6.13.24-6.19.24 by Philippine News Today

GET READY VS EXTERNAL THREATS, PHL ARMY TOLD

Marcos still tries peace eﬀorts amid ‘more worrisome’ China

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

MANILA -- The Philippines must be prepared against more pronounced and more worrisome external threats and “any eventuality” as a result of the heightened geopolitical tension in the Indo-Paciﬁc, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. told the Philippine Army and the nation on separate occasions this week.

Bonta reports success of gun violence prevention campaign

Page 9

Investors, tourists invited to PHL; Banatao honored

Page 21

 RECOGNIZED. Filipino American innovator and techpreneur Diosdado Dado Banatao is awarded a cer�ﬁcate of recogni�on by Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo for his outstanding achievements and contribu�ons to the Filipino American community and the tech industry.

SACRAMENTOCalifornia is making big headway in its campaign to prevent gun violence but much more has to be made.

Page 18

 California State A�orney General Rob Bonta

Mandatory singing of Bagong Pilipinas song, pledge draws widespread ire

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

MANILA -- Doesn’t it remind one of the widely despised regime of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr?

Senior San Diego man sentenced for battery, hate crime against Asian-American cop

By Gilda Balan, Correspondent

SAN DIEGO -- It is hard to let this hatemonger use his age as an excuse for committing an obvious hate crime, and against an oﬃcer of the law at that. A 68-year-old San Diego man not only yelled racial insults at an AsianAmerican police Page 5

UPSIDE

by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Manalo eyes Supervisor seat

(First of 2 Parts)

In keynote at SFSU Filipino gradua�on, Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo reveals her poli�cal plans.

SAN FRANCISCO - Mayor Juslyn Manalo, the ﬁrst

Filipina American elected in Daly City, revealed she will run  Page 10

Page 4

Various quarters were up in arms in recent days following a new ruling from the national government calling for

By Cesar Antonio Nucum Jr.

INDEPENDENCE DAY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr leads the Philippine Independence Day celebra�on at the Rizal Park. He said the true spirit of freedom can be seen in every Filipino who ﬁghts squarely every day

New Senate building construction stopped over P23-B cost, other issues

By Jennifer T. Santos

PASAY CITY/TAGUIG CITY – The Senate leadership is set to review the construction of the new Senate building in Taguig City due to concerns over escalating costs from initial P8.9 billion to P23 billion and still counting.

Senate President Francis Escudero earlier suspended the building construc-

tion, which was originally set to be ﬁnished on September this year, but fears are that it may not even be ﬁnished by 2025 or 2026.

“Hindi totoo na makakalipat tayo sa bagong gusali, lupa at building ng Setyembre. Hindi rin totoo na aabot tayo makalipat bago matapos ang taon,” he said.

“Kahit hanggang 2025, sa palagay ko ay hindi pa rin dahil marami pang bagay na kailangang ihanda at maraming bagay din na aming nakita at nagisnan na kailangan pang suriin at pag-aralan,” Escudero said.

P23 billion.

Initially budgeted at P8.9 billion, Escudero revealed that the cost of the project has now ballooned to P13 billion, with an additional P10 billion required for completion, bringing the total to P23 billion.

“Para sa akin, medyo mabigat lunukin at kagulat-gulat naman talaga,” Escudero said.

mittee on Accounts, called for the need to relocate to a new site for the Philippine Senate due to increasing space limitations and the need for enhanced facilities.

Cayetano’s report also pointed out procurement delays and missteps by the project manager, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which have contributed to project slowdowns and cost overruns.

Escudero expressed his shock and disbelief at the unexpectedly high projected costs needed to complete the new Senate building, noting that these expenses are particularly hard to accept given the economic crisis faced by most Filipinos.

“Nung nakita ko ito, medyo nagulantang ako at hindi ko inasahan na ganun kalaki aabutin ang gagastusin para sa ating magiging bagong tahanan,” Escudero said.

Escudero said the initial budget in 2017 for the construction of the New Senate building was P8.9 billion, but it ballooned to

“Sa aking pananaw, masama ito sa panlasa ng karamihan, lalong masama sa panlasa ng nakararami nating mga kababayan, lalo na sa gitna ng krisis ng ekonomiya at sa kahirapan na nakikita ng marami sa ating kababayan,” he said.

He said he ordered the suspension in response to a report submitted by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who now chairs the Committee on Accounts, detailing issues such as budget increase, quality concerns, and management ineﬃciencies.

He said Cayetano’s report cited some project modiﬁcations that resulted in additional expenses amounting to P833 million, which is nearly 10 percent of the original contract price.

Cayetano also recommended to identify project issues and engaging a thirdparty construction management team for validation and cost reduction.

Escudero instructed Cayetano to review the project and address these concerns to ensure project quality and eﬃciency.

The construction of the New Senate building was initiated by the 17th Congress in 2017 under Senate President Vicente Sotto III after former Senator Panﬁlo Lacson, then-chair of the Com-

In light of these initial ﬁndings, Escudero ordered a deeper review of the project to address current issues, improve project management, and ensure the highest standards of quality and eﬃciency.

Escudero agreed with all of Cayetano’s recommendations, including identifying immediate and underlying problems in the project and compelling the DPWH to question, evaluate, and rectify issues that can still be corrected.

In his report, Cayetano explained that the DPWH’s actions will be decisive in determining whether the agency and the contractor, HillMarc’s Construction Corporation, will implement the remaining portion of the project, which has an approved budget of P10.33 billion but is yet to be awarded.

In a message to Senate reporters as reported by Rappler, Lacson said that while he agrees with the suspension decided by Escudero, he emphasized that not a single peso of the P10.3 billion was released to the DPWH since Senator Nancy Binay, who succeeded him as accounts chairman, had “objected to the DPWH’s requests for variation orders (VOs).”

PHL

ﬂag

raised at Sabina Shoal on Independence Day

MANILA – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua held a ceremonial ﬂag-raising at Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on June 12 while surrounded by several Chinese vessels.

PCG spokesperson, Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the event was the ﬁrst-ever ﬂag-raising ceremony at Sabina Shoal to celebrate the country’s 126th Independence Day.

“Nasa Sabina Shoal ang BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701) upang panatiliin ang kaligtasan at seguridad sa naturang katubigan na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas (BRP Teresa Magbanua is at Sabina Shoal to maintain peace and security within the waters of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone),” Balilo said.

During the ceremony, the PCG spotted eight Chinese vessels within Sabina Shoal and four more outside the shoal.

Balilo said the Chinese vessels were monitoring the event.

Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels spotted during the ﬂag-raising ceremony

aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal on June 12, 2024

The ceremony was led by PCG Lt. Efren Duran with the crew and riders of BRP Teresa Magbanua.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) got 190 cases of assorted food items for troops manning the various detachments in the West Philippine Sea.

PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said the donations were a testament of support from the public to the country’s sailors and troops in distant posts, especially in Philippine-held areas in the WPS.

PH FLAG RAISED IN WPS. The ceremonial ﬂag-raising of the Philippine ﬂag aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea during the 126th Independence Day on June 12, 2024)

DND chief: China’s ‘10-dash line’ provoking WPS tensions

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City –Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. maintained that tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are heightened by China’s illegal “10-dash line” claim.

Teodoro made the remark on the sidelines of the Swedish National Day celebration and reception for Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson on June 7.

“China wants us to go to the small details to forget the main message. The main message is: The ten-dash-line is the provocation. And everything ﬂows from

that,” Teodoro said.

He said Beijing has no business in the WPS and other areas where Manila has jurisdiction.

Teodoro said narratives are being whittled down to the tactical level to distract the Filipino public and the international community from focusing on the root cause of the tensions in the WPS.

“They are trying to bait us by straying from the main points and dragging us into an action-drama debate, where we focus on minor details which stray us from the main message. Let’s stick to the message,” he added.

The DND chief also said the government, through the Department of Foreign Aﬀairs, is continuously undertaking efforts to manage WPS tensions.

He, however, said no discussions at the defense level are underway and that any agreement or talks should be open, rooted in international law, and uphold Philippine national interests.

2 NegOcc Capitol execs serve 6-month suspension

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II and Executive Assistant II Chery Sheil Valenzuela stopped reporting to their respective offices starting June 7, 2024 after they were suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for six months for conflict of interest when they engaged in private law practice.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he has designated Provincial Legal Oﬃcer Al-

berto Nellas Jr. as the acting provincial administrator in a concurrent capacity, eﬀective Monday.

Diaz, along with Valenzuela, the secretary of the Bids and Awards Committee, were found guilty of violating Section 7, paragraph b (2) of the Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Oﬃcials and Employees.

The governor said that both Capitol executives have “asked permission” to serve the six-month suspension without the need for an order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“I gave in to their request to show respect to the Ombudsman, without prejudice to the motion for reconsideration they are ﬁling,” he added.

Diaz received the 20page decision dated Nov.10, 2023, signed by Leilani Tagulao-Marquez, graft investigation and prosecution oﬃcer III, and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on April 1, 2024, last June 3.

The complaint, filed by former Attorney IV Roxenne Sumanting of the Provincial Legal Office on June 20, 2022, stemmed from the alleged failure of the respondents to provide legal assistance or representation to the Municipality of Binalbagan on the expropriation cases filed before the Regional Trial Court in Himamaylan City.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Marcos: Filipinos to continue defending PHL

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

RIZAL PARK, Manila – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to show the world the country’s might through their patriotism and unity to defend Philippine territory.

Filipinos will not shy away from defending the nation’s territory, President Marcos said.

Speaking during the anniversary celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, President Marcos said the event is a way of paying tribute to all those who sacriﬁced their lives and fought for freedom and independence.

“Ang ating mga ninuno ay hindi umurong sa digmaan, kaya’t tayo ay hindi rin tatalikod sa tungkuling ipagtanggol ang ating nasasakupan,” said the President.

“Ipapakita natin sa buong daigdig na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay hindi nasusukat sa lakas o sa yaman, kung hindi sa tunay na kahulugan at katuwiran ng ating ipinaglalaban, sa alab ng pag-ibig sa bayan, at sa di- matatawarang pagkakaisa ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said.

Filipinos are not merely looking back at the past, they are living it with every step they take towards a freer future, he noted.

Along with this appreciation, the President said, is the commitment to continue what the country’s forebears started: The wholehearted stand for the rights as a free nation; the honest and proactive measures to uplift communities; and the relentless eﬀorts to improve the lives of citizens.

The Chief Executive also called on the public to continue to enjoy and be proud of being Filipinos as he rallied for support to help emancipate the country from poverty, hunger, injustice, and other barriers to development.

“Tinatawagan ko kayong lahat na patuloy na tangkilikin at ipagmalaki ang ating pagiging Pilipino. Tayo ay babangon at aangat bilang isang bansa, na may malinaw na pananaw sa kinabukasang inaasam. Magsama-sama tayo sa paglalakbay tungo sa isang mas maliwanag at masaganang bukas,” President Marcos said.

“Sa bawat hakbang, sa bawat pag-

pupunyagi, ipagpatuloy natin ang laban para sa kalayaan—kalayaan mula sa kahirapan, kagutuman, kawalan ng katarungan, at iba pang mga balakid sa ating pag-unlad. Lagi lamang po nating tandaan: Ang kasaysayan ang siyang susi natin tungo sa wagas at tunay na kalayaan, at sa kinabukasang puno ng pag-asa, kaliwanagan, at kasaganahan,” he stressed.

Marcos said the observance is more than just a commemoration of the birth of the Philippine Republic but a strong aﬃrmation of the commitment to continue defending what the forefathers fought for.

“Ipakita natin sa buong daigdig na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay hindi nasusukat sa lakas o yaman, kung hindi sa tunay na kahulugan at katuwiran ng ating ipinaglalaban, sa alab ng pag-ibig sa bayan, at sa di-matatawarang pagkakaisa ng ating mga mamamayan (Let us show the whole world that true power is not measured by strength or wealth, but by the true meaning and integrity of what we are ﬁghting for, in the ﬂame of love for country, and in the immense unity of

our people),” he said.

“Mananatili tayong matatag at hindi tayo matitinag (We will stand ﬁrm and we will not be shaken).”

