Anti-Muslim, Jewish and LGBTQ Hate Crimes are on the rise in California
DESPITE an overall decrease in the number of hate crimes reported in California, biasmotivated attacks against Muslims, Jews, and the LGBTQ community are on the rise in California, according to the 2023 Annual Hate Crimes report released by Attorney General Rob Bonta.
In 2023, a total of 1,970 hate crimes were reported by law enforcement agencies in California, a drop from 2022, in which 2,120 bias attacks were reported. In 2021, 2,180 hate crimes were reported throughout the state.
Google Translate now includes Hiligaynon, Kapampangan and more
“I LOVE you” can be expressed in various languages in the Philippines. From “Gihigugma tika” in Cebuano, “Padaba ta ka” in Bicolano, “Mahal kita” in Tagalog, to “Palangga ko ikaw” in Hiligaynon, the country’s linguistic diversity shines through everyday expressions of love.
With over 170 languages spoken across its archipelago, the country has a unique linguistic heritage. In the Filipino diaspora, one can hear a variety of languages such as Cebuano, Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan and Chavacano wherever you are in the world.
Sometimes, many Filipinos often turn to tools like Google Translate for help in understanding or expressing themselves in different Filipino languages.
Until recently, Google Translate expanded
u PAGE 4
Marcos to Quiboloy: Come out from hiding
by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
MONTALBAN — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, July 10 dared Apollo Quiboloy to show up and face the accusations hurled against him, calling him a “fugitive” who is hiding from the law.
The president issued the statement after Quiboloy’s camp questioned the motives of the private individuals who offered a P10 million bounty for his arrest.
“They can question their motives as much as they want. But he should show himself. I question
his motives. Let me question his motives. Why is he always questioning us?” Marcos told reporters after the impounding process ceremony of the Upper Wawa Dam in Rizal.
The president did not mention who he was referring to, but Quiboloy’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Tuesday, July 9 said the reward was wrong on so many levels.
Marcos maintained there was nothing wrong with the government accepting donations from private individuals who wanted to see Quiboloy arrested.
“Why not? They want to help us bring a fugitive to justice. You know, he is a fugitive. He is hiding
Filipinos among most positive globally, but sadness takes a toll
– Gallup
from the law,” Marcos said. “If there are private citizens who want to assist the government in that effort to bring him to justice, I don’t see why it is [an issue],” he said. “We’re just following the law. He should do that, too.”
Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier said a P10-million reward was offered by private individuals to anyone with information that could lead to Quiboloy’s arrest on outstanding warrants for human trafficking and child sexual abuse charges. In addition, P1 million will be given in exchange
MANILA — The Philippines ranked among the 10 countries with the highest positive experiences in 2023, a worldwide poll showed.
In D.C.-based firm Gallup’s 2024 Global Emotions Report, the country scored 82 of 100 on the Positive Experience Index. This means 82% of Filipinos reported more positive emotions the day before the survey was conducted.
Notably, 75% of Filipino adults reported learning or doing something interesting the day before the 2023 survey, ranking them third in the world. This is well above the global average of 54%.
While the Philippines’ positive experience score of 82 is still among the highest in the world in 2023, it was lower
The score puts the Philippines in the fifth place globally on par with Malaysia, Senegal and Thailand, indicating that pleasant feelings are more pervasive than negative ones.
House orders arrest of ex-Duterte adviser Michael Yang
by Krixia SubingSubing Inquirer.net
MANILA — The House committee on dangerous drugs on Wednesday, July 10 cited in contempt Michael Yang, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser, and ordered his arrest for ignoring its summons in connection with a P3.6billion drug bust in Pampanga last year.
During a hearing, dismissed Police Col. Eduardo Acierto also claimed that Duterte, and Senators Christopher Go and Ronald dela Rosa knew of Yang’s links to the narcotics trade, but ignored a report he submitted in 2017. For contempt of the House, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the committee chair, ordered Yang’s 30-day detention at the Bicutan Jail in Taguig City. Barbers also ordered the committee secretary to coordinate with the Philippine National
Sara to skip Pres. Marcos’
third SONA, assigns herself ‘designated survivor’
by CriStina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA — After weeks of speculation, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed Thursday, July 11 that she will snub President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the first time she has done so since the start of their terms.
“No, I will not attend the SONA. I am appointing myself as the designated survivor,” Duterte said in an ambush interview at the sidelines of an event in Davao City. In the United States, a designated survivor is a person in the presidential line of succession
VP Harris is leading the campaign to appeal to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, the fastest-growing electorate
AS the 2024 presidential election looms closer, the campaign to re-elect President Joe Biden is ramping up voter outreach efforts to the broad Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voting bloc. On Tuesday, July 9, Vice President Kamala Harris introduced AANHPI for Biden-Harris, a formal effort to boost support for the Biden-Harris re-election. According to a press release, the coalition will provide voters with “culturally competent and linguistically appropriate” materials to help AANHPI voters stay informed on the most crucial u PAGE 2 Biden-Harris campaign launches new outreach effort for AANHPI voters
Filipino American organizations join Philadelphia’s historic July 4th Independence Day parade
by MoMar g. ViSaya AJPress
PHILADELPHIA’S “Salute to America Independence Day Parade” on July 4 featured the rich cultural contributions of its immigrants. As the parade unfolded in the heart of America’s birthplace, various Filipino American organizations celebrated both the nation’s 248th birthday and Philippine American Friendship Day. This historic event highlighted the enduring presence and cultural diversity of Filipino Americans, who have been an integral part of the parade since the 1960s. The participation of these groups highlighted the significant role Filipino Americans have played in the tapestry of the United States, adding a unique and colorful dimension to the city’s cherished Fourth of July celebrations.
Famously known as the “Salute to America Independence Day Parade,” the July 4th Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia stands as a key highlight of the city’s festivities. The parade provides a unique and historically rich experience in the birthplace of America, reflecting Philadelphia’s historical importance.
This year, various Filipino
American organizations joined the annual parade, celebrating both the 248th birthday of America and Philippine American Friendship Day, which commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Manila in 1946. Among the participating groups were the Mutya Philippine Dance Company, ERL Divas Dancers, Filipino American Community Athletic Association, and the Filipino American Association of Philadelphia. Public officials, such as Fred Faylona of Susquehanna Township in Harrisburg, was also in attendance.
Chris Rivera of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia highlighted the longstanding involvement of Filipinos in the parade.
“Filipinos have been part of this parade in its various forms since the 1960s,” Rivera noted.
“We are part and parcel of the composition of the United States, so without the Filipinos, there is no United States just like every other culture that’s part of this country.”
Rivera has been part of the parade for two decades and expressed joy over the increasing interest from Filipinos outside Pennsylvania.
“It is very special to bring folks to participate in the parade
by Klarize Medenilla AJPress
AID TO FARMERS, FISHERFOLK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (2nd from left) mingles with micro-entrepreneurs as he distributed aid under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and
Michael Yang Malacañang File Photo
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Sunita Sohrabji photo
Marcos to Quiboloy: Come out from hiding...
PAGE 1 for information that will lead to the arrest of his co-accused.
Abalos, however, declined to name the donors, saying that the individuals were frustrated with the lack of developments in Quiboloy’s cases.
Quiboloy is facing sexual abuse and trafficking charges.
The cases were transferred from the regional trial courts of Davao and Pasig cities to a Quezon City court.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, the televangelist’s long-time ally, said in a previous briefing that he knew where Quiboloy was hiding but preferred to keep it secret.
This led the Philippine National Police (PNP) to say it was considering filing a
complaint against Duterte for obstruction of justice.
However, former Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said PNP chief Rommel Francisco Marbil was “humorless” as Duterte was only joking.
“The statement of FPRRD (former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte)... is at best a joke, for which he is known for — or pulling the leg of the inquiring reporter. It was intended for the reporters to laugh — and they did,” Panelo said in a statement.
“Apparently, the chief PNP is a humorless person and cannot decipher a joke or a jest,” he added.
Panelo also said Marbil’s plan to file an obstruction of justice charge against Duterte was “laughable” and exposed the
PNP chief’s “legal ignorance” on how the crime is committed.
“Under Sec. 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829, a person who knowingly or willfully obstructs, impedes, frustrates or delays the apprehension of suspects and the investigation and the prosecution of criminal cases commits the crime of obstruction of justice,” he said.
Even if Duterte knew where Quiboloy was, Panelo said the former president was not obligated to tell the police where the suspect was, and not informing them was not an obstruction of justice.
Quiboloy, Duterte’s spiritual adviser, is also wanted in the United States for human trafficking charges. – with Aric John Sy Cua n
Biden-Harris campaign launches new...
issues for AANHPI communities—such as health care, immigration, public safety, and others.
The team kicked off the coalition on Tuesday in Las Vegas and will visit Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia in the coming weeks. On Saturday, July 13, Harris will deliver an address at an AANHPI town hall in Philadelphia.
Later this month, the Biden-Harris campaign will also establish “affinity groups” like Filipino Americans for Biden-Harris to further drum up support, according to AANHPI for Biden-Trump.
