061424 New York New & Jersey 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.”

Suspected Chinese military

MANILA — An “outstanding service medal” for a Chinese military sergeant, along with more People’s Liberation Army (PLA) uniforms and boots, was discovered in the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Pampanga.

According to the presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission (PAOCC)

A first: China Navy holds drills within EEZ

by Nestor Corrales Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is conducting maritime exercises inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the first time, increasing to 146 the number of Chinese vessels, among them 22 warships, spotted in several areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) since last week, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Aside from the 22 PLA Navy, 16 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and 108 Chinese maritime militia ships were monitored in the West

Philippine Sea from June 4 to 10, data from the Philippine Navy showed.

The number of vessels in the West Philippine Sea was higher than the 125 ships monitored from May 28 to June 3.

The Navy said 50 Chinese vessels were seen at the vicinity of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, almost a month after CCG vessels seized supplies intended for troops deployed at the BRP Sierra Madre and blocked a medical evacuation of a sick Philippine Navy personnel at the grounded ship serving as the country’s outpost.

Of the 50 vessels, eight were PLA Navy

for

Hontiveros urges Marcos to shut down POGO hubs

Labor trafficking, money laundering, national security concerns raised

by MoMar G. Visaya AJPress

SENATE Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has reiterated the urgent need for President Marcos to close all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs due to their significant impact on labor trafficking, money laundering, wage violations, and public safety.

Speaking before the Filipino American Press Club of New York on Sunday, June 9, Hontiveros emphasized the immediate need for executive action against POGO operations throughout the country.

"Kapag sinabi ni presidente paalisin na yang mga POGO na yan, puwede nang magsimula ang process u PAGE 2

warships, an increase from the two warships monitored the previous week.

Ayungin is an underwater feature about 195 kilometers west of Palawan province, well within the country’s 370-km EEZ.

The Navy said 42 Chinese vessels were at Pag-asa Island and 33 were at Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, while the remaining ships were at Kota, Likas, Lawak and Panata Islands and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.

Maritime drills

On Tuesday, June 11, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy spokesperson on

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

New York State Assembly adopts resolution to proclaim June 12th as Philippine Independence Day

THE New York State Assembly adopted a resolution urging Governor Hochul to proclaim June 12th, 2024, as Philippine Independence Day in New York State on Tuesday, June 4. Sponsored by Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski and cosponsored by Assemblymember Steven Raga, this resolution celebrates the rich heritage and vibrant culture of the

Filipino community in New York. “It is an honor to serve in the state legislature and be able to celebrate the rich heritage and vibrant culture of the Filipino community in New York State. This celebration is not just a commemoration of our history but also a testament to the enduring spirit and contributions of Filipinos in New York,” Assemblymember Raga

u PAGE 4

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

REHEARSAL. Members of the Philippine Army practice in front of the Jose Rizal monument in Manila on Tuesday, June 11. They are preparing

the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence with the theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” (Freedom, Future, History). PNA photo by Yancy Lim

An alleged “outstanding service medal” for a Chinese military sergeant, was discovered in the raided Pogo hub in Pampanga, PAOCC. Photo courtesy of PAOCC

F rom the F ront P age

Armed police fail to arrest...

PAGE 1

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.

A first: China Navy holds drills within...

Quiboloy's case had to be relocated outside of his hometown to "avoid the miscarriage of justice," according to SC. "As this could cause local biases and a strong possibility that witnesses cannot freely testify due to fear and

The fugitive preacher's child and sexual abuse cases were transferred by the Supreme Court from Davao City to Quezon City on May 28.

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

Hontiveros urges Marcos to...

ngayon din,” Hontiveros stressed.

Hontiveros chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which is conducting an inquiry into the illegal activities happening in POGO hubs, such as human trafficking, cyber fraud, illegal detention, and abuse.

The senator highlighted that the promises made when the POGOs entered the Philippines eight years ago did not materialize. Instead, they brought a litany of problems including prostitution, illegal recruitment and detention, human trafficking, cyberscamming, and money laundering. She recently expressed concern over these POGOs having possible connections to surveillance activities and the hacking of government websites.

Hontiveros has been leading a Senate investigation exposing the criminal activities, national security risks, and identity issues surrounding these POGOs, particularly focused on the raided POGO hub in Bamban and its alleged links to Mayor Alice Guo.

“It’s really a cause of concern. Nakapasok na ba ang impluwensiya, pera at kapangyarihan ng POGO sa ating local governments o sa mas mataas pang antas sa ating gobyerno? Kailangan nating malaman yun para mapigilan nating kumalat kung sakaling yun ang ating mapatunayan,” she shared.

Prior to her trip to the United States last week, Hontiveros joined an executive session convened by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality. The executive session included

representatives from the National Security Council (NSC), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), among others.

“After that session, I raised publicly, again, my call to the National Security Council to convene and discuss finally their views if the POGOs themselves are not a national security threat and if they ever make such a finding, for the council to call on the president to ban POGOs already,” she said.

