AS it aims for a leaner budget, the incoming Trump administration may cut or eliminate several federal health safety nets, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.
These three critical lifelines alone support 88 million low income residents in the US. Almost half of all children living in the US — about 40 million — are enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP.
More than 34% of people under age 65 identifying as Latino are covered by Medicaid. 39% of Black people are covered by Medicaid, as are 35% of Native Hawaiian Pacific
Ysabel Jurado, LA’s first Fil-Am councilmember, takes office
ON Monday, Dec. 9, Ysabel Jurado was sworn in to the Los Angeles City Council, becoming the first ever LA City Council member of Filipino descent.
In a closed-doors ceremony, Jurado, 34, took the oath of office from the City Clerk to officially start her tenure as the city’s councilmember for District 14. Jurado is also the first openly queer person to lead District 14, which comprises of much of east and northeastern LA and downtown LA.
According to a report in Boyle Heights Beat, Jurado attended her first city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
In addition to Jurado, Adrin Nazarian was also sworn into the city council as leader of District 2.
As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Jurado — a Highland Park native and resident — defeated incumbent Kevin de Leon in
interview. The Philippine embassy and consulates general in the U.S. will intensify their engagements with U.S. officials to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipinos amid immigration policy changes under Trump. In a statement on Thursday, December 12, the Philippine embassy and consulates general u PAGE 2
THE approval rating of key government officials and institutions, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, had a significant decline heading into the end of the year, Publicus Asia's Pahayag 2024 End-of-Year Survey showed. Marcos' approval rating saw a steep drop to 33 percent, down from 43 percent in the previous quarter. His disapproval rating, meanwhile, rose to 38 percent. Vice President Sara Duterte, on the other hand, saw her approval
MANILA
rating decrease from 40 percent to 37 percent.
This, Publicus Asia said, signals growing public dissatisfaction as the year draws to a close.
The dip in the president and vice president's rating, the poll said, was due to several issues.
Unresolved controversies have significantly affected the public perception of Marcos and Duterte.
Among the key issues are allegations of corruption (19 percent) and the impact of inflation (17 percent), which continues to burden households.
— Although his administration is being hounded by political controversies, the state of the nation is “quite stable,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on monday, December 16 as he dismissed speculations that he is conducting a “loyalty check” among security forces.
“Oh, we’re quite stable. I mean, the government is functioning properly.
Although there’s a lot of noise, that’s all it is. It’s all just noise,” the president told reporters in an interview at Malacañang.
Rumors about alleged ouster plots against him surfaced following Vice President Sara Duterte’s falling out with him, his family and the administration. Their conflict has deteriorated into ugly public exchanges.
The rift reached new heights when Duterte, who served as running mate and education secretary of
MANILA — Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina on death row in Indonesia who spent almost 15 years in prison for drug trafficking, has returned home early Wednesday morning, December 18, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the aircraft carrying Veloso landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City at around 5:40 a.m.
“The flight, which departed from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 12:05 a.m., marked the end of a harrowing chapter in Veloso’s life,” BuCor said in a statement. During the flight, Catapang noted Veloso “was not in a handcuff or subjected to any instrument of restraint” citing the rules of general application of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners as adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.
Catapang added that Veloso had “no intention of escaping or harming herself as she was eager
LAS VEGAS — The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) has secured $300,000 in federal funding to bolster its citizenship program, which supports permanent residents in their journey to become U.S. citizens. The announcement was made during a special threepart event hosted by ACDC on December 14, starting with a press conference
to highlight the grant and its impact on empowering immigrant communities.
"ACDC is so incredibly proud to receive the $300,000 in federal funding that will go to assist our work in helping our community get one step closer to the American Dream and become a U.S. citizen," said Vida Lin, president and founder of ACDC. The funding, provided through the Citizenship and
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo Members of the ACDC and community partners came together on December 14 for an event announcing the organization’s awarding of a federal grant to
by Faith argosino Inquirer.net
‘Law-abiding Filipinos in US...
gave assurance that they “will continue to provide consular services to all Filipino nationals regardless of their immigration status.”
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and the consuls general met on Dec. 10-11 to discuss a wide range of issues related to the incoming Trump administration and the emerging immigration policies.
“The heads of posts understand the uncertainty felt by certain segments of the Filipino community in the United States following recent pronouncements by the incoming administration,” they said.
The meeting is an important step in ensuring a unified, coordinated and effective response.
They reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting and providing appropriate consular assistance to Filipino nationals while respecting U.S. laws.
Romualdez said in November that he and the consuls
would meet this month to plan how they can assist Filipinos illegally staying in the U.S. after Trump announced he will carry out his promise of mass deportation of undocumented migrants.
Luzon economic corridor
The top U.S. diplomat in the country believes that the U.S. commitment to the Luzon Economic Corridor will remain in place under the incoming administration of President-elect Trump.
“You can be confident that there is very strong bipartisan support for the U.S.-Philippine relationship, and that goes for the security relationship, the economic relationship and part of what governs that are these very strong people-to-people ties,” U.S.
Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said in a media roundtable at the ambassador’s residence.
“I’m very optimistic that across the economic field, the military field, everything that we do together, culturally, in education, health, foreign assistance. I’m very confident
about the future based on our strong ties,” she added.
The U.S., Philippines and Japan announced the Luzon Economic Corridor in April, which will support transformative public and private investments.
Through this corridor, the partners aim to make high-impact investments across multiple sectors to accelerate economic growth, support connectivity particularly between Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas and ensure adequate economic security and the attainment of self-sufficiency in the Philippines.
A steering group meeting was recently held for the Luzon Economic Corridor with the U.S., Japan and the Philippines.
“But other countries also participated to show what they would could bring to the table, what they were interested in. So for example the UK, Canada are also interested, Sweden, the Republic of Korea. Many of these countries are already doing work in this region,” Carlson said. n
Mary Jane Veloso returns home after...
to return to the Philippines.”
“From the airport, Veloso was transported to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City where she will be mandatorily housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center for 5-day quarantine and a 55-day orientation , diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification,” the BuCor said.
The agency also assured Veloso’s family that they will be able to visit her in time for Christmas “after her standard five-day quarantine period for new person deprived of liberty wherein she will undergo a comprehensive medical and physical examination.”
Veloso’s family from Nueva Ecija, along with lawyers and supporters from the
Save Mary Jane Task Force, however, failed to personally meet her at the airport after she was immediately escorted to a vehicle that transported her to the CIW. Veloso’s return follows an agreement between Jakarta and Manila, which was announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) last November 19.
Veloso was sentenced to death after she was caught carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin inside her suitcase at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia in 2010. Veloso maintained she was unaware of the contents of her luggage as it was only handed to her by her recruiters, identified as Julius Lacanilao and Maria Cristina Sergio. n
Asian Community Development Council receives $300,000 in federal funding to....
Naturalization Application Services (CINAS) grant, was secured with the support of U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev). The grant will enable ACDC to expand its citizenship program, which has long been a cornerstone of its civic engagement efforts.
“We are deeply honored to receive this federal grant, which will enable us to enhance our citizenship program and continue providing critical support to our community,” said Edelweiss Solano, ACDC Director of Family Services. “The NaturalizASIAN celebration is a way to recognize the courage and dedication of our new U.S. citizens while showcasing the vital impact of this program.”
Solano said ACDC has provided over 1,200 Nevada community members with pro bono support and assistance towards naturalization since 2018.
The program offers personalized support to immigrants, including assistance with naturalization applications, preparation for citizenship tests and interviews, and access to educational resources designed to help them navigate the naturalization process with confidence.
During the press conference, attendees heard from individuals who have benefited from ACDC’s citizenship program, including Marichi Robeniol, a newly naturalized citizen originally from Pasay, Philippines. Robeniol shared her inspiring journey from the Philippines to the United States, which was marked by financial challenges and personal resilience. Sponsored by her son, she achieved U.S. citizenship and has since become deeply involved in her community.
“I wanted to have a voice in the political process. Being a green card holder did not allow me to vote and I wanted to be an active participant in voting,” Robeniol said. Now, as a citizen, she actively shares information about ACDC’s resources with other immigrants.
The event also spotlighted the story of Hue Nhan Nguyen, a recently naturalized U.S. citizen from Vietnam, showcasing the diverse backgrounds of those supported by ACDC’s program.
Following the press conference, ACDC hosted a celebration for recently naturalized clients, honoring their achievements and welcoming them into the U.S. civic community. The final segment of the event included a citizenship clinic, offering vital legal assistance and resources for aspiring citizens.
With this federal funding, ACDC is poised to deepen its impact, empowering more immigrants to achieve their American Dream through citizenship. n
TEARS OF JOY. Cesar Veloso, father of migrant worker Mary Jane Veloso, turns emotional while awaiting her daughter’s arrival from Indonesia on Wednesday, December 18. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Vida Lin, President & Founder, ACDC Photos by Robert Macabagdal
Nethmini Happawana, Office of Senator Jacky Rosen
De’Liza Galimdi, Office of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
by ElisabEth rosEnthal KFF Health
WHEN George Lai of Portland, Oregon, took his toddler son to a pediatrician last summer for a checkup, the doctor noticed a little splinter in the child’s palm.