Harris—who is Indian American and the first Asian person to serve as vice president—is at the fore of the outreach program.
“[W]e need to make sure that AA and NHPI are heard at the ballot boxes around our country, just as we need to make sure that those voices
are represented in all levels of government.
Asian Americans must be in the rooms where the decisions are being made,” Harris said in a launch video released on Tuesday.
AANHPI for Biden-Harris is the latest effort from Biden’s team to appeal to key voting blocs. Previously, they launched similar campaigns that focus on Black voters as well as Hispanic/ Latino voters. The Biden campaign’s latest efforts to amp up support follow a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump in June—and recent polls showcase Biden trailing Trump. Biden’s age and well-being have also been a cause for concern for voters. A Democratic pollster reported on Tuesday that of those who watched the first presidential debate, 61% think that Biden does not have the “mental capacity and physical stamina” to serve a second term. n
Filipinos among most
than the 85 it garnered in the 2022 Gallup survey.
Not all feel-good
While the country scored highly on positive experiences, the Philippines did not rank exceptionally low on negative ones. The country reported a score of 35 of 100 on the Negative Experience Index.
The Philippines’ negative experience score is higher than the global average of 31.
Filipinos also had the highest reported loneliness in Southeast Asia, a region that leads globally in positive experiences. With 34% reporting feeling sad the day prior, the Philippines’ score is higher than the global average of 23%.
The report, released earlier this month, was based on nationally representative
House orders arrest of ex-Duterte...
PAGE 1
Police, House sergeant-at-arms, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the warrant as Yang is believed to have left Manila for Dubai on May 12.
At the same time, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez asked the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Justice to help locate Yang and make the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) aware of the situation.
The panel’s inquiry, which began in October 2023 initially set out to find out how 530 kilograms of methamphetamine or “shabu” entered the country last year before these were transported to a warehouse at Barangay San Jose Molino in Mexico, Pampanga.
Yang was summoned to appear in the inquiry after the panel discovered that Empire 999, the company that owned the warehouse where the drugs were found, was partly owned by his associate, Linconn Uy Ong.
Crucial testimony Ong was also supposedly involved in the Duterte administration’s allegedly anomalous procurement of health supplies from Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barbers insisted that Yang’s testimony was “crucial” in
unraveling the complex web of illegal drug smuggling activities linked to Empire 999, which they earlier discovered to be majority-owned by Chinese nationals who presented fake Philippine documents to appear as Filipinos.
“What started as a drug bust has turned into a national security concern as these personalities and companies acquired real properties all over the country using fictitious documents,” Barbers said in a previous hearing.
“That (Michael Yang) is linked to these drug activities is no surprise, as in the past administration, he was also named by a top official of the PNP tasked to investigate illegal drug activities,” he added.
That top PNP official was Acierto, who testified virtually before the panel on Wednesday to reaffirm his 2017 report that Yang was involved in illegal drugs—and that Duterte, Dela Rosa, and Go were aware of this but turned a blind eye to it.
During the hearing, Acierto, who formerly worked with the PNP’s drug enforcement group but has since gone into hiding, also accused Duterte of ordering his execution following his revelations. He claimed that he and a colleague, Police Capt. Lito
Perote discovered these illegal activities and reported them, but Perote has since disappeared and is presumed dead.
Bold allegation
Among others, Acierto accused Duterte, Go and Dela Rosa of “protecting and [being] integral to the security of the illegal drugs network operating in the country”—an allegation also made by former vigilante turned whistleblower Arturo Lascañas who is now a lead witness in the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed under Duterte’s drug war.
“They allowed the entry of large volumes of illegal drugs through our ports and supported the syndicates by defending them, targeting those that go against them, and playing dumb to true justice,” he added.
“I can see under the Marcos administration that it’s possible to achieve justice as is the case with former Sen. Leila de Lima, and I am hoping to one day achieve the same and that the government would pursue accountability over the sins of Duterte, Go and Dela Rosa,” Acierto said.
The Inquirer contacted Go and Dela Rosa for comment but they had yet to respond as of this writing. n
Maureen and Karen shower their five-year-old niece Altea with kisses during their bonding time at Quezon
Sara to skip Pres...
who is deliberately kept separate from others during big events to ensure someone survives to assume the presidency in case of a disaster.
The Philippines follows the constitutional line of succession to the presidency, where if the president is unable to fulfill their duties, the vice president assumes office, followed by the Senate president and the speaker of the House of Representatives.
House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco said that he has yet to receive a formal notification from Duterte about her attendance on July 22.
Duterte was also absent in the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 on July 9, where Marcos delivered a speech. Later, Department of Education Spokesperson Michael Poa said Duterte instead opted to visit injured student-athletes at a hospital to “boost their morale.”
The Palarong Pambansa opening event marks one of the last engagements Duterte has as DepEd chief, a position she resigned on June 19. Marcos said his former 2022 election
running-mate did not provide a reason for her resignation and merely asked “not to talk about it.”
Around two months before Duterte’s resignation, Marcos dismissed lawmakers’ calls for Duterte to be replaced as education secretary, saying instead that he would only replace his Cabinet secretaries if they “don’t do their jobs properly.”
The Marcos and Duterte families and their allies have been publicly at odds since 2023 after Congress rejected the vice president’s request for confidential and intelligence funds, on top of apparent disagreements over Marcos’ approach to China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
At one point, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Marcos publicly accused each other of misusing illegal substances.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has also admitted that she and the vice president are no longer on good terms due to the vice president’s attendance at the public rallies held by Duterte’s supporters against Marcos. n
Filipino American organizations join Philadelphia’s...
that have never had a chance to. It is special to represent our culture and be seen,” he added.
Filipino presence in Pennsylvania dates back over a century, beginning with workers from the USS Kansas at naval shipyards, according to Rivera. Over time, these early settlers brought their families and formed a thriving community. Today, an estimated 40,000 Filipinos reside in the greater Philadelphia area, including Southeastern Pennsylvania, South New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, founded in 1975, was asked to join the bicentennial celebration in 1976. Starting with just four organizations, the council has now grown to encompass 23 organizations.
The parade itself featured a chronological procession of history, starting with Native Americans and moving through key historical periods, including the 1700s and the Civil War.
A salute to the military was followed by a celebration of the nation’s future, showcasing youth, cultural, and social
parade route began at 2nd and Market Streets, west on Market Street through the historic district, and concluded at Arch and North
musician, actress,
activist Kesha. n Several Filipino organizations such as Mutya Philippine Dance Company, ERL Divas Dancers, Filipino American Community Athletic Association,
the Filipino American Association of Philadelphia joined the July 4th Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia and represented the growing
American communities in the northeast. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya
The July 4th Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia, known as the "Salute to America Independence Day Parade," is a key highlight of the city’s festivities. This parade is a significant part of Philadelphia's Fourth of July celebrations, reflecting the city's historical importance as the birthplace of American independence, which is why Filipino American organizations have been actively participating for decades now.
Photos courtesy of FECGP
SUSPENDED. The construction of the new Senate building in Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Taguig City, photographed on Tuesday, July 9, is on halt for now. Senate President Francis Escudero ordered a comprehensive review amid escalating costs while the Department of Public Works and Highways said the construction is already delayed by 852 days as of July 3 due to variation orders. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Governor Newsom, fire officials highlight California’s wildfire readiness and response
SACRAMENTO – California’s peak
wildfire season is here, and it’s significantly more active than the last five years.
So far this year there have been more than 3,500 wildfires across California, with 207,415 acres burned and 128 structures damaged or destroyed. That’s compared to just 10,080 acres at this time last year –and the five-year average of 38,593 acres burned.
The state continues to expand its aerial firefighting force, which is the largest in the world. California also continues to leverage new technologies to support its firefighting capabilities.
Governor Gavin Newsom joined state fire and emergency officials in Sacramento at CAL FIRE McClellan Air Tanker Base to provide an update on California’s wildfire response and readiness.
“The last couple years brought welcome relief for California as we saw historically low levels of wildfire. This season is shaping up to be very active, bringing the threat of dangerous wildfire to many parts of our state. California is ready with the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and new technology that helps us fight fire smarter – and we’re already seeing our investments pay off,” said Gov. Newsom.
The recently signed 2024 budget agreement maintains $2.6 billion through 2028 to protect Californians from wildfires and improve forest health. This is in addition to $200 million per year for healthy forest and fire prevention programs, including prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects. The administration is implementing shorter workweeks for state firefighters and aims to bring on more than 2,400 additional firefighters over five years to augment staffing levels.
Californians can visit ready.ca.gov for resources and safety tips on wildfire, heat and other natural disasters.
Below is a recap of the ways California is keeping communities safe from wildfire:
New aircraft, night-flying capabilities, and expanded drone deployment
• Expansion of helitack bases
– Five additional helitack bases are
to include even more of the country’s regional languages.
“We’ve heard your ask for more languages and we are thrilled to announce we’re adding 110 new languages to Translate,” they shared.
Google has added 110 new languages to its translation service, powered by the revolutionary PaLM 2 large language model, bringing the
operational, after personnel completed. training, bringing the total to eight bases equipped for night operations.
