PCSO chief sues vlogger in US court
PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles has filed defamation and invasion of privacy charges against vlogger Claire Contreras, known as "Maharlika," before a United States court.
In a press conference on Sunday, August 4, Robles said he decided to file the cyber complaints before the Central District Court of California after Contreras allegedly maligned his family in her vlogs.
Robles said he and his wife, Sherwil, went to the U.S. late last June to sue Contreras to "stop her from continuously harassing and maligning" them through her online vlog.
Contreras, said to be a U.S. citizen, has
by CHARIE ABARCA Inquirer.net
MANILA — Top leaders of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday urged wanted religious leader Apollo Quiboloy to finally come out of hiding and surrender, assuring that due process and human rights would be respected.
PNP chief Rommel Marbil first aired his demand before the Senate panel on public order and dangerous drugs’ Monday (August 5) hearing, maintaining that the June 10 operation to serve an arrest warrant against alleged rapist Quiboloy did not violate any rules.
“I assure, as the chief PNP, that we will assure you na i-surrender niyo na po si Apollo Quiboloy and the four others, nandito po kami and you will see na we follow the rules, human rights, and dito
Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo earns 2 gold medals for PH
by NIEL VICTOR C. MASOY ManilaTimes.net
GYMNAST Carlos "Caloy" Yulo has cemented his status as the greatest Filipino Olympian. About 24 hours after ruling the floor exercise final, Yulo conquered the vault
competition at the Paris Olympics men's artistics gymnastics, emerging as the first Filipino Olympic multi-gold medalist at the Bercy Arena on Sunday night, Aug. 4 (Manila time).
His confidence through the roof after delivering the Philippines first gymnastics Olympic medal on Saturday, the 4-foot-11 dynamo unleashed his magic anew to top the vault with an average score of 15.116 points.
The 24-year-old dazzled with a high-level execution of dragulescu pike in his first vault, just needing a little hop to gain balance
15 cops sacked over failure to arrest Quiboloy
by MARK ERNEST VILLEZA Philstar.com
MANILA — At least 15 police officers have been relieved for failing to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said on Monday, August 5.
“These officers were relieved not for their abuses but for their failure to arrest Quiboloy and his co-accused,” Marbil clarified during the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
Of the 15 cops, 12 were non-commissioned police officers.
Marcos on Yulo’s win:
by JANE BAUTISTA Philstar.com
MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to place former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and 11 other “persons of interest” in the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in
Porac, Pampanga, under immigration lookout.
In an Aug. 6 memorandum, Remulla directed Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to monitor the itineraries, travel, and whereabouts of Roque and other “complicit individuals” in relation to the cases against the illegal POGO incorporators and
‘We’ve witnessed history’
by JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE, MELVIN GASCON Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza AranetaMarcos and lawmakers paid tribute to Carlos Edriel Yulo for winning the country’s second gold and the first gymnastics medal in the Olympics on Saturday, August 3.
“We’ve witnessed history
as Carlos Yulo clinched the Philippines’ first gold medal in artistic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympics,” the president said in a Facebook post. “I am confident that it will not be the last.” On Sunday, August 4, the
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BEST BOYS. Silver medalist Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, gold medalist Carlos Yulo of the Philippines and bronze medalist Jake Jarman of Great Britain (from left) take souvenir photos on the Paris Olympics podium for men's gymnastics floor exercise at Bercy Arena on Saturday, Aug. 3. Yulo gave the Philippines just its second gold in its 100-year participation in
F rom the F ront P age
15 cops sacked over failure...
Marbil said he immediately directed the PNP Internal Affairs Service to conduct an impartial investigation to determine if any operational lapses or excessive force were committed during a police operation at Quiboloy’s compound in Davao in June. He maintained that the
police were simply doing their job in keeping with established procedures.
“It was a critical mission to execute a lawful warrant of arrest against the fugitives Quiboloy and five others in connection with non-bailable offenses of child abuse and qualified trafficking,” Marbil said.
He added the police
operation was carried out with strict adherence to PNP operational procedures.
“Our guiding principle was to uphold human rights while executing our duties with the highest standards of professionalism and respect for the law,” Marbil said.
The PNP chief stated that members of KOJC chose to use women and children as human shields, obstructing and delaying the lawful actions of the police.
He also said that male members of the group were armed with bolos and other bladed weapons and engaged in violent confrontations with police officers.
At least six people and two minors were taken to the police station but were released the same day for humanitarian reasons, according to Marbil.
The apprehended individuals, however, face criminal charges for obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829.
(With a report from Cecile Suerte Felipe)
Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo earns...
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Silver medalists will be given P5 million, while bronze medalists will get P2 million.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, chipped in a P3 million reward to the gold medalist.
after his landing and netting 15.433 points — 6.000 in difficulty and 9.433 in execution. Fourth to perform in the final, Yulo then executed a kasamatsu double in his second vault, which was not as good as his first vault but still solid for 14.800 points — 5.600 in difficulty and 9.200 in execution.
After each vault, Yulo, as he has been all tournament, threw his fists into the air in high satisfaction of his performance. When the last four performers wound up with lower scores, Yulo was once again in disbelief after pulling off an Olympic feat no other Filipino athlete has done before.
With Yulo's two-gold haul, the Philippines will finish the Paris Games with at least four medals, the other two being guaranteed bronzes - one each for Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
When Yulo comes home to the Philippines, he will get more than a hero's welcome — he stands to receive at least P23 million in incentives from the government and a posh condominium worth P24 million from real estate giant Megaworld.
Before winning his second gold, Yulo delivered a dazzling performance that netted him 15.0 points and the gold medal at the Paris Olympics men's gymnastics floor exercise at the Bercy Arena on Saturday evening, August 3 (Manila time).
The gold was the first medal for the Philippines in Olympic gymnastics.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Yulo on his social media account.
"We've witnessed history as Carlos Yulo clinched the Philippines' first Gold medal in artistic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympics," the president said, adding that he is "confident that it will not be the last."
"Congratulations, Caloy! The entire country stands proud with you!" he said.
Under Republic Act 10699, also known as the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001, Filipino Olympic gold medalists will receive P10 million on top of the Olympic Gold Medal of Valor to be issued by the
"Caloy has earned this reward through sheer hard work and unmatched talent. This incentive is a testament to our unwavering support for Filipino athletes who strive for greatness on the global stage," Speaker Martin Romualdez said of the cash incentive.
The House will also give Yulo a congressional medal for his achievement.
Meanwhile, Megaworld on August 2 pledged a fully-furnished two-bedroom residential condominium unit worth P24 million inside the company's 50-hectare McKinley Hill township in Taguig City.
Following Yulo's golden medal performance, Megaworld posted on Facebook:
"IT'S A GOLD FOR THE PHILIPPINES! Congratulations Carlos Yulo! Welcome to your McKinley Hill home!"
That served as the caption in a graphic congratulating Yulo and the "fully-furnished 2-bedroom condominium unit in McKinley Hill, valued at P24M" in the image.
Expect more companies to give whatever they will to Yulo, just like they did with the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, three years ago.
Diaz, Obiena lead celebrations
The country's first Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, was among the first to congratulate Yulo.
In an Instagram story, Diaz said there were "different emotions" in Yulo's victory and thanked all the Filipino athletes.
"Para sa iyo, Caloy: Proud ako sa iyo. I-enjoy mo ang bunga ng pinagpaguran mo. At lagi mong ibabalik — sa Diyos at bayan, dahil lahat ng tagumpay natin ay hindi pansarili. Salamat sa lahat ng maganda at mabuting ginagawa at gagawin mo pa para sa Diyos at bayan (I am so proud of you. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work. And always remember to give back — to God and country
THE KING. Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo reacts after competing in the artistic gymnastics men’s vault final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 4, 2024. AFP photo
Apollo Quiboloy. AFP photo by Manman Dejeto
POGO ‘persons of interest’...
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corporate officers of Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind Corp.
