PNews 1.18-1.24,2024

CRISIS LOOMS OVER PHL CHARTER CHANGE PLANS

Slain Filipina homeless advocate knifed dead, killer pleads not guilty

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By ALFRED GABOT , Editor in Chief

China warns, insults Marcos over message to new Taiwan leader

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

MANILA – It was much ado over a seemingly simple innocuous message of congratulations from one Asian leader to another.

the Philippine president had better do more reading on the sensitive relations between Beijing and Taipei.

SAN MATEO, California -- Months after the gruesome murder of a beloved Filipina in her San Mateo home on July 26, loved ones close to her and sympathizers trooped to the San Mateo County Superior Court to show commiseration as they continue to mourn her death. They all filled the courtroom to hear and see alleged killer Mark Mechikoff, 39, who fatally stabbed Claribel

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MANILA – Still reeling from a crisis with China over West Philippine Sea, the Philippines appears to be headed to a constitutional crisis after the two chambers of Congress -- Senate and House of Representatives – are preparing to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution in different modes even as some lawmakers are secretly supporting what they claim as people’s initiative to change the country’s fundamental law.

by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

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County chief public defender also a volunteer command pilot

ATTORNEY and criminal law specialist Ray Buenaventura is the Chief Public Defender of Lake County, one of the highest paid Lake County employees and the highest-ranking Filipino Americans in

But for the People’s Republic of China, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had committed the cardinal sin of recognizing the president-elect of Taiwan in defiance of the One China Policy.

A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry warned Mr. Marcos “not to play with fire,” adding that

In a message to Philippine media, the Chinese embassy in Manila sought to explain their country’s angry words by stating that of the 182 countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing, “Marcos is the only head of state to congratulate” Taiwan president-elect Lai Ching-te.

At best, only foreign ministers or sec-

Asian-Americans are not dog eaters

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent

FRESNO, California

-- One of the worst stereotypes of Asians and AsianAmericans is that they come from nations where eating dog meat is commonplace.

Nothing could be further from the truth, especially in this day and age. Yet the racist stereotype

persists, as one Thai restaurant in Fresno found out not too long ago.

That restaurant recently resumed operations, but not before its owners were wrongfully accused of abusing a dog in order to turn it into dog meat.

Dog eating, it is said, is one of several ar-

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US trade secretary to lead Manila mission

Cesar Antonio Nocum Jr.

SENATE PRESIDENT Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Mar�n Romualdez

Senate, House divided as 400 cities and towns push people’s initiative

Lake County’s Chief Public Defender is a 4-�me Mayor of Daly City.

Facebook account of Filipina Claribel Marie Estrella who was stabbed and had her final moments posted in Facebook instead of being helped so she may survive from knife wounds she sustained from an a�ack.

PHl, UK ink defense pact; focus set on maritime domain

LONDON/MANILA – The Philippines and the United Kingdom have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines the two states’ intended defense engagements in the next five years, with maritime domain expected to be among the priorities.

The MOU was signed between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on Jan. 11.

Philippine Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. signed for the Philippine side while The Earl of Minto Timothy Minto, Minister of State for Defence, signed for the UK side.

“The UK/Philippines MOU on Defence Cooperation is the cornerstone of our defence relationship,” the UK Embassy in Manila said.

“It outlines the intent of our defence engagement for the next five years across a range of areas including military exercises, training and modernisation efforts. We can expect this engagement to focus on the maritime domain, Exclusive Economic Zone, hydrography and UK participation in future military exercises,” it added.

In a separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the MOU also seeks to provide a framework for enhancing bilateral cooperation on defense and military education, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and research and technology, among others.

In the Joint Statement of Intent signed by Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and former UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in August 2023, the two nations agreed to further developing bilateral defense engagement to uphold the rules-based international order.

The two top diplomats at that time said UK and the Philippines will promote “a free and open maritime order” based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas.

The statement further highlighted the two states’ commitment to “strengthen maritime law enforcement, marine environment protection, fisheries management

and professional seafaring”.

The MOU signing also followed the October 2023 visit of then UK Minister of State for Defense Baroness Goldie to the Philippines, where she expressed the UK’s support to the Indo-Pacific and regional peace and security.

“The UK is proud of our relationship with the Philippines and defence forms a crucial part to this. We look forward to working closely to continue developing this engagement,” the UK Embassy said.

Recto assumes as DoF secretary, vows to hit P4.2T revenue target in 2024

MANILA – Former Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno officially has turned over the Department of Finance (DOF) leadership to newly appointed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto in a ceremony at the DOF office in Manila.

“Ralph is a seasoned policymaker and an undeniable patriot. He has sponsored several key economic and tax reforms that have transformed our economy for the better and reignited the country’s growth potential,” Diokno said.

“Ralph is no stranger to the kind of hard work, tough decision-making, and consensus-building required of this post,” he added.

In response, Recto praised Diokno for his service and also expressed confidence that Diokno would continue contributing to the welfare of the nation in his new role as a monetary board member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Recto said he draws reassurance from the knowledge that he has a skilled team within the DOF, its attached agencies, and bureaus.

Recto vowed to do his best to hit the government’s target to collect around P4.235 trillion in revenues this year.

Recto made the commitment after taking oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace.

“[I would] make sure that money is spent wisely, the idea is to stretch every peso, including acting faster on investment,” Recto said in a media interview after his oathtaking.

The revenue target for 2024 was earlier projected by the Development Budget Coordination Committee.

As the new finance chief, Recto said he would follow the National Development Plan crafted by the Marcos administration and ensure the continued implementation of the macrofiscal framework.

Marcos vouched for Recto’s competence, saying the latter has a “true understanding of how the Philippine economy works.”

“In terms of what Secretary Ralph has to offer, I think there is no need to enumerate that,” he told the Palace reporters when asked why he picked Recto as the new

head of the DOF.

“I find reassurance in knowing that I am not alone in this journey. I am surrounded by a team of highly talented and competent individuals within the DOF, its attached agencies, and bureaus, all equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges we face today and those that await us in the future,” he said.

“I also look forward to tapping the wisdom of my illustrious predecessors,” he added.

Recto expressed confidence in surmounting any challenges in pursuit of actualizing the President’s vision articulated in the national development plan through increased effort, sincere dedication, rethinking the way of doing things, and innovating governance.

Present during the turnover ceremony were DOF Undersecretaries Catherine Fong, Bayani Agabin, Maria Edita Tan, Zeno Abenoja, Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco; and DOF Assistant Secretaries Nino Alvina, Dakila Napao, Glenda Rumohr-Figueroa, Juvy Danofrata, Karlo Adriano, Jun Bernabe Jr., Joyce Briones, and Jenaira Jalasco.

After the turnover ceremony, Recto began a series of briefings, led by the heads of DOF offices and is scheduled to have briefings with heads of the DOF attached agencies and bureaus throughout the week.

DEFENSE COOPERATION. Philippine Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. (le�) and The Earl of Minto Timothy Minto sign a memorandum of understanding at the Philippine Embassy in London on Jan. 11, 2024.

NEW SECRETARY. Former Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno officially turns over the Department of Finance leadership to Secretary Ralph Recto.

More Filipinos want PHL gov’t to work with US on West PHL Sea row

MAKATI CITY – More Filipinos believe that the Marcos administration

should work with the United States amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

This is based on the results of a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the international think tank Stratbase Institute which it released during its forum titled “Fortifying Cyber Cooperation Towards Digital Security” in Makati City.

The survey conducted from Dec. 3 to 7, 2023, asked 1,200 respondents from all over the country about their view on the countries or organizations they want the Philippines to work with considering the implications of the tensions in the WPS on the country’s security and economy.

The respondents were allowed to choose up to three answers.

Around 79 percent of the respondents said they want the Marcos administration to work with the US, while nearly half of the respondents answered Australia (43 percent) and Japan (42 percent).

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Casino resort set to open, cable cars mulled in QC

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

QUEZON CITY - Quezon City, the country’s richest city and local government unit, expects the opening of a Las Vegas-type hotel, casino and resort complex this year.

This after billionaire Enrique Razon is girding for the opening of his second Solaire Resort and Casino at the former government center in Diliman, Quezon

City under his Bloomberry group.

In a television interview, Razon, one of the country’s richest Filipino, disclosed that his company started construction of Solaire North in a 1.5 hectare area in the center which has been transformed into a business district.

Solaire North will have a hotel with 550 rooms, 200 gaming tables and 3,000 slot machines, Razon said. Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy

Belmonte confirmed that the city government is studying the possibility of deploying cable cars to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila just like the cable cars in Mexico City.

Belmonte met with officials of a French company that proposed the deployment of cable cars to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Belmonte said the French transport company POMA Group, which prepared a cable car concept for the metropolis based on consultations with the Department of Transportation had shown her their plan already after conducting a twoyear study.

The POMA Group, she said, found that it was feasible to establish a cable car corridor along the Marikina River, Quezon City, and Pasig City.

Upon completion, the cable car system will connect the Light Rail Transit-2 station in Santolan and the Eastwood, Libis area through the upcoming Metro Rail Transit-4.

It is perceived to ease the traffic grind in Metro Manila, with some 30,000 to 40,000 commuters experiencing faster travel.

Belmonte also confirmed that the POMA Group invited her to visit the Téléo urban cable car system in Toulouse, France.

Big project to revitalize Pasig launched

MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has launched the Pasig River Urban Development Project as he recognized the river’s cultural and historical significance.

Dubbed the “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM), the big project, which is “people-centered and community-driven,” aims to transform the Pasig River from Manila to Pasig City into a center of economic activity, tourism and promote transportation connectivity in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.

The project will revitalize the Pasig River and its surroundings by improving water quality and building concrete structures with green spaces.

During the inauguration of the showcase area of the Pasig River Urban Development Project in the city of Manila, Marcos said his administration aims to “blaze a path forward for this national asset,” rejecting the defeatist view that the Pasig River is “beyond redemption.”

“We are here to consecrate ourselves to the mission of transforming Pasig River to what it is supposed – to be a living river of multiple benefits for the multitude, featuring safe walkways and bikeways along its bank, a green corridor that will serve as lungs for our city’s needs, a string of parks for communities nearby,” he said.

Fishers lament breakwater project that blocks fishing boats

NOVELETA, Cavite -- Fishers decry the ongoing construction of a breakwater along the coastline of Noveleta, Cavite.

A project of the Department of Public Works and

Highways and Cavite 1st District Representative Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III, the seawall threatens to completely block fishing boats from going offshore.

“Malaki ang pagkabahala ng mga mangingisda ng bayan ng Noveleta sa itinatayong breakwater sa baybayin. Sa kasalukuyan ay naglaan lamang ng kakarampot na lagusan para sa mga bangka subalit pinangangambahan na tuluyang isara ang baybayin sa pagtatapos ng proyekto,” said Aries Soledad, PAMALAKAYA-Cavite in a statement.

“Maging ang maliit na espasyong inilaan ay nagdudulot ng panganib sa mga mangingisda dahil sa tuwing malakas ang hampas ng alon, bumabangga ang kanilang mga bangka sa itinatayong pader,” Soledad said.

“Marami kaming nasilip na butas sa proseso ng pag-apruba sa breakwater project, kabilang ang kawalan ng pampublikong konsultasyon sa mga apektadong residente. Ipoprotesta namin ang proyektong ito sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan, maging kay Congressman Jolo Revilla, na siyang nagtulak nito,” added Soledad.

Diarrhea cases hike in Baguio under probe

BAGUIO CITY/MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is assisting the Baguio City government in the management and control of diarrhea cases in the area.

This was after Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong declared an outbreak of the disease on Wednesday, according to a PNA report.

The DOH, through its Epidemiology Bureau, said the increase in diarrhea cases started last Dec. 21, 2023 based on the preliminary findings of the Baguio City Health Office.

A Center for Health Development-Cordillera Administrative Region report show that a total of 308 diarrhea cases were recorded from Dec. 21, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024.

About 11 of these cases were admitted to surrounding hospitals. Their ages range from 3 months to 92 years. There were no reported deaths.

“Diarrhea (loose and watery stools) is usually associated with either water- or food-borne causative agents,” the DOH said. “Always use clean water for drinking, prepar-

Asian-Americans...

(From page 1)

chaic clichés related to Asian food and identity that has persisted for more than a century and a half.

While it may be true that in decades and even centuries past, eating dog meat was acceptable in several Asian nations, the practice has become extremely rare.

South Korea is a case in point. There is now a move to legally ban the raising and consuming of dogs after countless South Koreans forced lawmakers to act on what was actually a dying practice.

Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have been trying to take control of the narrative that Asian food is “weird,” “dirty,” yet “exotic.”

In truth, almost all nations have their unique cuisines which other nationalities find unacceptable.

Filipinos, for example, still eat “balut,” a delicacy that is not for the faint of heart. The fertilized but unhatched duck embryo is eaten either boiled or steamed.

In Cambodia, fried tarantulas are commonly consumed, while in Japan tuna eyeballs are considered a special treat.

The so-called weird foods are found not only in Asia.

In Canada, jellied moose nose is not uncommon, while in Israel locusts are a common snack.

Then there is Italy’s casu marzu, a rare cheese infested with live maggots.

If that doesn’t qualify as too weird for the average person’s palate, the top of the weird food list arguably goes to Sweden’s surstromming, a fermented herring

ing drinks, cooking, washing eating and cooking utensils, brushing teeth, and washing the hands and face.”

