Fil-Am robbed at Filipino market parking lot in Daly City. Here’s how to stay safe
DALY CITY – A spur of the moment stop at a market on the edge of a relatively quiet residential area here gave a Filipina American an experience she says she’ll never forget.
Gloria Alcantara’s birthday was coming up and she had planned to drive straight home from work on Friday, July 12, but a text from a sister to pick up purple yams called for a stop at Manila Oriental Market.
Lee Kiefer Photo from Instagram/@leetothekiefer
fencer wins her second women’s foil gold medal in Paris Olympics
Filipino American fencer
Lee Kiefer, representing Team USA, defends her Olympic title
SKILL, tenacity and experience combined, Filipina American fencer Lee Kiefer, representing the U.S., has once again proven her prowess after successfully defending her title in the women’s individual foil at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Marking the fifth individual gold medal for a U.S. fencer in Olympic history, Kiefer
Marcos: Open lines with US boost PH ‘agile’ response to sea row
by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, July 30 told top United States officials that the Philippines' regular communications with the U.S. powers the
country's "agile" response to incidents in the West Philippine Sea.
During Marcos' meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at Malacañang, the president praised the the "very open" communication lines between the Philippines and the U.S.
"I am always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the things we are doing together in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of the situation here in the West Philippine
California
THE United States' top diplomat and defense chief announced $500 million in military funding Tuesday to boost Philippine defenses and progress on a proposed military intelligencesharing pact as both allies renewed their concerns over China's continuing aggressive actions in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has fortified Manila's decades-old treaty alliance with Washington as hostilities between
by GABRIEL PABICO LALU Inquirer.net
MANILA — Expectations of strong relations between the Philippines and the United States regardless of who wins in the 2024 American presidential polls are a good indication, as Filipino lawmakers in the House of Representatives said this would be key in maintaining
the country’s sovereignty. Deputy Speaker David Suarez, Manila 1st District Rep. Ernesto Dionisio, and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Wednesday, July 31 all agreed that the ironclad commitment between the two countries should be maintained whether it will be a Democrat or Republican
PAGE 2
Attorney General Rob Bonta urges Filipino Americans to support VP Kamala Harris
by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress
CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta delivered a message to the Filipino American community, emphasizing the critical importance of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
In a speech during a Zoom call
PAGE 4
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
ALLIES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. talks to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) and Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) during a courtesy visit at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Tuesday, July 30. Malacañang photo
by CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND FRANCISCO TUYAY ManilaTimes.net
F rom the F ront P age
PH lawmakers expect strong...
victory this November.
“Number one, we’re happy because we know that there will be an election in the U.S. this November, and we do not know what its results would be between the two parties vying for the presidency, but what’s important here is that whatever the outcome may be, the position of the U.S. and our country which has been ironclad for the past decades should not change,” Suarez said in Filipino.
U.S. Defense chief Lloyd Austin III and Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the assurance that presidential elections would not change U.S.-Philippine ties after the 2+2 dialogue in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, July 30.
Austin and Blinken met with their Philippine counterparts, Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, to discuss policy directions on the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites and more military support amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
During this event, the U.S. officials also committed to providing a $500 million (P29.3 billion) worth of military and security support for the Philippines — dubbed as an “unprecedented” and “once in a generation” investment, amid shared concerns regarding China’s aggressive actions.
Dionisio and Barbers said that military aid from the U.S.
is a big deal as it would boost the capabilities of agencies and offices securing the country’s territorial integrity.
“Any addition is positive so you know it’s a welcoming thing that America will donate P29 billion that can really be used to upgrade the capabilities of teams securing the West Philippine Sea, like the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces and it also shows that the bond of the Philippines and U.S., like what Deputy Speaker Jay-jay Suarez said, that it’s ironclad,” Dionisio said. “It’s a very important thing that regardless of who is seated, the practice of helping each other remains.”
“This will benefit our Philippine Coast Guard and we all know that our Coast Guard has had some problems regarding its capability, and now these funds that will be extended to the Philippine Government will purposely upgrade the capability of our Coast Guard,” Barbers added.
Furthermore, Barbers said that the U.S. assistance may allow the Coast Guard to monitor other areas aside from the WPS, putting into reality his goal of having the eastern seaboard protected, too.
“Maybe they can, with that amount of money, not only secure the West Philippine Sea. I’ve been calling for a presence in the eastern seaboard of our country as I said, the eastern waters are equally important, and that traverses the Pacific Ocean from the north of our country
down to Midnanao in Surigao City,” Barbers said.
“That’s why we want to have the capability to protect the Philippine territory and our EEZ in that area, so again with this development, this is good news that regardless of whoever wins in Washington by November, ties would remain strong,” he added.
Manila and Washington have enjoyed good relations under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Joe Biden.
However, as early as February 2024, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez was quoted as saying that the Philippine government has been monitoring the presidential race.
Biden was seeking reelection in 2024, but he eventually backed out last July 22 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris instead.
In April, before Marcos, Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a trilateral summit, Romualdez said that he believed nothing much would change should former U.S. President Donald Trump win in November.
Romualdez — who was already U.S. ambassador when Trump was in office — explained that some of the policies implemented by the Biden administration regarding the Indo-Pacific region started when from 2017 to 2021, the former president was at the helm.
(By Gabriel Pabico Lalu/ Inquirer.net)
Fil-Am fencer wins her second women’s...
outmatched her fellow American, Lauren Scruggs, in the final held at the Grand Palais on July 28, triumphing with a decisive 15-6 victory.
Following her big win in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Kiefer celebrated her latest victory with a joyful pirouette down the piste, becoming only the second American fencer to win gold in the same event twice, joining the ranks of Mariel Zagunis (2004 and 2008).
Reflecting on her dominant performance from start to finish, Kiefer expressed her amusement that she did it again: “I’m still stunned,” she shared with Olympics.
com. “I don’t realize it happened just because it’s been such a long day with a lot of highs and lows. But here we are making history, it’s awesome.”
While Kiefer basked in her victory, Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan made her Olympic debut with a commendable performance. Despite battling knee pain, the Penn State University graduating student narrowly lost to the top-seeded Arianna Errigo of Italy, 1215, in the table of 32 round. Ranked 266th in the world and seeded 33rd in the event, Catantan made history as the first Filipina fencer to compete in the Olympic
Marcos: Open lines with US boost...
Sea and the Indo-Pacific are continuously examined and reexamined," Marcos said.
"So we are agile in terms of our responses," the president added.
Washington's top diplomat and defense chief are in Manila as part of a 10-day tour across six countries in Asia. The visits are meant to signal Washington's continued support for countries it considers strategic allies and partners ahead of the brewing showdown between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. President Donald Trump in the November U.S. elections.
Marcos told the U.S. officials he was "a bit surprised" to see them "considering how interesting your political situation has become."
In turn, Blinken reaffirmed the Philippines' and the U.S.’ ties and said Tuesday was "genuinely historic" as it is the first time that Manila will be hosting the two countries' 2+2 joint ministerial meeting.
Blinken said during their courtesy call at Malacañang that the the "steady drumbeat of very high-level engagements" between the Philippines and the United States cover both security and economic affairs.
"It’s been a great three-and-a-half years and we look forward to another three-and-ahalf, another four in building, strengthening this relationship,” Austin said.
Both officials also reaffirmed U.S. support for the Philippines in "defending its sovereign rights," according to a U.S. Department of Defense readout of the meeting.
"The two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows," the readout added.
The 2+2 dialogue later Tuesday between
the Philippines and the U.S.’ diplomatic and defense officials are expected to reaffirm their "ironclad commitment" to both countries' alliance "while enabling a common program in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity,” according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Philippine forces on Saturday, July 27 completed a smooth resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, with Chinese vessels maintaining their distance as the mission was ongoing.
This comes after the Philippines and China agreed to de-escalate tensions and open new communication lines in the South China Sea — parts of which overlap with the West Philippine Sea but which Beijing refuses to consider it so.
Despite the peaceful resupply mission, Manila has taken exception with the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson's misrepresentation of "what has been agreed between the Philippines and China" on its resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre.
DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza belied China's claim that the Philippines agreed to an onsite inspection, saying that the Philippines and China both signed the provisional agreement knowing it would not prejudice both countries' national positions.
