Yulo, Olympians delight fans in heroes parade
by NIEL VICTOR C. MASOY, REINA C. TOLENTINO
, CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net
PARIS Olympics double gold medalist Carlos
Yulo and fellow Filipino Olympians delighted the fans in their heroes’ parade on Wednesday, August 14.
The 7.70-kilometer parade started from the Aliw Theater and traversed Roxas Boulevard, P. Burgos Street, Finance Road, Taft Avenue and Quirino Avenue, to its final stop at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Carried by a float, gymnast Yulo, boxers and bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas waved and smiled at the fans along the way, even granting autograph requests from fans who threw shirts and towels for them to sign. The 13 other Olympians in the parade were swimmers Jarod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez as well as hurdlers John Cabang and Lauren Hoffman; weightlifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno and John Ceniza; boxers Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan; fencer Sam Catantan; rower Joanie Delgaco; and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe. Gymnasts Levi Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo and
OF the 83 million Americans enrolled in Medicaid, nearly half being children, about 23 million have lost coverage since the pandemic, or stand to lose it.
The federal COVID-19 emergency froze the process of annual Medicaid eligibility checks known as redetermination. Since the emergency was lifted in May 2023, redetermination has begun again for the nearly one in four Americans and nearly half of all children in the country who are on Medicaid — worsening historic coverage gaps in many states.
Redetermination and coverage gaps
“Because of the bureaucratic hoops that people need to jump through, the past year has been like a disenrollment churn on steroids, even for many who are still eligible,” said Katherine Hampstead, senior policy advisor at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, at a Friday, August 9 Ethnic Media Services
Civil rights organization launches resource hub to help Asian migrants
ASIAN Americans Advancing Justice
Southern California (AJSOCAL) announced the launch of its the Migrant Resource Hub in English and several Asian languages. This digital resource contains the key information migrants need upon arrival in the U.S. and services that AJSOCAL provides. Links to federal and state resources and more information are also provided on the webpage. The website is currently translated in five languages: English, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and Vietnamese. Access to the Hub is free to all at https://www.ajsocal.org/ migrant-resources.
With the recent spike in Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and other Asian migrant arrivals at the U.S. - Mexico border, there are dire lacks in basic humanitarian and housing services. The crucial need for in-language and culturally competent assistance for Asian migrants creates access barriers to
Sara accepts dare to undergo drug test
by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on
Thursday, August 15 said she is ready to be the first public official to submit to a hair follicle drug test, adding that she supports her brother’s bill at the House of Representatives to compel all elected officials to undergo “mandatory random” drug testing.
Duterte said in an ambush interview in Davao City that the drug test is necessary to ensure public officials are in the “right state of mind.”
“Unang una dapat talaga mapanigurado nating lahat na nasa tamang pag-iisip yung ating mga public officials, kasama na ako doon,” she said.
(First of all, we really need to ensure that all our public officials, including myself, are in the right state of mind.)
Duterte said she has read “people’s calls” for her to submit to a drug test and is willing to do so through a “third party.”
This comes after former presidential spokesperson PAGE A4
Marcos wants structured program for Philippine sports
by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said a formal structure is needed to develop Philippine sports, as the first family welcomed the Filipino athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics in Malacañang on Tuesday, August 13.
“They did it on their own; of course, someone is helping them. Sometimes, the government helped. But there is no formal structure to help our athletes.
And that’s what we are going to establish now,” the president said.
Led by double gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo and bronze medalist boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, Team Philippines arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 7 p.m., where they received a warm welcome from their families and supporters. At the Palace, the Olympians were greeted by the president and First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos, with their sons Joseph
Former Pres. Duterte: CA erred on freeze order on KOJC assets
by EDITH REGALADO Philstar.com
DAVAO CITY — Former President Rodrigo Duterte frowned on the freeze order the Court of Appeals (CA) issued on 10 bank accounts, seven real properties, five motor vehicles and an aircraft belonging to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Duterte, who was appointed as KOJC administrator of properties, believes the CA order is wrong since the money comes from a church organization and no public funds are involved.
He also believes the case will reach the Supreme Court.
In a podcast episode on Thursday, August 15, the former chief executive pointed out that there is neither an allegation of misuse nor a KOJC member saying he was defrauded of his contribution.
PAGE A4
PH still committed to Interpol - DOJ
by IAN LAQUI Philstar.com
MANILA — Despite not being a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Philippines still has commitments to Interpol, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday, August 14.
Remulla made the statement in response to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s recent comments questioning whether he and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra were “challenging the policy set by the president” regarding the international tribunal.
“We no longer have a commitment to the ICC. But with Interpol, we do. Interpol is far-reaching, and we should be prepared.
They are more significant, especially for Filipinos traveling around the world who may need Interpol’s assistance,” Remulla said during the Kapihan Forum at the Department of Justice.
On Monday, August 12, Dela Rosa expressed concern over Remulla’s statements. Remulla, who is the Philippines’ Justice Secretary, had mentioned that the government would not obstruct Interpol’s efforts, including serving arrest warrants.
Remulla explained that the government would only abide by Interpol’s request if “certain conditions are met.”
Marami ‘yung condition na ‘pag dapat na riyan. Is a crime punishable in the PAGE A4
Vice President Sara Duterte Philstar.com photo
Simon and William Vincent. Other Olympians present during the Palace reception were pole vaulter EJ Obiena; hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino; boxers Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan; weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando and Vanessa Sarno; rower Joanie Delgaco; fencer Samantha Catantan; judoka Kiyomi Watanabe; and swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch. Marcos told the athletes to tell
Thirteen of the 22 Paris Olympians of Team Philippines, led by double gymnastics gold medalist Carlos Yulo (center), are honored at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila on Wednesday (Aug. 14, 2024). Also in photo are (from left, beside the host) boxing bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, weightlifter Elreen Ando, rower
swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch, hurdlers John Cabang-Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman,
Bacyadan, fencer Samantha Catantan and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Marcos wants structured program...
the government what specific support they need to excel in international competitions.
PAGE A1 get an additional cash incentive of P2 million each from the Office of the President (OP) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
“Instead of issuing cash prizes — well, if you need more cash, we’ll find some more. But I think, more importantly, I want to be part of the development of sports in the Philippines. We have been left behind,” he added.
Marcos said he intends to talk not only with the athletes but their families and coaches as well to discuss how to improve the Philippines’ performance in the international sports arena.
“That is what I want to talk about, not only the athletes but also the coaches; what else is lacking? For the parents... what were the challenges? [those] who trained Yulo — what was the most challenging part so we can help?” he said.
“You tell us and hopefully, if we really work together and start to prepare — for not only the Olympics, of course, that’s a very important one, but not only the Olympics. We start to prepare for all the international competitions that we have — that are there before us,” he added.
Marcos said that except for Yulo, all Paris Olympians would
Yulo received cash incentives totaling P40 million — P10 million for each gold medal as mandated by law and matching incentives from the OP. Petecio and Villegas will receive P4 million each, including the law-mandated P2 million for an Olympic bronze medal.
The president said that the OP would provide P500,000 for the coaching staff of each athlete.
“It’s good timing that the Pagcor Chairman [Alejandro Tengco] is here. He has the money. We’ll give all Olympians P1 million each,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said thorough scrutiny of Philippine sports law was imperative, particularly Republic Act 10699, or The National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
“We will be meeting again further with our friend Dickie Bachmann (Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann) from the [Philippine] Sports Commission and, of course, with Bambol
(Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino) of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and of course the other stakeholders, the National Sports Associations, on how we can improve the plight of our athletes,” he said.
During plenary session on Wednesday, August 14, the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 10723, exempting incentives, rewards, bonuses and other emoluments received by national athletes and coaches from taxes.
Romualdez said he had asked his fellow lawmakers to initiate discussions on how to improve the incentives for Filipino Olympic medalists.
“One of these is a lifetime pension for all Filipino Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists who brought honor to our country. It will start at the age of 40 of their retirement from sports,” he said in Filipino and English.
The Philippines finished 37th overall and was the bestperforming Southeast Asian country in the Paris Games. The Philippines has also marked its 100th year of participation in the quadrennial Summer Games.
Yulo, Olympians delight fans in...
Aleah Finnegan and golfers
Dottie Ardina and Bianca Pagdanganan didn’t come to the Philippines after competing in Paris. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena came home but did not join the parade.
A program was held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to honor the Filipino Olympians who competed in Paris.
Earlier in the day, Yulo received P14.01 million from the House of Representatives on Wednesday as the chamber honored the 22 Filipino athletes who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The House held a morning reception for the Philippine Olympic delegation in its Romualdez Hall, where a resolution congratulating and lauding them “for their phenomenal and historic performance” was read out.
At the reception, the House conferred the Congressional Medal of Excellence on Yulo, who won two gold medals.
“Many, many thanks to all who prayed for us and supported us, stayed up late to watch our competitions and appreciate our hard work and all our effort to perform well,” Yulo said in Filipino. “Many, many thanks to all. God bless us all. Our win is your win.”
The House conferred one Congressional Medal of Distinction each to boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio won bronze medals. They were also given cash gifts, with Yulo’s totaling P14,010,000 — P3 million for each gold win plus contributions from lawmakers totaling P8,010,000.
The House had promised to give P3 million to gold medalists, P2 million to silver medalists and P1 million to bronze medalists.
Thus, it gave Villegas and Petecio P1 million each. On top of that, lawmakers gave the two Olympic boxers P2.5 million each.
The remaining 19 of the 22 Filipino athletes who competed in the 2024 Olympics received P500,000 each at the House reception.
“We recognize that the journey to Olympic glory is paved with countless hours of training, sacrifices and moments of doubt. But you persevered. You kept your eyes on bringing pride and glory, and your hearts filled with the hopes of our people. And for that, you have become more than just athletes; you are our heroes,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
“We in the House of Representatives, the House of
the People, are honored by your victory, by your achievement. We want to thank each and every one of you athletes. Of course, the coaches and the family that all supported you, for you have made these all possible,” Romualdez said.
The country’s 22 athletes for the 2024 Olympics were gymnasts Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar; boxers Villegas, Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial; Obiena, John CabangTolentino and Lauren Hoffman for athletics; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ann Ando; rower Joanie Delgaco; fencer Samantha Catantan; swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch; golfer Dottie Ardina; and Kiyomi Watanabe for judo.
The Senate on Wednesday adopted resolutions congratulating the 22 athletes.
With all senators made coauthors, the upper chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1128, authored by Sen. Bong Revilla, commending and congratulating Team Philippines “for their impressive performance” in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“The historic and recordbreaking achievements by the Filipino Olympians, which can be considered as the country’s best Olympics stint in history, proves that Filipinos are among the best and brightest in the global arena of sports,” Revilla said in his resolution.
On Tuesday night, August 13, Yulo rallied his fellow Olympians to celebrate the country’s feat in Paris and expressed hope that it would inspire better campaigns in the future. Yulo and other Paris 2024 Olympians, who arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday night, were welcomed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first family in Malacañang.
Speaking at the dinner reception hosted by the president in Malacañang, Yulo expressed pride in his fellow Olympic athletes and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.
“To all the athletes, I am very proud that we fought, we gave our best. We sacrificed our blood and sweat. The competition was not even starting yet I was already very, very proud of you all,” Yulo said in Filipino.
“And now that the competition is over, let us celebrate the results we achieved and let us keep on doing better in our
next competitions,” he added. Yulo also expressed gratitude for the training camp in Metz, France, which he credited with helping him prepare for the Olympics.