Also named in the immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) are former Technology Resource Center head Dennis Cunanan, Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, Xiang Tan, Jing Gu, Stephanie Mascareñas, Michael Mascareñas, Zhang Jie, Duanren Wu, Raymund Calleon Co, Randel Calleon Co and Han Gao.
“Considering the gravity of the possible charges, as well as the wide media coverage and public attention this has gained over the past months, there is a strong possibility that the abovementioned nationals may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of this department by leaving the country,” Remulla said.
In a statement sent to the Inquirer , Roque said the Ilbo issued against him was “plain harassment” and a “political witch hunt intended to silence me as a critic of this administration.”
“There is no reason to leave the Philippines. I will face my accusers and answer all allegations related to offshore gaming,” said Roque, a former spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Ilbo would not restrict their right to travel as it is merely a mechanism for immigration officers to monitor whether they left the country, Assistant Justice Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV told
reporters on Tuesday.
“In times like this, when there’s an ongoing investigation, and the authorities think they are a flight risk, we usually issue a lookout bulletin order for them, not because we want to restrict their travel but just so the authorities know if they left or entered the country,” he said.
Citing the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) information, Clavano said Ong had already left the country before an Ilbo was issued, prompting the agency to apply the order to others who are under investigation.
Based on Remulla’s order, immigration officers have been instructed to be vigilant for the implicated individuals at immigration counters in any international ports or seaports.
The BI has also been directed to coordinate with the Inter-Agency
PCSO chief sues vlogger in US...
Photo by Ismael De Juan
been dubbed as the "queen of fake news" by many social media users because of her criticisms against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other government officials. Robles said that for almost a year now, he and his family have been subjected by Contreras "to an almost daily barrage of vicious, unjustifiable and blatantly false attacks through her
YouTube channel called 'Boldyak' TV."
"For reasons unknown to us, she continues to deliberately spread malicious lies against us while also calling me various names that were meant to deride and denigrate my reputation," he said.
In her online program, Contreras also allegedly made several "absolutely untrue and outlandish
accusations" against Robles, including "stealing money from the people, contract killing and even assisting terrorists."
"She even accused me of plotting to kill her when I went to the U.S., which was outrageous because my main job in the PCSO is to save lives, and we have helped over 300,000 Filipinos who were hospitalized just last year," he said.
Robles said he wonders why Contreras continues to harass and malign him and his family when he did not even know her personally.
He said he and his family tried to stay silent, knowing that Contreras' accusations "were only products of her vile imaginations and hateful heart."
They decided to seek redress from the court when they realized that the vlogger had no plans of stopping her unfounded assaults against us, Robles said.
He said he would go back to the U.S. once the court required his presence.
Former presidential spokesperson lawyer Harry Roque Inquirer photo by Richard A. Reyes
CHARGED. PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles holds a copy of the complaint he filed against vlogger Claire Contreras in a press conference on Aug. 4, 2024.
Marcos on Yulo’s win: ‘We’ve witnessed...
president was all out in expressing his delight over Yulo’s victory.
“Congratulations, Caloy! The entire country stands proud with you!” he said.
The first lady also took to social media to congratulate Yulo.
“Got goosebumps as ‘Lupang Hinirang’ played at the arena! We are so proud of you!” she said, referring to the national anthem which was played during the men’s artistic gymnastics medal ceremony.
Yulo, 24, perfectly executed his routine, ending with a sure-footed landing to score 15.000 points.
He said earlier that he was “shooting for the stars” in Paris. But his acrobatic and technically difficult routine proved a hit.
“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m feeling grateful for having this medal and for God,”
said Yulo, who competed in the vault final as of this writing. “He gave me the strength to get through this kind of performance and perform this well.”
Cash awards, pledges Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday hailed Yulo as a “sports hero” and “national treasure” whose victory “symbolizes the indomitable spirit and resilience of the Filipino people.”
Romualdez said the House of Representatives will give Yulo P3 million, as pledged by the speaker’s fellow lawmakers, and also confer on him a congressional medal.
“Caloy has earned this reward through sheer hard work and unmatched talent. This incentive is a testament to our unwavering support for Filipino athletes who strive for greatness on the
global stage,” Romualdez said.
Yulo is also due to receive from the Philippine Sports Commission a P10 million incentive, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, as well as an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino had also pledged to reward each Olympic winner with a house and lot.
From the private sector, property developer Megaworld Corp. said it would award Yulo a fully furnished two-bedroom unit worth P24 million in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.
Other pledges as of this writing include P100,000 worth of furniture from Apollo Home Depot in Cagayan de Oro and
a lifetime of free food from several restaurants including Vikings and Tipsy Pig, among others.
High hopes for Villegas Romualdez also cited flyweight boxer and fellow Taclobanon Aira Villegas, who advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday after winning by split decision over Wassila Lkhadiri of host country France.
“With her tenacity and talent, Aira still has a chance to bring home either a silver or gold medal. Tacloban City and the entire country are cheering on her every step of the way,” the speaker said.
Senators also praised Yulo, with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian saying that his “historic win brings a special moment of pride for our country and proves that the Olympic gold is no longer elusive for Filipino athletes.”
“Our task as a nation is to ensure that future generations of athletes have all the support they need to succeed [in] the world stage,” Gatchalian also said, adding that the National Academy of Sports was established precisely “to hone promising young athletes [so they] can achieve their full potential.”
Sen. Nancy Binay said “We all await your victorious return, and we will be sure to welcome you with all the warmth and pride that we can muster.”— with reports from Tina G. Santos, Marielle Medina and Agence FrancePresse
Filipino gymnast Carlos
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— because our success is not for ourselves alone. Thank you for all the good things you have done and will continue to do for God and country)!" she wrote on Facebook.
While she will not be in the Olympics as an athlete, Diaz is headed for Paris as an official for the International Weightlifting Federation, as the Olympic events will start on August 7.
Meanwhile, hours after his qualification to the pole vault finals, Ernest John "EJ" Obiena also congratulated Yulo on his Instagram story, with a simple "Yes, sir!"
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino on Facebook congratulated Yulo, accompanied by photos together with the country's newest Olympic champion in the Bercy Arena in Paris.
The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) also called Yulo's gold medal win a "golden comeback" from his run in the previous Olympics in Tokyo. GAP President Cynthia Carrion was in Paris to witness Yulo's win.
"Our country's first gold medal for Men's Artistic Gymnastics was brought home by our Golden Boy, Carlos Yulo!" GAP wrote on Facebook.
Senators sent their congratulations, too.
"Caloy overcame various setbacks and challenges, which included a change of coach and moving back to the Philippines from Japan for his training, to get to this moment," Sen. Nancy Binay said in a statement.
"You are a shining example, Caloy, of how we can strive to achieve balance in our lives despite the pursuit of glory," Binay said g
Garcia seeks United States DOJ help
by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com
niyo lang po kami makikita na we follow yung human rights. We assure you po,” said Marbil.
For his part, Police Brigadier General and Regional Director Nicolas Torre III shared Marbil’s point of view, also calling for Quiboloy to show up and spare Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) members from what they considered “harassment.”
“As I’m saying, the wheels of justice can only start if he submits to the jurisdiction of the court because everything that we discuss here, saying whether he’s innocent or
guilty, are of the moment because we are not the court that will thresh out all those issues,” said Torre.
“So I would really suggest that Mr. Quiboloy submit[s] himself to the jurisdiction of the court because sooner or later, the long arm of the law will catch up with him,” he added.
Panel head Sen. Bato dela Rosa, meanwhile, countered the demands, clarifying that it’s unfair to make Quiboloy’s presence a prerequisite for peace in Davao.
“I would just like to react na it’s unfair for them naman na i-require niyo muna sila na i-surrender muna
si Pastor Quiboloy para maging peaceful ang Davao. Parang ganon — para maging normal ang lahat; for all you know, even [former] President Rodrigo Duterte ay walang contact kay Pastor Quiboloy, hindi alam kung nasaan na ‘yun ngayon,” said dela Rosa. (I would just like to say that it’s unfair to require them to surrender Pastor Quiboloy before it becomes peaceful in Davao. It’s like that, in order for it to be normal again; for all you know, even former President Rodrigo Duterte has no contact with Pastor Quiboloy, we don’t know
where he is right now.)
