Missing Fil-Am nurse found dead, neighbor faces murder charges
Family and friends started to worry when Melissa Jubane did not show up for her morning shift at the hospital
A FILIPINO American nurse from Oregon, who went missing after returning home from her Hawaii wedding, was found dead Saturday, September 7. Her neighbor was arrested and charged with murder, police said.
On Sept. 4, 2024, 32-year-old Melissa Jubane, a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in Southwest Portland, failed to show up for her morning shift and was reported missing.
She had just returned from Hale’iwa in Oahu, where she got married to Bryan Llantero last August 24.
After not hearing from Jubane for days, her family, friends and co-workers started to worry and reported her to the police as missing.
In a Facebook post, the Beaverton Police Department confirmed receiving a welfare check request at around 10:18 a.m. after
Fil-Am woman killed in DUI crash in Oakland
Criscel Dela Rosa was a ‘loving wife and a great mother,’ says her husband, Michael
OAKLAND – A Filipino American woman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash allegedly caused by a suspected drunk driver on Sunday, September 1 in Oakland, Calif. Criscel Dela Rosa suffered fatal injuries after a freightliner box truck crashed into the back of her Tesla Model Y along the I-880 North Embarcadero.
“I received the worst news of my life,” Criscel’s husband, Michael Dela Rosa, said on a GoFundMe page.
MANILA — There is no request from the U.S. for the extradition of Apollo Quiboloy, but even if one were to be sent, the alleged sex abuser and human trafficker and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) would be made to undergo trial first in the Philippines before such request can be granted, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday, September 9.
“The extradition request is not yet there,” Marcos told reporters in Taguig City, adding that Quiboloy would first have to deal with several criminal complaints he is facing in the Philippines.
Quiboloy is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s wanted list for sex trafficking, fraud and money laundering.
“We will have to look at that,” Marcos said, referring to a U.S. request for extradition. “But for the moment, we are not looking at extradition. What we are looking at are the cases and complaints filed in the Philippines and he needs to face them first,” he said.
“What has been done is that we have implemented and enforced an arrest warrant that was issued by the court. And therefore it is now in the court’s hands, it is no longer in the executive,” the president said.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also said
CIA chief showed Marcos records of father’s role
in World War II – envoy
MANILA — Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Babe Romualdez said on Thursday, September 12, he was present during the meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns. Romualdez said Marcos met with
Burns at a ceremony held at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, back in May.
Among those present at the ceremony were Ayala CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, International Container Terminal Services Inc. CEO Enrique Razon, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. CEO Sabin Aboitiz.
“I was there when he [ Marcos]
DOT welcomes direct flights between France, Philippines
MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauded the announcement from the French embassy that direct flights between France and the Philippines will resume in December.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, September 10, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said it would be the first flight from Manila to Paris in 20 years and will be carried out by Air France KLM on Dec. 8. The direct flights would
be scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, according to earlier reports. In a statement, Tourism Secretary Christina GarciaFrasco welcomed the resumption of direct flights between France and the Philippines, saying it would enhance ease of travel and provide much needed connectivity to Europe.
“With France holding the second highest number of visitor arrivals from the European Union, this direct connection will provide unparalleled convenience for travelers, boosting tourism and
enabling a more convenient journey to the Philippines,” Frasco said.
She also thanked Air France for the effort, and vowed the Philippines would be “eager to welcome more visitors from France and the European Union, who will discover and love the unique charm of our islands, the warmth of Filipino hospitality and the richness of our culture and heritage.”
She also hoped the Philippines-France direct flight would open more flights from other destinations in Europe. In 2023, France was the
Quiboloy “may have to face the music here” even if the U.S. can be expected to file a request for the religious leader’s extradition.
“He made it very difficult for the police to find him, he also caused suffering to the country. He should be tried here,” Remulla said in Filipino. He added he would instruct prosecutors to prepare all the evidence against the controversial religious sect leader and his co-accused so they could ask for a continuous trial.
But he would discuss tomorrow with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin a possible U.S. request for Quiboloy’s extradition. In a separate statement, the Department of
‘I am Alice’: Guo insists on Philippine nationality
by JeAn mAnGAluz
MANILA — The collective temper of the Senate flared anew on Monday, September 9 upon former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s insistence on her Philippine identity, despite being presented with her alleged Chinese passport. Guo and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the Chair of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, faced off for the first time in three months since the former mayor’s disappearance. Faced with the simple question of who she was, Guo immediately invoked her right to self-incrimination. u PAGE 2
Two US senators denounce ‘escalating’
Chinese aggression in West Philippine Sea
Senators Chris Coons and Pete Ricketts introduce a resolution celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between US and Philippines
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) have denounced the “escalating” Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea as they introduced a resolution celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the United States and the Philippines.
The resolution reaffirms U.S. commitment to defending the Philippines under the treaty “particularly in the wake of persistent and escalating aggression” by China in the West Philippine Sea, the senators said in a joint statement released this week.
Senator Ricketts said this commitment is more important than ever given China’s “increased harassment and intimidation of our allies and partners in the South China Sea.” Senators Coons and Ricketts are both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Philippine government has recently
“Chinese harassment against Filipinos simply trying to uphold their territorial sovereignty threatens global trade and security and could result in wider conflict,” said Senator Coons. He said the U.S. is committed to strengthening the U.S.-Philippines alliance and pledged to “stand with our Filipino partners in their efforts to defend their territorial sovereignty and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
by Ghio onG Philstar.com
Philstar.com
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and his father, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Photos from the Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos and Wikimedia Commons
CIA chief showed Marcos records...
PAGE 1 met with Director Burns and he showed him the records,” Romualdez told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
According to Romualdez, Burns reportedly allowed Marcos access to classified CIA records that showed the role that his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., played in World War II.
“Records showed that President Marcos Sr. did play a role in World War II, passing information to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) that saved many Filipino soldiers
who were fighting in Bataan,” Romualdez said. Romualdez added that the late Marcos continued his friendship with the OSS officer he was in contact with — a certain CL Jamison — up to the 1970s.
The OSS is a precursor of the present CIA.
The current president first announced that he met with Burns during a speech in Ilocos Norte on Wednesday.
According to the president, he asked Burns to show him records about his father’s time working with the OSS, which
the latter concurred with.
“They took me to the records room and they started to show me many of the records, the reports that were given during the war that are still secret,” Marcos said in a speech during a wreath-laying ceremony for his father’s 107th birthday.
“And I mean he was greater than even we realized. The things that he did, the things that — the sacrifices that he made for the Philippines,” he added.
Marcos said he tried to get a copy of the records, but the CIA said it was still “classified.” n
Two US senators denounce ‘escalating’...
conveyed to China its “complaint and displeasure” over the ramming by the China Coast Guard of Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Aug. 31.
It was the fifth incident of Chinese harassment to be recorded in only a month. Other incidents included the blocking of a resupply mission to the Teresa Magbanua five days earlier.
The resolution reaffirms that Article IV of the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on the armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft of the Philippines, including the Philippine Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea. It considers China’s aggression in the Philippines’ internationally-recognized exclusive economic zone to be direct assaults on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Inquirer.net)
The resolution urges President Joe Biden to take “appropriate and necessary actions in response to escalatory PRC behavior to restore deterrence and help the Philippines defend itself.”
Alice’: Guo insists on Philippine...
“Hindi ko kino-confirm at may kaso na po sa aking sinampa, sasagutin ko po sa korte,” Guo said.
(I do not confirm it and there is already a case filed against me, I will answer it in court.)
Guo maintained her identity throughout the more than fivehour long hearing.
However, Hontiveros said that Guo was not incriminating herself because she was not the one who filed for her late birth certification. She also said that this right does not shield her from answering legitimate questions from the Senate.
“Identity questions are within the purview of the committee. The Senate has a right to know: who are we talking to?” Hontiveros said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Guo insisted that she is Alice Guo, but confirmed that her parents are Guo Jian Zhong and Lin Wen Yi. Guo admitted that Zhong is Chinese while separate
that
‘PH trial first for Quiboloy before...
Justice said Quiboloy would be tried first in the Philippines and if convicted, would be made to serve his sentence in the country before getting extradited on U.S. request. Quiboloy is detained at the PNP Custodial Facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Quiboloy is facing charges for violation of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
He is also facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended, before a Pasig City court.
No choice
Meanwhile, Marcos belied the claim of Quiboloy’s camp that he surrendered and was not arrested.
of leadership to his followers,” he said.
Marcos said he was glad that the manhunt for Quiboloy was over.
While Quiboloy’s rights would be respected, he would not receive any special treatment, the president added.
“It is really with some relief that I can say that at least this part, this phase of that operation, is now over. And we now leave Mr. Quiboloy to the judiciary, to the judicial system.”
Quiboloy’s lawyers Israelito Torreon and Ferdinand Topacio insisted their client surrendered.
that Quiboloy voluntarily surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces.
“He was not arrested, especially not by the Philippine National Police under the DILG. Therefore, it is epal to the highest level for Secretary Abalos to be seemingly taking credit for the non-existent arrest,” Topacio said, referring to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
‘Kwentong kutsero’
But Abalos laughed off the claim of Quiboloy’s lawyers, calling it ridiculous.
“You were already outside the KOJC compound and you would again enter just to surrender? That’s kwentong kutsero ( tall tale),” he said at a briefing on Monday.
The National Bureau of Investigation has previously confirmed that Guo’s fingerprints matched with a certain Chinese national named “Guo Hua Ping”. NBI Director Director Jaime Santiago, who was present in the hearing, stood by the agency’s results, saying that fingerprints never lie. Guo, who is known to have a history of being inconsistent with her answers and her stances, said that she does not know how this happened.
“That’s not what happened. What did happen was he had to surrender because he had no choice as police were closing in on him,” Marcos said.
“I am thinking he would not have surfaced if we did not really pursue him,” he added.
“This is to inform the Filipino people that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy decided to surrender to the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines because he does not want the lawless violence to continue to happen in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound and he could not bear to witness a second longer the sufferings that his flock was experiencing for many days,” Torreon said.
If this was not enough, Hontiveros presented to Guo her alleged Chinese passport and asked her if this was her.
