Marcos review of 2025 budget almost done
by Helen Flores Philstar.com
budget bill for 2025 on Dec. 30.
“Almost done. And the budget message too,” Presidential Communications office secretary
Cesar Chavez told reporters on friday, December 27 when asked for updates on the ongoing review of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), ratified by Congress on Dec. 11.
the budget message usually contains the president’s explanation of any changes made to the Congress-approved appropriations.
WhICh administration helped 3.5 million people complete the citizenship process, more than any other administration in history, issuing 4.3 million green cards for permanent residency? Which administration restored refugee admissions slashed by the previous president, expanding pathways for legal immigration to ease border pressures, while doubling the length of work authorizations for foreign nationals. And which administration granted temporary legal status to the highest number of immigrants in recent history? the answer, surprisingly to many Americans and even to immigrants, is President Joe Biden.
Yet, when people think of Biden’s record
How America lost control of the bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic
KeIth Poulsen’s jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy expo in Wisconsin in october.
A livestock veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin, Poulsen had seen sick cows before, with their noses dripping and udders slack. But the scale of the farmers’ efforts to treat the sick cows stunned him. they showed videos of systems they built to hydrate hundreds of cattle at once. In 14-hour shifts, dairy workers pumped gallons of electrolyte-rich fluids into ailing cows through metal tubes inserted into the esophagus.
“It was like watching a field hospital on an active battlefront treating hundreds of wounded soldiers,” he said.
Nearly a year into the first outbreak of the bird flu among cattle, the virus shows no sign of slowing. the U.s. government failed to
marcos delayed the enactment of the 2025 spending bill following calls for scrapping of items considered unconstitutional, including the inserted hefty increase in the funding for public works, which was bigger than that for education. the education sector must be given the highest budget priority under the Constitution. the GAB was initially scheduled to be signed by the president on Dec. 20. malacañang has assured the public that the 2025 budget would be compliant with the Constitution. executive secretary Lucas Bersamin on thursday said the president and his Cabinet would thoroughly review the GAA “with or without the calls... to make them conform to the Constitution, and to
mANILA — surigao del Norte rep. robert Ace Barbers assailed China for “meddling” in the Philippine government’s plans to acquire military armaments from the United states, urging his fellow lawmakers in the house of representatives and the senate to denounce China’s remarks.
In a statement, Barbers maintained that China and its leaders have no business meddling in what the Philippine government does or wants to do in its effort to upgrade and accelerate its military
capability. the filipino people, including senators and congressmen, should rally and voice out their support to secretary Gibo teodoro for standing up against the whims and caprices of the China government and its leaders,” said Barbers. sobra nang pakikialam ang ginagawa ng China sa ating bansa at dapat magkaisa at sama-sama tayong lahat na filipino na pigilin at tuligsain ang kanilang mga makasariling layunin sa loob at labas ng bansa, partikular na sa West Philippine sea,” he added. (china is interfering in our country too much, and
all of us Filipinos must unite and together stop and denounce their selfish goals both within and outside the country, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.) the Chinese embassy in the Philippines had criticized Defense chief Gilberto teodoro Jr., accusing him of “smearing” and “maliciously attacking” the Communist Party of China (CPC) and saying these run counter to President Bongbong marcos Jr.’s instruction to deescalate maritime tensions. the embassy’s condemnation came after teodoro maintained that the Philippines has a right to u PAGE A2
mANILA — As 2025 approaches, the number of filipinos feeling hopeful about the new year has dropped to 90 percent, marking a decline from last year and the lowest level recorded since 2009.
Based on the social Weather stations (sWs) survey conducted Dec. 12-18 and released friday, December 27, 10 percent of filipinos will enter the New Year with “fear,” up by seven decimal points from three percent in 2023. It is also the highest rate since the 11 percent logged in 2009. the number of filipinos who are optimistic
for New Year 2024 reached 96 percent, and for New Year 2010 hit 89 percent, according to sWs polls in 2023 and 2009, respectively. Another sWs survey showed that fewer adult filipinos expected a “happy” Christmas 2024. In the polls also conducted Dec. 12-18, 65 percent of of the 2,160 adult respondents expected a “happy” Christmas this year as 10 percent expected it to be “sad,” while 26 percent thought it would be “neither happy nor sad.”
In a similar survey last year, 73 percent of filipino adults anticipated a happy Christmas 2023. the latest sWs polling likewise indicated
the Commission on elections (Comelec) is confident that the 2025 midterm elections will be the most transparent and credible electoral exercise in the country's history. the Comelec will be holding three elections in 2025. to be held alongside the national elections is the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous region in muslim mindanao (BArmm), while the Barangay and sangguniang Kabataan election (BsKe) will be in December. the commission started preparing for the 2025 polls in 2023 with the pre-bidding conference for the lease of new election technology.
Comelec Chairman George erwin Garcia said the shift from the vote counting machine (VCm) to a faster and modern automatic
counting machine (ACm) was in response to criticism that the VCm was obsolete and no longer transparent enough. the fAstrAC (fully Automated system, transparent Audit and Count) features an upgraded optical mark reader (omr) paper-based automated election system (Aes) with direct recording electronic (Dre) capabilities. omr collects data by identifying markings on paper. It enables the processing of ballots, while the Dreis uses touch-screen terminals to record votes. Garcia described the ACm as a "hybridized" system whose hybrid feature was "inside the machine." he said that the 2025 polls would be far better in terms of electoral standards and integrity. the ACms will replace the more than
VICe President sara Duterte said she is tapping her father, former President rodrigo Duterte, as one of her lawyers for all the impeachment cases that were filed against her at the house of representatives. three impeachment suits were filed against the vice president, relating to the alleged misuse of confidential funds in the office of the Vice President and the Department of education, as well as threats she made against President ferdinand marcos Jr., first Lady Liza Araneta-marcos and speaker martin romualdez.
In an ambush interview in Davao City on Wednesday, December 25 after the traditional gift-giving of their family to their constituents, Duterte confirmed that the former president is preparing the documents to be submitted to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to be a "lawyer of good standing."
"What I understand is that he wants to be on board as collaborating counsel on all of my cases, including the impeachment cases," Duterte said in Bisaya. she said this was what they agreed to do, instead of giving her money to help her with the
Marcos review of 2025...
see to it that the budget prioritizes the main legacy thrusts of the administration.”
Bersamin said the president has been “most prudent in programming and spending of our limited fiscal resources.” marcos’ sister sen. Imee marcos was among those who criticized the spending bill passed by Congress. the senator had pointed out that the P1.113-trillion public works budget was higher than the overall P925-billion allocation for basic, higher and technical vocation education. the senator, who labeled the proposed budget as “very very bad,” stressed that the public works outlay should be slashed by at least P188 billion to make it compliant with the 1987 Constitution.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
LACmtA will receive proposals for oP91160(3)Graffiti Abatement services at the 9th floor receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract management Department, one Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. this project is a small Business enterprise (sBe) setAside contract. to participate in this rfP, proposers must be sBe certified with LACmtA prior to proposal due date. for information on the set-Aside Program, visit: https://business. metro.net/webcenter/ portal/VendorPortal/pages_ home/smallbusinesstools/ smallbusinessprimeprogram
All proposals must be received on or before 12:00 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 @ bids@metro.net or at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Annie Duong. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. for a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Annie Duong at duonga2@ metro.net.
12/28/24
CNs-3881556#
AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
former senate President Juan miguel Zubiri had also expressed hope that the concerns over the proposed 2025 budget would be addressed to prevent a possible legal challenge before the supreme Court that might force a reenactment of the budget.
30 bills meanwhile, the quad committee of the house of representatives will file 30 bills that it considers relevant to its investigations on extrajudicial killings (eJKs) as part of the war on drugs of the Duterte administration, as well as illegal operations of Philippine offshore and gaming operators (PoGos), quad comm chairman and surigao del Norte rep. robert Ace Barbers said on thursday, December 26. In an interview with teleradyo serbisyo, Barbers said one of the bills being readied is aimed at strengthening the country’s laws against criminal activities perpetrated by foreigners who manage to illegally obtain filipino citizenships and buy properties in the country.
Barbers said they have already filed five bills, including house Bill 10986 or an act classifying eJKs as a “heinous crime.” the quad comm has also filed hB 01987 or an act prohibiting all forms of PoGos in the country, hB 11043 or an act providing for a civil forfeiture in favor of the state any unlawfully acquired real estate properties by any foreign national, hB 11117 or an act providing for administrative cancellation of birth certificates registered through fraudulent means by foreign nationals and hB 10998 or an act punishing conspiracy and proposal to commit espionage.
In the interview, Barbers also lashed out at some groups and individuals who maligned the quad comm.
“It is easy for the critics, especially those who are paid to
destroy and create intrigue against the name of quad comm, its cochairs and members. they do not give attention and importance to the important findings of quad comm, like identifying filipino and Chinese involved in drug smuggling in our country, filipinos and foreigners who are giving protection to PoGos and other illegal activities, to the authorities who gave out protection and money to policemen who conducted eJKs that led to the deaths of over 30,000 people who are not given due process and justice,” he said.
“We have plenty of proposed amendments to our existing laws. for example, the PsA Act, the agency tasked to issue endorsement for an individual to have birth certificate. this agency has been widely used by those involved in illegal PoGos,” Barbers said, referring to the Philippine statistics Authority.
Barbers cited the case of former Bamban, tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who turned out to be a Chinese national named Guo hua Ping.
“many Chinese nationals, who turned out later to be members of criminal syndicates, managed to enter the country using filipino passports. some government agencies have been corrupted by these Chinese nationals, who obtained filipino identity and Philippine passport,” he said.
organized on Aug. 12, quad comm comprises four committees – dangerous drugs chaired by Barbers, public order and safety chaired by Laguna rep. Dan fernandez, human rights by manila rep. Benny Abante and public accounts by Abang Lingkod party-list rep. Joseph stephen Paduano.
the committees, through quad comm, aim to collectively examine and deliberate on the interrelated and complex issues related to eJKs, PoGos and illegal drugs.
In a 43-page report, the quad comm earlier recommended the filing of case for crimes against humanity against former President rodrigo Duterte, senators Bong Go and ronald dela rosa and several others.
the five others recommended by the quad comm for prosecution were former PNP chiefs oscar Albayalde and Debold sinas, former colonels royina Garma and edilberto Leonardo and Palace
u PAGE A4
Lawmaker: Filipinos must unite vs China’s...
allow the deployment of the United states missile system in the country despite China’s continuous opposition to it.
Barbers, for his part, emphasized that China’s warning that manila’s planned weapons upgrade could intensify geopolitical confrontations and trigger a regional arms race can
be labeled as “political bullsh*t,” considering that China is actively planning for world domination by significantly upgrading its military hardware and technology.
“Anong pakialam ng CPC kung magdala ang U.s. ng typhoon missile system sa Pilipinas para sa joint U.s.-Ph military exercises. Nakikialam ba tayo pag nagho-hold and China ng
VP Duterte taps dad as impeachment...
costs of her legal defense.
she also said that her lawyers are now doing an inventory of all the cases based on interviews and on what they heard in the media, as well as from different agencies and the hearings at the house of representatives, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. Duterte denied any wrongdoing.
"I am confident that I did not break any law, I did not do anything illegal, but as we see right now, there is no rule of law. so we will face all cases that were filed against us," Duterte said.
the makabayan bloc of lawmakers in the house, one of the sponsors of the impeachment cases against the vice president, assailed the plan to have her father lawyer for her as "a desperate political maneuver" to evade accountability for her misuse of confidential funds.
"Instead of directly answering the questions on the misuse of confidential funds, she is hiding [behind] her father. this is clearly a desperate attempt to rally political support following her declining satisfaction ratings," ACt teachers rep. france Castro said.
Kabataan Party-list rep. raoul manuel added that the fatherdaughter legal team-up would be a "political spectacle."
Without providing details, the vice president said her office would continue its work despite having its budget cut. the bicameral conference committee is slated to give the oVP a budget of P733 million in 2025, comparable to the 2022 budget given to former Vice President Leni robredo before she stepped down.
