Volume 17 - No.43 • 16 Pages We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online! AUGUST 23-29, 2024
Public con dence
in Supreme Court hits record lows
More than
78% of voters support term limits for justices
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
Risa: Guo out of PH, fled to Malaysia last month
by JANE BAUTISTA, TINA G. SANTOS Inquirer.net
MANILA — No wonder authorities could not find dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who has a standing arrest warrant from the Senate after she repeatedly refused to attend its
hearings on illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) activities.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros disclosed on Monday, August 19 that Guo had already left the country for Kuala Lumpur on July 18 using her Philippine passport.
“I am now in receipt of information that, in
fact, this person was already out of the country on July 18, 2024, to Kuala Lumpur. She entered [Malaysia] 12:17:13 … of July 18…,” she said in a manifestation during the Senate plenary session.
“It cannot be denied that this is her because
by FRANCES MANGOSING, MELVIN GASCON Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) is inclined to declare a dengue outbreak in the country as the current number of cases may have already reached “outbreak levels,” according to Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
In a press conference on Monday, August 19 the DOH chief was asked if the time to announce a dengue outbreak in the Philippines
cases
had now come, to which he replied:
“Ibang [press conference] ‘yan mag-dedeclare din ako ng dengue outbreak.”
(That’s for a separate press conference. I will declare a dengue outbreak.)
“Based on my conversation with the Epidemiology Bureau director, pang outbreak levels na ang ating dengue,” he added without providing more details.
(Based on my conversation with the Epidemiology Bureau director, our dengue
by FAITH ARGOSINO Inquirer.net
MANILA — The country’s first mpox (formerly monkeypox) patient this year is a resident of Metro Manila, Department of Health (DOH) chief Teodoro Herbosa revealed. Herbosa was asked during a press conference on Monday, August 19 about the details of the new mpox case, which the DOH earlier announced in a statement.
“From NCR,” he said, in reply to questions regarding the patient’s whereabouts.
The DOH said they received information on a newly recorded mpox infection on Sunday, August 18. It also described the patient as a “33-year-old male Filipino national with no travel history outside the Philippines but with close, intimate contact three weeks before symptom onset.”
“Symptoms started more than a week ago with fever, which was followed four days later by findings of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles,” it added.
According to Herbosa, DOH has launched contact tracing efforts to prevent the spread of the viral infection.
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
UNCLEAR. Buildings are covered in haze as seen from Manila Bay on Tuesday, August 20. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it is likely due to local pollutants, not from the smog of Taal Volcano in Batangas province.
PNA photo by Yancy Lim
NaFFAA announces Ryan Namata as new national president
DETROIT—
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) proudly announces the election of Ryan Namata as the organization’s new national president, following a pivotal election held on the afternoon of Saturday, August 17, 2024, during the 15th National Empowerment Conference in Detroit. This historic moment marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for NaFFAA, as Namata, a visionary leader deeply rooted in the Filipino American community, takes the helm with a commitment to steering the organization toward unprecedented growth and impact.
Ryan Namata’s association with NaFFAA began in 2016, driven by a passion for effecting meaningful change within the Filipino American community. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, initially serving as the Director of Human Capital and later as the leader of
the organization’s national operations. His dynamic leadership has been crucial in shaping NaFFAA’s trajectory, including the recruitment of key staff members, organizing significant national conferences, and championing the organization’s mission. Namata’s dedication is evident in his hands-on approach –whether coordinating logistics or fostering camaraderie through activities like karaoke, he embodies NaFFAA’s spirit of unity and service.
Professionally, Namata serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Center for American Progress, a prominent thinktank based in Washington, D.C. With nearly 25 years of experience in human capital management, he has led both domestic and international teams across various sectors, including finance, cybersecurity, and nonprofit organizations. Namata’s expertise in organizational
development, leadership coaching, and diversity, equity, and inclusion has made him a respected voice in the field.
As he steps into his new role as National President of NaFFAA, Namata is focused on two key priorities: empowering the youth and fostering an inclusive environment for all Filipinos.
“NaFFAA must get younger,” Namata emphasized. “We need to inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders, ensuring that our organization remains vibrant and relevant for years to come.”
He envisions NaFFAA as a central hub for education and dialogue, where Filipinos can connect with their heritage, culture, and the power of unity.
The election also saw the appointment of other key officers, including Chris Rivera as vice president, Giselle Rushford as secretary,
u PAGE 8
Public confidence in Supreme Court...
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 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 confidence
“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
New lines of attack form against the Affordable Care Act
THE Affordable Care Act is back under attack. Not as in the repeal-and-replace debates of yore, but in a fresher take from Republican lawmakers who say key parts of the ACA cost taxpayers too much and provide incentive for fraud.
Several House Republican leaders have called on two watchdog agencies to investigate, while Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) fired off more than half a dozen questions in a recent letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
At issue are the ACA’s enhanced subsidies, put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of economic recovery legislation. Grassley said in a recent news release that the subsidies “left Obamacare, a program already riddled with problems, wide open to new waste, fraud and abuse.”
former senior Republican congressional staffer. That’s because both sides have incentive to extend all or part of the tax cuts, but each will want some kind of compromise on other issues as well.
enrollment and switching schemes in the spring.
Some critics, though, question how the Paragon analysis was done.
For instance, Paragon’s findings rely on two unrelated data sets from different years. Combining them makes many people who are eligible for subsidies appear to be ineligible, said Gideon Lukens, a senior fellow and director of research at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “The analytic approach is not careful or sophisticated enough to provide accurate or even meaningful results.”
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
While potential fraud in government programs has always been a rallying cry for conservatives, the recent criticisms are a renewed line of attack on the ACA because repealing it is unlikely, given that more than 21 million people enrolled in marketplace plans for this year.
“I see what’s happening right now as laying the groundwork for the big fight next year,” said Debbie Curtis, a vice president at consulting firm McDermott+.
The enhanced subsidies are set to expire in late 2025. Without them, millions of Americans would likely see their premiums go up.
But the debate will also likely draw in other issues, including Trump-era tax cuts, which also must be addressed next year. Also potentially in play are other aspects of the ACA, including a special yearround enrollment period and zero-premium plans for lowincome consumers.
Much of what eventually happens will depend on the makeup of the Senate and House, as well as control of the White House, after the November elections.
“The fate of the enhanced tax credits is dependent on the Democrats holding some majority in Congress and/or winning the presidency and is also tied inextricably to the Trump tax cut expiration,” said Dean Rosen, a partner at Mehlman Consulting and a
The growing outcry by Republicans about the subsidies goes hand in hand with a controversial recent report from a conservative think tank that estimates millions of people — or their brokers — may be misstating their incomes and getting the most generous ACA subsidies.
The Paragon Health Institute report estimates that the number of people who enrolled in ACA coverage for this year who projected they would earn between 100% of the federal poverty level and 150% — amounts that qualify them for zero-premium plans and smaller deductibles — likely exceeds the number of people with that level of income, particularly in nine states.
It recommends several changes to the ACA, including letting the enhanced subsidies expire, increasing repayment amounts for people who fail to project their incomes correctly, and ending the Biden-backed initiative that allows very low-income people to enroll in ACA coverage year-round rather than having to wait for the once-a-year general open enrollment period.
