowdemolished monument that celebrated the U.S. conquest of Spain in the 1898 Battle of Manila, which gave rise to the Philippine-American War (1889–1902).

AS a Vietnamese American, May is an important month for me. It is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a monthlong celebration where AANHPI communities come together to celebrate the diversity of cultures, breadth of achievements and contributions communities like mine have made in the U.S.

For many like me, May is a time to reflect on those who have come before me and paved the way for me to be where I am. While I am still a student pursuing my dreams, I am thankful and proud to be a student at Irvine Valley College because I know my local California community college will expand my future opportunities and help me get to where I want to be.

Growing up in a traditional Vietnamese household, the value and importance of family and community was part of my heritage. While I have a strong family support network I can rely on, life isn’t always easy. California community colleges provide students like me with equitable access to higher education, which is the first step to giving me the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to improve my life and the lives of my family.

As everyone knows, earning a higher education degree is vital to getting ahead, and while community college may not be the right choice for everyone, it is a great choice for many, including me.

For those who are still trying to figure out what they want to do or want to quickly

The Balikbayan Arch reframes histories in which Filipinos were misrepresented as insurrectionists during their struggle for liberation, which led to Philippine Independence in 1946. The war has had a long impact on Filipinos, shaping present-day neocolonial relations that gave rise to the Filipino diaspora.

Constructed from shipping boxes used to send goods to family members in the Philippines, the monument reclaims Filipino labor in a reframing of history that connects the lingering effects of war to present-day migration. Throughout the exhibition, the structure will be disassembled box-by-box to deliver care packages to community organizations across the archipelago, symbolically dismantling a monument to colonialism and replacing it with networks of care.

During the Open House, chef Dennis Villafranca of Jeepney Guy had a free pop-up Filipino kitchen whose one-day-only menu celebrated Little Manila Queens: Mabuhay! There was also Sew and Tell, an embroidery workshop hosted by LMQBA where participants were able to give new life to their previously loved clothes. They were also able to share stories about textile traditions, learn three simple embroidery techniques, and stitch a design onto their chosen garment.

Cecilia Lim, a Queens-based artist and conflict practitioner working across visual art, film, and embodied practices and Abby Manwiller, a textile artist and climate activist led the workshop. Lim is the founder and lead artist of the Remember Y(our) Connection / Tandaan Ang Ating Ugnayan project, which supports climate justice. n

move into a career, California community colleges offer more than 200 career training programs, making it possible for students to get a high-quality education and take the first step toward their dream careers. That includes jobs that require certifications or advance training, such as welding, firefighting, nursing, emergency medical services and others working on our front lines.

California community colleges provide a budget-friendly opportunity for students — of any age — to improve their job prospects, educating more than 2 million people a year. In fact, students who obtain a degree or certificate from a California community college nearly double their

earnings within three years, providing the financial stability and security that changes lives. For those whose plan is to graduate from a four-year university and beyond, California community

Darren looks back with gratitude as he blazes ahead

By Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

NOT many artists today under the age of 25 can claim to have 10 years of experience in show business. Darren Espanto, who now goes by the mononym Darren, is one of the rare ones whose career has not stopped since he first appeared on “The Voice Kids.”

“I feel like it’s been such a long time since The Voice Kids but at the same time, it feels like it’s been such a quick journey as well. But when I look back on everything I’ve done, I would say to myself, ‘A lot has happened in my life and career.’ I’m just very grateful for the past 10 years,” Darren said.

Darren was only 12 when he joined the competition, but it gave him opportunities to grow personally and professionally, paving the way for him to fulfill his dreams of being a performer.

“When I was 12, my only dream was to join the The Voice’s blind auditions and then join [variety show] ‘Asap Natin ‘To.’ I’m glad I’m able to achieve them.

“Later on, my bucket list also included staging my major solo concert, releasing albums and singles, and being part of acting projects. I’m glad they are happening now and there’s nothing wrong with wanting more,” he shared.