“He must have gotten it between the front door and the car,” Lai later recalled, and the child wasn’t complaining. The doctor grabbed a pair of forceps — aka tweezers — and pulled out the splinter in “a second,” Lai said. That brief tug was transformed into a surgical billing code: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 10120, “incision and removal of a foreign body, subcutaneous” — at a cost of $414.
“This was ridiculous,” Lai said. “There was no scalpel.” He was so angry that he went back to the office to speak with the manager, who told him the coding was correct because tweezers could make an incision to open the skin.
When Helene Schilders of Seattle went to her dermatologist for her annual skin check this year, she mentioned her clothing was irritating a skin tag she had. The doctor froze the tag with liquid nitrogen. “It was squirt, squirt. That’s it,” Schilders told me. She was “floored” by an explanation of benefits that said the simple treatment had been billed as $469 for surgery.
Assuming the bill was a mistake, she called the doctor’s office and was told that surgery had indeed occurred — because the skin was broken in the process. Hence surgical CPT code 17110, “destruction of 1-14 benign lesions.”
Schilders complained to her insurer, who provided a document informing her that “surgery is classified as something entering the body, such as a Q-tip entering the ear canal or a scalpel during surgery.”
Huh? “I have had surgery, and this is not it,” Schilders
said. In common vernacular, “surgery” evokes images of physicians and nurses leaning over an operating table, gowned and masked, as they address a problem deep in the body. Removing an appendix or a tumor. Replacing a knee. Clipping a leaking aneurysm in the brain. It most probably involves a scalpel or specialized instruments and surgical skill.
More and more minor interventions, however, have been rebranded and billed as surgery, for profit. These tiny interventions don’t yield huge bills — in the hundreds rather than the thousands of dollars — but, cumulatively, they likely add up to tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars for doctors and hospitals annually. The surprise bills often catch patients off guard. And they must pay up if they haven’t met their insurance deductible. Even if they have, “surgery” generally requires a coinsurance payment, while an office visit doesn’t.
“There’s more pressure to make money, and the idea is you can charge more if it’s a surgical procedure,” said Sabrina Corlette, founder and co-director of Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. “The payer should be reviewing this and saying this is run-ofthe-mill. But there’s not a lot of incentive to do that.”
Corlette surmised that the codes employed in the instances mentioned above were intended for rare, complicated cases in which the removal of a splinter or a skin lesion — or 14 of them — required special skills or time. But the codes’ use has ballooned, covering the complicated and the commonplace. The use of code 17110 billed from doctors’ offices has gone up 62% from 2013 (1,739,708) to 2022 (2,817,190).
The blizzard of surgeriesin-name-only is a symptom of a system that has long valued procedures far more
than intellectual work in its payments to medical providers. That merits rethinking, and there are some hints that the incoming presidential administration might be interested in doing so.
The current payment calculation system has its origins in the late 1980s, when a team led by an economist at Harvard University’s public health school, William Hsiao, created what’s called the Resource Based Relative Value Scale, or RBRVS, to rationalize Medicare’s payments to doctors. It allocated reimbursement using a formula that included physician work, practice expenses, and malpractice expenses. It concluded “that the work per unit time (a measure of intensity) for invasive services is about three times that of evaluation/ management.”
In other words, it enshrined the notion that “invasive services” — procedures or surgery — were by far the most valuable.
An American Medical Association committee that includes physicians from an array of specialties periodically suggests updates to those codes (and federal regulators accept them, in many years, over 90% of the time). Since surgeons are overrepresented on the committee, the valuation of anything defined as an operation has only increased, giving billers the incentive to classify even the most mundane interventions as surgery.
Experts of all political stripes have spent years critiquing the process — it’s common sense that the fox (physicians) should not be guarding the henhouse (payments). President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has signaled that he might rethink that approach, according to the healthindustry publication Stat.
Trust, approval ratings of top...
Duterte's controversies include her remarks perceived as threats against the president and others (20 percent), the Commission on Audit's findings regarding the Office of the Vice President (19 percent), and her controversial comment on the exhumation of the late President Marcos Sr. (15 percent).
Senate President Francis Escudero's approval rating fell from 41 percent to 37 percent (disapproval rating at 26 percent), while Speaker Martin Romualdez experienced a drop from 25 percent to 20 percent approval, coupled with a 43 percent disapproval rating. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo saw his approval rating drop from 28 percent to 25 percent.
Trust ratings followed a similar downward trajectory, with Marcos' trust rating falling from 32 percent to 23 percent (distrust rising to 44 percent) and Romualdez dropping from 18 percent to 13 percent (distrust at 51 percent).
The trust levels for Duterte (31 percent), Escudero (26 percent) and Gesmundo (17 percent) remained relatively
stable but still reflected minor declines.
Among government agencies, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) achieved the highest approval rating at 65 percent, alongside a trust rating of 47 percent.
TESDA was closely followed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with 57 percent approval and 46 percent trust, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with 57 percent approval and 39 percent trust.
The House of Representatives and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) were the least approved and trusted agencies, with 36 percent approval and 23 percent trust for the former and 36 percent approval and 21 percent trust for the latter.
The overall performance rating of the Marcos administration dropped from 46 percent for the third quarter of 2024 to 36 percent in the fourth quarter.
This is a huge decline from the 61 percent tallied for the same period in 2023.
The administration experienced sharp declines across
all regions, with Mindanao registering the largest drop at 22 percent.
Among senators, Raffy Tulfo remained the top performer but saw his approval rating fall to a new low of 60 percent.
Other senators also experienced declines, including Joel Villanueva (50 percent to 40 percent), Sherwin Gatchalian (52 percent to 43 percent) and Loren Legarda (48 percent to 42 percent).
Risa Hontiveros, who had previously shown consistent gains, saw a notable 12-point drop from 63 percent to 51 percent, possibly linked to reduced public visibility following the conclusion of a Senate investigation.
Pahayag 2024 End of the Year survey (PEOY-2024), conducted by Publicus Asia Inc., is an independent and noncommissioned survey. The survey period was from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, 2024, using purposive sampling composed of 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 registered Filipino voters maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a U.S.-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence. n
PURE JOY. Happiness is written all over children’s faces as they play during the unveiling of the “Paskong Masaya, Paskong
QC” animated Christmas display at SM City Novaliches parking area in Quezon City on Monday, December 16. Mayor Joy Belmonte, other local officials and mall executives led the event. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Critical federal health safety nets are...
Islanders. Roughly 28% of Asian Americans under 65 are also covered by Medicaid, according to data from Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health.
No cuts to social security, promises Trump
On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump promised not to cut Social Security or Medicare, which primarily serves people over 65. But Trump made little mention of Medicaid, which provides health insurance to lowincome adults and children via CHIP.
Medicaid is the largest source of federal funds coming into state budgets, and accounts for an average of 56% of a state’s budget.
“So if we do see big cuts to Medicaid, that will affect all areas of states’ budget, not just their health budget,”
said Joan Alker, Executive Director of the Center for Children and Families and Research Professor at the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy Foundation.
Early budget resolution
Alker spoke at a Dec. 6 news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services. Other speakers included Mayra Alvarez, President of the Children’s Partnership, who discussed the impact of federal cuts to children.
Richard Kogan, Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, discussed impoundment, a little-used process the President could use to simply stop the flow of funds allocated by Congress.
Cuts to Medicaid could happen even before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, explained Alker, explaining that a new, Republicancontrolled House and Senate will likely hit the ground running on a budget resolution in January. Large cuts to Medicaid would create serious problems for state governments who would not be able to fill in the gap, she said, noting that such cuts would have a deep impact on America’s aging population.
The cuts will be backloaded to play out over a 10-year period, noted the researcher. “Congress is usually very good at thinking about ways to structure these kinds of cuts so that the pain is not immediately felt.”
New red tape
New red tape is likely to be added, delaying enrollment for eligible people and their children.
Health care providers who see a lot of low-wage workers, particularly those in rural communities could very likely face cuts in
reimbursement, said Alker. “These cuts will be very hard for providers to absorb. So all of these different groups — children, seniors, people with disabilities, low-wage workers — will be put at risk if we see substantial cuts to Medicaid,” she said.
Medicaid is very popular with voters, polling right behind Medicare, one of the federal government’s most popular programs. “Voters don’t want to see big cuts to Medicaid. This election was about cost concerns that families have, and they certainly don’t want to be paying more health care costs,” said Alker.
Project 2025
Several of the proposals in Project 2025 — expected to be Trump’s playbook for his 2nd term in office — would cause irreparable harm to the health and well-being of children, said Alvarez of the Children’s Partnership.
“Children absolutely need healthcare services and the security that coverage like Medicaid or Medi-Cal in California provides. But they also require a safety net and access to services that include nutrition, economic supports, and more,” she said, noting that the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and even school lunch programs are at risk for being cut or eliminated. SNAP, also known as food stamps, provides support to 40 million people. “It’s our nation’s first line of defense against hunger,” said Alvarez, adding that the incoming administration has proposed $4 billion in cuts to the program over 5 years. “This is at a time when grocery prices have increased 24% between 2020 and 2023, and wages have not increased proportionately,” she said.
Public charge
The Trump administration will likely end the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, which assists low-income families with their energy bills, said Alvarez. She also expressed concern that funding for the Women, Infants, and Children program — WIC — would be reduced.