The Paragon report was cited by both Grassley and the House GOP lawmakers in their letters to government overseers. It also notes what they consider a related concern: ongoing problems of unscrupulous, commissionseeking agents enrolling people in ACA coverage or switching their plans without their permission, often into highly subsidized plans. KFF Health
Paragon President Brian Blase, a former senior Trump administration official and a co-author of the report, said it used publicly available data that others could use to confirm its results.
Paragon’s Recommendations also drew mixed reactions.
Sabrina Corlette, a codirector of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, said they “would make coverage less affordable, disproportionately affecting low-income people, and that’s the opposite of the goals of the ACA.”
Another ACA expert, Joseph Antos of the conservative American Enterprise Institute, agrees with one of the recommended fixes: changing the structure of the subsidies to limit zeropremium plans.
“Giving health insurance away is the problem,” said Antos, who said it is probably contributing to the unauthorized switching by some rogue brokers, who know if they sign someone up for a free plan without their permission, they’re unlikely to get caught for a while because the person won’t get monthly bills.
Another potential solution to people misstating their income is that “the seven or eight states that still haven’t expanded Medicaid should do that,” Antos said. The expansion would open Medicaid eligibility to more people who earn less than the poverty level, reducing the incentive to overestimate their income to qualify for ACA subsidies.
Among other things, the subsidies are larger now
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on July 30. Photo from Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
News uncovered the
Formal group photograph of the Supreme Court as it was been comprised on June 30, 2022 after Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined the Court. The Justices are posed in front of red velvet drapes and arranged by seniority, with five seated and four standing. Seated from left are Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Justices Samuel A. Alito and Elena Kagan. Standing from left are Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Photo from Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States
Public confidence in supreme court... NaFFAA announces Ryan Namata as...
Rod Mercado as treasurer, and Mariela Fletcher as national chair. This leadership team, under Namata’s guidance, is poised to lead NaFFAA into a new era of growth and engagement.
Outgoing NaFFAA national president Mariela Fletcher expressed her full confidence in Namata’s leadership, stating, “Ryan Namata is the right leader at the right time for NaFFAA. His experience, vision, and unwavering commitment to our community make him uniquely qualified to guide our organization forward.
I am confident that under his leadership, NaFFAA will reach new heights and continue to make a profound impact on the lives of Filipino Americans across the nation.”
As NaFFAA embarks on this new journey, Namata is determined to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessors and lead the organization toward an even brighter future. He is committed to ensuring that
NaFFAA remains a vital and dynamic force within the Filipino American community and beyond.
Ryan Namata shared his thoughts on the privilege of serving as NaFFAA’s national president: “It is a profound honor to lead NaFFAA at this crucial moment in our history. The opportunity to serve and empower the Filipino American community is both a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace wholeheartedly. Together, we will continue to elevate our voices, celebrate our heritage, and build a future where every Filipino American feels connected, supported, and empowered.”
With Namata’s election, NaFFAA stands poised to enter a new era of leadership, unity, and empowerment — ensuring that the voices of Filipino Americans are heard, valued, and acted upon across the nation.
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is the largest national organization
advocating for the interests and well-being of nearly 4.2 million Filipino Americans in the United States. Established in 1997, NaFFAA promotes the active participation of Filipino Americans in civic, political, and social affairs, and works to build coalitions that advance the aspirations of Filipino Americans in the broader society. NaFFAA is committed to fostering leadership development, civic engagement, and cultural preservation within the Filipino American community. For more information, visit www.naffaa.org. g
Risa: Guo out of PH, fled to Malaysia...
PAGE 1
it matches her Philippine passport,” Hontiveros added, presenting an image of a document of Guo’s supposed entry to Malaysia and the latter’s Philippine passport.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday evening confirmed that Guo might have left the Philippines illegally without passing through the required checks of Philippine immigration authorities.
“We received intelligence information from our counterparts abroad that Guo illegally left for Malaysia [and] then flew to Singapore,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement, citing “very reliable sources.”
Guo reportedly flew to Singapore with Shiela Leal Guo and Wesley Leal Guo on July 21.
Tansingco clarified that while Guo was listed in the immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), her supposed departure was not recorded in the bureau’s system or centralized database.
“So far, we have not received any turnover or reports related to Guo from other agencies, including
those manning our maritime borders,” the BI chief said.
Tansingco also disclosed that Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, one of Guo’s business associates and the named representative of the raided Pogo hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, departed the Philippines as early as June 11, before the Ilbo was issued against them on Aug. 6.
He added that on Sunday, the group was tracked traveling to Indonesia.
The immigration chief emphasized that canceling Guo’s Philippine travel documents could expedite her extradition to the Philippines.
Corroborating the BI’s information, spokesperson Winston Casio of the
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. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Center)
DOH likely to declare dengue...
cases have already reached outbreak levels.)
Based on the latest data from DOH, the country’s dengue cases stood at 136,161 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3, which is 33 percent higher than the 102,374 cases recorded in the same period last year.
It, however, also said that dengue-related deaths during the same period
reached 364, lower than the 401 deaths logged in the same period last year.
The DOH reminded the public again to follow the 4S strategy –“Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places, “Secure Self-Protection” from mosquito bites, “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging” –to fight dengue. g
in the Philippines as the current number of cases may have already reached “outbreak levels,” according to Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. INQUIRER.net file photo
New mpox case recorded...
PAGE 1
“We had nine cases in 2023 but we were able to test them little by little, this means that the mpox virus is among us. It is not imported. It is here,” he explained in Filipino.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, quoting “foreign counterparts’ immigration records,” said that Guo arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Denpasar, Indonesia, on July 18.
She then arrived in Singapore from Malaysia on July 21 and reached Batam, Indonesia, from Singapore via ferry on Aug. 18, Casio said in a message to reporters.
Probe accountability
Earlier, Hontiveros, citing information from her sources, said that after going to Malaysia, Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, went to Singapore to meet her father Guo Jian Zhong, mother Lin Wen Yi, brother Wesley Guo and Ong.
“Warning to everybody that mpox is here and it was contracted through community transmission from a fellow Filipino. That is why we are contact tracing now,” Herbosa added.
He then advised the public to frequently wash their hands with soap and water or disinfect using alcoholbased sanitizers.
“We can avoid mpox. Mpox is transmitted through close, intimate contact, and also the materials used by people who have mpox. Keeping our hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers will help,” Herbosa said.
“The DOH will make the testing process as convenient as possible, so that suspect cases may be identified fast and allowed to stay at home,” he added.
The DOH said the detection of the new mpox case raised the total number of recorded mpox cases nationwide to 10. The country’s last recorded mpox patient was in December 2023. All previous patients recovered, it noted. g
TRAVEL DOCUMENT This image from the Facebook page of Sen. Risa Hontiveros shows the Philippine passport of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her travel details to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Hontiveros on Monday said Guo, who was linked to a raided Pogo hub in her town, left the country on July 18. Contributed Photo
This undated image obtained from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, Maryland, shows a colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox or mpox particles (green) found within an infected cell (pink and purple), cultured in the laboratory. (Photo by Handout / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Mosquito carries dengue. The Department of Health (DOH) is inclined to declare a dengue outbreak
Ryan Namata, newly-elected NaFFAA national president.
