080224 - Northern California Edition

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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. 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

Young Fil-Am basketball player assaulted during Bay Area game

SAN FRANCISCO – Police are investigating the assault on a young Filipino American basketball player that was captured on camera during a recent game at the College of Alameda in Alameda, California.

The assault happened during a game between Fil-Am youth basketball team, Tumakbo United, and Payton’s Place on Sunday, July 21. The video shows a 13-year-old Payton’s Place player stomping on the Fil-Am teen, identified as the son of Eva and Roderick Guingab. Guingab caught the ball, which a player from Payton’s Place tried to grab from him. A scuffle ensued as the two players wrestle for the ball. Another opposing player then came over and stomped on Guingab’s head while he was on the ground.

Eva Guingab told ABC7 that her son suffered a concussion. “You could clearly see the size of (the attacker’s) shoe on his face,” she said. “If we don’t say anything right now,

PH to get $500M military aid from US

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

"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  PAGE 2

VP Sara cries ‘political harassment’ over removal of police security

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte decried “political harassment” and called out Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil for allegedly deceiving the public on the reason why 75 of her PNP security personnel were recalled.

The vice president has said that the recall of her security personnel would not affect her work, but she was irked by the series of interviews granted by Marbil where she said he lied.

“I repeat, I have no problem with the recall

of PNP personnel as the security team of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). I can work without security. But I have a problem with the lies being told to the public – especially when these lies are coming from the top police officers themselves,” Duterte said in Filipino in an open letter.

In an interview, Marbil said there is no threat against the vice president, which prompted him to reduce her security personnel.

That, however, was refuted by Duterte, saying that the malicious release of the video footage of her and her family at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) when

Pacquiao defends struggling vs Japanese Anpo in exhibition

TOKYO — Manny Pacquiao may have bitten off more than he can chew when he took on a much bigger opponent in Rukiya Anpo in the their well-attended exhibition fight Sunday, July 28 at the Saitama Super Arena here. The 45-year-old Pacquiao was originally supposed to face another fighter — one shorter than the 6-feet-tall Anpo — in the three-round showcase bout that was part of an 11-fight show put up by local combat sports promotional powerhouse Rizin. But mixed martial artist Chihiro Suzuki, who is two inches shorter than Anpo, went

Fil-Am fencer wins her second women’s foil gold medal in Paris Olympics

Filipino American fencer Lee Kiefer, representing Team USA, defends her Olympic title by HANS CARBONILLA Inquirer.net

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 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).

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 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.

Japan’s Rukiya Anpo throws a left hook to Manny Pacquiao’s body during their exhibition fight at the Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, July 28. Photo by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions
AG Bonta highlighted the critical nature of the upcoming election, describing it as an “inflection moment” for democracy in the United States.

VP Sara cries ‘political harassment’ over...

they left for Germany is a clear threat to her security.

“Wasn’t there a malicious release of a video footage when I was at NAIA? Taken in a place where only airport employees and select people can be there. I don’t mind having been publicized, but my husband and underage children were also captured and publicized in such a video, which became a great threat to their security,” she said.

She added that there were PNP operatives who went to the place where she and her family are residing to do a “casing” and wanted to know the house they are renting.

“What does ‘threat’ mean to you? Can the threat only come from external elements? Isn’t it a ‘threat’ if the harassment comes from the government personnel themselves?” Duterte asked.

“One more thing, you’re saying that there is no threat, but you can request additional personnel. Which is which? If you really see

no threat against me, why did you leave 45 PNP personnel that you chose? Remember, when it comes to my family’s security, I get to say who deserves it, not you. You are just the law, not God,” she added.

The vice president also stressed that it was not true that the PNP requested the pull out of the 75 personnel.

“No such request was made.

The PSPG (Police Security and Protection Group) only told the OVP that they would take the personnel. We didn’t argue anymore because you are the law, right? After this, the relief orders came out at your command. This is also based on the PNP document,” she said. Duterte likewise found it dubious that 38 of the 75 PNP personnel covered by the relief order were from Mindanao and were transferred to the National Capital Region “as if there is no shortage of police in Mindanao.”

She said the recall of police personnel was a “clear case of political harassment.”

“It was obviously a targeted list and a targeted maneuver –nothing else,” she added.

The relieving of PNP personnel for Duterte’s security came after she resigned as education secretary, “after I compared the SONA to a catastrophic event and after the cocaine video was released.”

The vice president was referring to a video supposedly showing President Marcos using illegal drugs that was released by supporters of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, hours before Marcos delivered his third State of the Nation Address, but was immediately debunked by allies.

“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is – a clear case of political harassment,” the vice president said.

At the end of her open letter, Duterte urged Marbil to stop mentioning her in his interviews and prioritize the needs of the people. g

PH to get $500M military aid...

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.

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 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 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 intelligencesharing 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.