Water testing is ongoing in the city.

Residents in affected areas will be provided access to clean, potable water while waiting for the final result of the ongoing epidemiologic investigation.

“Water may be boiled for two minutes (start timer after water comes to a rolling boil). The use of chlorine-based water disinfection solution or tablets, if available in health centers, is also recommended,” the DOH said.

Any change in color or odor of household tap water must be reported immediately.

“In case of loose or watery stools, the first aid is to ensure hydration. Drink replacement fluids like clean water, ideally with oral rehydration solution (Oresol) and consult a doctor,” it added.

To guide the public on other measures such as food safety practices, the Baguio City Health Office will issue updates and health advisories.

which has a smell that few people outside of the Nordic country can stand.

Sadly, racists who have targeted Asians and Asian Americans as subjects of their hate continue to refer to dog eating as one reason to justify their acts.

It is worth noting that whenever epicureans write of the world’s weirdest foods, dog meat never appears.

To say that Asians and Asian Americans still eat dog meat is not too different from saying that Americans eat human flesh by simply citing the case of modern day cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer.

The actions of one man cannot be ascribed to all.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/.

Antipolo Cathedral to be elevated into int’l shrine

ANTIPOLO CITY – The city government advised the public to expect heavy traffic along certain routes downtown because of a flurry of religious activities ahead of the elevation of the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage here into an “international shrine” on Jan. 26.

Mayor Casimiro Ynares III announced that daily Marian processions will be held originating from the Antipolo Cathedral and passing through several key roads around the city beginning Jan. 17 to 25.

The series of processions is also expected to draw thousands of devotees and tourists from outside Antipolo, exacerbating traffic congestion in affected roads from 6 p.m. onwards throughout the nine-day span of the religious celebration.

“We are advising motorists to avoid these roads and instead use alternative routes towards their destinations if they do not want to be encumbered,” Ynares said in Filipino.

M.L. Quezon, Sumulong, Lawis and Sto. Niño streets, all main city roads, are said to be the focus of the processions of replica images of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Virgin of Antipolo), a 17th-century Roman Catholic wooden image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Meanwhile, an exhibit showcasing different replica images of the Virgin of Antipolo was launched at the Robinsons Mall here in time for the 70th anniversary of the Antipolo Church’s declaration as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

Rev. Fr. Reynante Tolentino, shrine rector and parish administrator of the Antipolo Cathedral, said “the exhibit showcased the profound devotion of the countless devotees of the Blessed Virgin of Antipolo.”

China...

(From page 1)

retaries of countries that maintain quasi-diplomatic ties with Taiwan such as the US and Japan had congratulated Mr. Lai, who was formerly vice president and the only one of three candidates for president openly calling for independence from China.

China was angered by Mr. Marcos referring to Lai as the new president of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rogue province.

Marcos’s message resulted in Beijing summoning Philippine ambassador Jaime FlorCruz on Tuesday, January 16 (Philippine time), who was then told they were “strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposes” the Philippine leader’s message.

Spokesperson Mao Ning said: “The relevant remarks of President Marcos constitute a serious violation of the One China principle” and was also a “serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side.”

It was, Mao added, “a gross interference in China’s internal affairs.”

The spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry suggested that Mr. Marcos “read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions.”

The Palace, however, said that the president was only recognizing the “mutual interests” shared with Taiwan, which is home to an estimated 200,000 overseas Filipino workers.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked Mr. Marcos, stating that the two countries “share values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs also reiterated that the Philippines was adhering to the One China policy.

The Philippines maintains a de facto embassy in Taipei known as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.

Fishers lament breakwater project that blocks fishing boats

Baguio city and La Trinidad chill at 13ºC

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The municipality of La Trinidad in Benguet Province recorded over the weekend its lowest

temperature so far this month due to the northeast monsoon, or Amihan.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical

Services Administration. Agrometeorological Station in Benguet State University registered 13.0 degrees Celsius in La Trinidad on Jan. 13.

Temperature readings in Baguio City ranged between 15 to 25.2 degree Celsius from Jan. 1 to 7.

Slain... (From page 1)

Estrella, 41, appear before Judge Barbara Mallach. Mechikoff, in an orange jumpsuit, was scheduled to make a plea to the murder charges filed against him.

According to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, Mechikoff entered a not guilty plea on August 21 to first degree murder charge and could face a maximum of 26 years to life in prison. Mechikoff earlier did not enter a plea after his public defender said he wanted a copy of all the police reports.

Mechikoff was observed appearing apathetic and posturing in the courtroom while looking around seemingly unbothered during the first time he appeared before the judge.

San Mateo Police Department (SMPD) reported that Mechikoff of Pacifica not only stabbed victim Estrella but also posted on social media the victim’s final moments on the ground while still breathing her last covered with blood. The post legal experts believe may be used as a special circumstances case being an aggravating factor that could qualify him for the death penalty which California Governor Gavin Newsom may exercise.

Recounting the events that led to the arrest of the suspect, SMPD announced that they were notified July 26 Wednesday afternoon at 3:48 p.m. by Nye County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada that a subject called them to report she witnessed a “stabbing” on Facebook and provided the name and phone number of the subject who posted the story.

“Due to the seriousness of the crime, Nye County ‘pinged’ the phone number associated to the Facebook account and it came back to the area of the 200 block of 37th Ave., a large apartment complex,” police reported in a statement. “Without an apartment number and with the variance of the ping ac-

curacy, SMPD officers saturated the area and initiated a door-to-door canvass of the complex to attempt to locate the possible victim and/or suspect.”

After almost three hours of searching, officers were able to establish a possible connection and located the body of a deceased person in a unit on the 200 block of 36th Avenue, part of the apartment complex.

The suspect was not on scene, according to police, but his identity had been learned, and he was arrested within two hours in San Jose.

The SMPD also wrote that Mechikoff knew Estrella but the motive for stabbing was still being determined when he was arrested.

“We do know Mechikoff mercilessly filmed the last moments of the victim’s life and posted the video to Facebook, then fled the area,” SMPD stated, adding that Mechikoff was released from prison in 2018. Mechikoff was also arrested in 2019 in Florida for punching a woman and threatening to kill her with a knife.

“It’s tragic, horrible. It’s tough enough when we lose someone in our community. For someone to post a Facebook video on a crime is just hideous and horrible,” rued Officer Jerami Surratt of the San Mateo Police Department.

Estrella’s friend Cherin Knuist narrated that Estrella and Mechikoff met at the Samaritan House shelter in Redwood City, the former site of the Pacific Inn, where Estrella volunteered to help the homeless. She added Estrella briefly dated Mechikoff but said Estrella broke off and never had anything good to say about Mechikoff.

“He seemed like a bad guy, that’s why she was his ex,” Knuist said. “She mentioned he was abusive.”

Other friends at the courthouse, including those who were at a memorial gathering at the Redwood City Navigation Center Community Room after the hearing, attested the Filipina was a volunteer loved by so many giving a more promising life for those she served and lived with her in the homeless shelter.

“She was always trying to help people, if they had any kind of ailment she would make the perfect herbal tea for them and she would cook for them,” Knuist recalled.

After Estrella moved into her apartment, Knuist was told that Mechikoff was contacting Estrella who had stopped talking with Mechikoff.

At the Redwood City Navigation Center, case manager Sam Stockwell witnessed about a dozen attendees spoke about Estrella as a shrine with pictures, candles and music she enjoyed and notes from her friends stood by.

“Estrella was 75% blind and a very quiet and kind person who kept to herself and loved listening to music the kind of which she often shared with others I played during the memorial,” Stockwell fondly remembered. “Even after she left the shelter she would reach out to me if she met someone on the streets that needed help getting housed, trying to find a place to sleep that night, she was constantly trying to do stuff like that.”

Panay, Palawan faces power crisis; probe sought

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – After the four provinces of Panay island and nearby provinces, Palawan is now also facing a brewing power crisis.

This was gathered after the House of Representatives panel was asked to investigate the power crisis now brewing in Palawan and seek relief for its citizens amid the skyrocketing prices of electricity in the province.

House Resolution No. 1544, introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Palawan Reps. Jose C. Alvarez (2nd District) and Edgardo L. Salvame (1srt District), direct the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the situation of the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) and the electricity supply in the province.

Earlier, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy held its second hearing on the power outage that struck Western Visayas first on April 27, 28 and 29 last year, and again on January 2, 3 and 4, barely a day after the New Year celebrations.

Committee chairperson Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco said the hearing was conducted to investigate and hear from the stakeholders and concerned agencies their explanations why they failed to prevent the massive power outage or immediately resolve it.

“We are committed to form policies that would provide safe, secure, reliable,

and sufficient power to all our electricity consumers in the countryside, and that we advocate for a more diverse and stable sources of power to protect our economy, our industries, and most especially, our household electricity consumers,” he said.

“It is necessary to discuss and study the root cause of the problem so that both short-term and long-term solutions will be crafted and implemented,” Velasco added.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda expressed her fear that “the power outage of this magnitude taking place for the second time in less than a year is a portent of things to come.”

“As a result of the region-wide blackout’s disruption to our lives and the economy, the Ilonggo people would like to know who is or are accountable, and more importantly, what fines or penalties can be imposed against these individuals or entities for their inefficiency or malfeasance or nonfeasance,” she said.

“The dire situation in Palawan dampens our enthusiasm over the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide the people with low power rates and increase energization targets nationwide by 95 percent in 2025. I hope that with this probe, we can find a solution for all stakeholders in Palawan, especially our citizens,” Romualdez added.

Romualdez, who assumed the role of caretaker of the 3rd legislative district

following the death of former Rep. Edward Hagedorn in October last year, said the probe is expected to look into the circumstances behind the power rate hikes that began in November last year.

According to PALECO, the rate hikes were due to the removal of a national subsidy on the electricity produced by one of its main suppliers, Delta P Inc., under an emergency power supply agreement (EPSA).

The Department of Energy (DOE), through Circular 2023-06-0021, has said the EPSA between PALECO and Delta shall not be entitled to any subsidy.

Romualdez said all of these contentions will be clarified once the Committee on Energy commences its hearings on the resolution.

“What is important is we address all matters at the soonest possible time to unburden Palaweños of the power woes of PALECO. Hindi po nila ito kasalanan pero sila po ang nagdudusa sa malaking binabayaran sa kuryente (It is not their fault, but they are the ones suffering from paying high electricity rates),” Romualdez said.

As for PALECO, he said the House of Representatives will do everything in its power to assist the cooperative in its current situation.

The electric cooperative has the lowest collection efficiency (91 percent) and the highest non-momentary power interruptions in all of Region 4-B (Mimaropa)

during the second quarter of 2023.

PALECO was also assessed by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to have the lowest energization level at 73.67 percent in Mimaropa, contrary to President Marcos’ directive for increased energization of 95 percent nationwide by 2025.

“We will also look for ways to help PALECO address its shortcomings and reduce its deficiencies. The sooner we resolve its problems, the sooner we get Palaweños out of this dire situation. As I have said, we aim to help all stakeholders in Palawan, and that includes PALECO,” Romualdez said.

Crisis....

(From page 1)

In the House-backed people’ initiative, a total overhaul of the Constitution is sought but Senators want only the economic provisions to be changed to make it more responsive to the needs of the times pointing out that major amendments to the constitution, including change in the form of government, was divisive, untimely and also costly.

The House-backed initiative also angered some Senators since it wants the two chambers of Congress to vote jointly, thus diluting the role of the Upper Chamber.

The controversy heated up further after it was gathered that billions of pesos of appropriation has been inserted into the budget of the Commission on Elections to ensure that the constitutional amendments process that eventually includes a nationwide plebiscite, will be pushed through.

Senator Maria Imelda R. Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., herself shot down the people’s initiative, prompting the President to ask the Senate, in a hurried meeting in Malacanang, to make the lead in the constitutional change that confines to economic provisions.

President Marcos’ decision prompted Senate Juan Miguel Zubiri to file a bill seeking to amend economic provisions of the constitution, backed by several senators, including Sen. Marcos who, with the development, immediately branded the House-back people’s initiative as “dead.”

With the development and Speaker Romualdez’ public statement that he was backing the Senators’ mode as ordered by President Marcos, the Senators calmed down.

But the Senators appeared agitated again when the Commission on Elections on Wednesday surprised the nation with the report that it has received “signed petitions” by the people from various congressional districts in 400 cities and towns.

“More or less, there are 400 [municipalities and cities] which have submitted signature pages to local Comelec offices. We can’t release the

final number just yet because we are counting, checking the number of signatures. We cannot issue the certification [on the number of signatures] in a day,” Comelec chairperson George Garcia disclosed.

The areas which submitted signature pages include Quezon City, Manila, Mandaue in Cebu, Quezon Province, Laguna, and Iloilo.

According to Garcia, their task at this point is ministerial, meaning they can only accept the signature forms and issue a certification upon receipt of these.

A petition for the People’s Initiative needs to be filed once they get the required number of signatures before the Comelec can get the process rolling. Garcia said anyone can file the petition

Only then will Comelec have jurisdiction on the matter, he said.

In the signature pages, Garcia said the voters were asked if they were in favor of amending Article 17, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution by allowing all members of Congress to jointly vote on proposed constitutional amendments in a constituent assembly.