Photo provided by NaFFAA
FEATURES OPINION Fighting bullying
THE digital age has facilitated a host of human activities, including, unfortunately, harmful and criminal undertakings. For the younger generations, many of them digital natives, among these harmful aspects is bullying. This problem has been around for a long time, but digital technology has facilitated bullying among youths particularly in schools.
Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act was passed back in 2013. It requires all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address acts of bullying in their institutions. Yet the Program for International Student Assessment tagged the Philippines as the “bullying capital of the world,” with the problem cited as one of the reasons for the poor performance of Filipino 15-year-old students in the PISA.
New Education Secretary Sonny Angara has found it necessary to remind all schools, both public and private, that they must craft their respective policies against bullying. The policies, he said, must include disciplinary sanctions against bullies as well as the designation of school personnel in charge of the issue. He also wants guidance counselors in every school to help students deal with mental health issues.
WE don’t know who will become America’s next president. Even after dramatically surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump is no longer the favorite in the race.
By all indications, Vice President Kamala Harris is reconsolidating the Democratic base, thus
As complicated as the problem of bullying is loneliness. Last year, in a MetaGallup report on the global state of social connections, the Philippines was tagged as the second loneliest country in the world and the most lonesome in Southeast Asia. Among the loneliest in the Philippines, the report said, were members of Generation Z. The report describes Gen Z as those born between 1997 and 2012. And their loneliness has been attributed in part to over-exposure to social media and the use of smartphones. The problem was exacerbated by the COVID lockdowns, and in many households, by the absence of one or two parents working overseas.
Dealing with bullying and loneliness is hampered by the acute lack of mental health workers in this country, from guidance counselors to psychiatrists. The Philippine
Amaking swing states in both the Rust Belt (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan) and Sun Belt (Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina) extremely competitive. But the outcome of the elections will likely be decided in a few swing counties in a few swing states.
What’s more certain is that America is heading for a contentious postelection landscape. And the world will have to buckle up
Mental Health Association estimates that there is less than one health worker for every 100,000 people in the country.
While the problem is complex, however, there are ways of discouraging bullying and easing mental health problems among the youth. Digital technology also facilitates pinning down bullies and imposing appropriate
penalties. Activities that genuinely interest the youth can be organized by schools to promote positive social interaction. Mental health professionals can provide mentoring to share their expertise with educators and school administrators. The first step in dealing with this problem is the recognition of its urgency and the need for interventions. (Philstar.com)
‘Philippines First’ foreign policy
with a potentially unstable America in the near future. Undoubtedly, the Europeans have the most to lose if Trump comes back to power or, alternatively, America embraces a more insular and isolationist foreign policy doctrine.
In fairness, top Republican strategists such as Elbridge Colby have made it clear to me that they would zero in on the threat from China and, accordingly, ramp up
their defense aid to frontline allies such as the Philippines should they prevail in the November elections. On his part, our ambassador to Washington, Jose “Babe” Romualdez, has underscored the “bipartisan” commitment to the U.S.-Philippine alliance in America during our recent conversation.
But the reality is that no one can say for sure what Trump’s policies and moods will be should he retake
ROGER LAGMAY
the White House. Nor is it clear how a Democratic administration will cope with yet another post-election denialism and populist backlash. Either way, some form of isolationism and protectionism will almost certainly undercut America’s long-term commitment to a liberal international order.
No less than U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has warned that the U.S. will likely transform into a
“dysfunctional superpower.” Even President Marcos, known for his measured language and statesmanlike temperament, has hinted at growing concerns among Asian allies over the direction of American politics.
During the recent “Two Plus Two” summit in Manila, he candidly told his American visitors, Secretary of State Antony Blinken
damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the
Dateline PhiliPPines Deactivated voters increase to 5.38 milion
Classes in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna suspended due to ‘vog’ from Taal Volcano
by DelfiN t. Mallari Jr. Inquirer.net
LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano’s sudden heavy emission of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 18 and 19, prompted the suspension of classes in some schools, public and private, in Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna province to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Batangas announced the suspension of classes in the towns of Padre Garcia, San Juan, Mabini, Lobo, Cuenca, Bauan, San Nicolas, San Pascual, Padre Garcia, Lemery, Malvar, Balayan, Laurel, Nasugbu, Balete, Agoncillo, San Jose, Calatagan, and the cities of Lipa and Tanauan.
In Cavite, the cities of General Trias, Dasmariñas, Bacoor, and the towns of Silang, Indang, Magallanes, Alfonso, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Maragondon, Amadeo, and Carmona have also suspended the classes in their respective localities due to threat of the volcanic smog (vog).
The cities of Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, San
Biñan, and San Pablo, and the town of Bay in Laguna also announced the suspension of classes on their respective Facebook pages.
These areas continued to experience vog from Taal Volcano.
Some local governments ordered a total suspension, while others shifted to online or modular classes.
On Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported emissions of 3,355 metric tons (MT) of SO2 over the past 24 hours that rose to 2,400 meters above Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” which sits within Taal Lake, before drifting north-northwest.
The Phivolcs classified the latest spewing activity of the volcano as “voluminous emission.”
State volcanologists also noted the presence of vog from Saturday until Sunday during their monitoring period.
Shermin Tan, a resident of Tagaytay City overlooking Taal Volcano, said what enveloped their surroundings early Monday was thick fog.
“It’s not vog. There is no irritation or suffocating smell. What we have here is
by NelsoN BeltraN Philstar.com
MANILA — The number of voters who have been deactivated and may no longer vote in the May 2025 midterm elections has increased to more than 5.38 million, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday, August 19.
Aside from deactivating voters, the Comelec has also removed up to 686,859 from the list of registered voters as of July 15.
Latest Comelec data showed a total of 5,388,421 voters have been deactivated.
A majority of those deactivated failed to vote in two successive elections.
Most of those deleted from the voters’ list were dead or have transferred to other areas.
The poll body has processed
up to 5.35 milion applications since voter registration resumed in February.
Among regions, Calabarzon has the highest number of applicants with 901,562 followed by the National Capital Region with 712,458 and Central Luzon with 618,106.
The Cordilleras registered the lowest number of applications with 74,874.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia earlier said the number of people qualified to vote in the 2025 midterm elections is now nearing 66 million.
Garcia urged voters to reactivate their status before the voter registration ends on Sept. 30.
The Comelec is targeting 70 million voters for the midterm elections. g
foggy morning,” Tan said in a phone interview.
He said the thick fog obstructs the scenic view of Taal Volcano from the roadside.
Tagaytay City authorities have yet to cancel school classes as of Monday morning.
However, Tan said family members, particularly the elderly, have prepared N95 face masks if the situation worsens.
Vog contains acidic droplets of volcanic gas like SO2, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract, with severity depending on exposure.
Health authorities warned that people with asthma, lung or heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children are especially vulnerable.
Residents are advised to wear N95 masks outside to protect against SO2 plumes.
Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, indicating it is still in abnormal condition.