Families eligible for federal health support are likely to dis-enroll themselves, as they did with Trump’s 1st administration, for fear of the public charge rule, said Alvarez. Trump attempted to invoke public charge during his first term, threatening to deny adjustment of immigration status, if the applicant had availed of federal benefits.
He created a chilling effect in the immigrant community, said Alvarez.
Impoundment is unconstitutional
Kogan of CBPP explained another seldomused process known as impoundment, which allows the President to simply stop the flow of funds already approved by Congress. He stated that impoundment is unconstitutional.
Trump hinted at his intent to use impoundment during several campaign rallies.
“We’re going to bring back presidential impoundment authority, which nobody knows what it is. But it allows the president to go out and cut things and save a fortune for our country,” he said, as reported by NPR.
Kogan first began researching the legalities of impoundment 52 years ago, as former President Richard Nixon used the process to deny funds to social welfare programs. Nixon faced nine lawsuits and lost all of them.
In 1974, Congress approved the Impoundment Control Act, attempting to limit similar presidential actions.
President must obey Congress
“Much of the public discussion of impoundment is very confused or often just plain wrong,” said Kogan.
“The key takeaway is that presidents have never had the general authority to impound funding enacted into law by Congress, and Congress couldn’t even grant such authority to the president if it wanted to.”
“First, the U.S. Constitution does not grant the president the right to impound funds. It is just the opposite. The Constitution says that Congress decides what to spend money on and how much, and that the president’s job is to ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed.’” he said.
In 1996, Congress approved the Line Item Veto Act, which gave Presidents the authority to make selective vetoes of line items within appropriations bills. A line item veto, effectively an impoundment, would go into effect unless Congress wrote a new law to forbid it. But the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Act was unconstitutional.
“I worry about the types of cuts that Congress might make, taking away or reducing health care, food assistance, education aid, or housing support for some or tens of millions of people. But it is Congress’s job to write the budget laws and the president’s job to faithfully follow those budget laws. This is not optional,” said Kogan. (Sunita Sohrabji/ Ethnic Media Services)
Ysabel Jurado, LA’s first Fil-Am councilmember...
November by nearly 12,000 votes. Jurado’s grassroots campaign was built on progressive policies and solutions and a promise to serve the people, not corporations.
“I’ve always been an organizer and I never thought I would run for office, it’s true. But I feel called for this by my community. We [Filipinos] are the second-largest Asian population in Southern California and yet we haven’t had a council member ever is wild to me,” Jurado told the Asian Journal in an interview in late 2023.
Per city council regulations, Jurado’s term will be four years.
As a housing rights attorney, Jurado has said that creating permanent solutions to LA’s longexisting housing crisis — while combatting gentrification — is one of her priorities.n
A lot of noise, but nation stable...
Marcos before the souring of their relations, revealed that she had asked someone to kill the president, First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez if a supposed assassination plot against her succeeds.
After officials announced that the vice president could be criminally charged, her father former President Rodrigo Duterte called on the armed forces to “correct” what he called a “fractured government.” His call fell flat, however. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin then
assailed the former president for “insulting” the military by asking them to betray their oath and for going to “great and evil lengths” to unseat Marcos and to install his daughter into power. No loyalty check
During the same interview, Marcos said he only heard about the alleged loyalty checks being conducted within the security forces through the media.
“You have a command conference and then you say, ‘Are you loyal?’ ‘How about you, are you loyal?’... I do not understand the term
Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes
by VanEssa g sánchEz KFF Health Newa
LOS ANGELES — President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations and tougher immigration restrictions is deepening mistrust of the health care system among California’s immigrants and clouding the future for providers serving the state’s most impoverished residents.
At the same time, immigrants living illegally in Southern California told KFF Health News they thought the economy would improve and their incomes might increase under Trump, and for some that outweighed concerns about health care.
Community health workers say fear of deportation is already affecting participation in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents, which was expanded in phases to all immigrants regardless of residency status over the past several years. That could undercut the state’s progress in reducing the uninsured rate, which reached a record low of 6.4% last year.
Immigrants lacking legal residency have long worried that participation in government programs could make them targets, and Trump’s election has compounded those concerns, community advocates say.
The incoming Trump administration is also expected to target Medicaid with funding cuts and enrollment restrictions, which activists worry could threaten the Medi-Cal expansion and kneecap efforts to extend health insurance subsidies under Covered California to all immigrants.
“The fear alone has so many consequences to the health of our communities,” said Mar Velez, director of policy with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “This is, as they say, not their first rodeo. They understand how the system works. I think this machine is going to be, unfortunately, a lot more harmful to our communities.”
Alongside such worries, though, is a strain of optimism that Trump might be a boon to the economy, according to interviews with immigrants in Los Angeles whom health care workers were soliciting to sign up for Medi-Cal.
Selvin, 39, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked to be identified by only his first name because he’s living here without legal permission, said that even though he believes Trump dislikes people like him, he thinks the new administration could help boost his hours at the food processing facility where he works packing noodles. “I do see how he could improve the economy. From that perspective, I think it’s good that he won.”
He became eligible for Medi-Cal this year but decided not to enroll, worrying it could jeopardize his chances of changing his immigration status.
“I’ve thought about it,” Selvin said, but “I feel like it could end up hurting me. I won’t deny that, obviously, I’d like to benefit — get my teeth fixed, a physical checkup.” But fear holds him back, he said, and he hasn’t seen a doctor in nine years.
It’s not Trump’s mass deportation plan in particular that’s scaring him off, though.
“If I’m not committing any crimes or getting a DUI, I think I won’t get deported,” Selvin said.
Petrona, 55, came from El Salvador seeking asylum and enrolled in Medi-Cal last year.
She said that if her health insurance benefits were cut, she wouldn’t be able to afford her visits to the dentist.
A street food vendor, she hears often about Trump’s deportation plan, but she said it will be the criminals the new president pushes out.
“I’ve heard people say he’s going to get rid of everyone who’s stealing.”
Although she’s afraid she could be deported, she’s also hopeful about Trump. “He says he’s going to give a lot of work to Hispanics because Latinos are the ones who work the hardest,” she said.
“That’s good, more work for us, the ones who came here to work.”
Newly elected Republican Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez, who flipped a seat long held by Democrats in the Latino-heavy desert region in the southeastern part of the state, said his constituents were anxious to see a new economic direction.
“They’re just really kind of fed up with the status quo in California,” Gonzalez said. “People on the ground are saying, ‘I’m hopeful,’ because now we have a different perspective. We have a businessperson who is looking at the very things that we are looking at, which is the price of eggs, the price of gas, the safety.”
Gonzalez said he’s not going to comment about potential Medicaid cuts, because Trump has not made any official announcement. Unlike most in his party, Gonzalez said he supports the extension of health care services to all residents regardless of immigration status.
Health care providers said they are facing a twin challenge of hesitancy among those they are supposed to serve and the threat of major cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides over 60% of the funding for Medi-Cal.
Health providers and policy researchers say a loss in federal contributions could lead the state to roll back or downsize some programs, including the expansion to cover those without legal authorization.
California and Oregon are the only states that offer comprehensive health insurance to all income-eligible immigrants regardless of status. About 1.5 million people without authorization have enrolled in California, at a cost of over $6 billion a year to state taxpayers.
“Everyone wants to put these types of services on the chopping block, which is really unfair,” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat and chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “We will do everything we can to ensure that we prioritize this.”
Sen. Gonzalez said it will be challenging to expand programs such as Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, for which immigrants lacking permanent legal status are not eligible. A big concern for immigrants and their advocates is that Trump could reinstate changes to the public charge policy, which can deny green cards or visas based on the use of govern-
ment benefits.
“President Trump’s mass deportation plan will end the financial drain posed by illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to KFF Health News. During his first term, in 2019, Trump broadened the policy to include the use of Medicaid, as well as housing and nutrition subsidies. The Biden administration rescinded the change in 2021. KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, found immigrants use less health care than people born in the United States. And about 1 in 4 likely undocumented immigrant adults said they have avoided applying for assistance with health care, food, and housing because of immigration-related fears, according to a 2023 survey.
Another uncertainty is the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which was opened in November to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program. If DACA eligibility for the act’s plans, or even the act itself, were to be reversed under Trump, that would leave roughly 40,000 California DACA recipients, and about 100,000 nationwide, without access to subsidized health insurance.
On Dec. 9, a federal court in North Dakota issued an order blocking DACA recipients from accessing Affordable Care Act health plans in 19 states that had challenged the Biden administration’s rule.
Clinics and community health workers are encouraging people to continue enrolling in health benefits. But amid the push to spread the message, the chilling effects are already apparent up and down the state.
“¿Ya tiene Medi-Cal?” community health worker Yanet Martinez said, asking residents whether they had Medi-Cal as she walked down Pico Boulevard recently in a Los Angeles neighborhood with many Salvadorans.
“¡Nosotros podemos ayudarle a solicitar Medi-Cal! ¡Todo gratuito!” she shouted, offering help to sign up, free of charge.
“Gracias, pero no,” said one young woman, responding with a no thanks. She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes under a cap that covered her from the late-morning sun.
Since Election Day, Martinez said, people have been more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings.
“They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” she said. “They don’t want anything to do with it.”
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Removing a splinter? Treating a wart...
because I don’t know how you conduct a loyalty check. At least not when you call a command conference,” the president said.