According to dela Rosa, he even tried to keep in touch with Quiboloy after the warrant was issued, but he failed to have constant contact with the religious leader who is wanted for sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Quiboloy is facing two separate arrest orders from Davao and Pasig courts.
The Supreme Court, however, granted the Department of Justice’s bid to transfer Quiboloy’s sexual abuse case from a court in Davao to Quezon City to avoid a miscarriage of justice. g
MANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia is seeking the assistance of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in identifying those behind the allegations that he owns offshore bank accounts.
Garcia said he would coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in requesting help from the U.S. DOJ.
He expressed optimism that the U.S. government would lend a hand in probing possible cases of identity theft and bank fraud.
Garcia said he would ask the U.S. DOJ to probe those behind Jaleo Consulting LLC who deposited $100 each in the Cayman National Bank and New York Bank accounts that he supposedly owns.
Sagip party-list Rep. Dante Marcoleta earlier alleged that volunteers made fund transfers to two offshore accounts of Garcia.
Garcia said the Comelec wants to know the real owners of the two bank accounts.
He said he would send a letter to the DFA requesting the U.S. DOJ to provide legal assistance to him, based on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. g
BACK TO SCHOOL. Students of Masambong High School in Quezon City finally return to their classes but outside the classroom on Monday, Aug. 5. The school was flooded on July 24 due to the Typhoon Carina-induced monsoon rains and some classrooms are still under repair. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo celebrates after winning the artistic gymnastics men’s vault final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 4, 2024.
Photo by Lionel Bonaventure/Agence France Presse
FEATURES OPINION
Let the truth prevail
IT'S good to hear Sen. Ronald dela Rosa saying he is willing to be interviewed by prosecutors of the International Criminal Court. Although the former chief of the Philippine National Police maintained that he still did not recognize ICC jurisdiction, he said the ICC “can interview me anytime.”
“If they want to talk, I will answer their question,” Dela Rosa said last Friday, August 2, adding he would not show the ICC disrespect. What he intends to tell the ICC is unclear. Dela Rosa, as the first PNP chief during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, is said to be the architect of the brutal anti-drug crackdown code-named Oplan Tokhang. If he would tell the whole truth about the war on drugs that led to the killing of over 6,000 drug suspects at the hands of law enforcers, it would be a major step toward justice. Dela Rosa issued the statements after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Philippine government would not stop the International Criminal Police Organization from enforcing an arrest order issued by the ICC for “suspects” in a case of murder as a crime against humanity in the conduct of Duterte’s drug war. The
DID you know that the Philippine government budgeted only P52 million to prepare, train and send our athletes to the Paris Olympics?
For that money, the Philippines so far has won two golds and possibly will win two bronzes, if not
Editorial
Philippines is one of 196 Interpol member states and is bound by its commitments to the world’s largest police organization, in case the ICC courses its arrest orders through the Interpol.
There are unconfirmed reports that upon ICC request, the Interpol has issued “blue notices” to member states for help in obtaining information from five drug war “suspects” – Dela Rosa, former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, PNP Drug Enforcement Group chief Brig. Gen. Eleazar Mata, retired police Col. Edilberto Leonardo who is now a commissioner of the National Police Commission, and Northern Luzon police commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., who was the Bulacan provincial director when 32 drug suspects were killed within just 24 hours in the province in 2017 in a “one-time, big time” anti-drug sweep.
silvers (from boxing), during the 100th year anniversary of the Games in Paris where Manila is making its 23rd Olympics appearance.
On Aug. 3, Carlos Yulo won the gold in floor exercise, artistic gymnastics and on Aug. 4, his second gold, this time in men’s vault, artistic gymnastics.
With two Olympiad golds (each with six grams of pure gold, worth $1,027 plus a bit of Eiffel metal) by
The ICC has reportedly tagged Leonardo as the paymaster for PNP members who killed drug suspects, with Caramat allegedly facilitating the reward of P10,000 per kill. If the allegations are true, it could help establish that the killings were state-sponsored and systematic.
Gold, genes and golds
spending just P52 million, the cost per gold medal for the Philippines is only P26 million. Per capita with a population of 116 million, the Philippines has one Olympic gold for every 58 million Filipinos. Well, not bad.
India, with a population of 1.4 billion, so far has zero gold in Paris. In Tokyo, India won one gold, or one gold for every 1,400 million Indians. With two gold medals, the
Philippines ranks 21st out of 206 participating countries and territories, No. 5 out of 44 Asian countries, in the Paris Olympiad, in gold medal tally.
According to a University of the Philippines study years ago, up to 40 percent of the government’s annual budget or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is stolen.
The GAA in 2024 is P5,767.6 billion (P5.767
Will Dela Rosa and the others cooperate? They may want to help finally shed light on a dark period in Philippine law enforcement. It could bring not only spiritual redemption, but also a better legal deal for those who are directly responsible for murder as a crime against humanity. (Philstar.com)
trillion), of which only P52 million went to the training and expedition of 22 Filipino athletes to Paris, or about P2.36 million per participant, including Yulo. In effect, for spending P2.36 million for Caloy, the Philippines got one gold for every P1.18 million.
If the 40 percent of the P5.767 trillion that is stolen (which may explain the massive floods that inundated Metro Manila
and most of Luzon last July 23 and 24, 2024, because the government spends more than P1 billion for every work day for flood control that cannot control floods; that is P2.3 trillion literally down the drain), were diverted to sports, we could possibly win hundreds of Olympic medals. Divide P2.3 trillion by P26 million, that is 88,461 gold medals. Statistically, though, winning 88,461 gold medals
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Manila ranks 93rd in list of 100 most sustainable cities
by Reina C. TolenTino Philstar.com
MANILA — The nation's capital, Manila, placed 93rd out of 100 cities in the Sustainable Cities Index 2024.
Global consultancy firm Arcadis ranks countries with four main pillars, namely Planet, People, Profit and Progress.
Planet measures environmental factors, Profit is for business environment, People is for citizen’s quality of life, while Progress is for sustainable goals that can be achieved within a 10-year time frame.
Under these pillars, there are 67 metrics. Under Planet, factors such as waste management is taken into account. Meanwhile, economic performance is measured in Profit, and social equity is under People. Progress is measured by activities such as improving
sanitation, closing income gaps and more.
“In the 2024 index, Metro Manila ranked 93rd out of 100 cities,” Arcadis said in a statement.
According to Arcadis, the Philippines highest score was under the Planet. This means that there are efforts to reduce emissions and advance renewable energy.
Ranked in terms of the pillars, the Philippines was 77th in Planet, 91st in People, and 84th in Profit.
“Notably, it finds itself in the ‘Cities lacking momentum’ category within the Progress pillar, suggesting overwhelming challenges and limited progress on sustainability initiatives in recent years,” the report read.
Here are the top 10 most sustainable cities, according to Arcadis:
1.) Amsterdam, Netherlands
2.) Rotterdam, Netherlands
3.) Copenhagen, Denmark
4.) Frankfurt. Germany
5.) Munich, Germany
6.) Oslo, Norway
7.) Hamburg, Germany
8.) Berlin, Germany
9.) Warsaw, Poland
10.) London, United Kingdom
Joining Manila in the bottom are the following cities:
91.) Kolkata, India 92.) Bogota, Colombia 93.) Manila, Philippines 94.) Cairo, Egypt 95.) Lagos, Nigeria 96.) Kinshasa, Congo
97.) Cape Town, South Africa
98.) Nairobi, Kenya 99.) Johannesburg, South Africa
100.) Karachi, Pakistan g
POGO ‘persons of interest’...
3
Council Against Trafficking and the AntiTrafficking Task Force to gather additional information about the 12 individuals listed in the Ilbo to ensure effective enforcement.
