061424 - Northern California Edition

Multilingual

campaign deployed across Los Angeles to prepare for first summer heat wave

AS temperatures soar into the triple digits during this summer’s first heat wave in Los Angeles, Sandra Villalobos has been going door-to-door sharing information with neighbors on how to stay cool.

Her bilingual team of promotoras — community health workers with the nonprofit Visión y Compromiso — is fanning out around her Boyle Heights neighborhood with materials in Spanish and English.

Villalobos said, “We could tell when we open the door how hot and humid it was inside.”

The promotoras urge residents to get air conditioning or at least fans for what is predicted to be a long hot summer. They distribute towels to moisten and drape around overheated necks and umbrellas for shade when people venture outside.

The promotoras are part of a citywide campaign in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and 10 other languages, working with 27 community-based organizations to spread the word about the

CA bill seeks to enshrine medically supportive nutrition as part of Medi-Cal coverage

KNEE surgery in 2021 limited Elizabeth Duran’s physical activity and caused her to gain weight. Duran, 65, took pills for high blood pressure and dealt with her anxiety privately.

In the fall of 2023, her doctor referred her to a county program, Recipe 4 Health, that delivers fresh produce to her house. Duran, who is Hispanic, credits the program with getting her back on track.

“I was familiar with Swiss chard and kale,” said Duran, “but I never would really choose those things.” After learning their nutritional value in the program, she looked up how to cook them.

Duran said participating in Recipe 4 Health helped her control her blood pressure, sleep better, and reduce her anxiety.

Since its inception in 2020, Recipe 4 Health – part of the “food as medicine” initiative – has connected over 6,000 Alameda residents, 83% of them people of

Marcos to Filipinos: Let’s build a new Philippines

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, June 12 urged Filipinos to build a Bagong Pilipinas (new Philippines) and achieve a brighter future as he led the commemoration of the country's 126th Independence Day.

He recounted how the Philippine flag first waved freely in Kawit, Cavite.

"It heralded the birth of the Philippines and declared to the world our untiring resolve to chart our own destiny as a sovereign nation," he said.

The chief executive pointed out that true freedom could be witnessed among ordinary Filipinos who face and overcome their day-to-day challenges.

"As we celebrate the founding of our nation today, let us dedicate ourselves to the challenging but rewarding task of realizing the full potential of the Filipinos and building a Bagong Pilipinas — one that truly embodies the ideals of a just, progressive, and independent Republic," Marcos said in his message.

Spokesperson Harry Roque shunned speculations that former President Rodrigo Duterte will run for senator in the 2025 elections. In a radio interview on Tuesday, June 11, Roque said he’s confident that the ex-chief executive is now tired of politics. In fact, there’s only one thing that Duterte has been yearning to do the most—to take care of his great-grandchild.

“[A]ng alam ko po ay talagang pagod na pagod na ang presidente. Mas ninanais pa nya na maging yayo doon sa kanyang apo sa tuhod na nakatira sa kanya

‘Law needed to order singing of Bagong Pilipinas’

by CeCille suerte Felipe Philstar.com

MANILA — Malacañang’s directive to integrate the singing and recitation of the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge into the weekly flag ceremonies of national government agencies and instrumentalities needs a law, according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.

“I suggest that the executive branch submit a bill containing those ideas, to amend the existing law governing the national anthem, pledge and

flag-raising ceremonies. The (memorandum circular) is not sufficient. I believe a law is needed in order to authorize that,” Pimentel said.

Malacañang has ordered national government agencies and instrumentalities and encouraged local government units (LGUs) to integrate the singing and recitation of the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge into their weekly flag ceremonies.

Memorandum Circular 52, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, seeks

"We see it in the resilience of our farmers and fisherfolk as they provide us sustenance. We see it in the dedication of our teachers as they nurture the minds of the future generation. We see it in the tenacity of our soldiers as they protect every inch of our territory, adamant as they are in the certainty that Filipinos do not, and shall never, succumb to oppression," he added.

Marcos urged citizens to not forget the lessons u PAGE 2

"While the times may be different, our struggles remain the same. We continue to witness the true spirit of freedom in every Filipino who fights fairly in their day-to-day lives," he said.

Armed police fail to arrest Quiboloy at KOJC compound

MANILA — Controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy evaded arrest on Monday, June 10 after armed police personnel stormed the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City and did not find him there.

Throngs of Quiboloy’s supporters formed a barricade outside the compound and reportedly made it difficult for law enforcement authorities to enter and search the grounds, according to a report by Super Radyo DZBB.

The arrest warrant was served inside the KOJC compound past 5 a.m. after four teams composed of six personnel were allowed to enter. At one point, police had to use ladders to attempt to get inside the KOJC compound due to the crowd of Quiboloy’s supporters blocking their entry.

Video footage posted by SMNI, the media network connected to KOJC and Quiboloy, showed that the gate of the compound was destroyed in the commotion. The fugitive preacher’s child and sexual abuse cases were transferred by the Supreme Court from Davao City to Quezon City on May 28. Quiboloy’s case had to be relocated outside of his hometown to “avoid the miscarriage of justice,”

Multilingual campaign deployed across...

dangers of extreme heat and what residents can do to protect their families and pets.

“It’s critically important that all communities, but in particular vulnerable communities, receive this kind of information in advance of a heatwave,” said Marta Segura, the city’s chief heat officer and director of its climate emergency office. “Heatwaves are lasting longer. They are more frequent. So they are impacting communities, now more than ever.”

Los Angeles is well-known for sunshine nearly year-round. But that sunshine and rising temperatures due to climate change are now a threat to public health. Extreme heat can be extremely dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children and in communities with little shade.

The potential for harm is compounded when communities experience other vulnerabilities such as poor mobility, aging housing infrastructure, lack of green space, or linguistic isolation. According to a statewide survey on climate-related social vulnerability, while 27% of the state’s population lives in Los Angeles County, it is home to 40% of the state’s highly vulnerable population, about 5 million people (LA County Vulnerability Assessment, 2021).

The city’s extreme heat preparedness campaign, Heat Relief 4 LA, will run through the summer and into the fall, when some of the hottest temperatures can occur in the city. But the first heat waves are of most concern as people’s bodies have not yet acclimated to major temperature

shifts, and Segura worries that this year’s summer is projected to be one of the hottest on record.

The campaign is prioritizing the most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles and deploying multilingual campaigns in areas of the city where many families speak languages other than English at home. And the 27 communitybased organizations are each using unique strategies to reach their respective communities.

Black Women for Wellness, an organization that focuses on reproductive health and environmental justice, is conducting workshops and distributing newsletters in South L.A This summer, Black Women for Wellness is distributing a “Stay Cool Guide” for pregnant mothers.

“While heat relief isn’t our main campaign, it’s a crucial issue for our community,” said communications managers Myeisha Essex. “Extreme heat affects Black women and other marginalized groups due to systemic inequities in housing, access to green spaces, and healthcare.”

The city’s climate emergency office is helping Black Women for Wellness address those closely related issues and the organization will also be involved in designing a “heat action plan” for the city that includes a reproductive justice framework.

“Our involvement will ensure that the plan addresses the unique needs of Black women, promoting equity and resilience in the face of climate change,” Essex said.

In the city’s downtown Chinatown neighborhood, the Southeast Asian Community Alliance, is sending outreach

teams several times a week to check on residents who live in buildings that are over 100 years old without elevators, comprised of single-room occupancy units without air conditioning. Most are low-income, elderly, and have limited mobility.

The alliance is distributing Chinese language materials from the climate emergency campaign, while also applying its understanding of the special nature of the neighborhood and the vulnerabilities of its residents.

Sissy Trinh, executive director of the alliance, said many residents buy their rice by the cup because they cannot carry or store large amounts. So, water, which weighs much more, also has to be distributed in more frequent, smaller quantities, too.