– Night-flying aircraft have been activated in response to many wildfires this year.
• Contracted aircraft add to CAL FIRE’s permanent fleet of over 60 aircraft
– 20 additional helicopters and 4 airplanes, including five night-flying capable helicopters.
• Drone deployment – CAL FIRE currently operates 159 unmanned aerial systems, representing a doubling in CAL FIRE’s use of UAS for aerial ignition, support of prescribed burns, and wildfire containment.
• Ongoing transfer and outfitting of seven C-130 aircraft from the federal government.
Harnessing recent innovations
• Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) to map wildfire information in real-time.
• Tecnosylva Wildfire Projection Tool to predict wildfire spread.
total number of supported languages to 133.
“Now, we’re using AI to expand the variety of languages we support,” they added.
“Thanks to our PaLM 2 large language model, we’re rolling out 110 new languages to Google Translate, our largest expansion ever.”
This update includes more regional languages from Luzon and the Visayas, such as Bikol,
• Partnership with Department of Defense, using satellites to map wildfires.
• LiDAR Investments to make detailed, 3-D maps of more than 30 million acres of topography and vegetation in high-risk areas.
• Wildfire Threat Intelligence Center (WFTIC), serving as California’s integrated hub for wildfire and weather intelligence.
Giving every Californian access to realtime wildfire intelligence
• A new and improved fire.ca.gov website gets information to Californians in real-time.
– CAL FIRE’s redesigned website now provides more essential information, faster– including total emergency response, wildfires, acres burned, fatalities, and structure damage.
– Integration of ALERTCalifornia Cameras for anyone to view, and real-time aircraft tracking.
– Comprehensive incident map of fires over 10 acres, in real-time.
(Gov. Newsom’s Office Release) n
Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Pangasinan and Waray.
“This expansion marks a significant step towards the 1,000 Languages Initiative, aiming to support the world’s most spoken languages. With a quarter of the new additions coming from Africa, Google Translate now offers the largest selection of African languages to date,” stated Google Philippines. This development is a stride in
Anti-Muslim, Jewish...
Hate crimes based on sexual orientation continued to rise, with 405 overall, a spike from 391 in 2022. Jewish people were the most frequent targets of religiously-motivated hate crimes in California: 289 attacks were reported in 2023, exactly 100 more than the previous year.
Hate crimes targeting Muslims also rose from 25 in 2022 to 40 last year.
Few convictions
Consistent with previous years, Black people were overwhelmingly the most frequent victims of hate attacks: 518 in 2023, a significant drop from 652 in 2022.
679 hate crime cases were sent to prosecutors in 2023, a small rise from previous years.
224 cases were rejected, and 322 were filed with hate crime charges. Of those, 15 were not convicted, 43 were convicted on other charges, and 57 pleaded guilty/no lo contendre
Only 5 hate crimes cases went to trial last year. In 2022, 6 biasmotivated cases went to trial in California, and in 2021, just one case went to trial, out of the 610 cases referred to prosecutors.
Hate crimes hard to prove
enhancing communication and preserving linguistic diversity, allowing more Filipinos to connect with their heritage and each other in their native tongues.
To test if it truly works, visit translate.google.com or download the Google Translate app from the App Store and Google Play and translate “I love you” in more ways than one.
(Hans Carbonilla/Inquirer.net) n
Speaking to Ethnic Media Services last April on the sidelines of the United Against Hate summit at Fresno City College, Bonta noted that hate crimes are notoriously difficult to prosecute. “They require a proof of intent. By design, a hate crime must originate with the hate element, which is often difficult to establish,” he said.
“Hate crimes are an augmentation of sentencing: it is seen as something additional. You’re already charging assault or battery,” said Bonta, noting that a successful hate crime
conviction might add just 2 to 5 years to a sentence.
“The California Department of Justice has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate, and will continue working with law enforcement, elected leaders, and community organizations across the state to keep our communities safe through education, prevention, and enforcement,” said Bonta on the release of the hate crimes report. Islamophobia and AntiSemitism
The Council on American Islamic Relations said July 2 that it welcomed the release of the new data. “This report underscores the critical need to address the persistent and growing issue of hate crimes targeting Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab communities,” said CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Managing Attorney Brittney Rezaei.
“Despite an overall decrease in hate crimes, the alarming rise in anti-Muslim bias incidents, which have increased by 60%, is a stark reminder of the pervasive impact of Islamophobic rhetoric and actions that have intensified since Oct. 7, further endangering and marginalizing these vulnerable communities,” she said.
In April, the Anti-Defamation League released a report noting an alarming spike in hate crimes in Los Angeles. ADL found that in 2023, the Jewish community in Los Angeles experienced 503 recorded incidents — up 112 percent from 237 incidents in 2022 — including 326 incidents of harassment — up 120 percent from 143 in 2022 — and 159 incidents of vandalism of businesses, places of worship and schools, up 85 percent from 86 in 2022. (By Sunita Sohrabji/ Ethnic Media Services) n
Governor Newsom at CAL FIRE McClellan Air Tanker Base.
Dateline PhiliPPines
Roque: Pagcor chief did not say I lobbied for illegal Pogo firms
by Charie aBarCa Inquirer.net
MANILA — Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chief Alejandro Tengco did not say former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque lobbied for Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) in Porac, Pampanga, which was raided due to alleged links to criminal activities.
In a letter to INQUIRER. net, Roque said it was falsely reported that Tengco alleged that he lobbied for illegal Pogo operations.
“This is a complete fabrication and a serious misrepresentation of the facts. During Chairman Tengco’s testimony, no such statement was made. On the contrary, he confirmed that my interaction with Pagcor was solely to schedule a payment for Lucky South 99, which held a valid license from Pagcor at that time,” Roque’s letter reads.
Marcos vetoes PNP reform bill, looks for stronger accountability standards
by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed a measure that seeks to introduce reforms to the Philippine National Police (PNP), citing its inconsistencies with government policies and the lack of any “significant measure” that would increase cops’ accountability.
In a veto message addressed to the Senate,
Marcos expressed support for the proposed PNP Organizational Reforms Act’s intent to modernize the PNP but stressed the need for alignment with the administration’s civil service regulations, salary standardization policies and fiscal constraints.
“While this administration recognizes the laudable objectives of the bill, I cannot approve it because the provisions run counter to administrative policy and efficiency,” Marcos said in the letter dated July 5.
The vetoed measure is a consolidated version of Senate Bill 2449 and House Bill 8327. Its principal authors are Sen. Ramon Revilla and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, respectively.
“However, the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, supposedly intended to be responsible for information gathering and enforcement operations against PNP personnel reported to be involved in illegal activities, is brought under the National Operational Support Units. This may lead to questions about its independence,” the president added.
Marcos also said the bill did not introduce any “significant measure” that would improve the PNP’s capacity to “implement the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the police force.”
“There can be no true reform if these issues are not prioritized,” he added.
Marcos also said that the bill “seemingly tolerates the possible encroachment by the [National Police Commission] into the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) functions.”
“The administrative relationships among the CSC, Department of the Interior and Local Government and PNP, including the procedures for disciplinary measures, are not clarified,” he added.
Tengco said Roque “did not pressure” Pagcor to grant a license to Lucky South 99. He
During the Senate panel on women’s hearing on Wednesday, July 10, Tengco confirmed that Roque reached out to his office, asking if an appointment may be made. According to Tengco, Roque was with Cassandra Lee Ong of Lucky South 99, adding that they were seeking to settle the license and unpaid arrears of the Pogo firm.
said Roque only asked Pagcor to help Ong and “did not follow up.” Roque, in a statement issued Wednesday, denied he was a lawyer of Lucky South 99, clarifying that his client was Whirlwind Corporation, a service provider to Lucky South 99, which was then a holder of a valid license from Pagcor. n
SC wants Congress to pass law defining political dynasties ahead of 2025 polls
by FranCo Jose C. Baroña
ManilaTimes.net
MANILA — The Supreme Court will make public copies of several pending petitions and other pleadings on political dynasties to compel Congress to pass laws that will finally address this long-standing contentious issue.
The move comes as members of well-known political families announced their plan to run for public office in the 2025 midterm elections.
The petitions cited Article
II Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution that prohibits political dynasties “as defined by law.” Article II, section 26 of the Constitution says that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” The High Court has previously scrutinized the said provision to resolve similar petitions that were filed in the past.
“Without an enabling law, the Comelec cannot enforce the prohibition against political
dynasties,” the Court said.
This includes the petition for mandamus filed in 2012 that asked the high tribunal to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enforce this particular constitutional provision.
The petition, however, was dismissed as the High Court held that the provision was “not a self-executing provision requiring as it does the legislative act of Congress to define what “political dynasties” are and to prescribe the scope and limits of such prohibition. n
Marcos said the proposed law may create pay disparities among police cadets, conflict with the government’s rightsizing program and redundancy in police operations due to the proposed Area Police Commands.
Additionally, Marcos pointed out potential security risks associated with the creation of a Liaison Office for the Office of the President and questioned the bill’s provisions regarding the Internal Affairs Service and the National Police Commission.