“The BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned naval vessel and its presence in Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” Daza said.
“The Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, including through dialogue and consultation, and will honor the understanding on RORE missions. We expect China will also adhere to the understanding as negotiated,” the DFA official added. g
PH to get $500M military...
Philippine and Chinese forces flared since last year in the disputed South China Sea.
Games. She advanced to the table of 32 after a hardfought 15-13 win against Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia in the previous round.
Catantan’s resilient performance, especially her comeback attempt against Errigo, showcased her determination and skill. Coming back from a fourpoint deficit to close the gap gave the four-time Olympian a nerve-wracking game.
Catantan’s efforts have set a new standard for Filipino fencers, inspiring future generations to aim for the Olympic stage because she knows that Filipinos have what it takes to win. (by Hans Carbonilla/Inquirer.net)
Marcos hailed "very open" communication lines between Washington and Manila, adding that the two countries' treaty alliance and key issues in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region "are continuously examined and reexamined so we are agile in terms of our responses."
He renewed the Philippines' commitment to strengthen its working relationship with the U.S. in terms of the two nations' alliance and issues in the West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.
Blinken also reaffirmed the U.S.' ties with the Philippines, saying the upcoming meeting was "genuinely historic" as it was the first time that Manila would be hosting the two countries' 2+2 joint ministerial meeting
with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
"It's, I think, really evidence of a steady drumbeat, a very high-level engagement between our countries that are covering the full range of issues and opportunities that bring us together, not only security but also economic, and we're truly grateful for this partnership," he said.
After the 2+2 meeting, Blinken and Austin announced the $500 million military funding to help in an ongoing modernization of the Philippine military and coast guard and boost security collaboration amid shared concerns over China's assertive actions.
"We're now allocating an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this
region," Blinken said. "Both of us share concerns, and many other countries in the region share concerns, as well, about some of the actions that the People's Republic of China has taken, escalatory actions in the South China Sea, the East China Sea," including "coercive methods," he added in a joint news conference. He renewed a warning that the U.S. would help defend the Philippines if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under attack in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea.
Blinken and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi sparred on Saturday over the South China Sea when they met on the sidelines of the foreign ministers meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos. Wang told Blinken the United States should "refrain
Fil-Am robbed at Filipino market parking lot in Daly...
The expansive market is an anchor business at the shopping mall on Callan Boulevard and King Drive, a stone’s throw from the border of South San Francisco.
Alcantara parked her car near the center of the lot, leaving her purse in the vehicle and taking only her wallet. She strode in and bought the items requested. She didn’t linger. Her mind was on the get-together her siblings had planned for Sunday as she walked toward an unexpected encounter.
“It was a matter of seconds at the parking lot as I was entering my car when a vehicle pulled over behind mine and a guy came out with his arms raised, so I thought he was someone I knew or who knew me,” she recalled the incident.
The startled Alcantara ran after the fleeing car, pounding on the door to give her wallet back.
“I’ve heard about smash and grab robberies, but I never thought it could happen here, in broad daylight, to me,” she said. In hindsight, she knew her reaction was risky, but her thoughts were on recovering her cards and protecting her privacy.
Ironically her unwise decision to leave her purse in the car kept her cellphone safe.
Her experience reflects a trend concerning authorities.
Similar attacks
Aggressive shoplifters and smash-and-snatchers have been hitting stores with impunity as retailers make attempts to recover their merchandise but back off when threatened with weapons, to avoid escalating violence. Burglars have been breaking into parked cars, prompting increased
presence of loss prevention officers and security guards in commercial centers.
The crime wave that once preyed on high tourist traffic in cities has rolled over to the suburbs.
Brazen thieves have accosted shoppers outside stores, often picking on women getting in or out of their vehicles.
In its July 15-21 crime alert bulletin to the community, the Daly City Police Department reported that on July 20 “an officer was dispatched to a parking lot on the 300 block of Gellert Boulevard on a report of a stolen purse.”
The case was similar to but more violent than Alcantara’s.
“The victim stated that she entered her vehicle, and seconds later, a suspect tried to open her door but was unsuccessful, as she had locked it. The suspect proceeded to break the front passenger window with a device and grabbed the victim’s” purse and belongings, according to the report. The assailant “ran to an awaiting gray Lexus.”
The report said the victim’s purse was recovered but without the cash and key fob. They arrested and booked the suspect whom
the police department has responded.
“We have increased patrols, but they are hitting at King Plaza and Serramonte area gas stations, but no specific pattern or trend to focus resources on at this point,” she told Inquirer.net USA.
they described as a 19-yearold resident of Pleasant Hill, a city east of San Francisco Bay.
The community bulletin for the previous week noted that around 5:30 pm on July 12 an officer responded to a report of a robbery at a gas station “on the 300 block of Gellert Boulevard.”
“The victim stated that as she was sitting in her vehicle, a suspect exited a gray Lexus GS350 with tinted windows, smashed her vehicle’s front passenger window with a hammer, took her purse containing a wallet” and contents before hopping back onto the car heading west, according to the report.
The same bulletin noted that at around 5:36 pm that same day, an officer responded to a report of a robbery on the 900 block of King Drive. That was Alcantara’s case.
In her trauma, Alcantara could not describe the snatcher except for the fact that he was wearing sunglasses and dark clothes with a hoodie. She said she did not remember the make of the getaway car but was “100 percent sure” it was dark gray four-door sedan with tinted windows.
Later her sisters comforted her with the reminder that she was lucky she was not injured, although she had sprained her wrist banging on the fleeing car in her attempt to retrieve her wallet.
The 21-year resident of Daly City is thankful she is unhurt, and she is willing to speak up to help authorities make her home city a safe place for residents of all ages and genders.
The mother of a teenage daughter reached out to Mayor Juslyn Manalo for assistance.
Mayor responds Manalo acknowledged the persistence of muggers in her city and related how
King Plaza, site of Manila Oriental Market, is home to Asian-owned restaurants and shops. It is home to Classic Bowl, a popular familyfriendly entertainment spot owned by Filipino-Italian Americans. Ling Nam, which became famous in Manila for its hot noodle soup, moved into the location more recently.
The thieves employ various means of evading law enforcement, Manalo added.
“They put on different stolen license plates every time (which aren’t reported stolen yet) so the ALPRs (Automated License Plate Recognition) haven’t been a solution. Even when we get a plate after the crime, they ditch the plate so we don’t know what we are actually looking for.”
Technology plays a significant role in curbing the problem.
“We have a detective assigned and are working with whatever technological options we have to identify,” said Manalo.
As authorities explore tactical measures to combat the issue, the mayor offered safety tips with the public:
• Be aware of your surroundings and try to keep valuables out of sight of others, even in your vehicle (don’t leave purse on passenger seat).
• Try to stay in well-lit areas, or areas with other customers during the day to reduce being targeted.
• Acknowledge suspicious behavior by making eye contact, communicating with store staff or other customers to draw attention.
• If something seems suspicious, call 911.
Gloria Alcantara is definitely wiser now. She would rather not run errands anymore, she says, unless she is in the company of her fiancé, a deputy sheriff in Santa Clara County.
Together they are monitoring developments on her case in hopes of helping entrepreneurs work with authorities to protect patrons and the general public.
(By Cherie M. Querol Moreno/ Inquirer.net)
California Attorney...
PAGE 1
hosted by the Filipino Americans for Harris group on Tuesday, July 30, Bonta issued a rallying cry for Filipino Americans to unite in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting the stakes of the election and the community's pivotal role in protecting democracy.
“I got a front-row seat to her trajectory, and I've supported her at every turn, because she's got the experience, the expertise, the energy this country needs, especially now. Kamala Harris is the antidote to Trump,” he said.
Bonta acknowledged the legacy of Filipino Americans who have historically fought for justice and equity, both in the Philippines and the United States. He paid homage to the leaders who came before, including his mother, Cynthia Bonta, who fought to restore democracy in the Philippines. Bonta also recalled the contributions of Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and the Filipino farmworkers who spearheaded the Delano grape strike of 1965, as well as the activists who fought for housing justice in San Francisco’s International Hotel.
