Philippine News Today

1 January 4-10, 2024

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

www.pnewstoday.com

THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961

Vol.63 No.20 January 4-10, 2024

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

U.S. VOWS ANEW TO DEFEND PHL AS SEA TENSIONS ESCALATE China warships tail US, PHL vessels while in joint patrol

By ALFRED GABOT , Editor in Chief

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Strike Force conducted on January 3 and 4 their second joint patrol and Sacramento center battles mock operations in West Philippine Sea even as China warships shadAsian hate with assisted (WPS) owed the vessels of the Philippines and trips for seniors the United States during their “maritime

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent Page 9 cooperative activity” (MCA).

SACRAMENTO -- ElIn the worst of cases derly Asian-American men and women have been the most frequent victims of hate crimes, no doubt because they are perceived as the most vulnerable.

when they are physically assaulted, they are generally unable to fight back. As such, they are prone to injuries, which in some cases have proven fatal. Page 5

‘Hate’ cases surge in California; state agency bares plan to halt trend

By Cesar Antonio Nucum Jr

SACRAMENTO - The California Commission on the State of Hate Has released its first annual report mainly providing the Commission’s work to study and combat hate activity aimed at supporting a California free from hate.

Established to support state efforts to stop hate through research, policy recommenda-

tions, and community engagement, the Commission trains it focus on several major initiatives that have been advanced by the State of California in direct response to the surge in reported hate crimes in the state, which in recent years reached their highest levels since 2001 — increasing more than 20% from 2021 to 2022. Page 21

ASEAN expresses concern over deteriorating relations with China

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor MANILA – It may have ippines. been steeped in diplomatic China has been taking language, but the message progressively aggressive could not be lost on anyone, action in the South China except perhaps China. against ships of ASEAN The top foreign minis- members. Besides Philipters/secretaries of the Asso- pines vessels, China has ciation of Southeast Asian also been warding off sea Nations (ASEAN) over the craft from Vietnam, Malayweekend called on all par- sia, and Brunei through such ties to engage in peaceful actions as radio warnings dialogue over the South and water cannon attacks. In China Sea. worst cases, the China Coast Tensions had been rising Guard has even rammed in recent months between Philippine ships sailing in China and several ASEAN the West Philippine Sea. Page 6 members, notably the Phil-

UPSIDE

by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Inspiring FilAms of 2023

Liezel Lucero

Rep. Jus�n Jones

Gio Espiritu

Logan Diño

Coach Kammmm

Jennifer Jimenez

Jo Koy

Donny de Leon

Ray Buenaventura

IN 2023 Filipino Americans made headlines for speaking up, smashing barriers or giving back. Here are 9 who inspired last year and whose efforts will continue to elevate FilAm presence in 2024 and beyond.

1. Justice advocate LIEZEL CHAN LUCERO Just days after Frances Kendra Lucero was shot and killed in front of her two children in March in Daly City, Page 10

Marcos, VP Sara optimistic for 2024, Pinoys Overseas Filipinos urged to register for 2025 polls VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

Can you apply for naturalization if your green card has expired?

Fil-Am Jokoy ready to host Golden Globe awards

By A�y. Lozano

Page 12

Page 14

SPORTS

In Japan, Pacquiao teases rematch with Mayweather in 2024 Page 16

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PESO-DOLLAR RATE

$1.00= P55.53

January 4, 2023 1:35am

 NATIONAL NEWS

January 4-10, 2024

2

Philippines debt rises to new record high P14.51 trillion MANILA - The Philippines’ sovereign debt ballooned to P14.51 trillion, a new record high, as of the end of November 2023 after the government increased its local borrowings.

Data released by the Bureau of the Treasury shows that the national government’s running debt balance as of endNovember last year stood at P14.51 trillion, up 0.19% from P14.48 trillion seen as of end-October 2023.

This as the Bureau of the Treasury reported that the National Government (NG) has paid P1.53 trillion of its total debt from January to November 2023.

The NG settled a bigger amount of its debt obligations for the first 11 months of 2023, a 4.8 percent higher than its debt payment of PHP991.06 billion made in the same period in 2022.

The government has programmed P1.55 trillion for debt payment for the full year of 2023.

The Bureau of Treasury said the month-on-month increment in the government debt stock was “primarily due to the net issuance of domestic securities.”

Of the total running debt, the lion’s share or 69.09% were sourced locally while the remaining 30.91% were from

foreign sources.

The country’s domestic debt totaled P10.02 trillion, up 1.23% from P9.9 trillion as of end-October 2023 “due to the net issuance of government securities.”

“New domestic debt issued during the month totaled P171.091 billion while principal redemption amounted to P45.14 billion, underlying a net issuance of P125.95 billion,” the Treasury Bureau said.

Meanwhile, the country’s external debt amounted to P4.48 trillion, down 2.06% from P4.6 trillion as of the end of the prior month.

“For November, the lower level of

external debt was due to the net repayment of foreign loans amounting to P1.08 billion and favorable foreign exchange movements, wherein the P109.37 billion reduction attributed to peso appreciation against the US dollar far exceeded the upward adjustment linked to third-currency appreciation of P16.30 billion,” the Treasury said.

The country’s debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, which measures the amount of the government’s debt relative to the size of the economy, improved at 60.2% as of the third quarter of the year from 61% of the second quarter.

2 dead, over 500 hurt in firecrackers blasts, stray bullets in New Year revelries

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda CAMP CRAME/MANILA – As Filipinos welcomed the New Year with revelries, two persons were killed due to firecracker and stray bullet incidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.

In a report, the PNP said that 509 people were injured due to firecrackers and one person was wounded due to a stray bullet.

Meanwhile, a security guard in Quezon City was nabbed for indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry.

Quezon City Police District chief Brig.

Gen. Redrico Maranan identified the suspect as 44-year-old Boy Bagua, a resident of Barangay Baesa.

The Department of Health, meanwhile, reported that 116 new victims due to fireworks were admitted to hospitals from 6 a.m. of December 31 to 5:59 a.m. of January 1.

One person was also reported injured due to illegal discharge of firearms.

Overall, the DOH reported 212 new fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) during the New Year’s Eve revelry, bringing the overall tally to 443 on January 2.

In its latest case report, the DOH said the additional FWRIs include the first case of death related to fireworks and the first injury due stray bullet.

One hundred and twenty-two cases with eye injuries were also recorded, leading to one confirmed blindness case.

One more case of hearing loss was logged, bringing the total tally to two.

The first death is a 38-year-old man in Dagupan City who lit a cigarette while drinking with his companions near a firecracker storage.

The explosion also injured four others and damaged 21 houses, according to Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez.

The case of a stray bullet injury is a 23-year-old male from the Davao Region who had a gunshot wound in his left upper back.

With ages ranging from 1 to 71 years old, almost half or 102 of these new cases were due to illegal

firecrackers.

Less than half or 94 cases had active involvement or lit the firecrackers themselves.

There are six new amputation cases, bringing its total to 17.

There have been no additional reports of ingestion of firecrackers (Watusi) thus far.

The DOH started its surveillance on Dec. 21 and the current tally is 232 cases

more compared to 211 FWRIs recorded during the same period last year.

The PNP said it would file charges against the drinking buddies of a man who was earlier reported as a stray bullet victim in Mariveles, Bataan on New Year’s Eve. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in Camp Crame police investigators became doubtful as the drinking buddies of the victim gave conflicting accounts of the incident.

Overseas Filipinos urged to sign up as voters for 2025 polls

DOJ SELLER OR TRAVEL # 2025230-40

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) again reminded overseas Filipinos to register as voters for the 2025 midterm elections.

“As of January 1, 2024, you only have 273 days to register as an Overseas Voter. Deadline is September 30, 2024,” the agency said on a social media post.

Those who will register are advised to bring their valid Philippine passport to the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate General or designated registration centers in the Philippines.

It added that the period is not only for registration as they will also accept other poll-related applications.

These include updating addresses and other details and checking or reactivation of voter registration status, it added.

“Visit the COMELEC website for relevant information: https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=OverseasVoting,” it added.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10833, the filing period for overseas Filipinos started on Dec. 9, 2022 and will run until Sept. 30 this year.

Applications may be filed at any Post abroad, or at designated registration centers outside the Post, or at the designated registration centers in the Philippines as approved by the Comelec.

For Transfers from Post to Local, the application shall be filed at the local Office of the Election Officer in the city/municipality/ district where the overseas voter intends to vote in the Philippines, subject to rules and regulations on local voter registration.

Those who are allowed to register are all citizens of the Philippines, who are abroad or will be abroad during the 30-day voting period, at least 18 years of age on the day of the elections and not otherwise disqualified by law.

On the other hand, qualified Filipinos who are in the Philippines but will be abroad a month before the polls may file their applications at government agencies to be designated as registration centers in the Philippines.

Applicants are also advised that mobile registration will be set up at various locations outside the Posts, other than at the field registration, that will accept their applications.

Overseas voting is allowed during the continuous 30day voting period where the first day starts at the local time of the host country and the last day of which is the day of the election in the Philippines.

For the 2025 polls, they will be voting only for the positions of 12 senators and one party-list group.

 METRO NEWS

January 4-10, 2024

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Residents of Taguig-acquired barangays lose health care, other benefits from Makati

By Jennifer T. Santos MAKATI CITY – Thousands of residents of the 10 “embo” barangays transferred from Makati City to Taguig City are no longer allowed to use their yellow cards which previously provided them government-subsidized health care, the Makati City government announced.

The 10 EMBO villages are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper South Side, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo.

Makati’s Blu Card, which gives Makati’s senior citizens access to various benefits and services, have also been terminated.

Makati City Hall said the Yellow Card for health care benefits will be retained only for city hall employees.

It was also announced that health centers and birthing facilities formerly operated by the Makati City government will close down.

“Gustuhin man ng Makati na panatilihing bukas ang health centers at lying-in na nasa 10 EMBO barangays, ngunit ang license to operate ng mga ito ay expired na, kung kaya’t kinakailangan na rin itong isara (Even

if Makati wants the health centers and lying-in in 10 EMBO barangays to remain open, their licenses to operate already expired, that is why they have to be closed down),” the announcement states.

Many residents expressed their dismay for losing the health benefits that they were receiving before from the Makati City local government.

The City Government of Makati said the decision was in pursuant to the ruling of the Supreme Court which affirmed its 2021 decision that the 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City complex and several “embo” barangays in Makati City should be under Taguig, based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence.

Meanwhile, newly-elected officials of the 10 EMBO barangays placed by the Supreme

Court under the jurisdiction of Taguig, together with new Sangguniang Kabataang (SK) officials, recently joined mass oath-taking ceremonies officiated by Mayor Abby Binay at Makati City Hall.

A total of 140 newly elected barangay chairpersons and council members (kagawads), and SK chairpersons and kagawads from Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, South Cembo, West Rembo and Rizal opted to be sworn in by the Makati mayor.

The mayor expressed her appreciation to the local officials for their dedication and loyalty to Makati and the Proud Makatizens.

Makati said the licenses to operate of the health centers and lying-in in the EMBO (Enlisted Men’s Barrio) barangays have also expired, thus the need to be closed as well.

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration has deported and blacklisted two Americans who are registered sex offenders and who tried to enter the country over the holidays.

The bureau identified the two as Zachary Tyler Thompson, 39, and Paul Neal Coltharp, 46, who were flagged at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on separate days.

“Both aliens were immediately excluded and flown back to their port of origin. Their name have likewise been included in the BI blacklist of undesirable aliens,” BI said.

Registered sex offenders and other convicts of crimes involving moral turpitude are barred from entering the country under the Immigration Act.

BI said it “opened the new year” with the interception of Thompson, who was convicted in 2013 and in 2015 for possession of child sexual abuse material and for molesting a child. He flew in from Los Angeles.

BI also intercepted Coltharp, who had been convicted in California in 1998 for child molestation, as he arrived from Taipei last Dec. 27.

According to the US State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report on the Philippines, child sex trafficking is still “a pervasive problem”, adding “many sex tourists in the Philippines are convicted or charged sex offenders or pedophiles in their home countries.”

Immigration bureau blocks entry of 2 American sex offenders

5 January 4-10, 2024

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

With expressway, airport, other projects, Pangasinan sees growth in 2024 LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Infrastructure, food security, and power supply took center stage in Pangasinan in 2023 and will remain the focus in 2024 to sustain the province’s growth.

“Much of what we’ve done is on planning and funding and laying of legal frameworks to engage in the different modalities of implementing projects,” Governor Ramon Guico III said in PNA’s Hilda Austrai’s repoprt.

One of the projects is the P34-billion joint venture and tollway concession agreements with San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC) for the Pangasinan Link Expressway project Phase 1, signed on Oct.19.