‘No true reform’ without accountability
Marcos emphasized the need to protect the independence of the PNP’s Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, the body responsible for investigating erring cops.
“The purported enhancement of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) consists of adding the ground of the alleged involvement of police personnel in crimes like murder for the IAS’s motu proprio investigation,” Marcos said.
Marcos urged Congress to revisit the bill and address the issues he raised to ensure that any future reforms to the PNP become effective and efficient.
The PNP has not filed a single criminal complaint against any of its personnel involved in the antiillegal drug operations of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which led to thousands dead, according to PNP-IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay during the House human rights committee’s hearing on the so-called drug war in June.
During the House panel’s first hearing into abuses during Duterte’s drug war, lawyer Neri Colmenares pointed out the government’s apparent lack of interest to seriously investigate drug war killings, citing data that shows only 52 out of over 6,000 killings admitted by the police have been so far investigated.
Citing a rule in the Philippine National Police’s manual, Colmenares pointed out that if someone dies in the course of a police operation, there should always be an inquest or investigation. n
Vatican permits inquiry into Filipina catechist’s sainthood
by ian Laqui Philstar.com
MANILA — The Vatican has authorized a diocesan inquiry into the sainthood cause of Filipina catechist Laurena “Ka Luring” Franco. In a Facebook post on
Wednesday, July 10, Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara announced that the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has issued the “nihil obstat” document, marking the preliminary phase of Franco’s sainthood cause. “The apostolic nuncio, Abp.
Charles Brown and his secretary, Msgr. Giuseppe Trentadue handed me the ‘nihil obstat’ from Rome for the cause of beatification and canonization of Servant of God Laurena ‘Ka Luring’ Franco,” Vergara’s post on his Facebook account read.
Former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque Malacañang photo
Features OpiniOn
Foreign buying spree
IN mid-December last year, a congressman had warned that Chinese nationals were buying up land and other real estate properties across the country. Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers described it as a “creeping invasion” and linked the buying spree to Chinese drug trafficking operations. Barbers chairs the House committee on dangerous drugs.
Recently, the presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission sounded a similar alert over largescale land purchases by foreigners.
Editorial
The PAOCC did not identify any particular nationality, but it was responding to concerns raised by a Catholic bishop that foreigners were buying up land in the Palawan municipality of Taytay. PAOCC officials said similar cases have been reported in Nueva Ecija and several other parts of the country, with the foreigners buying mostly farmlands planted to rice.
Apart from stirring concern about the nation’s food security being compromised, the developments raise questions about how foreigners can circumvent the constitutional prohibition against foreign ownership of land in the Philippines. PAOCC officials said some of the foreigners would initially rent or lease the land before offering from P80,000 to P100,000 per hectare to buy the property.
I WAS surprised, but actually more like shocked, about the information passed on to Senator Imee – most likely coming from a rumor-mongering individual – that the Chinese are planning missile attacks on 25 sites all over the Philippines. It’s really unfortunate that this type of fear-mongering or even warmongering could add fuel to the already tense situation our country is facing in the West Philippine Sea. Fortunately, the PRC immediately denied such information.
Another one is this YouTube video going around with such an alarmist title in Filipino that, roughly translated, goes – “Last warning from China! PBBM has been threatened: Will there be dialogue or war if the Philippines refuses to surrender?” – implying that China has threatened to go to war against the Philippines. These people do not realize the magnitude of what they are doing in exacerbating the situation even as our government is doing all it can, using maximum restraint and diplomacy, to deescalate the tension in the West Philippine Sea. Clearly, they do not – or deliberately refuse to – fully understand the extremely serious situation our country
THERE are only three certainties in Filipino life: death, taxes, and being late.
For someone who’s always had his calendar full, it was one of my utmost joys to attend occasions, training, or whatever event necessitated a call time. But as I ticked another event off my calendar, it was as if time also ticked along with it and went to waste.
I’m not leading you to the conclusion that my friends could never give me that dopamine rush or even fit a place in my core memory; it was just that they were always late, and I bore the consequences of waiting hours before the party was even complete.
As time eventually went by in its ever-continuous continuum, I also grew accustomed to being late—and I was a true “Pinoy”—
The PAOCC is investigating criminal activities linked to massive Philippine offshore gaming operator hubs that it raided in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga. The POGO in Bamban has 37 buildings; the one in Porac has 46. Each hub occupies a land area of about 10 hectares. Half of the property in Bamban is owned by its suspended mayor, Alice Guo, who says she sold it before running in the 2022 elections. Guo faces ouster as mayor and possible deportation as multiple probes indicate she is a Chinese national who lied about being a Filipino citizen.
PAOCC officials have said they are looking at similar cases involving other POGOs in the country. Barbers said he had received reports that Chinese nationals were able to secure government-issued Philippine IDs or else use Filipino dummies to buy land and register businesses with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Trade and Industry and local government units.
According to Barbers, a Chinese national believed to be behind the shipment of 560 kilos of shabu valued at P3.6 billion in Pampanga in September last year has a company registered with the SEC, owns a gasoline station and managed to buy over four hectares of land in the Pampanga
of Mexico. Did
any
Maximum restraint and diplomacy
finds itself in today, especially in light of our strategic location with the northernmost portion just 93 miles away from Taiwan. And then of course there is our continuing territorial dispute regarding conflicting claims over the Spratly Islands with fellow ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, plus China and Taiwan.
Surveys show that over 90 percent of Filipinos want the government to have a more assertive stance – and understandably so, because they know the importance of securing our borders and protecting our maritime territory. Losing a portion of our territory today can mean losing more each day until we have no country to speak of.
But Filipinos also fully understand and totally agree with President Marcos when he said that we are not in the business of instigating wars because the priority agenda of this government is to “provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino.”
And while we are ready to use every means available to defend ourselves, we are also practicing maximum restraint and using diplomacy to ease the tension. A recent survey released by Pulse Asia showed that a big number of Filipinos believe that the most effective measure to reduce tensions is to “continue diplomatic discussions” on coming up with a code of conduct to govern the actions of countries
that have conflicting maritime claims, which is what President Marcos has been pursuing all along.
I must give full credit to the diplomatic skills of one of our very best career diplomats in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs
Tess Lazaro, who has been extremely valuable in navigating this delicate situation in the best way possible and finding ways to bring down the tension with the hope of some success.
USec Lazaro – who obtained her Bachelor of Arts, International Studies from Maryknoll (now Miriam) College and finished her Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines –is a veteran diplomat who has served as Ambassador to France, Monaco and Switzerland. She was the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to UNESCO and was chairperson of the Group of 77 Coalition.
USec Lazaro headed our team in the dialogue between the Philippines and China, where both countries committed to deescalating the tension “without prejudice to their respective positions” regarding the dispute involving Ayungin Shoal. The undersecretary says “both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” noting the incidents involving Chinese and Philippine
troops.
Although “substantial progress on developing measures to manage the situation at sea” will hopefully be achieved, it’s not also surprising that “significant differences” still remain. Hopefully, both sides will continue engaging in dialogue to find a mutually acceptable resolution to the issue.
Those present during the dialogue told me they were very proud of, and impressed by, the self-assured demeanor of USec Lazaro, highlighting that we will continue the pursuit of peace using the diplomatic front, but also making it clear to Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong that the Philippines would be “relentless in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.”
The June 17 incident in Ayungin Shoal that resulted in injuries to several Philippine Navy personnel, with one of them losing a thumb in the process, has shocked the international community because of the brutal, unprovoked behavior of the Chinese Coast Guard, who were shown boarding and puncturing Philippine boats and destroying communications equipment.
During the Heritage Foundation lecture given by former Trump Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger, whom I know personally, he referred to the June 17 incident
Filipino time
for I’ve become someone who perpetuates the never-ending cycle of “Filipino time.” Why should I bear the burden of tidying myself up in a hurry when I could gather my time so I could slay my outfit? Well, the sad thing is that everyone thinks this way, and in the end, we’ve lived long enough to see ourselves become the villains we hated.
But in the same way that Filipinos are so fond of being late, why not apply it to our inner life philosophy?
I don’t have a personal vendetta for time, but if being late to the call time we’ve agreed upon is socially acceptable, why isn’t it okay for us to not be on the same path of success compared to our peers who have found their way to it already? It’s as simple as this: “Buhay ay ’di karera” and I’m sure most have heard this from the viral videos that featured learners dancing and singing “Karera,” BINI’s song, during their ceremonies. And with these videos
booming, it’s just another sign that it is time to bolster the fact that it’s okay to be late in life because God has ordained our own paths that will be attained in their perfect timing—for His glory and our good. But with this fact, it’s only been recently instilled in my mind to heed the truth that I will not always be first, the smartest in the room, or the one people will be pleased with. As a consistently overachieving student, it was as if people and I had been institutionalized with the pretense that it was a sure win for my end, and on the occasion that I lost, I fell into a never-ending spiral of selfdoubt. It only led me to the fear of disappointment, and even if I did my best, I always felt like an impostor.