Among the information that will be collected are their known aliases, date, and place of birth, a copy of their passport or, at minimum, the passport number or details of any travel document issued to them, and their most recent photograph.
Remulla also asked Tansingco to “promptly relay” to the DOJ any information “especially those tending to indicate that the subject individual is attempting to leave the country, and in order to obtain updates as to the status of their case.”
Case yet to be filed
Pending a preliminary investigation of the case yet to be filed against Roque and the 11 others, Remulla said that they would also seek a precautionary hold departure order from the court.
Unlike the Ilbo, a court-issued precautionary hold departure order can be used to prevent suspects or accused individuals of criminal charges from fleeing the country and to ensure they are available for investigation or trial.
In his statement, Roque said: “The only pieces of evidence they have are: one, that I have accompanied Katherine Cassandra Li Ong for rescheduling of arrears payment; and two, an uncorroborated organizational chart, which I had no participation in
Resolve charter change issue, Sen. Padilla asks high court
SENATOR Robinhood Padilla filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Monday, August 5 asking it to determine whether the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote jointly or separately on amendments to the Constitution.
preparing neither did I consent to my name’s inclusion.”
In a Senate inquiry last month, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chair Alejandro Tengco revealed that Roque tried to persuade Pagcor to renew the permit of Lucky South 99, which was raided by authorities in June for its alleged involvement in online scams and other illegal activities.
Tengco said Roque went to his office on July 26, 2023, after the former Cabinet official asked for a meeting.
He said Roque accompanied Ong, who was introduced as an official of the POGO hub.
“When he introduced her to us, he said Ong was having problems regarding the payment of billings of [Lucky South]… They owe [Pagcor] about $500,000,”
Tengco told lawmakers probing the POGO industry, which has been linked to cases of murder, kidnapping, online scams, and human trafficking, among others.
In his third State of the Nation Address on July 22, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that he was banning all POGOs in the country.
“Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder,” the president said. g
The question has been a sticking point to previous attempts to amend the Constitution, with senators tending to support separate voting and members of the House joint voting.
"The ones who drafted the Constitution have admitted ... they really failed in that matter, that amending certain provisions in the Constitution, Congress should vote separately," Padilla told reporters following the filing of his petition.
"So, I hope, with the wisdom, with what we call the clear thinking of our judges, they can finally resolve the issue. We are not asking for advice; we are asking for a resolution. We are asking for the Court to resolve this conflict," he added.
Padilla further pointed out that he could not perform his functions as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Reforms "due to the ambiguities" of Sections 1 and 3 of Art. XVII of the Constitution.
He invoked the Supreme Court's constitutional power to "settle an existing, actual controversy," which are purely questions of law, "as it ruminates on the proper application and interpretation of Constitutional provisions."
"Without the honorable Court's declarative pronouncements, these questions, as well as the unstable relations between the two Houses of Congress, shall persist," Padilla said.
In filing the petition, the senator quoted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who declared that both Congress should settle the debate on how to amend the Charter.
He also pointed out the numerous resolutions filed in Congress that sought to
amend provisions in the Charter.
"Neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives wants to give in to the other's interpretation... In other words, the same misinterpretations caused by the ambiguities, which Congress seeks to resolve, are preventing all of its efforts to resolve the controversy," Padilla said.
In his petition, Padilla asked the Court to determine if, voting jointly, the requirement of three-fourths voting under Sec. 1(1) be treated as a three-fourths vote by the Senate plus a three-fourths vote by the House or a three-fourths vote by the 24 senators with all members of the House of Representatives.
He also asked the high court to decide whether the Senate and House should jointly convene and assemble when voting for calling a constitutional convention and submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.
Also when voting jointly, Padilla asked the Court to resolve if the requirements of a two-thirds vote under Sec. 3, Art. XVII, be treated as a two-thirds vote in the Senate plus a two-thirds vote in the House, or a two-thirds vote of all 24 senators and all members of the House.
Finally, he asked the Supreme Court to declare whether the requirement of a "majority vote" under Sec. 3, Art. XVII can be treated as a majority vote in the Senate plus a majority vote in the House or a majority vote of all 24 senators voting with all members of the House when voting to amend the Constitution.
Padilla noted the "tension" between members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which started from the people's initiative proposal that included both Houses voting jointly.
The 24-seat Senate has taken the position that voting should be done separately, or else they would be outnumbered by the more than 300 members of the House. g
by FRanCo Jose C. BaRoña ManilaTimes.net
Senator Robin Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision Codes, files a petition seeking declaratory relief on key issues in the 1987 Constitution before the Supreme Court on Monday, August 5. ManilaTimes.net
photo by Mike Alquinto
Closure of POGOs to have 'very little' impact on GDP
by Reina C. TolenTino ManilaTimes
SEN. Robinhood Padilla filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Monday, August 5 asking it to determine whether the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote jointly or separately on amendments to the Constitution.
The question has been a sticking point to previous attempts to amend the Constitution, with senators tending to support separate voting and members of the House joint voting.
"The ones who drafted the Constitution have admitted ... they really failed in that matter, that amending certain provisions in the Constitution, Congress should vote separately," Padilla told reporters following the filing of his petition.
"So, I hope, with the wisdom, with what we call the clear thinking of our judges, they can finally resolve the issue. We are not asking for advice; we are asking for a resolution. We are asking for the Court to resolve this conflict," he added.
Padilla further pointed out that he could not perform his functions as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Reforms "due to the ambiguities" of Sections 1 and 3 of Art. XVII of the Constitution. He invoked the Supreme Court's constitutional power to "settle an existing, actual controversy," which are purely questions of law, "as it ruminates on the proper application and interpretation of
is not possible. There are only 329 gold events in Paris. In Olympics, there are two proven ways to success – genes and money. Some nationalities are predisposed to excel in sports. According to Randall Wilber of the U.S. Olympics Committee and Yannis Pitsiladis of the University of Brighton, “since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners have dominated the middle- and long-distance events in athletics and have exhibited comparable dominance in international cross-country and roadracing competition.”
Among the factors for their excellence: 1) genetic predisposition, 2) development of a high maximal oxygen uptake as a result of extensive walking and running at an early age, 3) relatively high hemoglobin and hematocrit, 4) development of good metabolic “economy/ efficiency” based on somatotype and lower limb characteristics, 5) favorable
Gold, genes and...
skeletal-muscle-fiber composition and oxidative enzyme profile, 6) traditional Kenyan/Ethiopian diet, 7) living and training at altitude and 8) motivation to achieve economic success.
The richer a country is in GDP, the higher are its chances of winning Olympics medals.
In the past 20 years of the Olympics, the winningest countries have been: 1) United States, 816 medals; 2) Russia 559; 3) China 535; 4) Germany 441; 5) Britain 321; 6) France 299; 7) Australia 281; 8) Japan 264; 9) Canada 257 and 10) Italy 253.
In nominal GDP, the richest countries are in U.S. trillion dollars: 1) USA
$27.36; 2) China $17.94; 3) Germany $4.45; 4) Japan
$4.21; 5) India $3.55; 6) UK $3.34; 7) Italy $2.25; 8) Brazil $2.17; 9) Canada
$2.14 and 10) Russia $2.02.
Per Wikipedia, Russian medal winners have historically been gifted expensive premium cars valued at $50,000 to $200,000 and luxury apartments valued at
$500,000 to $1,000,000 in addition to separate payouts from national federations and regional governments. That tradition stretches back to the Soviet era.
Our Philippine Sports Commission has a P112million budget for “amateur sports promotion and development.” PSC itself has a 2024 budget of P1.156 billion. Most of that money PSC spends for itself, its bureaucracy – P69 million in payroll, P782 million in maintenance and operations and P295 million in capital outlay.
Each of our senators has an annual pork of P200 million or P1.2 billion in six years. The Senate donated P30 million to the Philippine athletes in Paris; of that money, P23 million came from just one senator, Risa Hontiveros. Some senators did not part with their pork.