Blinken and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi sparred on Saturday, July 27 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 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

Philippine forces transported food and other supplies and a fresh batch of navy personnel Saturday 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 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 reports from Associated Press, Agence France-Presse)

Pacquiao defends struggling vs Japanese...

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down with an injury and had to be replaced as Pacquiao’s dance partner.

“It’s really surprising to me that they changed the opponent. It’s hard to adjust,” said Pacquiao, who in the first two rounds struggled to crack Anpo’s guard in their fight that automatically ended in a draw with the absence of a knockout.

“Anpo is way, way bigger than Suzuki,” he told reporters in the post-fight conference. Anpo, also younger at 26

years old, was able to take advantage of his height and long reach in keeping Pacquiao at bay, unleashing straight right hands and left hooks that often found their mark. While Pacquiao had his moments in the third round when he peppered Anpo with some flurries, he also struggled to create angles and negate Anpo’s offense with his signature footwork.

There’s a reason for that, too.

“The matting, the floor. It’s hard to move,” explained

Pacquiao, gesturing with his fingers how thick the ring matting at the Saitama Super Arena was compared to what he’s used to when fighting. Nevertheless, Pacquiao, who added that he is only in 60% form on Sunday, believes he still made a good account of himself.

“But it’s a good experience. I’m happy because we gave a good action(-packed) fight to the fans.” Pacquiao and his huge entourage flew back home Monday night, July 29. g

Anti-U.S.
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 2024-2025 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

Governor Newsom announces $76M in grants to bolster safety and security in faith communities and nonprofits

SACRAMENTO — California

Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, July 30 announced that California is expediting the deployment of funds and is now accepting applications for $76 million in grant funding available to bolster safety and security for nonprofits — including synagogues, mosques, and Black and LGBTQ+ organizations — that are at higher risk of hatebased crimes.

“An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state and our values.

Every Californian deserves the ability to worship, love, and gather safely, without fear of hate. This new round of funding is aimed at helping high-risk organizations protect themselves against violent attacks and hate crimes,” said Gavin Newsom.

The California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides nonprofit organizations with funding for security enhancements including reinforced doors, gates, highintensity lighting, access control systems, and Inspection and screening systems.

Recent data points to an increase in hate crimes carried out against Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities in 2023. Anti-Black bias events remained the most prevalent, despite a decrease in total reported incidents from 2022 to 2023. Hate crime committed against the Black community Last year, after heightened fear of violence due to conflicts in the Middle East and the troubling trend of hate-fueled attacks across the country, Governor Newsom increased funding for the grant program by over 35%, adding an additional $20 million available for nonprofits to improve safety and security.

“Despite facing significant budget challenges, the California Legislature will continue to stand firm in our commitment to supporting vulnerable communities targeted by hate,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), the Budget Chairs of the California Legislature. “We are particularly grateful to Governor Newsom for his longstanding leadership in funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and for his efforts to expedite the disbursement of these vital grants. We have no doubt that this funding will continue to make a major difference in protecting the Jewish community and all communities targeted by hate.”

Since the inception of the program in 2015, the state has awarded $152,750,000 in state funding to 924 community groups.

Steps to apply for funding

The new request for proposals can be found on the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services website (https://www.caloes.ca.gov/ wp-content/uploads/Grants/ Documents/RFP/FY-2024CSNSGP-RFP.pdf), which administers the program. Eligible organizations include those exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Interested

applicants are encouraged to learn more by attending one of six upcoming informational webinars (https://www.caloes. ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/ Grants/Documents/GMM-202411-FY-2024-CSNSGP-Requestfor-Proposal.pdf). Proposals must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23. “We encourage nonprofit organizations to consider applying for these new grants, which can go a long way toward helping them enhance their security to prevent targeted acts of hate and violence,” said Nancy Ward, Director of Cal OES. Fighting hate and protecting all communities California is taking nationleading measures to improve the safety, health, and well-being of the state’s diverse communities.

Since 2019, the state has invested over $400 million in funding to increase community resources and address hate, including $217 million in state and federal grants to fund security infrastructure for faithbased and other non-profit institutions and $196 million in anti-hate investments to support community services for victims and survivors of hate acts. Amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and recent haterelated incidents throughout the nation, earlier this year, Governor Newsom released the Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism to address increasing attacks on California’s Jewish communities, and wrote a letter to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American communities denouncing hate-based attacks and the loss of innocent lives. Last year, the Governor signed legislation that established the Commission on the State of Hate and improved the tracking of hate crimes. The Governor also signed an executive order in 2022 to further protect communities against hate violence and discrimination. Earlier this summer, California launched CA vs Hate, a new multilingual statewide hotline and website that provides a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and

Fil-Am fencer wins her second...

