PNEWS 2.29-3.6,2024

MANILA – The country is feeling the crunch of the adverse effects of El Nino,

This as more and more farms are destroyed due to lack of water for the rice and vegetable farms.

Task Force El Niño warned that about 80 provinces may experience the adverse effects of the weather phenomenon, sparing only two provinces in the country.

This is as the number of provinces currently affected by El Niño has already increased to 51 from the previous 41, as of Feb. 25, Task Force El Niño spokesperson, Communications Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, said.

“Tataas pa iyan to 73 and then aabot ng 80 bago bumaba ulit sa 50 plus. So,

El Niño may damage up to 80 provinces, Metro Manila affected ‘Ka Luring’ Franco, next Filipino saint?

PASIG CITY – The Diocese of Pasig has launched the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of catechist Laureana “Ka Luring” Franco.

In a Circular, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara appealed to the Catholic faithful to participate and provide information to her cause.

“The Diocese of Pasig is proposing a candidate for Sainthood in the person of the Servant of God, Laurena “Ka Luring”

sinabi natin na ang (It will rise to 73 and then reach 80 before dropping back to 50 plus. So, we said that the) effects ng (of) strong and mature El Niño ay magpepersist (will persist) until May to June, so tingnan natin kung ano po ‘yung puwede pang gawin (let’s see what else can be done),” Villarama said.

“Pero sa ngayon po ay sapat po ang paghahanda ng mga ahensiya upang maavert at maabatan po iyong posibleng magiging epekto sa water resources, sa food supply, pati na rin po sa enerhiya at saka sa kalusugan (But for now, the agencies are prepared to avert and anticipate the possible impact on water resources, food supply, as well as energy and health).”

Metro Manila and 24 provinces may experience drought by the end of March, based on the government’s forecast.

The provinces are Abra, Apayo, Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal, and Zambales.

Franco of Hagonoy, Taguig City,” he said.

“With this Circular Letter, I invite all the People of God in the Diocese of Pasig to participate in the tedious process of bringing to light the life and heroic virtues of a legendary catechist to Sainthood. I invite all the faithful to provide me with helpful information regarding the cause of Ka Luring,” the Pasig prelate added.

Any information, whether personal or private, authenticated documents, can be communicated to the diocese’s chancellor, Father Joeffrey Brian Catuiran, at Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Sta. Clara de Montefalco Compound, C. Raymundo Avenue, Caniogan, Pasig City or through telephone number 02-8643-9325.

Vergara said an edict was published on Feb. 24, 2024, where Erickson Javier, Doctor of Ministry, was legitimately named Postulator of the Causes of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God.

Javier, he said, wrote him a letter asking to open the process for the beatification of Ka Luring.

“With the publication of the edict, herewith attached, is the start of our opening of the Process as required by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints,” he said.

Franco was born on July 4, 1936, the eldest among eight siblings.

Pasig River rehab expansion plan unveiled

MANILA – Sustained construction on the next phase of the Pasig River Urban Development Project would interconnect the showcase area at the back of the Manila Central Post Office with the walled city of Intramuros.

The 500-meter showcase area of the Pasig River rehabilitation project, dubbed the “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM), was completed on Jan. 17 with the official unveiling led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

The next stage of the nine-phase rehabilitation project that stretches to the Intramuros area will be led by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

“Makakatulong ito ng malaki sa turismo sa lunsod ng Maynila. Dito rin natin pino-project na magkakaroon ng mga commercial shops na magbibigay oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan na siya namang vision ni Presi-

dent Bongbong Marcos Jr. at ni First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said in a news release on Monday.

“Tuluy-tuloy lamang po kami sa Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) sa pagta-trabaho, hanggang sa mabuo ang proyektong ito,” he added.

Apart from boosting tourism and maximizing the economic potentials of Pasig River, the PBBM Project also aims to promote transportation interconnectivity in Metro Manila as the waterway traverses several major cities across the capital region.

The project envisions to transform the 25-kilometer stretch of the river into people-centered and communitydriven park with walk paths and bike lanes.

When completed, it will provide a seamless travel on foot or two wheels from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.

Marikina readies water harvesting facilities, deep wells for El Niño

MARIKINA CITY – The local government of Marikina said it has sufficient water supply to mitigate the effects of El Niño.

Harvesting facilities in public schools are set up to store water and there are six deep well systems which are connected to the Manila Water in case of reduced allocation or rationing, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said.

“Nagrerecyle tayo ng tubig, ‘yung rainwater. Pangalawa meron tayong mga deep well system with Manila Water. Hindi ito ordinaryong deep well. Ito ‘yung mga nakakabit doon sa pipeline

ng Manila Water (We recycle rainwater. Secondly, we have deep well systems with Manila Water. This is not an ordinary deep well. This is connected to the pipeline of Manila Water),” Teodoro said.

On Jan. 19, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) No. 53 to streamline, reactivate, and reconstitute the old El Niño task forces under Executive Order No. 16 (s. 2001) and Memorandum Order No. 38 (s. 2019).

National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Secretary of Science and Technology Renato Solidum was desig-

nated task force chairpersons.

Under EO No. 53, the President instructed the task force to develop a comprehensive disaster preparedness and rehabilitation plan for El Niño and La Niña to provide “systematic, holistic, and results-driven interventions” to help the public cope and minimize their devastating effects.

Teodoro said the task force’s efforts will streamline the national government’s response to the weather phenomenon, saying that the President wants to focus on “systematic, holistic, and results-driven interventions.”

“We should all cooperate and coordinate as we deal with the effects of and concerns on El Niño. We do not need a new structure. What we need is to breathe fresh energy and a new lease on life on the existing networks and links that we have all access to,” Teodoro said in a previous interview.

“At the regional- and local government levels, we can reignite old connections of collaboration. We have done this in handling past disasters and calamities,” he added.

The state weather bureau said El Niño will peak from March to May.

Even former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was originally against cha cha, this week said he was now in favor of changing the constitution on the condition that Marcos promise not to run again.

“Do not change the Constitution if you are doing it for your own favor and you just want to extend your term,” Duterte said, addressing his successor, whose father and namesake famously extended his own term by suspending the 1936 Consti-

tution by declaring martial law. Marcos Jr. himself had earlier muddled the issue when he indicated that he was also open to reviewing the political provisions of the charter, but he has since gone back to his previous wish for cha cha to focus solely on the economic provisions, specifically foreign ownership of property and mass media.

The president received surprise backing from one of the framers of the ’87 charter, former Supreme Court associate justice Adolf Azcuna, who said he favored amending the economic provisions of the constitution.

Azcuna told the House committee of the whole that “economic provisions should be flexible and they should not be cast in stone, and 37 years is casting in stone. The economic provisions must be responsive to changing economic conditions.”

Azcuna added that as far as he was concerned, “we should change the provisions to make them flexible by legislation by simply adding an amendment unless otherwise provided by law.”

Azcuna’s stand, however, was rejected by retired SC chief justice Reynato Puno, who said amending the constitution by treating proposals as regular bills may pose “challenges” as it is not an official mode for charter change.

House members refer to the legislative route for cha cha as the “Bernas proposal,” after Fr. Joaquin Bernas, also a framer of the ’87 charter, who had expressed this personal interpretation after the Constitution had already been approved in a plebiscite.

Congressmen said they would follow the formula so the House would not have to wait for the Senate to finish its own deliberations. The move is intended to expedite the process.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the House constitutional amendments committee, this week said, “We follow the Bernas proposal on having legislation to amend the Constitution because the Senate does not even want to meet with us.”

The means to cha cha, however, is still to be determined as the majority of senators are adamantly against working with

the House as a constituent assembly.

But with people’s initiative slowly but steadily slipping to the background, amendments via legislation is becoming a likely path.

The option is to hold a plebiscite on proposed changes to the constitution, ignoring con con, con ass, or PI. This path, will have proposed changes passed by Congress being put to a vote by the people through a plebiscite.

Proponents to the cha cha plebiscite only have to agree on the date, with some preferring it be held before the 2025 midterm elections, and others leaning on having the plebiscite held at the same time as next year’s polls.

The president told senators he wants the plebiscite on amendments to the charter be held alongside the 2025 midterm polls, Senate President Miguel Zubiri said at the start of this week.

It was the second time that Mr. Marcos instructed the Senate on how lawmakers should amend the charter.

It may be noted that the Philippines hews closely to the US political system, and with the latter, amendments to the charter have taken place via legislation.

Any proposed amendment is voted on by both houses of the US Congress and a two-thirds vote is needed for the change to take effect.

Alternately, two-thirds of the states may call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments, but every amendment has been proposed by Congress and not the states.

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Path ...

Another Marawi siege-like attack ‘highly unlikely’ -- Mindanao solon

QUEZON CITY – A repeat of a Marawi Siege-like attack in Mindanao is highly unlikely as “security forces, local government units (LGUs) and the community are working hand-in-hand” under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. against all remnants of violent extremism, according to Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong .

The chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation said that with the support of LGUs, the city has been liberated.

“I don’t see any reason why the same problem may pop up in the future,” Adiong said during a regular press briefing at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

The question was raised after a clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Munai, Lanao del Norte on Feb. 18 left six soldiers dead and four wounded.

“There is no atmosphere of fear in Mindanao as the people see all stakeholders working together to contain whatever is left of the Maute Group,” he added.

“Whatever is left of extremist groups are being hunt-

ed vigorously by the AFP, with the help of LGUs and members of the communities.”

He noted that the clash between government troopers and remnants of the terrorist group may just be an isolated incident, as everywhere else in Mindanao is “relatively peaceful.”

“Ang number one lang na pwede natin maibsan ‘yung ganitong kaba is ‘yung presence, ‘yung visibility ng ating mga (The number one thing that can quell this kind of fear is the presence and visibility of the) security agencies like police and the military. And then there are additional deployments in the area para ma-secure ‘yung lugar (to secure the area),” he said.

Meanwhile, Adiong and PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles said the attendance of Mindanao lawmakers and local government executives at the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Sultan Kudarat is an overwhelming “show of support” for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.s’ “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) movement.

Adiong and Nograles joined Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday to deliver assistance.

Central Luzon crime rate down by 5.9%

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Crimes in the Central Luzon Region have dropped by 5.9 percent within a one-year period, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 reported.

In a statement, PRO3 Director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. said 37,754 crimes were recorded from Feb. 22, 2023 to Feb. 21, 2024.

The total is 5.9 percent or 2,360 incidents lower than the Feb. 2022 to Feb. 2023 data of 40,114, he added.

Hidalgo said P154,037,486.27 worth of illegal drugs were seized and 8,319 suspects were arrested in 5,861 operations during the period.

A total of 1,310 most wanted persons were likewise arrested.

The campaign against illegal gambling resulted in the arrest of 6,233 suspects, confiscation ofP3,792,926 bet money, and the eventual filing of 1,722 cases in court.

