062124 - Northern California Edition

California lawmakers preserve aid to older, disabled immigrants

CALIFORNIA lawmakers on Thursday, June 14 passed a 2024-25 budget that rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to cut in-home supportive services for low-income older, blind, and disabled immigrants lacking legal residency. However, the Democratic governor has not said whether he’ll use his line-item veto authority to help close the state’s $45 billion deficit.

The legislature, controlled by Democrats, passed a $211 billion general fund spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 by drawing more from the state’s rainy-day fund and reducing corporate tax deductions to prevent cuts to health and social services.

“Our legislative budget plan achieves those goals with targeted, carefully calibrated investments in safety-net programs that protect our most vulnerable,” said Assembly member Jesse Gabriel, chair of the Assembly’s budget committee, following voting in Sacramento.

Newsom and lawmakers are expected to

California loops in AI to translate health care information

TENER gripe, tener gripa, engriparse, agriparse, estar agripado, estar griposo, agarrar la gripe, coger la influenza. In Spanish, there are at least a dozen ways to say someone has the flu — depending on the country.

Translating “cardiac arrest” into Spanish is also tricky because “arresto” means getting detained by the police. Likewise, “intoxicado” means you have food poisoning, not that you’re drunk.

The examples of how translation could go awry in any language are endless: Words take on new meanings, idioms come and go, and communities adopt slang and dialects for everyday life.

Human translators work hard to keep up with the changes, but California plans to soon entrust that responsibility to technology.

State health policy officials want to harness emerging artificial intelligence technology to translate a broad swath of documents and websites related to “health and social services information, programs, benefits and services,” according to state records. Sami Gallegos, a spokesperson for California’s Health and Human Services Agency, declined to elaborate

China’s

Philippines ex-vaccine czar doubts alleged US-led ‘anti-vax’ campaign

by JOSE RODEL CLAPANO Philstar.com

MANILA — Allies of the Philippine government at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic supported any vaccine available at the time, according to presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.

ABS-CBN quoted Galvez as saying that reports alleging a U.S.-backed propaganda that tried to discredit China’s Sinovac vaccine are not true.

“I believe it is not true,” he reportedly asserted in a statement.

Galvez was the National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine

czar during the peak of the pandemic.

A Reuters report, which saw print over the weekend, alleged that the U.S. military allegedly launched a clandestine program to discredit China’s Sinovac during the pandemic.

Galvez explained that countries supporting the Philippines during the pandemic said the best vaccine during the pandemic is the vaccine that is immediately available.

“I am not aware of anything like this since all countries, through their embassies, are trying to help us to acquire available vaccines in the market,” he said.

“As far as I can remember, most of our

President Marcos to Filipinos: Uplift lives of others

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, June 17 urged Filipinos to help enrich the lives of others as he joined Muslim Filipinos in the observance of Eid’I Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

In his message, the chief executive said the solemn occasion offers the nation a unique opportunity to ruminate on the life and tale of Ibrahim whose steadfast faith and unconditional love for Allah have become the core virtues of Islamic teaching.

“We will find a greater sense

of purpose in uplifting the lives of others and enriching the facets that make our dreams and endeavors meaningful,” he said.

“Let us continue to radiate goodness to those around us, confident that—with the right intention and conduct—the true, the good, and the beautiful will prosper now and in the years to come,” he said.

Marcos hoped that Filipinos, through dependence on God and on life of prayer, will gain clarity of mind and kindness of heart to overcome trials.

“As we understand

the Cabinet, said the Palace on Wednesday, June 19.

“Yes, accepted,” Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil told reporters when asked if Marcos accepted Duterte’s resignation. Duterte resigned on Wednesday afternoon at exactly 2:21 p.m. The Palace said Duterte tendered her resignation as member of the Cabinet, Department of Education secretary and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict vice chairperson. This action will be effective on July 19. Her resignation comes after weeks of being unresponsive to media queries in several issues, including China’s increased aggression in the West Philippine Sea and controversies surrounding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. � Vice

Alice Guo calls for fair probe in plea to Malacañang

amid speculations of her ties to illicit activities by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

In a six-page letter addressed to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the mayor’s camp requested a thorough and impartial probe into the accusations against her. Bersamin chairs the same anti-crime body that is set to

file human trafficking charges against Guo. Guo denied all accusations against her related to human trafficking, kidnapping and money laundering, according to a copy of the letter provided to reporters.

“Ang aking mabuting reputasyon at character, pati na rin ang pagsunod sa mga regulasyon tulad ng ARTA, ay patunay ng aking integridad,” Guo said.

(My good reputation and character, as well as my adherence to regulations such as ARTA, are  PAGE 2

In this May 7, 2024 Facebook post shows Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac. Photo inset

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

President Marcos to Filipinos: Uplift lives...

the significance of this commemoration, we feel deep within ourselves that, in nurturing our relationship with others and the Almighty, we are strengthened by our past and fueled with lessons

to face tomorrow with grit and resilience,” he said.

He also expressed optimism that Filipinos would band together for a Bagong Pilipinas, as achieving a brighter future for the nation would not be realized “without the

guidance of the One from whom all wisdom and knowledge flows.”

Eid’I Adha is a major holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is the second of two great Muslim festivals, the first being Eid al-Fitr. g

Alice Guo calls for fair probe in plea to...

proof of my integrity.)

“Anumang pagkukulang ay dulot ng kawalan ng kaalaman kaysa sinasadyang pagkakasala, at wala akong direktang pakikilahok sa anumang ilegal na gawain na kaugnay ng mga paratang na ibinibintang sa akin,” the mayor added.

(Any shortcomings are due to a lack of knowledge rather than intentional wrongdoing, and I have no direct involvement in any illegal activities related to the accusations against me.)

Guo denied claims she is using her position to protect the POGO hub recently raided in Bamban. She also said that she

has no direct participation in the everyday operations of gaming operators.

“Ang mga organisadong krimen tulad ng money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping at illegal POGO operations ay karaniwang naisasagawa nang patago ng mga malalaking grupong may sariling agenda,” Guo said.

(Organized crimes such as money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, and illegal POGO operations are typically carried out secretly by large groups with their own agendas.)

“Ang pagsasakdal sa isang mayor ng pagkakasangkot sa mga ganitong klase ng aktibidad

nang walang sapat na ebidensya ay hindi makatarungan at nakasisira sa integridad ng opisina, at ng reputasyon ng indibidwal at ng institusyong kanyang pinaglilingkuran,” she added.

(Charging a mayor with involvement in such activities without sufficient evidence is unjust and damages the integrity of the office, as well as the reputation of the individual and the institution they serve.)

The embattled mayor is also the former president and 50% owner of Baofu Land Development Inc., the company leasing the property where the facility of the POGO hub is located. (Philstar.com)

lawful maritime activities.

The U.S. State Department also called China’s actions “escalatory” and emphasized that the 72-year-old mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines includes “armed attacks” on its Coast Guard “anywhere in the South China Sea.”

In a separate statement, France, Japan, Germany, Finland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands denounced China’s actions and called for the recognition of the ruling of the 2016 arbitral tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Netherlands said that China’s “irresponsible maneuvers” “endanger the safety of ships and crews” and question “the freedom of sea routes guaranteed under international law.”

“Netherlands considers it of utmost importance that the 2016 arbitral award is fully respected and implemented,” Netherlands ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts said in a post on X.

The European Union also

This was not the

expressed its concern over the “ramming” and “towing” incident.

“The EU opposes coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, or anywhere. We support international law and peaceful dispute resolution,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron also said in a post on X.

to bring supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre anchored in Ayungin Shoal. Previous incidents involved the spraying of water cannons which resulted in PCG personnel being injured. g

Mayor Breed announces the SF Reproductive Freedom Act to safeguard access to abortions and other vital services

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor

London N. Breed, along with Supervisors Catherine Stefani, Myrna Melgar and Hillary Ronen, joined leaders and reproductive rights advocates on Tuesday, June 17 at the Planned Parenthood of Northern California to announce the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act, a new ballot measure put forth by Mayor Breed to ensure the reproductive freedoms and rights of women in San Francisco will remain protected as jurisdictions around the country continue to limit reproductive freedoms.

The measure proposes to enact a range of protections for women seeking abortion services and reproductive care in San Francisco, including by ensuring that no information is shared with jurisdictions outside of California where such information could be used to prosecute either a patient or a reproductive healthcare provider. Since the repeal of Roe v Wade, abortion has been banned in 14 states, and significant restrictions exist in seven others.

“This ballot measure secures access to reproductive services and abortions for women in our city, but it also sends a clear message across the nation that San Francisco continues to be a leader in supporting reproductive rights and we will not tolerate any level of disruption,” said Mayor Breed.

