PNEWS 10.19-10.25,2023

1 October 19-25, 2023

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR WORSENS; FILIPINOS ARE REPATRIATED THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961

Vol.63 No.10 October 19-25, 2023

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

Defense chief rebuffs China anew, says it’s a

By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief ‘squatter’ in West PH Sea TEL AVIV/MANILA – As the Israel-Hamas war

Biden, Pope call for humanitarian corridor, aid for Palestinians in Gaza

appears to be worsening and may spill over to nearby Middle East countries like Lebanon, Syria and Iran, repatriation of Filipinos in Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, Philippine authorities are speeding up evacuation and repatriation of Filipinos there which has been ordered mandatory. Page 9 CHECK FOR MILPITAS. Sen. Aisha Wahab turns over a check for $1.6 million to Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano and Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua for the city’s SMART project.

Sen. Wahab donates $1.6 M SMART fund to Milpitas

By Elpidio R. Es�oko MILPITAS, California – State school, shopping, and other needs Senator Aisha Wahab has donated around town! $1.6 million to the city of Milpitas SMART offers an affordable seras additional fund for its SMART vice to Milpitas’ commuters, includproject (The Milpitas Simple Mo- ing those not conveniently served bile Access to Reliable Transit). by transit, and significant vulneraThe donation was made during ble/transit-dependent population by last Saturday’s inauguration of the supporting and complementing the new park in the city in honor of the Milpitas BART Station and VTA’s unsung heroes Delano Manongs existing bus and rail services. The (Delano Manongs Park) located at program combines the convenience McCandless Drive. of a ride-hailing service like Uber or Milpitas SMART is a new and Lyft with the capacity and affordconvenient on-demand rideshare ability of a more traditional shuttle service that gets one around Mil- or vanpool service. pitas quickly and safely. Residents The Milpitas Simple Mobile Acand visitors can also utilize the ser- cess to Reliable Transit (SMART) vice for local daily trips to work, service officially began Page 7

Duterte wages war with House over daughter’s lost secret funds

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor MANILA – Former president Rodrigo Duterte is finding out that his once close allies are no longer on his side, especially those in the House of Representatives.

He has no one to blame but himself after he said in a recent media interview that Congress was “the most rotten institution” of the government. All because the lower house of the bicameral Congress had stripped his daughter – Vice President and concurrent Education secretary Sara Duterte – of hundreds of millions of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF).

He also threatened to kill ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, whom he accused of being a communist. In fact, the lawmaker was at the forefront of the success-

ful removal of the younger Duterte’s P650 million in CIF. The controversial CIF can be considered as the best kind of pork barrel because it is not subject to audit. Much of what had been approved for next year’s national budget was reallocated to government bodies directly involved in intelligence gathering, notably the Armed Forces of the Philippines, tasked with defending the West Philippine Sea. Despite the elder Duterte’s verbal assaults, the House will not return the lost CIF to Ms. Duterte. So said deputy majority leader Rep. Franz Pumaren, who said “threats and intimidation will not get their desired effect” on the House if the former president’s goal Page 6

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. rebuffed China anew for its “unfriendly” and “belligerent” behaviour in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, stressing that China is a “squatter” for illegally occupying parts of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Teodoro was reacting to claims

by China that it has sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea as it defended its presence near Pag-asa Island, which it calls Zhongye Island.

Teodoro even suggest- Page 7

CA bill compels law enforcement to do more to address hate crimes

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent SAN FRANCISCO - As the old saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

So it was for San Francisco Assemblyman Phil Ting, who authored AB 449 which mandates California’s law enforcement agencies to submit a new policy to better recognize, report, and respond to hate crimes by the summer of 2024. The state’s Justice department will then review the policy and de- Page 5

PHL Metro filmfest in LA November, January LA honors outstanding Filipino Americans VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

Conditional Permanent Residents need to petition their children immediately

Metro filmfest: Sharon, Vilma in; Nora, Maricel, Nadine, Coco, Vice out

By A�y. Lozano

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SPORTS

Pacquiao vs Mayweather rematch planned for December?

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 NATIONAL NEWS

October 19-25, 2023

2

2 more witnesses to recant testimonies vs. De Lima QUEZON CITY – Two former police officers, who are already serving sentences, said they would recant their testimonies in the remaining illegal drug case against former senator Leila De Lima.

Rodolfo Magleo, who used to hold the rank of major, asked De Lima to send them lawyers to formalize their decision to recant their earlier testimony against her, as stated in a handwritten letter dated Oct. 12 and sent to the former lawmaker at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City De Lima’s remaining drug charge accuses her of tolerating widespread drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City while she was Justice secretary in exchange for hush money from convicted drug lords to bankroll her senatorial candidacy.

In the same letter which includes the contact numbers of his son, Magleo said former sergeant Nonilo Arile and five other witnesses likewise want to recall their testimonies.

“We are bothered by our conscience. We do not want you to be victim of mistrial. We

will reveal in due time. We are assuring you all that the last case will be dismissed,” the letter statesna.

The witnesses claimed they wanted to recant their testimonies since 2018 but were restricted “due to impossibility of communication.”

The remaining case against De Lima is pending before Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 under Judge Gener Gito, who has ordered three witnesses, including Magleo, former cop Froilan Trestiza and gang leader Jaime Patcho, to testify in court hearings.

PAF gets ‘green light’ to buy 3 new C-130 transport planes MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) has issued the Notice to Proceed for the acquisition of three brand-new Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 “Super Hercules” aircraft that will greatly enhance the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s tactical and transport capabilities.

“The acquisition started in 2021, as part of the Second Horizon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. The project was awarded to Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace, arms defense, information security, and technology corporation,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

The first C-130J is scheduled to be de-

livered in July 2026 and the second one in October of the same year. Meanwhile, the delivery of the third plane is in January 2027.

Defense observers said the contract for the three aircraft is worth P22.2 billion.

“The additional cargo space of the C-130J-30, coupled with the reliability of C-130 aircraft we have in our current fleet, will provide our Air Force with greater operational flexibility,” Andolong said.

He added that these features of the C-130 aircraft will allow the PAF to meet the demands of the AFP’s tactical missions more effectively.

7 AFP generals get new posts

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that seven ranking officials have been designated to new positions.

This was based on the order of appointments issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said in a statement.

Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, current AFP Inspector General, was designated as the new Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief.

Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo, current Wesmincom chief, replaced Gonzales as the military’s new Inspector General.

AFP deputy chief for staff for civil military operations Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III was named the new commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

Succeeding Viray as the new AFP deputy chief for staff for civil military operations is Brig. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, who is currently the chief of the Civil Relations Service AFP (CRSAFP).

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

ployed in the WPS and other areas of concern while on patrol operations,” Balilo said.

At present, the PCG has one Islander airplane and one Cessna airplane deployed to assist PCG substations and detachments in the WPS. During the PCG’s 122nd founding anniversary, Marcos vowed to support and upgrade the PCG through the provision of modern equipment and personnel training to meet the challenges in the WPS and its role in search, rescue, and disaster response.

Phl Coast Guard to buy 2 more planes, 40 fast boats for West Philippine Sea patrol ops

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is looking to acquire two 19-seater airplanes and 40 fast boats for its patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Speaking for PCG Commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the bidding process for the two planes would begin soon after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave his approval and a budget of P1.6 billion.

“This will complement the vessels de-

3 October 19-25, 2023

 NATIONAL NEWS

Comelec mulls 2022 poll recount amid petition vs. Smartmatic MANILA – To settle allegations surrounding the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on raised the possibility of a speedy recount of ballot boxes in select precincts nationwide.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said he would propose the conduct of a speedy recount procedure to the Comelec en banc.

“Kinakailangan magkaroon tayo ng win-win solution. Para ma-settle once and for all... Petitioners na ang mamili (ng presinto), pabuksan ang mga ballot boxes, bilangin natin isa-isa ang balota, tingnan natin kung tumutugma sa election returns (We should have a win-win solution. To settle once and for all... Petitioners should choose the precinct, open the ballot boxes, let’s count each ballot, see if it matches the election returns),” he said.

Garcia made the statement following the en banc’s hearing of the disqualification petition against Smartmatic, filed by the group of former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Eliseo Rio.

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 METRO NEWS

October 19-25, 2023

4

Student dies in QC hazing rites, 6 under police custody QUEZON CITY – Another student has died during a fraternity hazing in Quezon City.

Two of the four suspects under the custody of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) have admitted their presence during the hazing that led to the death of a criminology student on Oct. 16.

“Ang latest ay two doon sa apat natin na nasa kustodiya natin na suspect ay nag-execute ng kanilang extrajudicial confession na umaamin sila na talagang sila ay doon sa nasabing initiation rites at nakikipagtulungan sila

sa atin at nakapagbigay sila ng 10 pa na kasamahan nila doon sa initiation kaya madadagdagan yung mafa-file-an natin ng kaso,” said Quezon City Police District Director, Brig.

Gen. Redrico Maranan.

Maranan declined to identify the two suspects who executed an extrajudicial confession in the presence of their counsels on Tuesday.

The four suspects – Justin Artates, Kyle Michael de Castro, Lexer Angelo Manarpies, and Mark Leo Andales – are being held for the death of Aldryn Leary Bravante, a 4th-

year Criminology student of the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR).

He added that the suspects would face charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018.

Maranan, however, said the initial results of the backtracking of the closed-circuit camera (CCTV) footage at the place of the incident showed that “almost 20 persons” were present during the initiation rites.

Citing the testimony of one of the suspects, Maranan said Bravante got “more or less 60 paddle hits,” which indicated that he sustained severe injuries.

Bravante, a resident of Imus, Cavite, was rushed to the hospital by Artates and de Castro on Monday evening after falling unconscious while undergoing the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in an abandoned building in Quezon City.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday urged school authorities to be extra strong in their anti-hazing campaign as he conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved Bravante family.

Gatchalian said the school has legal obligations to safeguard and protect their students.

Fishers, others form human chain vs reclamation MANILA – Hundreds of fisherfolk, environmentalists, church people, students, academes, and other advocacy groups gathered on Wednesday to form a human chain along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Led by the fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) and environmental alliance People’s Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems (People’s NICHE), the ‘solidarity action’ was held in protest to the continued destruction of Manila Bay’s coastal and marine resources through massive reclamation projects.

The group said: “The successful human chain was a proof that a wide range of sectors are standing up against systematic destruction of Manila Bay that correspondingly violates human and economic rights of millions of fisherfolk and coastal population across the Bay. The people’s campaign against reclamation is significantly gaining traction with the

participation of church people from different interfaith, environmentalists, youth and students, academes, and many other advocacy groups.”

It added: “This also serves as a protest to the Marcos administration’s neglect to completely stop reclamation projects, despite its capacity to do so. The President himself has the power to issue an Executive Order, prohibiting reclamation projects on environmental and socio-economic grounds.”

“With the continuous operations of reclamation projects in Manila Bay and the rest of the archipelago, the fisherfolk sector vows to bolster the defense of coastal communities from the looming threat of privatization and conversion,” the group said. “We likewise urge the public to stand alongside the fisherfolk in our campaign for genuine rehabilitation of Manila Bay, which is a matter of national patrimony and food security,” said Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said during the protest.

5 October 19-25, 2023

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

675 C. Luzon poll bets face disqualification for early campaigning CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued 675 show cause orders to Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates in Central Luzon over alleged premature campaigning and vote buying.

Campaigning in the barangay officials opened only yesterday, said Comelec-3 (Central Luzon) Assistant Regional Director Elmo Duque.

Duque said that 311 or 46 percent of those candidates with issued orders are from

this province, while the rest are from other areas of the region.