I am sure when Caloy Yulo returns a hero in Manila, the Senate will allocate princely sums to honor him. Or maybe, pass a bill to erect a statue (bronze will do) in his honor in front
of the spanking new P30billion Senate building in Taguig. After all, gymnastics is far more exciting and thrilling than the verbal calisthenics inside a Senate session hall, what with its six actors and two broadcasters as members.
With his unprecedented two golds, Yulo comes home a multi-millionaire. By law, the government awards a gold winner P10 million or P20 million for two golds. The House of Representatives has pledged P3 million per gold. Andrew Tan’s Megaworld will give a three-bedroom condo in Mckinley Hill worth P35 million.
Meanwhile, in July 2023, Cynthia Carreon sent an effusive thank you note to Manuel V. Pangilinan for his total support for Philippine gymnastics and for being the first to respond to her call for funds to train Carlos in Japan. This week, that support paid off, handsomely, for the country and our people.
(Philstar.com)
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Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com
Closure of POGOs to have 'very little' impact...
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Constitutional provisions."
"Without the honorable Court's declarative pronouncements, these questions, as well as the unstable relations between the two Houses of Congress, shall persist," Padilla said.
In filing the petition, the senator quoted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who declared that both Congress should settle the debate on how to amend the Charter.
He also pointed out the numerous resolutions filed in Congress that sought to amend provisions in the Charter.
"Neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives wants
to give in to the other's interpretation... In other words, the same misinterpretations caused by the ambiguities, which Congress seeks to resolve, are preventing all of its efforts to resolve the controversy," Padilla said.
In his petition, Padilla asked the Court to determine if, voting jointly, the requirement of threefourths voting under Sec. 1(1) be treated as a threefourths vote by the Senate plus a three-fourths vote by the House or a three-fourths vote by the 24 senators with all members of the House of Representatives.
He also asked the high court to decide whether
the Senate and House should jointly convene and assemble when voting for calling a constitutional convention and submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.
Also when voting jointly, Padilla asked the Court to resolve if the requirements of a two-thirds vote under Sec. 3, Art. XVII, be treated as a two-thirds vote in the Senate plus a two-thirds vote in the House, or a two-thirds vote of all 24 senators and all members of the House.
Finally, he asked the Supreme Court to declare whether the requirement of a "majority vote" under Sec.
3, Art. XVII can be treated as a majority vote in the Senate plus a majority vote in the House or a majority vote of all 24 senators voting with all members of the House when voting to amend the Constitution.
Padilla noted the "tension" between members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which started from the people's initiative proposal that included both Houses voting jointly.
The 24-seat Senate has taken the position that voting should be done separately, or else they would be outnumbered by the more than 300 members of the House. g
‘Growth and progress’: EJ Obiena cheered for 4th place finish at Paris Olympics
by Ian laquI Philstar.com
FILIPINOS celebrated EJ Obiena‘s significant rise in his rankings despite falling short in the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics 2024.
The World No. 2 pole vaulter on Tuesday, August 6 missed his chance to clear 5.95 meters after three tries, landing him in fourth place.
The lower part of EJ’s body hit the bar on his third attempt.
Swedish Armand Duplantis, the World No. 1 pole vaulter, took home the gold medal.
American Sam Kendricks won silver, while Greek Emmanouil Karalis bagged bronze.
EJ previously shared that he had been battling “various physical ailments” days before the Summer Games.
The 28-year-old pole vaulter apologized for failing to bring a medal to his country, admitting that it was “painful” for him.
“I missed a medal by one jump and it wasn’t far on all my attempts at [5.95m],” he said in an interview with One Sports.
“I apologize. I promised I’m gonna go back after Tokyo [Olympics] and do better. I did, but it didn’t change in my book. I still came up short. I’m really
DICT: Philippines needs law vs deepfakes, disinformation
by Helen Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines needs a comprehensive law to combat deepfakes and disinformation on social media, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) said.
“We need to have a more comprehensive law rather than bits and pieces of legislation that address small items or specific items,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said on Monday, August 5.
Uy warned that deepfakes will be utilized during the May 2025 midterm elections.
He said there is a proliferation of deepfakes in the United States, which will hold its presidential elections in November.
A deepfake video of President Marcos allegedly using illegal drugs recently circulated on social media.
In April, an audio deepfake of Marcos supposedly ordered the military to act against a particular foreign country.
Investigations are ongoing amid deepfakes targeting celebrities and public officials, Uy said.
Other countries such as Malaysia and Singapore have tried to address this problem, he noted.
“Malaysia has just come up with a law requiring social media platforms that have a following of more than eight million to get a license or a permit,” Uy said.
He lamented that many social media firms do not have offices in the Philippines. g
sorry. I apologize for it,” Asia’s top pole vaulter added.
Despite falling short, EJ’s rank significantly rose from 11th place in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to fourth place in the Paris Olympics 2024.
This was noticed by some Filipinos who continued to pat his back despite failing to bring home a medal.
“When talking about the Olympics with your children, aside from Carlos Yulo, pag-usapan niyo din si EJ Obiena!” child development specialist Tina Zamora said on August 6.
Carlos is the first ever Filipino to have brought home two gold medals from the Olympics.
“Having a Growth Mindset is also talking about working hard, striving for the medal, failing to get it, learning from the failure and mistakes, then training again for the next challenge… a journey that all athletes go through, including gold medalist Carlos Yulo,” she added.
“He may not have gotten a medal, but if you see EJ’s trajectory, he was 11th in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and now, he is 4th in Paris!
That in itself is growth and progress! Mabuhay ka , EJ!” Tina said.
Another Facebook user reflected that EJ was “carrying a lot” on his shoulders as a Pinoy pole vaulter.
“Imagine carrying the hopes and dreams of an entire country who hasn’t seen a Filipino claim a medal in an Olympics athletics event for 88 years, in a sport very few participate in, and almost no one is passionate about,” creative director Gerry Cacanindin said on Facebook.
Pole vaulting is a track and field event in which the athlete vaults over a long horizontal bar, launching themselves into the air
and seeking to clear the greatest height without knocking the bar to the ground.
“Yet EJ Obiena made the rounds of the international circuit, winning what he can, promising to do better at the #ParisOlympics2024 after finishing 11th in Tokyo in 2021,” Gerry added in his post.
“He is the lone bemedalled pole vaulter in a country where many of his fellow Filipinos have probably never heard of the sport. EJ came to Paris touted as ‘World Number 2’ which naturally heightened his countrymen’s expectations,” Gerry
continued.
He then called EJ “one of the greatest pole vaulters alive today” despite coming short of winning a medal.
“That is worth cheering for, regardless of EJ’s final standing. Mabuhay ka , EJ!” Gerry said.
Another Filipino told EJ to “don’t lose heart” despite falling short at the games.
“We [are] proud of [you], EJ and to all of you who represent our country, Philippines,” a Facebook user said.
“We can see all of you [sic] the dedication and determination that you guys put on it [sic] to
represent our country, [you] are already gold for us… ‘wag panghinaan ng loob ,” the user added.
“Imagine getting injured during training and still coming out fourth worldwide. EJ OBIENA, YOU DID AMAZING AND PROVED YOURSELF EVEN BEFORE THE OLYMPICS,” another online user said. Another Pinoy reflected on what EJ has gone through in his athletic career so far.
“EJ Obiena, [you] are the best in the PH [and] Asia, world #2 despite not much funding, jumped [seven] places from Tokyo 2020 rank, made more Pinoys aware of the sport, faced gov’t officials who tried to drag you, represented the PH numerous times. Always proud kami sa’yo !!” the user said.
EJ is Asia’s top pole vaulter who notched a year-best clearance of 5.97 meters last June and won a historic silver in the World Athletics Championships almost a year ago in Hungary.
Last year, he became the first Asian pole vaulter to enter the elite “six-meter club” after achieving a milestone at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway.
