JEFF Kromrey, 69, will sit down with his daughter the next time she visits and show her how to access his online accounts if he has an unexpected health crisis.
Gayle Williams-Brett, 69, plans to tackle a project she’s been putting off for months: organizing all her financial information.
Michael Davis, 71, is going to draft a living will and ask a close friend to be his health care surrogate and executor of his estate.
These seniors have been inspired to take these and other actions by an innovative course for such “solo agers”: Aging Alone Together, offered by Dorot, a social services agency in New York City.
Most of them live alone, without a spouse, a partner, or adult children to help them manage as they grow older.
Until a few years ago, few
PH won’t deploy warships – Marcos
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on
Tuesday, December 10 said the Philippines would not send warships to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite the involvement of China's navy in the most recent incident of harassment of Filipino vessels.
Speaking to reporters in Bulacan, Marcos said the Philippines would never instigate an "escalation of tensions" in the disputed
waterway.
"We are not at war. We don't need Navy warships. All we are doing is resupplying our fishermen, protecting our territorial rights," Marcos said during a chance interview.
"If we look at the evolution of the situation in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines has never been an agent of escalation of tensions," he added.
The president maintained that the Philippines has always done the "opposite" of China's provocative actions. He also said the country would continue
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has not received reports of Filipinos and Filipino Americans affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern California Thursday, December 5.
Consul General Neil Ferrer told Inquirer.net USA the consulate continues to monitor the situation and “stands ready to provide any necessary assistance.”
A powerful earthquake shook parts of California on Thursday, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast.
The quake struck at 10:44 a.m. west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County near the Oregon border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Consul General Ferrer said most local residents, including Consulate personnel, received an emergency
Coalition declares allegiance to Marcos
by FranCo Jose C. Baroña ManilaTimes.net
AROUND 5,000 individuals, comprising members and leaders of various private groups, marched from the EDSA People Power Monument to Camp Crame on Saturday, December 7 to show their support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The coalition, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy and Reform (PADER), unveiled a manifesto declaring support for Marcos' leadership, democracy, the Constitution, and initiatives that foster peaceful and prosperous communities.
"We have complete confidence in our president, and he will not betray the
trust of the Filipino people," said PADER spokesman Rodolfo Villena Jr.
In a symbolic rite, several PADER members shaved their heads in front of the historic EDSA People Power Monument.
"The voluntary head-shaving ceremony at this iconic site is a powerful statement of our unwavering support for the president and our collective aspiration for unity in the country. This is more than a display of loyalty. It is a testament to our hope for a brighter future for the Filipino youth and people," he added.
The alliance expressed optimism that its solidarity would inspire broader unity among Filipinos, aligning with the "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) vision of Marcos.
MANILA — In a historic ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis elevated Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Kalookan to cardinal, making him the 10th Filipino to receive the prestigious and powerful rank within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
The ceremony took place during a consistory on Saturday, December 7 at the Vatican, where David joined 20 other new cardinals from six continents. A consistory is an assembly of cardinals presided over by the pope, specifically for the solemn promulgation of papal acts.
At the ceremony, David and 20 other fellow cardinals recited the Creed and took oaths of fidelity and obedience to the Pope and his successors. Papal message. In his address to new cardinals, Pope Francis stressed the importance of humility and
performing its mission of rotational resupply and deployment in the West Philippine Sea despite China's harassment.
"We are going to continue to perform our mission. We will never be part of an escalation in the situation in the West Philippine Sea," Marcos said.
"Again, it will be provocative and will be seen as an escalation. We don't do that. The Philippines does not escalate tensions. Quite the opposite, the Philippines always tries to bring down the level of tension," he added. u PAGE 2
MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ)
on Tuesday, December 10 told Vice President Sara Duterte to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) amid a subpoena over her alleged kill threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. DOJ Usec. Raul Vasquez made the pronouncement after Duterte earlier said that she will not be showing up in the NBI’s investigation on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
“Well, that’s part of the legal process. If they believe that she is better off not attending, that’s their lookout, but that’s a matter that would be left to the discretion of their defense team,” Vasquez said in a chance interview in Pasay City.
“But it would be best if she would present herself because that’s part of the process, everybody should follow the rule of law and
THE satisfaction and trust ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte and two other top officials of the government dropped to alltime lows during the fourth quarter, a non-commissioned survey by the Issues and Advocacy Center showed.
The non-commissioned fourth quarter Pulso ng Pilipino survey, conducted from Nov. 1 to Dec. 5, showed that the satisfaction ratings of Marcos and Duterte
dropped to an all-time low of 33 percent and 32 percent, respectively, from 46 percent and 52 percent during the second-quarter survey conducted last June 10 to 17, 2024.
The same survey also showed a similar downspin to the satisfaction ratings of Senate President Francis Escudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez, with 37 percent and 20 percent, respectively, in stark contrast to the 53 percent and 42 percent they got, respectively, during the second quarter.
by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
PH won’t deploy warships...
Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the final decision on deploying Navy vessels to watch over Philippine missions in the resourcerich region lay with Marcos.
Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea task force, said it was up to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to make a policy recommendation to Marcos "and the commander in chief, the president himself, has the full authority to decide on this."
"This is not a recommendation. All I'm saying is that in terms of reciprocity, that can be a policy option that can be carried out," Tarriela said.
On December 4, Chinese warships tailed the PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua at a dangerously close distance of only 300 yards.
On the same day, the China Coast Guard (CCG) also harassed BRP Melchora Aquino, BRP Cape Engaño, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels deployed at Escoda Shoal.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Philippine vessels had attempted to intrude into Chinese territorial waters off Huangyan Dao, China's name for Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. It claimed that CCG forces had acted lawfully to control the situation.
These incidents occurred against the backdrop of a long-standing territorial dispute. China, through its so-called 10-dash line, claims ownership of most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, which lies well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
China's 10-dash claims were effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed
from a case filed by Manila in 2013. However, Beijing has persistently ignored the internationally accepted ruling, continuing to encroach on the Philippines' EEZ.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said China's excessive maritime claims and aggressive actions in the South China Sea (SCS) "threaten" global trade, regional stability, and marine biodiversity, as well as the livelihoods of Filipinos.
Manalo made this point at a lecture on Dec. 6 at the Sapienza University in Rome on the economic impact of the South China Sea disputes.
The event was co-hosted by the Faculty of Economics of Sapienza University in Rome, the think tank Centro Studi Geopolitica, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Rome.
Manalo said China's contentious "10-dash line" claim in the region undermines the rulesbased international order established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 invalidated China's expansive claim in the South China Sea, which encroached on the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
He highlighted the Philippines' vast marine biodiversity, the importance of unimpeded access to the sea for subsistence fishermen, and the need to preserve marine resources for future generations.
The embassy said Manalo stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving disputes to prevent global repercussions from potential conflicts.
He said "the Philippines, for its part, chooses diplomacy over aggression." Manalo cited the shared
maritime heritage of the Philippines and Italy and the critical role of the seas in the history and economies of both countries.
The roundtable discussion featured diverse perspectives and highlighted the critical economic and strategic importance of the SCS. The participants underscored its significance as a vital maritime trade route and a key node for global economic stability, the embassy posted on X.
They raised the need for diplomacy and cooperation to resolve disputes, adherence to international law, and the value of collaboration between Italy and the Philippines in defense, trade, and naval activities.
They also discussed Italy's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific, driven by strategic, industrial and diplomatic interests.
Counsellor Valentine Muisan from Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Italy's engagement in the Indo-Pacific, its commitment to the international rules-based order and its appreciation for the Philippines' diplomatic approach to peace.
Manalo welcomed Italy's efforts in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific that is consistent with UNCLOS.
The event gathered over 70 participants, including academics, China and Taiwan scholars, diplomats, business leaders, and students, fostering discussions on this critical global issue.
The discussants included Donatella Strangio, professor and director of the Faculty of Economics; Alessandro Vagnini and Gabriele Natalizia, professors of the Department of Political Science; Lorenzo Termine, vice president of Centro Studi Geopolitica; and Stefano Pelaggi, research fellow at Sapienza University. n
DOJ urges VP Duterte to appear before...
the processes with respect to investigations by our law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Wednesday’s investigation could turn out to be Duterte’s second time ignoring the NBI’s summons amid an investigation over the alleged death threats she made against the president.
The first time was on Nov. 29 when she asked to reschedule the hearing, citing the late receipt of the House of Representatives’ postponement of a hearing probing her office’s alleged misuse of funds—which she was supposed to attend.
This time, Duterte said she would instead submit an affidavit or a position paper to the NBI in favor of not attending the investigation in person, as she has thanksgiving activities and a burial she has to attend to.
In its subpoena, the NBI asked Duterte to present evidence on its investigation
of alleged grave threats under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No, 10175).
The document also stated that Duterte may have
Top PH leaders’ ratings plummet...