With this, the President said the Philippines would not just look back on the past but also live on with its lessons to build a better and freer future.

The Chief Executive called on Filipinos to continue being proud of their race.

“Lagi lamang po nating tandaan: Ang kasaysayan ang siyang susi natin tungo sa wagas at tunay na kalayaan, at sa kinabukasang puno ng pag-asa, kaliwanagan, at kasaganahan (Let us always remember: History is our key to pure and true freedom, and to a future full of hope, clarity, and abundance),” he said.

The President made the pronouncement in the face of rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, heightened by China’s continued aggression.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año reaﬃrmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and security “despite the complexities and uncertainties of today’s world.”

DA bans imported birds, poultry products from Michigan, okays Ohio

QUEZON CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the temporary importation ban on birds and poultry products from Michigan, USA but lifted the ban on Ohio products.

This came after the US Chief Veterinary Oﬃcer to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) reported the outbreak of the H5N1 subtype of Highly Pathogenic Avian Inﬂuenza (AI) in the area.

(From page 1)

the singing of the current Marcos regime’s Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge in all government agencies during their weekly ﬂag raising ceremonies.

It brought back memories of the Bagong Lipunan song of the ﬁrst Marcos regime, which was played at every opportunity after the declaration of martial

“Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. immediately suspended the importation of domestic and wild birds and associated products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Michigan,” the DA said, citing Memorandum Order 24 dated June 7.

The order comes alongside the halting of the issuance of new sanitary and phytosanitary permits from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

law, and the elder Marcos’ call for a “New Society.”

Signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last June 4, 2024, Memorandum Circular (MC) 52 was issued by Malacanang “to further instill the principles of the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos.

Making the song and pledge mandatory requires a law, according to Senate

However, shipments from Michigan that are in transit, loaded, or accepted at ports before the issuance of the order may be permitted if these were “processed or produced” within 14 days before the initial reported outbreak.

Otherwise, non-compliant shipments may be destroyed, redirected, or returned to Michigan.

The DA, meanwhile, issued the lifting of the import ban for birds and other poul-

minority leader Aquilino Pimental lll.

“The memorandum circular is not suﬃcient,” he said, adding that “a law is needed to authorize that.”

Senate President pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada said that by law, it is only the singing and playing of the Philippine National Anthem as written by Julian Felipe that should be played at public gatherings.

Mel Sta Maria, law professor at the Far Eastern University, said the Palace memo was in violation of Republic Act (RA) 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code.

Sta Maria said the Oﬃce of the President was transgressing a law “which it claims it is implementing.”

Netizens pointed out that making the hymn and pledge mandatory would mean it would remain in use beyond the remaining years of the current Marcos regime.

It could be an indication that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was planning to remain in power beyond the term for which he was elected, following in his father’s footsteps.

A group of educators slammed MC 52. The Teaches Dignity Coalition (TDC) said in a statement that “this initiative is a superﬁcial attempt to instill a brand of governance that, instead of genuinely educating schoolchildren about nationalism and patriotism through the exemplary lives of our national leaders, resorts to

try products from Ohio under Memorandum Order 23.

These include domestic, wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen, which were all banned since midJanuary due to the AI outbreak.

Laurel approved the move following the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s report to the WOAH, claiming the resolution of all AI cases in the state.

mandatory recitations and songs.”

The group dismissed the song and pledge as “hollow rituals or the blind worship of national symbols” when they are really nothing more than “a piece of propaganda.”

Another group from the academe, The Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy, also opposed the Palace directive, saying it may well be unconstitutional.

RA 8491 “does not provide the Oﬃce of the President the authority to create and create a new hymn to sing or pledge to recite during ﬂag ceremonies in the country,” the group said, quoting the opinion of legal experts.

Meanwhile, Alliance of Concerned Teachers chair Vladimer Quetua said that ﬂag ceremonies in schools already take up to 45 minutes of what should be morning school time. As such, adding a new song and pledge is seen as nothing more than a waste of time.

The MC only covers the Executive branch of government, meaning all government agencies should adhere to the new rule. It does not cover the Legislative and/or Judicial branches of government, where only the Pledge of Allegiance and the Philippine National Anthem are mandatory in the weekly gatherings, normally at the ﬁrst working day of the week.

Bukidnon tops 10 richest provinces in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY – Bukidnon topped the list of Mindanao’s ten wealthiest provinces with P1.034 billion.

This is followed by Davao de Oro with P838 million, South Cotabato with P717 million, and North Cotabato with P716 million.

Also on the list are Misamis Oriental, which earned P573 million last year, Lanao del Norte with P532 million, Agu-

san del Sur with P385 million, Davao del Norte with P326 million, and Davao del Sur with P315 million.

Davao Oriental is seventh on the list of Mindanao’s ten wealthiest provinces with P408 million income in 2023.

The recognition was based on the Bureau of Local Government Finance’s 2023 Locally Sourced Income of Local Government Units.

Governor Niño Uy said the citation reﬂected their economic eﬀorts and good governance. “Such recognition is not only an honor but an inspiration for the people to continue to strive and work together for a more prosperous future,” he said.

As key factors for Davao Oriental’s inclusion in the list, Uy said taxes and other revenues from the local sector have increased over the years, which meant

higher funding for development projects.

He said the province’s priority programs remain in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, and tourism.

“Currently, the provincial government is preparing new initiatives to improve the residents’ quality of life. The measures include investment in agriculture, technology, and sustainable development,” the governor said.

Baguio eyes congestion fee within central business district

Aileen Refuerzo, chief of the city information oﬃce, said Friday the plan is part of the proposed Smart Urban Mobility Project aimed to develop the transportation system and services using advanced technologies.

The Metro Paciﬁc Tollways Corporation (MPTC) submitted an unsolicited proposal to the city government, which will be under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

The imposition of congestion fee, similar to Singapore, London, Stockholm, Milan and New York, among other major cities worldwide, is aimed at signiﬁcantly reducing traﬃc, carbon emission and energy con-

sumption within the designated zone.

It will also promote discipline among drivers and motorists.

The plan exempts public utility jeepneys and vehicles driven by senior citizens and persons with disability, uniformed personnel on active duty and emergency response vehicles.

Taxis and government vehicles with approved travel orders will have a discounted congestion fee rate while vehicles by Baguio residents will be qualiﬁed for rebates, as proposed by the MPTC.

Refuerzo said the MPTC proposals aim to solve not only traﬃc but to improve overall mobility with services such

as transport service platform, traﬃc command center, parking facilities and traﬃc enforcement.

The corporation envisions a Singaporelike transport system for Baguio where the riding public can monitor road conditions in real-time using mobile applications as well as book or reserve parking spaces before arrival to lessen the amount of time and petroleum consumed going around looking for possible parking sites.

She said road accidents will also be immediately addressed if the smart trafﬁc command center is in place to monitor roads and dispatch responders, if necessary.

Mt. Kanlaon eruption threat persists; LGUs urged to prepare contingency plans

BACOLOD CITY – Oﬃcials of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) have urged local government units (LGUs) situated near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island to prepare contingency plans as the threat of magmatic eruption remains a week after its explosive eruption.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol and chief science research specialist Ma. Antonia Bornas issued the advisory during a presentation on the latest updates

Senior...

(From page 1)

oﬃcer, he also made the more serious mistake of physically striking him.

John Richards pled guilty last week to a charge of battery on a police oﬃcer, as well as allegation of a hate crime. Richards was immediately sentenced to one year of probation and 141 days in custody, 60 days of which will be served in an inpatient residential treatment program, according to the San Diego City Attorney’s Oﬃce.

A report which came out in the Times of San Diego quoted the City Attorney’s Office as stating that Richards was being transported to a hospital on Aug. 26, 2022 when he “began hurling racial insults at an Asian American police officer, while also yelling that the officer should have been killed.”

Richards then hit the policeman and tried to kick him, said the City Attorney’s Oﬃce.

The incident was highlighted as an example of a rising trend of hate-related crimes against Asian Americans, which were occurring at greater frequency two years ago.

This was during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, which haters mistakenly blamed on the Asian-American community as being behind its spread in the US.

of the Mt. Kanlaon eruption with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol here.

“They should always be prepared for the worst case. For example, in Alert Level 3, are we prepared? Are the people ready? Our vehicles. It should be the contingency plans are in place. There are corresponding activities that they should do,” he said.

In Negros Occidental, LGUs with communities located at the foot of Mt.

San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot said, “Our country has witnessed an unacceptable level of anti-Asian hate crimes, which is why we are determined to respond forcefully to every local incident.”

Elliot added that the unnamed cop “was simply doing his job when he was attacked because of his Asian ancestry. We all have an obligation to confront race-based hatred when we see it.”

Although there are indications that the number of hate crimes against AsianAmericans has abated, they still occur in nearly all US states. A small number has resulted in serious physical injury, mostly against women or elders of the community, and even death in some cases.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Paciﬁc Islander American Aﬀairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www. cavshate.org/.

Kanlaon are the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Murcia, as well as the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and San Carlos.

On Monday afternoon, Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said that in La Castellana, the worst-hit LGU, some 1,237 families or 4,190 individuals stay in evacuation centers.

“Our recommendation is there should be no people within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone. It’s up to the

LGUs to implement it,” Bacolcol said. In her presentation on the current outlook, Bornas said Alert Level 2 will be maintained until monitoring parameters signiﬁcantly change.

“If monitoring parameters are sustained, phreatic and short-live explosive eruptions may subsequently occur and produce small-magnitude hazards that will endanger areas within the four-kilometer permanent danger,” she added.

BAGUIO CITY – In a bid to decongest the central business district (CBD), the city government here is eyeing the imposition of P250 congestion fee for motorists.

Comelec visits poll machines provider Miru in S. Korea, assured of delivery

MANILA – Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia said the Miru Systems is ready to deliver the

110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) for the 2025 mid-term elections.

Garcia made the remark after he and other Comelec oﬃcials visited on Monday the facilities of Miru, a South Korean ﬁrm contracted to provide the automated technology for next year’s polls.

“Kuntento at satisﬁed ang Comelec sa nakikita namin so far. Hindi po tayo nagkamali nung nabigay natin ang award kay Miru (The Comelec is satisﬁed with what we see so far. We did not make a mistake when we gave the award to Miru),” Garcia said in a statement.

Last Feb. 22, the Comelec awarded the full automation system with transparency audit/count (FASTrAC) project to the joint venture of Miru Systems Co. Ltd., Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Center-

point Solutions Technologies, Inc. (MIRU-ICS-STCC-CPSTI).

Garcia thanked the South Korean company for showing the Comelec team how the manufacturing will be done. Miru Systems was the lone bidder for the lease of FASTrAC project worth PHP17.9 billion.

“Napatunayan natin na ang Miru talaga ay isang manufacturing company ng mga automated counting machines dahil nakita natin lahat ng mga makina na ginawa nila at ginamit para sa ibang bansa (We have proven that Miru is actually a manufacturing company of automated counting machines because we have seen all the machines they made and use for other countries),” he said.

“Nakita din namin na handang-handa sila na talagang ideliver sa atin yung 110,000 machines na kakailanganin natin sapagkat on-time at yung timeline nila ay sadyang sinusunod. Nakita din natin kung gaano kagaling ang kanilang mga technicians at engineers habang ginagawa nila ang makina (We also saw that they are ready to actually deliver to us the 110,000 machines that we will need because they are on-time and their timeline is being followed. We also saw how good their technicians and engineers are while they

are building the machine),” he added.

Miru officials headed by chief executive officer Jin-Bok Chung and vice president for Overseas Sales Ken Cho welcomed the Comelec officials and other stakeholders.

“We are honored to welcome Comelec Chair George Garcia, Commissioners Nelson Celis and Aimee Ferolino, and all other important stakeholders from the Philippines to oversee these early stages of production,” Cho said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to show the status of the ongoing customization of the machines according to the needs of the Filipino people to all stakeholders, including the Philippine Computer Society, KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas), and other media friends,” he added.

Chung said they decided to open their plant to the media to prove that “we have nothing to hide.”