He also gave special thanks to Cynthia Carrion from the Philippine Olympic Committee, acknowledging her support for all gymnasts.
Together with Carlos, all athletes who represented the Philippines during the Olympics received cash incentives and awards from the president.
Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Marcos extended at least P50 million in cash to the Filipino Olympians.
Garafil said the president gave P20 million to Yulo, separate from the incentive given by the government under the law.
Boxing bronze medalists Villegas and Petecio will receive a total of P4 million each, including the law-mandated P2 million for an Olympic bronze medal.
Marcos extended P1 million each to the rest of the Olympians and P500,000 each to their coaching teams.
Yulo won two gold medals in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor and Vault events. His double victory in Paris came three years after Hidilyn Diaz brought home the country’s first Olympic gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Yulo was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit. This prestigious award honors individuals who have gained international recognition for the country in various fields, including sports.
Following the award ceremony, Yulo and other Olympic athletes from Manila were celebrated in a Heroes’ Welcome parade Wednesday afternoon, starting from the Aliw Theater and proceeding to the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
In the same speech, Yulo also credited the other Filipino athletes who may have fallen short of a medal finish yet gave their all for the country, which finished as the best Southeast Asian nation.
Obiena and Pagdanganan finished just outside the podium after finishing fourth in their respective events.
Marcial, Bacyadan and Paalam also put up a gallant stand while Malabuyo, Finnegan and Jung-Ruivivar, first Pinay Olympic rower Delgaco, and Catantan impressed in their Olympics debuts.
TULONG NA SUPORTA PARA SA PAGBIBIGAY NG MAAYOS NA BAHAY AT PAGPAPAGANDA NG KOMUNIDAD (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT), MGA PAGSOSOSYO SA PAMUMUHUNAN SA BAHAY, MGA PAGBIBIGAY NG PABAHAY PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY AIDS AT MGA PROGRAMA SA PAGBIBIGAY NG GAWAD NA SALAPI PARA SA PANGEMERGENCY NA SOLUSYON
TULONG NA SUPORTA PARA SA PAGBIBIGAY NG MAAYOS NA BAHAY AT PAGPAPAGANDA NG KOMUNIDAD (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT), MGA PAGSOSOSYO SA PAMUMUHUNAN SA BAHAY, MGA PAGBIBIGAY NG PABAHAY PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY AIDS AT MGA PROGRAMA SA PAGBIBIGAY NG GAWAD NA SALAPI PARA SA PANG-EMERGENCY NA SOLUSYON Ibinibigay ang abisong ito para sabihin na magsasagawa ang Board of Supervisors ng pampublikong padinig nang 9:00 a.m. sa Setyembre 10, 2024, sa Room 310 sa County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA tungkol sa Pinagsama-samang Taunang Performance at Ulat sa Pagsusuri para sa 2023-24 (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, CAPER) ng Taon ng Pananalapi (Fiscal Year, FY).
Bawat taon, dapat magsumite ang County ng CAPER na naglalarawan sa mga nagawa ng programa sa nakaraang taon ng pananalapi para sa Tulong na Suporta para sa Pagbibigay ng Maayos na Pabahay at Pagpapaganda ng Komunidad (Community Development Block Grant, CDBG), Mga Pagsososyo sa Pamumuhunan sa Bahay (HOME), Gawad na Salapi para sa Pang-emergency na Solusyon (Emergency Solutions Grant, ESG), at mga programa sa Pagbibigay ng Pabahay para sa Mga Taong may AIDS (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, HOPWA). Pinopondohan ng CDBG at ESG na Mga Programa ng San Diego “Urban County” ang pabahay, pagpapaganda ng komunidad at mga pampublikong serbisyo at aktibidad sa unincorporated area, pati rin ang anim na kalahok na lungsod ng Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, at Solana Beach. Ang Programang HOME Consortium ng San Diego County ay nagbibigay ng mga pondo para sa mga aktibidad sa pabahay sa mga lugar ng CDBG at ESG na Programa pati rin sa anim na lungsod ng Consortium na Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee, at Vista. Ang programang HOPWA ay nagbibigay ng pondo para sa pabahay at mga serbisyo na may kaugnayan sa pabahay para sa mga taong namumuhay nang may HIV/AIDS at ang kanilang mga pamilya sa buong County ng San Diego. Inaanyayahan ang publiko na dumalo sa pampublikong pagdinig para magkomento sa 2023-24 CAPER. Maaari ring magbigay ang publiko ng mga komento sa pamamagitan ng pagsulat sa loob ng 15 araw na panahon para magbigay ng komento na matatapos sa Setyembre 10, 2024. Maaaring ma-access ang CAPER sa elektronikong paraan sa www.sdhcd.com. Ang mga nakasulat na komento ay dapat ipadala sa Housing and Community Development Services, Community Development Division, 3989 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123, (858) 694-8756, o i-email sa: Community.Development@sdcounty.ca.gov. Ang mga bingi o may mahinang pandinig ay maaaring tumawag sa departamento sa (866) 945-2207. Ang mga kailangan ng tulong para sumali sa pagpupulong (hindi nagsasalita ng Ingles, may kapansanan sa pandinig, atbp.) ay dapat kontakin ang staff nang hindi bababa sa limang araw bago ang pagpupulong para humiling ng mga espesyal na pagsasaayos.
8/17/24 CNS-3843285# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
FIRST FAMILY WELCOMES CALOY. Paris Olympics double winner Carlos Yulo playfully poses with his gymnastics gold medals as (from left)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, with sons Joseph Simon and William Vincent, welcome the athletes, coaches and officials at Malacañang Palace, Manila on Tuesday night, Aug. 13. Yulo received P20 million and a Presidential Medal of Merit, the 21 other athletes P1 million each and coaches P500,000 each.
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Public con dence in Supreme Court hits record lows
by SUNITA SOHRABJI
Media Services
THE public’s view of the U.S. Supreme Court’s credibility has plummeted to the lowest levels ever recorded, as voters perceive recent major decisions to be fueled by partisanship.
Of particular concern is the 2022 Dobbs decision, in which the justices ruled 6-3 that abortions were not guaranteed by the Constitution. In another ruling earlier this summer, the court ruled there was vast immunity from criminal prosecution for presidents, effectively expunging several criminal cases against Donald Trump. The former president was able to “stack” the highest court in the nation with three appointees: Justices Neil
Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
“This is a public institution that is ripe for reform,” said Brennan Center President Michael Waldman, at a news briefing Aug. 13. Waldman also served on President Joe Biden’s Commission on the Supreme Court. “It is an institution by its very nature, with lifetime terms unelected, that is often immune from accountability.”
“But that accountability moment is now,” said Waldman, noting that justices have faced a large number of ethics controversies and other scandals. “This rattles public confidence,” he added.
Term limits
Two weeks ago, President Joe Biden proposed sweeping changes for the Supreme
Court, among them term limits of 18 years. Biden also called on Congress to pass legislation requiring justices to disclose gifts, refrain from public political activity, and recuse themselves from cases in which they or their spouses have financial or other conflicts of interest.
Judge Diane Wood, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, echoed Waldman’s remarks, noting that there was a tradition of Supreme Court justices being “neutral arbiters,” using the Constitution to guide their decisions. That no longer seems to be the case, said Wood, currently the director of the American Law Institute, and Senior Lecturer at the
Two Fil-Am toddlers missing, $10K reward o ered to nd them
A FILIPINO American family has asked for help finding two missing toddlers, whose mother was found dead at her expartner’s home.
The family from Sacramento, Calif., has offered a $10,000 reward for locating 2-yearold Mateo Lee and 4-year-old Athena Lee – the children of 28-year-old Angelica Bravo, who was found dead at the home of her ex-boyfriend, Camron Lee.
Last month, the police found Bravo’s body at Lee’s home in North Sacramento. The police are waiting for autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Camron Lee has not been labeled as a suspect.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on locating the missing kids, who were last seen with Lee.
Dawn Bodea, Bravo’s mother, pleaded for help on Fox40, “I know there’s someone out there that knows where they are. I just need them to tell us. I just want them to come home. I want them to be safe and to know that they’re loved. We need them back here.”
A close friend of Bodea has offered a $10,000 reward for information to help locate the missing toddlers. Bravo’s family has spoken about Bravo being in an abusive relationship with Lee. Bravo’s
older sister, Cecilia, said in an interview that the couple’s relationship “was rocky.” Expressing her anguish, Cecilia said, “It’s just unreal. Athena, Mateo, we all love you so much. We all want you back here.”
Updates on the missing kids
The search for the missing toddlers continues. Camron Lee’s gray 2023 Honda Passport was found abandoned in Ensenada, Mexico. Sacramento police believe that the children have been left somewhere in Southern California, where Lee has connections.
The FBI and the California Justice Department have included Athena and Mateo in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, an important step in extending the search process across state and national lines. In addition, the FBI plans to alert the Mexican authorities. KCRA had reached out to Sacramento police, but there were no updates as of Tuesday, August 13.
If you have any leads or have seen the toddlers, you may reach out to the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 8085471 or (916) 808-0560. (Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net)
Sara accepts dare to undergo drug...
Harry Roque dared all three Duterte siblings earlier this week to undergo a drug test to “lead by example.”
On Monday, August 12, Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City, 1st District) filed a bill that will require all elected and appointed officials, including the president, to undergo
“mandatory random” drug testing every six months.
Roque shared copies of this bill on his Facebook page with the caption: “Time for Follicle Test PBBM!”
House Bill 10744 amends Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to specify that all screening tests will be done through hair follicle testing, while confirmatory tests will involve urine drug tests.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, the lawmaker’s father, challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month to undergo hair follicle testing to disprove allegations that he uses illegal substances.
Former Pres. Duterte: CA erred on freeze...
“I think that it (order) is wrong. As a lawyer, if I would go to court (and) if I were (Quiboloy), then I can get the relief that I should have,” Duterte said. Duterte also described as overkill the number of law
enforcers outside the KOJC in Buhangin, Davao City last week, saying the subject of police operations is only for one person.
“Why should you be in full battle gear? The pastor does not have a private army,” Duterte said, noting that KOJC
members expressed concern over the presence of Special Weapons and Tactics members. The policemen reportedly covered their faces and had no nameplates when they conducted checkpoints outside the compound.
PH still committed to Interpol...
Philippines? Does a crime exist in the Philippines? Is sovereignty affected? And human rights are doing that as being violated,” Remulla said. Interpol issues a Red Notice as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. This process usually involves a country requesting the
apprehension of an individual. For example, the Philippine government requested the arrest of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was placed on Interpol’s Red List on Feb. 27, 2024. This led to his arrest a month later.
On July 28, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV revealed a document from the ICC prosecutor listing names of former Philippine National Police officials “under
suspicion” for allegedly ordering the killings of drug suspects and users from 2011 to 2019. One of the officials mentioned is Dela Rosa, who on Monday proposed a law to block government cooperation with the international tribunal.
The proposal follows statements by Remulla and Guevarra highlighting concerns about nongovernmental interference in
Americans face historic Medicaid coverage...
briefing on Medicaid coverage gaps.
69% of these disenrollments owe to paperwork issues rather than ineligibility, and nearly a quarter of the 20 million people dropped from Medicaid since the redetermination began are still uninsured as of April 2024.
“Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in the country, but there’s both federal and state money going into it … so it’s like 50 different programs state to state,” explained Hampstead, adding that redetermination is particularly worsening coverage gaps for the populations Medicaid was originally designed for, like lowincome groups, seniors, people with disabilities, children and pregnant women.
Coverage gaps also disproportionately affect communities of color — especially in the 10 states, mostly in the South, which have not expanded Medicaid income limits from 100% to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for adults aged 19 to 64.
This FPL expansion is permitted by the Affordable Care Act, and was ruled by the Supreme Court in 2012 to be optional for each state.
As of 2024, the FPL is $14,580 for an individual, 138% percent of that being $20,783; or $24,860 for a family of three, 138% of that being $35,632.
In states which haven’t expanded FPL limits — like Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi — “there’s a coverage gap where two to three million people, predominantly populations of color, are in a very unfortunate situation where they’re ‘too poor’ to get marketplace subsidized coverage, yet they don’t qualify for Medicaid because their state’s eligibility limit is so low,” said Hampstead.
Youth coverage
“Despite our name, young people are not invincible,” said Martha Sanchez, health policy and advocacy director at youth advocacy nonprofit Young Invincibles. “We’re the future of our U.S. workforce and economy, and we cannot afford to continue to regress in our health.”
About 30% of U.S. young adults aged 18 to 34 are uninsured, higher than any other age group and comprising over one in five of all uninsured Americans. Meanwhile, a 2019 CDC study
shows that at least half of young adults have at least one chronic condition like diabetes, cancer or mental health issues.
Since the pandemic these conditions have only been rising, with one third of all young adults — and half of those aged 18 to 24 — reporting symptoms of mental illness.
The American Cancer Society also reports increasing rates of cancer among young adults; particularly types associated with older adults, like colon cancer.
“We’re in a crisis where our health care systems are not meeting the needs of our young people, who are often in a stage of transition out of Medicaid … because there’s no expansion, they’re sold student health plans or they don’t know how to enroll in other plans,” said Sanchez.
“I grew up on Medicaid, and I never understood all of the benefits I had until I transitioned out as a college student,” she explained. “I had annual checkups, vaccinations and dental care, but I had no idea about the mental health benefits. And we’ve heard this from other young adults who shared that they would have taken advantage of mental health resources, but had no idea it was covered … We need not only Medicaid expansion but health literacy, so people can actually use their coverage.”
Since redetermination, 5.5 fewer children below 18 are enrolled in Medicaid as of July 2024.
“Many of these children remain eligible, and we need to get them back enrolled, particularly in back to school right now,” said Joan Alker, executive director and co-founder of the Center for Children and Families and research professor at Georgetown University.
Net Medicaid enrollment changes vary drastically between states, with the largest drops by number being 1.3 million fewer children in Texas, approximately 542,600 fewer children in Florida and 373,000 fewer children in California.
The largest drops by percentage are Utah, with 34.5% fewer children on Medicaid; Colorado, with 30.9% fewer children; and Texas, with 29.1% fewer children.
“We’ve heard that parents are putting off care because they’re not insured, and just hoping their child doesn’t get sick. That children are having to skip
their medications, not getting their inhalers and missing treatments for behavioral health conditions,” said Alker.
“Children are not expensive to our health care system, but they need regular care, so even a short gap exposes the family to large medical bills … and without that routine care, children are less able to learn,” she added.
“Many of these children are still eligible for Medicaid. Any gap in coverage is not acceptable.”
What’s next?
“The price America pays for giving states enormous authority over their Medicaid programs is extremely high,” said Stan Dorn, director of the Health Policy Project at UnidosUS. “A family has a very different likelihood of getting health care based simply on the state in which they happen to live.”
To bridge these dramatic coverage gaps across states, Dorn suggested making “administrative burdens completely irrelevant for as many people as possible” through paperless eligibility; linguistically and culturally accessible enrollment help; automatic renewal of qualified people using tax and wage information that the government already has; and providing continuous coverage in the case of missing paperwork.
As states pay a percentage of the cost of each Medicaid enrollee, Dorn also suggested creating federal standards for state redetermination performance to incentivize states that don’t want to pay.
States that exceed standards would get a bonus, as was done with the Children’s Health Insurance Program in 2009. For states that don’t meet standards, he suggested deferring federal payments until the state improved, while stopping families from being terminated.
“We found that the states with the worst problems in terms of people losing coverage had invested the least amount of money in their eligibility infrastructure. So ultimately, it’s a question of values,” said Dorn. “Are the states’ officials willing to invest enough money in running a Medicaid program that they would trust with their own family’s health care? Some are willing to invest in systems that work for families and providers, and others are not.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)
Photos from Facebook/Dawn Bee
DATELINE PHILIPPINES
DFA gears up for 2025 overseas internet voting
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said preparations are ongoing for the implementation of online voting for overseas Filipinos for the upcoming 2025 national elections.
In a statement on Friday, Agusut 16, the DFA said its Overseas Voting Secretariat (OVS) and the Commission on Elections-Office for Overseas Voting (ComelecOFOV) have so far conducted training and information drives in South Korea, Spain, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore.
DBM: Credit rating upgrade shows PH’s strong economy, scal framework
MANILA – The upgrade of the Philippines’ credit rating to “A-“ with a stable outlook reflects investors’ confidence in the country’s robust economy and fiscal policy, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said on Friday, August 16.
In an interview with dzRH’s Dos Por Dos, Pangandaman said the implementation of the “whole-of-government” approach played a key part in the country’s improved credit score.
“Kumbaga po gumaganda ‘yung katayuan yung estado ng ekonomiya at kaya mong magbayad ng utang. So, kung mangutang ka, maganda ‘yung rates mo and then mag-tiwala sa ’yo ‘yung mga nagpapautang kasi maganda ‘yung rating mo (It seems that the state of the economy is improving and you are able to pay off the debt. So, if you get a loan, your rates are good and then the lenders will trust you because you have a good rating),” she said.
Pangandaman said the Philippines’ high credit rating is proof that the Marcos government can sustain the country’s economic growth. She added that it also indicates the effectiveness of the administration’s 2022-2028 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework and the initiatives to ease inflation.
The Philippines currently holds two “A-” ratings from the Japan’s Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR), “BBB” from Fitch Ratings, “Baa2” from Moody’s Ratings, and “BBB+” from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings.
R&I, the largest credit rating agency in Japan, on Wednesday upgraded the Philippines to A- with a stable outlook, citing the country’s macroeconomic stability, high economic growth path, and improvement in fiscal balance.
An “A-” credit rating reflects strong investor confidence in the country’s macroeconomic stability, high economic growth, and improved fiscal position.
Pangandaman earlier said an “A” credit rating is possible for the Philippines as early as 2025. (PNA)
Similar trainings are scheduled in San Francisco, California in September, Prague in Czech Republic, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in
“DFA-OVS fully supports Comelec with this additional new mode of voting that will not only encourage our Kababayans abroad to exercise their right of suffrage but will also make the electoral process easier and more convenient for them,” DFA Undersecretary and OVS Chairperson Jesus Domingo said. “Information campaigns on internet voting will also play a vital role in the success of it. The secretariat is committed and ready to assist Comelec through our Foreign Service Posts in this regard,” he added.
October, Vancouver in Canada this November, and Doha, Qatar soon.
“If internet voting for overseas Filipinos proves to be successful, we can use it domestically for our senior citizens, persons with disability and pregnant women,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said.
A total of 76 foreign service posts including the Manila Economic Cultural Offices (MECOs) and Mission will conduct internet voting for the 2025 polls.
The deadline for overseas voter registration is Sept. 30, 2024. (PNA)
Marcos moves ‘Ninoy Aquino Day’ to Aug. 23 to create long weekend
by JULIE M. AURELIO Inquirer.net
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has moved the special nonworking day marking Ninoy Aquino Day from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23, a Friday, to allow for a four-day weekend intended to boost local tourism.
Signed on Thursday, August 15, Proclamation No. 665 sets the commemoration of the death of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. two days after the date he was assassinated at what was then the Manila International Airport (MIA) in 1983. Marcos said the occasion
was moved “in order to provide for a longer weekend, thereby promoting domestic tourism.”
But he also stressed that the “historical significance of Ninoy Aquino Day is maintained” even with the change. The extended weekend becomes four days because
More Pinoys cool to legalizing divorce – OCTA poll
by JANVIC MATEO Philstar.com
MANILA — More Filipinos are not in favor of legalizing divorce, according to a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.
Results of the June 28 to July 1 survey released on Friday, August 16, found that 57 percent of respondents are against legalizing divorce, while 39 percent are in favor and four percent are undecided.
Compared to a similar survey conducted by OCTA in December, support for divorce was almost similar with 40 percent, while those who were against it increased from 51 percent.
Meanwhile, a separate Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll conducted in March found that 50 percent of respondents support the legalization of divorce for irreconcilably separated couples.
The test statement in the SWS survey was: “Married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally married again.”
Only 31 percent disagreed with the statement.
Candidates OCTA, in its latest poll, asked respondents how they view candidates based on their position on divorce.
Some 55 percent said they will not vote for candidates who promote divorce in the Philippines. Thirty-nine percent said they will vote for candidates who support divorce, while seven percent either refused to answer or said they do not know.
OCTA said its noncommissioned Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.
SCRRA is seeking proposals for ON CALL CAPITAL AND THIRD-PARTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND STAFF ASSISTANCE SERVICES. Solicitation documents may be obtained at http://www.metrolinktrains.com/contracts/. Electronic proposals are due on or before 2:00 PM (PST) on October 4, 2024. The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration. For further information contact: Jaime Saucedo, Contract & Compliance Admin. at saucedoj@scrra.net.
8/17/24 CNS-3831635# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
OPINION FEATURES
Too many holidays?
IN a statement on Wednesday, August 14, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said that the Philippines has too many holidays, and Congress should consider trimming the list to help the economy grow. While there would be some value in reviewing the list of annual holidays and the manner in which holidays are declared by the government, we believe the assertion that the number of holidays that currently exist has a negative effect on the economy is a non sequitur and should be dismissed. In the statement, PCCI President Enunina Mangio said there were approximately 22 regular and five special holidays per year, not including local observances and work cancellations due to natural disasters. Mangio added, “We have too many holidays compared to the others in the region,” pointing out this leads to higher labor costs that burden small businesses. “We have to reduce its negative impacts on the productivity of our workforce and state of our economy,” Mangio stressed. “Let us focus and work on our productivity and competitiveness, and make sure we attract more investors into the country.”
Editorial
For 2024, there are actually 21 official holidays, 12 regular holidays plus nine special nonworking holidays. There are indeed numerous local holidays, but whether or not these are reasonable should be addressed at the local level. Work cancellations due to natural disasters, most often typhoons or tropical storms, are not applied to private enterprises but only government offices and institutions, such as public schools, since it is not within the government’s jurisdiction to tell private businesses when they should be open for business or closed. Many businesses close or modify their schedules
Sketches
for safety or practical reasons when the government suspends work and school due to calamitous conditions, but that is the businesses’ own decision.
The number of annual holidays in the Philippines is, contrary to the PCCI’s statement, comparable to other countries in the region. According to various sources, for 2024, Malaysia has 22 national holidays or holidays that include most of the Malaysian states; Indonesia has 19; Thailand has 18; Cambodia has 16; there are 10 in Singapore; and Laos and Vietnam have eight and six holidays, respectively.