The center said the turbulent conditions precipitated by the political bickering involving the country's top two officials, the damage caused by recent typhoons, reports of graft and corruption in high places, the unending impasse at the West Philippine Sea, unchecked inflation, and unfulfilled election promises all combined to trigger a steep drop in both the performance and trust ratings of the top five officials of the country.
In the same survey, the trust ratings of Marcos and Duterte plunged to 37 percent and 36 percent, respectively. Similarly, the trust ratings of Escudero hovered at 27 percent, while that of Romualdez was at 23 percent.
The Pulso ng Pilipino also said that one of the major factors in the perceptible decline in public confidence is due to the perceived lack of efficiency and competence in governance in the way the top two officials of the country have been performing their functions.
"Most glaring of these slipups was when the president himself boasted about the completion of 5,500 flood control projects and Typhoon Carina slammed into the Philippines, leaving 22 people dead and causing widespread flooding, landslides, power outages and 600,000 people displaced," the survey company said.
Midway into the president's term, the people have yet to see the retail price of rice drop to P20 per kilo, a major campaign promise. n
alert on their mobile devices with a tsunami warning.
The warning said: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.”
At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning, which was later canceled by NWS. The warning covered nearly 500 miles (805 km) of coastline, from the edge of California’s Monterey Bay north into Oregon.
The quake was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.
Fil-Am news producer and freelance photographer Vic Valbuena Bareng said he was cleaning his yard in Daly
City when he received the emergency alert on his phone.
“We live near the coastline but at a high level so I didn’t feel any danger. However, there were emergency vehicles gathered at the nearby lookout point and Coastguard helicopters flying above,” Bareng said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Thursday proclaimed a state of emergency in the Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties to support emergency response to the earthquake. (Jun Nucum/ Inquirer.net)
“I walked near the coastline to observe from above but didn’t see any signs of a tsunami. After a few minutes another alert was issued that the tsunami alert was canceled. That’s when I headed back home.” Numerous cities had put evacuations in place as a precaution, urging residents to move to higher ground or further inland.
Pope Francis elevates Bishop David as...
unity.
"Walk in the way of Jesus: together, with humility, wonder and joy," the pontiff said, cautioning against the temptations of worldly prestige and power.
The newly created 21 new cardinals from five continents, including bishops from Algiers, Tehran, Tokyo and Abidjan, many of whom may one day help choose his successor.
In the tenth such consistory
since he became pope in 2013, Francis, 87, is seeking again to shape the upper echelons of the Catholic Church in his image, and consolidate his legacy as the leader of a more inclusive and global institution.
Previous posts. Cardinal David's ecclesiastical career spans four decades, beginning with his ordination as a priest in the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga in 1983. His leadership extends beyond national borders, as
he currently serves as: • President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines since 2021 • Vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (elected February 2024) Celebration plans. The Diocese of Kalookan (Caloocan) has announced a thanksgiving Mass scheduled for December 14. (Inquirer. net with reports from Agence France-Presse and Philippine News Agency)
CHOICES.
photo
At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning, which was later canceled by NWS. Photo by Vic Valbuena Bareng
violated the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (RA 11479). This stemmed from her recent remark where she claimed that she instructed someone to kill Marcos, his wife Liza, and cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event of her own demise. n
Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/@ MayorIndaySaraDuterteOfficial
The next big public health scare: Oropouche virus
by Selen oZturk
Ethnic Media Services
THE little-known Oropouche virus is causing concern among public health experts. More than 10,000 cases have been identified this year, mainly in South America and the Caribbean. The virus is spreading to the U.S.: 94 cases have been identified for 2023-2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In two of the cases, Oropouche had infected the brain, causing either encephalitis or meningitis. All of the 94 cases were associated with travel, according to the CDC.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed the emerging threat of Oropouche in an interview with Ethnic Media Services.
How did the Oropouche virus emerge?
When and where was it first found?
Oropouche virus was first described in the village of Oropouche, in the eastern part of the Caribbean island of Trinidad (my home country!). The first outbreak in a population was also described in 1961 in Brazil, and throughout the years has caused outbreaks in many countries in Central, South America and the Caribbean such as Panama, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, French Guiana, Ecuador and Haiti.
are increasing: Brazil and neighboring countries have reported over 10,000 cases this year alone, and Cuba has reported its first case. In addition, travelers from endemic countries to the United States have been diagnosed with infection.
Is Oropouche related to COVID or any other known virus?
It has no relationship to COVID. However it is related to some viruses that can cause brain infections in humans that we can see in the U.S. like the California encephalitis virus and the La Crosse virus.
How is the virus transmitted?
It is transmitted from biting small insects called midges (a small biting fly), also known as “no see-ums” because these insects are so small. Infected midges bite humans and transmit disease that way. These insects may also bite monkeys, sloths and birds and so sustain the transmission cycle but some of these details are not fully worked out as yet.
Mosquitoes can also be implicated in the transmission cycle though the midges are the primary vector. Given the possibility of birth defects and fetal demise (see below), we also worry specifically about pregnant people.
The virus can also be transmitted from mother to child. It is also likely that sexual transmission can occur as the virus was found in an infected person’s semen.
What are the symptoms of Oropouche, and how long does the illness last?
After being bitten by an infected midge,
The Oropouche virus is getting a lot of attention this year because the geographic reach and intensity of the outbreaks u PAGE 4
Resources are expanding for older...
resources were available for this growing slice of the older population.
Now, there are several Facebook groups for solo agers, as well as in-person groups springing up around the country, conferences and webinars, a national clearinghouse of resources, and an expanding array of books on the topic.
All address these seniors’ need to connect with other people, prevent isolation, and prepare for a future when they might become less robust, encounter more health issues, and need more assistance.
“Older adults who cannot rely on family members need to be very intentional about creating support systems and putting other plans in place,” said Ailene Gerhardt, a patient advocate in Boston who created the Navigating Solo Network three years ago.
In a survey published last year, AARP — which broadens the definition of older Americans to people 50 and older — examined those who live alone and don’t have living children.
Ten percent of those 50 or older meet this definition, AARP estimates. An additional 11% have at least one living child but are estranged from them. And 13% have children who they believe can’t or won’t help them manage their finances and health care.
Preparing in isolation for the future can be daunting.
“If solo agers don’t feel they have people to talk to as they craft their aging plan, they often will skip the whole process,” said Gerhardt, who endorses a group planning model for these seniors.
That’s the format Dorot has adopted for Aging Alone Together, which is available nationally online free of charge and in person in New York City. More than 1,000 people have participated in the program since it launched in 2021. Dorot is working with partners around the country to expand its reach.
The program consists of six 90-minute, interactive weekly sessions that focus on these seniors’ key concerns: building communities of support, figuring out where to live, completing advance care directives such as living wills, and getting financial and legal affairs in order.
One goal is to help participants identify their priorities and overcome the fear and hesitation that so many older adults feel when peering into their uncertain futures, said Claire Nisen, a Dorot staffer who runs the program. Another is to
offer practical tools, advice, and resources that can spur people to action. Yet another is to foster a sense of community that promotes a “can do” attitude. As Nisen said repeatedly when I took the course in September and October, “Solo aging doesn’t mean aging alone.”
That message resonated deeply with Williams-Brett, who lives with her severely disabled mother, 97, in a two-story brownstone in Brooklyn. Williams-Brett, who is divorced and never had children, expects to be on her own as she grows older. Her mother had a devastating stroke three years ago, and since then Williams-Brett has been her full-time caregiver.
Overwhelmed by everything on her todo list — declutter the house, make home repairs, straighten out her finances, safeguard her mother’s health — WilliamsBrett told me she’d been struggling with shame and fear. “All the time, I feel I’m not doing what I should be well enough,” she said.
Hearing other seniors voice similar concerns during Aging Alone Together sessions, Williams-Brett realized she didn’t judge them as she was judging herself. “I thought, we all have issues we’re dealing with,” she said. “You don’t have anything to feel ashamed of.”
Kromrey, who lives alone in Tampa, Florida, knows he’s fortunate to be healthy, financially stable, and very close with his adult daughter, who will be his health care and legal decision-maker should he become incapacitated.
Kromrey, widowed nine years ago, also has three sons — two in South Carolina and one in West Palm Beach, Florida.
While participating in Aging Alone Together, Kromrey realized he had assumed he’d never have a health crisis such as a stroke or heart attack — a common form of denial.
His daughter and her husband planned to travel from North Carolina to join Kromrey over Thanksgiving. During that visit, Kromrey said, he would give her passwords to his computer and online accounts, explain his system for keeping track of bills, and show her where other important files are.
“That way, she’ll just be able to take right over if something unexpected occurs,” he said.
Davis is an artist who never married, doesn’t have siblings and lives alone in Manhattan. In a phone
conversation, he said his most pressing concern is “finding something to do that’s worthwhile” now that arthritis has made it difficult for him to paint.