“To his credit, he said his followers were ready to die for him and he did not want it to happen. So to his credit... he was still displaying a modicum
He said Quiboloy decided to make “the ultimate sacrifice” by surrendering himself to the PNP and AFP even if he has the right to await the result of further legal action by his lawyers. Topacio, for his part, said
“He was arrested inside (the KOJC). (Police) went inside and when they (arresting officers and Quiboloy) were about to leave, the police were ordered to allow them to pass so that they could get out. That’s what happened. They (Quiboloy’s followers) were just laying the basis that he surrendered. Just as what I already said, it was purely kwentong kutsero . We should not believe this,” Abalos said. At the same time, Abalos
Alice Guo Philstar.com photo bank documents show
Yi is also Chinese.
Breast cancer rises among Asian American and Pacific Islander women
CHRISTINA Kashiwada was traveling for work during the summer of 2018 when she noticed a small, itchy lump in her left breast.
She thought little of it at first. She did routine self-checks and kept up with medical appointments. But a relative urged her to get a mammogram. She took the advice and learned she had stage 3 breast cancer, a revelation that stunned her.
“I’m 36 years old, right?” said Kashiwada, a civil engineer in Sacramento, California. “No one’s thinking about cancer.”
About 11,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and about 1,500 died. The latest federal data shows the rate of new breast cancer diagnoses in Asian American and Pacific Islander women — a group that once had relatively low rates of diagnosis — is rising much faster than that of many other racial and ethnic groups. The trend is especially sharp among young women such as Kashiwada.
About 55 of every 100,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander women under 50 were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, surpassing the rate for Black and Hispanic women and on par with the rate for white women, according to age-adjusted data from the National Institutes of Health. (Hispanic people can be of any race or combination of races but are grouped separately in this data.)
The rate of new breast cancer cases among Asian American and Pacific Islander women under 50 grew by about 52% from 2000 through 2021. Rates for AAPI women 50 to 64 grew 33% and rates for AAPI women 65 and older grew by 43% during that period. By comparison, the rate for women of all ages, races, and ethnicities grew by 3%.
Researchers have picked up on this trend and are racing to find out why it is occuring within this ethnically diverse group. They suspect the answer is complex, ranging from cultural shifts to pressurefilled lifestyles — yet they concede it remains a mystery and difficult for patients and their families to discuss because of cultural differences.
Helen Chew, director of the Clinical Breast Cancer Program at UC Davis Health, said the Asian American diaspora is so broad and diverse that simple explanations for the increase in breast cancer aren’t obvious.
“It’s a real trend,” Chew said, adding that “it is just difficult to tease out exactly why it is. Is it because we’re seeing an influx of people who have less access to care? Is it because of many things culturally where they may not want to come in if they see something on their breast?”
There’s urgency to solve this mystery because it’s costing lives. While women in most ethnic and racial groups are experiencing sharp declines in breast cancer death rates, about 12 of every 100,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander women of any age died from breast cancer in 2023, essentially the same death rate as in 2000, according to age-adjusted, provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The breast cancer death rate among all women during that period dropped 30%.
The CDC does not break out breast cancer death rates for many different groups of Asian American women, such as those of Chinese or Korean descent. It has, though, begun distinguishing between Asian American women and Pacific Islander women.
Nearly 9,000 Asian American women died from
breast cancer from 2018 through 2023, compared with about 500 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women. However, breast cancer death rates were 116% higher among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women than among Asian American women during that period.
Rates of pancreatic, thyroid, colon, and endometrial cancer, along with non-Hodgkin lymphoma rates, have also recently risen significantly among Asian American and Pacific Islander women under 50, NIH data show. Yet breast cancer is much more common among young AAPI women than any of those other types of cancer — especially concerning because young women are more likely to face more aggressive forms of the disease, with high mortality rates.
“We’re seeing somewhere almost around a 4% per-year increase,” said Scarlett Gomez, a professor and epidemiologist at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco’s Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. “We’re seeing even more than the 4% per-year increase in Asian/Pacific Islander women less than age 50.”
Gomez is a lead investigator on a large study exploring the causes of cancer in Asian Americans. She said there is not yet enough research to know what is causing the recent spike in breast cancer. The answer may involve multiple risk factors over a long period of time.
“One of the hypotheses that we’re exploring there is the role of stress,” she said. “We’re asking all sorts of questions about different sources of stress, different coping styles throughout the lifetime.”
It’s likely not just that there’s more screening. “We looked at trends by stage at diagnosis and we are seeing similar rates of increase across all stages of disease,” Gomez said.
Veronica Setiawan, a professor and epidemiologist at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, said the trend may be related to Asian immigrants adopting some lifestyles that put them at higher risk. Setiawan is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed a few years ago at the age of 49.
“Asian women, American women, they become more westernized so they have their puberty younger now — having earlier age at [the first menstrual cycle] is associated with increased risk,” said Setiawan, who is working with Gomez on the cancer study. “Maybe giving birth later, we delay childbearing, we don’t breastfeed — those are all associated with breast cancer risks.”
Moon Chen, a professor at the University of California-Davis and an expert on cancer health disparities, added that only a tiny fraction of NIH funding is devoted to researching cancer among Asian Americans. Whatever its cause, the trend has created years of anguish for many patients.
Kashiwada underwent a mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis. During surgery, doctors at UC Davis Health discovered the cancer had spread to lymph nodes in her underarm. She underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and 20 sessions of radiation treatment.
Throughout her treatments, Kashiwada kept her ordeal a secret from her grandmother, who had helped raise her. Her grandmother never knew about the diagnosis. “I didn’t want her to worry
‘I
am Alice’: Guo insists on Philippine...
2
“I am Alice Guo,” Guo said.
“No! That is not my question to you!” Hontiveros said. Guo had three default answers for most of the senators’ questions: either she does not know or remember, she invoked her right to selfincrimination, and her life was under threat.
The senators had little patience for Guo after waiting three months for the chance to question her again over her alleged ties to POGOs.
about me or add stress to her,” Kashiwada said.
“She just would probably never sleep if she knew that was happening. It was very important to me to protect her.”
Kashiwada moved in with her parents. Her mom took a leave from work to help take care of her.
Kashiwada’s two young children, who were 3 and 6 at the time, stayed with their dad so she could focus on her recovery.
“The kids would come over after school,” she said. “My dad would pick them up and bring them over to see me almost every day while their dad was at work.”
Kashiwada spent months regaining strength after the radiation treatments. She returned to work but with a doctor’s instruction to avoid lifting heavy objects.
Kashiwada had her final reconstructive surgery a few weeks before covid lockdowns began in 2020.
But her treatment was not finished.
Her doctors had told her that estrogen fed her cancer, so they gave her medicine to put her through early menopause. The treatment was not as effective as they had hoped. Her doctor performed surgery in 2021 to remove her ovaries.
More recently, she was diagnosed with osteopenia and will start injections to stop bone loss.
“Nakakapikon ka na! (You are frustrating!)” said Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. The typically even-tempered Hontiveros was also visibly irate, saying that she was getting impatient. Guo was cited in contempt for supposedly lying to the committee. The Senate is currently vying to keep her in their detention, with Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino pointing out lapses in the case filed against her. However, she still remains in police custody while the Senate coordinates with the Tarlac court that issued an arrest warrant for Guo. n
Kashiwada said she has moved past many of the negative emotions she felt about her illness and wants other young women, including Asian American women like her, to be aware of their elevated risk.
“No matter how healthy you think you are, or you’re exercising, or whatever you’re doing, eating well, which is all the things I was doing — I would say it does not make you invincible or immune,” she said. “Not to say that you should be afraid of everything, but just be very in tune with your body and what your body’s telling you.” (Phillip Reese/ KFF Health News)
Phillip Reese is a data reporting specialist and an associate professor of journalism at California State University-Sacramento. This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Supplemental support comes from the Asian American Journalists Association-Los Angeles through The California Endowment. 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.
HOLIDAYS IN THE AIR. Christmas trees of various colors and sizes are on display at a mall in Davao City on Tuesday, September 10. Prices range from PHP600 to PHP7,500. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
Missing Fil-Am nurse found dead, neighbor...
PAGE 1
several unsuccessful attempts to reach the Fil-Am nurse.
Arriving at her residence at SW 160th Avenue in Portland, the police officers conducted a search but Jubane was nowhere to be found. There were no signs of foul play inside her unit, the police said.
The police officers and family members continued to reach out to her, but her phone stayed off. A review of her credit card and bank records showed no clues either.
Jubane’s husband had last contacted her around 6 p.m. on the day she failed to report to work, according to KHON.
Her sudden disappearance after their wedding drew more questions among family and friends.
A public Facebook group,
“Find Melissa Jubane case Discussion and Updates,” was set up on Aug. 26 to help search for the Fil-Am nurse.
By 3:12 p.m. on Sept. 4, she was officially entered into the national law enforcement systems as a missing individual. Investigators later identified a possible suspect, 27-year-old Bryce Johnathan Schubert, her neighbor. Schubert, who was also a
nurse and a former Providence Portland Medical Center employee from September 2022 to October 2023, was arrested after investigators found evidence linking him to Jubane’s disappearance.
Schubert has been charged with murder.
“While we acknowledge the significant community interest and concern, we must withhold further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” the Beaverton Police Department said in a Facebook update.
Community mourns
Following the news of Jubanes’ death, there was an outpouring of love from colleagues, friends and the
health care community. Many have placed flowers near her apartment.
“She was just very, very sweet, very kind,” said Halina Brant-Zawadzki, one of Jubane’s former professors, recalling her compassion and service as a student nurse.
To commemorate her legacy, the Oregon Nurses Association organized a vigil on Sept. 10 at the Ridgewood View Park in Portland.
The Beaverton Police Department is gathering more evidence and has urged the public to come forward with any information related to the case. The department can be reached at (503) 526-2280. (By Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net)
Fil-Am woman killed in DUI crash in...
Dela Rosa said he was awakened by a call about the accident. He then “tried desperately to call her and find out what happened, to see if she was okay.” There was no answer.
Dela Rosa said he rushed to the crash site and saw his wife’s mangled Tesla.
“It hurt me to see how devastating the car crash was and I can only imagine what pain she went through with that car crash,” Dela Rosa wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Criscel usually had Sundays off, but had decided to work that day, he said. The crash happened on her way to work around 5:30 a.m. near the Embarcadero exit.