"We at the office of the Vice President continue our service to our countrymen, and we will assure that we will strengthen it for our fellow filipinos," Duterte said.
In an earlier press briefing, Duterte said that the oVP may remove some of its projects to compensate for the budget cut that Congress approved. meanwhile, the house quad committee said its series of hearings on the links of Philippine offshore gaming operations (PoGos), illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings said that it has filed five initial measures to address urgent flaws and gaps in the country's legal framework on these issues.
In a statement on thursday, December 26, the panel's lead chairman, surigao del Norte rep. robert Ace Barbers, said that the bills were house Bill 10986 – Classifying and penalizing extra-judicial killings as a heinous crime, while providing reparations for the victims; house Bill 10987 – Prohibiting
all forms of offshore gaming operations in the country, with severe penalties for violations; house Bill 11043 – Allowing civil forfeiture of unlawfully acquired real estate properties by foreign nationals; house Bill 11117 –Providing for the administrative cancellation of birth certificates fraudulently obtained by foreign nationals, and house Bill 10998 – Punishing conspiracy and proposal to commit espionage. Barbers added that the panel has also recommended at least 30 amendments intended to strengthen some existing laws and ensure that certain abuses and misdeeds in the past are prevented from happening again. "out of the series of hearings conducted by quad com, lawmakers and the public were informed and enlightened on how criminals and unscrupulous individuals or groups managed to use the flaws, loopholes and weaknesses on some of our existing laws, in the furtherance of their criminal activities," Barbers said. he said local and foreign syndicates used the weaknesses and loopholes of Philippine laws to conduct their illegal businesses in the country. the house quad committee is composed of the house Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public order and safety, human rights, and Public Accounts. n
How America lost control of the bird flu...
eliminate the virus on dairy farms when it was confined to a handful of states, by quickly identifying infected cows and taking measures to keep their infections from spreading. Now at least 875 herds across 16 states have tested positive. experts say they have lost faith in the government’s ability to contain the outbreak.
“We are in a terrible situation and going into a worse situation,” said Angela rasmussen, a virologist at the University of saskatchewan in Canada. “I don’t know if the bird flu will become a pandemic, but if it does, we are screwed.”
to understand how the bird flu got out of hand, Kff health News interviewed nearly 70 government officials, farmers and farmworkers, and researchers with expertise in virology, pandemics, veterinary medicine, and more. together with emails obtained from local health departments through public records requests, this investigation revealed key problems, including deference to the farm industry, eroded public health budgets, neglect for the safety of agriculture workers, and the sluggish pace of federal interventions.
Case in point: the U.s Department of Agriculture this month announced a federal order to test milk nationwide. researchers welcomed the news but said it should have happened months ago — before the virus was so entrenched.
“It’s disheartening to see so many of the same failures that emerged during the covid-19 crisis reemerge,” said tom Bollyky, director of the Global health Program at the Council on
foreign relations.
far more bird flu damage is inevitable, but the extent of it will be left to the trump administration and mother Nature. Already, the UsDA has funneled more than $1.7 billion into tamping down the bird flu on poultry farms since 2022, which includes reimbursing farmers who’ve had to cull their flocks, and more than $430 million into combating the bird flu on dairy farms. In coming years, the bird flu may cost billions of dollars more in expenses and losses.
Dairy industry experts say the virus kills roughly 2% to 5% of infected dairy cows and reduces a herd’s milk production by about 20%.
Worse, the outbreak poses the threat of a pandemic. more than 60 people in the U.s. have been infected, mainly by cows or poultry, but cases could skyrocket if the virus evolves to spread efficiently from person to person. And the recent news of a person critically ill in Louisiana with the bird flu shows that the virus can be dangerous.
Just a few mutations could allow the bird flu to spread between people. Because viruses mutate within human and animal bodies, each infection is like a pull of a slot machine lever. even if there’s only a 5% chance of a bird flu pandemic happening, we’re talking about a pandemic that probably looks like 2020 or worse,” said tom Peacock, a bird flu researcher at the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom, referring to covid. “the U.s. knows the risk but hasn’t done anything to slow this down,” he added.
Beyond the bird flu, the federal government’s handling of the outbreak reveals cracks in the U.s
health security system that would allow other risky new pathogens to take root. “this virus may not be the one that takes off,” said maria Van Kerkhove, director of the emerging diseases group at the World health organization. “But this is a real fire exercise right now, and it demonstrates what needs to be improved.”
A slow start It may have been a grackle, a goose, or some other wild bird that infected a cow in northern texas. In february, the state’s dairy farmers took note when cows stopped making milk. they worked alongside veterinarians to figure out why. In less than two months, veterinary researchers identified the highly pathogenic h5N1 bird flu virus as the culprit. Long listed among pathogens with pandemic potential, the bird flu’s unprecedented spread among cows marked a worrying shift. It had evolved to thrive in animals that are more like people biologically than birds. After the UsDA announced the dairy outbreak on march 25, control shifted from farmers, veterinarians, and local officials to state and federal agencies. Collaboration disintegrated almost immediately.
farmers worried the government might block their milk sales or even demand sick cows be killed, as poultry are, said Kay russo, a livestock veterinarian in fort Collins, Colorado. Instead, russo and other veterinarians said, they were dismayed by inaction. the UsDA didn’t respond to their urgent requests to support studies on dairy farms — and for money and confidentiality policies to protect farmers from financial loss if they
Cerritos voter details: 2025 State and Municipal concurrent elections
CerrItos – Cerritos voters will soon have the opportunity to participate in separate elections at the state and City levels.
the recently called California state senate District 36 special Primary election will be conducted on tuesday, february 25, 2025. the next Cerritos General municipal election will take place on tuesday, march 4, 2025. Cerritos voters will receive separate ballots for each election, and should pay special attention to the completion and placement of vote-by-mail ballots in their appropriate envelopes. Important dates and information for both elections are as follows:
State Senate District 36 (Primary) | Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Registration Deadline: monday, february 10, 2025 to receive a vote-by-mail ballot*
Voting Period: monday, January 27 – tuesday, february 25, 2025
Voting Options:
• In-person voting at Don Knabe Regional Park, 19700 s. Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703
- 11-day vote center, scheduled to open saturday, february 15, 2025**
• In-person Election Day voting at The Way Out ministries, 22427 Norwalk Boulevard, hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716
- Vote center open election Day only, february 25, 2025**
• Vote-by-Mail Ballot Drop Box – No Postage required
- Accessible 24 hours per day, beginning monday, January 27, 2025
• Drop Box Locations:
- Cerritos Civic Center Plaza: 18125 Bloomfield Avenue
- Cerritos Park east: 13234 e. 166th street
- Cerritos Community College: 11110 Alondra Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650
- hawaiian Gardens City hall: 21815 Pioneer Boulevard, hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716
- Artesia Library: 18801 elaine Avenue, Artesia, CA 90701
- Alondra Library: 11949 Alondra Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650
- George Nye, Jr. Library: 6600 Del Amo Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90713
- CVs City sidewalk: 6510 south street, Lakewood, CA 90713
Ballots for the state senate District 36 election can be cast until 8 p.m. on tuesday, february 25, 2025. Voters are advised to carefully match the envelope with the Los Angeles County registrar of Voters logo and mailing address with the ballot for the state senate District 36 special Primary election.
*Conditional Voter registration Period: tuesday, february 11 – tuesday, february 25, 2025 During this period, an individual can “conditionally” register and vote provisionally at the County elections office, a satellite office, or vote center after the 15-day voter registration deadline.
**Vote center dates and locations are subject to change. Please visit lavote.gov for updated information.
Cerritos General Municipal Election | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 the next Cerritos General municipal election will take place on tuesday, march 4, 2025. the ballot will feature races for three Cerritos City Council seats, for full four-year terms, and two proposed Charter Amendment measures. each active, registered Cerritos voter will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for this election pursuant to state law. No return postage is required. Voters will have several options, including an in-person voting experience, to cast their ballots.
Registration Deadline: monday, february 17 to receive a vote-by-mail ballot
Voting Period: monday, february 3 – tuesday, march 4, 2025
Voting Options:
• In-person Voting at City Hall (Weekday):
- monday, february 3 – monday, march 3, 2025, during regular business hours, as posted
• In-person Voting at City Hall (Weekend):
- saturday, march 1 – sunday, march 2, 2025, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. election Day Voting
- tuesday, march 4, 2025, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• United States Postal Mail (USPS) – No Postage required
- return your completed vote-by-mail ballot through the UsPs Vote-by-mail Ballot Drop Box – No Postage required
- open 24 hours per day for the Cerritos General municipal election:
- monday, february 3, 2025
– tuesday, march 4, 2025, 8 p.m.
• Cerritos Drop Box Locations:
- Cerritos Civic Center Plaza: 18125 Bloomfield Avenue o Cerritos Park east: 13234 e. 166th street
Election Authority: City of Cerritos office of the City Clerk/elections official
Candidate names (with ballot designations) will be listed on the ballot in the order shown below. the alphabet order of candidates for City officers was randomly drawn by the secretary of state, per state law, and will be displayed in this order on the ballot: for member of the City Council – Vote for no more than three (3)
• Adrian Ayub, entrepreneur
• Jennifer Hong, businesswoman
• Hao (Ricky) Huynh, Information Technology technician
• Esther Hwang, Nonprofit program manager
• Riaz Surti, E-commerce businessman
• Mark E. Pulido, retired government executive
• Rocky Pavone, businessman/financial educator
• (Pat) Ashok Patnaik, banker
• “JC” Jignesh Chokshi, small business owner
• Sophia Tse, Member, ABCUSD Board of education/nurse
City of Cerritos voters will also decide two ballot measures on march 4, 2025 regarding modifications to generally clean up the City’s Charter and whether voters shall approve any future changes to the City’s General municipal election date. the questions on the march 4 ballot measures read as follows:
• Measure J
- shall the Cerritos City Charter be amended to require that voter approval must be obtained for any future change to the City’s general municipal election date, currently established as the first tuesday after the first monday in march of each odd-numbered year, and make conforming amendments to the start date of each City Council member’s term and selection date of the mayor, relating thereto?
• Measure K - shall the Cerritos City Charter be amended to remove or modify provisions based on superseding and preemptive state law, increase Citywide operational efficiency by eliminating references to outdated business practices, and correct grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
California cities are classified as either charter or general law. the City of Cerritos, a Charter City, is authorized to conduct standalone City elections by its Charter, the California state Constitution, and per recent case law, established by the California second District Court of Appeal decision in march, 2020. n
Marcos review of 2025...
aide herminia espino.
the former president and the others have been recommended for prosecution for violation of republic Act 9851, or the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes against humanity.” the law was enacted in 2009, or two years before the Philippines became a signatory to the rome statute of the International Criminal Court.
2025 target senate President francis escudero, for his part, said that while the chamber had passed 72 bills that got enacted, it is determined to pass pending relevant bills upon the resumption of session in January.
halfway through the third regular session of the 19th Congress, escudero said the senate is on track to be in its most productive year, with 72 bills already enacted into law.
“While challenging because of the start of the campaign for the 2025 elections and with the 19th Congress adjourning on June 14, 2025, the senate will make the most out of its remaining session days to continue giving the people the public service it deserves,” escudero said.
escudero said 44 of the bills had been transmitted to the President for his approval, including the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, while seven others are pending action at the bicameral conference committee level.
Under his leadership, escudero said the senate was able to focus
on its mandate of passing laws that would help the administration achieve its development plans, strengthen Philippine sovereignty, further enhance the viability of the country as an investment destination and improve the lives of many filipinos.
“We maximized each session day and leveraged every hour, minute and second on the senate floor. We passed 108 bills in total. of these, 72 reached the President’s desk and were signed into law, including 11 LeDAC priority measures,” escudero said.
escudero said many of these laws were the result of the inquiries conducted by the various committees of the senate, in aid of legislation.
“our hearings, probes and exposés did not merely serve dinner-table gossip for the people’s entertainment. these brought to the table a bounty of bills that will fill plates, sustain families and nourish filipinos for generations to come,” the senate president said.
one controversial and high profile senate investigations was on crimes linked to PoGos, including scamming and human trafficking.
escudero credited the accomplishments of the senate to his colleagues and all the staff and employees.