“It is unthinkable that forces are at work to prevent a woman from being able to make decisions about her own body. We have stood on the right side of history before and now, more than ever, we will work harder to get back what was taken and preserve what we know to be a core value in this country.”

The San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Protection Act will strengthen longstanding access to abortion and reproductive services, and establish new requirements, including:

• Declaring it official policy of the City and County of San Francisco to safeguard comprehensive reproductive freedom through a number of

declarations

• Requiring public information to be provided about where people can access reproductive health services

• Prohibiting use of city funds to cooperate with or provide information to support prosecution of an abortion or reproductive health service that is lawful in California

• Limiting city funding from going to any reproductive health facility that does not provide or refer for a comprehensive reproductive health service

• Requiring signage at crisis pregnancy centers that tell people those locations do not provide comprehensive reproductive health care and where they can get information about locations that do

• Establishing a fund that both private and city dollars (if appropriated later) could go to in support people in accessing reproductive health care

• Amending the Planning Code to clarify that reproductive health clinics are a permitted use wherever non-residential uses are permitted. “This ballot measure sends a clear message: San Francisco will always stand as a beacon of hope and protection for those seeking reproductive autonomy,” said Supervisor Stefani. “The San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act helps safeguard our community's access to safe and legal abortion services, starkly contrasting the shameful trend of eroding reproductive rights across the country. I urge all San Franciscans to support this measure and continue our city’s trailblazing example of what it means to prioritize an individual’s right to comprehensive reproductive freedom.”

“San Francisco has long been a place of refuge for those fleeing violence and persecution. Unfortunately, with the fall of Roe vs. Wade, this means we must make sure our city is open and welcoming to people facing prosecution for seeking basic reproductive healthcare within our own country,” said Supervisor Melgar. “With this legislation from Mayor Breed, the women of San Francisco will

continue to lead the nation in progress, in human rights, and the promise of safety.”

“In San Francisco, access to reproductive health doesn’t just mean the ability to obtain high quality care,” said Supervisor Ronen. “It also means being able to walk in to see a healthcare provider without fear of harm, manipulation, guilt or pressure. These are San Francisco values that I am proud our city fights to uphold.”

"Women's access to health care is not negotiable. In San Francisco we are united as a sanctuary city for all women who seek care and all the service providers who provide care,” said Supervisor Connie Chan. “I am proud to stand with my fellow women leaders as we join in solidarity to protect access to abortion.” San Francisco has been a leader with a strong history of supporting women’s reproductive freedoms and rights, including wraparound reproductive health services such as contraception, abortion, in vitro fertilization, and accurate and complete medical information. Across the country, women and healthcare providers continue to face life-threatening legal challenges that erode the ability of protecting the health, safety, and quality of life of women.

“The San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act further cements our city’s ongoing leadership and commitment to advancing

first time Chinese maritime assets have been involved in an incident with the PCG’s RORE mission

MARCH FOR PEACE. Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya and other nongovernment organizations march along España Boulevard en route to Nicanor Reyes (Morayta) Street in Manila on Monday, June 17. They condemned threats to Philippine sovereignty and expressed support for the Marcos administration’s foreign policies, especially on the West Philippine Sea issues. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

California lawmakers preserve aid to older...

“What was approved today represents a two-house agreement between the Senate and the Assembly – not an agreement with the governor,” said state Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer.

“We’ve made good progress, but there’s still more work to do.”

Newsom had proposed eliminating the new in-home benefit for qualified immigrants to save nearly $95 million in the next fiscal year, with no plans to bring it back. Lawmakers not only rejected Newsom’s cut to the in-home services program; they also refused the governor’s proposal to slash $300 million a year from public health agencies. However, they accepted delaying food assistance to low-income older immigrants without legal residency.

The In-Home Supportive Services program helps lowincome older, blind, and disabled individuals receive care in their homes, which helps keep them out of more costly nursing and residential facilities. The program works by paying $16 to $21 an hour to caregivers, many of them family members.

Advocates applauded lawmakers for rejecting the cut. They had urged the governor to adopt the legislature’s budget, arguing the state could end up paying more in the long run as Medi-Cal recipients tap nursing services. The state has estimated the annual per-person cost of nursing homes is $124,189, compared with the roughly $28,000 average cost for people without legal residency in the inhome services program.

“These individuals would need to essentially go into

costly hospital or nursing care,” said Ronald Coleman Baeza, managing policy director at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. “It’s not only cruel for undocumented immigrants, but it doesn’t make sense as a fiscal decision either.”

The governor has said he’s trying to maintain fiscal discipline while preserving Medi-Cal benefits for immigrants. California was the first state to expand Medicaid eligibility to all qualified immigrants regardless of legal status, phasing it in over several years: children in 2016, adults ages 19-26 in 2020, people 50 and older in 2022, and all remaining adults this year.

“It’s a core of I think who we are as a state, and we should be as a nation,” Newsom said in May.

As part of the Medi-Cal expansion, the state authorized nearly 3,000 older, blind, and disabled immigrants without legal residency to access paramedical services and daily care, including meal preparation, bathing, feeding, and transportation to medical appointments. Advocates estimate 17,000 immigrants qualify.

“Fixing California’s deficit means making tough choices, so the Assembly came to these negotiations focused on preserving programs that matter most to Californians,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Central Coast Democrat, in an earlier statement.

Lawmakers did agree to Newsom’s proposal to delay around $165 a month in food assistance to low-income immigrants without legal residency ages 55 and older.

Lawmakers had approved the benefit two years ago, but the governor proposed delaying it by

California loops in AI to translate...

on which documents and languages would be involved, saying that information is “confidential.”

The agency is seeking bids from IT firms for the ambitious initiative, though its timing and cost is not yet clear. Human editors supervising the project will oversee and edit the translations, Gallegos said.

Agency officials said they hope to save money and make critical health care forms, applications, websites, and other information available to more people in what they call the nation’s most linguistically diverse state. The project will start by translating written material. Agency Secretary Mark Ghaly said the technology, if successful, may be applied more broadly.

“How can we potentially not just transform all of our documents, but our websites, our ability to interact, even some of our call center inputs, around AI?” Ghaly asked during an April briefing on AI in health care in Sacramento.

But some translators and scholars fear the technology lacks the nuance of human interaction and isn’t ready for the challenge. Turning this sensitive work over to machines could create errors in wording and understanding, they say — ultimately making information less accurate and less accessible to patients.

“AI cannot replace human compassion, empathy, and transparency, meaningful gestures and tones,” said Rithy Lim, a Fresno-based medical and legal interpreter for 30 years who specializes in Khmer, the main language of Cambodia.

Artificial intelligence is the science of designing computers that emulate human thinking by reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding language. A type of artificial intelligence known as generative AI, or GenAI, in which computers are trained using massive amounts of data to “learn” the meaning of things and respond to prompts, is driving a wave of investment, led by such companies as Open AI and Google.

AI is quickly being integrated into health care, including programs that diagnose diabetic retinopathy, analyze mammograms, and connect patients with nurses remotely. Promotors of the technology often make the grandiose claim that soon everyone will have their own “AI doctor.”

AI also has been a game changer in translation. ChatGPT, Google’s Neural Machine Translation, and Open Source are not only faster than older technologies such as Google Translate, but they can process huge volumes of content and draw upon a vast database of words to nearly mimic human translation.

Whereas a professional human translator might need three hours to translate a 1,600-word document, AI can do it in a minute.

Arjun “Raj” Manrai, an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School and the deputy editor of New England Journal of Medicine AI, said the use of AI technology represents a natural progression in medical translation, given that patients already use Google Translate and AI platforms to translate for themselves and their loved ones.

“Patients are not waiting,” he said.

He said GenAI could be particularly useful in this context.

These translations “can deliver real value to patients by simplifying complex medical information and making it more accessible,” he said.

In its bidding documents, the state says the goal of the project is to increase “speed, efficiency, and consistency of translations, and generate improvements in language access” in a state where 1 in 3 people speak a language other than English, and more than 200 languages are spoken.

In May 2023, the state Health and Human Services Agency adopted

Filipina graduates from prestigious US Naval Academy with high honors

Kris Otiong is set to report to the Philippine Navy, where her expertise in cyber warfare will be a significant asset by Sonny BuSa Inquirer.net

ANNAPOLIS – The Philippine Navy’s newest ensign, Kris Otiong, has graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland – whose alumni include former President Jimmy Carter and the late Senator John McCain.