"As Filipino Americans, we carry a very important torch lit by Filipinos who came before us," Bonta said, reflecting on the community’s deep-rooted history of activism. He stressed that this legacy should inspire current and future generations to continue the fight for justice and equity.
Bonta's speech took a sharp turn as he addressed the urgency of the upcoming election, describing it as an "inflection moment" in American history. He warned of the dangers posed by a potential return of former President Donald Trump to the White House, referencing Trump's past policies and the goals outlined in the Project 2025 plan, which he described as a roadmap to consolidating presidential power and rolling back critical rights.
"We've seen the darkness of a Trump presidency. We know what he's capable of," Bonta stated, underscoring the importance of preventing a second Trump term. He highlighted the threat to reproductive rights, public education, and social safety nets that would come with a Trump-Vance administration, noting that the stakes could not be higher.
Bonta then pivoted to a strong endorsement of Kamala Harris, whom he described as the antithesis of Trump. He praised Harris's track record as a tough and effective leader, recalling his firsthand experience working with her in California. Bonta noted that while Trump was a "convicted felon," Harris had spent her career fighting for justice, putting scam artists and sex offenders behind bars, and holding big banks accountable during the mortgage crisis.
"Kamala Harris is our chance to chart a new path forward," Bonta asserted, emphasizing that her leadership is essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable America. He described her as the embodiment of the values that the Filipino American community holds dear—resilience, justice, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
As the speech drew to a close, Bonta called on the Filipino American community to mobilize and take action in the final stretch before the election. He stressed the importance of unity within the Democratic Party and the need for grassroots efforts to ensure victory on November 5.
"There's no more powerful power than people power, and we've been the heart and soul of the party," Bonta declared, urging the community to lean in with all their strength and determination. g
START OF CLASSES. Grade 1 students attend the second day of classes at Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Manila on Tuesday, July 30. Academic Year 20242025 will end on May 16, 2025 as part of the gradual revert to the old academic calendar of June to March. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Snatcher startles a lone shopper about to enter her car at the parking lot of a popular Filipino market.
Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno
Mayor Juslyn Manalo responds to constituent seeking assistance.
Photo by Cherie M. Querol Moreno
FEATURES OPINION
Excessive entitlement
LENI Robredo, in her six years as vice president, survived with a security detail of less than 100. In her final full year in office, Robredo had only 78 security personnel.
So people are stunned that Vice President Sara Duterte had 433 security personnel as of 2022 – and has gone ballistic after 75 of them were pulled out last week by the Philippine National Police. In a social media post, Duterte claimed “political harassment” and accused PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil of lying about the circumstances surrounding the pullout of her security detail. She also claimed police had “cased” her neighborhood to find out where she lives.
Editorial
guard a single person – except in the case of the president –deprives millions of Filipinos of equal protection. Because there are only about 220,000 cops to protect nearly over 100 million people – a long way from the ideal police-to-population ratio of 1:500 – the PNP is correct in rationalizing the deployment of police personnel as bodyguards for VIPs, and even persons who claim to face serious threats to their safety.
Since when did the place of residence of the vice president become so top-secret it needs casing by the police? Also, with Duterte’s resignation from her two appointive posts, she has even less work to do these days. Why would the spare tire need nearly 500 bodyguards, all on the public payroll, under a Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group?
PNP officials are correct in pointing out that assigning too many security personnel to
A LARGE number of Filipinos were extremely pleased to hear President Ferdinand Marcos’ State of the Nation Address as being straightforward and authentic, with the substance zeroing in on what would really impact the lives of Filipinos.
As for such threats, Duterte must have felt safe enough to even name herself the designated survivor when she skipped President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address. That statement was neither a joke nor a threat, the vice president said in her trademark confusing style of expressing her thoughts.
The 75 bodyguards who were pulled out reportedly include 33 who have served as her close-in security since 2007. This detail makes their transfer all the more justified; it’s time for them to stop serving as members of
a private army. No PNP member should stay that long in one posting. The PNP is a national police force, and there should be a regular reassignment of all its members, so that no one stays long enough in a particular posting to prevent any politician from using them as tax-funded private bodyguards.
General Marbil deserves commendation
for his efforts to rationalize the use of PNP members for bodyguard duty. He should expand it to cover other politicians and private VIPs, all of whom have enough money to hire private bodyguards. The next step is to further trim the vice president’s security group. This is an excessive entitlement and a waste of precious public funds. (Philstar.com)
POGO, extermination, West Philippine Sea
He took the bull by the horns at the onset when he said that despite statistical data showing the Philippine economy to be among the best performing in Asia in 2023 – with economic managers expecting the second quarter economic growth this year to hit six percent – these numbers mean nothing to those who are burdened by high prices of food and basic commodities, most
especially rice.
Acknowledging that market forces, climate issues such as El Niño, the ongoing conflicts as well as supply problems impact the price of goods not only in the Philippines but all over the world, the president gave his assurance of the government’s unrelenting efforts in mitigating these challenges.
Support for agriculture will be further enhanced
to boost production with the construction of 1,200 kilometers of farm-tomarket roads nationwide by yearend, with 45,000 hectares of new agricultural land to be irrigated this year. More solar irrigation projects are being constructed, like the recently opened solarpowered pump irrigation project in Isabela.
Over the past two years, close to a hundred additional evacuation
centers were built. Last January, the Disaster Response Command Center which serves as the central hub for government disaster efforts began operating. These developments are opportune, considering the recent onslaught of Typhoon Gaemi (Carina) that caused massive flooding in Metro Manila and many provinces all over the country.
Additional benefits under PhilHealth also resonated
among Filipinos, who welcomed the higher coverage for chronic illnesses and chemotherapy for various types of cancer, along with the construction of two new hospitals dedicated to cancer treatment. The increased number of generic medicines for outpatients plus new medications for blood pressure and other illnesses were very welcome news because this helps
and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer
Dateline PhiliPPines
Smooth sailing on latest Ayungin resupply mission
by Ghio onG, JanviC MaTeo Philstar.com
MANILA — A supply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal over the weekend went smoothly, with Chinese vessels maintaining their distance and showing no sign of hostility, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday, July 29.
“The Chinese vessels maintained their distance and did not disrupt the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal,” PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said.
Video recording of the supply mission showed four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, three People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and two militia vessels
in stationary position as the supply mission was ongoing.
CCG’s and the world’s biggest coast guard ship with bow number 5901 was reportedly in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where it dropped anchor some two weeks ago.
Watching its movement is PCG’s 97-meter patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua.
Tarriela said videos “clearly show that there was no boarding or inspection by the Chinese Coast Guard, contradicting the claims made by the Chinese foreign ministry.”
China earlier warned it would stop any supply
mission done without its prior knowledge.
“These videos further reinforce the statements made by both the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and NTF-WPS (National Task Force –West Philippine Sea) that the Philippines did not and will not seek permission from the PRC (People’s Republic of China) for such missions,” the PCG official said.
“We have all the legitimate rights to carry out the resupply,” he added. “They do not have any opportunity to board and inspect. We’re not going to allow them to do those kinds of activities,” he added.
Asked on One News’ “Storycon” why China
SolGen: PH not obligated to cooperate with ICC, but can’t stop probe
MANILA – The Philippine government is not obligated to cooperate or facilitate any acts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against individuals in the country, even as the Philippine government cannot stop the ICC prosecutor from proceeding with his investigation, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday, July 30.
“The Philippines disengaged completely from the ICC in 2019. It has no legal duty to lend any assistance to the ICC
prosecutor in conducting his investigation. But the Philippine government cannot stop him from proceeding any way he wants,” Guevarra told reporters.
“He can directly interview persons of interest online, through the phone, by email, or face-to- face, subject to the consent of these persons. But the ICC prosecutor cannot expect that the Philippine government will facilitate it for him,” he explained.
Guevarra confirmed that his office has submitted its recommendations to
Malacañang following the ICC’s formal request for assistance.
Guevarra said the recommendations are privileged communication, but confirmed that in the ICC list were five ranking police officials in the past administration.
“Yes, but not all five were ex-PNP chiefs. (Its) more accurate to say (they were) former and current highranking police officers. Not accused but ‘under suspicion,'“ Guevarra said. (PNA)
PH to get $500M military...
from fanning the flames, stirring up trouble and undermining stability at sea," according to a foreign ministry statement.
