Corazon Dandan, who planned to retire in the Philippines, will be buried at Manila Memorial Park
US military chief meets Brawner in Manila as intel pact takes shape
by Nestor Corrales
Washington’s “solid commitment” to its alliance with Manila, ahead of a meeting between the top diplomatic and defense officials of the two countries. Gen. Charles Brown Jr., chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in the country on Tuesday for “a series of engagements” with Brawner
VP Harris, Asian American leaders address AANHPIcommunity in Philadelphia
by Klarize MedeNilla AJPress
A NEW survey from a coalition of Asian American advocacy groups shows that Biden is losing support from AAPI voters— the nation’s fastest growing voting bloc.
The 2024 Asian American Voter Survey—conducted between April 4 to May 26—found that less than half (46%) of Asian American voters would select
PH GDP growth estimate for 2024 cut, but still 2nd fastest in Asean
by iaN NiColas P. Cigaral Inquirer.net
THE slower-than-expected economic expansion in the first quarter prompted the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) +3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) to cut its growth outlook on the Philippines, with a weak external environment expected to weigh on the economy. In an update to its flagship Asean+3 Regional Economic Outlook (Areo) report released on Tuesday, July 16, the international organization said it expects the Philippines to grow by 6.1 percent this year, lower than its old projection of a 6.3-percent
expansion.
But despite the downward revision, Amro’s new forecast would nevertheless settle on the low-end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 6 to 7 percent growth target for 2024. The Philippines would also be the second-fastest growing economy in Asean this year behind Vietnam, and would even outperform the region’s projected average growth of 4.8 percent if Amro’s new prediction is to be believed.
For 2025, Amro penciled in a faster 6.3 percent growth, albeit weaker than its old forecast of a 6.5 percent uptick for next year.
Biden if the election were to happen at the time of the survey. In the same scenario, a third (31%) of Asian Americans would vote for Trump. Nearly a quarter (23%) said they were undecided, would vote for a third-party candidate, or refused to share an answer.
The survey—which polled just under 2,500 registered voters by phone and online—was released Wednesday, July 10
Marcos on Trump assassination attempt: ‘We condemn violence’
2
PNP intensifies hunt for Quiboloy, others
by MarK erNest Villeza
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its efforts to locate and arrest persons wanted in the case involving Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy and four others.
“Our search for the remaining wanted persons in the case of Quiboloy and his associates is ongoing,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, July 15.
Fajardo added that the recent arrest of Pauline Canada, a coaccused in the case, is a positive development that indicates the PNP is receiving the right information.
MANILA — The Department of Finance (DOF) doubled down on its stance to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), saying that allowing the gaming hubs to continue operations is costing the country P99.52 billion a year.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means deliberated on Tuesday, July 16 over two bills: one proposing to ban online gaming and another to tax POGOs.
During the hearing, DOF Assistant Secretary Karlo Adriano, who heads the agency’s Fiscal Policy and Monitoring Group, presented a cost-benefit analysis of POGOs.
“Our estimates show that the net cost of POGO operation is around P99.52 billion annually. The estimated total economic
“Our hotline is very active and we are getting numerous tips, though we need to vet this information carefully. Some may be accurate, but others might be intended to mislead us,” Fajardo said. She urged the public to cooperate by providing any information, giving assurance that their identity and security would be protected.
“We are not limited to their (Quiboloy and co-accused) known addresses. We are also investigating other potential areas where they might be staying or visiting,” Fajardo said.
On Canada’s custody, Fajardo said the PNP is still waiting for a court order, noting that the warrant of arrest was already
returned to the Pasig Regional Trial Court. In the meantime, Canada remains in the custody of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Addressing concerns about Quiboloy’s loyal supporters potentially obstructing law enforcement efforts, Fajardo explained that the PNP “anticipated the potential interference.” Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday clarified that the P10-million bounty being offered for the arrest of Quiboloy is still in the
by Faith argosiNo Inquirer.net
Philstar.com
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Philstar.com file photo
This photo of Corazon Dandan was displayed during the memorial service. Contributed photo
US military chief meets Brawner in Manila...
2+2 “Ministerial Dialogue” in Manila between the foreign and defense secretaries of the two security allies.
Intel-sharing pact
The meeting, scheduled for July 30, followed the conclusion of negotiations last month on Manila’s General Security of Military Information Agreement with Washington.
The United States has required a security inspection of selected military facilities in the Philippines before it seals that intelligencesharing pact.
In a statement on Tuesday, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the meeting between Brawner and Brown “focused on enhancing bilateral defense cooperation, strengthening joint military exercises, and addressing regional security challenges.”
The statement quoted Brawner as saying: “Our alliance with the United States remains a cornerstone of our national security. Through continued collaboration and mutual support, we fortify our defense capabilities and ensure the stability of our region.”
Visiting an Edca site
According to the DOD, Brown will also visit one of the nine military sites where U.S. forces have access under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).
Explaining Edca’s significance, the U.S.
Embassy said it “enables the U.S. and Philippine militaries to train together, respond to natural and humanitarian crises, and achieve modernization goals.”
“The U.S. and the Philippines determine Edca locations together, with the Philippine leadership providing final approval,” the embassy said.
Malacañang in April last year named four additional Edca sites—Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana town and Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town, Cagayan province; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu town, Isabela province; and Balabac, the southernmost island of Palawan province.
These were in addition to previously agreedupon sites, namely Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City, Mactan-Benito Abuen Air Base in Cebu, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Basa Air Base in Pampanga and Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan.
Ties ‘gaining momentum’
The U.S. defense department said Brown had “noted the expansion of U.S. rotational access” last year in the four new Edca sites.
“I do see that the relationship is gaining momentum,” the DOD quoted the top American general as saying. “In the Philippines, we have a long-standing, shared interest in regional stability that’s backed by international law.”
A general of the U.S. Air Force, Brown first visited Manila in 1987 when he was still a junior officer, the DOD said. n
Marcos on Trump assassination...
streaked across his face after the shooting, while the gunman and a bystander were killed and two spectators were critically injured.
U.S. President Joe Biden said the attack was “sick,” adding that “no place in America for this kind of violence.”
Biden is set to face Trump in the election this November. n
Fil-Am pushed into BART train in SF...
Funeral Home in Colma was packed with people whose lives were touched by 76-year-old Corazon Dandan, who died on July 2 after she was pushed into the path of a Millbrae-bound train. The suspect – Trevor Belmont, 49, also known as Hoak Taing – has been charged with murder and elder abuse. Dandan, who fell onto the platform and sustained severe head injuries, was rushed to the hospital, where she later died.
“Life will never be the same,” the victim’s nephew, Dr. Alvin Dandan, told Inquirer.net USA, as he broke into tears. “I will remember her as my mom.”
Dr. Dandan said his Tita Cora helped raise him and put him through medical school.
He said his childhood was filled with memories of her aunt taking him to the Philippine Plaza (later renamed Sofitel) where she worked before migrating to the United States.
“I would run around the hotel together with the other kids and play. Going back to work, she would take me (then) bring me back to my parents. She (had) always been a second mom,” Dr. Dandan recalled.
She opened her home in Daly
City to relatives and friends who needed a place to stay as newly arrived immigrants.
One of those relatives was Corazon’s niece, Elena Dandan.
“We used to live with her. She was our mother when we first got here. She generously helped us establish our lives,” Elena said.
“She settled here by herself and was a big help to many relatives and friends. She was an inspiration to many.”
Elena also remembers her Tita Cora instantly lighting up any room she entered. “She was a happy person and a ‘cowboy,’ easy to get along with,” she recalled. “Her smile, her sweetness was very contagious. We will never forget her.”
Consul General Neil Ferrer, who attended the viewing on Thursday, July 11, paid tribute to Dandan as an exemplary immigrant who worked hard to support her family.
“As we learned from her family, she was someone, like many OFWs, who migrated to the U.S., who worked very hard but at the same time did not forget their families,” Ferrer said. “She helped her siblings, nieces and nephews. She (was) really well-loved. We are
saddened by her departure.” The consul general also cited her sense of community and generosity to her friends and neighbors even during the pandemic. “She had a big heart for others,” he said.
Juslyn Manalo, the Fil-Am mayor of Daly City – where Dandan lived for about 30 years – called her a “bayani (hero),” an immigrant who touched many lives at her workplace and in the community.
“She touched many by how giving she was,” Manalo said. “Corazon really embodied what her name is.” Dandan will be buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque, said Dr. Dandan, who thanked the consulate for assisting with bringing her aunt’s remains to the Philippines.
“(Tita Cora) wanted to retire in the Philippines. I guess she’s getting what she wished for,” he said as he wiped his tears. Dandan is survived by six siblings: Renato, Carmelita Esguerra, Ricardo, Danilo, Nicanor and Reynaldo. She is preceded by her oldest sister, Leticia Hernandez and parents, Ildefonso and Prudencia. (by Jun Nucum/Inquirer.net) n
PH GDP growth estimate for...
Hoe Ee Khor, chief economist at Amro, said the group turned less bullish on the Philippines “in light of the data that comes out in the first half of the year.”
“We have shaved down the growth for not just the Philippines but many of the countries in the region. As I mentioned, the recovery in the external sector was weaker than expected,” Khor told a press conference. Government data showed growth of household spending eased to 4.6 percent in the first quarter—the weakest reading since the 4.8-percent contraction at the height of COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2021—amid stubbornly high inflation and interest rates. That, in turn, held back the first quarter gross domestic product growth to 5.7 percent,
slower than market consensus. But while Amro had turned less upbeat on the Philippines, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) retained its growth projections of 6 and 6.2 percent for 2024 and 2025, respectively, in its “World Economic Outlook Update” released on Tuesday, July 16.
The IMF said its global growth forecast for this year is also unchanged at 3.2 percent, but flagged “slowing disinflation and rising policy uncertainty.”
“First, further challenges to disinflation in advanced economies could force central banks to keep borrowing costs higher for even longer,” the IMF said.