The sad thing is that this lived experience isn’t only my story to attest to, for the conservative roots of our culture have ingrained the idea that being the first to do something always equates to success. While being
first may mean that you won a race, the problem is that this isn’t the race to dictate our lives; life is more than just one finish line. Now, even if I had faced disappointment, I found beauty in the struggle, in the failure, and in the mockery I made of myself when I lost because I knew that there was always beauty in embracing our individuality. And inevitably, if we choose to accept that we have our own story to tell our grandkids one day, it allows us to grow at our own pace and would transform the abhorrent tragedies we once scorned to forget into valuable lessons. It isn’t fitting to succumb to the pressure that culture puts on us to conform to societal timelines, which can stifle our potential in the long run. And every time we choose to slack off because we know that it’s socially acceptable to be late to gatherings nowadays, it’s much healthier to embrace that it’s okay to be late in our dreams because we give ourselves the freedom to explore, to take risks, and to find
or
(Philstar.com)
in Ayungin, saying that it was a “dress rehearsal” for invading Taiwan and that “Beijing has already attacked to such a degree that it should trigger our mutual defense treaty response if President Marcos, and in discussion with President Biden, decide that that would be the best course.”
Matt put his remarks into context, saying it does not mean we could have war – simply that there is a need to acknowledge what is happening and start imposing much more serious costs to China, including by way of economic measures.
The bottom line for us,
our unique path without the fear of judgment or failure—without bothering other people’s time or breaching the agreed upon call time.
Just take a look at the success stories that household names in the industry experienced in life, which we once thought were full of success, only to find out that their fruits of labor were the reason their accolades made their way to them. For example, J.K. Rowling didn’t have a magical tale when she wrote “Harry Potter,” as she was rejected by multiple publishers before the book became a global phenomenon. And Colonel Sanders didn’t establish KFC until he was in his 60s. Our stories may never end up as glamorous as theirs, but may these tales be a reminder that lateness doesn’t preclude success; it often accompanies resilience, perseverance, and an appreciation of our achievements.
This is neither a personal love letter to tardiness nor am I romanticizing that Filipinos often struggle with punctuality. Rather, I realized that time wasn’t moving too quickly—I was simply trying too hard to run toward accolades
however, is still this – we will continue to assert our sovereignty while following the path of maximum restraint and diplomacy, which the president clearly articulated when he said that in defending our nation, we will stay true to our Filipino nature of wanting to settle all these issues amicably. (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
not understanding that life isn’t a race or that I was running with two left feet. I was chasing goals that weren’t meant for me. Ironically, being late taught me to cherish small moments, even if I missed some because I took my time. “Filipino time” showed me that true destiny isn’t found by rushing.
The world didn’t end when I placed third in the Regional School Press Conference, while all my peers moved on to the National School Press Conference. It didn’t stop when I didn’t attain “with highest honors.” And God didn’t forsake me despite the unfair treatment I received in 10th grade.
I can say, better late than never, it’s okay to be late—I prefer taking my time, and I hope you do, too. (Inquirer.net)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Sean Michael S. Caguiwa, 15, is an incoming science, technology, engineering, and mathematics student.
Babe’s Eye View
BaBe Romualdez
town
these things happen because of institutional weaknesses, lapses
corruption? Apart from plugging
loopholes in the system, probers must go after both the foreigners who break Philippine laws and their Filipino enablers.
This frame grab from handout video taken on June 17, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office on June 19 shows China coast guard boats (L) approaching Philippine boats (C) during an incident off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19 the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. Photo by handout/Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office
SWS: 44% of Filipinos see improved quality of life in next 12 months
by AdriAn PArungAo, FAith Argosino Inquirer.net
MANILA
— Forty-four percent of Filipino adults expect their quality of life to improve in the next 12 months, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
The survey showed that 44 percent of Filipinos believe their quality of life would improve (optimists), another 44 percent see no change, 7 percent think it would worsen (pessimists), and the remaining 6 percent did not respond.
The survey was conducted from March 21 to 25 using face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults 18 years old and older.
Six hundred survey participants are from Balance Luzon or areas outside Metro Manila within Luzon, and 300 each from Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“The sampling error margins are ±2.5 percent for national percentages, ±4.0 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±5.7 percent each for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao,” SWS said.
The data also revealed that net personal optimism
(the percentage of optimists subtracted by the percentage of pessimists) has slightly decreased to +37 compared to SWS’ last survey in December, which was at 39+ — both classified as “very high.”
“Compared to December 2023, Net Personal Optimism fell from excellent to very high in Mindanao, down by 11 points from +43 to +32. It stayed excellent in Metro Manila, although down by 5 points from +47 to +42,” SWS said on Monday, July 8. “It stayed high in the Visayas, although down by 3 points from +27 to +24. It stayed excellent in Balance Luzon, up by 4 points from +40 to +44,” SWS added.
In addition, SWS found that 46 percent of Filipino families believe they are poor, 30 percent said they are “borderline” (by placing themselves on a horizontal line dividing poor and not poor), and 23 percent said they are not poor.
Net personal optimism was also highest at +49 for adults who consider themselves “not poor,” followed by those who are “borderline” at +43, and lowest at +28 for adults who consider themselves “poor.” n
No Marcos order to revise history, says Angara
by MArc JAyson cAyAbyAb Philstar.com
MANILA — There was no
order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to revise history in the education curriculum, including the teaching of martial law in schools, according to incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
In a dwIZ radio interview on Monday, July 8, Angara said the president’s instruction to him was to make the teaching of history more fun and “conversational.”
“The president did not single out any period in our history,” the senator said when asked if the president wanted to whitewash his family’s role during the martial law period when his father, the late strongman Ferdinand Sr., held on to power until he was ousted in a people power revolt in 1986.
“What he said was he wants our children to learn history and be taught correctly,” Angara added.
There is a need to improve the teaching of history to instill a sense of nationhood in the youth, he said.
“The president wants the teaching of history to be interesting and inspiring. History should be part of the youth’s national identity,” Angara said.
He vowed to improve the country’s dismal performance in the Program for International Student Assessment, which showed Filipino youths lagging in terms of reading, creative thinking, math and science.
The incoming education secretary also promised to abide by the president’s directive to improve the employability of senior high school graduates.
Support
The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) has expressed support for Angara’s Department of Education (DepEd) appointment.
In a special resolution, the LPP manifested its full-fledged support for Angara in his new role as head of DepEd.
“The LPP expresses its heartfelt gratitude to honorable Sen. Angara in leading and managing DepEd in preparing our youth in the face of scientific and technological advancement in a borderless world,” the
resolution read.
The resolution was signed by national chairman Gov. Dakila Cua and national president Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. They noted that Angara’s background and work throughout his terms have provided him with the experience and qualifications to lead DepEd, and also lauded Angara’s previous efforts in building over 100 classrooms and providing funds for scholarships.
The LPP also noted significant legislations authored by Angara to enhance basic education, including the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act.
The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) also expressed strong support for Angara’s push to further expand government assistance for poor students.
The DepEd Secretary serves as PEAC’s chair, a five-member committee constituted to serve as trustee of the government’s Fund for Assistance to Private Education.
“We are eager to collaborate closely with Secretary Angara to further the mission of the PEAC, striving towards an inclusive, equitable and superior educational system for all,” PEAC executive director Doris Fernandez Ferrer said in a statement.
“We are committed to sustaining our mission of alleviating classroom shortages
and student overflow in public schools by providing financial support to Filipino learners in private high schools through the Government Assistance and Subsidies Programs,” Ferrer added.
With Angara at the helm of DepEd, PEAC hopes to help more students through the expansion of their programs, which aim to make private education more accessible. Among these are the Education Service Contracting (ESC) program, which provides financial assistance to students transitioning from elementary to junior high school and the Senior High School Voucher Program for senior high school students.
PEAC also implements the Teacher Salary Subsidy, which offers annual subsidies to qualified teachers in ESCparticipating schools, and the InService Training program, which enhances teacher competencies through targeted training.
“In school year 2022 to 2023, these programs co-implemented by DepEd and the PEAC demonstrated their impact by benefiting over 2.2 million students. After more than 20 years of service, approximately 9.7 million students in about 8,000 schools have benefited through this noble work,” Ferrer said.
She noted that Angara’s appointment heralds “an era of renewed commitment and strategic initiatives for education in our nation.” n
Vatican permits inquiry into...
5
The no-objection letter was a response from the dicastery to Bishop Vergara’s inquiry about whether there were any impediments to the beatification and canonization process for Franco, who is now recognized as a “Servant of God.” The title “Servant of God” signifies the first step toward possible canonization as a saint. Meanwhile, the term “nihil obstat,” meaning “nothing hinders” in Latin, indicates that there are no obstacles to the
PH-US nuclear deal for ‘peaceful uses’ takes effect
MANILA — The deal between the Philippines and the United States that will allow Washington to export nuclear technology to Manila for peaceful uses has taken effect, the U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday, July 9. The landmark nuclear cooperation pact, which the U.S. hailed as a framework for “peaceful nuclear cooperation” based on non-proliferation commitments, came into force on July 2, around eight months after it was signed by country representatives at an economic summit in San Francisco, California.