The neighborhood’s precarious housing conditions and a dense urban environment with little green space and shade all underscore the importance of neighborhood cooling centers, such as air-conditioned libraries and recreation centers, as essential infrastructure during extreme heat events, she said. “We have tenants that are one rent increase away from becoming homeless,” said Trinh. “Seniors are skipping meals in order to have enough money for rent at the end of the month. AC is a luxury.”

(Miriam Bar-Zemer/Ethnic Media Services)

This story was produced by Ethnic Media Services in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA as part of the Greening American Cities initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund.

Marcos to Filipinos: Let’s build...

‘Law needed to order singing of Bagong...

to “further instill the principles of the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos.”

The Palace directed the heads of all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and education institutions, to ensure that the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge are properly disseminated within their respective institutions and offices.

The Presidential Communications Office was also tasked to implement measures to communicate and make available the hymn and pledge to all government agencies and the public.

Pimentel said the policy “involves the way of thinking of the people. Hence, such a mandate must emanate from the people’s chosen representatives – their legislators.”

“Also, notice that the MC involves SUCs (state universities and colleges). The students therein are not even government employees. They all observe the established flag ceremony under existing law,” he pointed out.

For Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, the question

in the MC includes “whether that is only for the executive branch or for everyone because the judiciary and then the legislature are separate, so (we need) to clarify that as well.”

Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada explained that insofar as laws are concerned, the singing and playing of the Philippine National Anthem are governed by Republic Act 8491.

Section 38 of RA 8491 stipulates that whenever the national anthem is played at a public gathering, it must adhere to the musical arrangement and composition by Julian Felipe.

Attendees are also expected to sing the anthem with fervor.

“It’s important to note that MC 52 is neither illegal nor irregular; rather, it aims to foster a culture of good governance and progressive leadership across all government levels,” Estrada said.

“It is no different from the singing of the Senate, school and university hymns, which is a way to remind us of the patriotism and unity of us Filipinos,” he added.

On the other hand, law

professor Mel Sta. Maria of Far Eastern University declared that the memorandum on the Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and

pledge is “in violation or goes beyond the mandate of RA 8491” or the Flag and Heraldic Code, and that the Office of the President “just transgressed a law which it claims it is implementing.”

Sta. Maria called the MC 32 a “coercive memo.”

Superficial attempt Meanwhile, teachers are opposing Malacañang’s directive to require schools, national government agencies and instrumentalities to sing and recite the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge in weekly flag ceremonies, calling it a move “reminiscent of the political propaganda tactics seen during the martial law years.”

The directive is impractical, unnecessary and has nothing to do with educating students about nationalism and patriotism, according to the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC).

“This initiative is a superficial attempt to instill a brand of governance that, instead of genuinely educating schoolchildren about nationalism and patriotism through the exemplary lives of our national leaders, resorts to mandatory recitations and songs,” the TDC said in a u PAGE 5

Philippines

Two Filipino Americans achieve historic...

coveted in the culinary industry, recognizes chefs who not only demonstrate exceptional culinary skills and leadership abilities but also contribute to creating a sustainable work culture and positively impact their broader community.

“Tonight, we raise a glass to the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award winners for their phenomenal achievements.

These remarkable individuals embody the very essence of our Good Food for Good ethos, showcasing exceptional talent, unwavering dedication to their craft, and a steadfast commitment to elevating the industry,” said James Beard Foundation’s CEO, Clare Reichenbach. “With their passion, skill, and leadership, they are shaping our nation’s dining landscape and setting a new standard for culinary excellence.”

Llera’s win highlights his significant contributions to the culinary scene in California, where he has set high standards through his innovative approach and dedication to excellence.

His work at Kuya Lord has been pivotal in showcasing Filipino cuisine’s rich and diverse flavors to a broader audience.

The James Beard Foundation, which began honoring excellence in food media over 30 years ago, recognized Balingit’s book for its innovative and impactful contribution to the culinary literature. The Book Awards, first conferred by the Foundation in 1990, celebrate cookbooks and other nonfiction food or beveragerelated books published in the U.S. in 2023.

“It’s interesting how it wasn’t always my intention to write a book, it wasn’t my intention to have this blow up the way that it did. But I’m really grateful for it,” Balingit told the Asian Journal in an earlier interview. “But it’s more like, I’m letting the tide take me and that’s how I want the future to be so I will never say no to anything.”

Balingit’s journey as an author began unexpectedly when she posted photos of her Lao Gan Ma spicy chili crisp cupcakes online. Her now-literary agent reached out and suggested she write a cookbook, a notion Balingit initially hadn’t considered.

This happened a few months into the pandemic, around September 2020, soon after she launched her baking blog, The Dusky Kitchen, from her Brooklyn apartment. Her blog, which became a platform to share her baking experiences and

New York-based Abi Balingit and her book “Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed” received the Emerging Voice award, an accolade given to first-time published authors whose work has an immediate impact and lasting significance, expanding the reach of their subject matter. “Mayumu” has captivated readers with its unique take on Filipino American desserts, blending traditional flavors with modern twists.

sell pasalubong treat boxes to support non-profit organizations, laid the foundation for her book.

“Mayumu: Filipino Desserts Remixed” ended up as a blend of Filipino American dessert recipes and essays about her cultural experiences.

Balingit, who has been baking since she was 13, describes herself as a self-taught baker who learned through YouTube and guidance from her mother. She believes that her diverse influences, growing up in the Bay Area and living in New York, have enriched her culinary perspective. Her book aims to provide options for home bakers, blending traditional Filipino flavors with new, inventive twists. She emphasized respecting the origins of these flavors while exploring new combinations.

Her book, named to honor her parents and their Kapampangan heritage, reflects her personal journey and her dedication to baking as a form of connection and coping during challenging times. Balingit’s parents instilled in her the importance of kindness and doing good for others, values she carries into her baking and writing.

The Restaurant and Chef Awards, established in 1990 with the first ceremony taking place in 1991, are one of five separate recognition programs by the James Beard Foundation. These awards celebrate excellence across a range of dining experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and from emerging talents to established luminaries, all while supporting and encouraging a more sustainable industry.

Both Llera and Balingit’s achievements reinforce the growing influence and recognition of Filipino cuisine and culture in the United States. Their awards not only highlight their talents and contributions but also bring pride to the Filipino American community, inspiring future generations of chefs and authors.

Growing list

Llera and Balingit join a distinguished group of Filipino and Filipino-American James Beard Award winners.

In 2020, the James Beard Foundation honored Oriental Mart, a beloved Filipino restaurant located inside Pike Place Market in Seattle, with the prestigious “America’s Classics”

CA bill seeks to enshrine medically supportive...

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color and more than half Spanish speaking, to healthy vegetables and health coaching. The results are impressive.

“One third of our patients with prediabetes and diabetes show a clinically meaningful reduction in their blood sugars,” noted the program’s chief medical officer, Dr. Steven Chen. “Two thirds of the patients improved their cholesterol indicators, thus reducing heart disease risk” while “44% of our patients are reducing their depression symptoms.”

Such outcomes can help prevent chronic illnesses and cardiovascular disease which ultimately save healthcare dollars, said Chen. He believes that consistent funding for Recipe 4 Health is critical to its longevity.

Currently, Recipe 4 Health receives much of its funding from CalAIM, a multi-year initiative that combines federal and state dollars to address social drivers of health, including food and housing insecurity.

The state Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) administers CalAIM, and funds local Medi-Cal plans to reimburse programs like Recipe 4 Health that provide medically supportive nutrition.

DHCS was granted a five-year

extension for federal funding for CalAIM, which was previously set to expire in Dec 2021. As he inches closer to 2026, Chen is looking for a stable funding source for his program that does not need frequent renewal.

This is why he is urging lawmakers to adopt AB 1975, Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s (D-Oakland) second attempt to require Medi-Cal coverage of medically supported food programs. If passed, California would become the first state in the country to require its Medicaid program to cover this benefit. The bill is currently makings its way through the state legislature.