“That would put the overall growth at risk, with increased upward pressure on the dollar and harmful spillovers to emerging and developing economies,” it added.
In its updated report, AMRO trimmed its 2024 inflation forecast for the Philippines to 3.3
from 3.6
previously, but raised its price growth projection for next year to 3.1 percent from 2.9 percent before.
The easing inflation, in turn, may give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) room to ease its ultra-tight monetary policy settings ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Amro’s Khor said.
“Well, we should remember two things. One is that inflation is pretty well anchored in the region and growth has been pretty robust, so that gives the central bank a lot of flexibility to cut the rates,” he said.
“But central banks are holding back because the exchange rate is pretty weak, but they are all weakening together mostly,” he added. n
NEW MOMENTUM FOR OLD ALLIES. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (left) and his American counterpart, Gen. Charles Brown Jr. (right), chair of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, mark the latter’s visit with a troop review at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday,
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang file photo
PNP intensifies...
hands of the sponsors of the reward money.
“I do not have the money, just to be clear on that. It is in the possession of people who are offering the bounty. It was not given to me,” Abalos said in a chance interview at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Ferdinand Topacio, Quiboloy’s lead lawyer, earlier said the P10-million reward being offered by Abalos violates Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for government officials and employees.
But Abalos countered, saying that in 2017 Topacio also raised a reward.
“For those (more donors) who want to help, I told them to personally announce to avoid controversy. But the best help will be the information (to locate Quiboloy),” Abalos said.
He defended the decision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow donations for the reward against Quiboloy, saying funding from the government can be used for other purposes.
“We can source it (reward) from our budget, but we can use the money for other uses
and operations within the government,” Abalos said.
He noted that the DILG and PNP have received information on the possible location of Quiboloy.
“There were already sightings on his possible location,” he said, refusing to disclose where this is exactly. He added that the tips need to be filtered as some are meant to mislead.
“One thing is certain, there is a lot of information, many are working. The police and military are working together, so all of the things (on Quiboloy’s possible whereabouts), all of these are being checked even way before.
The world is getting smaller for Quiboloy as sooner or later he will be located and he will have to face the court that issued the warrant of arrest,” Abalos noted. Abalos also said it is possible that Quiboloy has already left the country.
“Anything is possible. It is not impossible when one is hiding. It can be far or near but we verify all of these. One thing I could assure those who are listening, despite the criticisms, we are just doing our jobs since there is a warrant of arrest. We need to serve the warrant. It’s as simple as that,” he stressed. n
Fil-Am leaders condemn Trump assassination...
shooting, is safe and looking forward to attending the convention.
“This is a very sad day for our nation,” Ron Falconi, the FilAm mayor of Brunswick, Ohio, told Inquirer.net USA. “My prayers go out to President Trump and his family. We should also pray for the rallygoer who was killed, as well as those who were injured in the assassination attempt.”
According to Mayor Falconi, the attacks against Donald Trump are unparalleled in American history. “He has faced relentless media scrutiny since announcing his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election. Consider this: He has been impeached twice, and his political opponents have used the courts to entangle him legally, hindering his campaign efforts. He has been convicted of 34 felonies, with more legal battles still ahead. He is looking at the possibility of jail time. Now, he has become
the target of an assassination attempt! When will this end? It is painfully obvious that his adversaries will stop at nothing to defeat him. This is why Trump’s followers look up to him. It seems like he is willing to take a bullet for us. He was trying to make a political speech, and someone wanted to kill him for it.”
Trump issued the following statement after the incident:
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed and to the family of another person who was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my
right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong when I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
‘Sympathy is power’
“Today’s assassination attempt on former President Trump and current Republican Presidential nominee is a criminal act that must be condemned by every American, regardless of political affiliation,” said a cancer survivor and co-founder of Filipino American Cancer Care based in Virginia.
Maria Luna Orth, a FilAm Republican from Seattle, criticized the security at the rally. “The security at the rally was not properly secured and verified. They were one inch away from a bullet through his brain. Now they have made President Trump a martyr. And no one can beat a martyr. That
was a total of eight rounds of gunshots! Even people who were on the fence about Trump now sympathize with him. Sympathy is power! Trump will win in red waves. Thank God President Trump was not killed. This country would never be the same if Trump was killed today! July 13th will be remembered for thanking God for saving Trump’s life!” she said.
The Filipino American Democratic Club of New York issued a statement condemning the political violence in Pennsylvania. “FADCNY strongly condemns the act of political violence that took place in Pennsylvania today. We stand firmly against all forms of violence and wish for former President Trump’s full recovery,” the statement said. No place in our democracy Gina Ortiz Jones, former U.S. undersecretary of the Air Force, expressed her relief, stating, “I am encouraged to hear former President Trump is doing well
Support for Biden declines among Asian American...
by AAPI Data, APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the AARP.
The survey aims to guage the voting attitudes and behaviors among the Asian American voting bloc’s largest communities: Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese.
For Filipino American voters, 40% would have voted for Biden — among the lowest percentages of the surveyed groups — and 33% would have voted for Trump.
Although Asian American voters still prefer Biden over former President Donald Trump, support for Biden dropped from 2020, when 54% of Asian American voters planned to vote for Biden.
When it comes to favorability, 44% of Asian American voters view Biden either “very” or “somewhat” unfavorably while 62% view Trump either “very” or “somewhat” unfavorably.
Voting trends for other key congressional races remain the same with a majority of Asian Americans preferring Democratic candidates (51% for Democratic House candidates, 50% for Democratic Senate candidates) over Republicans (30% for GOP House and Senate candidates, each).
The survey also found that 86% of Asian American voters say that the job market and the economy are a top policy priority, and tied for second, were inflation and health care. Moreover, 85% of voters say that these issues were either “extremely” or “very” important factors in how they decide to vote.
Although the Asian American Voter Survey took place months before the infamous CNN debate between Biden and Trump, the survey shows that waning interest in Biden precludes recent instances of the president’s verbal stumbles.
“Even before the June presidential debate, President Biden had lost confidence among many Asian American voters,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data, said to Axios. “The diminished enthusiasm American Asian American Democrats and Independents could spell trouble for Biden in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia.”
The survey was released at a time when Biden’s cognitive welfare has become a central focus of this race. Suggesting a declining lack of enthusiasm for Biden, the survey emphasizes the trouble that the Biden campaign is currently embroiled in.
Historically, polls overestimate voter turnout overall, according to Janelle Wong, senior researcher at AAPI Data, who said that the results of this survey could represent problems for Biden going forward.
“Although we are not seeing a mass movement toward Trump in our community, we are seeing a potentially problematic trend for the Biden campaign among this fairly loyal bloc of Democratic-leaning voters,” Wong said.
Harris, AANHPI leaders address voters in Philly
As previously reported in the Asian
Journal, speculation over whether Vice President Kamala Harris may be a better fit as the Democratic candidate continue to percolate.
The survey found that 44% of Asian American voters have either a very favorable or somewhat favorable opinion of Harris, who has been making more appearances.
The Biden-Harris administration earlier this month rolled out Asian Americans Native Hawaiians Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) for Biden-Harris campaign to court the vast voting bloc months ahead of the election.
At the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 13, Harris — who is of Indian descent and is the first Asian American to serve as vice president—affirmed her confidence in the current administration.
Last week, Biden reinforced his intent to keep running — despite pressure from Democrats. At Saturday’s town hall, Harris continued to boost the Biden-Harris ticket for November.
“We always knew this election would be tough, and the past few days have been a reminder that running for President of the United States is never easy, nor should it be,” Harris said in her keynote address. “But one thing we know about our President, Joe Biden, he is a fighter, and he is the first to say, when you get knocked down, you get right back up. So we will continue to fight, we will continue to organize, and in November, we will win.” n
New book of journalist-professor
Alfredo Gabot out in California
LOS ANGELES – Veteran Filipino journalist, author and professor Alfredo G. Gabot has published his first of a series of books in the United States. Gabot’s new book, “California: A Philippine Territory – Almost and Other Stories,” is now available at Amazon, its publisher, announced on July 7, in both hardcover and paperback editions. Later, the eBook edition will also be available.
The 293-page book is the first volume on the compendium of select columns and articles of Gabot with the title as its centerpiece. Since retiring as a senior editor at Manila Bulletin, Gabot has become a freelance journalist, writing and editing newspapers, magazines and books, part-time professor and broadcaster.
Gabot’s first three books published in Manila in 1975 and 1976 were the “Manila Revenue Measures” and “Manila Barangay Guidebook and Directory” and the best-selling “Barangay: Peoplepower” which was an approved reference by then Education Secretary Juan L. Manuel in high schools and colleges and listed in the United States Library of Congress, among others.
The Amazon-published book is partly a tribute to outstanding Filipinos in America like Carlos S. Bulosan, a famous Filipino author and labor union advocate in the U.S. and a grand uncle of Gabot, noted for his autobiographical novel “America is in the Heart,” essay “Freedom from Want,” short story “The Laughter of My Father” and poem “I Want the Wide American Earth,” among others.
The book features the first translation in Filipino of the Bulosan poem “I Want the Wide American Earth” by journalist, poet, author and educator Jose Lad. Santos, former chairman of the Commission on the Filipino Language (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino) and former Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) like Gabot.
Lawyer-CPA Maritess Barrios-Taran, Director General
of KWF and a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), in her foreword stated the book captures the scintillating achievements of Filipinos in the Philippines and America like former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Robert Bonta, sports greats Victoria Manalo Draves and Natalie Coughlin, and celebrity Vanessa Hudgens, among others. The book also features two governors – Gavin Newsom of California and Ramon Guico III of Pangasinan – who, although miles apart, their fates are intertwined with a common mission of serving their constituents and one common bond – the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) where they both have Doctor of Public Management (DPM) degrees.
The book cover was from a painting of artist and historian Florante Villarica of Oriental Mindoro where galleon ships were built and mounted for the long sail to the Americas centuries ago.