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 topseeded Arianna Errigo of Italy, 12-15, 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 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 four-point 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. g

Young Fil-Am basketball player assaulted...

this

witnesses of hate acts. Reports can be made anonymously by calling 833-8-NO-HATE. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911. (Gov. Newsom’s Office Release)

taken seriously. We do not condone violence. Our players are expected to conduct themselves with integrity on and off the court. At this time, both teams are working together to resolve this matter.” (Inquirer.net)

PH-US ALLIANCE. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (right) welcomes United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 30. Austin is attending the 4th Philippines-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue). PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

California Attorney General Rob Bonta urges...

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

Fil-Am robbed at Filipino market parking lot...

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.

“He approached me and suddenly grabbed my wallet and jumped back into the waiting vehicle,” the medical legal coordinator told Inquirer. net USA

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 they described as a 19-year-old 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 teen-age daughter reached out to Mayor Juslyn Manalo for assistance.

Mayor responds Manalo acknowledged the persistence of muggers in her

city and related how 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.

King Plaza, site of Manila Oriental Market, is home to Asian-owned restaurants and shops. It is home to Classic Bowl, a popular family-friendly 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. (Cherie M. Querol Moreno/ Inquirer.net)

OPINION FEATURES

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

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 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 –

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.

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

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. 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 taxfunded 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

POGO, extermination, West Philippine Sea

opened solar-powered 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 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 “de-escalate 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. Deescalation of tensions has always been top of mind for President Marcos. We are pleased Saturday’s (July 27) resupply mission went without incident. 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 wellrespected 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)

* * * 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

LAST year California had one of its coolest summers in a decade, but 2024 is shaping up to be a different story. California is already setting heat records and we’re not even at the midpoint of summer. San Francisco, as always, has remained cooler than surrounding areas, driving overheated Bay Area denizens into the arms of our fair city, but even the City by the Bay is seeing higher temperatures earlier than usual. Excessive heat can make just about anyone uncomfortable, but for low-income residents, seniors, and those with disabilities, the heat can have more significant effects. At SOMCAN, we’re taking action to protect vulnerable communities through our partnership with

Power Saver Rewards. Established in 2000, the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is a multi-issue and multi-strategy organization that uplifts the lives of youth, families, individuals, and workers. We work on a wide range of issues, including tenant rights, community planning, Filipino language access, and worker's rights. We also provide culturally competent direct services, including tenant counseling, family support, youth empowerment, employment, and health and wellness activities. SOMCAN’s mission is to uplift the voices of immigrants, people-of-color, and low-income communities so that they can be heard in local policy-making decisions, making government officials more accountable to their needs.

Earlier this year, we saw an opportunity to move one step closer to achieving our mission and partnered with Power Saver Rewards to build climate resiliency among the Filipino community in San Francisco.

Through the Power Saver Rewards program, California residents can earn a credit on their energy bill for reducing energy use during a Flex Alert. This represents a critical step in changing incentives to encourage behaviors that protect local communities and help prevent a power outage. Here’s how it works.

First, go to PowerSaverRewards.org and it will take you to your utilities sign up page. There you can register for free and even see if you are

automatically enrolled. It only takes a couple of minutes, and once you’re signed up, you never have to re-register. To receive the benefits of Power Saver Rewards (a credit on your electric bill) you must reduce your energy use during a Flex Alert.

A Flex Alert is a call for California residents to voluntarily conserve energy when there is a predicted shortage of energy supply to match demand. Flex Alerts are issued during heatwaves when energy use is at its peak and there is insufficient energy supply to meet the increased demand. This generally occurs between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m. If too few Californians reduce their energy use and the energy supply is in the red, it could result in a power outage.

The key is remembering that Flex Alerts only occur when a preventable power outage is on the horizon, which means each of us can make a difference by reducing our energy use to help prevent a power outage. When a Flex Alert is issued, each of us must take action and spread the word with family and friends.

The grid operator will generally announce a Flex Alert the day before it occurs, giving you time to plan how you will cut back on energy use. Some of the most common ways to reduce energy use during a Flex Alert include precooling your home and holding off on energy-intensive tasks like running the dishwasher or laundry machine. If you are able, you can reduce energy use by setting the thermostat to

78 degrees. The air conditioner is the number one energy consumer during a heatwave, so using it less during a Flex Alert has an outsized impact. Instead, try to stay cool by using fans which use less energy and closing window coverings. So far, we have seen a tremendously positive response as we introduce Power Saver Rewards to the Filipino community. Together, we can protect vulnerable communities against a power outage and help folks get money back on their electric bill with Power Saver Rewards. Are you in?

* * * 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.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Malacañang photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

De Lima: Ex-pres. Duterte ‘inducer’ of drug war killings

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

SC junks Enrile’s plea to dismiss PDAF case

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 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 antigraft 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

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 exPNP chiefs. (Its) more accurate to say (they were) former and current high-ranking police officers. Not accused but ‘under suspicion,'“ Guevarra said. (PNA)

US, PH to sign pact to share intelligence

THE Philippines and the United States signed on Tuesday, July 30, a military intelligencesharing agreement.

