Philppine News Today

US, PHL HOLD BIGGEST WAR DRILLS IN 30 YEARS

Austin, Blinken reaffirm US will defend PHL in case of any attack

By ALFRED GABOT and CLAIRE MORALES TRUE Editor in Chief and Managing Editor

CAMP AGUINALDO/WASHINGTON – After the China and Taiwan exercises, the United States Navy joined the Philippines Navy in opening their biggest war drills in more than 30 years with nearly 18,000 soldiers in several areas in Luzon and near the disputed waters of South China Sea, joined by allies Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.

By Jun Nucum

four days after being expelled by Tennessee’s Republicancontrolled House of Representatives.

Representative Justin Pearson was also reappointed back to office to represent District 86 of the State of Tennessee days after his counterpart Justin Jones was also reinstated.

PHL, US, Japan honor war veterans at Mt. Samat rites

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on April 10 honored the country’s war veterans as he led the 81st celebration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.

87-year-old bear sprayed in Vancouver

By Gilda Balan, Correspondent

PH has become transit point for human trafficking

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

MANILA – Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Filipinos have become modern-day slaves after the Philippines developed into a regional hub of human trafficking in the last few years.

Almost a year after, Roque family hate crime case in pretrial hearing

(NASHVILLE) - The Nashville Metropolitan Council voted 36-0 to send Filipino American Justin Jones back to his position as the interim representative of Nashville’s House District 52

Jones marched back to the Capitol on Monday and was sworn back to office that he and two other fellow legislators Tennessee Representatives Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson reportedly led a gun reform protest inside the legislative chamber on March 30. Only Rep- MT. SAMAT, Pilar, Bataan -

At the event, Marcos, accompanied by officials from the United States and Japan, key players in the war, among others, asked Filipinos to have faith and look to the future with confidence, as they face everyday challenges.

United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather

After almost a year in waiting, the Filipino family that was verbally and physically assaulted in a popular fast food restaurant last year finally had the preliminary hearing

Marcos, Sara get high approval, trust ratings

Patricia Roque

Nashville’s House District 52 FilAm Representa�ve Jus�n Bau�sta Jones

IRONCLAD ALLIANCE. (From le�) Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Aus�n III at a joint presser in Washington DC a�er the Philippines-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Wednesday (April 12, 2023). The Philippines and United States have agreed to “modernize” the two countries’ alliance amid the evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

$1.00= P54.73

DAY OF VALOR. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the commemora�on of the 81st Araw ng Kagi�ngan (Day of Valor) at the Mt. Samat Na�onal Shrine, Pilar, Bataan. (Rey Baniqut/PNA)

and Jennifer T. Santos

VANCOUVER -- Examples of Asian-hate attacks are becoming more and more cruel, with the latest one taking place north of the border.

Abalos tags top PNP members linked to P6.7-B shabu haul

QUEZON CITY – Interior and Local Government Secretary en amin enhur Abalos Jr has identified the hilippine National olice N officers seen in video footage of a drug raid that led to the confiscation of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Manila last year.

n a briefing at the D office in ue on City, Abalos presented a CC V closed circuit television footage on what transpired during the Oct 8, drug bust where authorities sei ed kilos of shabu and arrested Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr. and nine others.

Abalos said the CCTV footage showed that some N officers were seen on the site on the day of the operation he video was submitted to the fact-finding board headed by the National Police Commission Vice Chairperson Alberto Bernardo.

arang iba ang nangyari dun sa mga report na nafile ng N kasama na ang mga dokumento at mga testimonials na ibinigay ng police officers t seems that it is different from the report filed by the N , including the documents and testimonials given by the police officers , Abalos said

“It shows that there is indeed a massive attempt to cover up the arrest of Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr , he added

He said ayo is the owner of the lending office where the illegal drugs were sei ed, and he is now dismissed from the police service and facing three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer

he police officers seen in the footage were olice t en en amin Santos Jr who was then Deputy Chief N for Operations rig en Narciso Domingo, director of the N Drug Enforcement roup

DE Col Julian Olonan, chief of N Drug Enforcement roup DE Special Operations Unit

SOU Region A Capt Jonathan Sosongco, head of

the DE SOU A arresting team t Col Arnulfo ba e , O C of DE SOU National Capital Region NCR a ichael Angelo Salmingo, deputy of DE SOU NCR t Col lenn on ales of ue on City olice District t Ashrap Amerol, intelligence officer of DE ntelligence and Foreign iaison Dvision t Col Harry oren o, anila olice District Moriones Station Commander; and Captain Randolph i on, chief of DE SOU A ntelligence Section

Abalos advised the concerned officers shown in the video to take their voluntary leave of absence pending the result of the investigation.

am giving them within this week to file their leave of absence pending investigation. Kung hindi magli-leave, sususpindehin natin sila f they won’t go on leave, we will suspend them , a visibly disgusted Abalos said.

He said the call for leave of absence aims to maintain the integrity of the investigation and the pieces of evidence.

Abalos said police officers took kilos of shabu

before the inventory of the confiscated kilos of illegal drugs based on the CCTV footage.

he stolen kilos of shabu were recovered on Oct 1 , in an abandoned car parked along oni Serrano Avenue in San Juan City near Camp Crame.

This incident prompted the PNP to create a Special nvestigation ask Force known as S

ith the slow progress of the probe, Abalos said a fact-finding board was formed and had taken the testimonies of the personalities.

He said based on the pieces of evidence, it was concluded that there was a “massive attempt to cover up the arrest of Sgt ayo ’’

eing the D chief and at the same time ex-officio chairperson of the National olice Commission NA O CO , Abalos said he is exercising administrative and operational supervision over the PNP and “it is incumbent upon us to monitor and look into the progress of the investigation.

Abalos said he believes that the police officers seen during the drug bust are not the only ones involved in the case.

he buck doesn’t stop here alawak ito ahabang laban ito t is extensive t’s a long fight , he said.

On arch 6, the N and the hilippine Drug Enforcement Agency DEA destroyed kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P6.7 billion in rece artires City, Cavite province

he contraband was sei ed from ayo and another suspect, Ney Atadero, in an operation in anila in October last year.

ayo was dismissed from the service effective arch 1 for three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer while Atadero was charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of

PHL unemployment stays at 4.8% in February

UE ON C he unemployment rate in February this year stood at 8 percent, the same rate as in Janu-

ary, according to the hilippine Statistics Authority

SA National Statistician, Undersecretary Dennis apa, said the number of obless Filipinos in February reached million, higher by 1 , from January’s million

apa attributed the increase in the number of unemployed individuals to the higher number of Filipinos who oined the labor force in February

Labor force participation rate went up to 66.6 percent in February from 6 6 percent in January, with 1 million Filipinos oining the workforce in the second month of the year.

Individuals in the labor force are those aged 15 years and above.

Of this group, apa said 8 8 million were employed in February, higher by 1 million from January.

onth on month, the sectors with the highest increase in the number of workers were led by agriculture and forestry, up by , followed by construction, up by , fishing and a uaculture, up by 6, wholesale and retail trade repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, up by 1 , and public administration and defense compulsory social security, up by 1 , eanwhile, apa said the underemployment rate in February declined to

1 percent from 1 1 percent in January

n a separate statement, National Economic and Development Authority NEDA Secretary Arsenio alisacan said the country’s labor market has continued to record solid performance.

he most recent data on the country’s workforce suggests that the hilippine labor market is steadily recovering, he said alisacan said the government vows to further improve the country’s labor market by generating higheruality obs for Filipinos

He added that the recent developments, such as the country’s ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic artnership and amendments to the ublic Service Act, would pave the way for more high-paying obs

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.

Crimes down by 14.7% in Q1 2023 - PNP chief

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – Incidents of eight focus crimes being monitored by the police force decreased by 14.69 percent from Jan. 1 to April this year, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said.

Citing latest data, Azurin, who is retiring in a few weeks, said a total of 9,345 crime incidents were recorded during this period as compared to 10,954 cases recorded in the same period last year.

The eight focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, car theft and motorcycle theft.

Azurin claimed that he had implemented measures to improve police visibility and strengthen police-community relations across the country.

Part of the security measures are the immediate response to the complaints of the people, police presence down to the communities and aggressive coordination with local officials and stakeholders to combat crimes, particularly illegal drugs at the barangay level.

Smooth Home Buying and Selling

I have known Rajeev and Monica for many years. I purchased my first home with Rajeev in 2012. e 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 uyer 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 e tremely happy and sa�sfied with them. Rajeev’s e per�se made my first �me e perience of home uying very smooth.

Now in 2018, he helped me sell my home. e prepared the home for lis�ng and his contractors did the ooring, pain�ng and other items to make the home ready for sale. e got our home staged with e pert 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 e perience, he tells you things you can only look ack and appreciate. e is the est realtor and you can trust him completely.

--- Ron Lollie

Ombudsman files 2 new graft raps vs ex-QC mayor Herbert Bautista, ex-administrator

By Jennifer T. Santos

UE ON C he Office of the Ombudsman has filed before the Sandiganbayan two more graft and corruption charges against former ue on City mayor Herbert autista over pro ects worth more than million

he Office of the Ombudsman also accused autista’s city administrator, Aldrin Cu a, of violating Section of Republic Act No 1 or the Anti- raft and Corrupt ractices Act involving two anomalous government pro ects in 1 ail of , each for autista and Cuna was recommended oth have not made any comment on the charges

Records from the Sandiganbayan showed that autista and Cu a have posted bail

he charge sheets were prepared by Assistant Special rosecutor yn Dimayuga and approved by Ombudsman

Samuel artires

Among those listed by the Ombudsman as its witnesses for the cases were lawyer Carlo Austria of the city legal department, city internal auditor Noel Emmanual ascon, city council secretary John homas Alferos and the occupational licensing division under the business permit and licensing department officer-in-charge Ramon Jesus Africa

According to the criminal information signed by Ombudsman Samuel artires, autista and Cu a allegedly released public funds amounting to million to Cygnet Energy and ower Asia for solar power system and waterproofing works for the ue on City Civic Center, despite the firm’s failure to secure a Net etering System from eralco

he Ombudsman added that the payment was released based merely on an undated certificate of acceptance issued by Cu a he second case alleged both former officials of facilitating and approving the release of 1 million to eodata Solu-

tions nc for procurement of a permitting and tracking system autista and Cu a purportedly entered into the contract with the firm despite lacking a specific appropriation ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang anlunsod

he Ombudsman said autista entered into a contract with eodata and approved the release of payment to the latter despite the absence of a specific budget appropriation ordinance enacted by the city council nstead, the Ombudsman said, Cu a signed the purchase re uest and the obligation re uest to make it appear that the release of the fund was lawful and under his direct supervision

Furthermore, the Ombudsman said, full payment was made to eodata without complete delivery of the pro ect ased on the charge sheets, payments to both Cygnet and eodata were approved by autista on June , 1 or three days before he stepped down from office after his three terms as mayor

LRT 1, LRT 2 fare hikes deferred

AN A resident Ferdinand R arcos Jr has ordered the Department of ransportation DO r to defer the fare increases for ight Rail ransit R 1 and pending a study on the economic impact of these ad ustments on the riding public

ransportation Secretary Jaime autista said the agency will comply with the resident’s directive and reassess the economic conse uences of the approved fare hikes for the boarding fees by H and by H 1 for every kilometer

ith the ad ustments, the boarding

fare will increase to H 1 plus a distance charge of H 1 1 per kilometer -- compared to the current boarding and distance fare of H 11 and H 1 respectively since 1

autista said the fare hike for Rwas also postponed due to infirmities in complying with the re uirements and procedure n compliance with the resident’s

instruction, we will thoroughly study how a fare hike today will impact on passengers of our three rail lines in etro anila, autista said autista, however, said the fare increases will enable the commuter rail lines to improve their services, facilities, and technical capabilities and sustain the provision of affordable mass transport services

PNP, Makati Medical Center ink pact on better health services for cops

A A C he hilippine National olice N and the akati edical Center Foundation CF signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen the organi ational capacity of police hospitals and medical treatment facilities

N chief, en Rodolfo A urin Jr , and CF chairperson anuel angilinan signed the pact at the D main building in akati City he partnership aims to improve the uality of health care services for N personnel and their families

Under the agreement, the CF will assist the N Health Service in developing a sustainable and strategic organi ational and operational management plan, as well as professional competency, designed to strengthen N hospitals he agship program of CF, the ublic- rivate artnership program for the organi ational strengthening of the N eneral Hospital and the N Health Service HS , will provide orga-

ni ational strengthening and innovation to N hospitals, including professional capability through various interventions, such as conferences, workshops, coaching, and mentoring sessions, and training interventions for all concerned N hospital management staff

A urin thanked the CF for its support for this endeavor

e are committed to working closely with the foundation to ensure the success of this program e are optimistic that with this team-up, we can bring about positive changes to the N health service, he said in a statement e welcome the possibility of discovering new avenues for collaboration with like-minded organi ations who share our goal of building a strong and resilient community focused on health and wellness wo doctors from HS, Capt Christopher Estepa and Capt Earl rian la a, are undergoing residency at the akati ed, which they will complete in

mayor er ert Bau�sta

AFP Wescom chief inspects Malampaya platform

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – Western Command (Wescom) head, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, led an aerial inspection of the Malampaya Natural Gas Platform, considered the country’s “energy crown jewel,” over the weekend. Wescom said the inspection is part of its commitment to “ensure steady power supply during the Holy Week and throughout the summer months when demand is expected to peak.”

After his aerial inspection, Carlos landed on the Matinloc platform, some 42 kilometers off mainland El Nido, alawan to talk to the seven-man team stationed there and assess the condition of the station and its power and water supplies.

He also met with the ranking commanders of Joint Task Force (JTF) Malampaya. led by Navy Capt. Brendo Casaclang, to discuss the challenges of securing the energy projects in the “western frontier.”

“It is important for us to ensure the uninterrupted oil supply chain from Malampaya as it accounts for 40 percent of Luzon’s power requirement. Any interruption to this line may mean a minimum of a 10-hour blackout,” Carlos stressed.

To make the most of the Malampaya visit, Carlos observed the operation of the Philippine Navy’s unmanned aerial system UAS ight unit stationed in El Nido.

he UAS ight unit is under the Naval Air Wing and is currently attached and operationally controlled by Wescom to provide sustained maritime domain awareness picture in the JTF Malampaya’s area of operations.

“As the Navy’s Gray Eagle, the most senior naval aviator still in active service, Vice Admiral Carlos noted the strong presence of naval air assets in (the) JTF Malampaya area. In addition to the UAS ight unit, maritime patrol aircraft NV312 and AW-109 naval helicopter NH1 are also ying regular air patrols in northern Palawan,” the Facebook post read

‘No-sail zone’ for US-PHL war games hit

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – The militant fisherfolk group ambansang akas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) slammed the ‘no-sail one’ policy in at least five towns in ambales province to pave way for the 18-day Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises starting April 11 until April 28.

In a statement, PAMALAKAYA Vice Chair for Luzon Bobby Roldan said that placing their fishing grounds under no-sail one ust in time of the peak fishing season is highly unacceptable and detestable’. Fishers in the province consider the months between February to ay as peak fishing season.

hat difference does the United States make to China when it comes to disrupting the livelihood of Filipino fishers in the est Philippine Sea? The Filipinos do not deserve to be displaced from their livelihood only to provide security blanket to foreign

forces carrying out war games accompanied with live fire exercises in our fishing grounds,” Roldan said.

“This incident is similar to the 6-month fishing ban imposed in the icol region to pave the way for US military drills sometime back in 2009. This further means that the US is disrupting the livelihood of fishers not just in the West Philippine Sea, but in many more places in the country where these military drills are undertaken,” he added.

“We demand the US troops to leave the Filipino fishers in peace and bring their war-

mongering power-projection elsewhere. The Marcos administration should heed the ob ection of Filipino fishers against Balikatan, which is a threat both to the socio-economic rights and national security,” said Roldan, a local fisherman in asinloc, Zambales.

The ‘no-sail zone’ will cover the coastal towns of San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, and Botolan in Zambales.

PAMALAKAYA said that it is ‘closely coordinating’ with its provincial chapter in ambales to assess the numbers of fisherfolk affected by the alikatan

INSPECTION. Western Command (Wescom) head, Vice Admiral Alberto B. Carlos (right) talks to seven personnel sta�oned at the Ma�nloc pla orm in Palawan.

72 dead in Holy Week drowning incidents: PNP

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – At least 72 persons died of drowning while another four were killed due to vehicular accidents since the start of the Holy Week.

In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the incidents were reported in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) since April 6.

Most of the drowning incidents were recorded in Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 3 (Central Luzon), and Region 4A (CALABARZON). Some of those who drowned were drunk, police said.

A total of 57 drowning incidents were recorded with 62 deaths -- the latest of whom reported was in Batangas wherein three people died while two others went missing in Lemery town. On the other hand, 11 vehicular accidents were reported with four deaths.

Despite the Holy Week tragedies, Azurin said the observation of Holy Week is generally peaceful with no serious security-related incidents recorded since April 6.

“We attribute this to police visibility and civilian cooperation for the peaceful observance of the Lenten season,” he added.

The PNP has been on heightened alert since April 2, with almost 75,000 policemen tapped across the country to secure roads, transport hubs and other places of convergence.

The heightened alert status will be lifted at a.m. on Tuesday, when almost all of those who traveled for the Lenten break are expected to have returned to their homes and workplaces.

“Deployment of personnel will focus now on bus terminals, seaports, and airports as activities and movement of the traveling public will be more in these areas,” Azurin pointed out.

Telcos seeks extension of SIM registration

tion and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to extend the deadline.

e are filing this re uest to help give ample time to all mobile users, particularly the marginalized sectors and those located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the country, to register their S s, D -Smart first vice president Cathy Yang said.

Yang said about 46 percent of active Smart and TNT mobile users have already registered their SIMs.

MAKATI CITY – The telecommunications companies (telcos) have asked the government to extend the deadline for the subscriber identity module (SIM) registration as many mobile users are yet to register despite the April 26 deadline.

In a statement, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and TNT announced their intention to file a formal letter of request to the Department of Informa-

To help register those with no access to the internet, she said SIM registration booths have been set up in remote areas nationwide in collaboration with the DICT, NTC and other government agencies.

hese booths offer information and guidance on how to register Smart or TNT SIMs using acceptable ID cards, as well as provide physical assistance to

senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those using non-data phones,” she said.

On the other hand, Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) joined the call for an extension as less than half of its active users have registered their SIM cards.

Globe noted that many mobile users have failed to register their SIMs due to having no government identification D and a lack of digital literacy.

“Given these issues, we appeal to the government to extend the SIM registration process to give our customers more time to get their required government IDs and input the required information on our site,” it said.