The book is set to be launched
in California and Manila soon.
The launch in California is being planned at the Los Angeles Public Library where Carlos Bulosan immersed himself in reading while confined at the nearby Los Angeles General Hospital and started writing poems and honed himself for writing short stories and essays.
“Gusto Ko ang Malawak na Lupaing Amerika,” the Filipino translation of Carlos Bulosan’s famous poem, is expected to be recited during the book launching.
Gabot, former president of the National Press Club (NPC), former NCCA commissioner, former Director and Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Postal Corporation, and a university professor, is in the final preparations for his next books, among them “Rising from Ruins and the Big Dreams Come True,” and “Carlos S. Bulosan: The Hometown He Never Returned To.”
“California: A Philippine Territory – Almost and Other Stories” is available globally through Amazon.com. The link to the book via Amazon is https://amzn.to/4eXPO5U. n
Towering Filipino middleweight Blazen Rocilli signs agreement with Boxing VIP
LAS VEGAS – Filipino boxer Blazen Rocilli (6-
0, 5 KOs), a promising 21-year-old middleweight from Waipahu, Hawaii, now training in Las Vegas, NV, has officially signed a managerial agreement with Andrew Bocanegra, president of Boxing VIP. Rocilli, standing at an impressive 6’3” and fighting out of the southpaw stance, is unique for his size. He is the tallest Filipino in the sport and is poised to make significant strides in his boxing career under this new partnership.
Rocilli is trained by highly respected coach Richard Barrientes at the Pound-4-Pound boxing gym in Las Vegas, known for hosting some of the best training camps in boxing. With an incredible work ethic, Rocilli has quickly become a notable figure in the super welterweight division.
“I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Andrew Bocanegra and Boxing VIP,” said Rocilli, whose family back in the Philippines is from the city of Ilocos Norte. “I believe this partnership will elevate my career to new heights and provide me with the opportunities I need to showcase my skills on the biggest stages. I have a great team behind me now and I’m looking forward to my future in boxing.”
“Blazen Rocilli has the makings of something special in the boxing world,” said Bocanegra, confident in Rocilli’s potential. “His talent, combined with his massive height and southpaw stance, makes him a problem for anyone in the super welterweight division. As a tall Filipino boxer, he brings a unique style and presence to the ring that I believe will captivate fans and unite
benefits of POGOs amount to P166.49 billion annually while the estimated total economic costs amount to P265.74 billion,” Adriano said.
The economic benefits comprised both direct and indirect benefits. Adriano explained that direct economic benefits include tax revenues, gaming revenues, private consumption spending, real estate and other consumptions. Indirect economic benefits are economic and fiscal multiplier effects. Meanwhile, the direct economic costs include lost investment opportunities, additional costs of law enforcement and the impact to tourism. Adriano also cited the
the Philippine community. In my opinion, he can become the next Filipino superstar.” Rocilli, a promotional free agent, inspired by the legacy of Filipino boxing legends, expressed his aspirations for his career. “I want to follow in the footsteps of great Philippine fighters like Manny Pacquiao and others. They have set a high standard, and I am determined to honor their legacy by working hard and striving for greatness in every fight.”
(Boxing VIP Release) n
social costs of allowing POGOs to operate, saying that their analysis does not account for the loss of life and other injuries brought by illegal POGOs.
“If ever there will be a ban of POGOs, but that can be compensated if there will be more investment that will be coming in because of the ban,” he said.
Grey market
During the hearing, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chief Alejandro Tengco said there was a grey market for online gaming and POGOs. Grey markets indicate that the platforms are not registered and operating illegally.
“Up to 2024, I believe there is still about anywhere between
30% to 40% of the business being controlled by the grey market,” said Tengco.
The PAGCOR chuef estimated the unregulated industry to be worth around P200 billion.
“There is about a P200 billion market now per annum in the online gaming platform, only in the Philippines, more or less. If you will ask me where am I getting data, we’re just putting together all the numbers that we have seen and we are also in consultation with out consultants,” he said.
According to the PAGCOR chief, the agency’s gross gaming revenue has been steadily increasing throughout the years, going from P28 billion in 2022 up to P56 billion in 2023. (Philstar.com) n
Fil-Am leaders condemn Trump...
following today’s awful events. Political violence must always be condemned because it has absolutely no place in our democracy.”
Assemblymember Steven Raga of Queens’ District 30 called on everyone to unite in light of the horrific incident. “Today, we must unite as a nation to unequivocally condemn all forms of political violence, especially in light of the recent incident involving former President Trump,” he said. “I wish former President Trump a swift and full recovery.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said she and her husband, Doug, are relieved that Trump is not seriously injured. “We are praying for him, his family and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
President Joe Biden is also grateful to hear that Trump is safe and doing well. “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” he said. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams described the events that unfolded at Saturday’s rally in Pennsylvania as horrific. “No matter our disagreements, we must all agree that violence of any kind is unacceptable,” he said. “I am praying for the safety of former President Trump and anyone else who may have been injured in the attack today.”
Skepticism Meanwhile, amid the widespread condemnation and calls for unity, skepticism and conspiracy theories have begun to emerge. Some Filipino Americans, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed doubts about the authenticity of the shooting incident. They speculated that the event might have been staged to elicit sympathy from non-GOP voters, suggesting that Trump is desperate to
secure re-election in the upcoming November elections.
“How did the assassin miss?” asked one FilAm Democrat. But a police officer, who identified as neither Republican nor Democrat, dismissed the doubt as “fake news.” He argued, “Trump was trailing Biden by 10 points this morning. One spectator is dead, and another is critically injured. Trump was two inches away from a headshot from a sniper rifle 200 feet away in an adjacent building that the Secret Service would have secured. There aren’t many buildings in that area to secure, unlike Manhattan. The Democrats need the sympathy, not Trump. They need to worry about a president who will soon be replaced. We have all been saying Biden (is showing) early signs of Parkinson’s and dementia. But Democrats have been lying all along, claiming that behind closed doors he’s energetic and on the ball. Lies! Biden called Zelensky ‘Putin,’ called Trump ‘vice president,’ and called Kamala ‘president.’ It’s the Democrats who need the sympathy, not the GOP. That was an attack on our freedom of speech; freedom to assemble and freedom to support any candidate.” The shooting incident has not only shaken the political landscape but also raised serious concerns about security at political events. Many are questioning how a shooter could get so close to a former president and current presidential nominee. Security experts and law enforcement agencies are expected to conduct thorough reviews and implement enhanced measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Despite differing opinions and conspiracy theories, the overarching sentiment across the political spectrum is one of condemnation of violence and a call for unity. Leaders and organizations are urging Americans to come together and reject any form of political violence. This incident has underscored the deep divisions within the country, but it has also highlighted the resilience of its democratic values. As the nation moves forward, the hope is that this tragic event will serve as a catalyst for greater unity and a reaffirmation of the commitment to peaceful and democratic processes. (Elton Lugay/Inquirer.net) n
REDEVELOPING PLAZA AZUL. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Don Artes (right) and Manila City Mayor
Honey Lacuna (center) lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the Plaza Azul redevelopment project in Pandacan, Manila on Thursday, July 18. Under the project, 8,000 square meters of idle land will be converted into an event and wellness park complete with green infrastructures as part of the “Green Green Green” program of the MMDA and the Department of Budget and Management.
PNA
photo by Yancy Lim
boxer and undefeated middleweight Blazen Rocilli
Photo courtesy of Boxing VIP
Dateline PhiliPPines Manila sea level rising by 2.6 cm/year – study
Duterte leaves DepEd with ‘heavy heart,’ Angara ‘hits ground running’
by red MeNdoza ManilaTimes.net
MANILA — Vice President
Sara Duterte has no regrets running the Department of Education (DePed) during her two year-stint as she turned over the reins to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara who “hit the ground running” on Thursday, July 18.
“In fact, it is with a heavy heart that I will leave the Department of Education, minahal ko itong trabahong ito, minahal ko yung mga kasama ko sa DepEd, so, mayroon talaga akong regrets, dahil gusto ko talagang tapusin ang deliverables ng (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) administration (I loved this job, I loved my colleagues in DepEd, so I really have regrets because I would have wanted to finish the deliverables of the Marcos administration),” Duterte said in a chance interview with reporters after the turnover ceremony.
Duterte said that her resignation was a combination of “personal,” “professional” and “political” reasons but did not elaborate, noting that it would take a “sit down” interview to discuss them.
Speaking in Filipino, Duterte said the personal was between her and President Marcos which stemmed from “what we
talked about before I agreed to handle DepEd, the other concerns work, and another for the country.” She also denied that her rift with First Lady Louise Marie Araneta-Marcos had something to do with her resignation. Duterte is hopeful that Angara would continue some of her plans and projects at the DepEd, including the revision of the Senior High School curriculum and the DepEd Digital Classroom project. In his speech at the turnover
ceremony, Angara said that it was a “huge honor” for him to be selected by President Marcos to serve as education chief and vowed to do whatever it takes to achieve the reforms and changes needed in the education system in line with “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) “As we assume our role and start a new chapter for DepEd, we will hit the ground running and learn as we go. Allow us some time to dig deeper. In the coming days, we will outline our key priorities,” Angara said. n
by Bella Cariaso Philstar.com
MANILA — The sea level in Manila has been increasing by about 2.6 centimeters per year from an average rate of 1.3 millimeters per year in the 1900s, with groundwater use in the city enhancing the risk of sea level rise in the country’s capital, according to a study. The Philippine Climate Change Assessment report was contained in the 268-page National Adaptation Plan (NAP) approved by President Marcos.
“The implications of rising sea levels are compounded by the occurrence of land subsidence in certain areas, exacerbating the impact of sea level rise and leading to increased vulnerability to flooding and extreme sea levels,” the report said.
Vulnerable
The NAP also cited a report from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that Southeast Asia is often considered especially vulnerable to the impacts of sea-level rise, and local areas of the Philippines have been experiencing relatively high rates of sea-level rise.