The PCCI’s concern for businesses’ payroll costs due to holidays is understandable given its role as a respected advocate for business interests. In general, workers are paid twice their normal pay for work during a regular holiday, plus an additional 30 percent if they work more than eight hours; for workers not scheduled for work on the holiday, they receive a regular day’s salary, provided they worked or were on authorized leave on the workday immediately preceding the holiday. For “special nonworking days,” the “no work, no pay” rule applies, unless otherwise provided for by the employee’s contract or a collective bargaining agreement.
However, the much larger opposite side of the economic coin with respect to holidays is that they provide a substantial boost in consumer spending. Previous administrations, most notably that of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, purposely increased the number of regular holidays for this precise objective. While not all businesses may benefit depending on their particular circumstances, overall the increased spending and
resulting business revenues during holiday periods are many times greater than increased business costs.
We do agree with the PCCI that it is possible to have an excessive number of holidays; the economic benefits of holidays must be weighed against their costs. However, it does not seem that the current number of holidays is excessive, particularly when that number is similar to those of a couple of the Philippines’ more economically successful neighbors; one or two fewer holidays each year is not likely to make a difference. Nevertheless, there is no harm in reassessing the
Mishandled
PEOPLE who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Vice President Sara Duterte could be realizing this by now... or maybe not. Her father has said she is stubborn as a mule. She’s either determined to make her point, or, if her critics in the education department are correct, she’s simply a slow learner.
Last week, the VP disclosed that the “mishandling” of the budget was among the reasons for her resignation from the Cabinet.
With the congressional pork barrel zombie finding new life in “unprogrammed appropriations” and now growing exponentially with each budget season, and Ralph Recto impounding our PhilHealth funds and diverting these to his former colleagues’ pork trough, people will actually agree with VP Sara.
This is a valid cause that can be championed by the “new opposition” – as the VP and her supporters are now presenting themselves.
But because people are seeing that when it comes to the VP’s beefs, it’s all about her and not the nation, the budget issue that immediately came to mind when she bemoaned the “mishandling” was the funding for the Office of the Vice President plus the Department of Education, which she headed until July 19.
More precisely, it’s the loss of funding. The Veep’s broadside against an unnamed tambaloslos cost her P650 million in confidential funds –P500 million for the OVP, and P150 million for the DepEd. In her clan’s fiefdom, her two brothers are also lambasting the considerable cuts in the revenue allotments for Davao City, including funding for flood control. So how did the clan utilize the inordinately huge amounts allocated to the city when the patriarch was president?
***
The VP’s tiff with those who hold the power of the purse – who were insulted by her remark about the mishandled national budget – could mean further cuts in the OVP budget from 2025 until the end of her
term in 2028.
At the very least, it could reveal how she spent P125 million in confidential and intelligence funds within just 11 days in the gift-giving month of December 2022, and another P125 million in CIF for the OVP from Feb. 6 to March 29 last year, with P125 million more from April 25 to June 30.
Former lawmaker and Bayan chair Neri Colmenares said the CIF disbursements included P22 million for unexplained “purchase of information,” P27 million for “payment of reward” and P82 million for “food aid” – an item that he said is not allowed for CIF.
In an unprecedented move, the House of Representatives committee on appropriations is invoking its oversight powers and lifting the veil of secrecy surrounding CIFs. Panel chair Stella Quimbo of Marikina has subpoenaed Commission on Audit (COA) records on how the OVP and DepEd spent their CIF in 2022 and 2023. The subpoena was suggested by the Makabayan party-list bloc of ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel.
This move could be limited to secret funds granted to civilian agencies with no involvement in national security, but it doesn’t minimize the significance of the precedent that is being set.
Quimbo might yet redeem herself in the eyes of her former colleagues in the University of the Philippines School of Economics, who are disappointed that she has gone over to the other side.
State auditors are reportedly still considering the appropriate response to the House subpoena, because of laws governing CIFs. ***
We can anticipate the reaction of the VP and the “new opposition” to this development: it’s part of an ongoing political persecution.
The House appropriations panel led by Quimbo can belie this by not limiting the CIF scrutiny to the OVP and DepEd. It can ask the COA, for example, for a list of local government officials with CIF allocations and how the funds were utilized.
Is the CIF being used, for example, for “KBL”? This stands for kasal, binyag, libing – politicians’ donations,
current holiday calendar for relevance and positive economic effect. Whether or not the number of holidays is reduced, increased or kept the same, the government should consider making improvements to the manner in which holidays are declared to help businesses and consumers better plan their activities. The full-year calendar of official holidays should be declared as early as possible, ideally, before the end of the previous year, and the practice of declaring holidays on “short notice” — a day or two before the date — which has unfortunately become more frequent in recent years, should be avoided. (ManilaTimes.net)
taken from public funds but presented as personal gifts to their constituents, for special events such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.
Taxpayers are already bankrolling KBL, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program. The DSWD website describes AICS as one of its services “that provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services or needs of a person or family.”
AICS is supposed to be disbursed only by the DSWD. Yet VP Sara and her BFF Sen. Imee Marcos were shown together at an AICS distribution event in Davao City in November 2022.
The Malasakit Centers are also under the DSWD and listed as components of AICS. Yet the masses think the centers are personal projects of just one epal politician aligned with the new opposition, who seems to have eluded the ire (so far) of the super coalition.
The government will have to tighten the rules governing AICS. Since lawmakers
themselves want to get their hands on this ayuda program, however, the measures will have to come from the executive.
Let’s see if Quimbo and her committee, often described as a “powerful” body, can tighten the rules on CIF utilization by civilian agencies including local government units. What’s next for VP Sara as she keeps hurling stones from her glass house? Can she survive until 2028 on what, by her standards, would be a shoestring budget?
Oh well, she can always borrow a page from her predecessor Leni Robredo. Despite being marginalized by VP Sara’s father, Robredo managed to mobilize CIFfree OVP resources to assist Filipinos.
The Dutertes, of course, wouldn’t want VP Sara to suffer Robredo’s fate and lose the 2028 race. The VP can start by being mindful of that glass house. (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.
Supporting—not just rewarding—success
baselessly accused by the Duterte administration as being part of a “destabilization plot.” After winning, of course, the same people who demonized or refused to support her were quick to embrace her with open arms.
WHEN Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo won her historic gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, she was pledged the following cash prizes: P10 million under the Republic Act No. 10699 or National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act; P10 million from Manny Pangilinan; P10 million from San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang; P5 million from Dennis Uy; P3 million from Office of the President; among many other incentives totaling over P50 million. But when she hadn’t won the gold yet, Diaz’s life was that of struggle, makeshift barbells, and at one point, vilification—even after already winning silver in Rio de Janeiro. “Hirap na hirap ako (I’m really experiencing hardship), I need financial support,” she posted on Instagram back in 2019; that same year, she was
We do not know yet the final financial tally for Carlos Yulo, who returned to the Philippines as a hero after his historic double triumph in Paris. But he is bound to get P20 million under RA 10699, P6 million from the House of Representatives, a P32 million three-bedroom unit, 150,000 annual Mabuhay Miles, and much more. (He received P20 million from President Marcos as well—Ed.) Yulo received significant support for years before his Olympic triumphs, but it also took a gold—in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart in 2019 for him to gain significant sponsorship.
For those who haven’t reached the podium, however, the struggle continues. From Paris, golfer Dottie Ardina took to social media
to lament that “we even needed to buy t-shirts.” For years, EJ Obiena has been very vocal about his travails, from his team members not being paid to his poles not being transported; like Yulo, it was victory itself that catapulted him to national recognition and some level of support. Will his strong finish boost this support and give him another, stronger, shot in Los Angeles?
To be fair, the government— including the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission—has been increasing support at least in some sports; Yulo for instance received P3 million from the PSC back in 2020. Private sponsors have also been stepping up to support promising athletes, including the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and the laudable Cynthia Carrion, who supported Yulo from the beginning.
For many athletes, however, the irony is that victory remains the only sure path to getting support. And facing the prospect
of an unsupported and uncertain career, some switch flags and citizenships altogether. As the now-American chess grandmaster Wesley So painfully said of our country: “I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture.”
In the aftermath of the Paris 2024, all of the above seem obvious, and I have high hopes that our strong showing will translate to longer-term investments in sports, not just on promising players and their coaches and whole teams but also the necessary infrastructure (including more swimming pools and running tracks) that can also allow nonathletes to embrace more sports and physical activity in their everyday lives.
Beyond sports, however, I want to make a broader point: Our country is good at rewarding people for their success—but not so much at supporting them so they can succeed.
In music and the arts, for instance, those who make it to the global stage would likewise gar-
ner various rewards and recognitions—from Lea Salonga to Dolly de Leon—but support for cinema, music, literature, and other fields remains insufficient. We pine for a Nobel Prize in Literature but is there enough support for our writers? We long for an Oscar but is there enough support for our film industry? Our scientists, too, face similar hurdles. Our universities reward those who succeed in publishing journal articles, and many awards await prolific scholars, but getting the support to do research and get published is much more complicated. Again, in fairness, there have been efforts on the part of the Department of Science and Technology and the universities themselves to change this state, but availing of them requires bureaucratic gymnastics. We want to reward people for reaching 100, but our life expectancy is less than 70, pointing to a lack of supportive environment for longevity—from access to health care to quality of life.
Of course, there is nothing wrong in rewarding success; it is surely a powerful incentive for people to work harder; it can inspire others to also raise the bar in their own lives.
What’s wrong is when we only support the already-successful, we award and reward people for winning awards, making the path to success even more difficult. This is not only unfair but inequitable for it also favors those who already have the means to succeed in the first place. And so alongside rewarding success, we should also enable it by supporting our athletes, our scholars, our artists and musicians, our young people regardless of their chosen fields—from the very beginning. (Inquirer.net)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * glasco@inquirer.com.ph
Senate leaders back new tack vs illegal drugs
by BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
ManilaTimes.net that the raw materials for shabu and cocaine mostly come from abroad,” Escudero said. “And I have always questioned why the PNP catches only the petty pushers and not a single (or several) big drug lord/s.”
THE Senate leadership backed the “new strategy” of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to combat substance abuse by cutting off the supply chain.
Senate President Francis Escudero, in a text message on Monday, August 12, said, “I agree and support this new strategy.”
“From the start, we should have focused on the supply chain given
The senator said if the PNP succeeds in this, “it will make the supply of drugs scarce and price prohibitive for new and old users and hopefully lower the prevalence of [illegal] drugs and the number of drug users in the country.”
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino
Pimentel III said, “[That’s] a correct [approach]. Target the ‘suppliers.’ That is where the real drug lords would be found.”
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who led the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs when he was still PNP chief, said, “I wish them good luck. I hope and pray that they will succeed.”
Sen. Robinhood Padilla, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, said the people “simply yearn for law and order.”
Comelec begins probe on ex-chief Bautista
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started its investigation on the allegations against former chairperson
Andres Bautista, who has been charged with bribery and money laundering before a United States court in connection with the 2016 elections.
Comelec chair George Garcia said the investigating panel is waiting for the documents and other pieces of evidence, including against current employees.
“Sila na bahala mag-review at
magpatawag ng mga tauhan natin kung kailangan at the same time, magbigay ng recommendation sa Commission (They are in charge of reviewing it and they would call in our personnel if needed and at the same time, give a recommendation to the Commission),” Garcia said in an interview on Monday, August 12.
