Multilingual campaign deployed across Los Angeles to prepare for rst summer heat wave
LOS Angeles has launched a citywide campaign in more than a dozen languages to spread the word about the dangers of extreme heat.
As temperatures soar into the triple digits during this summer’s first heat wave in Los Angeles, Sandra Villalobos has been going door-to-door sharing information with neighbors on how to stay cool.
Her bilingual team of promotoras — community health workers with the nonprofit Visión y Compromiso — is fanning out around her Boyle Heights neighborhood
PH prepares for bilateral talks on WPS with China after Ayungin incident
MANILA — Acting Foreign Affairs
Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro highlighted the primacy of diplomacy in resolving the issue with China, as Philippine officials are set to meet their Chinese counterparts for the next round of the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism on the South China Sea. The schedule of the next meeting, which is expected to be hosted by Philippines, has yet to be determined.
Pres. Marcos recalls his dream legacy: ‘No more hungry Filipino’
by ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net
Marcos announced on Wednesday, June 26 his administration’s commitment during the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Galing Pook Foundation’s “Walang Gutom Awards” (WGA) held in Malacañang.
with an elevated presentation of Filipino food.
PH reaches out to shed light on US’ alleged anti-vax campaign
by CHARIE ABARCA Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Philippine government has communicated with the United States regarding an alleged campaign run by its military to sow hesitancy among Filipinos with regards to Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines.
Speaking at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, June 25, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor
Chan-Gonzaga said they immediately reached out to the U.S. after the Reuters article was published.
“We reached out immediately to the U.S. Embassy and to U.S. authorities through our regular consultations and mechanisms. The initial response was that we were referred to the Department of Defense—so we also got a copy of the statement that you had read,” said Chan- PAGE 2
During his speech, Marcos recalled an interview he had during his third day of office in the Palace, where he was asked, “what would you want to be your legacy for your presidency?”
US
MANILA — The United States lauded the exoneration of former Senator Leila De Lima from her last drug-related case and urged the Philippine government to resolve all “politically motivated cases” in the country. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Tuesday, June 25 that the U.S. remains “committed to working with the Philippine government to strengthen democracy and human rights.”
“We continue to urge the Philippines
Biden administration announces new immigration actions on DACA anniversary
Immigrant advocacy groups applaud Biden’s new policies for DACA recipients and families
by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress
his commitment to immigrant communities.
Eligible spouses and children of U.S. citizens, who have lived in the U.S. for over ten years, will no longer need to leave the country while applying for a green card. They can remain with their families,
ON the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Tuesday, June 18, President Joseph R. Biden announced two significant immigration actions, reinforcing PAGE 4
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN
CATCH OF THE DAY. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (4th from left) and United Nations Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili (3rd from left) sample the culinary offerings at the 1st UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu on Wednesday, June 26. World-renowned and award-winning chefs paired to provide delegates
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
MANILA — The dream legacy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to end hunger in the country.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser
Eduardo Año and Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro answer questions from the media about the Ayungin resupply incident during a press briefing on June 24, 2024. Presidential Communications Office photo
F rom the F ront P age
US asks Philippines to solve...
to resolve politically motivated cases, including those against journalists and civil society, in a manner consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments,” he also said.
On Monday, June 24, a Muntinlupa court granted De Lima’s demurrer to evidence petition for the dismissal of the third and final drug case filed against her by the Duterte administration.
De Lima’s camp filed the petition in March, arguing that the prosecution’s case has insufficient evidence.
The lower court’s decision to dismiss the drug charges against De Lima is tantamount to an acquittal of the former senator, a staunch critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Now, all three drugrelated cases that the Duterte administration filed against her are dismissed.
“I feel immense relief and joy right now. I can now rest easier and sleep more soundly,” De Lima said in Filipino during an ambush interview with members
of the media after the Muntinlupa court’s decision on her third drug case was announced Monday.
Earlier, European Union (EU) ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron said the bloc welcomed De Lima’s acquittal as they stand alongside the verdict of justice and human rights.
“I share the joy of Atty. Leila De. Lima and her co-defendants who were cleared of all charges today by the Muntinlupa City Court. After so many years, this is a victory for justice!” Veron said on X (formerly Twitter).
De Lima’s colleagues in the political opposition also expressed happiness over her acquittal.
“Noon pa man, alam kong walang sala si Sen. Leila at umaapaw ang kaligayahan sa puso ko na ngayon ay nakamit na niya ang hustisya. From ‘Free Leila Now’ to ‘Now, Leila is free’,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement Monday. (Even before, I knew that [former] Sen. Leila was innocent and I am extremely glad now that she has achieved justice. From “Free Leila Now” to “Now, Leila is
free.”)
“Ito’y patunay na ang katotohanan ay mananaig pa rin ang hustisya sa gitna ng mga kasinungalingan,” human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said on X.
(This proves the truth that justice will still prevail even in the midst of lies.)
Both Hontiveros and Diokno, however, stressed that people who unjustly accused De Lima of wrongdoing “must face the consequences of their actions.”
“[W]e need to focus our attention on those who have wrongly accused her. False charges compromise not only the accused’s reputation but also the integrity of our legal system. We call upon the authorities to pursue and hold accountable those who have perpetuated these unfounded.
“Ang hukuman ay takbuhan ng taumbayan para matamo ang hustisya, hindi ito instrumento para sa maruming pamumulitika (People go to the court to get justice, it is not an instrument for dirty politics),” Diokno also said. (Moss R. Laygo/ Inquirer.net) g
PH prepares for bilateral talks on WPS...
“I just want to say that Secretary Teodoro mentioned about the peaceful means. Yes, that is always being exercised,” Lazaro told reporters at a Palace press briefing.
“We are also doing something on the diplomatic front. We have a mechanism that has been in existence for quite a number of years,” she said, referring to the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism on the South China Sea with China.
The last meeting was held on January 17 in Shanghai, where the two parties formulated “some confidence-building measures,” according to Lazaro.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, for his part, asked China to “lessen its aggression,” saying that he does not see the issue ending soon.
“We are saddened by China’s very aggressive behavior. Let’s deescalate the tension,” he said at a press briefing.
According to Romualdez, it is very unlikely for the dispute over the West Philippine Sea to be resolved “today and not tomorrow” so it is better for the two countries to work for a “peaceful resolution for us.”
“Let us not make this disagreement and conflict in WPS define the totality of the relationship between China and the Philippines,” he pointed out.
Militant group Anakbayan, meanwhile, has condemned China’s actions and that of the
Pres. Marcos recalls his dream legacy...
“The answer came to me in an instant: ‘wala nang gutom na Filipino’ (no more hungry Filipino)—that is my dream,” said Marcos.
“A noble cause we can possibly have is to make sure that every single Filipino, each of whom we love like a family member, never again feel the pangs of hunger… and if we can achieve that, then I think we can claim to have led a good life,” he added.
According to Marcos, hunger remains a crisis in the country, citing a study by the DSWD.
The study showed that nearly 12 percent of three million families continue to experience hunger at least once in the last three months of 2022.
It also indicated that one in three Filipino children under five years old suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition.
The WGA aims to honor and replicate the best practices of local government units (LGUs) to attain food security and provide adequate nutrition.
The winners are as follows:
Barangay level
Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City
Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City Municipal level
Asuncion, Davao Del Norte Palompon, Leyte Bacnotan, La Union City level
Kidapawan City, Cotabato
Bago City, Negros
Cadiz City, Negros Occidental Mati City, Davao Oriental; Provincial level Biliran.
U.S. for its military buildup in the country.
“China’s bid to supplant the United States as the dominant imperialist power in the Indo-Pacific has brought great harm to our people,” Anakbayan stated.
It argued, however, that U.S. involvement does more harm than good. “The U.S. has maintained the Philippines as its neo-colony, benefiting from lopsided economic and political agreements,” Anakbayan said in a statement.
“Now, threatened by China’s rise, the U.S. seeks to maintain its hegemony in the IndoPacific and use the Philippines as its forward base for war,” the group said.
“It is high time that the West Philippine Sea is demilitarized. We must not allow either China or the U.S. to continue using our sovereign waters in their rivalry,”
Anakbayan said.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said the Philippines should not let itself be influenced by the U.S.