Phivolcs reminded the public that entry into Taal Volcano Island, especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures, and boating and flying any aircraft close to the volcano remained prohibited. g
FILE PHOTO: The scenic view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City, Cavite, shown in this photo taken on October 24, 2023. This photo portrays calmness amid the volcano’s continued emission of toxic gas.
MARLON MALLARI/ CONTRIBUTOR
Individuals fill out registration forms during the first day of the voter’s registration of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the 2025 National and Local Elections at the Comelec District 2 office in Quezon City on February 12. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
Pedro,
PAGE 4
Guo out of PH, fled to... New lines of attack form against...
“Mr. President, who allowed this travesty to happen? Who is responsible for this?” she asked, stressing that Guo would not have been able to leave the country without the help of certain government officials.
“I have always believed that legislative hearings are policydriven. That’s why when the President announced a ban [on Pogos], I said, we have done our jobs, let law enforcement take the lead,” she said.
Hontiveros was referring to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to ban all Pogos during his State of the Nation Address last month, directing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to wind down their operations by the end of the year.
“But what if the law enforcement itself needs to be investigated? What if they dropped the ball? What if they aare the ones that should be held responsible?” she asked.
She criticized the BI, which promised it would not let Guo slip out of the country.
“But then she’s already gone,” lamented Hontiveros.
“Mr. President, if we don’t do anything about this, as an institution, as a country, it’s like we’ve been allowed to be slapped by this foreigner, who has repeatedly violated our laws, policies and processes,” she stressed.
The DOJ earlier on Monday insisted that Guo was still in the country, saying there were no reports from the BI indicating any attempt by Guo to leave.
“In fact, she filed a motion for her case in the DOJ last Friday (August 16), to which she attached a counter affidavit sworn before a Philippine notary public on Aug. 14,” Assistant Justice Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV told reporters in a Viber message.
Chartered Hontiveros said there was no closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of Guo’s exit.
“Her image was not captured by CCTV. So she passed, or she could have been led to a spot, where her video image would not be captured,” she said.
Sen. Grace Poe urged aviation authorities to check their records for Guo’s
supposed departure.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo said Guo could have used a private plane.
“If you’re a passenger who wants to go abroad on a chartered plane, you will not go through the process. You will not go through immigration. You will go straight to the gate, in a limousine or SUV (sport utility vehicle). And when you arrive at the tarmac, you will board your plane, and then here [come] the customs, immigration, and quarantine [officials]. But if [they are] Alice Guo’s accomplice[s], it will be easy to get through because there is no CCTV where you are passing through,” he said.
“I am very sure that she [Guo] left on a chartered plane—through a private plane. So all we need to do is ask if we can trace the private plane or chartered plane that left that very day,” he added.
Tulfo earlier pushed for the establishment of a processing center for passengers on chartered and private flights, pointing out that these VIPs, as well as their luggage, do not undergo the regular
PAGE 4
for low-income enrollees. For example, families at the poverty level or just above it ($30,000 to $45,000 for a family of four) can currently qualify for coverage with no monthly premium, whereas before they would have had to pay 2% to 4% of their annual income toward such a plan.
President Joe Biden has pushed to make the subsidies permanent and has often touted the record enrollment in ACA plans under his watch. Across all income groups, nearly 20 million people out of 21 million ACA enrollees this year got at least some subsidy, according to a KFF report.
Subsidies, also called premium tax credits, are generally paid directly to health insurers, and applicants must estimate their income for the coming year to qualify.
Those who incorrectly project their incomes — possibly because they work irregular retail hours, are self-employed and give a best guess of business, or get an unexpected raise or a new job — must pay back all or part of
the subsidy, on a sliding scale linked to income.
The cost of the enhanced subsidies has been sharply criticized by some GOP leaders after the Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that making them permanent would add $335 billion to the federal budget deficit over 10 years.
Democrats have pointed to another recent CBO report estimating extending the Trump-era tax cuts would add $4.6 trillion to the deficit over 10 years.
The enhanced subsidies “cost a lot less than that and it’s actually helping people,” Curtis said.
Ultimately, “every health care debate comes down to money,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. “There is a trade-off here. Millions of people have gotten coverage and more affordable premiums due to these enhanced subsidies, but extending them would cost the government a lot of money.”
Despite the attention paid by some GOP lawmakers to the fraud concerns, many political observers say they don’t think they will play a direct role during the election campaigns of either party.
“For Republicans, they’ll stay away from health care period. It is not a winning campaign issue for them,” Curtis said. “With Harris’ campaign, we will see a continued drive for affordable coverage being key, particularly drug costs. In neither party will you hear much about the importance of extending the enhanced subsidies. It’s too complicated.” (Julie Appleby / KFF Health News)
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism
Dateline PhiliPPines
Duterte clan lawyering up for ICC case — VP Sara Palawan, Boracay in top islands list
by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
MANILA
— The Duterte clan is lawyering up in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) comes knocking at their door.
During a press briefing following the Office of the Vice President’s budget hearing in the Senate, Vice President Sara Duterte addressed reporters. She was asked about the ICC case filed against her and how the Duterte family is preparing for it.
“We put lines, hindi kami nagcriss-cross ng problema namin,” Duterte replied. (We put lines, we do not crisscross our problems.)
According to Duterte, she and her husband handle their public issues separately. Lawyer Mans Carpio was recently accused by former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban of being involved in the illegal drug trade.
Similarly, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV anticipated that arrest warrants would soon be issued by the ICC against Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo
Duterte. Trillanes is among those who filed a case with the ICC.
Duterte said that her family stays in their own lanes when it comes to such matters.
“Ganoon din kami, ni Pangulong Duterte. We have different set of lawyers for ICC. So iba 'yung nagtatrabaho para sa kanya at iba 'yung kinokunsulta ko para sa akin,” she added.
(We are like that, with President Duterte. We have different set of lawyers for ICC. So there are different ones working for him and I am consulting others.)
Duterte had earlier stated that she will not cooperate with the ICC, urging the Department of Justice to do the same.
The vice president claimed that this was merely part of a political harassment campaign against her and her family due to the threat they pose to those in power.
She cited the ongoing quad-committee investigation in the House of Representatives as another example. The House megapanel, consisting of four committees, is investigating crimes linked to Philippine
offshore gaming operators, drug war deaths, and the illegal drug trade.
Duterte was also asked about rumors of a possible impeachment case in the House. She said that friends within the Lower Chamber told her that there is an open discussion on an impeachment case against her.
“Basta kami, inaantay lang namin ang kanilang gagawin dahil expected na 'yun na gagawin nila. Dahil ano ba ang gusto nilang gawin? Gusto nilang pabagsakin ang pamilya Duterte sa politika,” Duterte said.
(We are just waiting for what they will do because it is expected that they will do that. What do they want to do? They want to make the Duterte family fall in politics.)
However, the House of Representatives has previously denied that there is an impeachment case being prepared against her.
Duterte has been plagued by rumors of impeachment since November 2023 after her controversial quest for confidential and intelligence funds. House leaders also denied this at the time. g
A ‘Philippines First’ foreign
and Secretary of Defense
Lloyd Austin III: “I am a bit surprised considering how interesting your political situation has become back in the [U.S.], but I’m glad that you’ve found the time to come and visit with us.”