“That’s why we wanted to show and open our processes to everyone involved for this project,” Chung said. “We would like to minimize any suspicions that anyone might have regarding our productions. We want to be fair and transparent from the beginning.”

AFP: West PHL Sea regular patrols continue amid China ﬁshing ban

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would continue its regular patrol activities in the West Philippine Sea despite China’s announcement of a unilateral ﬁshing ban that intrudes on the country’s maritime zones.

“For the part of the AFP, we are continuing, of course with our regular activities in the area, continuously po tayo nagpapatrol sa ating dagat ang ating Philippine Navy (PN) po, lagi po silang nag-iikot, (we will continuously patrol our waters, our PN, they are always there), conducting patrols, as well as our Philippine Air Force, so we also have maritime

Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, she added.

China’s unilateral fishing ban in WPS set from May 1 to Sept. 16 includes the Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal), a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk and is only 124 nautical miles away from Masinloc town in Zambales.

Padilla said these actions by the AFP are guided by the Constitution and the principles of national sovereignty.

“(It is) underscored that no foreign entity has the authority to impede the Philippines from exercising our sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone,” she added.

Despite these challenges, Padilla said the AFP is committed to defending the country’s sovereignty and protecting its interests in the region.

To bolster this, she added that the Philippines is looking to have more cooperation with like-minded nations and utilize the whole of government approach in addressing this particular issue.

“Katuwang yan ng atin determinasyon na alagaan ang ating teritoryo dito po sa atin karagatan, at tiyakin ang ka-

patrols,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon brieﬁng.

GET READY...

(From page 1)

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said military personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are prepared to respond to any incidents, including the possibility of those who might try to take over the ship.

Trinidad said the PN and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are regularly holding patrols to prevent these actions.

This as the number of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels spotted in various WPS features increased to 22 from 11 from June 4 to 10.

During the Philippine Independence Day celebration, Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to show the world the country’s might through their patriotism and unity to defend Philippine territory.

“Ang ating mga ninuno ay hindi umurong sa digmaan, kaya’t tayo ay hindi rin tatalikod sa tungkuling ipagtanggol ang ating nasasakupan (Our ancestors did not back down from war, so we will also not turn our back on our duty to defend our territory),” Marcos said as the country marked 126 years of its independence.

Earlier on Monday. Marcos addressed the Philippine Army’s 5th ID at Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, stating the Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan puts it in China’s area of interest and it is important that the northern part of the Philippines is well-prepared for any eventuality.

“And that is why --- the external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” President Marcos told the members of the 5th ID at the base con-

sidered part of the EDCA agreement with the United States

“So, that is the mission that you have before you. Now, you have two missions, whereas before it was only internal security,” Marcos told the Army soldiers.

The President, however, clariﬁed that the Philippines would not take territories and would only defend its own while engaging in various efforts to maintain peace in the region through continued diplomacy.

“We are not trying to take territory. We are not trying to redraw the lines of sovereign territory, the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), the baseline,” the President said

“Ipakita natin sa buong daigdig na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay hindi nasusukat sa lakas o yaman, kung hindi sa tunay na kahulugan at katuwiran ng ating ipinaglalaban, sa alab ng pagibig sa bayan, at sa di-matatawarang pagkakaisa ng ating mga mamamayan (Let us show the whole world that true power is not measured by strength or wealth, but by the true meaning and integrity of what we are ﬁghting for, in the ﬂame of love for country, and in the immense unity of our people),” Marcos said.

“Mananatili tayong matatag at hindi tayo matitinag (We will stand ﬁrm and we will not be shaken),” he said.

With this, the President said the Philippines would not just look back on the past but also live on with its lessons to build a better and freer future.

The Chief Executive called on Filipinos to continue being proud of their race.

future full of hope, clarity, and abundance),” he said.

Año, likewise, maintained that defending our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea remains a paramount priority.

“We stand ﬁrm in upholding the 2016 Arbitral Award and adhere to a rules -based international order to ensure our maritime entitlements are respected. The quest for peace and security remains at the forefront of our national agenda. We work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of every Filipino, countering both internal and external threats to uphold our nation’s sovereignty and freedoms,” he added.

Marcos said the 5th ID’s mission now includes territorial defense from external threats, on top of the existing internal security concern brought by the communist terrorist group (CTG).

Among the current domestic security threats are the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) and

Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KRCV) groups.

The provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya were declared insurgencyfree on Oct. 10, 2022 and Dec. 18, 2023, respectively, as well as other parts of Isabela.

Government forces dismantled four CTG operating units: two KRCV (September 2022); one KRCV and one Komiteng Larangan GuerillaICRC in December last year.

Ahead of the country’s 126th Independence Day, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military remains resolute in its mandate to protect the country against security threats.

“As one sovereign nation, established by the steadfast perseverance of our predecessors, we shall remain resolute in upholding our pledge to public service, loyalty, and solidarity for the country, our people, and the ﬂag,” Brawner said in his message for the occasion.

He also added that patriotism and unity remain the military’s strength in fulﬁlling its commitment to building a “strong Philippines” for future generations.

Philippine News Today is published weekly by Philippines Today LLC with business and editorial oﬃces at 156 South Spruce Ave Ste 205 South San Francisco CA 94080 Phone no . 650-872-3200 E-fax # 650-745-1442 and website address www.pnewstoday.com and email address advertising@philippinestodayus.com or editor@philippinestodayus.com

MANILA OFFICE: Le Marquis Townhomes, 51 P. Tuazon Blvd. Quezon City 1112, Tels. 8546.8426, 8451.1892, 8546.8421

MARILYN B. KING Senior Account Executive

BETING LAYGO DOLOR Manila Editor

JUNNI RANILLO Entertainment Editor

ANGELO LOPEZ Cartoonist

FRANCIS ESPIRITU Publisher/President

THELMA L. CRUZ Senior Account Executive

CHERIE QUEROL MORENO Executive Editor

NEIL GONZALES Chief Correspondent Northern California LYDIA SOLIS Chief Correspondent Southern California

MA. CECILIA G. MADELO Graphic Director

ELEANOR SMITH Oﬃce Manager GILDA PASION BALAN FRANCO G. REGALA

NICK SAGMIT

GEORGE GANGE

RENE AVENIDO Photo Correspondents

ALI MACABALANG

JEANNE MICHAEL PENARANDA Manila Correspondents

ALFRED G. GABOT Editor-in-chief

CLAIRE M. TRUE Managing Editor

JENNIFER T. SANTOS Entertainment Editor

THOMAS G. MADELO JR. Creative Director

BLESIE D. SISON ALBERT MARTINEZ RENE AMON Account Executives

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

The views and opinions expressed herein by writers, columnists and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily reﬂect those of the publisher, management and staﬀ of Philippines Today. We are not responsible for incorrect printing, photographical errors or information listed or for loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. Reproduction or redistribution in whole or in part is prohibited.

Growing signs of a looming Chinese invasion

With all kinds of proof being revealed to the public, it is becoming clear that Chinese president Xi Jinping has been planning an invasion of the Philippines all along.

That act of war will follow the People’s Republic of China’s invasion of Taiwan. What is not yet clear is if Xi’s plan is for a joint invasion of Taiwan and the Philippines, or its immediate neighbor ﬁrst.

Xi is insisting that the One China policy must be followed, even if the overwhelming majority of the people of Taiwan prefer to remain a self-governing state, free from any kind of interference from the Chinese Communist Party.

Sad to say, the looming invasion of the Philippines is already in an advanced stage, compared to the PRC’s similar plan with Taiwan.

Thus far, only one Chinese national occupying an elective government post has been uncovered. We strongly suspect that there may be more. Either Chinese nationals are installed in key areas, or Filipino politicians willing to compromise the country’s security by agreeing to play ball with everything China demands. For a price, of course.

But the biggest proof that China has installed quite possibly thousands, even tens of thousands, of Chinese soldiers in the Philippines, are the Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators or POGOs, all of which have Chinese as the overwhelming majority of their employees.

Last week, one such POGO was raided, and most employees were found to be Chinese men in their 20s and 30s, just the right age to serve in any country’s military.

Worst of all, uniforms of the People’s Liberation Army were found, along with the usual cache of arms and ammunition, at an illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

That raid itself fell under a cloud of suspicion after hundreds of workers were able to ﬂee before the authorities arrived, indicating that conﬁdential information of the impending raid had been divulged to its owners.

So many quarters have been demanding the complete and total removal of all POGOs in the Philippines, yet there are still those in the Marcos regime who defend their presence. They argue that the billions of pesos in income would be lost, besides which there are supposedly some POGOs which are operating legally.

This is unacceptable.

Already, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has said the probable presence of Chinese military posing as POGO workers needs to be probed.

POGOs are a serious security threat to the Philippines. There is no defensible reason for their continued presence, unless of course some very powerful government oﬃcials are making obscenely humungous kickbacks from the operators.

Never mind that China may soon enough claim the Philippines as their territory by yet again producing some questionable map from thin air, much like their nine-dash or tendash line maps “proving” their ownership of the West Philippine Sea.

If and when China does take military action against Taiwan and the Philippines, Xi can expect loss of lives in the hundreds of thousands, even millions. He is said to be wary of one thing, and one thing alone – the US will most certainly send its forces to defend both countries, and the Chinese are not likely to win Xi’s war.

At best, it will be a pyrrhic victory for Xi and the CCP. The already struggling economy of the PRC will collapse, rendering tens of millions of Chinese citizens starving to death.

(From page 1)

for San Mateo County Supervisor in her commencement address at the Filipino graduation ceremonies at San Francisco State University, her very own alma mater.

No Filipino American has been elected to the Board of Supervisors, though Mike Guingona, the ﬁrst FilAm elected in Daly City history, came close in 2016 but lost in the runoﬀ to then-fellow Daly City Council Member David Canepa.

Canepa currently represents District 5 covering Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, parts of South San Francisco and San Bruno. Manalo’s disclosure all but conﬁrms that Canepa, one of her mentors, will be seeking another post when his next term concludes in four years.

Manalo has won every race since 2017, topping all votes in her last campaign. She is up for reelection in November.

“I say this because we know representation matters and it matters in any ﬁeld you choose. We need you there,” Manalo roused the Class of 2024: “Don’t be afraid to put our dreams out in the Universe, because the Universe will hear you.”

The San Francisco native spoke from lived experience.

“It was in this very gym 10 years ago that in 2014 as the masters graduate student co-speaker (where) I shared with the community that I wanted to run for local municipal office and use my Masters in Public Administration to serve in that role,” she began her keynote by reminiscing a milestone. Two years later, she marked a new highlight in her life by earning Daly City voters’ trust to join the City Council and swore in as Vice Mayor the same night she took her first oath of office.

INSPIRATION

Manalo’s words resonated with Public Health graduate Jade Murao, a fervent admirer.

The Vallejo, California-born daughter of immigrants who came to this country from Manila and worked at an airline shares the political leader’s aspiration to “inspire and uplift fellow Filipinxs.”

“She assigns and delegates tasks to deserving kababayans, and in doing so is inspiring the community to do the same. She’s planning on running for higher positions in the future in order to further help the community, which I found to be incredibly motivating,” Murao praised Manalo with Inquirer.netUSA. “I am certain that everyone that was in attendance at the ceremony, graduate or not, found encouragement to make a positive impact on not only the Filipinx community, but also in the broader society.”

Like Manalo, Murao grew up with a strong aﬃnity for their ancestral culture.

“My Filipinx identity is extremely important to me because, although I wasn’t born or raised in the Philippines, embracing my Filipinx identity helps preserve, appreciate, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage, traditions, languages, and customs of the Philippines right here in the US,” she said.

“Embracing my Filipinx identity also helped create a sense of community and belonging with those who share similar cultural backgrounds and experiences. I’m happy to say that I was able to be more in touch with my roots and my culture by participating in the Pilipinx American Collegiate Endeavor (PACE) at SFSU. I was able to learn a lot about culture and history through PACE’s Internship program and participate in Philippine cultural dances.” (Continue on page 20)

On May 18 this year, I celebrated another birthday, unlike the one last year, with ﬁve of my children: Sean,Cara, Jory, Aisha and Yasmin .