“I know that we have spent a lot of time and done much work for the sake of our country and countrymen. And I hope our countrymen will not forget this,” the senate president said.
“Indeed, in the past year, we
Comelec vows most transparent, credible...
97,000 VCms that Comelec used in the 2016, 2019 and 2022 elections. the VCms were bought from technology provider smartmatic Corp. in 2013. the counting machines were refurbished for the 2022 presidential polls, but many encountered problems right at the start of the voting process.
the new machines will be provided by miru systems of south Korea, which won the P17.9-billion contract for the lease of 110,000 ACms.
the contract covered 19 terms of reference (tor), which serves as a guide to the winning bidder on the kind of system that the Comelec needs in the 2025 elections.
miru systems will also set up regional hubs in all 82 provinces in the country to handle defective or damaged ACms.
Garcia said the ACms were all new.
Comelec spokesman John rex Laudiangco said the system had enough safeguards against cyberattacks. During the voting and counting phases, the ACms will be connected to the telcos "only" at the point of transmission, when the voting closes, and the first eight election returns (ers) are printed, assuring that the digital results cannot be altered in any way. everyone at the precinct practically is already in possession of the printed ers, which can be readily used to verify the transmitted ers real-time at the election results website, which we will put up on election day, add to the fact of the multiple data centers and servers which will simultaneously receive transmissions from the ACm [send to all]," said Laudiangco. "All these measures, which will similarly be implemented in the transmission services
and the online Voting and Counting system (oVCs, Internet Voting), all add to the resilience and robustness of the whole Automated elections system," Laudingco said. All 11,000 ACms have been delivered to the Comelec ahead of schedule.
Before that, 100 percent of the servers, printers and laptops that would be used for the consolidation and canvassing of voters at the municipal, city, and provincial levels, the modem/UsB kits to be used for transmission of voters, as well as the headsets for the use of persons with disability (PWD) voters were delivered on sept. 18. Also fully completed on sept. 18 were the ballots used for the hardware acceptance test (hAt), the laboratory certification test, and those for ACm demonstration and roadshows nationwide. each ACm will undergo testing to determine if its components are functioning properly. n
How America lost control of the bird flu...
PAGE A2
agreed to test animals. the UsDA announced that it would conduct studies itself. But researchers grew anxious as weeks passed without results. “Probably the biggest mistake from the UsDA was not involving the bootson-the-ground veterinarians,” russo said.
Will Clement, a UsDA senior adviser for communications, said in an email: “since first learning of h5N1 in dairy cattle in late march 2024, UsDA has worked swiftly and diligently to assess the prevalence of the virus in U.s. dairy herds.” the agency provided research funds to state and national animal health labs beginning in April, he added. the UsDA didn’t require lactating cows to be tested before interstate travel until April 29. By then, the outbreak had spread to eight other states. farmers often move cattle across great distances, for calving in one place, raising in warm, dry climates, and milking in cooler ones. Analyses of the virus’s genes implied that it spread between cows rather than repeatedly jumping from birds into herds.
weathered typhoons, braved stormy public opinion and navigated choppy political waters. We overcame these challenges because our 23 senators, strengthened by diversity, sharing a common vision and united in purpose, are more than the sum of its parts,” he added. the enactment of 72 laws from the start of the third regular session on July 23 until the Christmas break on Dec. 18 was a record feat.
In the first regular session, from July 25, 2022, to June 2, 2024, a total of 19 laws were enacted, including the bills approved during the latter part of the 18th Congress.
for the second regular session that ran from July 24, 2023, to last may 24, a total of 54 laws were enacted with five vetoed by President marcos.
Approved on the third reading by the senate under his leadership in the third regular session were 108 measures, or seven times more than the combined total of 14 in the first and second regular sessions, according to escudero. the senate also adopted a total of 106 simple resolutions and nine concurrent resolutions in the first half of the third regular session.
“We did not sacrifice quality for quantity, scrutiny for speed nor consensus for expedience in passing these measures. each bill underwent the crucible of deliberation and debate, carving out the extraneous, the excessive and the unconstitutional,” he said. (With reports from Jose rodel clapano, cecille Suerte Felipe)
Hopeful Filipinos decline to 90%...
Weather survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 2,160 adults nationwide: 1,080 in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside metro manila), and 360 each for metro manila, Visayas, and
mindanao. the pollster said that in its maiden survey about being hopeful for the New Year at the end of 2000, the number was at 87 percent. the sWs noted that results from similar surveys it conducted at the end of 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2009 had rates around the 80 percent mark while polls made at the end of 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and from 2010 to 2024, the scores were around the 90 percent mark. n
milking equipment was a likely source of infection, and there were hints of other possibilities, such as through the air as cows coughed or in droplets on objects, like work boots. But not enough data had been collected to know how exactly it was happening. many farmers declined to test their herds, despite an announcement of funds to compensate them for lost milk production in may. there is a fear within the dairy farmer community that if they become officially listed as an affected farm, they may lose their milk market,” said Jamie Jonker, chief science officer at the National milk Producers federation, an organization that represents dairy farmers. to his knowledge, he added, this hasn’t happened. speculation filled knowledge gaps. Zach riley, head of the Colorado Livestock Association, said he suspected that wild birds may be spreading the virus to herds across the country, despite scientific data suggesting otherwise. riley said farmers were considering whether to install “floppy inflatable men you see outside of car dealerships” to ward off the birds.
Advisories from agriculture departments to farmers were somewhat speculative, too. officials recommended biosecurity measures such as disinfecting equipment and limiting visitors. As the virus kept spreading throughout the summer, UsDA senior official eric Deeble said at a press briefing, “the response is adequate.” the UsDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the food and Drug Administration presented a united front at these briefings, calling it a “one health” approach. In reality, agriculture agencies took the lead. this was explicit in an email from a local health department in Colorado to the county’s commissioners. “the state is treating this primarily as an agriculture issue (rightly so) and the public health part is secondary,” wrote Jason Chessher, public health director in Weld County, Colorado. the state’s leading agriculture county, Weld’s livestock and poultry industry produces about $1.9 billion in sales each year.
Patchy surveillance In July, the bird flu spread from dairies in Colorado to poultry farms. to contain it, two poultry operations employed about 650 temporary workers — spanishspeaking immigrants as young as 15 — to cull flocks. Inside hot barns, they caught infected birds, gassed them with carbon dioxide, and disposed of the carcasses. many did the hazardous job without goggles, face masks, and gloves.
By the time Colorado’s health department asked if workers felt sick, five women and four men had been infected. they all had red, swollen eyes — conjunctivitis — and several had such symptoms as fevers, body aches, and nausea. state health departments posted online notices offering farms protective gear, but dairy workers in several states told Kff health News that they had none. they also hadn’t heard about the bird flu, never mind tests for it. studies in Colorado, michigan, and texas would later show that bird flu cases had gone under the radar. In one analysis, eight dairy workers who hadn’t been tested — 7% of those studied — had antibodies against the virus, a sign that they had been infected. missed cases made it impossible to determine how the virus jumped into people and whether it was growing more infectious or dangerous. “I have been distressed and depressed by the lack of epidemiologic data and the lack of surveillance,” said Nicole Lurie, an executive director at the international organization the Coalition for epidemic Preparedness Innovations, who served as assistant secretary for preparedness and response in the obama administration.
Citing “insufficient data,” the British government raised its assessment of the risk posed by the U.s. dairy outbreak in July from three to four on a six-tier scale.
Virologists around the world said they were flabbergasted by how poorly the United states was tracking the situation. “You are surrounded by highly pathogenic viruses in the wild and in farm animals,” said marion Koopmans, head of virology at erasmus medical Center in the Netherlands. “If three months from now we are at the start of the pandemic, it is nobody’s surprise.”
Although the bird flu is not yet spreading swiftly between people, a shift in that direction could cause immense suffering. the CDC has repeatedly described the cases among farmworkers this year as mild — they weren’t hospitalized. But that doesn’t mean symptoms are a breeze, or that the virus can’t cause worse.
“It does not look pleasant,” wrote sean roberts, an emergency services specialist at the tulare County, California, health department in an email to colleagues in may. he described photographs of an infected dairy worker in another state:
“Apparently, the conjunctivitis that this is causing is not a mild one, but rather ruptured blood vessels and bleeding conjunctiva.”
over the past 30 years, half of around 900 people diagnosed with bird flu around the world have died. even if the case fatality rate is much lower for this strain of the bird flu, covid showed how devastating a 1% death rate can be when a virus spreads easily.
Like other cases around the world, the person now hospitalized with the bird flu in Louisiana appears to have gotten the virus directly from birds. After the case was announced, the CDC released a statement saying, “A sporadic case of severe h5N1 bird flu illness in a person is not unexpected.”
‘The cows are more valuable than us’ Local health officials were trying hard to track infections, according to hundreds of emails from county health departments in five states. But their efforts were stymied. even if farmers reported infected herds to the UsDA and agriculture agencies told health departments where the infected cows were, health officials had to rely on farm owners for access. the agriculture community has dictated the rules of engagement from the start,” said michael osterholm, director of
the Center for Infectious Disease research and Policy at the University of minnesota. “that was a big mistake.” some farmers told health officials not to visit and declined to monitor their employees for signs of sickness. sending workers to clinics for testing could leave them shorthanded when cattle needed care. “Producer refuses to send workers to sunrise [clinic] to get tested since they’re too busy. he has pinkeye, too,” said an email from the Weld, Colorado, health department.
“We know of 386 persons exposed — but we know this is far from the total,” said an email from a public health specialist to officials at tulare’s health department recounting a call with state health officials. “employers do not want to run this through worker’s compensation. Workers are hesitant to get tested due to cost,” she wrote.
Jennifer morse, medical director of the mid-michigan District health Department, said local health officials have been hesitant to apply pressure after the backlash many faced at the peak of covid. Describing the 19 rural counties she serves as “very minimal-government-minded,” she said, “if you try to work against them, it will not go well.” rural health departments are also stretched thin. organizations that specialize in outreach to farmworkers offered to assist health officials early in the outbreak, but months passed without contracts or funding. During the first years of covid, lagging government funds for outreach to farmworkers and other historically marginalized groups led to a disproportionate toll of the disease among people of color.
Kevin Griffis, director of communications at the CDC, said the agency worked with the National Center for farmworker health throughout the summer “to reach every farmworker impacted by h5N1.” But Bethany Boggess Alcauter, the center’s director of public health programs, said it didn’t receive a CDC grant for bird flu outreach until october, to the tune of $4 million. Before then, she said, the group had very limited funds for the task. “We are certainly not reaching ‘every farmworker,’” she added. farmworker advocates also pressed the CDC for money to offset workers’ financial concerns about testing, including paying for medical care, sick leave, and the risk of being fired. this amounted to an offer of $75 each. outreach is clearly not a huge priority,” Boggess said. “I hear over and over from workers, ‘the cows are more valuable than us.’” the UsDA has so far put more than $2.1 billion into reimbursing poultry and dairy farmers for losses due to the bird flu and other measures to control the spread on farms. federal agencies have also put $292 million into developing and stockpiling bird flu vaccines for animals and people. In a controversial decision, the CDC has advised against offering the ones on hand to farmworkers.
“If you want to keep this from becoming a human pandemic, you focus on protecting farmworkers, since that’s the most likely way that this will enter the human population,” said Peg seminario, an occupational health researcher in Bethesda, maryland. “the fact that this isn’t happening drives me crazy.”
Nirav shah, principal deputy director of the CDC, said the agency aims to keep workers safe.
“Widespread awareness does take time,” he said. “And that’s the work we’re committed to doing.”
As President-elect Donald trump comes into office in January, farmworkers may be even less protected. trump’s pledge of mass deportations will u PAGE A5
How Biden lost the ‘narrative war’...
on immigration, the word “successful” rarely comes to mind. most analysts agree that the perception of an outof-control border—combined with inflation’s impact on Americans’ wallets—was a key factor in republican challenger and President-elect Donald J. trump’s victory.
however, experts at the non-partisan migration Policy Institute (mPI), who closely monitor presidential actions on immigration, argue that Biden’s record was far better than public perception suggests.