The current Article 17 Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution does not explicitly provide whether members of the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote jointly or separately.

Under the 1987 Constitution, amendments can be directly proposed by the people “through initiative upon a petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least 3% of the registered voters therein, a mode called people’s initiative.”

House ways and means panel chairperson and Albay lawmaker Joey Salceda earlier told reporters that at least 60 legislative districts already met the required threshold of 3% of registered votes affixing their signature in favor of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Salceda, however, also conceded that the people’s initiative will not be easy since at least 20 districts are opposed to it so far.

Metro Manila records coldest temperature so far in 2024

QUEZON CITY — Metro Manila woke up over the weekend to its coldest morning yet for the year and for Amihan season, the government weather agency reported.

PAGASA’s monitoring showed the mercury dropped to 20.2°C in Science Garden, Quezon City at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Several areas in Northern and Central Luzon also woke up to a nippy Sunday.

Baguio City chilled at 12.8°C, nearby

La Trinidad logged 14.4°C, while Basco, Batanes registered 15.8°C.

Tanay, Rizal registered 18.4°C, Laoag City had 19.2°C, and Abucay, Bataan observed 19.8°C.

The all-time coldest temperature in Metro Manila was 14.5°C measured in Port Area, Manila on January 11, 1914.

The current Amihan cold surge affecting Luzon and most of the Visayas is forecast to continue through midweek next week.

During a press briefing, President Marcos Jr. asked the Senate to lead the Charter change or Cha-cha initiative, but it should not include allowing foreign land ownership.

Zubiri said he filed Resolution of Both House (RBH) 6 “to avert a constitutional crisis between the House of Representatives and the Senate. And to make it clear that there are no other planned provisions or amendments on any other thing but purely economic in nature.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara co-authored RBH 6, proposing amendments to Articles 12, 14 and 16 of the Constitution.

Zubiri said the majority of the senators have decided to create a subcommittee under the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, headed by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, to conduct the hearing on the RBH 6.

Angara was chosen to lead the subpanel.

The senators said the nation’s economic policy “must be reframed under the demands of this increasingly globalized age, while still protecting the general policy of Filipino-first that guides the economic provisions of the Constitution.”

The resolution cited “a need to institutionalize the reforms laid down in the Public Service Act to liberalize industries, promote efficient service delivery and foster competition as an enduring policy.”

Article 12 deals with “National

Economy and Patrimony,” Article 14 with “Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports” and Article 16 with “General Provisions.”

RBH 6 provides that the amendments will be done by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law.”

For example, Section 11 of the National Patrimony and Economy provision would be amended to read: “No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines, at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens unless provided by law. Unless provided by law, the participation of foreign investors in the governing body of any public utility enterprise shall be limited to their proportionate share in its capital, and all the executive and managing officers of such corporation or association must be citizens of the Philippines.”

“Our children deserve to have access to the best educational institutions, both Filipino and foreign, to ensure that they receive the best training to become globally competitive citizens in the modern world,” Zubiri, Legarda and Angara said.

They said the advertising industry “already has foreign players, and liberalizing the same is a logical and sound policy to attract foreign direct investment in that industry.”

FRANCIS ESPIRITU Publisher/President

VAL G. ABELGAS, HOMOBONO A. ADAZA, PERRY DIAZ, JOJO LIANGCO, JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES, ROY C. MABASA, ART G. MADLAING, FR. JOEPEL PADIT, RODEL E. RODIS, LOURDES TANCINCO ESQ, MELANDREW T. VELASCO, DANTES & CYNTHIA VELUZ, CRISTINA OSMENA, LUDY ONGKEKO. COLUMNISTS MARILYN

ELEANOR SMITH Office

Not quite the end of the communist rebellion County

The Philippines’ modern day communist insurrection has rightfully been called the longest active rebellion in the world. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was founded in the 1960s by former UP professor Jose Ma. Sison, who teamed up with Bernabe Buscayno AKA Commander Dante, to form the New People’s Army (NPA).

Since then, the underground Left has been a thorn on the side of every administration since the first President Marcos.

The small movement grew by leaps and bounds in the decades that followed their founding, fueled mostly by the massive poverty in the Philippines that deprived the poor and downtrodden of hope for a better life.

The CPP and NPA presented itself as the last hope of the masses, especially when they felt aggrieved by the government and/or the police and military.

The rebellion had its highs and lows, but was able to maintain a nationwide presence that kept the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) practically being in a constant state of war.

Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. all but proclaimed that the NPA was now a spent force. Citing reports from the AFP, Mr. Marcos stated that there were no longer any active NPA guerilla fronts anywhere in the country.

To be sure, there remain pockets of resistance in various provinces but these could do little more than to occasionally attack military targets, then disappear back into the mountains where they are based.

It was a bold, even unexpected statement, from the president considering that every so often, the AFP would still engage in skirmishes with the NPA in various parts of the country.

As expected, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) -- the umbrella organization of the underground Left which includes the NPA and the CPP – flat out denied the claim of the country’s chief executive.

The CPP said Mr. Marcos was “dreaming” when he said that the rebellion was over.

The truth may actually be somewhere in between.

That the CPP/NPA/NDFP is nowhere near as influential as it was before is a simple statement of fact. They are still engaged in armed conflict and are still able to recruit new members, mostly impoverished youth.

That the government is generally winning the war against what has been tagged as a terrorist organization is also true.

Not too long ago, Mr. Marcos announced that his administration was ready to return to the negotiating table with the underground Left. It was an offer that was immediately accepted by the NDFP.

If the communist movement were indeed the lost cause that Mr. Marcos said they are, his government would not have offered to resume peace talks.

But by the same token, the NDFP’s accepting the offer to again try to negotiate a permanent peace indicates that the national government is talking from a position of strength.

Indeed, with the myriad of problems faced by the Philippines ranging from high inflation to corruption in the bureaucracy to the ever growing threat of war with China, it makes perfect sense for the NDFP and the government to seek common ground and face all the challenges as one united country and people.

(From page 1)

county government. He is also this city’s longest serving City Council Member and has been voted Mayor four times in 12 years by his peers, all of whom he mentored.

But while the Quezon City-born leader has broken political barriers many times, his unsung work outside the political realm is what elicits the most approval.

Buenaventura is a volunteer command pilot with Angel Flight West, a nonprofit founded in 2013 to transport ailing people for free across hundreds of air miles for medical assistance. He does it, he says, “because it’s good for my soul.”

He takes off from Palo Alto Airport in Santa Clara County to pick up patients from rural towns in Humboldt, Shasta, Tulare, Kern, and Sacramento Counties where “they need help the most because they don’t have major airports” to distant treatment centers.

By Buenaventura’s estimate, a typical mission covers four hours round trip and costs around $1,000 for aircraft rental and fuel. He welcomes the financial responsibility for giving as much to himself as it does the patients in each flight that tests his mental acuity and deepens his compassion and empathy.

“I believe in the need to have a well-balanced life, full of diverse interests,” he explained his motivation to Inquirer.net. “You cannot limit yourself to one purpose in life.”

Like his elected and appointed posts, the flights bring him face to face with the fragility of life, reminding him to make each day count as his experience with a young woman he flew from to and from Stanford Medical Center.

“I got to know her because she’d been my patient on several missions. She had her whole life ahead of her had it not been for her failing lungs. At times she would get better, but most of the time she’d get worse. I was heartbroken when she passed away. It did not seem fair that such a young promising life could be taken away so soon.”

Many missions conclude favorably, owing to the timeliness and accessibility of the medical response otherwise unattainable were it not for the AFW team breaking transportation challenges.

EARLY FASCINATION

What started as the then-UC Berkeley Legal Studies student’s fascination with aircraft sent him fueling planes to eventually earning his pilot’s license while attending class and working for a flight school. He completed the FAA requisite 40 hours of flight time that entailed 20 hours of flight training with an instructor before going on solo flights totaling 10 hours plus 3 hours of instrument time. He passed the FAA written exam followed by the practical in-flight test to be licensed to fly single-engine planes on land. Afterward he obtained his sea plane rating and certification to land on water.

Gaining his AFW wings was another learning process that begins as an “Earth Angel” or the volunteer responsible for picking up and driving the patients on the ground to and from their treatment centers.

“I would make sure they are comfortable in the drive, carry their bags, and help them check in to their hotels or medical appointments. I would usually provide them with a care package, made up of snacks, water, and fruit.”

The next stage is that of “Mission Assistant” whose task is to take care of patients on the airplane, ensuring their security and overall wellbeing while in flight.

The Command Pilot is responsible for the airplane safety to and from the destination.

His wife Kathy and son Max support Buenaventura’s love of flying, he said. Ultimately he sees himself becoming a flight instructor with Max, a gifted pianist studying music in Boston, among his students.

(Continued on page 20)

Speaking tradition

Tradition, customs handed down from one generation to another, is what distinguishes one group of people from another, wherever they may be.

Most Filipinos, scattered over the four corners of the world, have adapted to their news environment and rarely, if ever observe Filipino traditions, and they are not to be faulted for it.

Nevertheless, those Filipinos who still adhere to the traditions of the land of their birth are to be admired.

What are these customs that I speak of? There is the custom of saying “po” at the end of a sentence e when talking to an elderly person. There is the use of “Ate” and “Kuya” for an elder sister and brother, respectively, a well as the practice of “pamanhikan”, where the parents of the future groom ask the parents of the future bride for her hand in marriage, to cite a few.

Children, already adults, stayed in the family home until they married and even long after they left, their parents still felt responsible for them

Families ate meals together, went to church together, celebrated birthdays and anniversaries together.

I tip my hat off to parents in foreign lands who encourage and teach their children to speak their native language.

Tradition after all is what binds people of common roots to one another.

Kudos to my countrymen who are proud of their tradition and try to observe what they can of their country’s customs!

chief...

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

Family bonding and travels in Louisiana

My beloved wife Virginia Jimenez Madlaing and I were blessed and fortunate to have family bonding with our daughters Darlene and Joy and their spouses and children last December 21-30, 2023 in Louisiana, USA.

If you are grandparents like us, it’s nice to be able to travel and enjoy the company of children and grandchildren during the Christmas Holiday Season. It’s priceless.

Last Thursday, December 21, 2023 my wife and I wife took our flight from San Francisco (SFO) to the Dallas Love Field Airport. Our daughter Darlene Madlaing Gamble and our grandson John Micheal Gamble picked us up at the airport. Our grandson John Micheal drove us home to Keithville, Louisiana for about five hours. Our son-in-law Bryan Gamble, welcomed us while cooking and baking for our dinner.

Our younger daughter Wynema Joy Madlaing Gacusan and her husband Ben Gacusan and sons Jeremiah and Brendon drove from Glendale, Arizona and arrived in Keithville, Louisiana few hours after our arrival. Our daughter Darlene planned our activities, games and travels in the State of Louisiana.

On Saturday, December 23, 2023, we all made unexpected visit to Larry West, founder of WE CARE Ministries, and his wife Peggy in their home in West Monroe, Louisiana. We had picture taking inside their home, followed by lunch fellowship at the Milano’s Italian Grill in downtown West Monroe, Louisiana After lunch, we all visited and toured the Duck Commander Museum, featuring the popular Duck Dynasty in West Monroe, Louisiana.

On Sunday, December 24, 2023, we all (three generations of Christians) worshipped together at the HUNTINGTON PARK CHURCH OF CHRIST in Shreveport, Louisiana. Evangelist and former elder Mike Gamble ( father of our son-in-law Bryan Gamble) shared an excellent and timeless message.

During the Christmas Day, our son-in-law Bryan treated us with great homemade food, dessert and cookies with his great cooking and baking skills. Our grandsons enjoyed playing games before watching together the 49rs-Ravens football game early in the evening.

In the early morning of December 26, 2023, our son-in-law Ben Gacusan, drove our grandson John Micheal Gamble to the Shreveport International Airport together with my wife and daughters Darlene and Joy for his flight to Greece to attend special classes at the Harding University Extension Campus in Greece.

We then all drove to New Orleans ( in two cars) and checked in with our timeshare at the Club Wyndham located at the Wyndham Avenue Plaza in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. This was our first time to visit and tour New Orleans. Some highlights of our tour in New Orleans include bus tour around the city with our tour guide visiting the French Quarter, French Cemetery, City Park where our tour guide showed the actual level of flood water during the height of Hurricane Katrina.

We also toured New Orleans on our own riding the railroad cars, walking the famous Bourbon Avenue at night and dinner at the Oceana Seafood Grill.

Our daughter Wynema Joy and her husband had to leave earlier with sons Jeremiah and Brendon to visit Ben’s sister in San Antonio, Texas before driving back to Glendale, Arizona. Our grandson Jeremiah will resume his advance training with the U.S. Army in Missouri, USA.

Our daughter Darlene, my wife and I had our final tour of New Orleans by visiting and touring the NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM, which attracts hundreds of thousands of patrons and visitors every year with its extensive galleries, multi-media displays, special or traveling exhibits which now include the National D-Day Museum and Liberation Pavilion in the sprawling complex campus in New Orleans.

I experienced a unique incident during our last night of stay at the Club Wyndham. While inside a small books display room near the lobby, Marianne (fellow hotel guest) noticed that I was checking for some books to read. She introduced herself and then asked what I’m doing.