Sadly, my two other oﬀspring, Rhea and Birdie, couldn’t make it.

Sean came with his wife vien and daughter Sara, Cara came with her daughters Paulina and Josie, Jory was with his wife Natasha and sons Kyle and Finnegan, Aisha came alone and Yasmin was with her children Kevin, Brison and Chilli and her hubby Keith.

My other visitors were my niece Elizabeth Williams and her brother Ricky Williams, Sonia Reyes, Goya Navarrete, Ging Reyes , Francis Juliano, Grace and Gilbert de Ocampo with their daughter Giselle,Carie and Steve Behn, Ronald and Arlene Domingo , Long Mahinay , Bing Anisco , Jaelin Lazo and Lyka Mercado.

The party took place at the Benicia home of Jory, who initiated the event , intended to be a reunion of family and close friends, who contributed food for it.

Piece de resistence was the lechon given by Vien and Sean.Therre were oysters, mussels and birthday cake from Jory and Natasha,dinuguan, puto and sapin sapin from Sonia,Laing and cassava cake from Aisha, pancit from Mimin, duck from Grace and Gilbert, laing from Ronald and Arlene, lumpia from Carie and Steve .

In my brief impromptu speech, I hope I was able to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the celebration.

Besides the feast. Karaoke time made the event more festive as Natasha, Aisha, Cara, Yasmin, Chilli, Grace , Sean, Long and Goya sang and danced the night away.

It was a perfect night for me,one that I will treasure forever.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of family and friends!

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

50th wedding anniversary celebration at Carnival Cruise

My beloved wife Virginia Jimenez Madlaing and I are grateful and thankful to our daughters Wynema Madlaing Gacusan and Darlene Madlaing Gamble for arranging and coordinating the penultimate celebration of our 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Carnival Cruise in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, B.C. Mexico last May 30, 2024 to June 4, 2024.

& Wealth

It was a very memorable and priceless bonding with our daughters together with our grandsons John Micheal Madlaing Gamble, Brendon Madlaing Gacusan and sonin-law Ben Gscusan, Jr. who did the driving and arranging of our group breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Carnival Ship. We missed the company of our grandson Jeremiah Madlaing Gacusan, who is on training at the U.S. Army in North Carolina; and our son-in-law Bryan Gamble, who is tied up in his job as Deputy Sheriff in Louisiana. It was through God’s providence and the power of prayers (brethren in the Philippines and in the U.S. were fervently praying for them) that our daughter Darlene Madlaing Gamble and our grandson John Micheal Madlaing Gamble were able to join us in the Carnival Cruise. Few hours before our boarding of the Carnival Ship in Long Beach, California, Darlene and John Micheal were still stranded in the Dallas Airport due to tornados, delays and overbook on United flights from Dallas, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona. Then, our daughter Wynema Madlaing Gacusan instructed her sister Darlene to try booking for a flight from Dallas, Texas to Tucson, Arizona. At the last minute Darlene and John Micheal were able to board on the last two available seats for a United flight from Dallas, Texas to Tucson, Arizona and arrived at the Tucson Airport at 2:30 am on Thursday, May 30,2024. Since they missed their flight from Dallas, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona due to overbook, their baggages arrived at the Phoenix, Airport without them. Our daughter Wynema picked up their baggages at the Phoenix Airport first before picking them up at the Tucson Airport and subsequently drove back home in Glendale, Arizona., where our son-in-law Ben Gacusan and our grandson Brendon Gacusan were waiting for them to drive to Los Angeles Airport (LAX).

On our part, my beloved wife and I were able to board Southwest ﬂight to LAX at 6:15 am on Thursday, May 30, 2024 through the help of Renato Marcos who volunteered to drive us to the San Francisco Airport (SFO) by 4:00am. In about 59 minutes, my wife and I arrived at the LAX by 7:12 am. We waited at the LAX lobby until our son-in-law Ben Gacusan, Jr. picked us up by 10:20 am for 30-minutes drive to the Port of Long Beach, California. All of us (seven, a perfect number) were able to check in with the Carnival Firenze BON VORAGE to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, B.C. Mexico. At exactly 4:30 pm Carnival Firenze ship started its cruise from Long Beach, California to Cabo San Lucas, B.C. Mexico.

The Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship has Guest Capacity of 5,245; Total Staﬀ of 1,424; Gross Tonnage of 135, 156; Length of 1,061 feet; Beam of 122 feet; and Cruising Speed of 18 knots. It is very much bigger than the Princess Cruise Ship my wife and I stayed during our cruise of Alaska and Canada more than 10 years ago together spouses Justo Querido and Cely Querido from Honolulu, Hawaii; Demie Tuliao and Trinidad J. Tuliao from Daly City, California; and Pol Medios and his late wife Lourdes Gadong-Medios from South San Francisco, California.

Before boarding the Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship, we had our preassigned cabin or room namely: Stateroom 2222, for my beloved wife and 1; Stateroom 2212, for our daughter Darlene and her son John Micheal; and Stateroom 2205, for our daughter Wynema, her husband Ben and son Brendon. All seven of us had our ﬁrst dinner together aboard the Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship at the Lido Marketplace in Deck 10, where I met Ronnie from Calamba, Laguna, Philippines as the one in-charge.

On Friday, May 31, 2024 , all seven of us had our ﬁrst breakfast at Michelangelo Restaurant in Deck 3/4 with full service. There are other restaurants available like Bonsai Sushi, BonsaiTeppanyaki, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Fresh Creations, Guy’s Burger Joint, II Mercato, II Maggio, La Strada Grill, Medici Restaurant, Pizzeria del Capitano, Seafood Shack and Tomodoro. After breakfast, we played mini-golf at Deck 12 and Deck 13. About 4:30 pm, we had group photo session handled by a very friendly Filipino photographer. By 6:00 pm., we had early formal dinner at Michelangelo Restaurant where an Indian Magician came to our table and showed some tricks like vanishing a ﬁve dollar with and without powder; and transferring a bracelet without opening it. By 7.15pm. we all attended a Comedy Show hosted by comedian Manny Acosta. Unexpectedly, my beloved wife and I were chosen by comedian Manny Acosta in his monologue and even acknowledged and commended us for celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Carnival Firenze Cruise.

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Carnival Firenze arrived by early morning in Cabo San Lucas, B.C., Mexico. After breakfast, we disembarked from Carnival Firenze Ship and explored Cabo San Lucas. We hired a boat with guide who sailed us to the El Cortez Beach, Pelican Beach, Lovers Beach, Divorce Beach,, Etc. After the guided sailing, we walked around Cabo San Lucas marketplace and had late lunch at CABO WAWO Restaurant. By 4:30 pm, we returned to the Carnival Firenze Ship and joined some activities like Karaoke, Shopping, watching Variety Shows , Etc.

PAGCOR’s Al Tengco: Executive of the Year

In the reputable world of global gaming, a nomination for the “Executive of the Year Award” is enough for a fantastic achievement in itself.

These remarks came from one of the organizers of a prestigious award-giving event held on June 4 at Conrad Hotel- Manila.

The organizers then proceeded to name the Philippines’ very own PAGCOR Chairman-CEO Alejandro H. Tengco as the global gaming industry’s “Executive of the Year” during that epochal awards night. Thus, Tengco bested the top honchos of MGM, Aristocrat Gaming, Jade Entertainment, Sands and Wynn Resorts Macau.

Another Philippine company Bloomberry Resorts Corporation controlled by billionaire Enrique K. Razon Jr won the award as “Casino Operator of the Year”, an accolade it shared with Galaxy Entertainment,a Hong Kong-based operator of hotels and casinos.

Mariya Savova, event manager for the Global Gaming Awards - a project of the publication “Gambling Insider”said of the host : “The Philippines is now the most dynamic and innovative gaming market in Asia with developments in both the land-based and online verticals, so it certainly was a great pleasure to have the Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific here in Manila.”

For this noteworthy feat, Tengco brought honor and pride to the country and deserved my personal congratulations.

More than a tribute to PAGCOR, the award “validated the eﬀorts that we have been putting over the past two years. It also proved that we are leading the agency in the right direction,” Tengco said over dinner at Tiger’s Kitchen in the sprawling Newport City.

Incidentally, I had the honor and privilege to have met Newport’s Big Boss, Mr. Kevin Tan during the dinner hosted by Tiger Kitchen owner and H&H Chairman Bryan Oh and Zeal 7 Rays Chairman Seonghan Kim . (I would like to take up more of Tan’s plans and accomplishments as a young, game-changing businessman in another opinion piece.)

Tengco added: “This award inspires me to work harder so that our plans and aspirations for PAGCOR may become a reality during my tenure as chairman and CEO under the administration of President Bong Bong Marcos.”

Under Tengco’s watch, PAGCOR aims at becoming the “gold standard” of the Asian gaming industry.

To strangers in the gaming industry, Tengco is a trueblue Atenean, lawyer and risk taker who once owned several companies before he was enlisted in PAGCOR.

“In business and in life, you must be a risk taker to succeed,” Tengco added. With the gaming industry zooming up to a dynamic start, Tengco deﬁnitely is assured of PAGCOR’s trajectory.

In the ﬁrst quarter of the year, PAGCOR chalked up a total income of P25.24 billion, a 42.57% surge compared with the same period last year.

The three-month earnings put the state gaming firm on track to reach the P100 billion annual income for the year, which would be a first in the 40-year history of the state gaming firm.

“We are happy to announce that PAGCOR is able to sustain our growth trajectory in the ﬁrst quarter of 2024 and this should help position us into achieving another record-breaking year,” Tengco said in a matter- of-fact way.

Gaming operations accounted for the bulk of revenues with P22.29 billion. Of this amount, 43.46% or P9.69 billion came from the e-Games sector (e-Bingo, e-Games and Bingo grantees) while licensed casinos (integrated resorts) brought in P8.04 billion (36.06%). However, revenues from PAGCOR-run casinos under the Casino Filipino brand continued to slide, earning P3.7 billion, down from the 20.68% share it contributed to PAGCOR’s revenues in 2023. Oﬀshore gaming operations contributed P860.89 million or 3.86% of the total gaming income.

The Panay Island Tour, Boracay Escapade, ﬂoating restaurants

Before, Panay Island used to be one province where there was a large concentration of ﬁshponds. Now, the ﬁshponds still abound in the area, but it is now composed of four separate provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, and Aklan (where the world-famous Boracay Beach is situated in the island.)

People I know kept asking me how beautiful, exotic, enjoyable, and what makes Boracay the 5th Best island in Asia, according to the Destin Asian Magazine’s 17th Annual Reader’ Choice Awards 2024.

I didn’t know what to answer until my wife’s siblings/ relatives and I visited Boracay last week in a 7-day tour of the Panay Island for the ﬁrst time. I am already in my prime age, but that was the only time I had the chance to visit the famed tourist spots and the ﬁshponds of the islands.

As a prelude to the Boracay trip, we drove to Iloilo City from our hotel room in Altavas, Aklan and visited the parks, the old churches, ﬁshponds, ﬂoating eateries, the market place and other land marks of Iloilo. It has been a long time too that I visited the city since during the Masagana 99 national rice program days (I was then working with the Department of Agriculture at that time when Guimaras was still a sub-province of Iloilo. Now Guimaras is a separate thriving province.

The following day, we went to Roxas City, Capiz, where we experienced having lunch in a floating raft restaurant in the Palina River being towed by a boat (balsa) while enjoying eating crabs, oysters, fish, bangus, vegetables, and other seafood served by the local chef. This is the rural version of the urban floating restaurant in big cities and metropolis. That was my first experience, in fact most of the group’s first experience of the floating restaurant circling the Palina River with mangroves on the side of the river serving as safe places when the storm is strong and the winds are strong with the mangroves serving as a safe place to stop. The river trip usually takes an hour but we had it only for 30 minutes because of strong winds that forced us to go to a safe mangrove area before resuming cruise. It was raining at that time. We were introduced to this kind of thrilling experience by my niece Rhoda Estioko (she was also vacationing in the Philippines from the US) with two of the staff of her brother-in-law’s beach resort in Capiz Romy Villar.