This made EJ a member of an elite group that includes legendary athletes like Armand, Sergey Bubka and Thiago Braz. g
EJ Obiena
Photo from Instagram/@ernestobienapv
Gayle's inspiring journey to a new life: A success story on Citizen Pinoy
CITIZEN Pinoy is proud to share the inspiring success story of Gayle, a determined mother who, despite facing numerous challenges, achieved her dream of securing a future in the United States for herself and her daughter, Sofia. Gayle married her U.S. citizen boyfriend in 2010, and in 2017, Gayle and Sofia came to the U.S., and her husband filed petitions for their residency. Unfortunately, their happiness was shortlived. The marriage did not work out, and he abandoned Gayle and Sofia.
Left to fend for herself, Gayle took caregiving jobs, eventually finding a supportive Italian family who treated her as one of their own. Though the elderly
parents she cared for passed away, their son Ernie continued to support Gayle. Facing insurmountable obstacles to obtaining permanent residency, Gayle sought the help of leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel after seeing an announcement on TFC for in-person consultations in Chicago. Atty. Gurfinkel provided hope by advising Gayle on pursuing her husband’s original petition despite his abandonment. Through Atty. Gurfinkel’s dedicated efforts, Gayle's adjustment of status as the spouse of a U.S. citizen was approved eventually, and she received her green card, ensuring a stable and promising
15
an announcement on
and
that he was
GAYLE'S JOURNEY TO A NEW LIFE: A SUCCESS STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Gayle moved to the U.S. in 2017 with her daughter, Sofia, after marrying her U.S. citizen boyfriend in 2010. However, after he petitioned her, the marriage did not work out and he abandoned her. Left to fend for herself, Gayle took caregiving jobs and eventually found support from an Italian family, particularly their adult son, Ernie. Desperate for a solution, Gayle sought help from leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, after seeing
TFC
holding consultations in Chicago. Attorney Gurfinkel was able to secure her green card,
she is now living the American Dream. Watch this family success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 11 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
How to transfer real estate titles in the Philippines
TRANSFERRING a real estate title in the Philippines (from a sale) is crucial to ensure legal ownership and avoid future disputes. For overseas Filipinos, this process can seem daunting due to distance and time constraints. Here’s a simplified guide to help you navigate the process and ensure a smooth transition of ownership, even from abroad.
Potential problems
• Unregistered sales: If a property sale isn't registered and the title isn't transferred, future disputes can arise, especially if the original parties pass away.
• Incomplete documents: Purchasing a property without verifying all documents can lead to issues if supporting documents are missing.
• Corporate sales: If a corporation sells a property but dissolves before the title transfer is complete, the buyer may face difficulties.
Step-by-step guide
A. Preparation
1. Documents for Deed of Sale:
– Deed of Absolute Sale
– Acknowledgment of payment
– Affidavit of NonTenancy (if applicable)
– Affidavit of Land Holdings (if applicable)
2. Signing documents:
– Both parties sign the Deed of Sale and Acknowledgment Receipt
– Seller signs the Affidavit of Non-Tenancy (if applicable)
– Buyer signs the Affidavit of Land Holdings (if applicable)
3. Additional documents:
– 2 governmentissued IDs of both parties
– Tax Identification
Number (TIN) of each party
– Original Owner’s
Duplicate of Title
– Marriage contract (if applicable)
– Previous Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR)
– Tax Declaration
– Real Property Tax (RPT) receipts
– Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if applicable
4. Notarization: Notarize all signed documents.
B. Payment computations and certified copies
1. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) – Get computation for Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
2. City Treasurer’s Office – Get computation for Transfer Tax and Tax Clearance.
3. City Assessor’s Office
– Obtain a Certified True Copy of the Tax Declaration.
4. Registry of Deeds
– Get computation for Registration Fee and a Certified True Copy of the existing Title.
C. Prepare payments
1. Deadlines
– CGT: 30 days after notarization of Deed of Sale
– DST: 5th day of the following month from notarization
– Transfer Tax: 60 days from execution of Deed of Sale
– Registration Fee: 1 year from CAR release date + 6 months extension if approved by BIR.
D. Process payments
1. BIR
– Submit required documents to ONETT for computation
– Pay DST and CGT at the Accredited Agent Bank
– Return to BIR to file documents and obtain the new CAR.
2. City Treasurer’s Office
– Submit Deed of Sale and IDs.
– Pay Transfer Tax and get the Transfer Tax Clearance.
3. Registry of Deeds
– Submit CAR, Deed of Sale, and Transfer Tax Clearance.
– Pay the registration fee.
E. Follow up
1. Registry of Deeds
– Follow up on the new Title application.
– Once released, file a copy with the City Assessor’s Office.
F. New Tax Declaration
1. City Assessor’s Office
– Present the new Title to get a new Tax Declaration.
Final reminders
• Pay close attention to details to avoid delays.
• Bring original documents when in doubt.
• Be patient due to potential wait times.
Overseas solution
For overseas Filipinos, handling these steps from afar can be challenging. If you can't travel back home to the Philippines, SAB Realty can assist you with advanced market value evaluation, marketing and promotion, and representation for your property.
SAB Realty offers comprehensive real estate solutions that cater to your needs across borders. Let us manage the process, ensuring your transactions are smooth and secure, allowing you to focus on your life abroad with peace of mind.
Reach out to SAB Realty today and experience seamless real estate transactions, wherever you are in the world.
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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.
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For more information and personalized assistance, contact SAB Realty. We're here to help you navigate the evolving landscape of Philippine real estate with confidence. Sharon Ann BathanSan Pedro, a licensed real estate broker in the Philippines for nine years, is also a member of NAR (National Association of Realtors in America). For inquiries, questions, or are interested in buying or selling a property, please feel free to reach out via email at sab.sanpedro@gmail. com or call PH 0917-8237796 (Whatsapp and Viber) USA (909) 4131480 (Viber).
Filipino identity shines bright among Fil-Am kids in festive culmination of 26th Paaralan sa Konsulado
THE 26th Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK), a flagship program organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), concluded on July 27 with a celebration of Filipino culture and heritage showcased by this year’s graduates.
The program began with a morning session featuring Filipino entrepreneur Chef Diana Manalang, owner of Little Chef Little Cafe in Long Island City, who gave a live baking demonstration of her original Pandan cookie recipe. Participants enjoyed a tasting session, sparking interest in exploring the culinary traditions of their Filipino heritage.
In the afternoon, the program's culmination took place at Kalayaan Hall, where parents were invited to watch a series of performances by the students. The graduates, grouped by age, demonstrated their skills in Filipino song, dance, and poetry, displaying the knowledge they gained throughout the program.
Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz highlighted the importance of PSK beyond its educational curriculum, emphasizing the program's role in fostering confidence and camaraderie among the children. "The Paaralan sa Konsulado is a safe space where children gain confidence and establish rapport with peers their own age," said Deputy Consul General Cruz. "It is my
wish that the PSK provides a learning space for parents and their children to continue interacting together so that the Filipino identity is preserved within the family."
PSK President Rena Pedaria reiterated AFTA’s commitment to ensuring that the lessons taught in the summer program remain relevant to contemporary societal and cultural contexts. PSK Principal Dara Valconcha
also reaffirmed AFTA’s dedication to sustaining and continually updating the program's curriculum to maximize the benefits for participants.
Paaralan sa Konsulado is an annual summer program held at the Philippine Center New York, offering Filipino-American children aged 5 to 15 the chance to learn about Filipino values, language, history, and culture through songs, dances, and games. g
Class photo of PSK 2024 graduates with Deputy Consul General Cruz, teacher and assistant volunteers, and the students' families.
Photo by Ms. Sherlyn Roxas
Chef Diana Manalang (left) answers questions from an enthusiastic crowd that was eager to learn more about Filipino cuisine. She is assisted by student Sianna Ariane Cruz.