Accordingly, it’s important for us to craft a “Philippines First” foreign policy, which protects our core national interests as well as hedges against any potential turbulence in the international system. To this end, I recently launched a new forum at Café Adriatico.
The inaugural episode of the UTAK (Usapan Taft at Katipunan) Forum brought together among the country’s leading strategists, namely former vice admiral Rommel Jude Ong, former associate justice Antonio Carpio, former political affairs
secretary Ronald Llamas, National Security Council
Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, and Philippine Coast Guard Commodore
Jay Tarriela.
With our forum coinciding with yet another breaking news in the West Philippine Sea—the collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels not too far from the Sabina Shoal—it was a standing-room event. The two-hour-long conversation is available online, but allow me to focus on three key takeaways.
First of all, we need to be aligned in terms of the basic facts regarding our national interest. In the West Philippine Sea, we are not fighting a proxy war but instead upholding our sovereign rights based on modern international law.
Second, we should embrace our newfound position as a middle power since we have a relatively large population (13th in the world) and among the 35 largest economies on earth. If anything, we are set to allocate up to $35 billion to modernize our defense capabilities. Meanwhile,
by
PALAWAN and Boracay have made it to Times Travel's "8 Most Visited Island Destinations in Asia," the Department of Tourism (DoT) said on Monday, August 19.
In the August 9 issue of the Indian publication, Bali, Indonesia, was ranked first, and Phuket, Thailand, was second. Palawan, known as the "last frontier" of the Philippines because of its beautiful natural surroundings, took third
place.
The article highlighted Palawan's beautiful limestone cliffs and blue waters, specifically in El Nido and Coron, as well as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Boracay, noted for its pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, ranked fourth on the list.
The report centers on the island's White Beach, known for its appealing surroundings and
spectacular sunsets, as well as its variety of water sports, lively nightlife, and plenty of dining options.
Other island destinations on the list include the Maldives; Langkawi, Malaysia; Havelock Island, India; and Jeju Island, South Korea.
Times Travel, the travel publication of The Times of India, offers curated insights into prime worldwide destinations, with an emphasis on places that appeal to Indian tourists' cultural and travel preferences. g
House ratifies PH maritime zones bill
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 20 ratified the bicameral conference version of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which is a priority measure identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
During the plenary session, the chamber ratified the final version that reconciles the disagreeing provisions of House Bill No. 7819 and Senate Bill No. 2492, seeking to
Bersamin
we should double down on our own multi-alignment strategy by proactively developing strategic ties with a full range of likeminded powers from Japan to India and Germany. Instead of aligning with any superpower against another, we should leverage our existing alliances to enhance our strategic agency.
And finally, we need a whole-of-nation approach in the face of China’s fullspectrum attempt at sowing divisions and influencing our domestic politics. We can learn from robust democracies from Australia to Taiwan and Canada how to counter malign foreign influence while preserving our core democratic freedoms. Ultimately, we need to foster internal cohesion, self-reliance, and optimize our role as a pivotal state in the most dynamic region of the 21st century. (Inquirer.net) *** rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph
define and declare the Philippines’ maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Senate has already ratified the bicameral conference committee report on Monday.
This means that the priority legislation will be transmitted to Malacañang for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s signature.
The bill aims to clarify the geographical extent of the Philippine maritime domain,
orders
and at the same time specify the legal powers that the Philippines may exercise over.
It shall set the archipelagic boundaries, the country’s internal waters, and exclusive economic zones over which the Philippine government exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction.
The measure also proposes renaming the Philippine Rise - a 13 million hectare underwater plateau located off Aurora provinceinto the "Talampas ng Pilipinas". (PNA)
cancellation
of Alice Guo, family’s passports
MANILA — Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to cancel the passports of embattled Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her family.
In a memorandum signed
by Bersamin on Tuesday, August 20, the executive secretary cited reports of Guo fleeing the country using her Philippine passport to Malaysia and then meeting her family in Singapore, before traveling to Indonesia.
Besides Alice Guo’s passport, Bersamin also ordered the cancellation of
Wesley Leal Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, and Cassandra Ong’s passports.
“Given the foregoing and in the interest of justice, this Office hereby directs that appropriate action be taken for the cancellation of the Philippine passports of Guo, her family, and Ong,” the order read. g
No impeach move vs Sara Duterte in House, says lawmaker
MANILA — The leadership of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 20, denied that there was a move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
"I can categorically say, and it was repeated to me by the speaker this afternoon...., there is none," Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo said.
"In the meeting with the House leadership, there was no mention [of it]",
Tulfo said in mixed Filipino and English.
"When political leaders had a meeting last night, there was also no mention of impeachment of the VP. Rather, the meeting was all about the lineup of the administration," Tulfo said. g
Moises Cruz ManilaTimes.net
by zaCarian sarao Inquirer.net
by reina C. TolenTino ManilaTimes.net
Gayle's inspiring journey to a new life: A success story on Citizen Pinoy
CITIZEN Pinoy is proud to share the inspiring success story of Gayle, a determined mother who, despite facing numerous challenges, achieved her dream of securing a future in the United States for herself and her daughter, Sofia.
Gayle married her U.S. citizen boyfriend in 2010, and in 2017, Gayle and Sofia came to the U.S., and her husband filed petitions for their residency. Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived. The marriage did not work out, and he abandoned Gayle and Sofia.
Left to fend for herself, Gayle took caregiving jobs, eventually finding a supportive Italian family who treated her as one of their own. Though the elderly parents she cared for
passed away, their son Ernie continued to support Gayle.
Facing insurmountable obstacles to obtaining permanent residency, Gayle sought the help of leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel after seeing an announcement on TFC for in-person consultations in Chicago. Atty. Gurfinkel provided hope by advising Gayle on pursuing her husband’s original petition despite his abandonment. Through Atty. Gurfinkel’s dedicated efforts, Gayle's adjustment of status as the spouse of a U.S. citizen was approved eventually, and she received her green card, ensuring a stable and promising future for her and Sofia.
GAYLE'S JOURNEY TO A NEW LIFE: A SUCCESS STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Gayle moved to the U.S. in 2017 with her daughter, Sofia, after marrying her U.S. citizen boyfriend in 2010. However, after he petitioned her, the marriage did not work out and he abandoned her. Left to fend for herself, Gayle took caregiving jobs and eventually found support from an Italian family, particularly their adult son, Ernie. Desperate for a solution, Gayle sought help from leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, after seeing an announcement on TFC that he was holding consultations in Chicago. Attorney Gurfinkel was able to secure her green card, and she is now living the American Dream. Watch this family success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 25 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Gayle's inspiring journey to a new life...
Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, August 25 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)
HEALTHIEST bread
Most bread, made of wheat, is loaded with lectins, which wreak havoc on our guts and digestion. Sourdough (fermented) and millet bread are lectinfree. Always read the labels and make certain they do not have glyphosate, a substance that is harmful to our digestive system.
To assist in harvesting wheat, many farmers use Roundup, which is a dangerous chemical. So, besides lectin in wheat, this toxic agent is an added reason why bread made of wheat is not healthy to consume.