He said no BSKE candidates in the region have been disqualified yet pending the review of their responses.

“Hindi ko alam kung ilan ang magpoprosper dun at magkakaroon ng resulta na magdi-disqualify sa isang kandidato (I do not know how many of those will prosper and will result in the disqualification of a candidate),” Duque said in a radio interview.

He said the poll body has vowed to come up with the decision before the election day

on Oct. 30.

“Marami tayong abogado na kasama sa task force para i-evaluate yung substance at yung mga ebidensya, na kung may substantive evidence to warrant the disqualification of the candidates (We have a lot of lawyers that are included in the task force to evaluate the substance and the evidence, if there is substantive evidence to warrant the disqualification of the candidates),” he said.

Duque said even if the candidates win and are proclaimed, they will still be disqualified once found guilty of violating elec-

tion rules.

Aside from disqualification, he said violators could also face election offense charges and could be meted out a prison term of between one and six years; forfeiture of the right to suffrage; and perpetual disqualification to hold public office for aspiring candidates.

The Comelec official also said there were so far no reports of election-related violent incidents in the region.

Business permits and license offices heads hold confab in Baguio, Magalong cites group

By Melandrew Velasco BAGUIO CITY - The 6th Annual Convention of the National Association of Business Permits and Licensing Offices (NABPLO) in Baguio City was a resounding success over the weekend.

The convention had for its theme “ARISE and INNOVATE: Strengthening the BPLOs through Capacity Building and Strategies for Local Development,” said NABPLO president Melanie SorianoMalaya.

Malaya said the convention is one of the

most important yet challenging events in the NABPLO history since it served as a platform for its members to recognize individual milestones thru learning sessions and opportunities to widen our network with our fellow BPLOs. She added the convention was a product of active collaboration among our partners and stakeholders who work long and hard for the success of this event.

Soriano-Malaya, BPLO Chief of Paranaque City, thanked all the officers of NABPLO, BPLO Baguio City headed by Allan Abayao, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Lo-

cal Government Development Institute, CSC, DILG, ARTA, DTI, DAP, Sen. Tol Tolentino, and her BPLO Paranaque Team for their hard work and dedication.

Mayor Magalong said, “I fully support the proposition of NABPLO to elevate the status of the BPLOs to the level similar to a department.”

The mayor added: “Government is not about corruption , it’s about efficiency and effectiveness. It’s participatory government which is about inclusivity, authentic leadership, hope, and goodwill of understanding.

Soriano-Malaya cited NABPLO’s rele-

vance in national development as it continues to be an active partner of the national government in promoting a business friendly, investment ready, and digitally enabled LGUs. NABLO engaged key champions in the national government that will advance our interest as we for the enactment of the BPLO law.

On her own as BPLO Chief of Paranaque City, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) inspected some Metro Manila local government units for compliance with the electronic business one-stop shop (eBOSS) requirement, only Parañaque was found fully compliant.

Pangasinan prov’l gov’t eyes P5.7-B budget for 2024 LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Pangasinan’s proposed P5.7 billion 2024 budget is set to be approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Vice Governor Mark Lambino said that next year’s budget is higher than the P5.3 billion the province has for 2023.

Lambino said 70 percent of the proposed allocation will be for programs and activities

of the provincial government, maintenance and other operating expenses, mandatory payments of loans, and other taxes while the balance will be for Personal Services.

“After the presentation of the budgets (by the different departments), this will be presented at the plenary by the sponsor, Board Member Vici Ventanilla, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, for approv-

al,” he said.

Ventanilla said he is thankful to the department heads and the other resource persons for attending the hearings to defend their respective offices’ proposed budget.

Lambino said the provincial government has not drawn any amount from the P6 billion loan, aimed to finance development projects, availed from state-owned Land

Bank of the Philippines.

“For as long as we have not withdrawn any money from the bank the province will not pay yet. The loan payments mentioned in the budget proposal are for the outstanding loan of the province,” he added.

Misamis Occidental governor survives roadside bombing

OZAMIS CITY -- Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal managed to escape death from a bomb attack in the province last Sunday.

A homemade bomb struck Oaminal’s convoy late Sunday while en route to Ozamiz City on a highway in Clarin town, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported.

It said the improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at 11:10 p.m. and hit the second car in Oaminal’s four-vehicle convoy. The governor was in the vehicle that was struck.

“Salamat sa Ginoo na walay na-injure, walay na-sakitan

CA...

(From page 1)

will then review the policy and determine if it’s compliant with state law.

This was Ting’s second try at passing a bill. This time, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law.

Ting’s bill requires law enforcement to do more to address hate crimes following a surge in anti-Asian violence.

Ting praised Newsom’s signing the bill, stating that the policy to handle and report hate crimes has to be standardized, as reported by the San Francisco Standard.

Said the assemblyman: “Accurate data will help us come up with solutions, and better direct resources where necessary to combat hate.”

His bill requires the state to reimburse local police departments for any costs incurred by the mandates, such as law enforcement training on identifying

(Thank God no one was injured or hurt),” Oaminal said in a conduct checkpoints and dragnet operations to catch the pervideo posted on his Facebook page after the bombing. petrators of the bomb attack.

“Praise God for the protection He has showered upon us.

I am safe and I am now here at home,” he added.

“We strongly condemn this barbarous attack of cowards who executed unprovoked aggression targeting the good governor of Misamis Occidental,” it said. “Our troops are currently assessing the incident, together with the local authorities, to establish the circumstances and identify the perpetrator/s.”

The Northern Mindanao Police directed all its cops to

hate crimes.

The Golden State’s law presently defines “hate crime” as any criminal act based on the victim’s actual or perceived characteristics, such as religion, race, disability, or sexual orientation.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, violent incidents against California’s Asian American communities have triggered calls to strengthen law enforcement.

A state auditor released a report that concluded that law enforcement has not adequately identified hate crimes, lending credence to the common belief that hate crimes across different communities are underreported.

The community of people with disabilities gave their full support for the Ting bill since hate crimes against them are usually described as the most overlooked and invisible.

Ting’s earlier attempt to pass his bill had been watered down by the Senate Appropriations Committee,

rendering it ineffective. Assemblyman Ting opted not to move forward with that version, and tried again this year.

In this case, the second time was the charm. The result was AB 449.

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/.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

October 19-25, 2023

6

US-PHL talks on nuclear deal almost done, signing seen by year-end The United States and Philippine governments are expected to sign by year-end an agreement that would facilitate the entry of US nuclear technology into the country.

In a roundtable discussion with the media at her residence, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the two states are “getting very close” to capping its negotiations since the talks on nuclear cooperation was launched during the visit of Vice President Kamala Harris to the Philippines in November 2022.

The 123 Agreement will provide the legal basis for civil nuclear energy cooperation and allow the

Duterte...

(From page 1)

was to undo the realignment of funds.

Added Pumaren: “As the good former president should know, we as law-

$550

408.286.9360 408.286.9311

export of nuclear fuel, reactors, equipment and special nuclear material from the US to the Philippines.

“I’m very hopeful that we will see a signature this calendar year,” Carlson said.

“It is a very complex agreement, but both sides from the Philippines and the United States have really rolled up their sleeves and gotten down to business and have made great progress,” she added.

The envoy said talks are about 90 percent done and the two sides are currently “reconciling all the specifics”.

The envoy said there are a number of US nuclear technology firms “who’d

makers duly elected by our respective constituents to represent their interests, do not respond well to threats and intimidation.”

The elder Duterte had launched his tirades during a media interview in the SMNI news channel owned

by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, his spiritual adviser wanted by the US for a series of offences including human smuggling, which caused him to be placed in the

be very interested in investing” here but have no basis upon which to proceed due to the absence of the 123 Agreement.

“If we’re able to sign it by the end of this calendar year, it may be a record for a 123 Agreement being signed, but it looks like we’re getting very close.

So I’m very excited about that,” she said.

“So as soon as that agreement is signed, then our private sector companies can work facilitated by both governments and sort of help put them together,” she added.

Carlson also shared that American energy firms are expected to join the Trade FBI’s most wanted list.

It was the senior Duterte’s threat to kill a member of Congress that saw all the political parties to come to the defense of one of their own.

“To insinuate bodily harm or even the murder of a member of the House of Representatives, this has gone too far,” said Pumaren.

The elder Duterte also attacked Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, whom he said was likely to run for president in 2028. Duterte said he would call for an au-

and Investment Mission that President Joe Biden will be dispatching to the Philippines in 2024.

The Marcos administration has been ramping up efforts to diversify the country’s energy sources, which the Department of Energy earlier said includes nuclear power.

Last May, US nuclear energy firm NuScale Power Corporation has expressed interest to invest in the Philippines and bared its plan to conduct a study to locate a site in the country.

Oregon-based NuScale is known for developing a small nuclear power system, described as safe, modular and scalable. dit of the Speaker’s expenses, which included pork barrel (which is non-existent in the national budget).

Duterte accused Romualdez of orchestrating moves against his daughter, widely believed to be also eyeing the presidency five years down the road.

In an official statement, the House through Secretary General Reginald Velasco, stated that they were “not just offended, but threatened” by the former president’s remarks.

The interview has since been taken down online.

In making an enemy of the House, Duterte may have more serious problems, as the current administration may think twice about continuing to defend him against possible arrest by the International Criminal Court.

This, as the Magdalo group led by former senator Antonio Trillanes was able to send a copy of the interview to the ICC, a portion of which had the former president admitting that he had used his own intelligence funds to carry out extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his time as Davao City mayor.

Such an admission should be more than enough reason for the Marcos administration to allow the ICC to continue is investigation of the Duterte regime’s alleged EJKs of tens of thousands of mostly young Filipino men suspected of being part of the drug trade, according to Trillanes.

7 October 19-25, 2023 Defense...

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS (From page 1)

ed in jest that China should apply for a visa to make its stay in Philippine territory legal.

In a related development, the Philippines will deploy an anti-submarine helicopter in the West Philippine Sea, days after the latest diplomatic row between Manila and Beijing over the waterway.

The AW159 Wildcat chopper is the latest addition to the AFP’s capabilities in maritime patrol and security. It can detect and strike any submarine illegally entering Philippine waters, said Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. Earlier, a Chinese ship shadowed and attempted to cut off a Philippine navy vessel near Pag-asa Island during a resupply mission, the Philippine military said.

“The Philippine side’s illegal occupation of Zhongye Island has seriously violated China’s sovereignty,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. “It is reasonable

Sen. Wahab... (From page 1) operating on Sept. 12, but local officials gathered Sept. 15 to hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the service, which provides city residents with service five days per week between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. using minivans with ADA access.

The app-based on-demand service is designed to complement the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) services operating in Milpitas.

Milpitas SMART provides first-mile/ last-mile connections to underserved communities that are also transit dependent. Milpitas explains several neighborhoods are within a half-mile of existing

and lawful for Chinese warships to patrol the waters near Zhongye Island.”

“Ayoko naman matawa dahil bastos naman, pero itanong mo sa kanila ano ang ibig nilang sabihin. Sasabihin nila siguro indisputable sovereignty ng South China Sea. Ilan ang naniniwala doon? Ang illegal occupation ay kanila,” Teodoro said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.

“Pag-inoccupy ng Pilipinas ang Hainan Island [ng China], ‘yun, illegal occupation ‘yun.

Pero ‘pag dito sila within our 200-mile EEZ, sila ang squatter dito. Illegal occupants sila ditto (When the Philippines occupies Hainan Island, that’s it. That’s an illegal occupation, but when they are here within our 200-mile EEZ, they are squatters here. They are illegal occupants here.” Teodoro added.

Teodoro said military operations in the West Philippine Sea will continue as planned despite the latest Chinese harassment.