To help increase the number of registrations, it asked government authorities to consider allowing alternative IDs such as company IDs, school IDs and barangay certificates for those with no valid government-issued ID.

Another option, it said, is to allow

“conditional registration” or allow users to keep using their SIM card while they work on obtaining a valid ID.

It also called for the creation of “always-on” government-assisted registration centers complemented by ID issuance services.

“Globe is working closely with the National Telecommunications Commission, relevant government agencies, and other stakeholders in ensuring that we register as many subscribers as possible before the April 26 deadline,” it said.

The Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the SIM Registration Act regulates the use of SIM cards to help curb the proliferation of text scams and other mobile phoneaided criminal activities.

According to the law, all SIM users have until April 26, 2023, to register their SIMs under their name, or risk deactivation of their SIM.

Marcos, Duterte maintain high approval, trust ratings

Duterte scored an 83 percent approval rating and an 85 percent trust rating.

The pollster highlighted that presidential and vice presidential ratings were “virtually unchanged” between November 2022 and March 2023.

It noted that majority approval scores are enjoyed by Marcos and Duterte in all geographical areas and socio-economic groupings.

a 76 percent rating for responding to the needs of calamity-hit areas.

The survey showed that 75 percent of respondents appreciated the Marcos administration’s efforts in protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

n terms of fighting criminality and promoting peace, the Marcos administration got a 68 percent rating and a 64 percent rating, respectively.

enjoyed the same majority approval score of 51 percent.

Meanwhile, in the case of Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the same percentage of Filipino adults either approve of his quarterly performance (43 percent) or are ambivalent on the matter (41 percent).

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte received high approval and trust ratings in March, according to a Pulse Asia survey.

Based on the “Ulat ng Bayan” survey conducted from March 15 to 19, Marcos got approval and trust ratings of 78 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

In terms of trustworthiness, Marcos and Duterte are the only top national officials who received majority trust scores from the Filipino public.

The Pulse Asia poll also found that the Marcos administration posted “small to huge majority approval ratings” on of the 12 issues assessed in the nationwide survey.

The Marcos administration acquired

The Marcos administration received a 61 percent rating for defending national territorial integrity, 60 percent rating for protecting the environment, and 54 percent rating for enforcing the rule of law.

In the same poll, the top leaders of both chambers of Congress -- Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez also

For the trust ratings, Zubiri recorded a 48 percent score, Romualdez at 44 percent, and Gesmundo at 39 percent.

he survey fieldwork was conducted from March 15 to 19 using face-to-face interviews.

The nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a 2.8 percent error margin at the percent confidence level.

BALIKATAN AT SUBIC. A US soldier directs an approaching Landing Cra� Air Cushion (LCAC) to the each at Su ic Bay Freeport as the Philippines and the United States kicked off their largest joint military e ercise. The drills involved mari�me security, amphi ious opera�ons, live-fire training, ur an and avia�on opera�ons,

E TENSION. Smart Communica�ons personnel assist su scri ers in registering their SIM cards.

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started last week to determine whether the case will proceed to trial.

Enduring hurting and insulting questioning that borders on actual accusation of extortion from the lawyer of their assailant, the Ro ue family members testified one after the other as witnesses in the preliminary hearing of suspect Nicholas Weber on succeeding days from April 4-6.

On that night of May 13 last year, the car of mother and daughte, Nerissa, 47, and Patricia Roque, 19, were bumped from behind by a Jeep driven by Weber while they were in the drive-thru of a McDonald’s on Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood on May 13 when a Jeep bumped them from behind.

Weber allegedly hurled anti-Asian invectives at the two women, appeared to grab Nerissa’s neck in the process hitting her in the chest and then punched 62-year-old patriarch Gabriel Roque when he tried to stop the Weber from opening the door of the women’s car and fell to the ground abriel suffered broken ribs and a bruised left arm.

At the hearings, members of the Roque family recounted the attack they suffered on ay attack when Weber physically and verbally assaulted Gabriel, Nerissa, and Patricia Roque at a North Hollywood fast food restaurant.

The Roques were barraged with questions and statements from the defense that questioned the validity of their experiences, twisted their testimonies, and painted a false narrative of the Roque family’s intentions to pursue the hate crime allegation.

Nerissa, in particular, faced blatantly racist assumptions and was accused of having ill-intentions for raising awareness of anti-Asian hate while husband Gabriel, who is diabetic, was made to wait alone in a separate room without food or water for over an hour and his injuries from the assault were questioned and belittled.

he first day got so emotional with my sister, was trying to hold it back ust couldn’t see how they push something that’s way far from the truth,” another Roque daughter sabel disclosed Despite these setbacks, urge everyone to continue mobili ing and to continue to fight for what’s right.”

Weber is currently charged with two counts of felony battery for the attack on Gabriel and Nerissa Roque as well as a hate crime allegation as a result of physical assault, verbal harassment through racist remarks and threats of violence, and property damage.

The other family members present walked away from this incident deeply traumatized and in need of counseling resources. Shortly after the attack, Nerissa Roque boldly stated that she never wants this to happen to another Asian family again.

Currently, court is on recess while evidence is reviewed. The judge is anticipated to make a decision on whether this case will go to trial on the upcoming April 17 court date.

About a hundred Asian American, Filipino, and other community organizations including Filipino Migrant Center, Gabriela, Anakbayan, Progressive Asian Network, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and Migrante, among others rallied on the Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys grounds taking time off work, skipped classes, drove over an hour, and sacrificed their day to lend their support since the first day of the preliminary hearing in solidarity with the Roque family.

University of California rvine sophomore student atricia, the girl in the forefront of the campaign of a Filipino family expressed optimism that they would turn out triumphant in their quest for justice in an exclusive interview while she and the Roque supporters await the actual start of the preliminary hearing April 4.

Patricia recalled who took the video of the attack against her family, welcomes, appreciates and is grateful to any type of support given but regrets that support from the authorities has really been difficult to get

“Even on that night, the Los Angeles Police took more than an hour before they arrived at the scene when dam-

age and attacks, both verbally and physically, have been done basically. The LAPD also discouraged us from filing a lawsuit against Weber when we first reported the hate crime That alone shows you how little support victims get when it comes to authorities,” rued Patricia. “Add to this, my Dad had to wait at the emergency room for six hours just to get checked.”

“Representatives from the Philippine Consulate were here in the scheduled previous court hearings they were here. We haven’t been getting any support even if we are still in communication especially with the services that they have like assistance to nationals (ATN),” Patricia revealed.

Nevertheless, Patricia expressed optimism that they would turn out triumphant in their quest for justice despite the many delays and many hurdles, including personal ones, that her family had been going through and even made more challenging by the incident in that night in May of last year.

Her optimism is buoyed by the support that they have been getting from the members of the community, Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, including the numerous student organizations who have been with them since the start.

am hopeful that our case will go to trial and hopefully the evidence that will be shown in court is enough, as am 1 sure it is, for our case to go to trial t will be a victory if our case will go to trial,” Patricia shared. “But unfortunately the actual trial could take another year. That is how the court system and process go which is something very disheartening to us victims because at the end of the day, all we want is justice for what has happened to us.”

An important evidence was her video of the actual attack that she remembered she started initially did recording at to get the plate number of their attacker’s car’s plate number. She decided to video shoot away some more as things escalated leading to the physical assault her parents suffered

Honestly we are ust trying to get by t has been very difficult almost been a year now since the incident happened. Even before this incident happened, we already had a lot going on with our lives. And with this in addition, it has added a lot more struggles and a lot more difficulties in trying to deal with this not only legally and recover from it and move on,” lamented Patricia.

A silver lining for Patricia personally was that she had been more vocal to this as she been really in the forefront as the speaker for her family.

y om was against that at first fearing for my safety disregarded that and went along because feel that it is very important as victims to speak on what has happened to be a voice not only for my family but also for other fellow victims who may not have the courage to speak up for what they have experienced t is not ust my family who is waiting t is the entire the community, underscored Patricia.

Her mother Nerissa is now emboldened to say, t is not just for the Roque family but other working migrant class families as well who might have experiences like this and might not have the resources the same support to come forward and actually seek justice.”

At the rally of support, Jhenine Cordero of Anakbayan os Angeles vows, e will want us to continue pursuing justice, continuing to pursue collective power, continue to build a mass movement, because whatever outcome happens in that courtroom on April 17 will not stop us.”

Another officer of Anakbayan os Angeles Abi Felix strongly believes that the Roque family should get all the support it can saying, “Even if the family have made

demands to the U.S. and even the Philippine governments to provide services for the family, we see how really the community organizing here and showing the power of the people.”

Jill Colcol of Gabriela Los Angeles, for her part, values community support as she observed that “through community support we continue we have put a dent into the case that would have not gone this far if not for the community support.”

Andrew Esposo of LA Kalusugan Collective under National Alliance for Filipino Concerns is glad that “we see folks from many Filipinos and non-Filipino organizations alike, young and old. Also students from major University of California, California State campuses from Orange County, Long Beach.”

Filipino Migrant Center’s Romeo Hebron summed it all up in echoing Patricia Roque’s optimism that “the family will get justice because the community continues to show up every single time, we have not forgotten the issue. We are optimistic that with community power, that we will be able to seek justice.

Rally for the Roque family at Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys California

Romeo Hebron

(From page 1)

Vancouver media reported late last month that a frail and elderly man was bearsprayed in the face in the city’s Chinatown district, with the attack recorded on CCTV.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) described the suspect as a six-foottall man between 30 and 40.

The CCTV image showed that the 87-year-old victim was not only more than twice the attacker’s age, he was also almost a foot shorter.

The assault took place on a Friday, close to noon, at the bus stop near Pender and Columbia streets. The VPD told local media that the suspect came up to the vic-

tim, “made racist comments, then bear-sprayed him in the face.”

VPD Constable Tania Visintin said the assault was seen by at least one individual, who came to the victim’s aid. The police officer also said it was likely that there were more witnesses, considering the time and place where the attack occurred.

Said Visintin: “Every indication is that this incident was completely unprovoked and may have been fueled by anti-Asian hate.”

She added that the VPD believes “there were witnesses who have not yet come forward. We also believe there will be people who recognize the suspect and can help us identify him.”

(From page 1)

Variava and Japan Ambassador to Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa represented their countries in honoring the fallen soldiers at the shrine.

Koshikawa said the Japanese people “feel deep remorse for our country’s actions before and during the Second World War,” and vowed that his country is determined to uphold rules-based order in the ndo- acific region

Variava reiterated the US’ commitment to its ties with the Philippines, describing the alliance between the two nations as “ironclad.”

“Filipino World War II veterans shaped the history of both the Philippines and the United States. We all owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude for their valor and sacrifice, she said

She noted that the US continues to honor Filipino war veterans through its Congressional Gold Medal, one of the

Not only has the country become a transit point for men and women who have been entrapped with promises of high-earning jobs, only to end up as “workers” forced to sell dubious online investments. They either meet the quotas given them, or face such punishments as being electrocuted, at worst, to not being paid for their efforts, being deprived or sleep as well as meals, at best.

The horror stories have been revealed

country’s highest civilian honors.

Marcos said the Filipino nobility of spirit was once again demonstrated in the last worldwide crisis, where the nation’s men and women rose to the challenge of facing an unseen enemy–a new global challenge.

“Once again, Filipinos showed the world our purity of spirit and of compassion by willingly putting themselves in peril in the service of others,” the President said.

“So have faith. We can look to the future with confidence, guided with the knowledge that the most noble Filipino uality of heroism is a ame and burns brightly in every true Filipino,” the chief executive pointed out.

President Marcos expressed his gratitude to Filipino heroes “who fought and bled and died” in Bataan, saying they have shown the way how to make the best citizens of the Republic.

little by little in the last few months as more and more Filipinos have managed to either escape or pay their way out of their virtual slavery.

Myanmar has been pointed to as the landing point of trafficked workers, but there are indications that even the Philippines is a landing spot for such victims, albeit to a lesser extent.

It is not only Filipinos being tricked into dubious jobs, even foreigners have been similarly lured by organized crime groups,

The identity of the victim was not released to media, but it was learned that while he did not suffer life-threatening injuries, he was left traumatized by the attack.

The attacker was last seen wearing a black jacket, dark pants, grey shoes with red trim, and a grey baseball cap. He was also carrying a black backpack.

The Major Crimes Section and Hate Crimes Team of the VPD is investigating the attack. They are probing whether the attack is connected to the graffiti that appeared on the gates outside the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden recently.

The garden had previously been vandalized in January. The vandalized spots were near where the elderly Chinatown resident was assaulted with bear-spray, which is

That heroism, Marcos said, can be seen in Filipino war veterans who have passed on the shining legacy and treasure as well as in the eyes of every child who looks to the future with hope and eager anticipation.

As every Filipino toils and sacrifices to feed their families, help their communities and serve their country, the President called on the nation to celebrate these golden deeds that uphold the spirit of patriotism.

“We celebrate all the individual acts of valor and of sacrifice e celebrate the Filipino spirit. We celebrate our countrymen’s deep, abiding love of every Filipino: love for our land, love for our people, and love for our freedom,” the President said.

“We have been called upon to stay true to that tradition, that tradition that Filipinos have demonstrated throughout our history. And so it is today that the spirit of heroism is once again asked of us by

either landing in the Philippines, or heading to other countries for illicit work.

Suspicion has fallen on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as being party to the human trafficking, and opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros this week called for an overhaul of the notoriously corrupt agency.

But the BI has pointed to the personnel of various airlines as being possibly involved in the global trade of human beings.

Immigration Commissioner Norman ansingco this week asked officials of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to investigate the possible collusion between an airline worker and illegal recruiters and human traffickers

The Senate recently held a hearing where a official who had been relieved of duty was seen escorting a suspected fugitive to a private airline hat official reasoned that he did not yet know where he would be reassigned, and only went to the airport to do some work.

Hontiveros previously said she believed that a Chinese mafia was behind the trafficking not only of Filipinos, but of other nationalities, including their fellow Chinese.

Speaking in English and the vernacular, Hontiveros said, “Let’s overhaul the BI. It appears they have contacts inside going both ways.”

Hontiveros began exposing various cases of human smuggling last year, after she said she had been approached by victims who managed to escape from Myanmar, where thousands of Filipinos and other nationals of Southeast Asian countries had been trapped

used to deter an aggressive bear from attacking. It is similar to, but is much stronger than, pepper spray.

While Vancouver and the rest of Canada is generally considered a safe place, the city’s Chinatown district experienced a 300 percent increase in reported graffiti incidents between 2019 and 2021. There was also a 425 percent increase in anti-Asian hate incidents for the same period.

Office Visintin said the violent and unprovoked attacks, rampant graffiti, and street disorder “are appalling, and these incidents continue to erode people’s sense of safety.”

Investigation of the cowardly and unprovoked attack against a helpless senior citizen is ongoing.

our country,” the chief executive stressed.

The President said this may not be grand acts displayed in the battlefield, but in the everyday challenges that Filipinos must face to defend themselves, the people, and the country.

In interviews after the program, Marcos said the government is working to finds ways on how to give additional support to the country’s war veterans who have been asking for more support from the administration through a pension hike.

Marcos Jr. also said that the four additional sites under the Philippines’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with its longstanding ally, the United States, would not be used for “offensive actions.”

Once a stable pension system is established, Marcos said his government would look for things that could be given to the World War II veterans, who were recognized and paid with their backpays only a few years ago.

into a life of slavery after being recruited for supposedly high-paying online jobs in Singapore or Thailand.

A recent report has authorities arresting two Chinese men who had tricked a Vietnamese woman to work in the Philippines. The suspects detained her and threatened to sell her to a O O or hilippine Offshore Gaming Operator if her family did not pay a ransom of P300,000.

Meanwhile, eight Filipinos were able to return to the country recently after they had been rescued from their captors in Myanmar through a joint operation by the departments of Foreign Affairs, Overseas orkers, and Labor.

Tragically, they said that hundreds of Filipinos were now working in the country formerly known as Burma.

Last week, the BI said it had recorded around 6,000 cases of suspected victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and misrepresentation in the first two months of this year.

Hontiveros said that the recent cases showed that there were a growing number of human trafficking overseas but also of human trafficking in the hilippines, with other Asians becoming victims in the Philippines.”

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the trafficked individuals say that they took the chance of heading to another country only to end up as modern day slaves because they had been blinded by the promise of high paying jobs, and their feeling of helplessness in their home countries.

US... (From page 1)

Dubbed “Balikatan 2023,” the military drills followed the ust concluded first phase of the oint US-Philippines army military exercises “Salacnib which included live fire training aimed at countering the aggressive China incursions in West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.

The war drills started while the US defense chief Lloyd Austin and Philippine defense secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo held their “two plus two” bilateral talks on security and other matters in Washington D.C.

In statement at the Washington meeting, Austin and linken reaffirmed the US commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington to defend the Philippines in case of any air, sea or land attack.

he top foreign affairs and defense officials have also agreed to “modernize” the two countries’ alliance amid the evolving security challenges in the ndo- acific

The secretaries agreed to continue discussions on the nature of threats that may arise in different domains in the region, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace, and how to effectively respond to them.

n addition, they reaffirmed shared determination to defend against external armed attack in the acific, including the South China Sea

At the same time, the two top US officials announced that US will commit $100 million for the development of some of the bases to be used by American forces, including expanding of runways and improving aviation systems.

he four officials also agreed to finali e plans for the resumption of “joint sails” between the US and hilippine Navies while confirming the possibility to include “like-minded partners” in multilateral maritime activities in the South China

Expelled...

(From page 1)

resentatives Jones and Pearson were expelled, however, as Representative Johnson narrowly escaped the April session expulsion count.

Pearson’s vacant District 86 seat will be addressed during a special meeting of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners in Memphis on Wednesday afternoon, Commission Chairman Mickell Lowery said.

he expulsions and protest were an offshoot of the mass shooting last month at a Nashville Christian school that left six people dead, including three 9-year-old children and a long-standing debate on gun control.

Jones and Pearson were reportedly singled out through a two-third expulsion vote after they used a bullhorn in the protest inside the House oor although Johnson was with them

Republicans accused the trio of bringing “disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives” and “knowingly and intentionally” without being recognized to speak.

Jones, whose full name is Justin Shea Bautista Jones was born on August 25, 1995, in Oakland, California to a Black father and Filipina mother Christine who raised Justin and his siter while putting herself through nursing school.

Jones returned to the House oor to cheers after marching back to the State Capitol joined by a hundred of supporters who chanted, “Whose house? Our House” with Jones.

“Today we stand as witness to the resurrection of a movement of a multi-racial democracy, that no unjust decision will stand,” Jones proclaimed. “The people of District 52, all 78,000 people, have a voice in this chamber once again.”