“Too many Californians, particularly Californians of color, are living with largely preventable chronic illnesses and conditions,” said Bonta, noting her measure would go a long way in advancing health equity in the state.

A majority of those enrolled in Recipe 4 Health are low-income people of color.

Every week for 3 months, program participants receive 16 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, said Sasha Shankar, co-farm director at Dig Deep Farms, which supplies the program’s produce.

Weekly health coaching, meanwhile, helps participants

learn about nutrition, exercise, and stress management, while also helping them set and meet health goals.

To participate in Recipe 4 Health, Medi-Cal patients in Alameda County need a referral from their primary care provider at participating health centers, which include Alameda Health System, Bay Area Community Health, Lifelong Medical Care, Native American Health Center, and Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center.

The program is separate from CalFresh, California’s food stamp program, and many patients are able to receive both Recipe 4 Health and CalFresh benefits at the same time.

Primary care providers can refer patients if they are food insecure, or have a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart failure, or stroke.

Nearly 10% – roughly 154,000 – of Alameda’s 1.6 million residents live in homes that experience food insecurity.

Once participants have been referred by their primary care provider, Recipe 4 Health receives the referral and passes it to the county Medi-Cal plan, Alameda Alliance for Health for authorization. The referral is also forwarded to partners Dig

INDEPENDENCE

Abi Balingit

Photo from instagram/@theduskykitchen

Rodrigo Duterte for senator? Roque...

ngayon,” said Roque over Radyo

630. (What I know is that the president is really, really tired. In fact, he only wants to take care of his great-grandchild, who is living with him right now.)

Roque’s remarks came more than a month after former Senator Sonny Trillanes IV

revealed that Duterte might run for senator in the 2025 polls. In a post on his social media accounts, Trillanes said there is a need to “spread the truth” about Duterte to awaken his “moderate supporters.”

He even used the hashtag #IbasuraSiDuterteSa2025, which translates to Junk Duterte in 2025.

“Let’s not be passive or else panalo ulit yan,” said Trillanes then. (Let’s not be passive, or he will win again.)

Roque, however, downplayed Trillanes’ allegation, saying that the former senator only wants to be the center of attention, especially now that the midterm election is drawing near. n

Armed police fail to arrest Quiboloy...

according to SC.

“As this could cause local biases and a strong possibility that witnesses cannot freely testify due to fear and influence

of the accused, the Court found it prudent and judicious to order the transfer of the cases to Quezon City,” the SC said. This arrest warrant is different from the pending arrest

warrant issued by the Senate in connection to Quiboloy’s refusal to attend Senate hearings on the sexual abuse allegations that hound him and his church leaders. n

Two Filipino Americans achieve historic...

award. This award recognizes locally-owned restaurants with a “timeless appeal” that are cherished regionally for their quality food reflecting the character of their community.

Established in 1971 by Mila Apostol, an immigrant from the Philippines, Oriental Mart initially began as a grocery store.

In 1987, Apostol’s daughter, Leila Rosas, expanded the business by opening an adjacent lunch counter, which has since become a staple for delicious Filipino classics in Seattle.

Tom Cunanan won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2019 for his work at the now-closed Bad Saint restaurant in Washington

D.C. Miguel de Leon, a Filipino American sommelier and

writer based in New York City, won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Journalism Award for his long-form essay “It’s Time to Decolonize Wine,” which explored his experiences as a person of color in the wine industry.

Last year, Filipino-French chef and content creator Erwan

Heussaff won the James Beard Award in the Social Media Account category for his Instagram account @erwan.

Heussaff is the founder of The Fat Kid Inside Studios, which runs the YouTube channel FEATR, focusing on Filipino cuisine and culture.

Also in 2023, Margarita Manzke was named Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker for her work at Republique in Los Angeles, after being nominated for eight

years. Additionally, Marilou Ranta, chef/owner of The Quarry in Maine, won the Outstanding Hospitality category, recognizing her excellence in both food and customer service.

The husband-and-wife duo Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, owners and chefs of Kasama in Chicago, won the Best Chef: Great Lakes category for 2023. Kasama made history in April 2020 by becoming the first-ever Filipino restaurant to receive a coveted Michelin star.

These recognitions reflect the growing influence and recognition of Filipino cuisine in the American culinary scene, celebrating the rich heritage and innovative contributions of Filipino and Filipino-American chefs, authors, and content creators. n

CA bill seeks to enshrine medically

Deep Farms and Open Source Wellness, which provides health coaching. These partners contact the participant to verify contact information before starting services.

Still, despite its successes the program has not been without challenges. “Literally a few weeks into the program and the pandemic hit,” said Chen. “We went totally to doorstep delivery. And then we went to virtual groups.”

The pandemic had several other ripple effects on the program. As fewer people saw their primary care provider for routine care, fewer referrals were made to Recipe 4 Health.

Contact information in the clinic’s medical records also became outdated. If phone

‘Law

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numbers were not updated in the clinic’s record, referrals would carry that incorrect information to Recipe 4 Health. When that happens, “We have data to show that drops off significantly,” by as much as 50%. “Wrong number, you can’t reach the patient, kind of dead in the water,” said Chen. Lack of time or transportation can also prevent people from participating in weekly coaching sessions. In 2023, only 1,105 of 1,949 – about 56% – Recipe 4 Health participants attended coaching. That has put a strain on Open Source, explained Director Elizabeth Markle, who said Recipe 4 Health is currently seeking to renegotiate its contract with the organization by moving to a fee-for-service model.

Rising inflation and food costs have also had an impact. Shankar said that Dig Deep Farms was reimbursed $23 per bag of produce delivered to participants in 2023, and that reimbursement rates had to be increased in 2024. But compared to the billions California spends each year treating chronic illnesses, Recipe 4 Health’s per-patient outlays –roughly $785 per participant for the year, based on information provided by Chen’s team – are more cost effective.

When critics ask, “How do we pay for this food?” Chen replies, “We’re already paying for it. It’s just through our healthcare system.” (Sejal Parekh/Ethnic Media Services) Dr. Sejal Parekh is a practicing pediatrician and a Stanford Health Equity Media Fellow.

needed to order singing of Bagong...

statement on Monday, June 10.

“True nationalism and patriotism cannot be enforced through hollow rituals or the blind worship of national symbols, let alone a piece of propaganda,” it added.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed recently MC 52, as approved by President Marcos, which aims to instill the principles of “Bagong Pilipinas.”

The TDC pointed out that the administration does not need to force its own brand of governance and should instead work genuinely in the interest of Filipinos to “truly inspire and educate the youth.”

“The people in power have a duty to be responsive and responsible, exhibiting genuine love for the country through their respect for human rights, adherence to the rule of law and an active fight against corruption,” the TDC said.

“They must foster social justice through meaningful actions and legislation, not through the forced singing of a propaganda song and the recital of a pledge that appears redundant. The best way to teach our children about nationalism and patriotism is to show them leaders who lead by example, demonstrating their commitment to the country through their actions, policies and dedication to public service,” it added.

The group also stressed that the national anthem is enough to

remind students of their duties to the country.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said it saw nothing wrong with the directive as, aside from Marcos’ having the prerogative to enforce his policies within the executive branch, instilling “positive values and virtues” to ensure everyone in government is aligned with the administration’s goals.

“If this is tied with the new Philippine Development Plan, then I don’t see what is wrong with ensuring that everybody in government is aligned with the goals and principles being pushed for by the administration,” CSC Chairman Karlo Nograles said at a press conference on Monday, June 10.

While the CSC is not required to follow Malacañang’s directive on the hymn and pledge recital, Nograles noted that he would speak with the rest of the CSC commissioners about implementing it. Unconstitutional?

The Congress of Teachers/ Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) also opposed the new Malacañang directive, saying it may be unconstitutional.