Then we visited Boracay and scoured the place for three days. The 2-hour drive from our hotel in Altavas, Aklan to Boracay gave me a chance to talk to seaman Tottie Doroteo and discussed seafarers (seamen) life in the sea. We were both passengers at the back with our SUV being driven by Ghaga Ventura with my wife Delia in the front seat.

The other 14-seater car with our group (my wife’s siblings and relatives) were trailing us: Roger Ventura, his wife Bot and their daughter Carol; Nelia Ventura Samar and her daughter Bekbek Reyes with her children Ayon and Nehlay; Nelia Ventura; Editha Ventura Azucenas with her daughter Evelyn; Rene Ventura; Ligaya Ventura Doroteo; and Fiona Ventura.

Tottie’s ship is owned by a Japanese company and has been employed with the cargo ship for many years now. He is a veteran seafarer! I learned that his ship is composed of the ship’s captain, 7 other oﬃcers plus 13 crewmembers for a total of 21. They have individual rooms but common toilets (only the oﬃcers have their toilets in their rooms).

Most of the time, they have mixed crews but mostly dominated by Filipinos who were hard working, compared to other nationalities. That’s the reason the ship owners and the ship captains prefer Filipinos as crewmembers. Salaries/wages ranges from $800 to $1,500 depending on their roles in the ship. They have a chief cook who is assigned to cook for the whole crew. Most of the cargo ships are owned by Japanese and Greek businessmen.

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, we had our early breakfast at the Michelangelo Restaurant by 6:00 pm.

“As we said earlier, the e-games sector will be our major source of gaming revenues this year and in the next few years as innovation and technological integration allows the sector to oﬀer more excitement and convenience to gamers,” Tengco said.

(Continue on page 20)

When their contract is ended (usually from 6 to 9 months), they are given a $100 leave fee in addition to their monthly salaries. Then, they have to wait for a month to three months to be able to be hired again, but they have to undergo a-3-day retraining in Iloilo City or in Manila. For new seafarers, they need a 7-day training to qualify for employment. They have ﬁxed amount of allotment being sent to their spouse depending upon the agreed amount from $300- $800. Most of the crew member send allotment of (Continue on page 20)

“

ART GABOT MADLAING Health

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO

MELANDREW T. VELASCO

Asylum application under Particular Social Group

When applying for asylum the applicant must prove they are persecuted on account of race, nationality, religion, political opinion and membership in a particular social group. The applicant has to establish that the asylum claim is rooted or connected in any one of these bases.

What is a Particular Social Group Under U.S. Immigration Law?

Different U.S. Asylum Officers and Immigration Judges view the “PSG” concept in various ways. However, a PSG is generally understood as an identifiable group of people viewed by their government or the persecutor as a threat. It is also often described as a group sharing a common characteristic that is so fundamental to their individual identities that the members cannot—or should not

be expected to—change it.

What is common among members of PSG?

Another way that the U.S. government commonly expresses this deﬁnition is that the group is:

• made up of members who share a common immutable characteristic

• socially distinct within the society in question (though group aﬃliation doesn’t need to be readily visible, and could even be hidden by the members), and

• has been deﬁned with particularity (in other words, has distinct boundaries, so that decision-makers can ﬁgure out who would be a member or not).

Who composes a Particular Social Group (PSG)?

A PSG is normally composed of persons who

have a similar background, social status, lineage, experiences, or habits. The shared, immutable characteristic might be something the person was born with (such as gender, color, clan, ancestry, or family ties), or it might be a shared experience in their past (such as former property ownership, widowhood, or former gang or military conscription).

PSG affiliation doesn’t need to be voluntary, as in a group that they actually, officially joined. Members don’t even have to know each other. Then again, membership can be voluntary, as with women who refuse to comply with gender-specific laws on what they must wear.

Is there a limit to the number of people composing a PSG?

There’s no size minimum or limit on a PSG, but extremely narrow or broad deﬁnitions are unlikely to succeed. After all, most societies don’t actively persecute groups of just a few people; and it’s rare (but not unheard of) to see persecution of the majority of a country’s citizens.

What are examples of Particular Social Groups?

PSGs that have frequently been recognized by the U.S. government include tribes or ethnic groups, social classes (such as educated elites), family members of dissidents, occupational groups, LGBTI persons or those perceived as such (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex), child soldiers, members or former members of the police or military (who might be targeted for assassination), and, in some cases, disabled persons and women.

What if your home government mistakenly views you as a member of a PSG and persecuted you because of that? You could still claim asylum on that basis, even if you are not actually a member of a PSG.

Is gender such as being a female considered as a member of PSG?

In relatively recent years, the U.S. government began to recognize persecution based on gender as a PSG. This allowed women to gain asylum based on having undergone (or fearing that they’ll be forced to undergo) cultural practices such as female

genital cutting/ mutilation, Islamic dress code requirements, forced marriage, or domestic violence.

Note: This is not legal advice.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. PETITION FOR CAREGIVERS

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

You may qualify if you six months experience as Caregivers.

Applicants Inside the United States or in the Philippines or other countries may qualify. Bankruptcy Basics

We also process Bankruptcy cases.

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

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

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

SKY RIVER CASINO ANNOUNCES AND OUTLINES EXPANSION PLANS AS IT CONTINUES TO SET NEW STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY

Already home to gaming, entertainment, 18 elevated restaurants and bars, Sky River will expand to offer a hotel, day spa, pool, event space, and more

ELK GROVE, Calif. (June 7, 2024) – Today, Wilton Rancheria and their partner Boyd Gaming Corporation formally announced and outlined exciting expansion plans for the Sky River Casino, which first opened on August 15, 2022. Conveniently located just off Highway 99 in Elk Grove, future expansion plans for Sky River Casino include an expanded gaming floor, additional High Limit room, a 300-room stateof-the-art hotel, luxurious spa, spectacular outdoor pool, and an innovative meeting, event and entertainment space. As an architectural highlight, a dramatic hotel atrium ceiling will allow for breathtaking views of the sky above – one of many features that pay tribute to the Tribe’s close connection to nature.

With work planned to begin on a new parking structure this year, the ambitious expansion plans will roll out in two construction phases as outlined below:

Phase 1 Expansion Plans

• Multi-story, 1,600 space parking garage

• Enhanced Valet service area and new Porte Cochere

Phase 2 Expansion Plans

• 300-room state-of-the-art hotel

• Outdoor pool

• Day spa

• Multi-use event and entertainment space

• 400 additional slot gaming options

• Additional, elevated High Limit and VIP gaming area

While timing is subject to change based on construction, availability of materials, and weather- related variables, Phase I is expected to be completed by summer 2025 and Phase 2 by early 2027.

“We are very proud of what we have created – and continue to imagine – at Sky River Casino,” said Jesus Tarango, Wilton Rancheria Chairman. “With these expansion plans now ﬁrmly in process, the future is even brighter for the Elk Grove community, greater Sacramento area, and for generations of Wilton Rancheria people, the only federally recognized Tribe in Sacramento County. I want to thank the Tribal Elders and citizens of Wilton Rancheria for their support. We would also like to gratefully acknowledge the invaluable support extended by the City of Elk Grove, Sacramento County, and our state leaders, along with the incredible reception by an amazing and welcoming Northern California community.”

Wilton Rancheria currently possesses nearly 140 acres of land, including Sky River Casino and the parcels surrounding it. This includes 77 acres of the Tribe’s traditional Rancheria land which was recently put into federal trust with plans to develop Tribal services and preserve its great cultural legacy.

“These expansion plans for Sky River will continue to set new standards of excellence for casino experiences not only in the Sacramento area but throughout Northern California and beyond,” said Sky River Casino President Michael J. Facenda. “Once we have a world class hotel, event space and other highly desirable amenities, we will oﬀer a destination

of appeal to guests who will travel in search of elevated experiences that are highlighted by lively gaming and entertainment, amazing culinary options, upscale overnight accommodations, and relaxing environments.”

Currently, Sky River Casino employs approximately 1,600 team members (more than half of whom are Charter Team Members who have been with Sky River since before doors opened nearly two years ago). With these expansion plans, approximately 200 new job opportunities will be created to accommodate the new oﬀerings, amenities, and experiences.

For more information about Sky River Casino and its offerings, please call 916-866-0200 or visit www.SkyRiver. com. For more information about Wilton Rancheria, please visit www.WiltonRancheria-nsn.gov.

About Sky River Casino

Sky River Casino was built by Wilton Rancheria in partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation, which is managing the property for the tribe. The casino opened in August 2022 and includes 100,000 sq ft of gaming, 2,100 slot machines, 80 table games, and 18 elevated restaurants, bars, and lounge destinations. To learn more, visit www.SkyRiver.com.

About Wilton Rancheria

Wilton Rancheria is proud to be the Capitol Tribe with its home in Sacramento County. The Tribe’s government is divided into four separate branches: a General Council, comprised of all voting members; the Oﬃce of the Chair and Vice-Chair, which administers all Tribal departments and programs; the Tribal Council, which enacts legislation and oversees the budget; and the Tribal Court, which hears all cases and controversies under the Tribe’s jurisdiction. To learn more, visit www. WiltonRancheria-nsn.gov.

When you get a Flex Alert, reduce your power use to help ease the grid and avoid statewide outages. The more people that save their energy for later, the more likely we keep the lights on.

Charlie Dizon, Romnick Sarmenta win top acting awards at Urian 2024;

Charlie Dizon and Romnick Sarmenta took home the Best Actress and best actor awards, beating popular nominees, at the 47th Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino held at the Henry Sy Sr. in De La Salle University, Manila.

Charlie won for her performance in “Third World Romance,” beating Kathryn Bernardo (“A Very Good Girl”), Gabby Padilla (“Gitling”) and Max Eigenmann (“Raging Grace”).

“Third World Romance” also picked up the Best Director win for Dwein Baltazar, Best Music and Best Production Design for Eero Yves Francisco.

Romnick beat Charlie’s boyfriend and “Third World Romance” leading man Carlo Aquino. He also bested “GomBurZa” lead star Cedrick Juan, as well

US-based

as “Fireﬂy” child star Euwenn Mikaell Aleta.

Romnick’s ﬁlm, “About Us But Not About Us,” also won Best Screenplay for writer-director Jun Robles Lana.

Dwayne Baltzar’s “Third World Romance” and Carl Joseph Papa’s “Iti Mapukawkaw” were named Best Director and Best Picture for this year’s Gawad Urian.

The Best Supporting plums went to respected veteran stars, Ronnie Lazaro and Dolly De Leon, whose entry ﬁlms also won awards.

Ronnie’s “The Gospel of the Beast” also won Best Editing for Lawrence S. Ang and Bienvenido Ferrer III.

Carlo and Dolly’s critically acclaimed ﬁlm “Iti Mapukpukaw” also fetched

Hilda Koronel honored

awards, namely, Best Picture, Best Animation and Best Sound for Lamberto Casas Jr. and Alex Tomboc.

Dolly, however, won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “Ang Duyan ng Magiting.”

Since its inception in 1977, the Gawad Urian Awards has annually recognized outstanding individuals in the Filipino ﬁlm industry.

This year, veteran ﬁlm and TV star Hilda Koronel now based in the United States was awarded the Natatanging Gawad Urian award.

Here is the list of winners for the 47th Gawad Urian:

Best Supporting Actor - Ronnie Lazaro

Best Supporting Actress - Dolly de Leon

Best Sound - Lamberto Casas Jr. and Alex Tomboc, “Iti Mapukpukaw”

Best Music - Vincent de Jesus, “Third World Romance”

Best Editing - Lawrence Ang, “The Gospel of the Beast”

Best Production Design - Eoro Yves Francisco, “Third World Romance”

Best Short Film - “Hito” by Stephen Lopez

Best Animation“Iti Mapukpukaw” by Carl Joseph E. Papa Best Documentary - “Baon sa Biyahe” by James Magnaye

Best Cinematography - Carlo Canlas Mendoza, “Gomburza”

Best Screenplay - Jun Robles Lana, “About Us But Not About Us”

Best Director - Dwein Ruedas Baltazar, “Third World Romance”

Best Actor - Romnick Sarmenta, “About Us but Not About Us”

Best Actress - Charlie Dizon, “Third World Romance”

Best Picture - “Iti Mapukpukaw” by Carl Joseph E. Papa Gawad Urian Award - Hilda Koronel

Marcos appoints Imelda Papin to PCSO Board

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed singer-turned-politician Imelda Papin as acting member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Oﬃce (PCSO).