“About 60 percent of the Philippine population and over 50 percent of Philippine municipalities, including the country’s capital, Manila, are in the coastal zone,” the report said.
“Manila has experienced a rapid increase in sea level, primarily attributed to long-term land subsidence caused by excessive groundwater extraction. In contrast, Legazpi and Davao have witnessed gradual sea level rises, while no clear trend has been observed in Cebu and Jolo, Sulu,” the report added.
Groundwater use, subsidence related
The report said that the research utilizing satellite data has revealed a significant correlation between subsidence zones and regions with high groundwater usage, particularly in Regions IV-B,
III, VII and XI.
“Given this understanding, an important adaptation strategy for reducing the effects of sea level rise and flooding in these vulnerable areas would be to manage water (including groundwater) usage effectively,” the report added. It added that sea level rise poses a significant threat to the Philippines, particularly in terms of inundation.
A sea level rise of one meter would affect 7,000 square kilometers and 1.8 million people in 2,490 barangays, according to the report.
A three-meter rise would affect over 15,000 square km and 3.4 million people in 5,387 barangays.
“Sea level rise also affects natural systems, such as mangrove degradation, coral reef bleaching and saltwater intrusion,” the study said.
According to the report, the scale of the potential impacts underscores the urgency of addressing and mitigating the risks associated with rising sea levels.
“Human-induced factors, such as climate change and the subsequent warming of the oceans and melting of ice sheets, are primarily responsible for this phenomenon,” the NAP report said in its conclusion.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has said that around 13.6 million Filipinos would need to relocate amid the impact of climate change.
“It is projected that almost 17 percent of the Philippines’ islands will be submerged due to sea level rising by 2100, putting at risk 64 provinces… and (an) estimated 13.6 million Filipinos would need relocation,” DENR Undersecretary for finance, information systems and climate change Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said.
The country’s hosting of the Loss and Damage Fund Board gives vulnerable and developing countries representation, she said. n
Marcos’ performance, trust ratings decline
by red MeNdoza ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trust and approval ratings slipped in the second quarter of 2024, while Vice President Sara Duterte’s ratings remain constant statistically, pollster Pulse Asia said in its latest Ulat ng Bayan survey. The survey, conducted from June 17–24, 2024, showed the president’s performance slipping 2 percentage points to 53 percent, down from 55
percent in March.
While his performance ratings increased in the National Capital Region by 14 percentage points, from 47 percent to 61 percent, they eroded in Luzon by 9 percentage points, from 66 percent to 57 percent.
His approval rating among class ABC also declined by 13 percentage points, from 62 percent in March 2024 to 49 percent in June 2024.
His approval rating among class ABC also declined by 13 percentage points, from 62
percent in March 2024 to 49 percent in June 2024. Duterte’s approval ratings jumped in NCR and Visayas, with 12 and 16 percentage point gains, respectively, rising to 64 percent from 52 percent and 80 percent from 64 percent, respectively, in these regions. She also increased her approval ratings among socioeconomic class E, with a 17-percentage point increase to 82 percent from 65 percent in the previous quarter.
Vice President Sara Duterte and her successor Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara pose for a photo during turnover ceremonies at the Department of Education on Thursday, July 18. Duterte resigned as Education secretary in June amid undercurrents in her relationship with First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos who criticized her for allowing her father, the former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brothers badmouth the incumbent chief executive during a rally in Davao City. The president appointed Angara to replace the vice president. Photo by Red Mendoza
WAGE HIKE. Construction workers put up scaffolding at a park in Kalaw, Manila on Thursday, July 18. The daily minimum wage for workers in the National Capital Region has increased by P35 effective July 17.
PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Features OpiniOn
Dereliction of duty
LAST week the Supreme Court clarified that contrary to a published report, it had yet to rule on petitions urging the tribunal to compel Congress to pass a law against political dynasties. The clarification inevitably led to people asking when the SC might rule on the petitions, which cite the constitutional prohibition on dynasties as may be defined by law.
That law has yet to be passed by Congress, where dynasty building has reached shameless proportions and may get even worse in the 2025 midterm elections. There’s no end in sight to the appalling growth of clans wanting to control all aspects of governance in their fiefdoms, from barangays to local governments to national posts.
Isn’t this inability or unwillingness to pass the enabling law a dereliction of duty on the part of Congress?
Dynasty building has short-circuited the system of checks and balances needed for a functioning democracy where transparency, accountability and good governance ensure the efficient delivery of basic services and judicious use of public funds.
Dynasty building has also doomed the creation of a merit-based society, which is needed for
AMERICAN politics has been careening towards the abyss of political violence.
The attempted assassination on candidate Donald Trump underscores this.
In the immediate aftermath of this horror that saw Trump sightly wounded, the assassin and a spectator killed and two other critically wounded, both parties are engrossed blaming each other for the outbreak of political violence. The shooter has been identified as a 20-year-old nursing aide wielding an AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle. He is a registered Republican.
Investigators are still plowing through all available information to establish a motive for this assassination attempt. From all the early indications, it seems the young shooter likely acted alone and was probably emotionally imbalanced.
There are calls for inquiries
THOMAS Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., is the man the FBI has identified as the shooter at the Butler, Pa. Trump rally, in what law enforcement is calling an “assassination attempt.”
Some news organizations will choose not to say the name of the rally shooter, thinking that doing so would only glorify the now deceased suspect. But Thomas Matthew Crooks is a major part of what happened on Saturday. To keep him anonymous is to censor a key fact. It was Thomas Matthew Crooks’ shocking actions that may be the thing that finally sobers up America.
We’ve been drunk with ideology and divided by politics for too long.
Crooks was a registered Republican, according to voter records. Three years ago, he made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee that supports Democratic politicians. The extent of his political activity isn’t known as I write. But from his high school photo, he appeared to be a clean-cut white kid from a Pittsburgh suburb, not
national competitiveness and survival in a highly competitive globalized environment. Between the political clans and influencepeddling special interest groups that hold sway in nearly all aspects of national life, personal advancement is an uphill battle for ordinary Filipinos. Little wonder that the Filipino Dream is to leave the country for other lands where a person’s worth is measured based on capability rather than surnames or connections. Dynasts have argued that if people are unhappy with their clans, they can always be voted out of office. Many clans, however, have a stranglehold on nearly all the government resources for dispensing dole-outs and carrying out taxfunded projects in their fiefdoms, leaving little room for outsiders to challenge their political control. Dynasty building also undermines the
Vicious
into the failings of the Secret Service platoon assigned to physically protect Trump. All the video evidence suggests numerous lapses, the most important of which is the failure to stop a man with a rifle perched on a rooftop with clear line-of-sight to the stage where Trump stood.
Establishing the dead assassin’s motive and correcting all the operational weaknesses of the Secret Service are important. But they are not as important as examining the context of political hate and the epidemic of lax firearms regulations afflicting American politics. They make political violence nearly inevitable.
Trump bears an inordinate share of responsibility for poisoning American political discourse. In Trump’s version of political contestation, respect plays no role. He built a constituency on the basis of exaggerated grievance. He habitually caricatures his political rivals and, recently, seemed to be threatening partisan violence should he lose next November’s elections.
Recall that Trump did call out his most fanatical followers to assault the U.S. Capitol in order to overturn the results of the last elections. In the process, he unleashed a lynching mob on his own vice president who refused to play along with what was in fact a coup attempt. Trump faces charges relating to the Jan. 6 riots. Completely unversed in the nuances of the policy questions of the day, Trump has mounted an electoral campaign driven by vilification and fueled by lies. This is a campaign abetted by the obscurantism of Christian nationalists and the menacing marches of armed right-wing militia groups. His campaign commissioned an extremely conservative thinktank to produce what is called Plan 2025, a truly disturbing program for replacing democracy with fascism.
In the face of adverse public reaction to Plan 2025, Trump tried to distance himself from it. But the manifesto was put together by dozens of individuals closely associated with Trump. It essentially puts into programatic form
criminal justice system, with clans controlling the police, prosecution, judiciary and jail facilities in their turfs. This has engendered impunity, as the nation has seen in so many brazen political killings.
the policy implications of all the things Trump has uttered during his public rallies.
We will not repeat here all the stupendous conspiracy theories that invariably proliferate after a shocking event such as last Saturday’s (July 13) assassination attempt. Most of these conspiracy theories emanate from partisan echo chambers and circulate rapidly through the magic of social media. It is not productive repeating them or even refuting them.
Hours after the shooting, President Joe Biden addressed his nation. He called for unity and for cooling the heated rhetoric.
Partisan hate has indeed poisoned the political well. This expands the possibility for political violence to happen. It crowds out a serious national discourse on the policy options open for the electorate.
For his part, Donald Trump went out to play golf the morning after he was shot at. He had no inspiring things to tell an anxious public – although he did promise to rework his speech for the Republican National Convention that is underway from today.
The shot that grazed Trump’s
ear and was only a millimeter away from a truly tragic outcome ought to have put the question of gun regulations at the front and center of public debate. But the Republican Party is not likely to budge from its Wild, Wild West attitude towards casual gun ownership. With more guns in private hands than the size of its population, the U.S. has been experiencing a nearly daily incidence of random mass shootings. These mass shootings take an appalling toll on children in schools. The Republican Party’s preferred response to this problem is to arm school teachers. This is totally insane. More imminent than the threat of organized right-wing militia going on a rampage should they disagree with electoral outcomes, there is the persistent danger of lone wolves pulling off armed attacks inspired by some warped understanding of the world. The young person who shot at Trump last Saturday fit the profile of solitary and alienated characters pulling off random mass shootings. American society is increasingly inhabited by solitary, disoriented and
disillusioned individuals. Each of them has easy access to guns, including powerful assault rifles capable of inflicting mass casualties. The peril this poses will not be abated by improving the protection skills of the Secret Service.
Even if Trump echoes Biden’s call for cooling the partisan rhetoric, American politics is still careening towards the abyss of political violence. It is too late to reverse course.