Citing law experts’ opinion, CONTEND said RA 8491 or the Flag Law “does not provide the Office of the President the authority to create and require a new hymn to sing or pledge to recite during flag ceremonies in

the country.”

CONTEND added that the introduction of the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge is reminiscent of the “dark chapter in our history, glorifying an era that brought suffering to countless citizens.”

“The ‘Bagong Lipunan’ of the Marcos dictatorship in the ’70s was a period marked by severe human rights violations, suppression of dissent and economic hardship for many Filipinos,” the group said.

“We challenge all educators to resist this unconstitutional move by Marcos Jr. and instead underscore historical truth and the principles of nationalism and democracy in our classrooms and research,” it added.

Manila complies Some government offices in the City of Manila played the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge during flag-raising rites on Monday.

The Manila LGU and the Manila Police District (MPD) played the soundtrack of the Bagong Pilipinas” hymn. MPD personnel recited in unison the “Bagong Pilipinas” pledge following pauses by the leader at the MPD headquarters.

At the LGU’s flag ceremony held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan Shrine beside the Manila city hall, a leader recited on her own the new pledge with right hands of the attending personnel raised. (With reports from Neil Jayson Servallos, Ghio Ong)

Abi Balingit Photo from instagram/@theduskykitchen

Lord Maynard Llera Photo from instagram/@cheflordmaynard

OpiniOn Features

External threats

THE country celebrated its 126th Independence Day on Wednesday, June 12 with yet another foreign country threatening Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights. President Marcos, speaking on the eve of Independence Day, warned that external threats faced by the country were becoming “more worrisome” as he alerted the military about heightened tensions between China and Taiwan.

Wednesday’s event commemorated the declaration of independence from Spanish colonizers, which was made by Philippine revolutionary leaders while the guns of the United States naval armada were trained on the Manila Bay coastline. What followed was half a century of U.S. occupation, during which the Philippines developed a dependence on the American security umbrella particularly for external defense. That umbrella disappeared with the shutdown of U.S. bases in 1991 and 1992. With too many other internal problems to deal with, the Philippines was slow in making up for the loss in external defense capability. During that period, China moved in, beginning with its occupation of Panganiban or Mischief Reef off Palawan and its development into an artificial island. Panganiban now serves as a Chinese military outpost, and there are more Chinese artificial islands across the Spratlys including in the West Philippine Sea. Some quarters have described it as a creeping Chinese invasion.

THE keynote address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the recent International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was nothing less than historic. For the first time ever, a Philippine president delivered a speech to open the region’s top defense forum. Because of the worldwide attention we are getting in the region, his speech reverberated all over the world, particularly here in Washington, D.C.

The president’s speech was very much applauded, with IISS director-general and chief executive Sir John Chipman remarking, “That is the keynote speech that we needed” because it helped set the agenda, provoked their thinking and spurred them into action.

A number of analysts praised the president’s speech for being subtle yet sophisticated, excellently articulating the Philippines’ adherence to international rule of law and its firm commitment to regional

Editorial

Facing a superior military force, the Philippines turned to peaceful arbitration, invoking international rules to bolster its maritime rights. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, defining not only its maritime entitlements within its 200-nauticalmile exclusive economic zone or EEZ but also invalidating Beijing’s entire claim over nearly all of the South China Sea. The arbitral award was based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to which both Manila and Beijing are signatories. Yet China has refused to abide by the ruling, and has since become more aggressive in staking its greedy maritime claim. It has endangered the lives of Filipino fishermen, coast guard and navy members with blasts from powerful water cannons, prevented fishing and harassed Philippine vessels within the country’s EEZ in the West Philippine Sea. On Tuesday, June 11, progressive groups staged a rally, calling for freedom from Chinese

Philippine foreign policy taking center stage

and global peace. In his speech, the president emphasized that as responsible members of the international community, nations must adhere to and strengthen the rules-based international order.

“We renew this commitment at this turbulent juncture of our history. I will repeat what I said at the United Nations almost two years ago: amidst challenging global tides, an important ballast stabilizes our common vessel. Our open, inclusive and rules-based international order is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice,” President Marcos said.

The president’s words were the perfect response to the observation made by Sir John Chipman that we are seeing a “rules-broken international order. The rules have been marginalized by a multiplicity of bad actors while the good strategic habits for their maintenance have withered and little effort has been made to rekindle them.”

There is no doubt that the attention being given to the Philippines is even greater than ever, with our foreign policy now taking center stage. In fact,

a number of leaders worldwide have been wanting to meet the president. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky went out of his way to see the president in Manila due to the fact that their schedules could not jibe during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

President Zelensky invited President Marcos to attend the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland – knowing fully well PBBM’s presence will lend credence to the leaders’ summit whose main objective is to be united in looking for peaceful solutions to the problems the world faces today.

U.S. congressmen and senators who attended the Shangri-La Dialogue flocked to President Marcos’ table during the gala dinner that it seemed like a small summit was taking place, with practically everyone wanting to talk with him. Obviously, the president is at the center of attention and people are eager to hear his thoughts not only on defense and security but also on the economic front. Here in Washington, we are pleased to see both Democrats and Republicans supporting the Philippines and the central role we play in the Indo-Pacific

region.

Because of the attention we are getting in our region, we have been getting a lot of invitations to speak at economic and security forums.

On June 12, I will be speaking at the Committee on Economic Development (CED)’s Spring 2024 Trustee Policy Summit.

The CED is the public policy think-tank of The Conference Board, a nonprofit organization composed of over 1,000 companies and organizations encompassing 60 countries.

Last Thursday, June 6, I was one of the speakers at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) session on the topic, “Rise of the Minilateral: A New Model for Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific” along with Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, the State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Camille Dawson and CNAS Senior Fellow for the Indo-Pacific Security Program Jacob Stokes. Moderating the session was Lisa Curtis, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS.

I underscored the president’s remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue that “all partnerships and arrangements must never

displace or dilute, but rather uphold and complement, ASEAN’s central role,” reiterating that one of the three constants that guide our efforts in preparing for the challenges ahead is that ASEAN and ASEAN-led processes must remain central.

Recognizing the importance of minilateralism, the president highlighted the “collaborative endeavors among a few states that share specific interests built into pillars that support the architecture of regional stability.”

There is no doubt the Philippines has benefited from minilateralism, which I believe continues to be a viable option for nations that promote cooperation in dealing with issues of mutual concern.

In 2002, we worked with Indonesia and Malaysia through an information exchange agreement to combat transnational crimes.

In 2017, we entered into a trilateral agreement to conduct joint patrols and share information following a series of kidnapping activities by the Abu Sayyaf Group. Last April, the Philippines, Japan and the U.S. entered into a trilateral cooperation agreement to

advance security and economic prosperity among the three nations. In May, the Philippines, Australia, Japan and the U.S. pursued further collaboration to promote a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. No doubt minilateralism enables small countries to address common challenges when they put their resources together, and these efforts become even stronger and more effective when backed by middle and global powers.

Let it be clear, however, that while we endeavor to build and strengthen our partnerships with our friends and neighbors in the region, our commitment to ASEAN remains a core element of our foreign policy.

All these efforts are in keeping with President Marcos’ pronouncement during the early days of his administration that the Philippines remains a peace-loving nation that merely wants to protect its territorial integrity. (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

Pinoys find their voice on China issue

I WATCHED in awe as a convoy of small fishing boats braved the tide – literally and figuratively –to head toward Bajo de Masinloc as part of a civilian mission to the disputed territory.

Our fishermen, their skin sunbaked from years of crossing the waters to put fish on their tables and ours, boarded their slowmoving boats and courageously escorted the “Atin Ito” civil society coalition.

The mission happened last month and as I watched the videos of the convoy that went viral on social media, I realized that now more than ever, Filipinos are voicing out their sentiment on the West Philippine Sea issue. This was in stark contrast to a more quiet stance during the previous administration.