He was reacting to reports linking his recent meetings with military and police officials and personnel to supposed loyalty checks.
“Because in the military, in the police, we don’t have that... I only hear it in the media. I was just wondering... How do you define a loyalty check?” the chief executive said. Marcos later described the question about loyalty checks as “stupid.” n
Kennedy has not outlined an actual plan to replace the current process, but he is reportedly exploring if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a government agency, could do it instead. Absent reform, on it goes. Anthony Norton of Puyallup, Washington, took his 3-year-old daughter to a doctor this year because she had a bothersome plantar wart on her foot. The doctor applied a chemical ointment to the wart in the office every two weeks and covered it with a Band-Aid. When the child arrived for a third visit, Norton was informed he had an outstanding balance of
$465 (in addition to the $25 office visit copay already paid) because the application was “surgery.” CPT code 17110 again.
“It made no sense,” Norton later recalled. The billing office assured him it was surgery, he said, “because the ointment penetrates the skin.” Norton wondered: “When you extrapolate that, is putting on Neosporin or calamine surgery, too?”
We are now in an era in which a neurologist spending 40 minutes with a patient to tease out a diagnosis can be paid less for that time than a dermatologist spending a few seconds squirting a dollop of liquid nitrogen onto the skin.
Lai was so angry at being charged more than $400 to pull that splinter out of his child’s hand that he went on a crusade, returning to the dermatologist’s office when his calls were ignored, accusing it of fraud and threatening to complain to his insurer. Only then, he said, did the doctor’s office waive the surgical charge — and kick him and his family out of the practice. 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.
PAGE 3
LA City councilmember Ysabel Jurado Contributed photo
DAteline PhiliPPines
Pangilinan defends ‘selfie’ with Marcos
by aric John sy cua ManilaTimes.net
MANILA — Liberal Party (LP) Chairman Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan defended his presence at a concert in Malacañang over the weekend.
In an Instagram post by wife and veteran singeractress Sharon Cuneta on Sunday, December 15, Pangilinan took a "selfie" with Cuneta, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
The caption of the "Megastar" mentioned
memories with the Marcos family, after she was part of a concert in honor of members of the film industry, in preparation for the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival.
"When we arrived [Sunday night], I got the warmest hug from the FL [First Lady], like no time had passed! And then of course, the warmest, biggest hug from the President. With some side stories, just like old times! Thank you so much again, Mr. President and Madam First Lady!" she wrote on Sunday. In a statement, Pangilinan said he attended the concert
by niña Pauline arceo ManilaTimes.net
MONEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hit $3.42 billion in October, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Monday, 2.7 percent higher compared to the year-earlier $3.33 billion.
The amount was also higher than the $3.34 billion posted in September, but growth was the lowest in four months.
October's result, the BSP said in a statement, was driven by "remittances from both land-based and seabased workers."
It brought cumulative remittances for the 10 months of the year to $31.49 billion, 3.0 percent higher than the $30.57 billion
recorded in the comparable 2023 period.
Money sent home via banks alone totaled $3.08 billion in October, 2.7 percent up from $3.0 billion a year earlier and 2.3 percent higher compared to September's $3.01 billion. Year to date, cash remittances were 3.0 percent higher at $28.30 billion from $27.49 billion.
Cash remittance growth for the 10-month period was mainly due to inflows from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, the BSP said. By country source, the U.S. continued to account for the biggest share (41.2 percent), followed by Singapore (7.1 percent), Saudi Arabia (6.2 percent), Japan (4.9 percent)
supporting the country's film industry upon invitation of the Palace and accompanied his wife.
"I attended the concert in support of the local film industry upon the invitation of Malacañang and to accompany my wife, Sharon, considered by many as one of the pillars of the nation's film industry," he wrote on Tuesday.
The former senator said he thanked Malacañang for supporting Philippine cinema, just as he supported its decision in banning the operations of POGOs and its position over the West Philippine Sea.
"Showing up to support and appreciate the initiatives of Malacañang that we ourselves support and advocate does not mean we have abandoned our principles," Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan, who ran for vice president against Marcos' then running mate Sara Duterte in 2022, is running again in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections for senator. n
and the United Kingdom (4.8 percent).
Rounding out the top 10 were the UAE (4.3 percent), Canada (3.5 percent), Qatar (2.8 percent), Taiwan (2.8 percent) and South Korea (2.5 percent).
Sought for comment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said that higher remittances were expected as most OFWs had sent money back home for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
"For the coming months, single-digit/modest growth in OFW remittances could still continue as OFW families still need to cope up with relatively higher inflation locally that would require the sending of more remittances," he added. n
Mary Jane Veloso appeals
by Faith argosino Inquirer.net
MANILA — Mary Jane
Veloso, who was sent home after spending almost 15 years on death row in Indonesia for alleged drug trafficking, has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant her clemency.
In a short interview with the media on Wednesday, December 18, Veloso said she is very happy to return to the Philippines.
The commercial flight that brought her home a week before Christmas Day arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City at around 5:40 a.m.
“Napakasaya po nakauwi sa bansa natin,” Veloso told reporters at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
(I’m so happy to be back home.)
“Pakiusap ko sa Pangulo sana bigyan na niya ko ng
clemency,” she added. (I am appealing to the president to grant me clemency.)
Aside from Veloso’s request, a lawmaker filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to call on Marcos to grant Veloso clemency.
Clemency means the “conditional release of a prisoner from [the] correctional institution after serving the minimum period of prison sentence.”
The convoy transporting Veloso arrived at the CIW at around 7:06 a.m. Veloso will be mandatorily housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center of the CIW for a five-day quarantine and 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation, and initial security classification, the BuCor earlier disclosed.
Her return follows an agreement between Jakarta and Manila, which was announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs last November 19. Veloso was sentenced to death in October 2010 after she was caught carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia on April 25 of the same year. Veloso maintained she was unaware of the contents of her luggage as it was only handed to her by her recruiters, Julius Lacanilao and Maria Cristina Sergio. n
Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority
Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing
As required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Notice is hereby given that the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority will hold a Public Hearing to solicit comments on a significant amendment to the Housing Choice Voucher’s (HCV) Administrative Plan.
The Public Hearing will be held at: Howard Cannon Center Commission Chambers 340 North 11th Street Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm
The amendment will be available on Thursday, December 11, 2024, at all Public Housing Community Offices as well as in the main lobby area of SNRHA Administrative Offices located at: Howard Cannon Center – 340 North 11th Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Housing Programs Building – 380 North Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89101
The amendment will also be available on our website at www.snvrha.org
Welcome Page, scroll down to the Agency Plans section, click on “Click here for all Agency Plans” and scroll down to the pdf icon for this plan.
If you wish to comment on this amendment, require additional information, and/or need special accommodations, please call 702-477-3110.
Written comments will be accepted from December, 11, 2024, through Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 5:00 pm at the above addresses.
Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority
Significant Amendment to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Administrative Plan
SNRHA HCV Current Administrative Plan Language:
HUD permits the PHA to establish additional categories of low-income families that may be determined eligible. The additional categories must be consistent with the PHA and consolidated plans for local governments within the PHA’s jurisdiction. SNRHA has not established any additional categories of eligible low-income families.
SNRHA HCV Revised Language:
For projects with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), the SNRHA may designate a family as eligible at 60% AMI.
This language is a testament to our commitment to the community. It is intended to accommodate and lease the various redevelopment projects coming to fruition for SNRHA-owned projects. It also aims to prevent the displacement of existing families whose income may exceed the 50% AMI.
CHRISTMAS TRADITION. Colorful giant floats of the lantern parade converge in front of the Quezon Hall of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Wednesday, Dec. 18. It is an annual UP event that dates back to the 1920s. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Inquirer.net file photo
Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan ManilaTines.net file photo
OPiniOn FeAtures
End the export of Filipinos
PRESIDENT Marcos has a dream: to “make overseas work a choice rather than a necessity” one day.
Speaking at a ceremony in Malacañang last week to honor individuals and organizations for excelling in their fields and championing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the President cited reforms in governance and economic development that, he said, would provide Filipinos with more and better opportunities here.
But he also recognized that Filipino talents would continue to cross international borders in search of better-paying jobs. “Against this backdrop, the Philippines remains committed to ensuring that the rights and well-being of our overseas Filipinos and their families are safeguarded at all times, wherever they may be,” Mr. Marcos said.
And there’s the rub.
Cornerstone of economic policy
As dramatic as it sounds, it’s hard to take the president’s “dream” seriously when a cornerstone of his administration’s economic policy is precisely geared toward the exportation, or exploitation, of Filipino workers, whose remittances help keep the economy afloat. It’s even harder to appreciate his vision in the face of the realities that push our compatriots to seek greener pastures abroad.
As the think tank Migration Policy Institute (MPI) noted in an article published in January, the Philippines has relied on international migration as an economic engine since the enactment of the Labor Code under Presidential Decree No. 442, signed by Mr. Marcos’ late father and namesake in 1974.
That law explicitly mandates the government to “promote the overseas employment of Filipino workers through a comprehensive market promotion and development program,” and “to recruit
FOLLOWING the instructions of President Marcos, our team at the Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. is going full blast with our economic diplomacy efforts as we continue our engagements with U.S. legislators and government officials. In fact, we discussed this extensively during our strategic planning session with Philippine consuls general all across the United States, including Guam, on how we will be moving forward relative to the incoming Trump administration.