Teodoro said it is not the Philippine government which is provoking tensions in the West Philippine Sea. “To reiterate, we are not

provoking anybody because we are doing legitimate activities within our 200 nautical mile EEZ and other territorial jurisdictions,” he said.

“Now, if we enter the 200 nautical mile EEZ of other countries, then that is a pure provocation, which we have no intention of

doing whatsoever.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard will acquire two aircraft to boost its operations in the West Philippine Sea, said Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

or planned transit service. However, the city’s entire eastern half is underserved and home to residents who primarily commute to other cities for work. The city says SMART service “will not only minimize the distance from transit, but also shorten wait times for underserved areas.”

The service is funded for 12 months with support from a $1.08-million grant through the Santa Clara VTA 2016 Measure B Program. Milpitas worked with RideCo to implement the service that features maximum wait times between 10 and 15 minutes.

During the inauguration of the Delano Manongs Park, Sen. Wahab presented the check to Mayor Carmen Montano, Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua and Councilmember

Atty. Garry Barbadillo.

In her reflection during the inauguration, Mayor Montano said the Delano Manongs Park is a beautiful 4-acre new city park with playground for all ages, a sports field with lights, community garden, butterfly garden, picnic areas, dog play areas, wide walking pathways, and fitness stations.

“Because of a grant from the County of Santa Clara’s All-Inclusive Playground Grant program, the city was awarded $779,520.00 to make this great park accessible to all people of all abilities! I want to thank our partner in this grant, the Milpitas United School District, and of course the County of Santa Clara for their funding and support with this project,” Montano

said.

Montano said: “As a member of the city’s Naming Subcommittee, the name of this park is near and dear to me. The Delano Manongs Grape Strike set the stage of the boycott that would lead civil Americans labor leader and civil rights activists Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong and thousands of farmworker families to create the nation’s pioneering agricultural labor union, the United Farm Workers (UFW). As a young girl, working in the fields with my family…. this is an unbelievably historic event in Milpitas. It is only fitting that we designate this space to memorialize a great example of what it means to stand for what is right and coming together to enable change…”

9 October 19-25, 2023

Help protect PHL, new PSG chief told MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on newly installed Presidential Security Group (PSG) Brig. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales to help him in protecting the Philippines under his watch.

Marcos made the call, as he vouched for Morales’ competence to lead the PSG. “As the PSG embarks on a new chapter, let me join you in welcoming our new CHANGE OF COMMAND. President Ferdinand commander, Brigadier General Jesus NelR. Marcos Jr. leads the Presiden�al Security son Morales. Thank you for stepping up and Group (PSG) Change of Command Ceremony taking on this assignment as the next head of PSG,” he said during the PSG change of in Malacañang Park.

command rites at the PSG Grandstand in Malacañang Park, Manila.

“I am confident with your training, your experience and overall competence, the PSG will continue to fulfill its role in protecting this institution. I certainly look forward to working with you,” Marcos added.

Marcos also urged the PSG personnel to give their full support to Morales.

“Together, let us continue to perform our duties to the best of our ability. Let us remain steadfast in safeguarding our country so that we can fulfill our sworn duty of

providing a peaceful and secure life for every Filipino,” he said.

The change of command ceremony was held a day after Malacañang announced the appointment of Morales as the new PSG head.

Morales is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1993.

Morales replaced Brig. Gen. Ramon Zagala who will assume a new role as commander of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

if refugees wanting to leave Gaza will be allowed to cross to Egypt to escape the war and seek refuge elsewhere.

Biden was supposed to hold a summit with the leaders of Israel, Jordan and Egypt, but this was abruptly cancelled due to the bombing of a hospital in Gaza in which 500 people were reportedly killed. Israel was being blamed for the bombing, but Israeli denied this and insisted it was the Palestine Hezbolah who was behind the attack.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis called for all efforts to be made to avoid a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, and expressed concern at risk of a widening of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

“The victims are increasing and the situation in Gaza is desperate. Please do everything possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe,” the 86-yearold Pontiff said at the end of his weekly audience at the Vatican.

No Filipinos were reported hurt or killed in the airstrikes along the border of Gaza and Egypt in Southern Gaza, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported.

“Yung attacks’ nun, ‘yung sinasabi niyo, are not where the foreign nationals are situated waiting to cross.

They’re outside the crossing. The Israelis have already told us that they don’t intend to harm Filipinos, obviously. So we’re counting on that,”

said DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega.

The DFA said a total of 135 Filipinos have evacuated to Southern Gaza amid the conflict.

It added it is still awaiting word when the Gaza-Egypt border will be opened since Israel has control over the Rafah border.

The Philippine Embassy has submitted the names of Filipinos in Gaza to the government of Egypt to guarantee their safe crossing.

Meanwhile, about 200 individuals are still being held by the Hamas as hostages, including the 21-year-old Israeli, Omer Shem Tov. He was among the individuals taken from the Supernova Music Festival on October 7.

In another development, the family of one of the three overseas Filipinos workers who have remained unaccounted for is hoping for her safe return.

In a “24 Oras” report by Zen

Quilantang of GMA Region TV One Western Visayas, information has reached the family of Grace ProdigoCabrera that the OFW was taken hostage by the group during its attack in Kibbutz Beeri.

“Ang kapatid niya, ang bunso, safe na siya. Tinanong ko siya, si Grace?

Sabi niya na-hostage. Panalangin ko lang na ligtas siya,” said the victim’s mother Paterna Prodigo.

“Gusto ko sana na mag-apela na huwag lang tayong maghintay sa resulta. Gusto ko sana na mag-apela ang presidente sa mga Hamas na huwag nilang patayin ang mga Pinoy kasi naiipit lang din sila sa conflict ng Israel at Palestinian,” said Mae Minierva, the OFW’s sister.

The government has yet to confirm whether Grace was abducted, but the local government of Maasin in Iloilo said it has received information that the OFW’s name was on the list of those taken captive by Hamas.

Israel...

(From page 1)

Already, at least three Filipinos have been confirmed dead in the war while at least three others are reportedly missing.

At press time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is in frenzied mood readying its aircraft in case Philippine authorities will tap them to help with the repatriation of Filipinos caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Already, scores of Filipinos, fearing worsening conditions in the state, have been repatriated via Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and first and second batches of the Filipino workers and students have arrived in Manila.

United States President Joe Biden, meanwhile, flew to Tel Aviv and engaged Israeli and Palestinian officials in a flurry of meetings together with relatives of the victims of the first Hamas attacks on Israel, attempting to prevent the war from expanding and mapping out plans for a humanitarian mission for the Palestinians caught in the confrontation in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere.

Before flying home to Washington D.C., Biden said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has agreed to open the Rafah Crossing to allow about 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. It was not clear, however,

 OPINION

October 19-25, 2023

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Bastion of democracy no more?

I

f it hasn’t been asked yet, it should be asked now. Where, oh where, are the adults in the room? Specifically, in the figurative room known as the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives.

As this is being written, the House where the GOP has a slim majority still does not have a Speaker. Blame this on the infighting within the party, which appears to be hopelessly splintered.

This may appear to be a quaint state of affairs in the Capitol were it not for the deadly serious fact that the US does not have a fully functioning democracy at this time. Nothing that the Executive department led by President Joe Biden can change this.

Tragically, in the absence of a Speaker, much work that needs to be done is at a standstill.

Lest the good congressmen from the Grand Old Party forget, the war in Ukraine is ongoing even as another war erupted in Israel last weekend. It is only Congress that can provide the aid that the two countries need as laws have to be passed to allot funds for that purpose.

They should also be reminded that by the middle of next month, the government again faces a shutdown as the temporary solution hammered out by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy comes to an end.

While there is indeed an acting Speaker, actually a Speaker pro tempore, in the person of Rep. Patrick McHenry, all he can do is to bang the gavel to declare the House is in session, then banging it again moments later to declare an end to the session.

Absolutely nothing is accomplished.

Meanwhile, the intramurals continue, with neither of the first two who wanted to succeed McCarthy – Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan – being able to muster enough votes to take that gavel on a more permanent basis.

Unless some kind of political miracle occurs, this will remain so for the foreseeable future.

This is beyond strange, as in a perfect democracy the party that has the majority should have an easy time picking one man or woman to lead them. This has always been so since Congress was created.

With what’s happening now, it seems for all intents and purposes that there is no one Republican Party. Instead, there are several factions to the point that some act like parties separate from the Republicans and the Democrats.

Of course the Republicans have to get their act together. One painful solution would be to kick out the eight members of the party who voted to oust McCarthy in the first place. But with their majority so slim, this would only give the gavel back to the Democrats on a silver platter.

As this is unthinkable, the only logical solution is to find another bet within their ranks to handle the speakership. Some names have been floated around, and one is none other than McHenry.

All things considered, perhaps he should be given the opportunity to lead the House out of the mess it is mired in now. Surely all of the Republicans must agree that there has to be one among them who has the wherewithal to lead.

If not McHenry, then who?

Educating about abuse made me a better person

By Robert Uy, Esq. Guest columnist Note: The following is adapted from the original first published in 2015.

Upside

Philippine News Today is published weekly by Philippines Today LLC with business and editorial offices at 156 South Spruce Ave Ste 205 South San Francisco CA 94080 Phone no . 650-872-3200 E-fax # 650-745-1442 and website address www.pnewstoday.com and email address advertising@philippinestodayus.com or editor@philippinestodayus.com MANILA OFFICE: Le Marquis Townhomes, 51 P. Tuazon Blvd. Quezon City 1112, Tels. 8546.8426, 8451.1892, 8546.8421

10

AS an attorney and activist, I have seen how abuse hurts families and I also know how the community can help.

One way to help is to attend the free presentations staged by a team dedicated to educating toward healthier, safer homes.

In early 2007, I had just recently graduated law school and was on the cusp of having my dream job. I was working at a non-profit, API Legal Outreach as a contract attorney and was on the verge of getting a full-time position as an at- CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO torney helping the Filipino community. Two of the Filipino attorneys had asked me to volunteer, and then contract, and as I would soon find out, had planned to leave, leaving me the only Tagalog speaking attorney in the office.

One of the attorneys, Laureen Laglaron, told me about an event being planned by a non-profit group with the Archdiocese of San Francisco. I remember her vaguely describing that it was the first time the Filipino community and the Church were coming together to address domestic violence.

I went to the planning meeting and learned that the event was run primarily by the Kumares, the Filipino American outreach volunteers of CORA Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse.

My main role at this first event, “Pamilya Natin” or “Our Family” however, was to speak and present about options for victims of domestic violence.

I didn’t expect my participation would blossom into anything more, but that first event astonished me. The hall at St. Augustine Church in South San Francisco was jampacked. I never imagined so many Filipinos would show up to discuss domestic violence.

When I was growing up, we all knew it was happening; we all had titos and titas, lolos or lolas, or even mothers who were survivors of domestic violence. However, we never talked about. But there, in the church nave, we had the Archbishop of San Francisco, attorneys, non-profit workers, Tagalog-speaking anti-domestic violence advocates, Philippine consulate reps, and a survivor speak to over 150 members of the community. I was inspired by what I saw.

Soon after, the head of the Kumares, Cherie Querol Moreno, who later became my dear friend and mentor, contacted me and extended me an offer to join the team. Little did I know that for the next eight years, I would be working with an amazing group of women and men who would fight domestic violence in the Filipino community. We planned two annual events a year, addressing the issue in coalition with various parishes, denominations, and associations throughout the Bay Area.

Our team comprised survivors, nurses, therapists, police officers, politicians, and attorneys amongst many others. Many became my friends, colleagues, and mentors.