“I’m a book author, columnist and commissioned and accredited Notary Public, licensed Real Estate Broker and active Evangelist, “ I replied.

“That’s interesting. I’m looking for some good books to read in 2024. Can you recommend some good books,” Marianne requested.

“We have seven list in our BOOKS MINISTRY but for a start you can check in the Amazon the following books I personally authored namely: ‘ LONGEVITY TIPS’ subtitled ‘Secrets You Can Discover and Do for Good Health and Longevity,’ ‘R.A.W. WISDOM’ subtitled ‘FINDING PEACE IN THER MIDST OF CHAOS,’ and ‘HISTORICITY OF JESUS’ subtitled ‘Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.’ These three books are now available at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback and E-book, “ I explained.

Marianne immediately opened her laptop, checked the book titles in the Amazon and ordered the three books.

Taking another stab at cha cha

Here we go again. It seems that with every new administration that takes the reins of government, some wise guys will propose altering or amending the Constitution.

Previous proposals were for con-con, or a constitutional convention, or con-ass or constitutional assembly.

Under the former, delegates would be elected from the various regions who would then work together to craft what is theoretically the best possible charter, which is after all the basic law of the land

Under the latter, however, the huge expense entailed in a concon would be dispensed with, and the two houses of the bicameral Congress would sit as one body, tasking themselves with the responsibility that the con-con would have taken for cha cha.

And yes, folks. I too am irritated by these coined words cha-cha, con-con, and con-ass.

Well lo and behold, there is now a third option known as a PI, or people’s initiative. This option had been in existence all along, but was never taken seriously because it is just too messy to undertake.

Under PI – and I am sorely tempted to refer to it as the ever popular Pinoy cuss phrase of ptang ina (missing letter intended) –signatures are collected nationwide and at least 12 percent of all voters must agree to cha cha. That 12 percent is further broken down into the provinces, cities and towns, where three percent of all voters must also affix their John Hancock stating that, yes, there is a dire need to change the Cory constitution pronto.

In the past two weeks, it has become apparent that there is an ongoing attempt to have a PI. The campaign is well-funded, but the “leaders” behind the movement are mostly a bunch of relative unknowns who cannot seem to explain why there is a real need for any amendments to the charter.

The fact that they are unable or unwilling to identify who is funding the project is reason enough to suspect that something fishy is afoot.

It was none other than good, old Edcel Lagman - that opposition lion in the House of Representatives – who first broke the news that mayors from Bicol had gotten together to push for cha cha via PI.

When the head of the Liberal Party was interviewed over broadcast media, he showed documents that confirmed his allegations that a people’s initiative was in the works.

The worst part was that this early stage, money had already begun to change hands.

There was, he said, a “token” or “fee” of PHP100 per signature collected.

The non-descript ex-lawmaker who more or less presented himself as the brains behind the operation gave the flimsy excuse that the first couple of hundred thousand pesos being spent was really for operations, and could not be construed as a bribe.

When asked who or what organization provided the funds, he could not give a straight answer. Red lights began flashing before our eyes. Red flags too. We were all seeing red because veteran journalists can smell a scam from a mile away.

In succeeding interviews, the proponent of PI said that “businessmen” were providing the dinero. And even later, he said that it was contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways who were providing the hundreds of millions needed to collect the millions of signatures to guarantee that PI moves forward.

How very patriotic of them, huh? They deserve medals and plaques and whatever reward will bring joy to their lives and bank accounts.

It was then noted that this little adventure took off soon after Speaker Martin Romualdez said he was all for cha cha.

A few days ago, Senator Imee Marcos said that she was only now beginning to learn of the dang initiative, and that she was not supportive of it.

The senator added that her brother, the president, was also not keen on PI.

President Marcos was quoted as saying that he did not favor such an action because it would be “divisive.”

I am hoping that the Marcos siblings are not speaking with forked tongue. I shall, therefore, give them the benefit of the doubt. Except for one thing that disturbs yours truly.

This week, from out of thin air, Senate President Migz Zubiri, who had always said he was against charter change, suddenly had a change of heart and was now willing to consider it.

This, after he was told by the president that a study of the charter should be done to determine what provisions needed tweaking.

Suddenly, those red flags and red lights were replaced by a loud bell clanging in my ears.

This is a dangerous game that the real pushers of cha cha are playing, methinks. In my very humble opinion, there is nothing wrong with the current Constitution. It’s been in effect for all these past decades, and the supposed changes being proposed cover the economic provisions.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr’s ‘I have A Dream’

Last Monday, January 15, we celebrated a national holiday – the Martin Luther King. Jr. day!

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and. live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these. truths to be selfevident: that all men are created equal. ‘”

This, in a nutshell was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s momentous 1963 I Have a Dream speech delivered on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

His famous words called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the U.S. (American Rhetoric: Top 100 speeches; Also, ©2014 The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History www.gilderlehrman.org)

In his speech he mentioned that he was happy to join the expectators in what will go down in history as “the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.”

King noted that racism started long before the early days of America until President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, announcing, “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious areas “are, and henceforward shall be free.”

“This momentous decree,” he noted, “came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination…)” I agree, we observed this as true!

King continued: “The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”

He ended up saying “let freedom ring…” in all parts of the country… And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!3

At present, racism is still an issue that confronts the American people. During the Iowa caucuses and the Townhall in New Hampshire, the presidential candidates were asked: “Is the US a racist country?”

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley claimed the US has “never been a racist country” during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. ( Ebony Davis, CNN)

Haley’s remarks were in response to MSNBC host Joy Reid’s comments on whether Haley could win the GOP nomination as a woman of color. Haley suggested Reid “lives in a different America than I do,” pointing to her own rise from the daughter of immigrants to governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations.

“I mean, yes, I’m a brown girl that grew up in a small rural town in South Carolina who became the first female minority governor in history, who became an UN ambassador and who is now running for president. If that’s not the American dream, I don’t know what is,” she said. “You can sit there and give me all the reasons why you think I can’t do this. I will continue to defy everybody on why we can do this. And we will get it done.”

When asked by host Brian Kilmeade if the GOP is a racist party, Haley made a broader point that the US has “never been a racist country.”

“We’re not a racist country, Brian. We’ve never been a racist country,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure that today is better than yesterday. Are we perfect? No. But our goal is to always make sure we try and be more perfect every day that we can.”

“I know I faced racism when I was growing up. But I can tell you, today is a lot better than it was then. Our goal is to lift up everybody. Not go and divide people on race or gender or party or anything else. We’ve had enough of that in America,” she added.

Haley previously faced criticism for failing to mention slavery when initially asked by a voter about the cause of the Civil War during a town hall last month. Following mounting backlash, Haley said “of course” slavery was the cause of the Civil War, adding she assumed it was a “given.” Source: CNN

The former South Carolina governor on Tuesday said her motivation for running for the White House bid is to prove gender or race don’t act as a deterrent.

(Continue on page 20)

I encourage you to follow the example of Marianne in ordering good books to read in 2024. A close friend shared me the following quotes: “READING is the gate-

In fact, the charter is in some respects a mere scrap of paper. Changing some provisions will not result in an economic miracles, where global investors will make

(Continue on page 20)

“That’s why I’m so passionate about doing this. I don’t want my kids growing up where they’re sit-

(Continue on page 20)

ART GABOT MADLAING

US trade secretary to lead top-level American mission in PHL in March

a follow-through on an earlier commitment by US President Joe Biden to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

latter’s official visit to Washington, D.C. last year.

Most Conditional Permanent Residents may petition their children immediately

MDepartment of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement that the trade mission on March 11 and 12 will be led by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

It was also announced by the White House over the weekend.

Daza said that the trade mission is expected to spur more capital-intensive investments in the Philippines’ innovation economy, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector and food security.

“The PTIM will be the first of a series of major commercial events between the Philippines and the United States for the year, a testament to the two countries’ resolve to forge broader and deeper public-private partnerships for enduring, inclusive and sustainable growth and development,” she added.

Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Washington has offered assistance for the Mindanao Railway project, which was stalled due to China’s inaction on funding requests and high loan interest rates.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista previously confirmed that the government is looking for other sources to fund the P81.7-billion Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1 Tagum-Davao-Digos Segme

DA bans import of live birds, poultry products from California, Ohio

QUEZON CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has banned the importation of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat, eggs and other products, from the US states of California and Ohio.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said the move was due to several outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the region.

“The rapid spread of the HPAI H5N1 strain in the United States since the first laboratory detection necessitates a wider coverage of the trade restriction to prevent the entry of HPAI virus and protect the health of the local population,” he said.

The case of H5N1 was reported by the US Veterinary Services to the World Organization for Animal Health in November for both states of California and Ohio.

The Philippines agreed to impose a state-wide ban only when at least three or more counties in an affected state in the US report an HPAI outbreak.

The ban would also include day-old chicks and semen.

Tiu-Laurel also ordered the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of application, and issuance of the Sanitary Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) of the commodities.

All shipments coming from California and Ohio that are already in transit, loaded or accepted at Philippine ports before the official communication of the ban on Jan. 15, 2024 shall be allowed.

any immigrants are having problems with regards to aging out of their children. This is because the processing time for green card is usually lengthy.

Once a person is granted a Conditional Permanent Resident card, she acquires all rights of a Lawful Permanent Resident.

She can file a petition for her unmarried children, she can travel and work and stay legally in the U.S. The only difference is that she will have to remove the condition in her residence within two years. But you do not have to wait for your permanent resident card to start filing a petition because it will take about 3 or five years later, and the children may reach 21 years of age by that time. So, the best strategy is to file a petition for children as soon as you receive your conditional residence card.

In addition, there immigrants have a common question whether if their children are in the United States and they want the children to study in the Philippines, the question is how long should the children be in the United states before the children can go back to the Philippines. This problem is just a matter of choosing whether the children will apply for a reentry permit to allow them to stay continuously for two years in the Philippines or to keep the children travelling every six months to the U.S. There is no restrictions on how frequent Permanent Residents can travel. They can travel as many times as long as they stay in the U.S. for 181 days in one year.

Conditional Permanent Resident need to file the Form I-751 within 90 days of the expiration of your card to remove the condition on your residence.

How long is the processing time for Form I-751?

The processing time in California Service Center for I-751 is about 18 months. In many cases it takes about two years or more. Lately, the USCIS extended the validity of Conditional Resident Card for another 48 months. Therefore, five years waiting is in the horizon.

Since the processing time can take between 18 months or longer it is better to file a petition for your unmarried children as soon as you get your conditional residence card to avoid aging out.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

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You may qualify if you six months experience as Caregivers Applicants Inside the United States or in the Philippines or other countries may qualify.

Bankruptcy Basics

We also process Bankruptcy cases.

1. Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years, not filing bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most of your debts are paid.

If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse, which could lead to deportation and family separation.

Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He has practiced immigration law, bankruptcy, and income tax representation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/ with offices in Hayward and Cerritos, CA.

MANILA – The Presidential Trade and Investment Mission (PITM) from the United States is arriving in March as

during the

ABS-CBN searches for the next Gen Z stars in ‘Zoomers’ Star Magic artists vie for a chance to star in ABS-CBN’s newest youth-oriented digital series

The new year brings fresh faces to audiences this 2024 as ABS-CBN gives opportunities for a new set of Gen Z stars to rise in “Zoomers,” which will air on Kapamilya

Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5 starting on Monday (Jan.15).

In “Zoomers,” ABS-CBN Star Magic and TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, who is known as a star maker and former juror in the well-loved artist search “Star Circle Quest,” blockbuster film director Theodore Boborol, and “He’s Into Her” director Chad Vidanes will scrutinize and challenge the teen stars vying for the roles of ABS-CBN’s newest youth-oriented series.

Direk Lauren, meanwhile, explained the purpose of the audition and his basis in determining the artists who will get the roles of ABS-CBN’s newest series, “Ang importante sa atin is makuha yung authentic. Sana yung persona at essence nung karakter at nung tao magmatch.”

Taking the challenge to get the roles of “Zoomer’s” lead cast Jiggs, Hope, Kokoy, Atom, and Tania are teen stars Harvey Bau-

tista, Criza Taa, Analain Salvador, Ashton Salvador, and Luke Alford.

Also joining them to try and take a shot at stardom are Star Magic artists Ralph De Leon, Krystl Ball, Erika Davis, Luis Vera Perez, Kei Kurosawa, Hadiyah Santos, Redd Arcega, Noelle Martinex, Reich Alim, plus ex- Dream Chaser Jay-R Albino, Matthew Cruz, and Omar Udin.

For six episodes, see who among them will get the chance to lead ABS-CBN’s newest youth-oriented series focused on the issues of the Gen Zs, which will air on the same slot starting this January 22.

Don’t miss out on the newest offering of ABS-CBN this 2024, and catch the daily episodes of “Zoomers” after “Senior High” on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5 starting on Monday (Jan.15). Viewers can also stream its full episodes on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel.

ABS-CBN showS on TFC and iWantTFC the prestigious 2024 ASTRA Film Awards

TFC News’ Hollywood correspondent Yong Chavez named Co-CEO of Hollywood Creative Alliance, organizer of ASTRA Awards

LOS ANGELES, California – ABS-CBN, a powerhouse media content producer and distributor in the U.S., kicks off the new year with major Hollywood news: ABS-CBN and its affiliates started on January 13 showing around the world on TFC and iWantTFC the star-studded 2024 ASTRA Film Awards which was held recently at the historic Biltmore Los Angeles.