Garcia, however, said they will not summon former Comelec officials. Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that Bautista
and two officials of poll technology firm Smartmatic, Roger Alejandro Pinate Martinez and Jorge Miguel Vasquez, were indicted for their parts in illegal transactions to retain and obtain business related to the 2016 national and local elections. They were supposedly involved in the payment of at least USD1 million in bribes to Bautista between 2015 and 2018. Smartmatic was the Comelec service provider for automated polls from 2010 to 2022. (PNA)
Marcos moves ‘Ninoy Aquino Day’...
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Aug. 26, a Monday, is also a regular nonworking holiday— National Heroes Day.
The murder of Aquino, an arch-critic of the President’s father, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., on Aug. 21, 1983, was widely considered the
beginning of the end for the dictatorship. Returning from U.S. exile, Aquino, considered the top opposition figure who could challenge Marcos Sr., was shot dead shortly after being escorted out of his plane by government security agents.
Public outcry and sustained protests triggered by his death climaxed three years later in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, the four-day upheaval that forced the Marcos family out of the country and installed Ninoy’s widow, Cory, in power.
Public con dence in Supreme Court hits...
A4
University of Chicago Law School.
“This court is one more committee of the Senate, or something like a political committee. We don’t really need one more political committee, we’ve got plenty of them.”
Public losing confi dence
“But we need something to assure people that it is actually legal principles that are driving these decisions,” said Wood. “When the Supreme Court decides a case, the losing party needs to feel that it got a fair hearing, that there was some objectivity to the way the decision was made. And I do think people are losing that confidence,” she said, adding that the Court needs to regain its “public legitimacy.”
Cristina M. Rodríguez, Leighton Homer Surbeck Professor of Law at Yale Law School, and former cochair of the Commission on the Supreme Court, noted that while she served on the Commission, she heard a lot of varying views about how the Court could be mended.
Republican party violating norms
“Fundamentally, the calls for court reform stem from alarm at what the conservative supermajority on the Court has been doing to the law, and the sense that their power is way out of proportion to the outcomes of the political process over the last several decades,” she said.
There is a sense that the Republican Party has violated norms in the nominations process over the last several years, refusing to meet Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s nominee for the seat vacated by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, and rushing through Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s replacement for
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, said Rodriguez.
“It was so striking at the Commission how, across ideological lines, there was a sense of something needing to be done, that something was out of whack. In one sense, the country was moving in one direction and the Court was moving rapidly in another direction, which creates a real crisis of legitimacy,” she said.
Trajectory of the court Alicia Bannon, director of the Judiciary Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, explained how Supreme Court term limits would work.
Justices would be divided into two phases. In the first 18year phase, they would serve as they do now. In the second phase of service, the justices’ duties would change. “They would still be judges, they would still get paid, they would still hold their offices, but the duties of that senior Supreme Court justice would be different,” said Bannon, noting, for example, they could serve on lower courts or hear a limited number of cases, but not the full court docket.
Term limits would offer a regularized appointment process. Every two years a new vacancy would open on the Court, so presidents would get an opportunity in each term to put two new justices on the bench.
“It restores us much closer to historical norms in terms of how long justices were sitting on the bench,” said Bannon, noting that justices today serve about a decade longer than they have since the 1960s.
“It also creates a dynamic where the Court is more closely linked to the public because presidents would have equal opportunities in a four-year term to influence the trajectory of the Court,” she said.
LOS ANGELES
FASO celebrates the music of Louie Ocampo in ‘A Soulful Summer Evening’
Featuring guest vocalists Joey Albert, Charlie Green and Lindsay Solo
LOS ANGELES – The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra
(FASO) will pay tribute to the timeless music of renowned Filipino pop music composer Louie Ocampo at “A Soulful Summer Night,” a one-ofa-kind concert on Saturday, August 17 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Led by musical director Robert Shroder, FASO will perform an eclectic repertoire that includes a reimagination of Ocampo’s hits through new orchestral arrangements, along with Filipino folk songs and classical music favorites. Joining the orchestra and Ocampo are guest vocalists Joey Albert, Charlie Green, Lindsay Solo, and Madison Lauren.
“We are excited to showcase a special anthology of Louie Ocampo’s compositions, which have stood the test of time,” Shroder said. “In true FASO tradition, this unique concert will have something for everyone in the audience, including classical favorites, Filipino folk songs and Louie’s hits.”
FASO will honor Ocampo with an Excellence in Music award at the concert. Drawing from Ocampo’s oeuvre, the orchestra will perform “Foster in Mind,” “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin,” and “Kahit Isang Saglit,” among other works. For
Composer Louie Ocampo will be honored by FASO with an Excellence in Music award on August 17. Photos courtesy of Filipino American Symphony Orchestra
vocalist Charlie Green Pop vocalist Joey Albert
Citizen Pinoy Brings ‘Your Tanong...
PAGE B1
Bakeshop, and Elaine Valerio, manager of the Seattle branch.
Lola Maria wants to know if her granddaughter and her husband, currently in the U.S. as tourists, can obtain work permits and if her granddaughter can become her caregiver.
Romeo asked about his brother’s 2004 petition for his married daughter, wondering why there has been no update from USCIS.
Carmen was there to ask a question on behalf of her friend, Dionisia. Dionisia’s husband petitioned their children in 2015. However, the petitioner died in May 2020. After his passing, all the children have been denied. Dionisia wants to know what else can be done for the children to come to the U.S.
Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions and more in
“Your Tanong , My Sagot ” at the Seattle branch of Valerio’s Tropical Bakeshop. Watch this brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 18 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)
Philippine Ballet Theatre, recently declared national company for dance, brings new Filipino ballet epic to LA
PHILIPPINE Ballet Theatre (PBT), recently designated as the national performing arts company for dance by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), brings “Ibalon,” a brand new, full-length Filipino ballet epic to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on October 27 at 5:30 p.m.
The prestigious designation of PBT, ratified by the joint boards of the CCP and the NCCA, comes at an opportune time as it prepares for the American premiere of “Ibalon,” based on the beloved Bicolano legend and the love story between a warrior and a cursed princess. The audience on Oct. 27 will be treated to a unique opportunity to see and appreciate why PBT is officially declared as the Philippines’ national dance company.
“Ibalon,” presented in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is co-presented by Philippine Airlines, Arko Foods Market (Glendale) and American Seafood Ranch Market (Cerritos). It will be a spectacular evening staged by PBT, which is also the CCP’s resident dance company, as it celebrates the country’s colorful mythology, set to original music blending contemporary and traditional Filipino elements and entrancing dances inspired by Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
CCP’s ad interim vicechairperson Margie MoranFloirendo said in a statement about “Ibalon”: “From brainstorming the concept to creating new choreography and music that tells the story and down to putting production design and technical requirements, it really takes a village to premiere a new ballet production. This is an innovative way to bring the Bicolano epic to the consciousness of the Filipino people.”
With the full production and dance company coming to Southern California, promising the must-see event of 2024, the audience will be treated to a night showcasing Philippine culture.
Marilou Magsaysay, PBT president, elaborated on the special evening in store for the audience at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts: “The music was composed by Paulo Zarate especially for the ballet and beautifully choreographed by Ronilo Jaynario. Ibalon is a Bicolano legend of a cursed princess, Oryol, and Handyong, the warrior who saves her from the curse of being half-woman/ half-snake. This legend is celebrated in Legaspi, Albay during the Ibalong Festival in August every year.”
Rosie Chua, producer of the U.S. show, added, “The ballet performance of ‘Ibalon’ resonates deeply with the Filipino American audience as it celebrates our rich cultural heritage through the art of ballet, offering a unique and immersive experience to our community.”
“Ibalon” earned praise on its premiere at the CCP. Tatler Asia’s Gabriel Bohol raved, “Through artistic director Ron Jaynario’s direction, and Paulo Zarate’s enchanting music, ‘Ibalon’ showed audiences a glimpse of what world-class Filipino artistry looks like. Each choreographed move was masterfully executed by the dancers and was a fine blend of traditional Filipino dance and classic ballet. Together, Jaynario and Zarate wanted to leave a lasting imprint in Philippine dance history by telling our ancestral stories through music and dance.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Marge C. Enriquez wrote, “In this new work, you will not only be won over by the boyish charm of Matthew Davo as the epic hero Handyong, the expressiveness of Jessa Tangalin as the cursed princess/ snake, the effortlessness of Justin Orande and the rawness of Dom Delmo, both as the hero’s buddies.
“You will also be mesmerized by the pulsating superhero score layered with traditional Filipino instruments and the teleserye/pop music sensibilities of Paulo Zarate.”
“Ibalon” is the latest production of PBT whose mission is to express, through dance, the age-old tales and culture of the Filipino people, to create and perform stories deeply rooted in the Philippines’ heritage.
PBT’s artistic director and choreographer Ronilo Jaynario focuses on the love story of Handyong (The Warrior, played by Matthew Davo) and Oryol (The Cursed Princess, portrayed by Jessa Tangalin).
Jaynario stressed that his choreography is a reimagination of a love story against a backdrop of Philippine mythology. Indulging in creative liberties, he created nuances and plot twists to make the story a powerful display of love in movement. He hopes to leave his audience captivated by enthralling dances inspired by various regions of the Philippines.
Jaynario said, “‘Ibalon’ started with an idea, which developed with the help of the Bicolano epic. Then, I met Paulo Zarate, who visualized musically my idea. I was so moved by his compositions and the dancers that the movements and choreography manifested naturally. From there, everything came together, and the rest is history!”
This legend will be magnificently told with original music by Paulo Zarate who explained that in creating the ballet score, his approach was an amplification of what the music might have sounded like in ancient times. Filipino instruments in that period were more percussive and rhythmic.
Zarate took this into consideration but added bold and moving melodies, incorporating details of Filipino
elements that he researched on, to make the music more epic. Zarate wanted to create music that would have a theatrical or cinematic effect on the audience, pushing them to the edge of their seats in excitement and sweeping them into the love story of Handyong and Oryol.
Zarate explained, “Hearing Ron tell the story of Ibalon, and of Handyong and Oriol, helped me visualize what he wanted to portray and create music that would pull audiences into the story and make them feel the emotions of the characters. The music is Filipino in roots but also modern, relatable, and cinematic in approach which hopefully broadens this ballet’s appeal to a wider set of audience.”
Davo, Tangalin, and the entire PBT company will take Los Angeles on a voyage into the heart of the Philippine culture and history. With PBT’s rising stars, this big production reflecting our ancestral stories will come alive with music and dance. “Ibalon’s” enchanting exploration of the origin of heroes, the timeless and always riveting battle of good and evil and the power of true love await the audience on
Philippine Ballet Theatre, recently designated as the national performing arts company for dance by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, brings “Ibalon,” a brand new, full-length Filipino ballet epic to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on October 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Photo by Erica Jacinto
Romeo (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Elaine Valerio (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Carmen (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Photo by Erica Jacinto
Photo by Erica Jacinto
The Mellow Dees announce vinyl release party on August 17
Event features special guests ZOS!MO and Nievera
THE Mellow Dees is thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated vinyl album, set to launch at a special event on August 17 at the iconic Malibu Music at Trancas Country Market. This celebration promises to be an unforgettable night, featuring live performances by the acclaimed The Mellow Dees and special guest appearances by the sensation ZOS!MO and the electrifying Nievera.
The event will kick off at 7 p.m., welcoming fans and music enthusiasts to an evening filled with soulful tunes and captivating performances. The Mellow Dees, known for their eclectic sound and vibrant stage presence, will showcase tracks from their new vinyl release, delivering a live experience that captures the essence of their music.