Papin, known in the local showbiz scene as the “Jukebox Queen,” took her oath of ofﬁce before Marcos on Tuesday at the Malacañan Palace.

Papin, who rose to fame in the 1970s, has had a long history in politics outside her decades-long music career.

She served as vice governor of Camarines Sur from 1998 to 2004 and from 2019 to 2022.

Papin sought congressional seats representing districts in Bulacan and Camarines Sur, but was unsuccessful.

She also ran for senator in 2010 but was also unsuccessful.

Marcos also appointed Kathryn Yu Pimentel as special envoy to Unted Arab Emirates. Pimentel is the wife of oppposition Sen-

Charlie Dizon, Romnick Sarmenta win big at Gawad Urian

Hilda Koronel

ator Aquilino Koko Pimentel III.

JUKEBOX QUEEN. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. poses with Imelda Papin whom he appointed as Ac�ng Member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Oﬃce (PCSO).

‘Princess Padyak’ launches Miles Ocampo to stardom

By Rodolfo Es�mo

Beauty, brains, and brawn have won for actress Miles Ocampo her ﬁrst leading role in a teleserye or television series, “Padyak Princess”, which has just premiered at on TV 5.

The God-given gifts have made her like water that seeks its own level in the entertainment ﬁeld.

These and her inborn wit and knack for humor drew the attention of TVJ — Tito (Sotto), Vic (Sotto) and Joey (de Leon) — who made her a member of Dabarkads, gang of friends, on Philippine TV’s longest running show “Eat

Bulaga”.

De Leon, referred to as the “Henyo Master” who came up with the show’s title and slogan, explained that “Eat” was for lunchtime and “Bulaga” was TVJ’s wish to ﬁll the variety show with a lot of surprises. The show’s slogan is “Hangga’t may bata, may Eat Bulaga” (as long as there are children, there’s Eat Bulaga).

It was in Tito Sotto’s kitchen where the idea came up. To make the show unforgettable, Joey decided to use both Filipino and English words for the title.

The show is now in its 45th year of entertaining people and has served as a launch pad

If you want to spend your retirement in yearround warmth with your family and old friends, comfort food you had growing up, coffee get together every morning in a park with a brisk walk and an look back memory lane, your mother land should be your ideal option, for us Filipinos the Philippines. The cost of living in the Philippines is significantly lower than in the U.S., and the government takes steps to make it especially welcoming to Balikbayan. But there are some pitfalls related to this move that you’ll want to avoid. Before you decide to settle down and retire in the Philippines, it may be beneficial to speak with a financial advisor. Cost of Living in The Philippines If you’re finding it hard to stretch your dollar in the U.S., you might want to consider the the Philippines for your golden years. Numbeo, a major database of economic conditions in different countries, reports that the cost of living in the Philippines is significantly lower than it is in the U.S. Below, we compare the Philippines and the U.S. in terms of specific costs, as of March 2022:

• Rent Prices: 77.95% lower than in the U.S.

• Consumer prices with rent: 58.64% lower than in U.S.

• Restaurant meal prices: 70.99% lower than in U.S

• Grocery prices: 47.71% lower than in U.S. International Living, a magazine that extensively covers the costs of residing in different countries, reports that most expats can live comfortably with $1,000 to $2,200 a month. That includes housing and going out to enjoy what the Philippines has to offer. You have your options of how you want to live in the Philippines and only a Filipino would know that. Various standards in a country that has a vast income disparity. One could say living in the Philippines like a “King” would be much more expensive that living in America? As high end Real Estate is definitely much higher than an average home in the US. Or you can stretch your dollar but have to settle for how you lifestyle is, by living in a smaller condo perhaps, dining in local places and shopping in markets as suppose to department stores. People are adoptive and who is to say How you can live like a King is definitely a personal view point. Retiree Housing in the Philippines Securing housing as a retiree expat in the Philippines would take some strategy. You can purchase a condo or townhouse. However, you can’t buy a fully detached home. The good news is you can use the $20,000 deposit for the visa to purchase one of these homes if your overall investment in the country is at least $100,000. So you may want to rent until you can purchase your own home. That said, it’s important to research a potential location with laser focus. Some areas in the Philippines lack sufficient infrastructure. This means power outages and water stoppages can become the norm in some places. You’re also going to want to have easy access to healthcare, banks and entertainment. Access to Healthcare in

for the careers of many young stars who have since become successful in the entertainment industry.

It also provides public service to those in need., which includes helping the sick and the needy, sending poor but deserving kids to school (secondary or college), donating to barangay to enable them to render more eﬃcient service to residents, providing aid in cash or kind when necessary and giving away prizes during the “Sugod-bahay sa Barangay” portion of the show.

“Sugod-bahay sa Barangay” roughly means “rush to a barangay house to give gifts”.

It goes without saying that Eat Bulaga paved the way for Miles to get the lead role in the TV series “Padyak Princess,” opposite Joao Constancia, whose parents are in Macau, and Jameson Blake.

For last Saturday’s presentation, Miles and TVJ arrived at TV 5 in separate pedicabs. Tito, Vic and Joey “complained” with the kind of humor for which they are known.

At the start of the show, Miles took center stage, thanking everyone — TVJ, other Dabarkads, among others — for her leading role in the new TV series, which was ﬁrst mentioned to her last December.

Selling your house here in the US and Retiring back Home

the Philippines Obtaining healthcare may be a challenge in the Philippines depending on where you stay. If you live in the capital, Manila, it’s very easy to get access to healthcare. However, other areas lack suﬃcient healthcare facilities. This can pose a serious issue for those with chronic conditions or expats who require frequent medical attention. But if you have easy access to hospitals, healthcare costs signiﬁcantly lower than it does in the U.S. and you can easily sign up for a local health insurance plan. You can also apply for the government healthcare program PhilHealth. Unfortunately, however, hospitals in the Philippines don’t accept traditional Medicare. Plus, many hospitals require payment at the point of service. But if you’re in the military, you may be able to access local VA clinics. Taxes for Retired Expats in the Philippines

The tax code in the Philippines is particularly friendly to expats. Resident aliens are taxed only on income they get from sources within the Philippines. The rates vary depending on what type of income you receive. The Philippines government classiﬁes income as compensation, income subject to ﬁnal tax and other income.

Compensation is basically paycheck income, which is taxed at a rate ranging from 20% to 35%. Income subject to final tax is typically passive income. The maximum rate for this is 20%. Again, this applies only if you work in the Philippines. If you plan to take a full retirement, the Philippines government won’t tax the income you receive from a pension, 401(k), individual retirement account (IRA) or other type of retirement plan. Retiring in the Philippines can be a great escape when done right. Overall, you’re going to notice goods and services are cheaper than they are in the U.S. You can also find affordable healthcare as long as you retire in a location close to hospitals. However, certain parts lack infrastructure and investment. Therefore, you’re not likely to find easy access to healthcare in these places. For some people, the value of your Social Security benefit is enough to cover your costs of living in retirement. Taking your equity and retirement savings back home to be with your friends and family might be what you deserve. Thanks for your inquiries, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@ verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

Pacquiao returns to ring, to fight Chihiro Suzuki in Japan on July 28

MAKATI CITY – Yes, world boxing icon Emmanuel Manny Pacquiao is not only returning to the Philippine Senate but also in the ring.

Pacquiao announced in Japan that he will participate in yet another exhibition match on July 28.

Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, will ﬁght Japanese Rizin Featherweight Champion Chihiro Suzuki in a three-round exhibition match, the Rizin Fighting Federation announced.

Suzuki immediately declared he will knock down the Filipino boxing star. Suzuki is a known knockout artist it was learned,

Pacquiao said he was slighted with Suzuki’s declaration and vowed to give his best in the ﬁght.

Pacquiao, who earlier said he was gearing for a possible rematch with American world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., last professional battle was more than two years ago against Yordenis Ugás, where he lost in their welterweight showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with scores 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112 in favor of the Cuban ﬁghter.

Pacquiao later fought in an exhibition match against DK Yoo of South Korea in December 2022, where he scored a win via a unanimous decision.

The former senator was supposed to ﬁght Buakaw Banchamek earlier this year but their bout was post-

poned, according to reports.

Suzuki, a Japanese-Peruvian ﬁghter, is the reigning Rizin featherweight champion. He and Pacquiao faced oﬀ in Tokyo at the Rizin 47 event, Manila media and ABS-CBN reported.

Earlier this year, the decorated Pinoy boxer was amed by sports news company Sportico as 22nd highest-paid athlete of all time.

Pacquiao, who ran and lost in the 2022 presidential election, recently announced his intent to throw his hat once more in the political ring in the 2025 elections.

In another report, Boxing News reportedly learned that Manny Pacquiao wants to ﬁght for the WBC welterweight title upon his return to the sport later this year.

The 45-year-old wants one more ﬁght, according to MP Promotions Chairman Sean Gibbons, with the green and gold strap the number one target.

WBN spoke to Gibbons about the possibility of a shot at the belt, which became vacant when the WBC made Terence Crawford ‘Champion in Recess.’ Crawford had his position downgraded until the full extent of a run at super welterweight is known. ‘Bud’ challenges Israil Madrimov for the WBA version on August 3, with the vacant WBO title also on the line. Crawford still holds the WBO and WBA belts at 147.

However, with the WBC title now free, Pacquiao

hopes to be allowed to compete against Mario Barrios in the summer or fall. Barrios recently defended his interim title on the Las Vegas undercard of Canelo vs Munguia. The Mexican could be upgraded to full champion any day now.

WBN has already contacted the WBC to gauge whether they would be receptive to Pacquiao being given a shot at Barrios despite being out of the ring for three years and losing his last ﬁght.

SUBIC FREEPORT – Chinese Peng Cheng Li and Filipino Leyann Ramo topped their respective divisions in the Ironman 70.3 at Subic Bay Boardwalk in Olongapo City, Zambales on Sunday, June 9.

The 33-year-old Li clocked 4 hours, 20 minutes and 5 seconds to win the men’s title in the 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run event.

Great Britain’s Christopher Weeks ﬁnished second with a time of 4:30:18, followed by veteran Filipino runner August Benedicto (4:34:21).

The three also ruled their age-group categories. Li won in the 30-34 age group, Weeks in the 35-39 and Benedicto in the 40-44.

Benedicto, the many-time national team member now based in Ireland, won the event in 2022.

Ramo, meanwhile, retained the women’s division crown after ﬁnishing in 5:07:33.

Israel’s Hadar Shahar placed second with a time of 5:16:04, while Hong Kong’s Ruby Cheng was third in 5:23:57.

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” the 31-yearold Ramo, a native of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte said.

She won the 70.3 Puerto Princesa last year. Ramo was also crowned champion in the 30-34 category while Shahar ruled the 25-29 category.

Winners in the relay competitions were Go for Gold Team I (men’s), Isabela Tri Club Girls (women’s) and Isabela Tri Club (mixed).

Thousands of triathletes from 54 countries joined the Ironman Philippines and the IM 70.3 Subic which oﬀered qualifying slots for three World Championships, including the full-distance race of 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, and 42.2km run, which has no results yet as of posting time.

The top 25 men triathletes from the full-distance race will earn slots to the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on Oct. 22 to 28 while the top 15 women will qualify for the IM World Championship in Nice, France on Sept. 24 to 28.

The IM 70.3 Subic Bay also oﬀered 45 age-group qualifying slots, including 15 for women, for the Vinfast IM 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand on Dec. 14 and 15. (Jean Malanum/PNA) Lanao’s Ramo, China’s Li triumph in Ironman 70.3 Subic

Amidst Global Turmoil, Citizens Unite for Peace: HWPL Holds 11th Annual Peace Walk in 50 countries

As conﬂicts erupt worldwide threatening global security and coexistence, hope of peace emerges from citizens. In May 2024, citizens across all continents join hands for HWPL’s 11th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and Peace Walk, organized by a UN-aﬃliated NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). Themed “Communication for Global Citizenship of Reconciliation and Tolerance,” this commemoration aims to cultivate and share a global culture of peace.