The 42.76-kilometer (km) expressway project, which will connect the province’s eastern towns from the Binalonan exit of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) and western parts, is a game changer, Guico said.

Another project that is underway is the P800-million Bolinao Airport. To date, proponents are in the process of land acquisition.

Guico said the airport will have a 1,500-meter runway that is large enough to accommodate propeller-type commercial aircrafts, like Airbus a320.

Pangasinan is also boosting joint ventures for hospitals and classroom buildings as well as iconic buildings that will boost tourism and economic enterprises, he said.

Guico said the province welcomes investors that have signified intentions to build ports and economic zones and to create 100,000 jobs.

In terms of food security, the provincial government launched its flagship corporate farming program, primarily aimed at enhancing food production.

The provincial government targets to produce over 100 million bangus (milkfish) fry and 48 million bangus larvae annually with the construction of a breeding and hatchery in 2024 to provide the need of local producers.

Construction of the bangus breeding and hatchery project at the agriculture field station in the village of Arnedo in Bolinao town is a World Bank (WB)-assisted project worth P239 million.

Sacramento... (From page 1)

It is with this sad state in mind that Sacramento has come to the aid of Asian-American seniors by providing such services as escorting them when they go shopping.

The service is not as small or insignificant as it seems. Just ask the seniors for whom the service has been a godsend.

As recently reported in the Sacramento Bee in a piece written by Emma Hall, senior citizen Marie Lum is one of 25 participants with the ACC Senior Services’ Senior Escort program.

The program is an ongoing effort which protects seniors from the Asian and Pacific Islander communities against possible racist or xenophobic crimes.

Lum recently went grocery shopping at Walmart with ACC Senior Services’ Julie Zumalt. What was previously a regular activity had become uncomfortable for Lum following the seemingly endless verbal and physical assaults on Asian-American elders like herself in recent years.

“If I was by myself, I would have to look to see who’s behind me, who’s in front of me, who’s coming at me and then try to avoid them,” said Lum. She added that with the countless episodes of Asian bashing, “some of those things are really bad.”

According to a recent survey from AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs, roughly 33 percent of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders (which includes Filipinos and FilAms), said they had experienced racial abuse.

Stop AAPI Hate found that anti-Asian hate is particularly prevalent in California.

Bulusan volcano acting up again

QUEZON CITY - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded increased seismic activity at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.

According to its advisory released Tuesday night, a total of 116 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the Bulusan Volcano area since December 29, 2023.

Of this number, 110 were volcanic-tectonic earthquakes, and 6 were low frequency volcanic earthquakes.

Suspect in Lanao Sur guv’s ambush falls SEALED. San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang (in white, wearing cap) and Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III shake hands a�er the signing of the Joint Venture and Tollway Concession Agreements for the 42.76 kilometers Pangasinan Link Expressway project worth P34 billion at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan on Oct. 19, 2023.

Also, the provincial government, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has started to harvest salt from the 473.8-hectare Pangasinan Salt Center in Barangay Zaragoza, Bolinao town.

From Dec. 21 to 29, around 33 metric tons of salts were harvested.

The provincial government aims to produce around 15,000 to 20,000 metric tons of salt for the second harvest cycle on February to May 2024, if weather permits.

By 2025, the provincial government eyes to produce 1.5 gigawatts of solar power capacity from the five renewable energy companies that are set to construct solar farms in the next few years.

Guico said the east-west expressway project in Pangasinan will reinvent the transportation and enrich tourism landscape, prioritize accessibility of citizens to major towns and cities, magnify business and livelihood opportunities, multiply economic activities, build more infrastructures, facilitate province-wide travel, and protect our environmental resources in Pangasinan.

At present, ACC has some 45 volunteers who assist seniors of all backgrounds, either running errands or spending time with them. The program also offers outings, such as the shopping trip Zumalt and Lum went on.

Hall’s article states that Zumalt volunteered with ACC for more than a year to give back to the community following a career in social work.

She found the senior escort program online and volunteered to help.

The program was born out of a Stop the Hate Grant awarded to ACC Senior Services in 2022, and was expanded with a second round of funding from the California Department of Social Services Civil Rights, Accessibility, and Racial Equity Care Office.

According to Zumalt, “Everybody should feel safe in their community.”

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/.

HIMAMAYLAN, Negros Occidental – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested one of the suspects in the ambush of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat said Ameno Amatonding, 52, was arrested in Barangay Aguisan, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on Dec. 30, 2023 by agents of the CIDG Capiz.

Amatonding has standing arrest warrants for 19 counts of attempted murder, four counts of murder, and three counts of frustrated murder issued by the Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 8. “Amatonding was positively identified by a witness based on his statement on the ambush of Governor Adiong that happened last February 17, 2023,” Caramat said. Adiong and one of his staff members were wounded while a driver and three police escorts were killed

Iloilo City real property tax for land cut by 60%

ILOILO CITY – In response to clamors from taxpayers and “in the best interest of the public,” the city government here reduced to 60 percent the real property tax (RPT) on land for 2024 and 2025. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said taxes are the lifeblood of government and urged the public to pay their taxes promptly, given the reduction. “We need the funds, but I understand our businesses,” he said. Treñas made the announcement following his meeting with City Administrator Melchor Tan, City Assessor Cesar Jalbuena Jr., City Treasurer Jinny Hermano, and executive assistant Nelson Parreño. The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the new schedule of values for lands and buildings for real property assessment on June 27, 2023.

Hundred Islands Park tourist arrivals up

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan – Tourist arrivals in the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) in Alaminos City this province reached 438,619 last year, higher by 12 percent compared to the 389,006 visitors in 2022.

City tourism officer Miguel Sison said out of the total number, 289,413 were domestic tourists, 140,970 were local tourists, and the rest were foreign tourists. Sison attributed the increase in tourist arrivals to the easing of travel restrictions, the natural scenery at the famous national park, and the activities it offers. The increase in arrivals also resulted in higher tourism receipts of some P44 million against the P33.3 million income in 2022.

More Igorot doctors eyed

BAGUIO CITY – Officials and parents in the Cordillera are thankful for the law that established a medical college under the Benguet State University (BSU), noting that this will allow the region to produce more doctors.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed last December 20 Republic Act (RA) 11970, which established what is now called Benguet State University-College of Medicine.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

January 4-10, 2024

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Court admits more evidence in ill-gotten wealth cases vs. ex-Pres. Marcos, others QUEZON CITY — The Sandigan- ditional evidence in two ill-gotten wealth bayan has allowed the admission of ad- cases filed by the government against the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, former first lady Imelda Marcos, and several of their alleged cronies.

The anti-graft court’s Fourth Division granted the government’s motions in two resolutions promulgated this month, copies of which were uploaded on its website only recently.

In its Dec. 11 resolution, the Sandiganbayan partially approved the government’s appeal, admitting 15 out of 16 pieces of evidence presented by the latter in Civil Case No. 0010 after ruling these as certified true copies of the

original documents.

The Presidential Commission On Good Government (PCGG) filed the case in 1987 against dozens of people, including the late president, former first lady Imelda Marcos, and Imelda’s brother, Alfredo Romualdez, as it sought to recover alleged ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the defendants.

Some of the accused earlier argued that the documents are merely photocopies and that the government failed to lay the basis for their admission as secondary evidence.

Meanwhile, the court in its Dec. 13 resolution also allowed six documents to be included in the records of Civil Case No. 0178.

This other case was filed in 1997 by the PCGG against stockholders of Eastern Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (EPTI).

ASEAN... (From page 1)

In a statement, the ministers said they were closely following with concern “the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace, security and stability in the region.”

The ASEAN diplomats added that it was important to maintain the “freedom of navigation in and overflight above the maritime sphere of Southeast Asia, particularly the South China Sea.” Last week, China sent a strong message that it would “not turn a blind eye” to continued incursions in Ayungin Shoal, which falls well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but which Beijing considers as their territory.

The Philippine government had voiced plans of building a more permanent structure in the shoal to re-

$550

408.286.9360 408.286.9311

The government accused several personalities linked to the Marcoses of using ill-gotten wealth acquired during the former president’s two-decade reign to purchase shares of EPTI.

place the MV Sierra Madre, a derelict World War ll-era warship that serves as the country’s outpost in the area.

It was previously believed that China was willing to work out some kind of compromise through the establishment of a Code of Conduct over the South China Sea. However, the negotiations have been slow, with China reportedly adamant about its claim of ownership over the area.

To recall, the Philippines had taken China to the International Court of Arbitration to determine who controlled the West Philippine Sea. At the tailend of the Aquino administration, the Philippines won the case. Beijing, however, refused to abide or even recognize the decision and the situation for Manila worsened after the Duterte administration suddenly began to take China’s side.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the country reversed Duterte’s tweak towards China, and resumed the previous strong relations with the US, with whom the Philippines has a mutual defense agreement.

China as taken exception with the move, and stated on several occasions that the Philippines had no cause to bring in an outside force in its discussions over the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. For its part, senior US diplomats including the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris have stated that the military treaty between the two countries was “iron clad.”

Marcos recently said it was time for a “paradigm shift” in facing China’s aggressive actions.

He agreed that relations with China were not in a good place at this time.

Philippine senators had gone so far as to demand that China’s ambassador to Manila be sent back home and declared a persona non grata.

For his part, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that nobody believes that propaganda statements coming out of Beijing except China itself.

7 January 4-10, 2024

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

Korean firms tapped to design bridges linking Panay, Negros, Guimaras islands ILOILO CITY - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has signed the P2.671 billion contract agreement for the detailed engineering design (DED) of the P160-billion Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island (PGN) Bridges Project in Western Visayas.

The development indicated that the project which involves the construction of two sea-crossing bridges and connecting roads that will link Metro Iloilo of Panay Island to Guimaras Island Province and Negros Island will materialize soon.

It is the third big bridge project of the government that includes the CaviteBataan Link Expressway above Manila Bay and the Davao City-Samal Island bridge.

The project is expected to cut the travel time from Panay Island to Negros Island from four hours via ferry, to just one hour by land using the PGN Island Bridges, said DPWH Secretary Manuel

Bonoan.

Bonoan approved on Dec. 20, 2023 the Contract for Consultant’s Services of Yooshin Engineering Corp. in a joint venture with Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects Co. Ltd., Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd., Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd., and Dasan Consultants Co. Ltd. for the DED and tender assistance, the DPWH said in a statement.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain and joint venture engineering firms authorized representative Jeong Hwan Kim signed the contract.

The engineering services will be funded by a loan from the Export-Import Bank The target is to finish the DED in of Korea, the official export credit agency of South Korea, from the Official Devel- 2025. Civil works will follow from 2025opment Assistance of Economic Devel- 2032 for the construction of the 32.47-kiopment Cooperation Fund Loan Agree- lometer project. ment No. PHL-23, Sadain said.

The estimated civil works cost is

P57.702 billion for the 13-kilometer Panay-Guimaras Islands link designated as Section A of the project, and P109.76 billion for the longer 19.47-kilometer Guimaras-Negros Islands bridge, designated as Section B of the project.

PNP eyes stronger anti-cybercrime drive Power outage grips Panay island

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda ordered all police regional offices to strengthen their campaign against cybercrimes.

“So part of our 2024 plans, looking forward is to intensify the capability enhancement of the police in addressing this aspect of criminality. In dissecting our crime statistics, although the crime volume went down, we noticed that the cybercrimes or crimes on the internet like scamming, are still there,” Acorda said.

Acorda said while the capability of the force’s Anti-Cybercrime Group significantly improved through training and procurement of more equipment, he cited the need for more efforts not only in terms of cyber-patrolling and solving cybercrime but also in encouraging the public to trust the PNP’s capability in addressing their concerns.

“While we do aggressive police operations, we want it done honestly and another one is integrity enhancement

to really get the support of the people,” said Acorda.

In the first eight months of 2023, the ACG investigated a total of 16,297 cybercrime cases.

It also issued 19 warrants to search, seize and examine computer data, served 214 arrest warrants, conducted 140 entrapment operations and provided technical assistance to 24 ongoing investigations by other units and agencies.

These efforts have resulted in the arrest of 397 individuals and the rescue of 4,092 victims, mainly during operations against human trafficking.

In the last four months of 2023, the ACG saw a slight decrease in cybercrime cases.

A total of 4,362 cybercrime cases were recorded from September to December last year, from 5,607 cybercrime cases logged in the same period in 2022.

In terms of the PNP’s performance in 2023, Acorda believed that they did better as manifested by high trust ratings of the police based on some surveys.

KALIBO, Aklan - A power outage hit provinces in Panay Island on Tuesday due to disturbances in the Panay grid.

In a statement, the Department of Energy said the power disturbance affected the entire Western Visayas Tuesday noon after the Unit 1 of Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) coal-fired power plant tripped due to boiler feed pump issue.