In some ways, Davis is prepared for the future. He has a long-term care insurance policy that will pay for help in the home and a rent-regulated apartment in a building with an elevator. But he recognizes that he’s become too isolated as his artistic activities have waned.
“There are days that go by when I don’t say a word to anyone,” Davis acknowledged. “I have my friends, but they have their own lives, with their children and grandchildren. I’m turning to Dorot for more social contact. And Aging Alone Together has helped me focus on the here and now.”
For more information about Aging Alone Together, email agingalonetogether@ dorotusa.org or visit the program’s website.
A national clearinghouse of resources for solo agers and information about solo-ager groups in the United States is available at the Navigating Solo website.
The National Council on Aging has assembled a guide to resources and support for older adults living alone.
Facebook groups for solo agers include Elder Orphans (Aging Alone), Elder Orphans, NYC Solo Agers, and Solo Aging Without Personal Representative. Another online community is the Solo Ager/Aging Together.
Books about planning for solo aging include “Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers,” “Solo and Smart,” “Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old?” and “The Complete Eldercare Planner.”
Several videos about planning for solo aging can be found on YouTube, including this helpful video from CJE SeniorLife. (Judith Graham/KFF Health News)
We’re eager to hear from readers about questions you’d like answered, problems you’ve been having with your care, and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit kffhealthnews.org/ columnists to submit your requests or tips.
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.
The next big public health scare...
humans develop disease v kin about 3-10 days. Most people (60%) develop symptoms such as the abrupt onset of fever with chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain and a spotty rash all over the body. These are the most common symptoms. Some people also experience “pink eye” or conjunctivitis and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Bleeding of the gums, stool and other areas have also been described in a small proportion of patients. The illness usually lasts about 5 days.
One of the interesting clinical features of Oropouche virus is that a large proportion of patients (70%) may have recurrent symptoms after recovery. This does not represent new infection and is likely similar to COVID rebound. One of the other clinical features that is being followed very closely is fetal death and microcephaly (a small infant head size, like what we saw in Zika) also has not been reported as commonly yet.
Is Oropouche fatal?
Oropouche infection is rarely fatal. Of about 8000 cases summarized recently by the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the CDC, 2 deaths were reported. Are there treatments
for Oropouche currently available? Will existing vaccines for COVID/flu/ RSV also protect against Oropouche? Unfortunately no drugs are available for Oropouche virus disease. Treatment is generally supportive like giving fluids. No existing vaccines work. At the moment, Oropouche seems to be confined to South America. Do you expect to see a lot of cases in the U.S. next year? Will it emerge in pandemic-like proportions?
I think we will continue to see more cases in the U.S. mainly from travelers returning from endemic countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. I don’t think we will see pandemic like proportions of disease but that doesn’t mean that a lot of people will not get infected and be taken out of the workforce and schools in affected countries. We have the species of that midge in warmer states in the U.S. east of the Mississippi but it will unlikely so far to mimic the exact rural ecological scenario where this disease can be endemic here.
What advice would you give to our readers to protect themselves from Oropouche, particularly if they are traveling to South America?
Some of the interventions
Federal judge halts dreamers’ brand-new access to ACA enrollment in 19 states
by
A FEDERAL judge in North Dakota has ruled in favor of 19 states that challenged a Biden administration rule allowing — for the first time — enrollment in Affordable Care Act coverage by people brought to the U.S. as children without immigration paperwork, known as “DREAMERS.”
The move effectively bars those who have qualified for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in those 19 states from enrolling in or getting subsidies for ACA plans. It does not appear to affect enrollment or coverage in other states, lawyers following the case said Tuesday.
The Biden administration is likely to appeal, although a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services representative said in an email that the agency would not comment on the litigation.
While an appeal may be filed quickly, a final decision may not occur before the incoming Trump administration takes office. “They could take a different position on the litigation,” said Zachary Baron, a legal expert at Georgetown Law, who helps manage the O’Neill Institute Health Care Litigation Tracker.
In the meantime, it is not clear what will happen to DREAMER enrollees in the 19 states whose coverage has already started or begins early next year, although the judge’s ruling does not say it is retroactive, Baron noted.
The case was filed in August in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
states except Idaho. The Biden administration rule, finalized in May, clarified that those who qualify for DACA would be considered “lawfully present” for the purposes of enrolling in plans under the ACA, which are open to American citizens and what are called “lawfully present” immigrants.
In granting a preliminary injunction and stay, U.S District Judge Daniel Traynor, who was appointed in 2019 by then-President Donald Trump, noted in his Monday ruling that the plaintiffs were likely to win on the merits of their argument.
an emailed statement. “While we study the court’s ruling to evaluate the next steps in this case, we will continue to fight on behalf of our clients and hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients who have been waiting over a decade to access life-sustaining care under the Affordable Care Act.”
we use to prevent mosquito bites should be used as the minimum safety measures (insect repellant, mosquito nets, screens, cover skin using long sleeves and pants when feasible, don’t sleep near to where midges breed like decaying banana trees and cocoa stumps in rural areas).
However, it is not known how well these interventions work against midges because they are so small and more research is needed to determine this as well as how well our mosquito repellants work. However, at a minimum these interventions will likely lower the risk of infection.
Another way travelers could be helpful when returning to the U.S. from affected countries in South and Central America is to bring up this possibility with clinicians. Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya can look very similarly and many clinicians in the US do not know about Oropouche virus. If someone is pregnant with infection, the CDC recommends serial ultrasounds every four weeks given the possibility of birth defects and fetal demise. The CDC has also recommended that male travelers returning from affected countries consider using condoms or abstain from sex for 6 weeks if they have been infected. n
Previously, the federal government estimated that about 100,000 uninsured people out of the half-million DACA recipients might sign up starting Nov. 1, the signup season start date in all
States challenging the ACA rule say it will cause administrative and resource burdens as more people enroll, and that it will encourage additional people to remain in the U.S. when they don’t have permanent legal authorization. In addition to Kansas and North Dakota, the states that joined the lawsuit are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
“Judge Traynor’s ruling is both disappointing and wrong on the law,” said Nicholas Espíritu, a deputy legal director of the National Immigration Law Center, in
DACA was established through executive action in June 2012 by President Barack Obama, protecting from deportation and providing work authorization to some unauthorized residents brought to the U.S. as children by their families. It had certain requirements, including that they arrived before June 2007 and had completed high school, were attending school, or were serving in the military. Before the injunction, 19 other states and the District of Columbia filed a brief in support of the Biden administration rule. Led by New Jersey, those states include many in the East and West, including California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. 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.
Fake European noble to plead guilty to scam targeting elderly Fil-Ams
Sylvein William Maximilian D’Habsburg XVII allegedly targeted elderly Filipino church parishioners
LOS ANGELES – A businessman who pretended to be European nobility has agreed to plead guilty to operating a Ponzi scheme that targeted the Filipino community, including elderly church parishioners.
Sylvein William Maximilian D’Habsburg XVII, 48, of West Hills in Los Angele County’s San Fernando Valley, who also falsely claimed Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were among his investors, allegedly took in more than $5.9 million from the victims.
D’Habsburg is expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks to one count of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“He is not a descendant of the Holy Roman emperors and the Austrian emperors,” a Department of Justice spokesperson told KTLA.
From January 2018 to June 2023, D’Habsburg hired recruiters to identify
potential investors for his two companies, Wild Rabbit Technologies LLC and BAI Intelligence LLC, targeting the local Filipino community, including elderly church parishioners, according to his plea agreement filed Tuesday, December 3 in Los Angeles federal court.
D’Habsburg had his name legally changed to resemble that of the famous European family and he is not a descendant of nobility, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office told City News Service. At investment presentations, D’Habsburg claimed that he had an artificial intelligence technology that could predict the future and detect a COVID-19 infection based solely on a video recording, among other things, court papers show.
Prosecutors say he also falsely claimed to potential investors that he had received about $500 million in investments for his companies from retired
pro athletes and other wellknown people, including Bryant, Jordan, and Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, and that he would use the funds to hire personnel and obtain patents. However, D’Habsburg used the victims’ money to purchase luxury cars, such as a 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca de Ville by Barker, and rare antiques, such as a pair of Italian carved Giltwood Thrones from the 1800s, prosecutors said.
As a result of his scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, D’Habsburg caused his victims a total of about $5.9 million in losses.
Once D’Habsburg enters his guilty plea, he will face a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, prosecutors noted.
The House of Habsburg-Lorraine is the former royal house of the defunct Austro-Hungarian thrones. (Inquirer.net with CNS report)
Julie appleby KFF Health Newa
EDUCATIONAL GETAWAY. Children enter a world of art, culture, play and learning at Museo Pambata in Manila on Tuesday, December 10. The interactive museum closed in 2022 for renovations and reopened on Dec. 6. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Dateline PhiliPPines
Manny Villar back among Forbes Asia’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’
by romina cabrera Philstar.com
MANILA — Tycoon and former Senate President
Manuel Villar Jr. has returned to Forbes Asia’s annual Heroes of Philanthropy list. Villar, chairman of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., is the only Filipino in the 18th annual edition of the Heroes of Philanthropy roster.