Otiong is the latest addition to the prestigious list of Filipino USNA graduates, underscoring the enduring and robust relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

The USNA, a top-rated public college in the United States, has produced leaders in the U.S. government and military sectors – including U.S. Cabinet members, state governors, ambassadors, secretaries of the U.S. Navy, commandants of the Marine Corps – and Nobel Prize winners.

Kris hails from the province of Rizal and is the daughter of Julie Otiong, a retired senior special operations sergeant in the Philippine Army, and Bernadette Otiong, an accountant. The military ethos of duty and service to country was instilled in her at a young age.

two fiscal years to 2027. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News)

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

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

This foundation led Kris to join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 2019, where she was a member of the PMA Class of 2023.

During her first year at the PMA, Kris successfully hurdled the highly competitive USNA entrance exams.

Her four years at USNA were marked by outstanding academic and military achievements. Kris consistently landed on the dean’s and commandant’s lists for academic and military excellence.

This recognition has been achieved by only a select few, culminating in her inclusion on the superintendent’s list. She earned high honors for her major in cyber warfare and national security, receiving special recognition at the graduation

Kris Otliong

HOLIDAY. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos puts up its greetings for Eid’l Adha outside the Blue Mosque at Maharlika Village, Taguig City on Monday, June 17. Filipino Muslims started celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice on Sunday, commemorating the obedience of Ibrahim to offer his son, Ishmael, to Allah. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Mayor Breed announces the SF...

reproductive rights for women at a time when they are under assault across the country,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “In addition to protecting these rights, my office will also not hesitate to prosecute those who violate our laws and threaten and harm women seeking care or medical providers.”

San Francisco has six public health facilities that perform more than 1,200 abortions each year. Since the Dobbs decision, California has seen an increase in abortion procedures. In May of 2022 before the fall of Roe v. Wade, California reported 13,680 abortions. In May of 2023 alone, abortions in the state increased to 15,550. In March of 2023, the state saw 16,000 abortions. Planned Parenthood

Affiliates of California reported that medication abortions by their clinics increased by 18% statewide from June 2022 to June 2023.

Mayor Breed’s key efforts to support and protect women’s reproductive freedoms

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, Mayor Breed, along with regional partners, launched the Bay Area Abortion Rights Coalition. As part of this effort, San Francisco is leading the way in providing staff and funding to support a coordinated blueprint mapping of the Bay Area’s abortion services, analyze capacity, and monitor developments and impacts that restrictive abortion laws from around the country are having in our region.

Mayor Breed continues to maintain funding that supports a range of initiatives, such as:

• A two-year grant funding for security officers assigned to the Planned Parenthood location in San Francisco. A new two-year grant proposal to begin in 2025 is underway.

• Six public health facilities that provide abortion services and reproductive services.

Additionally, San Francisco has a robust system of care across 29 facilities managed by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFPDH) to provide a full scope reproductive care and services care, which include:

• Family Planning Counseling

• Gynecology

• HIV testing and treatment, Pep & PrEP

• Perinatal Care

• Prenatal Care

• Pregnancy Tests

• Sexually transmitted infection screening, diagnosis and treatment

• Ultrasound services.

Reproductive care and services are also provided at numerous community-based programs such as shelter health, family programs, nurse visiting programs, as well as numerous outreach programs.

In San Francisco, healthcare providers and clinics offer inclinic abortions, prescriptions for the mifepristone pill, and other tele-services such as counseling and therapy support.

In California, Medi-Cal and most private insurance plans cover abortions, and financial support is also available for people who need help covering costs.

“Reproductive freedom is manifested at the local level,” said Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax. “Restrictions to reproductive healthcare only widens gaps and contributes to health disparities. The city continues to be a leader in ensuring safe and timely access to reproductive health services and the Department of Public Health is committed to providing low cost, low barrier services to all who rely on us for their health care.”

“With the high stakes Presidential election in the fall, this ballot initiative is an example of San Francisco proactively contingency planning,” said Kimberly Ellis, Director of the Department on the Status of Women. “We can no longer assume basic federal protection of fundamental rights, but thanks to Mayor Breed’s leadership, San Francisco is taking matters into its own hands and enshrining reproductive freedom into our local laws.”

Community support for the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act

“In a time when antireproductive freedom zealots are attempting to abolish abortion and reproductive health care access across the country, San Francisco leaders consistently take brave steps to protect services our patients need and want,” said Gilda Gonzales, CEO, Planned Parenthood Northern California. “With the launch of the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act, our local leaders will safeguard access to health care services for thousands of

residents from San Francisco and surrounding communities, as well as those coming from other states. Planned Parenthood Northern California supports the passage of this initiative and is hopeful more local communities will take the same bold steps.”

“The San Francisco reproductive freedom ballot measure is a new and emerging city effort, using direct democracy to ensure people have reproductive freedom within the community where they live,” said Jenny Mistry, Vice President of Program and Partnerships, National Institute for Reproductive Health. “This is what it looks like to be proactive in a reality where legal rights are not a guarantee for anyone anywhere.”

“As states across the country continue to enact callous and cruel abortion bans and restrictions, in California and San Francisco, we have an opportunity and responsibility, to use every tool possible to protect and expand access to essential health services. This measure builds on San Francisco’s long history of taking bold action in support of equity and justice and provides a model for other jurisdictions to adopt and adapt. We urge San Franciscans to support reproductive health and rights and thank Mayor Breed for her leadership,” said Amy Moy, Co-CEO, Essential Access Health.

“ACCESS Reproductive Justice, California's statewide abortion fund, is grateful to Mayor Breed for putting forward this initiative to the voters in November of this year,” said Jessica Pinckney Gil, executive director, ACCESS Reproductive Justice. “At ACCESS RJ, we know that there is still work to be done all across California, and the country, to ensure that all individuals can assert their decision-making and bodily autonomy, especially when accessing an abortion. This initiative, if approved by San Francisco voters, will help us in our shared goal of obtaining Reproductive Justice for all.”

The mayor will sign this measure onto the ballot. In November, voters will decide if the measure should be declared the official policy of the City and County of San Francisco, ultimately safeguarding, protecting, and ensuring reproductive freedoms.

(SF Mayor’s Office Release)

California loops in AI to translate...

a “language access policy” that requires its departments to translate all “vital” documents into at least the top five languages spoken by Californians with limited English proficiency. At the time, those languages were Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean.

Examples of vital documents include application forms for state programs, notices about eligibility for benefits, and public website content.

Currently, human translators produce these translations. With AI, more documents could be translated into more languages.

A survey conducted by the California Health Care Foundation late last year found that 30% of Spanish speakers have difficulty explaining their health issues and concerns to a doctor, compared with 16% of English speakers.

Health equity advocates say AI will help close that gap.

“This technology is a very powerful tool in the area of language access,” said Sandra R. Hernández, president and CEO of the foundation. “In good hands, it has many opportunities to expand the translation capability to address inequities.”

But Hernández cautioned that AI translations must have human oversight to truly capture meaning.

“The human interface is very important to make sure you get the accuracy and the cultural nuances reflected,” she said.

Lim recalled an instance

in which a patient’s daughter translated preoperative instructions to her mother the night before surgery. Instead of translating the instructions as “you cannot eat” after a certain hour, she told her mom, “You should not eat.”

The mother ate breakfast, and the surgery had to be rescheduled.

“Even a few words that change meaning could have a drastic impact on the way people consume the information,” said Sejin Paik, a doctoral candidate in digital journalism, human-computer interaction, and emerging media at Boston University.

Paik, who grew up speaking Korean, also pointed out that AI models are often trained from a Western point of view. The data that drives the translations filters languages through an English perspective, “which could result in misinterpretations of the other language,” she said. Amid this fast-changing landscape, “we need more diverse voices involved, more people thinking about the ethical concepts, how we best forecast the impact of this technology.”

Manrai pointed to other flaws in this nascent technology that must be addressed. For instance, AI sometimes invents sentences or phrases that are not in the original text, potentially creating false information — a phenomenon AI scientists call “hallucination” or “confabulation.”

Ching Wong, executive director of the Vietnamese Community Health Promotion Project at the University of California-San Francisco, has been translating health content from English into Vietnamese and Chinese for 30 years. He provided examples of nuances in language that might confuse AI translation programs. Breast cancer, for instance, is called “chest cancer” in Chinese, he said. And “you” has different meanings in Vietnamese, depending on a person’s ranking in the family and community. If a doctor uses “you” incorrectly with a patient, it could be offensive, Wong said.