I helped as legal counsel, as tech support chair, and later, as Secretary and eventually President. During those years, I witnessed the Kumpares reach over two to 300 members of the community every year.

The Kumares were a huge part of my life and they helped to mold the way I think about the community. People like therapists Jennifer Jimenez Wong and Paulita Malay, along with Dr. Jei Africa, helped teach me about the psychological effects of abuse. SFPD Lt. Randy Caturay helped show me the law enforcement part. Workers in the health care field Malou Aclan and Jeanette Trajano showed us how to provide care to survivors of DV. People like banker Jose Antonio taught us how to pitch to corporations. Faith leader Nellie Hizon taught us how to work with the church groups to effect social change. Sarah Jane Ilumin used her graphic design skills for our flyers.

(Continued on page 19) From the beginning, however, it was clear to me that there

What makes you happy?

The other day, out of the blue, I asked my son-in-law Dave,”What makes you happy?”

Takan aback, he replied :” Family, fixing things, solving problems.”

I had expected him to elaborate and say:” Being with my family, doping things with them, smoking cigars, watching movies on TV, conversations with friends, attending Bible Study” , but he did not.

I, on the other hand , enumerated what makes ME happy:” Watching movies in theaters and on TV, playing the slots, writing my columns, dining out, partying with friends and family, solving crossword puzzles, watching talk and game shows and TV series, writing , watching sports like basketball, baseball and golf and tennis, traveling to different places, shopping at the supermarket, reuniting with friends, eating my favorite foods, being with family and friends, working on Aliw Awards projects, going to Mass and talking to God through prayer.

Happiness clearly is different things to different people.

For my mother, happiness was a guy named Joe: my father, Dean Jose Ma. Hernandez. She spent her entire married life, 54 years, attending to my father’s needs, without a word of complaint.

In today’s world, I cannot conceive of anyone who was as devoted a wife as my mother was!

It is a wonder that she survived 8 years after his death, without the love of her life!

What about you, dear readers? What makes YOU happy?

11 October 19-25, 2023

 OPINION

T

UPAI celebrates Pangasinan Day; Mrs. Pangasinan Coronation & Ball

A

Health & Wealth

THE OUTSIDER

s columnist and lifetime ondo, the largest among member of the United the districts of Manila Pangasinanes of Amerioccupies an important ca, Inc. (UPAI), I am delighted place in the annals of the counto announce the celebration of try’s history.

Pangasinan Day and Mrs. Pangasinan Coronation & Ball on It is also the site of Smokey Saturday, November 4, 2023, Mountain which for decades at the HILTON HOTEL BAYsymbolized poverty before FRONT, 600 Airport Blvd., Burit became one of the pilot lingame, California. projects in the government’s The incoming Mrs. PangasART GABOT MADLAING war against poverty. Smokey inan of America is Ruby GumMountain was then host of a bal Alberto, representing the dumpsite, a receptacle of over MELANDREW T. VELASCO town of Manaoag, Pangasinan. two million metric tons of Outgoing Mrs. Pangasinan is Norma Panoringan, representing the town of Tayug, Pangasinan, and wife of former UPAI President Mawaste, until its closure in the early 1990s.

In the commemorative coffee table book Teamwork for rio Panoringan.

Guest speaker is Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer with the Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development, the 10th anniversary commemorative coffee table book of RPDev (Ramos Philippine Consulate Office in San Francisco, California.

Executive Chairperson for this special event is Marita PaPeace and Development Foundation, Inc.) that I authored, I “ dilla,The Secretary and First Lady of UPAI. Co-Chair is Ernesto Abalos, wrote: former UPAI president and current chairman of the Board of Direc“Smokey Mountain, for 45 years before FVR, represented tors, representing Calasiao, Pangasinan. Alvin Padilla, representing the home of the country’s poorest of the poor.Its stark im- the town of Mabini, Pangasinan, is the current UPAI president. ages of barefoot, bony children naked or in decrepit clothes The general public, especially those originally from the province who lived in shanties on top of the dumpsite, scavenging for of Pangasinan, are cordially invited to the upcoming Pangasinan Day bottles, housewares, plastics and even spoiled food evoked and Mrs. Pangasinan Coronation & Ball. No host cocktails at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm. the image that abject poverty stalked the land…”

Music will be provided by Elements of Time. Attire is formal for “The Ramos Government constructed 21 five-storey tycers and semi-formal for the guests. phoon and earthquake proof medium rise condominiums, the offi RSVP: Marita Padilla (415) 519-3279; Ruby Gumpal Alberto which could shelter 3.520 families at affordable rates….”

(510) 375-7775; Ernesto Abalos (650) 533-8391; Rose Gumpal Transforming Smokey Mountain into a vibrant residen- O’Connor (510) 508-5439; Susan Arcilla (415) 845-4408; Edna tial-industrial complex was undertaken through the Smokey Roxas-Gorospe (650) 296-1659; Charito Wui (925) 771-4207; Chris Mountain Development and Reclamation Project (SMDRP). Alanzalon (415) 290-3263; Vangie Llamas (415) 794-0202 THREE BOOKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE It was a project to promote sustainable development and peoAs book author, columnist and active Evangelist, I would like ple empowerment.

This aspiration for sustainable development and people to announce the availability of the updated “LONGEVITY TIPS” empowerment has remained to this day and is shared by subtitled “Secrets You Can Discover and Do for Good Health and through Amazon (in Hardcover = $16.95 per copy plus the country’s leading conglomerate, San Miguel Corpora- Longevity” shipping and handling; Paperback = $13.95 per copy for shipping tion (SMC). To help attain this, it has undertaken initiatives and handling; E-book=$7.95) through its various CSR programs.

Foreword was written by Dr. Yvonne P. Bulong, M.D. from BaThis year, as it celebrates its 133th anniversary, SMC guio City, Philippines. Back cover includes our group picture with through the SMC Foundation inaugurated its fifth community boxing icon and then congressman and former senator Manny Pacquiao during our courtesy call and prayer meeting inside his mancenter.

The community centers manifest SMC’s unwavering sion in General Santos City, Sarangani, Philippines, last February commitment to nation-building and in helping uplift the lives 19, 2016.

The updated “LONGEVITY TIPS” also include our group picmore Filipinos. with Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer during an interview At the launch, SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang ture inside the Romulo Hall, Philippine Consulate Office in San Fransaid the widening skills gap in the country’s disadvantaged cisco, California, last August 22, 2023, by the Philippine News Tocommunities that hinders their progress is a critical challenge. day team comprised of Alfred G. Gabot, Editor-in-Chief; Claire MoRSA is no stranger to Tondo, having spent his younger years rales True, Managing Editor; your columnist and my wife Virginia in the district.

Jimenez Madlaing; in the presence of Consul Rowena P. Daquipil “Our goal is to equip our Tondo beneficiaries with essen- and Consul Vanessa G. Bago-Llona. Here are some comments and tial skills, instill in them a growth mindset, and a vision of a reviews of the latest best-selling book now printed and marketed brighter future. By providing these families the opportunity through Amazon: “As nursing educator and practicing nurse, I commend Art Gabot to upskill, we hope to ultimately boost their income levels, founder of FITNESS FOR HUMANITY, for writing this decrease unemployment, elevate overall living standards, and Madlaing, timeless best-selling book. It is a must reading for everybody,” said help them realize inter-generational change,” RSA said.

DEBORAH QUINIONES MARCOS, Registered Nurse with KAILocated in Tondo, the community center called Better SER PERMANENTE, San Francisco, California USA. World Smokey Mountain is a venue for learning and skills “I commend and salute Art Gabot Madlaing for writing his latdevelopment.It is a 3, 700 square meter facility consisting of a est book LONGEVITY TIPS. Every Christian couple and family four-storey building that houses 39 modern classrooms. It also must read, discover and do the FREE “secrets” for good health and has two playgrounds, a cafeteria, and computer, arts, music longevity.” Wrote FELIX L. OLIDAN, JR, Minister & Evangelist, WANCHAI CHURCH OF CHRIST, Wanchai, Hong Kong. and training rooms.

“This latest best-selling book of Art Madlaing (LONGEVITY Target beneficiaries of the Better World Smokey Mounis a must reading for anyone interested to have good health tain are about 2,500 families, around 12,500 individuals from TIPS) and longevity in life,” echoed HENRY T. BRAVO, Evangelist & ElTondo. der, SURREY CHURCH OF CHRIST, Vancouver, B. C., Canada One way to fully harness the country’s labor force is to “As founder of WE CARE MNISTRIES, I am glad that Art provide training to the unskilled and upskill the skilled work- Gabot Madlaing wrote this book. I encourage everybody to order ers aside from inculcating greater respect for blue collar jobs. a copy, read it, heed it, and be blessed,” explained LARRY WEST, Thus, SMC has collaborated with the Technical Education Evangelist & Founder, WE CARE MINISTRIES West Monroe, and Skills Development Authority to train manpower who can Louisiana, USA. “Here’s another excellent book of Art Gabot Madlaing, the be employed in the company’s different projects or can befounder of FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR come entrepreneurs.

I am recommending it to my friends and family members Training people for productive endeavors contributes to CHRIST). for good health and longevity, wrote ROSE DE LA CRUZ, regular nation-building. It is also a way of ensuring that every Fili- speaker in English & Spanish in the Sisters Act at Golden Gate segpino in the labor force becomes employable; and each home ment, global MY ANGEL RADIO San Francisco, every Saturday is self-sufficient in goods and income so its members could 1-3pm (PST). enjoy comfortable and decent lives.

“I am excited to recommend the best-selling book LONGEVITY It was in 2019 when SMC introduced its first community TIPS to my classmates, friends and fellow millennials,” said KENcenter, the Better World Tondo center. It aims to make food NETH WILSON, Young Evangelist, San Francisco, California USA. “I am glad that Art Madlaing wrote another global best-selling accessible to the poorest barangays of Manila and serves as a learning facility to help improve the lives of children of book “LONGEVITY TIPS” subtitled “Secrets You Can Discover and Do for Good Health & Longevity.” This is a must reading for Tondo. everybody especially to my Chinese friends and relatives,” echoed In Better World community (Continue on page 20) CHRISTINE LEE, Regular speaker in (Continue on page 20)

New park for unsung heroes Delano Manongs

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e forgot them! History forgot them, but the city of Milpitas didn’t!

By way of recognizing their efforts and contributions to the California farm labor movement, the Milpitas city council signed a proclamation naming a new park in honor of our unsung heroes, the 1,500 Delano Manongs, who staged the famous Delano Grape Strike of 1965 which lasted for five years (1965 – 1970) led by ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO Larry Itliong which resulted in the formation of the United Farmworkers of America (UFWA).

Delano Manongs tells the story of organizer Larry Itliong and a group of Filipino farm workers who instigated one of the American farm labor movement’s finest hours – The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that led to the creation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). Although the movement was known for Cesar Chavez’s leadership and considered a Chicano movement, Filipinos played a pivotal role in it. Filipino labor organizer Larry Itliong, a cigar-chomping union veteran, organized a group of 1,500 Filipinos to strike against the grape growers of Delano, California, beginning a collaboration between Filipinos, Chicanos, and other ethnic workers that would go on for years.

The new park was named by the city’s Naming Subcommittee as Delano Manongs Park located at 1576 McCandless Drive, next to the Mabel Mattos Elementary School. The celebration included an opening ceremony, reading of the city’s park dedication proclamation, food, resource tables, music, and dancing performances.