The new album, titled “Walls Might Melt,” captures the band’s signature blend of dreamy instrumentals and evocative storytelling. Recorded over the past year, it features ten new tracks that explore themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Fans can expect the same heartfelt sincerity that has defined The Mellow Dees’ music since their debut.
The Mellow Dees is a Filipino American rock band formed in 2019. Their music combines ethereal melodies with poignant lyrics, creating sound that resonates with the listeners around the world. Known for their captivating live performances and genuine connection with their audience, Mellow Dees continues to grow their fanbase with each new release.
“We’ve poured our hearts into this album, and we can’t wait to share it with our fans,” said lead vocalist and guitarist Melody del Mundo. “There’s something special about the tactile experience of vinyl, and we’re excited to offer our music in this format.”
“We are beyond excited to share this moment with our fans,” said Wolf Gemora, drummer of The Mellow Dees. “This vinyl release is a culmination of our journey, and having ZOS!MO and Nievera join us to make it even more special. It’s going to be a night to remember.”
ZOS!MO, will set the tone for the evening with their original Tagalog indie rock set including songs from his original Filipino American rock opera “Liwanag.” Following them, Nievera who is The Mellow Dees lead guitarist will bring their dynamic energy to the stage, ensuring a lineup that highlights the diversity and talent within the music industry.
ZOS!MO is the singersongwriter moniker of awardwinning novelist, musician and playwright Zosimo Quibilan. He won the Philippine National Book Award and the prestigious Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award for “Pagluwas” (University of the Philippines Press, 2006). Quibilan has written music for film and stage, including “Zenaida” (American Film Institute 2022), “Siglo” (Philippine Ballet Theater, 1998) and “2Bayani” (Cultural Center of the Philippines, 1996). ZOS!MO plays original Tagalog indie rock and was part of LA Made Season 8, the Los Angeles Public Library Foundation’s cultural program. He will be joined by Joms Mendoza (guitar), Adam Lovinus (bass) and Weng Flores (drums).
Nievera, a Filipino American artist and producer, moved to California in 2018 to rejuvenate his music career. He began his journey in the Philippines, performing, producing, and hosting under his real name, Robin Nievera, from 2010 to 2019. In 2020, he rebranded himself as Nievera and soon joined Mellow Dees, contributing to the creation of their debut album. Nievera is passionate about continuing his musical journey by writing new music and collaborating with other artists.
Malibu Music is a premier destination for the finest musical instruments, nestled in the heart of Trancas Market in Malibu, CA. As an authorized Gibson retailer, Malibu Music takes pride in offering an exquisite selection of new, used, rare, and collectible acoustic and electric guitars, basses, and other stringed
instruments.
the diverse needs of musicians, collectors, and beginners who share a deep passion for music.
Malibu Music is more than just a shop; they are a community where some of the best talents gather to explore, discover, and celebrate the joy of music. Visit Malibu Music at www. malibumusicllc.com.
FASO celebrates the music of Louie...
the past 46 years, Ocampo has racked up an impressive 100 Original Pilipino Music (OPM) chart-toppers with total online plays exceeding 100 million, including “Tell Me,” “Say That You’ll Love Me,” “Points of View,” and “Forever.” He has been honored by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry’s AWIT Awards, receiving accolades such as Best Musical Arrangement, Best Ballad Recording, and Best Song of the Year. Ocampo graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. with a degree in Music and Film Scoring.
Joey Albert, one of the Philippines’ beloved pop vocalists, has built an illustrious career filled with 14 studio albums, 5 compilation albums, and 15 awards. Her rendition of Ocampo’s compositions in the 1980s catapulted his songs to the top of the Philippine charts and brought both of them instant fame. Albert was Ocampo’s most prominent muse. Her upcoming performance of Ocampo’s songs is a muchanticipated nostalgic tribute to their collaboration and will be made spectacular by the might of a full orchestra.
Charlie Green is an awardwinning, acclaimed FilipinoBritish vocalist who first gained recognition in 2008 as a 10-year-old semi-finalist on “Britain’s Got Talent.” His captivating performances earned over 10 million hits on
YouTube. His career has since taken him to the Philippines, North America, China’s New Year Eve countdown TV show, and the UK, at London’s Royal Albert Hall. In 2018, Green released his second gospel album and performed for a sold-out crowd at Huntington Hall in Worcester, UK for his first big band concert.
Lindsay Solo is a dynamic vocalist renowned for her soulful pop rendition and compelling operatic performances. Originally from Denver, Colo., Solo studied vocal performance and opera at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and La Musica Lirica in Italy. A Disney alum and recording artist, she has sung duets with Michael Bolton. Her classically trained voice has led to collaborative performances with the members of the LA Philharmonic for “Phantom of the Opera” and singing at major sporting events such as Breeder’s Cup and World Ski Cup. Solo’s versatile repertoire spans classical crossover, opera, pop, jazz, musical theater, and more.
Madison Lauren is a 9-yearold vocal prodigy known for her versatility and dynamism in soulful pop, R&B, musical theater, jazz, and even rap. She has been performing publicly since she was three years old. Madison has opened for prominent Filipino artists such as AGT finalist Marcelito Pomoy, hip-hop group ALLMO$T, and double platinum artist Moira Dela Torre. Madison recently
triumphed in a Bay Area music competition, winning her age group and the overall “Ultimate Champion” title.
The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering artistic excellence and community empowerment. Its mission is to cultivate cultural growth for present and future generations to develop a sense of pride in their identities through music. Annually, FASO supports 500 students with workshops in instruments, musicianship, performance, songwriting, and vocals. With a diverse staff and music educators who are steadfast in FASO’s mission, FASO engages over 100 Orchestra musicians and performers and over 40 youths in the Junior Orchestra in their annual concert season, presenting a synthesis of musical genres. With a program that engages more than 5,000 in person attendees and over 1 million virtually, FASO aims to broaden its reach and increase the number of students by providing free instruments while also increasing awareness of Filipino American music and narratives. Proceeds from “A Soulful Summer Night” benefit FASO and its youth music education programs, which provide instruction in vocals, instrument, songwriting, musicianship, and performance. Tickets are available from $50 to $120 at www.fasomusic.org. n
the marriage, your spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account. Another example would be if you purchase a piece of real property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for a half interest in your real property. Another example would be if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, the business grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in the business.
marriage. You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.” The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse” gets a half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name alone or it was accumulated solely due to your sweat and hard work. The out spouse, who stayed at home most of the marriage, gets a one half interest on all the accumulations during the marriage under California community property law.
For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash away 25% of your earnings during the marriage while your spouse blows away his/her salary during
Signing a premarital agreement may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets 1) already owned by each and 2) to property and income to be acquired or earned during their marriage. Marriage of Dawley (1976) 17 C3d 342, 349, 131 CR 3, 7; Marriage of Grinius (1985) 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807 Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other party. Marriage of Dawley, supra, 17 C3d at 350, 131 CR at 8; Cheney v. City & County of San Francisco Employees Retirement System (1936) 7 C2d 565, 569, 61 P2d 754, 756. Premarital agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for PAGE B4
Do I need a premarital agreement...
his or her heirs, free of the other party’s inheritance claims. Estate of Wamack (1955) 137 CA2d 112, 115, 289 P2d 871, 872.
Pursuant to Family Code §1612(c), “Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to all of the following:
(1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located; (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property; (3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event; (4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement; (5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy; (6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement; (7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty. However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code §1612(b) Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable. Fam.C. § 1612(c); Marriage of Pendleton & Fireman (2000) 24 C4th 39, 53–54, 99 CR2d 278, 288–289; Marriage of Facter (2013) 212 CA4th 967, 981, 152 CR3d 79, 90 Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. § 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court
makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code. § 1615(c):
(1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or, after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. The advisement to seek independent legal counsel shall be made at least seven calendar days before the final agreement is signed.
(2) One of the following:
(A) For an agreement executed between January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(B) For an agreement executed on or after January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and the time the agreement was signed, regardless of whether the party is represented by legal counsel. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations the party was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that the party received the information required by this paragraph and
indicating who provided that information.
(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.
(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant.
A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement. Family Code § 1612(c). If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce.
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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation.
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* * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
What it means to be a Church
Pastor’s Notes
ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas
THE affirming words of Rev. Nicky Gumbel, the developer of Alpha, a basic introduction to Christianity, during the last session of Alpha in our parish last week, still resonate in my mind, offering me a fresh perspective on who we should be as a Church. In simple yet profound terms, he shared in the Alpha video: “The message we strive to convey is that Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. He gave Himself up for you, even if you were the sole person in the world. God loves you unconditionally, wholeheartedly, and continually. Therefore, the Church should be renowned for its love—a love that embraces individuals of diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, lifestyles, and perspectives. A church is a home. It embodies Jesus, the Body of Christ. The Church is love. You are loved by God. God loves you!”
These straightforward yet impactful words encapsulate what we call the Kerygma—
the proclamation of the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, we die to our sins; through His burial, we are buried with Him; and through His resurrection, we are granted a new life. This transformation is rooted in the fundamental truth that God loves each and every one of us. With this truth ingrained in our hearts, we gain a deeper comprehension of the Church. As I highlighted last Sunday (August 11), the Church is not merely a structure or an organization. It does not solely consist of priests, deacons, bishops, cardinals, and the pope. Instead, the Church comprises all of us. We are the Church, forming a family collectively. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, embodying the tangible presence of Christ. Through the Eucharist, we manifest the Spirit of Christ, spreading love, mercy, forgiveness, care, compassion, hope, joy, and justice to the world.
All of this finds its foundation in the words of Jesus in this Sunday’s (August 18) Gospel (John 6:51-58): “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
So, what does this reflection
mean for us, members of this parish? It means that we strive to be a family and a community deeply rooted in love for Jesus and our connection with Him. This goes beyond attending worship every Sunday; it entails joining small groups for communal prayer and celebration of life, engaging in charitable activities such as assisting the homeless, deepening our understanding of the Bible and the Catholic faith together. It means approaching fellow parishioners at Mass without hesitation, welcoming them, getting to know them, and making them feel valued and included in our community. Additionally, it involves not elevating bishops but holding them accountable to be servantleaders rather than “princes” of the Church. As priests and bishops, our role is to serve, not to seek glory. May the Church and our parish truly become the nourishing bread for the life of the world. Amen.
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.
Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas
CCHC National Health Center Week Multicultural Health Fair and Children’s
Appreciation Day, Aug. 10th
GLENDALE – Comprehensive Community Health Centers (CCHC) in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross, L.A. Care Health Plan, Quest Diagnostics, Blue Shield of California and Health Net conducted and celebrated CCHC National Health Center Week (NHCW) – Multicultural Health Fair and Children’s Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 10, 2024, 9:30 a.m. at the Clinic Parking Lot - 801 S. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale, CA 91205. The annual health fair and children’s health day supported CCHC 20th year of excellence ensuring the PAGE B5
CCHC NHCW Team and guests of honor: (L-R) – Raymond Retirado, VP of Quality and Clinical Programs, Flora Poladian, Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Smith, Chief Administrative Officer, Glendale City Mayor Elen Asatryan, David Lontok, President and Chief Executive Officer and Pedro Ramirez, Director of Outreach and Community Engagement.
FILIPINO singer, songwriter, TV host and entertainer Jed Madela celebrated his birthday and 20th year anniversary in the entertainment industry with a concert aptly named “Welcome to My World” at Ovation in Hollywood on Saturday, July 27. Jed came back to L.A. with an arsenal of carefully curated songs that have inspired him and have been the soundtrack of his personal life.