Darren made the statement as he prepares for his star-studded 10th anniversary celebration in “D10” concert happening on June 1 (Saturday) at the Araneta Coliseum.

Joining him in this milestone are some of the amazing talents who have been part of Darren’s journey as a singer, including Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, Lyca Gairanod, Ogie Alcasid, Sarah Geronimo and Vice Ganda.

“There’s a lot of surprises in the concert, from production to stage design, and of course, the

guests — I’m very excited to share the day with everyone.”

Darren, however, admitted that despite the preparations and the many performances he has given onstage over the past 10 years, he still feels nervous about having his first major solo concert.

“I combat that fear and nervousness by enjoying the experience, being present in every process. Right now, I’m excited because we’ve created this lineup and prepared months ago. I’m lucky to have the venue available on June 1 because that’s the exact day of my showbiz anniversary.”

Two weeks before the concert, Darren also released the music video for his latest single “Hanggang Kailan” which features his “Can’t Buy Me Love” co-star Belle Mariano.

“It’s a different kind of beat, because usually the songs I write are pop, ballads with belting. This one’s a lot more laid back. It’s more on the storytelling, being in the moment and asking the universe until when are you going to wait for the right person?”

Looking ahead, Darren said his next big dream is to release music internationally.

“I think about what else do I have to offer to those who continuously support me. It’s all about reinventing yourself at the end of the day. I want to be on the global stage, too, and hopefully that happens soon.”

In ending, Darren said that if there’s one lesson the past 10 years have taught him, it’s this: one doesn’t need to be a winner to feel like a winner.

“I didn’t win but a lot has happened in my career and my personal life, many of which I never expected to happen. So my message is don’t give up as there’s always going be a door that’ll open for you. It might not be now but, when the time comes, as long as you are willing to take risks and improve, it’s going happen.” n

Kylie Verzosa stuns Cannes 2024 red carpet for 3rd time

by Kristofer purnell Philstar.com

BEAUTY queen-turnedactress Kylie Verzosa walked the red carpet of this year’s Cannes Film Festival for a third time, matching the number of appearances she made at last year’s edition.

Kylie’s third red carpet appearance at the prestigious festival this year was for the premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’

“Kinds of Kindness,” starring Emma Stone, who recently won her second Best Actress Oscar for starring in Lanthimos’ prior film “Poor Things.”

After initially donning two different dresses by Mark Bumgarner, Kylie’s third

outfit was a black and yellow gown by Dubai-based label Sophie Couture, founded by Azerbaijani fashion designer Gunel Babayeva. The yellow dress featured a black velvet corset and flowing, puffed sleeves and skirt printed with flower and avian silhouettes. She accented her red carpet look with Marli diamond jewelry.

Kylie also attended a dinner hosted by champagne house Moet & Chandon and fashion company Dior. She also graced the party hosted by Magnum Ice Cream, wearing a silver outfit by Geyanna Youness and shoes by Gianvito Rossi in the latter.

SAN DIEGO—The City of San Diego is trying to reach businesses and individuals who are owed money by the city in the form of refunds or vendor payment checks. According to the city’s Unclaimed Monies Report, over $818,000 is currently being held by the city and can be returned to more than 600 individuals and businesses. Check amounts range from $1 to $222,332. The report includes checks the city has already tried to send to the addresses on record. However, if a check is returned due to address issues or if the check is not cashed within six months, it’s considered unclaimed money. With a commitment to financial

integrity and community service, the city aims to return these funds to their rightful owners. The report is updated quarterly and is available to the public free of charge. Anyone can review the Unclaimed Monies Report and file a claim at any time.

“As stewards of public funds, it’s our responsibility to ensure that every dollar is accounted for and returned to its rightful owner,” said Roma Nichols, Disbursements Manager with the Department of Finance. “We want to make sure that businesses and individuals are aware of any unclaimed funds owed to them so that they can be promptly reunited with their money. We encourage everyone to take a moment to search for their name or business name to see if they are owed money. It’s a simple process that can make a significant difference.”