The pact was signed during the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Manila between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and their U.S. counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The dialogue followed the conclusion of negotiations last month on Manila's General Security of Military Information Agreement with Washington.

On Monday, July 29, the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic

Studies Institute (ACPSSI) led a forum in Quezon City to protest the agreement. "The Blinken-Austin visit for the 2 + 2 diplomatic ritual comes after much doubletalk by the U.S. aimed at the deescalation deal," said ACPSSI President Herman Tiu Laurel in his opening remarks during the forum.

Laurel was referring to the July 21 arrangement between the Philippines and China to ease tensions in the South China Sea. The agreement resulted in a "successful" rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to the Philippine outpost in the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on July 27.

"The concern for Filipinos is that while the de-escalation deal may be holding firm at this

Smooth sailing on latest Ayungin resupply mission

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 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 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

PAUNAWA NG PANGKALAHATANG MUNICIPAL ELECTION

IPINAHAHAYAG DITO ANG PAUNAWA na ang isang Pangkalahatang Halalan sa Munisipyo, kasabay ng Pangkalahatang Halalan ng Pangulo, ay gaganapin sa Lungsod ng Menlo Park Martes, Nob. 5, 2024, para sa mga sumusunod na tanggapan: Dalawang posisyong para sa Konseho ng Lungsod para sa mga termino ng apat na taon sa District 3 at 5

Ang mga botohan ay magbubukas sa pagitan ng 7 a.m. at 8 p.m. sa Araw ng Halalan, sa Nob. 5, 2024.

Magbubukas ang mga lugar ng maagang pagboto sa loob ng 29 na araw bago ang Araw ng Halalan at sa pagitan ng 7 a.m. at 8 p.m. sa Araw ng Halalan.

Ang mga kandidato ay dapat na mga rehistradong botante at residente ng distrito kung saan sila tumatakbo mula sa petsa ng pagkuha ng kanilang mga dokumento sa nominasyon. Ang lahat ng mga dokumento sa nominasyon ay dapat makuha at ibalik din kay Judi A. Herren, Kleriko ng Lungsod, sa City Hall Administration Building, 701 Laurel St., Second floor, Menlo Park, California.

Magbubukas ang oras ng nominasyon sa Lunes, Hulyo 15, 2024 at magtatapos sa Biyernes, Agosto 9, 2024 sa ganap na 5 p.m. Kung ang isang karapat-dapat na kasalukuyang nanunungkulan ay hindi maghain ng mga dokumento ng nominasyon bago ang Agosto 9, 2024 sa 5 p.m., ang panahon ng paghahain para sa posisyong iyon ay palalawigin ng limang araw hanggang Agosto 14, 2024 sa 5 p.m., para sa sinuman maliban sa kasalukuyang nanunungkulan.

May bagong iskedyul ng trabaho ang Lungsod. Ang mga oras ng opisina para sa mga dokumento sa nominasyon ng kandidato ay sa pamamagitan lamang ng appointment. Maaaring mag-iskedyul ng mga appointment sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa jaherren@menlopark.gov o pagtawag sa 650-330-6621. Ang sinumang nais na tumakbo para sa posisyon, ay dapat maghain ng Pahayag ng Intensiyon ng Kandidato at dapat bumuo ng komite ng kampanya bago lumikom ng pera o gumastos. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, makipag-ugnayan sa kleriko ng lungsod sa jaherren@menlopark.gov o tumawag sa 650-330-6621. PAUNAWA SA PANUKALA NA PAGBOBOTOHAN

IDINARAGDAG PA RIN SA PAUNAWA na ang sumusunod na panukala ay ilalagay sa balota sa nasabing halalan at mababasang tulad nang sumusunod: BUWIS NG LUNGSOD NG MENLO PARK PANUKALANG _____

Upang mapanatili ang mahahalagang serbisyo ng Lungsod, tulad ng: pagkukumpuni ng kalye/lubak; mga programa sa parke/libangan; pagpapahusay ng paghahanda sa emerhensiya para sa mga bagyo, pagbaha, mga sunog; pagresponde sa emerhensiya ng police 911 /paghahanda; pagpapanatili ng mga storm drain; at para sa pangkalahatang paggamit ng pamahalaan; dapat bang pagtibayin ang panukala ng Lungsod ng Menlo Park na itaas ang buwis ng transient occupancy (hotel) mula 12 porsiyento hanggang 15.5 porsiyento, babayaran lamang ng mga bisita ng hotel/panuluyan hanggang ipawalang-bisa ng mga botante, na nagbibigay ng tinatayang

$3,600,000 taun-taon, na hindi maaaring kunin ng Sacramento, kasama ang komiteng nangangasiwa?

IDINARAGDAG PA RIN SA PAUNAWA na ang mga direktang argumento na pabor o laban sa panukala ay hindi lalampas sa 300 salita ang haba at ang bawat argumento ay dapat sumunod sa California Elections Code. Ang Tagapagrehistro ng mga Botante ng San Mateo County ay kinakailangang mag-print ng argumentong pabor at laban sa iminungkahing panukala sa bawat sample na balota na ipadadala sa mga botante.