Hontiveros added that they will set another briefing with the AMLC regarding the money laundering aspect of the investigation, particularly illegal revenue streams, before conducting another public hearing where she said they will be able to make public some of the national security inputs they discussed in the executive session.

“May mas malilinaw na misteryoso tungkol sa kanya,” she said, referring to Bamban Mayor Alice Guo who is at the center of the preliminary investigation.

“In a way, she created her own problem because of her background and her inability

the West Philippine Sea, said the increase in Chinese warships in the West Philippine Sea from 11 to 22 could be attributed to the maritime drills being conducted by the PLA Navy in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal from June 4 to 11.

“This is the first time that we monitored an exercise by the PLA Navy within our [EEZ],” Trinidad said at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

He noted that a landing ship, a warship, and two other support vessels were involved in the drills.

The PLA Navy, according to him, conducted launching and recovery of aircraft and hovercraft, among others.

He said China’s drill at Sabina was not coordinated with the Philippine government, but noted that the Philippine military observed “the conduct of their exercise and we checked on the details of their capabilities.”

“The presence of the PLA Navy in Sabina is a reflection of their presence in the entire West Philippine Sea—illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive,” he said.

According to him, there were many ways to prevent the exercises from being conducted in the country’s EEZ.

to answer simple questions in a simple, direct, and frank way.”

Because of that, more questions were raised and Hontiveros sees that more cases are being prepared by different executive and constitutional bodies of the government against Mayor Guo in the coming days.

Hontiveros was in New York to participate in the 126th Philippine Independence Day celebration and to engage with the Filipino community in the United States. n

“First and foremost, we inform everybody that it is illegal. They have no right to be here. We do not yet use force on force. There are many [ways] how to prevent or how to stop the actions of other countries, especially China,” he said.

New Beijing policy

The increase in Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea happened days before the June 15 implementation of a new Beijing policy authorizing its coast guard to arrest trespassers who cross what it claims are its borders in the South China Sea.

Trinidad said the military, the Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard were ready to prevent such a situation.

“We have increased patrols, we are involving our partners and allies, we are not the only ones concerned, even other countries are concerned about that. This is not only a problem of the Philippines, it is a problem of Asean and the international community,” he said.

On Monday, June 10, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines must be prepared because of more pronounced external threats as a result of the heightened geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific region.

In his speech before members of Army’s 5th Infantry Division (ID) at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela province, the president said the Philippines’ northern part must be prepared “for any eventuality” due to its proximity to Taiwan, which puts the country in China’s “area of interest.”

“And that is why—the external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” President Marcos told 5th ID soldiers.

New Army mission

It was Mr. Marcos’ first visit to the Army camp since it was chosen as one of the four new sites of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the United States.

The Marcos administration has added two other Edca sites in Cagayan province at the northern tip of the Luzon mainland.

With the current geopolitical tension in the Southeast Asian region, the AFP now has to take on two missions—external and internal security, according to Mr. Marcos.

He said the 5th ID’s mission now includes territorial defense from external threats, stressing the importance of providing the AFP with equipment, training and facilities to make it a highly capable force.

The president said that while the Philippines was not trying to expand its territory, its leadership had to reorient its thinking and adopt full commitment to defend the country’s sovereign rights.

“We are not trying to take territory. We are not trying to redraw the lines of sovereign territory, the EEZ, the baseline,” he said.

“We are not trying to change anything—not even an inch. But we will also not allow that to be taken away from us,” the president pointed out.

The national government has to undertake various efforts to maintain peace in the region, such as engaging in continued diplomacy, he said. n

Suspected Chinese military medal...

spokesperson Winston John Casio, the medal was found in one of the establishments’ buildings, while three more sets of PLA uniforms were discovered in various parts of the complex, bringing the total to six.

“We were able to find this only this afternoon. We only found one medal in Phase 3. I’ll clarify the exact building number,” Casio told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview on Wednesday, June 12.

“We were able to find six sets [of uniforms] and two [pairs] of military boots; we are still counting them because it is still ongoing. We will stop around 8 to 9 p.m. Around that time, we can provide the details on the items found today,” Casio said.

On Tuesday, June 11, Casio disclosed that the first three PLA uniforms and military pins were found over the establishment’s dorms, villas, and offices on June 10.

Last week, PAOCC and joint operatives of the Philippine National Police units conducted the raid, resulting in the “apprehension” of over 190 individuals inside the Pogo complex along Friendship Highway, Angeles City.

PAOCC said its operation stemmed from a warrant issued by Presiding Judge Maria Belinda Rama of Malolos Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, against officers and employees of Lucky South 99, which the commission said is “the biggest facility in Pampanga with a reported total number of 46 buildings including villas and other structures, as well as a golf course.”

The warrant, on the other hand, was issued following a report PAOCC received from confidential informants detailing how a female foreigner was sexually trafficked in the area and male foreigners were tortured. (By Faith Argosino/Inquirer.net) n

Sen. Risa Hontiveros

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

Sen. Hontiveros delivering her message at the Philippine Independence Ball in New York AJPress Photo by Troi Santos

ASAP Youth leaders showcase advocacy achievements at community briefing

Major campaigns focused on mental health, language access, and anti-bullying and harassment

YOUTH Leaders from the Coalition for Asian American Children's and Families (CACF) Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) presented the results of their 2023-2024 advocacy campaigns at a Community Briefing on June 7, Friday at Teach for America’s offices on 25 Broadway.