From the 12-year-old-belting The Voice Kids finalist to an all-around artist today, Darren has truly evolved. Photo from Instagram/@darrenespanto

Kevin Dinh

by Kevin dinh

Kylie Verzosa at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival Photos from Instagram/@kylieverzosa

SDPL hosts graduation ceremony for Adult High School Diploma program

DIEGO – On

Wednesday, May 22 the City of San Diego Public Library

(SDPL) celebrated the 2023 and 2024 graduates of the Adult High School Diploma Program with a ceremony at the Downtown Central Library. The 26 students – who all completed the free program online – walked across the stage at the library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium to receive their diplomas.

SDPL offers two high school diploma programs. Students at Career Online High School have 18 months to complete their high school diploma coursework and can also earn a certificate in one of ten high-demand career fields. Gale Excel High School allows students 24 months to complete the program and offers college courses for dual credit.

“The San Diego Public Library is dedicated to creating a space where anyone in the

community can come to better themselves, and the adult high school diploma program is a great example of that,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “By earning a high school diploma, these students are changing their lives for the better and opening up more opportunities to achieve their personal and professional goals.”

The Adult High School Diploma Program is available for free for residents of the City of San Diego, 19 years and older, who need to complete their high school coursework to continue their education, expand their career opportunities or apply to enter the military. The programs are offered entirely online with 24/7 access to accommodate busy schedules. Students also have support from academic coaches, resume and cover letter help and access to resources focused on job skills and the job market.

SDPL launched the Adult High School Diploma program in 2015, in line with the city’s Strategic Plan priority to provide opportunity for every San Diegan in every community. To learn more about the programs and how to apply, visit the library’s Adult Education webpage at https://www. sandiego.gov/public-library/ services/adulteducation/ adulthsdiploma. With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n

Top high schools in voter registration challenge recognized

SAN DIEGO

– On Monday, May 20 the City of San Diego announced the winners of the Shirley N. Weber Voter Registration Challenge during an awards ceremony at City Hall. The Office of the City Clerk partnered with the Office of Child of Youth Success to host this month-long challenge in April for local high schools as part of the city’s ongoing effort to promote civic engagement among local youth. First announced by Mayor Todd Gloria, the challenge aligns with the California Education Code that designates the last two weeks of April and September to be High School Voter Education Weeks.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Mayor Gloria presented awards to the top three winners for the highest number of voter registration cards collected, and the highest percentage based on eligible students.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to formally recognize schools that champion voter preregistration,” said Secretary Weber. “Voting is making one’s voice heard and having one’s voice heard is a crucial component of democracy. By preregistering to vote, these students have positioned themselves to have a say in decisions that impact them, their families and their communities.”

“I launched the Dr. Shirley N. Weber High School Voter Registration Challenge to empower students to become active participants in shaping their communities, our city and our country,” said Mayor Gloria. “I encourage every young San

Diegan to make their voices heard at the ballot box.”

Throughout the challenge, 19 high schools participated and 825 students registered or pre-registered to vote. The winning schools for the highest number of voter registration cards collected are:

• Mission Bay High School • Will C. Crawford High School • James Madison High School. The winning schools for the highest percentage based on the school’s number

Kylie Verzosa stuns Cannes

10

During this year’s opening ceremony and premiere of opening film “Le Deuxième Acte (The Second Act),” Kylie wore a black custom mermaid dress by Bumgarner, who also designed her outfits when she made her Cannes debut last year.

The beauty queen then wore a mauve Bumgarner dress and a Messika diamond necklace at the premiere of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

Verzosa, crowned Miss International 2016 before joining showbiz, recently starred in the movies “Elevator,” “Penduko” and “Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen.”

The 77th Cannes Film Festival runs until May 25, as presided by “Barbie” filmmaker Greta Gerwig, where 22 films, including Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness” and Sean Baker’s

2024