The Forbes Asia list consists of 15 entries featuring philanthropists “who have made significant contributions and demonstrated commitment to causes they cherish over the past year.”
In 2020, Villar also made it to the list’s 14th edition. Forbes selected the 15
entries on the 2024 list for their philanthropic efforts in the past year, making significant donations from their own fortunes.
Corporate philanthropy was not considered, unless the company is privately held and the individual is a majority owner.
Forbes said that Villar, on his end, donated P615 million or $10.4 million last October to build a church and school inside Provence, a residential community about 40 kilometers north of Manila being developed by his company.
Vista Land said Villar’s gift to the local Catholic Church consisted of 1.2 hectares of land, valued at P613 million and the rest in
cash.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the church in the city of Malolos was held last month.
“It has always been my belief that communities flourish when faith and education are at (their) center,” Villar said.
Villar is regarded as the country’s wealthiest individual with an estimated net worth of $17.3 billion.
The former politician had also previously donated more than two hectares of land to Manila’s Saint Jude Catholic School and completed the donation of five hectares to the University of the Philippines with a combined value of P8 billion. n
VP to Filipinos: Be compassionate Imee:
VICE President Sara Duterte urged the public to be compassionate as she issued a message on Sunday, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception was celebrated on Dec. 9 this year because Dec. 8 fell on an Advent Sunday.
"I join all the Catholic faithful in the solemn remembrance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception," Duterte said in a Facebook post. "The enduring faith and steadfast joy exemplified by the Blessed
Virgin Mary demonstrates an example of unwavering love that remains dauntless in the face of challenges and tribulations."
"We are encouraged today to live up to her virtues of compassion, empathy, and generosity, which underscored the resilience she exemplified in the face of loss and sorrow," she said.
"May the solemn observance of this day invite us all to join hands in prayer as we extend a helping hand to the needy, show mercy to those who
are facing injustices, and extend love and kindness to our kababayan (countrymen) in the underserved and unserved communities," she said.
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
"Let us be guided by our resilience that is rooted in faith in every trying time as we look forward with profound hope and optimism to a better future for every Filipino," Duterte said. (ManilaTimes.net)
by cecille Suerte Felipe Philstar.com
MANILA — Sen. Imee
Marcos has dismissed as “fake news” allegations of her involvement in a supposed plot to oust Senate President Francis Escudero and replace him with Sen. Cynthia Villar, noting that Congress has only four session days left before it goes on Christmas break.
Marcos questioned the origins of the speculation, reportedly stemming from the House of Representatives, which has received two impeachment cases against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Fake news! They say it’s from Congress? Why?” Marcos said in a Viber message to The STAR
Earlier, a Pilipino Star Ngayon source said that Villar has the “solid backing” of Marcos, Villar’s son Mark, Cayetano siblings Alan Peter and Pia, Ronald dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Bong Go, Robinhood Padilla, Ramon Revilla Jr., Loren Legarda and Juan Miguel Zubiri. Escudero laughed off rumors of his possible ouster, as he reaffirmed his focus on ensuring the passage of pending priority bills.
by Kristina maralit ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, December 9 signed into law bills aimed at improving agriculture, tourism and education.
They are the Amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act (RA 12078), the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund for Non-Resident Tourists (RA 12079), and the Basic Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (RA 12080).
Malacañang said Republic Act (RA) 12078 "is a crucial response to the country's rice supply shortage." It amends the Agricultural Tariffication Act to extend the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) for six years, with an increased budget of P30 billion.
"Through the RCEF, we have been able to invest in
high-quality seeds, mechanization, and training for our farmers — ensuring that they are equipped with the right skills and tools to increase productivity. With the expiration of the original six-year plan for RCEF fast approaching, it became clear that we needed to extend and strengthen the program," Marcos said.
"This will enable us to do much more for our farmers, ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed and to make the rice industry even more competitive," he added.
The additional funding is set to support priority projects such as training and extension services, financial assistance to rice farmers tilling up to two hectares of land, expanded rice credit assistance, composting facilities for biodegradable wastes, pest and disease management, soil health
A
improvement, farming support programs on contract farming, and establishment of solar-powered irrigation systems.
RA 12078 will also strengthen the regulatory function of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to strictly oversee the rice industry's systems and its policies, ensuring that the rice reaching the markets complies with quality standards and regulations.
RA 12079, meanwhile, is expected to enhance the Philippines' appeal as a premier tourism destination by allowing tourists to claim value-added tax (VAT) refunds on purchases exceeding P3,000 made at accredited stores, provided the items are taken out of the country within 60 days.
This VAT refund scheme is projected to increase tourism spending by 29.8 perPAGE 7
Tycoon Manny Villar (2nd from right) is the only Filipino in the 18th annual Forbes Asia roster of philanthropists who have made significant contributions and demonstrated commitment to causes they cherish. Illustration also shows (from left) Daniel Tsai of Taiwan, Eduardo Saverin of Singapore, Abhishek Lodha of India, Solina Chau of Hong Kong and Tadashi Yana of Japan. Forbes Asia image
Senator Imee Marcos Philstar.com file photo
Escudero assumed the Senate presidency last May, replacing former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri after securing the support of 15 senators.
simple majority of 13 votes is required for a senator to win the chamber’s presidency. n
OPiniOn Features
To impeach or not to impeach
THE road is long and uncertain for those seeking the removal of Vice President Sara Duterte via impeachment, but impeachment is by no means the only path in the pursuit of accountability for the P612.5 million in confidential funds allegedly misspent under her leadership.
The reality is that impeachment is not just a constitutional instrument to make high officials answerable for wrongdoing.
Editorial
Too often, it serves as a bargaining chip for partisan gain or monetary benefit; in other words—a political tool. But the allegations leveled at Duterte, being imbued with public interest, require a legal response and potentially, a judicial reckoning.
Which results in a glaring contradiction: Why must Congress seek a political remedy for a fundamentally criminal matter?
More importantly, why must the alleged squandering of taxpayer money be left to politicians’ whims and agenda?
Impeachment, as our history has shown, has its uses and advantages, but it is a double-edged sword that one must wield with an abundance of caution.
Highest treachery
The two impeachment complaints filed against the vice president last week offered contrasting approaches in their bid to oust the second most powerful official of the land. The first complaint, filed by civil society leaders and a relative of a drug war victim, employed an all-but-the-kitchensink strategy, heaping on Duterte a litany of accusations that invoked all possible grounds for impeachment, except treason. The second, filed by progressive activists, elected to zero in on one—betrayal of public trust—as it focused on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 11-day spending spree of P125 million in confidential funds in December 2022.
On top of this, both complaints took issue with the unaccounted spending in 2023 of P375 million and P112.5 million in the hard-toaudit secret funds by the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd), respectively, during Duterte’s tenure.
What stands out in the allegations is the chilling resemblance to other funding shenanigans, like the P10-billion pork barrel scam masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles, the country’s poster child for large-scale corruption, who is now serving time for multiple convictions while still on trial for other charges.
Ghost beneficiaries
In a wide-ranging conspiracy that implicated top lawmakers and officials, Napoles was accused—and found guilty in some cases, including plunder, for orchestrating the diversion of congressional allocations to ghost projects with fake beneficiaries.
A similar trail of questionable transactions has now emerged in Duterte’s funding controversy, including the curious cases of Mary Grace Piattos and Kokoy Villamin, who are both listed as signatories to receipts used by the OVP and DepEd to liquidate their respective expenditures.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has since confirmed suspicions that Piattos and Villamin do not exist, at least in its birth, marriage or death records, and the agency is now in the process of checking hundreds of other signatories. It only adds to the cloud of doubt surrounding Duterte’s use of public funds that she has responded to
congressional inquiries with stonewalling tactics and defiance.
Let us not forget that confidential funds are intended for pressing national security concerns. That the OVP and DepEd, both civilian agencies, were even granted these funds reflects serious flaws and misplaced priorities in public spending. And like the pork barrel scam, the Duterte scandal demonstrates the dangers of intertwining political and financial interests in the budgeting process and the absence of robust oversight mechanisms in the use of such appropriations.
Misspent peso
But the stakes are too high for this issue to be brushed aside as partisan squabbling, as President Marcos suggested when he said impeaching Duterte was a “waste of time.”
On the contrary, the House of Representatives and the Senate must act decisively on the impeachment complaints, lest they be seen as enablers of malfeasance. If anything, their inaction would render the
House inquiries a toothless spectacle. As former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño put it: “[This] impeachment complaint is a challenge to Congress to show its independence, that it can stand on the side of the people.”