In the wake of this expulsion the National Federation of Filipino American Association issued a statement that they are “deeply

Sea “later this year.”

No country was specifically mentioned but Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu last month had disclosed that “conversation on the joint patrols with the US, Philippines and Japan in international waters are ongoing”.

This developed as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to take a front-row seat on April 26 when Filipino and American troops display their ship-sinking capability near the Panatag Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, a part of the Masinloc town of Zambales.

Meanwhile, both the Philippines and the US called on China to fully comply with the final and legally binding” 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

“The Award, which was constituted under the 1 8 aw of the Sea Convention, is final and legally binding on the parties, and validates the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction with respect to its EEZ and continental shelf, including maritime areas in the vicinity of Reed Bank, Mischief Reef, and Second Thomas Shoal also known in the Philippines as Recto Bank, Panganiban Reef, and Ayungin Shoal, respectively,” the four officials said in their oint statement

Col. Michael Logico, executive director of Balikatan on the Philippine side, disclosed that Marcos, who is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is excited to attend the activity, the first ever sinking exercise to be conducted under the Balikatan since it started in the 1990s.

Logico said set to be sunk by both sides is the former BRP Pangasinan, a corvette decommissioned by the Philippine Navy two years ago.

Logico said the Americans will use their high mobility artillery rocket system or HIMARs during the ship-sinking exercise while the AFP will use every weapons system at its disposal.

“We’re proud of the investments we’re making, and by the end of F fiscal year ’ we ex-

troubled by the Tennessee House of Representatives’ unprecedented expulsion of Justin Bautista Jones and Justin Pearson, two of the state’s youngest legislators of color, who participated in a peaceful protest over gun safety before the Tennessee General Assembly.”

“The removal of Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson was also overtly hostile to the younger the equal application of the law is in peril in the State of Tennessee,” NaFFAA National President Mariela Fletcher commented.

For his part, NaFFAA National Chair Brendan Flores expressed that “the expulsion of the two lawmakers by the Tennessee House of Representatives is contrary to the tenants of democracy and violates the rights we as Americans hold dear.”

“Despite the news of our fellow kababayan, the first Fil Am elected state lawmaker in Tennessee, Rep. Justin Jones’ recent reinstatement, we still urge the Tennessee General Assembly to continue to reexamine its actions to ensure Constitutional protections of free speech, equal application of the law, and due process have been applied fairly to all, from now on, and moving forward,” Flores added.

President Joe Biden called the expulsions “shocking, undemocratic and without precedent” while criticizing Republicans for not taking greater action on gun reform while

Vice President Kamala Harris went to Nashville to advocate for stricter gun control measures and highlight the importance of protecting Americans from gun violence before privately meeting with Jones, Pearson and Johnson.

“We understand when we took an oath to represent the people who elected us that we speak on behalf of them. It wasn’t about the three of these leaders,” It was about who they were representing. It’s about whose voices they were channeling. Understand that – and is that not what a democracy allows?” Harris remarked after the meeting.

pect to have allocated more than $100 million in infrastructure investments at the new and existing EDCA sites. So those investments will spur job creation and economic growth in local Philippine communities, Austin said during a oint briefing with the Philippines.

The Philippines and US have agreed to expand the EDCA bases to include four new sites in Cagayan and Isabela provinces and the Balabac island in the southern tip of Palawan.

Austin revealed the planned infrastructure will support combined training, exercises and interoperability between the US and Philippine armed forces and the local civilian-led disaster preparedness and response capacities.

The EDCA bases will also support community-based activities led by the United States Agency for International Development, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, capacity-building, access to safe water supplies, education, health care, sustainable fisheries management, biodiversity conservation and energy security.

Austin said expanding the EDCA puts the US in a position to better respond to and meet the needs of the Philippines in the event of a crisis like a natural disaster or a requirement to rapidly provide humanitarian assistance.

“I think it helps us not only work together, but it helps us address the needs of the Philippines as well,” Austin said. “And I think it’s essential to our ability to strengthen our combined deterrence posture.”

Before the “2+2 dialogue,” Secretary Manalo told the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington that the Philippines and US have yet to discuss what the US may do with nine bases they now have access to following a statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the bases may not be used to launch offensive attacks on foreign aggressors.

e basically identified the sites here will

have to be, as in the case of the other sites, discussions on terms of reference, the type of activities ... these all have to be agreed on ... It will all depend on how discussions go,” Manalo said.

In Washington, the Pentagon itself has not specifically said what the four additional bases for US troops will be used for, except that work would include airport expansion and training involving naval assets.

Speaking at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan commemorating the Day of Valor Araw ng agitingan , arcos said that the hilippines is only giving the United States expanded access to its military bases to give the country aid during disasters and calamities, as four new bases are located in some of the Philippines’ most disaster-prone areas.

“Hindi tayo papayag, ang Pilipinas, hindi tayo papayag na gamitin ang mga bases natin para sa kahit anong offensive na action to ay para lamang tulungan ang Pilipinas, pagka nangangailangan ng tulong ang Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

“Ang ginagawa lamang natin ay ipagpatuloy natin na pinapatibay natin ang depensa ng ating teritorya, ang pagdepensa ng Republika,” the President pointed out.

“These are existing bases, ang kaibahan lang ng EDCA, we give our only existing treaty partner, the United States a chance to help us in any way for disaster relief. Pinili natin ito dahil ito ang pinakamadalas sa disaster,” Marcos said.

The four new sites for the US military to use under EDCA are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan, Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan, Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, and Balabac Island in Palawan.

Security experts said that the US sees the Philippine bases as potential location for rockets, missiles and artillery systems, just like the Subic Naval base and the Clark Air Force base which US controlled for years.

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Man of family and faith

any decades ago in Manila, a young girl perhaps years old awoke unsure of where she was and why she was there. Anesthesia had blurred memory of the hours previous, when the family doctor removed her problem tonsils.

Soon the smiling faces of her parents appeared, assuring her she was in the safest place. Right behind them was another familiar face, the eldest male cousin who was almost mythical because he was around only on special occasions the favored son of her father’s only sister, in whom the family honor most rested and thus was always afar at school or work.

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

NICK SAGMIT

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Office Manager GILDA PASION BALAN FRANCO G. REGALA ALI MACABALANG

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EDITORIAL

The biggest US firms are feeding China’s war machine

News came out this week that Tesla was building a multi-billion dollar facility in China to build batteries.

This was a strictly business decision, of course, and some of the biggest companies in the US, as well as the world, have invested heavily in China, including the likes of FedEx, Ford Motors, FritoLay, Starbucks, Nike, and Under Armour, among many, many others.

In moving to China, the principal reason was the substantially lower cost of, well, nearly everything. Goods are easier to produce and manpower is a lot cheaper there.

As a result, China has now become the second largest economy in the world. And it is with more than a grain of truth to say that the US played the biggest role in China’s economic miracle. It was the US that granted China most favored nation status, opening the door to trade and which eventually turned the Asian giant into the world’s manufacturing center.

f only China had left well enough alone Specifically, if only i Jinping did not harbor a need to become an economic and military superpower at any and all cost.

China as economic powerhouse was more than acceptable After all, Japan had done it earlier and South Korea is doing it now.

ut it was i whose plans for global domination became apparent in the past few years, and the world has become less safe because of him. He has taken total political control to the extent that China can now be considered a dictatorship, and a dangerous one at that.

Under i, China has created the world’s biggest military

Unfortunately, i now also believes that having the biggest military also makes China the most powerful.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The size of China’s navy, for one, is much bigger than that of the US, but there is no question on who would win if a full-scale war were to break out and the two navies were to clash in the South China Sea.

The saddest part about China’s growing strength is that it is being fed by the giant US companies that operate there.

There have been many failed tries to bring manufacturing back to the US, but the giant companies will always say that it’s cheaper to produce the same quality of goods in China as it is in the US of A.

The American billionaires should think hard about the consequences of their continuing to pump up the Chinese economy, which in turn feeds the Chinese war machine.

It was not the case a decade or two ago. Back then, it was all about business, all about making money.

Consider it a pipe dream, but what if all the Elon usks, the Jeff e os’ and the ill ates’ of the world were to put their foot down and tell i that his war mongering is placing the entire Chinese economy at risk?

i is taking the most dangerous path imaginable, and his decision to turn his country into a military superpower may yet result in the end of the Chinese economic miracle.

The billionaires operating out of China could do the world a big favor by telling the Chinese president that his expansionist plans are not acceptable. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll get the message.

But there he was that morning, bearing a bag of fresh Sunkist oranges so fragrant and precious then in Manila. For his little cousin, a wordless offering of comfort and affection, a gesture forever treasured in the girl’s heart that taught her how love can be expressed in the least expected ways, and thrive despite distance or absence.

Following is a family tribute to the man who was brother, father and counsel to many:

In loving memory

Deacon Antonio “Tony” Q. Paulino

By Arron and Kim Paulino

Our most beloved Deacon Antonio “Tony” Querol Paulino, Deacon at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Daly City, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2023, in his home in South San Francisco, California. He was 83.

Deacon Tony was married to Rosita “Rosie” Robles - Paulino in 1963. They were blessed with their son Ronald and grandchildren Arron and wife Kim (nee Zabala) and Valerie by Ronald’s wife Lisa, who passed away in 2015.

Deacon Tony was born August 19, 1939, and raised in Makati City, Philippines. He was the first son and second child of Silvestre and Conchita uerol- aulino He earned his master’s degree at the Asian Institute of Management.

In 1986, the Paulinos embarked on their American journey when then-Philippine Vice President and concurrent Foreign Secretary Salvador Laurel assigned him to the hilippine Consulate eneral in San Francisco, where he was Administrative Officer for four years.

When his diplomatic service concluded, he devoted his attention to his faith. He was blessed to be associated with the religious and clergy.

Deacon Tony was a member of the Secular Franciscans for over 33 years. He was imbued with the Franciscan inspiration and continued to foster the Franciscan spirit among people. He entered the diaconate program of the Archdiocese of San (Continued on page 26)

Pride and humility

Of the seven capital sins, PRIDE, I believe, is the worst.

It was pride that led to Lucifer’s downfall, pride that has been the root of con icts between people and nations , pride that the Pharisees exhibited during the time of Christ on this earth.

Pride rears its ugly head when people achieve great success.

Proud people consider themselves superior to their fellowmen and will brook no criticism from anyone.

Proud people cannot accept their mistakes nor will they apologize for them.

Pride prevents people from forgiving others who have wronged them,unwittingly or not.

Sadly, there are people who profess to be Christians, who have let their pride rule them. They declare that they have “:forgiven but not forgotten” , but have cut their ties to the people who have hurt them.

Reminding them of Christ’s admonition to “forgive their enemies seventy times seven” falls on deaf ears. They little realize that pride is more harmful to them than to the people they snub.

Humility, on the other hand, recognizes that people are only human and therefore, awed t enables a person to accept that one can be wrong and apologi e for whatever wrong one has done.

Humility is a virtue that is hard to find, especially in successful people

I have great admiration for the high and the mighty who acknowledge that whatever they have is God-given and temporary.

I bow my head to people who have no qualms about admitting their mistakes.

I salute people whose humility exudes from them through their words and actions.

I hope and pray I could be more like them and thus be more like Christ!

MANILA

Leaders

of Asia Pacific coming to San Francisco

SAN FRANC SCO

eople are agog over the hosting by San Francisco this November of the Asia acific Economic Cooperation A EC eaders Summit and related economic, business and other conferences

In My Heart

his comes as no surprise as saw with my own eyes in 1 how Seattle in ashington responded and later benefitted from the first successful hosting by the United States of the first ever A EC eaders’ summit in the city and at the lake sland after its founding in 1 8

As a ournalist, oined then hilippine resident Fidel V Ramos in that event marked by his first meeting with then US resident ill Clinton which recorded with my old cellphone also had rare interactions with other A EC leaders like then South orean resident im oung Sam who met at the lue House later, Singapore rime inister o Chok ong who interviewed at the stana eventually, hailand rime inister Chuan ikphal who entertained us Filipino and Confederation of ASEAN Journalists in angkok later and runei’s Sultan Hassanal olkiah at the Four Seasons

Since Vice resident amala Harris and A EC announced in angkok, hailand November last year that San Francisco and the United States will host the conference, officials in government, business and other sectors like California overnor avin Newsom have since gone into frenetic preparations for the ma or global event by countries which account for almost half of the world trade and 6 percent of US goods

After learning the good news, San Francisco ayor ondon reed celebrated as the event would draw to the city US resident Joe iden, the leaders, ministers and business CEOs of 1 member countries like Canada, Japan, China, aiwan, Hong ong, Australia, New ealand, Russia, South orea, the hilippines, Singapore, ndonesia, alaysia, Vietnam, hailand, runei, apua New uinea, exico, eru, and Chile at the southernmost tip of Americas, all connected by the vast acific Ocean As of this writing, hilippine resident Ferdinand arcos Jr had confirmed he will be attending A EC , his second after the angkok edition last year

Slated at the oscone Center starting on the 1 th of November, the A EC summit actually is expected to draw thousands more of attendees from around the world and the city could benefit from an estimated 6 million in total economic impact, among others

According to reports, it was ayor reed who first broach the idea of the city and county hosting the vital A EC meetings, citing in her letter to Secretary of State Antony linken San Francisco’s extensive economic, cultural and academic connections to the vast Asia- acific Region, including the City’s recognition as the gateway to the Asia acific, making it a primary destination for foreign direct investment from the region

Reports from the San Francisco Customs District, for one, recorded 1 billion from two-way shipping with A EC countries oreover, Northern California companies reportedly sell 6 billion goods and services to A EC buyers each year

Readily, then Speaker Nancy elosi and Senators Dianne Feinstein also a former San Francisco mayor and Alex adilla supported San Francisco’s bid overnor avin Newsom, another former mayor of San Francisco, also oined the chorus of support for the milestone event

A EC officials will actually

(Continue on page 27)

Love-struck Swede settles in Pinay wife’s hometown

ROSALES. Pangasinan he first time saw Henry Eldh, thought he was ust like other foreign tourists who visit the hilippines for leisure and fun

ut was wrong n fact, he decided to settle in here, in the hometown of her beautiful wife, Haydee Dion, for good

Through

He bought a - hectare land in this town and sank huge sums of money for land development and in building a mansion with a swimming pool inside the vast property He invested around million pesos that includes the cost of the land

Henry and Haydee’s wonderful love story started on a cruise ship hey were working together for a luxury cruise ship based in alaysia when they first met he exclusive ship had only cabins, intended only for royalty and the super rich class At that time, it would sail even if only one passenger booked t was love at first sight, both of them admitted when asked ut Henry was the first to get smitten

He was throwing glances to Haydee without her knowing it She came to learn of Henry’s gestures when she needed a phone to call loved ones in the hilippines A co-worker told her to go ask for Henry’s phone he lady co-crew member prodded her saying Henry would readily respond to her re uest After all, Henry has a crush on you, she confided

heir first date which was in enang, alaysia is memorable Haydee expected Henry to bring her to a fine dining restaurant ut what happened was that Henry invited her to his usual haunt which was a place that served ethnic foods and beer

ut love con uers all, as ofttimes said, and Haydee overcame Henry’s faux pas She must have been dressed up for a fine dining occasion failed to ask her though if she was comfortable in her outfit while at the place where her dashing Swede admirer brought her

From then on, they were inseparable From the alaysia-based luxury cruiser to succeeding cruising vessels they worked with, the love-stricken couple were together

Henry was a highly skilled technical man His capabilities were the envy of others having drawn the trust of ship owners and operators His ob specifications included bringing home new vessels purchased by his employers

After retiring early, sailing has become his passion His -foot vessel has brought him to various countries He’s sometimes oined by his wife but Haydee would skip more sails due to her seasickness

He’s scheduled to sail from North ortugal to Sweden next month ay , the voyage will take him 6 weeks from port of origin to destination He will make several ports of calls Sans ports of calls, his ourney would take only half of that or weeks

heir big mansion, surrounded by trees where different birds would drop by day in and day out, is a tropical paradise istening to their tweets and chirps is pretty ama ing and soothing Hearing them provides cheerful company while swimming at the pool

Some of the trees were planted when the property was ac uired

Henry is a self-confessed lover of nature he vast expanse beyond the mansion is blessed with more trees ’m sure this -hectare mini-forest is contributing largely to a reduction of the carbon footprint thereabouts

He’d found some snakes inside the property He would ust allow them to glide along He said they are not the poisonous types, his studies on wild animals would show hat are his future plans for the rest of this wide swathe of land Henry is planning to build a resort there hether it be for personal or commercial use, ’m certain the resort would further enhance the place and the value of the property

He’s been dreaming of a life to spend in the tropics Voila His dream got reali ed after he and Haydee crossed paths

(The writer is a veteran journalist in the Philippines who is now based in Hercules City, California.)

Filing complaint without going home to PHL

Do you need to file a complaint but can’t go home to the hilippines his was the dilemma and problem of elderly spouses Ricardo and acita, ages 8 and respectively, from South San Francisco, California f you have the same dilemma and problem like this elderly couple, ust follow what the couple Ricardo and acita did

Health & Wealth

Ricardo and acita can’t go home to the hilippines but through the help of their lawyer they were able to file a complaint without going home heir lawyer prepared sets of complaint and Joint Special ower of Attorney J OA for them hen the elderly couple received the documents, they called obile Signing Services SS for help and assistance in the notari ation and apostille follow up on the sets of Complaint and Joint ower of Attorney met Ricardo and acita on arch , for the notariation of the sets of Complaint and Joint Special ower of Attorney had them signed the two documents and then signed my Journal of Notarial Acts and put their right thumb marks After notari ation, we submitted the notari ed sets of Complaint and Joint Special ower of Attorney to the Secretary of State, Notary ublic Section, in Sacramento, California for apostille he elderly couple were very happy for the prompt, efficient, complete and uni ue services with SS e, at obile Signing Services SS , are committed , dedicated and will continue to assist and help old and new clients particularly the elderly, veterans and those physically handicapped in the notari ation and apostille follow up on Affidavits, Complaint, Joint Special ower of Attorney JS OA , DEED OF DONA ON, aiver of Rights, roof of ife, DEED OF A SO U E SA E, Special ower of Attorney S OA , Deed of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate and other documents needed in the hilippines and the other member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention Here are some advantages and benefits with SS

D SCOUN S FOR HE E DER AND VE ERANS

e offer special discount for the elderly and veterans AVO D A E OFF FRO OR ou don’t need to take off from work and drive to Sacramento, California ust to submit the notari ed documents for apostille to the Secretary of State, Notary ublic Section SS will take care everything for you

VER F E E A O N EN S - e have very exible appointments for old and new clients during regular office hours, after office hours and weekends except on Sundays

FREE AR N hen we had our office at the hilippine Center near the hilippine Consulate Office , our old clients were complaining for the expensive parking fees ith our home office in San Francisco, California, old and new clients can have FREE parking on our driveway and the available street parking spaces nearby

F E E OCA ONS For those who can’t come to our home office in San Francisco, we can do signing and notari ation of documents in your homes, offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants, AR lobby, ost Office Station lobby and other locations

SAV N ON AS AND EA E FEES - For those who can drive, we encourage old and new clients to drive and come to our home office in San Francisco, California for savings on gas and mileage fees 6 to 1

U E DOCU EN S AND U E S NAURES D SCOUN S e offer to 1 discounts on multiple documents and multiple signatures for old and new clients

DOCU EN S RE ARA ON D SCOUN ith the help of our paralegal and lawyer-friends, we offer special discounts in the preparation and drafting of documents for old and new clients

CONVEN ENCE AND EACE OF ND- ith the efficient, complete , prompt and uni ue services at SS, old and new clients can have total convenience and peace of mind ost of the time, it is more convenient and economical for to avail yourself with the professional and complete services at SS

For immediate assistance

ART GABOT MADLAING

TEDDY P. MOLINA Breaking

ALFRED G. GABOT

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Joe Biden at their UN meet.