Local community leaders were invited by Parks and Recreation Director Renee Lorentzen to read the city’s park dedication proclamation. Among those who read were Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua; councilmember Atty. Garry Barbadillo; former city commissioner Ray Maglalang; city commissioner Hellie Mateo; community leader Anne Orozco Ramirez; former chair of the Library Education & Advisory Commission Elpidio R. Estioko; city commissioner Voltaire Montemayor; District Governor, Lions International Benjie Fernandez; business leader Nell Capistrano-Messersmith; and Mayor Carmen Montano who read the closing statement of the proclamation.

Mayor Montano, in her reflection speech said: “Our Delano Manongs Park is a beautiful 4-acres of new city park with playgrounds for all ages, a sports field with lights, community garden, butterfly garden, picnic areas, dog play areas, wide walking pathways, and fitness stations. And because of a grant from the County of Santa Clara’s All -Inclusive Playground Grant Program, the city was awarded $779,520.00 to make this great park accessible to all people of all abilities!

I want to thank our partner in this grant, the Milpitas Unified School district, and of course the County of Santa Clara for their funding and support with this project. I am also happy to say that this park was completed on budget, and although the pandemic did delay the project, I think the result was worth the wait!”

Montano added: “This is an unbelievably historic event in Milpitas. It is only fitting that we designate this space to memorialize a great example of what it means to stand up for what is right and coming together to enable change…”

In closing, Montano said: “…our Pilgrimage is the Match that will light our cause for all farm workers to see as what is happening here, so that they might do as we have done. I hope other cities see what Milpitas is doing here today. Honoring the legacy of our local heroes in these great community spaces like this park; with names that reflect the diversity of our great city, so that all feel represented and respected.”

Other dignitaries who attended the inauguration were former city Mayor Jose Esteves; former city Mayor Rich Tran; Senator Aisha Wahab; CA State Assembly member Alex Lee; MUSD School Board president Chris Norwood; and MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan; Filipino Americans nationwide recognize the Delano Manongs for their struggles and determination. “Manong” (Mah-nohng) comes from the northern Philippines language of Ilokano. It is a term of affection and respect best translated as “older brother” or “honored elder.” In the name of the Manongs from Delano, CA, this park honors their history, memories, and contributions.

Many Filipinos were migratory farm workers, following the seasonal crops in California. This includes grape fields of Delano in the Central Valley of California. In Delano, Filipinos suffered low wages, poor living conditions, and long hard hours.

In protest for better working conditions and wages, the union Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) formed under the leadership of Larry Itliong, agreed to go on strike. On September 8, 1965, over 1,500 Filipino American farm workers stopped work in protest. This act was the start of the Delano Grape Strike.

Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, Pete Velasco, Ben Gines, Andy Imutan and other Manongs were pivotal to the strike. On September 16, 1965, these Filipino American organizers of AWOC invited the Mexican American union National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) to join the strike. Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta led NFWA to form the United Farm Workers of America (UFW).

This movement for labor rights (Continue on page 20)

As I See It

Better world community centers, better Philippines

 BUSINESS | IMMIGRATIONS Conditional Permanent Residents need to petition their children immediately

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any immigrants are having problems with regards to aging out of their children. This is because the processing time for green card is usually lengthy. Once a person is granted a Conditional Permanent Resident card, she acquires all rights of a Lawful Permanent Resident. She can file a petition for her unmarried children, she can travel and work and stay legally in the U.S. The only difference is that she will have to remove the condition in her residence within two years. But you do not have to wait for your permanent resident card to start filing a petition because it will take about 3 or five years later, and the children may reach 21 years of age by that time. So, the best strategy is to file a petition for children as soon as you receive your conditional residence card.

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

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

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

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

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

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Bankruptcy Basics We also process Bankruptcy cases.

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

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

Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He has practiced immigration law, bankruptcy, and income tax representation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/ with offices DOJ SELLER OR TRAVEL # 2025230-40 in Hayward and Cerritos, CA.

October 19-25, 2023

12

IMF to BSP: Keep rates steady unless upside risks materialize MANILA – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) should maintain policy rates for now but should raise rates if upside risks materialize.

In a briefing for the launch of the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and Pacific, division chief of the IMF Asia and Pacific Department (APD) Shanaka Jayanath Peiris said the recommendation was included in the IMF’s Article IV released a few weeks ago.

“On the monetary policy you know, what we mentioned in the Article IV a few weeks ago was that, you know, there’s upside risks to inflation. I think the BSP recognizes it. What we said is that the current restrictive monetary stance should help bring down inflation by Q1 (first quarter) next year,” Peiris said.

The IMF, meanwhile, reiterated that the Philippine economic growth is expected to pick up next year despite the slowdown this year.

Economic growth for this year is projected to hit 5.3 percent and go up to 6 percent in 2024.

The BSP’s Monetary Board has hiked policy rates by a total of 425 basis points since last year to temper the rising inflation.

For four consecutive meetings, the BSP kept policy rates unchanged but Governor Eli Remolona Jr. recently said a 25-basis-point rate hike is possible next month as inflation remains elevated.

“We didn’t think it would come to within target this year, and there’s upside risk. So, what we said is keep the pause on monetary policy tightening and you know, you should bring inflation down but if upside risks materialize, you may need to raise interest rates more, I think that’s where the central bank is at the moment,” Peiris said.

Headline inflation accelerated to 6.1 percent in September from 5.3 percent in August.

The government wants headline inflation to settle within the 2 percent to 4 percent range by the end of the year.

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13 October 19-25, 2023

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 ENTERTAINMENT

October 19-25, 2023

14

Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos movies lead Metro filmfest entries; Nora Aunor, Maricel. Nadine out

By Jennifer T. Santos Good news to Filipino movie lovers.

This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival will have 10 entries instead of the usual eight.

This was disclosed by the MMFF selection committee headed by former movie producer Jessie Ejercito.who announced the six new approved entries that will compete with four films earlier approved by the filmfesr organizers.

Among the new entries are “When I Met You in Tokyo,” the reunion movie of screen veterans Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos and two films bannered by actor Piolo Pascual - “Mallari” with Janella Salvador and “Gomburza” with Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan Completing the six newly approved film entries are: 1.

“Becky and Badette” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang “Firefly” starring Alessandra de Rossi, Cherry Pie Picache, and many more and “Broken Hearts Trip” starring Christian Bables, Andoy Ranay, and many more Last July, MMFF announced the first four entries for its 49th edition of the festival led by Star Cinema’s “Rewind” with celebrity couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

Also part of the first four entries are “A Mother and Son’s Story” by Cineko Productions, Inc. starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards, “(K)ampon” by Quantum Films starring Beauty Gonzales and Derek Ramsay, and “Penduko” by Sari Sari Network starring Cristine Reyes and Matteo Guidicelli.

Sadly, box office actors Vice Ganda,

Vic Sotto, Coco Martin and Ramon Revilla Jr. have no entries in the filmfest.

The MMFF committee also was immediately criticized for bypassing films starring award-winning actresses National Artist Nora Aunor and Maricel Soriano.

Alwin Ignacio reported in Daily Tribune: “Despite Aunor’s National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts gravitas and the presence of national treasure and Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose, “Pieta” did not pass the criteria of the selection committee.”

“Same fate with the Diamond Star and five-time MMFF best actress winner Maricel Soriano’s “In His Mother’s Eyes”, which failed to pull the heartstrings of the judges,” the report added.

“Also snubbed were last year’s best actress and box office victor Nadine Lus-

tre, with her second horror collaboration with director Mikhael Red, “Nokturno”, getting a nada.

“Moro,” the film of another Cannes winner, Brillante Mendoza, and one that is as surely relevant as today’s headlines, likewise failed to impress,” according to the report.

Jesse Ejercito, MMFF chairman of the selection committee ,said in ABSCBN report that during the review of the 30 films submitted to complete the Magic 8, films number 4, 5 and 6 all got the same rating from the committee -93.3%.

The MMFF executive committee then decided not to break the tie anymore and just make the list 10, instead of eight.

MMFF earlier said it received 26 scripts from 32 production companies for its 49th edition this year.

For this year, the parade of stars is scheduled on December 17 with this year’s host CAMANAVA. The parade will kick off in Navotas and end in Valenzuela for a total of 8.7 kilometers.

The MMFF Awards night, meanwhile, will happen on December 27.

In another ABS-CBN report by Josh Mercado, Vilma Santos thanked the MMFF committee for selecting her comeback movie with Christopher de Leon.

“Thank you, MMFF, for the trust.

Team work ang movie na ito. Very simple love story but beautiful. [Mayroong] lessons ang movie — love has no boundaries, forgiveness, and moving forward in love and life. Simple but beautiful,” she said.

“When I Met You in Tokyo” also stars young stars Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto.

Santos and de Leon were first paired in 1975 in Celso Ad. Castillo’s “Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw” and followed by “Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig” in 1977. Their last movie together was “Mano Po 3: My Love” under Regal Films.

For her part, Legaspi said: “To the MMFF committee, we thank you for considering our film to be one of the official entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival. We are truly happy and honored with this opportunity para i-share sa viewers ang aming magandang pelikula.

Unahin niyo ang ‘When I Met You in Tokyo’ kung gusto niyong umiyak, kiligin, and learn that love knows no boundaries.”

Produced by JG Productions of Rowena Jamaji and Rajan Gidwani and directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa, “When I Met You in Tokyo” is a romantic-drama film shot in Japan.

Pia Wurtzbach stuns in LA fashion show, plans book tour LOS ANGELES - Beauty queen and actress Pia Wurtzbach is on a roll in the United States.

After gracing the Los Angeles show of Filipino fashion designer Mark Bumgarner, the 2015 Miss Universe revealed she was planning to hold a book tour in the United States for her first ever novel, “Queen of the Universe.”

Earlier, Pia shined in the Milan Fashion Week 2023 in Italy. Published reports stated Pia’s Milan Fashion Week presence was marked by a stunning deep purple coat and matching black leather boots from Bally. She effortlessly pulled off looks from brands like Loro Piana, Fendi, Moschino, and Tod’s.

Pia was the final muse for the Mark Bumbarner show, Inquirer reported, adding she walked the catwalk with grace, donning a striking black strapless corset gown with a plunging neckline, a sheer bodice, and an elegant train.

Bumgarner’s collection was celebrated not only for its exquisite designs but also for the hard work of his team, the report added. “So many beautiful pieces

in this new collection,” said Pia. On Instagram and reported by GMA News, Pia posted some snaps of herself in Los Angeles, California, along with a caption of her future plans for her book.

“Short and sweet, but guess what... we’ll be back soon!” she wrote with the USA flag emoji.

“Currently planning a US book tour for #QueenOfTheUniverse next year, and we already have a few states in mind — Hawaii, SF/LA, Arizona, Oregon, Texas, and NYC,” she added according to the report.

The book tour is slated to happen next year.

“I’m already so excited and can’t wait to meet all of you in person!” she said.

“Queen of the Universe” was published and distributed in local bookstores last month. The book will also be released internationally in November, it was reported.

Pia follows fellow celebrities Heart Evangelista, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, and Michael V. who have written and launched their books.

15 October 19-25, 2023

 ENTERTAINMENT

Manila International Film Festival in US in November and January The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is going to Hollywood!

The annual event that puts a spotlight on Philippine cinema is launching its global edition titled Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) on November 2.

The MIFF launch will take place at the Directors Guild of America in Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA, Rappler reported.

According to its website, the MIFF plans “to showcase, promote, and help uplift Filipino films from the Philippines in Hollywood and beyond.”

It also aims to “bridge the gap between the two worlds and connect the Philippine entertainment industry with that of Hollywood and the international stage.”

For the MIFF launch, three entries from the inaugural summer edition of the Metro Manila Summer Film Festival, which was held in April, will be screened.