The “saber-rattling of the U.S. government and their mouthpieces are primarily responsible for the escalating tensions in the WPS,” she said.
“While we condemn China’s lies and their continued bullying in our maritime territories, we must also be cautious about falling into the U.S. narrative and playing into their provocation,” she added. (by Alexis Romero/Philstar.com) g
However, Marcos still expressed optimism that the country can address hunger as he recognized existing government measures and contributions of non-government organizations (NGOs), international agencies and social workers.
He also called on local government units (LGUs), private sector and international partners, as well as NGOs to “work together as a united front, and become ‘walang gutom’ (no hunger) advocates.”
The winning LGUs will receive a P2 million funding allocation from the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Marcos called on other LGUs to assess the nominees’ and the winners’ programs to “see how and why their programs work.”
He also urged them to examine whether or not it can be applied to their own communities.
“The national government will also be taking notes to see what more can be done at the national level,” he said. g
The statement neither confirmed nor denied the alleged conduct of such a secret campaign against Chinese vaccines.
“Essentially, they are looking into the matter and though we have not received any official and formal response yet in terms of confirmation, denial, or anything we are waiting on that. We continue to monitor and to ask for information,” he added.
Sen. Imee Marcos, who was presiding over the hearing as chairperson of the Senate panel on foreign relations, appealed to the DFA to continuously seek answers from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Marcos earned DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo’s assurance who then emphasized that they are doing so, adding that if there is anything alarming in their reply, they would immediately seek assistance from relevant agencies.
“Let’s work together, many Filipinos fell seriously ill. Many Filipinos died, we don’t know if it was a direct result of this. But we can see from the numbers that its effect is truly terrifying. So, we should be all hands on deck on this matter,” Marcos answered.
The Reuters article in question was published mid June. It indicated that U.S. officials supposedly launched the campaign as a payback for Beijing’s efforts to blame Washington for the pandemic. g
FESTIVE. Workers hang multicolor banderitas (streamers) outside the Aliw Theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City, where the Aliw Fiesta, is being held on Tuesday, June 25. The Grand Parade on June 26 will feature street dancers, float and the Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant candidates. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
PAGE 1 Gonzaga.
Fil-Am artist unveils memorial for mass shooting victims in Florida
TO honor the memory of the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, Florida, Filipino American visual artist Jefrë has unveiled a monumental memorial titled “Wings of the Rainbow.”
The sculpture, a 49-foot-tall polychromatic structure, now stands prominently in Osceola County’s Brown Weiss Park, overlooking Lake Toho.
Each aspect of Jefrë’s design symbolizes the LGBTQIA+ individuals whose lives were tragically lost during the mass shooting.
In a statement, Jefrë, who also did “The Victor” at Robinsons Bridgetowne in the Philippines, expressed that “Wings of the Rainbow” serves not merely as a static memorial, but as a symbol of unity, resilience and hope for the community.
“As we conclude today’s ceremony, let us remember that ‘Wings of the Rainbow’ is not just a sculpture but a lasting tribute to the 49 angels,” Jefrë shared on Instagram. “It stands as a
beacon of hope, unity and resilience. May it inspire us to embrace diversity, cherish our shared humanity and continue to strive for a world filled with love and acceptance.”
During the unveiling ceremony, Jefrë conveyed deep gratitude to those in attendance for their unwavering support in bringing this memorial to fruition.
“Thank you all for being here and for
your unwavering support. Together, we honor the memory of those we lost, celebrate their lives and reaffirm our commitment to a future where love always triumphs,” he concluded.
“Wings of the Rainbow” represents a collaborative effort between Jefrë and the Osceola County Government of Florida. This initiative resonates with similar endeavors across the United States aimed at honoring victims of mass shootings. Memorials in Sandy Hook, Connecticut; Las Vegas, Nevada; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Charleston, South Carolina, stand as reminders of the lives lost.
“At night, these wings will rise up to create the form of an eternal flame, illuminated from within to create a glowing beacon that lights up the sky, symbolizing the eternal presence and guiding light of the 49 angels,” he added in a separate Instagram post, detailing the memorial. (Hans Carbonilla/Inquirer.net) g
Multilingual campaign deployed across Los Angeles to...
with materials in Spanish and English.
Villalobos said, “We could tell when we open the door how hot and humid it was inside.”
The promotoras urge residents to get air conditioning or at least fans for what is predicted to be a long hot summer. They distribute towels to moisten and drape around overheated necks and umbrellas for shade when people venture outside.
The promotoras are part of a citywide campaign in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and 10 other languages, working with 27 community-based organizations to spread the word about the dangers of extreme heat and what residents can do to protect their families and pets.
“It’s critically important that all communities, but in particular vulnerable communities, receive this kind of information in advance of a heatwave,” said Marta Segura, the city’s chief heat officer and director of its climate emergency office. “Heatwaves are lasting longer. They are more frequent. So they are impacting communities, now more than ever.”
Los Angeles is well-known for sunshine nearly yearround. But that sunshine and rising temperatures due to climate change are now a threat to public health. Extreme heat can be extremely
Biden administration...
work legally, and receive protection from deportation during the process.
Additionally, Dreamers with a degree from a U.S. college or university and a job offer from a U.S. employer can now swiftly secure a work visa.
dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children and in communities with little shade.
The potential for harm is compounded when communities experience other vulnerabilities such as poor mobility, aging housing infrastructure, lack of green space, or linguistic isolation.
According to a statewide survey on climate-related social vulnerability, while 27% of the state’s population lives in Los Angeles County, it is home to 40% of the state’s highly vulnerable population, about 5 million people (LA County Vulnerability Assessment, 2021)
The city’s extreme heat preparedness campaign, Heat Relief 4 LA, will run through the summer and into the fall, when some of the hottest temperatures can occur in the city. But the first heat waves are of most concern as people’s bodies have not yet acclimated to major temperature shifts, and Segura worries that this year’s summer is projected to be one of the hottest on record.
The campaign is prioritizing the most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles and deploying multilingual campaigns in areas of the city where many families speak languages other than English at home. And the 27 community-based organizations are each using unique strategies to reach their respective communities.
Black Women for Wellness,
an organization that focuses on reproductive health and environmental justice, is conducting workshops and distributing newsletters in South L.A This summer, Black Women for Wellness is distributing a “Stay Cool Guide” for pregnant mothers.
“While heat relief isn’t our main campaign, it’s a crucial issue for our community,” said communications managers Myeisha Essex. “Extreme heat affects Black women and other marginalized groups due to systemic inequities in housing, access to green spaces, and healthcare.”
The city’s climate emergency office is helping Black Women for Wellness address those closely related issues and the organization will also be involved in designing a “heat action plan” for the city that includes a reproductive justice framework.
“Our involvement will ensure that the plan addresses the unique needs of Black women, promoting equity and resilience in the face of climate change,” Essex said.
In the city’s downtown Chinatown neighborhood, the Southeast Asian Community Alliance, is sending outreach teams several times a week to check on residents who live in buildings that are over 100 years old without elevators, comprised of single-room occupancy units without air conditioning. Most are lowincome, elderly, and have limited mobility.
The alliance is distributing Chinese language materials from the climate emergency campaign, while also applying its understanding of the special nature of the neighborhood and the vulnerabilities of its residents.
Sissy Trinh, executive director of the alliance, said many residents buy their rice by the cup because they cannot carry or store large amounts. So, water, which weighs much more, also has to be distributed in more frequent, smaller quantities, too.
The neighborhood’s precarious housing conditions and a dense urban environment with little green space and shade all underscore the importance of neighborhood cooling centers, such as airconditioned libraries and recreation centers, as essential infrastructure during extreme heat events, she said.
“We have tenants that are one rent increase away from becoming homeless,” said Trinh. “Seniors are skipping meals in order to have enough money for rent at the end of the month. AC is a luxury.”
(By Miriam Bar-Zemer/Ethnic Media Services)
This story was produced by Ethnic Media Services in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA as part of the Greening American Cities initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund.
Many Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) families and communities stand to benefit from these measures, where 1.7 million AAPIs are undocumented, comprising almost 1 in 5 undocumented individuals living in the U.S.