More

than

300

hectares damaged by Baguio, Benguet forest fires

CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection-Cordillera Administrative Region (BFP-CAR) said more than 300 hectares of forest in this city and the province of Benguet have been affected by forest fires, some of them yet to be contained.

BFP-CAR data showed forest fires occurred in Itogon and Bokod town in Benguet, PNA’s Liza Agoot reported.

Sitio Banao and Sitio Bisal in Barangay Bobok, Bokod were the worst hit with an estimated 200 hectares razed.

In Baguio City, 20 hectares were destroyed in Barangay Kias near the Philippine Military Academy.

Another fire erupted at about 5:57 a.m. Friday at Springhills in Barangay Apugan-Loakan and was declared out by 11:30 a.m., according to the Public Information Office (PIO).

The PIO is still gathering details about another incident along Ambuklao Road, reportedly near a posh subdivision.

Also ongoing as of posting time are fires in Mt. Sto. Tomas in Tuba and the Mt. Pulag Akiki trail area in Kabayan, both in Benguet.

Albert Mogol, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chair and regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, said the Philippine Air Force is continuously doing heli-bucket operations to support ground suppression activities being conducted by Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, BFP, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and other responding agencies.

Sr. Supt. Floyd Toyokan BFP-CAR assistant regional director for operations, said during the CDRRMC meeting on Thursday that 63 forest fires have been recorded in the region since the start of the year, with 32 of them in Benguet.

Interpol issues red notice vs fugitive Teves: Remulla, NBI

MANILA — The International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol has issued a “red notice” against expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. who is facing charges over the killing of a political rival, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported.

According to Interpol, a red notice is a “request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” adding that it is “not an international arrest warrant.”

Remulla said an Interpol red notice is “similar to or akin to an international warrant of arrest.”

Remulla said a team from the National Bureau of In-

vestigation (NBI) will be sent to the last known whereabouts of Teves to work with the Interpol in enforcing an arrest warrant issued by a Manila court.

An Interpol Red Notice is equivalent to an international warrant of arrest, Remulla said.

“Sa political and criminal jurisdiction ng ating bansa (Under the political and criminal jurisdiction of our country), we can issue a warrant of arrest within our boundaries. Pag tumakas ang ibang tao at nag-ibang bayan, humihingi tayo ng tulong sa iba’t ibang bansa. At tayo rin ay nakikisama rin at tumutulong sa kanila na hulihin ‘yung mga tinutugis ng batas upang sila ay mapanagot sa kanilang mg krimen (A fugitive who flees to another place may still be recovered with the help of for-

eign government to make a person answer for a crime),” Remulla noted.

“(East) Timor may apprehend Teves. However, they might prefer us to send a team there. Most likely, we will dispatch a team to (East) Timor to execute the warrant,” he said.

Remulla said the procedure may only require “two to three team members” from Manila.

“It’s not difficult to do. But we need to finalize the formal communication and paperwork.”

Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona town in Negros Oriental, meanwhile, thanked the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its commitment to help solve the assassination case of her husband Governor Roel Degamo.

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for attacking a family, including two young children aged six and two.

Because the court determined that what Gomez did was a hate crime, he faces the possibility of life in prison.

The attack took place inside a Sam’s Club on March 14, 2020.

The US Department of Justice said the Midland resident “pleaded guilty to three counts of committing a hate crime for attacking an Asian family be believed was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic because he believed them to be Chinese.”

He initially stalked the family, then stopped for a while to pick up a serrated steak knife inside the store.

What he did next should enrage any decent, law-abiding citizen. He first punched then cut the father, then turned his misplaced ire on the two youngsters.

With a second knife, he attacked the two-year-old and the six-year-old, who were seated in the basket of a shopping cart.

He managed to slice open the face of the six-year-old, known only as RC. The cut came close to his right eye and split his right ear.

Gomez could have done much worse

as he later stated that he wanted to kill RC. Luckily, an employee of the store came to the rescue, getting stabbed in the process but still able to pin down the assailant.

It was clearly a hate crime since Gomez shouted “Get out of America!” even as he was pinned down. He blamed the family for bringing the coronavirus to the US.

The Oxygen story quoted Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division as saying, “An Asian family was shopping when the defendant brutally attacked them because of their race and because he blamed them for the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Clarke added: “Racially motivated hate crimes targeting the Asian American community are on the rise and have no place in our society today. All people deserve to feel safe and secure living in their communities regardless of race, color, or national origin.”

Although Gomez is likely to be locked up for life, the possibility of parole sometime down the road is not excluded. Because he committed a heinous crime at such a young age, it is hoped that he will eventually realize the seriousness of his crime, repent, and pay his debt to society.

His family name indicates that he has Latino roots, so he should further realize that he, too, belongs to a minority who have faced racial discrimination for no justifiable reason.

As an aside, his family name is also common among Filipinos and FilAms, although there is little to suggest he has Filipino roots.

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/.

Marcos.... (From page 1)

Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” faces allegations of sexual abuses in the Philippines and franchise violations by his media network, Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Quiboloy faces more serious cases in the US where he has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

On Nov. 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for Quiboloy’s arrest and he was immediately placed under the BFI’s Most Wanted List.

The California court reset Quiboloy’s trial to November 5, 2024. Originally, the proceedings were supposed to begin on March 19, 2024, for charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, coercion, and sex trafficking of children, marriage fraud, fraud and misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, promotional money laundering, and international promotional money laundering.

Quiboloy’s associates, Teresita Dandan and Helen Panilag, both officials of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, were also indicted and remain on the wanted list of the FBI.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), meanwhile, disclosed it has yet to receive any request from the US government for the extradition of Quiboloy who is wanted in the US on various charges..

“Yung sa case ni (As to the case of) Quiboloy, we have an extradition treaty with the United States, and all of this talk will really depend if there will be an extradition request from the US government. So far, there’s no extradition request,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said .

Remulla said the religious leader is also facing cases of rape and cyberlibel which are still pending before the DOJ.

“Walang may gustong mag-assassinate sa kanya (No one wants to assassinate him),” Marcos stressed in an interview at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City before flying to Australia for a state visit.

Marcos made the statement in response to Quiboloy’s claim that he and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are conniving with the United States government to assassinate him.

“I would just advise him that just kung mayroon naman siyang sasabihin (if he wants to say anything), he has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story,” the Presiden added.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said there was no verified report of alleged assassination plan against Quiboloy.

The PNP also denied the claims of Quiboloy that it was allegedly conniving with the United States government to eliminate him through rendition.

Rendition is defined as the surrender by a state of a fugitive to another country charging a suspect with a crime.

Marcos clarified further that the cases against Quiboloy in the United States were filed before he became president, adding that the KOJC leader may just be “very worried” to the point that he had come up with such an assassination claim.

He said Quiboloy should face the congressional inquiries to refute all the allegations hurled at him.

The situation would only get worse if Quiboloy continues to skip the hearings as he could be cited in contempt, Marcos also warned.

“That’s why my advice for him is to just face the questioning in the House and the Senate. Marinig natin

ang kaniyang side para malaman natin kung ano ba talagang nangyayari dito (We could hear his side to know the truth),” Marcos said.

“We’re trying to be fair here and allowing him, an opportunity and fora to make his case. So, I think he should take advantage of that,” he added.

In an audio recording, Quiboloy, citing information from a reliable source, accused the US and Philippine governments of working together to eliminate him through rendition.

Quiboloy has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; and bulk cash smuggling.

A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on Nov. 10, 2021.

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality summoned Quiboloy to attend its hearing on the alleged abuses within the KOJC.

The House of Representatives also issued the same against him amid the chamber’s hearings on the alleged franchise violations of Swara Sug Media Corporation,

which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros agreed with Marcos’ call for Quiboloy to comply with the subpoenas issued against him.

“Well, sa kabila nung pagbanat ni Quiboloy pati kay Presidente, siguro naman ang pananalita ng occupant ng pinakamataas na opisina sa ating gobyerno at bansa, siguro naman may kahit konting bigat (because of the tirades of Quiboloy even against the President, the words of the occupant of the highest office in our government and country should have a weight),” Hontiveros said in a press briefing Wednesday.

She reiterated that the Senate remains open and is looking forward to hearing Quiboloy’s side.

But Hontiveros warned Quiboloy’s camp that he would be cited in contempt and order for his arrest when they continue to ignore the subpoena issued against him.

She said they have not received any information yet from Quiboloy expressing his intent to attend the next Senate hearing.

No US request yet for Quiboloy’s extradition: DoJ

MANILA– The Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed it has yet to receive any request from the United States government for the extradition of the controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who is wanted in the US on various charges..

“Yung sa case ni (As to the case of) Quiboloy, we have an extradition treaty with the United States, and all of this talk will really depend if there will be an extradition request from the US government. So far, there’s no extradition request,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said .

Remulla said they are “coordinating with the DFA

(Department of Foreign Affairs) on this matter”, adding that such requests are usually coursed through diplomatic channels.

Remulla said the religious leader is facing cases of rape and cyberlibel which are still pending before the DOJ.

The justice chief also said any evidentiary value of testimonies given in the Senate which is conducting a legislative inquiry “can be used later on, but only to the point where it may be acceptable to the courts”.

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality summoned Quiboloy to attend its hearing on the alleged abuses within his reli-

gious group.

The House of Representatives also issued the same against Quiboloy amid the chamber’s hearings on the alleged franchise violations of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Quiboloy has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California Quiboloy for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

On Nov. 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.

Gov’t mulls simultaneous plebiscite, midterm polls in 2025

MANILA

– A possible simultaneous holding of a plebiscite for Charter amendments and the midterm polls in 2025 will save the government some P13 billion in funds, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

“If it will be held separately, we will need P13 billion because it will involve national and overseas voters. It is like holding another Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. But if we hold it simultaneously, there will be no additional expenses. No additional expenditures in supplies and other paraphernalia,” Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said.

However, he said they would need additional funds

for an increase in the honoraria of the teachers in the Electoral Board (EB).

“We may ask the government for at least an additional P2,000 for every teacher serving on Election Day. If we have 1 million teachers, it may require P2 billion in funds,” Garcia said.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants the plebiscite to ratify the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution to be held simultaneously with the May 2025 midterm polls.

Garcia said they can hold both electoral exercises simultaneously next year.

New law expanding benefits for senior citizens signed

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act, and RA 11982, granting benefits to octogenarians and nonagenarians.

“Today, it’s my honor to sign into law two bills which not only honor two key sectors of society, but mandate measures that protect their rights and promote their development,” Marcos said in his speech during the signing of the two bills at Malacañan Palace’s Ceremonial Hall.

RA 11982 or the Amendments to the Centenarians Act of 2016, meanwhile grants monetary benefits to octogenarians and nonagenarians.