Photo by Ms. Sherlyn Roxas
The PSK featured vibrant performances by students and teacher volunteers. At bottom right, AFTA teacher volunteers with Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz and Vice Consul Paolo Marco R. Mapula. Photos by Sherlyn Roxas
Sharon ann Bathan-San Pedro
SAB 's Review
people events arts culture entertainment
Fresh o his James Beard win, Chef Lord Maynard Llera joins Filipino American peers at 'Taste America' culinary celebration
by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress
Taste America, a nationwide initiative by the James Beard Foundation, unites chefs, special guests, and diners to celebrate local independent restaurants at the heart of their communities, while advocating for a more inclusive, sustainable, and diverse culinary industry.
The recent kickoff event at Tribeca 360° in New York was a powerful demonstration of this mission, featuring food stations hosted by the TasteTwenty 2024-2025 chefs. The culinary series not only showcases these chefs' signature styles but also highlights the uniqueness of their respective restaurants and communities.
This year's roster includes four James Beard Award winners, five semifinalists, and six nominees. Notably, three Filipino American chefs were among those celebrated, reflecting the initiative's commitment to honoring diversity in the culinary world.
Recent James Beard Award Winner for Best Chef: California Lord Maynard Llera joined chefs Jerome Grant and Silver Iocovozzi at the foodie event.
From garage kitchen to culinary stardom
Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles prepared a dish that beautifully encapsulates his culinary journey: Lucenachon at Talong (Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Smoked Eggplant Pulp, California Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Micro Mint, Cilantro, Fish Sauce, and Calamansi Vinegar).
This hearty and innovative combination of lechon pork belly and smoked eggplant puree with housemade anchovies reflects his culinary philosophy: a blend of tradition and creativity, deeply rooted in his Filipino heritage.
Reflecting on his recent win in Chicago, Llera admitted, “It took me about a month, and after that, it was very
overwhelming. I couldn’t believe it, it felt like winning the lotto without the money!”
Llera's journey to this accolade was far from straightforward. "I was supposed to open my restaurant in 2020," he shared, recalling the challenges posed by the pandemic. "I was forced to build a kitchen out of my garage." Despite the setback, Llera's determination only grew stronger. With nearly two decades of experience in the food industry, he felt ready to take the leap and open his own restaurant in Los Angeles.
“It is an honor, especially for me, coming from the Philippines. I come from the province of Quezon. What else could you ask for?” he said beaming. “Opening a restaurant in the United States was my American dream, and winning James Beard was a big plus.”
Joining Llera at the event were fellow TasteTwenty chefs Jerome Grant and Silver Iocovozzi.
"This year's TasteTwenty cohort exemplifies culinary
excellence, innovation, and a commitment to positive societal impact. Their remarkable talents and dedication to their craft and communities inspire us, and we're honored to showcase their remarkable work on a national stage,” said Siobhan Flaherty Haber, Vice President of Events at the James Beard Foundation.
James Beard Award Semifinalist, Chef Bootcamp Alum, and American Culinary Corps Chef Jerome Grant of Mahal BBQ in Washington, D.C., prepared Smoked Beef with Szechuan Peppercorn–Coriander Rub, Marinated Cucumbers, and Calamansi White Barbecue Sauce.
Grant told us that he is both proud and happy to be a part of the TasteTwenty chefs from across the country and he is looking forward to touring different cities with the group, where they will showcase their talents throughout the year at chef dinners and walkaround tastings, spotlighting the breadth and unity of culinary creativity across the nation.
He introduced his latest
culinary project, "Mahal" two years ago. After spending 20 years in the culinary industry, this concept - Americanstyle barbecue with Filipino flavors - is deeply personal for him, especially after the reflective pause brought on by the pandemic. During these challenging times, he cherished the opportunity to slow down, spend time with family, and appreciate life’s blessings.
James Beard Award
Nominee Silver Iocovozzi of Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, NC, presented Smoked Duck Adobo, a dish that pays homage to Filipino culinary traditions. “My mom’s nickname is Neneng and basically I’m her mini-me,” Silver shared.
At Neng’s Jr., they serve Filipino classics like pancit, beef caldereta, duck adobo, and tinola. For the Taste of America event, Silver brought one of her favorites: duck adobo, smoked with applewood, sliced thinly, and served with a traditional adobo sauce using coconut
Lord Maynard Llera Jerome Grant Silver Iocovozzi
Three celebrated Fil-Am chefs are part of James Beard Foundation’s TasteTwenty cohort for 2024-2025. Among them are recent James Beard awardee for Best Chef: California, Lord Maynard Llera, Jerome Grant, and Silver Iocovozzi. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
Randy Santiago to perform at NWR’s Bar 360; Philstagers’ musical version of ‘Juan Luna’ coming soon
P.E.P. (People, Events, Places)
RANDY Santiago, OPM’s one and only EyeCon dubbed as Mr. Private Eyes, had an engaging performance on August 3 at Bar 360 in Newport World Resorts (NWR), with the Serenity band.
Recently, his son Raiko, or Rainier Nikolo Lorenzo Coronel Santiago, graduated with Honorable Mention and Loyalty Award from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
He said, “So proud of this hardworking son of ours who works for me as production and tour manager of Private Eyes and still managed to study online especially during the pandemic... He managed his time between working and studying online while we were doing the Eye Labyu U.S. Tour... He did very well as we flew back and forth from East Coast to West Coast. So much pressure including time difference,” said Randy, who was my classmate at De La Salle University-Manila.
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I was a guest recently in The Voice of Senior Citizens at DZME TV Cable Link Channel 5 and DZME 1530 AM Band from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., with Congressman Godofredo Arquiza, Sure Manuel and director Raymard Gutierrez, assessing the situation of senior citizens in the Philippines.
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Singer Louie Heredia, known for his phenomenal song “Nag-iisang Ikaw,” reminisced to me that: “My bosses at Vicor Music Corp. wanted me to sing Tagalog songs because they felt that I would be able to reach to the masses, or ordinary people, more if I sang Tagalog songs. So
they gave me Nag-iisang Ikaw, composed and tailormade by one of the country’s top composers Vehnee Saturno. At first I did not want to sing this song since I found it so ‘baduy’ (in poor taste). It was then not my style but an insider in Vicor told me that if
“Vehnee Saturno, aside from being the composer of the song, was also assigned to be the producer of the song. He guided me every inch of the way during the recording of Nag-iisang Ikaw, and I guess we did everything right since the song gave me a Double Platinum Record Award and this is the same song that made Louie Heredia,” he added.
To this date, many other top performers have revived Nagiisang Ikaw.
* * *
Congrats to the winners of the PSF (Philippine Stagers Foundation) Theater Festival 2024 Thumbs Up Awards as well as to the PSF Workshop and Masterclass Batch 2024 graduates.
Fresh off his James
... PAGE 14
vinegar, soy sauce, black peppercorns, onions, garlic, and bay leaves, steeped in coconut milk.
“It feels really special to be here and I love representing Filipino food. We’re having so much fun,” she said. Silver opened Neng’s Jr. two years ago and dreams of opening another restaurant in New York someday.
he said, his voice brimming with gratitude. Despite his growing fame, Llera remains grounded and grateful to the people who believed in him.
"I don't care if you're a food writer or a regular customer,” he said. “I just want people to experience my way of showcasing Filipino cuisine."
I did not record the song, they would release me from my contract with them. So, I had no choice but to record the song.” Louie took up business management at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California and graduated cum laude in 1987.
The PSF, or Philstagers, the national mobile theater company in the Philippines, announces the biggest, grandest and most spectacular All-Original Filipino Musical based on the life story of the misunderstood and highly questionable character of a national hero, Juan Luna. Written and directed by Atty. Vince Tañada, the musical brings us to late 1800s Manila and Europe up to the death of Luna in Hong Kong. The avant-garde, neocinematic musical is billed as “Juan Luna, Isang Sarsuela” – a lavish, most expensive and highly technical stage piece but maintaining its classical and elegant literary masterpiece and musicality. The musical will run from August 2024 to April 2025 in various theaters all over the Philippines, true to the vision and mission of the theater company in bringing quality theater to the masses and in turn educating its audience on Philippine history, culture, tradition, patriotism and national identity.