Besides avoiding lectin, it is a good idea to consume gluten-free and antiinflammatory food items like fish (salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, cod, trout), broccoli, avocadoes, all berries, cherries, flaxseeds, olive oil, green tea, sweet potatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, and walnuts.
Inflammatory foods include red meat, highsaturated fat foods, sugary items, like pastries, bibingka, cake, icecream, halo-halo, granola, nightshades (Solanaceae family) veggies (eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper, paprika, pimentos) which aggravate arthritic pains. All soft drinks and alcoholic beverages likewise cause inflammation in the body.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, which are inflammatory food items, with harmful lectins. Peeling off the skin and removing the seeds (where the lectins are found) make tomatoes
Health gems
safer to eat. Cooking also destroys lectin. Processed tomatoes (paste, sauces, etc.) are safe compared to fresh ones. The processing removes most of the lectins in them.
Peanut warning
Everybody thought peanuts were healthy to eat. Actually, peanuts contain the highest concentration of aflatoxin, a mold toxin that accumulates during storage. It also has a high level of harmful oxalates in them, conducive to kidney stone formation, thyroid disease and gut problems. Peanuts also has elevated level of inflammatory (5 to 120 times more) unhealthy omega 6, which worsens insulin resistance, heart disease, brain inflammation, and even increases the risk for cancer.
Fish and mercury
Large fish in general contain the highest mercury, like king mackerel, marlin, shark, swordfish, giant tuna. Tile fish and orange roughie are also high in mercury content. Mercury is harmful to the body, especially to the brain. The smaller fishes, like salmon, light tuna, cod, small mackerel, and trout have lower mercury in them. Wild-caught fish are healthier because farmed fish are loaded with antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals.
Alcohol alternative
There is a trend among youngsters today to stay away from alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, which are harmful to the body. The choice appears to be sparkling water, with or without carbonation. There are now a variety of sparkling water that is flavored, or low- and zerocalorie drinks. If this trend continues, together with the consumption of a plantbased diet, eating the least
Bonta, Cervania lead Fil-Am delegates at DNC in Chicago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Rob Bonta of California and State Representative Maria Cervania of North Carolina were announced to lead the Filipino American Delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug 19 to 23, 2024.
meat, we will certainly have a healthier generation.
Processed foods
Food items, popular in Deli shops, wich are processed are most unhealthy. Processed meats (sausages, hamburger, bacon, etc.) contain artificial flavoring, coloring, and preservative chemicals in them. Processed foods are linked to a higher risk of colon/pancreatic cancer, among other malignancies, and also elevated risk of cardiovascular illnesses, like heart attack and stroke.
Spinach – oxalates
Spinach, once thought to be a healthy veggie, is now known to contain 3-6 times the safe level of oxalates, a chemical responsible for calcium oxalate in kidney stones. Almonds are also high in oxalate and unhealthy omega-6 level. The healthier nuts are walnuts, macadamia, pistachios, pecan, hazelnuts and chestnuts. Nuts are part of a healthy diet.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice also poses an increased risk for kidney stones. Among some people, lemon juices triggers migraine headache and worsens heartburn among persons with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), to cause irritation of the stomach, nausea and vomiting. Lemon juice can also trigger canker sores and wear down tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
Prebiotic confusion
For decades, people thought adding prebiotics to their medical regimen was enough. Studies have now shown that alone, prebiotic is not effective in preserving gut health. The recommendation now is to take capsules with pro-, preand postbiotic ingredients (3-in-one) to be truly useful in helping a healthy gut, with
Attorney General Bonta was designated as Honorary Chair and Representative Cervania was designated as Honorary Deputy Chair of the Filipino Americans for Harris Walz delegation. Over 40 Filipino American delegates from across the nation represented states such as California, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, Virginia and the territories of Guam and Northern Marianas Islands.
The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday, August 19, and at the conclusion of it, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz were expected to formally accept the Democratic nomination to be the next president and vice president of the United States respectively.
Rob Bonta is an American lawyer and politician serving as the Attorney General of California since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a Member of the California State Assembly for the 18th District from 2012 to 2021 and as a Member of the Alameda City Council from 2010 to 2012.
The first Filipino American to serve in the California State Legislature, Bonta chaired the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. After Xavier Becerra resigned as Attorney General to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Bonta was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to replace him. Bonta was sworn in on April 23, 2021, becoming the first Filipino American to hold the office. Bonta was elected to a full four-year term in office in 2022.
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Attorney General Bonta immigrated to California with his family as an infant. He is the son of a proud native Filipino mother and a
father who taught him the value of public service to his community. He is married to California Assemblymember Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children Reina, Iliana, and Andres.
Maria Cervania is a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, who has represented the 41st district (including portions of western Wake County since 2023). Cervania previously served on the Wake County Board of Commissioners from 2020 to 2022. She is the first Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) person to be elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
She was born in Vietnam while her father was deployed in the U.S. Navy. She grew up in Sunnyvale, California when her father retired from the Navy. Her mother worked in technology in Silicon Valley. She graduated from the University of California-Berkeley with an Integrated Biology and Physical Education degree. She taught Anatomy in the Berkeley Unified School District and Physical Education in the Oakland School District. She pursued a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She served as President of the American Public Health Association Student Caucus and Editorial Board member of the American Journal of Public Health. She met and married her husband Jon Cervania in Texas. They later moved to North Carolina. In 2020 she was elected Wake County Commissioner, North
Carolina. She was the first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners and first Filipino American elected to office in North Carolina.
The following Filipino American delegates listed below represented their states at the DNC:
• Alaska – Genevieve Mina
• California – Vanessa Carr, Dr. Angelica Cortez, Gabriel Quinto, Gloria Pulido, Hon. Mark Pulido, Hon. Frank Yokoyama, Chris Mateo, Alex De Ocampo, Arnel Dino, Christian Figueroa, Hon. Melissa Ramoso, Meredith Curry-Nunez, Hon. Rob Bonta, Hon. Todd Gloria, Johanna Hester, Hon. Juslyn Manalo, Mona Pasquil
• Guam – Hon. Regine Lee, Hon. Rory Respicio, Sarah Thomas Nededog, Lawrence Alcairo, Rikki Orsini
• Hawaii – Hon. Joy S. Buenaventura, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam
• Illinois – Julianne Micoleta, Aurora Austriaco
• Marianas Pacific – Joan Flores Reyes
• Nevada – Hon. Erica Mosa
• New Hampshire – Hon. Luz Bay
• New Jersey – Ludivina Hughes, Hon. Arvin Amatorio
• New York – Glenn D. Magpantay
• North Carolina – Hon. Maria Cervania, Edward Binanay
• Northern Mariana Islands – Shawna Indalecio
• Virginia – Rose Fabia, Hon. Bobby Scott
• Washington – Gavin Cruz
• Wisconsin – Reynaldo Villar.
(FAFHW Release)
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS Health@Heart
California Attorney General Rob Bonta
Photo from oag.ca.go
Martin Nievera: I’m still not out of the game
by LEAH C. SALTERIO Philstar.com
MARTIN Nievera’s
“Concert King” title started 42 years ago when an entertainment editor refused to label him as such.