Through the expanded Centenarian Act, senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90 and 95, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, will receive PHP10,000 cash incentive every age milestone and will still receive

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As all pros are wont to do, he makes sure that chances of an injury are kept at a bare minimum. During formal competitions, he is fully clothed from head to foot with a leather jumpsuit, donning a helmet specifically made for downhill skateboarding.

He owns two suits, one made in the Mideast, the other from Brazil.

Tim has been rising his board for a few years now. In all, his competing gear goes for about $1,000.

Still, zooming downhill at such breakneck speeds is not without risks.

This relatively new sport evolved from the skateboard craze of a few decades ago, which itself was born out of wooden boards that roller skaters placed wheels on.

“I took a liking to the longboard at 16,” he said. At that age, he immediately began competing and hasn’t stopped since.

PHP100,000 upon reaching 100 years old. Marcos said the expansion of the coverage of the Centenarians Act is a homage to the Filipino trait of compassion, and in the Philippine culture, this shows more kindness and compassion to the elderly.

“But they deserve more than cash in an envelope. What they should get is a support infrastructure that every society owes to its greying population. There were already close to 10 million seniors two years ago … But as this demographic enlarges, the societal facilities that attend to them should be expanded as well,” Marcos said.

Senators believe that the Expanded Centenarians Act shall have a huge impact on the lives of elderly Filipinos. “Malaking bagay iyon para sa kanila lalo na’t may mga pangangailangan din sila at gastos para sa gamot, vitamins, supplement, pagkain at iba pa (It is a big thing

Back then, he was already practicing all day.

“Most of the practice I do is on skis and snowboards,” he said, so by the time he actually competes, “muscle memory takes over.”

Besides skateboarding, Tim considers himself as someone who likes all kinds of sports, with surfing among his other interests.

As a resident of Colorado, however, skiing is something that he also does regularly.

“At 10,000 feet elevation, that’s where I get the majority of my training,” he said.

Thus, it is almost by default that Tim keeps in tiptop shape. Training at high altitudes is something that many athletes do to have an edge over their opponents. Before his big fights, for example, Manny Pacquiao would begin his training camp by staying in Baguio City for daily jogs.

It’s better than training at sea level, according to Tim, as his stamina is much better as a result of the high mountain air

giving him stronger lungs.

for them especially for their expenses in medicine, vitamins, supplement, food, among others),” Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., who authored the law, said in a statement.

Revilla explained the new law intends to provide cash benefits for Filipino octogenarians and nonagenarians “so that they would get to enjoy it more.”

He recalled filing the measure during the start of the 18th Congress in 2019 but failed to be passed into law.

The lawmaker assured that he will continue to push for the expansion of the 20 percent discount of senior citizens and exemption from value-added tax to include supplements, vitamins, herbal products, formulated milk, among others.

Revilla said he is also proposing to bring the age down to 56 years old to be considered as a senior citizen.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also lauded the signing into law of the Expanded Centenarians Act,

Tim has a girlfriend who was also into longboard speed racing. They met a few years ago, and have been a couple ever since. He also has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, whom he sees regularly.

Tim admits, however, that he would rather not see his daughter be a competitive racer like himself. Part of being a protective father, perhaps, but if she goes into the sport for the fun if it, “that will be good enough for me,” he told Philippine News Today.

For now, Tim remains not only a coach as well as a competitor, but also a champion in other ways. He longs for the day when speed racing on longboards becomes an Olympic sport.

It does have an international following already, and deserves the same recognition as skiing on the slopes during the regular Winter Olympics.

In places like Canada, Switzerland, Sweden…all over Europe, in fact, down-

hill skateboarding has large followings.

He also wishes that the day would come that institutional sponsors come in with the big bucks which would certainly raise the level of the competition.

Tim’s chosen sport “has had its ups and downs” by his own admission. But the fact that it is still thriving and he is still around more than a decade and a half after he first began speaks volumes for his commitment.

And the one thing that no one can take away from him is his having broken the 90 mph barrier. Very likely, he will be in the record books for many decades to come.

Tim Del’s family came to Manila to extend their moral support. But as a damper, a slight accident kept him from showing his stuff to his kababayans.

It was, for the athlete, his first visit to the land of his mother’s birth. Hopefully, next time he visits, Tim Del can show why he is the best of the best at the adrenalin-rushed sport that is downhill

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia

Effective and proven ways of sharing the Gospel to our FRANCS

During this Lenten Season, I would like to share to our readers and the general public, my message on the Gospel (Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus), the power of God to salvation, as follows:

I-GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTION: Good

morning and Happy Sunday! I would like to thank brother James Quitoriano for scheduling me to share a message on Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day and exact Super Bowl Sunday. I’ll not be talking about Valentine’s Day nor about the Super Bowl but the topic closest to my heart as active Evangelist.

Let me thank sister Deborah Q. Marcos for preparing the Power Point; brother Renato Marcos for leading the gospel song; brother Boris Quinonez for the Scripture Reading and sister Rose de a Cruz for doing the church bulletin.

I would like also to thank our sister Regina Record for requesting that I’ll conduct series of lessons on “Effective, Practical and Proven Ways of Sharing the Gospel to our FRANCS (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Workers, Strangers )” during our special online meeting every Tuesday 7:30 to 8:30 pm. I’ve already finished three series which I incorporated in my message or sermon today.

Finally, I would like to thank those who responded to my personal invitation to attend our Worship Services this morning. Please welcome my sisters Josie M. Lewis and Luzviminda G. Madlaing who drove all the way from Bethel Island, California; and sister Marva Dycus, with EL PORTAL CHURCH OF CHRIST in Richmond, California.

Before I’ll continue, I would like to request that you ALL answer the following questions honestly and sincerely:

1. Do you desire and want all your FRANCS to go to HEAVEN with you? Please raise your right hands.

2. Since you became a Christian, please raise your right hands if you’ve personally assisted, encouraged or helped 1-5 precious souls from among your FRANCS go to HEAVEN with you.

3. Please raise your right hands if you have personally assisted influenced or helped 6-20 precious souls from among your FRANCS go to HEAVEN with you. . 4. 21-49 precious souls . .5. . 50 or more precious souls . .

I hope and pray that after the end of the message this morning , you’ll be able to answer in resounding YES to ALL the five questions few months or years from now. We want everybody to participate so please have your pen and piece of paper ready.

I would like you to write the following verses: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Romans 1:16, Romans 6:3-6, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Proverbs 11:30. Like what we did in our Tuesday evening meetings. Please read and meditate on these Bible verses from the four major bible versions when you’ll arrive home so that you’ll fully realize and understand the necessity and urgency of sharing the gospel to the many lost souls from among your FRANCS.

Kindly recite with me excerpts of Romans 1:16, NKJV and Proverbs 11:30, Living Bible: 1.For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God to salvation . . .2. ..All who win souls are wise . . .

II- To be prepared and ready to share the gospel we MUST have the following:

1.Right MESSAGE –The Gospel in its purity and simplicity is the power of God to salvation. In sharing the gospel, tell the prospects who is the real Jesus in the Bible: 1.Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16); 2. Jesus is 100%God and 100% man (John 1:1, 14, Colossians 2:9 ); 3. Jesus is the only one Mediator between God and man ( 1 Timothy 2:5). .. not Mary, not the Pope, not Buddha, not Confucius, not Muhammad. We need Jesus as the only Mediator because our sins separated us from God.(Isaiah 59:2) We are all sinners and full short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

In sharing the gospel, we must tell our prospects the historical fact of the gospel – (DBR) Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Our prospects must learn how to obey the gospel for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-38)

Good times, bad times for PHL sports

The last few years have been good ones for Philippine sports with the likes of pole vaulter EJ Obiena and tennis ace Alex Eala proving themselves world class, and the Philippine national basketball team AKA Gilas surprisingly reclaiming the title of the best in Asia.

Even in women’s football, the Philippines had its brightest moment last year, when it showed grit and heart in facing the world’s top teams.

It’s safe to say that Filipinos are generally sports lovers, and they enjoy nothing more than watching competition sports at the highest level.

There is, however, a dark side, especially in amateur sports as best exemplified by the two collegiate leagues, the NCAA and the UAAP.

In the past many months, there has been a development that I find exceptionally disturbing, and that is the not-so-silent bidding war to recruit the best possible players by not only the top powerhouse teams, but also the “lesser” teams.

A few outstanding high school players have been the object of that bidding war, and the reported amounts involved are absolutely breathtaking.

I know I risk being misunderstood, but two of the schools involved are the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UP Fighting Maroons.

The first impulse of followers of those two fine schools will immediately accuse my favorite La Salle Green Archers of being part and parcel of the worsening bidding war, but I will have to strongly disagree.

Please hear me out first before passing judgment.

Two outstanding point guards were confirmed to have opted to transfer to the Green Archers, and have in fact played in provincial games even if they cannot join the team this year due to residency requirements.

Jacob Cortez and Kean Baclaan are not transferring so much as they are returning to the green and white. Both played high school ball for the junior La Salle team before heading for NU in the case of Baclaan and San Beda in the case of Cortez.

The latter is a special case as he is the son of legendary Archer Mike ‘Cool Cat’ Cortez, who won two championships with La Salle before having a fruitful career in the PBA.

The case of Jared Bahay is a bit different, although he did play for one of the Ateneo schools in the provinces where he made a name for himself as possibly the top high school prospect to enter the seniors this year.

He had already committed to UP until the team announced that “outside forces” caused him to have a change of heart. A few months ago, Bahay said he was joining the Blue Eagles instead.

One could feel the anger and pain of the UP community at the unexpected move. Many accused the kid of being a gun for hire.

Then there is the case of the University of the East’s Noy Remogat, who came close to being last year’s Most Valuable Player were it not for one Kevin Quiambao.

Remogat has transferred to the Fighting Maroons and everyone and his neighbor knows why.

As has been reported in various online sports sites, both Bahay and Remogat have millions of reasons for choosing to transfer. Specifically, both had five million reasons each.

That is supposed to be the amount that they or their families will be receiving from the very generous alumni of Ateneo and UP.

In the case of Remogat, he reportedly wanted to stay in UE because it was the only school that gambled on him, and won. He was a total unknown two years ago, tried out – he was not invited – for the Red Warriors, and made the team.

Supposedly, he comes from a humble family, so the princely sum offered is a big help. UE could only offer 20 percent of what UP was dangling before him to stay, or a “paltry” one million bucks.

Besides the transfer fee, the prized players will also be given monthly allowances equal to the pay of a senior manager in a Top 1,000 corporation.

It’s as if they’re already playing in the PBA with the nice perks, huh? This also includes a housing allowance, by the way.

To be fair, what’s happening now is not a new development. Perks have been offered for years for top prospects, but mostly the top schools would only offer full scholarships, housing, and a generous but not excessive allowance.

But going back further, at least in my time, even the top players would be lucky to receive brand new shoes to use during the games.

A couple of my friends/classmates who played for my favorite school’s champion teams of the early and mid-70s can bear me out.