"The risks and challenges facing China-U.S. relations are still rising," he said.
Teodoro said the additional funding would serve to secure the Philippines' "credible deterrent posture."
"Every peso or dollar spent on hardening Philippine capabilities to defend itself and to deter unlawful aggression will be a plus against any threat actor, whether it be China or anyone," Teodoro said.
Apart from the $500 million assistance, Austin said the U.S. would earmark a separate $128 million funding for repairing runways, building disaster response warehouses, and improving critical infrastructure in Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.
The U.S. officials also offered condolences over the dozens of deaths wrought by typhoonworsened monsoon rains in recent weeks and announced an additional $1 million in aid
De Lima: Ex-president Duterte
‘inducer’
of drug war killings
by Reina C. TolenTino ManilaTimes.net
MANILA — Former Senator Leila De Lima told lawmakers on Monday, July 29 that former President Rodrigo Duterte was the "inducer" of the drug war killings that occurred during his term.
De Lima attended the probe being conducted by the House Committee on Human Rights on the drug war deaths as a resource person.
"There is no doubt in my mind that former President Rodrigo Duterte is the mastermind, as he was the instigator and inducer of the drug war killings. The drug war was implemented as an official Duterte program of government when he assumed office as president," De Lima, who also served as justice secretary, said.
The Manila Times sought Duterte's comment on the matter through former Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, who replied that Duterte had none.
Earlier, the House committee approved the motion to invite Duterte to the probe. Roque had said that Duterte would not
attend.
"Our former president firmly believes that the Lower House is not the proper forum to investigate any criminal allegation against him," Roque said.
The committee also invited Sen. Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief, but he said he would not attend the probe. g
Former Senator Leila De Lima ManilaTimes.net file photo
SC junks Enrile’s plea to dismiss PDAF case
by Ian LaquI Philstar.com
MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) has denied the petition to dismiss the plunder case of the former Senate president and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile in connection with the alleged misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
In a decision dated Feb. 24, 2024, released on Monday, July 28, the high court allowed the Sandiganbayan to proceed hearing the former senator’s plunder case after the SC dismissed Enrile’s petition for prohibition as the antigraft court refused to include the bill of particulars in the pre-trial order.
Included in the Sandiganbayan’s refusal is Enrile’s plea to limit the prosecution’s evidence to the bill of particulars.
A bill of particulars supplements the Information
in criminal cases, providing details necessary for the accused to understand the prosecution's theory and prepare for their defense.
Enrile's case pertains to the P172,834,500 worth of PDAF funneled to Janet Lim Napoles’ non-government organizations from 2004 to 2010 which involved him, his chief of staff, Gigi Reyes, and two other individuals namely, Ronald Lim and Raymund De Asis.
Due to this, the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against Napoles, Enrile, Reyes and the two others in 2014.
The former Senate president then filed a motion for a bill of particulars before the anti-graft court’s third division, which was denied.
The SC overturned this decision in August 2015 to which the prosecution
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PH to get $500M military...
7
for the victims and to help devastated communities recover.
The visit came the week after the Philippines and China reached a temporary arrangement to prevent clashes around the Philippine-occupied Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, like the violent faceoff between their forces on June 17.
Philippine forces transported food and other supplies and a fresh batch of navy personnel on Saturday, July 27 to Manila's territorial outpost at the shoal without a confrontation for the first time since last year.
But the Philippines would continue strengthening its territorial defense with the assistance of the U.S. and other friendly military powers and build new security alliances, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said.
"The non-confrontational resupply and rotation is purely temporary. The People's Republic of China will not stop, and we are determined just as well," Romualdez said.
The $500 million in U.S. military financing would include funding for reinforcing the Philippine Navy's capability. About $125 million would be used for construction and other improvements in parts of Philippine military bases to be occupied by U.S. forces under the 2014 Enhanced
Defense Cooperation Agreement, he said.
With strong support in Congress, U.S. military funding may double next year "depending on our capacity to absorb it," Romualdez said.
Progress in negotiations on a proposed military intelligence-sharing pact, the General Security of Military Information Agreement, was announced by Austin, who said that the accord may be signed later this year.
The agreement, similar to ones Washington has forged with other allied countries, would allow the U.S. to provide high-level intelligence, more sophisticated weapons, including missile systems, and access to satellite and drone surveillance systems to the Philippines with an assurance that such intelligence and details about sophisticated weapons would be closely kept secret in a highly secured manner to prevent leaks, two Philippine officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss the issue publicly.
Philippine efforts to obtain sophisticated weapons from the U.S. military in the past have been hampered by the lack of such an intelligence deal.
In his meeting with Blinken and Austin, Marcos alluded to the intense political divisions in the U.S. ahead of the presidential elections this year.
"I'm a bit surprised, considering how
interesting your political situation has become back in the States, but I'm glad that you found the time to come and visit with us," Marcos said.
Meanwhile, Romualdez said U.S. support for the Philippines would "absolutely" not change regardless of who becomes America's next president. Numerous countries have expressed concerns about the implications of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House in January after President Joe Biden withdrew and threw his support to Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Both Republicans and Democrats are in full agreement for the Philippines," he said, adding that both sides have given assurances of continued support to Manila.
Marcos approved last year an expansion of the U.S. military presence in four more Philippine military camps under the 2014 defense agreement, and the largest war drills between Filipino and U.S. forces have been staged under his administration, drawing opposition and alarm from China, which said that increased deployments of American forces would endanger regional peace and security.
The Philippines has responded that it has the right to move to safeguard its territorial interests and national security.
With Associated Press, Agence FrancePresse g
Philippines retains 52nd spot in world competitiveness
by Helen Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines remains at 52nd place out of 67 economies in overall competitiveness, although it improved three spots in terms of governance in the 2024 World Competitiveness Report.
Following the release of the report by Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the Marcos administration renewed its commitment to streamline and digitalize government services to make the country more competitive and businessfriendly.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA)
made the pronouncement as the Philippines climbed three spots in the area of “government efficiency” to 49th from 52nd last year.
The IMD’s World Competitiveness Ranking for 2024, released last month, showed the Philippines placing 52nd out of 67 economies, the same ranking in the previous year.
In terms of economic performance, the Philippines remained in the 40th spot.
As for business efficiency, the Philippines’ ranking dropped to 43rd place this year from the previous year’s 40th.
In infrastructure, the Philippines fell to 61st place this year from 58th last year.
IMD ranks economies using perceptions of executives with statistical data, based on criteria grouped into four factors: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
President Marcos has called on government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to promote “the ease of doing business to attract investments in the country.”
Last week, ARTA Undersecretary Geneses Abot said President Marcos aims to limit LGU processing of permits to 10 minutes.
Digitalization and wider connectivity are among the Marcos administration’s priority programs. g
Deactivated voters exceed 5 million – Comelec
MANILA — Over five million voters nationwide are now out of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s official list of voters and may no longer be able to participate in next year’s midterm polls.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Sunday, July 28 reported that the poll body has deactivated a total of 5,105,191 registered voters.
Aside from those deactivated, the Comelec also deleted a total of 248,972 people from the official list of voters, Garcia said.
“Others who have been deleted are because of death as well as multiple and double registration,” he said.
The Comelec previously reported that most of the
deactivated voters failed to vote in the last two elections. Others reasons for deactivation are loss of Filipino citizenship and court decisions.
Garcia also reported that since the start of registration until July 20, the Comelec had received 409,329 applications for reactivation. The figure includes transfer for reactivation, transfer with
reactivation, and correction of data.
Those who had been deactivated will be deducted from the current total number of voters, according to Garcia.
Deactivated voters, however, may still submit an application for reactivation during the ongoing voter registration. (Mayen Jaymalin/Philstar.com)
SC junks Enrile’s plea to dismiss PDAF case...
complied to proceed with the trial in the SB.
However, Enrile also objected the content of the pre-trial, the facts agreed upon by the parties, the issues to be tried and the evidence marked.
He argued that the prosecution’s evidence should be limited to those defined in the bill of particulars.
Despite the former Senate president’s objection, the anti-graft court proceeded with the trial, prompting
Enrile to file the present petition for prohibition before the SC.