But Ghaly emphasized that the opportunities outweigh the drawbacks. He said the state should “cultivate innovation” to help vulnerable populations gain greater access to care and resources. And he was clear: “We will not replace humans.” (Paula Andalo/ KFF Health News) This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

PRIDE. Rainbow colors illuminate the Quezon City Hall under clear skies on Monday night, June 17. The colors are associated with Pride Month, celebrated every June for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and to promote inclusivity and respect for all sectors. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

US, PH marines hold joint live-fire exercise

by Francisco Tuyay ManilaTimes.net

headquarters of the 4th Philippine Marine Brigade in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

The troops fired howitzers at a floating target several meters from the coastline.

Brig. Gen. Vicente Blanco, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, oversaw the command and control center during the exercise.

Philippine Marine Corps Public Affairs Office Director Capt. Marites Alamil said MASA is held annually and focuses on mutual defense, strengthening relationships and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. Both forces also conducted Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) at the grounds of the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The TCCC covers three phases: care under fire, tactical field care and casualty evacuation procedures.

Participants simulated providing care under fire, assessing injuries and patient status, applying tourniquets for massive bleeding, and evacuating patients to secure locations.

MASA 24 will end on June 21. g

Boxers Petecio, Paalam to carry PH flag in Paris

by NelsoN BeltraN Philstar.com

MANILA — Boxers Carlo

Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, both silver medal winners in the last Olympics, have been named as flag-bearers for the Philippine contingent to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“We based it on the performances of our athletes in the Tokyo Games. They (Paalam and Petecio) were the best performers among our returning Olympic bets,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on their choices on who will carry the country’s colors during the Paris Games opening ceremonies on July 26. Paalam and Petecio delivered two of the four medals won by the Philippines in what’s easily its best showing in the quadrennial games during the Tokyo edition in 2021.

Weightlifting gold-medal winner Hidilyn Diaz missed a shot at a fifth Olympic appearance while boxing bronze medalist Eumir Marcial will be among the “comebackers” in Paris along with Paalam, Petecio, pole-

vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, weightlifter Elreen Ando, golfer Bianca Pagdanganan and possibly judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and sprinter Kristina Knott. Tolentino announced the appointment of the flag-bearers during the final briefing among members of the Philippine team at the Milky Way Restaurant in Makati on Monday, June 17. The bulk of the delegation will be departing Saturday, June 22 for training camp in Metz, France, three weeks before the start of the Paris Games.

On Friday, June 21, President Marcos will join the athletes, coaches and officials in a sendoff ceremony in Ayuntamiento de Manila, Intramuros. Paalam and Petecio will be joining a number of boxers who have been given the honor of being the Philippine Olympic flag bearers. The list includes Manfredo Alipala in 1964, Arlo Chavez in 1992, Reynaldo Galido in 1996 and Marcial in 2021. In 2008, pro boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was a special choice to carry the flag in the Beijing Games. g

House probe sought on issuance of special resident visas

MANILA – A House leader on Tuesday, June 18

filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the issuance of special resident visas and the delayed registration of births as possible avenues enabling the influx of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

In filing House Resolution 1771, Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said the processes for granting the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) and Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV), in addition to the late registration of births, should be assessed as these could serve as channels for foreign nationals to enter the Philippines, stay indefinitely, and even maintain employment.

He said around 30,000 Chinese nationals were allowed to permanently reside in the country despite not meeting the age requirement for the retiree visas.

“Based on the Immigration Bureau records given to us, of the 78,000 foreigners issued retiree visas, 30,000 are Chinese. What is puzzling here is that they are yet to reach retirement age but they are on retiree visa. They are just aged 35 to 50,” Tulfo said in an interview.

‘Violence

He said possible circumvention of the laws through these existing policies undermines the Philippine authorities and aids in the perpetration of illegal activities in the country committed by foreign nationals.

"It is imperative to assess the impact of the SRRVs, SIRVs, and delayed registration of births which may have contributed to the influx of Chinese nationals to ensure that such policies align with our national interests and security," he added.

Tulfo further said the influx of Chinese nationals has raised concerns regarding the socioeconomic impact, including but not limited to labor market dynamics, national security, and public order.

Several crimes were linked to the Chinese influx, including human trafficking, scamming, kidnapping, illegal detention, prostitution, and other fraudulent practices, he added.

"Recent raids of POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) establishments also resulted in traces of criminal activity and the discovery of offices, dorms, villas, and lifestyle facilities within such hubs, indicating prolonged presence and actual living situations within supposed

business establishments," he said.

Tulfo also highlighted the case of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, pointing out the potential risks for abuse in the process of delayed registration of births.

He said these could have long-term consequences, including ultimately allowing non-nationals to participate in various social, economic, and political activities, such as running for or holding public office, reserved only for Filipino citizens.

Guo, whose identity and citizenship have been placed under scrutiny, was placed under a six-month preventive suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 31 following the administrative complaints of the Department of the Interior and Local Government for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Authorities have raided POGO firms in Tarlac and Pampanga in the past four months over alleged “scamming activities” and other serious concerns, including national security. (PNA)

violates marriage, not divorce’

AMID acrimonious debates, Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman has emphasized that domestic violence, infidelity, abuse, abandonment, and deceit – and not divorce – are acts that violate the sanctity of marriage. Lagman issued the statement after 30 faith-based organizations issued a position paper urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to "preserve the character of marriage" and strengthen, instead, laws that would address the "inefficient and expensive" annulment process and spousal abuse. The lawmaker said that marriage is a "social union or a legal contract between a husband and wife to love, honor, support, and care for each other."

"This union or contract is violated and broken when the love, honor, support and care are replaced with hatred, disrespect, desertion, and mistreatment –not by divorce," said Lagman, the principal author of House Bill 9349, which has been

transmitted to the Senate. He also assuaged critics that divorce will not destroy marriages as it "does not put asunder a marriage as the union has long perished."

"Divorce is not the monster plaguing a marriage. It is marital unfaithfulness, abandonment, constant fighting, and brutality, among others, which are the devils that destroy marriages. Constant bickering and backbiting, lack of respect, brutality, maltreatment, unremitting lies – these destroy a family, not divorce," Lagman said.

He said that for many Filipinos, marriage is the happiest day of their lives and the beginning of their dream to build a family with the love of their lives, but for some, the dream disintegrates into a nightmare which they would be unable to wake up from.

"No one enters a marriage thinking that it will not last. The alternative of ending the marriage via divorce is the last

Abalos warns local execs on POGO liability

by Mark erNest Villeza Philstar.com

Abalos warned local government executives on their liability in the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) and other illegal activities in their respective areas.

The liability of local government officials “does not only involve POGO but all illegal businesses,” Abalos said over dzBB when asked if elected officials will be held accountable over illegal POGO operations.

He noted that he led a raid on an illegal POGO in Angeles City, Pampanga two years ago. “I personally led the raid in Angeles City, involving Lucky 99, that’s why I was surprised that it was allowed to operate in Porac when I already raided this company.”

Abalos said local government units could ask for police assistance to check on suspicious activities of a business establishment in their jurisdiction, adding that Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Chairman Alejandro Tengco earlier said only 43 POGOs have licenses to operate in the country.

“From 200 to 400 (licensed POGOs)… based on my conversation with chairman (Tengco), only 43 are legal and he said every week, these are

being regularly checked. So you could just imagine those who were not given permits, these are still in the Philippines and it is possible that they are involved in illegal activities, so all the LGUs and the PNP should be aware and immediately act on this,” he added.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian took the same stance, saying governors, mayors and other local officials should be held accountable for failing to monitor illegal POGO activities in their respective areas.

He commended the Pampanga provincial government for investigating the POGO hubs in Porac town and Angeles City.

Pampanga Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda vowed to finish the investigation into the POGO in Porac, saying these operators had no respect for the government.

“It (Lucky South 99) has no building permit, no electrical permit, nothing at all, zero. It has no environmental compliance certificate. They entered the town, disregarding everything. They have no respect for the government,” Pineda said over Teleradyo Serbisyo.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesman Winston Casio revealed in an interview over ANC that at least four POGO hubs, including the one in Porac, raided by PAOCC have licenses but were also seen

to be doing illegal activities.

He said the POGO hub in Porac lost its license in October 2023, but continued illegal operations, including torture, which led to a raid on June 4.

Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz also revealed in an interview over Storycon on OneNews PH that PAOCC is investigating the presence of a former executive assistant to Harry Roque, spokesman for the past Duterte administration.

Cruz said the former assistant resided in the POGO complex in Porac while studying in nearby Clark. He noted that this is unusual since a POGO complex typically accommodates only employees and not students.

Of the 43 remaining licensed POGOs in the country, the largest is the former Island Cove Resort in Cavite, Casio said as he revealed that they are also monitoring the operations of this hub. He confirmed that PAOCC monitors both legal and illegal POGOs, although the agency has not physically entered Island Cove.