“While today’s actions are a significant step forward, there is more work to be done to fix our broken immigration system. That includes the need for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. President Biden and I continue to call on the United States Congress to join us in acting by passing permanent protections for Dreamers,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC commended the new policies, which are expected to bring stability to many undocumented immigrants and their families. The White House estimates that around half a million spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 immigrant children will benefit from these changes.
In a statement, AAJC said, “These policies are momentous for hundreds of thousands of families, including many Asian Americans. They will bring much-needed stability, not just for undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients who have been waiting years for immigration reform, but also for their spouses and families. Many families who have feared permanent separation can now breathe a sigh of relief.”
The AAJC stressed the significance of these policies in providing relief to families who have feared permanent separation and called for further reforms to address longstanding issues in the immigration system. They noted that many Asian immigrants might not qualify due to entry method provisions, leaving numerous families still in the shadows without a path to permanent status.
The organization urged continued efforts toward comprehensive immigration reform that includes pathways to citizenship for all immigrants, including DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status holders, and essential workers. They highlighted the importance of welcoming policies that keep families together and uphold the U.S.’s moral and prosperous standing.
Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), praised the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to improve conditions for immigrant communities. She highlighted the expedited work visa process for DACA recipients, which reduces the waiting period from six months to two weeks, significantly benefiting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, which represents about ten percent of DACA recipients.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent about ten percent of DACA recipients, and half of all DACA recipients
REVIVING PASIG RIVER. Local tourists on a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) go around Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, June 25, behind them the stairs with access to the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge. The government’s “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli” project envisions the revitalization of the Pasig River, with a look and feel of famous waterways like the Seine in Paris, France or the Chao Phraya in Bangkok, Thailand.
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Photo from Osceola County Government
FEATURES OPINION
Weak enforcement
THE first law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was Republic Act 11934, the SIM Registration Act of 2022. Two years later, phishing, smishing and other cyberscams continue to proliferate. Thousands of smartphones with SIMs, used for digital scams, are seized in raids on Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO hubs.
On top of the continuing proliferation of subscriber identity module cards that are unregistered, or registered under fictitious names, cyberscams persist on over-the-top messaging platforms that are not covered by RA 11934, such as Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram and Messenger.
Editorial
It’s not for lack of a legal framework to go after the scammers. Under RA 11934, anyone who provides false or fictitious information in registering a SIM card can be imprisoned for six months to two years, fined P300,000 or suffer both penalties. For the fraudulent use of a registered SIM card, the penalty is at least six years in prison, a fine of P200,000 or both.
The other weekend, the National Telecommunications Commission drew fire from Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who said the NTC was “sleeping on the job” after thousands of SIM cards were found in raids on POGO hubs Smartweb Technology Corp.
WITH the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from her Cabinet position as secretary of the Department of Education, it is now abundantly clear our country is heading towards another endless chapter of
in Pasay City, Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban, Tarlac, and Lucky South 99 at the boundary of Porac town and Angeles City in Pampanga.
Reacting to the criticism, the NTC vowed to enhance enforcement of RA 11934, but pointed out that the law, while an “important tool” against SIM-enabled offenses, is “not a silver bullet against messaging scams.”
Even when RA 11934 was being crafted, several quarters including telecommunications companies had stressed the importance of first having in place a reliable national identification system. This point was brushed aside as lawmakers rushed to be rid of the unwanted messages they kept getting on their mobile phones. To this day, registration for the national ID is not yet complete, and the SIM cards seized at the POGO hubs show how easy it is to provide false information in SIM registration.
The National Bureau of Investigation,
divisiveness, with politics being a primary concern, instead of the many major challenges we face locally and internationally.
Political pundits say that this recent development signals the VP’s plan to seek higher office in the 2028 elections by establishing herself as an opposition figure and reaching out to groups that are hostile to
under a new director, is at least on the job against cybercrime, busting a team of suspected hackers, one of whom said at a press conference that he operated under the direction of a newspaper editor for technology. The Department of Justice, which has jurisdiction over the NBI, must ensure that heavy penalties are imposed in this case,
to send a strong message that hackers can be caught and punished.
The discovery of those piles of SIM cards at the illegal POGO hubs, however, shows how much still needs to be done. RA 11934 clearly needs better enforcement, and perhaps additional legislation to stop the messaging scams. (Philstar.com)
United we stand, divided we fall
the administration. But as expected, the Liberal Party through former Senator Leila de Lima and other parties as well, voiced their objection to the idea of the VP as the new opposition leader following her resignation from the Cabinet.
There are those, however, who believe that the decision to resign was also a strategy on the part of the vice
president to distance herself from her father’s political allies and strengthen her own political party, the Hugpong ng Pagbabago –leaving her free to choose a senatorial slate and field candidates for local government positions for the 2025 midterm elections.
According to Senate President Chiz Escudero, VP Sara’s resignation from the
Cabinet was “inevitable,” considering her family’s criticisms against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and her silence on certain policy issues, foremost of which is the West Philippine Sea where the Chinese have been escalating their aggression and harassment of Philippine troops and vessels as well as fishermen. It’s a well-known fact
that criticisms against the president stemmed from his tough stance against China’s overly expansive claims in the disputed territories in the South China Sea and his assertion that he will not cede even one square inch of our maritime territory. But as Chiz pointed out, the vice president has every right to have policy differences
Babe’s Eye View
BABE
Dateline PhiliPPines
pollution and demonstrates the healthcare sector's commitment to driving tangible changes in policy and practice towards sustainable development and healthier lives for all Filipinos.
House to invite ex-President Duterte,
Dela
Rosa to drug war hearing
MANILA — The House Committee on Human Rights on Tuesday, June 25 approved a motion to invite former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa to attend its hearing on the previous administration's drug war.
During its third hearing, the House panel approved Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas' motion, which was seconded by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro.
Dela Rosa served as the Philippine National Police chief in 2016 to 2018 at the height of the Duterte administration's drug war. He was elected senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
“Mr. Chair, I move to invite former President Rodrigo Duterte and, of course, Senator Bato dela Rosa para po sa pagsagot sa mga issues na ina-allege, mga issues na inihahapag ng EJK [extrajudicial killings] [victims' families] (in order to address the alleged issues – issued raised by the EJK victims' families),” Brosas said during the hearing.
Committee chair and Manila 6th District
Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. also suggested inviting Duterte and Dela Rosa to listen to the testimonies of the victims' families.
“We have informed the former president of this hearing, so he knows,” Abante said. “For the fourth hearing, I will be inviting Senator Bato dela Rosa and the former president to come and listen to your testimony.”
Abante stressed the importance of this investigation in seeking truth and accountability, as it aims to look into the alleged human rights violations during Duterte’s drug war.
“We are committed to protecting witnesses and supporting victims,” he said. “The House of Representatives is here to support you, to safeguard your rights, and to ensure your safety.”
Government data show that over 6,200 drug suspects died in anti-narcotics operations from June 2016 to November 2021, but human rights organizations estimate the death toll could be more than 20,000, affecting predominantly poor communities.
(PNA) g
Baste Duterte to run as president in 2028 – Sara
MANILA — Vice President
Sara Duterte said that her younger brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, may run as president in 2028.
"My mother told me that the one who will run as senator is my younger brother, Baste Duterte. He will be the one to run in 2028
as president. My mother also said that I should go back to Davao and run as mayor," Duterte said in Bisaya on the sidelines of the Office of the vice president's pride reception held in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, June 25.
Duterte also said that her father, former President
Were Filipino translators hired for US anti-vax campaign? Expert seeks answers
MANILA — A disinformation expert urged a Senate committee on Tuesday, June 25 to investigate the possibility that subcontractors from the Philippines helped craft the messages that were used in the Pentagon's alleged anti-vaccination campaign against China during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking before the Senate foreign relations committee, disinformation researcher Jonathan Ong pointed out that the recent Reuters report that detailed the covert influence operation by the United States military cited examples of posts that were translated into local languages, including Filipino.
"We need to ask therefore if there is the possibility of subcontractors enlisted by the U.S. military? Who are they, and where are they located?" Ong said.
The Reuters investigation said that the Pentagon's secret campaign against China took place from 2020 to 2021 and involved the use of 300 fake social media accounts that impersonated Filipinos to spread fears of China-made vaccines. Most of the accounts were created
in the summer of 2020 and spread the hashtag #Chinaangvirus (China is the virus).