Ang mga may-akda ay maaaring maghanda at magsumite ng mga pagtanggi sa argumento nang hindi hihigit sa 250 salita. Ang bawat pagtanggi sa argumento ay dapat sumunod sa California Elections Code. Ang mga pagtanggi sa argumento ay dapat i-print sa parehong paraan tulad ng mga direktang argumento. Ang bawat pagtanggi sa argumento ay dapat na kaagad na sumunod sa direktang argumento, na nais nitong pasinungalingan.

Ang deadline para maghain ng pangunahing nakasulat na argumento ay: 5 p.m., sa Martes ng Agosto 13, 2024.

Ang deadline para maghain ng nakasulat na pagtanggi sa argumento, na hindi lalampas sa 250 salita ay: 5 p.m., sa Martes ng Agosto. 20, 2024.

early stage, it is also still fragile as many elements, foreign and domestic, are continuously besieging it with fake news and disinformation. The BlinkenAustin visit will certainly be another opportunity for the U.S. to put on the pressure again for the Philippine to backtrack from this second de-escalation and, so far, a successful easing of tensions," said Laurel.

The group planned to hold a protest march on the day of the Blinken-Austin visit.

"Blinken in conjunction with the Asean summit in Laos on one hand criticized alleged escalating actions at sea by China, when it is the U.S. plot in the first place that created the tensions, while hypocritically applauding the Philippines-China de-escalation deal diplomacy," Laurel said. g

Ang mga pangunahin at mga pagtanggi sa argumento ay dapat isumite sa kleriko ng lungsod na may (mga) naka-print na pangalan at (mga) pirma ng (mga) may-akda na nagsumite nito, o kung isinumite sa ngalan ng isang organisasyon, ang pangalan ng organisasyon at ang nakaprint na pangalan at lagda ng kahit isa sa mga punong opisyal nito na siyang may-akda ng argumento. May bagong iskedyul ng trabaho ang Lungsod. Ang mga oras ng opisina para sa mga pagsusumite ay sa pamamagitan lamang ng appointment Maaaring mag-iskedyul ng mga appointment sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa jaherren@menlopark.gov o pagtawag sa 650330-6621.

IDINARAGDAG PA RIN SA PAUNAWA na kapag pinili ng Kleriko ng Lungsod ang mga direktang argumento para sa pabor at laban sa nasabing panukala na ipi-print at ipapamahagi sa mga botante, ang Kleriko ng Lungsod ay magpapadala ng mga kopya ng argumentong pabor sa nasabing panukala sa mga may-akda ng argumento na laban dito at mga kopya ng argumentong laban sa mga may-akda ng argumentong pabor dito.

IDINARAGDAG PA RIN SA PAUNAWA na anumang pangunahing argumentong isinampa ay makikita ng publiko para sa kanilang pagsusuri sa tanggapan ng kleriko ng lungsod nang hindi bababa sa 10 araw mula sa huling araw para sa paghahain ng mga pangunahing argumento. Ang anumang pagtanggi sa argumento na isinampa ay makikita ng publiko para sa kanilang pagsusuri sa tanggapan ng kleriko ng lungsod nang hindi bababa sa 10 araw mula sa huling araw para sa paghahain ng mga pagtanggi sa argumento.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa panukala, makipag-ugnayan sa City Clerk's Office sa jaherren@menlopark.gov o 650-330-6621.

Petsa: Hulyo 22, 2024

Judi A. Herren, Assistant

Former Senator Leila De Lima ManilaTimes.net file photo
KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL. The Davao City Tourism Operations Office put up tarpaulins on Tuesday July 30 for the 39th Kadayawan Festival in August. Apart from tribal houses, the festival will showcase the delicacies and products of Davao City’s 11 ethnolinguistic tribes. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

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. 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 eightmember 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.

Heart turns emotional at GMA contract renewal

AFTER 26 years in show business, Heart Evangelista no longer has dream roles or dream projects.

“I’ve been in the industry for almost 27 years. That’s a long time and I love it,” she said during an intimate interview with select press after her contract renewal as a Kapuso on Monday, July 29 at GMA Studio 7.

“At this point, I have no dream role. I’m just grateful that after so many years, after three decades, I’m still working. So everything is a blessing, everything is a dream.”

Having to juggle multiple roles, from actress, endorser, style icon, to even head of the organization of Senate spouses, The STAR asked Heart about her top priorities.

“They’re all my priority, it’s just a matter of balancing everything. Because kaya naman. That’s why I start my day at 4:30 a.m. or 4 a.m. I do glam at 4 a.m. I’m done with endorsement shoots or whatever by 11 a.m. Then I go to the next,” she shared.