In about 50 countries, the Peace Walk will be complemented by diverse peacebuilding activities including peacethemed performances, video screenings, photo exhibitions, poster drawings, sports activities, bazaars, and volunteer opportunities. Tree planting ceremonies and “free hugs” initiatives further emphasize the spirit of unity and environmental well-being.

In the Philippines, a Peace Competition Activity was held on May 3 at Victorious Christian Montessori in GMA, Cavite. Elementary and high school students participated in diﬀerent categories such as essay writing, poster making and coloring/drawing with peace as a theme.

Peace Walks were also held in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental during the Hinu-

Bonta...

gyaw Festival on April 29 and in Lucban, Quezon as part of the most-awaited Pahiyas Festival and Parade on May 15. HWPL volunteers in Lucban together with the barangay oﬃcials teamed-up in cleaning the Pahiyas festival decorations at the plaza on May 16 and 18.

Neil Palermo, Coordinator of HWPL youth wing, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), encouraged the youth, “Kami (IPYG) po ay nagjo-join sa Peace Walk every year dito sa Pahiyas ng Lucban. Para po sa progressive and peaceful na bayan ng Lucban, ine-encourage ko po lahat ng kabataan na magjoin po sa IPYG kung saan ang kabataan po ay magkakaroon po ng activities tulad ng clean-up drive. Sa gano’ng paraan... tayo po ay maging good example sa mga kabataan.”

(We join the Peace Walk every year

here during the Pahiyas [Festival] of Lucban. For the progressive and peaceful community of Lucban, I encourage every youth to join IPYG, where the youth participate in diﬀerent activities, like cleanup drives. In this way, we can be a good example to the other young people here in Lucban.)

The ﬂagship event will commence on May 25th at the Peace Gate of Seoul Olympic Park, Republic of Korea. This annual event commemorates the 2013 proclamation of the Declaration of World Peace at the Peace Gate with 30,000 global youth advocating peace. This declaration outlines the roles of individuals from all walks of life in achieving peace and urges a united global eﬀort.

During last year’s commemoration, HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee said, “Since we pledged to work together for

world peace 10 years ago, we have been calling for peace all over the world. We have advocated that peace should be taught at home and at school, and that everyone should become messengers of peace.” He also emphasized, “Everyone should be one under the title of peace and work together to create a good world and make it a legacy for future generations. This is what we need to do in this era in which we live.”

HWPL recently issued a statement on the Israel-Iran conﬂict and highlighted the devastating impact on civilians. “Organizations worldwide, in alliance with HWPL as peace solidarity, urge Iran and Israel to put a stop to the acts of aggression immediately and to come forward for conversations to usher in peace,” the statement said.

(From page 1)

The success of the state’s gun violence prevention is highlighted in a report from the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Oﬃce of Gun Violence Prevention released by the Oﬃce of California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The report provides an in-depth look at California’s measures that can prevent gun violence by restricting a violent, abusive, or dangerous individual’s access to ﬁrearms.

The report also provides a guide to the unique features and diﬀerences between each type of protection order to ensure that survivors and other stakeholders understand the full range of options available in our state and can determine which process may be most protective for their circumstances.

“We hope this report will send a clear message to lawmakers, advocates, community organizations, other states, and anyone interested in seriously addressing the gun violence crisis: Protection orders save lives,” Bonta said.

“California has a strong safety toolkit. And when we equip people with information about this complete range of protection orders, we empower them to choose the most impactful responses to protect themselves and their loved ones. These interventions are all vital to preventing gun violence and can serve as a model for other states,” Bonta added.

The report also provides new data regarding protection orders issued with ﬁrearm provisions in California to document

the role each of these processes plays in preventing gun violence in our state, including an analysis of the number of Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) issued in each county.

“California’s strong gun safety laws lead the nation, ensuring that guns don’t fall into dangerous hands. But, make no mistake, there’s so much more we can — and must —do to make sure Californians understand how to utilize our gun safety laws to keep their families and communities safe,” said Cassandra Whetstone, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action in Sacramento.

Over the last 30 years, California has reduced its gun violence rate compared to the rest of the United States; once 50% above average, California’s firearm homicide rate is now 33% below the rest of the United States. Additionally, if the firearm mortality rate in the rest of the United States had matched California’s between 2013-2022, there would have been nearly 140,000 fewer firearm-related deaths nationwide in that decade alone.

Ivan Garcia, Brady’s Team ENOUGH Executive Council, said “the California Oﬃce of Gun Violence Prevention and the Attorney General have been vital voices for prioritizing public health and safety for the Golden State and for setting the agenda for action in states across the country.”

“Brady and Brady’s Team ENOUGH youth advocates are grateful to Attorney General Bonta for his partnership and leadership to change California’s laws,

the gun industry, and our state’s culture surrounding firearms. With the release of this report, we can finally see the results of the solutions that are fighting this epidemic daily so we may continue to forge ahead to a future free from gun violence,” Garcia added.

“Today’s report highlights the robust array of protections from gun violence aﬀorded to Californians,” echoed Mike McLively, GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention Policy Director. “We look forward to continuing to partner with Attorney General Bonta and the California State Legislature to improve and perfect California’s nation-leading gun safety laws.”

Highlights from the data report include:

Statewide, the number of California protection orders issued with provisions limiting a respondent’s access to ﬁrearms and other weapons increased by 20% between 2020 and 2023.

More survivors are obtaining longerterm final protection orders that can last for multiple years instead of days or weeks: The number of final protection orders issued with firearm provisions by California civil courts increased by 25% from 2020 to 2023.

There have been especially signiﬁcant increases in utilization of the Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO). The number of GVROs issued per year in California more than doubled from 2020 to 2023 (increasing by 118%) and nearly

doubled from 2021 to 2023 (increasing by 96%). This underscores the impact of recent state and local investments focused on training and educating stakeholders about this process.

There is signiﬁcant variation in utilization of the GVRO across California’s counties. Of the 8,988 GVROs issued statewide from 2016 to 2023, 44% were issued in just two of California’s 58 counties, San Diego and Santa Clara. Of the 2,071 longer-term ﬁnal GVROs issued statewide from 2016-2023, 35% were issued in San Diego County alone.

Criminal Protective Orders, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Emergency Protective Orders, and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders are by far the most common types of protection orders issued with ﬁrearm provisions in California. While the GVRO plays an essential role in preventing gun violence, 99% of all protection orders issued with ﬁrearm provisions in 2023 were orders other than GVROs.

California DOJ’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention was launched by Attorney General Bonta in 2022. The office, dedicated to developing strategies and working with stakeholders statewide to address the gun violence epidemic, is the first in the nation established within an attorney general’s office. Last year, the office published two data and policy reports on The Impact of Gun Violence in California and the intersection of Domestic Violence and Firearms.

More visibility for excluded communities key to closing health disparities

For the ﬁrst time since 1997, the Oﬃce of Management and Budget (OMB) expanded its race and ethnicity standards to capture historically excluded communities who will now be visible in federal data collection.

In the first of three briefings on health inequities sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the May 17, 2024 Ethnic Media Services briefing dubbed as Disaggregating Data Key to Closing Health Disparities, experts and advocates explored how better data collection help direct resources and interventions where they are needed most, especially to communities facing the greatest health challenges.

The brieﬁng also touched on what the updated race and ethnicity standards included; how OMB plans to engage with communities to ensure clarity and broad adoption; need for additional testing and research to implement the standards; what states are already implementing high standards.

The speakers in the brieﬁng were Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s National Commission to Transform Public Health Data Systems Gail C. Christopher, Senior Program Oﬃcer within the Research-EvaluationLearning Unit of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Tina J. Kauh, Senior Program Director, Census and Data Equity, at The Leadership Conference Education Fund Meeta Anand, and National Director of Civic Engagement at NALEO Educational Fund Juan Rosa.

Representing the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence building, was Tina Kauh who stressed that they work side by side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to get to health equity faster and pave the way together to a future where health is no longer a privilege but a right.

Kauh believes one way we do achieve this is by “supporting research and ﬁlling the gaps in data that deepen and shipped our understanding of health and data that deepen and shipped our understanding of health and wellbeing.”

“I want to frame why the Federal Oﬃce of Management and Budget’s (OMB) to its minimum race and ethnicity data standards is such a historic event, and budgets recent changes to its minimum race and ethnicity data standards is such a historic event, particularly for addressing gaps in data,” Kauh clariﬁed.

Kauh then proceeded to narrate her own experience of having a difficult time to find data on her own Asian-American race that she discovered as a whole field of research that explored how culture, race, ethnicity influence attitudes and behaviors. This passionate interest started from when she was in college, then when she sought funding to gather data

as a researcher pursuing a doctoral degree (found that that it was nearly impossible to ﬁnd funders who thought that that was a worthy topic), and even when herself became a funder of programs (asked grantees to examine Asian-Americans in their studies, but their sample sizes were too small or there was interest but it was too expensive to include them in any meaningful way).

Other recent changes to the OMB that Co mentioned are the minimum standards that include measuring race and ethnicity using a single combined question on federal surveys and requiring instead of simply encouraging the collection of more detailed race ethnicity data by all federal agencies.

RWJF looks forward to supporting those eﬀorts to ensure swift and eﬀective implementation of these updated standards.

For her part, Christopher relayed that she strongly believes that “the diversity of this country has the potential to be our superpower… but in order for that to be realized, People have to be counted. People have to not be invisible.”

“When it comes to the health and viability of our democracy, we simply must have systems in place that count for the lived experiences of our diverse population and I think we’re in that kind of moment. We have this opportunity to move forward faster. These changes in the data and the opportunity to aggregate the data more with more speciﬁcity is a moment of moving forward faster for our country, but we really have to engage the broader nation in the importance in the primacy of this opportunity. That all of you are here representing the because most of our progress in terms of human rights and civil rights,” Christopher underscored.

Christopher then narrated that a supposedly well-intentioned eﬀort of her physician for her to increase the dosage of her medication dramatically based on a particular stereotype in the African American race after she lost her ﬁrstborn child and undergoing surgery hat eventually led to the loss of the vision in one eye because it was an ocular surgery.

Christopher regards the disaggregation of data faced ﬁts into the broader construct of overcoming the legacy of discrimination and racial stereotyping, which is part of the nation’s history and this is the moment in which “we are beginning to own that history and beginning to put creative forces in play, healing and reconciliation and truth processes and the biasing work to deﬁnitely move forward.”

Anand, on the other hand, is happy that they were able to bring together a coalition at the national level to really push for this, which was really a product of that vision, something that they operate at the state level as well.

“We all need to remember is that data are always contextual. To just say a data point is meaningless. And so when we have disaggregated data, what we are truly saying is that we are allowing people to tell more of their own personal story and more of their own lived

experience through the data and they are not being forced to identify as something they are not,” Anand mentioned.

“And what happens when people start identifying as something they are not, it means that the rest of the story is not according with them. So that means that when we put the data points together, we’re not getting the true complete picture,” Anand advanced. “Of what inequities we’re facing in society. What are the diﬀering outcomes? And we need to remember that when we’re talking about collecting data, it is in service of these deeper understandings that we hope to address.

Rosa who works as the national director of civic engagement of National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Oﬃcials (NALEO) educational fund spoke that their group brings together policymakers to do professional development to learn about issues and how they can champion changes “wherever they are in elected oﬃce or appointed.

And for them to form networks and also in alliances that can help them advance, these changes in their communities.”

“Our other organization with the task of getting Latinos more engaged in Americans and in America’s political processes from elections to pursuing US citizenship to participation in the Senior Census and in the redistricting processes that follow the Senior Census,” Rosa explained. “We’ve been working on, census participation, since the 1,990 census, because we are part of a mission is to ensure that there is a complete and accurate count of the Latino community, the Latin population in this country.”