On Wednesday, residents in the island which consists of the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Antique known as Western Visayas still have limited electricity supply as most power plants on Panay Island have not been fully restored yet after multiple trippings on Jan. 2, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported.

In its 8 p.m. advisory, the NGCP said 9 out of 13 Panay power plants were operational, supplying around 203 megawatts (MW) and augmented by nearly 50 MW from other sources in the Visayas.

It explained that the Visayas grid needs about 300 MW to stabilize.

According to the Energy Regulatory Commission, customers of Guimaras Electric Cooperative, Inc. (GUIMELCO), Iloilo I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO I), Iloilo II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO II), Iloilo III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO III), and MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE POWER) were experiencing power interruptions.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas also

ordered classes suspended at all levels in public and private schools “pending the return of power” in the city.

“Given the developments and expected risks involved in the return of students to their respective schools, per the [advice] of our City Health Office, I hereby order the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, pending the return of power in Iloilo City,” the mayor said.

Based on NGCP’s advisory, power plant Units 1 and 2 of Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) were serving at least 69 MW or around 84% of their capacities. The 150-megawatt PEDC Unit 3 is under planned maintenance, the NGCP previously said.

“We’re still waiting for the largest remaining plant on scheduled maintenance…to indicate to us when they’re coming back,” NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said.

Unit 1 of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC) and Unit 2 of PEDC then simultaneously tripped due to grid voltage imbalance.

“Other power plants within the Visayas grid were also affected by the Panay grid disturbances,” DOE also said, adding that a total of six power plants tripped in the region.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, DOE said 198.1 megawatts (MW) is being served

by Panay power plants and augmented by 50.9 MW from other sources in the Visayas, for a total of 245 MW served load.

96% of Filipinos welcome New Year 2024 with hope QUEZON CITY - Ninety-six percent of Filipinos are looking at 2024 with hope instead of fear, survey firm Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported.

In its survey conducted from December 8 to 11, the figures improved the 95% score in 2022 and the highest since the 96% registered before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

Three percent of the respondents said

they would enter the New Year with fear, down by two points from five percent in 2022.

SWS said hope for the New Year was 87% when first surveyed by SWS at the end of 2000.

It was in the 80s at the end of 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2009. It was in the 90s at the end of 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and from 2010 to 2023.

9 January 4-10, 2024 PABATID SA AVAILABILITY AT PAMPUBLIKONG PAGPUPULONG

Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment Available para sa 101/Zanker Road/ Skyport Drive/Fourth Street Improvement Project Lokasyon ng proyekto

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Earlier, the US State Department reaffirmed its “ironclad commitments” to defned the Philippines in case of attack amid the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea and Beijing continued aggressiveness in the region.

This as the ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aired their concern about the growing tensions in the region. “Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo about issues of mutual concern, including ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty,” the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The US State Department also said that Blinken and Secretary Manalo “exchanged ideas on how to reinforce USPhilippines cooperation in the coming year.”

The call between Blinken and Manalo was made as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the Philippines to “act with caution” as he claimed that Philippines should be blamed for the tensions in the disputed South China Sea. China had attacked Philippine vessels with water cannon and laser in several run-ins.

Wang also warned Manalo that the Philippine-China ties are now “facing serious difficulties.”

The Philippines, United States and Japan vowed to strengthen trilateral efforts in defense and security capabilities to “maintain a free and open maritime order” following the latest unsafe operational behavior by Chinese military ships against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. During the encounters, the Chinese vessels employed water cannons and forced a collision which caused damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions. Chinese military ships operating near Bajo de Masinloc also used acoustic devices to incapacitate Filipino crew members.

The international community condemned China’s “dangerous and unlawful” actions at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc, also called Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea and called out

Beijing for interfering in lawful Philippine maritime operations.

They called on Beijing anew to abide by the legally binding July 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling and desist from further provocative behavior.

In separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Manalo’s conversation with Blinken.

“Secretary Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ abiding interest to protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, while maintaining peace and security and upholding the rules-based international order,” the DFA said in a statement.

“Secretary Manalo emphasized the importance of dialogue and maintaining open lines of communication with other parties in pursuit of these objectives,” it added.

Both Manalo and Blinken acknowledged the Philippines-United States alliance and bilateral relations, as well as discussed important opportunities for further strengthening cooperation in 2024.

AFP spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the two-day PHL-US activities at West Philippine Sea consisted of passing exercises, communication checks, crossdeck exercises, joint patrols, officer of the watch (OW) maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations.

Trinidad said the AFP deployed four Philippine Navy vessels, a search-andrescue/multi-role helicopter, and an antisubmarine warfare capable helicopter.

On the other hand, the USINDOPACOM utilized four US Navy vessels from the Carrier Strike Group 1-- an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, two destroyers, and multiple combat aircraft.

The first MCA between Philippines and the US took place from Nov. 21 to 23 last year and involved naval vessels and aircraft from the two countries, said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., adding the second MCA is a significant leap between the Philippines-US alliance and their interoperability.

“It also demonstrates our progress in defense capabilities and development as a world-class armed force, as we carry out our mandate to protect the people and the state. Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific Region in the face of regional challenges,” Brawner said.

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ANO ANG PINAPLANO? - Ang California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), sa pakikipagtulungan ng Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) at ang Lungsod ng San Jose, ay nagmungkahi na gumawa ng mga pagpapasulong sa US Highway 101 (US 101) at kalapit na mga lokal na kalsada sa San Jose. Kasama sa Proyekto ang pagtatayo ng isang bagong tawiran sa ibabaw ng US 101 na magdudugtong ng Zanker Road sa hilaga sa Fourth Street at Skyport Drive sa timog, magpapalit sa wala sa standard na mga rampa sa pahilagang US 101 sa Old Bayshore Highway at Brokaw Road at mga bagong rampa sa Bering Drive, palalaparin ang mga lokal na kalsada upang mabigyan ng puwang ang mga pagsasaayos ng tawiran sa itaas at mga rampa, at isama ang mga pasilidad ng bisikleta at pedestriyan sa disenyo ng proyekto. Ang layunin ng Proyekto ay pahusayin ang network ng transportasyon sa area ng proyekto upang mabigyan ng puwang ang nakaplanong paglago, pasulungin ang pangkaligtasan at mga operasyon ng trapiko, pasulungin ang mga pasilidad ng pedestriyan at bisikleta, at pasulungin ang access papunta/pabalik mula sa Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).

BAKIT INILABAS ANG PABATID NA ITO? - Ang pabatid na ito ay para sa sabihin sa iyo na available sa iyo ang Draft Environmantal Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Assessment (EA) para marepaso mo at makapagbigay ka ng mga komento. Inimbitahan ka rin ng pabatid na ito na daluhan ang pampublikong pagpupulong ng proyekto.

ANO ANG AVAILABLE? - Ang Draft EIR/EA ay available online sa www.vta.org/101zanker. Available din ang nakaimprentang kopya ng report upang mabasa sa VTA Administrative Office, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134, at sa Joyce Ellington Branch Library, 491 East Empire Street, San Jose, CA 95112.

KUNG BAKIT IKAW AY MAHALAGA DITO - Hinihiling ang iyong opinyon tungkol sa Draft EIR/EA. Mangyaring magsumite ng nasusulat na mga komento sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa 101-zanker@vta.org o sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala sa koreo sa Caltrans, District 4-Office of Environmental Analysis, Attn: Charles Winter, P.O. Box 23660 MS-8B, Oakland, CA 94623-0660. Dapat matanggap ang mga komento sa Biyernes, Pebrero 16, 2024.

KAILAN AT SAAN - Gaganapin ang pampublikong pagpupulong sa Miyerkules, Enero 10, 2024 simula 6:00 hanggang 7:30 p.m. sa Walter L. Bachrodt Elementary School sa 102 Sonora Avenue,San Jose. Magbibigay ng presentasyon ng proyekto, atsusundan ng open house para ang publiko ay makapagtanong at makapagbigay ng mga komento. Ang mga indibidwal na nangangailangan ng pagsasalin-wika, American Sign Language, o iba pang tulong ay hinihilingang makipag-ugnayan sa VTA Community Outreach sa (408) 321-7575 o TTY para sa may problema sa pandinig (408) 321-2330, nang hindi bababa sa limang (5) araw ng negosyo bago ang pampublikong pagpupulong.

AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY - Ipinapakita ng analysis sa pamproyektong antas ng pagsunod sa pamantayan na ang proyekto ay susunod sa State Implementation Plan, kabilang ang pag-analyze sa panlokal na epekto na may interagency consultation para sa partikular na bagay (PM2.5) na kinakailangan ng 40 CFR 93.116 at 93.123. Ang Proyektong ito ay hindi maituturing na Proyekto na Ipag-aalala patungkol sa PM2.5 na binigyang-kahulugan sa 40 CFR 93.123(b)(1). Hindi nakumpleto ang detalyadong PM2.5 hot-spot analysis dahil sa ang mga kinakailangan sa Clean Air Act at 40 CFR 93.116 ay natugunan nang walang malinaw na pag-analyze sa hot-spot. Nagmula ang Proyekto sa pagsunod sa Regional Transportation Plan at Transpotation Improvement Program. Hinihiling ang mga komento patungkol sa pamproyektong antas na pag-analyze sa pagsunod sa pamantayan.

PAKIKIPAG-UGNAYAN - Para sa mga tanong at karagdagang impormasyon, makipag-ugnayan sa amin sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa community.outreach@vta.org o sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa (408) 321-7575, TTY (408) 321-2330.

 OPINION

January 4-10, 2024

10

Inspiring...(From page 1)

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Filipinos are as resilient as ever

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wo very recent surveys taken independently of each other may seem contradictory to the untrained eye.

In fact, they only confirm what we Filipinos and FilAms have known all along – that we may well be one of the most resilient people on earth.

One survey from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) says that the overwhelming majority of Filipinos – more than 90 percent – look at this new year with no fear. This practically says that 97 percent have some degree of optimism for this year.

The other survey, taken by French market research company Ipsos, found that nearly six out of 10 Filipinos considered 2023 as a bad year. Yet that same company showed similar results with SWS where the perception of 2024 is concerned; 86 percent look at this year with optimism.

Some will say that considering the terrible state the world has found itself in now, what with the threat of the two ongoing wars threatening to become global conflagrations at worst, there is little reason to expect bright days ahead. Indeed, Russia remains at war with Ukraine, while Israel continues to wage a deadly assault on Gaza.

Even China and North Korea are in some sort of war footing, with our motherland being a probable target of hostilities, at least from one of the two communist nations in Asia.

Why then are Filipinos still looking at the world through rose-colored glasses?

It may be a cultural thing, or it may be the result of a people collectively surviving the worst of times with head unbowed.

The Republic of the Philippines has not had the easiest of times since it won independence. The centuries of being subjugated by the Spaniards, then the Americans, and finally Japanese all certainly took their toll. And the elected leaders have not always been up to par compared with other states in the region, which have developed at a more impressive clip than the Philippines.

Through all the seemingly endless challenges, Filipinos could always claim to have survived to fight another day. Another year. Another decade.

Thus, with every new year, that ‘can do’ spirit has remained strong. And yes, resilient.

That resilience may well be put to the test this year, as there are a number of red flags that cannot be ignored.

Foremost of these warning signs is the El Nino weather phenomenon, which is expected to hit the Philippines hard, especially in the first half of 2024.

This does not bode well for the country’s agriculture sector, and to a lesser extent the aquaculture sector. Harvests of most crops in large parts of the Philippines will be negatively affected, leading to potential shortages of key crops like rice and corn.

Then there is the looming threat of China, whose actions appear to indicate that it has no peaceful intents where the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone is concerned.

And then there is the seemingly runaway inflation that affected nearly all Filipinos, save for the super rich.

Through it all, we Filipinos can still manage to smile, to celebrate the good times, and to believe that somehow, some way, the future can still be bright.

This is not a bad thing now, is it?

her mother Liezel Chan Lucero expressed her grief at a vigil organized by the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center. Police identified the gunman as her estranged partner, who is facing murder and associated weapons charges.

Lucero is seeking justice for her daughter by vigilantly monitoring the case even as her family’s life has been turned upside down by the tragedy. “I want everyone to know what kind of person my daughter Frances Kendra Lucero was taken from us,” Liezel delivered an impassioned plea: “We want justice for Frances and that is life CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO imprisonment for the one who took her life. We have to live life without Frances and he should face life without parole.”

2. Tennessee Rep. JUSTIN SHEA BAUTISTA JONES The first-year lawmaker was ousted by Tennessee General. Assembly Republicans for violating House rules and staging a gun-reform protest on the chamber’s floor 10 days after a shooter fired 152 rounds at a Nashville school and killed six people. A week later he was reinstated by the Nashville Metropolitan Council. The Oakland, Calif.-born Democrat is the son of an African American father and a Filipina nurse reportedly of Ibanag and Aeta heritage. One of 2 African Americans expelled among 3 legislators who had led the protest, Jones has a long record of protesting injustice everywhere.