One big guy whom I see semi-regularly said he receive absolutely nothing in his playing years. One of the stars of that team was even asking for bandages that he had to use for his knees, but never got any.

What’s in the mind of Nikki Haley?

GOP presidential aspirant Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and former US Ambassador to the UN, was the first to launch her presidential candidacy and the last man standing among the 14 GOP candidates as of today.

She is still in the GOP presidential primary despite several losses from former President Donald Trump, his former boss, in 5 key states, including her own state of South Carolina where she was a two-term governor. She is still hanging on to her candidacy despite no amount of possibilities can surmount Trump’s lead over her.

What’s in her mind… then?

Okay, As I See It, the reason she is still in the race, if I can read her mind, is because of four things: One, she is hoping that between now and the GOP convention, something will happen to Trump’s candidacy that will disqualify or prevent him from running; Two, she is still hoping that something miracle will happen to her campaign gaining independent voters, women voters, and Democrats who are against Trump will rally behind her and bolster her chances; third, she believes that a Biden vs Haley in the general election is a winning scenario than a Biden vs Trump; and fourth, she is already campaigning for 2028 being the last man standing who ran against Trump and the only alternative for Trump.

So far, these are the things I can foresee happening with Haley’s mind. At this point in time, as to the first option, while she is not mentioning it in her campaign re possible court decision disqualifying Trump due to criminal convictions, that is the most logical prediction I can think of. If Trump is disqualified, then she will likely be the candidate to becoming the GOP standard bearer. This is a risk she is taking because it needs a lot of financial sacrifice coming from her supporters and/or from her personal war chest and manpower to continue the campaign. What if her campaign benefactors stop financing her campaign because they see no light at the end of the tunnel before the GOP convention, will she be able to sustain it with her own money? Does she have that capability financially? What if the courts won’t be able to render a decision, which she is relying on, before the GOP convention?

As to the second option, how sure will she be able to change the minds of the independent voters, the Democrats, et al to vote for her and be able to overtake Trump? Will she have the time to do that? Time is ticking so fast that she may not be able to cope because it needs enough time to convince people especially concerning a very important decision they need to make where the interest of the country is at stake.

Thirdly, she believes that a Biden vs Haley is more viable than a Biden vs. Trump during the general election come November because Trump is saddled with a lot of problems, both personally and legally, in addition to his age, that the American voters will not like. And, the voters may not like to vote for a “convicted person” to the highest post of the land!

And fourth, I think she is already campaigning for the next presidential election for 2028 because for 2024, there is no longer hope for her to make it, but just the same she is still continuing her campaign. She is trying to make the point that by that time, she will already be ripe for the position and be the president of the US, the first woman president for that matter.

I shared my sentiments/predictions/peculations to as many of my colleagues and they seem to agree with me. That, they said, are the most likely scenarios for an optimist like Nikki Haley and who is willing to gamble.

In an article, Haley is still in the race because she has become the voice of a portion of the Republican Party that feels rootless, those traditional-minded conservatives who backed presidential candidates such as George W Bush and Mitt Romney. (author in Aljazeera)

The article continues: “Haley is the closest thing have now to a champion and advocate – and for now, at least, she retains a public platform to air her views.

It’s a tragedy that preachers from the various religious denominations preach different gospel and they add or subtract from the Word of God. Galatians 1:6-9 and Revelation 22:1819 give warning and danger in perverting the gospel (read the verses).

And that team’s supreme star said that he had been offered the huge sum of P30,000 in ’71 to throw a game. He said no, knowing that it was enough to buy or build a house back then.

The stars in that era knew that going to the MICAA and later the PBA was the best path to take to earn large sums of money. But while in college, they played for love of their school, no more no less.

Despite the result, Haley has pledged to continue her campaign. “I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden,” she said on Saturday.

(Continue on page 16)

In the years that passed, the

(Continue on page 20)

Haley insisted she would fight on at least through “Super Tuesday” on March 5, when Republicans in 15 states and one US territory will cast ballots. (Continue on page 20)

“

ART GABOT MADLAING

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO

Recto nixes LandBank- DBP merger, pushes instead charter amendments

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

MANILA – Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has put to the backburner the proposed merger of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) which his predecessor Benjamin Diokno pushed..

Recto earlier noted that the two big government banks have their own distinct objections - support to farmers for Landbank and development for DBP.

During his reign at the finance department, Diokno was also widely criticized for “killing” also the Philippine Postal Savings Bank and the United Coconut Planters Bank, two government banks with their distinct objectives.

This as Recto has said the Department of Finance (DOF) is exploring the amendments to the charters of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) “to broaden capital market”.

In a statement, the finance department said Recto

made the statement in his speech at a reception hosted by the Philippine Stock Exchange in its headquarters in Bonifacio Global City on Feb. 21, 2024.

“We are exploring the amendments to the charters of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, including their possible public listing, to broaden the local capital market,” said Recto.

In a separate message, Recto said the DOF “has a draft bill for both” adding that more details will be disclosed soon.

LandBank is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable development to benefit Filipinos.

The DBP, on the other hand, is classified as a development bank and may perform all other functions of a thrift bank.

The bank aims to provide banking services principally to cater to the medium and long-term needs of agricultural and industrial enterprises with emphasis on small and medium-scale industries.

PHLraises record $10 B from retail treasury bonds

MANILA – The Philippines raised a record P585 billion ($10.5 billion) from the sale of small-denominated treasury bonds, which will help fund government projects and plug a gaping budget shortfall.

This as results were mixed during Monday’s Treasury bills (T-bills) auction as the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) fully awarded bids for the 91- and 364-day T-bills while partially awarding the 182-day securities.

Of the total, P212.7 billion were sold during a ratesetting auction earlier this month. During the public offer that ended on Friday, P128.7 billion were raised in fresh funds and P243.5 billion were subscriptions to the new bonds in exchange for notes maturing in March, the Bureau of the Treasury said in a statement on Monday. The debt due February 2029 carries a coupon of 6.25%.

The 91-day, 182-day and 364-day T-bills fetched an

average rate of 5.710 percent, 5.971 percent and 6.085 percent.

Last week, the average auction yield of the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day T-bills was slightly lower at 5.592 percent, 5.927 percent and 6.079 percent, respectively.

T-bill average auction yields were mostly higher for the 10th straight week, similar to the latest week-on-week increase in the comparable short-term PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service (BVAL).

The Retail Treasury Bond issuance at P584 billion, higher than the P400 billion target that could mop up some of the excess peso liquidity in the financial system and could lead to some increase in the supply of government securities in the market.

T-bill yields also continue to go up slightly after lower odds of Fed(eral Reserve) rate cuts priced in by the markets in 2024 amid cautious stance by most Fed officials recently in making sure that U.S. inflation is moving towards the Fed’s 2 percent target.

Total tenders amounted to P35.77 billion, more than twice the P15 billion.

With its decision, the BTr raised P14.8 billion of the P15 billion total offering.

PBBM sees greater trade cooperation potential between PH and Hawaii

MANILA - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. believes there is still a great potential for the Philippines and Hawaii to expand their trade cooperation.

The President made the remark as he welcomed the Honolulu City Council delegation and participants of the 31st Trade Mission of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) and Hawaii Philippines Business Economic Council (HPBEC) during their joint courtesy call in Malacañang on Thursday.

“The trading missions that you have been conducting and the possibilities that you have to explore in terms of strengthening the economic ties and trade ties between Hawaii specifically and the Philippines, I think there’s a great deal of potential there,” President Marcos said.

The delegation is in the country for the conduct of the 31st Trade Mission to the Philippines from February 13 to 24, which FCCH and HPBEC are leading. The Philippine Consulate General of Honolulu is also supporting the event as part of the country’s economic diplomacy efforts.

The mission aims to strengthen economic and investment ties between the Philippines and the State of Hawaii, with this year.

What can I do if my petition is denied by USCIS?

Is your marriage case denied for inconsistencies during the interview, no sufficient documents submitted or some other reasons? Do not lose hope. There are many ways you can convince the government that you deserve approval. If the reason for denial is inconsistencies during the interview, you can submit proof that the responses are consistent with respect to your case. This is called reconciliation of responses. If your case is denied because of lack of sufficient evidence, you can submit affidavits proving that your marriage is in good faith. If your case is denied because the government has been very unfair during the interview such as using threats of imprisonment or some coercive tactics during the interview, you need to seek a help from an immigration attorney to represent you on this matter because a simple mistake in analysis could be fatal. In legal language, you need to appeal on due process ground. Due process requires voluntariness in giving information of the part of the alien and the government adhering to the fair and just process in seeking responses. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants aliens the right to due process.

Generally, “Immigration proceedings, although not subject to the full range of constitutional protections, must conform to the Fifth Amendment’s requirement of due process.” Salgado-Diaz v. Gonzales, 395 F.3d 1158, 1162 (9th Cir. 2005) (as amended); “A full and fair hearing is one of the due process rights afforded to aliens in deportation proceedings. … A court will grant a petition on due process grounds only if the proceeding was so fundamentally unfair that the alien was prevented from reasonably presenting his case.” Gutierrez v. Holder, 662 F.3d 1083, 1091 (9th Cir. 2011).

The court reviews de novo claims of due process violations. Grigoryan, 959 F.3d at 1239; Liu v. Holder, 640 F.3d 918, 930 (9th Cir. 2011) (as amended); Ibarra-Flores v. Gonzales, 439 F.3d 614, 620 (9th Cir. 2006). “The BIA’s decision will be reversed on due process grounds if (1) the proceeding was so fundamentally unfair that the alien was prevented from reasonably presenting his case, and (2) the alien demonstrates prejudice, which means that the outcome of the proceeding may have been affected by the alleged violation.” Ibarra-Flores, 439 F.3d at 620–21.

For those of you who received a denial because your rights are violated on due process ground you need to speak to an immigration attorney to discuss your individual situation.

Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for information purposes only

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

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

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

San Beda victorious over UAAP in charity basketball game at USC

In the Mix by Mic Diaz

An enthusiastic crowd of basketball aficionados and spectators gathered in an uprecedented charity match between San Beda Alumni Association and several alumni of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) All-Stars last Saturday, February 17.

Sports Director and game organizer, Noel Pascual of the San Beda Alumni Association of Southern California (SBAASC), assembled members of several alumni groups from these schools in the Philippines: Ateneo de Manila University, De La

Salle University, College de San Juan de Letran, Mapua University, San Beda University, San Sebastián College, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas for the annual game that is popularly known as the UAAP-NCAA Alumni All-Star Game. He hopes to expose participants and attendees to Filipino alumni basketball at the University/College level.

However, this year the San Beda team took on a combined UAAP-NCAA team and monopolized the basketball court early on in the game.

Representing San Beda University is Head Coach Jonas Villanueva along with Assistant

Coach Fred Ricky Razon, and players Jan Michael Cruz, Yno Gonzales, Mac De Joya, Alex Jacinto, Martin Cuna, James Hudencial, Arthur De La Rosa and Michael Abasolo.