An ambassador speaks an unspoken truth

Almost all ambassadors for all countries are forced to serve as public relations consultants of their respective homelands. They can never speak ill of their country, unless they abandon their posts and seek asylum in their host countries.

This is true for Filipino ambassadors, as well. They may only speak good things about the Republic of the Philippines and the nations it has friendly relations with, especially when engaging with their fellow ambassadors.

Diplomacy is the name of their game, and they are taught what to say, when to say it, and avoid engaging in debates with their fellow envoys.

Every once in a while, however, ambassadors do say things that will cause shock to other countries, and they may be the object of diplomatic complaints.

It was therefore a most pleasant surprise when Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel ‘Babe’ Romualdez said some things that were absolutely true, but which must have caused eyebrows in Beijing to rise higher than The Rock’s. Not just one eyebrow, but both.

Romualdez said two things that made me come close to jumping up and down with joy like a drunken chimpanzee.

First, he said point blank that it was China that was being constantly aggressive against Filipinos in the seas where they and their families and forefathers have been fishing for centuries.

How true.

China’s Coast Guard as well as militia ships have been harassing Filipino fisherfolk in recent years, starting when former president Rodrigo Duterte refused to fight for their rights and advised them to just accept Chinese presence in Philippine waters.

n one instance, a Chinese ship rammed a Filipino fishing boat, cutting it in two. The Chinese seamen than abandoned the Filipinos in the open sea, and it was by some miracle that they survived.

The Chinese would later claim that it was all an accident, and offered to replace the completely destroyed boat with a new one, which they did.

In other instances, Chinese militia used power hoses to drive Filipino fishermen away t was a most inhumane treatment that no human being deserved.

Then there was that recent instance when a Chinese Coast Guard ship aimed a high-grade laser as a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, temporarily blinding the crew.

There have also been multiple instances when scores of Chinese vessels have intruded into Philippine waters. Too many times to count, actually.

So yes, all unfriendly acts occurring at the West Philippine Sea have been initiated by the Chinese.

Ambassador Romualdez spoke the truth, but I’m pretty sure that the people at the Department of Foreign Affairs were not too happy with his honesty.

The other thing that the envoy said was that it was not impossible for more military camps in the Philippines to open their doors to American forces coming in and conducting training exercises, along with storing their supplies.

he hilippines used to have five camps that could host US troops by virtue of the Expanded Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA Very recently, four more areas were identified as places where good, old G.I. Joe was most welcome.

Guess what the ambassador formerly known as Babes had to say about that? He said it was not impossible to think that more sites could be made available for the Americans to start hoarding all sorts of weapons, except nuclear that is.

That comment must have caused more gnashing of Chinese teeth in their foreign ministry.

I have tried most of the time to toe the nationalist line and I am fully aware that there have been many instances when American soldiers did horrible things to Filipinos.

n some ways, the US is not so much a friend of the hilippines as it is a potential protector and ally should push come to shove.

“But you were so persistent You wore down my resistance fell and it was swell.”

--I’ve Got a Crush on You

Lyrics by Ira Gershwin

Sung by Frank Sinatra would sacri ce an thing come what might For the sake of having you near”

-- I’ve Got You Under My Skin

Lyrics by Cole Porter

Sung by Frank Sinatra

“Once you have found her, never let her go, Once you have found her, never let her go.”

--Some Enchanted Evening

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers

Sung by Ezio Pinza

Singer Frank Sinatra is the most famous and most persistent suitor in modern times as he pursued the breathtakingly beautiful movie star Ava Gardner with passion. But Frank had a very difficult time have met Frank Sinatra at the Circle Theater near San Francisco in the 80’s. He does not exude the charm of Bong Bong Marcos, the machismo of Clark Gable, Ava’s co-star in Mogambo with whom she allegedly had a romantic interlude, and the charisma and sense of humor of the popular ickey Rooney, Ava’s first husband when she was only 19.

Frank’s travails are memorialized in the song which he wrote “I am a Fool to Want You.” But Frank persisted – and he won - by wearing down the resistance of Ava. His success is immortalized in the song which he sang: “But you were so persistent, you wore down my resistance.” Patience and perseverance, indeed, pay off

MEANING OF PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, PERSEVERANCE, AND PASSION

“Patience” means to be “able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious ersistence is defined as continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.” “Perseverance” means continuing “in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success assion means ardent affection a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.” See https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary.

Those who have been told “No” should hearken to the fact that a “No” could mean “not right now”.

However, even if a suitor has all the P’s if he has little or nothing to offer to the ob ect of his affection he will not succeed. If the suitor has rivals he should have something to compensate for or even overcome what the rivals have. Frank had a lot to offer He was a popular singer and had money. And if the following is not a “cock and bull” story, Frank had more. In 1952 a reporter asked Ava “What do you see in this guy? He’s just a 119 pound has been!” Ava reportedly quipped: “Well, I’ll tell you – 19 pounds is cock.” he suitor must have confidence, without actually bragging about it, unlike Muhammad Ali who said “I am the greatest oat like a butter y, sting like a bee

Saying a little prayer might help. That would be the 5th P.

NOT ALL THE 4 P’s NEEDED ALL THE TIME

In many situations, a suitor might need all of the above –mentioned traits to succeed in love, but in other situations he does not need them. It depends on the suitor and the obect of affection here are situations when the suitor has not even started to court the lady and he is already on the road to victory.

Asian Hate Crime: A Look on Asian in Hawaii vs the Mainland

Let’s have a look at being Asian in Hawaii vs the Mainland. From an old topic that someone has posted a year ago, I get the sense that Asians in Hawaii are more secure about their identity compared to Asians on the mainland. As in, their racial background didn’t so much define who they are in society, things like occupations hobbies are more definitive than ethnicity his is as opposed to mainland AAs that always feel that they are always seen as Asian first he Asian cook, the Asian lawyer, etc. (reddit r/Hawaii)

“Granted,” the report said, “I think many Asians on the mainland never felt they were racially discriminated either personally or systemically. They may not even know that there is anything other than what they feel day to day, and think it’s ust the norm - and being completely fine with that t’s probably ust an inherent effect of not being in the ma ority group, unlike Asians in Hawaii.”

The report continued: “Good friends of mine, an Asian family born on the mainland, moved to Hawaii for just this reason. They’ve been living there for two years and tell me about how accepted and comfortable they feel, raising their kids there. They say it’s just the peace of mind that they never even knew they wanted, that they didn’t realize the whole they were on the mainland.”

In the mainland, hate crime among Asians, especially the elderly, occur so often. Suddenly you hear a senior citien being a victim of extortion in city streets Asians being mulled and accosted in department stores, in the parking lot, and right in their homes. This is alarming!

ABC News reported that, since March 2020, Stop AAPI Hate has tracked nearly 11,500 hate incidents and up to now Anti-Asian racism still haunts San Francisco community (ABC reports by Kiara Alfonseca, Alysha Webb and Julian Kim).

Statistics further show San Francisco officials received 6 reports of hate crimes against AAPI people in the city during 2021, a more than 500% increase compared to the nine incidents reported in Again, the figures are alarmingly concerning considering that most of the victims are seniors like me. This is one of the reasons why it is preventing us not to visit San Francisco for leisure or site seeing. Most Asian visitors/tourists are likewise prey, just like the seniors.

Between March 2020 and March 31, 2022, Jeung’s group Stop AAPI Hate recorded nearly 11,500 reports of hate incidents against Asian American and acific slander AA persons across the U S

“We have high numbers of elders reporting, even though elders tend to under report,” Jeung said. “Our Asian elders, they often don’t speak English. They don’t have online technology. So, the high rate of elders reporting just shows that it is a problem facing them.”

While Anti-Asian hate incidents are reportedly down across the country, the trauma and reality of this hate remains, especially for Susanna Yee, whose 88-year-old grandmother was brutally attacked while exercising one morning in a local park in January 2019.

“Although I have come to a place of forgiveness, there’s still pain and feelings of grief that wells up occasionally,” Yee, the granddaughter of Yik Oi Huang, said in an interview with ABC News.

Reported hate crimes against Asian Americans and acific slanders kept on increasing t rose to 6 percent last year, with half of the victims allegedly targeted by one man. The mayor of San Francisco expressed despair over the increase in reported hate crimes against Asian Americans and acific slanders last year, up an astonishing 6 percent from the previous year, according to preliminary figures released by the police department on Tuesday. (Associated Press)

China’s belligerent actions are all indicative of a future plan to invade the Philippines, as far as I’m concerned. They may practice some form of di-

(Continue on page 27) (Continue on page 27)

An Ilocano lawyer was at a party with the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He sat at the head of the table and the lady was on his right. The woman, a mestiza, was very attentive and kept serving him food and wine. He asked “Do you believe in love at first sight he lady answered No How about you?” The lawyer countered: “I did not – until I met you.” The lady smiled. There

San Francisco Mayor London Breed pledged continued support for the community, saying she suspects actual numbers are much higher because people are reluctant to report to the police.

agree with ayor Reed, and in fact other public officials maintain the same opinion with her. Berryessa District School Board Trustee and former CA District 25 Assembly member Kansen Chu for example (Continue on page 27)

Courtship and immigration –necessity of patience, persistence, perseverance, and passion

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO

EMMANUEL SAMONTE TIPON What’s Up Attorney

USCIS extends the validity of Conditional Permanent Residents to 48 months

The USCIS issued a memorandum on January 25, 2023. extending the validity of Conditional Permanent Residents to months. I have summarized below the content of the memorandum based on the specific issues

What is being extended and why?

“The USCIS extended the validity of Conditional Permanent Resident to months because of backlogs and processing delay partly due to pandemic. Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents with a Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829” ho are covered by the extension and the effective date?

“USCIS is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as reen Cards for petitioners who properly file Form - 1, etition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. This change started on January 11, 2023, for Form I-829 and on January 25, 2023, for Form I-751.”

Why did the USCIS extend the validity?

“We are making this change to accommodate current processing times for Form I-751 and Form I-829, which have increased over the past year.”

How do we know that the person involved received the benefit

“USCIS has updated the language on Form I-751 and Form I-829 receipt notices to extend the validity of a Green Card for months for individuals with a newly filed Form - 1 or Form -8

Are those applicants who received shorter extensions and those cases that are still pending eligible for months extension?

“We will issue new receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents who previously received notices with an extension shorter than months and whose cases are still pending.

May the extension notices be shown as proof of legal stay, work authorization and travel authorization?

“These receipt notices can be presented with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status, while the case remains pending with USCIS. By presenting your updated receipt notice with your expired Green Card, you remain authorized to work and travel for months from the expiration date on the front of your expired Green Card.”

What steps are needed if the applicant wanted to travel outside the U.S. for one year or more?

“As a reminder, conditional permanent residents who plan to be outside of the United States for a year or more should apply for a reentry permit by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, before leaving the United States. For more information, see our International Travel as a Permanent Resident webpage.”

Note: This is not legal advice.

BANKRUPTCY

e help clients file for ankruptcy he benefits of bankruptcy are Bankruptcy will 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 your debts are paid.

If you are being sued by your creditors, most money judgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy.

Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement.

Chapter will eliminate all unsecured debts. If you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts.

CAR ACCIDENTS

Our Law Firm successfully settled a car accident for $675.000.

FAMILY LAW

We also handle uncontested DIVORCE.

ITIN and INCOME TAX PROBLEMS

We can help you if you need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer ID number) We also prepare income tax returns and if you are under IRS audit, and need a representation with RS, need to reduce your tax liability or need to offer a payment plan to RS, we can help you with that.

SUCCESS STORIES

For the month of March 2023, we received approval from USCIS for three naturalization applications, one Fiancée visa petition, one removals of condition on residence and five ad ustment of status applications

f you have immigration problems the aw Offices of Crispin C o ano 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, personal injury and income tax representation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw. net e site www cris inlo anolaw com with o ces in a ward and erritos,

IMF ups PHL growth outlook for 2023 to 6%, but down 5.8% in 2024

WASHINGTON/MAKATI CITY

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees the Philippines growing fastest in emerging and developing Asia this year.

IMF, at the same time, upgraded its economic outlook for the country to 6% despite a projected slump in the global economy.

Its April World Economic Outlook report showed the multilateral lender’s upward revision for the local economy from the initial 5% forecast earlier this year.

The projected growth for the Philippines is faster than China (5.2%), India (5.9%), Indonesia (5%), Thailand (3.4%), Vietnam (5.8%), and Malaysia (4.5%), the report stated.

This, however, would be slower than the 7.6% GDP expansion in 2022 but matched the lower end of the government’s 6-7% target for this year.

For 2024, the Philippine economy may expand even weaker by 5.8%, IMF said.

Based on the report, the IMF said the global economy is facing “a rocky recovery” amid recent developments in the banking sector pulling down investors’ confidence.

This is coupled with “major forces” in 2022 that might continue this year, including soaring in ation, aggressive interest hikes, high debt levels and persistent shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

“[T]hese forces are now overlaid by and interacting with new financial stability concerns. A hard landing— particularly for advanced economies has become a much larger risk olicymakers may face difficult trade-offs to bring sticky in ation down and maintain growth while also preserving financial stability,” it said.

ith the recent increase in financial

market volatility and multiple indicators pointing in different directions, the fog around the world economic outlook has thickened,” the IMF added.

According to IMF’s projections, the global economy may grow 2.8% this year, weaker than last year’s 3.4% rate. For 2024, the global economy is seen to recover to 3%.

In the WEO report, the IMF said high uncertainty continues to cloud the global economic outlook this year, citing downside risks from central banks’ tight monetary stance, high debt levels, limited fiscal buffers, commodity price spikes and geopolitical tensions.

“But these forces are now overlaid by and interacting with new financial stability concerns. A hard landing particularly for advanced economies has become a much larger risk. Policymakers may face difficult trade-offs to bring sticky in ation down and maintain growth while also preserving financial stability,” the IMF said.

The IMF trimmed its global growth forecast for 2023 to 2.8% (from the 2.9% given in January) and for 2024 to 3% (from 3.1%). If realized, this will be slower than the 3.4% global expansion in 2022.

In a “plausible alternative scenario” with further financial sector stress, the F said global growth may decline to around 2.5% in 2023.

The IMF sees emerging and developing Asia expanding by 5.3% this year and 5.1% in 2024.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, economic counsellor and the director of research of the F, said in a statement that in ation is stickier than expected, even from a few months ago.

PHL exports post biggest drop since August 2020

QUEZON CITY – Philippine exports in February this year registered its biggest drop since August 2020, declining by 18.1 percent to US$5.08 billion from US$6.2 billion in the same month in 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

The decline in export revenues dragged the country’s total external trade in February to US$14.03 billion, down by 14.4 percent from US$16.24 billion in the same period last year.

Aside from export revenues, the country’s imports in February also fell by 12.1 percent year-on-year to US$8.95 billion from US$10.99 billion.

Export revenues has been down for three consecutive months since December 2022.

The PSA attributed lower export revenues to the decline in shipments of the country’s top export product --electronic products-- which declined to US$2.68 bil-

lion from US$3.44 billion over a year.

Other products that contributed to the decline in exports in February include coconut oil; other mineral products; cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper and travel goods and handbags.

Top destinations for Philippine goods in February this year were Japan, the United States, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Meanwhile, lower imports of electronic goods also slashed the country’s total import value in February this year.

Electronic goods imports fell to US$2.13 billion from US$2.49 billion year-on-year.

Sectors with lower imports in February this year also include transport equipment, cereals and cereal preparations, iron and steel, and chemical materials and products.

Top import sources for the country for February were China, Indonesia, Japan, US and South Korea.

Kris Aquino in ‘stable’ condition in California

interview that Kris slow recovery has been impressive.

“OK naman [siya], you know stable. That’s the good word for it: Stable lang, pero of course, still beautiful. Forever beautiful,” Bimby said as quoted in a GMA News report.

Bimby also disclosed that Kris has gained weight and is now approximately 103 pounds.

“For me, kahit 80 pounds si mama, even if she was 80 pounds, she will still be the most beautiful mama ever para sa akin,” he added.

Bimby also disclosed that Kris has two nurses taking care of her. Bimby added he sleeps with her mother every night.

“Ako yung night duty, basically,” he added in the GMA News report.

According to Bimby, it is his “duty as her son to take care of her.”

“I promise, as her son, to do everything I can to take care of her and to make her better,” he added.

“Siya ‘yung priority ko e, of course. ‘Yun ang choice ko talaga. Wherever mom is, I’ll be there,” Bimby said.

In an ABS-CBN report, Bimby expressed his gratitude to those who have been praying for his mother’s recovery and promised to do everything to care for her and help her get better.

“Maraming salamat po. Thank you talaga for praying for mama’s good health,” he said. “It’s my duty as her son to take care of her.”

GMA News reported that Kris has been diagnosed with various autoimmune diseases and has been staying in America for her medical treatments.

In February, Kris remained positive despite a scary red ag found in her test results, the network added.

Kris. the youngest daughter of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino, turned 52 last February 14.

Here’s good news to friends, relatives and fans of actress and television host Kris Aquino. Reports of various media from California in the United States where she is

being treated for rare disease for months now indicate that Kris had improved a lot and currently in stable condition.

In fact, Kris’s son, James Yap Jr. who is known as Bimby, told Ogie Diaz in an

Bimby said he is studying in a remote schooling arrangement with his teachers in Manila, adding he might study in the United States beginning next school year.