In the SC’s decision to junk Enrile’s plea, it said that the prosecution should not be confined to the details outlined in the bill of particulars.
“Nonetheless, the Information and the Bill of Particulars state only ultimate facts. The evidentiary facts and the manner by which the prosecution intends to prove the elements of the crime and the guilt of the
accused are not stated in the information and are not required to be enumerated and discussed in a bill of particulars,” the SC ruling read.
“Because the bill of particulars does not and should not narrate the prosecution's trial plan, it is to be expected that the prosecution, in the course of the trial, will present evidence not mentioned categorically in the bill of particulars,” it added.
The SC further stated that the anti-graft court
acted by the law and established jurisprudence and that Enrile's claim of constitutional rights violations was without merit.
“To be sure, the Court will not shirk from its duty to correct the conduct of the Sandiganbayan, and any other lower court for that matter, should it find that they have acted with grave abuse of discretion. This, however, requires proof, and cannot be based on a party's mere suspicions,” the high tribunal's decision read. g
Smooth sailing on latest Ayungin...
appeared to have backed off from its aggressive actions toward resupply missions, Tarriela noted the wide support the Philippines has received from different countries.
Both China and Philippines, he told Storycon, may have come to a realization that an orderly and peaceful conduct of resupply missions is the best way forward.
The two countries recently
came up with a “provisional understanding” regarding the resupply missions.
Specific details of the agreement have yet to be released, although China claimed that the Philippines agreed to give prior notice and allow prior inspection of the cargo. This was repeatedly denied by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“We never gave anything to China,” Tarriela said. “As far as the DFA is concerned,
for the provisional understanding that they came out, it has no clause that can undermine or be prejudicial to our own national interest.”
No untoward incident
Earlier, the DFA reported there were “no untoward incidents” during the supply mission to Sierra Madre on July 27 – the first “under the ambit of the understanding reached between the Philippines and the People’s Republic
6
ease the financial burden on those who spend so much on maintenance medication.
But the subject that reverberated strongly among Filipinos is the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations –which has been widely criticized because of the criminality associated with these POGOs that have become hubs for online scams, human trafficking, prostitution, illegal drugs, kidnapping, torture, spying, hacking and other illegal activities.
POGOs were originally allowed to operate by the Duterte administration because they created thousands of jobs and generated billions of revenue for the government. But as Finance Secretary Ralph Recto pointed out, in the end “the costs outweighed the benefits.” As it turned out, many illegal operators came into the picture and with them, uncontrolled extensive criminal activities.
When the president said, “Effective today, all POGOs are banned” – the crowd in the Congress session hall broke into thunderous applause with cheers and chants of “BBM!” –and as confirmed by several media reports, many households watching the SONA broke out into thunderous applause, too.
There are concerns, however, that these POGO operators will go underground – so it’s been suggested that a special elite task force be formed to go after them.
On illegal drugs – which is an international concern especially among countries in South America and in the Asian region – the president’s approach has been lauded in international circles, with “extermination” not being one of the strategies. More than P44 billion worth of illegal drugs have been seized while 97,000 drug personalities have been arrested, with over 6,000 of them high-value targets, the president disclosed.
Regarding education, many absolutely agree that “the quality of our education rests on the quality of our teachers” – which is why upskilling is a crucial component.
The late Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco knew how important this was, and made it his advocacy to provide full masteral and doctoral scholarships to more than 2,000 public school teachers in Tarlac through his foundation.
Focus is now on new Education Secretary Sonny Angara, whose appointment was welcomed by many sectors, saying he is a good choice. Sonny’s experience as a legislator will certainly serve him in good stead when it comes to pushing for needed educational reforms, having been co-author of Republic Act 10931 which mandated free tuition in state and local universities and colleges.
On the West Philippine Sea issue, the president was unequivocal: it is ours, and it is not a figment of our imagination – but we will continuously find ways to “deescalate tensions in contested areas with our counterparts without compromising our position and our principles,” the president emphasized.
Following earlier talks between the Philippines and China, we’re pleased that both sides have come to some form of agreement regarding the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal without prejudice to each other’s respective positions. De-escalation of tensions has always been top of mind for President Marcos. We are pleased Saturday’s (July 27) resupply mission went without incident.
of China on principles and approaches for the conduct of RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal for the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, without prejudice to national positions.”
The DFA slammed China for “mischaracterizing” the supply mission by claiming it was notified by the Philippines, which agreed to onsite inspection by the Chinese. g
Make no mistake, however – no right-thinking, patriotic Filipino will want our territorial integrity to be compromised. Those who continue to spread falsehoods about our getting involved in a potential proxy war due to the alliances we have formed should be answerable to 90 percent of Filipinos who strongly believe we are on the right track.
Having been fortunate to be educated in the UK, it’s not surprising that the president ended his SONA with the words of John Stuart Mill – a well-respected English politician and philosopher: “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” (Philstar.com)
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
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Recipe for a green card: The journey from poverty in the province to being a chef with a green card
on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
JONAS grew up poor in Bacolod. He was one of 10 children raised by his father, who was a farmer. Jonas had big dreams and left for Manila to seek greener pastures.
While jumping from one odd job to another, Jonas realized that he enjoyed
working in restaurants the most. His father used to teach him how to cook when he was still in Bacolod.
Jonas was already married and had one child when he brought his family to Pampanga and found a job as a janitor at a mall. Life was still hard, and Jonas struggled.
One day, Jonas saw a “Now Hiring Cooks” sign outside the Gerry’s Grill branch at the mall where he worked. He applied and prepared pinakbet when he was asked to show his cooking skills. He was hired right away and was asked to start the next day.
Jonas kept improving his kitchen skills and eventually he became Cook in Charge of the branch in Batangas. In 2016 and in 2017, Jonas became the champion of
12
MOVING UP FROM A LIFE OF POVERTY TO GETTING A GREEN CARD, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Jonas (left) grew up with 10 other siblings in Bacolod. Life was hard and Jonas had big dreams, so one day he left his family to pursue his dreams. He struggled and took on various odd jobs. He landed a job as a janitor at a mall in Pampanga. One day, he saw a “Now Hiring Cooks” sign outside the Gerry’s Grill branch in the mall where he worked. He applied, and after showing his cooking skills, he was hired. Jonas continued to hone his skills until Gerry Apolinario, owner of Gerry’s Grill, agreed to petition Jonas for a green card to help run Gerry’s branch in Houston, Texas. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) worked on Jonas’ petition and in less than two years, Jonas got his green card as a cook. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 4 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
THE topic of my column last week was about “Inventions,” which has made the whole world smaller, healthier, smarter, more comfortable, more productive, richer, and happier. Today, I am posting some more of those valuable inventions.
Soap
Soap originated back in ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, as early as 5000 years ago. Before soap was invented, people used water and mud, as exfoliants. Then, Egyptians used “natron,” a mixture of soda ash (sodium carbonate), a derivative of table salt and oils from vegetables and animals to make soap-like substance.
Clock - Watch
Peter Henlein (1485-1542), a German locksmith and clockmaker from Nuremberg, invented the first clock in 1510, and is often credited with inventing the watch also around the same year, the first small ornamental clock that could be worn on the body, like a pendant or attached to clothing. The automatic winding watch was invented by Abraham-Louis Perrelet. The Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a watchmaker since 1946, introduced the first battery-powered electric wristwatch in 1957 (called Hamilton Electric 500), designed by Richard Arbib, an automotive designer.
Toilet
The modern flush toilet widely used today was invented in 1596 by Sir John Harrington, an English courtier and godson of Queen Elizabeth I. It had a 2-footdeep oval bowl fed by water from an upstairs cistern and required 7.5 gallons of water to flush. The Queen refused to use it because it was too noisy when flushing.
Pencil
The modern pencil was invented by Nicholas-Jacques Conte in 1795, a scientist in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. The process used by Conte involved roasting a mixture of water, clay, and graphite in a kiln at 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit before encasing the resulting lead in a wooden surround.
Laundry machine
The first clothes washing machine was invented by a
More inventions...
