PNEWS 3.14-3.20,2024

US, JAPAN, PHL LEADERS SET FOR WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT

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US official: American firms investing $1-B in PHL

By Claire Morales True

MANILA - Heading a trade mission, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced over $1 billion worth of investments are coming to the Philippines from 22 American companies.

Raimondo, who leads a high-level Presidential Trade and Investment Mission, met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and the Philippine economic team in

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Duterte takes control of Quiboloy properties

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

Defense tops agenda as China’s Xi peps up troops

ALFRED GABOT,

MANILA/WASHINGTON – Amid China

President Xi prepping up the Chinese army for possible wider confrontation in the South China Sea, United States President Joe Biden is poised to convene a trilateral meeting with Japan and the Philippines in the White House this April with defense and economy topping the agenda.

San Diego mayor, Cabaldon, Caloza win primary; Lauron tops Superior Court judge poll

By Jun Nucum and Claire Morales True

SAN DIEGO - Filipino Americans made good showing in the last primary as San Diego’s FilAm Mayor Todd Gloria scored a big win assuring him of a second term with over 50 percent of the votes.

LONG before the women’s movement dawned on the west and the United Nations recognized International Women’s Day (IWD), a woman named Maria Josefa Gabriela Cariño de Silang had already defined woman power. In the Philippines. In 1763.

MANILA -- The Quiboloy saga took a sudden and unexpected twist after former president Rodrigo Duterte by his own admission took management control of the properties of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, believed to be worth billions of dollars.

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In San Bernardino County, Filipino American deputy district attorney Michelle Lauron won by landslide for Superior Court judge in the county garnering 74.7 percent of the votes.

high in NYC “Sheroes”

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Historians say she was 32 years old when she commanded rebel forces to free their beloved Ilocos from its Spanish overlords after the assassination of her second husband Diego Silang, leader of the Ilocanos’ fight for independence.

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent

NEW YORK -- Asian Americans in New York City still fear for their safety and remain extremely vigilant in public, according to a new study. This, despite reports that anti-Asian hate crimes are declining in the big city. Results of the study were released last week by The Asian American Foun-

US TRADE MISSION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives

top-level trade mission led by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. With them is Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and top execu�ves. See story.

Pioneer progressive ac�vist Cynthia Bonta (with granddaughter Reina Gabriela Bonta) sees hope in the women’s movement. Courtesy Reina Bonta/LAHI

Michelle Lauron newly elected judge of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County

US Indo-Pacific Command to boost engagements with AFP

CAMP AGUINALDO,

Quezon City – The United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) has committed to having more high-level engagements and exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as part of efforts to ensure that the region remains free and open.

USINDOPACOM commander, Admiral John Aquilino, made the pledge during his meeting with AFP chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, where they discussed various activities and exercises aimed at boosting interoperability between the two militaries.“Among those discussed were the lined-up programs and activities, including the Philippines-US ‘Balikatan’ exercises, the maritime cooperative activities, and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites projects,” AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said in a statement.

militaries from like-minded nations to advance the rules-based international order and secure a free and open IndoPacific region.

No other details were available due to security reasons.

The two officials also tackled ways to further beef up coordination with other

“Their meeting manifests the commitment of the AFP to its treaty ally to ensure high-level coordination and sustained implementation of programs aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two militaries,” Trinidad added.

State Secretary Blinken to visit PHL again

MAKATI

CITY –y United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Philippines in the coming weeks.

This was disclosed by visiting US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a meeting with Filipino and American busi-

nesses in Makati City.

Raimondo said the visit of US officials here sends the message that the Philippines is an important partner for the US.

“(T)he message is--the United States [is] committed to the Philippines, (that it) is going to continue to show up in the Philippines. And I think Secretary Blinken will be here in a week or so,” Raimondo said.

The upcoming trip of Blinken in Manila will be his second official visit since August 2022.

On the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, California in November 2023, Blinken also met with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. when the Philippines and the US sealed the 123 Agreement, or the civil nuclear cooperation deal.

Raimondo highlighted the special relation of the US with the Philippines in the region, having 72 years of bilateral relations, which she described as “iron clad.”

White House officials that have visited Manila since the current administration include US Vice President Kamala Harris, Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Raimondo, and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

STRONG ALLIANCE. US INDOPACOM commander, Admiral John Aquilino, signs the guestbook at the Bulwagang Balangiga before his mee�ng with AFP chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (right), at the AFP General Headquarters.

PASIG CITY – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deputize the traffic enforcers of the 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila for them to continue issuing traffic violation tickets to erring motorists in the metropolis.

MMDA acting Chairman Don Artes and the Metro Manila mayors made the announcement after a Metro Manila Council (MMC) special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Supreme Court (SC) decision that the MMDA has jurisdiction as far as traffic regulations are concerned, prohibiting Metro Manila’s LGUs from issuing their own traffic violation tickets.

“We have agreed to give local traffic enforcers in Metro Manila provisional authority for now to prevent anarchy on

the roads,” Artes said.

He said each LGU, depending on the need, would submit a list of traffic enforcers authorized to issue citation tickets to be granted provisional deputization until Dec. 31, 2024.

Artes said they have received reports that erring motorists argue with local traffic enforcers that they are unauthorized to issue traffic violation tickets despite MMDA’s earlier pronouncements that the SC decision is not yet final and executory, and “that local traffic enforcers can still issue citation tickets.”

“Our immediate solution is provisional deputization of the traffic enforcers, subject to the compliance to MMDA’s requirements and qualifications,” he added.

He said LGUs were also asked to

submit a list of their traffic ordinances to be included in the revision of the 2023 Metro Manila Traffic Code, which will include as many traffic violations as possible.

On the SC ruling, Artes said the agency would no longer file a motion for reconsideration (MR), based on the advice of its counsel, the Office of the Solicitor General.

As for the NCR LGUs, MMC president, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, said “it is the option of the Metro Manila LGUs to file their MR (to the SC decision) individually” as a legal remedy.

Once deputized, local traffic enforcers will wear identification cards with “DEPUTIZED BY THE MMDA” markings to show motorists their authoriza-

tion to enforce traffic rules and regulations, Zamora said.

“If traffic enforcers do not enforce the law, we will see violations everywhere, which we want to prevent from happening,” he said.

Reiterating that the SC decision is not yet final and executory, Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce III said the MMC would make the necessary preparations and adjustments during the transition period.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon said they have discussed the expansion of the Metro Manila Traffic Code and the inclusion of more traffic violations under the single ticketing system.

Biazon said they are also considering the uniformity of traffic enforcers’ qualifications.

E-bike ban on major NCR roads starts April 15

PASIG CITY – The ban on e-bikes on major roads in the National Capital Region (NCR) will start on April 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

“Walang bago dito. I-eenforce na po ng MMDA ang prohibitions na ito dahil marami na tayo nakikitang insidente ng aksidente, paglabag sa mga traffic rules

and regulations at ‘di na po natin aantayin na dumami pa at lumala pa ang sitwasyon bago tayo kumilos,” MMDA chair Romando Artes said.

Data from the MMDA Road Safety Unit show that there were 907 e-bike, e-trike, and e-scooter-related road crash statistics in Metro Manila in 2023, nearly triple from the 309 accidents listed last 2019.

Violators will be fined P2,500 while their units will also be impounded if the users cannot present a driver’s license upon apprehension, Artes said.

He added that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) would be released before April 15.

“We want to come up (with the IRR)

Navotas court convicts cops over teen’s killing MMDA to deputize NCR traffic enforcers

NAVOTAS CITY – The Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted one of six dismissed police officers of homicide over the death of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity.

(From page 1)

The ex-president said this week he had volunteered to take over the management of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s properties, and the religious leader agreed because he was “distracted at the moment.”

In a 44-page decision, RTC Branch 286 Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. found Staff Sgt. Gerry Maliban guilty of homicide and sentenced him to four years in jail.

Maliban admitted to opening fire on the teenager during a Senate inquiry on the matter.

The court, meanwhile, found Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Balais Jr., Staff Sgt. Nikko Esquillon, Cpl. Edward Blanco, and Pat. Benedict Mangada guilty of the illegal discharge of firearms.

in a week or two para magkaron pa tayo ng (so that we will have) information campaign taking into consideration the suggestions and position papers,” he said.

Under MMDA Regulation No. 24-022, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and “kuligligs” will also be prohibited from traversing national roads, circumferential, and radial roads in the NCR.

The exact value of the properties is unknown because religious organizations are exempt from filing taxes, which, would otherwise reveal how much Quiboloy is worth.

But he is known to own vast tracts of land in Davao, two private jets, a broadcast network, and various properties in the US, where he is facing sex trafficking, human trafficking, cash smuggling, fraud, and conspiracy raps.

Locally, Quiboloy faces problems with both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality seeking citing him in contempt for refusing to attend the body’s hearings.

It gets worse.

The Philippine National Police said it was ready to implement orders concerning the pastor, including placing him under arrest.

PNP chief information officer Col. Jean Fajardo gave the assurance after a judge from the California Central District Court in Santa Ana, ordered the unsealing of the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

The arrest of a Filipino presented in this case is not impossible given that there is an extradition pact between the US and the Philippines.

It should be noted that Quiboloy has been in hiding for several weeks now, after he had claimed that the Marcos government was working with the US, specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to have him arrested. Worst of all, he even claimed that he would be assassinated by the FBI.

That farfetched claim was denied by the

A lone accused, Staff Sgt. Antonio Bugayong, was acquitted.

The six cops were dismissed from the service in September last year.

State prosecutors initially filed murder charges against the six.

administration as well as the US embassy.

Four senators are contesting Senator Risa Hontiveros’ act, which would result in the arrest of the pastor.

Quiboloy’s refusal to also face the House regarding his role in the Sonshine Media Network International has also landed Quiboloy in hot water. If he continues to snub House hearings, congressmen are threatening to have the network’ franchise revoked.

This, after the House franchise committee cited him in contempt for refusing its summons on multiple occasions.

Quiboloy’s lawyers claim the religious leader is no longer the owner of the network, and that he is now only its titular head. Congressmen, however, are not convinced and are ready to place him under House arrest if Quiboloy insists on refusing to face the lawmakers.

Quiboloy’s woes are the reason that Duterte gave to justify his acting as administrator of the properties.

Said the former president: “The present rumblings…distract the pastor with the dayto-day operation.” He added that he would only run the show for the time being, but steer clear of the financial side of the group’s operations.

Duterte’s sole reason for taking over was “because I am his friend.”

Duterte ...

Vatican okays inquiry for Pinay teen’s sainthood

MANILA/LAOAG CITY — The Vatican has allowed a diocesan inquiry into the sainthood cause of Filipino teenager Nina Ruiz-Abad of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, who died at the age of 13 in 1993.

Abad was described as having a strong devotion to the Eucharist and devoted her life to distributing rosaries, bibles, prayer books, holy images and other religious items.

Reports from the Vatican indicated that the Diocese of Laoag in Ilocos Norte will commence a local inquiry into the reputation and sanctity of Abad.

Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba will initiate the diocesan process and commence with its inquiry, it was reported.

“Lætare! (Rejoice!) to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the diocese, as the Vatican judged that nothing stands in the way of the diocesan inquiry into the life

of sanctity and heroic virtues of the ‘Servant of God,’” Mayugba said in a circular.

Mayugba submitted a detailed biography of the candidate to the Vatican dicastery and petitioned for permission to begin his investigation after

securing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ support during its plenary assembly in July 2023.

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints granted a “nihil obstat (nothing stands in the way),” which is one of the stages in the preliminary phase of a cause.

The beatification and canonization cause of Abad would officially open on April 7 or Divine Mercy Sunday, Mayugba noted.

The session at the St. William’s Cathedral Church in Laoag will be open for the public to witness.

Volcanic smog observed over Taal Caldera, people warned

TAGAYTAY CITY – Volcanic smog or “vog” has been observed anew over the Taal Caldera prompting officials and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to warn the people to take the necessary precautions.

Phivolcs said the vog is affecting the municipalities of Agoncillo, Laurel, Balete, Sta. Teresita, Calaca, Mabini, Mataasnakahoy, Lemery, San Nicolas, and Talisay, all in Batangas province.