Last Monday, July 15, I listened intently to an American political scientist expound on his theory that his country’s institutions, checks-andbalances and all, are intended to divide rather than unite. The present campaigns that feature vicious personal attacks merely heighten what is institutionally designed.
More than its American equivalent, Filipino political institutions incline our politics to personal attacks rather than policy discussion. (Philstar. com)
* * *
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.
Will an assassination attempt change politics in America?
The images of a bloodied Trump and the flag shouldn’t be politicized to unite one group of Americans against another
some radical activist. As to his mental state, nothing yet has been revealed.
We do know Crooks had a car full of explosives and an AR-15 type weapon. He was a reckless and irresponsible firearms owner (shooting into a crowd?) and not very skilled. His shots grazed the former president’s ear, killed one person, wounded at least two others and stunned everyone around the nation no matter what your political beliefs. This isn’t supposed to happen in America. In our country, the Constitution affords us a path to solve our differences. The First Amendment gives us free speech and the right to gather and express ourselves, which leads to debate.
It should not lead to gunfire.
Not in a land where politics is decided by the vote, and our voices are heard loudly by our ballots, not our bullets. Soon after the shots were fired, the FBI reported that Crooks had been “neutralized.”
That’s the euphemism used to indicate Crooks was killed and the threat was abated. Gone.
But was it?
The shooter may have been neutralized, but was America
freed from its acrid sense of hate?
A chance to bring the country together?
Our politics has been so toxic, Saturday’s (July 13) horrific event should be seen as an opportunity for all of us to turn down the rhetoric – by a lot.
For a while on Saturday, it seems everyone was civil.
Democrats were praying for Trump to live. Republicans were just shocked. All the cable news analysts were praying for Trump. That’s unity.
Is that our cue? This is the chance to condemn the shooter and stand up as one country, neutralized from our own divisive politics and united against the senseless use of gun violence as any kind of arbiter.
Politics can be a matter of life and death, but that isn’t supposed to be literal.
After the Saturday shooting, everyone was rooting for Trump, and why not? He’s an American, after all, and a human being just like all the rest of us.
Wouldn’t he do the same for us? Likely not. But I would hope so, if he truly wants to be president. We disagree on many fundamental points.
And we will stay opposed on practically all policies. But we are not enemies. Or are we?
President Biden said it best at his news briefing Saturday night. Both the president and Trump reportedly spoke to each other after the shooting for the first time since their June 27 debate.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence, it’s sick, it’s sick,” said President Biden at a post-shooting news briefing. “It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.”
Later in an address to the nation on Sunday, July 14, the president asked “every American to recommit to what makes America” so special.
“Here in America, everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and hate should have no safe harbor,” President Biden said on nationwide TV. “We need to get out of our silos where we only listen to those with whom we agree; where misinformation is rampant; where foreign actors fan the flames of our division to shape the outcomes consistent with their interests not ours.”
And, of course, there was an appeal that competing visions
of the campaign “always be resolved peacefully.”
“Stand up for our Constitution and the rule of law,” the president said. “Call for action at the ballot. Not for violence on our streets. That’s how democracy should work.”
But we are already too close to the edge. We don’t have to go back to the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to see how real a problem domestic political violence is in this country.
Think about the right-wing intruder who, on Oct. 28, 2022, went after Democratic Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi, then used a hammer to nearly kill her husband Paul Pelosi.
David De Pape was convicted on assault and attempted kidnapping charges and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Political violence? We certainly saw it on Jan. 6, 2021 with the insurrection of the capital, which, ironically, was instigated by Donald Trump.
You might say this makes an assassination attempt on Trump just days before the Republican National Convention something Joe Biden might call an “inflection point.”
It would be if we could put the nasty politics aside, eschew our divisiveness, and realize what a
massive step forward we could make as a country together.
Naive? Some think democracy is naive.
My optimism
Me, I want to hang on to that sliver of hope and optimism I noticed when good people saw the news on Saturday and just thought about the future of our country – and not about winning an election. The unfortunate assassination attempt should be seen as a signal that it’s time to end the hyper-partisanship that ails us and to heal our open wounds. It is time to reach out, work together. To see each other not as die-hard enemies but as members of the same team.
Asian Americans know what it’s like to be seen as enemies and foreigners by our fellow Americans. From the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII to the scapegoating of Asians during the pandemic, we have stood up to the hate.
Now all America must stand together and dare to be united as Americans for our democracy.
We must quickly condemn all those who will use this as an opportunity to fan the flames of division. Already
u PAGE 7
Alex First Person
The dynasty-dominated Congress cannot be expected to change a system that has made politics a major family enterprise in this country. It’s up to the Supreme Court to open the doors to the long-delayed reforms. (Philstar.com)
Emil Amok!
Comelec chief won’t resign
by MayeN JayMaliN Philstar.com
MANILA — Commission on Elections Chairman
George Garcia will not step down from his post amid bribery allegations concerning the purchase of new voting machines to be used in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Neither he nor any Comelec member will resign or take a leave of absence based on false and unfounded allegations circulating on social media, according to Garcia.
“That’s impossible. It is impossible for a member of the commission to take a leave or file a courtesy resignation. Are they crazy?” he said in response to media queries concerning calls for him to step down from his post.
“It’s like we’re saying that their accusations are true. For me, I won’t stoop to that level of being told to resign, take leave,” he added, his comment applauded by poll officials and employees.
The Comelec chief expressed belief that a troll farm was behind the online calls for his resignation.
He said he is not used to such kind of attacks, but the poll body will continue to fight misinformation being peddled on social media.
On Wednesday, July 17, all the other six Comelec members as well as other ranking poll officials and employees came in full force to express their support for Garcia.
Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said the ongoing demolition job is not just against Garcia, but the entire poll body.
“As you can see, we are united, so we will see to it that those persons who are doing these malicious attacks against our institutions will be responsible,”
Casquejo added. Commissioner Socorro Inting urged those behind the attack against Garcia not to “crucify” the poll body in the “court of public opinion.”
Inting said Comelec members are ready to defend themselves in court.
She further assured Garcia that the accusations against him would be dismissed if filed in court, considering that four of the six local bank accounts claimed to be under his name were proven to be spurious.
Commissioner Aimee Ferolino turned emotional as she expressed disgust over the controversy and that Garcia, whom she described as “the most hardworking chairman,” is being subjected to false accusations.
Garcia said he is just awaiting the results of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigation and would soon file legal suits against those behind the demolition job.
He added that at present, the NBI already has a lead on those behind the false accusations being peddled against him.
The Comelec, however, declined to confirm whether technology provider Smartmatic is behind the misinformation against him.
He said charges of falsification of document is likely to be filed against the individual who is in possession of the document containing the list of spurious local bank accounts.
‘Baseless, careless’
Technology provider Miru System strongly condemned the bribery allegations being hurled against the company.
“This is a serious allegation that should not have been made public without any evidence,” Miru said in a statement released on Wednesday.
“We have nothing but a professional relationship with everyone in the Comelec,” it added.
The “baseless and careless” accusations not only malign the company’s name, but also distract them from their work with the Comelec, according to the company.
Miru expressed willingness to cooperate with any government agency that will conduct an investigation and legal action against those behind the misinformation drive.
Miru also gave its full backing for the Comelec’s call for redress in the proper forum. n
Will an assassination attempt change politics in America...
on social media, Sen. J.D. Vance, a leading candidate to be Trump’s veep, is pointing fingers at Biden.
“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance wrote on X. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”’
That’s just false and irresponsible. Have you seen the right’s Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation doc that is written by more than 100 Trump staffers and advocates such things as rounding up undocumented people and placing them in camps?
It’s been a part of Trump’s hate-inducing rhetoric for so long. Who else says immigrants “are poisoning the blood of our country?”
That’s Trump talk. Now here’s an opening for change on all sides.
This should be a unifying moment to lift everyone, not just Trump’s base. The emotionally charged remnants of Saturday, like the images of a bloodied Trump and the flag, shouldn’t be politicized to unite one group of Americans against another. That would only feed the Trump base with notions of anger and vengeance and be a monumental misuse of this moment.
Instead, this is the reminder our politics could use a little of what my Hawaiian friends call aloha.
Going into the Republican convention week, the assassination should be a call to unite us all. But admittedly, the angry raised fist from Trump as he made his bloody exit only diminishes hope, especially if people follow their cult leader blindly.
Still, we shouldn’t squander a chance to try to end – or at least greatly reduce – the toxic rhetoric that has divided
America. Keep your focus on 20-yearold Thomas Michael Crooks, the shooter. In the name of our great country, we condemn his actions, as Americans, together. If we don’t reject it now, we will miss a chance to stem a greater threat
Speaker Martin Romualdez’s approval ratings increased by 4 percentage points to 35 percent, with the biggest jump registered in the Visayas region, a 26-percentage point increase from 33 percent to 59 percent.
He also posted a 2-percentage point increase in trust ratings among Class E, from 20 percent to 41 percent.
Marcos’ trust ratings declined in June 2024, with only 52 percent saying that they trust the president, a decline of 5 percentage points from the 57 percent reported in March. The decline in Marcos’ trust ratings was more pronounced in Luzon, with a nine-point drop from 67 percent to 58 percent, as well as in socioeconomic class ABC, with a 13-percentage point drop in trust ratings from 63 percent to 50 percent. Duterte’s approval rating remained stable at 71 percent, with no change from the previous quarter’s survey, while Romualdez’s trust rating increased 4 percentage points from 31 percent in March to 35 percent in June, boosted by a 30 percent increase in trust
ratings in the Visayas region, from 27 percent to 57 percent, and socioeconomic class E, from 22 percent to 40 percent.