It’s too early to say whether the president’s position has doomed the chances of Duterte’s impeachment, but there is precedent for the House and the Senate defying the presidential line. In either case, her critics should know that impeachment is not the only way to hold Duterte to account—the VP is not immune from criminal suits.
Whether in trial courts or the halls of Congress, the government is duty-bound to unmask each ghost beneficiary, account for every misspent peso, and punish all erring officials. Anything less would be a failure of justice and a betrayal of the very public trust that Duterte stands accused of undermining.
(Inquirer.net)
WE are so accustomed to seeing spouses and siblings from the same families dominate our political system that we often view the government itself as a family, with its top officials as the nation’s parents. This perspective makes it unsettling to witness open quarrels between the president and vice president. Public disputes, personal accusations, and threats between them make us uncomfortable. Our instinct is to urge reconciliation for the sake of national unity.
Nothing could be more naïve and misguided, particularly in a society striving for modernity. Government is not a family. The Philippine Constitution defines the nation as a democratic state,
with power divided among three co-equal branches: the executive, legislative, and judiciary. While these branches are expected to cooperate, a key aspect of their function is to serve as checks and balances against one another. In addition to this structure, a modern political system relies on periodic elections where rival parties compete for power. Political authority is not inherited but earned through the electoral process. Those who win the most votes form the government. Such a scheme does not render the opposition powerless; beyond the elections, its role is to hold the government accountable, critique its policies, and offer alternatives. Conflict and debate among leaders are thus normal and necessary in a modern political system. What should worry us is the absence of dissent, or the prevalence of a
climate of uncritical consensus among those in power. Robust opposition and open disagreements are signs of a healthy democracy. Looking back, one wishes there were more legislators, judges, and ranking civil servants who were bold enough to call out the excesses of the government under former president Rodrigo Duterte. But as we have seen, their silence or timidity turned them into unwitting enablers of a corrupt and oppressive regime.
This context frames Vice President Sara Duterte’s public fallout with President Bongbong Marcos. How should we respond to this bitter split between former allies? If we identify with the “UniTeam” coalition they formed for the 2022 elections, we might urge them to reconcile. But if we oppose the continuation of the toxic Duterte legacy, this rift would
be less troubling. Indeed, it is a political development we should welcome. The Marcos-Duterte alliance was, from the beginning, a marriage of convenience, not a partnership based on shared ideals or a coherent vision for the country. Their collaboration was entirely pragmatic—a strategy to advance their individual political goals. For Mr. Marcos, the partnership was particularly advantageous. Having lost the vice presidential race to Leni Robredo in 2016, his presidential bid in 2022 clearly depended on Sara Duterte’s support, or, at the minimum, on her assurance that she would not herself seek the presidency. Whether this arrangement was formalized in a written agreement or governed by informal understandings about campaign finances, joint rallies, or power-shar-
ing in the event of victory, any perceived betrayal is irrelevant to the public. What matters now is the fallout’s impact. The breakdown of this alliance has opened the door to congressional inquiries into controversies surrounding the past Duterte administration. These hearings have shed light on critical issues, including human rights abuses, the anti-drug campaign, the corruption of the police, death squads, offshore gaming syndicates, the manipulation of local government units, and the misuse of public funds. They have also exposed the opaque use of confidential and intelligence funds by agencies like the Office of the Vice President.
Moreover, these investigations reveal how political favoritism undermines budget scrutiny and how vulnerable civil servants are to politi-
cal pressure. None of these would have been possible if the Marcos-Duterte alliance had remained intact. Government is not a family, nor should it function like one. We don’t choose our parents, and we might feel compelled to keep them together for the sake of stability. But in a democracy, we elect our leaders and hold them accountable. The nation benefits when its leaders debate openly, argue over policies, and expose one another’s shortcomings. Silence and unchecked harmony can be far more damaging than vigorous dissent. (Inquirer.net)
*
* * 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.
* * * public.lives@gmail.com
CORRUPTION is ultimately paid for by the poor, Pope Francis once said. We remember his words as we marked International Anti-Corruption Day on Monday, December 9.
It’s true in the past, and still true now. It’s true in rich countries and in the poorest of nations. Indeed, it is the poor who suffer the most because of corruption.
It’s true everywhere and especially true in this nation of 120 million.
More than 20 million Filipinos – that’s a significant number by any indication –still live below poverty line.
It”s no surprise.
Corruption in this country is impossibly entrenched and as so many observers have pointed out, we seem to be losing the battle against corruption in recent years. I had a different topic in mind for today’s column. I was not planning on writing about corruption again. Never mind that Dec. 9 was supposed to be AntiCorruption Day. After all, I had written about corruption many times over the past 20 years I’ve been working as a journalist. The problem is still as bad as ever and there seems to be no end in sight. But it is precisely because corruption continues to exist that the fight against it must continue. Thus, here I am again writing about
corruption.
During the administration of Rody Duterte, I’ve heard horror stories from tycoons and businessmen of how brazen corruption was – from supply deals to flood-control projects; from local government permits to the construction of government buildings; from ghost projects to ghost employees. We are hearing the same things again now.
You name it, the Philippine bureaucracy has it.
Colonial roots I often wonder how did we get here. Was corruption bequeathed to us by our colonizers?
One story from the past offers an answer although in reality, there could be many answers.
For instance, there was that story about the corruption discovered by Fernando Bustamante, the first field marshal to serve as governor-general of the Philippines.
“The first step he took after taking office in 1717 was to examine the state of the Royal Treasury; whereupon he uncovered a nest of corruption revolving around the colony’s only economic activity: the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade,” according to an article published by the National Museum of the Philippines. Corruption in these early days involved smuggling of goods to employing rentseeking practices. It involved the foreign traders and locals.
Then and now, it is very, very disheartening that corruption remains a major problem in our country.
One reason for this is our selective and slow justice system. There are no big fishes behind bars unless you are the sitting president’s political foe, as what happened to former justice secretary Leila de Lima, who would later on be cleared of the charges against her.
Ghost employees
We have also heard of brazen acts of corruptionrelated crimes which continue to escape justice. What has happened, for instance, to the two Monetary Board members involved in the ghost employee scandal of the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas?
Even some of our current crop of lawmakers include ex-convicts.
We need a justice system that really brings to justice those found guilty of stealing taxpayers’ money. Whatever happened to the Pharmally scandal and what will happen to VP Sara Duterte’s confidential fund issue, or should we call it the MaryGrace Piattos deal?
These are questions we need to keep on asking as we mark yet another AntiCorruption Day.
The youth I am hopeful that in time, when more and more young people become eligible to vote, they will make better decisions and choose better PAGE 7
Randy david
iRis Gonzales
President Marcos signs 3...
cent, significantly benefiting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"It is no secret that shopping has become an essential part of the travel experience, and we are poised to capitalize on that momentum. In 2023, the Philippine tourism sector played an instrumental role in our nation's economic recovery, contributing an impressive 8.6 percent to the GDP. Within this significant share, shopping emerged as the second largest expenditure for inbound tourists," the chief executive said.
"With this in mind, we are introducing the VAT refund program for nonresident tourists — designed not only to stimulate more spending but to promote the Philippines as a premier global shopping destination," he added.
He also directed the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to craft rules and regulations that would streamline the VAT refund process.
Finally, RA 12080 mandates comprehensive mental health programs in all public and private basic education institutions to promote awareness and prevent suicide. It includes the creation of care centers in schools for mental health services and a Mental Health and Well-Being Office in each school division to oversee its implementation.
The new law aims to institutionalize the mental health and well-being programs for both basic education learners and teaching and nonteaching personnel in public and private schools, ensuring that students and teachers are emotionally and mentally "equipped to excel" while facing modern challenges.
"When our learners and school personnel are mentally healthy, academic performance improves, absenteeism decreases, and a culture of compassion and understanding flourishes. Beyond being a safeguard to
our youth and school personnel, this law is also an investment in the intellectual, emotional, and social future and development of our nation," the president said.
Care centers will be established in every public basic education school, headed by a school counselor, and assisted by school counselor associates that will provide counseling and stress management workshops and implement programs that will help reduce stigma on mental health.
Marcos said the new laws "have the power to reshape our economy, improve the welfare of our farmers, and ensure the mental and physical health of our young Filipinos."
Senate President Francis Escudero said the VAT refund mechanism for nonresident travelers is a long overdue initiative the Philippines needs to lure more foreign tourists.
The senator noted that, on average, a foreign tourist spends about P120,000 during a visit to the country, "providing a boost to local entrepreneurs and the local economy."
Providing VAT refunds on goods purchased by tourists "is something that many countries around the world have been doing for years," Escudero said in a statement.
"The tourism sector is a consistent contributor to our economy, so an uptick in arrivals would provide a boost to our GDP (gross domestic product) and generate more jobs for our people," he said.
Tourist arrivals in the Philippines have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, he said. But the numbers have slowly increased in the past few years.
The tourism sector employed 6.21 million Filipinos last year, representing 13 percent of the workforce, but still below the 7.06 million mark before COVID-19 struck.