This deal aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plan to increasingly tap nuclear energy to meet the Philippines’ growing power demands, but the viability of nuclear as a clean energy source and the government’s slow transition to renewables has also been questioned by environmental and clean-energy advocacy groups.
The so-called 123 Agreement permits the transfer of nuclear material, equipment (including reactors), components, and information for nuclear research and civil nuclear energy production to the Philippines, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
The agreement also “[enhances] our cooperation on clean energy and energy security and strengthen our long-term bilateral diplomatic and economic relationships,” the U.S. State Department added.
The agreement was named after Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, which requires the completion of a peaceful nuclear cooperation deal for the U.S. to send significant amounts of nuclear material to a country.
The U.S. State Department said that the deal builds on almost 80 years of peaceful nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines and establishes a continued civil nuclear trade between the two countries.
Target for renewables
The Philippines has adopted an ambitious target of increasing its share of renewable energy in its power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
Department of Energy data in 2023 shows coal still dominates the country’s power mix, accounting for 43.9%, while renewables come in second at 29.7% of the mix.
Greenpeace Philippines has urged the Philippine government to move away from relying on nuclear energy for
electricity in the Philippines given that Germany, like other developed countries, has weaned off nuclear power — an undertaking that it began in 2002 and was accelerated in 2011 after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
Solar energy costs have gone down 89% since 2009 while nuclear costs jumped by 26%, according to the environmental group, which described nuclear energy as an “expensive and risky” investment that needed years of planning.
“Permanent nuclear waste storage and its management are perpetual costs that the government needs to plan for centuries, shouldered by consumers, and using taxpayer money,” the group said in a May 2023 statement.
“Ultimately, nuclear power is just not worth it when we already have a vast potential in wind and solar energy waiting to be tapped,” the group added. In 2022, when the 123 agreement was first raised by U.S. and Philippine officials, scientists of the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People opposed the plan, saying the Philippines “will be held hostage by the U.S. in adopting nuclear technology in our energy security. (Christina Chi/Philstar.com) n
cause for sainthood.
In February 2024, Bishop Vergara initiated Franco’s cause, urging the public to provide any “helpful information” about her life as part of the beatification process.
Born on July 4, 1936, Franco left her job as a telephone switchboard operator and clerk at the Philippine Air Force to volunteer teaching catechism and assisting those in need without compensation.
At a young age, she joined the Legion of Mary, a group devoted to the mother of Jesus.
Franco was one of only two women in the entire Archdiocese of Manila authorized to distribute Holy Communion, according to a 1995 report by the Union of Catholic Asian News.
In 1990, she received the Papal Award - Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Saint Pope John Paul II, upon the recommendation of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.
The award is given for distinguished service by laypeople in the Catholic Church.
In 2022, Franco was also honored with the Mother Teresa of Calcutta award.
The Philippines currently has two saints canonized by the Catholic Church, namely Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod. n
Photo
FINDINGS. National Bureau of Investigation’s Angelito Magno (left), Assistant Director for Information Communications and Technology, and Central Luzon Director Jerry Abiera, show the fingerprint report of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Aguo during a public hearing on Wednesday, July 10. They confirmed that Guo and a certain Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping are one and the same person based on their fingerprints. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012102
iiba located at 215 East Oxford St, Chula Vista, CA 91911.
Registrant: Conner
Thomas Tano McKinney, 215 East Oxford St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 006/07/2024.
Signature: Conner McKinney. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/07/2024.
AJ 1444 06/21, 06/28, 07/05, and 07/12/2024. AJSD 1444
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012925
a. EVAMMA LLC located at 1286 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103.
b. EVAMMA Retail Store located at 1286 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. Registrant: EVAMMA LLC, 6725 Paraside Ave, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Amma Biaa Acquah. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/20/2024. AJ 1450 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1450
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013598
a. STELLA MOVING & DELIVERY located at 1947 DARTMOOR DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA, 91945.
b. MOVING WITH STELLA located at 1947 DARTMOOR DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA, 91945. Registrant: C&S LOGISTICS INC.,1947 DARTMOOR DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA, 91945. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/08/2023. Signature: Arslan Turganov. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/01/2024. AJ 1457 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024. AJSD 1457
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014142 San Diego Sound Reinforcement located at 6373 Pastor Timothy J Winters St, San Diego, CA 92114-4247. Registrant: Ian Tingzon, 6373 Pastor Timothy J Winters St, San Diego, CA 92114. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/08/2024. Signature: Ian Tingzon. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/09/2024. AJ 1462 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1462
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010249
Horizon Sales located at 1441 Santa Lucia Rd #535, Chula Vista, CA 91913.
Registrant: Atisha Lnu, 1441 Santa Lucia Rd #535, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Atisha Lnu. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/13/2024.
AJ 1445 06/21, 06/28, 07/05, and 07/12/2024 AJSD 1445
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012535
22 Graphics located at 368 Anita Street SP 25, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Leopoldo Barboza, 368 Anita Street SP 25, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Leopoldo Barboza III. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/14/2024. AJ 1451 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1451
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013666
SE7VENCUPS CAFE LLC located at 3400 E. 8th St. Suite 114, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: SE7VENCUPS CAFE LLC, 3400 E. 8th St. Suite 114, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability COmpany. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/01/2024. Signature: Ivy Macasinag. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/01/2024. AJ 1459 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024. AJSD 1459
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013772
Coolness Under Pressure LLC located at 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 102, Chula Vista, CA 91915. Registrant: Coolness Under Pressure LLC, 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 102, Chula Vista, CA 91915. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Leo Vincent F. Meneses. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/02/2024. AJ 1463 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1463
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012341
Highland Builders Services located at 1559 Ravinia Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91913.
Registrant: Pedro Jimenez, Jr., 1559 Ravinia Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/12/2024.
Signature: Pedro Jimenez, Jr.. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/12/2024.
AJ 1446 06/21, 06/28, 07/05, and 07/12/2024. AJSD 1446
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012004
Len’s Jewelry Shop located at 1430 E Plaza Blvd, Suite K-07, National City, CA 91950.
Registrant: Leny R. Nata, INC, 1430 E Plaza Blvd, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/07/2024.
Signature: Leny Nata. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/07/2024. AJ 1452 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1452
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013877
Father’s Painting located at 13925 Lewiston St, San Diego, CA 92128. Registrant: Chung L. Kim, 13925 Lewiston St, San Diego, CA 92128.
This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/20/1999.
Signature: Chung L. Kim. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/03/2024.
AJ 1460 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1460
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014228
Ah Que Burro located at 8783 Troy St, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Rosa L. Gonzalez, 1539 S. 38th St, San Diego, CA 91977. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/10/2024.
Signature: Rosa L. Gonzalez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/10/2024. AJ 1464 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1464
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9011721
MM INC located at 6545 Via Barona, Carlsbad, CA 92009.
Registrant: MMI, 6545 Via Barona, Carlsbad, CA 92009. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Myles Massa. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/04/2024.
AJ 1447 06/21, 06/28, 07/05, and 07/12/2024. AJSD 1447
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013128
Silver Streak Cafe located at 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.
Registrant: Rashida Hirani, 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/01/2018.
Signature: Rashida Hirani. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/24/2024. AJ 1453 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1453
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014025 A&Y’s Sober and Independent Living located at 1843 Doran Street, San Diego, CA 92154.
Registrant: Nyuydine C Meriwether, 1843 Doran Street, San Diego, CA 92154.
This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/01/2024.
Signature: Nyuydine C Meriwether. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/08/2024. AJ 1461 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024 AJSD 1461
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012951
All That Shabu located at 8105 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126.
Registrant: All That Shabu SD, INC, 103 Tinker, Irvine, CA 92618. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Kyeoung Shin Youn. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/20/2024. AJ 1448 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1448
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012533
JMF Concrete LLC located at 522 Bayona Loop, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
Registrant: JMF Concrete LLC, 522 Bayona Loop, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/15/2024.
Signature: Justin Fulton. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/14/2024. AJ 1455 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1455
CASE NUMBER: 37-2024-00029304-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Ayako Taketomi filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Ayako Taketomi to Ayako Taketomi Dreza. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 08/08/2024 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. (THE) Asian Journal: JUN 24, 2024 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1454 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate,
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013074
Zakkout Real Estate Services located at 8078 Camino Montego, Carlsbad, CA 92009. Registrant: Aziz A Zakkout INC, 8078 Camino Montego, Carlsbad, CA 92009. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Aziz A Zakkout. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/21/2024. AJ 1449 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1449
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013587
World Micro Dramas
Research Association located at 10785 Birch Bluff Ave, San Diego, CA 92131. Registrant: Maria Lixian Gee-Schweiger, 10785 Birch Bluff Ave, San Diego, CA 92131. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/28/2024.
Signature: Maria Lixian Gee-Schweiger. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/28/2024. AJ 1456 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024. AJSD 1456
SAN DIEGO
Gratitude and M agic: The Lion K ing, Aladdin c ast members reflec t on 30 Years of D isney on Broad way
Dby MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress
ISNEY Theatrical Group, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and has achieved remarkable success over the past three decades. Its ten Broadway productions have captivated over 200 million theatergoers and received 62 Tony Award nominations, winning 20 times.