Casio acknowledged the challenge posed by the continued operation of more than 300 illegal scam farms across the country, stating that it is “a very big problem that demands a whole government and eventually a whole-of-nation approach.” g

thing on a couple's minds," Lagman said.

He pointed out that the proposed divorce law is constitutional as the Constitution does not prevent Congress from enacting a law even as it does not offend the dogma of the Catholic Church, which has its own canonical dissolution of marriage.

"Even as the Constitution provides for the precepts on marriage, it allows Congress to enact an absolute divorce law in recognition of the State's duty to allow unfortunate spouses, particularly abused wives, to regain their freedom, selfrespect, agency, and happiness," Lagman said.

He also said that the divorce law will not recognize no-fault, quickie, drive-through, email, and notarial divorces, with limited and reasonable grounds under the bill and a petition would undergo a judicial process to prevent abuse and collusion of parties. (ManilaTimes.net)

MANILA — Interior Secretary Benhur

SAFEST CITY. Government employees walk in front of the Davao City Hall on Tuesday, June 18. The city ranked second in the Numbeo Southeast

Singapore

third, followed by Penang, Malaysia (66.5), and Hanoi, Vietnam (62.4).

photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

OPINION FEATURES

The high ground

THE last thing opponents of former President Rodrigo Duterte should want is to have accusations hurled back at them about gross human rights violations. This, however, is happening now as the administration comes down hard on Apollo Quiboloy, pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The Department of Justice has declared Quiboloy a “fugitive” as he evades arrest for various offenses including the non-bailable qualified human trafficking. In compelling anyone to face the law, however, authorities should not look like lawbreakers themselves. This is what Quiboloy’s camp is saying after police swooped down last week on four Quiboloy properties in Davao to serve arrest warrants for the pastor, a staunch supporter of Duterte. Video footage showed police breaking down the fence of the KOJC’s “Glory Mountain.” Quiboloy’s lawyer stressed that an arrest warrant does not allow a search of the premises, except if there is reasonable ground to suspect that the fugitive is in the address specified on the warrant, in which case an “incidental search” may be allowed. The lawyer said there could have been no “reasonable” certainty of Quiboloy’s presence in the property that was broken into because the police tried to serve the warrant almost simultaneously at four different sites.

Editorial

International, which is operated by Quiboloy’s Swara Sug Media Corp. Duterte, who has agreed to serve as administrator of KOJC assets, lambasted the raids. “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? Will they exhibit the same lack of selfrestraint they have shown toward critics of this administration when dealing with their supporters?”

Those who suffered from Duterte’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs will scoff at his comments. Still, the actions of the current administration and its allies against Quiboloy are raising genuine concern about the state of free speech and the constitutionally guaranteed right to be secure in one’s domicile.

The raid is on top of the House of Representatives voting overwhelmingly last March to revoke the franchise of Sonshine Media Network

IN a recent meeting I had with Facebook executives, they said they are continually developing new tools and technologies to increase account security as well as identify and shut down fake Facebook accounts that scam people and, more critically, those that are used for misinformation/ disinformation and covert influence operations.

In November last year, Meta – the parent company of Facebook – announced that it has shut down over 4,800 fake social media accounts that originated from China but whose profiles appear to be Americans (complete with fake photos) creating and sharing political content aimed at sowing political discord and furthering ideological divide.

While misinformation/ disinformation activities are geared at spreading fake news or misleading information, influence operations (IO) take things a step further because they are aimed at manipulating public opinion/perception and

It is also unfortunate that after deploying elite police Special Action Force commandos and several other police teams to serve an arrest warrant, the police still came up empty-handed. Government critics are not the only ones who see a failure of intelligence in that operation.

Days of trolls and hackers are numbered

ultimately, influencing political outcomes. IO may also use trolls, hackers and cyberthugs to attack personalities through black propaganda by spreading lies and engaging in smear campaigns.

In the Philippines, “cyberthugs” are increasingly becoming rampant, with black propaganda and demolition jobs now considered to be big business, making it relatively easy to hire IO and social media rent-a-groups. Oftentimes, the source of the black propaganda/ smear campaign is a newly created Facebook account (likely to be dubious or fake) making a malicious post or content that assails the integrity and credibility of public figures or institutions.

Aside from the use of fake social media accounts (with ridiculous sounding names and locked or blank profiles) another way to spot a demolition job is when there is a “coordinated inauthentic behavior” (CIB) from Facebook and other social media platforms like X that post the same content with copy pasted, repetitive, scripted and verbatim comments attacking the target at specific time intervals, in contrast with real social media accounts whose

users show diverse opinions and a variety of comments.

Obviously, technological advancements have also greatly enabled the capability of cybercriminals to perpetuate scams, steal data, hack company and government websites and other nefarious activities with relative anonymity. Artificial intelligence (AI) in particular is becoming a weapon of choice for cybercriminals because of its great capacity to increase the speed, efficiency and sophistication of attacks, and could even tailor fit the kind of assault for a specific target.

Just last month, scammers impersonated a mayor in Queensland, Australia and made it look like she was making a live call through the use of generative AI that allows scammers to impersonate a face and clone voices to create deepfake audios and videos.

The good news is – a number of U.S. high-tech companies with strong financial backing from major investors are now rapidly developing AI technology to identify security threats and vulnerabilities, investigate malicious software, go after scammers, hackers, trolls and all kinds of cyberthugs. These emerging technologies

are intended not only to spot fakes but to also locate the base of operations of hackers and cybercriminals.

Last May, OpenAI – an artificial intelligence research company based in San Francisco – announced that it identified and removed five influence operations that were using the company’s AI technology to create deceptive content shared across a variety of platforms to influence public opinion and political discourse.

Developments such as this are significant because cybercrime has become so rampant all over the world, but most especially in the Philippines where cyberattacks doubled in 2023. Considering the highly politicized atmosphere in the country today with the 2025 elections drawing nearer, the proliferation of POGOs (Philippine offshore gaming operators) suspected of being hubs for spying and hacking operations against government agencies, plus the fact that we are facing external security threats, the Philippines could be highly vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Certainly, the government is aware of these cybersecurity threats and our national security

officials have already identified some of these cybercriminals and mercenaries, some of whom are Western nationals – among them an American pretending to be a U.S. intelligence officer or at least pretending to be a spy operating in the Philippines and allegedly involved in local politics. Our national security people are slowly but surely closing in on them.

During the first-ever Philippines-U.S.-Japan trilateral summit in Washington, among the topics discussed was the need to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, with plans to hold a cyber dialogue sometime in July to help the Philippines become more resilient in combatting cyberattacks from state-backed and criminal organizations.

A technology and digital summit among heads of state is also being contemplated to discuss how emerging technology can be leveraged to enhance cybersecurity, considering that the new battlefront is in cyberspace where threats and risks have become a global concern because of their impact on the global economy.

I’m very pleased to see that the United States is very much at the forefront of AI technology

and research, as seen in the launch of “Task Force Lima” by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and use artificial intelligence in a trustworthy and responsible manner for many sectors that include business, health care, policy making and naturally, military defense and readiness.

According to Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks, who directed the organization of “Task Force Lima,” the Pentagon has been investing in AI-enabled systems for many years.

I am one of many government officials being targeted by black ops, but we all know that as public figures, this is par for the course. Nevertheless, these cyberthugs will not deter us from doing our job in deepening the relations between the Philippines and the United States, especially in the wake of continued maritime harassment and cyberattacks from a big bully nation. (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

ASIANS are the fastestgrowing racial group in the U.S.

Yet most Americans can’t name a famous Asian American or a single event or policy related to them, according to a recent study by The Asian American Foundation.

More than 150 years after the first major wave of Asian immigration to the United States, knowledge of AAPI history across the country is severely lacking and needs to be addressed.

I have the privilege of being a Chapter Leader and Legislative Action Committee lead of the student-led group, AAPI Youth Rising, which works to increase understanding of the AAPI community and combat rising hate and intolerance. Over the last few months, I have presented AAPI Youth Rising’s One Day of AAPI History lesson to several middle school classes. Thanks to a partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the lesson has already reached 52,000 schools

across the country, exposing the untold stories of Asians in America. Still, the last thing I expected when teaching this lesson was to learn a sobering lesson myself. I asked my middle school students to name as many Asian ethnicities as they could. After listening to several enthusiastic responses, one student raised his hand and, with all seriousness, said “Caucasian.” The student genuinely believed it was true. None of them had heard of the Chinese Exclusion Act or the annexation of Hawaii. The gap in what young people are learning—or not learning— when it comes to AAPI history is shocking, I realized. Earlier this year, I conducted a survey on AAPI education at my high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Of the 159 students surveyed, 87% of them did not understand the significance of the murder of Vincent Chin. Chin was an American of Chinese descent who was killed following a racially motivated assault, and his death was a turning point for Asian American civil rights engagement, sparking a movement that challenged systemic injustices and

advocated for equality.