The suspected drunk driver was arrested following the crash.
Dela Rosa described his wife as “a wonderful woman,” who was good hearted, church-going and a “loving wife and a great mother.”
He said family members – including their 7-year-old daughter – are heartbroken and devastated.
Dela Rosa is raising funds to help with funeral services and to bring Criscel’s siblings to the U.S. from the Philippines to attend her funeral.
As of press time, the fundraising campaign has raised nearly $45,000, exceeding the $25,000 goal.
“This demonstrates how much she was loved,” wrote Dela Rosa. “THANK YOU ALL for all your prayers, love and support through this difficult time.” (By Jun Nucum/Inquirer.net)
On the flu, COVID-19 and vaccination
THE National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is collaborating with the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and the Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP) on vaccine outreach initiative.
The question-and-answer segments below tackle questions on the flu and COVID-19, and the importance of vaccination.
<Q1> Are flu and COVID-19 still a serious threat to public health?
Both flu and COVID-19 remain significant health threats, causing thousands of hospitalizations and deaths annually. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), from October 1, 2023 through June 1, 2024, there were estimated to have been at least 35 million flu illnesses, 390,000 hospitalizations, and 24,000 deaths. In that same period, approximately 44,000 deaths were attributed to COVID-19 in the US.
<Q2> Why do flu and COVID-19 vaccines need to be updated more frequently than other vaccines?
Flu and COVID-19 viruses change through a process called mutation. These mutations help the viruses avoid our natural immune responses and the protection provided by vaccines. By mutating, flu and COVID-19 viruses can move more easily from person to person and reproduce faster, ensuring their survival.
Flu and COVID-19 viruses mutate frequently, and the vaccines have been updated accordingly. CDC is recommending that all Americans
six months and older get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine in the fall, regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated against the virus in the past.
<Q3> Why are older adults at higher risk for flu or COVID-19?
As people age, their immune systems tend to weaken, making it harder for their bodies to fight off infections and diseases. Many older adults have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory issues that can exacerbate the effects of flu or COVID-19. Therefore, they are more likely to experience severe complications from the flu or COVID-19, and recovery from illnesses can be slower and more complicated in older adults due to the body’s reduced ability to repair and heal itself. Many infectious disease experts stress the importance of vaccination for people who are over 65 or who have underlying health conditions. People close to them should also be vaccinated to protect their loved ones. We should make the annual flu shot and annual COVID shot part of our health maintenance.
* * *
If you have questions about public benefits, here are 3 ways you can reach us today: Call: (English) 1-800-336-2722, (Chinese Mandarin) 1-800683-7427, (Chinese Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218, (Korean) 1-800-582-4259, (Vietnamese) 1-800582-4336; send an email to askNAPCA@napca.org; or send mail to NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101.
DOT welcomes direct flights between...
the Philippines, as well as 14th top source of tourists by nationality with 61,311 French nationals visiting the Philippines. n
Melissa Jubane (left) and Bryce Johnathan Schubert. Photos from @iamlegacy23/X
‘FIESTA DE INTRAMUROS’. Churchgoers join the parade for the first-ever Fiesta de Intramuros, in honor of the Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa in Manila on Sunday, September 8, coinciding with the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Manila City Council recently declared the Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa as the Patroness of Intramuros and bestowed on her the title of “Queen and Protectress of the Distinguished and Ever Loyal City.”
PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Criscel Dela Rosa was killed in a car crash caused by a suspected drunk driver. Photo from GoFundMe
Ex-President Duterte files complaints vs Abalos, Marbil over KJC raid
by John eRic mendozA Inquirer.net
MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has filed a malicious mischief complaint against Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil, and other police officials over the operation in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City.
Duterte is the new administrator of KJC properties.
Malicious mischief is filed when there is a destruction of property.
The cases against Abalos and PNP officials were lodged at the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 in Davao City.
On August 24, around 2,000 members of the PNP raided the 30-hectare KJC compound to serve the arrest warrant against fugitive KJC leader Apollo Quiboloy.
The police dug an underground tunnel in the basement of Jose Maria College, one of the structures inside the KJC compound.
Dateline PhiliPPines Marcos rallies nations vs weapons of mass destruction
Quiboloy, Jackielyn Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada, and Sylvia Cements were already arrested inside the KJC compound on Sunday, September 8. They were later detained at the PNP custodial center on Sunday night, and were presented to a press conference on Monday
afternoon, September 9.
Quiboloy and the five coaccused face child abuse cases before the Davao City court. One of them has been under the custody of authorities since July.
Quiboloy also has a standing arrest warrant for human trafficking issued by a Pasig City court. n
Nancy Binay: Ready to serve Makati
by Francis Earl cuEto ManilaTimes.net
SEN. Nancy Binay appears to be gearing up for a mayoral bid in Makati City, as indicated by her latest social media post.
On Sunday, September 8, Binay posted on Facebook: "Ready to serve..." with a hashtag #Makati2025.
The post had a photo of her holding a heart-shaped sign with "100%" written on it, probably signaling her full commitment. Speculation about her candidacy has been swirling for months.
In August, Binay said that she will "most likely" run for mayor of Makati. Earlier, she said that she was waiting for a sign.
Binay's candidacy has the full support of her family, including her father, former vice president
Ang mga Paglilingkod sa Pagtanda ng California ay nag-aalok ng mga Mahahalagang Pagkukunan para sa mga Nakatatanda
Ang mga Paglilingkod sa Pagtanda ng California ay nag-aalok ng mga Mahahalagang Pagkukunan para sa mga Nakatatanda
Habang tayo ay tumatanda, ang ating mga pangangailangan at pagkauna ay nagbabago. Sa California, isang malawak na hanay ng mga paglilingkod ay nakahandang tulungan kayong manatili ang iyong pagsasarili, manatiling may kaugnayan, at nanguguna ng isang makabuluhang buhay. Kayo man ay naghahanap ng tulong sa pang-araw-araw na mga gawain, gabay sa pangkalusugang pag-aalaga, o nagbabalak para sa kinabukasan, ang mga paglilingkod sa pagtanda sa California ay narito upang tumulong.
Pagtanda sa Kinaroroonan
Marami sa inyo ay maaaring mas nais na manatili sa inyong sariling bahay habang tumatanda. Ang California ay nag-aalok ng mga programang makakatulong sa mga pambahay na pagkukumpuni, pagbibiyahe, at sa-bahay na pag-aalaga. Dagdag pa rito, ang mga programang pangangalaga sa kalusugan at lipunan, kabilang na ang mga day centers na may mga gawaing gaya ng sa mga sining at pagsasanay, at tutulong sa inyong pagsasarili.
Mga Paglilingkod sa Masustansiyang
Pagkain
Kayo ay masisiyahan sa mga hinatid sa bahay na mga pagkain o mga pagkaing para sa mga nagtitipong pangkat sa mga pampook na lunduyan. Sa mga may maliit na kinikita, may mga pagpipilian upang makakuha ng mga sariwang ani at iba pang mga pakinabang ng pagkain sa pamamagitan ng programang Pinalawak na CalFresh.
Gabay sa Pangkalusugang Insurance
Nalilito sa mga pagpipilian tungkol sa pangkalusugang insurance? Ang Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) ay nagbibigay ng gabay sa Medicare at pangmatagalang insurance sa pag-aalaga. Tulong sa mga Nagbibigay ng Pag-aalaga Kung ikaw ay nag-aalaga ng isang mas
nakatatanda, may mga programang gaya ng Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) at ang Family Caregiver Support Program na nag-aalok ng pagpapahinga, pagpapayo, at tulong sa mga panulat na gawain. Ang mga CRCs ay nagbibigay rin ng mga balaking pagkilos sa mga pamilyang may inaalagang maysakit na dementia.
Pambatas na Tulong
Humaharap ka ba sa usaping gaya ng panloloko sa mamimili, pagmamalabis sa mga nakatatanda, o pagtatangi dahil sa edad? Ang mga lingkod pambatas ay nakalaan upang makatulong sa Social Security, pangkalusugang insurance, mga pension, at iba pa. Mga Pagkakataong Magkaroon ng Hanapbuhay
Naghahanap ka ba ng hanapbuhay? Ang mga walang bayad na pagsasanay at paghahanap ng hanapbuhay na paglilingkod ay makukuha para sa nga nakatatandang taga California. Pagiging Handa sa Panahon ng Kagipitan Ang mga pagbabalak para sa mga kagipitan ay mas mahalaga habang tayo ay tumatanda. Ang California ay nag-aalok ng mga mapagkukunang makakatulong na maghanda sa panahon ng kagipitan sa pangkalikasang kapahamakan, pagkawala ng koryente, at iba pang kagipitan. Ang pagbuo ng isang pansariling balak sa kagipitan, pagkakaroon ng handang pangkagipitang mga gamit, at pananatiling nakakaalam sa mga pampook na mga mapagkukunan ay makakatulong nang husto. Ang lahat ng mga paglilingkod na ito at iba ay mapagtutugma sa pamamagitan ng pampook na Area Agencies on Aging. Alamin ang sa inyo sa pagtawag sa California Aging and Adult Information Line sa 800-510-2020 o sa pagtungo sa aging.ca.gov.
by helen FloRes Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on nations on Monday, September 9 to strengthen collaboration in controlling the export of strategic goods or items that can have both civilian and military applications, to ensure these do not become weapons of mass destruction.
Speaking at the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Summit in Taguig City, Marcos said emerging technologies – both in civilian and military fields – pose challenges in trade management.
“The rapid pace of advancement demands us to be more agile, more responsible and it requires us to address both the speed and dual-use nature of these new technologies,” Marcos said.
“This summit is not merely about managing trade; it is also about mitigating risks, promoting stability and confidence in our regulatory regimes and ensuring that the tools of our progress do not become weapons of our destruction,” he said.
The summit is an annual export control forum focusing on regulatory updates and best practices for the implementation of strategic trade management (STM) systems.
It also serves as a platform to discuss counter-proliferation challenges, such as emerging technology, intangible technology transfer, transit and transshipment and sanctions.
Around 300 delegates from various local and international organizations attended the forum at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City.
Among those who attended the summit were Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson.