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Congrats to Mabalacat City College (MCC) of Mabalacat City, Pampanga for being praised by Pres. Bongbong Marcos in SONA 2024. MCC PAGE 15
Llera also shared his inspiring journey and plans for his restaurant. "I decided to leave my last job to open the restaurant," he said, highlighting his commitment to this dream. For him, the James Beard Award is more than a professional milestone. "It's an honor, especially coming from the Philippines," he proudly expressed.
Llera's journey to America was driven by a singular dream: to open his own restaurant.
"Coming to America just to see my dream come true... it's an American dream for me,"
Llera's dishes are more than food; they are narratives of his life. "The regional specials are special to me because they tell the story of my upbringing," he shared. This blend of Filipino heritage and American techniques defines his culinary style, creating a unique dining experience that resonates with authenticity and innovation.
To younger Filipinos and Filipino Americans aspiring to enter the culinary industry, Llera offers some sage advice. "Make sure you know yourself," he emphasized. "Understand your roots and stay patient. Keep pushing forward despite mistakes, it's all part of the journey." g
Rogelio Constantino Medina
Singer Maffi Papin Carrion (3rd from left) with OMI’s Emily Samson (extreme left) and friends. From left: Ray Gutierrez, Sure Manuel, Cong. Fred Arquiza and Rogelio Medina.
Dr. Fernando de la Pena (right) with his dad Paquito Diaz in a photo from 2003.
Randy Santiago with his son Raiko during the latter’s graduation in P.I.C.C. Manila.
Louie Heredia gives moral support to current Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attends the GMA GALA 2024. With her in the photo are Annette Gozon-Valdes and Shintaro Valdes.
MCC president Michelle Ong with Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero during the recent U.S. Independence Day reception in Fairmont, Makati.
AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
Chef Silver Iocovozzi (and her team) of Neng’s Jr., the first Filipino restaurant of its kind in Asheville, NC. Opened officially to the public on July 1st, 2022, the former arcade room turned intimate dining room has an open kitchen and only 18 seats.
Gayle's inspiring journey...
future for her and Sofia.
Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 11 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
Pokwang recalls personal trauma upon seeing ‘Pulang Araw’ scene
By Kathleen a. llemit Philstar.com
EVEN celebrities are glued to the currently most watched Filipino drama
“Pulang Araw” on Netflix, as the Japanese colonial period
drama retained its top spot on Netflix Philippines days after its premiere last week. Fans were able to screenshot actor JC Santos’ Instagram Stories where he was seen enjoying an episode of the GMA-7 drama.
Randy Santiago to perform at NWR’s Bar 360...
PAGE 14
was bestowed a prestigious award as Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year by Times Higher Education in United Kingdom. It is headed by MCC president Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, also a former producer of films directed by multiawarded Kapampangan director Carlo Enciso Catu. She is the former TV host of a weekly public affairs program on GNNTV 44 in Pampanga.
Zumba instructors joined together in Quezon City Memorial Circle to show their concern for the environment. Among them were Maricris Wee, Mike, Winston, James, Aris and Jason of Live Love Party (LLP) Crew; Jenito, Camper and Gilbert of South Vibes Est. 2020; Charly Esquejo and Jayz Blanco of TML; Mark and Che of MNL Crew Est. 2018; Lhou and Ace of Lou & Ace Fitness Group; and Erwin Mendana of AE5. It is spearheaded by One Movement Inc. headed by chairman Marlon Mendoza, with the support of former Eat Bulaga and Solid Gold dancer Emily Samson. Singer Imelda Papin, with her daughter Maffi and her sister Aileen, attended this worthy cause.
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First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos attended recently the GMA Gala 2024, and she was seen with GMA Films president Annette GozonValdes and actor Shintaro Valdes, a fellow La Sallite.
“I am at episode one and I am loving it. Great work, Pulang Araw team! Currently No. 1 @netflixph,” wrote the actor.
Comedian-host Pokwang also posted about the trending drama on X, formerly Twitter.
“Tutok na tutok na ako sa #PulangArawOnNetflix #PulangArawBodabil. Mahusay lahat lalo na ‘yung gumanap na batang @ dealwithBARBIE. Galing niya. Galing nilang lahat infairnessssss,” she wrote on her July 30 X post.
Barbie is one of the lead stars of the show. The young version of her character named Adelina is played by child star Cassy Lavarias.
Pokwang followed up her first post about the show with another complimentary tweet. It was a scene with the young Adelina who accompanied her older brother, played by Franchesco Maafi, to his
Meanwhile, on August 10, some young talents from Sparkle GMA Artist Center will be recognized as Philippine Empowered Youth 2024 at Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City. Among the young Sparkle GMA Artists to be recognized are as follows: James Graham, Charlie Fleming, Zyren dela Cruz, Waynona Collings, Travis Clarino, Shane Sava, Selina Griffin, Princess Aliyah, Patricia Coma, Mark Oliveros, Liezel Lopez, Liana Mae, Lee Victor, Kimson Tan, Keisha Serna, Kaloy Tingcungco, Josh Ford, Jade Tecson, Hannah Arguelles, Gaea Mischa, Brent Valdez, and Aya Domingo.
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Dr. Fernando dela Pena, a California-based dentist, is the eldest son of the late actor Paquito Diaz and 1969 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress Eva Darren.
Dr. De la Pena finished college at Centro Escolar UniversityCollege of Dentistry in Manila in 1992. Afterwards, he went to the U.S. His younger brother actor Joko Diaz and sister actress Cheska Diaz and other siblings often visit him there.
“My best memories of my dad was when he came to see me on my birthday. No matter how busy he was, he always found time to see me,” he said.
Dr. de la Pena’s practice’s website (De La Pena Dental Group) is www.
American father.
Young Adelina and Eduardo are left homeless after their mother Fina (Rhian Ramos) died of Tuberculosis, which had no cure in 1931. Eduardo begged for his father to give them money so they could pay for their temporary shelter. Adult Eduardo will be played by Alden Richards.
“Grabe nakaka-relate waaaa Kung sa bagay kailan ka ba naging ama para sakin???? Ouch!!!” the comedian-host tweeted.
Many online users think Pokwang was able to relate to the situation as she went through a difficult separation from her ex, Lee O’Brian.
The American actor was deported from the country last April for failing to secure the required permits from the Department of Labor and Employment and from the Bureau of Immigration. Pokwang also filed complaints against O’Brian for financial abuse, intimidation and
losangelesdentist.la, while the school website of Los Angeles School of Dental Assisting is www. losangelesdentalassistant. com and is located along Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.
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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.
Dr. Fernando is named after Fernando Poe Jr., his dad’s bosom friend. He also writes articles about the Philippine Dental Association.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
abandonment of their daughter Malia.
“Pulang Araw,” meanwhile, retained its top spot as the most watched drama on Netflix Philippines since it premiered last July 26.
the Philippines. It stars Alden
The drama tells the story of four friends who will go through life, love and heartbreaks amid the onslaught of World War II
g
after
OJ Arci with Lance Cabradilla (left) and John Kenette Intano (right) in Philstagers’ “I Didith Show.”
A poster for the musical “Juan Luna, Isang Sarsuela” which will be staged by Philstagers Foundation in various theatres starting August 2024.
OMI chairman Marlon Mendoza (middle) with friends.
Young Eduardo and Adelina dela Cruz (played by Franchesco Maafi and Cassy Lavarias) in a scene in the period drama ‘Pulang Araw,’ currently the most watched series on Netflix Philippines and airs weekdays on GMA-7 after ‘24 Oras.’ Online users notice the sky in the scene resembles the Philippine flag. ‘Pulang Araw,’ GMA Entertainment Group, screenshot
in
Richards, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco and Barbie Forteza, with Dennis Trillo in his first major villain role on TV. It also airs on GMA-7 weekdays
“24 Oras.”