This was the schedule of airing:

The prestigious awards show is presented annually by the Hollywood Creative Alliance, commonly called HCA, which is a 501 c6 membership-based, not-for-profit organization. Its diverse and inclusive membership includes critics, entertainment journalists, content creators, industry insiders, and creatives with a shared passion for celebrating excellence in film and television. The vision and mission of the HCA is to amplify diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culture in film and television.

Among those that made the headlines at this year’s awards are the following: Runaway winner of the night is Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Barbie” which took home the most awards of the evening with eight wins including Best Picture, Best Actress (Margot Robbie), Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Gosling), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song (“I’m Just Ken”), Best Production Design, Best Publicity Campaign, and Best Casting. “Barbie’s” director Greta Gerwig, producer David Heyman, and DJsongwriter-record producer Mark Ronson were present to receive the awards.

Willem Dafoe was honored with the Excel-

lence in Artistry Award. The four-time Oscar nominee, who was also honored earlier this week with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, started his career in 1979. Since then, he has received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Oliver Stone’s Platoon, E. Elias Merhige’s Shadow Of The Vampire, and Sean Baker’s The Florida Project as well as Best Leading Actor for Julian Schnabel’s At Eternity’s Gate. In addition, he has received four Golden Globe nominations, four Screen Actors Guild nominations, and Independent Spirit Award nominations. Dafoe has been awarded by the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review, as well as twice by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Additionally, he is the recipient of the Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup and a Berlinale Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement.

ABS-CBN’s very own award-winning TFC Hollywood correspondent Yong Chavez was announced as Co-CEO of HCA in addition to her current role as Vice President. In this new role, Chavez will be responsible for overseeing overall operations for the organization including membership relations, working with studios, and creating new initiatives for global representation such as new programs and content creation.

In an interview with TFC News’ Steve Angeles, HCA CEO, Founder and President Scott Menzel said: “Yong is one of the most skilled interviewers in the industry. She is our own celebrity that we have now at home.”

Menzel added: “The vision of HCA is to create a global brand. We are all about celebrating underrepresented voices in the industry. This industry keeps saying that they want change and that they want to accept people from different cultures. The truth is not a lot of people are really doing it. There’s a lot of talk, but very little action. We’re excited to be doing that. That’s why Yong is Co-CEO because we’re going to be building this up. We’re going to develop international content. We’re going to focus more on different countries. I’m very, very excited about this new chapter.”

ABS-CBN Global COO Jun Del Rosario said, “HCA’s visión aligns with ABS-CBN’s. Thus, facilitating this unprecedented collaboration with the mainstream entertainment industry and creative community via sponsorship advanc-

es our own internationalization goals. We are very pleased to work with HCA and are proud of our own Yong Chavez making a huge impact in promoting diversity and in representing the global Filipino community.”

Is top actor Alden Richards gay?

Alden, 32, who is Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr. in real life and whose father’s father was an American, simply shrugged off rumors that he is “bading, ” saying that he’s sick and tired of the rumors regarding his gender identity.

Interviewed by Toni Gonzaga, Alden, who starred in the highest grossing Filipino film “Hello, Love, Goodbye” with Kathryn Bernardo, said he has no time to deal about gender issues, Philippine Star’s Jan Milo Severo reported.

“Tingin n’yo ganun? Fine! Tingin n’yo bading, fine. Tingin ko nga minsan ‘pag may ganu’ng mga rumor, wala na bang iba?” he said.

“‘Yung judgment call sa gender ng mga kalalakihan sa industriya natin, ang dali. Just because of that fact. Pero ako po, parang... pupunta ba ako sa route na dahil gusto ko na naman mag-please?” he added.

“I have my life right now. I’m happy perfectly with what I have, what I’m able to do at the moment. I seize every opportunity, sayang? There’s time for that.”

In the same interview, the Quezon City-born and Laguna schools educated Alden said he’s glad that he has new

friends now, just like Julia Montes and Coco Martin.

“To the people who know me, like really know me, my friends, and right now, most especially ‘yan si Julia, Julia Montes, direk Irene (Villamor), and si Coco. Nagulat ako, with just one project, we instantly clicked. To the point na they became part of my life, and I became part of their lives,” he said.

“Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na you get to meet authentic people pa rin pala. And those people, I tend to treasure,” he added.

Lately, Alden, who celebrated his 32nd birthday last January 2, had bonding with megastar Sharon Cuneta and her family. Sharon had publicly said that she likes Alden like her own children.

Sharon and Alden starred in a Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 entry, “A Family of Two,” which made good in the box office.

Earlier, Alden’s home studio, GMA Network, quoted him saying he is ready for 2024 as he thanked the past year full of success.

This 2024, Alden is set to star in GMA Prime’s newest historical series, Pulang Araw, alongside Sanya Lopez, David Licauco, and Barbie Forteza.

Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards thanked 2023 with a curated video that showed everything he has done for the past year, Aaron Brennt Eusebio reported on GMA News.

In 2023, Alden starred in two films after a four-year hiatus -- Five Breakups and a Romance with Julia Montes, and Family of Two

At the age 67, our family friend, actor Christopher De Leon still has his boyish charm, movie star good looks, and the body of a man in tip-top shape! In a recent interview, Kuya Boyet was asked how he kept his muscles in all the right places, and why he didn’t have a beer belly. He replied that he has a mistress whose name is “gym,” and that she is the one who keeps him in shape.

He works out almost every day and eats anything and everything but pork. (During our lunch, he had a Ceasar salad and spaghetti Bolognese; for dessert, apple pie and coffee.) Sandy works out as well, but not as much as Kuya Boyet so he has to remind her to exercise once in a while.

Kuya Boyet and Sandy have five children: Rafael, 40; Miguel, 38; Gabriel, 35; Mariel, 30; and Mica, 27. All live abroad except for Mica, who still lives with mom and dad but will leave for the US soon and work there. Boyet and Sandy have three grandchildren and will be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary soon. To this day, it is evident that they still dote on one another.

Christopher first saw Sandy when she graced the cover of Express Week, the Sunday magazine of the ‘70s broadsheet, Daily Express.

When he saw her photo, he made a mental note to “stalk” her. Fortunately, the late Marichu Maceda tapped Boyet to play Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Sandy Andolong to play Imelda Marcos for the short documentary Sundalong Ilokano. The project was about the life of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. when he was a soldier and was shot entirely in Ilocos Norte. That’s where Boyet met Sandy, though they were

both romantically linked to others at the time. However, by the time they co-starred in Mike de Leon’s 1980 comedy satire Kakabakaba Ka Ba (with Charo Santos and Jay Ilagan), they were already dating.

Kuya Boyet’s latest movie, the MMFF romance When I Met You In Tokyo, which he starred in, co-wrote and co-directed together with Vilma Santos. Boyet admitted that Vilma is his favorite leading lady. After all, they

have made over 16 movies together and their onscreen chemistry is undeniable.

Speaking of his other leading ladies, he revealed that the most challenging to work with is ex-wife Nora Aunor. He would also like to do another movie with Hilda Koronel, and recalled that during the filming of the romantic drama Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising — directed by Mike de Leon and released in 1977 — he was in awe of Hilda’s beauty but could only admire her from a distance since she was the wife of his best friend at the time, (the late) Jay Ilagan.

Rumor has it that there is a chance Hilda Koronel will be invited to grace the MMFF later this year since December 2024 will be the MMFF’s 50th anniversary. I do hope that MMFF 50 will have a Christopher-Hilda Koronel movie. I’m sure moviegoers will line up to see it.

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Sundance Film Festival opens in Salt Lake City with 4 daring films by Filipinos

SALT LAKE CITY (Rappler) - Among the 92 fi lms to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival from January 18-28, 2024 in Salt Lake City and Park City in Utah are four works by Filipinos. These are the documentary And So It Begins by Ramona Diaz, and the short fi lms Dream Creep by Carlos A.F. Lopez, Thirstygirl by Alexadra Qin, and Bold Eagle by Whammy Alcazaren.

And So It Begins is set during the 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines and follows three key fi gures, namely, election frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former vice president Leni Robredo, and Nobel Peace prize winner and Rappler founder Maria Ressa. The documentary will be unveiled at a premiere at The Ray Theater in Park City.

Regarding the short fi lms, Sundance Film Festival’s short fi lm programmer Irene Suico Soriano praised the fi lmmakers for daring to tackle topics that are considered taboo, and making these relevant for

today’s audiences. She says, “Each of these shorts delves into subject matters that aren’t typically discussed at the family dinner table — sex addiction, the pursuit of love and intimacy in the digital age, and the confrontation of both internal and external horrors…. While these topics may radiate a certain seductive allure, beneath the surface, there exists a profound and delicate exploration of the human experience and challenges of navigating the world.”

Making its debut at Sundance is director-screenwriter Carlos A.F. Lopez’s Dream Creep, a 12-minute tale about a couple whose night is disturbed by eerie sounds. Lopez is a former musician; his mother is a Filipina and his father is a Mexican.

French-Filipino-Chinese Alexandra Qin was born and raised in Paris, France and now lives in New York. Her 10-minute drama Thirstygirl is about a woman who tries to hide her secret sex addiction from her young sister while the two are on a road trip. Thirstygirl, — Qin’s directorial debut — has made the rounds of several fi lm festivals in the US, including the 2023 Palm Springs International Shortfest.

Both Dream Creep and Thirstygirl will be available online to US audiences during the festival through the Sundance Film Festival player app.

The fourth fi lm by a Filipino is Bold Eagle by Whammy Alcazaren. Winner of the Best Short Film award at the 2022 QCinema International Film Festival, it is about an “alter” (someone who performs lascivious acts over the internet) who suff ers an existential crisis during the pandemic. The 16-minute experimental dramedy is part of Sundance’s Midnight Short Film Program and is competing alongside 52 other short fi lms. Alcazaren is a director and multiawarded production designer from Manila. Joining Alcazaren in Sundance is Bold Eagle producer Alemberg Ang.

The Sundance Film Festival organizers proudly state on their website, “We celebrate independent storytelling both online and in person…. The Sundance Film Festival is the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives.”

For more information, visit www.sundance.org. –Rappler.com

Yvonne Custodio was approved for green card by USCIS. A�y. Lozano who represented her case was able to beat the deadline for the validity of her visitor visa for her to adjust status in the US.

EJ Obiena is lone PSA Athlete of the Year; Ramon Ang, Manny Pangilinan also cited

MANILA - The credentials of the 28-year-old Tondo-born pole vaulter Ernest Obiena in a 12-month span was indeed impressive, highlighting it by winning golds in three major international tournaments in recordbreaking fashion.

He made history anew in the World Athletics Championships, became the first Filipino to join pole vault’s ultra-elite 6.00-meter club, and then capped off the year by finishing as the no. 2 ranked athlete in his field.

Obiena was also the first to book a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics –the first Filipino bet to do so – with a silver-medal effort in a tournament in Sweden, just a day after the qualifiers for next year’s Olympiad began.

Those glowing achievements truly, are hard to ignore especially in a year when many firsts were recorded in Philippine sports history.

On account of the achievements, Obiena has been chosen as the sole recipient of the Athlete of the Year honor in the coming San Miguel Cor-

poration (SMC)-PSA Awards Night.

Meanwhile, two of the country’s top businessmen and sports patron stand side by side in the coming San Miguel Corporation (SMC)-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night.

San Miguel CEO and President Ramon S. Ang along with First Pacific Company Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan will be honored as Executives of the Year for working closely together to restore dignity and faith to Philippine basketball in the year just passed.

Gilas Pilipinas ending 61-year of frustration by bagging the basketball gold in the Asian Games, the Filipinas national team scoring a historic win in its FIFA Women’s World Cup debut, and the pair of Margarita ‘Meggie’ Ochoa and Annie Ramirez achieving a double gold for jiu-jitsu in the Hangzhou Asiad, were all considered for the prestigious award.

But Obiena got the nod of the majority from one of the country’s oldest media organization composed of print

and online sportswriters headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine STAR.

ArenaPlus will be presenting the blue-ribbon event with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/SMART and MILO® Philippines as major sponsors. Also backing the event are the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Premier Volleyball League, Rain or Shine and 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero.

Obiena, son of track and field athletes Emerson and Jeanette Uy, is the first track athlete to be honored with the prestigious award since long jumper Marestella Torres in 2009.

He emerged the undisputed pole vault king in Asia in the year just passed. Obiena set new records in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games (5.65 meters), the Asian Athletics Championships (5.91 meters) in Thailand, and later, the Hangzhou Asian Games (5.90 meters) on the way to completing a sweep of all three gold medals.

A tribute to Totoy Tingzon, father of youth baseball in PHL and Asia

By EDDIE G.ALINEA

Rodolfo “Totoy” Tingzon earned his college degree as a baseball player, became a public school teacher on way to having acknowledged as father of youth baseball in the country and the whole of Asia.

Recently, Totoy passed away in his sleep after spending half of his life propagating baseball, a job he and siblings inherited from their father Julio, a topnotch player himself during his competitive days and coach and maestro when he retired.

Totoy, he confessed, might not have inherited his Dad’s playing abilities that earned for the latter a seat in the University of the Philippines – Manila baseball team as a young recruit from Tacloban City.