3. Filmmaker GIO ESPIRITU Las Vegas-based filmmaker, writer, actor and acting coach Gio Espiritu has received numerous awards for her diverse talents. Most exciting for FilAms now is her upcoming first feature film “Love and Karma” and the autobiographical “Mother Land”. The latter glimpses the filmmaker’s own struggle in the spiral of abuse that began when she was a child, worsened in her teens when she fell in with what she calls a “biblical doomsday cult” and then escalated when she entered a relationship to become the aggrieved half in an abusive marriage. Her courage, talent and resolve carved her path out of the rapidly worsening situation. Today she employs her art to support her social justice causes.

4. Savate champ LOGAN DIÑO Southern California teen Logan Elle Diño stunned herself, her family and her coach by bagging the gold medal at the Savate Boxing Youth World Championships June 2224 in Podcetrtek, Slovenia. The Filipino - Vietnamese American kickstarted her way to sports celebrity status at age 14 by winning the first and only US gold in the competition.

Her team was the first ever to represent the United States in the ages 13-17 class, making history all around.

5. Angel Flight West pilot RAY BUENAVENTURA Lake County Chief Public Defender and 4-time Daly City Mayor Ray 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 takes time from his work and politics, shoulders fuel cost and plane rental “because it’s good for my soul.”

He takes off from Palo Alto Airport in Santa Clara County topick 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.

6. Boxing Coach KAMMMM MANALO Known in her profession as Coach Kamille or Kammmm, (Continued on page 20)

Upside

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Postcript to Aliw Awards 2023 It’s all over. The 36th Aliw Awards were presented last December 11 at the Manila Hotel Centennial Hall before a jampacked crowd composed of live entertainers and fans from all walks of life.

Among the celebrities present were Ogie and Regine Alcasid, Helen Gamboa, Kristine Hermosa, Karyll, Lisa Macuja, Boots Anson Rodrigo , Nadine Samonte, among others.

Movie idol and theater actor Piolo Pascual copped trhe Entertainer of the Year award, and was teary-eyed and emotional when he received his trophy. The top award was unexpected.

The show took all of four hours, one hour short of the goal of the AAFI, but certainly shorter than previous awards nights.

Legacy awards went to Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Boots Anson Rodrigo, Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corporation. Absent were Legacy awardees Cecile Guidote Alvarez, Dante Arevalo Ang and Boy Abunda.

Excellence awardees were headed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and included PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco, Jeffrey Campos, Brian Poe Llamanzares, Grace Bondad Nicolas, Sarah Deloraya Mateo, Dr. Willie Ong, Charlie Dungo, George Erwin Garcia of COMELEC, the Philippine Heritage Society and the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet.

The show was fast-paced . Intermission numbers were performed by the RNA Ensemble, Nina Campos, Jade Riccio, Carla Guevara, Nicole Asensio, Bo Cerrudo, Sherwin Sozon, Janah Zaplan, Myra Mae Meneses, Tribu, and last but not least, Ogie Alcasid.

Kuh Ledesma received the AH Reyes Achievement Award.

LIfetime Achievement Awards went to Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Beverly Salviejo, Fe de los Reyes, Odette Quesada and Monino Duque.

11 January 4-10, 2024 The need for parental travel permit

What do they really want?

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Health & Wealth

ur niece and her husband s part of my day to day exare traveling to the Philistence as a still-working ippines in January, 2024 journalist, I get to meet – together with their first grandand more importantly talk – to a daughter whose mother is Rusgood number of drivers from the sian and now a U.S. immigrant. public transport sector. Not just They asked me what’s drivers, but operators too. needed to have Parental Travel These operators are the men Permit so that they will not enand women who own the jeeps counter problems traveling with and taxis that drivers drive to their granddaughter from San earn a living.

Francisco to Manila and then to ART GABOT MADLAING And because the transport the province in Pangasinan, Philsector is frequently in the news, BETING DOLOR ippines. what they say becomes newsOur niece and her husband fully realized the need to have a Parental Travel Permit (PTP) to be worthy, especially if it involves signed both by the granddaughter’s father (who is Filipino Ameri- what has come to be known as “tigil pasada,” or refusal to ply their routes, in the case of the jeepney can) and the granddaughter’s mother (who is Russian immigrant).

When we still have our office at the Philippine Center near the drivers.

The old phrase for their action was transport strike, but this has Philippine Consulate Office in downtown San Francisco, we had many old clients who asked and requested for the preparation and negative connotations of drivers backed by possible communist innotarization of needed Parental Travel Permit(PTP). This is needed “ filtrators waving black and red banners calling on the people to get and required by authorities here in the United States and in the Phil- rid of the elected leadership.

This was one reason that professional red taggers pointed at ippines due to prevalent child kidnapping and child abuse.

The common form we notarized was the AFFIDAVIT OF CON- leaders of jeepney drivers’ organizations such as PISTON and ManiSENT TO TRAVEL, GUARANTY AND REQUEST FOR ISSU- bela as secret communists. Whether this is true or not, I cannot say ANCE OF THE WAIVER OF EXCLUSION GROUND (WEG). with absolute certainty.

The two organizations have become frontliners in the sector’s The be able to notarize the completed form, we required copy of the Birth Certificate of the child, copy of Marriage and IDs of the parents demand for fair treatment. Other organizations which were also ultra-active in the past appear to have mellowed down and are more issuing the PTP. With the travel season starting in January, 2024, there is a need supportive of the government’s initiatives. The likes of Pasang Masfor completed and notarized Parental Travel Permit for those trav- da and the Federation of Jeepney Owners and Drivers Association eling with minors (without their parents) within the United States. of the Philippines AKA Fejodap do not, as a rule, join in the mass For those traveling with a minor child to the Philippines (and other actions of PISTON and Manibela, although their members are just as member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention), the completed frustrated as their peers in the “militant” organizations.

What I do know is that most drivers had been frustrated by such and notarized PTP must also be apostilled by the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section in Sacramento (or Los Angeles), California. things as high prices of fuel products, alleged corruption in getting Those who need a completed, notarized and apostilled PTP are the or renewing their franchises, and the government’s supposed refusal to acknowledge their plight. following: The jeepney drivers and operators, in particular, had been espe1.

Grandparents (like the couple mentioned above) who are traveling to the Philippines ( and the other member nations of the cially peeved at the government’s forcing them to modernize, which Hague Apostille Convention) with a minor granddaughter without meant getting rid of the old-style jeepneys that first appeared at the end of World War ll. Some smart Pinoys had converted the hundreds the presence of the parents; 2.

Aunties or uncles traveling to the Philippines (and the of military jeeps left behind by US forces and converted them to public transport. other member nations of the Fare was cheap and affordable to most Filipinos, who no longer Hague Apostille Convention) with a minor without the presence had to ride calesas to get from place to place if they did not have of the parents; 3.

Husband or wife traveling to the Philippines (and the oth- their own cars. The tranvias which were common in pre-war Manila er member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention) with a minor had also not resumed operations after the war.

They were, in other words, an idea whose time had come, but child without the presence of the other spouse. only for the short-term. Metro Manila did not have a rail-based mass We at the Mobile Signing Services (MSS) are committed and dedicated to assist and help old and new clients( especially the el- transit system, which most developed and developing countries eiderly, veterans and those physically handicapped) in the drafting, ther had already, or were in the midst of developing.

What many drivers and operators resent is that the modernizasigning, notarization and apostille follow-up on Parental Travel tion plan was rammed down their throats without bothering to conPermit (PTP), Affidavits, Power of Attorney (SPA), Proof of Life, DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of sult with them.

In short, the drivers and operators are being arm-twisted into reEstate, DEED OF DONATION, Revocation of SPA and other documents needed in the Philippines and the other member nations of the placing their old-style jeepneys into modern jeeps, which look more Hague Apostille Convention. Here are some advantages and benefits like mini buses. They are electric powered and do not run on gasoline or diesel, which is the case with the jeepneys that most Pinoys of MSS: 1.AVOID TAKE OFF FROM WORK – You don’t need to take have come to know and love-hate.

There may be a good reason to turn to electric vehicles, primarioff from work and drive to Sacramento just to submit notarized doculy the issue of the pollution that jeepneys are guilty of day in and day ments for apostille at the Secretary of Estate, Notary Public Section. out. Imagine the tens of thousands of jeepneys not only plying the MSS will take care everything for you; 2. DISCOUNTS FOR THE ELDERLY AND VETERANS – We streets of Metro Manila, but nationwide. Most are guilty of polluting the air coupled with the noise pollution that comes with the territory. offer special discount for the elderly and veterans; They have become the vehicle of choice of the public, along 3. VERY FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENTS - We have very flexible appointments for old and new clients during regular office hours, with those infernal tricycles which are not only just as bad, but worse in many ways. after office hours and weekends except on Sundays; Without the jeepneys, countless consumers would be hard put to 4. FREE PARKING – When we had our Office at the Philippine get from Point A to Point B, and C and D, etc.

Center near the Philippine Consulate Office, many old clients were So until Metro Manila is able to have a complete, effective and complaining for the expensive parking fees. With our home office in San Francisco, California, old and new clients can now have FREE affordable mass transit system – rail based, to be sure – the Philipparking in our driveway and the available street parking spaces near- pines has no choice but to tolerate the existence of jeepneys.

And until the ongoing subway and other mass transit systems are by; 5. FLEXIBLE LOCATION OF APPOINMENTS – For those completed in a few years, commuters have no choice but to depend who can’t drive and come to our home office in San Francisco, Cali- on the ubiquitous jeepneys.

December 31, 2023 was supposed to be the deadline for all fornia, we can do signing and notarization of documents in the prijeepney drivers and operators to either form a corporation or coopvacy of homes, offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants, BART lobby, erative, which will then transition all jeepneys to go electric. This Post Office Station lobby and other locations’ 6. SAVINGS ON GAS AND MILEAGE FEES – We encourage means having to purchase new units, and this also meant having to old and new clients to come too our home office in San Francisco, buy Made in China “jeeps”.

Remember Sarao and Francisco Motors? The two all Filipino California for savings on gas and mileage fees ($60-$130); 7.MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS ANF MULTIPLE SIGNATURES companies are trying to enter the market with cheaper models, but DISCOUNTS – We offer 5% to 10% discounts on multiple docu- so far few would-be buyers are taking the bait.

The modernization program was a brainchild of the Duterte ments and multiple signatures for old and new clients; administration, by the way, and if anyone is to blame for the cur8.DOCUMENTS PREPARATION DISCOUNTS –With the help of our paralegal and lawyer-friends, we offer special discounts in rent mess, it is the former president. Sadly, the drivers and operators the drafting, preparation and copying of documents for old and new are now blaming Bongbong Marcos for “killing” their livelihoods, which is not quite fair. clients; Marcos only inherited the program, and he had no choice but to 9.CONVENIENCE AND PEACE OF MIND - With the efficient, complete, prompt and unique services at MSS, there is total make sure it pushes through. In his mind, it is the pollution aspect that needs to be addressed soonest. convenience and peace of mind for old and new clients.

That’s all well and good, I sup(Continue on page 20) (Continue on page 20)

2024: New Year, new hope

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very end of the year, we are looking forward to the new year. As we end 2023, we are pinning our hope to 2024 to be a better year for us.

We must have failed or did fairly in 2023, so we hope to be more prosperous and successful for the coming year 2024.

It is a common practice that as we enter the new year, we make our New Year’s resolutions. We do this even if we know that most of the time we ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO fail to comply with it… but, we do it anyway!

Well, we make our new year’s resolutions because a new year can be a great time to set goals and look for ways to make positive changes in the months to come. We just have to remember to set realistic goals and things that are simple and reachable. Otherwise, we are doomed to fail in pursuing our New Year’s resolutions because general and unreasonable intentions are difficult to comply with.

I remember my friend former Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Prof. Angelito “Lito” Roldan now residing in California who said: “New Year’s resolutions have become a mere fad that carrying it out is lost as the months pass by.”

He may be right because most New Year’s resolutions fail, but despite this, we do it anyway! Richard Wiseman, in his study in 2007 from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people, showed that 88% of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail. Well, if that is the case, why is there still a need for a New Year’s resolution? With almost everybody breaking their promises immediately after making them, and after jumping when the clock strikes 12 midnight of December 31, 2023 during the countdown: do we still have to make resolutions?

This is a big question because in real life most people make their New Year’s resolution because it is crucial to our life. If we make one, we set a goal that we aspire to attain. On the other hand, if we do not – there is no direction – at all, in our life! I should say, it’s better to have one than none at all!