The three films included in the roster are About Us But Not About Us starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, directed by Jun Lana; Here Comes the Groom starring Enchong Dee and Miles Ocampo, directed by Chris Martinez, and Love You Long Time starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano, directed by Jaime Habac Jr. The launch will also feature a meet-and-greet with the stars and filmmakers of the three titles, and a question-and-answer portion about MIFF. Following its launch, the MIFF will also screen the eight 2023 MMFF entries in Los Angeles in late January 2024.

Four of the MIFF entries are A Mother and Son’s Story starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards; (K) Ampon starring Beauty Gonzales and Derek Ramsay; Penduko starring Matteo Guidicelli and Cristine

Reyes; and Rewind starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.

The first four entries were selected based on script submissions alone, while the remaining four entries will be selected from finished film submissions.

According to MIFF, the international screening of the MMFF 2023 entries will run for four days in Los Angeles. Final dates have yet to be announced.

Additionally, the international edition of the festival will also have an opening premiere and awards gala.

Stars and filmmakers from the eight entries will also be invited to attend the Hollywood edition of MMFF. The Manila International Film Festival was launched as part of the celebration of the 50th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2024. (Rappler. com)

ABS-CBN shows dominate various streaming platforms

ABS-CBN shows are dominating various online streaming platforms, while Star Cinema’s “A Very Good Girl” performed well in the box office.

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” led by Donny

Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, claimed the number one spot in the Top 10 TV shows in the Philippines on Netflix.

The thriller drama series “Linlang,” starring Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, and JM De Guzman, remains the most watched TV series on Prime Video Philippines after its successful debut last week.

ABS-CBN and GMA’s collaboration series “Unbreak My Heart,” led by Jodi Sta. Maria, Joshua Garcia, Richard Yap, and Gabby Garcia, topped the Hottest Filipino Drama chart on Viu. The family drama and murder mystery series “Senior High,” starring Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, Xyriel Manabat, Zaijan Jaranilla and other Ka-

A�y. Chris Caday Lozano successfully represented the approval of green card of Timothy Ferrer a�er an appeal with BIA.

pamilya Gen Z artists, is still the most watched series in iWantTFC. Meanwhile, the Coco Martin-starrer “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” continues to dominate the rating charts on primetime TV. Star Cinema’s “A Very Good Girl,” starring Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly De Leon, also achieved another milestone as it grossed more than P100 million in its third blockbuster week.

After its successful Hollywood premiere, the film is still making waves in various local and international cinemas worldwide.

 SPORTS

October 19-25, 2023

16

Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch in Tokyo this December?

MANILA - Filipino world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in a rematch with American boxing great Floyd Mayweather in December?

Pacquiao’s camp confirmed that the highly anticipated rematch is being planned for December 31 in Tokyo, Philippine Star reported.

Other reports indicated the rematch will be in May 2024.

Their second faceoff, however, will just be an exhibition fight, it was reported.

Some reports, however, indicate that the rumored rematch is not final.

“Wala pa,” one of Pacquiao’s lawyers was quoted by Philippine Star as saying.

The lawyer, however, admitted that talks are on regarding the showdown. Philippine Star added.

“Kaunting hitches na lang,” he said.

Pacquiao, who will turn 45 on Dec. 17, and Mayweather, who will turn 47 on Feb. 24, fought in 2015 in Las Vegas and broke all existing records in boxing revenues. Mayweather won that bout on points.

Last month, Pacquiao hinted on something big.

“Abangan niyo na lang ‘yung announcement. Soon, soon,” he said.

Rumors about a Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch has been reported for years now since the two men first fought in 2015 reportedly generating an unprecedented $600 million as 4.6 million people saw it on Pay-Per-View.

Pacquiao has made serious his plan to fight for the Philippines in the Paris Olympics in 2024.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has formally requested the International Olympic Committee to allow Filipino boxing icon.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the request is contained in a letter of request to the IOC to process Pacquiao’s eligibility via the “universality rule.”

“Sumulat na kami sa IOC bago pumunta

dito (sa Pilipinas). Request and appeal na iyon na i-consider siya sa universality route,” said Tolentino during a dinner presenting the Asian Games medalists to the Philippine media.

The IOC have made available nine universality slots (five for women and four for men) to eligible national Olympic committees.

Tolentino said that among the arguments he raised to back Pacquiao’s eligibility is the boxing icon’s star power which will be useful to promote boxing in general.

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“’Yung boxing accolades niya will be a shot in the arm for boxing. Siguradong magiging blockbuster ‘yun,” said the POC executive.

They prefer Pacquiao to go through the universality route since he is no longer eligible for the 19-40 year old age limit in Olympic qualifiers.

Marcus Manalo, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general, hope that the age limit will be waived in the case of Pacquiao.

Manalo said the limit was put in place to protect the boxer.

“Baka pwedeng i-challenge ang age limit,” he said. “Kasi itong 44-year-old na ito eh much more conditioned sa mga 30-year-old na nagcocompete.”

Manalo said just having someone like Pacquiao in their lineup will definitely boost the confidence of the national boxing team.

“If it gets approved that would be extremely beneficial for us. Presence palang ni Sen. Pacquiao wil be a big boost to the team, bukod pa yan sa medal chances,” he said.

“It will be good for the sport, I hope the IOC considers that that you have an 8-division world champion who still wants to compete at the Olympics.”

He, however, admitted the IOC will have the final say on the matter.

“We’re hopeful, but we have to manage expectations.”

Obiena denies dope claim, to take polygraph test The wife of 2012 Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, who insinuated through a social media post that Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena is using banned substances, might be jealous or has malicious intent, according to Senator Christopher Lawrence Go. Go expressed his skepticism on the allegation which he said intends to tarnish the reputation of Obiena who currently holds the Asian record in the pole vault.

“Nanalo lang [si Obiena], pinagbintangan na agad. Baka inggit lang siguro. Walang gamot sa inggit (Obiena just won and he was immediately accused. Maybe it’s just envy. There is no cure for envy),” Go said.

Condemning the accusation and reiterating the importance of professionalism in sports, he urged the accuser to substantiate the claim and not resort to ruining Obiena’s reputation.

“As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, we will always support and protect the integrity of our Filipino athletes,” Go assured.

The accusation was made after Thiago Braz, another athlete trained by Obiena’s coach, tested positive for performance-enhancing substances last July.

Along with other Pinoy athletes who brought home gold medals from the recent Asian Games in China, Obiena visited the Office of Senator Go to discuss the need to renovate sports facilities, additional support to athletes competing abroad, and increase funds for grassroots sports programs.

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SENATE VISIT. Senator Christopher Lawrence Go welcomes Asian Games pole vault gold medalist EJ Obiena (le�) during his visit to the Senate on Oct. 11, 2023.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

October 19-25, 2023

18

Water and Sewer Bill Assistance Program Extended California’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will remain open through March 2024.

Low-income Californians are encouraged to apply today while funds last.

SACRAMENTO – Low-income households in California now have until March 31, 2024, to apply for help paying current or past-due water or sewer bills after an extension of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) urges eligible households to act now while funds last.

have already received hundreds or even thousands of dollars in financial support. The program helps pay current and pastdue bills.

Many Californians Already Are Income Qualified Households with income below 60 percent of the state median, and households that include a recipient of CalFresh, CalWORKs or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), are already income qualified for LIHWAP. Apply Now for Help Paying Water and Sewer Bills Community-based local service providers are working with California to help low-income residents apply for LIHWAP water and sewer payments.

To learn more about the program and to find your local service provider, visit https://www.csd.ca.gov/WaterBill.

LIHWAP was established by Congress in December 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to help struggling low-income households pay past due and current water bills. The program was originally set to end in Fall 2023, before this latest extension by federal officials through the end of March 2024.

Through LIHWAP, thousands of low-income Californians

Celebrating Filipino History Month: PG&E Coworker Defines What Being Filipino Means

October isn’t just for Halloween, pumpkin spice latte & jack-o-lanterns. It’s also a special time of the year when we celebrate Filipino-American History Month! And this is how we do just that inPacific Gas * Electric company Tagalog is one of those languages where a word can have multiple, and sometimes contradictory, meanings.

The word mahal, for example, can mean love or expensive. It can be a term of endearment (like “sweetie”), or when used with a certain intonation, can express disappointment for being too costly.

Filipinos in the U.S. are reflections of our language. We, too, can be many things.

We’re hospitable and welcoming. We value family, and our families value togetherness, celebration, education and hard work. We’re true to our traditions — in fact, Christmas starts when the “-ber” months hit (September through December) and doesn’t end until the second week of January!

We’re positive and resilient. We were under Spanish rule for 333 years, then three years under Japan, and finally under American rule for almost 50 years until our independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946 (Yes, America’s Fourth of July). And we made it while keeping our cheerful temperament.

While our positivity can be seen as submissiveness, it’s actually a sign of strong character. We overcome odds instead of being worn down. Filipino humor is resurgent. We weave international influences into our own unique way of

life. Our culture is mahal in many ways: paid for with a high price, but accessible, warm and loving.

We speak English well, albeit occasionally in that distinctive Filipino accent made famous by comedian Jo Koy. We make delicious lechon that the late Anthony Bourdain ordained as “the best pig ever.” We like to share our love for fast-food chain Jollibee (the first one in the U.S. was in Daly City, circa 1998). And to us, rice is life!

We’re your go-to karaoke friends, and our musical talent (Saweetie, Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., Lea Salonga and Bruno Mars; or feigned like the many wannabes belting out “Don’t Stop Believing”) is legendary.

For some like me, we have a little bit of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos in us #manyshoes. Did I mention we love basketball? It’s our national sport. What we lack in stature or height, we make up for in spirit and teamwork.

We’re hardworking nurses in almost every hospital in America. We sacrifice for our families, working in America to send dollars and balikbayan boxes (a large box filled with gifts, clothes, books and household items) back home.

We also like adventure and challenges, roaming and traveling. Did you know the first Filipinos landed in Morro Bay near Diablo Canyon Power Plant in 1587? We work on cruise ships. We go to many countries as skilled, talented and industrious professionals and workers. We also send boxing legend Manny Pacquiao all over the world (or used to anyway).

Of the 4.1 million people who self-identify as Filipinos in the U.S., a big portion lives in California including many of the hometowns PG&E serves.

PG&E mirrors our customers. And in our 26,000 strong coworkers, you can find folks like me in Samahan — one of our company’s oldest employee resource groups.

You can see and hear our work in the Language Support Group as we translate PG&E collateral for our customers.

You can find us serving as PG&E ambassadors to Filipino communities—speaking Tagalog in webinars, social media and to the news media about our Community Wildfire Safety Program.

We help people mitigate and recover from tragedy, calamity and misfortune through our familiar indomitable smiles. We’re no strangers to suffering so we understand intuitively. Empathy is natural to us. You can hear us in our contact centers when speaking to customers asking for Tagalog interpreters.

We mentor and sponsor each other—taking pride in Filipinos who advance in PG&E, guiding those who need help as they jungle-gym in their careers, and showing we care through Pinoy snacks and swapping stories about the Philippines.

Outside work, we donate our time and efforts to our communities. Recently, some PG&E coworkers were in the Asian Health Services Benefit Gala in Oakland supporting an organization serving immigrant and refugee Asian communities regardless of income or insurance status. In October, Samahan ERG will be at the Alameda County Community Food Bank sorting and packing produce and dry goods for those who need food the most.

All these we do as part of #pagmamahal — acting with love.

As we celebrate Filipino History Month, let’s remember the many things we can be and do for each other. Leading with Love. Enjoyable to work with and for PG&E. Empathetic.

Mahal can mean many things. At PG&E, it means love.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – More than $172 million in Building Forward library facilities improvement grants will be awarded to 34 local libraries to address critical maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency and sustainability, and expand digital and physical access in 29 cities across 18 counties, the California State Library announced today.