Don Julio emerged a star player, co-founder of the legendary Canlubang Sugar Estate Sugar Barons, and national team mentor that carried the country’s colors in countless international competitions, including the First Baseball Federation of Asian won by the Philippines in 1954 and the now-defunct Far Eastern Games from 1913 to 1934.

Totoy, who played for the National University Bulldogs in his college days, himself admitted his brother Julio “Baby” Jr. was a better player than he was, but accepted the old man’s leadership and managerial acumen must’ve rub on him later in his career.

After his graduation, Totoy took the responsibilities of coaching and managing the Canlubang team when his father passed away, guiding the Barons to seven straight Manila Bay Baseball League title conquests from 1965.

In 1966, he was entrusted the job of managing the national nine to the First World Amateur Baseball Championship held in Honolulu where the Filipinos brought home the bronze medal on the strength of finishing a fighting third behind eventual winner the United States and runner up Japan.

Inspired by that podium finish and the potential of giving the country honors in international plays, Totoy went on to organize the Little League Baseball Association of the Philippines along with Manila Times columnist Ka Doroy Valencia and several businessmen-sportsmen, including then PR practitioner, Dr. Dante Ang Sr., now The Manila Time’s Chairman Emeritus, aimed at providing grassroot program.

The move gave the opportunity to young boys from the provinces to compete in national and international competitions.

Disappointed by the Little International’s refusal to give the country, as a young member of the organization, field national selections to the subsequent World Series, Tingzon withdrew from the LLBI.

He then formed the Philippine Tot Baseball Association and applied for membership in the PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) movement of the U.S.A. to continue his family’s tradition in the development of baseball and softball.

In 1990, after ending runner up in the Asia-Pacific Bronco (11-12 age bracket) from late 70s, the Philippines aptly christened the “President’s Kids,” in honor of their no. 1 supporter, President Marcos, stashed away with the Pony Baseball International World Series plum.

Tingzon’s son Rodolfo “Boy” Jr., is currently the Southeast Asian Regional head of the PONY movement. Totoy’s daughter, Liza, was, at one time, the Secretary General of Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines.

His grandchildren and great grandson namely Rodolfo Jaime “RJ”, Christopher John, Katherine Anne, Anna Melissa were all baseball scholars at the De La Salle University-Manila. His great grandson, Johan was a star player for the La Salle Greenhills Team.

Totoy entered politics to become Vice Governor of Laguna from 1980 - 1986 and then Congressman of the 2nd District of the province from 1990 to 1993 before retiring.

In 2020, when celebrating his 94th bi-day, he intimated to this writer his plan for a bigger celebration for his natal day the following year.

The plan didn’t materialize though due to health reasons.

“Sayang, Pare, plano ko pa naman isang malaki na pagdiriwang ang b-day next year para magkita-kita tayo ng miyembro ng 365 Club (365 Club is an association of government officials, media men and businessmen-sportsmen founded by then Mayor Nemesio Yabut and Ka Doroy since Martial Law days),” Totoy told this writer in a telephone conversation before the day arrived.

“Anyway, di bale, ipagdasal ko na lang habaan pa ng ilang taon pa ang buhay ko para mas malaking pagtitipon ang maidaos natin,” he he added.

“I could’ve invited lahat ng kaibigan natin sa media, ikaw, si Dr. Ang, Willie Jurado, Recah Trinidad, Al Mendoza, etc, na magkasama-sama uli tayo,” he said rather sadly.

Groups want Vilma Santos to run for governor in 2025; ex-town mayor announces bid

BATANGAS CITY - Is former Batangas governor Rosa Vilma Santos Recto running for governor again?

Many supporters, fans and followers of the award-winning actress who had served as governor and mayor of Lipa City for three terms are rooting for her comeback at the Provincial Capitol as

June

Mar

Fajardo, Sarina Bolden earn top honors in PSA Awards

MANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas center June Mar Fajardo and Filipinas striker Sarina Bolden have been named Mr. Basketball and Ms. Football, respectively, by the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

The two star athletes will be among those to be given their awards during the PSA’s Annual Awards Night on January 29 at the Diamond Hotel sponsored by the San Miguel Corp.

ASIAN Games gold medalists Margarita ‘Meggie’ Ochoa and Annie Ramirez, along with Asian champion Carlos Yulo will also be among the recipients of Major Awards.

Together, Ochoa and Yulo make up the compact 11 individuals to be recognized with a Major Award by the PSA.

Together with Ochoa, Ramirez, and Yulo in the group are pool players Chezka Centeno, Johann Chua and James Aranas, golfer Miguel Tabuena, bowler Zach Sales Ramin, champion horse Big Lagoon, jockey John Alvin Guce, and horse owner Vice Gov. Leonardo ‘Sandy’ Javier.

The PSA is one of the oldest media organizations in the Philippines, headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star.

This is the sixth time in the last seven years Fajardo was accorded the same honor during the traditional awards night, his string of five straight titles being broken last year by Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson.

Bolden meanwhile, will be bestowed the distinction for the second straight time.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the JiuJitsu Federation of the Philippines (JFP), meanwhile, will be hailed as the National Sports Associations (NSAs) of the Year.

The SBP headed by Al S. Panlilio has been the recipient of the award several times in the past, while it will be the first for JFP led by Ferdinand Agustin to be recognized with the prestigious honor given out by the country’s oldest media organization

Set on January 29, the formal event is presented by the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus, with major sponsors Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/SMART, Cignal TV, and MILO® Philippines. It is also backed by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Premier Volleyball League, 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero, and Rain or Shine.

Fajardo, 34, and Bolden, 27, both had banner years in 2023 that saw them spearheaded the Philippine teams’ campaign in major international meets.

The 6-foot-10 San Miguel Beer center was in Cambodia as part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that successfully regained the basketball gold in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

incumbent Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas is serving his final third three-year term.

Santos-Recto, 70, also a former congresswoman, however, has been mum about her political plans as her husband, former Senator Ralph Recto, assumed as the new Finance Secretary of the Marcos administration.

Meanwhile, former 1-Care party-list representative Mike Rivera, a former mayor Padre Garcia town, formally announced on January 15 his 2025 gubernatorial bid in this province during a regular flag-raising ceremony at the Padre Garcia Atrium Municipal Hall ground.

Rivera announced his 2025 plan following the endorsement of former senator and now Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

Rivera made the announcement in the presence of his wife, Celsa, who is the incumbent mayor of

this town, and his son, Micko Angelo Rivera, the incumbent vice-mayor of this town, and supporters.

CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola and Batangas 4th District Rep. Lianda Bolilia were also present during the flag-raising in support of Rivera’s candidacy.

Rivera said his motto is “I Love Batangas” to profess his undying love for his fellow Batangueños.

He admitted he wanted to serve his province with transparency, genuine concern, and unbiased dispensing of assistance to all Batangueños, regardless of their status in life.

Rivera is yet to announce his vice governor.

Mataas na Kahoy Mayor Jay Ilagan, president of Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Batangas Chapter, is reportedly keen on throwing his hat on the Batangas gubernatorial derby.

Cancer survivor is the brain behind La Belle Rose Med Spa

By Jun Nucum

People always want to look & feel great anytime of the year.

This is the mantra that medical spa La Belle Rose (LBR) lives by as it offers excellent service of Health, Beauty and wellness

program using top of the line machines and lasers although priced within one’s budget.

“With my 25 years of experience as a nurse together with experienced and skilled other nurses, estheticians & technicians working with me, we see the optimum results within a short period of time to our clients. Combination of treatment like IV multivitamin infusion, Stem Cell treatments, HydraFacial, Cryotherapy, Intense Pulse Light by Lumenis, CO2 treatments from Cutera, Trilift by Lumenis – face and body treatments,” boasts Marilyn Perez, owner of LBR.

Perez may be bragging but she does with the right credentials and experiences to back her up. She calls LBR as the ‘finalization of my dream, to make the difference in people’s lives.” It is back up with five other Registered Nurses, two estheticians and two technicians.

“Part of our mission is to create a space where every individual feels seen, celebrated and valued. Back in the Philippines, our family had been operating a Med Spa for years and I have been wanting to establish one in US for a long time. The fulfillment of seeing results to clients coming for treatments is priceless,” shared Perez.

Home in the Philippines for Perez is Lallo Cagayan where she has been born before she migrated to the U.S. in 1991.

Perez prides herself as a Registered Nurse that she considers her foremost profession since 1996 who also loves “my real estate and insurance job that are all related as they per-

tain to service.”

“Real estate helps people feel better, providing them shelter which they call their own. And providing them with insurance – give everyone protection when they need it most,” explained the proud registered nurse who originally was a chemical engineer graduated from Adamson University in the Philippines where she also taught for 15 years before she migrated to the U.S. and selected as one of the outstanding alumni of Adamson University in year 2007.

“Among the diversified clients who come to LBR for treatments are business owners, local celebrities, sports people come and privacy of clients is a paramount concern. LBR offers treatments to clients from 18 – 85 years old clients. All treatments are in demand for Filipinos. We are versatile and want to explore. Everyone wants to see their face free from wrinkles and blemishes. We always want to have fast youthful appearances. Glutathione injections and stem cell treatments, Botox Fillers are very popular with Filipino clients,” claims Perez. “Men are also very vain when it comes to feeling good about themselves. Popular treatments for men include facial (lasers & injections) - hair restoration and hair removal.”

Perez may sound so confident in her journeys in life as she became a registered nurse real estate broker and insurance agent but there are a lot of bumps and rocks she had to hurdle and survive along the way.

“In 2000, while my kids - two sons and a daughter - were in their teens, I was diagnosed with cancer while also a widow. I got scared for my children if something happens to me. They were not ready who will take care of them? I am the only one they can lean for support so when I was on my cancer treatment, I really prayed so hard asking for more time to be with my kids,” Perez narrated. “Being diagnosed with cancer was the turning point in my life as it was during the time I was healing was when I thought to get into real estate while I was not working as a nurse.”

While at the San Francisco General Hospital, the real estate/housing market was moving very strongly and Perez was able to sell some 50 houses with her co-workers there while she was being treated at the hospital.

“My will to survive is unbeatable as I have to survive for my kids. When I bought my first house, I was referring a lot of clients to my broker then my family said after realizing that if I were the realtor, I could have earned a lot of money already so I thought of getting my license and that started it all. And thank God, except for one time, the cancer never recurred,” Perez is gratified.

A favorite go- to spa, La Belle Rose opened at 333 Gellert Ave., D.C., three years ago and due to increase clientele moved to a bigger location in 43 Serramonte Center Daly City, CA. For consultation and other information, call (650) 239-2235 or also visit their website labellerosemedicslspa.com.

FTC to protect car buyers with CARS Rule

One of the earliest advises an immigrant or even a new adult earning his way through life is for one to get a car that could be very handy to take him/her to wherever he/she may need or want to be.

This makes owning a car or having any vehicle to bring one anywhere imperative that many always have in their minds their dream car even before one has enough money to get hold of this immediate prized possession.

But this process also brings with it stress especially when car dealers take advantage of this eagerness, enthusiasm and excitement for the dealer to engage in dishonest practices that no one honest buyer anticipate and expect.

For this reason, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced their campaign Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule that requires transparency in the vehicle shopping process. Among the campaign’s aims are CARS will enable prospective buyers to get home major savings up to an estimated $3.4 billion annually, save consumers an estimated 72 million hours each year aside from the inclusion of key provisions about pricing, add-on products and services, and buyer’s consent.

In giving a platform for this campaign, Ethic Media Services hosted with FTC a national briefing Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule: What You Need to Know where FTC officials explained how the agency’s Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule, requiring transparency from car dealers, will protect buyers from auto scams.

On hand to shine light on the campaign were FTC Associate Director at Division of Financial Practices

Malini Mithal, FTC Attorney at Division of Financial Practices

Jamie D. Brooks and FTC Attorney at Division of Financial Practices

Sanya Shahrasbi.

Mithal announced that the CARS Rule combats two main scams that car buyers experience: bait-and-switch tactics, “where dealers advertise a low price to bring you to the lot, but after you spend hours there you learn that the car is way more expensive than what was advertised,” and

junk fees, which are charges hidden by long, complicated auto contracts.

Mithal started off by saying that CARS rule that is set to take effect on July 30, 2024 CARS will help honest car dealers who will be able to compete on a level playing field thus “they won’t have to worry about losing business to a competitor pretending to have a lower price to lure consumers onto their lot, but then charging much more once the consumer gets there.”

“The CARS Rule makes this happen four ways. First, dealers can’t lie about key information like costs, financing terms, add-ons and rebates; second, dealers must tell consumers the total price of the car (e.g. the full price of a 10year contract, not just the first few monthly payments); third, dealers can’t charge junk fees that don’t benefit the consumer (e.g. a second warranty with no coverage, or oil change add-ons incompatible with an electric car); and fourth, “Dealers can only charge for things if consumers know what the charge is for and agree to pay for it — so no more hidden costs in contracts,” Mithal explained.

Brooks added that the rule also requires dealers advertising a car in a certain language, like Spanish, to clearly disclose any added costs in that same language “so buyers know what they’re agreeing to.”

“The CARS Rule focuses so much on baitand-switch tactics because of how many actions the FTC has brought against it, where dealers ad-

vertise one price to get consumers in the door, but then charge consumers much more after they’ve invested time on the lot,” revealed Brooks. “Most of this deceptive advertising involves misrepresenting a car’s full price, its monthly payment, or the dealership’s affiliation with government programs.”