My study also showed that 74% of students at my school hadn’t heard of the 442nd Regiment Combat Team, the most decorated military unit in U.S. history. The bravery and sacrifices of the 442nd Regiment, made up of Japanese American soldiers during World War II, demonstrated the strength and loyalty of a dedicated group of Japanese Americans whose own country was incarcerating Americans of Japanese descent.

The lack of AAPI recognition in school classrooms speaks directly to the wider underrepresentation of Asian Americans in society and to the recent rise in hate crimes targeting the community.

During the pandemic, we witnessed an alarming increase in anti-Asian sentiment and violence, and the hate incidents continue. According to a 2023 AAPI Data/AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), one in three reported experiencing some sort of hate incident in the last year.

Educating young people can help combat the harmful stereotypes fueling this

disturbing trend and build a culture of understanding across the nation. It’s a lesson I’ve learned first-hand.

Growing up as an Asian American in a predominantly white community, I experience my share of bullying. Comments like, “Where are you really from?” “You speak English so well” and “You people are so good at math” were also a common refrain. And even if well-intentioned, they have a detrimental impact on youth, leading young Asian Americans like me to feel as though we don’t belong.

Studying AAPI history helped me flip the narrative. It has led to an increased sense of pride in my Asian American culture and a newfound confidence in my own ability to speak about issues facing AAPI youth. That, in turn, has given me the ability to stand up for the AAPI community as a whole.

The good news is that some states are starting to take notice.

In 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education passed the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act. This ensures that within Illinois public schools,

students are taught about Asian Americans’ contributions to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the U.S.

Recently, the governor of Wisconsin signed legislation mandating Asian American and Hmong history be taught in all K-12 public schools in the state. Additionally, the New York State Senate has passed a bill requiring the commissioner to establish AANHPI history and civic impact curriculum for school districts.

California is also expected to expand Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history in schools. This comes following the passage last year of California Assembly Bill 1354, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), which calls for the creation of curriculum frameworks for Asian American Studies in grades K-12. These actions can play a vital role in dismantling harmful myths involving the AAPI community, such as the “model minority” and “perpetual foreigner” myths. And they can lead to a broader understanding of Asian Americans’ experiences and acknowledgment of historical discrimination while building a culture of understanding across the nation.

Within the U.S., only 20 states have mandated the teaching of AAPI History; this is not nearly enough. At a national level, we must collectively fight anti-Asian hate by presenting a more equitable and accurate curriculum to students across America.

AAPI history is part of this country’s history. It’s time to ensure that AAPI history isn’t just a footnote, but an essential part of the narrative we teach future generations. (Ethnic Media Services)

*

* * 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.

* * * Matthew Sugiyama is a Bay Area high school student and Legislative Action Committee CoLead with AAPI Youth Rising. This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the

At least the Philippine National Police leadership reacted quickly and sacked the police regional director for the Davao Region plus the PNP operations chief and more than a dozen

other officers over the botched operation. The raid must serve to inculcate within PNP ranks the idea that in law enforcement, it is best to maintain the moral and legal high ground. (Philstar.com)

Friday, June 21, 2024

Oliver Tolentino shows at 75th Anniversary Philippine-Thai diplomatic relations & 126th Independence Gala

BEVERLY Hills-based fashion

designer Oliver Tolentino wowed an 800+ person crowd in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday night, June 12 as part of the 75th Anniversary of Philippine & Thai Diplomatic Relations and 126th Independence Day Gala.

The event was produced by the Philippine Embassy in the ballroom of the luxury Siam Kempinski Hotel and hosted by Ambassador Millicent “Tinta” Paredes.  She kicked off the evening (in a Tolentino piña gown) with a toast in honor of the Thai King, and Thai Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra reciprocated with a toast to President Marcos.

Guests mingled while enjoying Filipino dishes and drinks as they viewed native dances and an art collection by local Manila artists.  Tolentino’s fashion show was the main event with a 29-piece collection presented by professional models in front of a capacity crowd of ambassadors, diplomats, and members of Thai society, including the President of the Senate, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister for Social Welfare and Human Security, Governor of Bangkok, and former Thai ambassadors to the Philippines, Ambassadors Ruangprateepsaeng & Upatising.

The designer featured a collection mostly made of handwoven piña, abaca, inabel, ikat fabric (from Mindanao), raw silk cocoon (from Visayas), and Thai silk to represent the two countries’ native fabrics. Tolentino modernized

and manipulated the fabrics into wearable couture.   He featured structured piña bell skirts alongside pantsuits with tops of abaca ikat, and inabel paired with piña bottoms.  One set featured piña pants accented with solihiya-weaved Thai silk.  He closed with hand-painted

and embellished piña gowns and colorful gowns with dramatic hand-draped abaca bodices.   According to the designer, “The embassy put on a firstclass event that really impressed the international diplomatic audience. I was proud to be flown in to showcase our native fabrics

Fil-Am taps magic and wonder in costume design for Shakespeare’s play

Raven Ong is designing the wardrobe for the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s staging of ‘The Winter’s Tale’

by WALTER ANG Inquirer.net

FILIPINO American costume designer Raven Ong is designing the wardrobe for the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s staging of “The Winter’s Tale.” King Leontes’ jealousy and rage spark the action in this romance by the Bard. Driven by nothing but his unfounded suspicions, Leontes falsely accuses his wife Hermione of infidelity and dire consequences follow.

Ong says that a Shakespeare play is subject to interpretation.

“It can be anywhere and anytime. Building the world for the show is the most exciting part of the process.” He explains that this particular staging sets the action in the early 1900s. “The Edwardian period serves as the main inspiration. Since the story has several magical moments and characters, we call it ‘Edwardian fantasy’ or ‘imagined Edwardian’ aesthetic.

“By going in this direction, we were able to create our own world of myth and our own visual vocabulary.”

Raven Ong returns to the Utah Shakespeare Festival after having previously designed the costumes for two of its school touring productions, “Othello” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”

“The Winter’s Tale” marks his first mainstage summer show.

Ong has also designed costumes for New York Lyric Opera at the

Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, La Mama Experimental Theatre Club’s world premiere of Fil-Am playwright Linda Faigao-Hall’s “Dying in Boulder,” and De-Cruit Theatre Company’s Shakespeare Triptych in New York. Musicals include “Alice in Wonderland,” “Waitress,” “Kinky Boots,” “Matilda” and “Beautiful: Carole King Musical,” among others.

He is also the associate professor of costume design at Central Connecticut State University. As an educator, he has presented his paper “Filipiniana: Fabrics and Silhouettes in the Transnational Journey” at the Fashion, Costume and Visual Cultures conference in Roubaix, France.

Whimsy When he was preparing to work on this show, “it was clear from the beginning that we would approach this play with childlike wonder and belief in the magic of wonder.

“After my meetings with the director Carolyn Howarth, I was reminded of the many things that were magical to me as a young child.

“My research process included looking at artworks by painters of the time such as John Singer Sargent and Giovanni Boldini.”

While grounded in reality, Ong made sure to incorporate whimsy and fun into his work. A favorite childhood cartoon movie provided inspiration for his costume for the character Time.

“The piece is a large white cape with crinkled texture. To achieve this texture for dramatic effect, yards and yards of silk fabric were soaked, twisted and dried. There is a wide belt with a gold 3D printed spinning astronomical clock. It comes with a large gold round headdress with stars and sparkles.”

Ong says “The infamous ‘Exit, pursued by a bear’ stage direction is from this play and it took some time for us to design.”

He worked with the show’s scenic designer Apollo Weaver to craft the show’s “own unique version of Edwardian bunraku puppeteers with top hats and fur details. It is still winter after all!”

Professional Ong also looks for practical solutions to real-world problems.

“I needed to solve a number of looks for the Hermione character. I couldn’t afford two different dresses for two scenes.

“My solution was to create a two-in-one outfit where Hermione wears her base dress and a detachable beaded outer dress. This formula allowed for the outfits to still be able to tell the story without compromising the design, while also keeping within budget and designing economically.”

Ong adds, “Costume Director Jeff Lieder assembled a dream team. Working with highly skilled and brilliant people like drapers, stitchers, costume crafters, wigs and makeup made the process a dream come true.”

to support the local weavers, embroiderers, and fabric painters,” Tolentino added. The designer is one of the biggest promoters of Philippine fabrics on the international stage, with even Hollywood celebrities wearing piña and abaca on the red carpet. Tolentino noted, “It

makes me so happy to help all the talented hard workers in the province.”