We see a number of opportunities in exploring potential joint ventures in various sectors between U.S. and Philippine investors. A very good example of a successful joint
and place workers for overseas employment on a government-to-government arrangement and in such other sectors as policy may dictate.”
It has been 50 years since the Labor Code was passed, and as the Philippines emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic that hindered migration globally, “the country is doubling down on its ambitions to serve as a provider of workers to the world,” the MPI said.
Another indicator of the government’s intentions to continue pursuing overseas employment was the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in December 2021.
10 million OFWs in 200 countries
Born from the ashes of multiple fragmented agencies, the DMW claims to protect OFWs and facilitate reintegration. But its very existence underscores an inherent contradiction at the center of the government’s policies on overseas employment: Instead of creating livelihood opportunities at home, the administration continues to institutionalize migration as a solution, reinforcing the unofficial labor export policy that began in the 1970s.
As a result of such a policy, an estimated 10 million Filipinos now live and work in more than 200 countries, many in temporary or irregular status, according to the MPI report. In 2022, more than 1.2 million OFWs were deployed, more than double the figure in 2020, when much of the world had closed its doors to migrant workers at the height of the pandemic.
Unfortunately, despite the president’s declaration, it’s unlikely that the government will turn its back on OFW remittances, which account for nearly 9
venture is Amber Kinetics, a global leader in the design and manufacture of long-duration flywheel energy storage systems. I recently visited their facility in Union City, California and was given a briefing on the company’s cutting-edge technology that provides safe, sustainable and reliable energy storage solutions for the modern grid.
Former country chairman of Shell in the Philippines Edgar Chua is the CEO of Amber Kinetics. During a tour of the facility, I spoke with chief technology officer and co-founder Dr. Seth Sanders, who said they are expanding operations in the Philippines where their innovation hub is located. Their facility in Batangas manufactures, assembles and tests flywheels, while their demo site is located at the De La Salle University in Laguna.
percent of the gross domestic product, in lieu of substantive reforms. Remittances soared to record levels in 2022, reaching $32.5 billion, providing a lifeline to an economy that is still recovering from pandemic shocks, the MPI report said.
Yet, this dependence on OFWs comes at a high cost.
Filipino workers are sent to war zones in the Middle East, caught in the crossfire among combatants, or become victims of illegal recruiters and traffickers, facing potential execution in countries where capital punishment is imposed. Mary
Jane Veloso, whose death sentence was commuted by Indonesia and who is set to be transferred to the Philippines, stands as a rare exception to the fate suffered by OFWs on death row abroad.
Preserving workers’ dignity
Such vulnerabilities are the natural consequence of a system that prioritizes dollar inflows over the safety and welfare
of the people. If the President truly aspires to redefine the future of Filipino labor, he must walk his talk by stopping the government’s reliance on labor export and fixing the structural weaknesses that drive migration: corruption, red tape, the patronage system, and government neglect.
Decades of dependence have created a vicious cycle where families invest heavily in education not to keep talent in the country but to export it, and where nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, and skilled workers are seen as commodities rather than valued pillars of society.
In the end, the president must transform his dream into a vow and a call to action. Ending the labor export policy is not just about economics—it is about preserving the dignity of Filipino workers. Above all, it is about proving to our people they hold the same potential to thrive at home as they do on foreign soil. (Inquirer.net)
Economic diplomacy
Amber Kinetics is a modest company, but it has huge potential because of the role it plays in global efforts to transition towards a clean energy future. It also has a significant role in advancing the Philippines’ renewable energy sector because its investment and innovation in energy storage are transforming the country’s energy landscape, driving sustainability and supporting our transition to a greener future.
Armscor Global Defense is another company that has joint ventures in the United States, with facilities in Nevada, Montana and Utah. This is an example of a quid pro quo business engagement since it will be beneficial to both the U.S. and the Philippines – which is how we are going to approach our economic diplomacy agenda with the Trump administration. These are the kinds of eco-
nomic activities that we want to see more of in the future, with joint ventures in various sectors that include semiconductors, digital, infrastructure and artificial intelligence. Our main thrust is economic diplomacy that would help the country achieve economic prosperity that can translate to economic security. To this end, there have been a lot of positive developments like the P1.25-billion partnership between Ramon Ang’s New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) and Manny Pangilinan’s Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to upgrade the power supply at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
This collaboration will ensure a reliable supply of electricity at NAIA and will “directly improve functionality, safety and the passenger experience, setting the foundation for a world class airport that every Filipino can
be proud of,” said NNIC President Ramon Ang. I have known Ramon for a long time, whom I fondly call “Don Ramon” considering how he has transformed San Miguel into what it is today. Our good friend, the late SMC chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, had great admiration for Ramon’s business acumen and his vision, and many would agree that without him, SMC would not be what it has become today –one of the biggest and most diversified conglomerates in the Philippines.
Enhancing power reliability at NAIA will help “empower the tourism and travel industry, support economic growth” and transform NAIA into a world-class facility, said Meralco chairman Manny Pangilinan.
I have said on several occasions that a stable and reliable supply of electricity is crucial
in attracting investors to sustain growth and transform the economy, and the country’s biggest private electric distribution company can help bring economic progress to many parts of the country.
As pointed out by Meralco senior vice president Arnel Casanova during a financial forum with The Monday Circle to discuss the economic and business landscape, a primary objective is to “make the Philippines competitive in the global economy, particularly in the context of becoming digital.” In terms of food security, for instance, power is needed for cold storage. In the area of health care, power is crucial for hospitals to operate very well, for quality of life to be better and for businesses to thrive.
The Philippines is really in a good place today, judging from the positive economic
Explaining Trump, Duterte and Marcos
power of great PR shines through in influencing voter perception and behavior.
DONALD Trump’s reelection against the backdrop of a record marred by criminal allegations and accusations of immorality can speak volumes for the powerful strategies and the messaging capacity to resonate with certain segments of the electorate. Reflecting elements of the Philippine political landscape, Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. both emerged victorious in previous elections despite controversial backgrounds and strong opposition. By examining the messaging, public relations tactics and socio-political contexts in each case, the
The power of a strong persona and identity politics Trump’s re-election, like the political successes of Duterte and Marcos in the Philippines, was dependent on a strong, unconventional persona that gained the support of a particular audience. The PR campaign that supported Trump, Duterte and Marcos all focused on themes of “toughness” and the ability to incite radical change. Even though each politician has tainted reputations, the person in question tended to get a certain “champion of the people” image across, one who would “stand up” to the elites, the status quo and the mainstream media.
In Trump’s case, his PR
strategy set the story that he was victimized and unfairly targeted by political foes. The campaign “swept under the rug” claims of criminal conduct and portrayed it as an effort to silence a populist leader.
Duterte, in the same vein, postured himself as an “outsider” who could take some fight against the “clash” system, more so with his populist anti-drug war advocacies. Similarly, Marcos Jr. deployed PR tactics to restore the reputation of the Marcos family by repositioning them as victims of politics and HIMSELF as a victor in a struggle for a reputation of “strong” leadership. In each of these three examples, each leader successfully positioned himself as an underdog
fighting for the “little guy,” which increased his appeal and eclipsed his negatives.
Control of narrative
The dominance over the media narrative is a critical factor that explains the electoral success of Trump, Duterte and Marcos. These leaders utilized a directto-audience approach on social media to circumvent traditional media channels. This style enabled them to communicate directly with their supporters, create or push counter-narratives, and discredit mainstream media as biased or out-of-touch.
Trump’s use of X, formerly Twitter, Duterte’s reliance on social media platforms and Marcos’s broad network of influencers on the internet all contributed to what had become an echo chamber
for their message, amplifying their messages and shutting them off from public criticism.
Duterte and Marcos used PR tactics that blurred lines between truth and propaganda very effectively.
Duterte’s infamous Facebookcentric campaign created a deluge of pro-administration content not only in promoting him as a “man of action” but also casting suspicion over mainstream media’s credibility. Marcos’ campaign utilized the social space to “rewrite” the Marcos regime narrative to frame his father’s rule as positive. This is similar to Trump’s re-election campaign, which exploited his “fake news” narrative to discredit negative coverage.
From a public relations perspective, controlling the narrative enabled
these leaders to create an “alternative reality” for their followers, in which criticism and allegations did not apply to them.
Appeal to emotions and national identity
A classic PR strategy that Trump, Duterte and Marcos utilized was the appeal to emotions, especially in terms of nationalism and identity.
Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan cleverly tapped into the disillusionment of globalization and demographic shifts with the promise of a nostalgic ideal of America that appealed to a great many voters.
Duterte presented his campaign as promising to “restore peace and order” by tapping into the fears
Quad committee seeks crimes against humanity raps vs Duterte, Bato, Bong Go
by gabriEl Pabico lalu Inquirer.net
MANILA
— The House of Representatives quad committee has recommended the filing of crimes against humanity complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte and his key allies for their role in the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the drug war.
During his sponsorship speech at the House session on Wednesday, December 15 quad committee lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep.