Edward Mendoza of Letran, on the other hand, led as Head Coach of the UAAP-NCAA All stars team comprised by Jan Juan, Josh Mendoza and Glenn Ritona of Letran; Randy Valentin and Shaun Co of UP; Choy Taberdo and Ver Puertollano of Mapua; Thirdy Berina, Kevin Yasay Alvarado, Cedric Somera and EJ Flores of La Salle; Gian Adrian Taningco and Marc Geronimo of UST and Mark Legarde of San Sebastián.

Much to everyone’s surprise, San Beda upped the ante, took over the basketball court and won over the combined UAAP-NCAA team in a 58 vs. 34 upswing and took the trophy home that was donated by Arthur De La Rosa. Jan Michael Cruz, the Team Captain of the San Beda team donning his No. 19 jersey took the MVP title.

Ailana Donato, World Championship of Performing Arts 2016 Bronze medalist in the World Music category and Silver medalist in the Gospel category, performed a breathtaking rendition of the U.S. and Philippines national anthems.

The teams with revolving players each year, hope to raise funds for all of the eight alumni organizations involved and to volunteer and partake in activities at local fundraising events such as camping, golf and other social events. These are geared towards helping the homeless and other underprivileged people. Members also assist in raising funds for scholarships designed for low income and academically deserving students in the Philippines. Officers and members of the organizations travel to the Philippines to meet and help with local alumni associations annually.

Officers of the San Beda Alumni Association along with the seven alumni organizations hope to grow membership and to be able to do more events on an annual basis for their fundraising efforts.

The eight alumni organizations wish to invite basketball enthusiasts to a one-day basketball tournament on July 27, 2024 in Rancho Cucamonga.

Catriona Gray, Sam Milby on verge of breakup?

It appears Filipino-Australian beauty queen Catriona Gray and Filipino America Sam Milby are on the verge of separation.

After the breakup of Kathryn Bernardo with Daniel Padilla and Bea Alonzo with Dominic Roque, the showbiz industry thus is is abuzz with tales that it may be a season of breakups, although some actors appeared to be on the way to the altar or have walked down the aisle like Lucky Manzano and Jessy Mendiola.

“Parang malapit na magbreak lahat” was the comment of some Pinoys after Cornerstone Entertainment, the talent agency of both Catriona and Sam, admitted that couple are among the latest showbiz lovers whose relationship is facing “some challenges.”

Published reports in Manila and those aired on radio and television showed that the talent agency on Wednesday, February 28, admitted that while the pair are dealing with issues, they are “actively working on resolving” it together.

“We kindly request that everyone respect their privacy during this time as they navigate through this situation. We appreciate the concern and wellwishes from all those who have shown support to the couple,” Cornerstone Entertainment said in a statement.

Cornerstone also requested everyone to respect the couple’s privacy as they “navigate through this situation.”

“We appreciate the concern and well-wishes from all those who have shown support for the couple,” they added.

Breakup rumors began to swirl after eagleeyed netizens noticed that Catriona wasn’t wearing her engagement ring in her recent posts.

However, Catriona seemingly debunked these rumors after posting a carousel of photos that included a photo of their furbabies. She also tagged Sam, 39, who was born in Troy, Ohio.

Just last week, Cat and Sam were spotted together at an event with actress Isabel Oli.

Catriona and Sam got engaged in February 2023. The couple, who revealed their relationship in 2020, previously said they plan to tie the knot sometime this year.

VILMA SANTOS REMINISCE ABOUT MAKING “ANAK” THE MOVIE

In the ending of the film “Anak” released 24 years ago, our friend, Ate Vilma Santos, playing an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) mom, could be seen weaving through a sea of fellow OFWs in the bustling streets of Hong Kong while reading news from home on a handwritten letter — a scene that would become an iconic moment in Philippine cinema.

To this day, Ate Vi could still not forget how that particular scene tested her in ways she had never experienced before.

Vilma got to reminisce about the making of “Anak” during its special screening in Quezon City on Friday. The event was part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ ongoing Lakbay Sine and Cine Icons programs that bring cinematic masterpieces of National Artists closer to the younger generation.

Ate Vi shared how they pulled off the scene that took place in central Hong Kong on a Sunday.

“We intentionally chose Sunday because that’s when all the OFWs gather in Hong Kong,” Vilma said of the backdrop for one of the film’s most pivotal moments.

When the cameras rolled, Vilma, as the domestic helper Josie, was expected to blend seamlessly into the crowd without drawing attention to herself. “Our schedule was supposedly 7 a.m., so as early as 6 a.m. nandoon na kami sa hotel sa taas. Nandoon sa baba ‘yung mga get-together nung mga OFWs. Three cameras were being set up.

“They didn’t know I was part of the scene,” she further explained. “Our plan was that once it started, we would signal each other quietly so as not to disrupt the crowd.”

What seemed like a straightforward task soon turned into a daunting challenge.

“When they gave the signal, around seven or eight, all the OFWs were there,” Vilma recounted.

As she slowly descended from the hotel, trying not to attract notice, people recognized her the minute she stepped out of the door.

Despite efforts to remain incognito, the Star for all Season’s presence inevitably electrified the crowd, causing a commotion. “Nagkagulo na, nanay ko, believe me, they had to pull me back upstairs… But they already knew I was there.”

Amidst the chaos, direk Rory devised a plan to salvage the moment, mounting a crane that was used to capture the scene from above and urging the crowd to cooperate.

“On the megaphone, she was saying, ‘You know, this movie ‘Anak’ that we’re shooting, this is your story… we’re just asking (for cooperation) because Vilma Santos is here and she’s playing your role as an OFW. This scene is important because it’s what shapes our story here in Hong Kong.’

“We’re just asking that when Miss Vilma Santos passes by, please don’t pay attention to her. (We need) just one shot… Dapat walang titingin, walang magkakagulo, nakikiusap po kami. Pwede ho ba? ‘Opo!’”

However, when they shot the scene again, Vilma was mobbed. In the end, it was the actress herself who went up the crane to plead with the Pinoy crowd to help them finish the scene.

It took a whole day and a collective effort to bring that scene to life. And although it wasn’t perfect — because if you look at it now, there were still people filmed looking at her, as pointed out by ate Vi — it remains a perfect scene to represent and shed light on the lived reality and experiences of OFWs in Hong Kong.

What convinced her to take on this project was because she deeply connected with its theme, Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak,” plus she got to work with younger actors like Claudine and Baron Geisler, who portrayed one of her children.

Then, it’s a story about a single OFW mom who does everything in her power to keep her family from breaking apart.

“Of course, (It’s by) Ricky Lee and direk Rory, known as a great TV director, so I took the chance. And pasok ako kaagad sa role, maybe because malapit ako sa magulang ko, malapit ako sa nanay ko (I’m close to my parents, I’m close to my mom). And I grew up in a family that’s intact.”

MYX Global launches Season 2 of “Booked”

LOS ANGELES - There is no dearth of evidence that Filipino singers - recording artists and live performers - can go toe-to-toe with the best talents the world could offer.

Bruno Mars, H.E.R., Olivia Rodrigo, Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda, Darren Criss... the list could go on and on.

But in the insanely competitive world of entertainment, talent is never enough. A star may be born for 15 minutes, but to last in the business and get consistently booked for gigs and projects, one essentially needs a plan, a team and a prayer.

MYX Global – a premier media and entertainment brand that celebrates the diverse voices and talents of the global Filipino and Asian community – takes its international audience behind the scenes to look at Filipino artist experiences as they book and make their way into new global markets via “BOOKED, Season 2”.

“Fans really only get to see the highlight reels of ce-

lebrities but never the journey to get to that final destination. They miss out on the discipline it takes to reach those goals. They go through rigid schedules, mental, emotional, and physical ups and downs while continuously learning about music trends and markets, vocal and live performance training... this is what you don’t see every day. BOOKED’ gives the fans a whole new perspective in appreciating and respecting their favorite music talents as they witness what it takes to stay on top of the game,” said Nino Llanera, MYX Global head of content and programming.

For “BOOKED Season 2”, expect to see today’s Filipino superstars on their way to global conquests like BINI, Ben&Ben, MayMay, BGYO, Janine Berdin and more.

To discover more about the secrets in the making of a global star, watch the exciting trailer of “BOOKED Season 2”:

Are your Credit Cards still manageable?

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

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

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

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has ordered a review of rules on short-term loans. Three customers say companies lured them into a traps of quick cash and aff ordable payment terms.

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

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

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

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

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

If consumers aren’t on steady fi nancial ground, it could put Americans at greater risk if the economy doesn’t improve at a fast enough rate. And it doesn’t help that Americans are not very good savers. Americans have made some progress on debt repayment… but (savings) continues to be the Achilles heel of fi -

nancial security. And it was never a strong point to begin with.

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

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

EJ Obiena cops 2 golds in Berlin and Croatia meets, sets new Asian Indoor record

MANILA – Ernest J. Obiena, tTe world’s no. 2 pole vaulter, made it two gold medals last week after winning in ISTAF Berlin early Saturday (PHL) and in Croatia earlier.

Obiena cleared 5.93 meters, marking a new Asian and Philippine records for indoor competitions. EJ broke the 26-year-old record of Igor Potapovich, set at 5.92 meters.

EJ also holds the outdoor record for Asia at 6.00 meters, which he did twice last year.

Obiena’s victory in Berlin comes after his initial triumph in Croatia where he cleared 5.83 meters for the win.

Obiena won the men’s elite gold medal in the Memorial Josip Gasparac, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze category event, in Osijek, Croatia on Tuesday last week.

The world’s No. 2 registered 5.83 meters on his first attempt to beat Pedro Buarto of Portugal (5.73m) and Olen Tray Oates of the United States (5.61m).

Health & Wealth...

(From Page 11)

Last month while driving to my Mobile Signing Services in Daly City, California, I saw the big letters NAZARENE and small word Christians under it in front of the church building. These hyphenated NAZARENE Christians are very proud to call themselves Nazarene and not plain Christians because their preachers are preaching the NAZARENE doctrines and not the gospel in its purity and simplicity. The same is true to the other hyphenated BAPTIST Christians, ROMAN CATHOLIC Christians, LUTHERAN Christians, ADVENTIST Christians, EPISCOPAL Christians, METHODIST Christians, PRESBY-

By Jun Nucum

Obiena moved the bar up to 5.93m but failed in three attempts. He easily cleared the bar at 5.51m and made two attempts at 5.73m.

Buarto made two attempts to achieve his best performance. He tried to clear 5.83m but failed thrice.

After clearing 5.41m on his second try, Oates set the bar at 5.61m which he cleared in one attempt. He was unsuccessful in clearing 5.73m in three attempts.

Obiena has qualified for Paris for his second Olympic appearance after the 2020 Tokyo Games where he made it to the final but failed to reach the podium.

He joined the exclusive six-meter club in pole vault with a golden performance in the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway last year, setting new Asian and national records after erasing the 5.94m he established in winning the bronze medal at the World Athletics Championship in 2022

TERIAN Christians, Etc. When we preach the gospel in its purity and simplicity to the many precious souls from among our FRANCS they will become plain Christians (Acts 11:26). Do you really believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is happy for us wearing the names ADVENTIST, NAZARENE, ROMAN CATHOLIC, EPISCOPAL, PRESBYTEIAN, BAPTIST, LUTHERAN, METHODIST and not plain Christian?

2. We must have the RIGHT ATTITUDE - Every Christian must have the love, compassion and humility in reaching out and sharing the gospel to the many precious lost

souls from among our FRANCS . 1 Peter 3:15 says; “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

3.We must have the Right ACTION – The first two letters of the word Gospel is GO. The Great Commission in Matthew 28”18-20 and Mark 16:15-16 emphasized the word GO. James 1:2 says, “But be doers of the word and not hearers only. . .

The world population as of January, 2024 is 8.11 billion. Majority are Muslims and from the other religious denominations. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but very few are harvesters or soul winners. As answer to the challenge of our Lord Jesus Christ, ALL Christians must be ready to get out from their comfort zones and GO share the gospel where the precious souls are--- their homes, workplace, neighborhood, banks, post office, schools, hospitals, restaurants like McDonald, bus, airport, Etc.

III-THE GOSPEL TRANSENDS ALL RACES, NATIONALITIES AND STATUS OF LIFE –The gospel in its purity and simplicity is very powerful in converting honest and sincere lost souls: young and old, rich and poor, male and female; ALL RACES AND NATIONALITIES: Black, White, Chinese, Filipino, Asian, Hispanic

I am not an eloquent speaker and orator like former U.S. President Barack Obama and the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill but God gave me the compassion, love, humility and opportunity to share the gospel to many precious lost souls.

Few days before Freedom Day, on July 4, 2004, I was invited as guest preacher by brother Raymond Coats, minister of the Columbia Heights Church of Christ. On that fateful early Sunday morning my wife and I introduced ourselves to JAMES PHILIPS, a black American who was standing in front of the church building. James Philips, a prisoner on death row who was miraculously pardoned and newly released from San Quentin Prison, told us that God directed him to attend worship services at the Columbia Heights Church of Christ in San Francisco. I preached the gospel in its purity and simplicity. At the end of my sermon James Philips came forward and desired to be baptized for the forgiveness of ALL his sins. The Columbia Heights congregation didn’t have baptistery so brother Raymond Coats called brother Martin Sharp, Minister of the Bayview Church of Christ and arranged for the use of their baptistery. About 3:30pm on that Sunday afternoon, brother Raymond Coats officiated the baptism of James Philips in the presence of brethren from the COLUMBIA HEIGTHS CHURCH OF CHRIST, BAYVIEW CHURCH OF CHRIST and GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST. Our black brother in Christ James Philips is on his way to HEAVEN like us.

Since 2012, my beloved wife and I have been involved with the WE CARE Ministries in conducting annual WE CARE Evangelism & Workshop in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the Philippines. Hundreds and thousands of precious lost souls obeyed the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of sins and are now on the way to HEAVEN. (Continued Part II Next Week)

(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. He is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA)

Scams abound topping $10 Billion losses despite FTC awareness campaign

By Jun Nucum

Nationwide losses due to scams are reported yearly and it seems not to wane a bit as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released data showing that nationwide fraud losses topped $10 billion in 2023 which is 14% more than 2022.

And even with the continuing help of media reporting not just on huge lost amount but also on how to avoid and report scams, the dramatic losses even grow.

At an Ethnic Media Services briefing conducted recently and dubbed Top Scams of 2023 — FTC Breaks Down New Data officials discussed new trends in top scams, and why learning about and reporting scams is so crucial to protecting consumers.

Present in the discussion were Acting Associate Director for the Division of Consumer Response and Operations in the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission Maria Mayo, Associate Director, Federal Trade Commission Division of Marketing Practices, Washington DC Lois Greisman and Senior Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Educa-

tion, Federal Trade Commission, Washington DC Larissa Bungo.

Mayor confirmed that last year’s $10 billion in reported losses, compared to $9 billion in 2022, was an all-time first, “but the number of reports we received in 2023 did not increase dramatically.”

“One in four consumers reported losing money with a median loss of $500 per consumer. Research shows that less than 5% of consumer fraud victims report at all,” Mayo detailed. “The most common scam category was imposters pretending to be a trusted entity like a business, a government agency, a family member or a romantic interest; number two was online shopping and negative reviews; three was prizes and lotteries; four was investments; and five was business and job opportunities.”

The most commonly reported form of imposter scams were business imposters, with $752 million in losses last year.

Mayo added that “per one example, A consumer gets what appears to be a banking alert about fraudulent activity with their

account and is given a number to call that is transferred to a fake U.S. Marshal who tells the consumer their money is in danger because of a money laundering scheme. The consumer withdraws funds from their personal accounts and transfers them to a crypto wallet that the Marshal set up.”

Government imposter fraud was the second-most reported type of imposter scam — in fact, losses to FTC imposters skyrocketed from a median loss of $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2023.

While investment-related fraud was number four overall, it was the category where people reported the most losses: a total of $4.6 billion with a median loss of over $7,000 for these scams, which involve transferring money to people promising to teach them how to trade stocks.

to wire thousands of dollars for life-saving surgery,” Greisman explained adding that artificial intelligence (AI) is not limited to voice cloning scams, “but also seeping into scammers’ messages: “‘My crypto investment method works because I’ve trained the AI to beat the stock market’ — with all the hype around AI these days, that’s a very compelling claim to make.”

“One of the best ways is by what payment instrument they ask you to use,” lectured Greisman. “If they’re insisting on payment by wire transfer, gift card, payment apps or crypto, that’s a huge bright red flag … because it gives scammers the greatest measure of anonymity, and the likelihood of law enforcement being able to trace and return the money is extremely difficult.”

Greisman stressed that reporting scams like these to the FTC matters because the data helps nearly 3,000 state, federal, local law enforcement entities nationwide stop fraud, and because it helps prevention outreach

In reporting scams, Bungo discussed the resources you can find on the FTC website and the languages they are available in.

“When we see, for example, spikes in gift card scams, we reach out to the industry to see what they can be doing to curb abuse of cards,” Bungo added. “When we see text messaging becoming a frequent point of contact, we reach out to the telecommunications industry.”

“For the first time ever, email was the most reported contact method of scammers in 2023. In 2022, text was number one, but before that phone calls were always number one,” Mayo revealed. “Nevertheless, people contacted by phone reported the highest median losses of $1,480, while those contacted through social media lost the most money overall, $1.4 billion.”

Regarding common methods of payment, people who paid scammers by bank transfer reported losing $1.9 billion, while those who paid by cryptocurrency lost $1.4 billion.

Greisman admitted that FTC is increasingly worried about scammers using artificial intelligence to “turbo-charge fraud” through impersonation.

“This involves the scammer would get a voice clip of the victim’s aunt from social media and clone it to call the victim, saying that the aunt has been in a terrible car accident, they’re in the hospital, there’s no insurance information, so they need you

People can now report frauds and bad business practices in their preferred language — and anonymously if they wish — by phone at 877-382-4357, or online in English or Spanish by going to reportfraud. ftc.gov or by emailing fraud@ftc.gov. Identity theft can be reported in one’s preferred language at 877-438-4338, or in English or Spanish at identitytheft.gov.

“To help people spot and avoid scams and identity theft and talk about what they experience, we offer information at ftc.gov/ languages” in languages including Amharic, Arabic, simplified and traditional Chinese, French, Mam, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese, added Larissa Bungo, Senior Attorney at the FTC Division of Consumer & Business Education.

Maria Mayo Lois Greisman Larissa Bungo

ARE AMERICANS FINANCIALLY EDUCATED ON RETIREMENT SAVINGS?

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

FINANCIAL EDUCATION HELPS PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT SAVINGS, CREDIT, AND LOANS. IT ALSO HELPS THEM PREPARE FOR LIFE CHANGES AND THE UNEXPECTED. WHEN PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE IS ESSENTIAL.

SO, HOW PREPARED ARE ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THEIR RETIREMENT? THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR FINANCIAL EDUCATION (NEFE) CONDUCTS POLLS ON HOW RETIREMENT SAVINGS AFFECT PEOPLE’S FINANCIAL WELL-BEING.

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED:

• In a financial well-being poll conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, 85% of respondents confirmed that some aspect of their personal finances was causing them stress. For 31% of respondents, that concern was “having enough saved for retirement.”

• In that same poll, 70% said they made financial adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that group, 27% increased contributions to their emergency savings, retirement savings, or other savings or investments. In comparison, 21% tapped into emergency savings—or borrowed against retirement savings.

• In a poll about financial education mandates, 80% of adults said they wish they

were required to complete a semester- or year-long course focused on personal finance education during high school. Also, 88% think their state should require a semesteror year-long course for high school graduation.

• In that same poll, 84% of those approaching retirement age said “spending and budgeting” should be taught in schools.

LIFETIME FINANCIAL EDUCATION IS HELPFUL WHEN IT COMES TO RETIREMENT PREPARATION. THIS INCLUDES UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND MAKING THE MOST OF RETIREMENT INCOME. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ON OUR RETIREMENT WEBPAGE AT WWW.SSA. GOV/RETIREMENT.

A PERSONAL MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT SHOULD BE A PART OF YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN. WITH AN ACCOUNT, YOU CAN VERIFY YOUR EARNINGS HISTORY, GET PERSONALIZED RETIREMENT BENEFIT ESTIMATES, AND MORE. IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN ACCOUNT, YOU CAN EASILY CREATE ONE AT WWW.SSA. GOV/MYACCOUNT.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NEFE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.NEFE.ORG. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

As I See It

(From Page 11)

On the other hand, the reason why she is still in the race is money, said Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rittansi, reporting from Charleston.

“Even though she has little prospect to win any of the future races, deep pocket of donors is still prepared to bankroll her because of their antipathy to Donald Trump or to keep her in the running in case Trump’s legal troubles mean he has to drop out,” Rittansi said.

Ok, fellow Americans, the stakes are high and we need your decision – before the GOP convention and during the November general election!

(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 with Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments… please email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).

Offline

(From Page 11)

gifts given to potential superstars to join a team were usually cars or SUVs. The likes of Alvin Patrimonio receiving a Pajero to stay in one particular PBA team seemed awesome back then.

What’s distressing about today’s bidding for players is that there is no end in sight.

As a last word, I am not against giving players big rewards for winning championships. The late Danding Cojuango showered the Green Archers with gifts when they won championships, and now it is billionaire Ricky Razon who is the team’s padrino.

Manny V. Pangilinan is doing the same thing for the Blue Eagles, and more recently Robina Gokongwei has become the Fighting Maroons’ godmother.

UE has Lucio Tan and NU has the Sy family to take care of their teams, but they have yet to show they are willing to engage in bidding wars.

Upside...

I say all of the billionaires who support teams should come to an agreement to stop the vile practice, and standardize what is offered to star players and role players.

Incidentally, the malpractice mentioned here are not the only cases, as there has been noticeable player movement in the NCAA as well. Almost always, rising stars transfer to championship caliber teams but they do not always deliver the goods. But that’s another story best told some other day.

POP

PH CONSULATE JOINS LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION HOSTED BY SF MAYOR BREED

(@londonbreed Instagram photo)

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco attended the Lunar New Year celebration of the City and County of San Francisco, led by Mayor London Breed and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Foundation, at the San Francisco City Hall on 21 February 2024.

Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay joined the festivities, which highlighted the diversity of the city’s

Asian American Community. San Francisco-based Filipino American group Parangal

(San Francisco PCG photos)

Dance Company performed Subanen dances Thalek and Sohten,

featuring ceramic bowls that represent the indigenous people group’s trade with China.

PG&E identifies more than 20 climate-tech solutions aimed at achieving clean energy future

PG&E’s Innovation Journey in 2024 features Refreshed Portfolio of Emerging Technology Projects to Address Grid Challenges Outlined in the Company’s R&D Strategy

OAKLAND, California.—Pacific

Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced it is exploring more than 20 additional solutions resulting from its 2023 Accelerating Innovation effort which included its first-ever R&D Strategy Report, Innovation Summit and Pitch Fest.

PG&E’s R&D Strategy Report details 67 challenges that the Company has identified in building a clean energy future for Northern and Central California. Following the report’s publication, PG&E hosted its first Innovation Summit in July 2023, where more than 3,000 people from across sectors convened to engage and collaborate with PG&E leaders and subject-matter experts about the current state and future needs of the energy system.

Following the Innovation Summit, PG&E solicited and received 628 applications from innovators with proposed solutions to the 67 challenges. PG&E evaluated all of the applications and selected 60 proposals, asking those innovators to pitch their solutions in person at its Innovation Pitch Fest in September 2023.

“We are on a mission to deliver safe, affordable, and reliable energy for all of our customers through and beyond the energy transition, and we recognize doing so requires developing and deploying energy innovations at greater speed,” said Mike Delaney, Vice President, Utility Partnerships and Innovation, PG&E. “PG&E is where innovation goes to

scale. Our partnerships with energy innovators have a direct impact in bridging the gap between today’s energy system and California’s clean energy future.”

Advancing Climate-Tech Solutions

As a result of Pitch Fest, PG&E has identified more than 20 additional solutions to further investigate or demonstrate in 2024, including through PG&E’s recently launched Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) 4 portfolio of emerging technology projects. The solutions PG&E is exploring aim to address needs across the energy system and are from the following companies:

Electric Vehicles:

• Eaton

• Gridtractor

• itselectric

• New Sun Road

• Valmont Industries

• WeaveGrid

Gas:

• C-FER Technologies

• Onboard Dynamics

• TrelliSense

Integrated Grid Planning:

• Camlin Energy

• Future Grid

• General Electric

• Infravision

• Palantir Technologies

Supply and Load Management:

• Piclo

Undergrounding:

• Biosirus

• CivilGrid

• General Electric

• Parsons Corporation

• SAM Companies

• The Okonite Company

Wildfire:

• Future Grid

• Treeswift

• Ubicquia

This list above includes Pitch Fest solutions of interest either in a pre-commercial/early commercialization phase or, for commercialized solutions, where significant PG&E R&D is required to leverage. Fully commercialized solutions of interest from Pitch Fest that are being evaluated through traditional utility processes are not listed. In addition, PG&E continues to re-evaluate the other 568 applicants not invited to Pitch Fest and is selectively adding more innovative solutions to continue investigating in addition to those identified from Pitch Fest.

PG&E’s strategy and needs as well as available technology and solutions continue to evolve over time, and there will be additional avenues for collaborating with PG&E through its continuing Accelerating Innovation effort in 2024.

To learn more about PG&E’s R&D Strategy, read PG&E’s R&D Strategy Report, view the recordings of all Innovation Summit 2023 sessions, or to contact PG&E and get involved, visit www. pge.com/innovation. To dive deeper into PG&E’s upcoming portfolio of EPIC projects, view the EPIC 4 Public Workshop presentation available at www.pge.com/

ICONS (from le�): Dominic Fike/Instagram; Sugar Pie de Santo/Wikipedia; Cassie Ventura/Instagram; (center) Joe Bataan/Official Joe Bataan website, and Sawee�e/Instagram; (bo�om) Toro y Moi/Wikipedia; Apl.de.Ap/Apl.de.Ap website, and H.E.R./Instagram

(From Page 10)

Adams in school in Los Angeles and they formed the now world-renowned band behind the monster hit “I Gotta Feeling’” and 6 Grammys to date. - Adapted from original reprinted with permission from INQUIRER. NETUSA

Local journalism needs help now

By Jun Nucum

The advancement in technology would naturally be welcomed by many as it has many promises to make life better and easier that many embraces technological developments, inventions and innovations as if they are the much-yearned manna from heaven.

For many years especially in the last decades, a lot of these most of which borne out of the advancement in computer-generated objects -- microwave ovens, automobiles, and every day-used gadgets like smart televisions, cell phones, laptops, tablets among others sprout in almost everywhere affecting the lives of people worldwide.

The additional benefits of the internet caused even more of these exhilaration, elation and thrill as much more growth, expansions, progress and advancement came about that even more encouraged inventors and developers to hone further their crafts.

In the midst of all these excitement and appreciation of these developments, however, were drawbacks that are lost in the midst of these phenomenal successes.

One such drawback is the very existence of newspaper outlets that saw devastating layoffs at many other news outlets even at iconic publications like the Washington Post, LA Times, Time Magazine, Business Insider, lately GQ and Sports Illustrated and broadcast news giants CBS and NBC that along with growing news deserts, are fueling growing uncertainty about the future of local journalism -- even about the future of news itself.

According to the Pew Research Center, the amount of advertising to local newspapers declined

82% – a $40 billion drop – since 2000 and a national briefing Rescuing Local Journalism -- What’s at Stake for Ethnic Media? was conducted by the Ethnic Media Services to explore current initiatives to rescue local journalism through various forms of taxpayer support and other public policies. Several ethnic news media publishers shared their views and inquire about how and whether these plans advance equity for the ethnic media sector which is indispensable to the ecosystem for reaching traditionally underserved audiences but is often excluded from discussions about local journalism.

The speakers at the briefing included Steven Waldman, Founder and President of Rebuild Local News and Co-Founder and former President of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms across the U.S., Ryan Adam, Vice President of Government and Public Relations for the Toronto Star who was actively involved in gaining enactment of Canada’s Online News Act (Bill C-18), a bargaining code which helps secure tech company compensation to publishers for their content, Brittney Barsotti, General Counsel, California Newspaper Publishers Association, who tracks media legislation, including California AB 886 (dubbed California Journalism Preservation Act) to support local journalism and other ethnic media publishers representing AAPI, Black and Latino news media.

Waldman confirmed that the crisis in local news is accelerating nationwide mentioning that an annual State of Local News report from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism found that the loss of local newspapers accelerated

to two and a half per week in 2023, leaving over 200 counties as “news deserts” and over half of U.S. counties with limited access to reliable local news, with another 228 counties at “high risk” of losing local news.

“Although there is a consensus that government support should not be the primary support for news as this can potentially undermine independence of the press, we’re seeing that some policies are clearly needed,” admitted Waldman as he explains proposed tax credits designed to support local journalism.

One such policy is government-backed advertising more heavily invested in local journalism.

“In New York City, for example, the City Council passed a CUNY proposal that half the advertising money the city spent would benefit community media, which led to a $9.9 million shift of funds for the sector — nearly 84% of the city’s total print and ad budget,” informed Waldman adding that other such policies include tax credit proposals. “On the state level, this involves tax credit for small businesses that advertise in local news. Federally, the Community News and Small Business Support Act (HR-4756), which is currently in Congress, is an employment tax credit of up to $25,000 per head for editorial staff.

Waldman cited one major proposal is a bargaining code requiring tech platforms like social media/companies to compensate news organizations for use of content: in Canada this takes the form of the Online News Act (C-18) passed in 2022, and in Australia, the News Media Bargaining Code passed in 2021.

Adam, of Canada’s largest newspaper Toronto Star rued that with the LA Times and Washington Post layoffs, “having a benevolent rich owner isn’t enough. And that’s because the business model for news is broken on the advertising side.”

“80% of our own revenue used to come from ads and 20% from subscriptions but in the last 15 years, with the ability of Google and Meta to use our content to drive advertising, a great deal of that 80% has gone,” continued Adam.

“Now, three years into the Australian bill, tech platforms are holding up their end of some lucrative content deals. Revenue bleeding has stopped, and people are starting to think of journalism as a growing industry,” enlightens Adam, who advocated for the passage of the Canadian bill modeled upon its Australian predecessor that has been successful.

In justifying his advocacy, Adam added “a lack of any government-independent news is not built to last, because governments can change.”

“What is built to last is some of the biggest companies in the world recognizing the value of the content they’re using, through compensating journalists with revenue from ads run by sharing that news. I think it’s the best-case scenario.”

For her part, Barsotti, gave an overview of AB-886, the California Journalism Preservation Act. Saying that despite criticisms that tech compensation will simply benefit hedge funds or large national news organizations,

“We have around 450 publications throughout California and over 90% are small businesses… the money they’d get is based on how much content is displayed; it’s not a link tax.” Barsotti expounded. “Regardless, she continued, due to the Dormant Commerce Clause and the First Amendment, we can’t do content-based deals, e.g. for ethnic media specifically. However, tweaks to the bill like headcount-based money distribution and guaranteed minimums for small publishers could mitigate these concerns.

“Some advocate for philanthropy, but we’d need up to $1.75 billion to adequately supply local news nationwide,” Barsotti added. “It won’t solve the crisis, because the crisis is based on major platforms dominating ad space.”

Heart of Hope

Heart attack predictor

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a way to predict a heart attack before it actually happens, to provide physicians an opportunity to exercise pre-emptive measures?

Luckily for the world, blood tests that could help predict the likelihood of a heart attack is available, thanks to advances in medical science and technology.

The authors of a new study identified about 90 molecules that may serve as biomarkers of a cardiac event. One of the strongest indicators of an imminent heart attack is the brain natriuretic peptide — a diuretic — which lower blood volume through increased urination. Blood tests already exist to detect this peptide.

Every 36 seconds, someone in the USA has a heart attack, the leading cause of death around the world, where over a million die each year, usually without a warning. So, the blood test to detect this peptide, this biomarker predictor, would literally be a life saver blood test.

This new study of 169,053 European individuals at Uppsala University in Sweden identifies the blood biomarkers that could be used to provide an “early warning” system that may allow time for preventive measures before a first heart attack.

Medical myths

February is the American Heart Month. Let us debunk some of the persistent myths, misconception, half-truths, and fake news about heart disease.

No sex after heart bypass

This is a myth. Following coronary bypass surgery, the circulation to the muscles of the heart is greatly improved. If a person was able to have sex before surgery, he should be able to do it more safely, with peace of mind.. The aim of coronary bypass surgery is to bring the person back to the normal way of life, as much as possible, in more ways than one, and that includes the ability to have sex. Talk to your physician.

Vitamins will prevent heart disease

No, there is absent evidence to show vitamins can reduce the risk for heart disease. For those who do not eat properly, vitamins could

be helpful by replacing what is not consumed as food. A 2018 metaanalysis of 18 existing studies with 2,019,862 volunteers concluded that “multivitamin and mineral supplementation do not improve cardiovascular outcomes in the general population.” To prevent heart disease, a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean Diet, abstinence from smoking and a disciplined alcohol intake or abstinence, and regular exercise and good behavior, are highly essential. Vitamin D3 is a good supplement for the cardiovascular system, helps in intrinsic natural insulin regulation, bone, dental, and lung health, for better calcium absorption, aids in brain health, and D3 also helps in cancer management.

Sleep Apnea is not a risk

Not true. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is prolonged breathholding, sometimes 100-200 times or more a night among individuals with OSA. Sleep Study is vital, whether one snores or not, for diagnosis. These breathless episodes deprive the body from getting enough oxygen during the night which severely increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, even for cancer. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy is the gold standard of care for OSA.

Heart disease affects only the elderly

False. While heart disease affects people over the age of 65, 4-10 percent of heart attacks happen in persons under the age of 45, mostly among men. It is what we do from childhood, adolescence, to adulthood that lays the foundation of our future health, as explained in my book, Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children (Amazon.com), a pro-active and pre-emptive strategy in healthy lifestyle and diseases prevention starting from the DNA level. A diet high in trans and saturated fats (a lot of red meat and processed delis), and smoking tobacco increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. A study of heart mortality in the United States, showed that “over 50% of counties (experienced) increase in heart disease mortality from 2010 through 205 among adults aged 35-64 years.”

Exercise is bad for heart disease

This is a big myth. To improve blood flow throughout our body, including our heart muscles, we must exercise. According to Prof. Sanjay Sharma, in August 2020, in the European Society of Cardiology guideline on exercise for patients with cardiovascular disease “The chance of exercise triggering a cardiac arrest or heart attack is extremely low.” However, he also adds a note of caution: “People

who are completely inactive and those with advanced heart disease should consult their doctor before taking up sports.”

Bypass surgery is not safe

False. Coronary Bypass is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries today. The surgical mortality rate is about 1 percent, and in some series, zero post-op mortality. It is certainly less dangerous than not having bypass surgery when important coronary arteries are blocked, which could have mortality as high as 50 percent, like left main coronary (more than 50 percent) blockage. This lesion has caused sudden death and is popularly called “widowmaker.” Not having bypass in these cases is 50 times more dangerous than bypass surgery.

On statins?- Eat whatever you like

Wrong. Simply because one is taking cholesterol-lowering drug does not mean a person can eat anything without care, foods with saturated fats, trans-fat, high carbohydrates (which increases liver’s production of blood triglycerides, which, if higher than 175 mg/dL chronically, increases the risk for serious cardiac events). An unhealthy diet also exposes people to co-morbidities like, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Fats are all bad

False. We need good fat for our body. While saturated fats and trans-fats are unhealthy, polyunsaturated fats are the healthier option: the cardio-protective omegas-3 fatty acids from fish, salmon, sardines, and mackerel, lake trout, herring, small light tuna, etc., (consumed at least 2-3 times a week) olive oil, avocados, broccoli, kale, flaxseeds, chia, walnut, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

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, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, educators, and leaders (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Ryan Adam Bri�ney Barso�

PHILIP S. CHUA

Steven Waldman

Recipe of the Week

Buko Melon Salad

Buko Melon Salad. If you are looking for buko salad for your events but tired of the usual buko pandan salad try these buko and melon combination topped with a buco melon sorbetes.

Ingredients: 20 pcs. buko, grated, buko water keep aside for other use

4 pcs. Melon, grated 3 cups condense milk

1 cup all-purpose creamer

For the Ice Cream:

1.3 liters Nestle’s Buco Melon Sorbetes ice cream

Method:

Combine and mix thoroughly all the ingredients in a big bowl. Chill in a refrigerator until ready to serve.

Cagsawa Festival dishes out gastronomic delights

DARAGA, Albay – Coconut milk and chili are at the heart of Bicolano cuisine, but if there is one place in the region that surely knows how to tickle taste buds using these key ingredients, it is Daraga town in Albay.

As part of this year’s Cagsawa Festival, five cooks from all over the region went head-to-head in their quest to serve the best dish that captures the rich history, culture, and tradition of this town at the Cagsawa Ruins, PNA’s Gladys Serafica reported.

Against the backdrop of the majestic Mayon Volcano, amateur and professional culinary experts wielded their magic as they infused innovative twists to elevate traditional recipes.

Here are the top three gastronomic delights that made the cut in this savory spectacle.

1. Pinangat with a modern flair

John Pestin’s “Manok sa Ibalon,” at first glance, may seem like the ordinary pinangat, the savory signature specialty in Bicol made from taro leaves, chili, and meat stewed in coconut milk and tied with coconut leaves.

But there is more to this dish than meets the eye.

To level up the humble pinangat, Pestin used chicken breast as a substitute for the usual morsels of dried fish and pork meat found in most traditional recipes, then added mushrooms, chili, macapuno, pili nuts, and other spices.

He then stewed the pinangat in coconut milk, tapioca sauce, and crab paste to give the dish a unique umami taste. He also paired it with Adlai rice, a local grain known for its subtle and chewy texture, which is gradually becoming a rice substitute for people with diabetes.

The result? A savory feast for the taste buds, which was described as “innovative, insightful,” and a product of “modern techniques” by one of the judges, renowned local chef Jesse Uy.

2. Bicolano-Italian fusion

Rey Mallorca’s “Cagsawa Pasta” is an edible work of art that showcases the iconic Cagsawa Ruins in all its splendor.

The visual spectacle features a mound of al dente spaghetti bathed in laing sauce and arranged masterfully to resemble the Mayon Volcano. At the crater’s edge, coconut milk foam rose, mirroring plumes of smoke, while red chili sauce cascades down the sides like the fiery molten lava.

Squid meat balls, cooked in their natural ink, were strategically placed on the plate to depict the dark boulders surrounding the ruins. A tuile, a thin wafer cookie shaped like the Cagsawa belfry, completed the look.

Mallorca’s Italian pasta met Bicolano laing, which packs layers of flavor and texture, is a sight to behold. No wonder, this fancy-looking dish could only come from a creative genius who can turn an ordinary-looking plate into an edible canvas worthy of public attention.

3. Picadillo with a twist

Juanita Llaguno’s “Chicken Picadillo” warms both body and soul. Its charm lies in its simplicity and in its ability to transport people back to moments spent around the family table.

“In Daraga, picadillo is commonly prepared using fish, but I’ve put my own twist on this dish by replacing it with chicken,” Llaguno said in the vernacular.

For her specialty, she delicately wrapped the slabs of chicken in pechay leaves, gently simmering them in luscious coconut milk sauce. She then added garlic, onions, tomato, ginger, and chili to infuse the stew with that distinct blend of flavor.

“My dish is for the masses,” she proudly said.

Food and cultural identity

Recognizing that food is an important identity marker, this year’s Bikol’s Best Fest: Cagsawa Cooking Competition aimed to showcase the rich culinary heritage of the town and discover dishes that are distinctively Daragueño.

“We want the world to know that, aside from Cagsawa Ruins, we also have a vibrant culinary culture. Our food is one way to introduce ourselves as a people because it reflects our history, culture, traditions, and values,” Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo said.

WINNING DISH. John Pes�n’s “Manok sa Ibalon” bagged the top prize in the 2024 Bikol’s Best Fest: Cagsawa Cooking Compe��on

PHL partnership with Viet Nam on e-vehicle industry eyed

MANILA - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is looking forward to partnering with Viet Nam and learn from their electronic vehicle industry as the Philippines aspires for electric vehicles to penetrate 10 percent of the country’s road transport by 2040.

In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Ching, President Marcos said that the introduction of electric vehicles to the country’s transport sector would lead to a five percent aggregate energy savings from oil and electricity.

“With the Philippines’ implementation of a Comprehensive Roadmap and the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), we hope to drive the growth of the Philippine EV industry,” President Marcos told the Prime Minister.

“I trust that Viet Nam would be the Philippines’ willing partner in this endeavor, and we are eager to learn from Viet Nam and from your good experiences,” the chief executive added.

Before this, President Marcos and some Philippine

business leaders met with the VinGroup Company, a multi-sector corporation that focuses on technology and industry, trade and services, and social enterprises,. The said company expressed interest in the country’s EV battery production.

President Marcos said that the transition of the Philippines to electric vehicles “will be a long-term multisectoral and multi-stakeholders process” that needs the strong support of both the private and public sectors.

The chief executive expressed optimism that the cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam, and the rest of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries would make “the circular economy a reality” in order to save the region’s natural resources and growing economies.

PHL vehicle sales breach 2023 target

MAKATI CITY – Sales of local vehicle assemblers in 2023 reached 429,807 units last year, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported.

This surpassed the target sales of 423,000 units for 2023, according to the CAMPI and TMA’s joint report.

CAMPI and TMA also reported that

their vehicle sales grew 21.9 percent in 2023, from 352,596 units sold in 2022.

“2023 was a very strong year for the industry and we are very excited about 2024.

Positive economic outlook, new model introductions and the electrification trend are expected to contribute to record-breaking sales this year,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

Both passenger car and commercial ve-

hicle segments rose by more than 20 percent for the full year of 2023 compared to the 2022 level.

The full-year sales of passenger cars increased to 109,264 units in 2023, 27.2 percent higher than the 85,897 units sold in 2022.

Commercial vehicle sales grew 20.2 percent to 320,543 units last year from 266,699 vehicles in 2022.

For December 2023 alone, local vehicle sales increased by 5.1 percent to 39,153 units from 37,259 units in the past 12 months.

Market leaders in the Philippine automotive vehicle industry for 2023 were Toyota, with 46.5 percent market share; followed by Mitsubishi, with 18.2 percent; Ford, with 7.3 percent; Nissan, with 6.3 percent; and Suzuki, with 4.3 percent. (PNA)