Newly installed Senate President Francis Escudero’s initial trust rating was registered at 69 percent, with the highest trust rating reported in the NCR, with 75 percent of respondents saying they trust the new leader. Romualdez said that the results of the survey are a “clear affirmation” of the diligent work and dedication demonstrated by his colleagues at the House of Representatives. n
BUSINESS
STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014536 Tyni3 Bites located at 1062 Calle Pilares, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Ma Christina D. Agoncillo, 1062 Calle Pilares, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2024. Signature: Ma Christina D. Agoncillo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/16/2024. AJ 1471 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1471
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014423
Purified S&B located at 1111 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.
Registrant: Rachelle Bayola, 1111 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST
BEGUN TO TRANSACT
BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/04/2024.
Signature: Rachelle Bayola. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/15/2024. AJ 1473 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1473
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014528
Sarah’s Global Getaways located at 8829 Spectrum Center Blvd, 3310, San Diego, CA 92123. Registrant: Sarah Valdez Rostamijam, 8829 Spectrum Center Blvd, 3310, San Diego, CA 92123. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Sarah Valdez Rostamijam. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/16/2024. AJ 1472 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1472
LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES
hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 08/14/2024 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. (THE) Asian Journal: JUL 02, 2024 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1458 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1458
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013666
SE7VENCUPS CAFE LLC located at 3400 E. 8th St. Suite 114, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: SE7VENCUPS CAFE LLC, 3400 E. 8th St. Suite 114, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability COmpany. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/01/2024. Signature: Ivy Macasinag. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/01/2024. AJ 1459 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024. AJSD 1459
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014352
Craftee Designs located at 3742 33rd St #5, San Diego, CA 92104.
Registrant: Tatjana
Annette Sebro, 3742 33rd St #5, San Diego, CA 92104. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Tatjana
Serbo.
Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/11/2024. AJ 1465 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1465
CASE NUMBER: 24CU001513C TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Alexus Alazay Enriquez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Alexus Alazay Enriquez to Amarra Ainaz Amarro. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: 09/03/2024 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. (THE) Asian Journal: JUL 16, 2024 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT
Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1474 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1474
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013877
Father’s Painting located at 13925 Lewiston St, San Diego, CA 92128. Registrant: Chung L. Kim, 13925 Lewiston St, San Diego, CA 92128. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/20/1999. Signature: Chung L. Kim. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/03/2024. AJ 1460 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1460
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013050 San Diego Indian Spices located at 6784 El Cajon Blvd, Ste-C, San Diego, CA 92115.
Registrant: Himalayan Spice Mart LLC, 6784 El Cajon Blvd, Ste-D, San Diego, CA 92115. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Sasmit Koirala. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/21/2024. AJ 1466 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024.AJSD 1466
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012951
All That Shabu located at 8105 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126.
Registrant: All That Shabu SD, INC, 103 Tinker, Irvine, CA 92618. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Kyeoung Shin Youn.
Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/20/2024.
AJ 1448 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1448
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012535
22 Graphics located at 368 Anita Street SP 25, Chula Vista, CA 91911.
Registrant: Leopoldo Barboza, 368 Anita Street SP 25, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Leopoldo Barboza III. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/14/2024. AJ 1451 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012533
JMF Concrete LLC located at 522 Bayona Loop, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: JMF Concrete LLC, 522 Bayona Loop, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/15/2024. Signature: Justin Fulton. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/14/2024. AJ 1455 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1455
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014025
A&Y’s Sober and Independent Living located at 1843 Doran Street, San Diego, CA 92154.
Registrant: Nyuydine C Meriwether, 1843 Doran Street, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/01/2024.
Signature: Nyuydine C Meriwether. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/08/2024. AJ 1461 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024 AJSD 1461
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014325
Unspoken Gibberish located at 3400 Cottage Way, Ste G2, Sacramento, CA 95825. Registrant: Unspoken Gibberish, 3400 Cottage Way, Ste G2, Sacramento, CA 95825. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/11/2024. Signature: Allen Ramirez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/11/2024. AJ 1467 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1467
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013074
Zakkout Real Estate Services located at 8078 Camino Montego, Carlsbad, CA 92009.
Registrant: Aziz A Zakkout INC, 8078 Camino Montego, Carlsbad, CA 92009. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Aziz A Zakkout. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/21/2024. AJ 1449 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1449
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012004
Len’s Jewelry Shop located at 1430 E Plaza Blvd, Suite K-07, National City, CA 91950.
Registrant: Leny R. Nata, INC, 1430 E Plaza Blvd, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/07/2024.
Signature: Leny Nata. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/07/2024. AJ 1452 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013587
World Micro Dramas Research Association located at 10785 Birch Bluff Ave, San Diego, CA 92131. Registrant: Maria Lixian Gee-Schweiger, 10785 Birch Bluff Ave, San Diego, CA 92131. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/28/2024. Signature: Maria Lixian Gee-Schweiger. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/28/2024. AJ 1456 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024. AJSD 1456
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014142 San Diego Sound Reinforcement located at 6373 Pastor Timothy J Winters St, San Diego, CA 92114-4247.
Registrant: Ian Tingzon, 6373 Pastor Timothy J Winters St, San Diego, CA 92114. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/08/2024.
Signature: Ian Tingzon. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/09/2024. AJ 1462 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1462
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014395
Numinous Med located at 3655 Ruffin Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92123. Registrant: Numinous Naturopathic INC, 9885 Erma Rd, San Diego, CA 92131. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Diana E Phan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/12/2024. AJ 1468 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1468
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9012925
a. EVAMMA LLC located at 1286 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. b. EVAMMA Retail Store located at 1286 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. Registrant: EVAMMA LLC, 6725 Paraside Ave, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Amma Biaa Acquah. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/20/2024. AJ 1450 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024. AJSD 1450
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013128
Silver Streak Cafe located at 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. Registrant: Rashida Hirani, 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/01/2018.
Signature: Rashida Hirani. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/24/2024. AJ 1453 06/28, 07/05, 07/12, and 07/19/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013598
a. STELLA MOVING & DELIVERY located at 1947 DARTMOOR DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA, 91945. b. MOVING WITH STELLA located at 1947 DARTMOOR DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA, 91945.
Registrant: C&S LOGISTICS INC.,1947 DARTMOOR DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA, 91945. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/08/2023. Signature: Arslan Turganov. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/01/2024. AJ 1457 07/05, 07/12, 07/19, and 07/26/2024. AJSD 1457
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9013772
Coolness Under Pressure LLC located at 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 102, Chula Vista, CA 91915. Registrant: Coolness Under Pressure LLC, 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 102, Chula Vista, CA 91915. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Leo Vincent F. Meneses. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/02/2024. AJ 1463 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1463
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014405
Lupita’s Cleaning And Dusting located at 2422 Buena Vista Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Registrant: Guadelupe Murillo Rodriguez, 2422 Buena Vista Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/12/2024. Signature: Guadelupe Murillo Rodriguez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/12/2024. AJ 1469 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1469
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014228
Ah Que Burro located at 8783 Troy St, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Rosa L. Gonzalez, 1539 S. 38th St, San Diego, CA 91977. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/10/2024.
Signature: Rosa L. Gonzalez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/10/2024. AJ 1464 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, and 08/02/2024. AJSD 1464
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9014533
Garlic Crave SD located at 1062 Calle Pilares, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Ma Christina D. Agoncillo, 1062 Calle Pilares, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Ma Christina D. Agoncillo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/16/2024. AJ 1470 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, and 08/09/2024. AJSD 1470
SAN DIEGO
Chris Quintos Cathcart: Championing underrepresented voices in the film industry
by MOMar G. Visaya / AJPress
CHRIS Quintos Cathcart’s journey from actor to executive producer is proof of her unwavering commitment to amplify underrepresented voices in the film industry. From her early days as an actor and writer, crafting roles for herself due to the scarcity of interesting parts for her ‘type,’ to co-founding Unapologetic Projects, Cathcart has relentlessly pursued her vision to tell authentic, diverse stories. Her transition from writer to actor to executive producer reflects a profound dedication to reshaping the cinematic landscape and ensuring all audiences see themselves represented on screen.
In January 2023, Chris cofounded Unapologetic Projects alongside her business partner, Tyler Boehm. Before this, Chris’s life was steeped in the performing arts. She began her career as an actor, thriving in the theater scene before transitioning to writing roles for herself, driven by the scarcity of interesting parts for her ‘type’.
This foray into writing eventually led her to Los Angeles. However, it was after the birth of her second child that Chris decided she needed a significant change. “It was just a powerless feeling,” she recalls. Initially, Chris sought roles for herself by connecting with Filipino American filmmakers. Her networking eventually led her to Tyler, who helped her find her first significant project with filmmaker Mallory Ortega. Chris provided the finishing funds for Ortega’s film, marking the beginning of their professional relationship.
Since its inception, Unapologetic Projects has produced two feature films and established a TV department. Their mandate is clear: to seek out underrepresented creators who tell authentic stories. “I’m still looking for that Filipino American role,” Chris admits. “But while I look, I’m making other stuff from different communities.”
Their film “DÍDI,” directed by Sean Wang, epitomizes their mission. The film won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for the company.
The journey to finding “DÍDI” was serendipitous. An agent introduced the project to them, and Tyler, with his extensive experience, recognized its potential. “He mentioned that he hadn’t seen boyhood treated this way before,” Chris says.
“As an Asian American, I hadn’t seen this kind of representation either. It spoke to both of us.”
They decided to produce the film and eventually sold
Quintos Cathcart Contributed photos it to Focus Features after its Sundance success. Unapologetic Projects’ recent film, “All That We Love,” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Yen Tan and starring Margaret Cho and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the film portrays a realistic Asian American family with relatable, everyday struggles. “I love that film because it shows what feels like a real Asian American family,” Chris explains. “They’re not perfect; they have their regular problems.”
Chris’s passion for storytelling extends beyond feature films. She is currently working on a documentary about Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, a legendary kickboxer from East LA. The documentary, produced by Fisher Stevens and Keanu Reeves and directed by Jennifer Tiexiera, will explore Benny’s life and career, highlighting his influence in Hollywood fight choreography. “Keanu Reeves idolizes this man,” Chris says. “Benny is a definitive figure in on-screen fighting.”