Apart from representatives from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this year’s STM summit was also attended by partners
from the U.S., Japan, Europe and Africa, Marcos said.
“This demonstrates our faith in the power of collaboration to improve and secure our global supply chains as well as to open our doors for trade to flourish, for wealth to grow and for people to prosper,” he said.
The Philippines, Marcos said, has launched a strategic investment plan focused on developing key industries.
“We have developed policies that require individuals and entities engaging in STM-covered activities to register and to receive authorization to deliver their services,” he said.
The country has also implemented programs to educate not only the border control and import/export officers in fulfilling their responsibilities but also stakeholders to properly comply with the Philippines’ rules and regulations.
The Philippines is also conducting post-authorization audits, compliance checks and compliance consultations through monitoring and inspection activities, he added.
“But the work does not end there – we will continue to upgrade industry standards, modernize regulations and further establish linkages through various trade and investment frameworks,” he said.
Marcos emphasized strategic trade management is more than just a bureaucratic exercise but “upholding the rule of law, protecting our people and contributing to global peace and security.”
He cited the Philippines’ improved ranking in the latest Peddling Peril Index, which indicates that the country is on the right track in strategic trade management.
“However, there is much work to be done. As the first Asian republic, the Philippines has always stood for principles over power,” Marcos said.
As one of the original framers of the United Nations Charter, Marcos said the Philippines’ commitment to peace and stability has been unwavering.
“Today, as we pursue a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027 to 2028, we are doubling down on that same commitment,” the chief executive said. n
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Apollo Quiboloy and Rodrigo Duterte Inquirer.net file photos
Sen. Nancy Binay
ManilaTimes.net file photo
Jejomar Binay, who also served as Makati mayor for decades. Her last term as a senator will end in 2025.
Her sister, Makati Mayor Abigail Binay, earlier said she may run for mayor of Taguig City.
True reckoning for Duterte drug war
BARELY a month old, the House of Representatives quad committee has hit the ground running, assembling witnesses and gathering testimonies that cast new light into the brutal drug war of the past administration.
And its labors appear to be bearing fruit. Although criticized by some as a political witch hunt, the panel has arguably accomplished in weeks what law enforcers and prosecutors failed to do in six years under the shadow of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the peak of his power.
The inquiry’s latest bombshell: One of Duterte’s trusted police officers allegedly forced a Davao prison warden to go along with a plot to murder three Chinese drug trafficking convicts in 2016. Police Col. Gerardo Padilla, former officer in charge of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, testified on Wednesday, September 4 that he was “subjected to intense pressure” by Royina Garma, then a police colonel heading the Central Visayas regional command of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police.
‘Cooperate or else’
Garma, who went on to lead the Cebu City police before being tapped as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in June 2019, allegedly told Padilla to “not question (the operation) whether you like it or not” and to “cooperate or you will be sorry” in the sinister conspiracy against Chu Kin Tung, Li Lang Yang, and Wong Meng Pin.
At the time, the official story reported by Davao authorities was that the three prisoners were stabbed dead by two Filipino inmates in an altercation on Aug. 16, 2016.
In making the fresh allegations, Padilla recanted his earlier testimony, reasoning that he had withheld information in fear of his life and that of his family. The former warden, however, stopped short of throwing any direct accusations against
IN four days, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made two major and sensational arrests.
One, Alice Guo, aka Guo Hua Ping, accused of various crimes like lying before Congress under oath, human trafficking, tax evasion, money laundering, graft and corruption.
Two, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who has proclaimed generational divinity for himself and been accused of child abuse, sex trafficking, sexual abuse of minors, as well as federal grand jury charges in California of conspiracy, sex trafficking of children and sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion. U.S. federal agents have been looking for him since November 2021.
Says the U.S. State Department: “Human trafficking is both a grave crime and a human rights abuse. It compromises national and economic security,
WHEN Sara Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined forces ahead of the 2022 elections, which ultimately sealed the fate of that historic race, a bizarre torrent of monickers and iconographies burst onto the scene.
For the supporters of the “UniTeam,” the tandem represented an unbeatable coalition between the “Tiger of the North” (Marcos Jr.) and the “Eagle of Davao” (Sara Duterte). Thus, the birth of a surreal cottage industry of posters, memes, and billboards drenched in self-aggrandizing zoological fantasies.
For critics, the so-called “UniTeam” was nothing less than a coalition of brats, namely the alliance of convenience between
Duterte himself, a manifest illustration of the former president’s potent hold over his former subordinates. Padilla said he had felt “pressured” because he knew Garma had the backing of the higher-ups.
“By intense pressure, you meant that there was a bigger person behind Garma’s instructions?”
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante pressed him. “Is that ‘big person’… our former president?”
Padilla’s reply was immediate: “I’m not implicating him.”
Emboldened lawmakers
Still, the testimony had succeeded in giving renewed attention to an eight-year-old cold case that would otherwise never have been brought to light were it not for the breakdown of the MarcosDuterte alliance.
More than anything else, it was this feud that allowed lawmakers to grow a spine and challenge the formerly untouchable former president by investigating the serious crimes allegedly committed with impunity under his watch, motivated by the impulse to please the new chief executive.
Of course, whether the joint House panel–comprising the committees on dangerous drugs; public order and safety; human rights; and public accounts–would be able to establish that such crimes were done with Duterte’s imprimatur is a question that won’t be answered anytime soon.
But as a start, it is an encouraging one, and the hope is that the emergence of new whistleblowers creates a ripple effect so that more eyewitnesses will surface to reveal what they know.
Last month, for instance, the committee learned from the former drug war “poster boy,” Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, former police chief of Albuera,
Arrest
undermines the rule of law and harms the well-being of individuals and communities everywhere. It is a crime of exploitation.” Life imprisonment and/or $1.5-million fine is maximum penalty for human trafficking. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, Alice Guo, 34, was seized by Indonesian authorities in the Indonesian city of Tangerang, near Jakarta. On Sept. 5, at 4 a.m., Guo was turned over to the Philippine arresting party composed of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil who, using a private plane, flew the fugitive to Manila where she was read her rights, processed, handcuffed, fingerprinted and made to wear an orange detainee uniform. The long arm of the law finally caught up with Guo. At 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8, Quiboloy was arrested, after a 15-day siege by a 2,300-strong arresting PNP force at the sprawling Davao worship compound of the self-appointed son of God. Whether it was divine
inspiration or deux ex machina, only the devil can truly relate the circumstances of Quiboloy’s capture by force of arms.
Now, I want President Marcos Jr. to execute another kind of arrest. This is arresting the unbated rise in prices of prime commodities, particularly food, and the atrocious interest rates slapped by the Bangko Sentral on hapless money users in the past four years.
There is no fine nor prison penalty for BSP people unilaterally raising interest rates to their heart’s desire. The 91-day T-bill rate has risen more than five-fold, from 1.1 pct in 2021 to 5.61 by 2024. They call rising interest rates a stability measure, although the effect has been one of political instability which cannot be measured by monetary aggregates. The more useful aggregate is solid stone which hungry small folks use when they start storming the palace looking for something to eat or someone to blame. There is also no penalty for unabated inflation.
But the rewards for arrest are huge and are something for
Leyte, that Duterte’s closest associates allegedly ordered police officers to use “all means necessary” to eradicate drug suspects and to reward the deed under a so-called “quota and reward system.”
Not a court of law
It is important to note that the quad committee’s findings, much like the discoveries of Senate blue ribbon investigations, are only as good as their legal outcome. The committee, after all, is a congressional body and not a court of law, and no Philippine judge to date has attempted to bring Duterte and his subordinates to justice for the alleged crimes raised during the inquiry.
That brings us to the touchy issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s investigation of drug war killings. While we hope that the result of the quad committee’s findings is
the soul, especially if you are a politician, a pro-poor politician. Arrest is a French word meaning to stop or stay.
So arrest the rise in prices of food. Arrest the high interest rate regime of the BSP.
In the first half of 2024, the average farmgate prices of the following major crops showed hefty price increases: palay, up 35 percent to P24.74 per kilo; banana 15.3 percent, coconut 17 percent, pineapple 68 percent, coffee 46 percent, tobacco 8.6 percent, abaca 10 percent, tomato 37 percent, potato 2.3 percent, calamansi 8.8 percent and cacao 10 percent.
Production of palay, banana, mango, sugar, onion and mongo declined in the first half. In livestock, hogs 8.8 percent, cattle 9.1 percent, carabao 5.6 percent, goat 13.2 percent and dairy 7.5 percent, all showed large price increases despite higher production.
How important is food and agriculture? Farmers and fishermen are the poorest Filipinos. Their poverty incidence is 30 percent, double the national average. Yes, agriculture employs 10 million Filipinos. The food shortage is 25 percent of demand.
tempestuous landscape.
the prosecution of all those culpable in the drug war in Philippine courts, any criminal charges arising from them should not preclude the ICC prosecutor from pursuing a separate and independent inquiry.
We applaud the House quad committee members for their newfound zeal in digging up Duterteera skeletons, but ultimately, their actions serve interests that are more political than legal, however those interests may coincide with the quest for justice for the thousands killed in the drug war. In the end, the true reckoning for the war on drugs waged by Duterte and his lieutenants won’t be made before a panel of lawmakers but before the eyes of the law. If that’s unrealistic for local courts in today’s legal and political climate, then an international tribunal must be allowed to take on the task instead. (Inquirer.net)
The shortage is covered mainly by imports, worth P1.14 trillion a year. Production is hampered by huge harvest losses, 14.5 percent in rice, 16 percent in fisheries, 20 percent in fruits and vegetables, 26 percent in mongo and 32 percent in onion. Food needed to feed the hungry – numbering 15 million – is simply wasted. Inflation is high because of low production or no production of food, which has been half of the inflation rate in the past two years. Yet, BSP keeps imposing high interest rates to solve the inflation problem when it should be focusing on production. According to Economic Planning Secretary Arsi Balisacan, high interest rates cut our economic growth by half percent. And reduced food production. You need money to produce food and if that money is very expensive you don’t produce food instead. So instead of enjoying 6 percent GDP growth we should have had 6.5 percent, the best in Asia. A half percent missed economic growth rate to me means P250 billion worth of lost production and 100,000 jobs that should have been created. Laments Sec Arsi:
“Our growth performance could have been even more impactful on all Filipinos if not for the high inflation and interest rates that the country experienced in the last two years. Considering the lagged effect of interest rate hikes that the BSP carried out in response to the high inflation in 2022 and early 2023, we estimate that economic growth could have been over half a percentage point higher in 2023 if such rate hikes did not materialize. More importantly, with slower increases in food prices, our efforts could have reduced the poverty incidence to around 13 to 14 percent in 2023 – instead of the actual reported figure of 15.5 percent – if inflation had been within target during the year. This would have translated to an even higher reduction in the number of poor people by 4.4 million instead of the actual reported 2.5 million between 2021 and 2023.”(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.