Again, I remember Gertrudis Estioko, a retired Master Teacher 2 from the Urdaneta Central School (UCS) who agreed that resolutions are a must for us to be able to set the direction of our future.

“We just have to follow it to the letter,” she said. That is the catch we need to guard ourselves with. If we won’t, then we are really doomed to failure.

To me, while there are popular goals or resolutions people go for, the most important is to keep the family together. If your family is one, united, and well-connected – maintain it by all means! If there is a lot of disconnections, dysfunctions, and misunderstandings – pick up the pieces and put them together.

The bottom line is,” Prof. Roldan said, “I think, it is celebrating Christmas and New Year with the family together in love and harmony.”

So, with that, let us make and nourish this year’s resolution to greater heights and with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. Make the family the center of our heart, the center of our life, the center of our existence. In fact, make it the center of everything we do in life without any hesitation!

In the same study, it showed that the most common reason for participants failing their New Year’s resolution was setting themselves unrealistic goals (35%), while 33% did not keep track of their progress and a further 23% forgot about it. About one in 10 respondents, the study further showed, claimed they made too many resolutions. These complicate the dynamics of resolutions.

The study mentioned that when we engage in goal setting incorporating small measurable goals, (such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), we have more chances of succeeding in attaining our New Year’s resolutions.

Therefore, if only we can set up realistic goals, line up things that are attainable and easy to comply with… we may have a better success rate in accomplishing our resolutions!

The crux of the matter is, with or without a New Year’s resolution, we can do many good things in our life. All we need to do is to commit to our goals and resolve to do it accordingly. With this, our life will even be more meaningful… it will have a direction, there is a goal we can aim for and attain, as we live the New Year with a charted future!

I know a lot of people failed to comply with their resolutions because they said they forgot. Others say, “I’m busy.” My other friends told me it’s because their resolutions are many, vague and general.

Well, many also told me their resolutions were not measurable. In short, let’s make simple and concrete goals that we can easily comply with!

Maybe, it can also help if we have somebody to remind us and keep us posted on what we should be doing to be able to make our resolutions come true. Or, come up with a checklist to make sure we don’t miss any. Or, even better, make a recording to remind us of what we need to do on specified time and date.

So, let’s face the New Year, whether we make our new year’s resolution or not, embrace it, and let’s do it with the hope that it will help us for the better!

Make realistic goals and measur- (Continue on page 20)

As I See It

O

 OPINION

 IMMIGRATIONS | ENTERTAINMENT

January 4-10, 2024

12

Can you apply for naturalization if your green card has expired?

T

his is the best time in decades to apply for naturalization. Why? It is because the Us government is encouraging all qualified green card holders to apply for citizenship so that they can vote in the 2024 presidential election. In the past years, you will need to satisfy the immigration officers that all your evidence are air tight before they approve your application. That means all court records must be original and how you get your green card in the first place.

The application process is now reduced to the minimum time. Generally you can be interviewed within six months.

After the interview you can take your oath and bring home the Certificate of Naturalization to apply for a US passport.

Everything has been made easy for all applicants.

Many clients have an expired green card and ask me if they can naturalize if their green card is lost or expired. The answer is yes but you need to satisfy the residence requirements. If you have been in the U.S. for continuous 5 years (3 years for married to U.S. citizen based green card) then you may qualify for applying for naturalization based on your residency even if the green card expired or has been lost. On the other hand, there are those who overstayed outside the U.S. for more than 180 days but less than one year. They may qualify if they can prove that they did not relinquish their residence in the U.S. For those who overstayed for more than one year they will have to maintain a continuous residence for four years and one day after returning to the U.S. to apply for citizenship Green cards are important especially when traveling abroad and applying for citizenship. There are certain issues about replacing green cards which we will discuss.

1. Lost green card. The person who lost his green card may file to renew their USCIS-issued green card that have expired or replace ones that have been lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, or that contain an error. If you need to apply for naturalization and you believe you qualify except you lost your green card you may discuss this matter with an immigration attorney.

The person who lost green card may complete and properly file an application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) with USCIS, with appropriate fees (if required), in accordance with the Form I-90 instructions.

What happen if the green card is lost while outside the U.S.?

A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) who is temporarily outside the United States for less than 1 year and who is not in possession of a valid green card (for example, it was lost, stolen, or destroyed) may properly file an Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) (Form I-131A) to request documentation to demonstrate to an airline or other transportation carrier that he or she is authorized to travel to the United States. This transportation letter does not replace the green card. LPRs must still complete and properly file Form I-90 to obtain a replacement of the green card upon arrival to the U.S. What happen if the Reentry permit is lost?

If inside the United States, complete and properly file an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) with USCIS, with appropriate fees.

An LPR who is temporarily outside the United States for less than 2 years and who is not in possession of a valid green card (for example, it was lost, stolen, or destroyed) may properly file an Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) (Form I-131A) to request documentation to demonstrate to an airline or other transportation carrier that he or she is authorized to travel to the United States. The transportation letter does not replace the reentry permit. LPRs must complete and properly file Form I-131 upon reentry into the United States to obtain a replacement reentry permit.

Note: This is not legal advice. You should consult with an immigration attorney about the specifics of your case.

Gabriela “Gabi” Wilson aka H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) sent an invita�on for VIP, her family and friends only. This is for the Premier movie of “The Color Purple”, there is also a meet and greet and the guests have to wear purple. In the picture is Gabi’s mother Agnes, father Kenny and their friends Cris and Cristy Enriquez of Napa, CA. The movie is a story of love and resilience based on the novel and the Broadway musical. Must watch to see the beau�ful movie.

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13 January 4-10, 2024

 ENTERTAINMENT

Angelica Panganiban, Gregg Homan married in Los Angeles Another actress who welcomed the New Year in the United States is Angelica Panganiban.

And the New Year was made more meaningful when she tied the knot in Los Angeles with her non-showbiz boyfriend Gregg Homan.

The wedding was held in Los Angeles on December 31.

Angelica shared the good news on her Instagram account showing photos of their simple garden wedding ceremony as captured by celebrity photographer Pat Dy. Also with them is their one-year-old daughter Amila Sabine.

“123123. Patuloy na mananalig at maniniwala sa pag-ibig. Sa kabila ng lahat. Ang pagmamahal pa rin ang kakapitan (Continue to trust and believe in love. Despite everything. We cling to love.) Maligayang bagong taon (Happy New Year) - Mrs Angelica Panganiban Homan [heart emoji],” Panganiban wrote.

The actress also reposted photos of her and Homan spending moments in fast-food restaurant In-N-Out Burger wearing her white knee-length wedding dress with sneakers, while her husband looked dapper wearing the same nude tux he put on during the ceremony.

The post garnered congratulatory messages from her celebrity friends Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Bela Padilla, Glaiza De Castro, Luis Manzano and Iza Calzado, among many others.

It was in a YouTube vlog titled “So, This Happened...

The Proposal” released on October 8, 2022 when Panganiban revealed how Homan proposed to her during a beach vacation.

The couple crossed paths in 2020 while Panganiban was working on a teleserye

WorldRemit, TFC in third draw of Bahay Mo, Panalo Mo! for OFs in UK, Norway, U.S. and Canada LONDON – Leading global payments company and remittance brand WorldRemit teamed up with ABS-CBN TFC for the fourth season of ABS-CBN TFC’s successful TFC Win from Home program for overseas Filipinos which launched last August 23, 2023. Co-sponsoring this year’s TFC Win from Home program entitled, “Bahay Mo, Panalo Mo!” is renowned Philippine real estate developer Camella.

Open only to residents in the U.S., Canada (excluding residents of the province of Quebec), U.K., and Norway, Bahay Mo, Panalo Mo! invites overseas Filipinos to grab the chance of winning monthly cash prizes and a Camella Homes’ brand-new house and lot (unfurnished) located in the Philippines in the grand draw by simply following ways to submit entries during the promo period (August 30, 2023 to January 26, 2024).

Terms and Conditions apply.

The program already finished its first two draws on October 27 and November 24 of this year. The third draw was on December 29.

To join Bahay M, Panalo Mo! via World Remit segment: Option 1: Download the WorldRemit App. Register your customer information. Capture the screenshot of your successful registration and upload it via the TFC Promo Link.

Option 2: Capture a screenshot of your successful WorldRemit transaction. Upload the screenshot via the TFC promo link.

Both options give you three (3) entries via the World Remit segment of the promo.

Entrants may also submit a No Purchase Entry, consisting of short (maximum 250 word) essay with the title, “Why are you deserving of a house and lot?”. Limit of one (1) No Purchase essay Entry.”

The TFC Win from Home program was created in 2020 with the objective of providing help and hope to overseas Filipinos and their families back in the Philippines who were impacted by the COVID pandemic. TFC collaborated with business partners to go beyond entertainment and give people life opportunities through innovative ways from the comfort of their homes.

The winners through WorldRemit segment for the first draw last October 27, 2023 which covered entries from August 30-September 29, 2023 are: Php5,000 Minor Prize – Albert Francisco (U.S.); Fritzie Mae Johansen (Norway); and Bernadette Vanderploeg (Canada).

Php15,000 Major Prize – Arlene Brosas (U.S.); Gerry Juanico (UK); and Rochelle Aggasid Soliman (Canada).

Valerie Concepcion, husband celebrate 4th wedding anniversary in California Actress Valerie Concepcion and her non-showbiz husband, Francis Sunga, just marked their fourth wedding anniversary!

On Instagram, Valerie shared snaps from their celebration at South Lake Tahoe in California, GMA News reported.

“Celebrated 4 years of marriage today,” the actress wrote in the caption.

“Thanks for taking us to Tahoe, my love. It was my first time here and had such a wonderful time. Especially because I got to spend it with the loves of my life,” she said.

They also recently flew to Thailand for a babymoon and Francis’ birthday.

Valerie and Sunga were married in 2019, and Valerie gave birth to their son on October 25.

Valerie also has a 19-year-old daughter named Heather Fiona Galang with her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy Carag.

Valerie recently starred in “The Seed of Love” with Glaiza de Castro and Mike Tan.

 ENTERTAINMENT

January 4-10, 2024

Fil-Am comedian Jo Koy ready to host the Golden Globes awards

LOS ANGELES -- Filipino American comedian and actor Jo Koy is ready to host the 81st Golden Globes awards on January 7 at its new home, the CBS. Jo Koy, who is Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr. in real life, was reportedly picked for the job by producers for his “infectious energy and relatable humor.”

This will be the first time in the Golden Globes’ tumultuous 81 years that it will be hosted by an individual with Filipino descent, Philippine Star reported.

Jo Koy already posted on social media a promotional video of the awards ceremony where he shares “preparations” to be a host, according to reports of Philippine Star and ABSCBN. The first tip he gave was to stretch one’s fingers out, joking that the trophies are 45 pounds heavy made of dark chocolate, the report added.

His second piece of advice was simply to always pee. This is likely a reference to the Globes being a more casual cer-

emony than the Oscars, Emmys, or Grammys, and a lot of drinking is involved.

Another guide Jo Koy demonstrated was wiping the side center parts of his lips to “get rid of the white crusties in the corners,” adding it was creepy to “be a host with white crusties.”

“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special,” Jo Koy said when he was confirmed to host the Globes. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud.”

“Barbie” leads this year’s Globes with nine nominations, followed closely by “Oppenheimer” with eight. Other films with five or more nominations are Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Poor Things,” and “Past Lives.”

A-listers such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone are also in the mix, as are Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”), Timothee Chalamet (“Wonka”), Natalie Portman (“May December”) and Bradley Cooper — as both actor and director of “Maestro.”

Last year, Jo Koy saw his “Easter Sunday” become the first big studio movie with an all-Filipino ensemble. He has released five stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, including his most recent Netflix special, “Live From The Los Angeles Forum.”

The Globes are recovering after scandal and several troubled years, including one without a broadcast, AP reported.

“We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season,” said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president, in a statement. “We know Jo is bringing his A-game.”

“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year,” said Koy in a statement. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud.”

Andrea Brillantes, P-pop idols among 100 Most Beautiful, Handsome Faces of 2023

Filipina actress Andrea Brillantes and four P-pop idols made it to this year’s Most Beautiful and Handsome Faces list of Independent Critics and TC Candler.

Reports stated that Brillantes took the Top 16 spot as she debuted in the “100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2023.”

Ken and Josh Cullen of P-pop sensation SB19 and HORI7ON’s Kyler and Reyster also made their first appearance in the “100 Most Handsome Faces of 2023,” the reports added.

The London-based annual rankings put Ken and Cullen in the 34th and 71st spot, respectively, while Kyler and Reyster placed 27th and 58th, respectively.