“But I make sure I get as much sleep as I can. At least eight hours of sleep or six hours minimum para ‘di tayo makakapatol ng bashers on Instagram!” she laughingly added. “Kasi pagkulang ang tulog, mapapatiming ka. I sleep by 9 or 9:30 p.m.”

On where she gets her energy from besides a good night’s rest, she said, “I truly love working and I truly love what I do. So, I guess it has become seamless and effortless for me.”

“But sometimes, hinihimatay talaga ako,” she quipped.

So, how does a Heart Evangelista de-stress?

“Honestly, I haven’t gotten to that yet,” she admitted. “I haven’t had the time to really de-stress. But going back to… I love working. I guess in a sense,

yun din yung idea of ‘de-stress’ ko because sometimes, ‘pag nabibigyan ako ng matagal na pahinga na time, na de-depress din naman ako.” Meanwhile, Heart has teased new projects as she renewed her enduring ties with her Kapuso home network.

“First and foremost, I feel very empowered. I love the idea that, you know, that we have slowly changed the mindset that when you get married, kailangan ganito, ganyan. I love that I can be able to work, I have a supportive husband (Senate President Chiz Escudero) and I have GMA that really allows me to be myself,” she said.

“So, I look forward to all of these new things that we will be doing together. It’s a surprise! But it’s one thing that I don’t think I’ve ever done in the past. So, I’m very excited to collaborate with them on this one project.”

Is it a movie, perhaps? “I’d love to do something on the big screen. There’s actually a script that hopefully… matagal na namin inaayos. The stars need to

align first.”

During the contract-signing event hosted by GMA Sparkle Artist Center, Heart became emotional as she expressed how grateful she is to GMA and its executives for allowing her to be true to herself.

“When I moved to GMA, I didn’t know what to offer. My bosses say that I bring so much life or all the praises that they would say to me. But when they accepted me and gave me one of my biggest contracts, I hadn’t proven anything and I’m very, very grateful,” Heart stated in a short speech.

“Whatever I have, I would like to bring back here (GMA Network) because this is where I feel like I truly began being myself.

“Not just being myself, but they actually gave me wings where I can do whatever I want, so thank you so much to GMA. I am thankful to all of you.”

Heart’s last Kapuso project was the GMA romantic series “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon” in 2021.

MAINE Mendoza and Arjo

Atayde celebrated their first anniversary as a married couple by looking back on their wedding in Baguio City, which included their emotional exchange of wedding vows.

The couple, who had previously tried to guard the privacy of their wedding, released snippets of their special day in a series of wedding videos and photos jointly uploaded on Instagram on Sunday, July 28, exactly a year after their lavish wedding held in Baguio City.

The videos featured highlights of the wedding, including their interaction with their family, close friends, and loved ones, and Atayde’s emotional annotation of his vows.

“I remember exactly how I saw you for the first time. And I had to act normal like it’s just a regular ‘hi.’ There was no slow-mo scene like in a movie, but it was so real to me. It was someone I always had a crush on, someone I always wanted to meet, someone I always wanted to work with,” he said.

Mendoza, meanwhile, reminisced that their anniversary date July 28 was the date her prayers were answered.

“You are an answered prayer. I really prayed for you. Sabi ko sana, i-bless ako ni Lord ng taong magmamahal sakin nang tunay na ako (I said, I hope the Lord would bless me with someone who would love me for who I am).”

“I just knew that someday, God will leave me to someone who will give me the amount of love so much more that I am capable [of giving]. And He did. He led me to you,” she continued. “July 28 means so much to us. And God gave us another reason to honor this day because this day marks the beginning of us.”

The couple also shared photos of themselves during their special day in a separate post.

“Happy anniversary,” Mendoza captioned her post with an emoji of a white heart. July 28 is a special date for the couple because aside from their wedding, it also marked the date when they got engaged, first met, and the time when Mendoza posted her viral “Arjo cutie” tweet. The couple got together sometime in December 2018, although Atayde confirmed they were “exclusively dating” a month later.

EVEN though Atasha and Andres Muhlach have been in the limelight since they were young, they don’t consider Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales as “stage parents,” but as “trueto-life parents” whom they look up to.

The Muhlachs joined forces in the family sitcom “Da Pers Family” which revolves around the Percival family’s journey to save their struggling bakery from closure. Just like their characters in the TV series, Atasha and Andres don’t consider their parents to be controlling, and would rather allow them to learn on their own terms.

“Our parents are not stage parents,” Andres told reporters at a media conference for the sitcom. “Our parents are [the type of people] whom you can spend your time with and you see every day. We see them as our loved ones who we look up to and idolize.”

Atasha said Aga and Charlene show “moral support” to the twins by imparting the wisdom they learned through their own experiences.

“They will always just guide us with everything. And they would never tell us what we did here or what we did wrong. It’s never about the work. It’s always about the moral support for them,” she said. “I wouldn’t say they’re stage parents. Just true-to-life parents who are very responsible, very kind, and warm-hearted people.”