Tucked away in a corner of the Ovation on Hollywood and Highland, The Kookaburra Lounge, which is an Art Deco lounge bar with a 350-seating capacity, was the perfect setting for Jed’s intimate musical performance. It provided the audience a close-to-insider’s look into the vocalist’s musical journey.
Jed Madela was the first Filipino to win a title in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).
This native of Iloilo shared that it took a long time for him to get noticed having performed numerous times at bars and lounges around Metro Manila before getting discovered.
The award-winning balladeer opened the show with uplifting original songs, and then took a more introspective look into his journey as a musician with a burgeoning career. Just like Gene Wilder in the movie “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” Jed invited the audience to take a look into his world beginning with the song “Pure Imagination.”
The first Filipino artist to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of WCOPA took the audience on a nostalgic tour with his selection of “classic” songs. It was as if the audience was reliving Jed’s humble beginnings in the music industry with Jed singing classics such as James Ingram’s “Whatever We Imagine.”
Jed recalls he was called various monikers such as “The Voice” and “The Singer’s Singer.” He quipped that all he did was sing covers during the early days of his career so much so that people referred to him as “The Past” for his rendition of the song of the same name.
Jed Madela concert in Hollywood a huge success!
Fil-Am Prince of Pop Garth Garcia, one of the producers of the concert, joined him on stage for a special performance of the song he was initially known for. Aside from American classics from the ‘60s through ’90s, the balladeer beautifully rendered theme songs from American films as well as Filipino movies he was most identified with.
WCOPA alumni and residents of Southern California Cristiani Rebada, Kevin Hermogenes, Jeremy Layug and Garth Garcia joined Jed on stage for a showstopping impromptu performance of a Boyz II Men medley.
B4 health and wellness of those we serve, so they may reach their fullest potential. CCHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and a California Non-Profit Public benefit Corporation that operates and administers six community health centers across Los Angeles County, including Glendale, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Sunland, North Hollywood and Arleta. The center provides dental, medical, and behavioral health services to children and adults from diverse and underserved communities regardless of immigration status. Established in 2004, CCHC has over 20 years of experience providing healthcare services to California’s most diverse populations and has grown to become one of the leading FQHCs in Los Angeles County. CCHC also administer an Urgent Care and a Mobile Clinic bringing health care professionals together to augment the health needs of underserved adult, children, youth and family members or the broader school and community. At the event, CCHC hosted Back-to-School backpacks and shoes distribution to
1200
and underserved children from
school partners in Glendale and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. CCHC also recognized distinguish guests of honor and speakers by presenting the NHCW-Stakeholders Appreciation Award to Mayor Elen Asatryan of the City of Glendale, Superintendent Darneika Watson of Glendale Unified School District and Mr. Jose Escobar, Regional Officer of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. A proclamation certificate from Supervisor Kathryn Barger of the 5th District of Los Angeles County was also presented to CCHC.
A “Big Thank You” to everyone who participated and supported this annual event. Special appreciation and gratitude to
Jed Madela who has been mentoring aspiring artists thanked the producers of this show, MADD, RST Entertainment, Legacy Entertainment and Starlink
An array of some of the most talented singers in Los Angeles such as Ysabella Loyola, Savannah Blandino, Janine De Los Reyes, Michael Jurolan and Kenneth Laurente completed the lineup of special guests and amazing performers.
Promotions and its sponsors as he invited this special guest performers to join him on stage. Roused, fired up and stimulated attendees quickly filled the front of the stage and danced to a medley of ’70s funk and disco chart toppers, ‘80s new wave and ‘90s House dance hits — an electrifying rare performance from one of the best singers the Philippines has produced.
* * * 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.
* * * micdiazpresents@gmail.com
Janine De Los Reyes renders a song number.
Ysabella Loyola sings a song.
The Kookaburra Lounge was the perfect setting for Jed Madela’s intimate concert last July 27.
Jed Madela performs at his birthday/20th anniversary concert in Hollywood on July 27. Photos by Sthanlee Mirador
Kenneth Laurente belts out a number.
Award-winning balladeer Jed Madela took the audience on a nostalgic journey with his rendition of classic songs.
Savannah Blandino performs at the Jed Madela concert.
Jed Madela (center) performs with Cristiana Rebada, Kevin Hermogenes, Jeremy Layug and Garth Garcia. The group sang a show-stopping Boyz II Men medley.
Vince Tañada, a ‘renaissance’ man; Ninoy Aquino’s 41st death anniversary on August 21
My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
Rogelio Constantino Medina
RINA Ortiz Podcast Season 2 was broadcast recently with her guest Chel Diokno for the show’s Season 5 episode.
Rina is an animal care advocate. She began rescuing strays at 5 years old.
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Lupang Hinirang ” was played again in the 2024 Paris Olympics, two nights in a row, because of Carlos Yulo who brought two gold medals in gymnastics for the Philippines, thus making history.
In the 1990s, I made a prediction in the BulongPulungan at Sofitel Hotel that a young man will bring honor to the country in the Olympics and it came true several years after.
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The late Butz Aquino, senator and actor, is one of the founders of August Twenty-One Movement which does quietly walking, jogging, running or biking activity through its ROAR (run on against revision) campaign. On August 18, ATOM’s ROAR participants are expected to meet at 7 a.m. on Ayala Avenue, Makati City. I vividly remember when Jackie Aquino, Butz’s daughter, acted on a film with Roderick Paulate, and Butz was in full support. I once saw Butz on a TV series, “I Heart You, Pare !,” with Dingdong Dantes, Regine Velasquez and Iza Calzado under the directions of Joyce Bernal and Andoy Ranay.
It was on August 17, 2015 that he passed on. August 21 is the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino’s death anniversary.
“Emilio Aquino, grandson of Butz, is expected to join the ROAR jog on Ayala Avenue together with Xiao Chua, an ATOM member. The August 18 ROAR is still part of the build-up for the 41st death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, in which ATOM is expected to stage a motorcade
going to Paranaque City’s Manila Memorial Park and offer candles for the late senator, Ninoy Aquino,” said Volt Bohol, current ATOM president. * * *
Vince M. Tañada is a writerdirector-actor of the films Katips ,” “ Ako Si Ninoy ,” “ Ang Bangkay ,” “Why Love Why” and musical play “Hero Z.” He is considered a ‘renaissance’ man, a presentday man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field, a notion that humans should embrace all knowledge and develop themselves as fully as possible.
One time Vince posted in his FB account: “A theater luminary once said that other A-list theatre practitioners and directors are mad at me because they think I’m egocentric. I don’t know these people and have not met them. Thank you for judging me without knowing me. I now have bigtime haters. That means I have arrived. Congratulations self.” Ron Gorby remarked: “There’s nothing wrong about being egocentric if that was actually true. As long as you don’t do them any harm for being egocentric then that’s fine. I also don’t think these people actually hate you. Maybe they don’t see it (as) a good idea working with somebody whose talents won’t jibe with theirs.”
Added Wal Den: “You’ve always worked hard for your accolades, thus it’s a natural progression that you become very successful in your life and career.”
Atty. Vince is celebrating his 50th birthday on August 17.
* * * I was a recent guest in Net 25 Radyo Agila DZEC 1062 KHZ’s Wej-a-Minute show, hosted by Wej Cudiamat, one Thursday night at 8 p.m. Wej is a recipient of 2nd Philippines Finest Business Award and Outstanding Achievers on September 8, 2024. It was a happy moment with this gifted broadcaster with a gift of gab.
* * *
“Asia’s Queen of Fire” Lae
Manego-Franzani (married to Querino Franzani), online TV host and producer of Loreley Entertainment Management, celebrated recently her birthday by bringing joys to the elderly at GRACES in the morning and to the kids with cancer at CHILDHaus Mapang-akit in Quezon City in the afternoon.
Assisting her were friends Edwin Lisa, Mark Lester Lico, Bertch Ian Namuag Ranis, vocalist Madonna Decena, and La Visual Corp., organizer of this year’s 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award. Thanks to CHILDHaus director Jeannette Cu and Ms. Lalaine Geronimo.
A few months from now, Lae, a recipient of the 2nd Philippines Finest Business Award and Outstanding Achievers, will be leaving for Europe to do concerts in France and the Netherlands.
* * *
During the recent Film Academy of the Philippines’ LUNA Awards night, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes sounded the alarm about the state of Philippine cinema on what is needed to be done. It urgently needs government support to keep it going. They need to collaborate and work with one another as one, as First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has tried to help resuscitate the film and entertainment industry.
In May 2024, the first lady met with the organizers of the Manila International Film Festival in her office. In April 2024, she held a meeting with Oscar-winning film producer David Shim and some Filipino movie and entertainment industry representatives. She also held a follow-up meeting on how best to support the Filipino film and entertainment industry.
* * * Elia Ilano, 72nd FAMAS best child actress, will receive the 2nd Lahing Pilipino Award on August 18 at Aberdeen Court restaurant in Quezon City. Young awardees include Kian Co and Atasha Eve Franco. Other awardees are Lae
Manego-Franzani, Imelda Papin, Eva Darren, Marissa Delgado, Liz Alindogan Kho, Beverly Salviejo, Michelle Sia, Renz Spangler, FAMAS president Francia “Cheche” Conrado, Christina Aliada, Cong. Milagros Magsaysay, DJ Johnny Bukol, Don Orozco, Michael Dautil, Rikki Siao Petilla, Jun Alexter Ferrer, Cecilia M. Salvador, Tess Pambuan, Rolando M. Natividad, Rosalie S. Ferrer, Ferdinand V. Ferrer, Relly Nufable Jose Jr., Shiela Lintan Delgado, Ramil Sison Palisoc, Romm Burlat and many more. This is organized by Ms. Maria Liza F. Lorenzo.
* * * 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
“Chef Natalia Moran is the epitome of Filipina ingenuity, creativity, industry, and commitment to excellence. Chef Natalia has been a consultant to many reputable restaurants in the Philippines for decades: to help them refresh their menu, enhance their efficiency and productivity, achieve consistency in food and service, manage their costs, and update the look and feel of their brick-and-mortar restaurants. Chef Natalia is approachable, yet firm in her resolve when the situation demands it. She has a kind and gentle character emanating from her deep and strong faith. She is sharp and engaged, clearly, on top of her game. And she has a good sense of humor. Chef Natalia is a gem and a prime mover in the Philippine food industry. We are truly delighted to work with her and her siblings to bring Filipino cuisine to the global stage.”-Elzar Simon, Co-Owner of Manila Inasal LA, 2024
“We see a world where ‘Filipino’ is part of the mainstream consciousness of the global community associated with ingenuity and creativity. I want to grow Manila Inasal LA. I am a Filipina and I show my passion for my country, my love for my culture through cooking while staying true to the Filipino Flavors.” -Chef Natalia Moran, Co-Owner of Manila Inasal PH and Manila Inasal LA, 2024
Quite apropos that I am writing an article about Chef Natalia Moran during the Olympics 2024 when folks are enthusiastic about supporting athletes who are at the top of their game. A-list stars came to watch Simon Biles attain a record qualifying score of 15.8, a historic Yurchenko double pike, renamed Biles II, due to its difficulty and being the first woman to do so in gymnastics. She tackles the vault as if flying, defying gravity with grit.