Robert Ace Barbers said the four panels are recommending charges against Duterte and the following individuals for violating Republic Act No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity:
“These actions underscore the progress achieved through our investigations in addressing systemic crimes and abuses. We have also recommended amendments to relevant laws […] these measures aim to strengthen our legal frameworks and ensure that such abuses and misdeeds are prevented in the future,” Barbers said.
Before Barbers revealed the quad committee’s recommendation, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo
Acop had summarized the 13 hearings conducted by the four panels as part of its progress report, saying they have uncovered tracks to a “grand criminal enterprise” with Duterte at the center.
Acop, overall vice chairperson of the quad committee, said Duterte and his trusted officials have figured in discussions in the hearing, even though his administration strongly advocated against crime and illegal drugs.
According to Acop, testimonies from individuals invited by the quad committee — like dismissed Police colonel Eduardo Acierto, former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban, ex-Customs broker Mark Taguba, and self-confessed Duterte hitman Arturo Lascañas — have pinpointed to a select group of individuals all with links to Duterte.
However, Acop pointed out that despite the war on drugs, individuals linked to the illegal drug trade who were deemed close to Duterte — like former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang — were not investigated thoroughly.
Acop said that instead of looking into Acierto’s report implicating Yang, Duterte chose to turn a blind eye to it and threatened Acierto.
Several of Duterte’s relatives and allies were subject
to the quad committee’s investigation into the illicit drug trade, extrajudicial killings, and illegal activities inside Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hubs.
For example, Duterte’s son Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte was accused by Guban and Taguba of being involved in smuggling, including the entry of shabu concealed in magnetic lifters in August 2018.
Taguba last December 13 said that Rep. Duterte heads the Davao group, which was responsible for smuggling operations in the Bureau of Customs.
INQUIRER.net had contacted Rep. Duterte’s office for his reaction on the issue, but his staffer said that the lawmaker would not issue a statement since he did not know Taguba.
Previously, Rep. Duterte also disputed Guban’s accusations against him being involved in the magnetic lifter scheme. According to the lawmaker, he did not know Guban and has never transacted with the former BOC official.
Yang’s name also floated as part of discussions of Pogos and illegal drugs. Duterte, however, told quad committee members in a previous hearing he would personally kill Yang if there was evidence linking him to the drug trade. n
Economic diplomacy
outlooks from international financial institutions like the World Bank that projects the economy growing at an average of six percent over the period from 2024 to 2026.
According to World Bank country director for the Philippines Zafer Mustafaoglu, “strong growth puts the country on a firmer footing to maintain gains in poverty reduction,” but warned about the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events like typhoons.
Knowing the economic impact of natural disasters, President Marcos has called on the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council, other concerned agencies and local government units to “develop innovative solutions” that are science-based, sustainable and future ready.
The Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), which is a partnership between the Philippines, Japan and the United States to develop infrastructure projects such as railways, port modernization and upgrades, semiconductor supply chains and others aimed at driving economic growth, is also attracting interest from countries like Australia, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom to participate in
development projects under the LEC. We have positive vibes and confidence that under the Trump administration, the economic relationship between the Philippines and the United States would be even better, since our focus on investments down the line is a two-way street – beneficial to both countries in the long run. (Philstar.com)
* * * 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.
* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Explaining Trump, Duterte...
associated with crime and drugs as embracing a strongman who would defend at all costs the people he serves. Marcos, by nostalgia for his father’s regime, framed the Marcos era as a “golden age” for the Philippines – a narrative that PR campaigns pushed in hopes to attract voters who are disillusioned by current political elites.
This appeal to national identity is particularly powerful because it extends beyond scandals and controversies the candidate might be involved in. A leader who is perceived as fighting for the “soul” of the nation or an idealized version of that country will have people blinded to personal failures. The PR tactic here is to elevate the candidate above personal qualities and place them within a bigger nationalistic narrative so criticisms can seem irrelevant or unpatriotic.
Strategic deployment of scapegoating and antisystem sentiment
A common denominator between the three – rump, Duterte and Marcos – is their exploitation of scapegoating for PR purposes. Trump blamed “the radical left,” the “deep state” and undocumented immigrants for America’s ailments, playing to fears and locking in
his voting base.
Duterte pointed to drug addicts and criminals. Marcos tapped into a deep-seated list of grievances against liberal democratic elites. By identifying enemies that were already unpopular or viewed with suspicion, they tapped into pre-existing prejudices and redirected voter anger.
This tactic creates a strong sense of “us vs them” among supporters, who see their candidate as the last defense against these perceived threats.
Distrust in the system has, in particular, become a potent PR strategy in recent years: the assertions of election fraud by Donald Trump and of media bias by Rodrigo Duterte echo classic campaign rhetoric of Ferdinand Marcos, which portrayed him as a victim of an unjust political order. The narratives were constantly hammered home by the PR teams to whip up support, cultivating a sense of collective victimhood among their followers and garbing their leaders with trappings of resistance.
Lessons in PR: Harnessing controversial but effective strategies
Furthermore, it has changed the concept of “truth” from the public’s point of view by deploying counternarratives and information flow control.
Here, the power of PR in influencing political discourse is palpable, also showing how a leader can use controversy as an instrument rather than an obstacle.
(Philstar.com)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*
* * Dr. Ron F. Jabal, APR, is the CEO of PAGEONE Group (www.pageonegroup. ph) (www.pageonegroup.ph) and the Founder and President of the Reputation Management Association of the Philippines (www.rmap.org.ph). Please correspond to ron.jabal@pageone.ph or rfjabal@ gmail.com.
The reelection of leaders like Trump, Duterte and Marcos illustrates that PR campaigns, particularly when accompanied by social media, can be effective in shaping popular perception. A lesson for political PR practitioners is that winning is not tantamount to a perfect reputation. It is winning and holding onto a strong, memorable brand. Both of these leaders employed controversial strategies that polarized voters, but their populist, nationalist and antiinstitutional narratives proved more compelling than the voices warning about moral or legal issues.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Malacañang file photo
VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL
Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo open to showbiz opportunities Pia Wurtzbach,
by Armin P. AdinA Inquirer.net
CHELSEA Manalo revealed that a lot of doors have opened for her after being proclaimed as the first-ever Miss Universe Asia at the recently concluded 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.
The 25-year-old tourism management graduate from De La Salle-Araneta University has been modeling professionally since she was a teenager, and now she could embark on a career outside the fashion industry.
“Maraming pumapasok na (I have been receiving so many) opportunities like showbiz, hosting, modeling international, theater, singer, so marami (there are a lot),” she told INQUIRER. net in a sit-down interview after her homecoming press conference mounted by Bingo Plus at the Empire Studio at Estancia Mall in Pasig City on Saturday afternoon, December 14.
“La Bulakenya” faced journalists and online content creators five days since coming back from Los Angeles, California, in the United States, where she stayed for a little while after the international competition in Mexico, to
My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
I GOT randomly the innocent opinions of eight kids of Christmas (December 25) by asking two questions: (1) How do you spend your Christmas? and (2) What is your idea of Christmas? Here are the kids’ replies: Kian Co, 11, Grade 5, who is part of the cast of Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Espantaho”: (1) “We’ll be going to the church, then we’ll eat outside and later my mother and I will go to the cinema to watch a movie.” (2) “For me Christmas is the birthday of Papa Jesus so we’ve to visit Him in the church with our family.”
Elia Ilano, 14, Grade 9, is this year’s FAMAS best child actress: (1) “I spend my Christmas with my family and loved ones po. Usually, we go out of town before Christmas but on Christmas Eve we spend it in the house after going to Mass. On Christmas Day, we go to my grandmothers’ houses... I prefer to spend Christmas with the most important persons in my life.” (2) “My idea of Christmas is spreading kindness, continuing our family tradition and a moment of gratitude. It is a time to share your blessings to others, to be with my loved ones on this very special day and a time where we reflect
relax and catch up with family and friends.
Manalo also shared that she would still want to continue working with the Miss Universe Philippines organization (MUPH) “on the advocacy that is close to my heart, which are the youth.”
The first black woman to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe finds her new international title as an honor.
“It is dream come true [that] I will forever treasure. It goes not just to me, but I am extending this beyond, to each and every Filipino and women,” Manalo said. She also profusely thanked everyone who supported her in her journey to the Miss Universe pageant, which
has been transformational for her personally.
“I think I have already become that woman that has brought that power and influence for so many women. You can dream much more than just Miss Universe,” she shared.
When asked how different is the Chelsea Manalo now from the person who got on the plane to Mexico in late October, she said:
“She is strong-willed, more powerful. She already knows how to navigate challenges in her life. Now she is becoming a person who has so much influence and opportunity that she can extend too.”
She is confident that her title as Miss Universe Asia
Zig Dulay among 2024 TOYM awardees
by JessicA Ann evAngelistA Inquirer.net
BEAUTY queen Pia
Wurtzbach and director Zig Dulay have been announced as among the recipients of the 2024 The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards.
During the announcement ceremony in Quezon City on Sunday, December 15, Wurtzbach was named as one of this year’s TOYM awardees for her noteworthy contributions to humanitarian service and social work.
Since winning the Miss Universe 2015 title, the beauty queen-actress has been actively involved in humanitarian work, speaking out against cyberbullying and supporting people living with HIV.