The accounts distributed content that aimed to malign the Sinovac vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech, as well as health supplies sent by China, according to the Reuters report, which cited former U.S. officials familiar with the operation.
Ong said that the fake accounts appeared to use "insider jokes and cultural knowledge that would resonate with local citizens and communities" in the Philippines and other targeted countries. These posts have since been taken down by X, according to the Reuters report.
"It's important for us to track down potential in-country collaborators responsible for the translation and dissemination of these campaigns," Ong said.
The disinformation researcher also noted the importance of holding social media platforms accountable. "Did these social media platforms communicate this to the
are college graduates. This new process will expedite their work visa from six months to two weeks,” Choi said. “The administration’s announcement to keep families together and working during the green card process underscores the president’s commitment to our values and makes America safer and stronger.”
Rodrigo Duterte, her eldest brother, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, and mayor Duterte, are all keen to run for senator next year.
Sara Duterte served as Davao City mayor before she ran for vice president. She recently resigned as Education secretary. (ManilaTimes.net) g
Choi also emphasized the importance of these actions in keeping families together and reinforcing America’s values of safety and strength. The administration’s decision aligns with President Biden’s earlier expansion of health coverage for DACA recipients through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
“NAPAWF applauds the Biden administration for today’s immigration relief announcements. These necessary steps ensure that our community members can gain legal status, access essential health benefits, and lead more complete
Philippine office? To any Philippine government official?"
Sen. Imee Marcos, who chairs the Senate foreign affairs panel, said that Ong's recommendations are "certainly leads we need to follow up on."
There was little to no new information that surfaced during the Senate hearing that were not already revealed in the Reuters investigation. The Senate committee meeting did not have representatives from social media platforms that were invited to attend, namely Meta and X. The committee secretary said that both companies responded to the invitation. "I was able to talk to the general counsel. She was on maternity leave. She told me to send an email to another person, but at the same time it bounced back," the committee secretary said But Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said that the department's "social listening" during the pandemic found that there were several posts that sought to fuel vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos.
lives. Undocumented spouses and DACAmented youth, have for too long lived in the shadows and borne the brunt of our broken immigration system,” Sung Yeon Choimorrow, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) Executive Director said.
“While these announcements are a step in the right direction, this is only the beginning. The majority of Americans support pathways to citizenship. There is still much more that needs to be done to guarantee that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, can live full and healthy lives in America. Our organization will continue to advocate for justice for all members of our community.”
These announcements by the Biden administration represent a step forward in supporting immigrant communities and addressing the complex challenges they face, but they also underscore the need for ongoing advocacy and legislative action to achieve lasting, meaningful reform. g
BIKE FOR A CAUSE. Healthcare workers pedal from the Department of Health in Sta. Cruz, Manila to the Lung Center of the Philippines and Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City for the "Ride for their Lives: Bike for Clean Air and a Healthier Future" on Tuesday. June 25. The activity raises awareness about the dangers of air
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Were Filipino...
"We usually get these kinds of issues not just for COVID, but before COVID. We already had these issues in 2016," the DOH official said, referring to the Dengvaxia fiasco in 2016.
Vergeire said that the DOH sought to counter the social media posts with town hall meetings that could "directly and better inform
citizens" about vaccines. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said that after reading the Reuters investigation, they reached out to the U.S. embassy in the Philippines through its "regular consultation mechanism," but their initial response was to refer them to the U.S. Department of Defense. (Cristina Chi/ Philstar.com) g
AFP troops morale higher after Ayungin incident – Defense chief
MANILA – The morale of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops is even higher after the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent aggression on Philippine boats on Ayungin Shoal, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said on Monday, June 24.
In a Palace press briefing, Teodoro said Filipino soldiers were inspired even more due to the incident.
“I can unequivocally state that, na mataas ang morale ng ating mga sundalo (that the morale of our troops is high),” he said.
“Sa harap nitong mga hamon na ito, lalo silang na-inspire at paiigtingin nila ang pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga duties (In the face of this challenges, they are inspired even more to fulfill their duties),” Teodoro said.
On June 17, CCG boats rammed a Philippine government supply ship, brandished bladed weapons, and seized disassembled rifles during the country’s rotation and resupply (RORE) mission in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
During the confrontation, one Navy personnel had his thumb cut off after it got caught between Philippine and Chinese boats.
Teodoro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to the troops involved
in the incident at the Western Command (Wescom) headquarters in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Sunday further strengthened the troops’ resolve.
“At ang bisita ng Pangulo kahapon ay nagsemento ng kanilang morale. Nalaman ni Presidente ang totoong nangyari, na-interview niya isa-isa, nalaman din niya ang kundisyon nila ngayon. Some have injuries, na kahalubilo niya, hindi lamang ‘yung na-injure kundi kanilang mga pamilya (The president’s visit yesterday cemented their morale. The president learned what really happened, he interviewed them one by one, and learned of their condition. He interacted with some of the injured, including their families),” Teodoro, who was with Marcos during the visit, said.
In his message to the troops, Marcos said he could not be prouder of each and every Filipino soldier for showing restraint, devotion to duty, and compassion in the face of Chinese aggression.
Outpouring of support
Teodoro thanked the public, as well as the different sectors of society, for expressing support to the AFP following the incident.
“I would like to take a special mention to acknowledge the various business groups like Finex, Management
Association of the Philippines, and the like, that issued statements of support, unequivocal support,” Teodoro said.
“And today, I would like to thank the Association of Generals and Flag Officers for issuing a statement fully supporting the thrusts of this administration, and praising the professionalism and restraint in the face of grave adversity by our troops,” he added.
PH won’t allow BRP Sierra Madre’s capture
A ranking security official on Monday said Manila would not allow the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), which is standing guard over Ayungin Shoal in the WPS, to be boarded and captured by a foreign power.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said such a move would result in repercussions, adding that the outpost is “a red line that cannot be crossed”.
"Ang mga tropa natin sa BRP Sierra Madre (our troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre), hindi sila, I'm sure (di) papayag na lusubin sila doon at sampahan ng agents of foreign power (I'm sure they will not allow themselves to be attacked and boarded by agents of a foreign power)," Malaya said.
SAFE ZONE. A cyclist temporarily rests under a flyover amid heavy downpour in EDSA, Quezon City on Monday, June 24. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is eyeing to put up at least 14 lay-bys under flyovers across the National Capital Region for the use of two-wheel riders during rains or in emergency situations. PNA photos by Joan Bondoc
Comelec inks deal for online voting, counting system for overseas voters
by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, June 25 sealed a deal with the joint venture of SMS Global Technologies Inc. and Sequent Tech Inc. for the first-ever online voting and counting system (OVCS) for Filipino overseas voters.
The joint venture had the lowest calculated bid for the procurement of OVCS among four bidders for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec said that their bid stood at a mere P112 million, which is much lower than the allocated budget of P465.8 million for the OVCS procurement.
In his speech, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia stressed that online voting would encourage more Filipinos to exercise their right to vote.
“Kung paano po natin inaayos ang pagboto sa ating mga kababayan dito sa ating bansa, ganyan din dapat ang maiparanas natin sa mga kababayan natin abroad,” he said.
(In the same way we organize voting
for our fellow citizens here in our country, we should also provide the same experience for our fellow citizens abroad.)
But Garcia also acknowledged that, until now, some Filipinos abroad have not registered for the upcoming elections, mainly due to the far distance of Philippine embassies from their respective residences and their employment circumstances.
“Ipinaliwanag namin na walang relasyon ang status niyo sa bansang ‘yan, sa status niyo bilang Pilipino para makaboto. Makakaboto kayo kahit na undocumented kayo, kahit na NPA (no permanent address) kayo,” Garcia said, referring to Filipinos he spoke with in his recent visit to the Miru Systems plant in South Korea.
(We explained that your status in that country has no relation to your status as a Filipino in order to vote. You can vote even if you are undocumented, even if you have no permanent address.)
Furthermore, Garcia assured the public of the OVCS’s security and reliability.