Earlier, she dispelled rumors that she was in a relationship with Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, who has been her frequent visitor.

‘About Us But Not About Us’ sweeps 1st Summer Metro filmfest with 10 awards

QUEZON CITY “About

Us

But

Not About Us,” a psychological drama thriller starring Elijah Canlas and Romnick Sarmenta reigned supreme in the first ever summer edition of the etro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) after it bagged most of the awards, including the coveted Best Picture.

The drama thriller won First Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay for Jun Robles Lana, Best Actor for Sarmenta, and Canlas who was also up for Best Actor was awarded a Special Jury Prize.

The movie also took home the best cinematography, best production design, best editing, best sound, and best musical score awards during the Gabi ng Parangal awards night held at New Frontier Cinema in Araneta, Cubao, Quezon City.

“About Us But Not About Us” was earlier hailed Best Film in the Critics’ Pick Competition of the 26th Tallin Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia in November 2022.

The winners were chosen by a board of jurors led by Triangle of Sadness star and Golden Globe nominee Dolly De Leon.

Eight film entries were featured in the festival.

Palanca awardee Jun Robles Lana was recognized as best director, Romnick Sarmenta as best actor, while Elijah Canlas also received a special jury prize for his acting prowess in the film

“About Us But Not About Us” tells the story of a literature professor and his student revealing secrets and lies over a course of a meal.

The second best picture award went to JP Habac’s “Love You Long Time,” which also won the best oat award

Chris Martinez’s “Here Comes the

Groom” was the third best picture, with Keempee de Leon as best supporting ac-

tor and KaladKaren making history as the first trans woman to be named best supporting actress.

OPM icons meet in harmony, gird for concert

No animosity, just friendly banter, a lot of good-natured ribbing and great music.

That’s what happened when five of the most prominent voices in O came together for the first time for “The Class of OPM,” Malaya stated in a report.

It added this early, the concert is already a success as it has managed to bring together Philippine music industry’s legends like APO’s Boboy arovillo, Jim aredes, arco Sison, Rey Valera and Dulce.

At the intimate press con for the show at erry’s on orato Ave in ue on City last onday, differences were set aside the APO and Dulce being from opposite sides of the political spectrum to celebrate and uplift OPM.

“Nagsimula naman kami sama sama 1970s pa,” said Dulce.

“Lagi akong nagsusumbong dito, she added, tapping Jim’s arm Even dun sa isang story ko na prinoduce ng isang Christian community, part sya dun. Kasi sa may struggles na sya ‘yung kausap ko….

“Totoo nagsusumbong ako dito. We’re friends. During politics, hindi kami nagkakasama kasi may kanya kanya kamI.”

arco, who served as councilor of Binan and later board member in his native aguna, butted in, Ang politics 60 days lang pag national,

45 days pag local. After nyan, tapos na.”

Before being torn by their political leanings, they were bound by a common love for O

These hitmakers were churning hits while being at the forefront of the most magically creative time in O , inadvertently serving as ambassadors and bringing the Pinoy sound to the world.

Dulce, champion of many local and international music festivals, recalled how she sang “Ako ay Nasawi, Ako ay Nagwagi” in Tagalog to the consternation of some of those in the Philippine delegation at the Asian Songfest held in HongKong in 1979. She wanted to remain true to the Tagalog lyrics, as there was a clear difference to the English translation of the song. And – lo and beyond – she won the grand prize.

She also refused to record “Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin,” a Tagalog adaptation of a Japanese hit Even though composers had already predicted that it was going to be a big hit, Dulce said.

“Sabi ko hindi ako

pwedeng kumanta kasi it’s a Japanese song. Oo nga, mag hi-hit, pero kakalaunch lang nung Organisasyon ng PIlipinong Mang-aawit tapos sinusulong mo ang original [tapos mare-record ako ng Japanese song , she explained. “Ako naman, I don’t write songs, talagang interpreter ako so para sa akin, nakapag contribute ako ‘yung sariling akin. So that’s why I refused to record ‘Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin.’”

Dulce has also famously and stubbornly rejected suggestions that she alter her looks and get a nose job and correct her accent. The “Timeless Diva who is a staunch supporter of Visayan music only has this to say: “My accent is not a defect but my identity.”

There will always be something lost in translation, something different in the expression of emotions in the different languages, said Jim, who is considered a pillar of the OPM, but what is important is keeping the Filipino identity in telling our own story.

“Ang OPM is not afraid to be different from the rest of the world That’s the idea. That’s why you contribute because we’re different But ang mentality pa rin natin is, ano ba ang ginagawa sa America Stop asking that question! What’s happening to us, man hat’s what we should do. And we tell our story.”

“Kailangan medya sira ulo, to think outside the box,” said Rey in agreement, “Sila ‘yung mga taong

nag umpisa ng OPM talaga dahil kung maaalala nyo, before them, ang mga tugtugan, kailangan Matt onro ka ng ilipinas, om Jones ka ng Pilipinas, kailangan mayroon kang kinopoya para sumikat. And yet silang kaharap nyo ngayon, sila ang nagsabi ng hindi. Gagawa tayo ng sarili…

“Years later, nakita namin ang gusto silang mangyari. Tama, kung ano ang kaya ng Amerikano, kaya rin natin. Hindi man kami nagkausap kasi hindi kami magkakilala that time, nage-get ko ‘yung message saka action.

“Kaya ako, magiging songwriter, pero hindi ako magiging att onro ng ilipinas or om Jones ng Pilipinas, pipilitin kong magkaroon ng sariling identity

“Etong ‘The Class of OPM,’ masters degree na ngayon,” quipped Boboy.

Directed by Calvin urphy Neria, “The Class of OPM” happens at The Theater at Solaire on May 3 with special guests Andrea Gutierrez, Elisha and VR Caballero. The show’s musical director is Adonis abanda with Jake acud as scriptwriter.

It is a fund-raising project of the Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippine Region for underprivileged girls and women

The unique chance to enjoy superb voices and timeless music is made possible by Echo Jham Entertainment Production. (Malaya)

Boboy Garovillo, Jim Paredes, Dulce, Marco Sison and Rey Valera

Fil-Am Bamboo set for North America concert tour with KZ Tandingan

By Ro ert Requin�na

For the first time, apamilya artists amboo and andingan will embark together on an American and Canadian concert tour in April

t’s the first time we’re on a tour, said amboo, a Filipino American who migrated to San Francisco ay Area when he was 1 and whose real name is Francisco audencio ope elardo a alac, during a recent online media conference for the announcement of their North American concert tour

said that she’s honored to be part of the show in the US and Canada feel very excited ’m lucky to have been chosen to oin the tour with coach amboo Siguro if there’s something to expect from us, every time we go on stage, it’s always high energy, in our performance So yun na lang talaga ang kailangan nilang abangan when they go to our shows After watching wala na silang matitirang energy dahil ilalabas na namin lahat amboo and will kick off the show at the Enso Event Center in Vancouver, Canada, on April 1 Snoualmie Casino in Seattle, ashing-

ton, April 16 Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in alm Springs, California, April Hard Rock ive in Sacramento, California, April and Jefebet Event Center in as Vegas, Nevada, April 8 and take a lot of pride in our live shows At the end of the night, people were sweating hey were ust immersed in our shows hey didn’t feel like they were watching the show Furthermore, they feel like they’re part of the show, said amboo

And that’s something we both take pride in it e bring it every single night So ’m ust happy to be sharing this with as well

ba yung nagto-tour ka sa ibang bansa eh t’s a different time always call it a fox home arang you sort of spend the time together And that creates certain bonds that affect the playing of music as well he first gig is always the shakiest one ut when the ball starts rolling, an, it’s a beautiful thing So ’m excited, said the Filipino-American musician amboo also stated that the team will have no musical director when they go on tour in the US e’re going with my band So we don’t have a musical director t’s a collaborative team from our process

uckily enough, it’s a band that ’s familiar with as well e also share the same layers So we’re one big happy village, he said

Asked to describe as a singer, amboo said ust want to say she’s a true artist She has visions of what she wants hat’s the best think can say, he also said

Reacting to amboo’s statement, commented He’s a true icon He has paved the way for all local artists na gustong habulin yung pangarap namin sa music, especially the artists who don’t necessarily follow the mold for artists dito sa ilipinas So coach amboo paved the way for all of us hat it’s okay to be different and show who you truly are as an artist

Following the international concert tour, amboo and will return to their coaching roles in he Voice ids on A S-C N

e’re sort of in the middle of the process for he Voice ids , said amboo, adding that the show should go live when they get back to anila amboo and also shared their thoughts about the kids who auditioned in the current season of the reality show, together with coach artin Nievera

he results also proved that Filipino households prefer to watch FC shows as A S-C N dominates the op rankings Comscore data also showed that FC was the clear leader in terms of the number of households who watched their shows, , watching FC over the period 6 , ahead of the second running

he agship channel of A S-C N nternational, FC, has topped the competitive multicultural networks ranking for the period of January to February 6, according to Comscore data

FC shows occupied 1 spots in the op , including the rank 1 to 11, to beat rival platforms that also aired local shows in the United States

Unsurprisingly, Coco artin’s atang uaipo, the action-comedydrama series which ust premiered on February 1 , topped the list, followed by Richard utierre ’s he ron Heart

Recently concluded ars Ravelo’s Darna of Jane de eon and Janella Salvador placed third while revenge-drama show of Janine utierre Dirty inen took the fourth spot Rounding up the op list is V atrol lobal Edition

A inoy

Comscore V NationalSource Comscore V National, January -February 6, , Networks

FC, A inoy, Sony, AA A, and HNA

Even on weekdays, FC still garnered more viewers across dayparts than its rival his was also the same scenario on weekends, as the A SC N arm lorded over its competitors, based on Comscore numbers

A S-C N nternational signed a multi-year agreement in arch 1, which named Comscore as FC’s first third-party measurement provider

Under the agreement, FC gets access to Comscore’s best-in-class national V measurement to plan, transact and evaluate their audiences for programming analysis and in driving ad sales his partnership was recently renewed for another two years

41 of 50: TFC dominates multicultural networks ranking in US

FilAm Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel to join Miss U PHL coronation in May

By Claire Morales True

NEW YORK Another popular Filipino American celebrity is visiting the Philippines.

After award-winning actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens who did a documentary film, the first FilAm Miss Universe and Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel will plane in to join the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night on May 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

iss abriel’s visit was confirmed by iss Universe Philippines organizers led by Shamcey Supsup who said the FilAm beauty queen will be special guest of the event to be hosted by Alden Richards and Xian Lim.

Miss Gabriel was actually originally scheduled to visit anila last December, but the trip was re-scheduled.

Joining Lim and Richards as backstage hosts will be Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne and events organizer Tim Yap.

Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi will also be a special guest in the 2023 pageant of the Philippine franchise.

Filipino American “American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanche will be a guest performer, along with South orean singer Nam oo-Hyun, during the coronation night.

abriel, whose father is a Filipino from arlac, had said in an earlier interview that she can’t wait to meet her Filipino fans.

Actually, she admitted that she has been in the hilippines at least five or six times while still young

“I grew up going to the Philippines just as a child and ust going on a vacation there, and to actually be somewhat an inspiration to the people in the Philippines now is ama ing, the Filipino-American beauty ueen said in Houston, exas

Actually, will be visiting the hilippines soon in

ay, she said e’re gonna have a huge event there as iss Universe, so ’m really excited For all the Filipinos tuning in, cannot wait to meet you

“I was able to go growing up every couple of years for summer time, she told Nelson Canlas in another interview.

’m good to go back, would love to go back ’m hoping we can make it happen this year, she said

Gabriel also told Nelson Canlas she loves ensaymada.

love to introduce people to mamon or ensaymada, and I’m actually eating a lot of ensaymada. I ate seven on Saturday, she said with a laugh abriel was born in exas to a Filipino father and an American mother.

She was the 9th Miss Universe winner from the Unit-

ed States and was also the first Filipino-American to win the Miss USA title.

During the Miss Universe pageant held Jan. 14 in New Orleans in the state of ouisiana, abriel had Filipino designers Patrick Isorena and Rian Fernandez make her national costume and evening gowns, respectively

n another early interview, abriel disclosed that while she grew up in the US, her heart has always been Filipino, a trait instilled in her by her doctor father, Remigio on on R’ on abriel, whose name she inherited as well.

A fashion designer by profession, abriel is the first Filipino-American to be crowned Miss Universe and Miss USA. The US still holds the record with 22 uninterrupted placements from 1977 to 1998.

Cinema One spotlight: Daniel Padilla

Fall in love with Daniel Padilla as Cinema One features some of his box office hits this April

Catch the Kapamilya actor as he portrays happy-go-lucky Dos in Can’t Help Falling in ove 16 April , medical volunteer Kiko in Crazy Beautiful You (23 April) and bad boy heartthrob Kenji in She’s Dating the Gangster (30 April).

These will air on Cinema One’s Romance Central every Sunday at 5 p.m.

Aside from adilla’srom-com hits, Cinema One will also feature movies by Kim Chiu and Vic Sotto.

Witness the charms of Kim in Till My Heartache Ends 1 April , ast ense 18 April , ride For Rent 1 April , ’ve Fallen For ou April , and Eti uette For istresses 1 April , airing onday to Friday at p m

Fill your heart with laughter as Vic brings the best of comedy in Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity with Jake Cuenca April , Ang ange ong ag-ibig with aricel Soriano April , Jack Em opoy he uliscredibles with Coco artin 6 April , Enteng En okong with Janno ibbs April , and Enteng ng na o with Ai-Ai de las Alas 8 April , airing onday to Friday at p m

Cinema One is available on Cignal channel , S cable ch 6, Sat Direct V channel 8 , and other local cable service providers.

Aljur Abrenica, Kylie Padilla snub each other at Metro filmfest

Parade of Stars; actor admits marriage failed because he cheated

“Hindi ako nagkaroon ng time sa kanila, nung nagkaroon ako ng takot to provide. Nawalan ako ng oras, so nawala ‘yung relationship,” the actor said.

“Sobrang mahirap siya kasi hindi na talaga magwo-work. You come up to this (point) na I have to accept this. Hindi na talaga. Kasi ginawa ko na lahat, at siya rin, ginawa niya na lahat, in fairness. It’s mutual. Kaming dalawa,” he added.

hindi na kami magkasama, papadala ba ‘ko roon o tatanggapin ko na lang na ito ‘yung kaya ko pang gawin, ‘yun na lang gagawin ko,” he added, Elsewhere in the interview, he said it was adilla who suggested to fulfill their responsibilities to their two children but separately. “Ganyan ‘yung sabi ni Kylie, much better kung hindi kami magkasama ‘pag parenting.”

Asked what he wants to tell his kids, Abrenica said: “Ang daddy nila hindi perpekto, ang daddy nila nagkakamali pero gusto kong malaman nila na every moment of my life, I always give my hundred percent when it comes to making decisions, I’m doing my best, the best that I can give my life for you, sa mga anak ko.”

Actor Aljur Abrenica and his ex-wife Kylie Padilla had a brief near encounter during the Metro Manila Summer Film Festival Parade of Stars in Quezon but reports showed they did not talk to each other.

Abrenica and Padilla, daughter of Sen. Robinhood Padilla, stars in movies which are featured in the summer edition of the anila film fest Kylie Padilla stars in “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story” while Aljur Abrenica stars in “Single Bells, Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko: The usic of Rey Valera , both entries to the film festival.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN reported that after confirming his relationship with sexy star AJ Raval, Aljur Abrenica admitted that his marriage to Kylie Padilla failed because of his cheating.

Appearing on Toni Talks, Abrenica was asked directly by host Toni Gonzaga if the reason why the actor’s marriage fell apart was because he cheated.

Abrenica replied that it’s true. “Yeah, totoo naman, totoo naman ‘yun. On my part, oo. Inaadmit ko ‘yun, may pagkakamali ako.”

Abrenica tied the knot with Padilla in 2018, and their breakup was first confirmed by her father, Robin adilla, in July 1 hey have two children, Alas Joa uin and Axl Romeo

Even before this admission, Abrenica earlier in the interview confessed that he had committed mistakes before, including cheating on a girl.

“Binibigay ko talaga lahat. Anything that I can think of that could make her happy, ginagawa ko but still may mga pagkakamali ako noon kasi hindi pa ako ganoon ka-mature,” he said.

“Everything that you do is may kapalit at wala kang takas doon. Kahit ‘di man in the same way, pagbabayaran [mo]. Wala kang takas.”

At the same time, Abrenica also admitted he experienced being cheated on, although he did not mention names.

“Ang sakit, sobrang painful. It breaks you. Naalala ko na parang there’s no life. Wala ka nang buhay, hindi ka na magising nang maaga. Part of you dies eh.’Yung worth mo mawawala. It’s worse talaga,” he said.

Abrenica said that he tried his best to make his relationship with Padilla but he lost time for his family.

He added that his love for Padilla will not fade as they have two children whom they have to raise.

“Hindi na mawawala ‘yun. You can love a person naman from afar. ‘Yung pagmamahal kasi, hindi mo siya mako-convert and nanay siya, may pinagsamahan naman kami. It just so happened na hindi na talaga sa ngayon,” Abrenica said.

Even though na I have to accept na talagang hindi na kami magkasama ng ex-wife ko. Ang mangyayari kasi, I have to be the best of myself. I have to accept na hindi na kami magkasama kasi ang iisipin ko ba, maglulugmok ba ‘ko roon,

“Kahit mali ‘yung mga naging desisyon, I did my best. Constant na ‘yung Papa ninyo. Hindi siya magiging stagnant. I would always be better, be the hero you can look up to pero hindi ako perpekto,” he said.

Raval and Abrenica, who co-starred in a 2021 film, first sparked romantic rumors when they were spotted together on an apparent date in October that year.

At the time, Raval denied she was a third party in the breakup of Abrenica and Padilla.

Padilla also cleared Raval’s name, saying she and Abrenica had been separated as early as April 2021.

Raval and with Abrenica finally confirmed their relationship last February. (ABS-CBN)

Los Angeles County celebrates Fair Housing Month

LOS ANGELES – Each year during the month of April, the nation celebrates the rights granted under the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title VIII (Act), which guarantees the right to equal housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, families with children, persons with disabilities, and national origin. It also includes requirements that reasonable accommodations be made for persons with disabilities.

This year marks the 54th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, and the County of Los Angeles (County) is committed to upholding the rights the Act guarantees for all residents and remains dedicated to promoting activities that affirmatively further the goal of fair housing.

he County’s fair housing efforts are administered through the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). In the past Fiscal Year, over 2,600 households were provided fair housing assistance, 1,477 social media and 35 radio/TV/print media events were conducted, and approximately 450 trainings, workshops, community meetings, walk-in clinics, and other special events were held throughout Los Angeles County to increase public awareness of this important issue and educate the public on resources available to individuals and families who may need assistance.