Actress Belle Mariano also made it into this year’s list, ranking 71st. They are joined by fellow celebrities Janine Gutierrez, Liza Soberano, and Ivana Alawi, who made appearances in the previous years.

Brillantes is the only Filipina that entered the Top 20 rankings.

Soberano, who topped the 2017 list, placed 28th this year, while Alawi and Gutierrez are at the 21st and 45th spot, respectively.

K-pop artist Nancy McDonie ranked 1st in the 2023 list.

The MOMOLAND member was followed by Russian model Dasha Taran and Sana of K-pop group TWICE, placing second and third, respectively.

American-French actor and “Wonka” star Timothée Chalamet is TC Cadler’s most handsome face of 2023. Actor Henry Cavill placed second while Ni-ki of K-pop group ENHYPEN ranked third.

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14

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15 January 4-10, 2024

VILMA SANTOS EXCITED TO DO MORE MOVIES

Ate Vilma Santos was surprised by her own reaction while accepting the Best Actress trophy for her film with Christopher de Leon, When I Met You in Tokyo, at the recent 49th Metro Manila Film Festival’s Gabi ng Parangal. The Star for All Seasons turned very emotional, as if it were her first time winning an award. For her, it did feel like it was the first time.

“Hindi naman ako first time kumuha ng award. Bakit parang first time ko nakakuha? I was very emotional and I cried because, you know, what happened was actually hindi kami nagexpect, wala sa ulo namin yun,” Vilma said.

“That night when I won, I was backstage. Hindi ko nadinig yung pangalan ko. It was Christopher de Leon who said, ‘Uy, ikaw! Ikaw, Vi!’ May kausap kasi ako, tapos tinutulak niya ako sa stage. Sabi ko, bakit? ‘Ikaw ang nanalo!’ So if you noticed (during the airing), I was looking at him.”

Apart from Best Actress, the film also won among others, the fourth Best Picture and the FPJ Excellence Award. “I got emotional maybe because I’m so in touch with this movie.”

While Vilma wished for her leading man as well as associate director to have scored the Best Actor award as well, she made sure to give credit to Christopher for the performance she delivered in the film.

“I felt nung nanalo ako, utang na loob ko rin yun kay Yetbo and my directors, Rommel Penesa and Radu Peru, but kasi si Yetbo ang nagbantay sa akin sa emotions eh. Kung nanalo, meaning to say, I did something good. Yung mga eksena ko dun na magaganda na simple, it was Yetbo who directed me and gave me all the motivation kaya ganun ako emotional.”

Besides the unexpected victory, Vilma’s happiness stemmed from the overall box-office reception during the 2023 MMFF amid the post-pandemic challenges facing both local film production and theatrical exhibition.

“We’ve been saying, even during presscons, that hindi namin priority na yung Best Actor and Best Actress. Ang gusto naming i-prioritize talaga na sana magtagumpay pa itong MMFF because our advocacy is to bring audiences back to the cinemas. Na makakita tayo uli nung pila dati na parang ahas na pag blockbuster…

“Kaya ako na-touch kasi nangyayari (now). Nakita mo sa 10 entries na palabas ngayon, and When I Met You in Tokyo is just one of them, you could see yung lines nung mga tao ngayon sa sine, kasama mga bata.

“So, yung adbokasiya nanalo — ang daming tao sa sinehan. So nag-combine (yung pakiramdam ko). Para akong nanalo ng first time ng award. When I watched myself, maski ako na natawa sa sarili ko. Sabi ko, bakit ako ganito ka emotional? But that’s how I felt that night and so nakita ng tao.”

During her acceptance speech, Vilma dismissed any ideas of rivalry as she dedicated her award to her fellow nominees.

“Ever since naman… They are all my friends, tinanong na rin sakin yan sa presscon, what do you think na yung magiging kalaban mo sila Sharon Cuneta, Marian Rivera?” she said, reiterating, “These are all my friends. Sharon is a long-time friend who’s already like a sister to me. In fact, isa ako sa nagsabi sa kanya ‘wag kang mag-retire ‘pag nag-uusap kami.

“She’s really a friend and she approached me dun sa awards night, nag-akapan kaming dalawa, and then binulong niya sa akin, I want you to be my Best Actress. Kaya ako tumawa ng malakas.

Wala naman kasi akong idea that night talaga.”

“Kahit papano I’ve been blessed with awards, the box-office (hits). If there’s a little contribution I can give to lift up the industry again, panalo na ako dun. It’s payback time for me, in my own little way.

Meanwhile, following her official return to the film industry after a six-year hiatus dedicated to public service, Vilma hints at more films in the pipeline for this 2024.

She said, “I’m excited definitely and that’s going to be for 2024, I might entertain (more projects). I mean modesty aside, marami (akong script natanggap in 2023).

Congratulations Ate Vi & Happy New Year, everyone!

 ENTERTAINMENT

Metro Manila filmfest gross hits P700 M as Pinoys patronize local movies again With still four more screening days before the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 concludes, the combined gross ticket sales of all ten participating movies has already breached P700-million.

This was announced by MMFF Chairman and Metro Manila Development Authority chief Atty. Don Artes, pointing out that the festival has reached its box office earnings target.

“As of yesterday, na-reach na po namin yung target na gross receipts, naka-700 million na as of yesterday,” said Artes, who gave credit to the production companies in an ABS-CBN report.

“Kasi sila yung nag-produce, kami po ay namili lamang.

I can say na great majority (of the ten films) ay kumita na,” Artes added, according to the report.

In 2018, the MMFF hit a record box office gross of P1.061 billion.

Meanwhile, amid the massive public support for the MMFF, moviegoers have also raised concerns regarding high ticket prices.

Alessandra de Rossi, the lead actress of “Firefly,” the festival’s best picture, noticed that their movie was being shown in cinemas with ticket prices ranging from P520 to P800 -- much higher than regular ticket prices of P300 to P400.

Pepe Diokno, who earned Best Director honors for “Gomburza,” said: “Noong nag-simula ang sine, it was affordable entertainment for Juan dela Cruz. I think hindi natin masasabi yan ngayon. But I’m not sure if I can still say it now.”

“I can understand kung Hollywood films mataas ang presyo, pero for Filipino films sana para mas maraming Pilipino ang manood, sana ibaba ang presyo ng ticket,” he added.

Actor-lawmakers Senator Jose Jinggoy Estrada and Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde have called for lower ticket prices for the festival.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Marian Rivera-Dingdong Dantes starrer movie “Rewind” has been topping the gross sales followed by “Mallari” and second best picture “Gomburza.” “Firefly” is also making good in the box office.

Rumors that actress and former beauty queen Bianca Manalo and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian have split is all but in the dustbin now.

This is confirmed as the couple welcomed the New Year in style in Las Vegas after visiting Vancouver, Canada, ABSCBN reported.

Bianca shared glimpses of their Las Vegas escapade on her Instagram account. The actress posted videos of herself and the senator enjoying the city’s iconic landmarks, according to the report.

Bianca and Gatchalian reunited in Vancouver last December after the former beauty queen slammed “malicious insinuations” in her leaked private conversation with actor

Rob Gomez.

For his part, the senator assured Manalo that he will always be by her side and that “no fake news will divide us” through a series of Instagram posts.

“Reunited and it feels so good,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian wrote on Instagram as caption of his photo with Bianca.

The post dispelled breakup rumors, after Bianca Manalo was embroiled in a controversy concerning her leaked private conversation with actor Rob Gomez.

Both Manalo and Gatchalian have addressed the issue.

The actress said she and Gomez were “friends and coworkers”, and that their conversation was about a Christmas gift from Gomez.

Bianca Manalo, Sen. Gatchalian dispel breakup rumors, celebrate New Year in Las Vegas

 SPORTS

January 4-10, 2024

16

Pacquiao announces rematch with Mayweather in Japan in 2024 It appears the much-anticipated rematch of two world boxing icons - former eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Paccquiao and his American nemesis Floyd Mayweather Jr. – is happening this 2024.

This loomed as Pacquiao made the announcement on the rematch during an appearance at Rizin 45 in Japan, along with Rizin chief executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara.

Pacquiao has signed up with Rizin Fighting Federation as early as in April 2019.

“Can you please fight Floyd Mayweather next year?”

Sakakibara asked Pacquiao, in a video posted on Rizin’s social media accounts and reported by various media, including ABS-CBN and Sports Illustrated.

In response, the 46-year-old former Senator Pacquiao said: “Thank you so much for inviting me here again. I’m sorry for the last time that we promised we were going to fight this year, but like Sakakibara explained, this year I will see you here in Japan again with a big fight against …”

The former Philippine senator trailed off, and Sakakibara stepped in to say: “Floyd Mayweather.”

“Floyd Mayweather, yeah,” Pacquiao said. “I thought you didn’t want me to say that. But I’m excited for that.

Thank you for always supporting Rizin, and thank you Sakakibara-san.”

The fight has been in the pipeline for many years and Mayweather simply shrugged off the proposed rematch.

Saudi Arabians were among those who wanted to stage the rematch as early as 2020.

After the Rizin announcement, Mayweather, 47, has not made any response, but the boxing world is said to

be hopeful the rematch would happen this time.

Boxing fans belief is bolstered by the fact that Mayweather has fought exhibition bouts under Rizin.

Mayweather actually fought twice under the Rizin banner.Mayweather competed against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018 and then against MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura in 2022 in boxing exhibitions In 2015, Mayweather vs Pacquiao broke all boxing records with the highest gross of over $400 million, including record 4.7 million on pay-per-view sales, in their fight in Las Vegas dubbed “Fight of the Century.”

Mayweather won that fight.

Boxing experts estimate that the rematch, while it may not equal or surpass the 2015 record, could still be a blockbuster and could be around $100 million for both fighters.

Boxing fans are eagerly awaiting more details about the bout.

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Pacquiao retired from professional boxing in September 2021 after losing his WBA title to Yordenis Ugas in their bout in Las Vegas. But he has done one exhibition bout since, defeating YouTuber DK Yoo in a decision back in December 2022.

Pacquiao, who ran but lost in the last presidential election in the Philippines, was recently in the headlines in the MMA world after UFC star Conor McGregor once again challenged him to a boxing match.

Pacquiao and Mayweather have retired from professional boxing but both have both done exhibition matches. Mayweather has fought 10 times in exhibitions, compiling a record of three wins and one no-contest, while three of his matches were not scored. He was last in action on June 11, 2023, fighting John Gotti III in a bout that was stopped in the sixth round after it devolved into a brawl.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, has done one exhibition bout against YouTuber DK Yoo, last December 2022.

It was not announced if the planned rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao will be an exhibition bout or a full-fledged professional showdown. (Jeanne Michael Penaranda)

Fil-Japanese Saso eyes stint in all majors, 2024 Paris Olympics STA, ROSA CITY, Laguna – Filipino-born Japanese golfer Yuka Saso is most thankful for staying healthy in 2023, which she described as “a pretty good year.”

Performance-wise, she had eight top 10 finishes in 22 tournaments in the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour,, PNA’s Jean Malanum reported..

Saso tied for 23rd in the CME Group Tour Championship in November, her last tournament of the year, and finished 17th in the Race to CME Globe Season points competition.

“I think that’s the most important thing (to stay healthy),” the 22-year-old US Women’s Open champion representing the Philippines said in an interview on Sunday, according to PNA. The Fil-Japanese golfer’s best finish this year was as runner-up in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Springfield, New Jersey in July, losing by one stroke to Chinese Ruoning Yin but taking home US$875,130 (around P48 million).

She is ninth on the official money list with winnings of US$1,822,486 (about P100 million).

“I just have to keep on practicing. What I’ve been doing since I was a kid, that won’t change…more practice and hard work. It’s a process – doing the same thing over and over again,” the world No. 27 Saso said in the PNA report..

Saso was born in San Ildefonso, Bulacan to a Filipino mother and a Japanese father.

In 2021, she bared she would renounce her Filipino citizenship as Japanese law states she must choose just one when she turns 22, which was on June 20 this year.

The Philippines is still close to her heart as she conducted a one-day clinic for upcoming golfers at The Country Club in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on Dec. 27.

Saso said she will skip the first two LPGA events in January, but her 2024 goal is to play in all the majors – Chevron Championship, Women’s PGA Championship, US Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and The Women’s Open.

She said she is also setting her sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics despite the strong Japanese contingent by securing valuable points in ranking LPGA tournaments.

“There will be tournaments every week, so each week will be important to get to the Olympics,” Saso said. “I will focus on every tournament, stay in the moment and try not to look far ahead.”

 COMMUNITY NEWS

January 4-10, 2024

18

Development of Filipino baseball players discussed in call of Philippine baseball group on ConGen Ferrer Officers of a Southern Californiabased non-profit organization paid a courtesy call on Consul General Neil Ferrer at the Philippine Center in San Francisco late last year to talk on grassroots development of Filipino baseball players and support for a Philippine baseball team reinforced by young Filipino American players.