“Naniniwala po tayo sa makabagong
teknolohiya na mayroon tayo sa kasalukuyan tulad ng internet banking, tulad ng tinatawag natin na pagbabayad ng mga bills using the internet, wala naman pong pinagkaiba ‘yung dito po sa internet voting,” he said.
(We believe in the modern technology that we currently have, such as internet banking, and what we call paying bills using the internet. There’s no difference with internet voting.)
“Nag-comply fully itong joint venture sa ni-prescribe naming terms of preference,” he added.
(This joint venture fully complied with the terms of preference that we prescribed.)
Following the contract signing, Sequent Tech Inc.’s Chief Technology Officer Eduardo Robles demonstrated how overseas Filipinos can vote using the portal.
First, the voter must register his or her name by providing basic information such as an email address, password, name, phone number, and identification card in the portal.
Once registered, voters can proceed to select their preferred candidates. g
Philippines retains Tier 1 status in US anti-human trafficking report
MANILA – The Philippines has retained its Tier 1 status in the United States’ annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the ninth year, which deems that the country’s anti-TIP efforts are up to the U.S. standards.
The initial report was released by the State Department on Monday, June 24, listing the Philippines among 33 governments with Tier 1 ranking, the highest in the report’s three-tier placement, and indicates that local authorities are making efforts to address human trafficking.
To maintain a Tier 1 status, governments need to demonstrate progress each year in combating trafficking.
They must also meet the minimum standards in eliminating TIP based on the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).
The State Department’s report excludes the country narratives, including recommendations for specific states.
Filipino TIP hero
Meanwhile, the State Department named Samson Inocencio Jr., vice president of the International Justice Mission Philippines (IJM) Program Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children, as one of this year’s TIP Report Heroes.
Inocencio has spent more than 20 years combating trafficking in persons through his work with IJM Philippines and has contributed to 147 convictions for commercial sexual exploitation and 220 for online sexual exploitation crimes (OSEC) since 2005.
After becoming National Director of IJM in 2016, he assisted in the removal of 544 children from situations of commercial sexual exploitation and 1,237 children who were at risk of OSEC.
The State Department said Inocencio's collaboration in 2016 was also instrumental in the Philippines' development of a “roadmap to Tier 1” in the TIP Report.
“The Philippines has been ranked Tier 1 for eight years due to the merits of its efforts. Sam’s leadership and dedicated service have strengthened the government and civil society’s response to trafficking and protected thousands, especially children, from exploitation,” the State Department said. (PNA) g
AFP troops morale higher after...
He said the hostile act of boarding the BRP Sierra, a commissioned warship of the Philippine Navy, is an entirely different matter.
United we stand...
PAGE 6
with the president and assert her own beliefs. In other words, VP Sara was elected separately, unlike the U.S. presidential system where the presidential and vice presidential candidates must come from the same party.
No one can argue that if someone firmly believes in something, we have to respect it. And the fact that people can exercise their free will, choose their political affiliations and elect the leaders they want is tangible proof that freedom and democracy is very much alive in this country.
However, it is likewise important for political leaders to be cognizant of, and sensitive to, the sentiment of the majority of the people, especially when it comes to our national security, as seen in the results of the most recent Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by the OCTA Research Group. According to OCTA, a large majority of Filipinos – 91 percent to be exact – continue to distrust China.
Additionally, 76 percent of the respondents also believe that China is a country that poses the biggest threat to the Philippines – and this sentiment seems to be buttressed by the most recent incident in Ayungin Shoal where the China Coast Guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy and Chinese maritime militia vessels were shown acting in a way that has been described as barbaric, brutal and piratelike.
Clearly, the conduct of the Chinese during that incident belie the claims made by Beijing that their personnel acted in a restrained and professional manner. Anyone who has seen the video released by the Philippine Navy would be left in no doubt that there was nothing professional or restrained in the actions of the Chinese.
Amid the precarious situation, there is the willingness of Vietnam to peacefully resolve our respective claims in disputed areas in the South China Sea. Last week, the Philippines filed a claim with the UN to an extended continental shelf in the South China Sea, saying such submission “does not prejudice discussions with relevant coastal states that may have legitimate extended continental shelf claims” –something that resonated well with Vietnam that said it “asserts its full rights and interests under international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, and stays ready to discuss with the Philippines to seek and achieve a solution that is mutually beneficial for both countries.”
This development aligns with the president’s initiative for a separate code of conduct with other ASEAN nations that also have maritime claims in the South China Sea.
"We are committed to that installation, BRP Sierra Madre is our advance post, it is a military detachment in Ayungin Shoal. And the presence of BRP Sierra Madre confirms our occupation of Ayungin Shoal. So, may (we have) nine features, hindi tayo papayag as (we will not allow as) mention(ed) by the
president very clearly, hindi mababawasan iyan (to have our territory reduced), we will not lose any square inch, any square inch of our territory," he added. (PNA) g
There is no denying that we have to secure our maritime borders, and that we cannot give up our territory, as asserted by President Marcos during his keynote speech at the Singapore Shangri-La Dialogue that we cannot and should not cede any contiguous part of our maritime territory. Simultaneously, we also do not want to escalate the already simmering tension in the West Philippine Sea.
There are those who oppose our current relationship with the United States and believe that continuing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will impede efforts to resolve the situation with China. After all, differences in policy perspectives exist in any country or government –which can be like trying to mix oil and water. Certainly, political differences are par for the course in a country that has a multiparty system. Yet now more than ever, we must be united and should not allow politics to distract us from what is paramount at this time – ensuring our national security and protecting our sovereignty. Which is why the upcoming 2025 elections will be extremely critical in giving us an indication where our country is heading and who the next president in 2028 will be. In fact, it could possibly determine whether our foreign policy will continue in the right direction or not. The bottom line is – either we are united, or divided we will fall. (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
FORGOTTEN. Here lies sports legend, boxer Pancho Villa (Francisco Villaruel Guilledo), at an unkempt corner of the Manila North Cemetery in Sta. Cruz District as photographed on Saturday, June 22, among dirty cooking utensils, wash basin and trash. Villa is the first Filipino world boxing champion when he knocked out British Jimmy Wilde in the seventh round of their flyweight duel in New York on June 18, 1923. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Planning, perseverance, and prayer achieved the ‘American Dream,’ on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
IN an inspiring journey of perseverance and hope, Citizen Pinoy shares the remarkable story of a family's quest to achieve the American Dream. This episode highlights how a son, through dedication and love, repaid his parents' sacrifices by helping them secure their future in the United States. However, this path was fraught with challenges. The family's initial attempt at an employment-based petition was denied due to the employer's inability to
pay. This led to the family being placed in removal proceedings, creating a daunting and uncertain future. Despite these setbacks, their resilience and faith carried them through.
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel prepared a long-term strategy for Julius and Amelita’s green cards that involved long-term planning and dedication. It required son Nikko to obtain his green card and
U.S. citizenship through marriage to his girlfriend, Joyce. Upon Nikko’s naturalization, he was able to petition for his parents, culminating in his parents receiving their green cards. Julius and Amelita’s journey to legalization spanned 15 years and the use of the three P’s: Planning, patience, and prayer. They also had the strategic planning of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel. But with unwavering patience, and
12
A HEARTWARMING TALE OF FAMILY, RESILIENCE, AND THE AMERICAN DREAM ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY. In an inspiring journey of perseverance, patience, and hope, Citizen Pinoy shares how a son helped his parents secure their future in the United States. Despite numerous challenges, including a denied employment-based petition and removal proceedings, the family's resilience and faith prevailed. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel mapped out a longterm strategy for Amelita and Julius’s green cards, involving their son Nikko’s marriage to his U.S. citizen girlfriend, and subsequent citizenship. This allowed Nikko to petition for his parents, leading to their green card approvals. Watch this family success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, June 30 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Health@Heart Sugar: Warning!
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
SUGAR is sweet and “addicting”, and anything prepared with sugar becomes delectable, like many of our desserts: smooth fine velvety ice cream with various tropical flavors (halo-halo, macapuno, buko-pandan, ube-langka), suman sa lihiya, kalamay of various kinds, bibingka, kutsinta, and, of course, ginataan, sweetened calamansi juice, and sagogulaman drinks, to name a few. Soft drinks and fruit juices are loaded with sugar!