It seems that Filipinos have found their voice again and are using their social media platforms to share their sentiment on the issue. This has been going on for a while now, even before the Atin Ito mission.

These are signs of the times and it’s especially interesting and fitting that this is happening now as we commemorate tomorrow the 126th celebration of the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898.

More than a hundred years since that day in 1898, it’s good to know Filipinos remain vigilant.

Survey says It hasn’t always been like this and certainly not during the Duterte administration, largely because of the ex-president’s friendly ties with China. Indeed, if the latest OCTA Research Survey results are to be believed, three in every four Filipinos or 76 percent perceive China as the “greatest threat” to the Philippines.

The survey, released last week, was conducted from March 11 to 14. While three points lower than the 79 percent posted in December 2023, OCTA said the figures may be considered statistically similar, given that the change was within the margin of error for national percentages.

“Across areas, those who see China as the greatest threat to the Philippines was highest in

Metro Manila at 86 percent, followed by the rest of Luzon at 77 percent, the Visayas at 73 percent and Mindanao at 71 percent.” (The STAR, June 7, 2024). Furthermore, OCTA asked respondents regarding their views on China’s impact on the Philippine economy and 44 percent said China does not have a positive impact, almost similar to 43 percent in December 2023.

OCTA’s non-commissioned Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent for national percentages, according to The STAR report.

An OCTA survey showed that 76 percent (or more than three in four) perceive China as the country posing the greatest threat to the Philippines; this is an increase of almost a fifth (17 percent) since the beginning of the Marcos administration two years ago. These numbers show a shift in public sentiment, driven by evolving national policies and geopolitics.

Unlike Duterte, President Marcos has been consistently assertive on Philippine sovereignty and this is

resonating loudly with the populace. Filipinos have become more vocal about the issue and the country’s sovereignty.

In Singapore, at the recent International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue, Marcos reiterated the Philippines’ adherence to international rule of law, saying “amidst challenging global tides, an important ballast stabilizes our common vessel. Our open, inclusive and rulesbased international order is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice.”

In reality, the distrust toward China goes beyond territorial disputes, also encompassing broader economic concerns.

No less than beer, infrastructure and power tycoon Ramon Ang said the Philippines should protect its territory, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, given its potential to be a major source of oil for the country, which in turn could bring down local power costs.

As OCTA’s findings show, 44 percent of Filipinos now view China’s economic impact negatively, likely stemming

from concerns over unfair trade practices such as higher interest rates on loans extended to the Philippines and the Pharmally scandal which supposedly involved Chinese suppliers.

The controversies surrounding Mayor Alice Guo are also not helping China’s cause.

A more balanced economic policy

Filipinos’ skepticism toward China’s economic role underscores a desire for a more balanced and autonomous economic policy.

Against this backdrop, Filipinos are also seeing the value of strengthening ties with the United States. Oh, how times have changed.

I echo the sentiment of Prof.

Randy David when he said in his Inquirer column last month, “I never thought there would come a time when Filipino nationalism would be trained explicitly against China, rather than its usual target, the United States.”

The OCTA survey shows that the trust rating of the United States remained steadily high, scoring more than 85 percent since July 2021.

Journey to independence

This is a welcome development. Moving forward, our government, policymakers and lawmakers must also make sure that we can stand strong – on our own – against any external threats, especially with the dizzying changes in geopolitics. On the economic front, we must strengthen our local industries and our military’s capability so we are not at the mercy of superpowers.

The journey toward independence is long and arduous, but reclaiming our voice by speaking out against threats to our sovereignty is a step in this direction. (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.

* * * Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @ eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen (Iris Gonzales) on Facebook.

The implications of this shift are profound. A populace that once appeared indifferent to external threats is now engaged and more vocal, demanding accountability and action from their leaders.

aggression in the West Philippine Sea. It is a fitting theme as the Philippines celebrates the anniversary of its declaration of independence. (Philstar.com)

Dateline PhiliPPines

Duterte hits ‘excessive force’ in raid

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

FORMER President Rodrigo

Duterte has condemned the "excessive and unnecessary force" used in serving the warrant of arrest for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.

In a statement on Monday, June 10, Duterte said the incident, which occurred within a place of worship and on school premises, was "absolutely unacceptable."

"I strongly condemn the use of excessive and unnecessary force in serving the warrant of arrest for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy," Duterte said.

"Will this overkill be the trademark of this administration when dealing with individuals who are merely accused of committing a crime and have not been proven guilty beyond

reasonable doubt?" he added

Also, the former president criticized the Marcos administration for supposedly not protecting a person's constitutional rights.

"Will they exhibit the same lack of self-restraint they have shown toward critics of this administration when dealing with their supporters?" Duterte said.

"How can this administration guarantee the preservation of the constitutional rights of our fellow Filipinos when even the most fundamental of these rights are being trampled upon and blatantly violated?" he added.

Operatives of the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group early on Monday went to a KOJC property in Davao City to serve an arrest warrant for Quiboloy, but left empty-handed. Quiboloy is facing non-bailable

qualified human trafficking charges before a Pasig court and charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and under Section 10(a) of the same act before a Davao court.

Warrants for his arrest have been issued in relation to these cases.

Help locate Quiboloy

Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Duterte to help authorities locate "his friend" Quiboloy.

She called on the PNP leadership to "ensure that none of our officers are being influenced by Quiboloy or any of his allies, particularly former President Duterte."

"I hope that Duterte will not cover up for Quiboloy. He should instead help locate his friend's whereabouts," Hontiveros added. n

Senators renew call to ban POGOs after Porac raid yields PLA uniforms

MANILA – Senators on Tuesday, June 11 reiterated their call to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country after the discovery of People's Liberation Army (PLA) uniforms in a recentlyraided POGO facility in Porac, Pampanga.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, in a Viber message to reporters, said the presence of PLA uniforms raises concerns about national security.

"This is clear evidence that POGOs are a national security threat to our nation. It has opened the doors, not only to criminal syndicates, but also to those who want to destabilize and infiltrate our governmental and political institutions," he said.

For Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, the discovery of PLA uniforms corroborates the information shared by intelligence agencies to her committee establishing credible links between POGOs and foreign intelligence assets.

"The implications of these uniforms should send chills down our spine. It is so clear

that every POGO has exploited our economic vulnerabilities and that POGOs have now evolved into a breeding ground for crime and a national security threat," Hontiveros said in a statement. She also plans to file a bill seeking to repeal Republic Act No. 11590 or the taxation of POGOs.

"I said no to that law, at ngayon ibabasura na natin ng tuluyan (and now we will fully get rid of it)," she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said he will support any initiative by the national government against illegal POGO activities.

"We support any and all steps of the government in curbing these transgressions against the prevailing rule of law in our country, and we stress that national security, welfare and the safety of our citizens should always take precedence," he said in a Viber message to reporters.

Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said the PLA uniforms strongly indicate that the extent of scams by POGOs is "beyond comprehension."

"Authorities investigating this

POGO hub should thoroughly examine the extent of operations carried out by the suspected criminal syndicates associated with Lucky South Outsourcing Inc.," Estrada said, stressing the need to know exactly how the PLA uniforms are being used.

On the other hand, Senator Grace Poe said "the scale and breadth" of illegal POGO operations in the country have become "appalling and costly" for Filipinos.

"The recently discovered POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga was too expansive that authorities estimate they will need more than a week to inspect the entire facility," she said.

"For every operation against a POGO, the government spends millions for the personnel needed, food and shelter of the rescued, deportation of undesirables, filing of court cases, and other related expenses," she said.

Poe said banning POGOs will not only stop their illegal activities, but will also save government resources, which could be spent on social services instead. (PNA)

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by Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

IN Disney’s new story within the “Star Wars” universe, “The Acolyte,” viewers are introduced to more characters and creatures beyond just the Jedi. There are droids, aliens and merchants, and one of them is Qimir, portrayed by Filipino-Canadian Manny Jacinto.