Marking ASAP's 20th anniversary, the program, established in 2004, aims to empower young AAPI New Yorkers as informed advocates for their communities. Over the past academic year, 32 Youth Leaders focused on three major campaigns: mental health, language access, and anti-bullying and harassment, addressing critical issues faced by AAPI youth in New York City public schools.

CACF Co-executive directors Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung praised

the Youth Leaders' efforts, emphasizing the significance of youth advocacy.

“ASAP was built on the belief that our young people are experts on their own experiences,” they stated. The Community Briefing highlighted the research conducted by these leaders, presented to teachers, families, and elected officials.

Special guests included City Council Committee on Education Chair Rita Joseph and Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, who awarded citations to the Youth Leaders. Additionally, staff from Councilmember Shekar Krishnan's office honored the leaders with citations.

The current ASAP cohort, selected through a rigorous application process, represented 17 different New York City

New York State Assembly adopts resolution to...

said. “I am immensely proud to represent such a dynamic and resilient community, not only in Assembly District 30 but throughout the state. Together, we will continue to build bridges of understanding and collaboration, ensuring that everywhere we go–our voices are heard, and our presence is felt.”

For the second consecutive year, the Filipino community gathered at the New York State Capitol in Albany to commemorate Philippine Independence Day. Co-organized by Assemblymember Raga's office and the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the event marked the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence and highlighted the strong bonds between New York State and the Filipino community.

The day began with a floor introduction in the Assembly Chamber, where Assemblymember Raga, the first Filipino and Southeast Asian American elected to office in New York, introduced the Filipino American community. He acknowledged the presence of Consul General Senen Mangalile, special guests, and a delegation from the Philippine province of Misamis Oriental, including their Kuyamis Festival dancers.

“As we gather for the second year at the state capitol to commemorate the 126th Anniversary of the

witness

to the strong bonds between the Filipino community and the great state of New York,” said Consul General

Senen Mangalile.

“We celebrate under the theme ‘Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.’ –‘Freedom. Future. History.’ – which echoes the spirit of the Katipunan, whose bravery and patriotism laid the foundation for the freedom the Philippines now enjoys. I call on the Filipino community in New York to draw inspiration from the Katipunan’s courage as we work together to build a prosperous and united future for a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).”

Following the floor introduction, a brief meeting with Assembly Deputy Speaker Philip Ramos took place. Deputy Speaker Ramos shared his admiration for the Filipino community and discussed the potential of sending a New York State legislative delegation to the Philippines to explore mutual opportunities. He also proposed forming a task force to address labor market opportunities between the Philippines and New York State.

The celebration continued with a vibrant cultural program at the Legislative Office Building's Well. The program featured performances by Filipino American community members, including singers Azia Sky Barao, Carla Mongado, Luz Sanchez, and Raffy Tragico from the band Brown Sugar. The Kuyamis Festival dancers from Misamis Oriental also

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced on Tuesday, June 11 that Amber Sevilla, an 11th grader from Elmhurst, Queens, has won her annual art contest. Sevilla, a Filipino American, earned the top spot among entries from high school students across Queens.

The contest is part of “An Artistic Discovery,” a national art competition organized annually by the House of Representatives to showcase student artwork from congressional districts nationwide.

Sevilla’s winning piece, “2:25 PM,” is an acrylic painting based on a photo she took in April 2023. The artwork depicts a relaxed moment with her dad, capturing the beauty in everyday family experiences. This piece, along with winning artworks from other districts, will be displayed for one year in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Sevilla and the other winners will also be invited to Capitol Hill for a special ceremony later this month to celebrate their achievements.

Sevilla, who turned 17 the day after her win, is a student at the High School of Art and Design. She plans to attend art college and aspires to become an art educator or curator.

“It’s such an honor to be chosen as the winner of Congresswoman Meng’s congressional art competition! I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that I won, and I’m so excited to soon see my work hanging in the United States Capitol,” Sevilla said.

Meng announced Sevilla’s win during a reception for participating students and their families, where all entries were showcased. The congresswoman also presented

Congresswoman Meng congratulating art contest winner Amber Sevilla with Sevilla’s winning artwork. Also pictured is Sevilla’s dad: A. Redd Sevilla. Contributed/Office of Rep. Grace Meng

Aisha Mowla and Evangelina Ago Contributed/CACF

Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the historic halls of the Legislative Office Building again bear

For the second year, over a hundred Filipino Americans gathered at the New York State Capitol in Albany to celebrate the 126th Philippine Independence Day, showcasing the strong bonds between New York State and the Filipino community.

Co-organized by Assemblymember Raga's office and the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the event celebrated the 126th Philippine Independence Day, highlighting the strong bonds between New York State and the Filipino community. Contributed/Office of Asm. Steven Raga

Features OpiniOn

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.