German scientist, Christian Schaffer, in 1767. Nathaniel Briggs received the first U.S. patent for a washing machine (wooden box with hand-cranked agitator) in 1797. In 1908, American engineer Alva J. Fisher invented the first electric washing machine he named “Thor” which he patented two years later. It is the “great grandparent” of our current-day laundry washer.
Camera
The camera was invented by Frenchman Joseph Nicephore Niepce in 1816. He named the device heliograph and used a film made of pewter. The oldest surviving picture, taken by him in 1826 in Le Gras, France, is a landscape. Others who contributed to the invention of the camera, even as early as 1717, were: Carl Wilhelm Sche ele, a Swedish Chemist, Johan Heinrich Schulze, George Eastman, Stephen Sasson, Louis Le Prince and Johan Zahn.
Computer
The first computer that resembled our modern PCs was invented between 1833 and 1871 by Charles Babbage. He devised the analytical engine and labored for nearly 40 years to improve it to be powerful enough to perform simple calculations. In Asia, a simpler calculating mechanical devise was invented in 1100 BCE, called the abacus.
Dishwasher
Josephine Garis Cochran is credited with inventing the first commercially successful modern dishwasher in 1886, but Joel Houghton patented the first hand-powered dishwasher in the United States in 1850.
Toilet paper
Joseph Gayetty is credited with being the inventor of modern commercially sold toilet paper in the United States, first introduced in 1857.
Ink pen
The first pen was actually invented by the Ancient Egyptians in 3200 BC out of bamboo or reed, dipped in ink to write. The original refillable ink fountain pen was introduced by Scottish inventor Robert William Thomson in 1849. An American lawyer, John J. Loud, invented the first ballpoint pen that he patented in 1888.
Typewriter
The first practical typewriter was invented by Christopher Sholes around
1873 with U.S. Patent No. 79,265. He was responsible for the order QWERTY, which design still exists today. He helped found the Republican Party and was a two-term Wisconsin Senator. President Lincoln appointed him Customs Collector for the port in Milwaukee.
Vacuum cleaner
Hubert Cecil Booth invented the first successful vacuum cleaner in 1901. Six years later, James Murray Spangler, an asthmatic concerned about dust allergen, introduced the first domestic single-operator upright vacuum cleaner. In 1908, Willam Henrry Hoover produced the first commercial-bag-on-a stick upright cleaners.
Joe Jones, of southwest Missouri, invented the first robotic vacuum cleaner he called Roomba in 1989 while working at MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
Microwave
American electrical engineer Percy Spencer developed and patented the first microwave oven in 1945. His first one was about 6 feet in height and weighed more than 750 pounds. The smaller version became popular in the 1970s. By 1986, about one in four households owned a microwave oven. In 1997, 90 percent of American homes had a microwave, becoming a $10.8 billion market industry in 2022, projected to rise to $16.47 billion by 2031.
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) was invented in 1973 by Bradford Parkinson, from Madison, Wisconsin. He was born on February 16, 1935, and is an American engineer, a graduate of MIT, a retired United States Air Force Colonel, and Emeritus Professor at Stanford University. The yearly benefit of GPS to the world is estimated by a recent U.S. study “to be 37 to 74 billion dollars, excluding many of the applications, such as saving lives, that were difficult to quantify.”
Enabling people around the world to navigate daily is empowerment by itself.
Luggage on wheels
The first commercial rolling suitcase was invented by Bernard D. Sadow, a former vice president of a Massachusetts luggage company, in 1972, after seeing a porter used wheeled luggage rack to move
Elvis Gutierrez honors wife Alexa in heartfelt post:
By Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
ELVIS Gutierrez remembered his late wife, Alexa Uichico-Gutierrez, in a heartwarming post as he looked back on happier days with his wife before she succumbed to her battle with leukemia last Saturday, July 27 at age 38.
Alexa’s wake will be held at the Santuario De San Antonio, Forbes Park, McKinley Road in Makati City from July 29 to 31, while inurnment is scheduled on August 1.
On Instagram, Gutierrez shared a photo of Alexa wearing her most beautiful smile, taken when she was 19 and just learning to drive.
‘I miss you so much’
“You were 19; I was 22. This was the first day you learned how to drive. I wanted to capture how happy you were. You called me the best driving teacher. I miss you so much,” he wrote in his caption. In the comment section of his post, friends and
celebrities extended their sympathies to the family Alexa left behind.
“Praying for you and your family. So sorry for your loss Elvis,” wrote Solenn Heussaff.
“Alexa. One of the happiest girls ever. She loved you so much. Praying for you guys,”
Recipe for a green card: The
the company’s annual cooking competition. It was then that Gerry’s Grill owner, Gerry Apolinario, put Jonas in the short list of his staff who would be sent to the U.S. to run the branch in Houston, Texas.
Gerry hired leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel to work on Jonas’ petition as Senior Line Cook, and in less than two years, Jonas acquired his green card.
It has been 20 years since Jonas was hired by Gerry’s back in Pampanga, and even now, he cannot believe how dramatically different his life has been from the days he was struggling in Bacolod, when he could hardly put food on the table, to the present, where he is able to provide food, shelter, and a better life for his family.
Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 4 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select
luggage while Sadow was travelling in Puerto Rico two years earlier.
Alexa
Jeff Bezos conceptualized Amazon’s Alexa in 2011 as a talking device that is voicecontrolled. Actually it is Willaim Tunstall-Pedoe who is considered the “Father of Alexa,” who built an anagram algorithm used by Dan Brown for the Da Vinci Code. Rohit Prasad, an Amazon AI scientist, introduced generalized intelligence and multimodal AI for Alexa.
Bluetooth
Jaap Haartsen of Hague, Netherlands, led the invention of Bluetooth wireless technology, which allows a seemingly endless array of devices to wirelessly connect and communicate over short distances. Amazingly, the beautiful and famous actress
journey...
providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.
(Advertising Supplement)
in the 1940s, Hedy Lamar, unbeknownst to many, “was a gifted inventor. The technologies she co-invented laid the foundation for future communication systems, like GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi.”
* * *
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian
Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, renowned educators, scientists, and political and business leaders (Wikipedia). Websites: www. FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Elvis Gutierrez with his late wife Alexa Photos from Instagram/@life.of.guti
Cable/Satellite
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Fiery Flavors, Big Dreams: Laura Dadap’s Djablo Sauce brings Filipino heat to the Summer Fancy Food Show
by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress
FILIPINO American Laura Dadap ignited excitement with the fiery tale of Djablo Sauce, the first locally produced, familyowned Filipino hot sauce in the United States when we met her at the recent Summer Fancy Food Show in the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Born from a blend of bold flavors and cultural heritage, Djablo Sauce, launched in 2019, has become a sensation among spice lovers. With roots in her father's culinary experiments and the rich diversity of Filipino cuisine, Laura's journey from family recipe to Hot Ones fame is a proof to the power of passion and spice.
Laura’s father happens to be Michael Dadap, known in the community as a guitarist, composer, and conductor and Djablo began as a cherished family recipe that he created to enhance various dishes.
"I'm not rich, but take this and you might be," Laura said, recalling her father’s words as he shared the hot sauce recipe, underscoring the belief that hard work and perseverance can turn humble beginnings into extraordinary achievements.
"We started a little bit before 2019," she said. "My dad was experimenting with this recipe... served with pork belly and turkey at Thanksgiving." The turning point for Djablo came when Laura’s husband, an American, enthusiastically enjoyed the sauce. "When I saw another person from another culture enjoying our flavors, it made me feel so welcome," she recalled. This cross-cultural appreciation inspired her to share their bold, unapologetic flavors more widely.
Laura's wedding became a pivotal moment for Djablo. "We gave out little bottles at our wedding," she shared. This act of sharing led to
“When
Heatonist, a local Brooklyn store showing interest in selling the sauce. Guided by the store's CEO Noah Chaimberg, Laura navigated the process of incorporating the business and acquiring necessary licenses, officially launching Djablo in 2019. Djablo’s reputation soared when it was featured on Hot Ones, Season 22, where celebrities like *NSync, Bobby Flay, and Cardi B sampled the sauce. "It was number five in the lineup... it was right at that moment they realized, 'Oh, this is actually very spicy,'" Laura
recounted with pride. The flavors of Djablo are a nod to Laura's Filipino heritage. She shared the story of her father's experiences as an immigrant in America. As a music student in his twenties, Michael played guitar during dinner service at a French restaurant called “Terrace in the Sky” in Morningside Heights. It was there he met Yeou-Cheng Ma, and together, they teamed up to play violin and guitar duets. The head chef, Dusan Bernic, invited Michael into the kitchen to learn the art of
food preparation, revealing that the most delicious cuts of meat were often the cheapest. Pairing these skills with his experience as the 13th of 14 siblings, he began experimenting with stretching a dollar to entertain loved ones, developing signature dishes and flavors that married his Southeast Asian roots with his newly acquired techniques.