“He was calling me ‘Concert King’ kuno,” Martin shared. “But he meant it sarcastically because he didn’t want to really call me that. Somehow, the title stuck.”
Although Martin ever got used to the “Concert King” title because he never believed it. “Because if you believed you’re king, I don’t think we would be having this conversation and you wouldn’t like me too much,” Martin admitted.
“Maybe the people
believed because I was the first guinea pig of the big concert venues. Remember ‘Martin’s Rage’ at the Ultra Football Field with 55,000 people? That was huge. The construction of the Ultra basketball court was also rushed for my first concert, ‘On the Right Track’.”
Martin’s Araneta Coliseum concert on Sept. 27, “The King 4Ever,” was Ogie Alcasid’s idea.
“Ogie told me, I think it’s about time I have a major concert in a big venue,” Martin said. “He and Cacai (Velasquez) came together.” They were the ones who masterminded Araneta.
“I have my Theatre at Solaire and I’m happy there,” Martin allowed. “I didn’t think I have to go
back in a big venue. There was a time all you need was my name and people
PAGE 14
Gratitude, passion lead Jericho Rosales back to TV series
by MOISES CRUZ ManilaTimes.net
JERICHO Rosales was in good spirits when he faced a small group of press to promote his upcoming series, "Lavender Fields." His aura was light and no questions were off the table.
Even personal questions outside of the show were answered.
To begin with, it was Rosales who first admitted that he and Janine Gutierrez — who play husband-and-wife in a complex relationship for the upcoming Dreamscape production — are more than just co-stars at the moment.
(Velasquez) came together.’ They were the ones who masterminded Araneta. Philstar.com photo
Nora Aunor laments how she lost her singing voice after botched surgery
by HANNAH MALLORCA Inquirer.net
UP to now, superstar Nora Aunor still feels regret after losing her golden singing voice when she underwent a cosmetic surgery in Japan 14 years ago, claiming it felt like the botched job was done “on purpose” to ruin her voice. Despite being the most awarded Filipina actress in the country, Aunor stressed that singing remained to be her greatest love and it hurt her that she cannot sing anymore.
“Ang pinaka love ko talaga ‘yung pag-awit kasi kung hindi dahil sa pag-kanta ay hindi ako
makakatulong sa pamilya at hindi rin ako makikilala ng mga tao, kaya nung masira ang boses ko, sinira nila eh, para bang sinadya. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ako nakakakanta,” she told Maricel Soriano in a recent interview.
(What I really love most is singing because if it wasn’t for singing, I wouldn’t be able to help my family and people wouldn’t recognize me, so when my voice broke, they broke it as if it’s intentional. Until now, I can’t sing.)
The 2022 National Artist for film and broadcast arts claimed that she was enticed to endorse a facial clinic in Japan. But after
the procedure, she noticed that she was no longer able to recover her voice.
“Nasa States ako non may nagpunta sakin, dadalhin daw ako sa Japan kasi kukunin ako mageendorso ng isang [facial]. Pag dating ko doon, pinahiga ako, pinatulog, pag-gising ko wala na akong boses, ‘ayun ang totoong nangyari doon,” she recalled.
(I was in the States and someone came to me; they said they would take me to Japan because they would get me to endorse a [facial]. When I got there, they put me to bed, put me to sleep, and when I woke up, my
"We're getting to know each other, we're dating," the 44-year-old actor revealed.
Rosales and Gutierrez sparked dating rumors when they were spotted visiting the National Museum in Manila last July.
"I was the one who asked Janine to go to the National Museum because I haven't been," he detailed.
Rosales was a first hesitant to share their real status and insisted that as a gentleman, he can't speak for the 34-year-old actress.
"Just ask Janine," he teased.
But when pressed for the real score, Rosales eventually gave in, "I've known her for a period of time, she's a very sweet person, loving, family oriented and loves her work."
He added that he is in such a good position right now that even answering a personal question seems to comes off easily for him.
"I'm in a really good moment in my life. I wish everyone can experience this cooperation that I'm
receiving from God, the universe and everything, with work, with my personal life."
This particular approach to answering showbiz questions was a refreshing shift for Rosales, who previously either evaded questions or gave out answers that could potentially bite him back.
One of them was his declaration that he is never going to sign up for teleseryes (TV series) again.
Addressing this statement, he said during the recent interview: "I ate my word, masarap siya [it's delicious]."
Rosales was last seen in the 2018 drama, "Halik" together with Yam Concepcion, Yen Santos and Sam Milby.
Recalling this phase in life, he said, "I was angry, I complained about soap operas, about the industry, the hours, directors, coactors. I was complaining nonstop because I got burnout."
So, Rosales took a step back and worked on himself. He particularly recalled going to New York and meeting his acting coach who helped him realize that acting is an integral part of him, "I was crying. I said sorry to myself for turning my back on acting."
"One of my realizations in this period is you have to choose a life that you will never want to run away from. So that even when things go south, you can choose to be happy."
Having healed, the role of Tyrone — 'an accountant by day and a gun smuggler in the dark,' as Rosales would describe — came at the right time.
"He's that kind of person who wanted power and
experience the good life until he realized that somewhere in his heart, he wanted a simple life all along."
While others may see Tyrone as a departure from Rosales' usual leading man roles, the actor said he is more than happy to introduce gray characters to the audience.
When The Manila Times asked if he's ready to be potentially hated because of Tyrone, Rosales elaborated, "Ready to be loved? Yes, sure. If I can extract these reactions from people then it's a sign that I'm doing a good job.
"In the characters that I play, in the six months to a year that I'm going to do a project, it has to have something that people will learn from. I'm not here to show grayness or darkness, let's add more color to every character," he ended.
'I’m in a really good moment in my life. I wish everyone can experience this cooperation that I’m receiving from God, the universe and everything, with work, with my personal life.' Photo from Instagram/@jerichorosales
Martin’s Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 27, ‘The King 4Ever,’ was the idea of Ogie Alcasid. ‘Ogie told me, I think it’s about time I have a major concert in a big venue,’ Martin says. ‘He and Cacai
Health gems...
a balanced microbiome. Any imbalance in the microbiome contributes to higher risk of developing various illnesses.
Healthiest smoothies
The best ingredients for smoothies are all varieties of berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberry, blackberries, redberries), pineapple, (mango and papaya optional), avocado, broccoli, and celery. Using unsweetened pineapple juice (1 and 1/4 cup) at the base of a blender (popular travel blenders like Blend Jet, Hamilton, Magic Bullet, Ninja, etc.), and use a ratio of 1:1 in weight of those items above. To this, 2 scoops of collagen protein powder may be added. This is a complete healthy meal in itself for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, even without meat. These ingredients are good for everyone, especially for those with arthritis pains and those trying to lose weight. Diabetics must add this to their calorie-counting. Always consult with your physician or dietician before embarking on a diet change.
Vaping more deadly
Smoking e-cigarettes, or vaping, is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes.
While tobacco contains around 7,000 toxic chemicals in them, and less in electronic cigarettes, studies have found that vaping is more prone to cause heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. The change could be likened to jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.
Wisdom and discipline contribute significantly to health and longevity.
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities
and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
*
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com.