In the eight-episode series, Manny plays Qimir, who owns a shop where he sells medicines and other concoctions. He finds himself right smack in the middle of the mystery surrounding a series of Jedi murders.

Showrunner Leslye Headland thought Manny was perfect for the role of Qimir, saying in the production notes that she might have altered the character if he hadn’t taken the part.

“The Acolyte” is set during The High Republic, an era fans have never seen before in live action. It’s described as the golden age, a time of peace and prosperity in the galaxy, where the Jedi are at their strongest and most powerful. But when Jedi masters start getting murdered, it shakes things up, and a major probe begins, where a Jedi master is pitted against a Force-wielding warrior from the past.

The Force was obviously with “The Acolyte” during its debut week as it recorded 11.1 million views worldwide in just five days, making it the most-watched premiere on Disney+ in 2024.

When The STAR asked Manny during an exclusive virtual interview how he handled the pressure and expectations of being cast in a highly-anticipated series, he said, “Being with friends and family helps. I think rewiring my brain and just reminding myself that, you know, obviously, ‘Star Wars’ is important, and it means a lot to a lot of other people, a lot of people.

“But at the end of the day, it’s also a job that I just took on. And there are other important aspects to my life that, you know, mean just as much, if not more. And, yeah, and sharing these moments with my parents, with my wife, with friends, I think that just alleviates things. It gets me in a better mindset, and it takes me away from the pressure of having to appease, I don’t know, fans or other viewers.”

Born in Quezon City before moving his family migrated to Canada when he was a child, Manny figured in smaller roles on TV before his breakthrough as Jason Mendoza in the fantasycomedy series “The Good Place.” He has since starred in movies like “Bad Times at the El Royale” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”

For sure, there are multiple reasons to be proud of as a main cast member of “The Acolyte,” but for Manny he’s proudest because it’s a “Star Wars” production “that shows so many faces of color.” Below are excerpts from our interview with Manny about being the Filipino in “Star Wars,” representation and his advice to actors still waiting for their big break in the entertainment business.

On being part of a mega production such as “The Acolyte”: “It means so much. It means

the world. I am so proud of not only being a part of ‘Star Wars,’ but being a part of a ‘Star Wars that shows so many faces of color. You know, it’s one thing to be able to work on a big IP (intellectual property), but it’s also one thing to be able to inspire younger kids that look like me, to either tell stories or to play with a little fake lightsaber or just, yeah, to just assure them that there are people that look like them in the world.”

On what fans can expect from Qimir:

“I mean, talking to Leslye (Headland) about the character, I loved it because he was definitely more on the comedic side of things. With ‘Star Wars,’ there’s gonna be a lot of serious themes and serious, dramatic moments. But with my character, Qimir, he definitely brings the levity. He brings that comedy into specific scenes. And that’s what I loved (about him). He was the one that really was kind of, in his own way, opposing the Jedi.

“And I found that very interesting. Obviously, I had lightsaber envy because I couldn’t play around with the lightsabers. But I think the characters that aren’t Jedi or Sith become fan favorites, like if you look at Lando Calrissian or the Mandalorian or Han Solo, they become some pretty iconic characters.”

On his first shooting day and other experiences on set:

“It was incredible. So with our show, very much everything was practical. We didn’t do a lot of CGI (computer-generated images) or green screen. All the sets were man-made, and we got to see them built from the scaffolding up until the paint. And it felt I didn’t have to do much work, to be honest, because everything was taken care of. Like I didn’t have to use my imagination as much because I was plopped into this planet, and it made my job so much easier. It was such an incredible feeling. I was in awe every day. I got that feeling as a kid watching ‘The Phantom Menace’ for the first time walking on that set. It was, yeah, it was a day to remember.”

On “The Acolyte” themes and messages he resonated with:

“I think the theme of, you know, how do you handle a world that doesn’t necessarily

accept or look like you? How do you deal with that? I think that’s a theme that definitely resonates throughout my childhood and also in my acting career. That’s definitely an important theme of mine.”

On his Hollywood acting journey so far:

“I would describe it as ongoing. I feel like the work is never done.

I’m very grateful, very fortunate that I get to be an actor during this time because the landscape was so different just six or eight years ago. But, you know, I purposely… really strategize in my career to take on characters that people haven’t seen before. Those are the characters that I love to play with or take on. Yeah, it’s a challenge, but a challenge that can get also pretty difficult, but a challenge that’s worth it. I think it’s because I think it’ll make a greater impact.”

On seeing increased diversity and more representation in Hollywood:

“Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think what it comes down to is just having more and more creatives, not just in front of the screen, but behind the screen as well. Like I am seeing or keeping an eye on Filipino directors and Filipino writers all the time and, possibly, hopefully, fingers crossed, getting to collaborate with them, because I can only do so much as an actor, but there’s so much potential. It gets frustrating at times because obviously, there’s not a lot out there right now, but that just means that there’s so much more to be told, and it’s exciting. I think now is the time to be able to do that and to tell those stories.”

On advice to aspiring actors from underrepresented backgrounds:

“Create, right? You know, take it upon yourself to do it. Don’t wait for somebody to give you the opportunity. We need more storytellers, we need more writers, we need more directors. We need more actors, we need more producers. I think it’s just a matter of taking action and creating the opportunity for yourself. I think that’s the biggest piece of advice I can give to like, a younger generation, or that I would give to myself when I was younger, like, don’t wait. Like, just make it happen, because it’s possible. Just take the jump.”

by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

MANILA — The 40th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards will be a special one to look out for with one category packed with "star" power.

In announcing this year's nominees, PMPC president Rodel Ocampo Fernando pointed that for the first time in the ceremony's history, veteran actresses Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, and Vilma Santos are all nominated in the same category: Movie Actress of the Year.

"Superstar" Nora is up for "Pieta;" "Megastar" Sharon is nominated for "Family of Two;" "Diamond Star" Maricel got a nod for "In His Mother's Eyes;" and "Star for All Seasons" Vilma received a nomination for "When I Met You In Tokyo."

Even their fellow nominees are no slouch, with the likes of Gina Alajar for "Monday First Screening," Kathryn Bernardo for "A Very Good Girl," Ai-Ai Delas Alas for "Litrato," Alessandra De Rossi for "What If," Gladys Reyes for "Apag," and Marian Rivera for "Rewind."

ACTOR Xian Lim, who broke into the entertainment industry as a rom-com and dramatic leading man, is excited to enter a new phase in his career, albeit taking outside his comfort zone.

Lim is the star of "Playtime," the local suspense-thriller opening in cinemas today. Joining him in the cast are Sanya Lopez, Coleen Garcia and Faye Lorenzo.

Directed and conceived by Mark Reyes, "Playtime" revolves around three women from three different worlds who find themselves in the same situation involving a man they all mistakenly trust.

Vlogger-influencer Allyson (Lopez) entertains a seemingly harmless fan but soon finds out how dangerous he actually is.

Bride-to-be Roni (Garcia) wants one last adventure before she settles down. She decides to hook up with a stranger in a bar.

Meanwhile, Patricia (Lorenzo) only wants to get away from her abusive ex. She naively trusts a stranger she sees as a 'hero' who rescues her from her boyfriend.

Three women. Three strangers of different personalities. Three lives intertwine as Allyson, Roni, and Patricia get entangled with the same man: Lucas (Lim).

Lucas wants to play, but his idea of playing games is far from what these women imagined.

"I'm grateful to be given the chance to portray a character that's out of the box. Not everyone gets the chance to play a role similar to Lucas," Lim said during the movie's media conference.

"I received the phone call while I was shooting 'Love, Die, Repeat.' I remember saying please count me in. And when they told me who I was going to work with, I said, 'just tell me the rest of the details later.' That's pretty much how fast I said yes to be part of this project," the actor added.