"By offering the VAT refund for tourists, there is reason for optimism that we will be able to entice more
visitors to come to the Philippines and help us compete with our Asian neighbors and even the world in becoming a premier destination for travelers," he said.
"Tourism has a high potential for continued growth and when more tourists enter the country, this will result in the creation of more jobs for our people," Escudero said. "What is vital is how efficient the process will be for the implementation of the law, particularly in processing the claims of the tourists. Otherwise, this will not produce our intended results."
Senate Bill (SB) 2415 was authored and sponsored by Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, with Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada as co-author.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco lauded the passage of the law on VAT refunds for tourists.
"By allowing tourists to enjoy tax refunds on their purchases, we send a strong message that the Philippines is ready to embrace global standards while supporting local industries and businesses," Frasco said in a statement on Monday.
"This law is more than an economic incentive; it is an invitation for the world to experience the creativity, craftsmanship, and hospitality that make our nation unique," she added.
On Sept. 23, 2024, the Senate enacted SB 2415, which was then adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill 7292 on Sept. 24. "Shopping remains a key driver of tourist activity, and this VAT refund scheme is expected to further elevate the country's appeal," Frasco said.
"It will directly benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises, create jobs, and drive economic growth," she added.
Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the signing into law of the amended Agricultural Tariffication Act. n
Senators
by
SENATORS on Monday, December 9 dismissed rumors of an impending coup against Senate President Francis Escudero and plans to replace him with Sen. Cynthia Villar.
Escudero declined to acknowledge the rumor. "I don't comment on rumors. Besides, as I always say, 'It's just a rumor until it happens.'"
"Trabaho na lang muna tayo (Let us just focus on our work)," Escudero said in a text message when asked about the rumors.
Villar was surprised that her name was dragged into the issue. "Ako ang mag-se Senate president? [Pa]tapos na ang Senado nanggugulo pa tayo (Who me? I'll become Senate president? The Senate is about to go on recess, and we're still creating trouble)," she said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sens. JV Ejercito and Ronald Dela Rosa described the rumor as "mere gossip."
In separate interviews, they said they have not signed any resolution seeking Escudero's removal.
Estrada said no one approached him to
supposedly support Escudero's ouster. He supported Escudero to unseat Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri last year as Senate president, creating a major Senate reorganization.
"Who would have the courage to approach me? I've been supportive of the leadership of Senate President Escudero," he said in a chance interview.
Estrada said it is important that Escudero remains at the helm of the Senate in case the House of Representatives impeaches Vice President Sara Duterte and elevates the impeachment complaint to the Senate. "At least a lawyer will preside [over the impeachment trial],"
Estrada said in Filipino. Ejercito said his fellow senators are satisfied with Escudero's leadership. "So, I don't think there's truth to that rumor."
"I think it is difficult to entertain coup or change in leadership because of the work that we have to do," Ejercito said.
Dela Rosa, in Filipino, said, "I haven't heard of any [coup]."
But if it is true that Villar would be tapped to replace Escudero, Dela Rosa said he would "automatically" support her. "We're very close. But, there's no such thing."
"So far, we're OK with Senator Chiz (Escudero). We have no problem [with him]," he added. n
Bernadette tamayo ManilaTimes.net
LANTERN MAKING. Christian Baynado installs LED lights on a capiz lantern at his stall in Quiapo, Manila on Tuesday, December 10. Each capiz lantern sells from PHP500 to PHP7,000, depending on the design. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Senate President Francis Escudero
ManilaTimes.net photo
VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL
What makes MMFF 2024 entry ‘Isang Himala’ different from 1982’s ‘Himala’? Ricky Lee explains
by Jan Milo severo Philstar.com
NATIONAL Artist Ricky Lee shared how important it is to revisit Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Isang Himala” in today’s context.
During the grand media conference for the film recently, Lee explained how the film remains a powerful narrative in today’s world, where people continue to search for hope and faith.
“Para sa akin, itong ginagawa namin ngayon ay isang tribute sa pelikulang nagawa noong 1982.
Mula noong ipalabas ito noon, matapos ay naging musikal sa entablado at ngayon naman ay naging pelikula base sa musical.
Sa palagay ko patuloy itong magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang bersyon at magpapatuloy pa ang pagkukwento natin ng tungkol sa himala," Lee said.
He emphasized the importance of revisiting the material and presenting it in a way that resonates with modern audiences while maintaining its timeless essence.
Meanwhile, Director Pepe Diokno, who won MMFF’s Best Director last year for
My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
IT was nice to see again host Audrey Gorriceta as I was amazed by the other hosts of Rise and Shine Pilipinas at People’s Television Network that early morning. It was my first time to meet Patrick de Jesus, beauty queen Meiji Cruz, Dianne Guerrer and Fifi delos Santos. I was with the awards committee chairman Nirro Marcelo of the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award.
Though it was a brief interview experience at PTV’s Rise and Shine Pilipinas, I considered it memorable. I wanted to talk about science journalism and the successful representation of the Philippines in which it topped the 2024 Science Journalism Forum’s Leaderboard, defeating African and European representatives. Hopefully, next guesting.
*
* * Having gone to Tsukuba Science City years ago was very memorable to me. I was the first Filipino journalist to interview Asia’s first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri of Japan, for the defunct Far Eastern Economic Review in Hongkong.
* * *
“Gomburza,” revealed his passion for this adaptation, emphasizing that the heart of the movie lies in its emotional depth, focusing on the raw struggles and conflicts faced by the characters. The film delves into the complexities of faith, human desires, and the darker sides of hope, creating an emotionally moving narrative that invites viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and the choices they make.
Presented by CreaZion Studios in partnership with Unitel, Straightshooter, Kapitol Films, and CMB Production, “Isang Himala” is a bold creative undertaking starring Aicelle Santos who plays as Elsa. Bituin Escalante, who plays Elsa’s mother, expressed her gratitude to the producers for championing such meaningful stories that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
Ben&Ben featured on Times Square billboard
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
OPM band Ben&Ben is over the moon as their latest milestone lights up Times Square in New York City: a billboard showcasing their newest album, “The Traveller Across Dimensions.”
The band shared the news on social media, saying they hope they made their parents proud.
“Ma, nasa Times Square na yung album (Mother, the album is already on Times Square) [crying emojis] hope to make you proud,” the nine-piece band wrote on their caption.
The billboard marks a major achievement for the group, as they continue to gain recognition for their music and growing fanbase.
According to marketing experts, having one’s billboard displayed in Times Square is a significant achievement, as the location is one of the most iconic and highly crowded areas in the world.
In March, the Filipino indie folk-pop band was tapped to perform as a special guest in the Manila leg of Ed Sheeran’s +-=÷× Tour (pronounced The Mathematics Tour).
For the first time, Ben&Ben’s songs were also recently featured in a live musical via the staging of “One More Chance: The
Musical.”
Last year, their song “Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay” was also popularized in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “Rewind,” starring real-life couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.
Ben&Ben rose to fame for their hits “Kathang Isip,” “Ride Home,” “Leaves,” and “Lifetime,” among others.
The OPM band was formerly known as The Benjamins, as they were only initially headlined by twin brothers Miguel and Paolo Benjamin. In 2016, the band decided to add new
members and change their band name to Ben&Ben. Meanwhile, the band’s keyboardist Pat Lasaten and bassist Agnes Reoma have recently tied the knot in Los Angeles, California.
Aside from the aforementioned, Ben&Ben is composed of Poach Barretto, Keifer Cabugao, drummer Jam Villanueva, and percussionists Toni Muñoz and Andrew De Paon. Miguel and Paolo also recently sat down and interviewed Lin Manuel Miranda and Barry Jenkins for the upcoming “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
My encounter with Manny and Cynthia
Filmmaker Emille Joson has made a positive impact through her family’s humanitarian foundations and cooperatives (Alaga Producers Cooperative) and empowering films for women. Her films and recent family religious concerts have been mostly praised online. One of her works captured the international audience, including some Hollywood celebrities. Her debut short film, “Adivino,” graced the Philippines’ cinema in 2012 and had a surprising streaming resurgence internationally in the wake of the #MeToo movement one decade later. This feminist horror short film tells the story of a con-artist fortune teller who becomes entangled with her battered female friend’s mess. In spite of the short film’s controversial characters, it swept dozens of awards, including a historic nomination in the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Student Short Film Category.
Since then, Joson has continued to receive many accolades. She has worked with A-list celebrities in critically acclaimed projects like “Sakaling Hindi Makarating,” “My Second Mom,” “C1 Originals: The Comeback,” and “Pagari: Mohammad Abdullah.” She has become known for her unique approach to writing and selective taste in movie projects, as a filmmak-
er who is unafraid to tackle diverse, taboo, and intricate themes, showcasing a bold and daring artistic vision in her storytelling. Thanks to her brilliant way of writing, she made Filipinos proud by having her short film gain its own following outside the Philippines.