The LACDA has also worked with communities, stakeholders, the Housing Rights Center, and local governments to advance the goals and actions identified in the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for 2018 – 2023, which address identified impediments related to segregation, racial or ethnic concentrated areas of poverty, disparities in access to opportunity (such as employment, education, healthy neighborhoods, and transportation), disproportionate housing needs, and housing discrimination.

Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director, said, “Los Angeles County remains committed to protecting the values of the

Fair Housing Act and ensuring that County residents receive fair and equal treatment in housing. We are dedicated to uplifting our goals to enforce and promote the understanding and knowledge of fair housing and American with Disabilities Act laws; promote healthy and viable communities in racial and ethnic concentrated areas of poverty; enhance accessible housing and supportive services to persons with disabilities; and coordinate with other agencies’ plans and programs to address impediments affecting fair housing choice

hrough these efforts, the ACDA continues to strive toward the goal of furthering fair housing and ensuring that all residents are afforded the opportunity to live in a home that brings them to their fullest potential.

For more information on LACDA housing programs, please visit www.lacda.org or call (626) 262-4511. All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, LACDA Public Information Officer, at 6 6 86-1 6

Should I get an Equity Line of Credit or do a Refinance Cash Out Loan

If you’re interested in borrowing against your home’s available equity, you have limited good choices. One option would be to refinance and get cash out. Another option would be to take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Here are some of the key differences between a cash-out refinance and a home equity line of credit in today’s market:

Loan terms

Cash-out refinance pays

off you’re existing first mortgage his results in a new mortgage loan which may have different terms than your original loan meaning you may have a different type of loan and or a different interest rate as well as a longer or shorter time for paying off your loan t will result in a new payment amortization schedule, which shows the monthly payments you need to make to pay off the mortgage principal and interest by the end of the loan term. What plays a huge factor in your decision making should be what is the current rate you are paying compared to the new rate you would be taking out. ost of the homeowners who refinanced a few years ago should be carrying a rate below on their existing loan A cash out refinance best scenario rate today would be around 6% for 30 years and about a 5.5% for a 15-year loan, no APR quoted, and rates may change without notice.

Therefore, if you have a $300K loan and you are currently at 3% rate, to take out 1 you would have to refi your rate and push your rate up to 6%. Quick math would mean the current payment of interest monthly would go up from $750.00 to $1500.00. And your new 400K mortgage payment would be around $2400.00 without taxes and insurance. That is a serious discussion that I would like you to consider, I personally would look for other alternatives.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) is usually taken out in addition to your existing first mortgage t is considered a second mortgage and will have its own term and repayment schedule separate from your first mortgage However, if your house is completely paid for and you have no mortgage, some lenders allow you to open a home e uity line of credit in the first lien position, meaning the HEOC will be your first mortgage

Compared to the scenario previously mentioned, if you would just take out a HELOC loan now at $100K, your rate that is tied to Bank Prime plus about 2.25% margin would be in the 9.25% range. Therefore, your additional payment would be around 770.00 per month if you take out the entire loan. Otherwise you only pay for the interest charged on the amount withdrawn.

How you receive your funds

Cash-out refinance gives you a lump sum when you close your refinance loan he loan proceeds are first used to pay off your existing mortgage(s), including closing costs and any prepaid items (for example real estate taxes or homeowners’ insurance); any remaining funds are paid to you.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets you withdraw from your available line of credit as needed during your draw period, typically 10 years. During this time, you’ll make monthly payments that include principal and interest. After the draw period ends, the repayment period begins: You’re no longer able to withdraw your funds and you continue repayment. You have 20 years to repay the outstanding balance.

Interest rates

Cash-out refinance is available through either a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage. Your lender can provide information about fixed-rate and ad ustable-rate mortgage options so you can decide which one best fits your situation

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) has an interest rate that’s variable and changes in conjunction with an index, typically the U.S. Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal. Your interest rate will increase or decrease when the index increases or decreases. our lender may also offer you a fixed-rate loan option that would allow you to convert all or just a portion of the outstanding variable rate balance to a fixed-rate loan ank of America home e uity lines of credit include this fixed-rate conversion option

Closing costs

Cash-out refinance incurs closing costs like your original mortgage.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) usually has no (or relatively small) closing costs.

Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-5087048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net Based on your personal situation and financial needs, we can provide the information you need to help you choose the best option for your specific financial situation. CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

Marlon Tapales downs foe, is boxing world champ again

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Philippines has another boxing world champion.

This as Filipino Marlon Tapales became a world champion again after stunning previously unbeaten Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan in their World Boxing Association-International Boxing Federation

A- F unified 1 -pound battle at Boeing Center in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday (Philippine time), April 9,

Tapales survived Akhmadaliev’s late push to join Dave Apolinario and Melvin Jerusalem as the Philippines’ current world champions.

Tapales took advantage of Akhmadaliev’s slow start and landed the cleaner shots in the first half of

the 12-round super bantamweight encounter.

Akhmadaliev, who is coming off a hand injury, found his rhythm late in the match and even came close to going clutch when he staggered Tapales early into Round 12 that nearly knocked the latter down.

Javier Alvarez scored the bout 118-110 for Akhmadaliev, but Sergio Caiz and Roberto Torres had it 115113 for Tapales.

The 31-year-old Tapales, who won the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title in 2016, moved up to 37-3 win-loss while giving Akhmadaliev his first loss after beginning his professional career with 11 straight victories, including eight knockouts.

9 Pinoy weightlifters to compete in Cambodia SEA Games

Federation (IWF) Youth World Championships in Durres, Albania last week.

She won three medals at the 2022 Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She got the gold medal in snatch with a record lift of 62kgs, erasing the Asian Youth and World Youth records of 61kgs set in 2018. She grabbed the silver medal in clean and jerk (72kgs) and got another gold medal in total (134kgs).

MANILA – Olympian Elreen Ann Ando will lead nine other Filipino weightlifters in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia next month.

Ando, who competed in the women’s 64kg category at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and got the silver medal in the same category during the Vietnam SEA Games last year, will see action in the 59kg category.

Also joining the trip are defending champion Vanessa Sarno (women’s 71kg), Kristel Macrohon (women’s +71kg), Angeline Colonia (women’s 45kg), Lovely Inan (women’s 49kg), Rosalinda Faustino (women’s 55kg), John Febuar Ceniza (men’s 61kg), Dave Lloyd Pacaldo (men’s 67kg) and John Dexter Tabique (men’s

89kg).

Accompanying the nine athletes are coaches Antonio Agustin Jr., Samuel Alegada, Edmundo Jose Cardano and Diwa Delos Santos, and Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SWP) President Monico Puentevella, who will serve as head of delegation.

“We’ll do okay in Cambodia,” said Puentevella.

The team will leave on May 11. The weightlifting competition will be held from May 13 to 16 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. Colonia, the youngest sibling of 2016 Rio Olympian Nestor Colonia, and Faustino won one gold and one silver medal each at the International Weightlifting

Sarno won two gold medals and one silver medal, Ando got two silver medals and one bronze medal, while Macrohon pocketed two bronze medals at the 2021 Asian Championships also held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In 2020, Sarno won three gold medals in the online International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth World Cup hosted by Lima, Peru.

At the 2019 Manila SEA Games, Macrohon (71kg) won the gold medal while

Ando (64kg) and Ceniza (55kg) got the silver medal. (Jean Malanum/PNA)

Community Leaders Honored for Making Change Happen at the Grassroots

By Peter White

Above: All of Us or None Co-founder Dorsey Nunn, rilliant Corners Chief rogram Officer Chris Contreras, and One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman he three are among six winners of the James Irvine Foundation 2023 Leadership Awards

hey imagined a world that didn’t exist yet and went about building it hat was the common theme from three community organi ers whose work proves that change really can happen through grassroots efforts, despite gridlocked legislatures, polari ed politics and economic uncertainty.

he three organi ers, among six who recently received the James Irvine Foundation eadership Awards, spoke on Ethnic edia Services’ weekly national news briefing last week

Criminal justice reform

Dorsey Nunn runs Legal Services for risoners with Children and co-founded a parallel non-profit, All of Us or None

A criminal ustice reformer who set up a small nonprofit for people like himself who are or were formerly incarcerated to fight for prisoner rights, Nunn operates a staff of people, including four attorneys, as well as a network of chapters across the US.

His organization spearheaded the an the ox campaign that has stopped questions about conviction history from public employment applications in 50 cities in 35 states.

e are building a powerful political movement to win full restoration of our human and civil rights, Nunn said

Honest conversations about discrimination need to be about why it doesn’t stop once someone leaves prison. “When is my penalty up Nunn asked

“People can only see us as a liability; they have yet to see us as an asset. At what point can we actually demonstrate that you can’t lock up million people without locking up brilliance, without throwing away a lot of people

Nunn added that the transformation in perception has to occur among people who are themselves incarcerated he greatest victory for me is when formerly incarcerated people show up and recognize that they got something to actually do to change not only their life, but to change how society functions

’m a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. At this point none of

my kids have been to prison, and inter-

“We are seeing a really historic mo-

Angeles.

“California accounts for about one third of the entire U.S. homeless population At last count, over 1 , Californians are unhoused with at least 6 , living in Los Angeles County on any given night, Contreras said e operate the os Angeles Flexible Housing Subsidy ool, or Flex for short, which is a nationally recogni ed supportive housing model that helps thousands of people exit homelessness each year, Contreras said. The program launched in 1 as a public-private partnership with rental subsidies and case management services.

rupted that process because was at home to take care of them, he said

Improving conditions for service workers

Saru Jayaraman is the President of One Fair Wage and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, erkeley She started a national movement of restaurant workers, employers, and consumers after -11

Jayaraman was a young lawyer in

1 when she started organi ing workers who lost their obs and the families of the victims from indows on the orld, the restaurant at the top of the World rade Center ower

On that morning workers died, and workers lost their obs, she said Since -11 Jayaraman has been fighting to raise wages and improve working conditions in the restaurant industry. She says a ma ority of restaurant workers in the U.S. are immigrants. Seventy percent are women of color

e grew into a national organi ation with , workers in all states and our fight expanded beyond restaurant workers to include all service workers

hat includes anybody who is tipped like nail salon employees, car washers, hair stylists, or people who push wheelchairs in airports.

All of those folks are tipped workers receiving a sub-minimum wage, she said.

any gig workers are impacted by these issues as well She said gig companies like DoorDash and nstacart cut wages by the amount customers tip in effect, stealing workers tips

ment of worker revolt, in which low-wage workers across the economy, and particularly in the restaurant industry, are for the first time refusing to work for these poverty wages, Jayaraman said

She says the restaurant industry has been one of the largest and fastest growing private sector employers in California and the United States for decades.

ut it’s been the absolute, lowest paying employer for generations dating back to emancipation when the sub minimum wage for tipped workers was created, she said

Recently, ballot measures and bills to raise the minimum wage to 1 hr have moved through legislatures in 1 states Even red states like Ari ona, daho and Ohio are having this on the ballot next year

ackling homelessness in A

Chris Contreras is working miracles in the incredibly shrinking world of affordable housing in one of the nation’s largest epicenters of homelessness. He is the development director of rilliant Corners, a housing services non-profit based in os

The L.A. housing crisis disproportionately affects communities of color lack Angelinos make up 8 of A ’s population but account for more than of its homeless individuals, Contreras says e also have seen a 6 rise in atino homelessness, meaning that atinos now make up of A County homeless

The solution to chronic homelessness lies in coordinating resources from a number of stakeholders owners, builders, the criminal ustice system, and healthcare systems, as well as rental subsidies, either from federal or local funding, Contreras said ith that support, his program taps dedicated professionals who build relationships with landlords and developers to secure existing and new units, as well as dedicated housing services and case management services to support an individual’s transition to long term stability in their new home rilliant Corners creates a pool of housing units that can be matched uickly to any client experiencing homelessness. It saves landlords the trouble of advertising a vacancy by paying them two months’ rent in advance o date, the Flex has sponsored relationships with more than 1,1 of these so-called scatteredsite landlords.

Social Security Update

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE DURING FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH

By G. Samson ocial ecurit u lic ffairs ecialist in the a rea

April is Financial Literacy Month. Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. . Our online tools can help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future.

You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www ssa gov myaccount. Your Statement is an easyto-read summary of the estimated benefits you and your family could receive, including potential retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits

Our Plan for Retirement tool in your personal my Social Security account allows you to check various benefit estimate scenarios. You can compare how different future earnings and retirement benefit start-dates might affect your future benefit amount.

Please tell your friends and family about the steps they can take to improve their financial knowledge by exploring their personal my Social Security account. If they don’t have an account, they can easily create one at www ssa gov myaccount

Above: All of Us or None Co-founder Dorsey Nunn, Brilliant Corners Chief Program O cer Chris Contreras, and One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman. The three are among si winners of the James Irvine Founda�on 2023 Leadership Awards.

National Asian acific Center

On Aging NA CA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the uality of life of AANH older adults and their families. We operate a NA CA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers which is available in five different languages. In this column, we want to share some of the important uestions we received from readers. Hope you will find them useful

1 y husband is turning 6 soon and he is still working. He and I are covered by his employer’s medical insurance He does not have working quarter credits yet. Do we still need to join Medicare?

Most people sign up for both Medicare Part A and Part B when they turn 6 However, if they do not have more than working credits that allow them to get premium-free art A, they must pay 8credits or 6 less than credits per month.

If your husband’s employer has more than employees and employer-sponsored insurance is creditable”, he may delay signing up for Medicare until he stops working or loses the current employer coverage whichever comes first He will not pay a penalty for delaying enrollment.

hether delaying edicare or enrolling in Medicare, he should check his coverage policy with his employer before making his decision.

Q2. What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits

ou can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than FRA (Full Retirement Age which is between 6 and 6 depending on the year you were born) and make more than the yearly earnings limit, your benefit will be reduced f

KNOW YOUR CREDIT BILL OF RIGHTS

you are younger than FRA during all of , Social Security Administration deducts 1 from your benefits for each you earn above 1, f you turn FRA during , your benefit is deducted 1 for each you earn above 6, before your birth month. Starting with the month you reach FRA, your benefits will not be reduced no matter how much you earn.

Should pay taxes on Social Security benefits when work while receiving retirement benefits

Some people must pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits his usually happens only if you have other substantial income in addition to your benefits he portion of benefits that are taxable depends on your CO NED NCO E and filing status

f you file as an individual

1 you pay no tax on your benefits when your combined income is below

, , you pay taxes on of your benefits when your combined income is between , and , , you pay taxes on 8 of your benefits when your combined income is more than ,

f you file as a oint return

1 you pay no tax on your benefits when you and your spouse have combined income below , , you pay taxes on of your benefits when you and your spouse have combined income between , and , , you pay taxes on 8 of your benefits when you and your spouse have combined income more than , CO NED NCO E our ad usted gross income Nontaxable interest of your Social Security benefits have been a legal perma-

nent resident for over 1 years y husband worked at a job during all those years. I did not work because he wanted me to stay at home and raise our three children. Last year my husband divorced me. My children are grown so he does not have to pay me anything. Am I eligible for Social Security or Medicare?

Yes, as a divorced spouse you are entitled to premium-free edicare Part A and collect Social Security enefits based on your husband’s work credits f you have been married for over 10 years and remain unmarried after being divorced, you can apply for Social Security enefits when you turn 6 and premium-free edicare art A when you turn 6 am over and it has been ust over years since received permanent resident status Now am ualified to sign up for edicare and I found that I must pay high monthly premiums because of the lack of Social Security working credits, but I cannot afford it Should still sign up for Medicare or can I keep my current individual plan that I got through the Health Insurance Marketplace?

f you are not eligible for premium-free art A and are not enrolled in Medicare yet, you can keep your current individual Marketplace plan and premium tax credit benefits However, if you choose to enroll in edicare art A and or art later, you will have to wait to sign up and you may have to pay late enrollment penalties.

Depending on your state’s income and asset limit, you may be eligible for edicare Savings rogram (MSP), which can help you pay edicare part A part premiums

To be eligible for MSP, you must enroll in Medicare. Please check your eligibility with the edicaid office in your state.

With years of experience being a Financial Advocate together with our group of real estate companies (Division Capital, Inc and Providence Realty Mortgage, Inc.) CRP was able to help numerous clients who were declined and disapproved on their home and business loans due to credit problems or low Fico Scores. Therefore credit worthiness plays a very important role in buying a home, refinance for debt consolidation. The higher the Fico Score the lower the interest rates.

CR usiness ortgage Solutions, nc offers and provide Credit Enhancement rogram Credit Repair utiliing the Fair Credit Report Act a Federal Law that legally removes any negative or erroneous reports like: Late Dates, Charge Off, Collections, ankruptcy that were reported by the creditors. Deletions of negative reports improve the credit ratings of our clients, meaning they are fortunate and successful buying their dream homes and refinance debt consolidation.

CRP has proofs from the three credit agencies namely: Experian, ransunion, and E uifax that this credit enhancement really works, also offers Free credit enhancement credit repair program for first time home buyers who are financially capable f for any reasons that CR is unable to delete negative or erroneous reports, 100% of the unused fees will be refunded only applicable to those clients who are buying or refinance their homes

elow are the list of items or requirements to qualify a home buyer:

ood ncome with years employment, ood Credit History, Funds for Down Payment Closing Cost.

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Papan Bill to Regulate Peer to Peer Car Rental Services

Assem ly Bill 8 3

SAN A EO oday, Assembly ill 8 , a bill to require peer to peer car rental companies to adhere to re uirements related to airport operations, the collection of fees on rental transactions and the collection of the state tourism assessment fee, was approved by the Assembly Committee on the Judiciary.

Assembly ill 8 will ensure that vehicles rented through third party platforms similarly pay local and state fees that support vital public services, placing the peer to peer platforms on a level playing field with traditional car rental services. These include local levies such as those imposed in San Mateo County that help address local needs and fees supporting the California Office of ourism which markets California as a destination, helping to attract billions of dollars in spending by visitors.

“Many industries and public agencies that provide

Approved y Assem ly Commi�ee on the Judiciary

vital public services are in part supported and benefit from car rental fees,” said Papan. “Peer to Peer car rental services represent a dynamic innovation in the market but can no longer operate without paying their fair share like traditional car rental operators do.”