‘Kaya na ‘yan’

“Growing up, ‘yun lang ang sinasabi ko sa kanila — to always be kind to everyone. Never judge,” he continued. “At the same time, pagdating sa pag-arte niyo, it’s all about confidence. Lakasan mo lang ang loob mo. Mahaba pa ang lalakbayin niyo.”

(What is important in our industry is how we interact with others. Growing up, that’s what I would always tell them — to always be kind to everyone. Never judge. At the same time, when it comes to their acting, it’s all about confidence. Just have courage. You still have a long way to go.)

Parenting style

Touching on their parenting style, Charlene said Aga is not the controlling type, but he’s “firm” with his words. Between them, it’s actually the soft-spoken former beauty queen who is more of the “disciplinarian,” he said.

“Ito ang disciplinarian talaga,” Aga said of Charlene. “Mas strikto ‘yan eh. Pero I’m very firm. Kapag nagsabi ako ng ‘go home’ or other things like that, kailangan you follow. But when it comes to them kung magpapaalam sila, go. Si Charlene pa ang ‘Why?’ Pero pagdating sa decision, kailangan

When Aga and Charlene were asked if they had doubts about their children joining show biz, they pointed out that they have no qualms about allowing them to spread their wings. The actor also stressed that what Atasha and Andres decided to do was entirely up to them. “No, hindi naman. Pagdating sa paga-artista, parang sila na ‘yan. Kaya na nila ‘yan. Kung magtatanong sila sa’kin, d’un ako magsasalita. Pero kung hindi sila magtatanong, d’un ako (No, not really. When they decided they wanted to be a celebrity, it’s up to them. They could decide for themselves. When they ask me for advice, that’s when I’ll say my piece. But even if they wouldn’t ask, I’m still here),” he said. The former matinee idol, however, said he made it a point to remind his twins to show kindness no matter what. “Basta what’s important sa industriya natin is pakikisama and pakikitungo sa kapwa.”

bago ako, [kailangang may input] din si Charlene.”

(She’s more of the disciplinarian… She’s more strict. But I’m very firm. When I tell them to go home or other things like that, you must follow. But when it comes to them asking for our permission, go. Charlene would ask, “Why?” But when it comes to making decisions before I fully decide, Charlene needs to have her input.) Creative roots

On the other hand, Charlene said she and Aga decided to allow Atasha and Andres to decide for themselves once they “reached a certain age.” She admitted that they were initially surprised when they wanted to join show biz, but were reminded of their “creative roots” while growing up.

“When they said they were interested in joining the entertainment business, nagulat kami,” she said of Atasha and Andres. “But growing up, it was an environment na comfortable sila because they [started] doing commercials and [things] Aga and I would be doing. They were not intimidated by the world they were entering. They were curious. They always had their artistic side talaga. When the right time came, sila ang nag-decide na gusto nila.” (When they said they were interested in joining the entertainment business, we were surprised. But growing up, it was an environment they were comfortable in because they started doing commercials and other things Aga and I would be doing. They were not intimidated by the world they were entering. When the right time came, they decided what they wanted to do.)

Aside from the Muhlachs, the Danni Caparas-helmed series also stars Roderick Paulate, Ces Quesada, Bayani Agbayani, Chad Kinis, Kedebon Colim, Sam Coloso, and Heart Ryan.

by NATHALIE TOMADA Philstar.com
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
Aga Muhlach, Atasha Muhlach, Charlene Gonzales, and Andres Muhlach
Inquirer.net photo

New book of journalist-professor Alfredo Gabot out in California

LOS ANGELES – Veteran Filipino journalist, author and professor Alfredo G. Gabot has published his first of a series of books in the United States.

Gabot’s new book, “California: A Philippine Territory – Almost and Other Stories,” is now available at Amazon, its publisher, announced on July 7, in both hardcover and paperback editions. Later, the eBook edition will also be available.

The 293-page book is the first volume on the compendium of select columns and articles of Gabot with the title as its centerpiece. Since retiring as a senior editor at Manila Bulletin, Gabot has become a freelance journalist, writing and editing newspapers, magazines and books, part-time professor and broadcaster.

Gabot’s first three books published in Manila in 1975 and 1976 were the “Manila Revenue Measures” and “Manila Barangay Guidebook and Directory” and the best-selling “Barangay: Peoplepower” which

was an approved reference by then Education Secretary Juan L. Manuel in high schools and colleges and listed in the United States Library of Congress, among others.

The Amazon-published book is partly a tribute to outstanding Filipinos in America like Carlos S. Bulosan, a famous Filipino author and labor union advocate in the U.S. and a grand uncle of Gabot, noted for his autobiographical novel “America is in the Heart,” essay “Freedom from Want,” short story “The Laughter of My Father” and poem “I Want the Wide American Earth,” among others.