* * *
Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com
the untested and unproven offspring of two notorious Filipino strongmen. On her part, Sara Duterte had no relevant experience beyond local government politics. She simply lacked the audacity and eloquence for national leadership, which would require a certain effortless pizzazz in dealing with global statesmen.
She also seemed like a poor copy of her dad—an already problematic original—in wit and spontaneity. As for Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he had all the glamour and eloquence of his parents, thanks to his exposure to the global elite throughout decades at the pinnacle of national power. But the namesake son neither have the gravitas and academic credentials of his dad nor the spontaneous charm of his notorious mom, who dazzled world leaders—from Mao Zedong
and Fidel Castro to Muammar Ghadaffi—throughout her unforgettably decadent reign as the Philippines’ de facto queen.
The tandem ended up winning the greatest share of votes in more than half a century of presidential elections in the country. And then came the inevitable political divorce. A very ugly one at that. It didn’t take long before former “UniTeam” aficionados turned on each other with gusto.
The most notorious propagandists ended up turning on their former patrons with exquisite brutality. Some went so far as accusing the incumbent of being a “drug addict” (“Polvoron Boy”) and, in a zoological reversal, ended up branding now President Marcos as a kitten (“ Kuting ”) rather than a Tiger (“ Tigre ”).
Bizarrely, former President Rodrigo Duterte has echoed similar statements, thus exposing major political realignments within a
So far, however, “Team Kuting” has proven itself as far more formidable than its former ally, which will likely be redubbed as “Team Itik,” since the self-styled venerable eagle has looked as vulnerable as a baby duck. By all indications, the Dutertes and their proxies have devastatingly underestimated the incumbent.
Mr. Marcos may not be a tiger himself, but he clearly surrounds himself with capable ones. Earlier this year, one of those tigers told me that the president is not going to be a sitting duck. If anything, he will strike back—at the moment of his choosing. And that political moment seems to be arriving, at last.
The “repatriation” of Bamban’s former Chinese Mayor Alice Guo was clearly headline-grabbing news, but the Apollo Quiboloy “surrender” may be the real clincher. After
weeks of tense standoff, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III ably salami-sliced Quiboloy’s gigantic compound until the de facto fugitive was forced to come out of hiding. In the process, Torre defied all odds, including constant pressure from Davao’s political and legal establishment, and deftly avoided both violence and fatigue until the enemy blinked.
In retrospect, this should have come as totally unsurprising. As General Torre told me during the first night of siege: “We are under great pressure [to see this through].” Quiboloy’s arrest marks a milestone on many levels, especially for justice, thanks to the tireless efforts of the likes of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who single-handedly exposed all alleged abuses within the controversial pastor’s sect.
Most fundamentally, it broke a major psychological barrier, namely the impunity of the
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection
Duterte-Quiboloy joint kingdom in Davao. As one of Mr. Marcos’ tigers recently told me, there are currently more than 200 legislators who are open to backing impeachment proceedings against the vice president based on a myriad of charges. Another admitted that the International Criminal Court has been communicating with them ahead of a potential issuance of a warrant of arrest. In many ways, this month may end up as the most consequential one in Mr. Marcos’ presidency. Will he decisively strike at the Dutertes, or risk confronting their vengeance in the future? (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.
* * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph
ManilaTimes.net
RichaRd heydaRian
VP Sara accuses House leaders of meddling with DepEd classroom budget
by cRistinA chi Philstar.com
MANILA — Vice President
Sara Duterte has accused House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the chairperson of the powerful House appropriations committee of manipulating the Department of Education's budget for classroom construction over the past two years.
In a video interview released by the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday, September 10, Duterte said the House of Representatives inflated DepEd's budget for classroom construction beyond its requested sum in 2023 and 2024. This, she claimed, allowed Romualdez and Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol) to control billions in additional funds.
The OVP sent Duterte's video to reporters on the same day the lower chamber resumed its deliberations on the OVP's proposed 2025 budget.
Unlike the previous hearing on August 27, where the vice president had heated exchanges with lawmakers, Duterte did not face the appropriations panel this time, saying in a letter that she "[defers] entirely to the discretion and judgment" of the committee on the OVP's proposed budget.
DepEd irregularities
In the nine-minute video — a continuation of another video the OVP sent on Monday, September 9 — Duterte detailed her concerns about the alleged irregular insertions in the budget of DepEd, which she led before her resignation on July 19.
Duterte recalled being approached by House members who asked for a portion of DepEd's proposed P5 billion outlay for classroom construction in the 2023 budget.
"I was taken aback when they asked, 'How much of that is ours?
How much do we get?'" Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino. Duterte said she refused the lawmakers' requests to give DepEd a free hand to construct new classrooms based on its backlog.
"So, sinabihan ko ‘yung isang congressman, 'Sabihan ninyo si Martin Romualdez na hindi pwedeng chop-chopin ang classroom construction na 5 billion' (I instructed one congressman, 'Tell Martin Romualdez that we cannot allow the P5 billion for classroom
construction to be split up')," the vice president said. Because she did not agree to the lawmakers' demands, Duterte alleged that DepEd's proposed P5 billion funds for classrooms were bumped up to P15 billion, with the additional P10 billion being placed under the "control" of Romualdez and Co. Philstar.com has reached out to Romualdez and Co for comment and will update this story with their response.
The vice president said House leaders did the same in the 2024 budget, where an initial P19 billion allocation for classroom construction was raised to P24 billion. This time, the additional P5 billion was allegedly taken from the funds allocated for classroom repairs.
“So, what was left for repairs for the poor classrooms is just 1 billion," Duterte said.
For the 2024 budget, Duterte said House leaders attached a list specifying where the P17 billion for classroom construction would go even though the department did not approve this.
"You can see that on paper. When we went to the Senate, the senators saw this. They asked the Department of Education, ‘Is it true or not that the list of 17 billion for classroom construction came from you?’" Duterte added.
Romualdez and Co's alleged insertions in the DepEd budget led Duterte to resign and also fueled her decision to forego the question-and-answer portion of the House appropriations committee's deliberations of the OVP's budget.
"That is one of the reasons why I resigned from the Department of
Education. I will not allow them to do the same thing next year and hold me accountable for their actions," Duterte said.
"That's why I’m saying, 'Why are we still having a Q&A session where you attack me? In the end, only two people control the budget,'" she added.
On Monday, Duterte justified her stonewalling of the House appropriations committee's deliberations of the OVP's proposed budget, arguing that the lawmakers who faced her were simply not used to "tough responses."
The vice president also said the budget hearing of the OVP was being used by "certain lawmakers" to launch political attacks against her.
The August 27 hearing where Duterte repeatedly traded insults with lawmakers and refused to coherently answer their queries, especially on her use of confidential funds, is a marked departure from previous years' House deliberations of the OVP budget.
In 2022 and 2023, Duterte enjoyed the privilege of having the OVP budget hearing terminated within minutes due to House lawmakers' "courtesy" to her. Motions to end the budget hearing early were usually met with objections from the three-member Makabayan bloc.
However, since the start of the year, Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, have publicly feuded with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other administration allies over issues related to Charter change and the president's foreign policy. This marked the breakup of the UniTeam alliance that swept Sara and Marcos to power in 2022. n
‘PH trial first for Quiboloy before...
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warned that criminal charges would be filed against those who delayed the arrest of Quiboloy.
“Let me remind you of PD 1829 on the obstruction of justice. Any person knowingly, willfully obstructs, impedes or frustrates or delays the apprehension of suspects and the investigation and prosecution of a criminal, harboring, concealing or facilitating the escape and giving false and fabricated information to mislead or prevent the law enforcement agencies from apprehending offender,” Abalos said.
He also said he would look into reports that mughshots of Quiboloy were blurred. “I will look into it. I was not aware that his mugshots were blurred,” Abalos said in an interview with The STAR
Reps. Joel Chua of Manila’s third district and Raul Angelo Bongalon of Ako Bicol partylist said former President Rodrigo Duterte can be sued for harboring a fugitive and for obstruction of justice.
“Duterte, serving as the administrator of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound where Quiboloy was apprehended, cannot simply distance himself from this troubling situation,” Chua, chairman of the House
committee on good government and public accountability, said.
“His (Duterte’s) role within the KOJC compound places him at the center of this unfolding scandal, and the public deserves clear answers about his involvement,” Chua added, noting that Quiboloy’s own TV network Sonshine Media Network International designated Duterte as “caretaker.”
“The former president can – I think – fit in the definition of an accomplice,” Bongalon pointed out.
“Being a lawyer also means being an officer of the court,” he said of the former president.
“Simply put, he should not be one who should be instrumental in the violation of the country’s laws.”
Probe on Sara, Bato?
He hinted that Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara, along with their close friend Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, may also be investigated, and even charged, for obstruction of justice for trying to divert policemen’s attention from serving the arrest warrant against Quiboloy.
“Let us remember that the VP herself declared that the good pastor has already left the country. And now with Quiboloy’s arrest, what does
that make of her? Did she or did she not protect him and obstruct the administration of justice by diverting police’s attention?” Bongalon asked.
“No false god is above the law,” said House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre, as he urged authorities to make sure Quiboloy is made to account for his alleged transgressions.
“These are very serious charges that, if proven, can’t go unpunished unless we live in a society devoid of rules and respect. No man is above the law, and no false god is above the law,” said Acidre, referring to the cases of sexual and human trafficking against the KOJC founder and leader.
In a statement, Caritas Philippines president Kidapawan Bishop Colin Jose Bagaforo said that while they commend the PNP and the AFP for Quiboloy’s arrest, he said he hoped there was no secret agreement with the religious leader.