In the rental vehicle space, personal vehicle sharing programs peer-to-peer and ride sharing platforms have become an avenue for private individuals to rent vehicles to consumers in the State of California. However, California law currently does not regulate personal vehicle sharing programs in the same manner it regulates rental car companies. Assembly ill 8 will re uire peer to peer services to simply meet the same standard as all other vehicle rental services.

ost tourism serving services including accommodations, restaurants and some retail services,

transportation and travel services and many attractions are all required to collect such fees for the benefi t of the tourism industry in California he California ourism arketing Act of 1 enabled the state’s tourism industry to assess itself to conduct statewide marketing n 1 8, the industry supported the fi rst industrywide referendum, creating the Tourism Assessment Program and establishing the California Travel and Tourism Commission as the fi rst-of-its-kind destination marketing organi ation in the nation.

Every Californian benefi ts from dollars spent within our State, said apan eer to peer providers should similarly contribute as, like with traditional car rental companies, the business benefi t is derived in part from the tourism promotion provided by the State and local governments.”

PMSNC to hold 51st anniversary inaugural ball on May 20

THE Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) will hold its 51st Anniversary Inaugural Ball on May 20, 2023 at the Hilton Oakland Airport Hotel (1 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621).

he SNC is a 1c organi ation nonprofit, tax exempt) that holds medical missions to the Philippines, provides scholarships to deserving students and arranges community outreach events for Filipino Americans in the Bay Area region.

Just in January 2023, the PSMNC marked a return to its medical mission activity since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with a visit to the province of Pangasinan where participating practitioners saw more than 6,000 patients who received a range of services, including outpatient medicine, surgery, dental, health education, diagnostic imaging and medications.

Back in October 2022, a PSMNC outreach program was held in San Jose that provided education on a variety of medical/health topics. Blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol screenings were also performed.

he current set of officers for the SNC are Dr Narciso Thad Padua, president; Dr. Mark Gonzalgo, president-elect; Dr. Ria San Valentin Calinga, immediate past president; Dr. Teresita Degamo, recording secretary; Dr. Rosemarie Padua, corresponding secretary; Dr. Mary Ann Fernandez, treasurer; Dr et Ca ator, public relations officer regional vice presidents Dr. Augusta Valera Jr. (San Francisco/San Mateo), Dr. Donna Tigno (Alameda/Contra Costa), Dr. Luigi Borrillo (San Jose/Santa Clara), Dr. Jill Tiongco (Monterey/Napa/Solano/SLO); and regional board representatives Dr. Carmelo Roco (San Francisco/San Mateo), Dr. Albert Retodo (Alameda/Contra Costa), Dr. Judy del Mundo (San Jose/Santa Clara) and Dr. Cecille Loleng (Monterey/Napa/Solano/SLO).

For the 2023 Gala, Bernadette Roco, RN, is chair of the gala committee, while Dr. Carmencita Agcaoili is co-chair and Dr. Sheila Gonzalgo is the event coordinator.

S NC gala committee officials and organi ation officers

are currently inviting companies and individuals to become a sponsor at the gala, or to donate to the PSMNC so that it can continue to fund scholarships and schedule its medical mission and community outreach. For more information (including COVID protocols), to sponsor/donate, and/or to RSVP to the gala online, go to www.pmsnc.org.

The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California con�ngent who recently par�cipated in a medical mission to Pangasinan province in the Philippines at the Rizal Park/Luneta in Manila.

Residents of Santa Bar ara, Pangasinan line up to avail of free medical services provided y PMSNC mem ers during the organiza�on’s January 2023 medical mission.

A PMSNC volunteer doctor performs surgery on one of the pa�ents during the medical mission.

Dr. Carmelo Roco, who specializes in internal medicine, sees a pa�ent during the medical mission in Santa Bar ara, Pangasinan.

Upside...

Francisco and was ordained a deacon in 1999. Helping people brought him joy and purpose. He served at several parishes in the Archdiocese including Holy Angels Church in Colma, Good Shepherd Church in acifica and St. Anthony Church in San Francisco, before his designation at St. Andrew.

Deacon Tony is survived by his widow Rosie, their son Ronald and grandchildren Arron and Kim of South San Francisco, and Valerie of Las Vegas, and stepgrandson Michael of Las Vegas; his sisters and surviving brother: Leticia P. Calleja of Alexandria, Va.; Dulce P. Casaclang of Makati City, Philippines; Gloria of New York City.; Bettina P. Mapa-Anglin of Victoria, B.C., and Roberto of Edmonton, Alta., their spouses and their children. He is predeceased by his younger brother Silvestre

Deacon Tony Paulino

Aug 1 , 1 3 April , 2023

California Will Review Eligibility for 15 Million MediCal Enrollees April 12, 2023 News Briefing Presented by Ethnic Media Services, California Black Media And the California Department of Health Care Services

(From Page 11)

Jr. of Edmonton, Alta.

A memorial service will be held at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary in Daly City 5 pm - pm, Friday, April 14, 2023. Holy Mass will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, April 15, 2023, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Daly City. Reception will follow immediately at Piro Hall across the church. There will be no burial service. May Deacon Tony forever rest in peace with the Lord and be remembered by all those whose lives he touched.

***

PNews Executive Editor Cherie M. Querol Moreno is Founder-Executive Director of ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment, Program Manager of Peninsula Family Service Got Wheels! Program and a Commissioner with the San Mateo County Commission on Aging.

SAN FRANCISCO, California California has begun the process of reviewing more than 15 million residents eligibility to continue MediCal coverage, a process known as the “great unwinding.” It is critical that enrollees watch out for notifications from their local ediCal offices f the envelopes are yellow, they need to provide more information and must respond right away to keep their coverage.

Enrollees are at risk of getting disenrolled if they do not respond or because of administrative barriers, such as local MediCal offices not having their current contact information.

At a joint Ethnic Media Services/California lack edia news briefing April 12, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, speakers broke down the steps involved in the redetermination process, who is at risk for being disenrolled, what people can do to get ready, and how to get information in 19 languages on the DHCS website.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

Yingjia Huang, Assistant Deputy Director, Department of Health Care Services

Because of the pandemic, federal rules stopped all the annual eligibility processing, which is part of the normal medical renewals process, or the procedures to continue your MediCal for every year. So the pandemic stopped all the annual processing. Three years later, we are beginning the process again.

We will need updated information from our MediCal members during this time. Specifically, we need our members to update their addresses, their phone numbers, and their email addresses. The easiest way to do this is online.

Not everyone will be redetermined at the same time. All our members will actually have different medical renewal months And so depending on the renewal month, they may potentially get auto renewed and they will get a letter in the mail from their local medical county office stating “congratulations, your medical has been renewed for one year. “Or if they are not renewed automatically, what’s going to happen is the local ediCal office will need to send out a packet in the mail and the packet will come in a yellow envelope.

And this is critical that you return it by the due date. If that’s not completed by the due date, there is a possibility that you will lose coverage from MediCal.

If you are not eligible for MediCal, because you may have made more money over the course of the pandemic, the county will automatically send your information to Covered California, which is the state’s exchange for you to purchase insurance with a premium tax credit. That process is automatic. Covered California will automatically take your case and they will review all the income, making sure your information is accurate, and to connect you to a plan for

you to choose and make a plan and plan selection.

Mayra Alvarez, Executive Director, Children’s Partnership

We are here today because we need to help families keep their coverage, keep their children’s, keep their own MediCal coverage. As we come out of this public health emergency, health insurance coverage and access to care is essential for everyone to be healthy and to thrive, particularly during this pandemic, which has also exacerbated mental health issues for children and youth across the state.

15 million Californians depend on MediCal for the security of health insurance coverage, including 5.7 million children. Over half of all of our kids in California depend on MediCal. Overwhelmingly, the people that are enrolled in MediCal are people of color. In fact, almost 70% of children enrolled in MediCal are children of color. It is a lifeline for so many in our communities, and it’s a program that continues to be available for the millions enrolled.

Even before the pandemic, long standing, structurally racist policies and practice have created an environment where families of color experience significantly greater degrees of instability. Instability in employment, instability in income, instability in housing. These economic and housing conditions actually heighten the risk of disruptions in health coverage and in doing so, eliminates the security that comes with having health insurance coverage.

We’ve heard through multiple analyses at the federal level that have found children Latinx communities are more likely to lose coverage because of procedural issues and administrative barriers, not because they’re no longer eligible.

Maria Romero Mora, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, California Department of Health Care Services ocal ediCal offices are there to support the MediCal member to determine their eligibility. Individuals need to contact their plans and learn to navigate that system if they don’t know how to do it. And there’s a lot of support online. The Navigators are supporting families hand in hand to walk them through that process he local offices are there to receive those calls or in person with the eligibility piece to make sure that that individual doesn’t lose their coverage.

Anybody, regardless of their immigration status, regardless of their income, can apply for MediCal. I started working with children that were undocumented to enroll them into emergency medical in a local health plan. That was 15 years ago, and we’re in a much better position.

2024 is around the corner, and everybody will be able to apply for health coverage and get the basic benefits to ust be able to go and see a doctor and do their checkups. So we have come a long way and we’re moving ahead.

A�y. Chris Caday Lozano successfully represented Menchu Esco ar to o tain a green card from USCIS

(From Page 13)

Offlineplomacy where they donate large sums whenever a catastrophe strikes, or plunk in some money for infrastructure projects, but all these acts do not give them the right to bully the Philippines, especially our fisherfolk

As this is being written, China has been holding a theoretical invasion of Taiwan, and have sent ships and planes over Taiwanese waters and air space heir version of a military exercise is as blatant a threat as can be imagined

In return, US and Philippine forces are having their regular alikatan exercises, and this year will be the biggest yet Some 17,000 soldiers from both sides will take part in the military maneuvers, which will include use of live firearms

Take that, Xi Jinping!

I guess Ambassador Romualdez must be smiling in his sleep these days At the very least he was able to express what millions of Filipinos are thinking

am by no means a fan of Ambassador Romualde et’s ust say that I have witnessed how he has stepped up from his early days as a wannabe newscaster hat career was wrecked by the Edsa Revolt, and he did what he had to do to survive

Somewhere along the way, he seems to have put up a R firm of some kind

If he is reading this, he may want to know that I once worked for a Dubai-based newspaper called Gulf News, which set up a Manila office He became uite chummy with a rit who handled its local operations And that’s all will say about that

ater, he either hired or befriended a R practitioner, whom knew hat lady occasionally sent me releases of Romualde , and lo and behold he had shortened his already short nickname of Babes to simply abe

Nothing wrong with that, as an ambassador named Babes just wouldn’t cut it

The guy knew how to be in the right place at the right time, and before I or anyone knew it, he was suddenly appointed by Rodrigo Duterte as ambassador to the US Not much could say but bully for him

I have met a few ambassadors, and a good friend was even named ambassador to an Eastern European state His name was Andy and he was a great guy, od rest his soul

As far as I can tell, Babe Romualdez has performed credibly enough while handling one of the most important diplomatic posts for the country o be clear, ’ve never met him face-to-face, and cannot say that ’m a rah-rah boy if his ut congratulations are in order for his speaking out against China, which is no friend of the Philippines in my book

Will I praise him again? I doubt it, but who knows? As long as I believe he speaks without forked tongue, he will get either one or two thumbs up from me somewhere down the road

Got it, Babes?

As I See It

(From Page 12)

said the same thing n an interview, he said he reason why Asian Americans are easy prey is because they are reserved, very uiet, law-abiding citi ens, and seldom go out in the community and mingle with others

Chu said they need to make their presence felt in the community, they need to be brave enough to report to the police or to the authorities if they are mistreated or bullied and have to testify if needed

In his years of public service, Chu observed lots of Asians shy away from controversies and are afraid to come out when bullied or so think we need to mobili e social media to encourage them to go out and to show their presence in the community Also, during elections, I observed that they are not studying the credentials and ualities of the candidates they are voting for hey need to scrutini e their ualifications, spend their time to know their candidates, and vote for the candidates who are worthy of serving the community, Chu commented

Obviously, Chu is saying that, to avoid being prey, Asians need to show their presence in the community, be vigilant, concerned with what’s going on in the area, and connect with their officials and leaders in the community hey need to assert their rights and be more courageous enough to report incidents of injustice or personal physical in uries they incurred as victims hey need to be assertive and brave for any injustices… not remain silent or reluctant to report a crime to the police… they need to come out in the open think that’s the reason why statistics do not show the whole picture because not everyone reports the incidents

According to a study released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in the Office of Justice Programs, U S Department of Justice, the nation’s

Asian, Native Hawaiians and other acific slander population had the lowest rates of violent and property victimizations among all racial and ethnic groups between and 6

Among Asians referring to Native Hawaiians, other acific slanders, and persons having origin in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent), the average annual rate of nonfatal violent victimi ation including rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault) was about 11 per 1,000 persons age 1 or older, compared to per 1, among non-Asians he average annual rate of property victimization (including household burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft) among Asian households was 115 per 1,000 households, compared to 162 per 1,000 nonAsian households

The report further said Asians were victims in 340 homicides during 6 or about two percent of all murders in that year Asian homicide victims were typically male or age or younger Nearly 3 in Asian homicide victims were males, and about half of all Asian homicide victims were age or younger

Most nonfatal violent crimes against Asians were committed by strangers, the report said An estimated percent of violent crimes against Asian males (compared to 59 percent for non-Asian males) were committed by strangers About half of violent crimes against Asian females were committed by strangers, compared to 34 percent for non-Asian females

As to the percentage of violent crime committed by intimate partners (current or former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends, including same-sex relationships against Asian females 1 percent was lower than that for non-Asian females percent

Offenses measured in the study include those reported to police as well as those that went unreported About half of all nonfatal violent crimes against Asian victims were reported to police, a percentage similar to that of whites and Hispanics About percent of property crimes against Asian households were reported to the police, which was the same percentage found for white, black, and Hispanic households Data based on JS’s National Crime Victimi ation Survey and the F ’s Uniform Crime Reporting rogram’s Supplementary Homicide Reports

Fellow Americans, in the light of all the reports and latest developments, let’s be vigilant, let us assert our rights and let’s come out in the open Just like a thief in the night, we don’t know when they will strike!

(ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.)

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12)

and help in the notarization and apostille follow up of documents needed in the Philippines and the other member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention, ust write or call O E S N N SERV CES, adrid Street, San Francisco, CA 11 el 6 8- 1 or 1 8 - or email artmadlaing hotmail com (ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is the founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESSFOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA. )

In My Heart

meet

(From Page 12)

almost throughout the year in the United States he

A EC Secretariat reported that the first meeting of Senior Officials was held in alm Springs last February 1 to 8 n ay, they will meet again in Detroit, Michigan for the Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting and other related meetings, including a gathering of transportation ministers that Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will host and a trade ministers meeting to be hosted by U S rade Representative atherine ai heir final preparatory meetings will be staged in Seattle in August and September highlighted by six ministerial meetings which will look at ways to enhance cooperation and opportunities among member countries in areas such as women in the economy, small and medium enterprises, energy, health, food security, climate resilience and more

Finaly, the political leaders of each member economy will come together in November for the annual A EC eaders Summit and Economic eaders’ eek gatherings where the leaders of some of the world’s largest companies will also meet at the A EC CEO Summit

he A EC conference has for its theme Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” Organizers said it will align with the utra aya Vision’s three drivers of inclusive growth trade and investment, innovation and digitalization; and strong, balanced, secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth – and will help us move towards implementation of the Aotearoa Plan of Action and the angkok goals

U S officials had identified its priorities for A EC n a briefing in ashington D C , U S Senior Official for A EC att urray said the conference theme underscores the United States’ enduring commitment to broad-based economic growth in the Asiaacific region heir three priorities are interconnected, innovative, and inclusive hus, the first priority is building a resilient and interconnected region that advances broadbased economic prosperity, said urray e believe that creating new connections and strengthening existing ties across the A EC region is at the heart of the sustained economic recovery that we all need and will be critical for future

growth and prosperity for the Asia- acific region, he said As the host of A EC , the United States will build upon hailand’s work by prioritizing the renewal of cross-border ties for sustainable and responsible travel and commerce, while building new digital and physical connections to spur economic growth

The second priority is innovative, enabling an innovative environment for a sustainable future, urray said e look forward here to building on the momentum of the Bangkok goals in our host year by continuing to work with A EC economies toward a sustainable future in an innovative manner e will further address the climate crisis, promote environmental sustainability, reduce disaster and disease risk, improve emergency response, promote the digital economy and enhance digitalization, and foster an enabling business environment, including through undertaking structural reform while advancing women in S E throughout all these efforts urray said A EC will lead work on green recovery and green growth, climate finance, clean energy, food security and agricultural biotechnology, food safety, and combatting marine debris Additionally, A EC will promote enabling business environments through structural reform, good regulatory practices, competition policy, standards alignment, and anticorruption efforts And A EC will continue to lead on digital connectivity through ICT infrastructure development, opennetwork architecture for ICT networks, and advances in international standards and best practices in the digital economy

ts third priority is inclusive, affirming an e uitable and inclusive future for all, which recognizes that in order to achieve sustained economic growth, we must work to ensure that all segments of our societies are able to participate in and benefit from an increasingly connected and globalized economy, according to urray, adding A EC economies should work towards inclusive growth for workers and those with untapped economic potential, including women, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and underserved and under-represented communities

A EC will seek to incorporate gender into discussions of the importance of e uity and inclusion in agriculture, customs, e-commerce, structural reform, transportation, trade, the future of work, and health as drivers for growth A EC will continue to promote workforce development and education, elevate worker voices across the A EC agenda, and support underserved communities through making choices in trade policy which value inclusivity y unblocking the potential for prosperity for underserved and marginali ed people, A EC can facilitate e uitable and accelerated economic growth, urray added

urray concluded Across all these priorities, we have a strong desire to work together with key stakeholders in the private sector and in civil society to help us reach these goals and ensure that 2023 is a successful and memorable host year for the United States and for our A EC partners Robust participation by stakeholders provides an enormous opportunity for all of us to share ideas and insights, develop innovative solutions to many of the challenges facing our economies, and promote the concepts of resilience, sustainability, and inclusion, which helps drive economic growth across our region

Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco ravel Association, was reported to be ecstatic about the city’s hosting of A EC along with other leaders his is a big win for San Francisco, he said, adding A EC will bring global attention to the city, as well as thousands of international visitors that will help support our economic recovery and the hundreds of small businesses that depend on visitor dollars

For sure, many of those attending the events or coming in as tourists taking advantage of the big meetings, will bid adieu to the city later with Frank Sinatra’s song eft y Heart in San Francisco reverberating in their minds

What’s Up Atty

(From Page 13)

was dead silence among the other guests he lawyer felt that he might have committed a faux pax, so he excused himself, saying he had to drive to locos early the next morning ater that evening, the party’s host called the lawyer saying that the mestiza was inviting them all for dinner at her home on Valentine’s Day he lawyer said that he would be in the locos on Valentine’s Day to meet with an 18-year old virgin, but that he would be happy to accept the invitation when he returns He returned, met the mesti a again, one thing led to another, they traveled abroad, and en oyed life together He was not really in love with her ut she was And she would sometimes say with tears in her eyes hy did you make me fall in love with you wish had never met you know can never have you hey were both married to others RA ON AND HE ’s

n the immigration field, patience, persistence, perseverance, and passion are helpful traits to have An 8 -year old nondescript locano from Ilocos Norte met a town mate – an attractive 25 year-old virgin He bought her a cell phone He returned to his California home He called everyday, sometimes twice a day, for almost years He won her and went home to marry her He filed an immigrant visa petition for the virgin, it was approved, and the virgin was given an immigrant visa to come to the United States asked the girl if she really loved the man She said yes atience, persistence, and perseverance do work assion he man did not look passionate

A year old locano U S citi en met a year old locana who came to the U S on a tourist visa hey would take the bus to go around Oahu island He courted her and was very kind to her He offered to petition for her children by her previous husband hey were married He filed an -1 petition for her and she applied for ad ustment of status At the interview, whispered to the immigration officer that if you ask about sex, the man told me that even if he swallowed a handful of viagra he could not have an erection

Avian influenza A case reported in China

E J N - On arch , the National Health Commission of the eople’s Republic of China notified orld Health Organi ation HO of one confirmed case of human infection with an avian in uen a A H N8 virus This is the third reported case of human infection with an avian in uen a A H N8 virus all three cases have been reported from China.