Tolentino, the first Filipino couture designer to expand

operations to the U.S., maintains walk-in boutiques in Makati and Beverly Hills.  For more info:  OliverTolentino.com or IG: @ theOliverTolentino.

Tetchie Agbayani reveals why she turned down ‘Rambo 2’ with Sylvester Stallone

ACTRESS Tetchie Agbayani looked back at her career, shooting and trying out for international films, including “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” which she turned down despite completing a test screening with Sylvester Stallone.

Agbayani sat down for an interview with broadcaster Julius Babao for his YouTube series “Julius Babao Unplugged,” with the second part uploaded last June 11.

The actress recalled moving to Los Angeles after appearing on the German edition of Playboy in 1982, which made her the first and only Filipina to date to have done so, and working on a few Filipino movies.

After attempts to study in University of California, Los Angeles and find non-showbiz jobs, a friend suggested Agbayani to try acting. This led her to meet talent agent J.J. Harris, who at the time handled Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell and Michael J. Fox.

Harris helped Agbayani get into the films “The Emerald Forest,” “Gymkata” and “The Money Pit,” the latter as the stepmother to Tom Hanks’ character despite having no scenes with him.

After some time, Harris contacted Agbayani about auditioning for “Rambo: First Blood Part II” because it was reportedly going to shoot in the Philippines.

The role for Vietnamese intelligence agent Co Phuong Bao went down between Agbayani and Singaporean-American actress Julia Nickson, and the two agreed whoever got the part will treat the other to an expensive dinner.

Agbayani went to a screen test with Stallone. Harris called the actress to inform her she had landed the role; however, the shoot was going to be in Mexico and not the Philippines because of logistical issues. “Rambo 2” was released in 1985. The early 1980s were marked by high tension during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s final years as president.

“I just came from the jungles of the Amazon. I wouldn’t mind the jungles of the Philippines but Mexico?” Agbayani told Harris, turning the role down. Nickson nabbed the part instead.

The actress also shared her

audition with Stallone went well, finding the action star polite but not as tall, “Simple lang siya... Pangkaraniwan lang, hindi siya ma-ere.”

Many years later when Agbayani was at the airport heading back to the Philippines, she crossed paths with Nickson, whom Agbayani pointed out was married to “Starsky & Hutch” star David Soul for six years. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Look, let’s do this. Let’s not have dinner. Let’s just keep this nice story between us going... that you’ll forever owe me a dinner,’” Agbayani recalled telling Nickson, happy the latter got the “Rambo” sequel role.

Babao asked Agbayani if she had any regrets about turning down the “Rambo: First Blood Part II” role, given that it might have changed the trajectory of her career. The actress said she has no regrets.

“Wala naman akong ilusyon na I wanna make it big in Hollywood, ang sakin ay everything is an adventure,” Agbayani explained.

“Let’s see what unfolds. There’s more to life than just acting, even up to now.”

The actress also pointed out that accepting the “Rambo” sequel might have not allowed her to come back to the Philippines, finish her collegiate studies, or have a family.

“To me, life is a learning experience, life is there to live [and] make the most of, and certainly not just all about being an actor,” Agbayani ended.

Evangelista returning to silver screen after almost a decade with new international movie

SOCIALITE-ARTIST Heart Evangelista is making a comeback to the big screen after nearly a decade with the international film “Infamous 6.” Heart confirmed she was set to appear in the upcoming Anthony Hickox film by sharing a still on her Instagram story. A teaser for the movie was also shown at the recently concluded Toycon 2024 held in SMX Convention Center in Pasay. In the cast with Heart are Lorena Andrea from “Warrior Nun” and “The Little Mermaid,” Emmy winner Armand Assante, Alana Boden from “Uncharted,” Jemma Dallender, Alexandre Nguyen, Keli Price, and British-Filipino Ocean Navarro. Heart’s last movie appearances were Viva Films’ “Trophy Wife” and “Felix Manalo” from 2014 and 2015 respectively.

by KRISTOFER PURNELL Philstar.com

Progression of Filipino American Raven Ong’s costume design for Hermione in Utah Shakespeare Festival’s “The Winter’s Tale.” Photos courtesy of Raven Ong

Tetchie Agbayani GMA photo

Daly City’s 10th annual Philippine flag raising ceremony at city hall

DALY CITY – On June 14, 2024, the City of Daly City commemorated the 126th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with its 10th Annual Philippine Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall.

Current Vice President of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and then Daly City Mayor David J. Canepa, along with the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC) Chairman of the Board Perla Ibarrientos, were the champions in 2014 who established this annual event.

With over 100 in attendance, the ceremony included remarks from the Daly City councilmembers in attendance, Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember Ting’s office, San Mateo County District 5 Supervisor Canepa’s office, San Francisco District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani, PBRC Chairman of the Board Perla Ibarrientos, and Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer.

“As a city with the highest concentration of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in a midsize city outside of the Philippines, this annual event serves as a reminder of the Philippines’ independence declared on June 12, 1898,” said Mayor Juslyn C. Manalo. “It took courage, resilience, and unity to gain independence, and I am proud and grateful to all those who fought for freedom. With both my parents’ heritage rooted in the Philippines, it is important to share the

values, history, and Filipino culture with the next generation.”

“By understanding the history of the Philippines and its relationship to the United States, it allows us to reconcile the past by taking actions in the present,” said Vice Mayor Dr. Roderick DausMagual. “When we raise this flag, it is a reminder to move beyond symbolic gestures towards righting the wrongs of history and towards positive social change.”

“Through the years, I observed the contributions and services that the Filipinos have to offer – they are very resilient, and they work very hard,” said Councilmember Glenn R. Sylvester. “This event allows us to appreciate this day and enjoy the culture, as we enjoy all cultures in our diverse city and respect everyone.”

“I have been honored to learn about the Filipino culture from my friends and my family,” said Councilmember Teresa G. Proaño. “The Filipino community are so welcoming, and I am thankful that they have brought their kindness and love to Daly City.”

As the Philippine Flag was raised, Sabrina Shauna sang a beautiful acapella rendition of the Philippine National Anthem. The ceremony concluded with attendees singing “Bayan Ko” by Freddie Aguilar, and a lunch reception was sponsored by PBRC. (Daly City Release)

ACTRESS Ria Atayde confirmed the months-long rumors of her pregnancy via a Father's Day greeting for her husband, actor Zanjoe Marudo. Ria on Sunday, June 17 posted their photo while on an undisclosed beach. They were seen frolicking on a white-sand beach. Though they stood a few feet facing the camera, Ria's obvious baby bump is seen. "To the dad you already are and the dad I know you’ll be. Love you @onlyzanjoemarudo, so excited for this new chapter with you [white heart emoji]. Happy first Father’s Day!" Ria wrote on her Instagram post. The couple tied the knot last March after announcing their engagement the month before in February.

Philippine Trade Mission event promotes investment and tourism, fetes Fil-Am innovator Dado Banatao

UNION CITY – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco graced a networking lunch for the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Philippines-U.S. Economic and Business Council (PUBC) Trade Mission. The event, held at Tribu Grill in Union City on June 6, was organized by Don Orozco, executive director of Global Maharlika Foundation, Inc., and the Filipino American Community of Santa Clara County.

Consul General Neil R. Ferrer, in a message read by Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, underscored his support for the PCCI-PUBC Trade Mission: “The Philippine Consulate General stands ready to support organizations like the PCCI, PUBC, Global Maharlika Foundation, Inc. and the Filipino American Community of Santa Clara County in their mission to foster closer economic linkages between the Philippines and the United States.”

Consul Bago-Llona emphasized that the Philippines is actively inviting investments, particularly in the digital economy and renewable energy sectors. She highlighted the government’s focus on clean energy and how the pandemic underscored the importance of digitalization for businesses. Additionally, Philippine Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales presented the “Love the Philippines” campaign, showcasing the country’s stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Representatives from Northern California cities presented investment opportunities and benefits of doing business in and with their regions, especially Silicon Valley. These included competitive energy costs, a thriving tech sector, access to educational institutions, and streamlined business permit processing.

The event also honored Filipino American tech innovator Dado Banatao, who invented two foundational technologies that are integral components of every personal computer today:

recognition on behalf of ConGen Ferrer. the PC chipset and the graphics acceleration architecture. Dado and his wife, Maria, are active supporters of STEM education in the Philippines and champions of innovation. Their goal is to alleviate poverty in the country by harnessing the benefits of science and technology through the nonprofit PhilDev.