“I think the legacy of a president is how much impact you have on people’s lives on a daily basis,” said muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at mPI, during a Dec. 17 briefing.
Chishti highlighted Biden’s shift on immigration enforcement priorities—from trump’s broad “deport anyone, anywhere” approach to a more targeted focus on new arrivals at the border. “If you were a long-term unauthorized resident in this country, there was more than an 80% chance that nothing would happen to you,”
Chishti said.
Biden’s Administration also ended the controversial “family detention” practice and restored legal immigration processes to pre-CoVID, pre-trump norms.
Despite these achievements, speakers—including outside experts from media and advocacy organizations— acknowledged administration mistakes, shortcomings in media coverage, and the focus of the pro-immigrant movement. these missteps, they argued, undermined the Biden administration’s successes and amplified its perceived failures on immigration, one of which was the increasing numbers of people crossing the border. the increase in overall numbers of arrivals and the changing demographics of those arrivals has presented a challenge for border authorities in terms of capacity and processing ability,” said mPI
families seeking protection. “the challenge at the border overshadowed the positive,” indicated Chishti. “Biden’s election itself became a pull factor because he had promised during the campaign that he would undo the cruel immigration border policies of the prior administration, and the numbers began to reach record levels.” more importantly, said the expert, “the administration refused to call it a crisis.”
Instead, the issue was defined by the opposition: republican governors from 16 states filed lawsuits to block most policy changes initiated by the Biden Administration and engaged in “orchestrated busing of immigrants by the governors of texas and florida,” which “brought the border to the interior with large numbers of newly arrived migrants heavily concentrated in certain cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver, that were already facing housing shortages,” added PutzelKavanaugh.
In the end, the Administration introduced several “carrot and stick” approaches that have precipitously reduced the flow at the border, but many saw this as “too little, too late,” said the experts. the role of the media in shaping public perception was another key focus of the mPI briefing. rafael Bernal, an immigration journalist for the hill, said that despite some good immigration reporters, most media outlets prioritize sensationalism over substance. the press did a terrible job in general of covering these issues and continues to,” Bernal said. “Because of the media structure and how these companies make money, we need a lot of clicks. And what gets clicks is more aligned with political posturing and not with policy.” others argued that the Administration’s communication strategy exacerbated the problem.
held a majority in Congress at the start of Biden’s term, chose not to prioritize immigration reform.
Congress has the authority to create immigration laws but continues to be absent from taking any measures on the issue, mostly because of opposition by republicans but also inaction by many Democrats who see it as a losing issue.
the pro-immigrant movement also came under scrutiny for its strategic missteps. hincapie said the movement focused narrowly on achieving citizenship for the undocumented while neglecting broader public engagement.
“We were talking in a very insular way, only pretty much to ourselves,” she said. “We lost track of the fact that this is a narrative war about remaking America for the next 10, 15, 20, 30 years.”
All of that obscured the Biden record of decreasing backlogs, benefiting millions of immigrants with permanent or “twilight” (temporary) statuses, and protecting long-term immigrant families at a time of record border crossings seeking asylum and protection of any kind.
“You could look at the Biden legacy from two different lenses. on legal immigration, they finally brought an old archaic system into the 21st century with modernization and innovation and technology (which was used to provide appointments, like the CBP one App at the border)”, said Chishti.
however, on the border side, because of massive numbers of crossers and a combination of factors, “it was seen as porous and out-of-control, and the measures that eventually were put in place had detractors on all sides of the political spectrum.”
even as the Administration ends, border crossings are drastically down, a significant step getting little attention.
How America lost control of the bird flu...
have repercussions whether they happen or not, said tania PachecoWerner, director of the Central Valley health Policy Institute in California.
many dairy and poultry workers are living in the U.s. without authorization or on temporary visas linked to their employers. such precarity made people less willing to see doctors about covid symptoms or complain about unsafe working conditions in 2020. Pacheco-Werner said, “mass deportation is an astronomical challenge for public health.”
Not ‘Immaculate Conception’
A switch flipped in september among experts who study pandemics as national security threats. A patient in missouri had the bird flu, and no one knew why. “evidence points to this being a one-off case,” shah said at a briefing with journalists. About a month later, the agency revealed it was not.
Antibody tests found that a person who lived with the patient had been infected, too. the CDC didn’t know how the two had gotten the virus, and the possibility of human transmission couldn’t be ruled out.
tests could be run only by the CDC and public health labs until this month, even though commercial and academic diagnostic laboratories had inquired about running tests since April. the CDC and fDA should have tried to help them along months ago, said Ali Khan, a former top CDC official who now leads the University of Nebraska medical Center College of Public health.
As winter sets in, the bird flu becomes harder to spot because patient symptoms may be mistaken for the seasonal flu. flu season also raises a risk that the two flu viruses could swap genes if they infect a person simultaneously. that could form a hybrid bird flu that spreads swiftly through coughs and sneezes.
marielena hincapie, a former executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, now a visiting scholar at Cornell Law school, said Biden’s advisors failed to grasp the importance of controlling the narrative.
“Ironically,” said Chisti, “this Administration is handing trump a much more controlled border and a more robust legal immigration system…. for which they don’t expect any thank you notes”. (Pilar Marrerro/Ethnic Media Services)
Nonetheless, at an october briefing, shah said the public risk remained low and the UsDA’s Deeble said he was optimistic that the dairy outbreak could be eliminated. experts were perturbed by such confident statements in the face of uncertainty, especially as California’s outbreak spiked and a child was mysteriously infected by the same strain of virus found on dairy farms. this wasn’t just immaculate conception,” said stephen morrison, director of the Global health Policy Center at the Center for strategic and International studies. “It came from somewhere and we don’t know where, but that hasn’t triggered any kind of reset in approach — just the same kind of complacency and low energy.”
A sluggish response to emerging outbreaks may simply be a new, unfortunate norm for America, said Bollyky, at the Council on foreign relations. If so, the nation has gotten lucky that the bird flu still can’t spread easily between people. Controlling the virus will be much harder and costlier than it would have been when the outbreak was small. But it’s possible. Agriculture officials could start testing every silo of bulk milk, in every state, monthly, said Poulsen, the livestock veterinarian. “Not one and done,” he added. If they detect the virus, they’d need to determine the affected farm in time to stop sick cows from spreading infections to the rest of the herd — or at least to other farms. Cows can spread the bird flu before they’re sick, he said, so speed is crucial.
more deeply, Nuzzo said. the alternative is a wait-andsee approach in which the nation responds only after enormous damage to lives or businesses. this tack tends to rely on mass vaccination. But an effort analogous to trump’s operation Warp speed is not assured, and neither is rollout like that for the first covid shots, given a rise in vaccine skepticism among republican lawmakers. Change may instead need to start from the bottom up — on dairy farms, still the most common source of human infections, said Poulsen. he noticed a shift in attitudes among farmers at the Dairy expo: “they’re starting to say, ‘how do I save my dairy for the next generation?’ they recognize how severe this is, and that it’s not just going away.” (Amy Maxmen/KFF Health News) Healthbeat is a nonprofit newsroom covering public health published by civic News company and KFF Health News. Sign up for its newsletters here. 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.
RFP NO. SP627-26
Associate Policy Analyst Coleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, noting the disconnect between outdate immigration laws created to respond to the influx of largely mexican men seeking work with the reality of immigration patterns today, which are increasingly more diverse in origin, and involve whole
“this was a narrative war, and they refused to call it a crisis when voters were seeing it on their screens,” she said. she also pointed out that Democrats, who
Pilar Marrero is Associate Editor of EMS and a long-term writer on immigration. Her 2012 book, Killing the American Dream, chronicles the failures and mishaps on US immigration policy over the last three decades
sam scarpino, a disease surveillance specialist in the Boston area, wondered how many other mysterious infections had gone undetected. surveillance outside of farms was even patchier than on them, and bird flu tests have been hard to get.
Although pandemic experts had identified the CDC’s singular hold on testing for new viruses as a key explanation for why America was hit so hard by covid in 2020, the system remained the same. Bird flu PAGE
Curtailing the virus on farms is the best way to prevent human infections, said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, but human surveillance must be stepped up, too. every clinic serving communities where farmworkers live should have easy access to bird flu tests — and be encouraged to use them. funds for farmworker outreach must be boosted. And, she added, the CDC should change its position and offer farmworkers bird flu vaccines to protect them and ward off the chance of a hybrid bird flu that spreads quickly. the rising number of cases not linked to farms signals a need for more testing in general. When patients are positive on a general flu test — a common diagnostic that indicates human, swine, or bird flu — clinics should probe
the southern California regional rail Authority (sCrrA) is seeking proposals for marketing Advertising and Creative services. Proposal documents may be downloaded at sCrrA’s website at http:// www.metrolinktrains.com/ contracts. Proposals are due on february 13, 2025. for further information contact: melissa Cousart, Contract and Compliance Administrator, at cousartm@scrra.net.
12/28/24
CNs-3876418# AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
OpiniOn Features
Laggard in justice
Here’s a subject for New Year’s resolutions in one branch of government: Prosperity Data360 drawn up by the World Bank for 2024 showed that in terms of access, efficiency and overall quality, the Philippine justice system is below par both regionally and globally. The quality of the legal system plays a key role in national prosperity.
the World Bank’s Justice snapshots per country, released on Dec. 23, gave the Philippines a score of just one out of four in terms of the observance of due process in civil and criminal cases – lower than the global average score of 1.92 and regional average of 2.22. In terms of independence of the judiciary, the Philippines scored two out of four – also lower than the global average of 2.09 and regional average of 2.41.
Editorial
the World Bank noted that in 2019, the Philippines placed 110th among 141 countries in the sub-indicator of judicial independence in the Global Competitiveness Index drawn up by the World economic forum. In the same index, the country ranked 109th in terms of efficiency of the legal framework in settling disputes.
Citing another indicator, the World Bank noted the Philippines’ negative score of 0.5 in terms of transparency and predictability of laws and their enforcement – again below both the global and regional averages – in the Liberal Democracy Index prepared by the Varieties of Democracy Project. meanwhile, in the freedom in the World report
prepared by freedom house, the country scored a low one out of four in ensuring equal treatment of different population segments under the law, judicial policies and practices. the score was below the global average of 1.82 and regional average of 2.06. few people will dispute the assessments of the World Bank on the Philippines’ legal system. the weakness of the system has been a major hindrance to national competitiveness and development. It is one of the reasons why the country has fallen from its perch half a century ago at the top of the heap in southeast Asia in terms of economic prosperity and human development indicators. today the country lags behind the four other original founding members of the Association of southeast Asian Nations and, increasingly, even AseAN latecomer Vietnam. some reforms have been implemented in the judiciary and prosecution services in the past years, but there remains a vast room for improvement in the Philippine legal system. the World Bank report is just the latest reminder about the urgency of the task. (Philstar.com)
the world is heading into 2025 with high uncertainty. And no factor has contributed more to this unpredictable environment than the reelection of Donald trump as the United states
President.
the U.s. is the world’s biggest economy ($27.4 trillion), the biggest importer of goods ($3.17 trillion), the second largest exporter of goods ($2.02 trillion), and the largest source of foreign direct investments (fDI, $404 billion).
the massive size of its economy and influence in global trade and investment means any major shift in U.s. government policies is likely to have a significant impact on the global economy, including the Philippines.
the U.s. and the Philippines have developed a strong economic relationship over the years. In 2023 alone, the
It turns out, Vice President sara Duterte is, indeed, a poor copy of her father — a problematic original to begin with. Not only does she lack her father’s spontaneity and wit, she is also far from what the mathematician Nassim taleb famously described as ”antifragile.” Amid manifold controversies over her conduct in both the Department of education and as the Vice President of the Philippines, her trust and approval ratings have nosedived — underscoring the absence of the so-called ”teflon effect.”