Taal Volcano, which emitted 6,837 tons of sulfur dioxide on Monday, is under alert level 1 (low-level unrest).

Only one volcanic tremor that lasted 2 minutes was recorded on Tuesday.

Despite this, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the public should take precautions against vog. “Wear masks. Drink plenty of water, and minimize outdoor activities,” he said.

Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas, which can cause irritations to the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract in severities depending on gas concentrations and durations of exposure.

Meanwhile, under alert level 1, entry into the Taal Volcano Island is prohibited as sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, and lethal expulsions of gas could occur and threaten the area.

Negros Island Region gets Senate nod

BACOLOD CITY/PASAY CITY – Senators have unanimously approved Senate Bill No. 2507 creating the Negros Island Region (NIR) composed of Negros Occidental including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

This is to promote administrative decentralization and strengthen local autonomy to accelerate cultural and social development of the region.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who principally authored the measure, said residents of Negros Occidental, who have transactions with national government agencies, are sometimes stuck in Iloilo due to rough weather.

He said the same situation is experienced by residents of Negros Oriental and Siquijor who have to go to Cebu.

“This is a dream come true for all of them –the people of Negros Island, together with Siquijor. Now, at any point in time, when they need to follow up their documentation in the regional offices, it will be in the island of Negros -- very close proximity to all municipalities and towns,” Zubiri said.

The sponsor of the measure, Senator JV Ejercito, thanked his colleagues for the support and congratulated the residents that will benefit from the measure.

“Paparating na ang mabilis at maayos na serbisyo sa (Fast and good service is coming soon to the) Negros Island. The idea for this bill was first planted three decades ago. With the approval of this chamber today, it will soon bear fruit,” Ejercito said.

Senator Francis Tolentino also lauded the approval of the NIR Act, citing it as a “monumental step forward” for communities encompassing both governance and socioeconomic development at its core.

QBE grants P3.7 M to Million Trees Foundation

QUEZON CITY - The Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) has received a major boost with the entry of a new institutional partner - QBE Insurance Group - which has allotted ₱3.7 million for various projects of the foundation highlighted by the groundbreaking of the QBE Green SanQtuary Park on March 11 at the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City. Present during the event were MTFI Chairman Emeritus and former MWSS Chairman/ Administrator Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco (Ret), MTFI President and Executive Director Melandrew T. Velasco and officers of QBE Insurance Group namely: Samir Kumar, Group Chief Shared Services Officer; Arthur Araña,

Senior Vice President – Finance; Jo Cruz, Head of Communications and Branding / Head of GSSC Foundation; Donna Grande, SVP – People; Ariel Magtoto, GM/SVP –Insurance Services; Ton Cabiao – Head of Risk; and, Kai Cabuslay – Head of Technology (Interim).

In his welcome remarks, General Velasco said: “We welcome the establishment of the QBE Green Park that will not only serve as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the concrete jungle nor simply a place where children can play and create their own adventure, but also as a place where everyone one, young and old, can reconnect with nature and rejuvenate the soul.” For his part, QBE Samir Kumar expressed elation on the partnership with the

Million Trees Foundation even as he committed to support various projects and activities that are aligned with sustainability, climate change and the journey to planting 10 million more trees until 2030.

“QBE Insurance Group through its QBE Foundation aims to improve the resilience and preparedness of communities through long-term partnerships. With its focus on creating strong, resilient and inclusive communities, QBE Foundation has its forest for water and environmental protection programs. Both programs involve tree and mangrove planting activities,” added Mr. Kumar.

Anti-Asian...

The QBE Green Park will cover 1,600 square meters in the 5-hectare area allotted by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to MTFI.

(From page 1)

NYC-based Asian Americans aged 16 and above taken between Nov 30 and Dec 19, last year, it showed that safety is a major concern among Asian Americans in one of the East Coast’s biggest cities, one with the largest communities of residents of Asian descent.

Bylined by Shruti Rajkumar for HuffPost, the story cited survey results showing one in five Asian Americans had been physically assaulted in the past 12 months, while one in two reported facing insults, harassments, threats, or a physical attack based on their race or ethnicity.

More than 50 percent of the respondents said they felt unsafe in public transport, while 83 percent of Asian American women said public safety was a major concern in the city.

A study taken in NYC in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic stated that the city reported the largest increase in reports of anti-Asian hate crimes.

Since then, data from the NY Police Department indicated a decrease in such crimes, with 83 incidents targeting Asians

in 2022 and 51 incidents last year.

But TAAF head Norman Chen said anti-Asian hate crimes had not really dissipated, with an unknown number going unreported by the victims.

He told local media that anti-Asian hate rhetoric that targeted the Asian American and Pacific Islander community since 2020 “has not stopped.”

More than half of survey respondents who had experienced a hate incident in NYC did not report the experience to anyone, with 42 percent saying they were reluctant to bring attention to themselves by reporting. Another 29 percent said they were unaware that reporting hate incidents was an option in the city.

Other barriers were also present for those unaware of the reporting process, with 27 percent not knowing how to go about reporting hate incidents, and 26 percent saying they felt uncomfortable reporting such incidents to law enforcement or other officials.

TAAF Regional Director Eugena Oh said in a statement: “We hope this study will shine a light on the ever-present issue of Asian American safety in New York and provide the data necessary for city leaders to come together to meaningfully invest in our community.”

Earlier, the governor of New York state announced that members of the National Guard would be deployed to patrol some of NYC’s subways with police and conduct bag checks to deter criminal activity.

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/.

US, Japan....

(From page 1)

Plans for the three-country talks in Washington surfaced as Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels continue their “harassment” of Philippine Coast Guard and other vessels in the West Philippine Sea, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to renew his assurances to Filipinos in a meeting in Germany that he would continue to defend the Philippine territory and would not allow even an inch of it to be grabbed by another country.

Marcos underscored the importance for like-minded countries to “present a united front against any unilateral attempts to take territory from any other country” during his bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin

Marcos’ statement immediately drew the backing of the German Chancellor, stressing freedom of navigation is important to all nations.

Scholz assured President Marcos of Germany’s continued support and their commitment to increase maritime cooperation with the Philippines including other cooperative endeavors between the two countries. “So, we are willing to increase this, and all the other cooperation we are having,” Scholz told President Marcos.

Before the trilateral dialogue in April, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will visit Manila next week for talks focusing on bolstering defense and economic ties ahead of a summit of their leaders in US. It will be the second visit of Blinken in Manila.

US official...

(From page 1)

Malacanang, accompanied by Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and executives of 22 American companies.

Raimondo was tasked by US President Joe Biden to lead the mission as he was seeking stronger trade relations with the Philippines.

“On this trip alone, these companies are announcing over a billion dollars of US investments including creating educational opportunities to over 30 million Filipinos,” Raimondo said at a press briefing.

“Interests in higher wage jobs, in telecommunications, in digitization, helping small and medium-sized companies to digitize. That’s a strong theme of the investments these companies hope to make,” she added.

Some of the companies which joined the trade mission and are investing more in the Philippines are FedEx, UPS, United Airlines, Mastercard, VISA, Microsoft, and Google, she said.

Some of the companies shared their future plans in the Philippines, which include the following:

UltraPass ID co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Eric Starr signed an agreement with the Department of Budget and Management and information and communications technology firm Now Corp. for the use of its decentralized identity solutions and rolling out of secured data sharing;

Sol-Go chair of the board and CEO Scott McHugo shared the company’s plan to triple Sol-Go’s headcount and capacity of its light-weight solar panel factory in Batangas; Microsoft Corp. Office of the President Global Strategic Initiatives vice president Mary Snapp announced its partnership with Unconnected.org to bring in additional one million individuals online and the tie-up with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to equip Filipinos with digital and artificial intelligence skills;

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth founder and president and EVP for Sustainability Shamina Singh intends to expand the 10,000 small business beneficiaries in the Philippines that can tap Mastercard’s capital, know-how, and lending services for their innovation investments;

InnovationForce founder and CEO Kimberly Getgen mentioned the company’s partnership with Aboitiz Power Corp. for the former to provide its digital solutions to the Filipino power firm; and

KKR head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure David Luboff said the company will continue to invest in the Philippines on top of the USD1.7-billion capital it had already poured into the country.

Blinken will be in Manila on March 18 for bilateral talks with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and other senior Philippine officials before their March 20 trilateral ministerial meeting with Kamikawa.

Earlier, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited Manila with leaders of 22 big American corporations and other US officials. In a meeting with Filipino and American business leaders at a Makati City hotel, Raimondo said the official trips and business missions from the US send a message that the Philippines is a priority for the US public and private sectors.

“We are engaging more and more economically in the India-Pacific region, but the Philippines is special,” Raimondo said, noting the 72 years of “ironclad and rock solid” bilateral ties between the two countries.

The top-level meetings follow a series of hostilities between Chinese and Philippine ships and vessels in the disputed South China Sea, which have been denounced by the Philippines along with the United States and Japan.

On top of the agenda is a planned trilateral summit of US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington DC on April 11.

The US and Japan have also boosted their trade and investments in the Philippines while enhancing defense cooperation.

“Japan is really a major partner and ally for our defense and security plus our economic relations,” a senior Philippine official privy to the arrangements for the the high-level meetings said.

Reports from the White House showed President Biden will host Kishida for an official visit to the US on April 10.

• $0 primary care copay

• $0 drug deductible and $0 Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescription drugs

• $1,000 a year for hearing aids

• $2,000 a year in dental coverage

1 You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

• $300 a year for eyewear

• A Healthy Savings card worth $120 quarterly to purchase CCA Health-covered over-the-counter products, plus an additional $100 per year to pay for vision services or medical transportation2

BIG INVESTMENT. US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo proposes a toast during talks with President Marcos and top US execu�ves who vowed $1 billion worth of investment in the Philippines.

San Diego.... (From

page 1)

In the race for the California State Senate, long-time mayor of West Sacramento, Christopher Cabaldon, was second in the race for the 3rd District but is assured of victory in the November election.

For the California Assembly District’s 52, Jessica Caloza, an aide to Attorney General Rob Bonta, was a topnotcher besting nine other candidates and is poised to make history in November as the first Filipina in the assembly.

Gloria topped the field of five candidates in the mayoralty primary, accounting for 108,183 votes (50.3%).

Behind him and most probable opponent in the runoff elections is police officer Larry Turner with 50,809 votes (23.6%).

In distant third was attorney Genevieve Jones Wright with 32,204 votes (15%), Jane Glasson, 15,602 (7.3%) and Dan Smiechowski, 8,332 (3.9%).

Gloria, a Democrat, is proud of his Filipino roots, although he is also of Dutch, Puerto Rican, and Native American descent. He was a member of the California State Assembly when he made waves in the last San Diego mayoralty election and won as the first Filipino and person of color and first open gay mayor of the city.

A summa cum laude graduate of the University of San Diego, Gloria was interim mayor of San Diego in August 2013, following the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner, until March 2014. He has also served as member of the San Diego City Council representing District 3 for eight years.

Lauron, who has put her commitment to justice and courtroom experience to work, bested his opponent Dieter Dammeier.

Lauron was thankful to the voters.

“I’m humbled and honored to have earned the support and trust of the people of San Bernardino County,” Lauron said.

San Bernardino County Supervising Deputy District Attorneys Association spokesman Douglas Poston called Lauron’s “big win” a bittersweet moment. While San Bernardino Superior Court was gaining a new judge, the District Attorney’s Office was losing a “great colleague.”

“We’re also very pleased the voters in both San Bernardino and Merced counties saw through the chicanery and elected the right people,” Poston added that it is very misleading to the public in both counties that fact that Dammeier was allowed to run for office in both counties. “No one should want a judge who focuses on loopholes instead of the law.”

The criticism surrounded a loophole in California election law, which remains murky about whether a candidate is allowed to seek more than one public office at the same time.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to fairness and impartial justice, Lauron said she will put her commitment to justice and courtroom experience to work as a Superior Court judge.

Lauron shares her judicial philosophy on her campaign website: “Judges must enforce laws as written, protect everyone’s Constitutional rights, appropriately punish the guilty, never silence the voices of victims and always free the innocent.”

Lauron and her husband Michael, also a career prosecutor, have been married for over 27 years. The couple has two adult children. They are active in their church, leading faith formation classes and involved in numerous marriage and youth ministries.

Another winner was erstwhile long-time Mayor of West Sacramento Christopher Cabaldon who took second place in primary and arranged a faceoff with frontrunner Tom Bogue in the November ballot for the California State Senate District 3.

STATE SENATE 3: YOLO CO., ROHNERT PARK 100% reporting

CANDIDATE VOTES PCT.

Thom Bogue (R) 35,538 29.0%

Christopher Cabaldon (D) 32,766 26.8%

Rozzana Verder-Aliga (D) 24,914 20.3%

In his victory statement, Cabaldon revealed that he had a phone conversation with fellow Filipino candidate Rozzana Verder-Aliga of Vallejo “who graciously called to congratulate me on winning the primary election.

“As someone with boundless love for my own city, I was deeply moved when she added: “I have only one request, Christopher. Please take care of Vallejo.” I gave her my word that I will fight for the community she calls home. For the first time in the history of our area, all three Democratic candidates were people of color, two immigrants, two women, and one LGBTQ+. We elevated parts of our district that have not often been at the table, in a blaze of inclusive representation. What an honor to make history on the journey together with Rozzana and Jackie Elward,” Cabaldon beams

Cabaldon expressed confidence that “with over 230,000 ballots counted, our 12,000-vote lead is now statistically insurmountable. I’m thrilled to report that we earned exceptionally broad support—the only candidate to place in the top 3 in every one of the district’s six counties. We won outright majorities among the Democratic candidates in half the counties and led the Democratic field in the two mostpopulous counties.”

“When I first announced my candidacy 11 months ago, I pledged to criss-cross the 3rd Senate District, to listen and talk with voters, community leaders, and change makers in the amazingly diverse six counties and 21 cities and towns. I did just that (and) hundreds of discerning voters came to meet me at house parties hosted by friends and neighbors in every corner of the district. Along the way, you didn’t just share your opinions about key issues pending in the Senate or quiz me about my priorities, you shared your own stories, ideas, hopes, needs, encouragement, and inspiration,” Cabaldon recalled. “I’m profoundly grateful for your hospitality and your taking the time to engage so deeply in our democracy. I’m excited to keep learning with you as I champion the too often-invisible communities of our district in the Senate.”

Cabaldon also thanked the enthusiastic welcome and kudos that were accorded his awesome team of volunteers, many of them comprise of the young people that powered his campaign and what they saw and the people they met made them even more committed to working hard for our democracy.

“Now we move forward to the November general election, facing a pro-Trump Republican who is out of step with our district’s values and made clear during the primary that he will stand in the way of bold climate action, civil and reproductive rights, housing affordability, and getting results to reduce homelessness. With your help, we will stand united and prevail in November,” optimistically Cabaldon assured.

And if Cabaldon wins over opponent Thom Bogue, “we’ll be adding seats to the table. I’ll be the first Filipino-American to serve in the California Senate. Given the historic prominence of the Filipino American community in Vallejo, FairfieldSuisun,Yolo, and the Sacramento Delta, it just makes sense that the 3rd District would be the place where history gets made and from where more of our stories will be told. Our election will maintain the important voice of the Senate’s AAPI caucus, which had been at risk of shrinking to just one member.”

For the California Assembly District’s 52’s California Democratic Party pre-endorsement conference vote,

Jessica Caloza, the Filipino-American millennial running for a seat in the California State Assembly was a topnotcher besting nine other candidates.

“As a lifelong Democrat, I am honored to have earned the support of a diverse coalition of so many local grassroots Democrats across the district,” a humbled Caloza remarked in a statement. “Democratic activists make up the backbone of our party, and I’m proud to have earned their critical vote. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the local delegates in AD-52 who gave me their support.”

ASSEMBLY 52: EAST L.A., EAGLE ROCK

100% reporting

CANDIDATE VOTES PCT.

Jessica Caloza (D) 15,931 30.1%

Franky Carrillo (D) 11,958 22.6%

If elected, some firsts would include Jessica Caloza, running for a Los Angeles-area Assembly seat, who could become the first Filipina-American in the state Legislature.

Caloza – a first-generation immigrant who was born in Quezon City, Philippines– has gained high-powered endorsements from top elected leaders, including lawmakers Judy Chu and Ted Lieu, California Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Senators Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Dave Min.

She is also backed by powerful unions—the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council and the California Federation of Teachers. SEIU represents 2 million workers in health care, property services and the public sector.

“Democratic activists make up the backbone of our party, and I’m proud to have earned their critical vote. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the local delegates in AD-52 who gave me their support,” she cited also making special mention of gratitude to her former boss California State Attorney General RobBonta “for helping us Get Out The Vote on Election Day! A big thank you to my family, friends, and neighbors for all their love and support. It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us.”

Assembly District 52 includes south Glendale, Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Lincoln Heights, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Cypress Park, Elysian Valley, Monterey Hills, Hermon, Montecito Heights, El Sereno, Garvanza, City Terrace, and East LA.

Christopher Cabaldon vying to be State Senator for Third Senate District

Jessica Caloza the Filipino-American millennial running for a seat in the California State Assembly

FRANCIS ESPIRITU

Publisher/President

NEIL GONZALES Chief Correspondent

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

A State of the Union address that made a difference

President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last week made a difference, we daresay a huge difference, in his bid for reelection later this year. At least for the majority of Democrats as well as independent voters, he dispelled the GOP stand that he is too old to stay on for another four years as president.

Even some Republicans grudgingly admitted that Biden did well, because he really did.

Did good, old Joe knock it out of the park? Close, quite close.

It was the president in his element, delivering both style and substance

Most of all, he showed that he was not too old to remain chief executive, that he remained in full control of his mental and physical facilities.

In contrast, his opponent – whom he did not mention by name but only referred to as his predecessor -- has been showing in recent months that he may be beyond the initial stages of dementia.

Numerous video clips confirm this.

As psychologists point out, it is one thing to mistake one person from another – in one speech Biden referred to the French president as Mitterand (who has been dead for decades) instead of Macron -- but it is another thing to completely be totally wrong about one’s personal experiences, as when Donald Trump has claimed that he ran against Barack Obama.

It’s a wonder why so many choose to ignore one undeniable fact, which is that Donald Trump is a mere three years younger than Joe Biden.

Both are senior citizens, of course. But one is borderline obese who is known to have an unhealthy diet, while the other is generally fit and whose doctor-wife takes good care of him.

The latter’s strong showing in his address before Congress last week made clear that there were major differences between him and his likely opponent, his predecessor.

It is important to note the message that the incumbent president delivered last week. He spoke of his accomplishments, and they are plentiful indeed. For one, the US economy is in excellent shape and employment has gone way up.

This alone is reason enough to give him four more years at the White House.

His most important message, however, is the vision he has for the future. He believes it can still be bright, but not if the wrong man occupies the Oval Office.

His predecessor has made it clear that he will seek revenge against those whom he feels wronged him, that he will be a vengeful president if elected, or reelected as the case may be.

He has also made clear that he will remain the best of friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This is what scares us the most. A Trump presidency can not only spell the end of NATO, but could also open the door for World War lll.

This is not acceptable.

At least Joe Biden showed everyone that he is the better option than his predecessor, that he is not just a few years older, but infinitely wiser.

Joe Biden deserves four more years as our president.

She was later captured and executed, and to this day inspires Filipinas to stand up to injustice.

About a century later the Filipina brand of courage and love of country came to fore anew in Gregoria de Jesus, Agueda Kahabagan, Teresa Magbanua, Melchora Aquino, Trinidad Tecson and the many unsung Filipinas who contributed in various ways to the Philippine Revolution against Spain.

De Jesus founded the women’s chapter of the Katipunan, led by its “Supremo,” her first husband Andres Bonifacio. The revolutionary organization kindled the bravery of Kahabagan, a general in Laguna, and Magbanua in the Visayas, and Aquino, who tended to injured revolutionaries in Manila even at later age. Tecson went on to establish the Philippine Red Cross.

Philippine history’s renowned female fighters would be replicated by their fellow Filipinas in the United States. “Shero” first appeared in the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2008 though it is said to have been used before the turn of the last century. FilAm “sheroes” assert the valor of their ancestors by nurturing, protecting and empowering their communities amid societal challenges.

PROGRESSIVELY ACTIVE

Her married name rings a bell in legal and political circles everywhere, but the former Cynthia Arnaldo is her own woman, who set out to do good by earning a master’s degree in religious education and coming to America to confront oppression.

“Ate Cyn,” as Cynthia Bonta is called by intimates and mentees, currently sits on the board of the Central Valley Empowerment Alliance (CVEA), described by executive director Mari Perez-Ruiz as a “multi-ethnic…grassroots” community development nonprofit to “empower through transformative change” in the state’s deep rural communities and urban centers of Fresno, Madera, Visalia and Bakersfield.

Three years ago, CVEA opened the doors of the Larry Itliong Resource Center in Poplar, Tulare County, to celebrate the birthday of FilAm labor organizer and California Hall of Fame inductee Larry Itliong and honor the stakeholders of the farm worker movement that unionized the community.

In the middle of that movement and the five-year farm worker’s strike was Cynthia Bonta and then-husband fellow missionary Warren Bonta.

Cynthia Bonta attributes the victory of the movement to inclusion and collaboration, with indigenous and Yemeni workers locking arms with Filipino and Mexican workers.

Her activism begins at home where she raised her children the best way she knows how: “to be a contributing member of society by being a protector, a teacher, an enabler, a guide, an example,” she says. Her children Lisa Ligaya Bonta Sumii, a psychotherapist; Jonathan, a diversity and environment expert, and Rob, California’s Attorney General, prove the efficacy of her lessons.

These days Bonta’s grandchildren are the beneficiaries of her guidance. Her granddaughter Reina, eldest of Rob’s three children, produced and directed “LAHI,” a short film dedicated to Cynthia and the impact of the Filipino diaspora on its multigenerational relationships. Reina’s middle name is Gabriela, in honor of the fearless widow of Ilocos warrior Diego Silang. The AG’s second name Andres honors the Katipunan “Supremo” Andres Bonifacio.

Bonta left the Philippines but kept the land of her birth in her heart by organizing the Philippine Independence Day and Filipino American History Month festivities in Alameda, California.

Recently Cynthia Bonta called together current and former elected officials to press on with the progressive agenda. Her appeal resonates this election year:

“All of us are threatened to lose our freedoms and our rights as human beings as authoritarianism, fascism rises up in the world,” she warned. “Women are being targeted and I dare say is a threat to patriarchy because our latent power when released is as a swollen river that breaks the dam of sexism and objectification. We are showing our power in movements internationally!”

She aired regret that women are “still relegated to staying home” at domestic chores” as she does “not sense a breakthrough in the power systems run by men to treat women equally.” Yet she expressed hope in the “women’s movement gaining more and more political power to bring about transformative change in our society to live together in mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.” – Adapted from original reprinted with permission from INQUIRER.NETUSA

TO BE CONCLUDED

On the power of words

It has often been said hat “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Words have the power to move or motivate, hurt or heal. The written word, through the ages, has been able to change people’s minds, resulting in the spread of ideologies , like Communism and Nazism.

The spoken word can have a positive or a negative effect. It can serve to express love, console the bereaved, make peace. It can also cause pain.

Often, people are wont to utter hurting words when they are themselves hurt or angry. They little realize that words spoken cannot be unspoken.The hurt caused remains .

This is why I commend people who choose to keep silent when tempted to utter hurting words. Their self-restraint is admirable indeed.

It takes courage and humility for a person to NOT strike back with equally hurtful words.

If more people would only realize the power of words, perhaps this world would be a better, place to live in.

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

Gospel Sunday at East Foothill congregation in San Jose

As a book author, columnist and active Evangelist, my beloved wife Virginia Jimenez Madlaing and I were blessed and fortunate to visit and attend the Bible Class and Worship Services of the EAST FOOTHILL CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Jose, California last Sunday, February 26, 2024.

4 shameless senators

My beloved wife and I were equally blessed to join the afternoon visitation and Devotional Lunch Fellowship in the home of one of the elders, Calvin Cooper, at the top of the hill overlooking San Jose and Silicon Valley. We were encouraged and uplifted by the acapella singing and brief bible messages led and shared by volunteer men of the congregation.

The EAST FOOTHILL CHURCH OF CHRIST is one of the oldest congregations in Northern California with installed elders (or pastors) namely: Derrick Carbin, Rex McElrath and Calvin Cooper; and installed deacons namely: Pete Cachela and Carlos Osorio, Sr. Serving as Evangelist/Minister is Mike Alop.

I am thankful and glad that Mike Alop, Evangelist/Minister, and the elders of the East Foothill congregation has scheduled me to preach on the third Sunday of March, 2024, 10:30am during the Sunday morning Worship Services.

As an active Evangelist, I’ll be sharing an important and urgent message on the Gospel, the power of God to salvation, a very timely topic this Lenten Season on the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus. With the Gospel message, you’ll fully appreciate and have better understanding of the Lenten Season this month of March when many will be observing Palm Sunday (March 24 2024), Good Friday (March 29, 2024) and Easter Sunday (March 31,2024).

I’m personally inviting and encouraging our readers and the general public (especially those residing in San Jose/Silicon Valley) to attend the Bible Class (9:30 am) and Worship Services (10:30 am) at the EAST FOOTHILL CHURCH OF CHRIST, 214 North White Road, San Jose, California on March 17, 2024, Sunday morning.

As guests during this Sunday morning Worship Services dubbed as” GOSPEL SUNDAY AT THE EAST FOOTHILL CONGREGATION,” I’ll have unique opportunity to personally meet our regular readers who had been following and reading my weekly column “HEALTH & WEALTH” through the years.

As a book author, columnist and Evangelist, I’ll be bringing some autographed copies of the six best-selling books now available at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback and E-book namely: “LONGEVITY TIPS,” subtitled “Secrets You Can Discover and Do for Good Health and Longevity,” “R.A.W. WISDOM” subtitled “FINDING PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS,” I coauthored with Ralondria Antoinette Ward; “LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY, subtitled “How to Healthy Emotionally, Financially, Physically, Sexually and Spiritually;”

“REAL ESTATE & YOU” subtitled “Your Basic Guide and Information for Successful Investing in Home, Land and Income Property;” “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians;” “LAUGHTER FOR GOOD HEALTH” subtitled “Humorous Anecdotes on Cooking, Events, Families, History and Personalities,” I co-authored with Mary Ann Cove Cheatham from Laveen, Arizona, USA.

As my personal way of showing my appreciation and thanks to our readers and the general public for regularly following and reading my weekly column on “HEALTH & WEALTH,” I’ve reserved some autographed copies of the best-selling books mentioned above, to our readers and guests who will be attending the Worship Services and hear my Gospel message on Sunday, 10:30 am, March 17, 2024, at the EAST FOOTHILL CHURCH OF CHRIST Auditorium, 214 North White Road, San Jose, California USA.

Reserved your copies now for your autographed copies of the six best-selling books authored by your columnist and evangelist. These books are excellent addition to your Family Library or Personal Library. RSVP: Call (650) 438-3531 or (415) 584-7095 or email:artmadlaing@hotmail.com

(ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR XHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.)

It is only in the Philippines where one will witness the sickening sight of very powerful politicians – senators, no less – defend the indefensible.

Over the weekend, five senators took the cudgels for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, saying the Senate should not threaten to have him arrested after the so-called religious leader had refused to face the lawmakers to answer many disturbing questions on his activities.

Good thing one of the senators changed his mind, and withdrew his objection to the Senate threat.

But the other four should hang their heads in shame, but won’t do so because they’re as thick-skinned as they come.

In no particular order, the Shameless Four are Robinhood Padilla, Imee Marcos, Bong Go, and Cynthia Villar.

Oddly enough, Villar’s son who is also a senator, Mark Villar, did not join the group, and neither did Bato dela Rosa, who usually goes along with anything Go does.

What is sickeningly interesting to note is that not one of the four said they believed in the innocence of Quiboloy. They all said practically in unison that they could not sign because they considered the pastor a nice man who had always been kind to them.

As the saying goes, show me who your friends are and I’ll show you who you are.

Of course Quiboloy would make friends with the quartet, as they are all seen to be powerful politicians. One is the elder sister of the president, one is married to one of the richest businessmen in the Philippines, one is the alter ego of a former president, and one is a washed-up actor who remains popular with the masa for reasons that people of average intelligence cannot fathom.

Oh, and the senator who had a change of heart? It’s none other than JV Ejercito, who at least showed that he still has some brains and that his La Salle education did not go to waste. The same thing cannot be said of Go, however, as he is said to be a graduate of the great school where Ejercito earned his bachelor’s degree.

As of this writing, Quiboloy remains in hiding. But he did take the odd step of naming former president Rodrigo Duterte as administrator of his church and all its properties, which is easily worth billions of dollars. Yes, dollars, not mere pesos, folks.

I could say that the Davao-based pastor is proof that millions of Filipinos are gullible, but sad to say, the same can also be said of Americans, who follow the various televangelists who are nothing more than money-worshipping leaders able to take money from their flocks with ease. The Filipino pastor’s church is said to have five million members, mostly based in Davao.

And if I may be so bold, I do wonder why God in heaven allows this when he can easily end their miserable lives by hurling a thunderbolt their way. Or am I mistaking the one true God with Zeus or Jupiter, or Odin, maybe?

As an aside, some of my more religious friends are engaged in an endless debate on why bad things happen to good people. I stopped joining them in such useless talk ages ago.

What I want to know is why senators who should know better are siding with someone who may be the devil incarnate, or at least one of Satan’s senior disciples.

I will always have to exclude Padilla, whose IQ must be somewhere between idiot and moron. It’s not his fault he is as dumb as a frozen tadpole, but what’s the excuse of Marcos, Villar, and Go?

In the bad, old days of the Marcos dictatorship, there was loose talk that Macoy and Meldy really wanted Imee to become president, as she was supposedly more intelligent, or at least more serious with her studies, than their only son.

Over the decades, she has shown flashes of brightness as a lawmaker and as a politician. Often, she seems to use her common sense.

This is not one of those times.

As for Villar, who came close to being first lady, her lack of compassion for the poor is well known. She has absolutely no clue on what it’s like to struggle to find food on a daily basis for one’s family.

She appears to be a person of at least average intelligence, but it is her moral values that have been brought to the fore because of her inexcusable defense of the delusional religious leader who

(Continue on page 20)

Training, retraining: A must for companies to cope with the changing times

For companies to cope with the challenges of the 21st century, there is a need for training and retraining the employees, especially those from educational institutions, for them to be competitive and effective change agents.

Corporate training can be a powerful tool for achieving all kinds of goals and tasks of companies. Most importantly, it helps companies prepare both new staffs and current employees for present and future challenges.

According to Mohana Radhakrishnan, COO, ExpertusONE: “Training is an underlying need across industries and job descriptions, and the need is only becoming more prevalent. The digital transformation has forced companies to rapidly re-evaluate how they do business and how they communicate with team members, and each change they make requires clear communication and training. Digital tools have become more important than ever, and companies have invested in technology that supports a positive digital experience.

No matter the category of learner—an employee, partner, customer, or sales team member—each team member has the same set of basic learning needs. Companies can optimize the employee experience, improve customer relationships, empower sales teams and collaborate with partners all through engaging, proactive, and interesting training courses.”

In another article, “Investing in employee development is just like investing in your company’s success. When you offer an employee training program that aims to build your worker’s skills, you create a company culture of flexibility and adaptability, as well as demonstrate that you have your eyes on the future.

Whether you are looking to train a new employee group or just want to improve your existing training plan, you must ensure you meet everyone’s training needs. Your employees expect to find growth opportunities when they join your team. So, you must offer informative and relevant training to create informed professionals who work hard for your organization.” (Sophia Duplin, BeaconLive)

These insights are recognized by the San Jose Job Corps Center (SJJC), a federal program under the Department of Labor (DOL) offering marginalized and at-risk youths ages 16 – 24 to earn their high school diploma, trade certifications and their High School Equivalency (HSE) for the students to be competitive in the job market. This is the reason why SJJC do regular training and retraining in order to assemble and reassemble a team of effective communicators in teaching the students and making them competitive in the real world when they leave the center, according to Aruna Iyer, HR Training Specialist, who put the all staff training together.

Before the annual all-staff training day started last month held at the campus gym, Center Director Davina Hernandez and Deputy Center Director La Verne Niles took turns, during the opening session, in emphasizing the importance of training for their staff in dealing with the students on center at its 11-acre-campus in East Hills Drive, San Jose.

Dr. Janet Nagley, Ph.D., Health Consultant for SJJC, discussed the topic on AG&D: Depression. She discussed the various kinds of depressions and how to detect them and how to deal with them, so when the students are experiencing depressions, staff may be able to deal with them accordingly. Dr. Nagley also provided the staff other resources and references to help them, especially the instructors, in dealing with the students in the classrooms, in the dorms, and on campus.

The topic on Safety Awareness training was handled next by Safety and Security Manager Tamba Gbondo. He discussed safety hazards and the three most important safety pitfalls such as trip, slip and fall. He outlined the possible causes of slip, trip and fall and how to avoid them. He identified some areas on campus that are possible causes of trip, slip and fall and referred them to the maintenance crew to fix and remedy them. He further encouraged staff to report safety hazards to HR and security to be able to avoid them.

The topic of mentoring, modelling and monitoring was discussed by Career Development Director Sneha Rao. Mentoring is a reciprocal and collaborative at-will relationship that most often occurs between a senior and junior employee for the purpose of the mentee’s (Continue on page 20)

“

GABOT

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO

$4-B investments from Germany bared

BERLIN/MANILA

–

The Philippines has secured at least US$4 billion (P222 billion) worth of investments in various sectors during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s working visit in Germany.

“We have secured business deals worth US$4 billion in Germany, the EU’s economic powerhouse!” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

“Last year’s significant investments from Germany underscore their confidence in us as a key partner in the AsiaPacific. We eagerly welcome further collaborations in climate action and energy transition.”

Marcos became the first Philippine president to address German business leaders in 10 years, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Germany diplomatic relations.

The Philippines and Germany established their diplomatic relations on Oct. 8, 1954.

Marcos witnessed during the business forum the presentation and exchange of eight agreements — three letters of intent (LOI) from various German companies, two memoranda of agreement (MOA), and three memoranda of understanding (MOU).

Marcos assured the Philippines is a “reliable partner” as he encouraged German business leaders to continue investing in the country.

Speaking at the Philippine-German Business Forum in Berlin, Marcos highlighted “purposeful reforms” through key

legislations that helped the country further drive economic development.

“I invite esteemed German business leaders to continue to keep in mind the Philippines as a reliable partner that can support your market expansion and operations,” Marcos said.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to purposeful reforms, evident in key legislative amendments,” he added.

The President then enumerated recently enacted laws and amendments that “mark a new era for strategic investments,” such as the Public Service Act, Foreign Investments Act, Retail Trade and Liberalization Act, and Renewable Energy Act.

“Coupled with streamlined business registration, infrastructure development, and the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, the CREATE Act, these reforms position the Philippines as one of the fastestgrowing economies in Asia,” Marcos said.

He also mentioned the Maharlika Investment Fund, saying the sovereign wealth fund underscores the Philippines’ dedication to financing priority projects and driving socioeconomic impact.

The Chief Executive likewise emphasized the significant strides made by the government in streamlining business processes.

He cited Executive Order No. 18 s. 2023 which establishes green lanes for strategic investments and simplifies procedures and reduces bureaucratic hurdles that a potential investor might have to face.

Too soon to cut rates, BSP chief says

MANILA – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

(BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said it is too early to cut key rates even if fresh inflation data remains within the government target

forecast of the central bank.

Remolona said the 3.4-percent inflation in February 2024 suggests that “the models are more or less right.”

“It’s still too soon to declare victory. We seem to be on our way. But there’s not enough data to assure us that we would settle within our target of 2 to 4 percent,” he said.

The central bank chief added that February 2024’s inflation data suggests that “things are okay but not assured,” and the BSP continues to monitor and analyze upside risks and supply shocks that may arise and challenge the government’s inflation target for the year.

“It’s (a bit) on the edge. We can’t say—I can’t say that we’re going to ease soon, but it’s unlikely that we tighten some more,” Remolona said.

He added that rice prices remain a source of upside risk domestically. On the other hand, it is oil globally.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday that inflation in February 2024 increased to 3.4 percent from 2.8 percent in its previous month as food inflation rose to 4.8 percent, with rice inflation climbing 23.7 percent due to tight supply and higher prices in the global market.

Strategies for faster unification

There are many strategies that you can make for you and your family to be united faster in the United States. For most of the immigrants, family unity is the most important part of staying in the United States. However, many failed to use strategies or processes that will make them united faster than what is happening. Some of them are discussed below:

1. For an adult child of a permanent resident, it is faster to petition a child as permanent resident than petition by a U.S. citizen parent. The priority date for F2B petition for an adult child is Oct. 2011 while under F1 as a married child of US citizen is March 2012.

2. It will be better and faster if the adult child is not married because a petition for a married child takes longer than that of a single child. This can also be facilitated by an annulment of marriage so that a child can be considered as single.

3. Fling a petition for spouse and all qualified children once an immigrant received his green card. Remember that even if you are a green card holder, you can petition your spouse and children as soon as you received your green card, even a conditional green card. You do not have to wait for you to become a U.S. citizen to petition a wife or husband and children. There are many cases when a minor child could have been included in the petition but for some reason they were left behind and aged out. This is primarily due to waiting to be a citizen before filing a petition.

Example: Jose and Maria have a relationship but are not married. They have a minor child, Peter who is ten years old. Jose was petitioned by his father as single under F2B. When his priority date becomes current, he and his son below 21 years may accompany him and get a green card. Once he received his green card, he immediately travelled to the U.S. and went back to the Philippines to marry Maria. He then filed a petition for Maria. The priority date for F2a for spouse of green card holder as of October 1, 2023, is February 8, 2019. This means the wait time is only 4 years. Note that the strategy here is not marrying Maria as wife to allow the son Peter to accompany Jose to the U.S. and later petition for Maria. The F2b usually has a waiting period of 11 years as single adult son whereas for a married child under F3, the waiting period is usually 21 years. In summary, Jose saved time as a single by about 10 years. Peter saves time by about 21 years if the petition for Jose is as married. Maria saves 17 years if they were married when Jose was petitioned by his father.

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

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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.

and the

Sharon opens up on health concerns, cancelled concert with Gabby

Veteran actress-singer Sharon Cuneta has opened up on health and other issues.

The Mega Star revealed that she is on the path to recovery from her hip pain.

She also disclosed she was emotionally sad because her concert follow-up with ex-husband Gabby Concepcion did not push through due to some misunderstanding

Sharon also said she was bothered by some netizens who commented on her post about her family with that of husband former Senator Francisco Kiko Pangilinan cropped out.

She later admitted the cropped-out photo, claiming it was made at a time when she and husband were “fighting.”

In an interview as reported by her mother studio ABS-cBN, Sharon opened up about her health journey, shedding light on the challenges she faced and the progress she has made towards regaining her mobility.

Cuneta disclosed in the ABS-CBN report that her hip pain was a result of hereditary factors with underlying conditions such as lumbar lordosis and a pinched nerve in her back dating back to 2013.

The pain management strategies she had adopted over the years were put to the test when she experienced a flare up on the right side of her hip and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, according to the report

Cuneta said her pain caused physical and emotional toll on her.

“The x-ray also said I have osteoarthritis so parang when I walk ang sakit dito sa may joint area. I was only able to walk straight again thankfully under my physical therapy instructions -- the first that I was able to walk again was just three days ag. I still feel it. I’m on a painkiller right now but it’s getting better. I was so scared, I told Kiko (Pangilinan), I thought I wouldn’t go back to normal at all, so praise God for that,” she said.

Cuneta said she is optimistic about her improving condition and the gradual restoration of her mobility.

Sharon aired her side over her controversial recent misunderstanding with her ex-husband Gabby following their successful collaboration concert “Dear Heart” in Mall of Asia Arena last October to November.

At a round table interview last night following her performances to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the “Sheroes” campaign of Filipino insurance company InLife (Insular Life) for which she is the endorser, the award-winning actresssinger disclosed that “Dear Heart” was supposed to be followed up with another concert, “P.S. I love you,” also taking its title from Sharon and Gabby’s movie.

“The next show was supposed to be called ‘P.S. I love you.’ Sorry, let’s be honest,” Sharon began as Philippine Star reported.

According to her, “P.S. I love you” was supposed to be a “better” concert than its predecessor.

“The repertoire was supposed to be much better than ‘Dear Heart.’ It was a beautiful show, kasado na! Everyone was ready,” she shared, according to Philippine Star

But the follow-up concert did not push through, she said, because negotiations failed between her and Gabby.

“Apparently, negotiations did not go through, okay, I will not say. But let’s just say hindi s’ya natuloy not because of us.”

The actress said she was actually “excited” to perform again with her ex.

“I was so excited and ready to go. So sayang, nanghihinayang ako, because I made so many of our fans happy, I wanted to make many more of them happy.”

Cuneta said she thinks the concert will no longer push through.

On another topic, Sharon admitted she made a mistake when a photo of her husband, with his head cropped out went viral on social media.

The image, featuring Cuneta and their children alongside Pangilinan without his head visible, sparked online chatter before Cuneta promptly removed it and expressed regret over the impulsive act, ABS-CBN reported.

According to the report, Cuneta said the controversial photo was a result of her lack of caution, acknowledging that she and Pangilinan were in the midst of a disagreement at the time of the post.

“Nag-aaway kami nun, sorry. You know, we have problems, that’s another thing. How stupid was I, ‘di ba? But also, really, I wanted (a photo of) my gremlins, of the four (her kids). Wala akong makita na picture nila na wala ang daddy nila but then, pagka-post ko, ‘OMG, mukha akong tanga, ba’t ‘ko pinost, putol ‘yung asawa ko!” Cuneta said.

The incident prompted Cuneta to reflect on her social media behavior, emphasizing the importance of exercising caution and deliberation before sharing content online.

Despite their occasional disagreements, Cuneta stressed that she and Pangilinan, like any other couple, resolve their conflicts.

Moira dela Torre readies for 2024 US and world tour

Singer-songwriter Moira dela Torre is set to perform in cities around the world.

In an Instagram post, Dela Torre shared details of her upcoming tour, which kicks off on April 20 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ABS-CBN reported. “World tour 2024. More dates to be announced soon,” she said in the caption.

Aside from Malaysia, the singersongwriter will also perform in the United States and Canada.

Dela Torre is among the moststreamed Filipino artists on Spotify, with 3.5 million monthly listeners. Among her hits are “Paubaya,” “Tagpuan,” and “Malaya.”

Five Films For Freedom: British Council celebrates a decade of LGBTQIA+ stories

Five Films For Freedom, the world’s widest-reaching LGBTQIA+ digital campaign, returned on March 13, bringing five new films from the Philippines, India, Spain, the UK and USA to audiences across the world.

For over two weeks (March 13 to 24, 2024), audiences worldwide are invited to dive into the world of LGBTQIA+ cinema from the comfort of their own homes and watch the films online for free.

The film programme continues the British Council’s partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, with the short films promoted across the British Council’s global digital networks and BFI Player for free.

The 10th anniversary edition will showcase global LGBTQIA+ stories that resonate with strength and spirit, from the historic defiance of Compton’s 22 in San Francisco to the heartfelt journey of love and understanding in Halfway.

This year’s selection, including Little One, Cursive, and The First Kiss, dives deep into themes of family, identity, and the universal quest for acceptance.

“We are immensely proud to mark the tenth anniversary of Five Films for Freedom,” said British Council Director of Film Briony Hanson. everywhere to join us in championing love in all its forms,” Hanson added.”

This platform has not only provided a vital space for LGBTQIA+ stories to be heard but has also fostered a global movement for equality and acceptance. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite audiences everywhere to join us in championing love in all its forms,” Hanson added.

Audiences in Philippines are encouraged to watch the films online for free from March 13 to 24, and share their experiences using the hashtag

FilAm Tom Rodriguez returns from US, readies for theater appearance

Filipino American actor Tom Rodriguez is back in the Philippines from the United States.

GMA Network, mother studio of Tom, 36, who is Bartolomé Alberto Mott in real life, confirmed the return of the actor, adding in its report that he is now working on his upcoming project after a two-year break from showbiz.

In Nelson Canlas’s report on “24 Oras,”, Tom said that he had a simple life in the United States, where he stayed following his separation from Carla Abellana.

“Two weeks lang dapat ako nando’n. Nawili din ako. Long story short, I really had to take time to really recover and now, I do feel na buo na ako ulit,” he said.

“Nawili din ako na when I started taking on responsibilities for myself, maintaining the household, learning to cook, learning to do

laundry, ‘yung washing machine tsaka dryer doon, mag-grocery, couponing, all that stuff. Na-enjoy ko,” he continued.

Tom, GMA News reported, is now preparing for the concert version of “Ibarra: The Musical,” which is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of this year.

The project marks Tom’s return to the theater industry.

“I’m glad na they offered me this role. I’ve been really yearning to be back into theater and napagbigyan uli,” he said.

Tom has also returned to social media, according to his mother studio.

“Medyo hindi pa ako sanay mag-social media uli. So I’ve been trying to force myself to go back,” he said, adding that his team is still trying to retrieve his previous Instagram account.

Two different enrollment periods for Medicare coverage will end on March 31, which are GEP (General Enrollment Period) and MA OEP (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period).

Please contact us to receive assistance with enrollment

If you have additional questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach us today:

Call: (English) 1-800-336-2722, (Chinese Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427, (Chinese Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218, (Korean) 1-800-582-4259, (Vietnamese) 1-800-5824336

Email: askNAPCA@napca.org

Mail: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101

<1> What is the difference between GEP (General Enrollment Period) and MAOEP (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period)?

Q & A: How can I sell my house if my boarders do not want to leave?

Q & A: How can I sell my house if my boarders do not want to leave?

Caller: Hi I have a two unit property that currently is being rented to about 6 boarders. I have evicted two already but cannot convince my current boarders to leave!

I am close to 76 yrs old and am tired to managing these boarders. I would like to sell my house because my income from my boarders is only enough to pay my mortgage and taxes. Please advise.

Ken: a 76-year-old landlord tired of managing boarders, faced resistance when attempting to sell her property. Ken suggests selling the house “as is,” factoring in the presence of boarders and negotiating a lower price for potential buyers. This way, the burden of dealing with the boarders would shift to the new owner. Ken highlights the importance of considering the property’s condition and the potential cost of evicting the tenants.

Caller: I owe the IRS some back taxes and they are going to put a lien on my house but I don’t have any money to pay the IRS and the amount negotiated as a monthly payment is too high for me. I am widowed and has my money scammed by a fraud person. How can I keep my home?

Ken: a widowed homeowner facing an IRS lien, sought guidance on keeping her home. Ken emphasizes the challenge of dealing with the IRS but suggests refinancing the house to pay off the lien. However, due to recent bankruptcy filings, the caller might only qualify for a hard money loan with higher interest rates. Ken advises exploring supplemental income options or negotiating a manageable payment plan with the IRS, emphasizing the importance of communication.

Caller: Hi I currently have a rental property that I would like to sell but I might have to pay capital gain taxes that would eat up most of my equity? Can you advise on how to avoid paying those capital gains? What is the 2 our of 5 years ruling on the IRS?

Ken: I was concerned about potential capital gains taxes eroding the equity from selling a rental property. Ken explains the two-out-of-five-year rule, requiring ownership of the property for at least two years in the five years before the sale. He explores options such as converting the property to a primary residence and leveraging tax tools like Section 121 and 1031 exchanges to minimize tax burdens. Ken outlines the qualifications for Section 121 exclusion and the mechanics of a 1031 exchange.

Conclusion: Real estate challenges can be daunting, but with the right guidance, individuals can navigate these complexities successfully. Ken’s expert advice Real Estate Financing and on dealing with boarders provides valuable insights for those facing similar situations. By understanding the options available and seeking professional assistance when needed, homeowners can make informed decisions and overcome these challenges in the ever-evolving real estate landscape. For personalized advice, individuals can reach out to Ken at kennethgo@verizon.net or call 562-508-7048 (CABRE 01021223, NMLS 238636).

GEP and MA OEP take place annually during the same time window but are distinct periods related to Medicare, and they serve different purposes.

GEP is for individuals who were first eligible for Medicare but didn’t enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and who aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). For example, if you delayed initial enrollment when you were first eligible for Medicare due to having current job-based health insurance, and later, when you retire or you are no longer covered by your employer insurance, you may be eligible to have 8-months SEP. If you missed the SEP, you should use GEP to enroll in Medicare. Note that MA OEP is specifically only for individuals who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C, MA plan) and want to make changes.

<2> What can I do during GEP (General Enrollment Period)?

During GEP, individuals can enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B for the first time. Coverage will begin on the first day of the following month after you enroll, and you may face a late enrollment penalty because you missed your Initial Enrollment Period. The penalty could result in higher premiums for as long as you have Medicare. Note that you may not sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during GEP even if you need drug coverage with Original Medicare as drug coverage is not included. The GEP is specifically for enrolling in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, not for Part D. To have a stand-alone Part D plan, you may have to wait for the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment Period that occurs between October 15 and December 7 every year.

<3> What can I do during MA OEP (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period)?

As mentioned in <1>, MA OEP is only for those who already are enrolled in MA plan.

You can switch from one MA plan to another, or you can disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). If you return to Origi-

nal Medicare, you have the option to enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Note that MA OEP does not apply to Original Medicare beneficiaries, that means you cannot switch from Original Medicare to MA plan, you cannot join a part D prescription drug plan or cannot switch one part D plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare.

<4> Can I add a Medigap plan to Original Medicare during GEP or MA OEP?

Medicare basically covers 80% of the cost for each Medicare-covered service or item after you’ve paid your deductible. If you decide to stay with Original Medicare (Part A and B) and want to cover the 20% financial gap that Medicare doesn’t pay for, you may want to add a Medigap plan to your Original Medicare. Ideally, the best time to purchase a Medigap policy is during your Medigap OEP, which starts the first day of the month that you’re both 65 or older AND enrolled in Medicare Part B. This period lasts for six months. During this period, Medigap companies must sell you a policy at the best available rate regardless of your health status, and they cannot deny you coverage.

If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can still apply for a Medigap policy, but you may face underwriting which insurers use to figure out your health status and determine whether to offer you coverage, at what price, and with what exclusions or limits. Based on your pre-existing health conditions, you may have to have a waiting period or insurers may charge you more or deny coverage based on preexisting conditions.

Be aware that this information only pertains to protections that apply nationwide. Some states have other protections that give their residents additional opportunities to enroll in a Medigap.

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages.

Petecio, Villegas box their way to Paris Olympics

MANILA – Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas will be going to the Paris Olympics this July rounding up to six the Filipinos already qualified for the July games.

This developed as they scored impressive performances at the 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, last Tuesday.

The Philippines will have a lot to prove in the 2024 Olympics after a historic 2021 run in Tokyo, where living legend Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever gold through a masterful weightlifting display.

Petecio trounced Turkiye’s Esra Yildiz, 4-1, in the semifinal of the women’s 57kg category to earn a return trip to the Olympics after winning the silver medal in Tokyo, PNA’s Jean Malanum reported.

“I am so blessed. This is very important for me because maybe this is my last Olympics,’’ said Petecio in an interview with olympics.com.

“I got this ticket for so many people, especially my family, to God, and for our former President who died (past Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Ed Picson), and for my partner in life. Before (the tournament), I promised her that I would win the ticket to Paris and finally this is it! I’m so happy,” added the 31-year-old from Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

“I will not stop until I get the Olympic gold medal,” Petecio added.

Villegas, on the other hand, pulled off a 5-0 win over Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg class.

Petecio and Villegas will join fellow boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and gymnasts Carlo Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in the

Paris Summer Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino congratulated Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas for qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

“My heartfelt congratulations to Nesthy and Aira, they deserve to be in Paris,” said Tolentino said.. “I’m really proud of Nesthy and Aira.”

Tolentino, who was at the venue cheering the Filipino boxers, encouraged other Filipino athletes to continue with their Olympic dream.

“And to our athletes who have yet to qualify, and those who missed Paris here, never say never! You still have all the chances to make it to the Olympics,” he said.

“It’s good timing because we are celebrating Women’s Month in March … imagine two women made it to the Olympics,” he added.

Tokyo Olympics men’s featherweight silver medalist Carlo Paalam, light welterweight Mark Ashely Fajardo and women’s middleweight Hergie Bacyadan still have a chance in the second and final Paris qualifier in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino congratulated Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas for qualifying for the Paris Olympics and at the same time encouraged other Filipino athletes to continue with their Olympic dream.

“My heartfelt congratulations to Nesthy and Aira, they deserve to be in Paris,” said Tolentino, who was at the stands cheering the Filipino boxers at the Maria Piantanida Sports E-Work Arena in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

“And to our athletes who have yet to qualify, and those who missed Paris here, never say never,” he said.

“You still have all the chances to make it to the Olympics.”

Tolentino’s charm with lady luck further reverberated as the world celebrates Women’s Month.

“It’s a good timing because we are celebrating Women’s Month in March; imagine two women made it to the Olympics,” he said.

“I’m really proud of Nesthy and Aira.”

Petecio will go after the gold medal that eluded her in Tokyo 2020 after winning her women’s featherweight semifinal bout, 4-1, against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz, while Villegas went 5-0 over Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in her women’s flyweight quarterfinal assignment to earn her Paris ticket.

Tokyo Olympics men’s featherweight silver medalist Carlo Paalam, light welterweight Mark Ashely Fajardo and women’s middleweight Hergie Bacyadan still have a chance in the second and final Paris qualifier in Bangkok from 23 May to 3 June 3.

Petecio and Villegas are joining fellow boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in the Summer Games set from 26 July to 11 August.

MANILA – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio hopes to see the day Gilas Pilipinas becomes a top 20 team in the world.

The Nationals gained ground in that quest as it improved one spot in the latest FIBA world rankings, climbing from 38th to 37th place.

Fresh from a sweep of the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers where it clobbered Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei by a combined 83 points, the Philippines leapfrogged African nation Nigeria for the 37th spot.

Despite the rise, Gilas Pilipinas still remained the eighth-highest ranked team in Asia-Oceania behind No. 5 Australia, No. 21 New Zealand, No. 26 Japan, No. 27 Iran, No. 28 Lebanon, No. 29 China, and No. 32 Jordan.

Only Australia made a movement after ceding the fourth spot to Serbia as the rest stayed at their respective spots.

World No. 1 USA, No. 2 Spain, and No. 3 Germany kept their places, while Latvia enjoyed the biggest jump among the top 10 teams, improving from No. 8 to No. 6 by surpassing Americas powerhouses Canada and Argentina.

Canada and Argentina fell to No. 7 and 8, respectively, followed by No. 9 France and No. 10 Lithuania to round out the top 10.

The Latvians’ ascent spells trouble for the Filipinos ahead of their clash in the Riga, Latvia leg of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

Aside from Latvia, the Philippines will also face Georgia, which remained at No. 23. (Delfin Dioquino/ Rappler.com)

OLYMPIANS. Filipino boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas (3r qualified for this year’s Paris Olympics. The two are with other officials (from le�) Associa�on of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo, coach Don Abne� and coaches Rey Galido and Mitchell Mar�nez.

Domestic Violence Survivors Dilemma: Abusive Home or the Streets?

Domestic violence is regarded as the “oldest and most pervasive form of violence in the world” by activist, author and essayist from University of California Davis Angela Davis and is seen as in the same dilemma as prostitution that is, in turn, regarded by many historians as the oldest profession.

Unfortunately, domestic violence is has long been accepted as just an “inevitable part of the complex fabric of family relationships across all cultures, including mainstream American culture.”

To add insult to injury, this problem also now as the Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has proven to be one of the leading causes of homelessness, particularly for victims with limited financial resources.

A new study released last month by the University of California San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative finds that at least 17% of homeless people fled their homes because of partner violence where victims face many barriers to becoming housed again, including lack of financial resources, possible evictions as a result of police appearing at their homes too often, and poor credit scores because of partners fraudulently using their credit.

For this reason, ethnic media services conducted a national briefing dubbed as Domestic Violence: One Step Away from Homelessness where speakers discussed how domestic violence often leads to homelessness, the findings of the UCSF study, and the increase in domestic violence over the past two years in New York.

Among those invited to speak were Assistant Professor, UCSF and lead BHHI researcher of the report “Toward Safety: Understanding Intimate Partner Violence and Homelessness” Dr. Anita Hargrave. Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the CEO at Urban Resource Institute Jennifer White-Reid. (URINYC provides services to victims of domestic violence and unhoused people), and Executive Director of We Are NOT Invisible. Ms. Martinez experienced homelessness due to IPV Desiree (Dez) Martinez.

Domestic violence is among the leading causes of homelessness, as victims often face low funds, poor credit and police evictions aside from driving growing numbers of women to sake safety in the streets.

Hargrave reiterated that IPV involves “violence, abuse or aggression committed by a for-

By

mer or current intimate partner and to better understand the experiences of IPV survivors currently experiencing homelessness, the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative released Toward Safety, a report analyzing IPV data from June 2023 in the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH) — the largest representative study of homelessness since the mid-1990s.

This new report found that 40% of participants reporting IPV in the six months before homelessness reported violence as a reason for leaving their last housing, while 20% said it was the primary reason.

“IPV is particularly dangerous for those at the economic margins,” mentioned Hargrave. “Many survivors reported that relatively modest amounts of financial support could have helped them avoid homelessness — which left them even more vulnerable to increased violence, as 42% of IPV survivors prior to homelessness experienced it unhoused as well.”

73% of those who reported IPV before homelessness believed that a $300 to $500 monthly subsidy would have kept them housed for at least two years, while 83% believed that a one-time $5,000 to $10,000 lump sum would have, and 92% believed that a housing voucher limiting rental contributions to 30% of their income would have.

Add to this, 95% of all survivors said high housing costs were a barrier to regaining housing.

“Many IPV survivors are forced to choose between a rock and a hard place: enduring violence at home or risking homelessness,” rued Hargrave. “You can’t address the link between IPV and homelessness without addressing the need for permanent affordable housing.”

For her part, White-Reid stated that domestic violence has particularly been on the rise in New York City, where 40% of women and children in homeless shelters are there because of IPV.

“Despite New York City making progress in reducing other forms of homicides, domestic violence homicides persist, and continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic women,” admitted White-Reid as she discussed some of the tactics of economic abuse and explains why it is often the reason survivors return to an abusive relationship.

Between 2021 and 2022, IPV homicides increased 29%citywide, 225% in Brooklyn and 57% in the Bronx.

“Key to stopping this cycle is education including “violence prevention and healthy relationship education programs for youth, and trauma-informed behavioral intervention accountability programs for individuals who have caused harm,” advised White-Reid.

In February 2023, URINYC advocated for the passage of a state bill redefining domestic violence under the New York City Human Rights Law to include economic abuse, which includes coerced debt and gives victims expanded protections.

“Just as crucial is economic investment, including housing support and IPV-related debt prevention,” explained White. “Economic abuse, experienced by 98% of survivors, often serves as a primary reason they stay or return to an abusive partner.”

Martinez, who was unhoused for five years in Fresno, California until 2016 due to IPV and had a firsthand experience confirmed that without resources, chose homelessness over returning to abuse.

“The shelter’s gender restrictions left me exposed to the streets once again, surviving on a fixed disability income while facing steep rents,” Martinez explained. “If it wasn’t for a 30% income affordable housing voucher, I would still probably be on the streets, and who knows what would have happened to me. Yet, I’m nervous every year because the rent continues to increase, but the voucher does not.”

“Lacking insurance after a mental breakdown, I was desperate for assistance at a local mental health office but ended up being confined as they deemed me at-risk,” continued Martinez. “National hotlines directed me to county resources, yet there was limited local support. After not meeting the criteria for a bed at a domestic violence shelter, I found myself at a homeless shelter sleeping on the floor amongst others.”

Martinez suggested that shelters reserve beds for domestic violence survivors, given the high prevalence of homelessness among them.

“It’s especially dangerous for women to survive the streets,” Martinez proved. “In Fresno County there was a lot of sex trafficking, a lot of drugs. You stay up all night in order not to be raped. You have nowhere to change, no shower, no heat. You don’t feel like a female. You’re scared constantly and all you want is shelter — no wonder a lot of people choose to go back home.”

“You flee an abusive relationship because you want safety, but being unhoused makes you vulnerable to thousands of strangers. For a time, I’d ended up going back because I’d rather be abused by one I knew,” she added. “We need to educate people about what’s happening to us in the streets — that we’re good people too who just want a permanent home.”

Diocese of Orange Welcomes the Poon Jesus Nazareno

On Friday, March 1, 2024, some 1500 Catholic faithful flocked to the Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA defying the threat of rain forecast for that day, to welcome the Mahal na Poon Jesus Nazareno. Instead of rain, beautiful sunny skies prevailed so the planned procession took place around the Cathedral Campus. The procession consisted of the “carosa” (decorated flat carriage) bearing the Black Nazarene statue, hundreds of men and women praying the rosary in synchronized fashion as they followed the statue, and trumpeters for musical effect. The procession ended in the Cathedral where the Poon Nazareno was carried by the Hijos de Nazareno to the front side of the altar. A solemn Mass concelebrated by Bishop Kevin Vann, Christ Cathedral Rector Fr. Bao Thai, and the Alagad Ni Maria priests formally welcomed the Poon to the Diocese of

Orange.

Highlights of the liturgical celebration included the Holy Rosary Chamber Chorale of the Federation of Rosary Groups of Orange County (FFRG-OC) which provided liturgical music during the Mass. Deacon Cole Buzon, who did the gospel reading, will be ordained priest on June 8, 2024 and will become the first home-grown Filipino priest in Orange County. Everyone was invited to attend his ordination to be held at Christ Cathedral. Ike Quiaoit, Chair of the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry (DOSJFM), the sponsoring organization of this event, welcomed the congregation and thanked those who have been instrumental in bringing over the Poon Nazareno to California: Josephine Bautista, Roy Militante and Fr. Peter Lavin. In her closing remarks, Becky Tamondong, DOSJFM Vice Chair,

thanked everyone present for supporting this endeavor aimed to deepen the faith of the Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in Orange County. She also announced the ongoing recruitment of the Hijos and Hijas de Nazareno - Catholic men and women who will primarily be in charge of the proper care and maintenance of the Poon Jesus Nazareno, which is here with us to stay. Contact us at info@dosjfm.com if interested.

The Poon Jesus Nazareno is known for the miraculous healing it bestows to believers in need of healing. This replica of the Black Nazarene revered in Quiapo, Manila, was brought to Orange County through the benevolence of Josephine Bautista, a long time devotee of the Poon Nazareno. Through her devotion to the Poon, she herself was miraculously cured from cancer. She has since made it her mission to promote de-

votion to the Poon Nazareno. The Poon will be visiting various parishes. Communities or ministries interested in hosting a visit of the Poon in their parish may contact the DOSJFM via email at inter-parish-coordinators@dosjfm.org.

By Becky Tamondong,

DOSJFM, 3.7.24

Dr. Anita Hargrave

Desiree (Dez) Mar�nez Jennifer White-Reid

Jun Nucum

PH CONSULATE AND THE HINABI PROJECT CELEBRATE WOMEN’S DAY WITH POP-UP MARKET

In celebration of National Women’s Month in the Philippines, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco partnered with The Hinabi Project for a popup market featuring women-led Filipino American businesses at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco

on 8 March 2023, International Women’s Day. The pop-up market served as the closing event of the “Philippine Piña: Timeless Elegance – World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage” exhibit, which ran for five weeks at the Philippine Center.

Consul General Neil Ferrer and Ma-

Social Security Update

dame Miriam Ferrer engaged with the participating Bay Area-based Filipino American vendors, and emphasized the importance of creating more economic opportunities for Filipino women to achieve empowerment.

SOCIAL SECURITY CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

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

March is Women’s History Month — a time to focus not just on the past, but also on the challenges women continue to face in the 21st century. At Social Security, we provide vital benefits and financial protection for women.

Nearly 55% of people receiving Social Security benefits are women. Today, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history.

Women have longer average life expectancies and tend to live more years in retirement than men. This means women have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income while their Social Security benefit continues for life. It’s important for women to plan early and wisely for retirement.

Our online booklet, Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know at www.ssa.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10127.pdf, provides detailed information about how life events can affect a woman’s Social Security retirement benefits.

These events may include marriage, death of a spouse, divorce, self-employment, and other life or career changes.

A worker’s earnings history will determine their future benefits, so we encourage all workers to verify that the information in their record is correct. You can create a personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount to review your full earnings history. You can also view your Social Security Statement using your personal account to get estimates of future benefits and other important planning information.

If you find an error in your earnings record, it is important to get it corrected so you receive the benefits you earned. Our publication, How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf, provides you with details on how to make a correction.

Learn more about how Social Security benefits women at www.ssa.gov/people/women. Please share this information with your loved ones.

The Women’s Day pop-up market at the Philippine Center featured HABIness by Rachel Lozada, Katha by Kathrina Lopez, Lacson Ravello by Kristina Lacson McConnico, Makulai Designs by Gigi Carunungan, and Kokak Chocolates by Carol Gancia. (San Francisco PCG

photos)

As I See It (From

Page 11)

growth, learning, and career development. Often the mentor and mentee are internal to an organization, and there is an emphasis on organizational goals, culture, career goals, advice on professional development, and work-life balance. Effective mentors often act as role models and sounding boards for their mentee and provide guidance to help them reach their goals.

(Association for Talent Development)

Rao emphasized that mentoring is not coaching and not counseling. Mentoring relationships are based upon advice giving and direction while coaching is not. Counseling is a paid-relationship in which underlying mental or psychological issues are addressed with solutions given by a medical professional.

Staff need to model or set examples for the students, Rao emphasized. Students learn and follow what they see in their mentors, so staff need to be an example for the students.

Monitoring, on the other hand, is a process to periodically collect, analyze and use information to actively manage performance, maximize positive impacts and minimize the risk of adverse impacts. It is an important part of effective management because it can provide early and ongoing information to help shape implementation in advance of evaluations.

(Better Evaluation)

Water safety and recreation safety was discussed by Recreation Manager Victor Borceguin. He pointed out drowning as one of the activities safety officers need to take full attention to because it’s the most common problem when people re in the water, whether at eh beach or the swimming pool.

Summing up, SJCC management believes that if they are able to train their employees effectively, they will be more equipped to face challenges, achieve goals, and complete tasks successfully.

These are the reason why SJJC is conducting annual staff training and retraining in order to beef up their teams and equip their staff to be able to connect with their students effectively.

Want your company to stay with competitive edge in the 21st century?

Train your staff!

(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

fancies himself another son of God, right next to Jesus Christ.

Villar’s defense goes like this: The pastor is my friend. The pastor has been good to my and my family. Ergo, he cannot be guilty of anything.

I must ask if she ever took Logic 101 in college, and if she passed.

Then there’s Go, who remains the top lackey of Digong Duterte. Even after he was elected senator, he continued to act like the former Davao mayor’s butler, bodyguard, and best friend, all rolled into one.

He reminds me of a former Pasay City police chief who ran for mayor of the city where I grew up multiple times, and whose sole claim to fame was that he washed the behind of former mayor Ambo Cuneta after his regular poop in his fading years. The guy lost badly each time. He could not tell the electorate why he should be chief executive of a city that had a myriad of problems.

As for Padilla, the less said the better. He is an ex-con who received an undeserved presidential pardon. He is the reason that all washed up action stars should be banned from running for any public office.

Religion has been called the opiate of the masses, and this is true in the case of Quiboloy’s blind followers. The same can be true of the four senators, who are addicted to the votes that the pastor is said to deliver.

All of them are running for reelection, and I suspect one or more of then could be eyeing the vice presidency, or even the presidency.

Yet for some reason, I still believe that the Philippines is not a lost cause.

Maybe I’m the one who’s delusional, huh?

Filipinos shine again at recent Warriors Filipino Heritage Night

by Cesar Antonio Nucum Jr.

As the Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors struggle to make it to the playoffs with still a chance to make it to the top eight teams in the Western Conference, they had a big losing a 126-113 game to the lowly cellar dweller 27th ranked opponent in San Antonio Spurs that also played without this year’s top pick Victor Wembanyama before a sellout crowd of 18,064 diehards.

Once the Spurs built a double-digit lead in the second quarter, the Warriors got no closer than nine (68-59) on a Klay Thompson 3-ball with 7:45 remaining in the third quarter. San Antonio led by as much as 21.

The Warriors are now ranking 10 in the Western Conference with 33-30 win lose slate.

But another reason for Filipino basketball enthusiasts trooped to the Thrive City Chase Center in San Francisco was the second Filipino Heritage Night (FHN).

To celebrate the twice-a-year FHN tradition of celebration of Filipino culture and be recognized by the Warriors as a community who adores, admires and are appreciative of them, at the Thrive City grounds were a Filipino folkdance performance by Likha dance group, and tabling with Your Filipino Professionals Association, Project Pearls, and the Philippine Baseball Group.

The excited Filipino American Arts Exposition President and San Francisco City and County Entertainment Commissioner Al Perez welcomed the pleasant weather and sold-out mostly Filipino crowd who were enjoying the company of even long-lost friend they chanced upon while trying to get into the basketball court.

“I am proud that we have this tradition of being recognized by the 7-time NBA Champions to continue year after year celebrating Filipino culture and traditions with ourselves especially the next generations as Filipino history is not usually in American textbooks,”

Perez expressed.

Warriors season ticket holder JP Picart, whose family was from Ilocos Sur was also around to tell everyone how much he is a Warriors fan, why he opted to be a season ticket holder and why it is important for the Warriors to celebrate Filipino culture.

“I always come to the FHN because of Filipino pride and like many Filipinos who love basketball, I am here to cheer for our home team,” claimed Picart who still think the Warriors can pull through and make it to the playoffs despite injury to Steph Curry. “The Filipinos are loud as we love our basketball. With Filipinos watching the Warriors is like Filipinos watching Manny Pacquiao. We are loud!”

Also at the Thrive City grounds was local artist Kristian Kabuay who willingly taught and presented Baybayin, the Philippine pre-colonial writing system to many curious mostly young Filipinos who were so fascinated with the artistic presentation of the Philippine ancient calligraphy. He has done several FHN for a while with the Warriors and the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

“It is always good to meet the Filipino community writing their names in Baybayin and the Batok tattooing I am doing now and have good conversations with fellow Filipinos. First of all, many do not know of Baybayin so I had to explain that it is an old writing. Then they get amazed, I asked what their name is, I write their name and show them the characters and they are happy about it,” Kabuay explained.

Senor Sisig provided will have a food truck on site, the first Filipino American player to be drafted in NBA first round by the Golden State Warriors Raymond Townsend was also around to welcome all eager fans who became part of the sell-out crowd who trooped to the venue to cheer for the home team.

At around half an hour before the start of the game, a ringing of the Warriors’ Cable Car Bell pregame was done by Caroline Cabading Executive Director of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation based in San Francisco.

Before the presentation of the opposing teams and their players, the National Anthem was sung by Filipino youngsters Bytes & Notes Chorale.

And a halftime, another Filipino folkdance performance was presented by another group of young artists from Kalikasan Dance Company.

Golden State Warriors Dance group director Sabrina Ellison and assistant coach Emily Tatad exemplify the beauty and artistic talents of Filipinas who have mentored a lot of the Warriors dancers for decades now.

“We are really close to our family, our culture. It is beautiful to be able to celebrate with what we have grown with – family, entertainment, dance – and displaying them here on Warriors’ ground with our fan base is really really touching for us,” mentioned Tondo parent offspring Ellison who has been with Warriors’ dance group for around a decade.

For her part, Ta-

tad is honored and proud to represent the Filipinos and the heritage as she also was a dancer before she became an assistant coach.

“I think what sets us apart beside Filipina beauty are our values inside our hearts. With Sabrina being the director and me being an assistant and us being Filipinas, thus coming from the top down, we show that to our team that it is coming from our hearts and hard work and all that inner beauty just adds to the outer loveliness,” elaborates Tatad.

“Yes at the homeland, every one is so kind, so thoughtful, so present and so willing to help that when you have that kind of energy and that kind of heart, it comes out of your being it makes you such a beautiful person with a fine heart and soul. And undeniably, Filipinos have great style, likes to dress up, likes to look good, likes to perform. Let’s be honest. It makes sense since entertainment is in our blood, becomes a part of this family and there is no holding back,” Ellison echoed her partner.

The beauteous Filipina dance group leaders disclosed that they had over twenty dancers on our squad that represent Filipinos and that the way they run their dance teams comes from our culture – hard work, discipline supportive of each other like a family – which are all in the Filipino culture and they bring that in their entertainment team.

(From Page 11)

Kalikasan Dance Company posed for photos a�er they performed at the hal�ime break.

Young Filipinos of Bytes and Notes Chorale sang the na�onal anthem

Filipino American Arts Exposi�on led by its President Al Perez, first Filipino NBA player Raymond Townsend and Franco Finn

Golden State Warriors Dance group director

Sabrina Ellison and assistant coach Emily Tatad exemplifies the beauty and ar�s�c talents of Filipinas

Warriors season �cket holder JP Picart, whose family was from Ilocos Sur Baybayin ar�st Kris�an Kabuay at work

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Heart of Hope

Today, more than ever, people are more health conscious, and since food greatly impacts our health, we are interested to know if the food we eat is healthy and how many calories are in the food we eat.

In general, the average calorie requirement per day ranges between 1500 to 2000, but those who are overweight could reduce this to 1000 calories a day, under a physician’s advice. Diabetics have their own calculated calorie-intake. Eating 500 calories more a day (in excess of the Total Calorie Requirement -TRC) will make a person gain one pound in a week, and, conversely, eating 500 calories less than the TCR per day will reduce one pound from the person’s body weight in a week. Pushing ourselves away from the dining table less than full is a great strategy, for health and longevity.

The average calories burned in 30-minute of any of these activities are as follows: sleeping, 35; typing on computer, 50; ironing, 63; cooking, 86; light housework, 115; mopping floor,119; shopping, 102; fishing, 119; climbing hills (no load), 232; walking slowly, 106; walking briskly, 120; running slowly, 280; running fast, 384; jogging, 215; cycling, 123; swimming, 311; ballroom dancing, 98; aerobic dancing, 198; volleyball, 96; football, 253; basketball, 265; golf, 140; tennis, 209; and, badminton, 186. Foreplay in sex for 15 minutes, burns about 22.5 calories and actual

Filipino diet: healthy?

sexual intercourse for 15 minutes, 67.5 calories (a total of only 90 calories for the entire activity, believe it or not!).

Most of the available information today on calories in the different food items pertains to western and European food varieties. In the Abbott Club Red publication, we found interesting data on calorie counts for various Filipino foods, delicacies, and drinks.

The following vegetables yield about 16 calories per cup or 90 g (cooked): ampalaya fruit, ampalaya leaves, Baguio beans, banana heart, cabbage, cauliflower, chayote fruit or leaves, eggplant, kangkong, malunngay leaves, mushroom, okra, patola, onion bulb, petsay, saluyot, and upo. Half cup of the following also provides 16 calories: coconut shoot (ubod), Mungbean sprout (togue), sitaw, canned green peas, sweet corn, tomato juice.

The fruits listed here give 40 calories: apple (1/2), atis (1 fruit), lakatan, latundan banana and chico, per piece; dalanghita (2); duhat (20 pieces); durian (30 g); grapes (10); guava (2); guyabano (1 slice); langka (40 g); lansones 97); mangosteen (3); melon (1 slice); papaya (1 slice); pineapple (1 slice); rambutan (8); santol (1); sinkamas (1/2, 110g); suha (3 segments); watermelon (1 slice); star apple (1/2), buko water (1 cup); banana-que (1/2); mango chips (2); maruya (1/4); turon (1/2).

Thirty grams of the following provide 41 calories: tenderloin, porterhouse, shank, sirloin, shoulder, rump, chicken leg, breast (1/4), meat internal organs (3/4 cups); 1 slice of bangus, lapulapu, dalag, etc; bacon (1 slice) is 45 calories. And so with ½ avocado, s teaspoon peanut butter, 5 pieces of pili nut, or a teaspoon of peanut or olive oil.

Rice and rice products (the infamous carb)

contain very high calories, 100 for each of the following: rice (1/2 cup); lugaw (1.5 cup); bibingka, galapong (1 slice); malagkit 91 slice); biko (1 slice); cassava cake (1/2 slice); espasol (2); kalamay, latik (1); kutsinta (1); palitaw, no coconut gratings (4); puto bumbong (2); sapinsapin (1 slice); tikoy (1 slice); pan de sal (3); lady gingers (5); mammon tostado 93); hopia hapon (1.5); ensaymada 91); bihon, sotanghon, (each, 1 cup); kamote (1/2) ubi (1.3 cups); kastanyas (11 pieces); and, sago 91/2 cup).

Table sugar, one teaspoon, 20 calories; and so with the following: taho with syrup and sago (1/4 cup); ube, haleya (1 teaspoon); and yema (1). Halo-halo (2.3 cups) has 80 calories and pulvuron (1), 40 calories.

Each of the following carbos has 145 calories: buko pie (½ slice); bitso-bitso 1); hopia, baboy (1); hot cakes (1); fruit cake (1 slice); chocolate cake (1 slice); Spanish bread (1); cinnamon roll (1). One half donut has 190 calories; croissant, 235; muffin, 290; éclair, 212, century egg, 135; embotido, 2.5, 187 calories.

As for menu dishes, ½ cup adobong baboy, 302 calories; 1 cup callos, 260; 1 cup dinuguan, 124; ½ cup kare kare, 103; ½ cup kilawin, 113; litsong baboy (50 g) 273; lumpia fresh with sauce, 273; lumpia with peanut sauce, 403; 2/3 cup of menudo, 144; okoy with tagunton, 184; and, putsero, 1 cup, 282.

Alcoholic drinks: Pure water, zero; beer, 11 oz, 163 calories; cognac, 75; gin, dry, 107 per jigger; ginebra, one bottle, 832; martini, 143; whisky, 107, wine, red, 73 a glass; white, 85; champagne, 85. All soft drinks are unhealthy, harmful to our body. Processed foods increase the risk for cancer.

Daily physical exercise and calorie-counting are vital to our health and well-being. In

general, the way we eat as a nation, our native diet is not healthy as it can be. For those who are health conscious, the Filipino food could be made healthy. Eliminating rice in our diet, or cutting it down to half a cup or less, instead of 2 cups of cooked rice, would be a good start. While brown rice is better (lower glycemic index), it is still rice, still carb. Eating fish and a lot of vegetables, which are abundant in the Philippines, some nuts (like walnuts, pistachio, pecan, chestnut) and some fruits, and minimizing red meat to maybe to once a week, will make the Filipino diet healthier. A good version is the Mediterranean Diet, and our homeland has all the ingredients we want to make it a healthier diet. The trend among chefs and restauranteurs in major cities in the Philippines is towards healthier menus, controlled calories, low fat, low carb, high fiber…many popularizing fusion recipes.

Let’s eat healthy to minimize diseases and live longer. Our children should be taught by our example that health and well-being, prevention of illnesses, and longevity are all achievable through living a healthy lifestyle.

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, 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

PHILIP S. CHUA

Recipe of the Week

Chicken Relleno Rolls, Embutido Style.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 kilo chicken, deboned, trim excess meat, remove wings and legs

Marinade:

1/4 cup soy sauce

juice from 3 kalamansi

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper powder

Stuffing:

1/2 kilo ground chicken

1/2 kilo ground pork

150 grams, chopped ham

1/2 cup chopped Vienna sausage

1 small size carrot, finely diced

Cooking Procedure:

To Marinate:

Marinate the deboned chicken with soy sauce, garlic powder, kalamansi juice and salt and pepper to taste for 4 hours or overnight, place in the refrigerator. In a big bowl mix the first fourteen ingredients for the stuffing. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stuff the mixture into the de-boned chicken.

To Roll:

Cut the deboned into three equal sizes keep aside. Divide the stuffing mixture and quail eggs into three equal parts, keep aside. In a large platter layout determined size of aluminum foil, lay the deboned chicken skin in the middle of the foil making sure that there is enough chicken skin on at least 1/2 side of the roll. Place one part on the chicken stuffing over the chicken skin to form a lug/roll about 3” in diameter. Before rolling distribute 1 part on the quail eggs in the chicken stuffing. Roll the chicken mixture making sure that 1/2 of the roll is covered with the chicken skin. Repeat process on the remaining two/parts ingredients.

1 small size bell pepper, finely diced

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

1 medium size onion, finely diced

1/2 cup pickled relish

1/2 cup raisins

1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 tbsp. garlic powder

4 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup soy sauce

36 hard boiled quail eggs

salt and pepper to taste

Others:

1/4 cup butter banana ketchu

To Bake: Put the chicken rolls in middle rack on the oven pre-heated at 200°C. Bake the chicken rolls at 200°C for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Then remove the aluminum foil from the chicken rolls and arrange on a baking tray, ensuring that the chicken skin side on the rolls are on top. Brush the skin with the mixture of butter and banana ketchup. Increase the oven temperature to 250°C. Continue to bake for 10 to 15 minutes. During the final 5 minutes of baking brush the skin with the mixture of butter and banana ketchup one more time. Let cool down and slice into 1” thick and serve with banana ketchup.

Puerto Princesa to expand tourism industry

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY- Life in Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan, depends largely on tourism. From small businesses that cater to tourists to infrastructure projects like hotels, almost 15,000 people benefit from the sector in one way or another.

When the pandemic forced the city, home of the famous Palawan underground river, beach resorts, among other tourist attractions, to restrict the entry of tourists, it also restricted one of its main sources of livelihood. Some P5 billion of potential tourist receipts had been lost every year for the past two years, according to Demetrio Alvior, Jr., city tourism officer.

“Now, we’re on third year and losses continue to pile-up every day. But so far, the worst was when another disaster struck while the pandemic was still raging,” Alvior said, recalling the damage brought about by Super Typhoon Odette last December.

Puerto Princesa reopened its shores to domestic visitors last December 8, Alvior said. But then Odette hit the city more than a week after, damaging the people’s access to electricity, drinkable water, and even to the outside world.

Thousands were left homeless since their houses were destroyed by the devastating typhoon.

The damage to tourism infrastructure and livelihood reached more than P300 million, according to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

This, on top of the damage brought

With people being told to stay at home, tourist destinations were losing money across the country. According to the Department of Tourism, visitor receipts dropped by 83 percent in the first year of the pandemic, amounting to P82.24 billion in 2020 from P482.15 billion in 2019.

Tourism helped put Puerto Princesa among the country’s top destinations. Now, after a super typhoon that came in the middle of a pandemic, the city hopes tourism might help save the local economy too.

about by the pandemic, had at times brought the sense of loss in the city “beyond comprehension,” said Alvior.

But with the cooperation of the public and private sector, the city is determined and is paving the way to recover.

“For the past two years since the outbreak, we never ceased to hope that the future will be better. The year 2022 is no different,” Alvior said.

The renewed sense of optimism comes more than a week after the Philippines started accepting fully vaccinated foreign tourists from 157 visa-free countries. They no longer have to undergo quarantine upon arrival.