At the University of California Berkeley, they also established the research center Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS). (PCGSF Release)

Navigating dual ownership: Property rights for Filipino American dual citizens

SAB’s Review

Sharon ann Bathan-San Pedro

FOR Filipino Americans holding dual citizenship, the landscape of property ownership in the Philippines is rich with opportunities and benefits. Thanks to Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, natural-born Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of other countries can reclaim their Philippine citizenship. This law empowers dual citizens with the same property rights as any Filipino citizen, opening doors to owning, inheriting, and investing in real estate in the Philippines. Understanding these rights and responsibilities is crucial for maximizing the benefits of dual citizenship in the property sector.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to navigating property ownership for Filipino-American dual citizens, ensuring you can make informed decisions and effectively manage your investments in the Philippines.

Understanding dual citizenship

Thanks to the Philippine Dual Citizenship Law (Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003), Filipinos who have become American citizens can reclaim their Philippine citizenship. This dual citizenship status allows you to enjoy the benefits of both nations, including the right to own property in the Philippines just like any Filipino citizen.

Republic Act No. 9225: Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003 Republic Act No. 9225 allows natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship through naturalization in a foreign country to reacquire their Philippine citizenship. Here are the key details and provisions of the law:

• Retention of Philippine citizenship: Natural-born Filipinos who become naturalized citizens of another country can retain their Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.

• Re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship: Natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship through naturalization in another country can reacquire it by taking the same oath of allegiance.

• Rights and privileges: Dual citizens under RA 9225 enjoy full civil and political rights as Filipino citizens. This includes the right to vote in Philippine elections, own

property, engage in business, and practice their profession in the Philippines.

• Oath of allegiance: The oath of allegiance is a formal declaration of loyalty to the Republic of the Philippines, which must be taken before a duly authorized Philippine official.

• Children of dual citizens: Unmarried children, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, under 18 years of age, of those who reacquire Philippine citizenship under this Act shall be deemed citizens of the Philippines.

• Benefits for reacquired citizens: Dual citizens can own land and other properties in the Philippines as if they were natural-born Filipino citizens. They also regain the right to practice their profession, provided they meet the requirements set by the relevant professional regulatory bodies.

• Residency requirement for public office: For dual citizens to hold public office in the Philippines, they must establish residency in the country. Specific offices may have additional requirements regarding residency and other qualifications.

Your property rights explained

As a Filipino-American dual citizen, you have the same property ownership rights as any Filipino. Here's what you can do:

• Own land: You can buy and register land in your name.

• Inherit land: You can receive property as inheritance according to Philippine laws.

• Invest in property: You can invest in real estate and engage in property-related businesses.

Property ownership for foreigners

While foreigners are generally not allowed to own land in the Philippines, they are permitted to purchase condominium units. The Condominium Act of the Philippines (RA 4726) allows foreigners to own up to 40% of the total units in a condominium project. For land ownership, however, the owner must be a Filipino citizen or a dual citizen.

Keeping up with responsibilities

Owning property comes with responsibilities, such as:

• Tax compliance: Stay updated on real estate taxes and ensure timely payments to avoid penalties.

• Property management: Maintain your property, ensure its security, and, if it's leased, manage rental income effectively.

• Legal obligations: Keep informed about zoning laws, property regulations, and any changes in legislation that could impact your ownership.

Estate planning and inheritance Proper estate planning is essential, especially if you have significant assets in the Philippines. It's

important to:

• Set up a will: Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

• Understand Philippine inheritance laws: Be aware of how these laws affect your estate.

• Hire a reliable attorney: A good attorney can help you navigate legal complexities and manage your affairs.

Investment potential

If you're interested in investing, the Philippines offers promising opportunities in various sectors, such as residential, commercial, and agricultural real estate. Key tips to consider include:

• Research emerging markets: Look into areas with high growth potential.

• Assess investment types: Decide whether you want to invest in residential, commercial, or agricultural properties.

• Evaluate before purchasing: Consider factors like location, market trends, and legal aspects.

Real-life insights Learn from other Filipino American dual citizens who have successfully navigated the property market. Their experiences can provide valuable lessons on overcoming challenges and making strategic decisions. We encourage you to share your own experiences with us. Email us your stories, challenges, and triumphs. By sharing insights, we can build a community interested in property and land management in the Philippines. Let's engage in SAB — Sharing Across Borders — to foster a network of support and knowledge exchange.

We're here to help Whether you're new to dual citizenship or considering investing in the Philippine real estate market, we're here to provide trustworthy advice and information to help you make informed decisions. If you have any property concerns related to buying, selling, or documentation, don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to assist you every step of the way.

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* * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints ex-

REDWOOD CITY – Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County ClerkRecorder, announced that the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division mailed the first ballots on Friday, June 7, 2024, to military and overseas voters for the July 23, 2024 City of Millbrae Special Recall Election. Active military and citizens living outside the United States who wish to participate in the

County voters include:

A US citizen; • At least 18 years old; • Absent from your voting residence; • Members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty; • A spouse or dependent of a member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty; or U.S.

A networking event, hosted by Mr. Don Orozco of Global Maharlika Foundation, Inc. and the Filipino Community of Santa Clara County, for delegates of the PCCI-PUCB

Filipino American youth delight guests with a vibrant intermission number, showcasing the classic Filipino dance Tinikling.

Filipino American innovator and techpreneur Dado Banatao was given a certificate of recognition by Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the Filipino American community and the tech industry. PCG San Francisco photos

Consul General Neil Ferrer and the Philippine Consulate General is recognized for their support to the Filipino American community in Northern California. Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona receives the California State Assembly

Multiple voting options for military and...

System. Voters may enter their information at www.smcacre.gov/elections/ my-election-info to access a link to their ballot. Voters mark their selections and print their completed ballot along with an Oath of Voter form. You must sign and return the Oath of Voter form if you return your voted ballot by fax at 650.312.5348 or by mail in your own envelope. Voters may also return an RAVBM ballot through our Official Vote Centers at the Registration & Elections Division at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo; or the David J. Chetcuti Community Room at 450 Poplar Avenue in Millbrae.

Voted ballots cannot be returned by email.

Pursuant to the Uniformed

and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), San Mateo County mailed overseas and military ballots between 60 to 45 days prior to Election Day. To avoid possible overseas mail service disruptions, non-mail voting options are encouraged. The final option for military and overseas citizens using the mail to return a voted ballot is to obtain a backup ballot if they do not believe they will receive their ballot in time to return it and meet the July 23, 2024, arrival deadline. The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is available now at www.fvap. gov or any U.S. Embassy. The last day for registered voters to request for a ballot to be mailed to them is July 16 to allow adequate delivery time for ballot and voting materials. Applications to receive a faxed or emailed ballots may be submitted

now, up to, and including Election Day. Military and overseas voters must drop off their ballot at a Vote Center or return by fax by 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Election Day, July 23, 2024. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by July 23, 2024, and received by Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to be accepted. Overseas voters returning their ballots by mail are encouraged to return them as early as possible to ensure they arrive on time. The City of Millbrae’s registered voters in District 2 and District 4 will receive a ballot in the mail in late June. In-person voting starts June 24 at the Registration & Elections Division. For more information on the July 23, 2024 City of Millbrae Special Recall Election, please call or text 650.312.5222, visit www.smcacre.gov, or follow us on X and Instagram @ smcvote.(SMACRE Release)

Tragic event leads to a sweet and successful ending...

PAGE 9

Unfortunately, events took a bitter turn when Dolores’ husband had a heart attack and passed away a month later.

Dolores’ brother, Don, consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel where leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Gurfinkel proposed that they inform the NVC of the husband’s death, so Dolores’ petition could be converted from “married” (F3) to “single” (F1), resulting in visas being immediately available for Dolores and her children. Atty. Gurfinkel also requested expedited processing because the petitioner was elderly and sickly. If something happened to her, the petition could be at an end.

The “sweet” ending of this tragic situation was that Dolores and her children, Keno and Kobey, were able to immigrate to the U.S. sooner while the petitioner – Dolores’ mother and the boys’ grandmother – was still alive.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday, June 19 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

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Don Rosete (left) hired leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) to help with the case of his sister, Dolores (center).

PH CONSULATE TAKES PART IN OMI SENIOR CENTER’S PH INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENT. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, joined the Philippine Independence Day celebration of the OMI (Oceanview, Merced Heights and Ingleside) Senior Center of Catholic Charities San Francisco on June 13, 2024. In his message, Vice Consul Baccay paid tribute to the lolos and lolas, who are the pioneers of the Filipino Community in the