Popularity is never a perfect indicator of either political capital or competence. But for the notorious dynasty from Davao, popularity ratings were always their main bragging right. sara Duterte, however, is now beginning to struggle even in that department. According to the latest Pulse Asia survey, which was conducted between Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, sara Duterte had a net approval rating of only 22 percent. As many as 28 percent of respondents were unhappy with her performance and as
U.s. was the Philippines’ top export destination ($11.5 billion), biggest source of overseas filipino remittances ($13.7 billion), largest source of development assistance grants ($615 million), fourth biggest source of fDI inflows ($113.1 million), and fifth largest import source ($8.4 billion).
Based on trump’s pronouncements during the campaign, there are three policies that could potentially affect the Philippines. stop outsourcing of jobs. trump has pledged to stop the outsourcing of jobs to generate local employment. this could negatively impact the It-BPo sector in the Philippines, which employs some 1.7 million filipinos and generates at least $30 billion in revenues annually, more than half from the U.s Tariffs trump has floated the idea to impose a blanket 10 to 20 percent tariff on imported goods from countries where the U.s. has a trade deficit with. this will make our export goods such as textiles,
garments, and coconut oil more expensive in the U.s., and likely lower demand and reduce earnings for these industries.
trump has also threatened to levy as much as 60 percent tariffs on all imported goods from China, which would indirectly affect the country, especially exporters linked in the global value chain. to illustrate: exporters of electronic parts to China as inputs for the manufacture of smartphones would likely suffer from lower demand.
But high tariffs on China could also bring potential benefits, as U.s. companies that face higher costs due to tariffs might look for alternative and cheaper sources of inputs, or even move out and establish production factories in alternative locations. this is where the Philippines could assert itself as a viable option. however, it remains to be seen whether recent reforms such as CreAte more Act and amendments to liberalization laws would make us an attractive investment destination at par
with Vietnam, Indonesia, and malaysia.
Strict immigration policy trump has threatened a massive deportation of illegal immigrants in the U.s., ending automatic citizenship for their children. Currently, there are an estimated 370,000 undocumented filipino migrants in the U.s this policy is likely to lower remittances and reduce the income of ofW families at home. It could also mean a more stringent vetting process for those seeking job opportunities in the U.s overall, early assessment shows that the net impact of trump’s campaign agenda would be negative for the Philippines. Nevertheless, we’ll conduct another review of his policies six months after he assumes office in January. While there is much uncertainty heading into next year, the key takeaway for the government is to make our economy more resilient by focusing on things it can control. this includes diversifying
the country’s growth drivers by investing in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Developing the agricultural sector through improvements in the supply chain is important for food security and managing food inflation. the government could partner with the private sector in building common warehouses, cold-storage facilities, and farmto-market roads to minimize post-harvest losses. strengthening the manufacturing sector, including small and medium enterprises (smes), could generate quality jobs. the government could invest further in shared service facilities of the Department of trade and Industry which provide smes access to technology and equipment to improve their productivity. ramping up reskilling and upskilling programs with universities and industries can improve the skills of filipino workers. We should also improve our position as an investment destination for manufacturing companies, particularly those
that can transfer technology and know-how to local firms. the government should continue addressing ease of doing business, particularly the burdensome process of permit approval and extra fees imposed at the local level. equally critical is the need to lower the cost of doing business, like high power rates and unreliable internet connectivity which hampers digitalization.
Lastly, it is crucial to strictly monitor budget utilization and program implementation of national government agencies to ensure that the limited resources of the government are spent prudently.
As the saying goes, the best way to predict the future is to create it. (inquirer.net) * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Gary B. Teves has served as finance secretary under the Arroyo administration
many as 22 percent remained undecided. In fact, her barely majority approval rating (50 percent) was mainly due to inelastic support from her home island of mindanao (80 percent) and relatively high support from Class e or poorest filipinos (68 percent). her support in the National Capital region, the country’s seat of power, is now down to only 34 percent, though slightly higher in Luzon (40 percent). on a quarterly basis, sara Duterte’s approval rating was down by 10 percent nationwide and 20 percent in the Visayas. Crucially, she also saw a 13 percent drop in her approval ratings in mindanao, reflecting potential fractures in the “solid south” vote base if current trend lines hold. her numbers are a far cry from the heyday of the “Uniteam” when sara Duterte enjoyed a solid majority across all major demographics and nearuniversal support in mindanao. Back in september, I explained in these pages (“Dutertismo: A scam exposed?”) how throughout “a succession of public relations disasters, followed by even more disastrous performance during multiple legislative hearings, sara Duterte has exposed herself as a poor copy of her father.”
over the succeeding weeks, she worsened her situation by openly threatening the lives of the President, the first Lady and the speaker of the house.
Aside from her own personal limitations and abysmal performance in office, however, sara Duterte is suffering from another structural weakness: the absence of “fear factor.” throughout his singularly destructive reign, former President rodrigo Duterte maintained sky-high approval ratings, which only partly reflected his art for performative governance. Yes, Duterte was a master of the ”Art of Budol,” namely projecting strength and competence while gradually setting democratic institutions and our economy on fire.
But Duterte also knew how to scare people. It’s quite telling that as many as eight out of 10 filipinos expressed fear of ending up as a victim of extrajudicial killings, according to the social Weather stations. Duterte’s monopoly of assistance funds coupled with the weaponization of cyber libel laws during the CoVID-19 pandemic sealed the deal.
Urban poor filipinos, who constitute the majority of voters, constituted the demographic that was hit hardest by extrajudicial
killings. In an exhaustive journal article entitled “Pretending to support?” Japanese social scientists Yuko Kasuya and hirofumi miwa systematically examined how “preference falsification” could be the best explanation for Duterte’s historic approval ratings, especially among class D voters.
As I repeatedly asked pollsters back in the day: What is the incentive of respondents to honestly express dissatisfaction with President Duterte when they just watched a neighbor gunned down in impunity the other day?
Duterte’s loss, however, is not necessarily the marcos camp’s gain. President marcos’ approval ratings are below 50 percent, which is extremely low compared to his two immediate predecessors. his cousin, speaker martin romualdez, is doing even worse, with barely a quarter of voters approving his performance. overall, what we are witnessing is ”mutual destruction” between the two most powerful dynasties in the country. the biggest winners, so far, are the tulfo brothers. While erwin and Ben tulfo are vying for the top spots in next year’s senatorial race, sen. raffy tulfo has overtaken sara Duterte in pre-election surveys for the 2028 presidential race. Dutertismo may be on the way out, but ”tulfismo” is having its moment in the sun. In many ways, unabashed populism is seemingly still the only game in town. (inquirer.net)
Dateline philippines
DOJ urged: Start drug war probe
by Jose rodel Clapano Philstar.com
mANILA — the Department of Justice (DoJ) should start its probe into the “fake drug war” of former President rodrigo Duterte and his cohorts, Alliance of Concerned teachers partylist rep. france Castro said on thursday, December 26.
About 30,000 people, including innocent civilians, were believed killed in the drug war. the government reports over 6,000 suspects killed in police operations.
In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo, Castro recalled that the house of representatives approved a resolution allowing the marcos administration to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
my principles remain and we hope that by next year, the ICC would be able to enter the country and personally investigate freely,” Castro said.
“We want justice to be served to the victims of extrajudicial killings, especially young victims, which they just called collateral damage,” she added.
Castro also hoped that the evidence gathered during the house quad committee hearings
would be enough to provide probable cause for the filing of charges against Duterte and his allies.
“We are happy with the latest findings of the quad comm and its recommendation to file charges for crimes against humanity,” she noted.
As for Vice President sara Duterte’s assassination plot in the event of her death, Castro said the marcoses should take a strong stance.
“the Duterte family is used to that. they issue threats and we really know their capabilities. It all came out during the investigation of the house of representatives. It revealed what former President Duterte did. he said he had killed at least six people,” she said.
In November, the vice president alleged she was the subject of an assassination plot and that she has ordered a member of her security team to kill President marcos, first Lady Liza marcos and speaker martin romualdez should it succeed.
Castro welcomed the vice president’s statement that her father will be serving as one of her lawyers in the three impeachment complaints filed against her.
the impeachment complaints stemmed from the vice president’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
meanwhile, a group of human rights lawyers is calling for decisive legal action against former President rodrigo Duterte following the house affirmation of his criminal responsibility for extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs.
failing to act on the house findings will risk exacerbating the country’s entrenched culture of impunity, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said.
“Crimes against humanity are the appropriate charges for Duterte,” the NUPL said.
“former police chiefs, including sen. ronald ‘Bato’ dela rosa, oscar Albayalde and Debold sinas, who implemented the Philippine National Police’s ‘Double Barrel’ campaign must also be held accountable,” the group noted.
Department of Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres confirmed that the DoJ is consolidating evidence, including documents submitted by the quad comm, to potentially prosecute Duterte. n
by FRanco Jose c. BaRoña ManilaTimes.net
mANILA — mary Jane Veloso, the filipino worker who was staying in a women's correctional facility after she arrived in the country from Indonesia where she spent more than decade on death row for drug trafficking, has been moved to a regular dormitory within the same facility.
Veloso's transfer follows the conclusion of a mandatory five-day quarantine, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. announced on friday, December 27.
Catapang said Veloso would
remain at the reception and Diagnostic Center (rDC) for the next 55 days during which she will undergo orientation, diagnostics, and classification, a standard process for new Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
he said this phase was aimed at familiarizing PDLs with the rules, rights, and privileges within the corrections system.
the orientation will include crucial information on rehabilitation programs, health services, time allowances, and grievance mechanisms available to PDLs, providing Veloso and others with the tools to navigate their time in custody.
Ct/supt. marjorie Ann
sanidad, acting supt. of the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW), would share a dormitory measuring 48x32 feet with 30 newly admitted PDLs. this arrangement fosters a sense of community and mutual support as the women begin their journeys of reform and rehabilitation," sanidad said. Additionally, Catapang has directed CIW officials to translate Veloso's prison records from Indonesia, originally documented in Bahasa. the translated records will help BuCor determine if Veloso's time served abroad can be credited as part of her incarceration in the Philippines. n
mANILA — senatorial candidates backed by President ferdinand marcos Jr. continue to lead in a commissioned senatorial preference survey, sponsored by stratbase Consultancy, and released by the social Weather stations (sWs) on thursday, December 26.
According to the sWs survey, it has 2,097 registered voters as respondents, who were asked to choose 12 individuals from a list of 70 names that they would vote for as senators. the majority of respondents picked house Deputy majority Leader erwin tulfo, who led the top spot with 45 percent. reelectionist sen.
Bong revilla followed in second, with a wide margin, at 33 percent. tied in third to fourth place were reelectionist senators Bong Go and Pia Cayetano, who garnered 32 percent each.
In fifth place is former senate President tito sotto, with 31 percent of respondents saying they will vote for him, followed by radio personality Ben tulfo in sixth place with 30 percent.
former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson placed seventh with 27 percent, while former senator manny Pacquiao and tV host Willie revillame tied for eighth and ninth with 26 percent each, the sWs survey revealed.
Incumbent makati mayor Abby Binay ranked tenth with 25 percent, followed by reelectionist senator Lito Lapid in 11th place with 23 percent.
meanwhile, barely reaching the “magic 12” were Camille Villar and senators Bato Dela rosa and Imee marcos — who all tied at 12 to 14th place with 21 percent each.
former senator francis “Kiko” Pangilinan then closely followed at 15th with 20 percent.
of the 15 names, 10 belonged to the senatorial slate endorsed by marcos, namely: erwin tulfo, revilla, Cayetano, sotto, Lacson, Pacquiao, Binay, Lapid, Villar, and Imee marcos. sWs then said that 12 percent of the respondents were either undecided or refused to give a name at the time of the survey.
the sWs survey was conducted from December 12 to 18, 2024, using face-to-face interviews nationwide: 342 in metro manila, 1,050 in Balance Luzon, 353 in the Visayas, and 352 in mindanao.
the sampling error margins are ±2.1% for national percentages, ±5.3% for metro manila, ±3.0% for Balance Luzon, and ±5.2% each for the Visayas and mindanao according to the sWs survey.
(inquirer.net)
Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Victor Zepeda at zepedav@metro.net.