Lopez promised that the film will show a different side of her and of her co-actors,

Even if they miss out on that award, Nora and Vilma won't go home empty-handed as they are both Dekada Award recipients along with Christopher de Leon and Piolo Pascual, based on the number of PMPC Star Awards for

Coleen Garcia, Sanya Lopez, and Faye Lorenzo play three women who find themselves in the same situation involving a man they all mistakenly trust.

Coleen Garcia, Sanya Lopez, and Faye Lorenzo play three women who find themselves in the same situation involving a man they all mistakenly trust.

"We've done several 'new' things here that we've never done before. It's one of those suspense thrillers that I can really say, is different from the usual screen offering. Without spoiling, I also want to share that I did something here that I've never done in my career," Lopez said.

"The three ladies here are different characters with different stories so I hope you will really look forward to the film, it's really suspense. I hope the efforts we exerted during the production will translate to the screen," she added.

Lim, seconded and said, "A huge part of this film is the trust that we, the cast, and the director had for each other."

To effectively portray his character, the actor revealed that the he had different preparations for the role.

"Physically, I was bulking up for this. When they offered me the role, they said Lucas will be after the three girls. So I thought, maybe, I should veer away from the boy next door, loving son, romantic lead image, and move into like a big guy, right? Like, if I'm with three girls, they won't be able to get away from me. So that was a conscious effort for me to gain a little bit of muscle mass for this. Mentally, it's just getting into the mindset that you're playing a psychopath. So, it's a bit hard, but thankfully we achieved it," he said.

Meanwhile, Lim's fellow Viva artist Garcia expressed her excitement at being part of this latest film.

"All the characters are really interesting. It's very thrilling, it's very suspenseful. You wouldn't

be able to guess what's going to happen. I think, [for] all of us — the artists in this movie — it's new for us, everything we did [was new]."

Like Lim, Lorenzo also made sure she was physically and mentally ready for her character as Patricia.

"First of all, I needed to work out to fit into the role physically. Then I have to be the character so I really studied Patricia," Lazaro noted.

"Playtime" also serves as a homecoming for Reyes, who began his directorial career in Viva through anthologies and the hit '90s youth-oriented series, "T.G.I.S.," which aired on GMA. From his numerous TV projects such as the hit "Encantadia" franchise, "The Missing Husband," and "Voltes V: Legacy," Reyes is also known for his directorial work in various films such as "Moments of Love," "Eternity," "Till I Met You," and "Voltes V: Legacy (The Cinematic Experience)," among others.

Also part of the cast are Bruce Roeland, Haley Dizon, Kim Perez, Lienel Navidad and Camille Patricia Guzman.

AWARD-winning actress Charo Santos-Concio returns to an executive role in her home network, ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN Corporation has appointed the former ABS-CBN president and CEO, Ma. Rosario "Charo" Santos-Concio, to its board of directors. ABS-CBN said the company's Board of Directors elected SantosConcio as a director, filling the board vacancy left by the passing of lawyer Augusto Almeda-Lopez. Santos-Concio served as ABS-CBN president and CEO and held various roles in the company including chief operating officer, chief content officer, president of ABS-CBN University, executive advisor, and head of Channel 2 Mega Manila Management. She was named Asian Media Woman of the Year by ContentAsia, Woman of the Year by the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, and recipient of the Gold Stevie Award in the Female Executive of the Year in Asia, Australia, or New Zealand in the Stevie Awards for Women. Santos-Concio graduated as a cum laude of St. Paul's College in Manila with a degree in Communication Arts. She also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2007. (ManilaTimes.net)

The actor Xian Lim sheds his boy-next-door image as he plays a dangerous psychopath in the thriller, ‘Playtime.’ GMA photo

by Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

From left: Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, and Vilma Santos Philstar.com photos

Movies acting they've received in the last 40 years. Additionally, a lifetime achievement award named after Nora will be awarded to fellow veteran actress Liza Lorena.

Leading all nominees is Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Best

Picture winner "Firefly" followed by "Rewind," "Mallari," and "GomBurZa."

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COLMA – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer joined the officials and residents of Colma, California on June 5, 2024 for the raising of the Philippine national flag, in what has become a yearly tradition for the Bay Area town in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer expressed his gratitude to Colma Mayor John Irish Goodwin and Fil-Am Councilmember and former Mayor Joanne del Rosario for hosting the Philippine flagraising ceremony, during a special year for Colma as it celebrates its 100th founding anniversary.

The Philippine Consul General also recalled the example set by Councilmember del Rosario’s elder brother, the late Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who “stood firmly on his moral principles

in fighting for the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and in saving the lives of overseas Filipinos in dangerous situations.”

Mayor Goodwin presented Consul General Ferrer with a proclamation signed by all members of the city council, declaring “Philippine Independence Day” in Colma.

The said proclamation recognizes Councilmember del Rosario’s place in history as the first-ever Filipino American mayor of any city in the Bay Area, as well as Colma’s feat for being the first city or town in the United States to have two Filipino American women serving together as mayor and vice mayor.

The proclamation also cites that Lucky Chances Casino, Colma’s biggest business, is Filipino American-owned. Other dignitaries present include Colma Councilmembers Helen Fisicaro and Carrie Slaughter, and Daly City-Colma Chamber of Commerce CEO Felicia Leong. This year’s Independence Day festivities in the Philippines carries the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan, (Freedom. Future. History.).”

In his message for overseas Filipinos, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said: “‘Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.’ should be a constant reminder of the significance of the continuing task of nation-building which lies before us. For while our [founders] gained our independence through weapons

an extraordinary

LEADING U.S. Immigration

Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel continues his interaction with

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor

London N. Breed on Wednesday, June 12 announced new automated license plate reader cameras being installed across San Francisco are already leading to results, with arrests for crimes including organized retail theft, carjacking, robbery, and sexual assault. These arrests are helping San Francisco to sustain its reductions in crime, with property crime down 33% and violent crime down 13% compared to last year.

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and its contracted vendor have now installed 100 of the 400 planned automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. The remaining 300 cameras are on track to be up and fully operational by July.

The ALPRs are funded by a $17.3 million grant from the state’s Organized Retail Theft Grant Program. The city has contracted with Flock Safety to install and maintain the 400 cameras. With the first 100 cameras installed, the new ALPR system is already delivering significant results, leading to arrests for various crimes in San Francisco and also helping jurisdictions locate those who commit crimes in other cities, including for:

• Organized Retail Theft: On May13, a woman on a no-bail warrant for Organized Retail Theft was picked up on an ALPR camera in the Mission District. Officers from Mission Station located the vehicle and arrested both occupants.

• Carjacking: On May 3, we identified a vehicle involved in a carjacking at SF State. Our citywide plainclothes team spotted the vehicle, deployed spike strips and arrested three suspects.

• Robbery: On May 13, a vehicle used in a robbery entered San Francisco from Oakland and was captured on multiple ALPR cameras. Officers located the vehicle in the Bayview and took the driver into custody.

• Sexual Assault: On June 8, San Jose Police contacted law enforcement agencies across the region for assistance locating a sexual assault suspect. The suspect’s vehicle was picked up by ALPR cameras in the Taraval Police District, and officers located

the Filipino community at the 126th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in New York.

Atty. Gurfinkel was able to reconnect with former

California kicks off State Parks Week as new state park opens in Central Valley

SACRAMENTO — As California’s newest State Park, Dos Rios, officially opened to the public on Wednesday, June 12, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring June 12-16, 2024 as California State Parks Week. Located in the San Joaquin Valley outside of Modesto, Dos Rios is the first new State Park since 2014.

“Our state parks are a point of pride and inspiration for Californians and visitors from around the world. Today, we celebrate the opening of Dos Rios – our first new State Park in a decade – which creates new outdoor recreation opportunities for Central Valley communities, provides habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife, and advances the state’s innovative efforts to combat the climate crisis using nature-based solutions,” Gov. Newsom said.