Meanwhile, Dulay was recognized for his remarkable contributions to arts and culture for film and television. He is known for his work in the award-winning film “Firefly” and series “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”
Aside from Wurtzbach and Dulay, the other eight exemplary Filipinos who have just been named the newest recipients of the prestigious TOYM awards are as follows:
• Jenica Beatriz DizonMountford (Humanitarian
Christmas in the eyes of 8 children
and thank God for everything He gave us po.”
Natalia Rosen D. Orsal, 9, Grade 3, is the daughter of photographer-writer Noel Benesisto Orsal: (1) “My family and I always spend it in my aunt’s house in Bulacan. We buy gifts for each other, play games, and sing along. My cousins and I also play with our new gifts.” (2) “Big Christmas tree with lots of ornaments, gifts under the tree, and lots of decorations around the house. The birthday of Jesus. Lots of food. And baby Jesus in the manger.”
Sofia D. Mendoza, 8, Grade 3, is the granddaughter of Oly delos Santos, wife of the late PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Napoleon delos Santos Jr.: (1) “Open gifts, play and pray.” (2) “Sleep, go to church, eat... I am just a kid. I don’t know so much about the world.”
Lowella Jamima D. Gonzales, 13, is a Grade 8 student at St. Paul College Paranaque: (1) “I spend my Christmas with family and friends.” (2)
“My idea of Christmas is the season of giving, it’s the time to be with your loved ones. It is also the time to give back and be thankful for the blessings God gave us.”
Mark Deniz Cansino, 13, Grade 8, is a Philstagers actor: (1) “I spend Christmas with my family.” (2) “Experience the magic of Christmas.”
Sheanne Marie Faye Pedroso, 8, Grade 3, is the daughter of Salvie Collado Paparon, golden awardee of the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award: (1) “I spend Christmas at home with my family.” (2) “Giving gifts and feasts.”
Allysa Domilyn Aquino, 12, is a leukemia patient from Pangasinan: (1) “I spend my Christmas with my family.” (2) “To have food as long as we’re together, to play games with cash prizes of P10 or P20 or biscuits and candies, and to sing and pray since it’s the birthday of Jesus.”
* * * For Chino Hansel Philyang, author of 18 books on children, this is his Christmas viewpoint on the two questions above: (1) “I spend Christmas as a time for meaningful connections and as acts of kindness. Apart from celebrating with family and friends, I dedicate part of the season to bringing joy to children through the gift of books. Visiting communities, schools, or charities to share storybooks has become a cherished tradition. There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing a child’s face light up when they receive a book — a gateway to imagination, learning, and inspiration. This act not only spreads joy
Service and Social Work)
• Billie Crystal Dumaliang (Environmental Leadership and Community Development)
• Roscinto Ian Lumbres (Forestry, Agriculture, and Other Applied Sciences)
• Venazir Martinez (Arts and Culture)
• Jose Gabriel Mejia (Arts and Culture)
• Pia Ranada (Journalism and Mass Communications)
• Dennis Umali (Veterinary Medicine)
• Brent Andrew Viray (Rural Medicine and Surgery).
Bienvenido Tantoco III, Chairman of the TOYM foundation, underscored that this year’s awardees have reached “high levels” in their respective fields.
“When I compare winners
from the past and the ones today, I see a few differences. In the past, which was maybe a more linear and binary world, it was enough to be excellent in one chosen field. The winners of this year have reached high levels of mastery include sometimes three chosen fields that on the surface look like these fields have no logical relationship with one another,” he said.
“With that, they need our encouragement to stay on their path. They need an extra boost to continue to be on purpose and also on character,” the chairman added.
Since its inception in 1959, TOYM annually honors Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 40 who have made significant contributions to their field and community.
but also plants the seeds of knowledge and creativity in young minds.” (2) “For me, Christmas is about embodying the spirit of generosity, love, and hope. It’s a season to reflect on what truly matters and find ways to touch the lives of others, especially children. Gifting books during this time symbolizes more than just a present — it’s a gift of opportunities, dreams, and empowerment. Books can transport children to faraway lands, teach them about different cultures, and inspire them to achieve their goals. By giving books, we’re not only spreading holiday cheer but also leaving a lasting impact that resonates far beyond the season. Christmas becomes a celebration of stories — both shared and created — that enrich lives and nurture the next generation.”
* * * Camille Coronel-Ong’s education at De La Salle College of St. Benilde has equipped her with the necessary skills to become a better person with a clear purpose and a drive to spread positivity in her endeavors. The school has instilled in her an open-minded approach towards life, enabling her to view situations from various angles and make well-informed choices.
“The diverse learning op-
portunities at Benilde have exposed me to a multitude of ideas, beliefs, and cultures, expanding my knowledge and understanding of the world and its diverse population. Through my education at Benilde, I have developed into a responsible and respectful individual, valuing the perspectives of others,” she told this writer.
Camille took Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management major in Culinary Arts. “My time in college was truly memorable and among the happiest days of my life... Whenever our class gets cancelled, we would often head to Tagaytay to relax and unwind. I feel incredibly fortunate to have formed strong bonds with some of my friends during college. Most of them are now living abroad, pursuing their studies or careers, yet we remain in touch,” she revealed. She could not forget her prof, Chef Anton Gomez, who imparted culinary knowledge and life lessons: “Even after our classes, he
would take the time to talk to me and my boyfriend (who is now her husband) about being wise in life. I heard he left Benilde and is now teaching in Madrid.”
Another prof is Chef Joel Erfe (“He had a way of making our classes enjoyable and uplifting, always reminding us to focus on the good things in life.”). Lastly, Chef Sabrina Gan who supported her during her internship in Italy. She studied Italian Food Style Education in Turin, Italy and had her internship in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Isola d’ Asti, Italy. After college, she started as a baker and later became a sous chef in a known steakhouse restaurant. Now she is running her own cake business, “Tsokoñata,” known for its chocolate piñata cake in the Philippines.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
Rogelio Constantino medina
Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo Inquirer.net photo by Armin Adina
Pia Wurtzbach and Zig Dulay (right) are among 2024 TOYM awardees. Inquirer.net photo
Kian Co with Judy Ann Santos in a movie poster for “Espantaho.”
Chino Hansel Philyang, a writer of children’s books Camille and Christian Ong
Sisters Sheanne and Michaela in a New York City Times Square billboard (left photo); Sheanne Pedroso (right photo) Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
From left: Luis Jaime, mom Lheng, Lowella (with flowers) and Lara
From left: Stephenie Anne, Mark Deniz, Princess Denisse and mom Christina
Common colds, Flu, RSV, COVID-19, holiday diarrheas and accidents at home and on the streets are some common conditions/events to expect during the holidays 2024.
If confirmed, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, will face a massive task he has assigned himself, to “Make America Healthy Again.”
One of those, I hope, is to strictly monitor the trilliondollar industry on vitaminsminerals, food supplements, fruit and vegetables capsules, herbal drugs, brain meds for memory, as to their actual need, medical indication, effective amount, efficacy, side-effects and complications. Currently, the unsuspecting public is being victimized by deceptive greedy entrepreneurs.
What is Christmas Blues?\
Christmas Blues is a form of mild depression (called Seasonal Affective Disorders, or SAD for short) that happens to some of us, normal and healthy people, during the Christmas season or other festive family occasions.
Empty nest syndrome, where the grown up or married children have left home, creating an empty and lonely feeling in the parents, especially the mothers, is one such type of emotion that is magnified by family occasions like Christmas, New Year, birthdays, etc. Frequent visits from the children or family reunions during the holidays minimize these “blues” and provide a sense of parental security and happiness, especially among the elderly parents. The other common cause of this extreme sadness is poor financial situation in life, where self-pity, panic, a sense of hopelessness and helplessness prevail especially on a holiday like Christmas.
Is guilt more common at Christmastime?
Yes, somehow this season of the birth of Christ, according to psychologists, brings out in most of us our good and better qualities, such as a more youthful exuberance, honesty, sincerity, compassion and humanity. During this season, many of us become more critical of ourselves and our past actions (sins of omission or commission against our parents, siblings or friends, or our less privileged fellowmen) and hence the feeling of guilt is more common on this holiday, and also a contributing factor to Christmas Blues.
What is Christmas
Christmas health issues Fil-Am rapper MBNel
Disease?
This name does not have anything to do with the Christmas season. Christmas Disease is a blood disease, also known as Hemophilia B or factor IX hemophilia. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to deficiency in coagulation factor IX. This condition is X-linked recessive inheritance, affecting only males, and occurs in 1 in 100,000 male births. This illness causes spontaneous bleeding in the joints.
What is the shelf life of food?
Different types of food have different “spoilage time,” especially at room temperature. Refrigeration extends it 5 days max. Fish, processed meat, cream-filled pastries, custards, fruits salads, noodles (pancit), food cooked with tomatoes provide good media for bacterial growth after more than 6 hours out of refrigeration, depending on how warm the ambient temperature is. Some dishes, like adobo or paksiw could last for even a week in room temperature without spoiling, unless contaminated by handlers. The prudent thing to do is to refrigerate the leftovers as soon as the meal is completed. Those who do not have a refrigerator should not cover the food airtight, since this will not allow the food “to breathe” and would tend to increase the heat and pressure, leading to a much shorter “spoilage time.” If using a plastic wrap, poke a few holes on it to allow for better ventilation. Keep the food in an ice box or in the coldest part of the house and eat it within 24 hours. Do wines or beer prevent diarrhea?