* * * David Valencia, grandson of the late Batangueño journalist and columnist Teodoro Valencia, is a product of Paref Southridge School and UP Diliman and a doting Christian father to his three children. He and his wife were recently in the United States for a mission.
He treasured the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) pin of his grandpa Ka Doroy that his mom had given him.
* * * Two persons I would never forget: my editor Kerima Polotan-Tuvera and my boss Teodoro Benigno. Mindanao-born Kerima Polotan-Tuvera, a Filipino fiction writer, essayist and journalist, was my editor at the Evening Post. She wrote the biography of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. She was married to newsman Juan Capiendo Tuvera, executive assistant and speechwriter of the late Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos. Her 1952 short story, “The Virgin,” won two first prizes at the Philippines Free Press Literary Awards and at the Palanca Awards. Her short stories “The Trap” (1956), “The Giants” (1959), “The Tourists” (1960), “The Sounds of Sunday” (1961) and “A Various Season” (1966) all won the first prize of the Palanca Awards. The 1961 Stonehill Award was be-
stowed on Polotan-Tuvera for her novel “The Hand of the Enemy.”
On the other hand, Press Secretary Teodoro Benigno, was my boss at the Office of the Press Secretary in Malacañang. I remember I was trained by him and he had even asked me to compose letter-reply in the French language.
He was with the Agence France Presse for 37 years, serving as Manila Bureau Chief from 1962 to 1987. He was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1989. He started as a sportswriter and police beat reporter for the Manila Tribune in late 1940s.
* * *
One night in November 2006, I was about to enter the Manila Peninsula Hotel’s john when I was surprised to see business tycoon Manny Villar (former Senate president) about to enter the restroom too. And I gave way to him as a sign of respect. I followed him afterwards.
The first time I saw him was years ago when I lived in BF Resort Village, Las Pinas City. It was during his 49th birthday on December 13, 1998, with a thanksgiving party for his constituents. He was then a congressman. A short program was then held in Club Italia’s tennis court inside the village. Another group also held a program in the Villar’s tree nursery.
Manny Villar, one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the Philippines, told me that he used to be a squatter in Moriones in
a
and
Villar
gave scholarships to deserving poor students. I remember his birthday wish was for the country to recover from economic crisis and for every Filipino, especially the poor, to have a better future in the coming years. “Even if you’re a squatter and if you’ve the patience, hard work and determination, you can have a bright future,” remarked the down-to-earth taipan. He has given essence to the value of instilling entrepreneurship among today’s Filipinos to speed up progress in the country. He admitted that “it takes time for an entrepreneur to reach success, but once he reaches success, he has his own business and he is independent, he is the master of his own fate.”
For him, education is not important in entrepreneurship. “It is better if you have education. But, if you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.”
* * * Congratulations to Andrew
Fordy S. Espiritu, son of singer Andrew E (who has his first major concert on December 11 at Quezon City’s New Frontier Theater) and Mylene Yap Espiritu, who graduated recently at De Montfort University Leicester Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities with Bachelor of Arts in Business and Management (Second Class Honours Class of 2024).
* * * I am glad to know that my former student at Mabalacat City College, Erna Kayla Flores, placed 3rd (91.25%) in the recent Customs Broker Licensure Exam. I remember in my subject, she obtained a final grade of 99%. *
RoGelio Constantino Medina
Ben&Ben’s newest billboard at Times Square Photo from Instagram/@benandbenmusic
Manila’s Tondo. He was also
vendor selling shrimps in Divisoria. A day before his birthday, he visited his former house in Tondo
a school where he studied – and he
Rogelio Medina (center) with former Senate President Manny Villar and current Senator Cynthia Villar at their home in BF Resort Village in the city of Las Piñas. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina
Andrew Fordy Espiritu (left) with his proud parents Mylene and Andrew E (right photo).
From left: Patrick de Jesus, Meiji Cruz, Rogelio Medina, Nirro Marcelo, Audrey Gorriceta, Diane Guerrer and Fifi delos Santos.
David Valencia in New York City Director Emilie Joson
Erna Kayla Flores, a former student of the author at Mabalacat City College in Pampanga.
Japanese astronaut Dr. Mamoru Mohri, the subject of an article the author wrote for the Far Eastern Economic Review.
Kerima Polotan-Tuvera (left photo) and Teodoro Benigno (right photo)
South Africa’s healthcare system
MY wife Farida, our daughter Portia, and her husband Chito, an interventional cardiologist in Elkhart Indiana, near Notre Dame in South Bend, and I just returned from our 12day cruise in South Africa with a 2-day pre-cruise Cape Town city tour and The BigFive Aquila Safari Tour.
The healthcare system in Cape Town, capital of South Africa, which is 8,487 miles (18-hour flight) from Chicago, is a 2-tiered system, with public and private sectors. About “71 percent (majority) relies on public sector, which is underfunded and often with poor management.” Public hospitals are “overcrowded and understaffed, but professionals are generally highly qualified.” Delays in service even in private hospitals are very common, according to patients we met.
For an acute dislocated shoulder, for instance, at the emergency room (ER) in the Christian Barnard Hospital in Cape Town, the wait for every step, from registration and to each procedure that followed (waiting to be seen by the ER physician), the shoulder Xray (pre and post reduction) have long delay intervals between each. This visit took about 4 hours from registration in the ER to discharge, almost twice longer compared to most ERs in the United States.
The medical reports, laboratory, and X-rays findings were not printed and given to the patient.
The patient has to email the hospital for them, and the arrival could take more than 2 weeks. The medical reports requested by email on November 28, 2024, had not arrived as of December 10, 2024. This delays the filing of the claims in the U.S. with the travel insurance and Medicare/BC-BS.
While our U.S. healthcare system is not perfect and needs some improvement, we should be thankful for the more efficient, patientfriendly and superior system we have today.
Tips for travelers
The first tip is to make a check list of all the items you will need in your travel, especially abroad. Top of your list: valid passport and photocopy of it (in case it is lost), visa (if needed), driver’s license, TSA/ Global Entry cards, travel insurance, medications and supplements you take, drugs for traveler’s diarrhea (Imodium/Lomotil, antibiotic Cipro), pain/fever pills, tiny plastic zip-lock bags for
daily meds, water bottle with a filter, your CPAP machine, accessories, and extension cord if you have sleep apnea, BP and blood sugar monitors if you use them, cell phone and selfie stick, charger cord with wall adapter, a tiny external battery phone charger, audio-earbuds or headset.
You might also need a small flashlight, a tiny compass, KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, hats with chin cord, dark glasses, eye shade (mask) for sleep; an electric multi (prong) universal adapter/voltage regulator compatible with cities to be visited, skin moisturizer, comfortable walking shoes, a heavy jacket for wintery countries, international e-sim card to avoid roaming fees, wind-proof umbrella, TSA approved luggage lock, sunscreen, mosquito repellent wristband, attires according to the weather in the destination cities, a backpack if desired, a jacket or vest with lots of pockets, an extra collapsible carryon bag, added padlock and luggage tags, grocery plastic bags for dirty, wet shoes, etc. Double label all your luggage.
Added tips: Be conscious of your environments, be careful with your passport and wallet, avoid eating street foods and drink only bottled water. Designate a meeting place (police station, a church, a specific store, etc.) where family members would meet in case of separation. Do not accept offers for bargain products or rides from strangers. Pay with Samsung Pay or iPhone pay, instead of handing your credit card to vendors abroad. Pay with cash if possible. Do not bring your debit card. This is a fast source of cash for scammers.
Marijuana dangers
In the United States alone, there are almost 62 million marijuana (cannabis) users, with about 18 million of them having symptoms of cannabis disorder. Israel has the greatest number of cannabis consumers, in ratio to its almost 9.5 million population. In the Philippines, the conservative estimate is around 1.8 million users out of its 112 million people.
A recent study in the University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, reported that “cannabis use may lead to thinning of the cerebral cortex in adolescents.”
The multilevel study demonstrated that this thinning “makes it harder for the brain to learn new things, interact with people, cope with situations, etc.”
The research was published October 9, 2024, in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Recreational dope
There are 38 of 50 States in the U.S. where marijuana is approved for medical use,
starting with California in 1996. As of November 2024, 24 states have approved recreational marijuana.
Why legislators approved the use of marijuana as recreational drugs is mindboggling. Are they investors in the cannabis business?
Society is yet to recover from the devastating effects of tobacco as a recreational drug. Alcohol is also damaging to those who indulge in them. Recent studies show that “no amount of alcohol intake is safe.”
When problems to health or destruction of society due to these recreational substances occur (which is 100 percent a certainty), these same legislators will appear to be wondering why, and scramble to legislate new laws to curtail them, and minimize the vast Medicare expenses and money wasted from the negative health effects of the problems they created.