Cited as example was the case the FTC filed against Casino Auto Sales of La Puente, California in 2014 for advertising an $18,000 down vehicle while burying an extra $5,000 down payment in fine print specifically targeting Spanish consumers.

In 2020, the agency also sued dealer ad agency Traffic Jam Events of Kenner, Louisiana for mailers which supposedly directed consumers to a COVID stimulus relief program site, the address of which was really a car lot.

“These tactics not only harm car buyers but dealers themselves who have to beat the bogus prices of dishonest competitors,” Brooks elaborated. “When a dealership advertises low prices, people end up selecting that dealership over others under false pretenses.”

Shahrasbi, for her part, clarifies that many of the pretenses also involve “junk fees” for hidden add-ons — “like extended warranties, car or asset protection, or coatings that are supposed to protect the car” — which can easily cause unknowing buyers thousands of dollars.

“In the past two years alone, dealers have substantially increased prices for these add-ons, even though such products and services largely

are not constrained by supply.” Shahrasbi related. “A 2022 FTC lawsuit against multistate dealer Napleton, the thirteenth-largest dealership group in the country, found that 83% or 16,848 of the dealer’s customers were charged for add-ons that they didn’t agree to; for instance, “one consumer paid for a $2,000 service contract that the dealer said was free.”

“This Napleton action found not only that buyers were being charged for add-ons they didn’t agree to, but also that these buyers were disproportionately Black and Latino,” interjected added Mithal. “A 2023 action against Wisconsinbased dealer group Rhinelander Auto Center found analogous targeting of local Native American consumers.”

Much of the vulnerability of these racial and ethnic groups owes to language access obstructed by lengthy contracts hiding fees; many Napleton buyers, for example, found themselves with paperwork requiring more than 12 signatures across over 60 pages.

“Regardless, the CARS Rule prohibits conduct which is already illegal, and if a dealer’s lying to you about the price of a car, they’re already violating the FTC, you’re within your rights to report them,” Mithal continued. “Because it underscores the money and people stand up when they are on the hook for a lot of money … It’s easier to get money back to you when scamming dealers see that they’re exposed through this rule, and honest dealers see the law is on their side.”

Marilyn A. Perez

FTC Associate Director at Division of Financial Prac�ces Malini Mithal

FTC A�orney at Division of Financial Prac�ces Jamie D. Brooks

FTC A�orney at Division of Financial Prac�ces Sanya Shahrasbi.

REFINANCE STREAMLINE YOUR FHA MORTGAGE TO RATES IN THE 5’S

Streamline refinance refers to the refinance of an existing FHAinsured mortgage requiring limited borrower credit documentation and underwriting. Streamline refinances are available under credit qualifying and noncredit qualifying options.

“Streamline refinance” refers only to the amount of documentation and underwriting that the lender must perform, and there are no costs involved in the transaction. The basic requirements of a streamline refinance are:

The mortgage to be refinanced must already be FHA insured.

The mortgage to be refinanced must be current (not delinquent).

The refinance results in a net tangible benefit to the borrower. The definition of net tangible benefit varies based on the type of loan being refinanced, and the interest rate and/or term of the new loan.

Cash in excess of $500 may not be taken out on mortgages refinanced using the streamline refinance process.

Lenders may offer streamline refinances in several ways. Some lenders offer “no cost” refinances (actually, no out-of-pocket expenses to the borrower) by charging a higher rate of interest on the new loan than if the borrower financed or paid the closing costs in cash. From this premium, the lender pays any closing costs that are incurred on the transaction. FHA does not allow lenders to include closing costs in the new mortgage amount of a streamline refinance. Investment properties (properties which the borrower does not occupy as his or her principal residence) may only be refinanced without an appraisal.

Benefits of the FHA Streamline program include:

Low refinance rates — FHA loan rates currently average 5.375% (APR Depends on your option to select a no cost or a minimal cost loan). This is an incredibly low rate compared to most of the mortgage industry. If you had bought a house within 24 months you are probably paying a much higher rate than what is being offered today.

MIP refund — Homeowners who use the FHA Streamline Refinance may be refunded up to 68 percent of their prepaid mortgage insurance, in the form of an MIP discount on the new loan .

No appraisal — You can use the FHA Streamline Refinance even if your current mortgage loan to value is the

same or higher than when you purchased the property.

No verification of job or income — You may be eligible for FHA Streamline refinancing even if you recently lost your job or took a pay cut.

No credit check — A low credit score won’t stop you from using the FHA Streamline program. This is almost impossible to find with other refinance loans.

With property inventory to anemic, people are jumping in even if rates are high. But people are jumping into these homes with higher rates knowing when the time comes to refinance to a lower rate, they will be ready to go to get that payment in control.

Another option now is to be able to Refinance and Cash out on your equity before the market value starts to decline, most of us are probably using our credit cards and lines of credit to pay those extra expense like vacations, student loans, family meals etc. but with credit card and HELOC rates upwards of 10-22% per annum you ought to consider using your equity to pay those cards off to minimize monthly obligations. Please call so we can assess your best option to move forward and start saving.

This might be an opportunity to refinance your rate to give you more cash flow. Call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group if you have any questions. Call 562508-7048 or email to kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636 NMLS CORP #349267

across the state

SACRAMENTO – Eleven disadvantaged, unincorporated, and tribal communities across the state are receiving grants through $98.1 million in funding recently approved by the California Strategic Growth Council to plan and implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment, and expand economic opportunity for residents.

Since 2016, the Council, has invested $424 million in 37 communities through the Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC), which empowers communities most impacted by pollution to pursue their own goals and strategies to tackle local air pollution and emissions.

Combined, projects from this funding round will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36,647 metric tons, equivalent to taking 8,155 gasoline-powered passenger

vehicles off the road for one year.

“The Transformative Climate Communities program is a key part of California’s leadership to confront longstanding inequities while building resilience in the communities impacted most by climate change,” said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, Executive Director of the Strategic Growth Council, a state body comprised of seven state agencies and three public members. “We’re thrilled to be investing in this year’s 11 community-driven projects, which will transform places that have suffered from pollution, underinvestment, and environment impacts for current and future generations of Californians.”

The current round of TCC grant funding will support three Planning Grants, four Project Development Grants, and four Implementation Grants. Planning

MEDICAL MISSION. Munoz (The Science City) Mayor “Baby” Armi L. Alvarez (seated center in light blue shirt) poses with the members of the Philippine-American Associa�on of Nevada medical mission team, headed by Daniel C. Fabito, MD, FACS, FPCS, PAAN president (in scrub suit), Luz Micabalo, Philippine-American Charity Founda�on President, and Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, (standing, 4th from le�) chairman of

grants provide support to communities to successfully apply to future funding rounds though TCC or other funding sources, while Project Development Grants help fund pre-development costs, and Implementation Grants fund afford-

able housing, transit access and mobility, solar, energy efficiency, building electrification, green infrastructure, air quality, workforce training, anti-displacement programs, and more.

the Filipino United NetworkUSA and columnist of this newspaper. During their 5-day mission in Munoz and Talavera, the missionaries provided consulta� ons and free medica� ons to more than 500, and performed surgeries, including various tumors, thyroid and gallbladder surgeries, hernia repair, hysterectomy, and dozens of minor procedures.

As I See It

(From Page 11)

ting there thinking that they’re disadvantaged because of a color or a gender. I want them to know that if they work hard, they can do and be anything they want to be in America,” she said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is vying with Haley to become the top alternative to former President Donald Trump, was asked to respond to the former governor’s comments at a CN townhall on Tuesday night. Though he did not initially address the claim directly – instead touting his opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs that he says promote unfair racial bias – he went on to say the US “is not a racist country.”

“The US is not a racist country, and we’ve overcome things in our history,” he said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, also insists US is ‘not a racist country’ but concedes country has faced ‘challenges’ over dealing with race

The hard-right Florida governor Ron DeSantis says the US is “not a racist country”. (US Politics, The Guardian).

“Well, the US is not a racist country,” DeSantis told a CNN town hall this week in New Hampshire. “And we’ve overcome things in our history. You know, I think the founding fathers – they established a set of principles that are universal.”

On Tuesday, Haley, whose parents came to the US from India, told Fox News: “I’m a brown girl … who became the first female minority governor in history, who became a UN ambassador and who is now running for president.

If that’s not the American dream, I don’t know what is. You can sit there and give me all the reasons why you think I can’t do this. I will continue to defy everybody on why we can do this. And we will get it done.

“We’re not a racist country … we’ve never been a racist country. Our goal is to make sure that today is better than yesterday. Are we perfect? No. But our goal is to always make sure we try and be more perfect every day that we can.”

In New Hampshire, asked about Haley’s remarks, DeSantis said the principles of the Declasrstion of Independence – signed in 1776, saying “all men are created equal” – “may not have been universally applied at the time. But I think they understood what they were doing. They understood that those principles would be the engine for progress for generations to come.”

Pressed on Haley’s contention that the US is not a racist country, DeSantis said: “Well, what I said was we’ve had challenges with how race was viewed.

So, King’s speech I Have A Dream resonates even today!

Health & Wealth...

way skill that makes all other learning possible.”

(From Page 11)

“THE MORE THAT YOU READ THE MORE THINGS YOU WILL KNOW. THE MORE THAT YOU LEARN THE MORE PLACES YOU’LL GO.”

“KEEP READING. It’s one of the most marvelous adventures that anyone have.”

Are you looking for good books to read in 2024? Just follow what Marianne did. If you are interested to have autographed copies of the three books mentioned above at a discounted price, just write or contact: BOOKS MINISTRY, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650) 438-3531 or (415) 584-7095 or email:artmadlaing@hotmail.com

(ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker in California since 1981. Art is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNERSS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.)

Offline

(From Page 11)

a beeline for the Philippines and invest, invest, invest.

Back in the glory days of the PNoy administration, the Philippines became a favorite of global investors. The country had actually attained tiger cub economy status.

And guess what? It all happened under the very same constitution we now have. Them global investors never said anything about a need to alter the basic law. They came in because they saw that the chief executive of Philippines, Inc. was serious in his job.

It was never about the charter. It was always about a leadership that could be trusted.

I therefore submit that cha cha via con con or con ass or PI is a bad idea. It is not only unnecessary, it could be counterproductive. Those big institutional investors will wonder what’s wrong with the Philippines, and why the unending tries to change what isn’t broken.

It may not be perfect, but the current charter is still an excellent scrap of paper, isn’t it?

So what am I saying? No, no, no to cha cha, ok? No.

Oakland, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that scholarship applications are now being accepted for college-bound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing education students with a primary residence in Northern and Central California.

More than $200,000 is being made available through scholarships created by PG&E’s 11 employee resource groups (ERG) and two engineering network groups (ENG). These groups support and advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within PG&E and the hometowns it serves.

These scholarships are awarded annually to help offset the cost of higher education. ERG and ENG scholarship winners will receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 for exemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership.

PG&E ERG and ENG scholarship information, including criteria and applications, is available on PG&E’s website. To be considered for a scholarship, all applications must be submitted by March 15, 2024.

“Our ERG and ENG scholarships support the ambitions and dreams of young people in our communities. These awards help develop our future leaders and breakthrough thinkers and are part of how we’re living our purpose at PG&E—delivering for our hometowns, serving our planet, and leading with love,” said Marie Waugh, PG&E Vice President, Chief Talent, Culture and Inclusion Officer.

Making an impact

“I am the first in my family to go to school in America and the costs of higher education came as a big shock to us. Thanks to this scholarship, college has become more affordable for me. Earning a computer science degree will help me enter the tech industry and make an impact on my community through technology,” said Megan Jacob, a 2023 National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) ENG scholarship recipient, who’s majoring in computer science at UCLA.

Since 1989, PG&E’s ERGs and ENGs have awarded more than $6 million in scholarships to thousands of recipients. The funds are raised entirely through employee donations, employee fundraising events and Campaign for the Community, the company’s employee

Upside...

(From Page 10)

Time is well spent on Buenaventura’s watch. He is a captain with the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the US Air Force. Until September he had a private practice as an attorney and certified criminal law specialist.

CROWNING GLORY

He says he’s “still in court almost every day” some 120 miles from his Westlake District home in Daly City to “monitor lawyers and make sure they are providing effective representation.” As Chief Public Defender since October, he “develops programs designed to help people in their criminal case that focuses on early representation, trial preparation, and post-conviction relief.”

“I believe in a holistic approach to criminal defense representation, one that is multi-faceted and seeks to help clients in a more meaningful and sustained manner…and in the need to do public service and make government work for the people,” he elaborated on his job created only in April and filled after what the County Board of Supervisors said “followed a rigorous review of indigent legal defense in Lake County.”

In a statement issued by the County Administrative Office, Board Chair Jessica Pyska said, “Our board is truly excited Mr. Buenaventura has chosen to invest his considerable experience and energies toward supporting a stronger and more just future for Lake County…We are committed to supporting his important work.”

Buenaventura calls the job the “crowning glory” of his profession.

PURPOSEFUL MENTOR

Buenaventura is already acknowledged as northern San Mateo County’s “elder statesman” for consistently topping each race for re-election for the City Council of Daly City, second largest population in the county.