12/28/24, 1/4, 1/11/25 CNs-3881771# AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
Gets namin ang aming customer mga Pilipino
May magagandang rate, guaranteed delivery, at walang hidden fee, samahan ang milyon-milyong nagtitiwala sa Remitly kapag nagse-send ng pera sa mga kaibigan at pamilya.
LOOK: Filipino celebrities’ Christmas 2024 family portraits
FROM cozy pajamas to matching attires by the fireplace, Filipino celebrities gave fans an intimate glimpse into their holiday celebrations this Christmas 2024. Stars took to social media to share their festive family portraits, capturing and spreading holiday cheer to their followers around the world. On Instagram, celebrity couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes shared their Christmas photo with their children Zia and Sixto. The portrait also featured their two dogs.
Maligayang Pasko ,” wrote Rivera in the caption. She also
posted separate photos of her and Dantes as well as solo portraits of the kids.
“Wrapped in love and holiday cheer with my favorite person by my side. Merry Christmas from us to you!” captioned the actress in her post with her husband.
On the other hand, Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto posted their family of four portrait set against a Christmas backdrop where they were dressed in coordinated outfits—green tops for the couple and plaid dresses for their girls, Tali and Mochi.
“May we all remember the true meaning of this season— the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for a merry and blessed Christmas to all!” Luna captioned her post.
Meanwhile, Dianne Medina and Rodjun Cruz’s family posed against a backdrop of a snowy holiday village dressed in matching Christmas-themed pajamas.
“My Life!” the couple captioned their joint Instagram post. “Thank you Lord for the gift of family. Merry Christmas!”
All the way from London, former actress Bangs Garcia and her family, husband Lloydi Birchmore and their kids, Amelia and Isabell, sported matching cream-colored festive pajamas.
For their portrait, Isabel Oli and John Prats’ family donned outfits in the shade of 2025 Pantone Color, Mocha Mousse.
Husband’s
Filipino celebrities Christmas 2024 family portraits Photos from Instagram/@isabeloliprats, @marianrivera, @pauleenlunasotto, @rodjuncruz
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
Husband’s ‘phantom marriage’...
in fact, single. The error led to a visa denial and a charge of fraud. Despite this rocky start, Atty. Gurfinkel’s law office successfully cleared Carlos’ name, enabling him to obtain his green card in 2016.
After marrying Cielo in the Philippines, Carlos petitioned for her green card. When the priority date became current, the couple sought Atty. Gurfinkel’s expertise again, concerned that the “phantom marriage” might jeopardize her chances.
With careful preparation and guidance, Cielo confidently addressed the Consul’s questions during her visa interview, successfully securing her immigrant visa. She arrived in the U.S. in September 2024, reuniting with her husband in Chicago and is now preparing to take the NCLEX to fulfill her dream of becoming a U.S. nurse. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on
Pechanga Resort Casino celebrates the New Year with $250,000 in cash and EasyPlay drawings
AS the Lunar New Year holidays approach, Pechanga Resort Casino welcomes everyone to join in on their celebration of the New Year by giving away in a total of $250,000 in cash and EasyPlay prizes.
Pechanga Club members can earn entries to win the cash windfall by playing their favorite slots or table games each day starting January 1st for a chance to win big! Guests’ number of entries can be multiplied according to their Club tier level.
Multiple winners will be drawn on Friday, January 31 and February 14 to receive EasyPlay. One lucky winner will be drawn at random for the ultimate cash prize of $100,000 on each drawing day. Discover the thrill of possibility in winning multiple times.
For more information on Pechanga events and promotions, please call (877) 711-2946 or visit our website Pechanga.com. Must be at least 21 years of age to participate in promotions.
Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted best casino/ resort in the United States by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, the best casino outside of Las Vegas by Newsweek and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay.
Offering 5,500 of hottest slots, 152 table games, a 1,100 room and suite hotel, dining, luxury spa, and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination unrivaled anywhere in California. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Instagram, Facebook and on X @ PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)
Iza Calzado celebrates ‘still being married’ with Ben Wintle: ‘We made it!’
by
PasaJol Inquirer.net
IZA Calzado marked her wedding anniversary with Ben Wintle with a playful remark, noting how they succeeded at still being married after six years.
The actress dedicated an open letter to her husband along with snaps from their wedding and recent family trips, as seen on her Instagram page last Friday, Dec. 20.
“[Thirteen] years of being together, [six] years of that being husband and wife and almost [two] years as parents,” she began.
“Ben, we made it! We are still married! Yay! Hahaha!” she stated.
LIST: 50th Metro Manila Film Festival winners
by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com
MANILA — GMA Pictures’ “Green Bones” walked away with the major awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Dennis Trillo, and Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival awarding ceremony held in Solaire Resort in Parañaque City on December 27.
It is a back-to-back win for GMA Pictures as the film studio also won last year’s Best Picture with “Firefly,” which was also directed by Zig Madamba Dulay. “Green Bones” lead stars, Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, took home the coveted Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards, respectively. Its other awards include Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza, and Best Screenplay for National Artist for Film Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza.
There were also a number of ties: Best Director for Crisanto Aquino for “My Future You” and Michael Tuviera for “The Kingdom” and Best Float for “Uninvited” and “ Topakk .” Winners took home a commemorative statuette designed by Filipino American visual artist Jefre.
Here is the complete list of winners of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival:
Best Picture: “Green Bones”
• 2nd Best Picture: “The Kingdom”
• 3rd Best Picture: “My Future You”
• 4th Best Picture: “ Isang Himala ”
Best Director: Crisanto Aquino (“My Future You”) and Michael Tuviera (“The Kingdom”)
Best Actor: Dennis Trillo (“Green Bones”)
Best Actress: Judy Ann Santos (“ Espantaho ”)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Ruru Madrid (“Green Bones”)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Kakki
Teodoro (“ Isang Himala ”)
Best Screenplay: Ricky Lee, Anj Atienza (“Green Bones”)
Best Child Performer: Sienna Stevens (“Green Bones”)
Best Production Design: Nestor Abrogena (“The Kingdom”)
Best Editing: Vanessa Ubas de Leon (“My Future You”)
Best Cinematography: Neil Daza (“Green Bones”)
Best Sound: Ditoy Aguila (“Strange
Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”)
Best Original Theme Song: “ Ang Himala ay Nasa Puso ” by Vincent de Jesus and Ricky Lee, interpreted by JK Labajo (“ Isang Himala ”)
Best Musical Score: Vincent de Jesus (“ Isang Himala ”)
Best Visual Effects: Riot Inc. (“The Kingdom”) Breakthrough Performance: Seth Fedelin (“My Future You”)
Special Jury Citation: Vice Ganda
Best Float:
Cielo is shown here with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.
anne
Ben Wintle and Iza Calzado.
Photo from Instagram/@missizacalzado
The winners of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival held in Solaire on December 27, 2024 include (from left): Judy Ann Santos (Best Actress for ‘Espantaho’), Dennis Trillo (Best Actor for ‘Green Bones’), and Vice Ganda (Special Jury Citation). Screenshot via MMFF
Catriona Gray’s philanthropic legacy
BEFORE being crowned
Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray was deeply involved in various charitable initiatives and advocacies. These included HIV awareness, supporting child cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care, and aiding abandoned and traumatized children.
One organization she has worked with extensively since 2016 is Young Focus, a nongovernmental organization that supports children and their families in the Smokey Mountain area of Tondo, Manila. During her reign as Miss Universe, Gray brought significant attention to Young Focus, highlighting its mission and work.
Young Focus emphasizes education as a means to overcome poverty, enrolling children and young adults in school. The organization began in 2008 with 225 beneficiaries in Smokey Mountain. Today, it supports 936 beneficiaries.
Despite the surge in support and awareness for Young Focus during Gray’s Miss Universe journey, momentum eventually waned. To get more support, Gray organized a fundraising event to benefit the organization.
The fundraising event, titled “Catriona Gray’s Legacy Ball,” was held on Nov. 22 at the City of Dreams Manila ballroom in Parañaque City. The private event was a
Gray
success, attended by donors and invited guests.
“My heart is so full. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone here supporting Young Focus. Seeing so many people donate has been so fulfilling. This journey has been long, but it continues to grow. I’m super happy — it’s
KC Concepcion reconnects with mom Sharon Cuneta on Christmas
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
KC Concepcion is embracing family and reconciliation this holiday season as she opened up about recently reconnecting with her mother, Sharon Cuneta, after the latter previously described their relationship as “estranged.” Concepcion took to Instagram to wish her followers a Merry Christmas, as she shared that she recently had a meaningful conversation with Cuneta and reflected on the magic her mom brings to the holidays.
“Christmas will always be about love, laughter, and time with family for me… ending the year right with a conversation between Mama and I. She always makes the holidays extra magical and special,” she wrote.
Concepcion expressed desire to further strengthen her relationship with her mom, as she credited God for the guidance.
“For this year’s Christmas season, I’m taking my quiet space to pray, reflect, recharge, reset, and look forward to the blessings I know God has in store for me (and my family)! I know nanjan lang si God para samin and magiging ok ang lahat (God is always there for
us and everything will be okay). Especially between my mama and me,” she said. In May, Cuneta shared that she’s “very hurt” about the current status of her relationship with her daughter.
“Anuman ang problema namin ng panganay ko kasi at this point we’re estranged and I’m very, very hurt, and there are things na tama na ‘yun, there are things na amin na lang,” Cuneta told reporters at the time.
(Whatever the problems my firstborn and I have because at this point we’re estranged and I’m very, very hurt and there are things that should be met with a boundary; there are things that should just be for us.)
Despite the megastar’s statement, Concepcion penned a heartfelt message for her mother on Mother’s Day, promising that she will always strive to make her proud.
“To my beautiful mama, it’s your day… I pray for us to enjoy life’s pleasures and adventures together soon. You’re the first person I ever met and ever loved; it’s because of you that I’m here today,” she wrote on Instagram. “Trust in the way you raised me—I will always strive to make you proud and feel that having me was worth it.”
Sofronio Vasquez to return to PH ‘very soon’
by anne PasaJol Inquirer.net
“THE Voice” United States
Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez drew excitement among fans after he teased coming home to the Philippines “very soon.”
“Coming home to [the Philippines] very soon. Takits!” he said on his Facebook page on Friday, Dec. 27. The New York-based Filipino singer did not immediately disclose the exact date of his arrival in the country as well as further details of his visit, although he hinted at returning to Philippines on Jan. 5 in an earlier interview on “The Pod Network.” Vasquez is the first Asian to have won the international singing competition. He was under the team of show coach Michael Bublé, who underscored that the Filipino singer’s win is about “representation.”
“We knew that this wasn’t about winning a cup. This was about the start of career,” the Canadian said of Vasquez’s triumph. Prior to his “The Voice” journey, Vasquez joined “Tawag
Take it from Kim Chiu: Celebrate the small wins
by Jerry Donato Philstar.com
MANILA — Kim Chiu is known to her legion of fans and in the local tinseltown as the “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen” housemate and big winner, The Chinita Princess, and the Kapamilya performer and actress. Recently, she has been named the Tanduay Calendar Girl 2025.
Minsan akala mo, ito kana, parang (sometimes you’d think) ‘I’ve reached my peak, ito na yun,’ but life gives you a lot of surprises, na parang, ‘Wow, meron pa pala (there’s more I can do),’” said Kim of her latest endorsement and project in a recent press conference. “So, never stop dreaming, never stop believing, and just keep going.”
As for her message to fellow women out there, she shared, “I think this (being a calendar girl) is a reminder that there is no dream that is too big, no milestone that is too far. There’s a saying that goes: ‘Success is not about where you’ve been, (it’s) where you’re willing to go,’” shared Kim, “and that’s my definition of success, to keep going and never stop. Pwede naman mag-stop for a while, (take a) rest and just keep going and reach for your dreams.”
Such an attitude or mindset will make things happen and also bring unexpected blessings.
An established celebrity, Kim is now representing a woman who is confident, empowered, resilient, and strong.