Why help create problems and then try to find means to solve them? Aren’t leaders supposed to lead with courage and wisdom and not be led by future addicts and greedy business entrepreneurs?
Cost of AUD
CDC reports that 95,000 people “die from alcoholrelated causes every year.”
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and its complications on the body (liver, brain, heart, etc.) cost around $26 billion a year, and the total cost to U.S. economy overall is around $249 billion.
Let us not destroy our wonderful people and our great nation.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
* *
*
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators (source: Wikipedia). Website: Today.SPSAtoday.com; Amazon.com (Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Chelsea Manalo returns home, says her personality makes her first Miss Universe Asia
by Jan Milo severo Philstar.com
MISS Universe Asia 2024
Chelsea Manalo has finally arrived in the Philippines and she was warmly welcomed by her "kababayans."
When asked if she had a feeling that she will get the first Miss Universe Asia title, Chelsea responded with a "yes."
"I think I had that feeling because the Philippines is really strong this year eh," she said.
"Of course, we made history eh. Here in the Miss Universe Philippines, I was making history," she added.
Chelsea said that the Miss Universe Organization really liked her.
"So when I went there, I was working really well with the organization –– showing them my authentic side, my personality, and they really liked it," she said.
"I heard. In the closer interview, they really liked my personality. Kasi each and every seat kasi doon, ibaiba 'yung judge. And then I remember, I told myself, in every seat, I have to show my best personality," she added.
by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net
THE country's "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta returns to primetime television after a two-year break with "Saving Grace," an adaptation of the acclaimed Japanese drama series "Mother."
Directed by FM Reyes and Dolly Dulu, "Saving Grace" reimagines the beloved Japanese original, which has inspired adaptations in countries such as South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, and France.
In the Philippine version, the series follows the story of Teacher Anna (Julia Montes), who confronts her troubled past while finding her purpose. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when she encounters Grace (Zia Grace), a young girl abused by her mother Sarah (Jennica Garcia) and stepfather Chito (Christian Bables).
Determined to protect Grace, Anna sacrifices her dreams, only to be mistaken as her abductor.
The plot thickens as Sarah turns to Miranda Valdez (Cuneta), a renowned public service host and advocate for mothers, to help locate her missing daughter. The series also features Janice de Belen as Anna's mother Helena and Sam Milby as journalist Julius.
In an intimate interview, Cuneta shared the challenges of portraying Miranda, a complex character driven by guilt and a relentless pursuit of success. For Cuneta, the role was both demanding and transformative.
"I've never played a character like this before," she revealed. In some scenes where Miranda needs to be sharp or assertive, I took inspiration from Cherie Gil, though with my own approach since she's in a class of her own," Cuneta explained.
Drawing inspiration from the revered Cherie Gil's assertive style, Cuneta added her unique interpretation to Miranda's personality, "She's very guarded because she carries a lot of guilt. As the breadwinner, she had to give up so much to succeed."
According to the veteran
THIS Christmas, Vice Ganda — whose box-office triumphs have all been in the comedy genre — steps into the spotlight with a fresh and emotionally charged role in "And The Breadwinner Is..." An official entry in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Jun Robles Lanadirected movie goes beyond comedy, tackling the struggles and triumphs of breadwinners with heart and humor.
"And The Breadwinner Is..." revolves around a selfless and confidently beautiful breadwinner named Bambi (Vice) who has committed her entire life as an OFW in Taiwan in order to provide for her dysfunctional family.
When Bambi returns home to reunite with her family after many years, she is greeted with an underwhelming welcome by her loved ones who are burdened with problems and in debt. In the hopes of finally turning their dream life into reality, Bambi gambles on a promising opportunity for a chance to claim P10 million — but it comes with a life-changing price.
Known for his iconic comedic roles, Vice takes on a more nuanced character in this film. Playing Bambi required stepping out of his comfort zone, but he rose to the challenge, seeking acting workshops and collaborating closely with his co-stars.
"I was fine stepping out of my comfort zone, but my fear was not being able to live up to expectations, so I had to make sure I delivered. That's why I requested acting workshops with Direk Jun and Tita Malou [de Guzman]. I couldn't face these brilliant actors armed only with arrogance. I was so insecure, and I thought that was okay. But then I told myself I needed to do something," admitted Vice. While Vice's comedic talent
encouraged her to use lower tones in her delivery to convey Miranda. She also drew on her maternal instincts to bring depth to her performance.
Despite these challenges, Cuneta conveyed Miranda's nuanced advocacy for single mothers, hinting at the pain her character hides beneath her strong exterior.
"People know I'm very empathetic and sympathetic, and I like taking care of people. In a way, that has helped me portray Miranda. Even in her toughness, she has that soft spot. Part of her drive is to keep her show's ratings up, but a big part of it is her sincere desire to help — because she's carrying something heavy within herself," Cuneta added.
The challenging role marks Cuneta's much-anticipated return to primetime, alongside Julia Montes, after their collaboration in "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."
In fact, accepting "Saving Grace" as her comeback project was an easy decision influenced by her bond with Montes.
"Julia is the only one I had worked with before in Ang Probinsyano. We became really close, and we grew even closer after that. We never lost touch — she's like a daughter to me. It's like I gave birth to her, that's how close we are," Cuneta shared.
"When we work together, there's no effort required. If we have a scene, we just look at each other, and the raw emotions are there, always present. It's so easy to support each other," she added.
Apart from Montes, Cuneta also praised the ensemble cast, calling them "a dream to work with," and expressed admiration for Zia Grace.
"It's been wonderful collaborating with Janice, Jennica, and Christian — everyone gave their best, including the kids and all the supporting talents. It's truly a team effort.
"And then there's the magical presence of Zia. Over 200 children auditioned for the role, and she was number 120. The moment you see her, you'll understand why she got it. She's only six years old, but her emotional depth is incredible. You can't quite explain where it comes from, but she has it. She's quick to learn, very intelligent, and truly understands what's needed. She won us over right away with her professionalism. She's clearly been raised well, with her parents always there to support her on set," she continued.
Since its premiere on November 28, "Saving Grace" has captured audiences, topping Prime Video's charts in the Philippines. Cuneta expressed pride in the show's early success, describing it as "just the beginning."
"The magic of the show lies in its story, which has already been adapted successfully in eight other countries. I think it's the Filipino touch and the unique way we approached it that makes it resonate. I'll never forget what Direk FM Reyes reminded us — that we're no longer performing just for a Filipino audience. Being on Prime Video means the series is accessible worldwide," she continued.
is well-established, drama presented a new terrain.
"I know comedy well — I've mastered it. I can do ad-libs.
But drama? That's something new to me, so I needed to start understanding it. I had to learn something so that when I got to the set, I wasn't relying purely on confidence. It was a humbling experience.
From Day 1, I already knew I wasn't the best on that set, so I had to work on myself to at least keep up with them," he added.
Director Lana praised Vice's performance and promised the audience will see the comedian in a new light.
"At first, Vice had some hesitation and fears, knowing she would be working with exceptionally talented actresses like Gladys Reyes, Eugene Domingo, and Malou de Guzman, and that the film involved intense dramatic scenes. But believe me when I say Vice is a brilliant actor — she just hasn't fully realized it yet," Robles Lana noted.
The director drew comparisons to the late Dolphy, emphasizing the unique power comedians bring to dramatic roles.
The drama-comedy movie is a story for and about breadwinners as it explores their joys, pains, struggles, and realizations — a story that according to Vice, is both inspiring and relatable to all Filipinos.
"It's our story, your story, and surely the story of someone you know and hold dear. It's not far from home, not far from reality, and not far from what you already know. This story is for every breadwinner who never gives up for their family," Vice pointed out.
Apart from Vice Ganda, "And The Breadwinner Is..." also stars Malou de Guzman, Joel Torre, Jhong Hilario, Gladys Reyes, Maris
Anthony
"When a comedian cries, you witness true devastation. It's like Tito Dolphy — he didn't do many dramatic films, but those performances are the ones that stayed with us. Vice possesses that same kind of power. As Bambi, she's funny and delightful, but at the same time, she's heartbreaking and deeply moving. Balancing such extreme emotions is no easy feat, and I can honestly say that Vice Ganda delivered and accomplished it with absolute mastery," he continued.
Chelsea Manalo
Photo from Instagram/@manalochelsea
Vice Ganda
ABS-CBN photo
The Megastar portrays Miranda Valdez, a public service host and advocate for mothers in the drama series tackling child abuse. Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta actress, her directors
The beauty queen from Bulacan thought that her personality made her the first ever Miss Universe Asia. "'Yun, the personality
siguro, they saw it. If they really liked it, then I guess, that's the reason why we have Miss Universe Asia now," she said.
Racal,
Jennings, Kokoy De Santos, Lassy Marquez, MC Muah, Via Antonio, Kiko Matos, Argus Aspiras, Kulot Caponpon, and Eugene Domingo. (ManilaTimes.net)