The book features the first translation in Filipino of the Bulosan poem “I Want the Wide American Earth” by journalist, poet, author and educator Jose Lad. Santos, former chairman of the Commission on the Filipino Language (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino) and former Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) like Gabot.

Lawyer-CPA Maritess BarriosTaran, Director General of KWF and a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), in her foreword stated the book captures the scintillating achievements of Filipinos in the Philippines and America like former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Robert Bonta, sports greats Victoria Manalo Draves and Natalie Coughlin, and celebrity Vanessa Hudgens, among others.

The book also features two governors – Gavin Newsom of California and Ramon Guico III of Pangasinan – who, although miles apart, their fates are intertwined with a common mission of serving their constituents and one common bond – the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) where they both have Doctor of Public Management (DPM) degrees.

The book cover was from a painting of artist and historian Florante Villarica of Oriental Mindoro where galleon ships were built and mounted for the long sail to the Americas centuries ago.

The book is set to be launched in California and Manila soon.

The launch in California is being planned at the Los Angeles Public Library where Carlos Bulosan immersed himself in reading while confined at the nearby Los Angeles General Hospital and started writing poems and honed himself for writing short stories and essays.

“Gusto Ko ang Malawak na Lupaing Amerika,” the Filipino translation of Carlos Bulosan’s famous poem, is expected to be recited during the book launching.

Gabot, former president of the National Press Club (NPC), former NCCA commissioner, former Director and Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Postal Corporation, and a university professor, is in the final preparations for his next books, among them “Rising from Ruins and the Big Dreams Come True,” and “Carlos S. Bulosan: The Hometown He Never Returned To.”

“California: A Philippine Territory – Almost and Other Stories” is available globally through Amazon.com. The link to the book via Amazon is https:// amzn.to/4eXPO5U. g

JONAS grew up

of

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 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

GMA’s new drama war series ‘Pulang Araw’ unfolds; Jim Fernandez, ‘Zuma’ creator

My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)

Rogelio Constantino Medina

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 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 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.”

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 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 directoractor 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 illustratorwriter 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 journalist-writer-columnist.

In 1946, after WW2 ended, he got to read comics books which featured Captain America, Green Lantern, Superman, Batman

MAKATI CITY – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer recently met with early-stage venture capital firm  Kaya Founders founding managing partner Paulo Campos, and founding director Constantin Robertz on July 19 at their headquarters in Makati City, Philippines.

Economic Officer Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona joined Consul General Ferrer in the meeting.

ConGen Ferrer thanked Kaya Founders for meeting and introducing its young team. “The Consulate welcomes Kaya Founders’ expansion and reach among early-stage startups, and we hope that more startups could be supported and could thrive to solve a number of societal challenges and address pain points,” said Consul General Ferrer.

Campos encouraged returning overseas Filipinos, or what he refers to as pawikan (sea turtles), to join in nation-building and give back to the country by investing talent and capital, and harnessing the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Both sides discussed potential collaborations, especially around amplifying the development and growth of the startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

Established in 2021, Kaya Founders has been supporting earlystage startups with its funds “Zero to One” and “One to Ten” funds. The venture capital firm focuses on investments in directto-consumers (D2C), business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, edutech, and agritech, among others. It has supported 44 companies to date. (PCGSF

HOUSING

GMA Pinoy TV’s “Pulang Araw” starts airing on July 29.
From left: Shigeyoshi Rintaro, Matsuda Shigehiro, Ambassador Endo Kazuya, GMA Network president/CEO Gilberto Duavit Jr., GMA executive VP/CFO Felipe Yalong and Oliver Victor Amoroso.
Actor Butchoy Ubaldo Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
Illustrator-writer Jim Fernandez
Release)
The Kaya Founders team with Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco officials: (from left, seated) investment associates Danielle King and Gabrielle Rodriguez, Paolo Vera, entrepreneurin-residence Gabby Ayala; (from left, standing) investment director Toby Floro, Kaya Founder founding managing partner Paulo Campos, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Consul General Neil Ferrer, Kaya Founders founding director and logistics solutions Locad founder Constantin Robertz, marketing manager Mica Gonzalez, CTO Mark Yao.
Consul General Neil Ferrer with Kaya Founders founding managing partner Paulo Campos. San Francisco PCG photos

GMA’s new drama war series...

PAGE 10 and Robin, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. He credited his elder sister Gilda FernandezPerez 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 ABS-CBN 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.

Recipe for a green card: The journey from poverty in...

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 Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

“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 semi-conductor 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 CinemaTechStudent-Digital-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 director-creator 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

Attorney-at-Law” 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

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.
From left: Cris Pablo, Nancy Deocarez and Richard Hinola. Columnist Rogelio Medina and Ayalaland’s Hazel Gendrano
Lapu Films director-creator Michael Isip in Hawaii
From left: Roger Oriel, Mae Trono and Rogelio Medina.
Arienne Calingo at GMA-7 Studio
Matias:

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