“We hope there were no underthe-table deals, particularly with the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Transparency is essential, and the process must remain uncompromised.” (With reports from Daphne Galvez, Bella Cariaso, Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan)
File photo shows Vice President Sara Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Philstar.com photo
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Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: CP25-0520-50-00-00 Fire Sprinkler Inspections & Repairs at O’Farrell Charter School
A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on THURSDAY, September 19, 2024, outside the main office of O’Farrell Charter School, 6130 Skyline Drive, San Diego, CA 92114. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on OCTOBER 3, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP25-0520-50-00-00 Fire Sprinkler Inspections & Repairs at O’Farrell Charter School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $47,000 and $49,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-16, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CP25-0520-50-00-00
LEGAL SERVICES
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9016749
Spirits Of St. Germain located at 3251 Holiday Ct, #101, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Registrant: a. Kevin Song, 3251 Holiday Ct, #101, La Jolla, CA 92037.
b. Chom Ae Sharp, 3251 Holiday Ct, #101, La Jolla, CA 92037
This business is conducted by A Married Couple. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Kevin Kyongho Song. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/15/2024. AJ 1492 08/23, 08/30, 09/06, and 09/13/2024. AJSD 1492
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9016893
E.Z. Keys Locksmith located at 2801 B St #583, San Diego, CA 92102. Registrant: Best Price Solutions Inc., 2801 B St #583, San Diego, CA 92102. This business is conducted by A Corpration. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Eduardo Burgos. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/19/2024. AJ 1499 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018280
a. El Kafecito located at 2455 Otay Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92154.
b. El Kafecito Otay located at 2455 Otay Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92154. Registrant: Denisse Melgoza, 553 Oxford St, Apt #1, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Indivdual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Denisse Melgoza. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2024. AJ 1505 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, and 10/04/2024. AJSD 1505
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9016840
Arevalo Painting located at 3241 Franklin Ave, Apt C, San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Israel Arevalo, 3241 Franklin Ave, Apt C, San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/06/2024. Signature: Israel Arevalo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/16/2024. AJ 1493 08/23, 08/30, 09/06, and 09/13/2024. AJSD 1493
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017673
Jays Auto located at 11530 Paseo Vista, Lakeside, CA 92040. Registrant: James Lnu, 11530 Paseo Vista, Lakeside, CA 92040. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/29/2024.
Signature: James Lnu. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/29/2024. AJ 1500 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018229
Total Wireless Connection located at 8365 Paradise Valley Rd Unit 11, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Total Wireless Connection, 1836 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/09/2024. Signature: Changmin Oh. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2024. AJ 1506 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, and 10/04/2024. AJSD 1506
LEGAL SERVICES
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017268
Paradise Spa Massage located at 6919 Paradise Valley Road #2, San Diego, CA 92139. Registrant: Yuzhen Sun, 3875 Vista Campana S 3, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/23/2024. Signature: Yuzhen Sun. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/23/2024. AJ 1495 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1495
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017517
ITS CAFE THAI located at 2184 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Thai Food Station LLC, 3423 Via Beltran, San Diego, CA 92117. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/26/2024. Signature: Ahmed Albatat. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/27/2024.
AJ 1501 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017745
Mission Gorge Auto Repair located at 6045 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120. Registrant: CarLot Inc, 6075 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/01/2024. Signature: Zamir Sultani. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/30/2024. AJ 1507 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, and 10/04/2024. AJSD 1507
Advertisement for Bids
Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: CP25-0522-05-00-00 ROLLER SHADES AT 5 SITES
A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024, outside the main office of Alcott Elementary School, 4680 Hidalgo Ave, San Diego, CA 92117. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on OCTOBER 4, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP25-0522-05-00-00 Roller Shades at 5 Sites. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $230,000 and $280,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-61/D-52, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CP25-0522-05-00-00.
LEGAL SERVICES
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017352
DERMA BESTIE located at 1730 Monroe Ave, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92116. Registrant: DERMA BESTIE, 6551 Zena Drive, San Diego, CA 92115. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Alice Mai Lei. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/26/2024. AJ 1496 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1496
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017930
Jack Taylor located at 4933 Cape May Ave #9, San Diego, CA 92107.
Registrant: Christopher Jack Taylor, 4933 Cape May Ave #9, San Diego, CA 92107.
This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/17/2024.
Signature: Christopher Jack Taylor. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/04/2024.
AJ 1502 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017046
Top Gun Junk Removal located at 4215 Haines St, San Diego, CA 92109. Registrant: GSL Elite LLC, 4215 Haines St, San Diego, CA 92109. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Guillermo David Sanchez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/20/2024. AJ 1497 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1497
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018031
a. TDYP located at 862 La Senda Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
b. tilldeathdoyoupart located at 862 La Senda Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: Kyle Nevan Abeysinghe, 862 La Senda Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 6/01/2019.
Signature: Kyle Nevan Abeysinghe. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/05/2024.
AJ 1503 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017123
Grow Your Practice located at 12636 High Bluff Drive #400, San Diego, CA 92130. Registrant: Leverage Group LLC, 12636 High Bluff Drive #400, San Diego, CA 92130. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/16/2024. Signature: Sameer Kumar. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/21/2024. AJ 1498 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1498
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017915
KEM COFFEE AND BOBA located at 600 East 8th Street Ste 7, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: Chan Dong Inc., 600 East 8th Street Ste 7, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/01/2024.
Signature: Linh Du. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/03/2024. AJ 1504 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, 10/04/2024. AJSD 1504
SAN DIEGO
Columbia to release GMA’s MMFF entry ‘Green Bones,’ ‘Gabi ng Lagim’
GMA Pictures and Columbia Pictures have entered a landmark deal to distribute the upcoming films "Green Bones" — a finalist to the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival in December — and "KMJS' Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie." The contract signing took place at Columbia Pictures' Philippine office on September 5. This marks Columbia Pictures' return to distributing local films in the Philippines.
Representing GMA Pictures at the signing were GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide and Support Group and President of GMA Films, lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes, along with GMA Pictures Executive Vice President and GMA Public Affairs First Vice President Nessa Valdellon.
Signing for Columbia Pictures were Managing Director Christopher Sy and Sales & Operations Manager Andra de Erquiaga Manas.
Under this agreement, Columbia Pictures will manage the local theatrical distribution of "Green Bones" and "KMJS' Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie." This will be the first time in eight years that Columbia Pictures has distributed locally produced films.
"GMA Pictures is proud to announce that two of its upcoming films, 'Green Bones' and 'KMJS' Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie,' will be distributed commercially by Columbia Pictures. As one of the leading film production companies in the world, Columbia Pictures has brought some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to Philippine theaters. We are honored and grateful to have Columbia Pictures with us as we strive to produce high-quality films. This deal ensures that these movies will reach more moviegoers," said Gozon-Valdes.
"Columbia Pictures has always been committed to the theatrical experience, and we are thrilled to partner with GMA Pictures to distribute the MMFF entry 'Green Bones' as well as 'KMJS' Gabi ng
Lagim: The Movie.' GMA Pictures has a rich legacy of producing award-winning and commercial films, which we look forward to bringing to as wide an audience as possible," said Sy.
The event was also graced by "Green Bones" lead actors Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid.
Directed by Zig Dulay, "Green Bones" is a gripping, inspirational drama that tells the story of a man accused of murdering his sister and niece and a relentless corrections officer driven by an unquenchable thirst for justice. It is GMA Network's official entry to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee is among the film's screenplay writers.
Meanwhile, "KMJS' Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie" is the film spin-off of the annual Halloween special of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," which features real-life horror-themed stories and episodes.
Columbia Pictures, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, has released some of the biggest blockbusters of the past decade, including "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," "Venom," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and the recently released "It Ends With Us." In 2023, Columbia Pictures released "Insidious: The Red Door," which became the highestgrossing film of the year and the biggest horror film of all time in the Philippines.
GMA Pictures has become a prominent player in Philippine cinema, captivating audiences locally and internationally. Some of its recent films include "Firefly," "The Cheating Game," and the 2024 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entry "Balota," which was produced in collaboration with GMA Entertainment Group. (ManilaTimes.net)
Alexa Ilacad, Kim Ji Soo’s family movie ‘Mujigae’ drops first teaser
by JeSSica ann evangeliSta Inquirer.net
KAPAMILYA star Alexa
Ilacad and South Korean actor Kim Ji Soo’s upcoming family movie “Mujigae” dropped its first official teaser.
On Monday, Sept. 9, Cinema Bravo warmed the hearts of netizens by posting the 34-second teaser of “Mujigae.”
The teaser shows the cast members having genuine moments with newbie child star Ryrie Turingan, who will play the role of Mujigae, which translates to “rainbow” in English.
Ilacad’s character is seen helping the five-year-old Mujigae for school, as she also hypes her up during school activities.
On the other hand, Ji Soo is captured giving Korean snacks to Mujigae and teaching her how to ride a bicycle.
Based on the short clip, Mujigae appears to be a halfFilipino and half-Korean child that is well-loved among the people around her.
The film is also set to feature Rufa Mae Quinto and Lito Pimentel, among others. Quinto first announced the movie in July after she shared clips from the film’s story conference.
Anyeong… umabot na tayo sa South Korea international movie sa isang magandang blessing na
naman ito.
Todo na ‘to!” she wrote in her caption at the time.
Meanwhile, Ji Soo recently officially became a Kapuso last month after he signed a contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center. The Korean star’s recent career move raised eyebrows following past controversy in his home country.
Ji Soo recently addressed his past issues by asserting that the sexual allegations made against him were all “false.”
“I’ve been able to clear up misunderstandings with the friends involved. We talked and reconciled, and I am now focused on moving forward with my life and career,” he said in a recent interview with Sports Chosun.
“Many rumors have become public knowledge and established facts because of things I didn’t do. All sexual assault allegations were false, and even an apology was received,” added the actor.
Ji Soo is known for starring in several Korean dramas, including “Strong Girl Bong Soon” and “Moonlight Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.”
Meanwhile, Ilacad was last seen in the TV series “ PiraPirasong Paraiso” and the movie “Toss Coin,” where she starred alongside KD Estrada, her onscreen partner.