The officers and supporters of the Philippines Baseball Group (PBG) who visited the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCG-SF) included PBG President Bill Picketts, PBG Northern California Regional Director Matt Lopez, Filipino Community leader Roberto de Lara, and Philippine News Today publisher Francis Espiritu.

PBG President Picketts mentioned in the discussion with Ferrer and other PCGSF officials that “PBG aims to promote baseball and Filipino players on a global scale… and address the decline in baseball participation at the collegiate level in the Philippines by providing comprehensive support and opportunities for talented Filipino American players in the U.S.” In a separate exclusive interview, Picketts added that what they have been doing in the past years in the promotion of baseball involves finding Filipino talents in the U.S. in order to develop and promote them.

“We’d love to take some teams to the Philippines. Some of our players have been playing for the national team after getting their dual citizenship to play for the national team,” Picketts underscores. “We also would like

to create some scholarships to bring kids from the Philippines to come play with for the summer. We did that some years ago when a number of Philippine national players come and play with us for the summer.”

Picketts admits that they had a Philippine World Series last year and we were hoping to get a full team from the Philippines but this just didn’t work out.

“This year we are planning farther ahead and I think we would be able to pull that off. We have a coach there working full time and he is putting up a couple of teams to bring to the World Series,” continued Picketts who flew to the Philippines and met with the leadership of PABA Chito Loyzaga and Pepe Muñoz who confirmed that Picketts will be the coach of the Philippine team.

Picketts took a step further ahead and sought to get kids from the U.S. particularly California to play over to the Philippines featuring three players with dual citizenship playing for the Philippine national team who recently participated in the Asian Games in China and the Baseball Federation of Asia championship in Taiwan.

“We are just trying to get as much information out there as possible. We ae all excited on how its has grown from the grassroot level. We start with 13 14 year old until they get to college,” Picketts expounded.

Philippine Baseball Group President Bill Picke�s, Consul General Neil Ferrer and PBG Northern California Regional Director Ma� Lopez

formation we get out for them to see we are doing this for the right reason, we are hoping that we get someone involve with this. I hate that kids pay their way to play baseball. The more fundings we can get, we can keep their expenses down. And we can get the opportunity to get all kids playing and “Our biggest problem is financial. not just those who can afford it. That We need some sponsorships, donors, is what we are trying to accomplish,” supporters that is why the more in- acknowledged Picketts. “Another goal

Philippine Baseball Group officials with officials of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco led by Consul General Neil Ferrer

is to promote a professional baseball league in the Philippines.”

Lopez, for his part, is passionate to that the blessings he had from baseball be shared with other young kids particularly Filipino American kids in Northern California to into their program and develop them.

“Playing overseas reignited our passion for baseball allowed me to see the world a college education that are all important to me. And I feel giving the same opportunity to the next generation is huge. Having that love for the game and being able to pass it to other people letting them experience life through baseball is amazing aside from being able to represent the country is very fulfilling,” Lopez envisions.

“We thought that we can grow baseball in the Philippines like what happened to the Dominican Republic. The talents are all there but they lack facilities but that is something we are setting our goals on more than anything little league is big in the Philippines when they are young but then it dissipates because of waning interest and lack of opportunities,” rued Lopez.

Lopez and Picketts are positive though that the Philippines can have a Shohei Ohtani in is a decade or even sooner given the right brakes and opportunities.

Ohtani is a one-of-a-kind world baseball superstar who was recently offered a contract by the Los Angeles Dodgers that calls for $2 million annual salaries and $68 million deferred each year without interest to be paid in $68 million installments between 2034 and 2043.

19 January 4-10, 2024

 COMMUNITY NEWS

Are your Credit Cards still manageable?

C

onsumers weren’t shy about spending this holiday season, as the latest consumer credit report reveals a nearly 10 percent increase in overall consumer debt. According to the Federal Reserve, consumer borrowing surged in November by $20.4 billion raising the consumer debt total to $2.48 trillion. Financial experts at Consolidated Credit advise consumers to reexamine spending habits.

With more consumers turning to credit for purchases, revolving debt showed an 8.5 percent increase. credit card debt accounts for almost all of revolving debt, which rose by $5.6 billion to $798.3 billion. This was the largest percentage jump since March 2008.

We might be feeling better about the economy, in reality unemployment is still high. Now more than ever families need to work at saving and paying off any outstanding debts. We are spending too much and spending like crazy again! This is concerning as the bills begin to roll in, consumers may find themselves unable to pay them off.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has ordered a review of rules on shortterm loans. Three customers say companies lured them into a traps of quick cash and affordable payment terms.

These Quick Cash or Payday loan companies focus on the needy, often operating out of strip malls or corner stores. Interest can be 300%, plus fees. Borrowers often hand over post-dated checks which are cashed if they do not repay on time.

Unless you have assets or a property to turn your equity to cash to pay off these debts, you will end up rolling that debt over and incur higher fees.

Short Term loan are easy to get but hard to pay back, usually when you are desperately in need and not thinking right, these loan sharking method of lending is the fastest way to get money. Unless you completely thought out how you will be paying the debt off or knowingly have money coming into to pay it off, you will end up owing much more after said and done.

Seniors Financial Advisor thinks that one explanation for Americans’ willingness to take on more debt could be the relative improvement of the economy over the past year, when the workforce added 2.2 million jobs over the course of the year.

For consumers with extra money in their wallets, taking on more debt in anticipation of a bonus or a raise may not seem so risky. But that could be a big mistake. We’ve already forgotten 2008 and 2009, and now we’re projecting into the indefinite future and we’re spending based on as if it had already happened. Our default setting is optimistic, and maybe overly optimistic.

If consumers aren’t on steady financial ground, it could put Americans at greater risk if the economy doesn’t improve at a fast enough rate. And it doesn’t help that Americans are not very good savers. Americans have made some progress on debt repayment… but (savings) continues to be the Achilles heel of financial security. And it was never a strong point to begin with.

I feel that if we are all wondering what will be the cause of another financial recession, I think it might be related to consumer debts, credit card loans, student loans etc. We can’t live paycheck to paycheck just clearing our minimum payments on our debts, sooner than later it will catch up with us and we wont be able to pay it.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Financial at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net BRE01021223 NMLS238636.

Continued increases in COVID-19 transmission, hospitalizations, deaths reported in LA County LOS ANGELES - Over the past week in Los Angeles County, there have been notable, yet not unexpected, increases in COVID-19 reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

While recent increases are significant, they remain considerably below last winter’s peak and common-sense protections are strongly recommended to help curb transmission and severe illness as the new year begins, according to the Department of Health.

Since last week, the reported daily average of COVID-19 cases has increased by more than 25 percent, from 495 to 621, the department reported, adding this number is an undercount due to the large number of home test results for COVID-19 that are not reported.

The daily average of COVID-positive hospitalizations increased by nearly 15 percent over the same time period, from 604 to 686, and the Hospital Admission Level for the county, reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), increased from 6.5 to 8.3 new COVID-19 hospitalization admissions per 100,000 people for data through Dec. 16.

The department also reported that there has also been an appreciable increase in the daily average deaths due to COVID-19. This week the department of Public Health is reporting a daily average of 5 deaths, an increase from 2 earlier this month on Dec. 6.

To help stem the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, residents should prioritize common-sense precautions to protect themselves and others, the department said.

Happy New Year.

Manigong Bagong Taon sa Inyong Lahat!

WE NEED

CHANGE.

DAVID

LEE

For California Assembly Endorsed by: Phil Ting CA Asm. - AD19

Dr. Rod Daus-Magbual Vice Mayor - Daly City

WWW.DAVIDLEEFORASSEMBLY.COM Paid for by David Lee for Assembly 2024.

January 4-10, 2024

As I See It

(From Page 11)

able endeavors!

Realistic and measurable resolutions give us directions and a clear path to success!

20

New Year, New Luck: Graton Resort & Casino Has Many Promotions and Events in January!

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Graton Resort & Casino

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• 2/16 – Regine Velasquez About Graton Resort & Casino Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California’s wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com or call 707-588-7100.

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Health & Wealth...

For immediate help and assistance in the signing, notarization luxury and entertainment, everything you could expect! On All guests must be at least 21 years of age to qualify for a (From Page 11)

and apostille follow up of documents needed in the Philippines (and the other member nations of the Hague National Convention) just write or call: MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, 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 (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. Art is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.)

Offline

(From Page 11)

pose, but the president should seriously consider reviewing the nuts and bolts of the modernization program, and tweak it where necessary.

Since there are still so many jeepneys that have not registered to join the mandatory modernization program, as of this week thousands of drivers are in effect breaking the law. But ridding the streets of the unregistered jeepneys will cause a serious transport crisis which has no solution. The Libre Sakay programs that local government units resort to are a mere drop in the bucket, and are not sustainable to boot.

Opposition leader Senator Koko Pimentel suggests a stop gap measure, which is to extend the deadline by six to 12 months.

And since most modern jeepneys cost anywhere from PHP2 million to PHP3 million, the subsidy being offered by the government of a meager PHP200,000 is little help.

He suggests raising the subsidy to more realistic levels. Further, Pimentel says the paying period should also be extended to as long as 10 years. These are sound suggestions which the bright boys of Duterte never bothered to consider when the modernization program was first concocted.

One of the two active drivers’ organizations said last week that based on their pencil pushing, the estimated minimum fare for their members to earn a small daily profit is around PHP25 to PHP30.

The current minimum fare is now PHP13, and already commuters are saying that the burden is too much.

To grant the PHP25 to PHP30 minimum fare will not only punish all commuters, it will also be highly inflationary.

Know that old saying about being stuck between a rock and a hard place? That’s where the government will be at the end of this month, when the extension of the deadline ends.

Marcos must now make a tough decision, one that he inherited from his predecessor, who has already washed his hands of the mess he created.

As for the jeepney drivers and operators, all they’re asking for is a fair deal. And that, folks, is definitely not too much to ask now, is it?

Social Security Update

HOW PROVIDING RACE AND ETHNICITY DATA HELPS ALL CUSTOMERS

By G. Samson Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in the Bay Area

We are continuously working to better understand how Social Security’s programs serve the public. Collecting race and ethnicity data for research and statistical purposes is one way for us to determine whether we are equitably serving the public. Applicants and customers may voluntarily provide this information. It does not affect decisions on benefit applications.

Why does it matter if people provide race and ethnicity data?

When customers choose to provide race and ethnicity information, it lets us know: • Who our benefit payments and programs are helping and who may be left out.

• What unintended barriers may impact benefits and services.

• Where to expand outreach efforts.

• How to increase awareness of eligibility for programs and benefits.

In other words, race and ethnicity data can help expand access to our programs, which is one of the objectives in our Equity

Upside...

Action Plan at blog.ssa.gov/social-securitys-equity-action-plan. Examples of how we use this information can be found on our Racial Equity Resources webpage at www.ssa.gov/policy/ about/racial-equity-resources.html.

Currently, we collect race and ethnicity information on applications for new or replacement Social Security number (SSN) cards.

These applications can be completed: • Online at www.ssa.gov/numbercard.

• At one of our local offices or card centers.

Soon, parents may voluntarily provide this information when requesting their newborn’s SSN at the hospital. The option to provide this data will be available in participating states.

We encourage you to provide your race and ethnicity information on your or your child’s application for a new or replacement SSN card. This information will help us better understand and serve all our current and future customers.

(From Page 10)

the four M’s for her and her mother’s maiden surname Magadia plus two extra for flair, Manalo is a world-class fight trainer, developing individuals of all ages in the sport of boxing at Cannonnation Boxing & Fitness Gym she co-owns in Santa Fe Springs, California. Her success belies her experience with an ex-boyfriend who cheated and gaslighted her into questioning her self-worth. Until she decided she deserved better. “Just make sure that you have an identity outside of the partner that you are with. Learn to love yourself, so when you find someone who isn’t treating you right, you’ll know when it’s time to exit from their life and be on the road to healing,” Manalo shares wisdom applicable to all relationships.

7. Cancer survivor/activist DONNY DE LEON Donny de Leon’s idol Ninoy Aquino would have been impressed by the longtime activist even without knowing of de Leon’s bout with stage 2 cancer. De Leon underwent procedures that “nearly killed” him. but wh with early detection, faith, and a loving family including David Swanson,his husband of 33 years. And yet de Leon, a U.S. Navy veteran has been protesting political abuses in his birth country as his way of keeping the legacy of his role model Aquino alive.