Editorial

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.

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

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

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

Philippine foreign policy taking center stage

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 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 rulesbased 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 “rulesbroken 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

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

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

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Marcos to skip Peace Summit in Switzerland

By heleN Flores, Jose rodel ClapaNo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Marcos will skip the global peace summit in Switzerland this weekend and send presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. as the country’s representative, Malacañang announced on Tuesday, June 11.

Galvez, head of the Office of the presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, has been designated as representative of the Philippines to the Ukraine peace summit, the presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

The Swiss-organized summit will be held on June 15-16.

The PCO has yet to respond to queries on why the president is not attending the event.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an unexpected visit last week to the Philippines to personally invite Marcos to attend the summit.

challenges facing the two nations.

“Your (Philippines) voice is very important. This region is very important,” Zelensky said, citing Manila’s support of six United Nations resolutions condemning the Russian invasion and calling for an end to the war.

No country wants to again experience being colonized, he said, so countries with a “strong and clear position that nobody can occupy your territory” must unite.

Zelensky also warned about the possibility of the war spreading to other regions if democratic nations fail to unite and allow Russia to win.

Ukraine needs Filipino mental health workers, especially for battle-weary soldiers, he said.

Marcos committed to sending mental health workers to Ukraine through the UN peacekeeping process.

Multilingual campaign deployed across...

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

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.”

Before departing Manila on June 3, Zelensky told GMA-7 that the Philippines’ “voice” against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was important, citing similarities in security

The two leaders failed to meet at the recent ShangriLa Dialogue – Asia’s largest defense summit – in Singapore.

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

“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 community-based 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

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.

LA has launched a citywide campaign in more than a dozen languages to spread the word about the dangers of extreme heat. Ethnic Media Services photo

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Philstar.com file photo Zelensky has accused Russia and China of trying to dissuade other states from attending the event.

Marcos to skip...

Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the defense summit supposedly to drum up support from Asian countries.

Amnesty

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, June 10 signed an agreement for the success of the Marcos administration’s amnesty program for rebels and secessionist groups.

The agreement aims to nurture a climate conducive to peace, reconciliation and reintegration into mainstream society of members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Bongcayao Brigade, former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front and their front organizations, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front.

The PNP could assist the NAC in vetting the information of amnesty applicants at the local or national level.

Under the agreement, the PNP shall also acknowledge safe conduct passes issued by the NAC so that applicants will have peace of mind and not get arrested while their amnesty applications are being processed.

This would be enforced unless applicants were arrested for committing acts not covered by the amnesty program.

Ex-officio members of the NAC, Interior

Undersecretary Juan Victor Llamas representing Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, and presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., supported the partnership.

Signatories to the agreement were NAC chair Leah Tanodra-Armamento, NAC commissioners Jamar Kulayan and Naseer Marohomsalic and PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, represented by Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria and Col. Joseph Arguelles. n

New York State Assembly adopts resolution to...

PAGE 4

performed, and attendees enjoyed Filipino cuisine prepared by Kusina Resto, a local Albany caterer.

Prominent community leaders emphasized the significance of the event. Sol Kapunan, President of Kalayaan 1521 Council Inc., spoke about the importance of keeping the "Filipino Voice" alive in the State Legislature.

“Two short days ago, we saw the streets of Manhattan fill up with signs, colors, sounds, and dancing. Yes, it was a testament to the Filipino People’s indefatigable spirit. But today, the Filipinos are bringing it inside the halls of the New York State Legislature: Different venues, but nonetheless, the same spirit,” Kapunan said. “The

difference, I suppose, is that the celebration here at the State Capitol is our determined attempt to lift our collected efforts to rally behind our very own Assemblymember Steven Raga who incessantly continues to champion the Filipino Cause at the State Legislature.”

“Words might not be enough to show how important this event is, but today we are sending a clear message that our celebration of the 126 years of the Declaration of Philippine Independence is our determined efforts to keep the ‘Filipino Voice’ alive and kicking in these halls and beyond. Ultimately, Kalayaan 1521 Council believes that as we continue to show the world that we can unite and rally behind a common cause to support each other, then it

becomes evident that Filipinos have the ability to align and make each other stronger,” he added.

The program also featured greeting messages from several state legislators, including Deputy Speaker Philip Ramos, the New York State Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chair Zohran Mamdani, and Assemblymembers Harvey Epstein, Emily Gallagher, and Jenifer Rajkumar. Deputy Director of Asian American Affairs Sibu Nair from the Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Director of Asian American Affairs Adam Chen of the Office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James also delivered messages of support, on behalf of their principals. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)n

Filipino American student wins art...

PAGE 4

certificates of congressional recognition to all 28 students from 18 different schools who entered the contest.

“I thank Amber Sevilla for entering my art contest and I’m thrilled to congratulate her for winning this year’s competition,” said Congresswoman Meng.

“The artistic talent shown by the young artists who

took part in the contest is outstanding, and every year I continue to be impressed and inspired by the amazing creativity that goes into all of the artwork. I commend each and every student who participated and I’m excited that Amber’s winning piece will be recognized and displayed in the Capitol for lawmakers, visitors and maybe even the president to

see.”