Building Unapologetic Projects has been an intense and rewarding journey for Chris. Despite not coming up as an executive within the traditional system, she finds her unique background as an actor and mother beneficial. “I’m really looking for positive disruption,” she says. “We pay writers to pitch TV shows with us, which is something other people don’t do. I think there’s a lot of space for change.”
Chris’ parents hail from Quezon City and immigrated to the United States in 1980, starting a new life in Oceanside, San Diego. She has only visited the Philippines once, attending her grandfather’s funeral in 1987.
Despite the infrequent visits, there is a strong desire to return to the Philippines. A significant trip was planned for New Year’s 2021, but those plans were disrupted by COVID. However, the dream of going back remains, with hopes of another trip in the future. “I would love if a project took me back,” she
Enchong Dee on showing up at awards shows
by haNNah MallorCa Inquirer.net
ENCHONG Dee stressed that being present in an awards ceremony, whether an actor is poised to win a plum or not, is a way of supporting the entertainment industry.
Dee pointed out that “showing up” matters as these ceremonies “celebrate” the industry when asked about actors supposedly “hesitant” to attend awards shows due to “uncertainty” of winning the award.
“We have to remember that an awards night is a celebration of our industry. It’s a celebration because last year, somehow, we saw the light in the Philippine movie industry when we thought that it was already dying. And all of a sudden, record-breaking films happen,” he told reporters at a Star Magic media con.
Touching on the topic, Dee recalled a reminder from “GomBurZa” director Pepe Diokno, where the latter always reminded the cast and crew Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry to “always show up.”
“It’s funny that you’re asking this because magkakasama kami ni Direk Pepe, nagkaroon ng awards night after the MMFF film,” he said. “And at our table, Direk Pepe said, ‘We always show up. We always show up no matter what. Because we’re not here to get an award. We’re here because our team is here.’”
(It’s funny that you’re asking this because Direk Pepe and I were together with the cast and crew. There was an awards night after the MMFF film. And in our table, Direk Pepe said, “We always show up. We
always show up no matter what. Because we’re not here to get an award. We’re here because our team is here.”)
This particular reminder, according to the actor, was “stuck” on him. It was advice that reiterated that he is not at an awards show for himself.
“The last thing I can do is to show up and to be here for my film… we are not here for ourselves. We are here for the family that we created. At the same time, isa siyang reminder na ’di ba, sobrang proud ka sa film mo? (At the same time, it’s a reminder that you’re proud of your film, right?) And when you’re nominated, you’re supposed to be proud to be nominated for your film,” he said.
Dee also reiterated that once an actor gets paid to star in a film, it’s supposed to be a “total
package” from filming, joining promotional activities and press conferences, to attending awards ceremonies.
“Proud ka sa pelikula mo and the least you can do is to be there for it. Ako kasi, lagi ko siyang tinitignan na kapag binayaran ka ng producer sa shooting, hindi naman siya natatapos sa shooting. It’s a total package,” he said.
(You’re proud of your film and the least you can do is to be there for it. For me, I always believe that when a producer pays you to be part of a film, it doesn’t just involve shooting. It doesn’t end in shooting. It’s a total package.)
Dee recently was named Best Supporting Actor award at the seventh Entertainment Editors’ Choice (Eddy) Awards for his portrayal of Padre Jacinto Zamora in “GomBurZa.” n
says. “That would be my dream, then I’d meet Filipinos in film and that would be amazing.”
The idea of connecting with Filipino filmmakers and exploring the vibrant film scene in the Philippines is a cherished aspiration.
Chris’s dedication to diversity is evident in her commitment to telling underrepresented stories. One such project is the true crime story of Teresita Basa, a Filipino nurse murdered in Chicago in the 1970s. The
case took a paranormal turn when Basa’s co-worker, Remy, began exhibiting strange behaviors and eventually provided clues to the police that led to the killer’s capture. This story, developed by Chris and directed by Maritte “Marty” Lee Go, promises to be a fascinating addition to Unapologetic Projects’ portfolio. Despite her busy schedule, Chris harbors a personal dream project. “I just want to find a Filipino 27 Dresses,” she
says, referring to the romantic comedy film. She has been spitballing about it with her partner Tyler and it has evolved into 27 first cousins, blending her love for rom-coms with her cultural heritage. “It’s been taking all my energy to launch this company, but one day I’ll get back to writing, and 27 First Cousins will be my first project.”
Reflecting on her journey, Chris acknowledges the challenges and rewards of her role. “The worst part of my job is that everything is my fault,” she admits. “But the best part is getting to read all day. I grew up as a bookworm, and now I get to do it with a team of people.” Her job, she says, is like being in a book club, where she gets to discuss and analyze material with her team.
For those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Chris offers advice: “There are two kinds of producers—the ones with money and the ones who do all the work. If you’re detailoriented and passionate about managing a project from start to finish, you can become a producer at any level.” She encourages young creatives to recognize the multitude of jobs in storytelling beyond acting and directing.
Through Unapologetic Projects, she continues to champion diverse voices and create impactful films that resonate with underrepresented communities. n
Chris
Unapologetic Projects, founded on the belief that all audiences deserve representation on screen, is revolutionizing the traditional financing model by prioritizing diversity and cultural authenticity over starpower and name recognition. Chris and Tyler, serving as executive producers, proudly presented their film Dìdi, which won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
Enchong Dee
ABS-CBN photo
The Miracle of Fatima The Musical in PH, Pilipinas Dream Team at PSBL grand opening at Araneta Coliseum
My P.E.P. (People, Events, Places)
rogelio ConstAntino MedinA
RINA Ortiz, an animal welfare advocate and co-founder of Biyaya Animal Care, is a Filipina who never tires of rescuing stray animals.
Together with over 100 staff members and 15 doctors at three locations and five shelters, Ortiz is making a difference in local communities through rescuing and protecting “abused, neglected, lost, and mistreated animals while serving the veterinary needs of pet owners and individuals.”
She has also a regular podcast, The Rina Ortiz Podcast Season 2, that began with former Senator Leila de Lima. This was followed by Laila “Chikadora” Pangilinan (TV5’s cat mama). She also appeared in Dinah Ventura’s Pairfect of Daily Tribune. Recently, she had an outreach activity held in FPJ Studios in Quezon City for neutering, antirabies vaccination and microchipping of cats and dogs, courtesy of the Quezon City Veterinary Department, FPJ Panday Bayanihan, and Office of Sen. Grace Poe.
On July 27, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Ayala Malls Trinoma Cinema 1, her Biyaya Animal Care will have Marvel Studios’ Deadpool and Wolverine’s block screening for the benefit of rescued cats and dogs of Biyaya Animal Sanctuary in Alfonso, Cavite.
* * *
American producer and writer Barbara Oleynick, a multifaceted creative professional with a passion for evangelizing the Fatima message through live performances, will bring “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical” to the Philippines. She is a known playwright, composer, lyricist and executive director of Fatima Foundation Inc. Helping her is Dominican director Luis Marcell Ricart, founder of THEAMUS Teatro Musical and musical director of Iglesia Regina Angelorum.
The main characters are the three young visionaries: Lucia (to be enacted by Fatima Marie Mislang and 72nd FAMAS best child actress Elia Ilano who appreared in Vince M. Tanada’s “Maria Goretti The Musical”), Jacinta (to be played by Sophia Marie Banaag and Ramjean Entera who appeared in the recent film “A Thousand Forests”), and Francisco (to be played by Prince Espana who also appeared in “A Thousand Forests” and Kian Co who appeared in the “Mallari” film).
Others in the cast include Terrence Guillermo, Bem Sabanal, Radhni Tiplan, Bryant Aunor, Jerome Fugoso, Elinor Acorda, Jassy Calupitan, Malou Canzana, Sherryl Ilano, Karl Tiuseco, Joselito Reyes, Mary Grace Sy, Alex Payan, Amikah Brigette Aunor, Maria Krischellei Robles, John Nicolas Gamboa, Randy dela Cruz, Cielo Marie dela Cruz, Crystal Fae Manalac, and Matthew Joseph Escalante.
It will be premiered on October 13, 2024 (107 years ago, the “Miracle of the Sun” phenomenon happened in Fatima, Portugal on the same day) in Manila, running every Wednesday to Sunday until December 22, 2024.
* * * UNKNOWN to many, actresssinger Beverly Salviejo was once a teacher. She first became known in the sitcom “Urbana at Feliza” as the maid of comedian Lou Veloso, which starred Mitch Valdez and Nanette Inventor. Since then she has appeared in some TV shows and movies.
Beverly has also appeared in ABS-CBN TV series “Forevermore,” with Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil and under the helm of director Cathy Garica-Molina. Likewise, she was seen in TV series “Imortal,” “Toda Max,” “Pintada,”
“Princess and I,” “My Little Juan,” “Got to Believe,” “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano,” “Pusong Ligaw” and “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko.”
Recently, she won in the 2nd Gawad Dangal Filipino Award as best supporting TV actress for her role in “Wish Ko Lang.” (Singer-actor Randy Santiago was also recognized by the same award-giving entity.) Salviejo also appeared in Daryll Yap’s “Maid in Malacanang.”
* * * Nirro Marcelo of SIRBISU Channel, chairman of the Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers, recently directed Lae Manego, hailed as Asia’s Queen of Fire, in her first solo concert this year at Pier 1 in Quezon City. It was a huge success with Lae’s guests Ivy Violan, Jos Garcia and the Toshka Band. I first met Lae, now Mrs. Querino Franzani (being married to a Dutch citizen), in September 2023 during PFBA. We were both awardees (thanks to La Visual Corporation). Recently, she appeared in New York City Billboard, courtesy of Janice Israel Delima Tentler. Soon, she will have her concert in Paris, France and The Netherlands.