At the GMA and Columbia contract signing: GMA Pictures Executive Vice President Nessa Valdellon, lawyer and GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Valdes, ‘Green Bones’ lead actors Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, and Columbia Pictures Managing Director Christopher Sy and Sales & Operations Manager Andra de Erquiaga Manas.
GMA photo
Alexa Ilacad and Kim Ji Soo in the upcoming movie “Mujigae” Screengrab from YouTube/ Cinema Bravo
A HUGE congratulations to Biyaya Animal Care and Biyaya Animal Sanctuary on its 2nd Anniversary. Its unwavering dedication to spreading love and hope to fur babies across the Philippines is inspiring. This year’s goal of providing 2,000 + free spay and neuter services to dogs and cats shows the power of compassion in action. Sen. Grace Poe has been supportive of Biyaya, an organization that aims to make a positive change in companion and street animal welfare.
* * *
Slay Model Management director Cece Asuncion has created a Filipina-led reality show, “Manila Matriarchs,” starring singer Karylle, Myrza Sison, Joanna Preysler-Francisco and Trisha Bantigue-Tsao. He was in Manila recently to do some shots.
The LA-based Fil-American filmmaker said to me that fashion is fickle and really not glamorous: “What goes on behind the camera is more interesting to me. I’ve learned not to take things personally and that rejection is part of life. Sometimes, you’re on the receiving end of it and sometimes you’re the one who rejects. It all evens out, so enjoy the journey that is life.”
On weekends, he leads a quiet life and is lucky to have a tight circle of friends that he can be “unapologetically myself with.” He likes to cook as it takes his mind away from his day-to-day worries, but most importantly, he spends time with his dog, Kenzo. I asked him what he misses about the Philippines. He responded, “The beaches and the hospitality, however, it would be the kindness people have.” And his advocacy? “I am an advocate for shedding positive light on communities that may not have the platform to do so. I am a proud ally to the trans community and of course, to my Filipino community,” he revealed.
He concluded the brief interview with his personal philosophy:””When you’re in a position to help, do so.”
* * *
Pet TJ was the recent cynosure during visual artist Joy Rojas’ 8th solo exhibition in ArtistSpace in Makati City.
His “Japan’s Cherry Blossom,” “French Riviera Summer,” “Winter Solace,” and “New England’s Foliage” mixed media works based on his travels in different countries have caught the attention of art enthusiasts. Likewise, his three “Historica Filipinas” mixed media works based on Philippine history and “Metanoia” series drew rave reviews. In his latest show, Rojas delves into the intrinsic nature of objects. He uses mixed-media creations, canvas-shaped pieces and sculptures. During the Ipso Facto art show at Ayala Museum Annex, I saw People Asia Magazine’s editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, Aliw Broadcasting Corp. chairman Edgard Cabangon, and former Press Secretary Ignacio “Toting” Bunye.
*
* * Through the years I’ve been doing writing as a mission. I gave up my comfortable, glamorous, social life in the U.S. and my rising journalism career in The Japan Times. I’m accustomed to living simply. Perhaps, the nature of my work as a writer requires freedom from mental, emotional and physical stress and pressure. I know you will agree that the “real well of ideas” is the subconscious, which is the storehouse of facts, observations, impressions and other memories. But there comes a time when thinking becomes clogged, when errors pile up and when no significant insights occur. At this point, a writer stops for the moment and turns to something entirely different.
I was associated with the late French priest who turned Filipino, Fr. Pierre Tritz, SJ, a Mother Teresa awardee and a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, in volunteering to the Foundation for Assistance to Hansenites, to help our leprosy patient brethren and to the Samahan ng mga Batang Nananambakan, to help in the education of former child scavengers in Tondo, Manila. My life story is just a tip of the iceberg of the many interesting stories to hear from the recipients of the 2nd Philippines Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers.
* * *
Mrs. Philippines 2016 Dr. Fritzie Lexdy Noche graced the recent artist reception of “Batangan: Batangueño Art at its Finest,” a special exhibition at Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City from
September 1 to October 30, 2024. The exhibit showcases the rich and diverse talents of 6 award-winning visual artists from Batangas (artists Lino Acasio, Jorge Banawa, Nante Carandang, Yelcast, Zorrick Enriquez and Ramon Orlina), bringing together a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works by the Dangal ng Batangan Awards recipients. Their unique artistry reflects the region’s unique cultural heritage and artistic expression. Each piece tells a story of Batangas, from its vibrant landscapes to its deep-rooted traditions, captured through the eyes of its most celebrated artists. The exhibit honors the individual achievements of these artists and highlights the collective spirit and creative
potential of the Batangueño community.
* * * Thanks to Sam Azurel and to the Amerika Prestige Awards for the Inclusive Media Excellence Award to be given on November 17, 2024 in North Hollywood, California. Other awardees are Ludivina Lelim Nacionales, Thelma Calabio, Benny Uy, Roland Abante, Lourdes Oliva, Sonia Bermejo, Dr. Elvis Mopera Verzo, Agnes Gonzalez, Yamani Caliwara, Saira Bunny Paras, Gina Faucher, Chef Heikichi Racuya Allida. Kimberly Carter, Carmen Cordero, Dr. Peter Morante, and Henry Bio. Guest speaker will be Ricardo Brown of PBA Legend RB23. Congrats too to some Amerika Music Awards recipients on October 27 (Comm. James Baker II, Yannie Rumbaoa, Joym Msantiago, Michael Luke, Kevin Ray Amores, Matt Relox, David Bustamante, Dakila, Khaye Rodriguez, Rod Navarro Jr., Prince Capucino, Claire Isabel Wong,
Sam Richey, Genous Band, John Mirisch, Hagibis USA, Sol Glass, Vynz VS, Wala ng Iba (Live), Marissa Pascual, Pedro Leguro, Jameson Juliander, Madz Johnson, Haven Richey, Heather Richey, Sam Richey, George Umali Nalapo, Henry Lopez, Yuhgirlfran, Imelda Bosing Wood, Malou Zagala Toler, DJ Arnold, Ricardo Brown, Prescious Cejo, Queen Corazon Ugalde Yellen, Sab Baker, Didi Caneda, Mekong Bistro, PHLV Radio, Tina Cruz, Paulette Mouquet, Serenity Entertainment, Dr. Rica Silbol, Caren Mempin, Jenny Taimanao, Violeta Martin, Jenor Zapanta Maniti, Lito Nuqui, Klique, Millie Cadag, Renato de Jesus Jr., Rhea Tan, Angel Cheryll Klein, JC Garcia, Romm Burlat, Rose Lucier, MJ Saragoza, Jane Magan Chang, and Imogen Atangan) and to the event hosts Louie Roa, Shekinah Austria and Naiia Lajoie and director Jules Graeser.
* * * Asian TV Heritage Network News UK and Global Asia Insid-
er-International correspondent Chino Hansel Philyang, a jiu-jitsu master and a paralegal advocate, is the author of 12 books, including the new children’s book series, “Zeno” (named after his male cat), to help kids learn valuable life skills. He is an ex-VJ of Channel V Malaysia and Indonesia. He studied at the Univ. of British Columbia Canada and later at Harvard Univ. in the U.S. He completed his international law degree in Belgium. What is admirable in this guy is living life simply with “my belief in simplicity, sustainability, and intentional living. It’s a decision that allows me to live a life filled with purpose, contentment, and a deeper connection to what truly matters.”
* * * 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
Gigi De Lana brings ‘Rated Gigi 2.0’ live to Pechanga Resort Casino
TEMECULA — Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment as Gigi De Lana, one of the Philippines’ most electrifying performers, takes the stage at Pechanga Resort Casino on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 8 p.m. Fans of all ages will be treated to a sensational concert in the Pechanga Theater, showcasing Gigi’s incredible vocal talent and dynamic stage presence.
Gigi De Lana, a rising star in the music industry, has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique blend of pop and rock. Known for her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence, Gigi has rapidly gained a dedicated fan base, earning accolades for her dynamic live shows and emotional performances.
Her latest tour, “Rated Gigi 2.0,” is set to deliver an exhilarating experience, showcasing her diverse musical talents and chart-topping hits. Tickets are available for purchase at the Pechanga Box Office or online at pechanga. com with prices starting at $75. Be sure to secure your tickets early, as this highly anticipated event is expected to sell out quickly.
Located in the heart of Southern California’s wine country, Pechanga Resort Casino offers a world-class entertainment experience, combining luxury accommodations, exquisite dining, and top-tier gaming. With its reputation for hosting some of the biggest names in music, Pechanga is proud to welcome Gigi De Lana and provide fans with a night of exceptional entertainment.
Don’t miss your chance to see Gigi De Lana live in concert as she presents “Rated Gigi 2.0” in an evening filled with music, emotion, and excitement. This is a must-see event for anyone who loves great music and unforgettable performances.
“Manila Matriarchs” director and cast members (from left) Karylle, Myrza Sison, filmmaker Cece Asuncion, Joanna Preysler-Francisco and Trisha Bantigue-Tsao.
Amerika Prestige Awards take place on Nov. 17, 2024 in Burbank, CA.
Rina Ortiz with Sen. Grace Poe
At the recent Rojas solo art exhibition: (from left) Sharon Tan, Joy Rojas, TJ, Trisha Bunye, and Edgard Cabangon.
Glass sculptor Ramon Orlina and Mrs. Philippines 2016 Dr. Fritzie Lexdy Noche at the Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City.
Journalist-author Chino Hansel Philyang with a fan who reads Chino’s “The Book of Zeno.”
Visual artist Joy Rojas (5th from left) with his father-in-law Toting Bunye (3rd from left), wife Trisha Bunye and TJ and guests during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina
Photo above shows Raymond Pedroso & PFBA awardee Salvie Paparon with kids Shawn & Sheanne, awardee Rogelio Medina, awardee Lae Manego, Mica Chely Manego, awardee Wej Cudiamat, Miller Daniolco and Nirro Marcelo (at the back).
FAFHW energized by debate, launch nationwide mobilizatioon with targeted
regional efforts
FILIPINO Americans for Harris Walz (FAFHW) is riding a wave of enthusiasm following Vice President Kamala Harris’s commanding performance in Tuesday’s (September 10) Presidential Debate against former President Donald Trump.