“I’m extremely grateful to Isabella Bustamante, the Director of Teen Art Salon, for encouraging me to enter the contest. I also thank my other art teachers, James Harrington, Ashton Agbomenou, and Laura Blau, for helping me hone my skills,” Sevilla added.

“I was born and raised in Queens, and it means so

much to me to be able to give back to and represent my community in Elmhurst. In the future, I want to be a supportive, caring, and skilled art teacher, just like those who have always been by my side throughout my artistic studies in school, and winning first place in this competition is such an encouraging step in that journey.” 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) n

Philippine foreign policy taking center...

PAGE 6

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

CACF’s ASAP Youth...

public schools, 15 ethnic groups, and spoke eight languages. This diversity highlights the inclusive nature of the program and the varied perspectives brought to the advocacy campaigns.

less than 500 school social workers in the NYC public school system who are supposed to serve nearly one million students. Some schools don’t even have one social worker in them right now.”

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

Among the youth leaders in the cohort were Filipino Americans such as Evangelina Ago, a 10th grader at the United Nations International School. She is part of the Anti-Bullying and Harassment Campaign and this year, her team focused on incorporating restorative justice into New York City school environments, aiming to demonstrate its effectiveness over traditional punitive measures in resolving student disagreements.

Evangelina credits the ASAP program for her growth in teamwork and leadership.

“ASAP has really helped me realize that it's better to incorporate everyone's voices when figuring out solutions,” she said. “We also talk a lot about how it's important to take a step back sometimes and listen while also encouraging others to speak up.”

She also highlighted the need to challenge stereotypes about AAPI students. Evangelina wishes people would see beyond the model minority myth and recognize the diversity and individuality within the AAPI community. She believes that breaking these presumptions can lead to a better understanding and support for AAPI high schoolers.

Aisha Mowla, a 12th grader at Brooklyn Technical High School, is involved in ASAP's Mental Health Campaign.

“Our main focus this year was working on getting more social workers in NYC schools,” she said.

“Right now, there are

Aisha emphasized the need for more mental health resources, including AAPI mental health professionals, to better support students.

Born to a Black and Pakistani father and a Filipino mother, Aisha recently spoke at City Hall against education budget cuts, an experience that honed her public speaking and leadership skills. These opportunities, provided by ASAP, have empowered her to effectively advocate for mental health resources.

Through her involvement in events like CACF’s Catalyst for Change Awards Gala and the AAPI Classroom partnership with the NYC Comptroller’s Office, Aisha has gained valuable networking and presentation skills. These experiences have taught her how to deliver impactful messages and advocate for important issues, strengthening her role as a youth leader.

Another ASAP Youth Leader Reona Alam, a senior at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, reflected on the mental health campaign. “My team and I worked hard to understand the mental health needs of AAPI NYC public school students and current disparities in accessing help,” she said. Julie Wu, a senior at Midwood High School, emphasized the importance of the Community Briefing as a collective presentation of their advocacy work. Harpreet Singh, a senior at Stuyvesant High School, discussed the progress in the language access campaign, highlighting the significance of their efforts in addressing ongoing barriers. n

Aisha Mowla addressing education rally at City Hall May 2024 Contributed/CACF

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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immigration questions answered in part 2 of

‘Atty. Gurfinkel Goes to New York’ on this Sunday’s brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy

LEADING U.S. Immigration

Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel continues his interaction with the Filipino community at the 126th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in New York.

Atty. Gurfinkel was able to reconnect with former clients 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 PAGE 12

ATTY. GURFINKEL ANSWERS MORE IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA AT THE 126TH PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY IN NEW YORK! We are bringing you part 2 of the immigration Q&A where leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel answers questions from several participants at the 126th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in New York City. Some of the people he spoke with are from various groups like: Gingoog City of Misamis Oriental; Inner Structures, Inc.; several retired nurses; members of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York; Edwin Josue; Kinding Sindaw: Melayu Heritage, among others. Some of his previous clients came up to him, thanking him for uniting their families. Catch Part 2 of Atty. Gurfinkel Goes to New York on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, June 16 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

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

Fil-Brit James Bradwell’s ‘Bridgerton’ character has Jose Rizal connection

By leah C. salterio Philstar.com

MANILA — To be part of the cast of “Bridgerton,” revisiting Regency-era England with its London palaces and Bath ballrooms, is indeed a great honor for British-Filipino actor James Bradwell. He is now part of the show’s Season 3.

James originally auditioned for Season 2 of “Bridgerton,” but did not get into the Netflix series until the third season that started last May 16. He plays Lord Basilio in the series.

“I auditioned for a general Lord character in 2022,” James shared. “It has been a while. It has been bubbling though my brain. I need to remind myself it happened.

“I was offered a Lord with a different name, but I asked if I can change his name to represent my Filipino heritage. I’m so glad that the team were all for it. They listened to my ideas.”