The recent press day celebrating Disney on Broadway’s 30th anniversary highlighted a theme of gratefulness among cast members from “The Lion King” and “Aladdin”.
Michael James Scott, who plays Genie, expressed, “It’s a dream come true. We are a very lucky group of people who get to say that we are a part of the Disney family. Broadway is hard, tough, and not certain. To be able to be a part of something that is 30 years, still going strong, that’s pretty amazing.”
L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa) shared his sentiment, reflecting on his 19-year tenure with the company: “Is it too cliché to say that it is magical?”
“The Lion King” made theatrical history in November 1997, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. With 112 million visitors worldwide, it has played over 100 cities across 24 countries. Its global gross surpasses that of any film, Broadway show, or entertainment title in box office history.
Vincent Jamal Hooper, who plays Simba, shared his journey to Broadway, emphasizing the hard work and surreal experience of joining such an established production: “I had hoped to be a part of something like this so I worked really hard to get here and it was so surreal when I received the phone call.”
broken 17 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and remains a top attraction. Fil-Am actor Don
Don Darryl Rivera
Adi Roy Sonya Balsara
Michael
GMA Sparkle artists tour in US, Canada and Japan; Widows’ War begins
PHILIPPINE Stagers Foundation (PSF), or simply Philstagers, celebrated recently its 24th foundation’s anniversary at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. It was graced by awardees Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Nunungan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Marcos Mamay. Also in attendance were FAMAS president and chairman of the board Francia “Cheche” Conrado, director Afi Africa and La Sallian surgeon Dr. Librado Toledo Jr. Philstagers, the Philippines’ No. 1 mobile theatre company, is headed by its president and 70th FAMAS Awards best supporting actor Johnrey Rivas. It is chaired by award-winning writer-actor-director Atty. Vince M. Tanada, a renaissance man. Winners of the Stagers of the Year were as follows: John Paul Santos (for production arts and sciences), Nicole Laurel Asensio (films), Dave Pajanustan (music), Yvonne Ensomo (drama), Godfrey Astronomo (dance), Renz Saavedra (ensemble player), and Chin Ortega (comedy).
* * *
In the soft opening of PSF Blackbox Theatre on Calabash A corner G. Tuazon Street in Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila, Philstagers showcased, after 35 years, the five short-act “SA series” (at the carwash, carinderia, rooftop, beauty parlor and dilapidated house or barong-barong) of Vince M. Tanada when he was 16 years old. It was a successful show.
*
* * Sparkle GMA Artist Center is picking up the pace as they extend their world tour and bring five shows to global Pinoys in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The first show will be held on August 9, 2024 at the City National Grove of Anaheim, California, bringing Isko Moreno, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Boobay, Julie Ann San Jose, Rayver Cruz, and Alden Richards, to be produced by Sparkle GMA Artist Center and Sky Beverly Hills, in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV. For tickets, you may contact Sky Beverly Hills at (626) 383-9201. This will be followed by a show in South San Francisco High School in San Francisco, California on August 10, 2024 to be produced by Sparkle GMA Artist Center and BLVCK Enterainment, in
the grand presscon for their upcoming world tour. partnership with GMA Pinoy TV. For tickets, you can go to eventbrite.com.
On August 11, 2024, Alden Richards and Boobay will perform at Southview Alliance Church in Calgary, Canada to be produced by Sparkle GMA Artist Center, Berce Enterprises, and V. Fons Productions, in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV. For tickets, please contact Vangie Fons at (587) 834-1820 or Ruvie Cruz at (403) 975-0085.
On August 17, 2024, the duo will bring their out-of-theordinary combo to Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue, North York, Toronto, Canada and will be produced by Sparkle GMA Artist Center, Taste of
Manila and the Society of Philippine Artists, Recreation and Community, in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV.
Finally, Ruru Madrid, Bianca Umali, Jillian Ward, Ken Chan, Rayver Cruz, Julie Anne San Jose and Betong Sumaya will bring joy to Filipinos in Nerima City, Tokyo, Japan on September 1, 2024. The Asia leg of the world tour will be produced by Sparkle GMA Artist Center and One Network, in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV. (For tickets, you may contact 03-68683880/080-43476888 or One Network Co. Ltd.’s official Facebook account.)
* * * Musical film “A Thousand Forests,” produced by UP Los
Banos and I.Syoot Multimedia Production and directed by Hanz Florentino, stars seven children, namely Dennah Bautista, Qhlouey Moreno, Santino Juan Santiago, James Mavie Estrella, Prince Espana, Venice Bismonte, and Ramjean Entera. It also stars Dominic Ochoa, Rolando Inocencio, Butchoy Ubaldo, Chai Fonacier, Aileen Sahibod, Cath Salazar, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Leslie Lina, Trina Tolentino, and Cai Cortez. This film shows the essence of protecting our environment. The movie is being shown in more than 50 theatres in the Philippines.
* * * From the successes of “Widows’ Web” and “Royal Blood” comes GMA Network’s newest murder mystery drama, “Widows’ War,” starring Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana in the lead roles and directed by Zig Dulay.
GMA Entertainment Group’s latest masterpiece boasts of a powerhouse ensemble, including Benjamin Alves, Rafael Rossell, Tonton Gutierrez, Jeric Gonzales, Juancho Trivino, Jackie Lou Blanco, Lito Pimentel, Timmy Cruz, Rita Daniela, Royce Cabrera, Lovely Rivero, James Graham, Charlie Fleming, Matthew Uy, and Ms. Jean Garcia.
Based on the original concept of RJ Nuevas and Ken de Leon, “Widows’ War” revolves around Sam (played by Bea) and George (by Carla), former best friends who will go head-to-head to find out who between them is the real sinner or saint.
Global Pinoys can catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
Series of ‘Second Saturdays’ community cleanups kicks off with downtown event
SAN DIEGO – To help remove trash and debris from San Diego neighborhoods, the City of San Diego is partnering with several organizations on a community-driven series of cleanups called “Second Saturdays” with an 8 a.m. kickoff event in downtown San Diego on Saturday, July 13.
The goal is to expand the cleanups throughout the city with small groups of volunteers collecting litter in their neighborhoods on the second Saturday of each month. The nonprofit Street Stewards will help coordinate the effort by identifying neighborhood captains to organize the monthly cleanups.
Organizers are seeking up to 200 volunteers for the initial “Second Saturdays” cleanup event to help remove trash and debris from downtown streets. Volunteers can register for the cleanup at cleansd.org.
Mayor Todd Gloria and City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn will join volunteers for the kickoff event to be held in the Civic Concourse outside City Hall.
“This community collaboration epitomizes what San Diego is all about: working together to make our city a better place for all of us,” Mayor Gloria said.
“This partnership gives every San Diegan the opportunity to help beautify their neighborhoods while stopping pollution before it reaches our most precious natural resources: our world-famous beaches and bays. I can’t wait to see what a difference
we can make together.” The kickoff event is a collaboration between several organizations, including Street Stewards, I Love A Clean San Diego, The Downtown San Diego Partnership, Think Blue San Diego, Ace Parking and San Diegans Together Tackling Homelessness.
Street Stewards is a grassroots environmental organization that began in 2018 when a small group of friends in Ocean Beach launched a Facebook page promoting and mapping block adoptions to reduce litter and keep their neighborhood clean. It has since expanded to include block adoptions and group pickups in the following San Diego neighborhoods: East Village, Golden Hill, Hillcrest, Kensington, Mission Hills, Normal Heights, North Park and Pacific Beach. Its new website launching this summer will bring the program to all of San Diego County, with plans for a national program.
“I’m excited about how quickly the concept grows in each and every neighborhood we introduce it to,” said Aaron Null, Co-Director of Street Stewards. “People genuinely ‘get it,’ sign on, and then we are off to the races seeing early adopters catch on quickly, then the masses get ahold of the idea and run with it. It just works and neighborhoods are cleaner and happier because of it.” San Diegans Together Tackling Homelessness is an initiative started by
the city that unites the capabilities of the public, nonprofit, private, faith-based and philanthropic sectors to devise a scalable and comprehensive plan to combat homelessness. Keith Jones, owner and managing partner of ACE Parking, is a key leader of the initiative.
“This collaboration of organizations picking up trash downtown is an example of what can be achieved when we work together,” Jones said. “The root cause of trash in the downtown area is homelessness. This event should bring more attention to the core of the problem.”
I Love A Clean San Diego, a nonprofit that partners with Think Blue San Diego on community cleanups year-round, is handling volunteer registration and providing cleanup materials – such as pickers, grabbers and trash bags, for event. Ace Parking is providing free parking for volunteers.
Bev Llorente launches new talk show ‘Ano Na, BEV: Best Expressed Views’ on TFC
LOS ANGELES – The Filipino Channel (TFC) is thrilled to announce the premiere of its newest talk show, ‘Ano Na, BEV: Best Expressed Views,’ hosted and produced by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning veteran journalist, Bev Llorente. The show is set to debut on July 14, 2024, promising to bring viewers inspiring stories and in-depth interviews with some of the most remarkable trailblazers, child wonders, and talented individuals from around the globe.