While sugar is essential to life, we can’t survive without carbohydrates, the sugar in the food we eat. But in excess, it could be dangerous to those with T2 diabetes mellitus, and even to those who are not diabetics or overweight.
leading to amputation), to the brain, liver, kidneys (requiring dialysis, kidney transplant) and other complications to different parts of our body.
In acute cases of hyperglycemia, the individual could go into coma. In hypoglycemia, the opposite, where the blood sugar among diabetics goes down too low, they become dizzy, very confused, unaware of their surroundings, wandering aimlessly, or even pass out.
Our body needs just the right level of blood sugar to remain healthy. A person with a healthy lifestyle, nonsmoker, non- or mild drinker, who has a diet of fish 3-4 times a week, eats a lot of vegetables of various colors, eats some fruits and nuts, and who exercises at least 5 times a week, usually tolerates eating more sweets. Their metabolism seems more efficient compared to those with unhealthy diet, habits and behavior.
But the trick for anyone is to get our sugar from the carbohydrates in the vegetables, fruits, nuts, seafoods, and not from
desserts or from table sugar. Our body’s need for sugar is satisfied by those food items in our main course, without added sweets. But a modest bite of dessert is fine for non-diabetics who are not overweight. For diabetics, a sugar-free dessert or a tiny bite of sweet desserts, if tolerated, is acceptable. And part of a healthy strategy is to stay away from red meat (pork, beef, etc.) or limit it to once a week, concentrating on vegetables, chicken, and seafoods.
Coffee or tea are health drinks, unlike soft drinks which are poison to our body, especially to children. Regular or diet, cola or uncola, they all increase our risk for Metabolic Syndrome. For children, we used to think fruit juices are good. We now know that these are load with sugar, albeit fructose, and cause tooth decay and reduce their appetite for milk and foods, and expose them to pre-diabetes in the long term. Nothing beats filtered water and milk. But coffee or tea are healthy only if we do not
David Licauco on drawbacks of being a popular actor
By Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net
WHILE David Licauco said he is enjoying his time working in front of the camera, the self-confessed introvert added that the hardest part about being an artist is the attention from people.
“I find it hard to adjust to fame, especially because I’m an introvert. Since I will be talking with a lot of people during this media conference, I know this will take a lot of energy from me. I appreciate this kind of interview with you because it’s intimate,” David told Inquirer Entertainment. “But when I’m at a mediacon, I change. If you see me there and notice that I’m talking nonsense, that means I’m already stressed. Being surrounded by a lot of people really stresses me out. I tend to open up when I’m in a more intimate setting.”
Photo from Instagram/@davidlicauco
a picture, I would obviously smile. But there were times when, in my mind, I would say, ‘I want some alone time!’
the artista image so people will take me seriously. Their impression of me changes when they talk to me,” he pointed out.
“I love acting so much, that’s why I really work hard to give my best in ‘Pulang Araw,’” David said of the war drama series he stars in with Barbie. “This has become my main career. I don’t think I’d be successful in my businesses without show biz.”
Of course, I understand where they are coming from. They don’t know that I’m tired, or that I suffer from sleep apnea, or that I’m an introvert.”
The media conference held on Thursday, June 20 was to promote Catherine Camarillo’s romantic comedy “That Kind of Love,” which is also David’s first big-screen project with love team partner Barbie Forteza.
“I think there are two kinds of artists. The first does this for passion and the second treats it as work,” David began. “I don’t walk around feeling like I’m an artista, a celebrity. I look at this as work, that it’s not so different from the work of a doctor, for example. It just so happens that a big part of this particular kind of work is that people know me. I try not to let that get to my head.”
David continued: “Of course, I’m not perfect. If someone approaches me for
Hyperglycemia (sugar toxicity, too high glucose level in the blood), as seen among diabetics, could damage the nerves to the eyes (causing blindness), to the foot, (causing gangrene, steadfast prayer, Julius and Amelita’s dream has finally been realized. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, June 30 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
David said there were even times when people would approach him while he’s in the middle of a business meeting. “I understand that they’re not aware that a meeting is happening. They just know that I’m David, the artista. Of course, I’d say ‘yes’ to their request for pictures because I’m naturally friendly. I can’t tell them, ‘I’m busy, and so you can’t take pictures with me!’”
‘Blessed’
Despite the drawbacks, David insisted that he is “super blessed” to be part of this industry. “Everything I earn from show biz work, I put in to my business ventures. With the kind of business I’m into, I need my show biz connections because I meet with big-time people. I’m not your typical businessman who started in a corporate setting. I need
David now has six restaurants all over the country. He is currently busy working on a branch in Taguig that will open soon. “I’ve been doing a lot lately. Prior to coming here, I had a meeting for the space I’m eyeing in BGC. Yesterday, I was taping, and we finished late. Then I’m here now, and I have a meeting again later. I still have to study my script for the next taping day. Then there’s my workout, too. Sometimes, I myself wonder how I’m able to find time to do all these things,” he said.
David explained that the stress was partly because he is “the type of businessman who really does the legwork. I’m really hands on. I’m the CEO. Of course, I have people under me, but I do everything from operations to marketing.”
Failures
David admitted to having experienced failure in his past business ventures, too. “I bought a franchise and lost. The same thing happened to my boxing gym. In those failures, you learn. I guess if you don’t fail, you won’t win in life also. You just have to take that risk. As long as you have an open mind to learn, you will eventually be successful,” he pointed out.
PAGE 15
David Licauco
people events arts culture entertainment
Solving for X: How Kyne Santos merges drag and math into one powerful equation
by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress
ONE of the standout moments at the first Pride Night hosted by the American Museum of Natural History in New York was a trivia show led by Filipino Canadian drag queen and author Kyne Santos. Armed with a degree in mathematical finance, Kyne is proving that math is far more than just numbers and equations.
By blending the precision of calculus with the glamour of drag, Kyne's innovative approach to education is both captivating and transformative. “I want to show people that math can be fun and learning doesn’t have to stop at the classroom,” she told the Asian Journal. Through her unique lens as a drag performer, Kyne is creating a new formula for success that not only entertains but also educates, redefining the boundaries of both the mathematical and drag worlds.
Discovering a love for math and drag
Kyne (he/him when not in drag) grew up practicing times tables with his engineer father and later, at the encouragement of a teacher, participating in math contests. As a student, he excelled in math, finding beauty in its creativity and problem-solving aspects. This passion was nurtured at the University of Waterloo, where he studied mathematical finance and honed his skills.
Parallel to his mathematical pursuits, Kyne discovered a love for makeup and drag in high school. While at university, he began posting videos explaining math riddles while dressed in drag. By 2020, Kyne had made his mark on the drag scene by appearing on the first season of “Canada's Drag Race,” showcasing her talent to a broader audience.
The fusion of Kyne's two passions happened somewhat serendipitously.
During the early days of the pandemic, he began posting educational math videos on TikTok under the handle @onlinekyne. “I started posting videos on TikTok just because I thought it would be funny to see a drag queen talking about math riddles,” she recalled. To his surprise, the videos went viral, with audiences worldwide embracing his unconventional approach to math education.
Kyne realized that math and drag involve significant creativity, challenging stereotypes, and pushing boundaries through selfexpression. “People usually think that math and drag are these two separate islands that have nothing to do with each other,” she explained.
Her content aims to bridge this gap, demonstrating that math can be as imaginative and engaging as drag performance.
The beauty of math and drag
After her TikTok videos became viral, an editor at Johns Hopkins University Press reached out and asked if she would be interested in writing a book about math, like a book adaptation of the TikTok videos that she was doing on social media. “The book just allowed me to go more in-depth into the topics and explored these intersections between math and drag,” Santos shared. Reflecting on this journey, Santos highlighted the challenges and triumphs he faced while writing "Math
in Drag." She noted that the process was about more than just merging two seemingly disparate fields; it was about breaking stereotypes and making math accessible and enjoyable to a broader audience. “Math and drag, they're both controversial for different reasons,” she explained. “You know, a lot of people don't like math, so I want to change that. I also want to change people's opinions about drag.”
It took Santos about four years to finish the book, devoting two years to writing and rewriting. For him, the book is half math and half memoir because he talks about his life story, how he fell in love with math and with drag, and how he saw those two worlds intersecting.
Each chapter explores a different subject of math whether that's probability statistics, game theory, or calculus, but he teaches the concepts through stories of his life and anecdotes from queer history and the history of drag. For his preferred pronouns, he wrote on the book, “I am writing as a gay man who performs in drag, and my pronouns are he/him when out of drag and she/her when I’m dressed in my full regalia. But you can call me he, she, they, it, or whatever you please."”
Cultural heritage and advocacy
Born in the Philippines and moving to Canada at the age of five, Kyne has had to reconnect with his
Filipino heritage. “Growing up in Canada and being sort of away from my heritage in the Philippines, I had to take it upon myself to learn about what it meant to be Filipino,” she shared. “My parents didn't really teach me about the history of the Philippines, and I lost even the ability to speak Tagalog.”
This journey of selfeducation has become central to his content, as he seeks to connect with other Filipino Canadians and Americans who might feel disconnected from their roots. Kyne often creates educational content about Filipino history, aiming to bridge the cultural gap for his audience. His efforts have made him a significant figure in representing Filipino culture in the diaspora, inspiring others to embrace and explore their heritage. “I make it a point with my videos to teach people about the history of the Philippines because so many other Filipino Canadians, Filipino Americans of my generation, we feel kind of disconnected from our heritage,” she added. “I've gone back to the Philippines and I filmed videos in the middle of Intramuros in a big Filipiniana and I talked about the colonization of the Philippines and all the things that I had to learn for myself.”
Coming out and inspiring the next generation
Coming from the Philippines, Santos faced significant challenges when he came out as gay. "In the
Santos with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Photo from Instagram/@onlinekyne
Kyne Santos signs autographs at the Pride Night event of the American Museum of Natural History. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya
No divorce? Janice de Belen asserts need to ‘criminalize infidelity’
by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net
JANICE de Belen
briefly spoke up about the possibility of legalizing divorce in the Philippines — which continues to be the topic of heated debate — while expressing her call to “criminalize infidelity.”
On her X (formerly Twitter) page on Sunday, June 23, de Belen seemingly addressed those who aren’t in favor of divorce in a brief post without directly sharing her stand on the matter.
“Kung ayaw nila ng divorce (if they don’t want a divorce to happen), let’s criminalize infidelity,” she wrote while adding thinking emojis.
Netizens clarified to de Belen that infidelity is illegal in the Philippines
Solving
while quoting her post, but many pointed out that it should be revised. Others also stressed that “adultery and concubinage are [more] favorable to men than women.”
Under Article 333, a married woman can be convicted of adultery after committing sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband.
Meanwhile, Article 334 declares that a man can be penalized with concubinage if he is found guilty of cohabitating with a woman who’s not his wife, having a “conjugal” setup with a mistress, and committing sexual intercourse with a mistress in a “scandalous setting.”
De Belen wed John Estrada in 1992 which ended in annulment after 12 years.
They have four children together, including actress Kaila Estrada, Inah, Moira, and Yuan. Estrada has been married to former beauty queen Priscilla Meirelles since 2011.
The actress also has one son with Aga Muhlach. In a February 2024 interview, de Belen said she is not open to falling in love again and would rather focus on her career and family. g
for X: How Kyne Santos merges...
beginning, when I came out of the closet, my parents were just so confused, and they had lots of questions," she recalled. The stigma surrounding being gay in the Philippines, often viewed with disdain and disbelief in professional capabilities, compounded his struggles. "They looked down on gay people because they didn't really think that gay people could become scientists or mathematicians," Santos explained.
Reflecting on his younger years, Santos admitted she felt the need to hide his femininity to be respected and taken seriously in the field of mathematics.
"Certainly when I was young, I didn’t think that mathematicians looked anything like this," she said, referring to his drag persona.
However, over time, his parents witnessed the importance of his dual identity and the widespread support he garnered in Canada. "They've seen all of the support that I've been able to get in Canada, and I'm so lucky that I live in a free country where I can have the same-sex marriage and that I can live and do this as my full-time job,” she quipped.
Santos emphasized the supportive nature of the Filipino community and his desire to inspire them. "Filipinos are just so supportive, and they're just the best fans. I just want to make them all feel represented and show them that we can succeed as Filipinos," she expressed passionately. He aims to challenge stereotypes and demonstrate that LGBTQ individuals can excel in any field, including science and mathematics. "Gay people and all LGBTQ people, we can be scientists and mathematicians, and we can do anything we set our minds to," Santos
Sugar: Warning...
“contaminate” them with additives, like sugar, cream, honey, caramel, etc. The only healthy additives to coffee or tea are cinnamon and collagen protein powder or liquid.
Talking about beverages, gulping down a tablespoonful of cold pressed extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) every day is healthy in warding off dental carries, reducing the risk for heart disease, stroke, arthritis, T2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. This is a popular drink in Europe (especially in Italy and Spain) and gaining favor in the United States, as clinical studies reveal the magic wonder of olive oil for health.
With man’s experience with consuming sugar for centuries and as independent clinical studies around the world on this carbohydrate show, sugar has a split “personality,” like a double sword. While it tastes sweet, it could also “bitter” for people of all ages, diabetics or not. Sugar is an inflammatory substance that damages our body cells and organs, like the joints (hip, knees), liver, kidneys, brain, etc. And chronic inflammation induces diseases, cardiovascular (heart attack, stroke, arterial blockages, etc.), and metabolic illnesses. Most, if not all, diseases start with inflammation, like arthritis, gastritis, entero-colitis, etc.
Some of the food items that are inflammatory are the so-called Nightshade veggies: tomato, potato, eggplant, paprika, pepper, etc., all pain triggers for those with arthritis, like sugars and sweets.
From Interesting Facts: Sugar used to be prescribed as medicine revealed by the following historical data:
• Sugar was used to treat sickness and injury as far back as the first century, when Middle Eastern practitioners prescribed it for dehydration, kidney issues, failing eyesight, and more. During the 11th century, English monks noted sugar’s ability to soothe upset stomachs and digestive issues, and by the Middle Ages, doctors tried treating bubonic plague with concoctions of hemp, sugar, and more unpleasant ingredients. As recently as the 1700s, pharmacists recommended a glass of lemon juice and sugar water for asthma attacks.
affirmed.
Her participation in “Canada’s Drag Race” was a milestone that provided global visibility and an opportunity to humanize and demystify drag. “Drag Race for me represented showing people the human side of drag,” she explained. “To be able to, you know, be on the show and to inspire the next generation of drag queens means a lot to me.”
Challenging math myths
Santos shared his insights on the common misconceptions about mathematics and his innovative approach to teaching it. He challenges the prevailing belief that mathematical ability is innate, asserting, "We think that you have to just, like be born good at math, that you have to be a math person and that your brain has to be wired a certain way. I really don't believe that. I think that anybody with enough practice can be good at math."
Drawing an analogy to music education, Santos critiques the traditional methods of teaching math. He likens it to teaching someone to play the piano by only focusing on scales without ever introducing them to the works of Mozart or Beethoven. "They wouldn't walk away thinking I love music, and I love piano. And math is like that, too," she explained.
Santos believes that the current emphasis on rote learning and the mechanical aspects of math fails to capture its inherent beauty. "I think we're not really doing a good job at representing really the beauty of math and all the great theorems and the works of the mathematical versions of the Mozart's and the Beethoven's."
Santos also addresses the negative impact of societal attitudes towards
math. She points out that hearing adults express their disdain for the subject can be particularly damaging for children. "It's not so helpful for kids to hear adults saying that they hate math. And that they're not a math person. I think it's so destructive for young people to be told you're not a math person." He emphasized the importance of reframing these beliefs to empower students rather than limiting them. You’re putting a limiting belief on someone and telling them there’s something they can’t do."
Ultimately, Santos’s mission is to show that one does not have to choose between being a math person and an art person. "The whole purpose of what I do is I want to show people that you can do anything. You can be a math person and you can be an art person. You don’t have to choose." Through his work, Santos aims to inspire a more holistic and inclusive view of mathematics, making it accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
Looking ahead, Kyne plans to continue his education and pursue a graduate degree in mathematics. He remains committed to creating educational content, believing that teaching is a reciprocal process that enhances his understanding. “I love making educational videos. I find when I make educational videos when I teach people I also learn,” she said.
To his young Filipino followers, Kyne offers a message of hope and empowerment: “If you don’t see yourself out there, if you don’t see a path for you, you can be the one to blaze it.” His career, blending seemingly disparate fields, demonstrates the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to dream. g
• Part of sugar’s allure — and perhaps perceived medicinal benefits — may have been connected to its former rarity. Some historians believe sugarcane originated in Southeast Asia, where farmers may have grown it as early as 8000 BCE, but refining began around 2,500 years ago in India — a process that made sugar shelf-stable and allowed it to spread to other regions. With far to travel, the sweetener was expensive by the time it reached medieval Europe, and for centuries was mostly reserved for the wealthy.
A sweet historical background, indeed. But the bottom line is, evidence-based clinical studies around the globe have proven repeatedly that sugar is not totally sweet for our wellbeing. It is prudent for all of us in general to reduce our sugar (carbohydrate: bread, rice, French fries, biscuits, chips, cakes, ice cream, and desserts) intake as much as we could tolerate.
Reducing rice and bread from our staple and calorie-counting will do wonders for our blood sugar levels and for our overall health. By avoiding these carbohydrates and losing weight, countless diabetics are able to control their blood sugar without medications. It is apparent that diabetes can be cured by diet, exercise, and weight management. Be sure to consult with your physician before stopping any medications or changing your treatment strategy.
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Janice de Belen
Photo courtesy of Netflix Philippines
How Derrick Monasterio and Alden Richards address gay rumors
By ronnie CarrasCo ManilaTimes.net
THERE’S probably not a single actor who isn’t rumored to be gay. Even the “tough” ones with nary a slight trace of “gayness” in their outward demeanor are not spared from this public misjudgment.
In the case of Kapuso actors Alden Richards and Derrick Monasterio, one might wonder how they’re dealing with persistent talks that they’re limp-wristed.
Do they feel slighted, worse, insulted? Or are Alden and Derrick simply unaffected or unbothered knowing how secure they are with their sexuality as well as their sexual preferences?
Let’s take up Derrick’s case first.
It was on his guesting on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” where the main host asked Derrick pointblank: “Are you gay?”
Derrick could have spewed a convenient “No!” reply yet he initially opted to take a personal stand on the subject.
“It’s just like saying: ‘You’re so fat!’ or ‘You’re so ugly!’ Clearly, the intention of the person saying it to someone is simply to annoy them! It’s exactly the same when some people tell me I’m gay, they’re just teasing me!”
This vexation all the more gives Derrick a reason to dismiss it.
While there’s hardly any truth to such cruddy talks, his real-life girlfriend and screen partner Elle Villanueva admitted she had told her parents that Derrick
was gay.
An only child to overly protective parents, Elle had to make it up for the latter to realize she was in safe hands. Ergo, harmless.
Well, that was the only time Derrick was made to “experience” a life of being gay.
Seriously though, the Kapuso actor has a lot to thank Elle’s gay reference to him for. A Godsend, it was Elle who Derrick says has turned his life around.
Meanwhile, Alden takes this gay impression of him with a grain of salt to avoid any further argument.
“If they think I’m gay, fine!” stresses the 32-yearold actor.
Nah, it’s not Alden’s way of lending some credence to a far-fetched assertion but more of giving in to what delights his bashers.
He calmly qualifies, “If that’s what makes them happy, so be it. I’m not about to take that right to happiness away from them.”
It appears oddly ironic though that amidst these gay issues confronting Alden, talks about his “marriage” to Maine Mendoza and siring a child with her wouldn’t cease to this day — this even if the latter is already a happy, content wife to Quezon City Representative and actor Arjo Atayde.
If only for these unnerving, disturbing rumors — there isn’t a scintilla of doubt that Alden’s and Derrick’s careers have flourished by leaps and bounds. With their career trajectory steadily taking an upward turn, should this baseless stuff matter? End of argument. g
Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon to star in ‘Request sa Radyo’ play
By Jerry Donato Philstar.com
BROADWAY superstar Lea Salonga and Hollywood breakout star Dolly de Leon are set to headline the Manila run of the 1971 play from Franz Xaver Kroetz, “Request sa Radyo,” in October.
“Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Dolly De Leon return to the stage for “Request sa Radyo,” read Samsung Performing Arts Theater’s Facebook announcement.
The two women are set to alternate performances as they portray the theatrical piece that “captures the poignant solitude of a woman through her meticulous evening routine.”
“As she navigates her quiet, solitary life, her actions and her favorite radio program reveal the profound loneliness and yearning for connection that lie beneath,” reads the synopsis on the play’s official website.
In an interview with Vogue Philippines, the Filipina
icons echoed each other’s excitement.
“When I was asked by Clint and Bobby if I was interested at all in this project, an experience that told a probable and possible story that absolutely applies to our people, I said sure— even before knowing the details. It will be a challenge, but hopefully it will lend a figurative voice to those who are suffering,” Salonga said. Meanwhile, De Leon expressed: “With loneliness
one of the immediate problems society faces today, my hope is that people will understand mental health more and find compassion for those who suffer.”
The play is set to be produced by Clint Ramos, with Bobby Garcia directing.
“When we got the blessing to bring it to Manila at the Samsung Theater and have it speak to a specific Filipino condition, we could only think of two of the Philippines’ premier actors: Lea Salonga
and Dolly de Leon,” Ramos said.
“Through its minimalist approach and profound storytelling, grounded in a specific Filipino lived experience, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary meaning in the everyday and the invisible,” added the producer.
“Request sa Radyo” will open its curtains starting October 10 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. g
Vilma Santos nominated for National Artist
by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
VETERAN actress and “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos-Recto received a nomination to be part of the next batch of National Artist recipients.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines confirmed to Philstar.com that Vilma was among the National Artist nominees, the full list of which will be available at the end of June, the deadline for nominations, but will not be announced to the public. The winners, however, would be announced.
Vilma Santos graces the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Cine Icons event at University of Sto. Tomas to lead the special screening of her restored classic film
is directed by Rory Quintos and written by National Artist
Vilma previously called the National Artist award bestowed on her fellow actress Nora Aunor was
“the highest” honor an artist could receive.
“ Alam mo , if it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you,”
Vilma also said when asked if she also wants to be hailed a National Artist as well.
“’ Pag hindi napunta sa’yo, it’s not meant for you. So d’un sa mga nabigyan, it’s meant for them, like ‘yung kay Ate Guy. So kung meron akong space d’yan, darating ‘yung panahon na ‘yun, para sa akin na ‘yun. ” Ate Vi also told Philstar. com last year she was willing to work with Nora again, given the right material, “If we can offer something new and something different, why not? Lalo na sa edad namin ngayon, ‘di ba ?” g
David Licauco on drawbacks of being...
David said Pocket Media Productions also took a great risk when it decided to produce a movie featuring BarDa and have it shown in the cinemas. “The story is well-written and the shots are all beautiful. Budget wasn’t a problem for this project. I hope that this will be promoted well. Our producers invested in this, they trusted us, so I really want to help them,” said David. In “That Kind of Love,” Barbie plays
Milagros Maharlika, a renowned dating coach and certified psychologist. She takes it upon herself to transform Adam de Dios, a stuck-up and controlling CEO of a prestigious company, by finding him the perfect partner. The chance encounter between the two at a restaurant challenges Adam’s belief in his own perfection and leads Mila to confront her own doubts about love’s complexities.
he seems perfect, because he is rich, people think he is doing OK. They just see that he owns a helicopter and a jet plane, and that he is handsome. This is just a wall that he has put up, and this wall has to be broken down by someone—that someone is Mila,” explained David. “In real life, you can’t have it all. Sometimes, you may have a lot of money, but you have no time for yourself. In this life, you have to choose happiness all the time.” g PAGE 12
“Adam is misunderstood. Because
‘Anak,’ which
for Film and Broadcast Arts
Ricky Lee (with Moira Lang). Philstar.com photo
With their career trajectory steadily taking an upward turn, should the baseless gay rumor matter? Photos from Instagram/@aldenrichards02, @derrickmonasterio
Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon
Photo from Facebook/Samsung Performing Arts Theater