Seven new libraries will be constructed, 27 libraries will make energy efficiency upgrades, seven libraries will expand or redesign spaces for public programming, and 12 libraries will repair critical roof, foundation, or exterior building deficiencies.

“It’s great the State Library can provide this opportunity for California libraries to address critical maintenance and accessibility needs. The return on investing in local libraries is always big,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas. “We look forward to receiving more funding to help make more California libraries be what their communities want and need

them to be.”

The $172 million is part of $489 million earmarked by the governor and the Legislature to improve libraries in the state’s highest poverty areas. Of the 34 awards in this round, 85 percent improve facilities in communities experiencing poverty rates ranging from 20 percent to 52.3 percent.

Last year, $312 million of the $489 million was awarded by the State Library for 246 projects in 182 cities across 34 of California’s 58 counties. Combined, these Building Forward grants are supporting projects in 278 local libraries in 40 California counties.

An additional $100 million in Building Forward funds has been promised by the governor and the Legislature over the next three years. The State Library will use those funds, as they appear, to support more projects from the applications already received.

Projects the State Library intends to support in this round

of Building Forward grants include: • $10 million to replace the Altha Merrifield Memorial Library in Riverside County.

• $7.7 million for critical maintenance repairs and an expansion of the Oroville Library in Butte County.

• $4.2 million for critical maintenance at the Fresno Central Library.

• $3.9 million for upgrades and repairs to the 107-year-old Melrose Branch Library in Oakland.

• $611,050 for new windows and HVAC system to make the Brawley Public Library building safer and more comfortable for patrons.

A complete list of projects can be found at https://www.library.ca.gov/uploads/2023/10/BuildingForward-Round-TwoProjects.xlsx For more information, please visit the State Library website at https://www.library.ca.gov/grants/buildingforward

By Regina Venzon (NOTE: Regina Venzon [left] is a Senior Director and Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer. She contributed this piece as a way to kick off October’s Filipino Heritage Month.)

California State Library to award $172 million in additional facilities improvement grants for local libraries

19 October 19-25, 2023

 COMMUNITY NEWS

How to get rid of your credit card debts Credit card companies made it so easy for us to use the cards but we are stuck with having to struggle to make more than the minimum payment to actually pay down the debts.

1. Find a payment strategy or two Pay more than minimum Credit card issuers give you a handy monthly minimum payment, generally 2% to 3% of the balance, to make sure you’re making timely payments. However, banks make money off the interest they charge each pay period, so the longer it takes you to pay, the more money they make.

Debt snowball The snowball method of paying down your debt uses your sense of accomplishment as motivation. You prioritize your loans by amount, focusing on the smallest one first. When you’ve paid off that loan, you roll that payment into the amount you’re contributing toward your next smallest loan, and so on. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, you’ll gradually make bigger and bigger payments, ultimately eliminating your debt.

Debt avalanche Similar to the snowball approach, an avalanche approach swaps your priorities. Instead of paying off the card with the lowest balance first, you pay off the card with the highest interest. It tends to be a faster, and cheaper, method than snowballing.

Automate Automating your payments is an easy way to make sure your debts are being paid so you avoid racking up additional costs in late fees. If you’re practicing a debt snowball or debt avalanche approach, however, you will have to be a little more hands on to make sure you’re contributing exactly what you want to each account.

2. Consider debt consolidation If your credit is good but your debt payments feel overwhelming, consider consolidating them into one account. That way, you only have to make one payment each month to chip away at the balance.

0% balance transfer credit card It might seem counterintuitive to apply for a credit card when your main goal is to get out of credit card debt, but 0% balance transfer cards can help save you money in the long run. Find a card that offers a long 0% introductory period — preferably 15 to 18 months — and transfer all of your outstanding credit card debt to that one account. You’ll have one simple payment each month, and you won’t pay interest.

If you apply for this, remember your goal is to pay the loan off before the end of the term. By getting a 0% rate you will avoid all the inter-

Upside...

were five people who held the leadership of the Kumares. The heart and soul of the Kumares, was Cherie Querol Moreno. She was and still is our founder, friend, mentor, and Executive Director. Cherie taught us how to network, how to work with the media, and how to take care of each other.

Bettina Santos Yap kept us together, designing our collateral, directing events and hosting our annual gatherings.

Tita Erlinda Galeon, used her abilities as a fundraiser and as a beacon in the community to extend our outreach. Mayor Joanne del Rosario, who came later, taught us how to use the political system to move ALLICE’s legacy forward. Finally, Dr. Jei helped to keep us grounded and inclusive by ensuring advocacy for LGBTQ rights.

I grew up with the Kumares & Kumpares and they have transformed, as well, over the years. In 2009 the CORA Kumares became the independent ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment Kumares and Kumpares. This new organization was named for Tita Alice Bulos, the godmother of Filipino American politics.

With a heavy heart, I stepped down as a Kum-

est being charged by the previous credit card company.

Personal loans Similarly, you can take out a fixed-rate debt consolidation loan to pay off your debt. Though you will have to pay interest, interest rates for personal loans tend to be lower than for credit cards, which can still help you save some extra cash. Use a debt consolidation calculator to estimate your savings.

3. Work with your creditors Reach out to your creditors to explain your situation. A credit card issuer may be willing to negotiate payment terms or offer a hardship program, especially if you’re a longtime customer with a good track record of payments.

If your issuer offers a hardship program, it may provide relief when circumstances beyond your control like unemployment or illness impact your ability to manage payments. Whether you negotiate with your issuer or accept the terms of a hardship program, either option could lead to more affordable interest rates or waived fees, depending on the issuer.

These small changes might be just enough to help you get a handle on your debt, and the worst that can happen is they say no.

4. Seek help through debt relief If the total amount you owe is more than you can pay each month and you’re really struggling to get your debt under control, it may be time to take some more serious steps. Consider debt relief options, such as bankruptcy or a debt management plan.

Debt management plan Debt management plans are created with the help of a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Counselors negotiate new terms with your creditors and consolidate your credit card debt. You’ll then pay the counseling agency a fixed rate each month. Your credit accounts may be closed, and you may have to forgo new ones for a period of time.

Bankruptcy Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out unsecured debt such as credit cards, but not without consequence. Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help you restructure your debts into a payment plan over 3 to 5 years and may be best if you have assets you want to retain. It can stay on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, though your credit score is likely to bounce back in the months after filing. Some debts, such as student loans and tax debt, typically can’t be erased in bankruptcy.

Debt settlement Under debt settlement, a creditor agrees to accept less than the amount you owe. Even though it may sound like a good deal, it’s not an option for most people. Typically, you hire a debt settlement company to negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. Read more details on how debt settlement works and the risks you face.

Thanks for your inquiries, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636 (From Page 11)

pare in 2014 because of a growing family and other professional obligations. But to this day, I am still dedicated to their mission to educate about and prevent domestic violence.

I thank the Kumares and Kumpares for helping make me the father, husband, attorney, and community leader that I am today.

ALLICE is hosting a private gala reception Oct. 24 in Colma to honor survivor speakers and allies.

California Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta will keynote the event. PH Consul Gen. Neil Frank Ferrer with address the consulate as a lifeline. San Mateo Supervisor David Canepa will deliver the call to action and lead the pledge to help end domestic violence.

Philippine International Aid, Philippine News Today and San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services will bereceive the 20th anniversary Hall of Fame Honor. for outstanding contribution to ALLICE mission to prevent family and intimate partner violence.

Robert Uy, Esq., an attorney practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, was 2024-2015 president of FBANC Filipino Bar of Northern California.

With Kumares & Kumpares, ALLICE 2013 president Rob Uy (8th from le�) receives Thomasians USA award for outstanding community service.

Hahn appoints Filipino-American media pioneer Jannelle So to LA County Commission for Women LOS ANGELES – Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn has appointed Filipino American executive producer and television host Jannelle So to the Los Angeles County Commission for Women.

So is a resident of Palos Verdes Estates and served as chair of the 2023 Philippine American Friendship Day in Cerritos, which Hahn sponsors.

“LA County is home to the biggest concentration of Filipinos after Manila, and Jannelle is a loved and respected voice in this community. As an Asian American woman, an immigrant, and a communicator, Jannelle is going to bring a unique but critical perspective to our Commission for Women,” said Hahn. “I am looking forward to her input.”

In 2014, So founded her own production company, Jannelle So Productions, and in 2017 premiered a weekly lifestyle show SO Jannelle, which airs on The Filipino Channel worldwide as well as on ABS-CBN News Channel and on KNET 25.1 in Southern California. So has also been a published writer, with her work appearing in The Philippine Star, a national newspaper in the Philippines, and in Balita, a leading Filipino American newspaper. In 2021 So received the Migration Advocacy Award from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

October 19-25, 2023

Offline...

(From Page 11)

centers, activities are undertaken in collaboration with different non-government organizations.

For the Better World Smokey Mountain, SMC is partnering with AHA Learning Center, Upskills+ Foundations Inc., Project Pearls, Sandiwaan Center for Learning Inc., and Tulay sa Pag-Unlad Inc. By 2030, SMC aims to uplift the lives of 15 million Filipinos.

I congratulate SMC as it celebrates its 133th anniversary.

Likewise, to RSA who has steered the conglomerate to where it is today and has not forgotten to think beyond business to promote the interest of the nation.

As I See It

(From Page 11)

reached across the country for the boycott of grapes. The strike lasted five years, one of the longest in history. By 1970, the strike was a success and the first union contracts granted farm workers better pay, benefits, and protections.

We thank the Manongs of Delano for starting the Grape Strike as part of the greater struggle for economic and social justice. Delano Manongs Park honors them for taking those first bold steps to reach across the aisle.

(Elpidio R. Estioko was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the Chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments… please email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).

Health & Wealth...

20

Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.

More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2024. Increased payments to approximately 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 29, 2023. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits).

“Social Security and SSI benefits will increase in 2024, and this will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $168,600 from $160,200.

Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December. Individuals who have a personal my Social Security account can view

their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in my Social Security.

People will need to have a my Social Security account by November 14 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Information about Medicare changes for 2024 will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new 2024 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To read more, please visit www.ssa.gov/cola. *** To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on Twitter @SSAPress.

(From Page 11)

Chinese & English in the Sisters Act at Golden Gate segment, global MY ANGEL RADIO San Francisco, every Saturday 1-3 pm (PST) “LONGEVITY TIPS, a new best seller, is the best and lasting gift for Christmas, birthdays, graduation, anniversaries and other occasions. I highly recommend this timeless book to everybody especially to our students and Chinese friends,” wrote KEVIN KIM COLLADO, Academics Dean & Chinese Language Professor, Asian Christian University, Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines.

“The author offers some of the secrets of long life through this book. Read it, understand it and practice the simple ways to longevity and meaningful life,” wrote ALFRED GABOT, Professor, University Regent, past President of the National Press Club of the Philippines and Editor-in-Chief, Philippine News Today.

You can order now your autographed copy of the updated LONGEVITY TIPS at a discounted price of only $10 per paperback copy (FREE shipping and handling) through our BOOKS MINISTRY. For every ordered paperback copy of the updated LONGEVITY TIPS, you’ll also receive autographed copy of the original “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists and Believers” plus the latest book “JESUS CHRIST” subtitled “The Final Days on Earth Before His Return to Heaven” written by John Jeffrey.

This Special Offer of “THREE BOOKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE” at a BIG discount price is only good in the United States through the BOOKS MINISTRY. The three books mentioned above are excellent additions to your Personal Library or Family Library.

For your autographed copy of the updated LONGEVITY TIPS (together with the other two books), just send $10 (in check or money order) to: ART G. MADLAING, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112. You can also request extra orders as lasting gifts to your FRANC (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Workers).

(ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He 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. He can be reached at (650) 438-3531 or (415) 584-7095 or email:artmadlaing@hotmail.com)

Felina and Moses Simbulan, owners of Mekeni Pinoy’s Pride Artesia CA. Hosted by Medrei L. Leelin.

The Philippine government has not enforced a simple Code Enforcement: No private gate on public road.

Ong/Sun Valley’s private gate on AFP/Army Road, a public road, has not been removed since June of 2023.

For more info, scan the QR code.

21 October 19-25, 2023

 COMMUNITY NEWS | HEALTH

FilAm Jessica Caloza garners more support LOS ANGELES, CA–Reinforcing her overwhelming support from prominent state and local leaders in the race for Assembly District 52, lifelong public servant and community organizer Jessica Caloza earned a powerful endorsement from State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor. McKinnor, the former civic engagement director at L.A. Voice–a multi-racial, multi-faith organization dedicated to community empowerment–won a special election in 2022 to represent the 61st Assembly District.

Assemblymember McKinnor released the following statement in endorsing Caloza’s campaign: “I’m excited to endorse Jessica Caloza for State Assembly because she’s the best choice for AD-52. Throughout her career as a public servant and organizer, Jessica’s been deeply invested in improving her communities and I

know she’ll do the same in Sacramento. The depth and breadth of his experience underscores the fact that Jessica will be able to hit the ground running on day one in the State Assembly, so that she can deliver forwardthinking policies for working families, more affordable housing, criminal justice reform, climate action, fully fund public schools, and more. I am excited to join her on the campaign trail and help her get elected.”

Earlier this week, Caloza announced the powerful support of California State Controller Malia Cohen.

Caloza, a first generation immigrant and a proud product of the public school system, has amassed a far-reaching coalition of support since entering the AD-52 contest, earning sought-after support from working families organizations and some of California’s most widely respected leaders.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Mental Health Association Inc. (PMHA) has raised the alarm over the “rising epidemic of mental health crisis” in the country.

The group, composed of mental health professionals and advocates, said the situation needs widespread awareness, support and action.

“We have noticed a sharp increase in mental health concerns during and after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns,” PMHA

president Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr. said during a World Mental Health Day event in this city.

“Mental health-related issues affect Filipinos of all ages and backgrounds - young or old, rich or poor. It is a silent epidemic that we need to confront head-on,” he added.

In the Philippines, mental illness is becoming a common disability and at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological and substance use disorder, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The PMHA said access to mental health

Experts raise alarm over ‘mental health crisis’ in PHL

M

Republic Act No. 11036, enactment of local mental health ordinances, more funding to expand mental health services, and a constant public awareness campaign.

“The mental health crisis in the Philippines requires a united effort from all sectors of society – local and national governments, private sector and the workplace, healthcare providers, communities, schools, and individuals,” Banaag said. “Everyone has a role to play to improve Filipinos’ mental wellness.”

Snoring impacts brain

y wife, Farida, and I have just been on a river cruise on the Vikings to historic Rouen, Omaha Beach, Normandy, and Paris (where the Faculty of Medicine at the University in Paris-Cite conducted a valuable research on the effects on the brain of snoring with apnea (prolonged breath holding while asleep), with PHILIP S. CHUA the following findings: “Those who snore (breath holding) can be aging their brains by years and hurting their brain health by depriving themselves of getting deep sleep.

Loud snoring and obstructed breathing, often caused by sleep apnea, can lead to higher chances of exhibiting signs of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or overall cognitive decline: • Tiny lesions on the brain, known as white matter hyperintensities, are biomarkers that indicate brain health, becoming more prevalent with age or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

• Participants with severe sleep apnea had more white matter hyperintensities than those with mild or moderate conditions and demonstrated a decrease in the integrity of the axons of the brain that connect nerve cells.

• Deep sleep is one of the best indicators of sleep quality and the study found that for every 10% decrease in deep sleep, the white matter hyperintensities increased, equivalent to the brain aging 2.3 years.

• The same 10% reduction of deep sleep was also associated with reducing the integrity of axons, and that decrease was similar to the effect of the brain appearing 3 years older.” These findings were published in Neurology on May 10, 2023.

Snorers or not, if you do not get a restful sleep at night, consult your physician for possible Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) for a Sleep Test, to determine if you actually have OSA, which would require Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), the golden standard of therapy (very effective) for those with OSA. Sleep Apnea, when untreated, increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes T2,

Heart of Hope

services in the country remains limited and unequal due to stigma and scarce resources.

There is also less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos, it added.

PMHA urged a whole-of-society approach to address mental health concerns.

“Mental health is a universal human right,” Banaag said. “We need to make diagnosis, treatment, and care more accessible to the average Filipino.”

PMHA called for the stronger implementation of the Philippine Mental Health Act or

high blood pressure, etc., manifold. OSA which cause prolonged breath holding (could be more than 100 times a night) decreases the oxygen level in the blood, which deprives the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs of oxygen, resulting in various illnesses. These major diseases are prevented with the use of CPAP, among those diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

MedWalk and brain health A healthy diet, in this case, the Mediterranean Diet, and active lifestyle, like walking daily lowers the risk of dementia (7th leading cause of death) and cognitive decline. A combined study, called “MedWalk,” that was just completed in 2023, revealed following a MedWalk program diligently could reduce Alzheimer’s dementia and decline in cognition. This study (among 60-90 year olds) was conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. It was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The processes and ongoing analysis were nonetheless published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. These findings so far as important to the whole world, where there are 55 million cases of Alzheimer’s, about 10 million a year, or one case every 3.2 seconds.

From 1990 to 2019, there was 147.95% increase (from 2.92 million to 7.24 million. In the USA, 6.7 million (33.26 prevalence); Finland has the highest prevalence (54.56 cases per 100,000, the UK, 42.70, the Philippines, 10.6 prevalence, currently about 1 million).

The Med Diet The diet based on the historic eating habits of people who live around the Mediterranean Sea, which the American Heart Association recommends for cardiovascular health features the following: High intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and legumes, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry, non-tropical vegetable oils, and nuts, and very limited or abstention from added sugars, sugary beverages, sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats. Red meats, especially processed, are linked to a higher risk of cancer.

To these, the Harvard School of Public health adds the importance of healthy fats – oily fish, olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Eating meat occasionally, and eating fish at least 2-3 times a week, and small quantities of poultry, eggs, and dairy products. One or two SMALL glasses of red wine each day is part of the Mediterranean diet, for those who enjoy red wine.

Personally, I prefer Pinot Noir from Oregon, one with the highest resveratrol (cardio-protective antioxidant).

Exercise: potent weapon Regimented physical exercise, including brisk walking, besides being effective for cardiovascular health, is also helpful in preserving cognitive function especially in old age/ Studies have shown reduced risk of neurodegenerative disease (dementia and Parkinson) and also slows the progress of these illnesses after diagnosis.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is “one of the most important things you can do for your health. Exercise makes us feel better - higher levels are associated with lower levels of depression, and it is thought this is due to a natural “high” from the release of endorphins and endocannabinoids, which can last for some time after exercising - but the physical effects last longer. The endorphins relive pains and may reduce inflammation and restress responses.”

Nightshades and arthritis Some food items cause inflammation. Examples of inflammatory foods, besides white sugar, soft drinks, processed foods, trans fats, which are all inflammatory foods, are the nightshades (Solanaceae family) vegetables: potato, raw tomato, eggplant, paprika, pepper, which contain an alkaloid called solanine (natural pesticide in plants), which could be toxic. Eating nightshade veggies aggravates arthritis. Some people with arthritis develop pains hours after consuming them. Food items have medical (chemical) effects. Drinking smoothies (daily) made of various berries, especially blue berries, pineapple, papaya, celery, mango, reduces inflammation and pain of arthritis. Be sure to include this in your daily caloric count, especially among diabetics.

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). Related websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

23 October 19-25, 2023

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Batchoy Tagalog Batchoy Tagalog is not similar to the La Paz batchoy of Iloilo. The Tagalog version is more similar to tinola in cooking method. Batchoy Tagalog is a soup dish made up pork loin and pork innards like kidney, spleen, liver and heart sautéed in ginger, garlic and onion. Pork blood is also added to the dish. Misua noodle is used instead of miki noodle. The pork blood is added in liquefied form which result a murky black soup dish that is un appealing to those who are not familiar with this delicious dish.

Ingredients: 1 kilo lomo, pork loin, sliced 1/2 k. pork innards, kidney, spleen, liver (optional) 1 bowl coagulated pork blood, boiled, cut into cubes 1 small packet misua noodles 2 thumb size ginger, cut into strips 2 large size sayote, sliced 1/2 head garlic, chopped 1 medium size onion, chopped 1/2 tsp. peppercorns crushed 1 bundle dahon ng sili, chili leaves 1/4 cup patis, fish sauce 3 siling haba salt cooking oil Cooking procedure: In a casserole sauté garlic, onion and ginger. Add pork (including pork innards if using) and patis, cook for 2-3 minutes or until meat change color. Add in 8-12 cups of water and peppercorns, bring to boil, simmer for 5-10 minutes. Then add in pork blood and sayote simmer for another 3-5 minutes until sayote are just cooked but firm. Add more salt if required. Now add in the misua noodles cook for another 1-2 minutes, add in siling haba and chili leaves and cook for another minute. Serve hot.

Diving now allowed in Batangas BATANGAS CITY – Yes, Virginia. Batangas is now permitted to accept guests for recreational diving, according to the Department of Tourism.

“Dive establishments in Batangas Province, insofar as the area is still under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), are hereby determined to be permitted to accept guests for Recreational Diving, taking into consideration the general preparedness of the area and its impact on the tourism industry,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Puyat, also the chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), signed the guidelines on the operations of dive establishments under a community quarantine.

This, after the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) recently approved recreational diving in destinations under GCQ that the DOT would determine.

Prior to the IATF-EID resolution, travel between areas under GCQ and modified GCQ for purposes of recreational diving was not allowed.

“We express our support to the diving community in Batangas, one of the premier diving destinations in the country. We remain optimistic yet cautious of its reopening to recreational diving. We remind everyone to Test Before Travel and likewise reiterate that only those with a valid DOT and/or PCSSD Accreditation will be permitted to operate,” Puyat said.

While guests of all ages from GCQ and modified GCQ areas are welcome, the activity is off-limits to those with comorbidities and currently pregnant, she added.

The DOT likewise provided a digital contact tracing application to the Mabini, Batangas local government unit for a more efficient tracing measure.

Based on DOT data, there are six dive establishments and two liveaboards accredited

by PCSSD in Region 4-A. For the entire country, there are 241 dive establishments and 10 liveaboard boats accredited. As of October 8, a total of 222 establishments have secured the Certificates of Authority to Operate (CAO) from the DOT. “The DOT accreditation certifies that the dive establishments are conforming to the minimum health and safety guidelines and are ready to accept guests again. We encourage the dive resorts and stakeholders to take advantage of the free and online DOT-accreditation platform at https://accreditation.tourism.gov.ph,” Puyat said.

The Philippines is hailed as one of the best dive hubs worldwide, and is, in fact, nominated in the 27th World Travel Awards as “Best Diving Destination”.

Just south of Manila and easily accessible by land and sea, Batangas has some of Luzon’s best dive sites, including Balayan Bay, Cathedral Rock, Beatrice Rock, Twin Rocks, and Mainit Muck.

Under DOT guidelines for recreational diving, guests are required to bring their own set of scuba gear, instead of renting the dive shop’s gear and equipment.

They are also encouraged to bring their own gearbox with cover which can be used as rinse and storage bins.