And yet when asked about his foremost achievements, he would start with having raised his son “to become the man he is today – respectful, kind, talented” with whom he has a “great father/son relationship.”

He has spearheaded recognition of FilAms with the designation of the Alice Pena Bulos Memorial Highway along Skyline Boulevard in Daly City and the Erlinda T. Galeon Memorial Park also in Daly City, the outcome of skillful collaboration with state and local officials. He has mentored all four members of the current City Council of Daly City and appointed more FilAms to City commissions than any elected official, assuaging Ray Satorre,

giving program.

More than 6,000 of PG&E’s 26,000 coworkers belong to ERGs and ENGs. Each group helps further the company’s commitment to serving its hometowns and growing coworker engagement.

PG&E’s ERG and ENG scholarships are available through these 13 groups:

• Access Network (individuals with disabilities)

• AAPI (Asian American, Pacific Islander)

• Black

• Latino

• Legacy (tenured coworkers)

• MEENA (Middle East, Europe, and North Africa)

• National Society of Black Engineers (STEM career coworkers)

• NuEnergy (newer coworkers)

• PrideNetwork (LGBTQ+ coworkers)

• Samahan (Filipino)

• Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (STEM career coworkers)

• Veterans

• Women’s Network

• Other scholarship opportunities

Besides the ERG and ENG scholarships, the Pacific Service Employees Association (PSEA), a nonprofit mutual benefit organization serving PG&E coworkers and retirees, also provides scholarships for dependents of company coworkers. In addition, PG&E Corporation is providing STEM scholarships through its Better Together STEM scholarships program.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge. com and pge.com/news

You can read about PG&E’s data privacy practices at PGE.com/ privacy.

a community leader who used to chide previous city councils for non-recognition of Filipinos in the town with the largest concentration of Filipinos on the US mainland. The only prize he pursued but has not attained is a judgeship, from which past unsuccessful campaign he says he has learned lessons, such as the prohibitive cost of running for a county post and the expansiveness of San Mateo County.

“I would still like to be a judge someday,” he told author. “Given my 30 years of experience in the courtroom and my work as a public servant, I think I have some life experiences that will make for a good judge. I haven’t given up on that idea and would be grateful for the opportunity.”

His term ends in 2026, sparking speculation about his local political future. The savvy politician will only entertain the question with a “no comment,” his next steps harking back to his credo to be open to more than a solitary purpose. – Adapted from original reprinted with permission for INQUIRER.NET - https://usa.inquirer. net/141956/former-fi l-am-mayor-is-now-county-chiefpublic-defender-volunteer-command-pilot

Captain Ray Buenaventura on the wing of another mission to save a life.

WHO launches appeal for $1.5 billion for key emergencies in 2024

GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an appeal for US$ 1.5 billion to protect the health of the most vulnerable populations in 41 emergencies around the globe in 2024.

The appeal covers the emergencies that demand the highest level of response from WHO, with the aim to reach over 87 million people. It is being issued in a context of complex emergencies cutting across crises of conflict, climate change and economic instability, which continue to fuel displacement, hunger, and inequality.

“For those facing emergencies, disruptions to essential health services often mean the difference between life and death. From mothers giving birth during conflict, to aid to young children in drought-affected regions, to those receiving cancer treatment or dialysis, health care saves lives. Health-care services are also critical for breaking the cycle that too often leaves communities in a perilous state and reliant on yet more emergency assistance,” said WHO Director-General

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Support in 2024 will enable life-saving health care, distribution of critical health supplies and equipment, along with maintenance of essential health services to ensure continuous care. The funding supports direct access to health care for

communities in hard-to-reach areas, in partnerships with local organizations, and effective response to monitor, share information and document outbreaks and attacks on health workers. Other important actions are maintenance of existing health-care systems and building resil-

ience against future threats.

The appeal notes the positive value of funding to supporting people with humanitarian needs. Every US$ 1 invested in WHO delivers a return on investment of at least US$ 35.

The funding would go to the African Region, with US$ 334 million; the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with US$ 705 million; the European region, with US$ 183 million; the Western Pacific Region, with US$ 15.2 million; the South-East Asia Region, with US$ 49 million; and the Americas Region, with US$ 131 million.

“With the support of donors, we will save lives, meet critical health needs for the most vulnerable, and help communities emerge from crises with a greater ability to tackle future health threats. WHO appreciates all support received in 2023, which allowed us to assist millions of people. As we enter 2024, the solidarity and support of the international community is needed more than ever,” said Dr Tedros.

Heart of Hope

Most of the food products we eat today have healthier alternative items. If we are serious about staying healthy and maximizing our natural longevity, that option is open to us. All we have to do is to educate ourselves, which, today, is not hard to do, thanks to Dr. Google and the world wide web.

Unlike Spanish Conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon’s quest for that elusive fountain of youth, which, unbeknownst to him was right under his nose, we, in this 21st century, equipped with evidence-based medical data, know that we have in our hands the knowledge and ability to live a healthy lifestyle to boost our immune system, minimize our risk for preventable diseases, and extend our life span to its full potential. Life expectancy in the US in the 1800 was about 35, in the 1900, around 47, and today, an average of 79.3.

There are some food items in our own pantry at home which make our skin look older and our body aged faster. They are a group of food items with compounds called AGEs (Advance Glycation Endproducts) which have aging effect on our skin, our immune system, and body as a whole. Replacing food items with healthier options could help slow down aging.

AGEs are bad compounds that result from proteins or fats in our system combining with sugars. Low carbohydrate meals, minimizing or, even better, eliminating rice from our diet is a healthy option. Many vegetables and some protein foods also contain some carbohydrates (sugar), so we do not have to add rice to our diet. The Mediterranean and the South Beach diets are basically offering a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, sea food and low-carbs and less red meats. And then there is the keto diet of high in protein and negligible carbs. All these basically acknowledge the health hazard in sugars and red meat, especially processed meats (bacon, sausages, hot dogs, etc.), toxic items that induce oxidation and inflammation, which also increase our risk for cancer.

What are the healthier alternatives?

1. Sweet potato instead of rice - Rice, even the brown variety or Basmati, has high glycemic index, causing our blood sugar level to spike fast, unlike vegetables, which take longer to bring the blood sugar up and therefore maintaining

Swap for health

a healthier even keel. As such, eating rice leads to overweight or obesity in most people, and abstinence from it helps reduce weight. Rice is indeed the arch-enemy of diabetes and obesity. Sweet potato has a lower glycemic index, even lower than regular potato and unhealthy French Fries. Sweet potato also contains a lot of copper, which counteracts AGEs and helps in collagen production for our skin.

2. Honey or fruits – For sweetener, honey or fruits are better alternative to white sugar, brown sugar, or even raw sugar. Of course, the less sugar (carbs). Fruits, like berries, grapefruits, mangos, pomegranates, apples, mangosteen, avocados, etc., and quinoa, whole grains (barley, oats, rye, triticale and flaxseed), and nuts are healthy. Diabetics should always comply with their prescribed caloric intake. Drinking coffee black is healthier, sans cream and sugar. Sugars are sweet but a bitter enemy of our health.

3. Sprouted bread to white bread – Like rice, white bread and pastry made of wheat and white flour, cause inflammatory reaction in the body. They also have high glycemic index, besides containing AGEs. Sprouted bread or those made with whole grains are more anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, which help in flushing out AGEs.

4. Fish and chicken instead of red meat – Fish and chicken (especially chicken breast) is healthier than red meat. Processed meats of any kind (deli meats, bacon, hot dog, sausage, salami, etc.) contain additives and are unhealthy. Eating red meat regularly (more than twice a week), as we have written in the past, is associated with increased risk for colon and pancreatic cancers, etc., especially when grilled over high temperature. Red meat and rice are not essential food items. We can live healthier and even longer without them.

5. Dark chocolate instead of sugar-loaded candies –Chocolates, rich in antioxidant flavonoids, especially the dark variety, which aid in counteracting the adverse effects of free radicals and AGEs, reduce the oxidative process that makes us age faster and develop diseases.

6. Filtered water instead of soft drinks – I have labelled all forms of soft drinks as “liquid candies” in my book on healthy lifestyle and disease prevention, Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children (view at philipSchua.com and amazon.com). This beverage is toxic to adults and children alike. It increases the risk for metabolic syndrome, the precursor of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. The safest beverage we have is water which has undergone 8-stage reversed osmosis filtration, which

removes harmful chemicals in water, and UV light treatment to eliminate bacteria and viruses.

7. Virgin olive oil instead of margarine, butter, or other veggie oils– For cooking, it is healthier to use olive oil, preferably the virgin variety, compared to using any vegetable, corn, or canola oil. Olive oil can withstand higher temperature unlike the others, but in either case, the use of very high temperature higher than 300 is not healthy. Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil, which is good as cosmetic oil for the hair and skin, is not as healthy as virgin olive oil as food.

8. Brussel sprouts instead of corn – Corn is starchy and induces inflammatory reaction in the body, causing GI problems and obesity for some people. Occasional indulgence in corn is fine. Fructose induces collagen destruction. Brussel sprouts contain a lot of Lipoic acid, which counteracts this fructose effect to maintain good collagen level in our skin. Not to mention the beneficial anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory effects of this vegetables plus the fiber in them. They are good sources of Vitamin B1, B6, C and K, and folate, choline, manganese, potassium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids too.

9. Carrots, celery, broccoli instead of hamburgers and sweets – For snacks, meats, sweets, desserts, cakes, are healthsnatchers. The better alternatives are carrots, celery, broccoli, and veggies in general, for their anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties that boost our immune system, lowering our risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and cancer.

Besides the quality of food items, quantity of our daily caloric intake is most essential to health and longevity. Pushing ourselves away from the table less than full and drinking a lot of water to fill the gap is a healthy and most rewarding discipline.

At any rate, a full and happy life is worth all the effort we put into it. Juan Ponce never found his miracle water of youth. He died in 1521, barely 61. That ephemeral fountain that eluded JP is what we today call healthy lifestyle.

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

PHILIP S. CHUA

Pinoy Pineapple Fiesta Ham Spaghetti Recipe of the Week

Ingredients:

1 kilo spaghetti noodles, cooked as per package instructions

1/2 kilo Fiesta Ham, cut into slices then cut into squares 6-8 pcs. cheese hotdog, cut into thin slices

1 large can (500g) pineapple slices in heavy syrup, cut into small wedges, reserved syrup

1 large can sliced button mushrooms, drained

1/2 block cheddar cheese, grated

1 large spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

1-2 tbsp. chili garlic in oil

1/2 head garlic, peeled, chopped 3 medium size onion, chopped

1/2 cup cornstarch salt and pepper cooking oil

Cooking procedure:

In a large sauce pan sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. Add in the fiesta ham and stir cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add in the hotdog and button mushroom and continue to stir cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Now add in the pineapple syrup, spaghetti sauce, sweet chili sauce, chili garlic in oil and about 2 cups of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add in the hotdogs, pineapple and grated cheddar cheese and continue to simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Correct saltiness if required, season with pepper. Thicken sauce with cornstarch diluted in 1/3 cup of water, cook for another minute or until the sauce thickens. Pour sauce over a platter of spaghetti noodles with grated cheddar cheese garnish.

Palawan ranks 4th in Tripadvisor world’s trending destinations

MANILA – Palawan has been named the world’s fourth trending destination in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Award Best of the Best Destination.

The award places the island together with popular destinations across the world, including Tokyo in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, Halong Bay and Sapa in Vietnam, Bogota in Colombia, Pattaya in Thailand, Casablanca in Morroco, and Taipei in Taiwan, among others.

Perfect for multi-day and extended tours, Palawan offers a diverse travel experience to tourists from sun and beach to a relaxing nature trip in its world-class heritage sites.

The Travelers’ Choice Award described Palawan as a “slice of heaven” teeming with exotic wildlife, quaint fishing villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

One of the reviewers wrote that El Nido is also among the must-visit places on the island.

“Don’t miss visiting the Small Lagoon on Miniloc Island. It should be a stop on your Island hopping tour anyway, but this was my favorite stop. Absolutely beautiful water and rock formations. Make sure to take a kayak and paddle all the way in,” the review read.

The recognition is a testament that Palawan is a must-visit destination for global explorers seeking an immersive and unforgettable experience, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco said.

“As Palawan continues to turn heads and warm hearts across the globe, this lat-

est accolade from TripAdvisor is but a testament to the island’s timeless allure,” Frasco said.

She said the DOT would do its part in ensuring Palawan’s sustainability tourism development while offering “enhanced tourism experience for travelers”.

“We could not be more grateful to the travel community for placing Palawan at the forefront of global travel trends. This singular achievement motivates us to maintain our commitment to sustainable tourism and showcase the beauty of Palawan to the world. Further to this, Palawan’s winning streak on TripAdvisor will certainly have a positive impact on its tourism industry,” she said.

“With the global recognition, the island is poised to attract a surge in visitors, providing a boost to the local economy and reinforcing Palawan’s position as a top-tier travel destination,” she added.

Tripadvisor’s winners were based on the reviews and opinions collected from travelers and diners on its platform over 12 months.

“Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best is our highest honor. The award takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings, and ranks the very best accommodations, destinations, beaches, restaurants, and things to do in specific categories and geographic areas, as rated and reviewed by travelers,” Tripadvisor said.

“Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor,” it added.

Small lagoon in El Nido, Palawan (Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor)