PNEWS 3.7-3.13,2024

CHINA ‘ATTACKS’ OF PHL SHIPS IN WPS ESCALATE

U.S., Japan, others air concern, warn Beijing

By ALFRED GABOT and CLAIRE MORALES

MANILA/WASHINGTON/MELBOURNE – Tension exploded to new heights in West Philippine Sea after China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia ships attacked on March 5 Philippine vessels in the area with water cannons and dangerous maneuvers that resulted to collision and injuries to four Filipinos, including the chief of Philippine Coast Guard.

UPSIDE

by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

How “epidemic of loneliness” affects FilAms, immigrants

Hatemongers may be blocked from entering UK

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent

LONDON - Across the pond, the government of the United Kingdom is moving to block hatemongers from entering their country. This, as their prime minister recently gave a speech warn-

ing of a raise in extremism.

China Coast Guard assault on PHL ship causes damage, injury to troops

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

MANILA – China came dangerously close to committing an act of war against the Philippines this week.

Although China had previously committed the same acts on separate occasions, it was the first time that a ramming and a water cannon assault took place at the same time.

A report this week from the PA News Agency said new plans will have known extremists added to visa warning lists, who will then be refused entry

In its latest face off against the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship not only rammed a PCG ship on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, it also used a water cannon on Filipino troops, causing injury to four.

The Philippines blamed China’s “dangerous maneuvers” as having caused the collision of the two coast guard ships.

Previous water cannon assaults did not cause injury to Filipinos, but the latest one was different. The extent of injury to the four Filipinos was not immediately disclosed, however.

Page 6

By

EXPERTS confirm that immigrants - long coping with social and economic challenges - have been struggling with loneliness, a condition often hidden and dismissed as a passing emotion.

Page 10

VIEWS & COMMENTS

Lost or expired green card is not a hindrance to apply for naturalization

Speaking to Australian media in his visit to that country this week, President Ferdinand Marcos

Page 4

Combating hate, appreciating cultures in Orange County

SANTA ANA, California -- There was a sense of belongingness and urgency hovering in the air as attendees came in one by one in a conference room in Edinger Plaza, Santa Ana, the county seat of Orange County (OC), California.

Page 20

El Nino damage to agriculture hits P1 billion

SHOWBIZ

Jaclyn Jose dies in QC home, showbiz mourns $1.00= P56.01

Carlo Biado wins world pool tourney in Las Vegas

Yugel Losorata

PHL-China Coast Guard collision

The community of service providing groups and media outlets comba�ng hate gathered in Orange County, California last February 21.

San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Director Dr. Jei Africa urges caring connec�ons to combat loneliness.

Page 7

El Niño agri damage tops P1-B

QUEZON CITY – The effects of the El Niño phenomenon have caused more than P1 billion in agricultural damage

across the country, the National

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

In its latest situation update, the NDRRMC has logged damage worth P1.06 billion in 17,718.11 hectares of crop areas in the regions of Ilocos, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Western Visayas has so far sustained the biggest amount of damage at P687.7 million, followed by Mimaropa with P319.7 million, Ilocos with P54.4 million, Calabarzon with P2.75 million, and Zamboanga Peninsula with P717,527.

A total of 23,086 farmers and fisherfolk have so far been affected.

Smooth Home Buying and Selling

I have known Rajeev and Monica for many years. I purchased my first home with Rajeev in 2012. He nego�ated a great deal for me and helped me get the closing cost too from the seller.

Monica explained everything very pa�ently that a first �me home buyer should know regarding the process and steps in ge�ng the financing. She helped me in ge�ng a loan that worked

with our down payment. I was extremely happy and sa�sfied with them. Rajeev’s exper�se made my first �me experience of home buying very smooth.

Now in 2018, he helped me sell my home. He prepared the home for lis�ng and his contractors did the flooring, pain�ng and other items to make the home ready for sale. He got our home staged with expert stager. A�er everything was done, my wife and I couldn’t recognize our own home.

Rajeev removed all the stress related to the sale of the home for us. Due to his years of experience, he tells you things you can only look back and appreciate. He is the best realtor and you can trust him completely.

--- Ron & Lollie

Meet Monica’s Happy Clients:

made our refinance process so easy,

MMDA: SC ruling on single ticketing system not final, executory

PASIG CITY – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that the single-ticketing system (STS) for traffic violations is not yet in effect and the 16 cities and one town in the region are still allowed to issue separate traffic citations.

MMDA acting chairman Don Artes said the recent decision of the Supreme Court (SC) ordering a single-ticketing system also recognized the MMDA’s power to regulate traffic and pass legislation and reversed the previous decision that the agency has no legislative powers.

“Sa ating mga kababayang motorista, kung kayo ay huhulihin ng mga local traffic enforcers, huwag kayong makipagtalo at i-argue na bawal na silang manghuli at mag-issue ng ticket dahil hindi pa ito final and executory ,” Artes said.

He noted that the MMDA can now pass legislation through the Metro Manila Council (MMC) -- composed of the

MMDA and the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region (MMDA).

He announced that the MMC will be convened to discuss the SC decision and explore their options on how to implement the STS.

“Rest assured, we will study and plan for this, particularly the deputization of local traffic enforcers in Metro Manila which is needed for them to issue citation tickets. We will craft the guidelines,” he said.

The MMDA, he said, currently lacks the manpower to manage traffic all over Metro Manila, with local enforcers still necessary, especially on inner roads.

Such guidelines, he said, will include creating criteria to ensure that enforcers are qualified before being delegated authority from the MMDA.

To date, the STS has been rolled out and implemented in 15 NCR LGUs.

The STS is a system of interconnec-

tivity among government institutions involved in transport and traffic management that aims to harmonize fines and

penalties

SC affirms reclusion perpetua, P2-M fine for child pornographer

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the sentence of reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment) and the P2 million fine on a woman guilty of child pornography.

In a ruling written by Associate Justice Mario Lopez, the Court en banc junked the appeal of accused Luisa Pineda on her conviction for child pornography with the use of a computer system.

Pineda was convicted by the regional trial court which was upheld by the Court of Appeals.

The SC held that all the elements of

child pornography under Republic Act (RA) 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009) are present in Pineda’s case.

She was charged with violation of Sections 4(a), (b), and (c) of Republic Act No. (RA) 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, in relation to Section 4(c)(2) of RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“Clearly, accused (Pineda) committed the prohibited acts in RA 9775 when she persuaded, induced, and coerced her niece AAA262941 to perform in the creation of nude photos and videos, and

when she subsequently offered to sell these child pornographic materials, concluded the Court,” it added.

The Court cited the victim’s testimony, as well as the results of the digital forensic examination of the computer set and cellphone seized from Pineda’s residence, where the police retrieved multiple naked pictures and explicit video clips of the child.

“Also recovered by the police was an online conversation between Pineda and a foreign customer on the sale of the victim’s nude photos and videos,” the Court pointed out.

Police launched a surveillance operation on Pineda’s house in 2016 following a tip from the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (US-FBI).

After securing a search warrant from the court, authorities proceeded to Pineda’s house where they found, among others, a computer set and cellphone with nude photos and videos of the victim.

The police officers were also able to rescue three minors during the operation and handed them to the Department of Social Welfare and Development

PARANAQUE CITY - Good news to commuters of southern Metro Manila and Cavite, one of the country’s most populated provinces.

The planned start of commercial operations of Phase 1 of Light Rail Transit Line 1’s (LRT1) extension by the fourth quarter of 2024 may soon be a reality as the project was reported to be 97 percent complete.

LRT1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announced that the LRT1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 reached an overall progress rate of 97% as of announcement day. The project will extend up to the highly populated Bacoor City in Cavite.

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the resurgence of the mail-order bride schemes where Filipino women marry expatriates for a fee or the prospect of migrating.

Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano said the move comes after immigration authorities intercepted a

China Coast ...

(From page 1)

Jr. warned that “a single mistake” could trigger a full-blown conflict between the Philippines and China.

Marcos said “the potential for outright conflict is much higher now than it was before.”

Such a conflict would result in the Philippines invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty it has with the US.

The US and Japan issued statements on Tuesday, March 5 (Philippine time) condemning China’s “dangerous actions” in Philippine waters, parts of which China claim as theirs by virtue of a so-called ninedash line found in old Chinese maps that were only revealed in recent years, the validity of which has been questioned by scholars.

As a result of the latest aggressive Chinese action, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Beijing’s second highest diplomat in Manila on Tuesday.

20-year-old Filipino woman and an elderly Chinese man at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

Reports said the woman presented a genuine marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, indicating they were married in a restaurant in Pasig City but struggled to provide details about the marriage.

The DFA demanded that all Chinese vessels leave Ayungin Shoal immediately.

In a statement, the DFA said: “During the meeting, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China’s interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable.”

The DFA added that China’s actions in Ayungin Shoal “infringe upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”

Marcos said his worst fear is that war between China and the Philippines could erupt not based on the decision of the two countries’ leadership but because of “some serviceman making a mistake or some action that’s misunderstood.”

The Philippines regularly sends supplies to Filipino troops stationed in a derelict warship in Ayungin Shoal that serves as a military outpost.

China has frequently attempted to block the resupply missions by having its coast guard ships get in the way of Philippine vessels.

Phase 1 of LRT1 Cavite extension now 97% complete NBI told to probe resurgence of ‘mail-order bride’ scheme

and was made possible through the establishment of the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023

Installation of new Virac bishop set; Naga bishop named

VIRAC, Catanduanes – The installation of Father Luisitio Occiano as the new bishop of the Diocese of Virac will be on June 26.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported that the bishop-elect will be installed to his seat in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral by Archbishop-elect Rex Andrew Alarcon, who is set to assume as head of the Archdiocese of Caceres on May 2.

The 52-year-old priest was appointed by Pope Francis as the third bishop of the diocese on Feb. 29.

Before his scheduled installation, the bishop-elect will be ordained at the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore in Naga City on June 21 at 9 a.m.

Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tria Tirona of Caceres will ordain the priest to the episcopate, with Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, and Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus, serving as co-consecrators.

Phivolcs

lowers Mayon status to Alert Level 1

LEGASPI CITY – Mayon Volcano’s alert status has been lowered from Level 2 (moderate level unrest) to Level 1 (low level unrest), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The Phivolcs said a steady decline in monitored parameters has been observed.

Since January, the volcano generated an average of two to three earthquakes per day, most of which were related to rock fracturing processes.

A significant slowing down of lava growth was also noted -- an average of zero to one rockfall per day.

An average of 1,148 tons sulfur dioxide (S02) emissions per day was observed since January.

The highest S02 flux so far was 2,394 tons on Jan. 22, and the lowest was 420 tons on Tuesday.

Weak to moderate degassing plumes were seen this year, Phivolcs said.

BARMM raises daily wage of private workers

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BTWPBBARMM) has approved a new wage order granting a P20 daily wage hike for private workers in the region.

The board, chaired by BARMM Labor Minister Muslimin Sema, signed the order in the presence of wage board members at the BARMM government center here.

For this city, non-agriculture workers got a P20 wage hike from P341 to P361 daily.

For the agriculture sector in the city, the new daily take-home pay is P336 from the previous P316.

For workers in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi, Basilan, and Lamitan, the new daily wage is P336 for the non-agriculture sector from P316.

More than 300 hectares damaged by Baguio, Benguet forest fires

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Occiano will succeed retired Bishop Manolo de los Santos, who served the Virac diocese for around 29 years.

Incoming Virac Bishop Luisi�o Occiano CBCP News)

PHL debt soars to P14.79 trillion as of end-January

MANILA - The Philippine government continued to accumulate more debt in January to bring the total

outstanding balance to P14.790 trillion at the end of the month.

Data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) show the latest debt balance reflects a P173.91-billion or 1.19% increase from the P14.616 trillion at the close of 2023. This is also P1.091 trillion or 7.97% higher than the P13.698 trillion in January 2023.

Domestic debt stood at P10.162 trillion. Issuances for the month stood at P211.11 billion, while principal payments stood at P69.67 billion, resulting in a net issuance of P141.44 billion.

The BTr also reported a P2.81-billion addition to the foreign currency-denominated domestic debt due to the depreciation of the Philippine peso which closed January 31 at P56.275:$1 versus P55.37:$1 on December 29, 2023, the last trading day of the previous year.

Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) show that the borrowing program for 2024 was pegged at P2.46 trillion, higher than the P2.207 trillion in the past year.In terms of external debt, the BTr reported an increase of P29.66 billion or 0.65% to P4.63 trillion, as the peso depreciation contributed P81.73 billion.

This was, however, partly offset by movements in third currencies which accounted for P28.52 billion,

Hatemongers...

(From page 1)

to the UK.

The reason for refusing them entry is because they are deemed “non-conducive to the public good.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently gave a speech where he warned that democracy is being targeted by extremists. He warned that there are “forces here at home who are trying to tear us apart.”

bringing the net increase to P52.07 billion.

External loan availments for the month were P61.86 billion, including P5.36 billion in project loan disbursements, and P56.50 billion or $1 billion from program loans — $400 million from the Asian Development Bank, and $600 million from the World Bank.

Repayment of external loans totaled P85.41 billion, reflecting a net repayment of P23.55 billion.

Government-guaranteed obligations stood at P348.66 billion as of end-January, marking a P0.78-billion or 0.22% decrease from the previous month. Net repayment of domestic guarantees amounted to P1.12 billion, and external guarantees at P0.24 billion.

Home Office is mulling clamping down on “far left, antidemocratic” groups.

Among the potential targets are pro-Palestinian organizers, who have been holding mass actions throughout England and Wales recently.

The proposal extends beyond known security risks, but is planned to include those who preach racism, incitement or using intimidation or violence to undermine the democratic processes.

UK papers also said their

An independent adviser on political violence – Lord Walney – said there has been an “unholy alliance” between far-left groups and Islamist extremists during protest marches.

A Home Office spokesman said it was considering the report’s recommendations “extremely carefully.”

The UK is home to a large Asian community, mostly coming from the Indian sub-continent.

There is also a substantial community of Filipinos, comprised of nurses who are the foundation of the country’s healthcare system.

While incidents of racial or Asian hate are few and far between so far, the proposed tightening of entry to extremists is considered a big step in preventing the spread of hate crimes in the UK.

Besides Sunak, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is also what Americans refer to as persons of color or minorities who have been the target of more and more hate crimes in recent years in the US.

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.

China....

(From page 1)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., speaking in Melbourne, Australia, immediately described the actions by China against Philippine vessels “with great alarm,” prompting the United States, Japan and other allies to warn China, short of possibly invoking the PhilippinesUS Mutual Defense Treaty. (See related stories.)

“We continue to view with great alarm this continuing dangerous maneuvers and dangerous actions that are being done against our seamen, our coast guard,” Marcos said in Melbourne.

The latest confrontations on the way to Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Island chain of the West Philippine Sea was described by a Filipino military commander as “the worst” in two years.

The Philippine Coast Guard said China Coast Guard and militia ships caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them,

In Washington, the US through the State State Department criticized China for its “provocative actions”, including the use of water cannons against a resupply boat that injured four Filipino service members while they were en route to Ayungin Shoal.

In Manila, US Ambassador MaryKay.Carlson said China’s dangerous maneuvers at the shoal “endangered lives, resulted in injuries, and damaged Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.”

“The United States stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law in support of a free abs open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson said in a statement on X.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US stands with the Philippines against these acts and is in “discussion” with the government about the latest incident.

“The latest actions, which are just the most recent in a series of provocative actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China), demonstrate once again a reckless disregard by the PRC for the safety of Filipinos and also for international law,” he said in a briefing on Wednesday (Manila time).

“By impeding the safe operation of Philippine vessels carrying provisions to Filipino service members stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC interfered in lawful Philippine maritime operations and in Philippine vessels’ exercise of high-seas freedom of navigation,” he added.

The State Department said under the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, China has “no lawful maritime claims to the waters” around Ayungin Shoal as the feature is a low-tide elevation located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“As provided under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and the United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the ruling and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct,” Miller said.

Miller reiterated that the US is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty, adding that this extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.

Asked whether the use of water cannon and actions that led to the collision constitute an armed attack, Miller said he would not “speculate or get out ahead of any discussions in this regard”.

The State Department statement came a day after the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong to protest the Chinese Coast Guard’s March 5 maneuvers, blocking, and use of water cannons that damaged Filipino vessels and injured four people.

The US Embassy did not provide specific details on the dates of talks between Manila and Washington DC but said there are regular conversations with their Filipino counterparts “at all levels” and that “these interactions were part of those discussions”.

Throughout the operation, the PCG vessels faced dangerous maneuvers and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

“Their reckless and illegal actions led to a collision

between MRRV-4407 and China Coast Guard 21555 that resulted to minor structural damage to the PCG vessel,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement: “The use of water cannons by the CCG vessels shattered the wind shield of Unaizah May 4, causing minor injuries to at least four personnel on board.”

The injured Filipino personnel were treated by the crew of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Sindangan.

Other related developments:

1. Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, chairperson of the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) called for sufficient funding in the 2025 national budget to strengthen the country’s capacity to protect the WPS. He said Congress had to reallocate P1.23 billion in confidential funds from civilian government agencies to security agencies under the 2024 national budget amid escalating tensions with China in the WPS.

2. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the country’s territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) can be solved by rallying support from the international community through continued transparency efforts. At the PCG WPS Transparency Office in Manila, Com-

modore Jay Tarriela said the transparency strategy adopted by the government against Chinese aggression has been largely successful in achieving its objectives.

3. Senator Francis Tolentino said any attempt by China to challenge the unanimously approved Senate Bill No. 2492 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act is “futile” and would not deter Filipinos from upholding their rights under international law.

4. Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, chairperson of the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) called for sufficient funding in the 2025 national budget to strengthen the country’s capacity to protect the WPS. He said Congress had to reallocate P1.23 billion in confidential funds from civilian government agencies to security agencies under the 2024 national budget amid escalating tensions with China in the WPS.

5. Think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute condemned China’s persistent and increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, which was highlighted by its latest attempts to impede Manila’s rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission for the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) contingent.

In a statement, Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit said these actions show China’s blatant disregard for the Philippines’ national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

1

• $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

• $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

US, PHL troops poised for missile, sinking drills in Balikatan exercises

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Filipino and American troops will stage “integrated air defense exercises” and another “sinking exercise” during the expanded Balikatan exercises scheduled to start next month.

The “sinking exercise,” also known as the maritime strike exercise, would involve the sinking of a vessel as target, Balikatan 2024 executive agent Col. Michael Logico said.

Observers from the International Observers Program are expected to participate in the war drills scheduled from April 22 to May 8, Logico added.

Last year, the maritime war drill was executed from within the shores of the Naval Education Training Command (in San Antonio, Zambales), which is actually part of the training area,” he added.

Logico said they are looking at the possibility of Batanes as a possible site for the “Balikatan” exercise.

He added that they are “venturing away from our traditional training areas,” such as Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and the Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Tarlac.

This year’s Balikatan exercises between Filipino and American troops would include an “integrated air missile defense exercise” as one of its highlights.

Logico said the exercises would be held in Central Luzon, where the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will use its SPYDER air defense missile acquired from Israel.

“Yes, we will be utilizing our own newly-acquired weapon systems from (the) AFP Modernization (Program) and we are going to test the interoperability between our weapon systems and that of the United States,” Logico said.

Asked whether the exercise will involve live firing, he said “it will be both live, virtual, and constructed.”

Imelda hospitalized, now ‘in good spirits’ despite pneumonia

Logico said they would also be “testing the command-and-control dimension” during the drills.

SPYDER, also known as the “ground-based air defense system,” is the primary weapon of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) 960th Air and Missile Defense Group.

It is a mobile air and missile defense system designed to protect critical installations, land-based fixed assets, mobile platforms, and friendly forces from aerial threats, such as combat aircraft, attack helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, incoming missiles, guided munition, and rockets.

In certain cases, it may also be used to neutralize surveillance threats. It is classified as a “medium-range air defense missile system” and is capable of low-level, quick-reaction interception.

Aside from Singapore, the Philippines is one of two countries in Southeast Asia that operates this advanced missile system.

The SPYDER is an acquisition project under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program.

Marcos said he had the chance to speak with his mother’s attending physicians and learned that she is suffering from slight pneumonia and is running a fever.

“She has been put on a course of antibiotics and the doctors are confident that this will relieve her fever,” he said in a statement.

“She is in good spirits, has no difficulty in breathing and is resting well,” Marcos added.

Marcos also thanked his fellow Filipinos for their concern and prayers for his mother’s speedy recovery.

Senator Imee Marcos, Imelda’s eldest child, announced earlier Tuesday that the former First Lady has been admitted to a hospital due to suspected pneumonia.

She said her 94-year-old mother is in the hospital for “close monitoring” since the latter has been having bouts with fever and cough.

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public that his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, is “in good spirits” despite contracting slight pneumonia.

FRANCIS ESPIRITU

Publisher/President

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

NEIL GONZALES Chief Correspondent Northern California LYDIA SOLIS Chief Correspondent

Justice may be coming for Quiboloy very soon

The proverbial long arm of the law may finally catch up with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Two arms, in fact.

In quick succession, the Philippine Department of Justice ordered the filing of multiple raps vs the so-called religious leader, who was considered up until recently an untouchable.

He had gotten away with so many crimes because the justice system was too afraid to touch the man who was former president Rodrigo Duterte’s spiritual advisor-cum-financial supporter.

So scared was the Davao prosecutor that charges of rape, qualified human trafficking, and child abuse against Quiboloy were dropped. Thankfully, the Justice Department overturned that decision, and charges will soon be filed against the pastor.

Then the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality cited Quiboloy in contempt for constantly refusing to heed the body’s summons for him to attend hearings on his alleged crimes.

Even the House of Representatives may soon get in the act, and likewise cite him for contempt for refusing to attend hearings on the questionable operations of his media network called Sonshine Media Network International, which stands to lose a franchise it never should have been granted in the first place.

It hasn’t happened yet, but indeed the fall of the mighty is a near certainty.

Even former president Duterte has advised Quiboloy to just surrender to authorities, get a good team of lawyers, and let the law take its course.

Incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pretty much said the same thing. He should come out of hiding and face the music.

It is no secret that Quiboloy also has numerous charges facing him in the US.

In a statement, the US embassy in Manila said: “For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes.”

For too long, Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ shamefully and shamelessly referred to itself as a religion, when it was nothing more than a huge money-making enterprise built on the backs of the gullible who believed all of their pastor’s incredible claims.

Did they actually believe that Apollo Quiboloy was anointed by God Himself and that he was the owner of the universe?

Any person of average intelligence would have found all such claims as laughable. Yet Quiboloy was able to parlay his millions of followers into a potent political force, with candidates for national and local posts seeking his blessings during election season.

To this day, he still has powerful supporters. Senator Robinhood Padilla, for one, objected to the holding Quiboloy in contempt. Presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos, for her part, says that Quiboloy has been nothing but kind to her family.

Then there are his followers, who must be considered a danger to themselves. Our biggest fear may be that once trapped like a rat, Quiboloy may ask them to do the unthinkable. Think of the Reverend Jim Jones, and multiply his tragedy ten thousand fold.

For now, we can thank the stars that justice may be coming for Apollo Quiboloy. Then could follow Rodrigo Duterte who in so many ways committed even worse crimes against the Filipino people than his spiritual adviser.

How “epidemic of loneliness”...

In fact, says Dr. Jei Africa, Director of Behavioral Health & Recovery Services division at the San Mateo Health System, loneliness if unaddressed may lead to serious adverse physical health outcomes or worse.

“According to US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, the mortality impact of loneliness has a similar effect as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is associated with greater risks of dementia, stroke, anxiety and premature death,” Africa said at the Feb. 12 meeting of the Daly City Council where San Mateo County’s second largest city voted unanimously to pass a resolution declaring loneliness a public health crisis.

(From page 1)

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

“It is this reason why we should pay attention to it and find ways to increase social connection among individuals, families and communities,” stressed Africa, a Filipino American and San Mateo County’s foremost authority on mental health. “Loneliness is complex issue. When we say it’s a public health crisis, (we add that) it will also take a public health solution of us working as a community toward prevention and early intervention.”

Africa was referring to the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned about in an urgent advisory last year.

Last month the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors became the first county leadership in the nation to declare loneliness a public health crisis per proposal of Supervisor David Canepa, who represents District 5, encompassing Colma, Brisbane, parts of South San Francisco and South San Francisco, and all of Daly City.

Daly City, home of the highest concentration of Filipinos on the U.S. mainland, followed suit, becoming one of if not the first U.S. city to adopt the measure. The Feb. 12 resolution directs the city’s leaders to find solutions to the national concern.

“STAGGERING STATISTICS”

“We cannot ignore the statistics—loneliness exists in our City. Declaring loneliness a public health crisis brings awareness and opens up new opportunities to collaborate and partner with the County, as well as local non-profit organizations,” Mayor Juslyn Manalo said in introducing the resolution.

Over half of Daly City’s residents are foreign born and almost 20% are 65 years or older, Leilani Ramos, assistant to the City Manager, said in a presentation preceding the resolution vote, to highlight the impact of loneliness on her city’s population. The pandemic exacerbated the situation, she said, with older immigrants saying they had never felt lonely, she said, until the height of the worldwide calamity.

Older immigrants from foreign countries are “particularly susceptible to loneliness, attributed in part to shifts in language, cultural norms, social networks, and experiences of racism and/or discrimination,” she cited “national research” results.

San Mateo County statistics reflect the same, said Africa.

“In our 2022 Quality of Life survey we found that about 45% experienced some sort of isolation,” said the doctor of psychology who earned his undergraduate degree in UP Manila. He and his team noted the “staggering increase of 16%” of residents who said they had no one to turn to in the past month” despite having been in a “crowd of people earlier but at the end of the day” find themselves alone or lonely.

“That’s really concerning for us,” he emphasized.

Africa, who headed the County of Marin BHRS prior to taking his current post, said “men, adults with lower socioeconomic-economic status, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, LGBTQ+ folks and people living in North County often reported that they don’t have any social connection or any network.”

Presenter Dr. Hakan Ozcelikh, Professor of Management for the College of Business at Sacramento State University defined loneliness as “an unpleasant emotional condition that creates psychological, physiological, physical, and sociological effects, causing people to behave in ways that are self-defeating.”

It is “a social phenomenon that needs immediate attention,” he concluded.

SPURRING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Exercising cultural humility, Africa said his team is in the very early but vigorous stage “in this work to embed and integrate what Murthy has shared about the 6 pillars” or strategies to combat loneliness and isolation.

The county is already in the midst of collaborative projects involving BHRS, Aging & Adult Services (AAS), and Public Health & Policy to address the issue, said Africa.

Ongoing is a project to “connect people digitally, give access to technology - especially older adults - so they can be connected” to their peers even if they’re geographically separated or distant.

(Continued on page 20)

Remembering Karim Kiram

Six years ago this month, character actor Karim Kiram joined his Maker after receiving the Last Sacraments.

Born in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, to Col. Bernardino Reyes and Teodora Cabili, Karim whose real name was Bernardino Reyes Jr., grew up in Metro Manila, and studied at the Ateneo de Manila and the University of Santo Tomas.

At an early age, he showed his remarkable talent as a basketball player. He joined province-wide competitions,. was a UST Varsity player and even joined a professional basketball team.

After college, he worked at the NAWASA (now MWSS) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) until he migrated to the United States.

Before leaving for the USA, however, he had joined the movie industry, thanks to former Daily Express Entertainment Editor Romy Arceo, who was also FAMAS president.

With his deep voice, he often played the role of the villain, who almost always died at the movies end.

His looks and voice veiled the gentle soul that he was. Karim often batted for the underdog and was a key figure in establishing a labor union at the BIR.

One thing that stands out when I think of Karim was his love for his family, especially his siblings and his children.

Karim was the go-to person whenever any member of his family had a seemingly unsolvable problem.

Karim excelled at sports: basketball, golf, chess. He enjoyed training his 3 sons in basketball, advised his daughter Rhea , who now competes at golf tournaments in Poland, on golf.

Karim formed lasting friendships with his co-workers, many of whom left this earth before him.

Those who have survived, however, continue to cherish his memory, as his family does.

Today, we remember the man who has left a void in our lives , consoled by the thought that he is in a far better place than this.

Effective and proven ways of sharing the Gospel to our FRANCS

Part II

Iam sharing Part II of the timely message for the Lenten Season.

Beyond Business

Here in San Francisco, let me introduce some precious souls who heard and obeyed the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38): RENATO MARCOS, a former Roman Catholic and cousin of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., heard the gospel through the WE CARE gospel presentation arranged by his beloved wife Deborah Quiniones Marcos. He is now our regular song leader; JACK WANG, Chinese, was exposed to Buddhism and Communism way back in China. Sister Rose and I were blessed to share the gospel to him. He is now our new brother in Christ and serving in our worship assembly. BORIS QUINONEZ, met American missionaries from various denominations way back in El Salvador who encouraged him to read the Bible but never shared the gospel. My wife and I were blessed and fortunate to share the gospel to him the other Sunday. He obeyed the gospel and baptism for the remission of all his sins. He is now our Hispanic brother in Christ on his way to HEAVEN like us. REGINA RECORD, is a Caucasian lady who attended the Soul Winners’ Workshop conducted by brother Jon Rowe. At the end of the gospel presentation, Regina decided to obey the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of all her sins. Regina is so compassionate and dedicated in reaching out to the precious lost souls that she requested and suggested that I conduct series of sessions for this purpose every Tuesday 7;30 to -8-30pm. When you have that love, compassion, humility and commitment in sharing the gospel, PERSONAL EVANGELISM WILL BECOME A NATURAL LIFESTYLE. You sleep, think, breath and talk the gospel 24/7 365 days a year.

IV - SOME EFFECTIVE, PRACTICAL AND PROVEN WAYS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

We have 10 effective, practical and proven ways of sharing the gospel to our FRANCS collectively and individually, namely: 1. Prayers, 2. Make a written list of EVANGELISM PROSPECTS from among your FRANCS 3.Distribute the gospel tract “The Mystery that Brings ETERNAL LIFE” 4. FISH STORY using the Fish Bracelet, shared by brother Salvador Cariaga. 5.BOOKS Ministry, 6. Use NEW TESTAMENT Soul Winners Checkbook Edition 7. Use ETERNAL LIFE Outline, 8. WE CARE Ministry Approach, 9. Global MY ANGEL RADIO and In Search of the Lord’s Way TV 10, HOSTING SOUL WINNERS’ WORKSHOP.

1. PRAYERS - Let’s pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Pray that God will open doors and opportunities for the sharing of the gospel to the many precious lost souls from among our FRANCS. Jon and Razzle Rowe pray every first hour in the morning: “Oh Lord, please guide and direct me to a precious soul today.”

2. Make a written EVANGELISM PROSPECTS from among your FRANCS. I’ve prepared EVANGELISM PROSPECTS Registration Log for your own use. Just fill out the names, addresses and phone numbers from among your Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Workers, Strangers. Then, post your EVANGELISM PROSPECTS LIST inside your home where you can see it everyday. Pray for your prospects that God will open their hearts and mind.

3. DISTRIBUTE the gospel tract “The Mystery that Brings ETERNAL LIFE” – This gospel tract, prepared by brother Terry Denis and his son Gilford Denis, combined the WE CARE Approach and Seekers Guide. It has been translated into the major languages and Philippine like Tagalog, Chinese, Spanish, Ilocano, Pangasinan, Cebuano, Etc. The gospel tract is now being distributed by members of many congregations in the Philippines.

4. FISH STORY Using the Fish Bracelet - The Fish Bracelet, shared by brother Salvador Cariaga, is effective “ice breaker” to bring our FRANCS to the Prince of Peace. I used it to initiate WE CARE Gospel presentation to Rachel, a Jewish lady, who was subsequently baptized by brother Marcus Dancer. My wife used the FISH Bracelet to initiate WE CARE Gospel presentation to HENRY CHIN, our Chinese neighbor, who became our brother in Christ. Mark John Distor, young preacher in the Province of Isabela, Philippines motivated all the members of his congregation to wear the Fish Bracelet. As a result, MJ (his initial name like Michael Jordan) got more WE CARE Gospel presentations. After one year, active members more than doubled.

5. BOOKS MINISTRY - The BOOKS MINISTRY initiated by brother Terry Denis, brother John Jeffrey and yours truly now has seven good books namely: “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians,” “R.A.W. WISDOM” subtitled “FINDING PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS,” LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY,” subtitled “How to be Healthy Emotionally, Financially, Physically, Sexually and Spiritually,” LONGEVITY TIPS” subtitled “Secrets You Can Discover and Do for Good Health and Longevity,” LAUGHTER FOR GOOD HEALTH,” subtitled “Humorous Anecdotes and Stories on Cooking Events, Family, History and Personalities,” “JESUS CHRIST” subtitled “The Final Days on Earth Before His Return to Heaven,” and “REAL ESTATE & YOU” subtitled “Your Basic Guide and Information for Successful Investing in Home, Land and Income Property.”

In previous columns, I have written about the importance of partnership between the government and the private sector in pursuing the country’s goal of a sustainable economic development.

Our country is not wanting of businesses who are actively involved in the projects of government through the publicprivate partnership scheme that became popular post EDSA People Power Revolution.

One of these is San Miguel Corporation (SMC) with its President and CEO Ramon S. Ang (RSA). SMC which has been in the country for over a century has witnessed the changing of political leaders in the country through the years. Unlike other business entities that had been identified with certain political factions, SMC has remained apolitical to date. Its commitment to help the government has not wavered no matter who sits as Chief Executive of the country.

Beyond its private interests, SMC has trained its sights to helping improve the general climate for investments, provide economic opportunities for other Filipinos and advocate the protection of the environment for future generations. It was also a very active partner of government at the height of the pandemic. These goals are very palpable in its projects across subsidiaries and in CSR programs.

Among its projects that will improve investment climate aside from generating employment are the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and the recently awarded rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. These will ease travel, increase airport capacity and impact on logistics management, aside from contributing to the financial resources of government.

The SMC-led consortium’s bid offered to share 82.16% of future gross revenues, excluding Passenger Service Charges, with the government in addition to the fixed upfront fee of P 30 billion and annual fee of P 2 billion, both payable to the government.

In a statement, the consortium said “Our proposal is designed not only to elevate NAIA to world-class standards but also to ensure that the government benefits from the most advantageous revenue-sharing agreement. This aims to secure a favorable outcome for our shareholders while prioritizing fairness and long-term sustainability over immediate profits.”

Recently, SMC inaugurated its Saribuhay sa Dampalit project in Bulacan, the country’s first and largest Biodiversity Offset Program site.

Located in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos, the Biodiversity Offset Program site covers 40 hectares with plans to expand to 800 hectares of offset sites across various areas.

The project complements developments in the New Manila International Airport area as it seeks to balance development efforts with environmental preservation, support local livelihoods and address flooding issues in Bulacan’s flood-prone areas.

Construction of the airport is being undertaken by San Miguel Aerocity, Inc., a subsidiary of SMC.

According to RSA, the project is an integrative approach to development that respects and enhances the natural environment alongside SMC’s infrastructure objectives. “We firmly believe that progress and nature can co-exist, benefiting both the ecosystem and the local community,” he said.

Saribuhay sa Dampalit has provided migratory birds with a rich feeding ground. The project has also provided employment to Bulacan residents affected by the airport project and raised awareness on the importance of preserving migratory shorebirds.

This project is aligned with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2028 which as articulated in the Philippine Development Plan envisions “increasing green spaces at the city and barangay levels will enhance environmental quality, reduce urban heat, promote biodiversity, and improve health and overall wellbeing. Increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of local communities and other stakeholders on the importance of green spaces shall be pursued and individual actions on urban greening will be encouraged.”

SC rules in favor of Trump, dominates Super Tuesday!

In an unexpected ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday handed a sweeping win to former President Donald Trump by ruling that states cannot kick him off the ballot over his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol — bringing a swift end to a case with huge implications for the 2024 election. (Lawrence Hurley, NBC News)

The court reversed the Colorado Supreme Court in an unsigned ruling with no dissents (unanimous decision) which had determined that Trump could not serve again as president under Section 3 of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.

The provision prohibits those who previously held government positions but later “engaged in insurrection” from running for various offices. There was no ruling on this, only the Colorado issue excluding Trump from the ballots.

So, the ruling makes it clear that Congress, not states, has to set rules on how the 14th Amendment provision can be enforced against federal office-seekers. As such, the decision applies to all states, not just Colorado. However, states retain the power to bar people running for state office from appearing on the ballot under Section 3, not on federal posts.

“Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the states, responsible for enforcing section 3 against all federal officeholders and candidates, we reverse,” the Supreme Court ruling said.

While the Supreme Court decided the case on that legal question, it avoided any analysis or determination of whether Trump’s actions constituted an insurrection. That means, they did not rule on the issue as to whether Trump is immune from any act of insurrection in the January 6 incident.

The decision comes just a day before the Colorado primary and minutes after the ruling, Trump hailed the decision in an allcapital-letters post on his social media site, writing, “Big win for America!!!”

While this is a win for Trump, he is still in a quandary because the ruling only touched on his inclusion in state ballots. There was no ruling as to whether he is immune from acts of insurrection committed during the January 6 “insurrection.”

That issue will still be decided by the Supreme Court and we do not know whether they will decide on it before or after the November general election. Regardless of the timing, definitely it will impact the political landscape of the country.

Meantime, while former South Carolina governor and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is still in the race, there is no clear way she will be able to overtake frontrunner former US President Donald Trump this coming Super Tuesday!

This is the biggest day of this year’s primary campaign in 16 states that will vote in contests known as Super Tuesday. Will the Supreme Court decision impact the Super Tuesday elections? Definitely! Whatever its decision is, it will have a bearing on the election.

Well, the elections are a crucial moment, not only for President Joe Biden and Donald Trump who are the overwhelming front-runners for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, respectively, but also for Nikki Haley.

All three will vie for delegates at stake, and whoever have strong performances would move them much closer to becoming their party’s nominee.

The contest will start from Alaska and California to Virginia and Vermont until all the rest of the 16 states are done voting.

As the Super Tuesday contests are going on, opinion polls point to the fact that the vast map seems tailor-made for Trump to roll up an insurmountable lead on Haley. His team has been turning up the pressure on Haley to drop out, and another big win could be a major point in their favor. (Nicholas Riccardi, AP)

At this point in time, Haley was able to amass a considerable amount of campaign money (although slowly some of her financiers are wavering their support after South Carolina) and said she wanted to stay in the race until the Republican National Convention in July i.e. in case delegates there have second thoughts about formally nominating Trump amidst his legal problems. So, she may not be able to afford another sweeping loss during Super Tuesday.

One of the biggest questions on Tuesday is whether Trump can start repairing his weakness with college graduates and in the suburbs. These, according to statistics, were the clusters that doomed Trump in his 2020 loss to Biden.

Haley, on the other hand, need to at least win one or two of the 16 states to be able to bolster her move to stay up to the July GOP convention. Otherwise, she is doomed to failure and her battle cry to move on will be pointless.

The ongoing updates on these books will include ETERNAL LIFE Outline , gospel tract “The Mystery that Brings ETERNAL LIFE,” and baptism pictorials of JAMES PHILIPS, RENATO MARCOS, REGINA RECORD, JACK WANG, BORIS QUINONEZ and others. Every autographed page will include “GO! Share the Gospel!! See YOU in

As biodiversity is essential in the stability of the ecosystem, all of us must do our share to prevent its loss.

Once more, SMC under RSA has shown us how the private sector can help in nation-building.

So, we are anticipating another duel between Trump and Biden in 2024, just like what they did in 2020. In 2020, Biden won, but Trump never conceded. If Biden wins in 2024, will Trump not concede again? Well, this was the opinion forwarded by Biden a few weeks ago when he said that “if Trump loses in 2024, he will not concede…”

(Continue on page 16)

I hope what SMC has done

(Continue on page 20)

Are we expecting more court decisions between now and July, the GOP convention? If so, how will it (Continue on page 20)

“ ART GABOT MADLAING

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO

MELANDREW T. VELASCO

Inflation in PHL settles at 3.4% in February, gov’t readies measures

MANILA – The government is intensifying its efforts to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and help keep the inflation rate within target.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) made the statement after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that headline inflation accelerated to 3.4 percent in February this year.

The headline inflation during the month was still within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target but higher than the 2.8 percent recorded in January this year.

In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the headline inflation last month however was lower than the 8.6 percent recorded in February last year.

Core inflation which excludes volatile oil and food items slightly went down to 3.6 percent in February from 3.8 percent in January.

Mapa said the uptrend in the overall headline inflation in February 2024 was primarily influenced by the higher yearon-year increase in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 4.6 percent during the month from 3.5 percent in the previous month.

Food inflation rose to 4.8 percent in February from 3.3 percent in January.

Rice inflation in particular went up to 23.7 percent which Mapa attributed to tight supply and high world rice prices.

The annual increase of transport at 1.2 percent from an annual decline of 0.3 percent in January 2024 also contributed to the uptrend in overall inflation.

Mapa said housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels also contributed to the uptrend as it recorded a faster annual increase of 0.9 percent from 0.7 percent in January 2024.

In a statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the latest inflation data is within its forecast range of 2.8 to 3.6 percent.

The central bank said that while the BSP expects inflation to remain within target in the first quarter of the year, inflation could temporarily accelerate above the target range in the second quarter due to the adverse impact of El Niño weather conditions on agricultural production and positive base effects.

“The risks to the inflation outlook have receded but remain tilted toward the upside. The upside risks to the inflation forecasts are linked mainly to higher transport charges, increased electricity rates, higher oil, and domestic food prices, and the additional impact on food prices of a strong El Niño episode,” the BSP said.

The BSP said the Monetary Board deems it appropriate to keep the BSP’s monetary policy settings unchanged in the near term amid the improvement in inflation conditions.

“The BSP also continues to support the National Government’s non-monetary measures to address supply-side pressures on prices and sustain the disinflation process,” the central bank said.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government would continue monitoring food supply and prices and implement necessary policies and strategies to ensure affordable and adequate food for Filipino families, especially those from the most vulnerable sectors.

“As we navigate the economic landscape, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to managing inflationary pressures. While we have seen some relief from certain inflation risks, we must not become complacent. The potential impact of a strong El Niño weather pattern on food prices is a significant concern for our community,” he said in a separate statement.

Lost or expired green card is not a hindrance to apply for naturalization

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

The application process is now reduced to the minimum time. Generally you can be interviewed within six months. After the interview you can take your oath and bring home the Certificate of Naturalization to apply for a US passport. Everything has been made easy for all applicants.

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

Green cards are important especially when traveling abroad and applying for citizenship. There are certain issues about replacing green cards which we will discuss.

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

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

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

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

What happen if the Reentry permit is lost?

“Rising transportation costs, electricity rates, and volatile oil markets are putting pressure on household finances. Our team is actively formulating robust strategies with the concerned agencies in response to these challenges. We must be agile, adaptive, and forward-thinking,” Balisacan added.

International rice prices have started to ease, and local supply is expected to increase with the dry season harvest beginning this month until April, he said.

He added that the Department of Agriculture is closely collaborating with the International Rice Research Institute to increase the country’s rice production.

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

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

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

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. PETITION FOR CAREGIVERS

Our Law Firm entered into agreement with Care Home Facilities in the U.S. to process applicants for Caregivers in the US

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

Bankruptcy Basics

We also process Bankruptcy cases.

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

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

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

TFC Unveils Lyric Video of 30th Anniversary Theme Song

Watch the simultaneous launch on linear and online across all ABS-CBN and TFC platforms on March 8

SAN FRANCISCO, March 06, 2024 – The flagship product of ABS-CBN Global is The Filipino Channel, widely known as TFC. This 24-hour cable, direct-tohome (DTH) satellite, online, internet protocol television (IPTV), and mobile TV service that broadcasts globally, carrying a variety of programs to suit the needs and preferences of over 10 million global Filipinos is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

To mark this milestone year, TFC has commissioned ABS-CBN Head of Creative Communications Management Robert Labayen, who has penned the lyrics of several of the company’s station IDs, to write TFC’s 30th year theme song. The composition and overall music production for the anthem was done by award-winning composer-record-producer and Creative Director of ABS-CBN Music Jonathan Manalo.

The song, “Always at Home with You,” carries the message of home being more than just a physical location, but most especially the sense of belonging within a community.

ABS-CBN Global Marketing Head Pam Castillo emphasizes that TFC’s 30th-year campaign goes beyond portraying TFC as a mere home away from home for Filipinos. Instead, it seeks to celebrate the global community we have collectively built.

Castillo reflects that in the last three decades, “with every broadcast, every movie released, every event mounted, TFC has built a global family and turned a

strange land into something we can call ‘home.’” She adds that “the song ‘Always at Home with You’ reflects and honors how across the world, cultural connections have been built, our collective values strengthened, and dreams continuously thrive. The song embodies the idea of being a comforting presence for every Filipino, wherever they may be in the world.”

The lyric video will be launched on March 8, Friday, right after TV Patrol simultaneously across all ABSCBN and TFC channels in the Philippines, in Asia, North and Latin America, Australia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

The video features glimpses of the recording process with top artists: Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, ZsaZsa Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, KZ Tandingan, Darren Espanto, and Gary Valenciano.

A week later, on March 15, a behind-the-scenes (BTS) version of the song

will be launched and that will include interviews with all 10 artists and conversations with the song creators, Labayen and Manalo.

The full music video will be released in April, the anniversary month of TFC.

As Eugenio Lopez, Jr., visionary founder of TFC’s parent company, ABS-CBN, once articulated – “TFC’s mission is to serve the Filipino wherever he or she may be.” Through three glorious decades, TFC has provided a solid anchor, embodying the spirit of home for Filipinos, no matter where life’s journey has taken them in various parts of the world. TFC’s anthem, “Always at Home with You,” is TFC’s message of love to Filipinos all over the world, a special offering in celebration of TFC’s anniversary.

ABS-CBN Global COO, Jun Del Rosario, underscores the company’s commitment to service while adopting a forward-thinking approach. He assures audiences that TFC is dedicated to continuous evolution and adaptation, ensuring Filipinos worldwide receive the latest in news, entertainment, music, events, and all the content they desire. Del Rosario affirms, “This is what we do. TFC remains, and will always be, in a perpetual state of evolution. To fulfill our mission, we must persistently move and adapt with the ever-changing times, while remaining true to our essence of being the home for global Filipinos.”

Tune in to TV Patrol this Friday, March 8, for an exclusive premiere of TFC’s 30th anniversary anthem that promises to redefine the meaning of home. As we embark on the next chapter, remember, wherever life takes you, TFC is and will always be your home. And be on the lookout for more special and exciting offerings throughout TFC’s anniversary year.

Multi-awarded Filipino American Jaclyn Jose passes away, showbiz industry mourns

By Jennifer T. Santos, Entertain- ment Editor

Veteran multi-awarded actress Jaclyn Jose has passed away due to heart attack leaving the Philippine showbiz industry in shock and in deep mourning. She was 60.

Jaclyn, whose lifeless body was found in her Quezon City home after she did not answer calls, left two children – actress Andi Eigenmann, her daughter with the late actor Mark Gil, who was Raphael John Gil Eigenmann in real life, and Gwen Garimond Ilagan Guck, her son with Kenneth Ilagan – elder sister Veronica Jones, a former actress, grandchildren and other relatives.

Andi and brother Gabby, in a press conference, confirmed that their mother died of myocardiac arrest or heart attack.

Andi said she hopes that her mother’s legacy will live on describing her mom’s life as her “greatest obra maestra.”

“I would just like to say that her undeniable legacy will definitely forever live on through her work, through her children, grandchildren, and the many lives she’s touched. As she herself, her life itself was her greatest obra maestra,” she said.

Veronica Jones, Jaclyn’s elder sister, described Jaclyn as someone who loved immensely.

“Si Jane, mapagmahal—matindi magmahal—down-to-earth, maawain, napakabait na tao, walang masamang tinapay. ‘Yung mga crew at staff, mas mahal niya yan, ayaw niya ‘yung mga pa-sosyal,” Veronica said.

JON

“Mamimiss namin siya, hindi ko na siya mapapanood. We love her,” she continued.Jaclyn, who was Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck in real life, was born in Angeles City, Pampanga in 1963 of an American serviceman of German descent who was assigned at the Clark Air Force base and a Filipina mother, making her a Filipino American, although it was not publicly known if she took up United States citizenship like many Filipino actors.

Jaclyn was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win the best actress trophy Palme d’Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. She won the award in 2016 for her mesmerizing performance in Brillante Mendoza’s film “Ma’Rosa.”

As a versatile and hard-working actress in film and television for four decades, Jaclyn won many other awards. Including five Gawad Urian awards, two Luna awards and a FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) award.

She was also presented the Movie Icon award by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED).

She starred in dramas, comedies, horror stories and romances and television soap operas, after breaking out in the 1980s in films such as Lino Brocka’s “White Slavery” and Chito S. Roño’s “Private Show.”

Jaclyn’s other notable performances include starring and supporting roles in films such as “The Flor Contemplacion

Story” (1995) and “Patay Na Si Hesus” (2016). She also starred or featured in several GMA Network series including “Marimar,” “The Millionaire’s Wife,” and “D’Originals.”

Before her death, she was acclaimed for her role as General Espinas in the top-rating ABS-CBN television series with Coco Martin, “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”

Celebrities, industry leaders and others mourned the sudden death of Jaclyn who passed away on Saturday, March 2, and paid tribute to her on social media and at her well-attended wake.

Among Jaclyn’s fellow celebrities on her wake were Coco Martin with the cast and staff of “Batang Quiapo,” key officials of ABS-CBN, Tirso Cruz III, chairman of the Film Development Council, lIza Calzado, Congresswoman Lani Mercado, and Jake Ejercito, who is the father of Andi’s daughter, Ellie.

Published reports in Manila showed that Jaclyn’s co-actor in “Batang Quiapo” Coco Martin was one of the first celebrities who rushed to Jaclyn Jose’s residence when he got the call from Jose’s older sister, Veronica Jones.

He said in an ABS-CBN report the mood on the set of his show “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” was somber, and everyone was feeling the emptiness and the absence of Dolores Espinas, Jose’s character in their primetime series.

Coco later revealed there were signs and premonitions of Jaclyn saying goodbye.

He said in one of the last scenes Jaclyn did last Wednesday, she was supposed to just give Ivana Alawi’s character a stern goodbye.

But Jaclyn delivered it as if Alawi was her daughter. She shed tears. Coco and his assistant director, Kevin de Vela, cut the scene then asked Jaclyn to do a retake with less tears.

Jaclyn’s explanation to Coco on why she unexpectedly teared up was, “Kasi parang isa-isa nang nawawala yung mga character sa kulungan eh.”

Coco, the ABS-CBN report added, also recalled his last goodbye with Jaclyn, saying the hugs and “I-love-yous” felt different.

Together with the cast of ‘Batang Quiapo’, Coco said they went to Baguio

to attend the annual Panagbenga Festival. “Pagdating ko pa lang ng Baguio, kinukuwento ko na siya kay Cherry Pie. Pie alam mo pinagkukuwentuhan namin ni Mommy Jane si Ma’m Charito Solis, sina FPJ. Tapos yung gabi after ng show sa Baguio, siya pa rin yung pinagkukuwentuhan namin. Yun pala, hindi namin alam may nangyari na pala.”

Coco said he received the call on Jose’s passing last Sunday, March 3 at around 6 in the evening. Right after, he said, “Pumunta kami agad ni Cherry Pie sa bahay niya. Seven PM, nandun na kami sa labas. Siyempre nagulat talaga lahat kami. Hindi namin inaasahan na mangyayari ito.”

Coco said in the ABS-CBN report he owes everything that he has now to Jose.

“Utang na loob ko lahat kay Mommy Jane. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito sa ABS-CBN. Kung bakit lahat nangyari sa buhay ko. Siya ang kasama ko sa kauna-unahang indie movie ko na ‘Masahista’. Siya ang nag-convince sa akin na pumasok sa TV, sa ABS-CBN,” Coco revealed.

Coco was reported taking charge in making the most beautful sea of flowers at Jaclyn Jose’s wake.

In his eulogy during the ABS-CBN and “Batang Quiapo” night, there were no dry eyes in the room when Coco Martin turned emotional and shared how much Jose loved her children - Andi and Gwen.

“Naiinggit ako sa mga anak niya, kasi may magulang na kagaya niya na may ganung pagmamahal sa mga anak,” he said.

As to what will happen now to the character of Chief Dolores Espinas in the series, Coco said he still doesn’t know what and how things will turn around. He said the whole team is still devastated and in disbelief.

Others who paid tribute to Jaclyn were Actor Alden Richards, who worked with her in the historical series Illustrado. He shared a photo of them on his Instagram.

“My heart aches like a son who lost his mom. You will be with me always. I love you, my Tita Jane,” Alden wrote.

Fellow actor John Arcilla also posted a photo of a younger Jose with the caption “Jane” and heartbroken emojis.

Gladys Reyes recalled how she first met the actress on the set of Lovingly Yours, Helen.

“We have shared so much. From when I was 9 years old in Lovingly Yours, Helen up to our latest movie Apag, you didn’t change,” penned Reyes.

Gardo Versoza and Ice Seguerra, who had a close relationship with the actress, also honored Jose through social media posts.

“I love you very much, Abe. It’s painful to say goodbye,” wrote Versoza.

“I still can’t believe it. Thank you very much for loving Liza [Diño]. You always supported her when she was at FDCP and defended her when she was no longer there. Thank you for your kindness. It’s really sad,” the singer stated.

Sarah Lahbati confirms split with Richard Gutierrez

Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez are officially no more, as confirmed by the Swiss-born Filipina actress on Friday, March 1.

In an ABS-CBN interview with MJ Felipe, Sarah was asked for confirmation if she was single.

“Yeah, there’s nothing to hide. It’s pretty clear to the public, ‘no? Both of us are – I think,” she said. This is the first time the ex-couple publicly confirmed their break-up.

A few days prior, Sarah told Frontline Pilipinas that she and ex-husband Richard are “not on speaking terms” but are co-parenting their two young sons Zion and Kai together.

Speculations that Sarah and Richard’s relationship was on the rocks started making rounds in November 2023 when the model-actress was absent from motherin-law Annabelle Rama’s birthday celebration. The rumors were further fueled by Sarah’s Instagram display name changes from Sarah Lahbati-Gutierrez, SLG, and finally to Sarah Lahbati.

Prior to this, Sarah appeared in the finale episode of the ABS-CBN teleserye The Iron Heart in October 2023. The series starred her husband.

While neither Sarah nor Richard had made an official statement then, Annabelle revealed in a December 2023 interview with ABS-CBN News that her son Richard has been living with her for a month already. In the same interview, Annabelle refused to confirm or deny if the two had gone their separate ways, only saying that the public will know their status soon.

In December, Sarah denied the rumors that she was speaking ill of Annabelle, advising those planning to get married to get to know their future in-laws first to avoid ending up in a situation like hers.

In January, eagle-eyed netizens noticed that Sarah and Richard were no longer following each other’s Instagram accounts.

Sarah and Richard welcomed their first child Zion in 2013 when the former was 19 and the latter was 29. They later welcomed their second son Kai in 2018. The couple eventually wed in 2020. – Rappler.com

EDD benefit payments now issued on new Money Network prepaid debit cards

April 15 is the last day Bank of America debit cards can be used

Starting February 15, 2024, the Employment Development Department (EDD) begins issuing payments for unemployment, disability, and Paid Family Leave customers on new Money Network prepaid debit cards. Benefit payments will no longer be issued on Bank of America debit cards. The EDD previously announced it was reaching out to its customers with related timelines and information to assist them in transitioning to Money Network Cards.

“Through our partnership with Money Network, we are enhancing how we deliver benefits to our customers,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “That includes introducing a direct deposit option later this year – the fastest, most secure method for receiving payments.”

Receiving Money Network Cards

Individuals with active claims who qualified to receive benefit payments after January 15 were mailed an unfunded Money Network Card in preparation for the transition. It may take up to 14 business days from the date of qualification for the new card to arrive. Individuals who don’t receive their card after that period may contact Money Network at 1-800684-7051.

Additional information about the Money Network Card is available at moneynetwork.com/edd in 21 of California’s top spoken languages. This includes instructions on how to

activate the card, how to avoid fees and locate surcharge-free ATMs in local areas, FAQs, and translations of important “Terms and Fees” in all supported languages.

Customers can choose their preferred language by selecting the globe icon at the top of the webpage as shown:

Closing Bank of America Cards

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: April 15, 2024, is the last day individuals will be able to use their Bank of America debit card in this transition. Customers are encouraged to use or transfer any remaining balance on their debit cards before that date or submit a request to Bank of America to be issued a check in the amount of remaining funds. Visit Debit Card for more information.

Help us fight against fraud

Upcoming service updates

The EDD will never request personal information by text message, email, or on social media. Text messages asking to activate a benefits debit card by selecting a link are scams. The EDD’s text messages only link to websites that include “edd.ca.gov”. The Department encourages customers to remain vigilant and safeguard their financial and personal information. Visit Help Fight Fraud for tips on how to avoid scams.

Later this year, the EDD is set to implement a new direct deposit option for benefit payments. Details about this option will be provided in upcoming communications. This service improvement is part of EDDNext, a multi-year transformation effort to improve the EDD customer experience – updating technologies and self-service choices, streamlining forms and notices, and enhancing staff efficiency through updated policies and procedures. The goal is to make the EDD experience for customers a smoother and faster one.

Northern California Real Estate Market Update: Navigating Shifts in 2023

The Northern California real estate market has experienced notable shifts in the third quarter of 2023, with a myriad of factors influencing the region’s housing dynamics. From employment trends to home prices and mortgage rates, here’s a comprehensive overview of the current state of Northern California’s real estate landscape.

Regional Economic Overview

In the backdrop of a changing economic landscape, total employment levels in the region have seen a year-over-year decline, contributing to an uptick in the unemployment rate. With Shasta experiencing the highest jobless rate and Napa boasting the lowest, the Northern California job market is exhibiting signs of strain.

Northern California Home Sales

The third quarter of 2023 witnessed a 20% year-over-year drop in home sales, with only San Luis Obispo managing a modest increase. Listing inventory increased quarter over quarter, hinting at a growing number of available properties. However, pending home sales dipped, indicating a potential market cooling as the year progresses.

Annual changes in home sales by county showcases varying degrees of decline, with Placer County experiencing the least change and Solano facing the steepest drop.

Northern California Home Prices

Higher financing costs have left their mark on home sale prices, leading to a 1.2% drop from the second quarter of 2023. Nevertheless, prices remained 3.9% higher than the same period in 2022, with the average sale price reaching $1.217 million. Median list prices experienced a 3.8% decline quarter over quarter, with Napa and Placer counties witnessing double-digit decreases.

Despite year-over-year price increases in most counties, the impact of high mortgage rates is evident. A map depicting percentage changes in home prices across different counties highlights the diverse trends, with Santa Clara standing out with over a 5% increase.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates continued their upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2023, reaching levels not seen since the fall of 2000. Tied to the yield on 10-year treasuries, these rates are influenced by economic factors, including inflation. With the Federal Reserve signaling an intention to keep rates “higher for longer,” borrowers may not see significant relief in the near term.

Northern California Days on Market

The average time it takes to sell a home in Northern Cali-

fornia decreased by one day compared to the third quarter of 2022. However, variations across counties were notable, with market times falling in some and rising in others. Santa Clara County consistently outperformed, boasting the shortest days on the market, while Shasta County faced a longer selling period.

Conclusions

The real estate market speedometer for Northern California, considering housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and broader economic factors, suggests a nuanced picture. Despite rising inventory levels, the length of

time homes spend on the market remains relatively stable. Home price growth has slowed, and with median list prices declining, the final quarter of the year may not see significant price increases. As mortgage rates continue to rise, acting as a potential headwind, prospective buyers and sellers should carefully navigate the evolving real estate landscape in Northern California.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative finance 562-508-7048 CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

Carlo Biado crowned world pool champion in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- Carlo Biado of the Philippines is the new Predator WPA Men’s World 10-Ball champion after defeating Japan’s Naoyuki Oi in their title showdown at the Rio AllSuite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Sunday, March 3, (Philippine time).

Biado beat Oi 3-1 (4-1, 3-4, 4-2, 4-1) in their best of five match up.

Last week, Biado ended up runner-up to compatriot Lee Van Corteza for the Pro Billiards Series Las Vegas Open in the same venue that earned him $14,000.

Biado’s 10-ball world title also comes three years after he ended a 27-year drought for the Philippines when he won the 2021 US Open in Atlantic City.

The 40-year-old Biado, dubbed the “Black Tiger,” dominated the first set with a 4-1 win over Oi.

“It’s overwhelming. I’m very happy that I won this match. I finally got the world 10-ball championship,” Biado said after the championship round.

“When I heard that national anthem, it felt like [shedding] tears of joy. I finally won the championship,” he continued.

In his Facebook post, Biado said:

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, learning, and sacrifice and most of all love of what you do. “

“Don’t stop dreaming. Dreaming is one of the best feeling in the world then make it happen,” he added

On the way to the finals, Biado won over Justin Sajich of Australia, 2-0, top American player Shane Van Boening, 2-0, Lin Wu Kun of Taiwan, 2-0 in the elimination round. He dispatched Taiwan’s Ko Ping-Chund in the beswt of five quarterfinals, 3-2 (4-1, 0-4, 4-1, 3-4, 4-1) and defeated Russian-born American Fedor Gorst in the semis, 3-1 (1-4, 4-3, 4-3, 4-2).

The 2024 WPA Predator 10-Ball Championship pitted the world’s 64 best-ranked players. Biado is the only Filipino entry in the tournament.

Biado thus become the most accomplished Filipino bil-

liards player of the current generation reinforcing the Filipinos’ dominant hold of the sport continuing the legacy of Filipino legends Efren Reyes and Django Bustamante.In the closely contested second set, Oi edged the Filipino 4-3, leveling the championship match at 1-all.

Biado, however, staged a remarkable comeback, clinching the third and fourth sets, 4-2, 4-1, to secure the champion’s trophy, a gold medal, and the top purse of $75,000 (roughly P4.2 million).

Oi settled for the $45,000 runner-up prize.

In a statement to the Predator Pro Billiards Series, Biado expressed his joy, saying, “I’m overwhelmed, I’m very very happy to finally get the World 10-Ball championship, I want to thank God for this wonderful victory.”

He dedicated his victory to his wife, acknowledging her unwavering support. A photo posted on the Predator Pro Billiards Series official Facebook page captured Biado placing his gold medal around his wife’s neck.

Biado faced tough competition on his way to the finals.

In the semifinals, Biado rebounded from a 1-4 first-set loss to Russian-born American player Fedor Gorst, claiming the next three sets (4-3, 4-2, 4-2), to arrange a title showdown with Oi. The latter, in turn, survived a thrilling five-set match against Denis Grabe of Estonia (4-2, 3-4, 3-4, 4-2, 4-0).

Biado also escaped with a 3-2 win (4-1, 0-4, 4-1, 3-4, 4-1) over seasoned Chinese Taipei pool player Ko Ping Chung in the quarterfinals after securing a 3-0 shutout victory over Jung-Lin Chang of Chinese Taipei.

The new world 10-ball champion had previously been a runner-up to Davao City’s Lee Vann Corteza, who claimed the 2024 Las Vegas Open men’s title early last week.

Biado boasts an impressive resume, securing championship titles in the 2017 World 9-Ball, 2017 World Games 9-Ball singles, 2021 US Open Pool Championships, and the 2022 WPA World Team 10-Ball Championships alongside Jo-

hann Chua and Rubilen Amit. His collection includes three gold medals, two silvers, and three bronzes from previous Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, along with a bronze from the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Another Filipino, Chezka Centeno, secured the Las Vegas Open women’s title.

Other Predator Pro Billiards Series champions included Chie Yu-Chou (PBA women showdown) and Chieh-Yu Chou and Jung-Lin Chang (Apex mixed doubles)

Health & Wealth...

(From Page 11)

HEAVEN !!! Love in Christ. Through our BOOKS MINISTRY, you can order these books at author’s special cost which is 70% discount from the regular Amazon price. You can, therefore. use these books as effective tools in reaching out to your prospects by giving them as lasting gifts on Birthdays, Anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, New Year and other special occasions.

The 6-10 ways of sharing the gospel will be discussed in my next sermon on Sunday, August 18, 2024 to commemorate my 78th Birthday. I hope and pray that you’ll come back to hear the final portion of my message.

RENATO MARCOS, REGINA RECORD, JACK WANG, BORIS QUINONEZ, JAMES PHILIPS and other hundreds and thousands of converted precious souls are solid evidence that the gospel is the power of God to salvation. But the best and solid proof and evidence that the gospel is the power of God to salvation is your humble servant standing before you this morning. I was a Roman Catholic in the elementary grades; a Methodist in high school years; an agnostic during my college days because of my association with the late Jose Ma. Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines. By the grace and mercy of God, I searched and meditated on the Scriptures, understood the real Jesus in the Bible; His Death, Burial and Resurrection and obeyed the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of ALL my sins in the summer of 1972. I am standing before you this morning as a plain Christian, with love, compassion and humility in sharing the gospel in its purity and simplicity to the precious lost souls from among our FRANCS.

V - CONCLUSION AND INVITATION: As conclusion and invitation, let us read together the urgent and serious warning of the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

Apostle Paul mentioned that there are two conditions of those who will go to eternal damnation in HELL: 1.Those who do not know God; 2.Those who refused to obey the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of sins

This morning, you’re blessed and fortunate to know the real Jesus in the Bible; His Death, Burial and Resurrection, and how to obey the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of ALL your sins. You can obey the gospel in baptism NOW so that you’ll have eternal life in HEAVEN. The baptistery is ready with warm water.

You don’t have any excuse or alibi, not even the Super Bowl because it will take only few seconds for you to be immersed and wash away ALL your sins (Acts 22:16). Your decision this morning will determine whether you’ll go to eternal life in HEAVEN or eternal damnation in HELL. Don’t be like King Agrippa who said: “Paul, you almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:27-29). Almost a Christian like King Agrippa will not bring YOU to eternal life in HEAVEN but surely eternal damnation in HELL!

If you’ve been a Christian but became lukewarm, we encourage YOU to REPENT before it’s too late. Whatever your needs, we invite YOU to come forward as we sing the invitation song “TRUST AND OBEY.”

(ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker in California since 1981. He is the founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA. He can be reached at (650) 438-3531 or (415) 584-7095 or mail: artmadlaing@hotmail.com)

Perfect weather ushers 2024 Lunar Chinese New Year in San Francisco

By Jun Nucum

It has been raining and/or even snowing in most parts of California in the weeks past but when it came time for annual Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, the weather cooperated that Saturday February 24 and everyone had a blast in ushering in the year 2024.

An estimated more than a 100,000 people lined the main streets of the parade ground in San Francisco to witness and get the feel of how Chinese New Year is celebrated and welcomed with all the glamour, color, glitz, energy and happy merry-making complete with fireworks and it won’t be complete without the traditional dragon dance.

Participants from all walks of life, young and old, from different orientation

and genders or sexual orientation came to be a part of annual joyful welcome of the New Year.

The annual Chinese New Year Parade, the Year of the Yellow Dragon was also attended by public fixture in the parade former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown escorted by Miss Chinatown 2023 Ashlyn Tsui 2023.

But the highlight was presence of Asian Hollywood star Awkwafina, who also is this year’s celebrity grand marshal that the crowd warmly welcomed and greeted with loud cheers and applause all of her fans who swarmed her as they sought to get near her to get a photo and her signature. Awkwafina has a movie Kung Fu Panda 4 showing early next month in many theaters all over.

“I think (you know) San Francisco is known for its rich history especially when it comes to Chinese Americans. In that way, it’s such an honor for me for me as someone born on the East Coast to come to a city where the Chinatown is- everything is pretty much celebrated. So I think for me, it’s a great honor that I’ll always come back,” impressed Awkwafina who rode her Parade Grand Marshall car with San Francisco County Supervisor Matt Dorsey.

Her movie Kung Fu Panda 4 set to be released on March 8th of this year revealed she was such a fan of Kung Fu Panda growing up and it was such an honor and very surreal to be asked to be a part of it as it is

really cool to be acting alongside characters you were a fan of.

““The new year signifies a new beginning; a new chapter and I also think it’s coming to yourself growing and this is what we should do every new year. I felt super excited to be chosen as a Grand Marshall for this year. I was I felt super excited. I was like “really but yeah no I’m super” I don’t know what to expect but I hope that it’s fun the energy is already great,” Awkwafina intimated. “We’re all out here and it’s I just hope that we all have a great New Year and that we all uh we all we all feel good.”

Other highlights were the Cal Poly and UC Davis marching bands facing off an hour beforehand at Harry Bridges Plaza and candidate for the US Senate Adam Schiff attending the parade.

Although joy and happiness was had by all, it did not escape many that in as much as holidays like Lunar New Year are an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their resilience as a community, the fight against anti-Asian hate is far from over.

A 2023 study found that nearly 75% of Chinese Americans say they experienced racial discrimination in the past year, while about 66% reported feeling the need to stay vigilant against hate or harassment.

A separate survey led by the Asian American Foundation (TAAF) showed that only 22% of Asian Americans feel that they belong and are accepted in the U.S.

This sentiment despite the revelry in celebration of the Lunar Chinese New Year is not lost to Daly City City officials who led their own celebration right in their city hall.

Mayor Juslyn Manalo sees the celebration of the Lunar/Chinese New Year means a hopeful year ahead with the Year of the Dragon.

“I wish everyone and their families health, happiness and abundance! I am thrilled to say we had our first Lunar New

Year Celebration at Daly City Hall on the first day of the celebration,” greeted Manalo. “Now even more so celebrating with community is so important - it shows how we are stronger together especially with the rise of AAPI hate. As a community, we are healing, forging even stronger ties and empowering one another to speak out and stand up!”

For his part, council member and Vice Mayor Dr. Roderick Daus-Magbual saw their first annual Lunar New Year Celebration in Daly City was a huge success.

“It brought our community together. It is also important not to forget what our communities have fought for in educating the public about anti-Asian American violence and advocating for justice. As we head into the presidential election year, it is important to keep politicians accountable who have used their platforms to spread ignorance and hate. The Lunar New Year celebration is a time of joy, unity, and abundance and to use our energies towards peace, love, and humanity,” Magbual urged everyone.

On February 23, 2024, the Chinese Real Estate Association of America held its annual installation of officers.

A pre-Chinese New Year Parade celebration was held at the H.L. Peninsula Restaurant, South San Francisco. More than 400 members, public officials, and Bay Area community leaders led San Francisco Mayor London Breed, the Board of Supervisors, and 400-plus officers and community leaders of the Bay Area attended the installation.

“The CREAA organization’s pre-celebration of the Chinese New Year Parade was impressive. The event was attended by the Who’s Who of San Francisco government officials and community leaders, including Mayor London Breed and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins,” uttered SF FilAm Chamber of Commerce Ben Menor.

Asian Hollywood Star Awkwafina and San Francisco County Supervisor Ma� Dorsey (photo by Jose Ricardo Bondoc)

Former San Francisco City Mayor Willie Brown (le�) escorted by Miss Chinatown 2023 Ashlyn Tsui 2023. (photo by Jose Ricardo Bondoc)

Dragon Dance 2024 (photo by Jose Ricardo Bondoc)

CAL Poly and UC Davis marching bands facing off an hour beforehand at Harry Bridges Plaza. (photo by Jose Ricardo Bondoc)

First annual Lunar New Year Celebra�on in Daly City City Hall with Mayor Juslyn Manalo (behind the mic) and Vice Mayor Roderick Daus-Magbual (to Manalo’s le�)

Author-evangelist to speak at East Foothill congregation

SAN JOSE - Art Gabot Madlaing, book author, evangelist and columnist with the weekly Philippine News Today, will speak during the Sunday morning worship services at the EAST FOOTHILL CHURCH OF CHRIST, 214 North White Road, San Jose, California on March 17, 2024, at 10:30 am.

“I am thankful and glad that Mike Alop, Evangelist/Minister, and the elders of the East Foot Hill congregation, has scheduled me to preach on this third Sunday morning of March,” said the book author and evangelist.

Madlaing, an active Evangelist, will speak on the Gospel, the power of God to salvation, a very timely topic this Lenten Season on the Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus .

Madlaing is a member of the WE CARE Ministries Team which had been conducting “WE CARE” Evangelism Campaign and Workshop yearly since 2012 in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the Philippines. Other team members include Steven Prine, Director of WE CARE Philippines; Jon Rowe, Evangelist and Minister, Southwest Church of Christ, Phoenix Arizona; Bill Oden, After Care Director, Northwest Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mark Hutton, Elder, Upland Church of Christ, Upland, California; Larry West, founder of WE CARE Ministries, West Monroe, Louisiana; Erben Gonzales, Co-Director, WE CARE Philippines and many preachers in the Philippines. Art is also a member of the Peninsula Toastmasters International.

Mr. Madlaing had authored six bestselling books printed and marketed by 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

Social Security Update

SLAM THE SCAM: HOW TO SPOT GOVERNMENT IMPOSTERS

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

Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? We continue to raise public awareness about Social Securityrelated and other government imposter scams during the fifth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 7, 2024. Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information.

There are common elements to many scams. Scammers often take advantage of fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pretend to be Social Security or other government employees and claim there’s a problem with your Social Security number (SSN) or your benefits. They may even claim your SSN is linked to a crime.

mail you a letter with payment options and appeal information. We only accept payments electronically through Pay.gov, Online Bill Pay, or by check or money order.

We will never:

• Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay us money immediately.

• Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money.

• Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency, or cash through the U.S. mail.

CHAOS,” co-authored with Ralondria Antoinette Ward, “LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY,” subtitled “How to be 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 and Stories on Cooking, Events, Families, History and Personalities,” which he coauthored with Mary Ann Gove Cheatham from Laveen, Arizona USA.

Readers and the general public are cordially invited to attend the Worship Services dubbed “Gospel Sunday at the EAST FOOT HILL CHURCH OF CHRIST” in San Jose, California.

Guests during the Sunday morning worship services will have opportunity to meet the author and columnist in person and will also receive some autographed copies of the six best-selling books authored by the columnist and evangelist. Reserve your copies now. RSVP: Call (650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or email: artmadlaing@hotmail.com

When you suspect you’ve been contacted by a scammer:

• Hang up right away or ignore the message.

• Never provide personal information, money, or gift cards.

• Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at oig. ssa.gov/scam-awareness/report-the-scam.

If you owe money to Social Security, we’ll

Scammers continue to evolve and find new ways to steal your money and personal information. Please stay vigilant and help raise awareness about Social Security-related and other government imposter scams. For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam.

Tell your friends and family about government imposter scams. Let them know they don’t have to be embarrassed to report if they shared personal financial information or suffered a financial loss. The important thing is to report the scam right away.

Together, we can “Slam the Scam!”

As I See It

(From Page 11)

affect the political landscape come the November general election?

All we can do is wait… there’s a lot at stake... a lot of surprises, in this coming 2024 presidential election!

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

The Outsider... (From

Page 11)

and continues to do in helping engineer the country’s development will impel other organizations to do the same. There is room for everyone to emulate what SMC has done. Nationbuilding, after all, needs collaboration and cooperation from all sectors of society.

It is worth remembering a quote attributed to American industrialist and business magnate Henry Ford that says “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.”

Upside...

Combating...

(From page 1)

It was late in the morning of a beautiful Wednesday, February 21.

The gathering was among key figures of non-profit organizations, service providers, members of the media, and just about everyone with the power and will to make a difference in the all-toorelevant Stop The Hate program doing its noble work in the said Southern Californian county.

Julian Do, co-director of Ethnic Media Services whose goal is to promote cross- cultural communications, stated that to combat hate, it’s important to address cultural differences by accepting the very matter in the first place.

He said, “We are here together today in the efforts to not only combat hate as it emerges in every corner, but also to understand and appreciate each other’s cultures and the work we do.”

A quick look at the individuals who made the effort to appear in flesh for the meet-and-greet occasion should lead to a world without racial separation. Everyone in that room seems to value the impact of spreading love as essentially the most basic solution in going against hate.

Passion, compassion

(From Page 10)

AAS provides trainings on technology in Tagalog, Spanish, Cantonese and English to “decrease the digital divide.”

Another connectivity channel is the “friendship line” run by the Institute of Aging that Africa said received 1,000 calls from July through December 2023 and made calls to the same number the same period.

Recognizing the high susceptibility of older adults to loneliness, BHRS conducts a suicide prevention program to “raise awareness of folks about the science of mental health,” and as an added benefit “give opportunities to come together, relate to each other, especially those affected or interested.”

“We fund peer counseling services provided by Peninsula Family Service,” Africa shared a program that trains FilAms to become counselors for isolated FilAms, as it does for Chinese, LGBTQ+ and English - speaking people, in groups or as individuals.

“We can invest in policies and infrastructures that bring people together, create events and opportunities that foster connections, but we can also start individually in our own lives, with our own personal relationships,” he told Inquirer. netUSA after the council meeting.

“We can reach out to family, friends, even the ones who are doing well. We can work on destigmatizing loneliness by talking about it and engaging in conversations by acknowledging that many people are lonely and isolated.”

In other words, never underestimate the power of a simple phone call, an email or a text because it can make a difference in the quality of life for someone battling loneliness. – Adapted from original reprinted with permission from INQUIRER. NETUSA

Cherie M. Querol Moreno is Executive Editor of Philippine News Today and Manager of Peninsula Family Service Got Wheels! transportation program.

It came as no surprise that there’s passion and compassion in the voices of those who sat in there for a cause, like that of Alan Woo, a longtime activist known for advocating for the poor and the disenfranchised. He was born in China, and immigrated to the United States in the 1950s. His decorated resume proves he has always empowered the disabled and ethnic minority groups. At present he is the deputy executive director of Santa Ana Unidos, which serves as a community transformation utilizing hip-hop and boxing.

While in a chat he offered kind words about Filipinos and even emphasized that “black and Filipino histories are connected in many ways.” He stressed that “learning about it is just one way to honor and recognize how the work of the black community has helped all groups make strides towards racial and social justice.”

Such a good vibe is what you get from people who choose to be kind to people regardless of race, religion, and life principles, who feel the need to protect those who have experienced being belittled or maltreated, and who want to take action in ensuring a world that does not tolerate hatred.

Joint partnership

The event was made possible through a joint partnership among Ethnic Media Services, California Black Media, and the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Inc. (OCAPICA), which is labeled as the anchor partner for Stop The Hate efforts in Orange County.

OCAPICA’s policy coordinator Elaine Hang takes pride in the fact that the alliance serves over 80,000 people in more than 20 languages across OC. She pointed out, “We do a full range of programs for the community and make sure that those affected by hate and harm are getting the appropriate services.”

Orange County is said to be home to the third largest Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) population in California and the United States. That population grew by 47% last decade as OCAPICA responds to its need by “creating more equitable access to holistic services for specific persons and the whole community.”

Unifying, strong voices

Becky Monroe, California Civil Rights Department’s deputy director for strategic initiatives and external affairs, whom Do described as “very accommodating,” was on hand and dutifully served as a unifying voice for the concerned collective.

She emphasized, “The Stop The Hate program and ethnic media grants have been transformative in making sure that we can actually (provide) people with the resources and support. My hope is that we continue to work with you.”

Monroe expressed gratitude for the work being done by various groups that were significantly represented in the meet-up. Those present exchanged cards and numbers, being professionals and volunteers who need to work hand in hand in fighting an age-old enemy that keeps bugging various generations because, sadly, some men think they’re superior than others and can’t see that there’s really no point in hating people merely because they look and do things differently.

“Your work is extraordinarily critical in getting the word out to communities that are targeted,” she argued, “We know we have the best program available but (if) we do not work effectively to actually reach people who are targeted and earn their trust to come to us, then our work is for naught.”

Strong voices from a variety of service groups and media entities came in force, including representatives from the Vietnamese American Artists and Media Association (VAAMA), Da Mau Foundation, Precinct Reporter Group, Groundswell, Rage Monthly, among others.

Filipino women in the pool

Hardly there were Filipinos present in the meeting of minds and hearts.

So it was an extra bright light to see Filipina journalist Jannelle So-Pekins grace the occasion in her scholarly look. She has been a household name to Filipinos since the 1990s. She said she was there “to meet providers” because the prolific production carrying her name is “constantly looking for stories.”

Jannelle So Productions, established in 2015, is the company that produces So Jannelle TV’s informative and entertaining content for Filipino communities across North America. She noted, “One issue we are facing is that some of the victims or survivors of hate crimes are being discarded when they call the hotlines. They’re being made to jump through hoops to get those

sources. I’m here to see if we can get more personal stories out there.”

It is worth-mentioning that another attendee of Filipino descent, Christiane Skye Salamat, spoke in Tagalog to acknowledge her roots. She is a district representative of Senator Josh Newman.

Poise and power

A couple of strong African American voices symbolized the resolve of their community with poise and power.

Brian Townsend of Precinct Reporter Group informed that they have been reaching out and showcasing activism in the arts through concerts for causes and artworks about anti-hate, in particular hate towards immigration and cross cultural linkages.

“We’re trying to do something different other than writing stories about hate,”said Townsend, whose father Art founded Precinct Reporter nearly 60 years ago.

When asked about young people singing to mitigate hate, the man described as someone who grew up in the newsroom, answered, “There’s a lot of activism in the arts in general. People want to link with us because they have something to say.”

Ernesta Wright, executive director of the Green Foundation, perhaps shared the strongest message heard that noon as she urged everyone to “debunk” the notion that communities are hard to reach. “Get that out of your narrative and reports. We know where people are because we serve them.”

She supported her claim by telling how people should act properly to address anti-hate. She encouraged, “We want you to become neighborly. If you see something, say something. You have to be part of the solution. We need all of you to be able to come in and (help) reduce hate incident rates.”

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/.

Daly City Council becomes the first city in the na�on to proclaim loneliness as a public health crisis. CMQM screengrab

Mee�ng of minds and hearts on Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana.

Stop The Hate, Spread Love for OC.

Becky Monroe, California Civil Rights Department’s deputy director for strategic ini�a�ves and external affairs.

Brandon Brooks of California Black Media

Alan H. Woo, deputy execu�ve director of Santa Ana Unidos, which serves as a community transforma�on u�lizing hip-hop and boxing.

Julian Do, codirector of Ethnic Media Services.

Scammers Swindled Nearly $900,000 from PG&E Customers in 2023. Here’s

How Not to Be a Victim.

National Consumer Protection Week Serves as a Great Reminder on How to Recognize and Avoid Potential Scams

OAKLAND, Calif. — Scammers continue to take advantage of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers. In fact, in 2023, PG&E received nearly 43,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost approximately $875,000 in fraudulent payments, with the average customer losing $785.

That’s why PG&E joins the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help customers recognize and avoid potential scams during National Consumer Protection Week from March 3-9, 2024.

Reports of utility scams targeting customers were at an all-time high during 2023. Unfortunately, that number is likely just the tip of the iceberg for overall scam attempts, as many go unreported. The number of reports is continuing at a high level thus far in 2024, as PG&E received over 2,500 reports of attempted scams in January alone, with customers paying scammers over $67,000 during the month.

“Scammers will attempt to create a sense of urgency by threatening immediate disconnection of your utility services if you don’t make immediate payment. Remember, PG&E will never ask you for financial information over the phone, nor will we ask for payment via pre-paid debit cards or money transfer

services like Zelle. If you receive a call like this, hang up, and then either log onto PGE. com to confirm your account details, or you can call our customer service number,” said Matt Foley, lead customer scam investigator for PG&E.

Scammers are opportunistic and look for times when customers may be distracted or stressed and are constantly contacting utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. As a reminder, PG&E will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption, and we will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications like Zelle or Venmo.

Scammers can be convincing and often target those who are most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income communities. They also aim their scams at small business owners during busy customer service hours. However, with the right information, customers can learn to detect and report these predatory scams.

Signs of a potential scam

· Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.

· Request for immediate payment:

Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment.

· Request for prepaid card: When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card’s number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds.

· Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate.

How customers can protect themselves

Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.

If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door.

Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.

Signing up for an online account at pge. com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and pay-

ment history, they can sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.

Scammers Impersonating Trusted Phone Numbers: Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on your phone display. The numbers don’t lead back to PG&E if called back, however, so if you have doubts, hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission’s website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information.

For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.org.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge. com and pge.com/news.

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

PHILIP S. CHUA

Heart of Hope

In today’s health-oriented world, the four major players – diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse – are in the spotlight. Diet weighs heavily on this equation and has also been a subject of a lot of pervasive myths and misinformation. Today, we shall review some of the most popular misconception about diet.

Fasting is the best way to start

Fasting is the wrong way to start, or even “punctuate,” your dieting schedule. Fasting has no place at all in controlling weight or quality of nutrition for our body. The temporary weight loss resulting from fasting is thru water loss (dehydration). The best way to maintain your weight is to burn the calories your take in daily (example: if you take in 2000 calories, you should exercise off about the same calories that day). It is a matter of intake and output, an obvious common sense approach. If one is overweight and wants to lose weight, then the calories burned should be higher than the calories ingested, until the goal is reached…and at that point, the maintenance intake and output formula should prevail. Those who want to gain weight to reach the ideal weight, obviously, should have more intake than output of calories.

Diet pills are safe

False. There have been medical reports of severe complications and side-effects, a few led to deaths, among those who took the diet pills. The same is true with “energy drinks” loaded with high levels of caffeine. The best

Diet Myths

way to maintain good body weight and health is through eating a healthy, well-portioned diet, and daily exercise, abstinence from tobacco and limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day.

Low carb - hi protein diet is best

Not true. Those on low carbohydrate and high protein diet (meats, eggs, etc.) had good initial weight loss, but regained the weight after six to 12 months, as shown by some studies. They faired better than those on low-fat diet, which is actually healthier as far as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic illnesses, and cancers are concerned. However, low carb diet, combined with low fat diet and exercise, has been found to be the best regimen. This means the diet mainly consists of fish 3-4 times a week (chicken, minimal or no red meat), beans, grains, and nuts (as the main source of protein and oil) and a lot of green leafy and other vegetables, and fruits. Among diabetics, fruits should be included in the calculation of the total daily restricted calorie intake.

Enemas aids in dieting

False! This is a myth that is unhealthy. Enemas for cleansing “to get rid of toxins in our body,” is not medically accepted as a means of detoxification and weight control. To detoxify our body, the best way is to abstain from smoking, minimize alcohol intake and exposure to other toxic agents, eat a lot of vegetables, nuts, some fruits, and to exercise daily. There have been reports of deaths with frequent self-prescribed enemas. They could lead to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, heartbeat irregularity, and bowel perforation. The so-called designer coffee enema for colon cleansing is not only expensive but also useless and very dangerous.

Eating late at night leads to more weight gain

This is no more true than the news that Elvis Presley is alive. Of course, it is best not to have a full stomach close to bedtime. Going to bed 4 hours after a meal is fine. The calories taken at night have the same effect as those taken during the daytime. While you burn less calories while sleeping, you lose these when you get up in the morning and start your daily routine, especially if you exercise every day.

“Slimming Tea” works

This is a myth. “Slimming Tea,” or other drinks that are advertised as effective for weight reduction, are per se, useless and a waste of money. Any beverage, so long as they are zero calorie drinks, can help in weight reduction, if taken in lieu of a ton of calories. And I repeat, in lieu of. Not together with thousands of calories. If you drink them and still eat more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight, regardless of what fluid you drink. There is absolutely NO beverage on the market that will lead to weight reduction, per se. There is no easy solution to overweight; it takes education, discipline, determination and hard work. But the dividends are worth the sacrifices.

Eating grapefruit will burn fats

A caveat to remember: there is no food known to man today that can burn or “melt” body fats, or that can reduce weight without proper dieting. Eating grapefruit is good, if done (again) in lieu of eating tons of calories. Grapefruits, like many fruits and multicolored and green leafy vegetables, are loaded with good anti-oxidants that protect our body from the ravages caused by free radicals. So, eating them daily is healthy for us, but for fat

and weight reduction, the only guaranteed formula is our basic common sense principle: output must be equal to intake (calories taken in = calories burned) in order to maintain a certain weight. And you can extrapolate from there to suit your personal goal.

Soft drinks: Toxic!

True and scary! Soft drinks, regular or diet, cola or uncola, caffeinated or not, are not only unhealthy but toxic to the body, especially for children. They increase the risk for the development of metabolic syndrome, number one killer among diseases. Let’s stop “killing” our children…with this “poison.”

Diet without exercise

While dieting or watching our diet, pushing ourselves away from the dining table less than full to maintain a healthy weight, body, and mind, is a great disciplined strategy. Adding exercise to this healthy lifestyle regimen, more than triples its beneficial effects as far as boosting our immune system, our physiology, disease prevention, and overall well-being for health and longevity are concerned.

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

Recipe of the Week

Papaitan Baka / Pinapaitan Baka

Ingredients:

1 k. ox tripe/innards

1/2 c. diluted ox bile

1 head whole garlic

1 thumb size ginger, crushed

2 thumb size ginger, cut into strips

1 head garlic, chopped

2 medium size onion, chopped

1 bundle spring onion, chopped

1 small packet, sampalok sinigang mix

2-3 siling labuyo, chopped

1/2 c. patis salt and pepper

Cooking procedure:

Wash thoroughly ox innards, drain and cut into small slices, set aside liver. In a sauce pan put all innards, whole garlic and crushed ginger cover with water and boil for 15 minutes, drain and discard liquid. Rinse and add fresh water and boil for 1-2 hours or until innards are tender. Remove from pan separate broth and keep aside. In same sauce pan sauté onion, garlic and ginger. Add innards including liver stir for 3-5 minutes, add patis and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Pour in broth and simmer for 10-15 minutes, add siling labuyo, sinigang mix and goat bile (half quantity at time and taste sourness and bitterness add more if required). Simmer for another 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with spring onion. Serve hot.

Pag-asa Island, others in West Philippine Sea open to tourists

NAVY’S TOP BRASS. Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., the Philippine Navy’s Flag Officer in Command (center); Commodore Alan Javier, commander of Naval Forces West (right); and former Navy chief, re�red Vice Admiral Eduardo Santos tour Pag-asa Island in the town of Kalayaan in the West Philippine Sea.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Pagasa island and the Kalayaan group of islands in West Philippine is now open to domestic and foreign tourists,

This as the Philippine Navy’s (PN) highest-ranking officer visited troops and military facilities on Pag-asa Island last Friday as efforts are under way to develop Kalayaan town’s seat of governance as a tourist destination, PNA reported.

Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., the Philippine Navy’s Flag Officer in Command, arrived with Commodore Alan Javier, commander of Naval Forces West (Navforwest), as well as other senior Navy officials and representatives of various sectors “to demonstrate the country’s sovereignty over the contested area and its readiness to welcome everyone, including tourists,” Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said Friday.

“It’s a visit for the senior leadership of the Philippine Navy to check on the troops and to inspect facilities. Likewise, there’s also a visit from a body of stakeholders of the Philippine Navy to Pagasa Island. This is to show them not only what Navy troops are doing there but also the Marines, Air Force, Army, PNP (Philippine National Police), and Coast Guard,” he said.

“Pag-asa is accessible to everybody. It is now open to tourism. It is ours, and we would like to encourage Filipinos to visit Pag-asa Island. It is also to show them what our country is doing on the island.”

Trinidad highlighted that although public attention is mainly on Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre (LT 57) serves as a stationary outpost for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippines maintains outposts on other features as well.

The focus on Ayungin Shoal stems from incidents of obstruction and harassment by China Coast Guard and militia vessels toward the Navy’s rotation and resupply (RORE) missions, carried out using civilian vessels to provide for the troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.

He reiterated that the WPS encompasses more than just Ayungin, pointing out the existence of eight other detachments staffed by Armed Forces of the Philippines troops, PNP, and Coast Guard personnel.

“It’s only in Ayungin Shoal that we experience illegal actions. All other detachments, we have unimpeded access. We also conduct regular RORE missions. In fact, we completed one (on Wednesday) and we have no problem whatsoever,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that the Navy is exploring various strategies to ensure that Navforwest and Western Command (Wescom) are adequately equipped to fulfill their duties in the WPS.

On the other hand, Vice Admiral Carlos, the chief of Wescom, has pledged steadfast commitment and support for the Philippine Navy’s strategic direction, especially in its pursuit to bolster and enhance its capabilities for external defense security operations.

“Not only Wescom, but the whole AFP is ready to shift to external defense operations. The holding of the PN’s command conference here at Wescom is a welcome sign for us and for those who are involved in external defense operations,” Carlos said.

“The command conference not only underscores the PN’s dedication to safeguarding national security but also highlights Wescom’s pivotal role in external defense operations.”