Grit in a caring ecosystem
What’s the connection to Chef Natalia Moran, some may ask? Would you believe that Chef Moran in Grades 1 to 4 was also a gymnast who competed locally and regionally in Singapore? She too was excited to watch gymnasts, especially Simone Biles and Suni Lee, compete in the 2024 Olympics. More than that, they all display
Chef Natalia Moran: On top of her game as opening chef to over 20 restaurants and counting
grit in pursuit of their passions in their respective life journeys.
Every human talent is influenced by both genes and experiences, writes Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” which studied the traits of geniuses — 67 traits common to them, foremost of which is grit.
Duckworth described grit as the combination of persistence in motive: working actively towards a definite goal, without seeking change, or the tendency to abandon tasks from changeability. It is a degree of will and perseverance to stay the course and the passion to not abandon the task, in the face of obstacles. It is the power of experiences, where grit is acquired from overcoming struggles of climbing to the summit; confidence is gained to try something harder, and something new.
Beyond ancestral genes from Peter, Moran’s father, who was a weightlifter and Fe, her mother, who was a volleyball player, personify grit in Moran’s life who both competed in games locally and regionally. As such, Moran was influenced and encouraged to pursue sports, as well as her cooking passions, methodically, academically and practically.
She went to Poveda Learning Center where much of her foundational training for four years came from RISE (Remote, Independent, Self-Paced Education) program. The school’s mascot, a rising phoenix, mirrors her ascending journey,
a rise to actualize her dreams, her passions in cooking and to acquire proficiencies in different languages, as well as sports.
Comprehensive education with purpose by saying ‘yes’ to opportunities
Chef Moran was a varsity volleyball player at a premier high-ranking public university, the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She competed in national/regional competitions and sustained a high grade point average to merit her varsity scholar standing for three years. She completed a bachelor of science in hotel, restaurant and institution management, from 2003 to 2008. Interestingly enough, Dr. Miflora Gatchalian, her professor in management, was my professor in thesis development and quality systems.
As if college was not rigorous enough, she learned the fundamentals of culinary arts at the PAGE B7
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo
Lae Manego-Franzani and Querino Franzani Wej Cudiamat (left) with Rogelio Medina
Rina Ortiz with guest Atty. Chel Diokno. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina
Writer-director-actor Vince Tañada
The late Senator Butz Aquino
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos (right) with Jose Javier Reyes, chairperson and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Clockwise, from lower left: Maria Liza Lorenzo, child actress Elia Ilano, Gladys Reyes and Rogelio Medina.
Prosy AbArquez DelAcruz, J.D.
Rhizomes
Chef Natalia Moran with Elzar Simon, co-owner of Manila Inasal, and Gary Valenciano
Chef Natalia Moran
Photos courtesy of Natalia Moran
Chef Natalia Moran: On top of her game as opening chef to over...
International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCAHM) from October to December 2005, further expanding on what she knew in college.
Determined to broaden her knowledge, she became a trainee at Ice Vodka Bar, gaining exposure to mixing drinks and how to use various bartending tools from August to October 2006, in preparation for Chef’s on Parade Bartending Competition and placed third.
Never saying no to learning opportunities, she was an intern at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, a five-star hotel, in their Red Outlet Kitchen and Main Kitchen and their commissary kitchen, assisting in catering events in 2007. This is also where she was introduced to FIDELIO, a records systems tracking processes, while also dealing with hotel guests in the front office.
As an evolving professional, she says yes to many opportunities coming her way, discarding selfdoubt. She became the line cook at Greenbelt’s Madison Restaurant, working the opening and closing shifts from 2008 to 2009. She was in charge of preparing the ingredients and made soups, sauces, starches and side dishes, including the responsibility of opening and closing the restaurant and became part of the restaurant’s catering team.
She contributed to many issues of Appetite Magazine by preparing the cooked entrees for their magazine cover as well as helping the food production stylist in setting up the entrees for photographs in 2006. She ventured abroad to pick upmore skills and experiences, while still pursuing her college degree.
Apicius International School for Hospitality in Florence: Her passion kindled more
“Florence is an open-air museum. While learning hospitality, students also absorb the local culture while being immersed in diverse areas such as art, fashion, wellness, and gastronomy. I believe it is impossible to understand a discipline without experiencing the culture and context surrounding it,” said Andrea Trapani, executive chef and manager of Apicius in Florence, Italy.
Apicius International School for Hospitality in Florence, Italy is one of the top three culinary institutes worldwide. It ranks on par with the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu in France. It is where Moran obtained a certificate in culinary arts.
She went to classes 18 hours a week, and then, cooked brunch on Saturdays, and assisted during functions and events. She became an internship trainee at Ganzo Restaurant in Florence (the school’s restaurant), applying what she has learned in the classroom.
Chef Pierluigi Campi of Pierluigi Group emailed me recently on how Moran was chosen to work with him. He wrote, “I appreciated her strength. I felt sorry because once she cut her finger, she needed some stitches. You know
women sometimes are hard to manage in a busy kitchen. But, I saw that she was very good in my kitchen [Ganzo Restaurant]. Much better than some Americans [encountered in school]. I would hire Natalia tomorrow because she’s very passionate in the kitchen. I hope this will help you to write only good things about Natalia.”
She went beyond cooking into the world of arts, wellness, and travel hospitality. Imagine having to get along with students from different parts of the world?
Some years later, she became the Apicius Culinary Arts and Hotel Management chef instructor, handling both theory and handson kitchen classes from June 2013 to March 2014. In that role, she prepared lesson plans, market lists, and student activities to develop them to be the best that her students can be, as she was mentored to be her best by prior mentors.
She also acquired basic proficiencies in the Italian language including it to the other languages she knew: Tagalog, English, and Spanish.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, from 2020 to 2022, she found herself cooking hundreds of meals and serving the Frontline, and her “packing teammates” were her parents, her sister, her brother, her son, her aunt, and helper, while their conscientious driver delivered the meals. Most restaurants in the Philippines had stopped their operations. But the Moran family chose to serve others.
Growing income streams for owners/founders in the Philippines and now, LA Formation of one’s skills, talents and abilities is an art. Beyond one’s natural genes, it is also a personal ability to stay confident and fearless in meeting the challenge of new opportunities. The ascent of Moran appears to come from sustaining her self-confidence to do a myriad of what is required at any given moment.
Moran has started 18 restaurants from the ground up, which include construction, kitchen design, curating the opening menu as well as hiring cook staff. She is a consummate talent who opens up income streams to founders and owners of restaurants in Makati, San Juan, Pasig, and Boracay. Sunny Side group owners Nowie and Odette Potenciano who own several restaurants, including Sunny Side Café, Spice Bird and Coco Mama, spoke of Moran’s involvement to Rappler, an online news outlet. To Tatler, they described their current restaurants that include Mochiko, Please, Senpai and Tabi-Tabi. Nowie Potenciano described, “We built and ownall of these ourselves. We don’t have any partners. But we do have a great executive chef, Natalia Moran, who developed almost all the dishes in The Sunny Side Group.”
Sunny Side Cafe is now almost 12 years old and it was born, inspired by what the owners experienced in Laos: all-day breakfast, bakery and specialty coffee. Another to add to
their string of successful places is Percy Seafood, featured in Tatler, a lifestyle, fashion and features magazine as one of the places to go to in Boracay.
“Through her creativity and palate, [Chef Moran] is able to translate ideas into something suited to what we need for our restaurants and in Boracay,” Nowie Potenciano shared with Rappler.
Other restaurants and food stalls she opened were: Ube Mama and Mango Mama (specialty dessert places), Winner Winner Fried Chicken, Popo Chinese roasts and dumplings, El Jardin in Makati, Granivore in Makati, Bookoh in BGC and Robinsons Mall, Tomato and Basil in Puerto Princesa, Marikudo in Roxas City, Snooze Café in San Juan City, Monza Barcade in Pasig, Gaea Café in San Juan City, Supermagic Burgers and Nomu Beverage Station.
She also revitalized the menus of: Your Local Asian Restaurant in Makati, PizzaExpress a UKbased Italian franchise in BGC and Mega Mall, Santa Peligrosa in Boracay, Fat Rice in Boracay, Sands Hotel in Boracay, Chateau Hestia in Tagaytay, Villa Maria Resort in Surigao, and Passion Cook catering in Parañaque.
Bold and fearless catering of LA’s cultural events
Manila Inasal‘s name conjures up memories of grilled flavorful food in Manila while inasal is a flavor profile from Bacolod that has gotten a loyal following amongst folks.
Inasal is rooted in “ina” meaning mother and “asal” is to roast, while
in Arabic, it means honey. Just the name alone is enough to make customers curious if it lives up to its name. Does it?
Bold and fearless, Manila Inasal in the Philippines was founded in 2020 by Chef Natalia Moran with her siblings at the height of the pandemic, and another in Los Angeles with the Simon Family in 2023.
At a dinner event in 2024, the Simon family was described as unified once they decided upon a goal. They mobilize and are fully supportive of one another, each with their own roles: Eli Simon masterfully leads operations, Joshua Simon and Ysabel Simon strategize sales and marketing. They have now outgrown their LA’s cloud kitchen and are in search of a site for a full sit-down restaurant.
In barely six months, it has boldly taken on catering significant cultural events in Los Angeles.
A birthday event at LA Rose Café attracted a hundred folks to partake in an extensive buffet of entrees. What caught my palate’s memory was the kare-kare made with macadamia nut sauce, normally done using peanut sauce. Another was the roasted pork belly on soft steamed bao buns, tagged Manila Inasal on the bun’s skin. We have not encountered roasted pork belly with crispy skin, served with cilantro, pickled turnips and carrots, on steamed bao buns.
At another dinner music event, featuring Nonoy Zuñiga with Dodjie Simon on the piano, I had a dessert creation of pairing tsokolate gelato with palitaw (sticky
rice with coconut sauce, pinipig and coconut flakes) which my 9-year-old granddaughter, Ever Iyla, had seconds of. “Yummy!”
she said. The attendance nearly doubled from the first event of 100 to 180 attendees.
Catering was done in May 2024 for nearly 300 folks who attended the Manila International Film Festival Gala at the Directors’ Guild of America. This summer, Manila Inasal LA catered to the Recording Industry of America’s event and Eraserheads that performed in Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Even the headliner celebrity, Gary Valenciano, who headlined Independence Day in Carson, had a sumptuous dinner catered by Manila Inasal LA.
Perhaps Lewis Hamilton (Formula One driver with 100 wins) articulated what Moran has eloquently done with her life.
Hamilton said in Jay Shetty’s 2024 podcast: “It is to continue to have belief in myself – to keep my head up and march towards my dream.
To give up is easy to do, and the hardest/most difficult is to hang on.”
I asked Moran, “Is there anything you are afraid of?” She simply smiled. It is remarkable how she takes on one difficult task after another in such a crunched period of time.
“Chef Natalia’s genius in the kitchen lies in her ability to create dishes that are like a hug to the diner. Her food has flavors that are familiar yet presented in surprising new ways. She’s a natural at
coaxing this element of comfort out of every bite and it shows in how people respond to dining at our restaurants,” Nowie Potenciano shared in a recent email. Grit is an innate quality amongst athletes, a multi-awarded Formula One driver like Lewis Hamilton, an Olympic gymnast like Simon Biles, attaining the highest score and a historic double pike named after her, Suni Lee for not giving up, and excels, but also a Filipina Chef Natalia Moran who keeps moving forward saying yes to opportunities. Moran can be described as a G.O.A.T.