In every endeavor she forays into, Kim said she is happy that her following and “the people who love me and support me, they’ve been with me from the beginning until now. I’m happy to have all of them, kasi alam ko talaga na lagi nila akong pinagtatanggol (because I know they will always defend me) and they give me support every time.”
embracing my confidence, and it’s about celebrating every step of my journey and I’ve enjoyed everything from the start until today, na-e-enjoy ko yung journey ko here in show business and also in my personal life,” Kim shared some of her thoughts during the event and emphasized the importance of celebrating one’s every step to achieve a personal goal.
so rewarding,” Gray said in an interview after the ball.
While Gray didn’t set a specific fundraising goal, she noted that donations and pledges were coming in steadily leading up to and during the event. “Hopefully, it’s a substantial amount.
According to Kim, she did 10 layouts as the Tanduay Calendar Girl and had two-to-three-month preparation, including mental readiness, for the photo shoot.
As a manner of speaking, it took a village to mount such a project. Thus, Kim was grateful to her team and the Tanduay team.
“I think it’s more than just being a calendar girl. It’s about breaking down the barriers. It’s about
“Kahit yung two-kilometer run, i-celebrate mo, ‘Naka-two kilometer run ako, congratulations.’ (Even completing a two-kilometer-run, you celebrate it and congratulate yourself),” said she. “So, that’s how I see life, I celebrate even the smallest milestone na meron ako, small wins. If you combine all them together, it’s gonna be extra, extra big.”
For the coming year, especially in its first quarter, what fans can look forward to from Kim aside from being a calendar girl?
She answered, “I also have a movie with Star Cinema with Paulo Avelino, and it’s gonna be this February and the title is ‘My Love Will Make You Disappear.’”
Catriona
Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray
Sharon Cuneta and KC Concepcion. Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
Photos from Facebook/Sofronio Vasquez
Kim Chiu, the Tanduay Calendar Girl for 2025, shares her thoughts about success and life. ‘(As for) my definition of success, (it is)
IN spite of what critics say about director-writer-actor Atty.
Vince M. Tanada, he is a fairly easy person to get along with if you know him well enough. He is an indefatigable workhorse and he is a perfectionist at times. He is not a glamor guy some think of. He loves to work and to do his work well. He is one of the founders of Philstagers, a mobile theater group in the Philippines.
* * *
This month of December was filled with outreach activities for Asia’s Queen of Fire Lae Manego, bringing cheers to the elderly at the Home for the Aged, kids with cancer at CHILDHaus Manila (she went there three times this month; thanks to its director Jeannette Cu’s help) and to Manila’s street children. Lae, who hails from Davao, is a multi-awarded Filipino artist, the latest of which is the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award. Her line-up of activities for 2025 is filled mostly with solo concerts or performances with other artists. She auditioned via Zoom recently for America’s Got Talent and is hoping she would make it to the live performance audition in the U.S. to showcase the Filipinos’ God-given talent.
In the interview with Marc Logan on a TV5 show, Lae never forgets her roots. She is not really the glamor girl some
Atty. Vince Tanada and the Philstagers
people may think of. She is a simple person with a kind heart. You are going to love Lae and her music indeed.
* *
*
Even before I became journalist, I did my own mission of uplifting the lives of the poor in the best, though small, way I could. During my student days at De La Salle UniversityManila, I joined game shows on TV to share my winnings to those persons who needed help. Outside the La Salle campus, I would go to depressed areas. I used to visit in 1987 the burn unit of the Philippine General Hospital where I tried to help Maribel T. Suarez (a malnourished child), Rosemarie Garcia (an epileptic) and a young man from Pampanga. The money given to me by the late famous hairdresser Jun Encarnacion, who I featured in some newspapers, was given to these children. I wrote to concerned institutions and persons to help the burn patients. When I returned to PGH, the three burn patients were not there anymore for an American philanthropist sponsored their treatment abroad. I was very happy and I met the said philanthropist in Manila.
I also made a personal request to some showbiz celebrities and friends I featured to donate whatever they could to ABSCBN’s “Bahay Kalinga,” a publicservice TV program that assisted sick children. It was then hosted by Vicky Garchitorena and the late Frankie Evangelista (Gretchen Tanada OcampoRecto, granddaughter of the late Sen. Lorenzo Tanada, was then the executive producer).
I tried to help Rechelle Garcia, a one-year-old child who had no anus, through the late Betty GoBelmonte’s column “Pebbles” of the Philippine Star by giving my one-half month salary from the Office of the Press Secretary where I worked as Information Officer III in Malacanang.
* * * I spent Christmas Day lunch and merienda with my aunt Gilda Fernandez-Perez, uncle Federico Fernandez, my cousins and nephews/nieces in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City. Later, we attended an online mass at 7 p.m. I am also happy and proud to know that my nephew Gabriel Luis Antonio M. Perez graduated cum laude in Asia Pacific College with BS Computer Science and Cyber Security and Forensics.
In the evening, I went to Quezon City’s Lantana Heights and spent time with the Varsovia, Garcia, de Mesa, and Daigdigan relatives. We had some funny games.
I missed attending the annual Christmas Day Party of Philstagers at the PSF Blackbox
Theater in Sampaloc, Manila due to time constraints. Last year, I, together with director Emmanuel dela Cruz, was able to attend the New Year’s Eve at the top of the Tanada’s building as we enjoyably watched the fireworks. Mrs. Emy Tanada, Vince’s mother, generously attended to me then. It was my first time to join them.
* * * An actor at Philstagers Foundation, OJ Ar Ci is a phenomenal transgender actress. She will star soon in renowned filmmaker Brillante Mendoza’s movie “Chameleon,” a story about transgenders working in Japan.
* * * Chris Lim and Adelle Ibarrientos-Lim are excellent Philstagers artists. They are award-winning theatre couple who enacts in dozens of theater performances. For one thing, I am amazed by their acting in both Vince Tanada’s “ Juan Luna: Isang Sarsuwela” and “Sa Barong-Barong” (reflecting the issues confronted by persons living in makeshift dwellings in a city). More of this couple in the future issue of this column.
* * *
Thanks to Dr. Patrick Saburit of Kylledmed Philippines, a golden recipient of the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award, for inviting me to their Christmas party. I won a new cellphone thru a game in which you rolled a white tissue under a glass full of water to reach to your major prize.
Thanks too to Dr. Patrick’s wife Maricar and kids Mariam Kylle and Marion Khalid, Maricar Diaz, Paulo Saburit, Joanne Rabang, Gretchen Coronado, Angelo Sta. Maria, Ehrold Cerda, and Miguel Vistal.
* * * I enjoyed the Christmas party of Police Files Tonite
at
* * * 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
(From left) Jeannette Cu, David Angelo Inigo, Lae Manego and Oggie Medina
Gabriel Perez with grandmother Gilda Fernandez-Perez
Vicky Garchitorena, host of ABS-CBN’s Bahay Kalinga TV show
Philstagers couple Chris and Adelle Lim
Director Vince Tañada brings relief goods to Museo ng Pag-asa.
(From left) Maricar Diaz, Oggie Medina, Patrick Saburit, Ehrold Cerda, Angelo Sta. Maria, Gretchen Coronado, Joanne Rabang, Maricar Saburit, and Paulo Saburit at Kylledmed Philippines’ thanksgiving party.
Left photo: (from left) Jun Perez, Mae Perez, Federico Fernandez, Boots Perez, Oggie Medina, and (seated) Gilda Perez; Right photo: (from left)spending Christmas Day with the Perez family in Ayala Alabang Village.
Left photo: (from left) Jun Perez, Mae Perez, Federico Fernandez, Boots Perez, Oggie Medina, and (seated) Gilda Perez; Right photo: (from left)spending Christmas Day with the Perez family in Ayala Alabang Village.
OJ Ar Ci in Fukuoka, Japan
publication
the historic National Press Club. It was a night of prizes, games, songs, music and camaraderie. Thanks to publisher Joey Galicia Venancio and entertainment editor Blessie K. Cirera.
Overcoming the presumption of unenforceability of premarital agreements
MANY spouses in California
enter into a marriage thinking that having a fully executed premarital agreement is a “bullet proof” way of protecting their assets in case of a divorce in the future. However, it is not as simple as that. Although a premarital agreement offers some protection, the court needs to make certain findings if it’s enforceability is contested by the other spouse. Family Code section 1615, subdivision (c)(section 1615(c) ) creates a presumption “that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily” unless the trial court makes five designated findings. A premarital agreement is presumed to have not been executed voluntarily, and is therefore unenforceable, unless the trial court finds in writing or on the record that the agreement satisfies the requirements of section 1615(c)(1) and (2) . Last v. Superior Court 94 Cal. App. 5th 30. 311 Cal. Rptr. 3d 791. Family Code Section 1615
(c) provides: For the purposes of subdivision (a), it shall be deemed that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court finds in writing or on the record all of the following:
(1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or, after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. The advisement to seek independent legal counsel shall be made at least seven calendar days before the final agreement is signed.
(2) One of the following:
(A) For an agreement executed between January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(B) For an agreement executed on or after January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and the time the agreement was signed, regardless of whether the party is represented by legal counsel. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations the party was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that the party received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information.
(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the
agreement.
(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant.
Although § 1615, subd. (a) places the ultimate burden of proof on the party claiming the premarital agreement is unenforceable, it does not raise a presumption that the premarital agreement is enforceable. It contains a series of objectively ascertainable factors that, if found by the trial court, would overcome the presumption of involuntary execution.
Section 1615, subd. (c) , in effect creates a presumption that a premarital agreement is unenforceable on the ground it was not executed voluntarily.
In Last v. Superior Court, the trial court granted the wife’s request for temporary spousal support even though there was a premarital agreement which waives spousal support. The trial court did not adjudicate the issue whether the parties’ premarital agreement, which included a provision by which the wife purported to waive any right to receive spousal support in the event the marriage ended in dissolution, was enforceable but granted the husband’s request to bifurcate that issue. A premarital agreement is presumed to have not been executed voluntarily, and is therefore unenforceable, unless the trial court finds in writing or on the record that the agreement satisfies the requirements of Fam. Code, § 1615, subd. (c)(1) & (2) . Because the husband did not ask the trial court to conduct a facial review of the premarital agreement and make findings under § 1615, subd. (c)(1) & (2) , and because the trial court made no such findings, the agreement had to be deemed to have been involuntarily executed at the time the trial court ordered temporary spousal support. As a result, the trial court retained authority under Fam. Code, § 3600 , to award temporary spousal support u PAGE B6
Feast of the Holy Family message
Pastor’s Notes
ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas
On this Solemn Feast of the Holy Family, we gather to celebrate the sacred bond of love and care that exists among Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. As we reflect on their lives, let us commit ourselves to fostering these fundamental values in our own families. In a world that often prioritizes individualism and secularism, we must remain vigilant in upholding our Catholic values and building homes filled with love, prayer, and spirituality.
As we approach the New Year, I urge you to strengthen your family’s prayer life and nurture a deep connection with God. It is crucial that we do not allow the influences of secularism to overshadow our faith. Our commitment to living out the teachings of Christ should be the foundation upon which we build our family lives, guiding our actions and decisions as
we interact with the world around us. In this time of global unrest, let us also raise our voices in prayer for peace, especially in war-torn countries where families struggle and suffer.
As we recall Mary and Joseph’s harrowing journey to Egypt, we are reminded of the vulnerability faced by many immigrants and refugees today. They experience fear, uncertainty, and a yearning for safety. May we promote Gospel values that call us to concern for the poor, the alienated, and those seeking refuge from persecution.
As we reflect on the role of Joseph, we recognize the significant part he played in the Holy Family. He provides us with an inspiring model of fatherhood—one characterized by dedication, leadership, and love. Like Joseph, fathers are called to take their roles seriously, ensuring their families are not only physically provided for but also spiritually nourished.
Mary serves as a model for all women and mothers: humble, grateful, obedient, faithful, open-hearted, caring, and generous. Her “yes” to God embraces all things: joy,
sorrow, and uncertainty. She exemplified faith and courage. In an age where artificial intelligence and technology often replace human connections, I encourage you to hold fast to your faith in God. Remember that no machine can replicate the warmth and love of family, nor can it replace the vital importance of a genuine relationship with Christ.