The Governor and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom helped dedicate Dos Rios on Earth Day earlier this year.

“The Central Valley – the beating heart of our state's agriculture sector – is now home to California's first new State Park in nearly a decade. Dos Rios is an example of the work we're doing to heal our environment through land restoration and protection of the endangered species who call it home while bringing to the local community the undeniable benefits of time spent in nature,” said First Partner Siebel Newsom.

The opening of Dos Rios on Wednesday coincided with the third annual State Parks Week, which celebrates the state park system’s 280 destinations and highlights the importance of outdoor access to the health and well-being of our communities.

The approximately 1,600-acre Dos Rios property is the largest public-private floodplain restoration project in California to restore habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife at the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers. This is one of several projects across the state that will help California achieve its historic nature-based solutions targets announced earlier this year.

More information on visiting Dos Rios can be found at https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31363. A complete list of State Parks Week events and how to participate is available at CAStateParksWeek. org. (CA Gov. Newsom’s Office Release)

San Francisco’s new public safety

the vehicle near Golden

and took the suspect into custody.

“This new technology is just one new tool we are using that is helping us make San Francisco safer for all and it is delivering results,” said Mayor Breed. “This shows the impact that technology can have in assisting our officers in doing their work and is sending an important message to those who think they can come to our city and commit crimes.”

“These cameras have been a massive help to our police department,” said Chief Bill Scott.

“I want to thank our officers for their outstanding work. Looking forward, we will be integrating our ALPR network with our other technologies, including technologies voters approved in March under Proposition E, like drones and public safety cameras.”

Technology as a tool to

advance public safety ALPRs are only one of the new technology tools that Mayor Breed and the San Francisco Police Department are working to deploy to advance public safety.

As part of the implementation of Prop E, which was approved by the voters in March 2024, SFPD is now authorized to use drones and publicly owned public safety cameras in their work. While these ALPR cameras were already approved for use prior to Prop E, they demonstrate the effectiveness of using technology to support the work of law enforcement.

Mayor Breed’s proposed budget, which is currently before the Board of Supervisors Budget committee for review, includes $3.7 million to implement voterapproved technology. With this new funding, SFPD can expand on its plans to install public safety cameras and use of drones.

Currently the Board of Supervisors

camera...

is reviewing the mayor’s proposed budget, during which time they can vote to make changes.

The budget must be finalized, including being signed by the mayor, by August 1st.

Crime numbers continue improvement

San Francisco continues to see improved year over year crime numbers in 2024 across both property crime and violent crime.

This includes through the end of May compared to the same period in 2024:

• 13% reduction in violent crime overall

• 38% reduction in homicides

• 18% reduction in robberies

• 8 % reduction in assaults

• 33% reduction in property crime overall

• 18% reduction in burglaries

• 19% reduction in motor vehicle thefts

• 51% reduction in car breakins. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)

MCDONALD’S is revolutionizing intergenerational communication within Asian American families with its latest AI-powered initiative. This groundbreaking campaign aims to bridge the language gap between Gen Z and their non-English-speaking grandparents.

Utilizing advanced voice cloning and lip sync technology, McDonald’s new AI video translation website allows users to “speak” in their grandparents’ native languages, fostering stronger family bonds and preserving cultural heritage.

In a first for the brand in the U.S., McDonald’s launched sweetconnections.ai, inviting users to record heartfelt video messages and translate them into their grandparents’ native languages with just a few clicks. With the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, the site employs voice cloning and lip sync technology to transform videos from English into one of 31 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Italian, and French. The result is a video in which the user will look and sound like they’re speaking a completely new language.

This new AI tool is part of McDonald’s Grandma McFlurry® campaign. As grandkids know, McDonald’s is often the place to make memories with grandma. From treating us to impromptu soft serve to letting us have dessert first, grandma always knows how to make us feel special!

“I cherish the memories of my Sitty [grandmother], whose first language was Arabic. At times, I struggled to communicate all my emotions to her,” said Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at McDonald’s USA. “So, I love that we launched an innovative program that removes the barrier of language to address a real-world challenge for many multigenerational families like my own. McDonald’s is all about engaging our fans in ways that bring their families and communities together.”

Sweet Connections is being promoted nationally through a trio of documentary-style commercials exploring the language barrier between U.S.-born grandchildren — who speak primarily English — and their foreign-born grandmothers, who may speak little to no English. The spots feature real-life grandchild and grandma duos discussing the joys and challenges of their relationship before being surprised with an AI-translated message.

“I’m honored to be part of this campaign and celebrate the relationship I have with my lola Seeing her reaction when she saw the video of me speaking in Tagalog was incredible," shared Aina, one of the Asian Americans featured in the campaign. Her Lola Herecilla is thankful that the program exists. “It’s great that McDonald’s is supporting a program that helps immigrant families better communicate,” she said.

“As a child of immigrants who isn’t fluent in my grandparents’ native language, I can attest to the language barrier that often exists within

intergenerational families. However, this new AI tool aims to create those lasting connections to our elders by dissolving this barrier,” said Nita Song, President and CEO of IW Group, the multicultural agency that developed Sweet Connections. “For this campaign, we’re utilizing AI to help bridge this divide and enable grandkids to express their feelings of love and gratitude to their grandparents in a way they can truly understand.”

In addition to translating Gen Z’s English video messages into their grandparents’ native languages, the Sweet Connections website can perform the reverse function: translating their grandparents’ non-English messages into English. To highlight this unique feature, McDonald’s is bringing the tool to select senior citizen centers across the U.S. and hosting workshops to teach non-English speaking grandparents how to use the tool to send messages to their grandchildren. (Advertising Supplement)

More immigration questions answered in...

and speak with a diverse array of Filipino community members and organizations. He answered questions from several parade attendees, including members of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York, Inner Structures Inc., Gingoog City of Misamis Oriental, Kinding Sindaw: Melayu Heritage, and even a few of his previous clients whom he was able to help with their own immigration concerns in the past.

He also conversed with Edwin Josue, a friend and realtor, and spoke with retired nurses enjoying halo-halo. Additionally, he spoke with Potri Ranka Manis, a notable culture bearer from Kinding Sindaw: Melayu Heritage.

The colorful and vibrant parade featured music, dance, and cultural displays, with Atty. Gurfinkel’s presence, adding a meaningful layer to the celebration.

Watch this special episode – Atty. Gurfinkel Goes to New York Part 2 – on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, June 14 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

FIL-AM CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AT ISLA RESTAURANT FREMONT. Mellie Roberts celebrated her recent birthday with a get-together at Isla

Restaurant in Fremont, CA attended by friends and relatives. Top photo shows Mellie Roberts (seated, right) with Forever Young of California

president Tess Gregorio (seated, left) and (standing, from left) Maryjo Montano, Leny Dy, Maryann Basig and Jojo Gregorio. Bottom left photo shows Gelo of The Filipino Channel with Tess Gregorio. Bottom right photo shows celebrant Mellie Roberts (left) with Tess Gregorio (middle) and Isla Restaurant owner Angel Pare (right) in a light-hearted conversation. Photos courtesy of Tess Gregorio

Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from parade attendees, including members of PNANY (top left), Inner Structures Inc., Gingoog City of Misamis Oriental (top right), Kinding Sindaw: Melayu Heritage, and a few of his previous clients.

Lola Herecilla (left) reacts upon hearing granddaughter Aina speaking in Tagalog.

Lola Herecilla and Aina are featured in McDonald’s Grandma McFlurry® campaign, which features sweetconnections.ai – allowing non- or limited-English-speaking grandparents to connect with their GenZ grandchildren in their own native languages.

Images from Dos Rios, the newest State Park.

Atty. Gurfinkel converses with Edwin Josue (top right), retired nurses (bottom right) and Potri Ranka Manis (left).