Lae’s talent became known when she sang Aegis’ “Luha” on December 20, 2019 in
Mayor Gloria proposes first real, permanent city effort to address homelessness
City council to vote on negotiated lease for planned Hope @ Vine campus
SAN DIEGO – As the latest and perhaps most significant, long-term step in the City of San Diego’s continued efforts to address homelessness, Mayor Todd Gloria has announced a lease deal to transform a 65,000-square-foot commercial building in Middletown into a state-of-the-art shelter campus. The Hope @ Vine campus would deliver homelessness services in a compassionate, modern and dignified way to tens of thousands of residents over the next three decades.
“For years, past mayors and city councils have only engaged in ad-hoc, piecemeal, temporary approaches to addressing homelessness. Our proposal for Hope @ Vine ensures that the City’s response to homelessness is serious and will provide opportunity for those who are homeless now, and may become homeless in the future, to come off the streets and into care for years to come,” said Mayor Gloria. “With this proposal, we are looking to deliver the change that San Diegans want to see with regard to addressing homelessness on our streets, and that is what Hope @ Vine will be able to do.”
The city and the property owner have tentatively agreed on a 30-year lease at a cost of $1.95 per square foot with annual 3.5% increases and an estimated $12.5 million in facility maintenance costs over the term. The agreement provides benefits to the city including:
• 19 months of rent waived ($2.4 million in savings).
• $5 million unrestricted contribution from property owner.
Under the proposal being presented to the city council, the city would have authorization to spend up to $18 million to modernize and adapt the existing structure into a transformative campus. The facility’s layout allows for separate individual shelters each serving distinct populations including seniors and families. Site improvements call for a commercial kitchen, laundry facilities, dining areas,
GMA7’s Wowowin as part of the studio audience and which reached 16 million views on YouTube.
* * *
Ilonggo Bro. Vincent H. Fernandez, FSC of De La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) Alternative Education loves music and songwriting. He had able to compose 11 songs despite his hectic schedule, and I was fortunate to listen to two of his songs when I visited him at LSGH one Saturday morning. He said Louie Ocampo, a Filipino composer and arranger best known for his association with Martin Nievera, is his friend. Louie is regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music and he is best known for “Tell Me,” “Kahit Isang Saglit” and “You Are My Song.”
“Louie helped me in doing the original arrangement of my compositions,” says Bro. Vince who is the former director of University of St. La Salle’s Bahay Pag-asa for Youth Center in Bacolod City from 2006 to 2009, leading him to be acquainted and engaged in the Philippine Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System.
I was mesmerized by Bro. Vincent’s “Just Believe” and other musical compositions.
“The songs were songs in the musical I also wrote entitled “Animo: One Man and a Dream,”
a musical on the life of St. John Baptist De La Salle,” he said.
* * * Rudy Aquino, or simply Jun, of the entertaining basketball team (Pilipinas Dream Team) said that the grand opening of the Perlas ng Silangan Basketball League will be on Sunday, July 28, at the Araneta Coliseum with the PDT vs PeekUp All Star Legends. In attendance will be El Gamma Penumbra, Jiji Plays, Cool Kids Crew, Lockdown Band, and Star Magic ABS-CBN Talents.
Jun, the son of the late veteran actress Naty Santiago and favorite visual artist of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, related during the presscon for Noble Life’s 18th year in the Philippines on the topic of lifestyle solutions for diabetes how his family “is thankful to NobleLife for extending for one year and a half her life. We made a good decision to trust Dr. Orteza and NobleLife product. We did not return to the hospital and she underwent no surgery procedures. Thanks too to Lila Macapinlac.”
However, his mom Naty passed on peacefully at age 90.
* * * 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
• Property owner responsible for mitigation of any potential hazards identified during renovation process.
• The property is not available for purchase; however, the city has first right of refusal (ROFR) should landlord sell property.
• If property is sold within five years, the city would receive profits from sale (14% of net).
• Deal includes adjacent parcel of land that can serve multiple uses including for additional shelter and services.
“This is more than just a standard building lease – this agreement aims to provide a transformative shelter project that will bring people off the street and help them get the skills and support they need to improve their lives,” said Christina Bibler, Director of the City’s Economic Development Department. “We’re investing in a space that all San Diegans can be proud of and will provide services in a modern, comfortable and respectful way.”
Located just west of Interstate 5, the proposed Hope @
The San Diego City Council is set to review the Hope @ Vine project and proposed lease terms during a public hearing on Monday, July 22. Expanding shelter opportunities is a key priority for Mayor Gloria and is a component of the city’s Comprehensive Shelter Strategy. Since 2021, San Diego has increased the number of options for people to get off the street and on a path to housing by roughly 1,400, which includes shelter beds, Safe Sleeping sites and Safe Parking sites. According to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ most recent Point in Time Count, roughly 3,000 people remain unsheltered in the city of San Diego.
At Monday’s council meeting, staff from the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department will also present an update to the Strategy, which was first released in June 2023. (City of San Diego Release) n
The cast of “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical”
Rina Ortiz of Biyaya Animal Care Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina
Barbara Oleynick (standing, behind) with the young cast of “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical”
From left: Beverly Salviejo, Randy Santiago and Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Medina
The Pilipinas Dream Team with NobleLife CEO Lila Macapinlac (seated, 3rd from left) and other doctors.
Composer Louie Ocampo (middle) with Bro. Vince Fernandez, FSC (left) and Nawaf Teody Castro (right), a graduate of LSGH-ALS.
Elia Ilano, who plays Lucia, with American writer-lyricist Barbara Oleynick.
Lae Manego with director Nirro Marcelo during rehearsals.
The Pilipinas Dream Team
Lae Manego in a New York City billboard.
City Council unanimously confirms Robert Logan II as city’s next Fire-Rescue Chief
Logan, a 24-year veteran, will take over as Fire-Rescue Chief in August
SAN DIEGO – On Monday, July 15, the city council unanimously confirmed Mayor Todd Gloria’s appointment of Deputy Fire Chief Robert Logan II to be the City of San Diego’s next Fire-Rescue Chief.
“Having grown up in San Diego and served the FireRescue Department for nearly the past quarter-century, Deputy Chief Robert Logan has a deep understanding and genuine love for this city,” Mayor Gloria said. “He has a clear vision for how he’ll lead the department into its next chapter, and I’m excited to work with him to keep San Diegans safe. Residents across this city will soon see what I already know – Deputy Chief Logan is the right person for the job.”
Logan, who grew up in the Lincoln Park community of the City of San Diego, has served the Fire-Rescue Department for 24 years. He started as an EMT and then rose through the ranks as firefighter, fire engineer, fire captain, battalion chief and deputy chief. He currently oversees employee services, supervising and managing six divisions within the FireRescue Department, including recruitment, employee wellness, community outreach, professional standards, and training.
In June, Mayor Gloria nominated Deputy Chief Logan from a pool of 70 candidates to lead the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
“Growing up in San Diego as the child of a single mother who struggled with many of the major societal issues that we face today in the fire service helped me develop resilience, resolve, commitment to service, and a true understanding of our community’s diverse needs and realities,” said Deputy Chief Robert Logan II. “I commit to leading the Fire-Rescue Department with honesty, equity, and justice, and I’m
grateful to Mayor Gloria and the City Council for the faith and trust they have placed in me.” Logan will replace FireRescue Chief Colin Stowell, who announced his impending retirement in March. Chief Stowell served the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for 34 years, including six years as chief. His retirement becomes effective in August 2024.
(City of San Diego Release) n
Applicants needed for Citizens’ Law...
9
• Must be a registered voter in San Diego County.
• Cannot be a county employee.
• Cannot be affiliated with the county.
• Cannot currently hold a position as a sworn law enforcement officer.
• Serve a three-year term for no more than two consecutive full terms.
• Should attend one CLERB meeting prior to applying for the vacancy.
• Must complete a training course within three months of the appointment. The first review
of applications will begin Aug. 2.
People who submitted a CLERB application within the past 12 months still have their application on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and will be considered for the opening, so they do not need to reapply.
(Tracy DeFore/County of San Diego Communications Office)n
County offers reminders of summer safety tips for children
HOT temperatures continue as summer is in full swing in San Diego County and children are spending more time outside.
“There are so many fun activities for children and families to enjoy together over the summer, but unfortunately this is also a time when a lot of preventable injuries can happen,” said Dr. Kelly Motadel, County Chief Pediatric Officer. “It’s important for parents and caretakers to be extra cautious of their children’s safety.”
The county is sharing some summer safety reminders to help families with children make the most out of their time off school in a fun and healthy way.
• Practice water safety and always supervise children during water activities. Drownings can be silent and happen within 30 seconds. Visit sdswimsafer. org for safety tips, swim class resources and ways to keep your home pool secure. The county’s Fire Protection District Safe Swimming program provides free pool alarms to eligible residents.
• Secure windows –summertime brings warmer temperatures and you may be opening up windows. Open windows can be a hazard for small children. County partner The Children’s Initiative offers education and resources to prevent injuries like falls from windows.
• Ahead of summer travel, make sure your child has received an updated measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR vaccine, particularly ahead of
international travel. Contact your child’s healthcare provider or visit a county public health center if you do not have a healthcare provider to find the MMR vaccine.
• Keep your child safe from the sun and heat by applying and reapplying sunscreen several times a day, avoiding active play outside during the hottest parts of the day between 12 and 4 p.m. and providing plenty of water. Relief from the heat is available at County Cool Zones including county libraries which also offer fun summer activities for children.
• Wear a helmet while riding a bike, skateboard or scooter, it is one of the
ways to protect children from
injuries. Helmets should be properly fitted and equipment should be size-appropriate. There are programs funded through the County Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, including Circulate
Diego and Vista
Clinic programs that promote riding safety. (Fernanda Lopez Halvorson/ County of San Diego Communications Office) n
San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria (left) shakes hands with city’s next Fire-Rescue Chief, Robert Logan II, whose nomination was recently confirmed by the city council. File photo/www.sandiego.gov