When James pitched the

Filipino-British actor James Bradwall plays Lord Basilio in Season 3 of Netflix’s Regency-era series ‘Bridgerton.’

names he suggested, the production picked Basilio, an origin that is very close to the Jose Rizal history. Basilio is one of the prominent characters in Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere.”

“When I researched, I wanted a name that had high status,” James disclosed. “Basilio came from the Greek that means royalty. The name reflects a high status in his origin. I’m so, so glad they

responded positively.”

“Bridgerton” is James’ first dedicated Netflix project and he cannot be more thankful.

“I did a very short scene in the Netflix comedy, ‘Back To Life.’ That was for BBC and was also on Netflix for a bit. But ‘Bridgerton’ is my first Netflix, flagship project.”

When he got the Lord Basilio role, James was about to walk into a performance of “My Fair Lady” on the West End in London.

“I was supporting a friend of mine who was in the cast of ‘My Fair Lady,’” James recalled. “I got a call in the afternoon before the evening show. I was asked to go straight into costume the next day for ‘Bridgerton.’

“They needed to COVIDtest me. So a man on a motorbike was sent on the road, on the spot, to swab me on the street before I went to see ‘My Fair Lady.’ Luckily, I was negative.

“That was a bit of a

Health@Heart

PhiliP S. Chua, md, FaCS, FPCS

IN this era of informational technology facilitated by search engines, like Google, and websites, like YouTube, to name a couple, access to massive scientific data enables people to instantly educate themselves on proactive and preemptive strategies in disease prevention and in adopting a healthier lifestyle. It also erases the stigma on a scientific discussion of delicate and sensitive personal topic like masturbation, which, contrary to past beliefs, is actually a healthy normal part of people’s lives.

Wikipedia defines masturbation as “a form of autoeroticism in which a person sexually stimulates their own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm.”

Statistics

On masturbation

one time or another. Both surveys clearly confirm that this practice of self-arousal is normal among the majority of people around the world.

As to the frequency, 57 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 24 masturbate once a week, compared to 48 percent of women in the same age group. More than 40 percent of males and 22 percent of females masturbate daily. About 55 percent of men and 40 percent of women prefer masturbation over sex with a partner, and 53 percent of women and 17 percent of men use vibrators to arouse themselves. The study involved “more than 13,000 subjects and were weighted to be globally representative.”

insanity, hairy palms, hand tremors, shrinking penises, decrease in sperm count, erectile dysfunction, etc. These are all false. Masturbation does not have any serious side-effects. If done violently, the excessive force might cause penile skin chaffing, soreness and swelling of the penis, and possible (rare) bleeding under the skin of the penis if someone is taking blood thinner or aspirin.

If one’s mental health is not stable, masturbation could become a compulsive behavior. But this is a mental problem, not a side-effect of masturbation. With this obsessive “hypersexuality” behavior, which fortunately is rare, professional help is needed.

Benefits of masturbation

According to published statistics from a 2022 study, more men (73.8 percent) than women (48.1 percent) masturbate. The percentage for women might not be totally accurate because women, in general, are more private in their sentiments. In an earlier report (2009), the data showed 95 percent of men and 89 percent of women masturbated at

Inner

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 halohalo. 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.

At this very moment you are reading my column, about 797,151 men and women in the United States are actually masturbating, extrapolated a study. That is more than the total (2024 census) population of Wyoming (600,000), Vermont (647,818), North and Alaska (733,536), and North Dakota (788,940).

Mythical dangers

Misinformed or disinformed naysayers for centuries and social media abusers today have been circulating this long list of falsehood, myths about the side-effects of masturbation: blindness,

Some of the benefits of masturbation include the release of endorphins, hormones like dopamine, the feel-good hormone secreted by our glands whenever we are happy, like after eating chocolates, sweets, during sex, etc.), and oxytocin, the love hormone that blocks pain and make us feel well. These hormones increase positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and inner peace. They also counteract adrenalin, Cortisol, the stress hormone to reduce anxiety. Masturbation is

York,

Structures

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.

PAGE 14

right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy

Two Filipino Americans achieve historic wins at James Beard Awards

Llera named Best Chef in California; Balingit wins Emerging Voice Award

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

TWO Filipino Americans have made history, securing top honors at the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards over the weekend in Chicago.

Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord was named Best Chef in California, while Abi Balingit’s debut cookbook, "Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed," won the Emerging Voice award. These accolades not only highlight their exceptional talent and dedication but also showcase the rising prominence of Filipino cuisine in America.

Llera, the culinary visionary behind Kuya Lord, was named Best Chef in California by the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards. This award, one of the most 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.

New York-based Abi Balingit and her book "Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed" received the Emerging Voice award, an accolade given to firsttime 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.

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 beverage-

related 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 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 finedining 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" 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

Abi Balingit Photo from instagram/@theduskykitchen

Lord Maynard Llera

Contributed/Galdones Photography

Gold House launches first-ever Gold List for Top Asian Achievements in television ahead of awards voting period

GOLD House debuted its inaugural Gold List to honor outstanding achievements in television by Asian creatives in the past year, as the voting period for the 76th Emmy Awards opens. The Gold List winners were voted on by Asian Pacific leaders in entertainment.