To a little extent, yes, alcoholic drink “sterilizes” the stomach, but the dose of the enterotoxins determines the potential seriousness of the condition. Imbibing alcoholic drinks during a (contaminated) meal does not confer guaranteed immunity from these bacterial or parasitic diarrhea. The low alcohol content of all these drinks is not enough to fully “sterilize” our gastrointestinal tract.
What is Chinese Food Syndrome?
This condition could sometimes mimic a heart attack. For some people, it causes chest pains, headache, facial pressure and warmth, and burning sensations throughout the body, sometimes with dizziness or fainting. This phenomenon is a pharmacologic reaction to monosodium glutamate (MSG or betsin), a popular white powder food seasoning used in cooking. The symptoms are not really due to an allergic reaction but an individual response.
Most people are not bothered by MSG, but a small percentage react to it more.
Although death is very rare with this syndrome, a heart surgeon classmate of mine, who was attending a meeting in Nice, France, several years ago, had so violent a reaction after ingesting Chinese food with monosodium glutamate that he died within an hour thereafter. (They had asked the waiter to tell the chef, “No MSG” when they ordered. Language problem?) Unfortunately, too, he and his wife did not have Epipen with them.
What is Holiday Heart Syndrome?
Prevalent during holidays, this symptom complex is mainly characterized by cardiac arrythmias (heart rhythm irregularity), mostly due to alcoholic binges. The excitement brought on by the festivities and ingestion of a lot of caffeine (coffee, chocolate, cola drinks) during the holidays could also play a role in this syndrome.
On this sacred season, there is nothing more hurtful than being forgotten, neglected, or abandoned, especially our elders, friends or family, who are far from us. Let’s make sure they know we are thinking of them, we love, value, and miss them. That’s the best gift we could give them, not found in stores, but plenty in our heart. That will warm them during the winter of their life.
Here's wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Christmas and a New Year blessed with love, good health, cheers, prosperity, and peace. Let’s all pray for understanding, compassion, forgiveness, and serenity around the world.
* * * 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.
Maris Racal starrer ‘Sunshine’ to make US premiere
by lykA nicArt Philstar.com
MARIS Racal’s film
“Sunshine” about teen pregnancy has been selected to be part of the U.S.-based Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF).
Palm Springs International Film Festival has been described as a prestigious event that showcases international and independent films, and is often referred to as “first stop on the road to the Academy Awards.”
Maris Racal plays the titular character, a young rhythmic gymnast who is bound for the national team. However, days before tryouts, Sunshine discovers she is pregnant. Philstar.com photos
FIL-AM rapper MBNel showed what it’s like to be a popstar in his latest single Popstar, the music video of which was filmed around Manila.
“I was just in the studio. I was just having fun with it. And as far as the video, I just wanted to show a little bit of this turned-up lifestyle just to switch up the mood and the vibes of the music. The song was just a vibe, what happened to be the mood in the studio. And when I made that, I just wanted to switch it up from the last couple drops that I had,” he told The STAR in a virtual chat.
For MBNel, being a popstar and a rap star is almost the same thing, the only difference is the genre of music. “As far as the lifestyle and, you know, just living life and turning up and living spontaneous. You know what I’m saying? It’s just how I see it. But to each his own though, everyone has a different opinion. That’s just mine,” he explained.
Interestingly, MBNel didn’t even sit down to write the freestyle track. “I just went in there and freestyled on the mic. Probably like 20 minutes or something like that. And that’s just how I was feeling that day when I made it,” he offered.
He made the music video along the streets of Makati and Mandaluyong, the same day that he shot Ashtray, which featured the Pinoy rap trio O Side Mafia.
“That same day I was shooting the Ashtray that I did with O Side Mafia. So, after I got done shooting that, we were like, just change your outfit and just shoot
some more. And we can just go around somewhere and shoot some more,” he recalled.
“So, I just wanted to knock out multiple stuff at once. So, I just shot. I ended up shooting Popstar right after that. And then just the vibe of the beat and everything kind of gave me like this Southeast Asian vibe. So, I was like, that was the reason why I wanted to do that song. I didn’t do the song. I didn’t record the song in the Philippines, but I felt like it matched it just because the vibe of the instruments and everything.”
He had fun filming and described the experience as “doped.” “Pretty much the video was super spontaneous. We just started shooting and I guess we were exploring the P. Burgos Street, just walking around the street. And I just told the cameraman, just follow us and I’ll just do a
scene on the street as I’m walking. So, that was doped because a lot of people were just like, ‘Oh, look at them.’ And it was fun.”
MBNel is currently working on album which will feature some songs that he churned out in the Philippines.
Just this year, he performed in Cebu’s Sinulog Festival, in Manila, and in his dad’s hometown in Siquijor. He will soon drop an EP or mixtape featuring Filipino artists. “I got more music on the way. I’m definitely going to do more that’s in the lines with the culture and collaborating with more artists from out there,” he said.
MBNel’s previous singles include Ghost 2 and Just Like Me which were also filmed in Manila.
Popstar by MBNel is out now on digital streaming platforms.
Sharon Cuneta, Kiko Pangilinan bond with Bongbong Marcos, wife at Malacañang concert
Megastar calls BBM ‘my favorite in their family’
by HAnnAH mAllorcA Inquirer.net
POLITICS took a backseat at the annual “Konsyerto sa Palasyo” where Sharon Cuneta and her husband, former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, were among the guests of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in Malacañanang on Sunday night, December 15.
The fifth concert edition was held at the historic Kalayaan Grounds, coinciding with the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) where some celebrities whose films are participating in the festival took to the stage and were honored.
Cuneta shared their interaction with the Marcoses on her Instagram page, saying it was an event filled with “nothing but love and other friends.” She also recalled some of her unforgettable memories when she was in Malacañang, saying it was the place where she saw a disco “for the very first time,” and saw then visiting Pope Paul VI, among other memories.
“When we arrived tonight, I got the warmest hug from the FL (Araneta-Marcos), like no time had passed! And then, of course, the warmest, biggest hug from the president. With some side kwento (stories), just like old times!
Thank you so much again, Mr. President and Madam First Lady,” she said. She further said that Marcos has always been her “favorite in their family.” Marcos and Pangilinan — who is seeking reelection in the 2025 mid-term polls — came from two opposing political camps in the 2022 presidential elections, where the latter ran for vice president, losing to Sara Duterte-Carpio. Marcos and Duterte eventually won an overwhelming lead over Pangilinan and his presidential running mate, Leni Robredo.
Celebrating the 50th MMFF
Other celebrities who graced the event were Vice Ganda, Gladys Reyes, Kokoy de Santos, Francine Diaz,
Seth Fedelin, Ruru Madrid, Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, and Sylvia Sanchez. Also invited to the star-studded concert were Julia Barretto, Enrique Gil, Lorna Tolentino, JC Santos, Chanda Romero, and Aicelle Santos.
The 50th edition of the MMFF will be held from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2025, with 10 competing entries, namely, “And the Breadwinner Is…,” “Green Bones,” “Uninvited,” “Espantaho,” “The Kingdom,” “My Future You,” “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” “Topakk,” “Isang Himala,” and “Hold Me Close.”
One of its most awaited segments include the Parade of Stars which will be held in Manila on December 21.
Producer Project 8 Projects made the announcement in a recent Instagram post, proudly writing, “Sunshine goes to the U.S.!” Helmed by Antonette Jadaone, “Sunshine” will be screened under the film festival’s World Cinema Now section in January 2025. The film tackles sociomoral issues such as unwanted pregnancy, illegal abortion and the struggles of local athletes aspiring to join prestigious competitions like the Olympics. According to the synopsis, Maris plays the titular character, a young rhythmic gymnast who is bound for the national team. However, days before tryouts, Sunshine discovers she is pregnant.
“Sunshine” previously made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September and received nomination at Best Youth Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in October.
“On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, Sunshine meets a mysterious girl who eerily thinks and talks like her,” said the film’s synopsis.
The news comes after Maris made showbiz headlines in a “cheating” controversy involving loveteam partner Anthony Jennings. The onscreen partners have since issued statements of apology.
by JAn milo severo Philstar.com
ACTRESS Rufa Mae Quinto's husband Trevor Magallanes revealed that they are in the process of getting divorced.
In his Instagram story, Trevor said that he needs to explain the status of his marriage with Rufa.
"Hey guys, I felt like I need to explain myself based on social media and all that. I want to make myself clear that Rufa Mae and I are in the process of a divorce," he said. "You may be aware that divorce can be very devastating to the children but also to the parents. That said, my marriage has been a s*** show and I am sorry for that," he added.
Fil-Am rapper MBNel roamed around Manila during the filming of the music video of his latest single Popstar. Photo from Instagram/@nellynelmb
by cHArmie Joy PAgulong Philstar.com
Rufa Mae and Trevor Magallanes Philstar.com photo
(From left) Kiko Pangilinan, President Bongbong Marcos, Liza AranetaMarcos, and Sharon Cuneta during the 5th “Konsyerto sa Palasyo.” Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
Trevor said that he wanted to spend more time with their daughter Athena after the divorce. "All that matters to me at
this time is getting through the divorce as best as I can and spending time with Athena. Happy holidays!" he wrote.