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I pray that you and your families are blessed with joy, health, and a renewed commitment to faith and family life. May our homes be places of love and support, where the light of the Gospel shines brightly.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year filled with God’s grace and love. In Christ’s peace, Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
Catriona Gray’s philanthropic legacy...
PAGE B3
I want to thank our media partners for amplifying Young Focus’s message. If anyone watching or listening — especially companies or schools — wants to get involved, I encourage them to do so,” Gray added. She further expressed hope that the Legacy Ball would become an annual event, potentially benefiting other groups in the future. “It’s a wonderful way to bring people together to give back to the community and make an impact,” she said. Organized in partnership with Cornerstone Entertainment and directed by John Prats, the event featured music, fashion, and purpose. Performances included G22, P-Pop boy group Yes My Love, and Patrick Quiroz, who opened the show with “You Will Be Found.” Piolo Pascual performed “Till There Was
You” and “Be My Lady,” followed by Richard Poon’s rendition of a Christmas medley and “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.” Meanwhile, Radha also performed as Cornerstone talents — including G22, Perlas Funtanares, Sofia Jarling, Roxie Smith, and Isabel Oli — modeled creations by designers Mak Tumang, Manny Halasan, Russ Cuevas, Jearson Demavivas, Ulysses Caragayan, and Dia Ali, all close friends of Gray in the fashion industry. Gray herself took the stage to sing “When You Believe” by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. In her speech, she emphasized the event’s purpose, “By being here tonight, you are showing these kids that their dreams are worth pursuing. Every child deserves someone to believe in them. When you believe, you help them
see how we can overcome obstacles together.” Young Focus provides a holistic approach to child development. Its programs include school sponsorships, catch-up classes for students who have dropped out, nutrition initiatives for families, and training in computer and career skills. The organization also offers counseling and other comprehensive support. For as little as P1,500 per month, individuals can sponsor a child’s education, empowering them to pursue a brighter future.
“It’s a long-term plan to lift children and their families out of poverty. But you have to start somewhere. I trust Young Focus wholehearteaadly and have worked with them for eight years. If you want to get involved, I encourage you to do so,” Gray finally said.
(ManilaTimes.net)
‘It’s Showtime’ to continue airing on GMA-7
by Jan milo severo Philstar.com
GMA-7 announced that the
ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime” will continue to air on its channel in 2025.
“‘It’s Showtime’ will continue to air in GMA in 2025!
Maligayang Pasko, madlang Kapuso at Kapamilya,” the official statement read.
ABS-CBN, meanwhile, thanked GMA for the continued trust and support to the noontime show.
“Masaya ang ABS-CBN na ibalita na magpapatuloy ang ‘It’s Showtime’ sa pag-ere tuwing tanghali sa GMA mula Lunes hanggang Sabado.
“Taos-pusong nagpapasalamat ang ABS-CBN at ang pamilya ng ‘It’s Showtime’ sa GMA para kanilang patuloy na tiwala at suporta.
“Patuloy kaming maghahatid ng inspirasyon at saya sa aming mga manonood.
“Maraming salamat, mga Kapuso, mga Kapamilya at Madlang People.”
The announcement came after rumors of the show parting ways with GMA trended on social media earlier this week.
“It’s Showtime” was first seen on GMA-7’s sister channel, GTV, in July 2023. It began airing on GMA-7’s main channel in April this year.
Overcoming the presumption..
PAGE B5
to the wife. Last v. Superior Court 94 Cal. App. 5th 30. 311 Cal. Rptr. 3d 791.
In light of the above, it is important for the spouse trying to enforce the premarital agreement to ask the court to make the five findings pursuant to Family Code Section 1615 (c)(1) through (5).
* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between
you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation.
* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Iza Calzado celebrates...
PAGE B2
Reflecting on how they were able to overcome life’s ups and downs, Calzado underscored their continuous growth “in ways [she] never could have imagined the day [they] said [their] vows.”
“Thank you for your love, patience and your humor even in the darkest of times. Thank you for being strong for the family,” she continued. “So grateful to have you by my side as we guide our dearest Deia Amihan in this world. Our precious gift and purpose in life,” she added, referring to their daughter. “We are truly blessed to have our family. Praise be to God!” Calzado and Wintle got married in 2018. The actress gave birth to Deia in 2023.
Alfy Yan follows footsteps of late uncle Rico
ALFONSO “Alfy” Yan-Tueres became a viral sensation back in 2020 after netizens noticed that he was the spitting image of his uncle, the late matinee idol Rico Yan. The resemblance with Rico was so close that netizens were quick to spread Alfy’s photos on social media sites, leading many to believe that he would enter show business right away.
But Alfy, who is the son of Rico’s eldest sister, chose to focus on his studies as a management student at the Ateneo de Manila University. To add to that, he was also quite busy with his love of baseball, being a member of the Ateneo Baseball Varsity team.
Four years later, Alfy, now 19 years old, made the decision to follow in the footsteps of his talented uncle Rico, as part of the Viva Artists Agency family. Viva has a long history of grooming matinee idols into
After the announcement that Alfy would be joining Viva,
was showered with support from fans and family, including actress Claudine Barretto, his uncle Rico’s former onscreen and offscreen partner.
“I am so proud to announce that another Yan will be part of this industry,” Claudine wrote on Instagram. “Like his uncle Rico, Alfy will be changing and touching lives and will continue the Yan legacy. We are so proud of you Alfy!”
Now that he is under one of the renowned talent agencies in the country, there is a lot to expect from Alfy as he hones his craft as an athlete, and now as an artist. Definitely something to look forward to for 2025 and beyond.
(ManilaTimes.net)
‘It’s Showtime’ hosts with Kapuso guests at the noontime show’s debut episode at GMA Network. ABS-CBN photo
talented actors, such as Aga Muhlach, Robin Padilla, James Reid, and now, in the current generation, young actors like Andres Muhlach.
he
Alfy Yan
Photo courtesy of Viva
Support MMFF films, Bongbong Marcos urges the public
by John eric menDoza Inquirer.net
PRESIDENT Ferdinand
“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on
Thursday, December 26 urged the public to support local films under the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which is now celebrating its 50th year.
In his video message played at the beginning of each MMFF movies, Marcos urged the public to bring their friends and family to the cinema this holiday season.
“Tangkilikin po natin ang kwentong Pilipino,” Marcos said. “Suportahan po natin ang Metro Manila Film Festival 2024.” (Let’s support Filipino stories. We should support the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024.) “Isama ang buong pamilya, buong barkada, at panoorin ang sampung pelikula na handog ng MMFF,” he added.“Ang
panahon ng Kapaskuhan ay panahon upang lalong magsama-sama at magmahalan ang bawat pamilya at ang bawat isa sa atin.” (Bring your families, friends and watch the 10 films from the MMFF. Christmas is a season that makes every family and each and every one of us gather.) Marcos said this year’s MMFF is special as it features the “golden” stories of the Filipino people.
“Ngayong Kapaskuhan, bibidang muli ang mga kwento ng ating lahi. Dahil ito sa espesyal na selebrasyon na ika-50 taon ng Metro Manila Film Festival na bahagi na ng ating buhay at kultura bilang Pilipino,” Marcos said. “Ang mga magagandang pelikulang kalahok ngayon ng Golden Year ng MMFF ay siguradong magbibigay ng gintong saya at mag-iiwan ng mga ginintuang
aral.”
(This Christmas, the stories of our race will take center stage. Because this is the special celebration of the 50th year of the Metro Manila Film Festival that is part of the life and culture of Filipinos. The good films which are participating in the Golden Year of the MMFF will surely give golden joy and leave golden moral lessons.) The MMFF will run from December 25, 2024, to January 7, 2025, featuring the following official entries:
• “And the Breadwinner Is…”
• “Green Bones”
• “Isang Himala”
• “The Kingdom”
• “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”
• “Espantaho”
• “Hold Me Close”
• “My Future You”
• “Topakk”
• “Uninvited”
LOOK: Filipino celebrities’ Christmas 2024...
“Just a little reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with warmth and joy. Let’s cherish these moments together,” Oli captioned her post.
Meanwhile, Patrick
and
coordinated red plaid attire with their four children as they reflected on the year 2024. “[2024] was bittersweet for us, from amazing highlights throughout the year to one of our biggest heartbreaks… losing our momsy physically. Overall though, we have seen how God has been and is
ALWAYS faithful,” she wrote.
“The year is not yet over, and we continue to trust and stay excited for the plans He has for our family! Let’s all remember the real reason for this season. How privileged we are to have a Savior who died for you and me!” the celebrity mom concluded her post.
National Artist Nora Aunor has ‘special participation’ in MMFF film ‘Isang Himala’
by charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com
THE lead actress of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entry “Isang Himala,” Aicelle Santos, had the pleasure of meeting National Artist Nora Aunor long before filming the movie musical. She was ecstatic when she was first introduced to the “Himala” star during the run of the 2018 stage musical adaptation.
In both the current film and the previous theater production, Aicelle portrays the iconic role of Elsa, originally played by Nora in the 1982 classic “Himala,” directed by Ishmael Bernal.
The singer-thespian recalled to The STAR how the Superstar reacted after watching the show. “I remembered after the show, she hugged us and naalala ko nangingilid yung luha niya. And then magkahawak kami ng kamay in photos. So that’s my receipt.
“And then she said, ‘Nanumbalik sa akin ang panahon na ginagawa ko yung ‘Himala.’ I took that as a sign that she liked the staging back then. She was all smiles. We were nervous at that time, especially me. When I learned that Ms. Nora Aunor would watch our staging, I didn’t feel like going on stage, but I think we delivered.”
The musical film tells the story of a young woman named Elsa who claims to have witnessed
a miracle and have been given healing powers in a village (Baryo Cupang) consumed by drought and suffering. It is helmed by “GomBurZa” director Pepe Diokno and written by “Himala” screenwriter and National Artist Ricky Lee. Vincent A. de Jesus served as the musical director.
Direk Pepe told this paper that Nora will have a special participation in the 50th MMFF entry. “To meet and hear her perform, iba,” he commented.
The “Isang Himala” remains a powerful narrative in today’s context as people still continue to search for hope and love, stated Ricky Lee.
“For me, this is a tribute to the film that we made in 1982. Since it was released then became a musical and now a film, sa palagay ko patuloy itong magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang bersyon at magpapatuloy pa ang pagkukwento natin ng tungkol sa himala.”
The veteran screenwriter emphasized the “importance of revisiting the material and presenting it in a way that resonates with modern audiences while maintaining its timeless essence.”
Direk Pepe, on the other hand, said that the movie tackles issues related to faith and blind faith, adding, “There’s also the issue of truth or lies or non-truths, and
then yung effect ng I would say parang corruption also in our society.”
Quoting Ricky, direk Pepe noted that the film is both faithful and unfaithful to the original version.
“And I’ll take that in the sense na lahat kami actually, even Sir Ricky said, kung uulitin lang natin yung nagawa ng 1982, ba’t pa gagawin? And actually ang musical po kasi ang pinanggagalingan nun is si Sir Ricky in 2003 with Vince de Jesus. Yung idea daw is in the 1982 film kasi, andaming mga silences,” he explained.
“There were things Elsa wouldn’t say, so they thought, ‘What if we give a song to Elsa’s true feelings and thoughts? What would she say?’” He continued describing the MMFF film as “more emotional with a more expressive story, very powerful and has a different aspect of Elsa that wasn’t shown in the original film.” They also creatively played with the visuals and sounds, setting it apart from the original one.
Isang Himala” is presented by CreaZion Studios in partnership with Unitel, Straightshooters, Kapitol Films and CMB Production.
The film premiered on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and also
The posters of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entries.
Photos from MMFF/Facebook
stars Bituin Escalante, David Ezra, Neomi Gonzales, Vic Robinson, Sweet Plantado, Kakki Teodoro, Floyd Tena and Joann Co.
Quoting National Artist Ricky Lee, ‘Isang Himala’ director Pepe Diokno says the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry
‘Isang Himala’ is both faithful and unfaithful to the 1982 classic film directed by Ishmael Bernal. Photo from Instagram/@aicellesantos
Garcia
wife Nikka Martinez wore