Ano Na, BEV’ will feature a diverse range of guests who have made significant impacts in their respective fields, offering viewers an opportunity to hear firsthand from those who have excelled and inspired. Bev Llorente, known for her incisive journalism and captivating storytelling, will bring her unique perspective and engaging interview style to the forefront, making each episode a must-watch.
“I am incredibly excited to bring ‘Ano Na, BEV’ to TFC. This show is about celebrating the achievements and stories of extraordinary individuals who continue to inspire and break boundaries. I look forward to sharing these conversations with our viewers and highlighting the incredible talent within our community,” said Bev Llorente. The show’s format will include personal interviews, behind-thescenes insights, and exclusive features, providing an in-depth look at the lives and journeys of the guests. Whether it’s a child prodigy making waves in the arts, a trailblazing entrepreneur reshaping industries, or a talented artist captivating audiences, ‘Ano Na, BEV’ will be the platform where their stories are best expressed. Tune in to ‘Ano Na, BEV: Best Expressed Views’ starting July 14, 2024, on TFC. Don’t miss the chance to be inspired by the stories of some of the most dynamic and influential figures today. The show will air at the following times:
• NOLA: Sunday, 3:50 PM Pacific EMEA: Saturday, 5:15 PM Saudi / London
• ASIA: Saturday, 10:30 AM Hong Kong / Singapore GUAM: Saturday, 12:30 PM Guam. n
Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia share thank you, sorry for each other years after split
FORMER lovers Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia revealed what they are thankful and sorry for each other years after their breakup.
During the media conference of their upcoming reunion movie “Un/Happy For You” on Wednesday, July 10, Joshua. thanked Julia for being there for him.
“Thank you for being open doon sa journey natin sa pelikula
Thank you dahil alam kong hindi ako mag-isa roon sa pelikula kasi kapag may mga araw na down ako, ina-assure mo ‘ko,” he said.
“Nandid’yan ka para alalayan ako. Generous ka sa acting na binibigay mo and hindi ka madamot and wala akong dapat ika-sorry,” he added.
For her part, Julia thanked Joshua for being concerned for her and the cast.
“Josh, thank you, because naramdaman ko sa buong time na
sinu-shoot natin ‘tong pelikulang na ‘to, inalalayan mo talaga ako. Kilala mo ako, alam mo kapag medyo kinakabahan ako sa eksena, ‘pag medyo parang ‘yung energy ko nagbabago,” she said.
“Thank you because you’re always asking kung okay ako and you’re always finding ways to make sure everything and everyone on the set, okay kaming lahat, hindi lang ako, kaming lahat iniisip mo sa set,” she added. She also thanked Joshua for their reunion movie.
“Thank you rin because ikaw din naging open to this idea of working together again, we’re crazy for doing this but thank you for being open and being so generous and honest in all of our scenes,” she said.
Directed by Petersen Vargas and written by Kookai Labayen, Crystal San Miguel, and Jen Chuaunsu, “Un/Happy for You” is the reunion film of Joshua and Julia that is best seen in cinemas starting this August 14. n
Rivera also emphasized the dynamic nature of live theater, where each performance is influenced by various factors, ensuring a unique and engaging experience every time.
Adi Roy and Sonya Balsara, who made their Broadway debuts as Aladdin and Jasmine, respectively, echoed this sentiment. Roy described his debut as a blur of energy and excitement, while Balsara called it “the most magical experience.”
Dennis Stowe, who plays Jafar, acknowledged the responsibility of portraying iconic characters: “People have such specific relationships with these characters and it’s a big task to represent it in the way that people remember it.” Disney Theatrical Group’s inaugural production, “Beauty and the Beast”, opened in 1994 and enjoyed a 13-year run on Broadway. With dozens of
“We are grateful for these organizations coming together to remove trash and debris from the streets of downtown,” said Steve Morris, executive director of I Love A Clean San Diego. “Any litter not properly disposed of has the potential for entering our waterways via storm drains. As more than 80% of marine debris comes from inland sources, this cleanup is critical to maintain the health of the bay and, ultimately, the ocean.” (City of San Diego Release) n now, they want their kids to enjoy the stories so it makes it really special.”
Rogelio Constantino Medina
“A thousand Forests” cast members (standing, from left) Venice Bismonte, Qhlouey Moreno, James Mavie Estrella, Santino Juan Santiago; (seated, from left) Prince Espana, Dennah Bautista and Ramjean Entera. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Constantino Medina
At the Philstagers 24th anniversary event (from left): Marcos Mamay, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vince Tanada and JR Rivas.
Sparkle GMA artists during
Carla Abellana (left) with columnist Rogelio Medina
Bea Alonzo (L) and Carla Abellana take the lead roles in the new GMA teleserye “Widows’ War.”
Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto
ABS-CBN photo by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com
Stay cool, have fun, explore summer at your library
SCHOOL’S out for summer and wait… the kids are bored already?
Check out Summer at Your (County) Library.
The County Library is offering a wide array of fun things to do. The programs cater to grade schoolers, high school kids and even little ones. Grownups will find classes designed just for them, too.
Basically, the Library has something for everyone this summer. Depending on the branch, you might find musical performances, puppet and magic shows, puzzle time, a Lego Lab, a teen escape room, gaming, teen henna, kids’ bingo, chess and other board games, pastel chalk art, arts and crafts, t-shirt decorating for teens and the list goes on.
That’s on top of programs that the Library offers year-round, like yoga, Tai Chi, Mah-Jong, tech classes, concerts, writing groups, book clubs, after school activities and 3D printing. Kids can practice their reading skills by reading to dogs.
And of course, there’s always story time. For babies, for toddlers, and for bigger kids. Little ones can even shake it up at a dance timestory time.
Not all branches offer all classes. See what the closest one offers. Or you’re welcome to visit another branch to attend a program.
You can visit the County Library’s website (https://www.sdcl.org), choose a branch, age range, type of event and program and see what appeals to you and your kids.
Summer at Your Library programs run through Aug. 31.
You can also check out the Summer Learning Program (https:// www.sdcl.org/summer/). All ages can take part, but it’s especially designed for kids and teen to offset learning loss during summer break. All 33 branch locations offer the program. Those who register can win achievement badges for reading and other activities. Earn enough achievement badges and you can win a prize.
All the classes and programs are free.
If group activities aren’t your thing, you’re still welcome to drop by. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and air conditioning, sign up to use a desktop PC and check out the many books, audiobooks and movies. Meantime, you can join more than five million County Library customers who download e-books, audiobooks and magazines. It’s easy and again it’s free. You can get an Instant Digital Library card online by visiting https://sdcl.overdrive.com/account/ozone/signin?forward=%2Faccount%2Finitiate-card-link%3Fintent%3Dgac& showIdcSignUp=false.
(Tracy DeFore/County of San Diego Communications Office) n
St. Jude patient offers her own balloon art to everyone she meets
MISHEEL, bald from chemotherapy, pulls up a chair on the second-floor inpatient unit. A younger child shouts, “The balloon girl!” Suddenly, she’s surrounded by other children. She reaches into her backpack for colorful balloons and inflates and twists them into a bunny, then a unicorn, then a giraffe, then a butterfly. Then she gives them all away.
During Misheel’s nearly seven months of treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she learned to make balloon creations and gifted them to her comrades in cancer treatment.
Misheel was 11 years old in the summer of 2023 when her parents noticed no matter how much water she drank, she still felt thirsty. At first, they thought it was a healthy habit, far preferable to drinking juice or soda. But her thirst was never quenched. Misheel began excusing herself to go to the restroom so frequently they knew something must be wrong.
Her mother Undrakh took Misheel to the family doctor near their home in Illinois. Tests revealed a tumor on Misheel’s pituitary gland, as well as two other spots in her brain. She was diagnosed with a type of cancer called mixed germ cell tumors.
Soon, her parents obtained a referral to St. Jude. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other lifethreatening diseases.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live. Because of generous donor support, they can provide children cuttingedge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families. “We were so worried and nervous, but as soon as we walked into St. Jude, we had a feeling that we’d be okay,” said Undrakh.
Misheel learned how to create
balloons from her 82-year-old godfather, Robert Dunn. On the circus stage, his name is Robert “Onionhead the Clown” Dunn. Misheel knows Dunn through UniversalSoul Circus, where her father, Gantulkhurr, is part of an acrobatic teeterboard troupe from Mongolia called The Nomads.
When Misheel and her family moved to the U.S. from Mongolia in 2019 for her father’s job, she didn’t speak English. It was a whole new language and culture. But a circus is a traveling family of sorts, and Dunn, who values education, often purchased books for the children of the performers and encouraged them to read.
When Misheel was diagnosed
with cancer, “It tore me up,” said Dunn. “It hurt me so much.”
So, he visited her family at St. Jude soon after she started treatment. To help cheer her up, he taught her how to make a few balloon creations, knowing it might spark something.
“She took it from there and ran with it,” said Dunn. “She’s better than me at making animal balloons now.”
Misheel had come to the U.S.,
Dancetime Storytime at the La Mesa Library. File photo/www.countynewscenter.com