Laura highlighted the diversity and richness of Filipino cuisine, influenced by various cultures. This cultural diversity is reflected
in Djablo's original recipe and its smoked variant, which enhances its umami profile, making it a favorite for chicken wings and lechon. "We actually did a series of recipe videos with my dad that are coming out soon," she added.
Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has been challenging for Laura, who has two young children. Yet, she finds joy in sharing her cultural story. "It's kind of joyful... seeing how it excites them about where they come from," she said.
Laura’s journey was
supported by Entrepreneur Space, an incubator kitchen in New York, which provided resources and opportunities like the Summer Fancy Food Show. "Everyone is so supportive... the thing about the food space is it's very supportive," she noted. Djablo continues to grow, with products available online and in select stores, including Heatonist and Pearl River Mart.
Laura shared that she learned invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship by watching her parents Michael and Yeou-Cheng. Witnessing their late nights and unwavering dedication, she saw firsthand the level of commitment required to succeed. Her parents' attention to every detail, and their care for each person working with them, deeply influenced her. Her biggest life lesson to date is the balance between foresight and presence. She believes it's crucial to think a few steps ahead while staying grounded in the present moment, recognizing the difficulty but importance of this balance. She emphasizes seeing oneself in the future and understanding how current actions influence that path.
Laura Dadap is brimming with excitement about future ventures, including the introduction of tuba vinegar from her father's hometown in Hinunangan, Leyte. She plans to visit the Philippines for a blend of R&D and muchdeserved R&R, immersing herself in the rich heritage that inspires Djablo Sauce.
Laura Dadap proudly displays her photo with her dad, Michael.
he came to the United States in 1971, he was eager to find a way to feel at home without buying a plane ticket back to Leyte,” she shared. “He scoured local grocery shelves for ingredients that reminded him of Filipino cuisine—ginger, garlic, chili pepper, cane vinegar—and from that, he created our original recipe, full of bright, zesty flavors, with ginger and garlic taking center stage.” AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
GMA’s new drama war series ‘Pulang
Araw’ unfolds; Jim Fernandez, ‘Zuma’ creator
MAE Trono, marketing activations manager of GMA Pinoy TV, recently hosted the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour’s 15th Anniversary dinner program at Seda Manila Bay, welcoming some 250 balikbayan delegates from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Texas, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. who were scheduled tours of Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay, and Iligan cities.
In full support were Philippine Consuls General Senen Mangalile of New York, Neil Frank Ferrer of San Francisco, Emilio Fernandez of Honolulu and Rosario Lemque of Agana as well as Acting Heads of Post Maria Alnee Gamble and Gilbert Segarra of Houston. Also giving support to the 2024 VIP Tour were Foreign Affairs Secretry Enrique Manalo, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, Assistant Secretary for DFA’s Office of American Affairs Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, and Tourism Promotions Board Philippines Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
In the private sector, giving a helping hand were GMA Pinoy TV, Rajah Tours Philippines, Ayala Land International Sales Inc. (thanks to its Regional Director Hazel Gendrano for the overview of the Philippines’ progress during the first day and sharing opportunities with Ayala Land’s Residential
Place Association, which is based in Chicago, Illinois in the United States.
“We support Chicago’s most vulnerable children and their families who are challenged by poverty, health disparities, and racial injustice,” says Calingo, 1st runner-up (1st Princess) to 2016 Miss World Philippines Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018 winner.
Her artwork “Rise” is on display at an ongoing exhibit at the South Bend Museum of Art until the end of August.
“Rise” is an artwork inspired by Iranian women protesting against the compulsory hijab Previously, her creative works in mixed media, photography, and poetry have been featured in exhibitions at Harvard University, the St. Joe County Public Library, and the University of Notre Dame.
“In general, I seek to use my artwork as a vehicle to raise awareness of international human rights and social justice issues.”
Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres’ daughter Juliana graduates cum laude from UP
by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
RICHARD Gomez and Lucy Torres were beaming with pride as they attended the graduation of their only child, Juliana, who finished college with Latin honors.
Richard documented the University of the Philippines’ commencement ceremony through a video on his Instagram page on Monday, July 29.
In the caption, the actor-turned-politician turned sentimental as he recalled Juliana’s first day in school.
“I vividly remember your first day in school as a young child. I drove you to your school near the house, you were in a white shirt and jeans in rubber shoes,” he addressed his daughter.
“Look at you now all grown up and a college graduate in Public Administration at the UP Diliman and a Cum Laude. Congratulations ‘day!” he continued.
Richard admitted that he and Torres couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotions during Juliana’s graduation.
“Mom and I are so proud of you. Mom was in tears going up the stage. My eyes were in tears too when I went back to my seat as things sank into my head and realized how time flies so fast,” he stated.
“Go on and make things better and beautiful,” he concluded. Aside from being cum laude, Juliana also earned achievements as a member of the UP Fencing Team. She was the individual women’s epee champion at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seasons 85 and 86.
In 2022, Juliana also emerged as the champion in a fencing competition held in Thailand. g
GMA executive VP/CFO Felipe Yalong and Oliver Victor Amoroso. property developments), Napa Valley Distribution, and Liberty Insurance Corporation (LIC), a non-life insurance company that is endorsed by actor-TV host Dingdong Dantes and is headed by its president Josefina M. Salvador.
Arienne Calingo has been selected to serve as a member of the Junior Board of Directors of the Children’s
In 2023, she was one of 15 Filipino Americans selected nationwide to serve as a 2023 delegate of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation.
“Through FYLPRO, I aim to carry out projects that advance education, youth development, women empowerment, and the arts
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expressed one of their closest friends.
As of this writing, Gutierrez is re-posting every single tribute on his Instagram story dedicated to his wife from their family and friends.
His sister Ruffa Gutierrez announced Alexa’s death on her Instagram account on Sunday, followed by Elvis, who then posted a photo of him kissing his wife and simply captioned it with a white heart emoji.
In January, Ruffa appealed for prayers for her sister-in-law, who had been seeking medical treatment for several months and whom she described as a “brave and beautiful soul” and a “devoted wife” to her brother.
Coming from an Uichico clan in Iloilo, Alexa was a model and eventually became an entrepreneur. In her death, she was succeeded by her husband and their two daughters, Aria and Ezra.
Meanwhile, veteran celebrity couple Eddie and Annabelle Rama are the parents of Elvis. He briefly joined the entertainment industry as a child star but left it all behind despite coming from a family of actors, specifically his younger twin brothers, Richard and host Raymond Gutierrez. g
Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres with their daughter Juliana (middle). Photo from Instagram/@richardgomezph
Actor Butchoy Ubaldo
Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
GMA Pinoy TV’s “Pulang Araw” starts airing on July 29.
From left: Cris Pablo, Nancy Deocarez and Richard Hinola. From left: Roger Oriel, Mae Trono and Rogelio Medina. Arienne Calingo at GMA-7 Studio
Rogelio Constantino Medina
My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
BINI members (from left) Aiah, Colet, Stacey, Maloi, Gwen, Sheena, and Mikha at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The girl group’s leader Jhoanna was absent due to health-related matters. Photo from X/@bini_ph
BINI captivates with ‘Cherry on Top’ at KCON 2024 pre-show in Los Angeles
BINI made “herstory” as they became the first P-pop group to grace the KCON LA 2024, a three-day concert and festival, in Los Angeles, California.
KCON is considered the world’s largest K-pop music festival taking place estimated to bring together some 160,000 people to southern California for the three-day festival featuring K-pop music artists, interspersed with an introduction to everything Korean.