Notable honorees include Shogun (including wins for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai), Expats, The Sympathizer, Greta Lee, and Bowen Yang.

In the 75-year history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, only 1.1% of awards have been awarded to Asian creatives or Asian-led projects. However, over the past year, television projects led by Asian creatives in front of and behind the cameras have skyrocketed in popularity with audiences and critics alike. Asian-led shows broke records for the most-watched Netflix show globally in the second half of 2023 (One Piece) and the most-watched FX premiere ever on Hulu (Shogun), while Beef swept at the 75th Emmy Awards with historic wins for creator Lee Sung Jin and stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun.

After years of success advocating for due recognition for Asian Pacific creativity in film via the Gold List—which spotlighted films including Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Boy and the Heron, RRR, Minari, Parasite and many more that went on to historic wins and nominations at the Academy Awards—Gold House is thrilled to expand this movement to bring attention to Asian Pacific excellence in television. In its first edition, the Gold List for television spans 7 categories, focused on select categories to honor outstanding shows, creators, and performances.

Deftly blending critical acclaim with its commercial success, Shogun dominated across categories, winning for Outstanding Series, Outstanding Lead Performance (Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada), Outstanding Directing (Hiromi Kamata, Takeshi Fukunaga), and Outstanding Writing (Rachel Kondo, Emily Yoshida, Maegan

Houang, Justin Marks) and receiving honorable mentions of supporting performances from Fumi Nikaido, Moeka Hoshi, and Tadanobu Asano.

"I am deeply honored to be selected in the inaugural TV Gold List for my role in Shogun. This recognition is particularly special as it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in celebrating excellence in television. Working on Shogun has been a profound and enriching experience, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication and passion that everyone involved has brought to this project. It is a privilege to share our culture with the world and I am grateful for the opportunity to bring such a significant story to life," said Sanada, star and producer of Shogun.

Other winners include fan favorites Greta Lee and Bowen Yang for Outstanding Supporting Performance in The Morning Show and SNL, respectively. Blue Eye Samurai won for Outstanding Animated Program, and Quiz Lady received top honors for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.

The Sympathizer and Expats both received the second-highest number of accolades, including for The Sympathizer, Honorable Mentions for Outstanding Television Show, Outstanding Directing (Park Chan-wook), Outstanding Lead Performance (Hoa Xuande), Outstanding Supporting Performance (Sandra Oh); and for Expats,

Honorable Mentions for Outstanding Television Show, Outstanding Directing (Lulu Wang), Outstanding Writing (Lulu Wang, Vera Miao, Gursimran Sandhu, Janice Y.K. Lee), and Outstanding Supporting Performance (Sarayu Blue).

In addition to Xuande, a number of rising Asian stars received Honorable Mentions in the acting categories, including Ambika Mod (One Day) and Ji-young Yoo (Expats), demonstrating the incredible opportunity for future canon-defining performances. As well, luminaries from the Asian community received recognition for their leading roles—Maya Erksine in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Utkarsh Ambudkar in Ghosts—and supporting performances— Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan in Loki and Sarayu Blue in Expats.

Other television shows and movies that were honored on the Gold List include 3 Body Problem, Invincible, Love in Taipei, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Under the Bridge, and World’s Best.

“Asian stories and talent have undeniably taken center stage this year, showcasing a remarkable breadth of narratives and performances that resonate across broad audiences. With an array of outstanding shows gracing our screens, the expansion of the Gold List to television categories is a testament to the rich diversity and excellence within the industry. We’re excited to honor both

Fil-Brit James Bradwell’s...

PAGE 12

whirlwind from a phone call, getting cast and suddenly being on the set a few days later.”

“Bridgerton” was shot in July 2022, the “hottest day in the UK,” according to James. “That was a record-breaking heat, but nothing on how the temperature reaches in Manila, of course,” said the actor, who was in the Philippines early this year.

He auditioned for the show while in a dressing room of Chloe Moss’ “Corrina, Corrina,” a play he was doing in Liverpool. He played Filipino seafarer, Angelo Andrada, alongside Martin Sarreal as Rafael and Angelo Paragoso as Rizal. The latter is currently on tour playing “Aladdin” in the UK.

established icons and rising stars, and hope that all receive deserved recognition from the wider industry for their work,” said Tiffany Chao, Head of Entertainment and Media at Gold House.

Spotlighting Asian talent during the awards race serves as an extension of the critical cultural consultation and research, next-generation talent fellowships, and groundbreaking #GoldOpen movement from Gold House to ensure due recognition for affirming an authentic portrayal of Asian Pacific stories, in addition to record-breaking successes.