Martin Nievera: I’m still...
13
were there. Let’s see if all of them are still alive.
“The kids today in ‘ASAP Natin ‘To,’ I always tell them, ‘Don’t brag about your fans. Because my fans made your fans.”
Not too long ago, when Martin, Ogie and Regine Velasquez were doing brisk walking with Martin in Los Angeles, where “ASAP Natin ‘To” happened, Martin asked Ogie why the
Vince Tañada, a ‘renaissance’ man; Ninoy
Aquino’s 41st death anniversary on August 21
Rogelio Constantino
Medina My P.E.P. (People, Events, Places)
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.
* * *
“ 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.
* * *
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.
latter decided to produce a concert in a big venue for him.
Ogie simply answered, “Gary was not available” and laughed.
“But it was the Christmas special of ABS-CBN last year, when I asked Martin what was he doing for his concert,” Ogie said.
“I broached the idea of producing his concert at Araneta Coliseum. So he
PAGE 15
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 writer-director-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.
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
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 big-time haters. That means I have arrived. Congratulations self.”
Wej Cudiamat (left) with Rogelio Medina
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo
Lae Manego-Franzani and Querino Franzani
Clockwise, from lower left: Maria Liza Lorenzo, child actress Elia Ilano, Gladys Reyes and Rogelio Medina. First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos (right) with Jose Javier Reyes, chairperson and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Rina Ortiz with guest Atty. Chel Diokno. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina Writer-director-actor Vince Tañada
The late Senator Butz Aquino
Martin Nievera: I’m still...
said, ‘It’s up to you.’ He didn’t think I was serious. This is a dream-come-true for me. He was my idol back in high school. In fact, my audition song at Kundirana was his song, How Could You Be So Blind? We were aping his voice.”
They never even talked about the talent fee of Martin after he seriously gave his nod. They also never consulted Martin’s manager, Joy Alonzo
“So when we put it together, I asked Cacai to join us in our family,” Ogie said. “She produced Regine’s concerts and some for me.”
Ever since Cacai was young, she has been a big fan of Martin. “I knew a lot of his songs,” she said. “It wasn’t hard for me to decide to produce his concert.”
Surprisingly, for the producers, all the artists volunteered to guest in the concert and support Martin. From Ogie and Regine to Gary Valenciano, even the vocal quartet, The CompanY joined the lineup. Gary was one of the first artists to clear his schedule.
“I told them if you want to come, just surprise me,” Martin said. “I never mentioned their names. But these artists want the people to know that they support me and they will be there for me.”
Pops Fernandez will be in the concert and their son, Robin Nievera, will fly in from the U.S. to join them with his baby.
Martin’s godson, Paolo Valenciano, will be the concert director, while Frank Lloyd Mamaril will be the TV director.
“In ‘ASAP, we don’t envy each other,” Martin said. “When Jed Madela had his concert (at the Music Museum last July), the three of us, OMG (Ogie, Martin, Gary), volunteered to work with the production.
“Now, Paolo Valenciano is the director of my 42nd year concert. See how times have changed? There’s true love, there’s family. It’s very important that my friends from the press know it’s true love and they are all sincere to help.”
Martin refuses to be at the top even after 42 years in the business. “I don’t
want to be at the top. I want to be the one reaching for the top. That is nicer. I want people to constantly see what I’m doing.
“I think it is better to strive to be on top, rather than being on top. To be on top, the only other way is down. I want to strive to be on top without having to step on anyone, without having to worry about what people think. I’m 42 years in the business and that shouldn’t matter to me anymore.”
Neither does Martin contemplate about retirement. “A singer will never really end his career,” he said. “He may stop for a while, slow down, lower some of his songs, but for me, there’s really no such thing as a small show or a small venue.
“Everything is equally big. Nothing is a step down or a sign of retirement. That’s why I’m again doing a show in a big venue. That’s so tiring. You all know how I can fill up a big venue, three or four shows in a year.
“That doesn’t happen anymore but that doesn’t bother me. I know I’m still not out of the game or out of the loop, I’m still around and still very much interested in the industry. I still want to make it better and leave a lasting legacy so that people will follow my footsteps and have a nice path to follow their dreams.”
Sure, he still has dreams, at this point in his career.
“What’s nice about my dreams is that they’re no longer mine,” said Martin. “It’s about the industry. As I get older, I think about my children, where they will be. Will I live long enough to see my children realize their dreams?
“You all know I have a special son (Santino). He’s turning 18 in October. He’s be turning 21 in a couple of years and will be an adult. What is he going to do? That is the biggest challenge that a special child will do when he turns into an adult.”
At 42 years in the industry, Martin feels it’s time for him to do what he wants. “I did so many different things to please all of you,” he said. “Or what I think you missed. I started changing genres. I realized doing rock was not my thing.” g
Kyline Alcantara on real score with Kobe Paras: ‘It’s a different feeling’
by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net
WHILE Kyline Alcantara has yet to clarify the status of her relationship with Kobe Paras, she admitted that what she feels towards him is “different,” and hard to describe.
Alcantara, in an interview with GMA, confessed that she “cannot find the exact words” on how she feels towards him.
“It’s a different feeling po so I don’t know the exact words to describe it. Lumalabas siya (It comes out) through actions and our auras, I guess. So I cannot find the exact words,” she said. It was also reported that Alcantara and Paras are headed to China for an undisclosed shoot, although details of the project are yet to be revealed, as of this writing.
Alcantara and Paras
have been hounded with dating speculations since May after they were spotted together on multiple occasions, including a Taguig date, attending a birthday party as a pair, and the actress being invited to the opening of Paras’ tattoo shop. They were also seen together at an undisclosed establishment, where they bonded with Paras’ dad Benjie, brother Andre, and the latter’s non-showbiz girlfriend Honey Escarez. Despite this, both stressed at the recentlyheld GMA Gala that they are just “great friends.”
In a Philippine Daily Inquirer interview last July, the basketball playerturned-actor said he’s happy for Kobe whoever he decides to date, while noting that whatever makes Paras and Alcantara, in turn, makes him happy for them as well. g
Nora Aunor laments how...
voice was gone; that’s what really happened there.)
Aunor said that they tried to sue the people who were accountable for the surgery but she did not disclosed what happened to the lawsuit now. She said she had undergone another surgery to bring back her original voice but that, too, failed.
In February 2010, Aunor went back to the Philippines and appeared in a TV interview with a normal speaking voice. In May of the same year, she performed at a concert in Canada with actor
Vince Tañada...
PAGE 14
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.
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.
* * *
Juan Rodrigo, with whom she formed a special friendship. At that time, Aunor was accused of lipsynching her songs during the concert, but Rodrigo then came to her defense.
Aunor confided to her fans that her vocal cords got affected by cosmetic surgery in Japan. She said her doctors even forbade her to talk long enough and that the concert in Toronto was going to be her last, which it was.
In 2023, the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts attempted to sing again in the movie “Pieta.” g
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.
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
Kyline Alcantara and Kobe Paras Photo from Instagram/@itskylinealcantara, @_kokoparas
Nora Aunor (left) and Maricel Soriano Photo screengrabed from YouTube/Maricel Soriano