8. IPV prevention trainor JENNIFER JIMENEZ WONG While caring for her seriously ailing mother Annalee Jimenez and mothering her three daughters, Jennifer Jimenez Wong still found time to give presentations on the dynamics of family and Intimate Partner

Violence (IPV). A licensed marriage and family therapist, she gave the landmark IPV prevention presentation at a South San Francisco City Council meeting on Women’s History Month on the invitation of Mayor Flor Nicolas, 2023 co-president of the all-volunteer ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment. As 2023 ALLICE vice president Jimenez Wong fulfilled her commitment to lead IPV prevention trainings for the team, and attended meetings and events commemorating its 20th anniversary. No surprise she was named director for therapeutic behavioral services at the Fred Finch Youth and Family Services starting January 2024.

9.

Comedian actor JO KOY Washington State-born Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr. or Jokoy is the biggest Filipino American standup comic today. His observational comedy has a favorite subject, his mother Josie Harrison, formerly a bank manager in Las Vegas, where the 52-year-old comedian-actor launched his standup career in 1994, after dropping out of UNLV. Last year was a big year despite his much-publicized relationship with fellow comedian Chelsea Handler ending and his debut feature film “Easter Sunday” coming short of expectations despite having Steven Spielberg as producer. In December his stardom was sealed by the announcement that he would be hosting the 2024 Golden Globes in its comeback bid following a year of controversy over its organizer Hollywood Foreign Press Associations’ lack of diversity. Viewed by millions around the world, the Globes are 100 years old this year, burnishing Jo Koy’s status.

21 January 4-10, 2024

 COMMUNITY NEWS | HEALTH

‘Hate’ cases... (From page 1) a testament to the state’s intentional approach crimes or often not California Commission on State of Hate (CCSH) Chair Russell Roybal observed that “unfortunately, hate continues to have a devastating impact on the many communities that make California the vibrant, thriving state that it is today.”

“With this report, the Commission is laying out its strategic priorities and action plan for protecting communities from hate. This work is key to creating a more peaceful California where all communities can flourish.

California continues to lead the way and I am inspired by the commitment of our state and community partners in working to safeguard Californians from hate,” Roybal stated.

For his part, Vice Chair of CCSH and CEO of the TransLatin@Coalition Bamby Salcedo called the report as “an important first step to address the hate that Californians continue to experience.”

“It will provide a guide to the much-needed work that we are doing as a commission.

We are grateful for the support that the California Civil Rights Department has provided to ensure that we continue to address and ultimately eradicate hate in our beautiful state,” Salcedo added.

California Civil Rights Department (CCRD) Director Kevin Kish is “inspired by the dedication of our state and community partners in combatting the recent alarming rise in hate activity while coming together in the face of hate isn’t new.”

“California continues to lead the nation in the fight to protect the rights of all our communities. The California Commission on the State of Hate is a key part of those efforts and

to addressing hate and discrimination,” Kish believes urging those who wants to join in the fight against hate to read this first annual report and get involved, whether it’s participating in the Commission’s community forums or uplifting resources available through CA vs Hate.

Established by Assembly Bill 1126 (AB 1126), which was signed into law by Governor Newsom in October 2021 and funded through the Budget Act of 2022, the Commission is tasks with understanding the state of hate in California and developing recommendations for preventing and responding to hate activity.

Specifically, the Commission seeks to monitor trends in hate activity in the state, engage in research, increase awareness of the state of hate through public forums and other outreach efforts, and advise local governments, the Governor, the Legislature, and communities on how to prevent and respond to hate activity.

Given the inherent complexity of this mandate, the Commission has prioritized building a solid foundation of knowledge and evidence, reviewing cutting-edge research and proactively seeking input from communities throughout the state.

Where there are gaps in knowledge, the Commission is also developing community partnerships and engaging in original research efforts in partnership with leading California institutions.

The Commission’s efforts to study the impacts of hate are especially critical in the face of limitations to existing data on the prevalence of hate activity, which has historically been underreported in the context of hate

captured at all in official statistics in the context of other forms of hate activity.

In addition to monthly meetings, the Commission hosts quarterly community forums, and it is currently set to remain in effect through January 1, California Commis2027. This first an- sion on State of Hate nual report provides (CCSH) Chair Russell an overview of the Roybal Commission’s initial activities, structure, and strategic goals aimed at supporting a California free from hate.

The work of the Commission builds on the longstanding efforts of numerous state and community partners to combat hate and other forms of discrimination and with the support of staff at the CCRD, the Commission aims to provide guidance to strengthen and build on existing anti-hate initiatives across California, serving as a critical hub for supporting the state’s myriad approaches.

At the statewide level, these efforts include: The recent launch of California vs Hate, a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal, which, in its first six months, received more than 500 reports of hate acts across California.The California Department of Social Services’ Stop the Hate Program, which awards funding to nonprofit organizations to support hate crime prevention and provide services to

Vice Chair of CCSH and C a l i fo r n i a C i v i l CEO of the TransLa- Rights Department �n@Coali�on Bamby (CCRD) Director Salcedo Kevin Kish victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes.

The California State Library’s Ethnic Media Grant Project aimed at supporting access to information through outlets and organizations serving communities that are historically vulnerable to hate incidents and hate crimes.

Ongoing efforts by the California Department of Justice to aid and assist local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities and community partners in addressing hate crimes.

Financial and other forms of support from the California Victim Compensation Board for individuals who have been the victim of a hate crime.

CRD’s Community Conflict Resolution Unit, which, upon invitation, works with communities experiencing tension relating to discriminatory practices or hate to constructively manage or resolve conflict and minimize the potential for violence.

Heart of Hope

Processed Foods and Cancer Did you know how many hotdogs are consumed each day in the United States alone? Roughly 633 hotdogs are eaten by Americans per second, or 37, 980 every minute, almost 2.3 million an hour.

A Lot of Dogs PHILIP S. CHUA According to Janet Riley, president of the National Hotdog and Sausage Council, USA, Americans eat twenty billion hotdogs a year. This does not include those sold at ball games, which is about 30 million during regular pro season.

Calories Hotdogs, also known as franks, are popular because it is inexpensive, convenient to eat, and has lower calories than pizza or hamburger. A hamburger, depending on its size and condiments with it, could provide 350 calories or have as high as 800 to 1,000 calories. A slice of pizza has 272 calories, while hot dog has only 148.

Quality of Food While calorie-intake is vital to our health, and being appropriately conscious about how much we eat positively impacts our well-being and our longevity, the quality of what we eat is also very important. As they say, we are what we eat.

Processed Foods: Unhealthy Medical statistics on the relationship of nutrition/ diet and health/diseases, and longevity show that a meal with processed foods (canned or frozen, especially meats, like hotdogs, bacon, ham, etc.) is most unhealthy. Eating processed foods has been linked to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various forms of cancers, most notably cancer of the pancreas and the gastrointestinal tract.

Foods manufactured are processed to preserve their texture, color, aroma, nutritive value, prevent bacterial growth, and to maximize their “shelf” life. This goes true with either canned or frozen food items. To achieve all these, various strategies are employed. The two common ones are the use of chemical preservatives and additives, and controlled

heat sterilization.

What in the processing technique or in the chemical additives and preservatives used is hazardous to health has not been fully determined, but the statistics are too overwhelming to ignore. The association between the illnesses mentioned above and the regular ingestion of processed foods is very significant.

There is no question that FRESH, unadulterated, is best!

Killing us Softly In general red meats and other high cholesterol and high fat food items harm our body. The adverse effects on our various organs happen so slowly, taking decades before illnesses and symptoms manifest themselves, that we do not feel sick, or threatened, immediately, and thus continue consuming these great tasting foods regularly. Metaphorically speaking, these foods are slow poisons which are killing us softly.

Healthier Option The proven healthier alternative is a diet composed of fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, wheat, and other high fiber foods. The high omega 3 contents in fish in general, and the phyto chemicals in vegetables, especially the green leafy ones, and the other anti-oxidant flavanoids in this regimen, are all beneficial in their boosting effects on our immune system, and on their protective action for our cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health. Coupled with controlled carbohydrate and calorie intake, daily physical exercises, and stress management, this gastronomic option is healthier, a life-saver, and one which maximizes people’s potential longevity. * * * The Carnitine Craze Like the snake-oil style scams claiming “the greatness, benefits, and safety” of dozens of so-called food supplements and herbals, which are very expensive, the addition of l-carnitine in drinks and other food items is nothing but false advertisement and public misinformation.

Carnitine is a normal substance in our diet. It is a hydrophilic amino acid derivative, produced in the liver and kidneys, from meat and dairy products we eat. Carnitine allows for the proper metabolism and conversion of fats into energy.

We do not need any “extra” carnitine to stay healthy. Our body

gets enough from the food we eat daily. To add another chemical substance to our food is totally unnecessary and may even be dangerous.

Primary carnitine deficiency, which is a rare inherited autosomal recessive pattern, affects 1 out of every 40,000 live births in Japan and 1 out of every 37,000 to 100,000 newborns in Australia. It is a congenital defect in babies and very young children but seen in adult very rarely. Primary carnitine in adults is almost unheard of.

In view of available medical facts, why are manufacturers adding l-carnitine to their food products for the general public? Besides, an infant or a child, or even the rare adult, who has this uncommon disorder, would not be helped, much less cure the carnitine deficiency anyway, since the amount added to the food items is not in the therapeutic level.

The inference that the added l-carnitine to the food items in question is beneficial and safe for the consumers is another gimmick these greedy and unscrupulous vendors of ill-will are using to earn a fast buck.

Manufacturers of unproven herbals and the umpteen numbers of “food supplements” on the market today continue to victimize the helpless ignorant consumers. And they obviously do so with impunity because they know they can get away with it.

The more important issue here is, therefore, why our government not enforcing our laws governing truth-in-advertising and other pertinent regulations to protect the public?

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

23 January 4-10, 2024

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Pork and Spinach in Coconut Milk, Pinoy Laing Style Ingredients: 1/4 kilo pork belly, cut into thick strips 1/2 kilo frozen chopped spinach 200 grams fresh baby spinach 1 400 ml canned coconut milk/cream 3-4 clove garlic chopped 1 thumb size ginger, cut into thin strips 1 large size onion chopped 2 tbsp. bagoong alamang (use fish sauce if not available) 1 stalk lemongrass (optional), trimmed crushed 1/2 tsp. cracked peppercorns 3-5 pieces green/red chili, chopped or whole salt cooking oil

P7.5-B earmarked for modernization, expansion of 22 airports

Cooking procedure: In a medium size sauce pan sauté garlic, ginger and onion until fragrant. Add MANILA – A total of P7.5 billion has been allocated in the 2024 national budget for the modernization and expansion of the country’s aviation hubs in time for in the pork and stir cook for 3 to 5 minthe projected full recovery of global air traffic in 2025. utes add in the bagoong alamang and This was disclosed by Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. who said about 22 continue to stir cook for another 1 to 2 airports would receive fresh funding under the national government’s 2024 Aviaminutes. Add in 1/2 cup of water, the coconut milk, lemon grass, crushed peppercorns and chili, bring to a boil and tion Transport Infrastructure Program.

“The new funding allocations per airport are itemized in the 2024 General Apsimmer at moderate heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pork are tender and propriations Law,” Campos said. “All told, Congress has earmarked P7.5 billion the sauce renders oil and almost dry, stirring occasionally. Add in the frozen this year for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of various airports spinach and baby spinach, cook at low to moderate heat for 15 to 20 minutes and navigational facilities, including the procurement of equipment.” until almost dry, stirring occasionally. Correct saltiness if required. Serve with He noted that the country’s main international gateway, the Ninoy Aquino Ina lot of rice. ternational Airport (NAIA), will receive the bulk of the budget at P1.64 billion for a new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance - Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) System.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have earlier emphasized the need to upgrade the country’s “outdated” air traffic navigation system after the air traffic control glitch that resulted in hundreds of canceled and delayed flights affecting thousands of passengers at NAIA on Jan. 1, 2023.

Campos said a total of P1.5 billion has been allotted for the expansion and development of the airport on Pag-asa Island.

According to him, other airports that would get allocations this year include the Kalibo International Airport at P581 million; Laoag International Airport, P500 million; Bukidnon Airport, P320 million; Puerto Princesa Airport, P300 million; New Zamboanga International Airport, P300 million; Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, P300 million; Catbalogan Airport, P250 million; Daet Airport, P225 million; and New Manila International Airport, P200 million.

The 2024 budget will also finance the development of the Candon Airport, P200 million; Borongan Airport, P200 million; Iloilo International Airport, P190 million; Tuguegarao Airport, P150 million; Bacon Airport, P100 million; Maasin Airport, P100 million; Tandag Airport, P100 million; Jolo Airport, P100 million; Mati Airport, P100 million; Surigao Airport, P80 million; and Vigan Airport, P70 million.

“Of course, we are also counting on the spending to enhance the overall travel experience of passengers,” Campos said.