The full list of Gold List selections are below:

Outstanding Series Winner: Shogun

Honorable Mentions: 3 Body Problem, Expats, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Sympathizer, Under the Bridge

Outstanding Directing Winner: Shogun (Hiromi Kamata, Takeshi Fukunaga) Honorable Mentions: Expats (Lulu Wang), The Sympathizer (Park Chanwook)

Outstanding Writing Winner: Shogun (Rachel Kondo, Emily Yoshida, Maegan Houang, Justin Marks)

Honorable Mentions: 3 Body Problem (Alexander Woo, Madhuri Shekar, David Benioff, DB Weiss), Expats (Lulu Wang, Vera Miao, Gursimran Sandhu, Janice Y.K. Lee)

Outstanding Lead Performance

first came to the Philippines. With a very vague recollection of his hometown Naga City in Camarines Sur, he returned to the Philippines only early this year, when he was tapped by director Victor Lirio to do Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal,” a three-hander for Repertory Philippines.

“I didn’t get to visit Naga early this year,” James lamented. “My two castmates in ‘Betrayal’ — Vanessa White and James Cooney — they got to see their families in Davao. I stayed in Manila.

“We were playing three Filipino seafarers in a very politically modern play about what happens at sea and the rights of workers,” James offered.

He will start rehearsals next week for a Shakespeare play, “As You Like It,” to be staged in Oxford.

“I’m about to embark on that until August and who knows what will happen after that,” James said. “I will just keep on auditioning and take in what comes.”

He was only four when he

“My lola lives in Bacoor (Cavite), so I went down there. I sort of kept a tight schedule. When I started work, I really focused on work. I didn’t have much time even after the job to explore. But we did all the sight-seeing in Manila. We visited Intramuros and the museums.”

James enjoyed the two months he was here in Manila for “Betrayal.”

“It was such a lovely time for me as an artist, spending two months here, from start of rehearsals to the final show,” James allowed. “I’ll be back very soon.

“If I have any power at all, I’d love to start some conversations about another project (in the Philippines) any time.” n

Two Filipino Americans...

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

On masturbation...

beneficial for long term health for those who enjoy it. It also reduces risk for prostatic cancer, since ejaculation prevents buildup of cancer-causing agents, like old semen, in the prostate gland.

In women, masturbation makes a woman more likely to have orgasm during sexual relationships. During pregnancy, masturbation releases sexual tension and helps ease some pregnancy symptoms including lower back pains. It also lowers the rate of cervical infection.

Orgasm (in actual sex or masturbation) also reduces stress, improves sleep, eases pain, boosts our mood, increases focus, and it also prevents anxiety and depression. Those who are deprived of regular sexual pleasure for any reason have the opposite (negative) effects on those health effects listed above.

Masturbation reduces vaginal dryness, relieves menstrual cramps, increases libido, induces greater satisfaction with sex and provides a higher selfesteem. All of these make life more enjoyable and marriage more stable and lasting.

COVID-flu vax combo

More than a year ago, in this column, we were saying hopefully, a triple combo vaccine would be developed for COVID-19, the flu, and the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infections. The 3-in-1 vaccine would certainly catapult vaccination compliance, with one shot instead of 3, less needle stick, less clinic visit, more convenience for the public.

On October 4, 2023, Moderna announced successful trials with mRNA 1083 vaccine combo to be more effective against COVID-19 viruses and all four A and B strains of the Flu, and superior to the previous 2 individual shots.

Anyway, while waiting for the trio, we look forward to this duo (mRNA 1083) tandem vaccine with great eagerness.

New Alzheimer’s drug

Eli Lily’s new drug for Alzheimer’s, Donanemab, announced 6 hours ago while I was writing this column, is the second drug approved by the United States FDA to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s. The first one

was Lecanemab (Lequembi, by Eisai, Inc.), also an amyloid-fighting drug, was granted full approval by the FDA in July 2023. Tacrine, (Cognex) approved in 1993 as the “very first” against Alzheimer’s, has been shown to improve some psychometrics but did not affect the progress of this scary dementia.

Worldwide, there are about 55 million people with Alzheimer’s, with nearly 10 million new cases each year, and predicted to double every 20 years. In the U.S., there are over 6 million cases of Alzheimer’s, mostly those aged 65 and older, which includes 200,000 cases under 65, according to the National Institute of Aging.

For love of family, many would prefer to have cancer than to develop Alzheimer's to spare their loved ones from the daily struggle, pain, and tremendous hardships of taking care of them.

* * *

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

* * *

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

* * *

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

McDonald's unveils AI tool to help Gen Z connect with non-English-speaking grandparents

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 foreignborn 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. n

Winners: Anna Sawai (Shogun); Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun)

Honorable Mentions: Ambika Mod (One Day); Hoa Xuande (The Sympathizer); Ji-Young Yoo (Expats); Maya Erskine (Mr. And Mrs.

Smith); Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts)

Outstanding Supporting Performance

Winners: Bowen Yang (SNL); Greta Lee (The Morning Show)

Honorable Mentions: Fumi Nikaido (Shogun); Ke

Huy Quan (Loki); Moeka Hoshi (Shogun); Sandra Oh (The Sympathizer); Sarayu Blue (Expats); Tadanobu Asano (Shogun) Outstanding Animated

Winner: Quiz Lady

Honorable Mentions: Love in Taipei; World's Best For more information about the Gold List, visit thegoldlist.org. n

Program Winner: Blue Eye Samurai Honorable Mentions: Invincible Outstanding Made for Television Movie

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.