The debate energized Filipino American voters nationwide and across the Pacific Ocean, with over 100 attendees joining virtual and in-person watch parties in cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and in Guam. As the community rallies behind Vice President Harris, FAFHW is excited to announce the launch of several key mobilization efforts aimed at engaging voters in critical battleground states.
In-person watch parties were co-hosted by local organizations, including the Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club and Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats in Los Angeles, the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Greater Nevada in Las Vegas, and the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York in New York City. These gatherings not only celebrated Harris’s debate performance, but also underscored the commitment of the Filipino American community to take action in the weeks ahead.
Gabriel Young, FAFHW West Region volunteer, former White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) aide, and current MPA candidate at UC Berkeley, stated in a televised post-debate interview, the strength of Vice President Harris’s policy approach: “She beat President Trump on the policy front — she had concrete plans. Even just today, the Harris Walz Campaign released their AANHPI fact sheet, yet Trump’s campaign has not. Vice President Harris introduced actual policies backed by numbers. In her closing statement, she made it clear: ‘We’re not going back.’ We’ve already seen what a Trump administration looks like — why would we choose to repeat it? Vice President Harris is focused on building an economy that creates opportunity and hope for the American people, while Trump offered nothing original, only hollow rebuttals.”
Building on the momentum from Harris’s debate performance, FAFHW is now gearing up to expand its grassroots efforts and mobilize voters across the country. Several field operations are launching this week as part of the broader campaign strategy. The East Region, led by CoChairs Enzo Manzano and Brad Baldia, were scheduled to kick off virtual phone banking on Thursday, September 12 to reach voters in Pennsylvania, while next week will see the launch of operations in North Carolina.
Meanwhile, in the Midwest, Regional Chair Abbey Eusebio is partnering with “Operation Swing State” to mobilize volunteers for phone banking and canvassing in Michigan and Wisconsin. The West Region, co-chaired by Chris Mateo and Hon. Juslyn Manalo, is focusing on border state programming with Nevada and Arizona with grassroots efforts across one of the largest Filipino American communities in the country.
In addition to voter engagement, FAFHW East Region has announced a fundraiser concert scheduled for October 4, in partnership with the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York and Taiwanese Americans for Progress. The event will feature performances by Taiwanese American singer/songwriter Vienna Tengand, Filipino American Broadway talents Renee Albulario (Here Lies Love), Emily Borromeo (School of Rock), and Liz Casasola (Imelda). The concert aims to support efforts to elect Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz to the White House, as well as re-elect State Senator Iwen Chu, the first Asian American woman, and Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Legislature. FAFHW is committed to not only electing leaders at the national level but also supporting local candidates who share the values of inclusivity and progress.
In the DNC AANHPI Virtual Spin Room postdebate, Mario Salazar, FAFHW National co-chair, encouraged supporters to stay focused on the work ahead: “Vice President Harris articulated a tangible plan for small business owners, students, families, and all those chasing their versions of the American dream — like us, our parents, and so many others in the AANHPI community. It was a stark contrast to the same tired, divisive, hateful rhetoric from former President Trump. Now, in the same way the vice president said we should put Trump and his failed administration behind us — we as a campaign should put the debate behind us and hit the doors and phones over the next few weeks to get the Harris-Walz ticket across the finish line.”
With an energized volunteer base and critical voter engagement efforts underway, Filipino Americans for Harris Walz are fully committed to turning out voters and securing a Harris Walz victory in November. The excitement and energy generated by the September 12 debate are driving the campaign forward into action. All volunteer activities, upcoming events, and registration details can be found on FAFHW’s Linktree (https:// linktr.ee/filamsforharris).
(FAFHW Release)
Board invests $2.3M in Healthy Living programs
THE Board of Supervisors has accepted $2.3 million in California Department of Public Health grant funds to support healthy living education and programming in underresourced neighborhoods across the region.
The funds for the program, called CalFresh Healthy Living, will assist a variety of projects. These include improving physical education programs in at least five school districts, building community gardens, and recruiting and training residents to advocate for public policy change to improve neighborhoods, transportation and activities that promote an active lifestyle.
This will be the fifth cycle of the CalFresh Healthy Living program, which started in 2012. The program focuses on areas where more than 50% of households earn below 200% of
CDPH
term.
SNAP in San Diego County is called CalFresh. More than 402,000 people are enrolled as of September 2024, which is nearly 6% more than last year.
(Cassie N. Saunders/County of San Diego Communications Office)
encourages Californians to ‘Rethink Your Drink’
Campaign reminds Californians that sugary drinks may be riskier than you think
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with local health departments and community-based organizations to promote Rethink Your Drink 2024, an ongoing public awareness campaign designed to encourage Californians to consider the risks of sugar sweetened beverages and to make healthy choices when it comes to their consumption.
Rethink Your Drink compliments CDPH’s recently announced Not So Sweet Side campaign, an overarching awareness campaign which reaches California families and communities through digital, radio, video and billboard advertising, as well as communityfocused outreach efforts to reach diverse families across California.
“Research shows that sugary drinks are one of the leading contributors to chronic health conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “Through Rethink Your Drink, we empower families to reduce their sugar intake and choose water as a primary beverage.”
Rethink Your Drink is a yearround effort, but CDPH is increasing its efforts this September, working to bring together local health departments, health educators, community organizations, and others to raise awareness about healthier beverage choices and the
health risks of consuming too much sugar. September is also a crucial time for reaching communities and individuals as the back-toschool season begins, providing an excellent opportunity for families to focus on healthier beverage choices and build lasting habits as they transition into the new school year.
A significant proportion of added sugars in the American diet come from sugary drinks, and consuming too much sugar has been associated with an increase in chronic conditions and diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay.
• Studies have found that regularly consuming sugarsweetened beverages can increase the risk of both obesity and developing type 2 diabetes.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
• Children with poor oral health and tooth decay tend to miss more school and receive lower grades than children with better oral health, while adults tend to lose more school or work hours for urgent, unplanned dental visits. In July, CDPH launched the Not So Sweet Side campaign, an overarching education and awareness campaign designed to encourage Californians to make healthier choices when it comes to sweetened beverages. Rethink Your Drink, a long-standing awareness effort from CDPH’s CalFresh
City of San Diego reminds residents to plan ahead for potential emergencies
National Preparedness Month highlights importance of being ready when disaster strikes
SAN DIEGO – As September is National Preparedness Month, and following the recent heat wave in our region, the City of San Diego is urging everyone to review safety procedures at home and work. Having a plan in place before a disaster strikes is crucial, and San Diegans are encouraged to prepare for potential lifethreatening situations, such as wildfires, earthquakes, major storms and floods.
National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year.
“Disaster preparedness is a year-round responsibility. There is no better time than now to think about safety,” said Christopher Heiser, executive director of the City of San Diego’s Office of Emergency Services (SDOES).
“National Preparedness Month reminds us to have a plan for potential threats.”
SDOES reminds residents to review their emergency plans, create an emergency supply kit and stay informed. There are a number of preventative measures
San Diegans can take to help keep their families, pets, homes and businesses safe. Getting involved with community groups and organizations is an excellent way to remain prepared throughout the year.
Alert San Diego
The countywide Alert San Diego is a regional notification system that will send telephone notifications to residents and businesses within San Diego County impacted by, or in danger of being impacted by, an emergency or disaster. Sign up at readysandiego.org.
Fire safety Wildfires currently burning in California are a stark reminder that preparedness is paramount. With more warm weather on the way, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department recommends San Diegans use Ready, Set, Go! (https://www.sandiego.gov/ fire/safety/tips/readysetgo) as a guide for developing emergency plans for responding to wildfires. The Ready, Set, Go! action plan provides information, multiple checklists and suggestions for
what you need to supply a proper emergency kit. It also includes a printable contact information sheet and more.
Earthquakes
Because of its location on two tectonic plates, California is a high-risk area for earthquakes. Earthquakes can happen without warning and can result in injuries and damage to property and roads. The state of California offers a free Homeowners’ Guide to Earthquake Safety (https:// ssc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/ sites/9/2020/08/20-01_hog.pdf) that can help you prepare for an earthquake and determine what to do after a quake occurs.
Flooding
The city provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps and National Flood Insurance Program information that can help property owners prepare in areas near the coast, along rivers and creeks and low-lying areas.
Also, people who live or work in areas downstream from reservoir dams could be impacted if a dam failed due to earthquake or another catastrophe. Learn more by visiting the City’s Floodplain Management page at https:// www.sandiego.gov/stormwater/ floodplain-management.
Evacuations
In any emergency, it is important
to follow the recommendations of our public safety professionals. The San Diego Police Department provides evacuation coordination for safe and expeditious clearing of homes and businesses during emergency situations when necessary. Listen and follow their instructions for your safety.
In order to address climate hazards, the city has developed Climate Resilient SD (https:// www.sandiego.gov/climateresilient-sd), a comprehensive plan to prepare for, respond to and recover from climate changerelated impacts and improve local communities.
The City of San Diego’s Office of Emergency Services strives to promote a secure and resilient city with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the citizens we serve. Learn more about the San Diego Office of Emergency Services on the city’s website (https://www.sandiego.gov/oes) where it provides information on emergency preparedness, including the new Hazards Dashboard to monitor weather patterns, potential threats and other important topics.
(City of San Diego Release)
Healthy Living, compliments the larger campaign, encouraging direct action at the local level. Partners and families across California are encouraged to join Rethink Your Drink by accessing educational resources on the health risks of sugary drinks, available in English and Spanish:
• Rethink Your Drink webpage: https://calfreshhealthyliving.cdph. ca.gov/en/tips/Pages/Rethink-YourDrink.aspx#msdynttrid=jTnJegTODf-W0rjT8jGowVLfpx3_9u92gw NaHnFz7s
• Rethink Your Drink Beverage Breakdown Calculator: https:// calfreshhealthyliving.cdph.ca.gov/ en/Pages/beverage-breakdown. aspx#msdynttrid=nA-zHyO2BIP1 Dl9gBfa1CIJAd3V90WYnLIELTstu Wog. Whether hosting or attending Rethink Your Drink events in September, activities like educational booths, interactive games, and water taste tests offer fun ways to promote healthier drink choices. For event resources, visit RethinkYourDrinkDay. com. For family-friendly tips on making healthier choices, visit UncoverHealthyHabits.com or follow @CalFreshHealthyLiving on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