BINI performed their latest single “Cherry on Top” at the “M Countdown” pre-show stage on Sunday, July 28 (Philippine time). They will also appear at the “Meet the Rising Stars: BINI” panel the day after, allowing fans to know more about the group.
Unfortunately, BINI’s leader Jhoanna was absent from the event due to “unanticipated health issues,” as announced by their management hours.
Clips of their performance were uploaded by streaming platform Blast TV and fans on social media.
After their performance, the members of BINI introduced themselves as an “eight-member group from the Philippines” while showing their love to Jhoanna.
“We’re actually an eight-member group but one of our members, our dear Jhoanna, is not here with us. She’s still in the Philippines, but we miss her,” Aiah said. Unforgettable experience
Hours before their stage, the official X (formerly Twitter) page of BINI shared photos of the members posing by the Crpyto.com Arena, the venue where their pre-show performance took place.
“The eyy-citement is heatin’ up! BINI’s about to spice up the #KCONLA2024 stage w/ their sweet Cherry vibes,” the post read.
Colet and Sheena also uploaded videos of themselves cheering for K-pop boy group Enhypen on their respective Instagram Stories, which were reposted by fans.
Other attendees also shared glimpses of BINI enjoying their time at the event, with one @roses_myonlyone saying they watched NMIXX perform.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, KCON LA moderator/ emcee/panelist for programming Lai Frances said BINI was originally invited as a panelist for the event until they were chosen by the organizers to perform on the pre-show of the “M Countdown stage.”
Organized by CJ E&M, the annual KCON is considered one of the biggest K-pop events, which aims to expand the industry’s vast influence in different parts of the world.
Aside from LA, it will be held in Germany and Saudi Arabia within the year. Past legs were held in Hong Kong and Japan.
KCON LA 2024 was held in three venues, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles Convention Center, and the Gilbert Lindsay Plaza. The three-day event included the “M Countdown” stage, Meet & Greet, Showcase, and KCON Stage.(By Hannah Mallorca/Inquirer.net)
GMA’s new drama war series ‘Pulang Araw’...
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in the Filipino and Filipino American communities,” she says.
* * *
“Pulang Araw” tells stories during World War II (WW2) and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It expounds stories of courage, sacrifice and hardships.
This is the first family drama of GMA that brings together Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco, Aldren Richards and Dennis Trillo in a very special role.
It also stars Abraham Lawyer (beauty queen Michelle Dee’s brother), Japanese film director-actor Jacky Woo, Japanese model and former pornographic film actress Maria Ozawa, Epy Quizon, Rhian Ramos, Angelu de Leon, Rochelle Pangilinan, Julie Anne San Jose, Aidan Veneracion, Ashley Ortega, Mikoy Morales, Derrick Monasterio, Jay Arcilla, Neil Ryan Sese, Robert Sena, Isay Alvarez, Sef Cadayona, Tyro Dylusan, Zephanie Dimaranan, Billy Ray Gallon, and beauty queen Rabiya Mateo.
Under the helm of brilliant director Dominic Zapata and award-winning writer Suzette Doctolero, “Pulang Araw” airs on GMA Prime beginning July 29.
* * *
Before noted Filipino illustrator-writer Jim M. Fernandez, a product of University of Santo Tomas (in 2019 he was awarded as one of the UST’s outstanding alumni) and a CPA, migrated to Canada, he left me a copy of his works years ago. My uncle wanted me to be a comics writer, just like him, but I turned out to be a journalistwriter-columnist.
In 1946, after WW2 ended, he got to read comics books which featured Captain America, Green Lantern, Superman, Batman and Robin, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. He credited his elder sister Gilda Fernandez-Perez who supplied him books of Tarzan during his teenage years. Then he got to read first Filipino comics magazines. He had dreamed that one day he would be part of the Philippine comics industry. Soon he showed his first samples of his drawings to Tony Velasquez, the Walt Disney of the Philippines. Later, he got paired with No. 1 comics writer Mars Ravelo (who said that “Jim M. Fernandez would be my successor as a comics
writer”). He got to draw Darna and Captain Barbell for him.
Eventually Fernandez turned to writing in 1969.
In 1974, he created Zuma (the Zuma series became the first twice a week circulation comics novel) and Galema, characters that brought comics circulation to phenomenal levels. They were featured in two movies in 1985 and 1987 and were featured in TV series by ABSCBN in 2013-2014.
During the end of the 1970s, he started writing and illustrating his own novels. His first novel was “The Fighting Priest” in Hiwaga Komiks. Some of his novels were adapted into film. Among them were “Nunal sa Balikat,” “Farida,” “The Dormitory,” “Life Everlasting,” “Kingpin,” “Brutus,” “Kambal sa Uma,” and “Anak ni Zuma.” His brother Rolly became his illustrator assistant when Jim’s volume of illustrated novels doubled.
“His novels elevated the comics readership intelligence,” says Judy Garcia, wife of Uncle Jim.
While in Canada, Jim Fernandez made his last novel. He and his brother Federico had a plan to publish Jim’s novel but Jim passed away on June 13, 2022. But I hope his brother Federico, president of a huge semiconductor company, will publish Jim’s novel in honor of his memory.
* * *
Butchoy Ubaldo is a freelance actor with over 35 years of experience in stage and screen. He performed in various classic Filipino literary works, such as Noli Me Tangere, El
Filibusterismo, Ibong Adarna, and Florante at Laura. He also won several awards for his work, including Best Actor from CinemaTech-StudentDigital-Film-Festival for the film “Kwentong Barbero.” He is also a versatile performer who can act in various genres, as well as play the piano and the guitar, dance and sing. He did a superb performance recently in the musical film “A Thousand Forests” (thanks to Ema Trinidad for the invitation), enacting the role of a father to child actress Ramjean Entera (who will soon be part of “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical”).
* * *
For Lapu Films directorcreator Mike Isip, it has been his passion and aspiration to capture fleeting experiences and spontaneous moments, through wedding photography and videography, that enable him to share with friends and family. He sees to it to provide each couple an authentic wedding experience and deliver a photo album and film they can truly call their own.
His primary goal is to bring timeless and elegant wedding photos and films which allow couples to relive their special day. Having a great and professional team dedicated and committed to capturing every important detail and moment in its raw and honest form, and translating those moments into a cinematic masterpiece is something to be proud of.
“As a team, we are in a relentless quest to raise the bar higher, having a group of dedicated artists who thrive
in love stories,” he says with enthusiasm as he is making a name for himself after leaving California to be based in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Interestingly, he has 5-star reviews in Yelp and Instagram.
* * *
GMA Network president and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. welcomed recently Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya at the GMA Network Center.
Accompanying Ambassador Endo were Director of Japan Information & Culture Center Matsuda Shigehiro, Press Officer Shigeyoshi Rintaro, and National Staff members Angela de la Rama and Dyan Lamando. Meanwhile, Duavit was joined by GMA Network executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong and senior vice president and Head of GMA Integrated News and GMA Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.
“GMA has been a remarkable storyteller showcasing the beauty and wonder of Japan to Filipino audiences,” Duavit said, citing the network’s live-action series adaptation of the iconic Japanese anime “Voltes V” as a shining example of this collaboration. “These anime stories aren’t just shows; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of Filipinos, and particularly the generations of ours. Through these adventures and triumphs, Voltes V has become a symbol of hope, courage, and unity, and values that resonate deeply in our culture.”
* * * Congratulations to Richard Hinola for holding a successful 1st People’s Legacy Awards for persons with disabilities. Among the awardees were Jo Berry of GMA’s TV series “Lilet Matias: Attorney-atLaw” and Dagul Pastrana of ABS-CBN’s “Goin’ Bulilit.” Helping him were Cris Pablo of GMA Network, Inc. as well as Nancy Deocareza of NobleLife that will participate in the July 28, 2024 Perlas ng Silangan Basketball League grand opening at Araneta Coliseum.
* * * 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
Lapu Films director-creator Michael Isip in Hawaii
Columnist Rogelio Medina and Ayalaland’s Hazel Gendrano
Columnist Rogelio Medina (left) and LIC president Josefina Salvador flank a life-size company endorsement poster featuring Dingdong Dantes. 1st People’s Legacy Awards winner Jo Berry (left) with Richard Hinola.