Epidemiological investigation and close contact tracing have been carried out. There have been no other cases found among close contacts of the infected individual.

Based on available information, it appears that this virus does not have the ability to spread easily from person to person, and therefore the risk of it spreading among humans at the national, regional, and international levels is considered to be low.

However, due to the constantly evolving nature of in uenza viruses, WHO stresses the importance of global surveillance to detect virological, epidemiological and clinical changes associated with circulating in uen a viruses which may affect human or animal health

Description of the situation

On arch , the National Health Commission

of the eople’s Republic of China notified HO of one confirmed case of human infection with an avian in uen a A H N8 virus he patient was a 6-year-old female from uangdong province with an onset of illness on February She was hospitali ed for severe pneumonia on arch and subse uently died on 16 arch

The case was detected through the severe acute respiratory infection SAR surveillance system he patient had multiple underlying conditions. She had a history of exposure to live poultry before the onset of the disease, and a history of wild bird presence around her home. No close contacts of the case developed an infection or symptoms of illness at the time of reporting.

Environmental samples were collected from the patient’s residence and the wet market where the patient spent time before the onset of illness. The results of testing showed that the samples collected from the wet market were positive for in uen a A H

Epidemiology of the disease

oonotic in uen a infections in humans may be asymptomatic or may cause disease Depending on factors related to the specific virus and the infected host, disease can range

from con unctivitis or mild u-like symptoms to severe acute respiratory disease or even death astrointestinal or neurological symptoms have been reported but these are rare.

Human cases of infection with avian in uen a viruses are usually the result of direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments.

Public health response

The Chinese government has taken the following monitoring, prevention, and control measures:

Enhanced monitoring and disinfection in the surrounding environment of the patient’s residence and suspected exposure areas

Public risk communication activities to improve public awareness and adoption of self-protection measures.

WHO risk assessment

Avian in uen a A H N8 viruses are commonly detected globally in animals n uen a A H N8 viruses are some of the most commonly found subtypes in birds, causing little to no sign of disease in either domestic poultry or wild birds. Cross-species transmission of A H N8 avian in uen a viruses has been reported for various mammal species, including being endemic in dogs and horses.

Walking vs jogging

hile cheetah, gazelle, horses, deer, and other animals in the wild were obviously born to run, it is becoming clearer, medically, that we humans were born to walk, not to jog or run. While jogging became popular since the late 60s, forty years thereafter, the negative health effects became obvious, overshadowing the health benefits

till they reach their goal.

Heart of Hope

Jogging traumatizes the body, including muscles, joints, heart and kidneys, especially when excessive. Running thickens the heart tissue, causing fibrosis scarring causing atrial fibrillation t also leads to cardiac diastolic dysfunction and stiffening of the large arterial walls. Other injuries include shin splints and stress fractures. More obvious and more common are injuries to the spine, hips, knee, and ankle joints, leading to arthritis of those joints and chronic pains. Some seniors eventually requiring hip or knee replacement.

Current research reveals that walking 8,000 brisk steps or more per day confers great health benefits, practically e ual to the benefits from ogging, minus the attendant injuries from running. More importantly, most seniors are only able to brisk walk or walk but not og anymore ndeed, brisk walking is in

risk walking is defined as walking miles an hour f one can recite lyrics of a song, with a pause to breathe) between phrases, but unable to sing them, they are walking briskly.

The new study demonstrated that “walking just one to two days is still associated with significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.” Each additional day of walking provides even greater health benefits

“People taking just 8,000 steps one or two days a week are also less likely to die over a ten-year followup period, 14.9 less likely to die compared to people who were sedentary, and 16.% reduction for those who walked to days a week, concludes the study published in JAMA Network.

his is, indeed, a wonderful finding, which would inspire and encourage everyone, especially seniors, to take those 8,000 steps to better health. And add another day at their own pace and comfort every week or two

For those with medical issues, consult your physician before embarking on any exercise regimen.

Spring

COV D booster

There has been fake news on television and social media that claimed the bivalent COV D-1 booster was unsafe, causing cardiovascular side-effects hanks to a new French study, the world now has factual scientific data. The population-based study “found no evidence of an increased risk of cardiovascular events at 21 days among the recipients of the bivalent vaccine versus recipients of the monovalent vaccine, including strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism and all four events combined.”

This is a welcome news, especially to those immunocompromised and seniors with health issues, since the spring booster (bivalent) is recommended by the CDC, because those who had the original booster, with or without having been infected, are all recommended to have a spring booster. The reason is the immunity of those who had the first booster, and even those who have natural immunity from getting the infection have protection that would have waned by spring. Natural immunity is less stable, less consistent, and less effective than immunity from the vaccines. At any rate, the bivalent booster has been proven all over again to be safe and effective etting the bivalent booster this spring will confer safety from a serious residual COV D-1 infection and as of yesterday, April , , there were still more than a million 1, 66,1 active cases, and 10 new deaths.

Seaweed and endometriosis

olyunsaturated fatty acids like omerga- and omega-6) reduce proliferation of endometriosis lesions and most beneficial in managing this common female illness where tissues that lines the inside of the uterus grow outside the womb, in places they do not belong (like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and bowels, or even the lungs and the brain t causes abdominal pains and irregular and painful period, among other symptoms, like pain during intercourse or bowel movements.

Seaweed, fish, and nuts contain a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and found to be helpful when added to the diet Seaweed has been long proven to benefit women with endometriosis, alleviating their symptoms. Adding more vegetables, particularly cruciferous ones, legumes, and fruits, providing rich antioxidants and fiber, also help Dietary changes, adding those items

listed above plus ginger, turmeric, and gluten-free items, certainly benefit women with endometriosis, as pointed out in the British Medical journal Open in 2020. This diet, together with prescribed therapy by the ynecologist, will make life a lot more comfortable to women with endometriosis.

Toxin triggers MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a long-term condition that a icts the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness and vision problems, as the immune system stacks the outer coating of the nerve cells to the eyes. MS most often victimizes young adults between the ages 20 and 40, also seniors, more in women than men. There are about 2.8 million individuals around the world living with MS. The cause of MS is still a mystery. A new study has determined that “a toxin from a common bacterium may trigger MS in people with a genetic susceptibility.” This recent discovery would lead to more scientific investigation worldwide to eventually find for the prevention and or cure for multiple sclerosis, a gravely debilitating disease.

D s

hen thrown back to a body of water, fish do not drown However, they do drown suffocate when the water does not have enough dissolved oxygen in it, like in eutrophication (too much nutrients or harmful chemicals in water), or drought. They also drown following the removal of their fins as in harvesting sharks’ fins for Chinese soup delicacy hrowing back sharks after fin removal results in their suffocation since they need their fins to swim hen their gills are damaged by predators, they also drown. So, technically, fish do drown too

Philip 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. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

PHILIP S. CHUA

By TIM PEDROSA

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PAIN, ONE THAT HURTS US AND THE OTHER THAT CHANGES US. Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. Actually, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it, accept and learn from it. Pain changes people. We will never understand pain until we feel it. Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional when we grow stronger from the pain and we do not let it destroy us. Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living f we are not pushing ourselves beyond the comfort zone, if we are not demanding more from ourselves by expanding and learning as we go, we are choosing a numb existence. Pain makes us stronger, tears make us braver and heartbreaks make us wiser, so thanks the past for a better future. Without pain, there would be no suffering, without suffering we would never learn from our mistakes o make it right, pain and suffering are the keys to all windows, without them, there is no way of life. The most authentic thing about us, human, is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering hen we are suffering, we become more understanding not only about ourselves, but also about other people’s sufferings he first step to understand somebody is to understand their sufferings, then love follows have learned that most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities that most of our suffering is the product of our thoughts. We spend nearly every moment of our lives lost in thought, and hostage to the character of those thoughts. We can break this spell, but it takes training just like it takes training to defend ourselves against a physical assault. Happiness is not a reward, it is a conse uence Suffering is not a punishment, it is a result he only medicine for suffering, crime, and all other woes of mankind, is wisdom When we teach a man to read and write, we put into his hands the great keys of the wisdom box. But of course, to open the box is quite another thing. I have also learned that human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of righteousness re uires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet but only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. When people hurt you over and over, think of them as sandpaper. They may scratch and hurt a bit but in the end you end up polished and they end up useless. Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He is sufficient for all of our needs When I think and accept this as an absolute truth in my life, I have found that I would stop worrying and I would feel very grateful for all my blessings. Sometimes we must hurt in order to KNOW, FALL in order to GROW, LOSE in order to GAIN because life’s greatest lessons are learned through PAIN.

Easter Special: To Meet the Risen Lord

“Peace be with you,” words of the Risen Lord Jesus to His Apostles and disciples inside the house with closed windows and doors. The Risen Lord comes to us bringing peace and abundant blessings. With what the Risen Lord Jesus has gone through, He is capable through His human nature glorified to encounter us wherever we are in life; be it in the midst of suffering, in the midst of joy and bounty, or in the midst of the simple and the ordinary. We must not take for granted any moment of encounter with Him et us re ect on meeting the Risen Lord in the areas of our life’s experience: Firstly, the Risen Christ can meet us in whatever form of suffering we are in His assion embraces all forms of human suffering and gave significance, value and meaning to them ith His assion and its infinite merits, we are empowered and e uipped with graces that will not make us easily give up on life and fall into despair. His empowerment is the power of the virtue of Hope. Hope is a theological virtue; for it is only od who can give it to us, we cannot ac uire it by our own efforts in fact, we only can develop hope in many situations in life only because of the initial divine gift of hope in us. By His Paschal Mystery, the Risen Christ empowers us to never be afraid to pass through the bad and dark moments in our life. With hope comes endurance; for it is not ourselves anymore that engages with life’s battles but we have God by our side and His graces accompanying us Our suffering has been won and sanctified by Christ so that, with our own suffering we can find meaning and to sanctify ourselves. We can never fall into hopelessness or despair, for the Risen Lord can tell us: “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened… (Mt. 11:2)” A Christian believer cannot fall into hopelessness; it is contrary to who he/she is in Christ; rather all the more in Christ we are hopeful for in Him we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). Hence, with hope, comes endurance, with endurance comes peace in Christ; as He says: “…have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble. But do not be afraid; I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33).”

Secondly, Christ can meet us when we are in our moments of success, oys, and sense fulfillment in life e must remember, that all the good things in life are fruits of His Paschal Mystery. We have blessings because of Christ’s victory. His words resound: “…my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (Jn. 15:11).” Hence, in the experience of these successes, happiness, and fulfillment, we cannot say, we did it as if we are the sole author; no, we are just recipients and instruments, that being cooperative to the Master’s will, we were good instruments which led to our receiving and harvesting the goods that we have sown. This means, God’s love is behind all these experiences of goodness and gladness. By this experience of God’s love and abundance, we are to be loving as well. We are to be a blessing to all around us, just as we are blessed. The virtue of love and charity must be the animator of all our actions. The love of God to us and our love of Him must define our behavior and lifestyle f we can let this virtue of love and charity permeate our daily existence; then, the Risen Lord Jesus is seen and is encountered by others through us.

Thirdly, Christ can meet us in the simple and ordinary ways and things in life. We have our routines and patterns of our daily existence, and many times, we lose the sense of value and sense of divinity of our present moments. God is always present. The Risen Lord won for us this grace of divine abiding presence. He rose from the dead so that He can be with us each moment at all times and anywhere. This means, that our daily existence even with its ordinariness has some element of the divine. That is why, we are called to live each moment with faith and trust in God. The virtue of faith gives us the eyes to see God in what we do, to see Him in others, and to see Him as One whom we serve and worship. Living our faith concretely brings God to whatever we do and wherever we are; thus, enabling us to sanctify our ordinary activities and dealings. During this Easter Season, let us live our daily lives animated with renewed faith, renewed hope, and renewed love of God and others. Happy Easter Season! Amen.

REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD

Recipe of the Week

Pork and Spinach in Coconut Milk, Pinoy Laing Style

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo pork belly, cut into thick strips

1/2 kilo frozen chopped spinach

200 grams fresh baby spinach

1 400 ml canned coconut milk/cream

3-4 clove garlic chopped

1 thumb size ginger, cut into thin strips

1 large size onion chopped

tbsp bagoong alamang use fish sauce if not available

1 stalk lemongrass optional , trimmed crushed

1/2 tsp. cracked peppercorns

3-5 pieces green/red chili, chopped or whole salt

cooking oil

Cooking procedure:

In a medium size sauce pan sauté garlic, ginger and onion until fragrant. Add in the pork and stir cook for 3 to 5 minutes add in the bagoong alamang and continue to stir cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add in 1/2 cup of water, the coconut milk, lemon grass, crushed peppercorns and chili, bring to a boil and simmer at moderate heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pork are tender and the sauce renders oil and almost dry, stirring occasionally. Add in the frozen spinach and baby spinach, cook at low to moderate heat for 15 to 20 minutes until almost dry, stirring occasionally. Correct saltiness if required. Serve with a lot of rice.

Quirino mulls travel tie-up with PHILTOA

MANILA – Quirino province is looking to team up with one of the country’s largest tour operators group to position its adventure and nature tourism as a great alternative for domestic and foreign travelers visiting the North.

Speaking before the Philippine Tour Operators Association H OA meeting on Wednesday, Union of Local Authorities of the hilippines U A President and Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo Cua proposed to facilitate a memorandum of agreement OA between local government units and the group for possible tourism cooperation.

He said the initiative could start with uirino province, which can offer a range of tourism products to travelers looking for both culture and nature.

“Through this collaboration, we will reap benefits not only for the people but for the LGUs, tour operators, and stakeholders as well,” he said as he also invited members of the PHILTOA to join familiarization tours to the province.

PHILTOA has over 400 members nationwide, with markets ranging from outbound, domestic and inbound travelers.

In a separate interview, Cua said Quirino is ready to welcome tourists especially now that accommodations and food establishments in the province are bouncing back from the pandemic.

“Quirino is packaging towards adventure and ecotourism, we’re in the middle of Sierra adre so you can find a lot. of waterfalls in our province, lush forest that you don’t see everyday,” he told reporters.

“When you talk about Philippine tourism, the first thing that comes to mind is beach right? But here we offer different— mountains, spelunking, nature, white water rafting.

So this is the ridge instead of the reef,” he added.

Cua said he hopes to replicate the success in attracting tourists of other destinations with no usual sun and beach attractions like Baguio and the Banaue.

“Quirino is of similar category but more undiscovered,” he said.

He added that Quirino had been investing in improving its infrastructures and roads for over 10 years to make travel more accessible to all kind of tourists, especially motor riders— it’s top visitors, to date.

“We have many waterfalls that are accessible by road so basic infrastructures are all there,” he said.

f you go to uirino , makinis ‘yong roads, mahaba (the roads are clean and long t’s sloping through the mountain range. There are inner portions that are rough road but the main thoroughfares are very good smooth roads already so kapag nag-drive ka diyan parang ‘yong Italian and Swiss Alps na pasikutsikot sa taas ng bundok, ganoon ang makikita mo doon (when you drive there, it’s like the Italian and Swiss Alps that you’ll see at the top of the mountain, that’s what you’ll see there , he added he official ensured that tourists would be safe in Quirino citing its “insurgency-free” status by the Department of the Interior and Local Government NA

Aglipay Caves, Quirino. (Photo courtesy of DOT Region 2/Noli Gabilo)

Newsom hails Biden administration’s new proposed emissions standards

By Claire Morales True

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has lauded US President Joe Biden on new initiatives on emissions standards proposed by the U.S. EPA.

Newsom issued the statement following new federal emissions standards proposed by the U.S. EPA.

The standards, championed by the Biden-Harris Administration, would effectively re uire a ma ority of all cars sold in the U.S. to be zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) by 2032, and if adopted, they would be the most stringent federal tailpipe re uirements in history, Newsom said in a statement sent to Philippine News Today.

“This is a great day for America as our country, under the leadership of President Biden, charts a new course for a zero emissions future,” said Governor Newsom. “We’re proud of our work here in California that has made our state the national leader in ZEV sales – and now we stand ready to work together to lead the most significant economic transformation since the Industrial Revolution.”

CALIFORNIA’S ZEV RECORD:

U.S. EPA approved California’s plan

to re uire nearly half of all new heavyduty trucks be zero emissions by 2035 last month

California recently approved more than $5 billion for the ZEV transition: $2.9 billion investment plan approved

by the California Energy Commission in December accelerates California’s 2025 electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals

$2.6 billion investment plan approved in November by the California Air Resources Board supports a wide range of

EV pro ects, with of the funds directed to disadvantaged and low-income communities – the state’s largest-ever investment in the e uitable expansion of clean transportation

California expects to receive 8 million of federal funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program to install charging stations throughout the state

EVs are a top state export thanks to California’s success, spurring ma or advances in manufacturing and ob creation

California is home to 55 ZEV and ZEV-related manufacturers and leads the nation in EV manufacturing obs

18 8 of all new cars sold last year in California were ZEVs, according to the California Energy Commission

EV sales are up 8 from 1 and 1 8 from

In comparison, the latest estimates show EV sales were 8 of all U S car sales in 2022

California approved one of the world’s first regulations last year re uiring 100 percent of new car sales to be ZEVs by 2035, following Governor Newsom’s executive order to develop new rules for in-state sales.