Rosa also cites that part of their work includes mobilizing and educating a community since 1990 that led them to be very active on policy issues and the policies that aﬀect the Census Bureau from its funding and how it is getting ready to count the population every ten years.

Gail C. Christopher

Tina J. Kauh

Meeta Anand

Juan Rosa

As I see It

(From Page 11)

300 to 500 while oﬃcers send $800 as allotments. They don’t spend, at all, their own money throughout the duration of their contract because they have free board and lodging and nothing to spend while at sea.

One important thing is they contribute $50 to $80 a month as part of their beneﬁt thrust fund which they can withdraw when they need it. Most seamen have it accumulated and when they need money they can withdraw and even make a bigger loan when they need money. That’s the reason why most seamen have big houses and have a lot of appliances.

After a 2-hour drive taking the less travelled short cut at the edge of the mountains, we reached Caticlan, a progressive barangay of Boracay where the newly built Caticlan airport is.

In Caticlan, we have to register to go to Boracay, pay immigration and boat fare for a 10-minute boat trip to Boracay.

The Boracay Sun, Boracay’s monthly newspaper, reported in its May 2024 issue that Boracay Island and its beaches have received notable awards from numerous travel organizations and agencies since 2011. These contributions brought honor to the Philippines, also referred to as the “Pearl of the Orient Seas.”

On a daily basis, for three days, we left our hotel in Boracay and showered the blessings of the Boracay beaches, even its raining. We saw the sun in the afternoon of the 2nd day and whole day the 3rd day and enjoyed the pristine-calm waters, the gentle waves, the ambience of nature, the sun, and multitude of stores serving the tourists coming from all walks of life in all parts of the world. They just, like us, came to Boracay to commune with nature and have a positive conﬁrmation of what the visitors, tourists, journalists, media men, reviewers, businessmen, and critics have been saying: “Boracay Island Ranks the 5th best island in Asia.”

As a ﬁnal itinerary, we visited the Ventura ﬁshpond situated in Cabugao, Altavas Aklan with caretaker Rene Ventura. From the area where we parked our two vehicles, we have to go by foot for about half a mile navigating the rice paddies, rugged and wet agricultural terrain, crossing two bamboos that cross the streams, and braving the rains as it was showering to reach our destination.

We stayed at Rene’s nipa hut as we watched him and his brother Roger catch fish, crabs (alimango), shrimps, and milkfish (bangus), where it is popularly known as the Philippine national fish, although the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has stated that this is not the case as it has no basis in Philippine law. We took pictures on how they expertly tie the crab’s single pair of pincers (claws) on each arm. Crabs have six walking legs and then two swimming legs.

After the catch, Rene asked somebody to climb the coconut tree and we had fresh young coconuts as dessert as we waited for the lunch (out of the catch) being cooked by our lady chefs (Bot, Delia, Carol, Bekbek, Edith, Nelia, and Evelyn) preparing lunch at the house of Rene’s wife Mimi down the road.

On the whole, our Panay tour and Boracay escapade was an experience of a lifetime!

(From Page 11)

Then, we had walking and jogging on Deck 12 and exercises at the SPA Cloud 9. By 7:45 am, we had our Sunday morning Lord’s Supper Communion & Fellowship at Stateroom 2212.I led the singing of Count Your Blessings, How Great Thou Art and God’s Family and Scripture Reading for the Lord’s Supper. Our grandson John Micheal Madlaing Gamble led the Prayer and Blessing of the Bread; grandson Brendon Madlaing Gacusan led the Prayer and Blessing of the Fruit of the Vine; and Closing Prayer by our son-in-law Ben Gacusan, Jr. There are many recreation and activities we can participate like Jogging Track, Lido Deck, Lido Pool, Mini Golf, Ropes Course, Serenity, Sports Court (Basketball, Tennis), Sports Square Versilia Sunshine Deck, Waterworks, Etc.

On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship arrived in Ensenada from Cabo San Lucas early in the morning. We had breakfast at Michelangelo Restaurant at 6:45 am. After breakfast, we disembarked in Ensenada, B.C. Mexico and walked to the meeting place to meet our tourist guides pre-arranged by our daughter Wynema. We arrived early in the meeting place and had the opportunity to meet very vice couple Tony & Grace Kang, originally from South Korea and now residing in Buena Park, California, who congratulated us on our 50th Wedding Anniversary. With two cars, our tourist guides drove us around Ensenada and some tourist spots like Las Canadas Recreation Camp where our daughters Wynema and Darlene; grandsons Jong Micheal and son-in-law Ben did Zip

lining and bridges walking. We visited the Blue-Hole Spot and walked along the marketplace to buy souvenir T-Shirts and had lunch at Lydia’s Taco. By 4:30 pm. we returned to the Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship. We had our ﬁnal dinner at the Michelangelo Restaurant with Showtime while eating and full service by friendly and accommodating servers from India, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand and other Asian countries. Our daughters Wynema, Darlene, grandson Brendon and son-in-law Ben competed in a Special Contest where they were proclaimed as winners and were given special medals. Our grandson Brendon participated also in the Karaoke Singing.

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship arrived in Long Beach, California from Ensenada, B.C. Mexico early in the morning. After early breakfast at Michelangelo Restaurant, we checked and cleared our staterooms ready for disembarkinjhg. After clearance and processing, we disembarked from the Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship and walked to the Parking Lot. It was still early so Ben drove us to the nearby Junipero Beach in Long Beach, California for a short visit and walk along the beach. Then Ben drove us to the LAX for our flight back home to San Francisco, California. When we checked in at the Southwest Airlines counter, the lady at the counter noticed that our flight to San Francisco is 10:30 pm. She recommended that we’ll upgrade our flight to the incoming flight for only $5 each. My wife and I upgraded our flight to the incoming 12:30 Southwest flight to San Francisco. My wife and I arrived at SFO by 1:30pm and then took a taxi and arrived home in San Francisco, California by 1:30 pm.

What a very memorable and special bonding we had with our daughters, grandsons and son-in-law to commemorate our 50th Wedding Anniversary through the Carnival Firenze Cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, B.C. in Mexico!

FREE AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS FOR OUR READERS

To commemorate our 50th Wedding Anniversary, my beloved wife Virginia Jimenez Madlaing and I are oﬀering to our readers and the general public FREE autographed copies of “LONGEVITY TIPS” subtitled “Secrets You Can Discover for Good Health and Longevity” or “R.A.W. WISDOM” subtitled “FINDING PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS” and the original “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists and Believers.”

The two updated books (267 pages and 225 pages respectively) dated May 5, 2024 are now available through Amazon in Hardcover ($15.95 per copy plus shipping and handling), Paperback ($12.95 per copy plus shipping and handling), and E-book ($7.95 per copy). The two updated books has the following new articles “Aﬀordable Good Nutrition,” “Amazing SB-10 Health Food Supplement,” “Reader Finds Solution to Health Problems with SB-10,” “More Readers Find Solutions to Health Problems with SB-10 “ “Neighbor, Others Discover Healing of Various Ailments through SB-10” which must be read by every individual or family who desire to have good health and longevity. The updated books with the companion “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” are excellent additions to Personal Library or Family Library. For your FREE autographed copies of the above-mentioned books, just send $9.95 (for mailing, shipping and handling) in check or money order to: ART G. MADLAING, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650) 438-3531 or (415) 584-7095 or email:artmadlaing@hotmail.com This Special Oﬀer is only good in the United States.

(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 FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.)

Upside...

(From Page 10)

In her speech Manalo recalled being immersed in Filipino community activities when her mother led the FilAm Training Center in San Francisco, where newcomers learned basic skills to navigate the local job market and help them thrive in American society. – Adapted from original reprinted with permission from INQUIRER.NETUSA.

(TO BE CONCLUDED)

Jade Caitlyn Gonzalez Murao seeks a career path in the public service arena like the fellow alumni she invited to keynote the FilGrand commencement ceremony.

new career in her chosen professional ﬁeld, she plans to enter a master’s degree programs soon.

The Outsider...

ﬁgures, there’s the soft side of Tengco, who shows not only his business acumen but also his own social consciousness, a genuine concern for the workers’ welfare. He wants to preserve the 70,000 Filipino workers under PAGCOR’s employ, a plan that must be balanced with the realities and challenges of the time. There’s also PAGCOR’s mandate to transform itself into a purely regulator role once its privatization takes full eﬀect by 2025.

Being a top-tier manager,Tengco is up to the challenges facing the state-gaming agency.

(The author is a writer, veteran author and publisher of coﬀeetable books. He is also the president and CEO of Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. He also serves as president and executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc, a non-government outﬁt advocating tree planting and watershed protection.)

(From Page 11)

CONGRATULATIONS to a 22 year-old KRYSTLE ANNE MERLUZA of Daly City on gradua�ng SUMMA CUM LAUDE at San Francisco State University on May 24, 2024, held at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Her parents Rolando Merluza and Liza Manalili are so proud of her impressive achievement. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. To start a

Public Health major

(From page 1)

This in gist was emphasized by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco during a networking lunch for the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Philippines-US Economic and Business Council (PUBC) Trade Mission attended by engineer Diosdado Banatao, reputed to be one of the most successful Filipinos in the Silicon Valley. Banatao was honored during the event.

The event, held at Tribu Grill in Union City, was organized by Don Orozco, Executive Director of Global Maharlika Foundation, Inc., and the Filipino American Community of Santa Clara County.

Consul General Neil R. Ferrer, in a message read by Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, underscored his support for the PCCIPUBC Trade Mission. “The Philippine Consulate General stands ready to support organizations like the PCCI, PUBC, Global Maharlika Foundation, Inc. and the Filipino American Community of Santa Clara County in their mission to foster closer economic linkages between the Philippines and the United States,” Ferrer said.

Consul Bago-Llona emphasized that the Philippines is actively inviting investments, particularly in the digital economy and renewable energy sectors. She highlighted the government’s focus on clean energy and

how the pandemic underscored the importance of digitalization for businesses.

Additionally, Philippine Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales presented the “Love the Philippines” campaign, showcasing the country’s stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality.

Representatives from Northern California cities presented investment opportunities and beneﬁts of doing business in and with their regions, especially Silicon Valley. These included competitive energy costs, a thriving tech sector, access to educational institutions, and streamlined business permit processing.

The event also honored Filipino American tech innovator Dado Banatao, who invented two foundational technologies that are integral components of every personal computer today: the PC chipset and the graphics acceleration architecture.

Banatao and his wife, Maria, are active supporters of STEM education in the Philippines and champions of innovation. Their goal is to alleviate poverty in the country by harnessing the beneﬁts of science and technology through the nonproﬁt PhilDev.

At the University of California Berkeley, the Banataos also established the research center Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS),

Masturbation Investors...

Heart of Hope

In this era of informational technology facilitated by search engines, like Google, and websites, like YouTube, to name a couple, access to massive scientiﬁc data enables people to instantly educate themselves on proactive and preemptive strategies in disease prevention and in adopting a healthier lifestyle. It also erases the stigma on a scientiﬁc discussion of delicate and sensitive personal topic like masturbation, which, contrary to past beliefs, is actually a healthy normal part of people’s lives.

Wikipedia deﬁnes masturbation as “a form of autoeroticism in which a person sexually stimulates their own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm.”

Statistics

According to published statistics from a 2022 study, more men (73.8 percent) than women (48.1 percent) masturbate. The percentage for women might not be totally accurate because women, in general, are more private in their in their sentiment. In an earlier report (2009), the data showed 95 percent of men and 89 percent of women masturbated at one time or another. Both surveys clearly conﬁrm that this practice of selfarousal is normal among the majority of people around the world.

As to the frequency, 57 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 24 masturbate once a week, compared to 48 percent of women in the same age group. More than 40 percent of males and 22 percent of females masturbate daily. About 55 percent of men and 40 percent of women prefer masturbation over sex with a partner, and 53 percent of women and 17 percent of men use vibrators to arouse themselves. The study involved “more than 13,000 subjects and were weighted to be globally representative.”

At this very moment you are reading my column, about 797,151 men and women in the United States are actually masturbating, extrapolated a study. That is more than the total (2024 census) population of Wyoming (600,000), Vermont (647,818), North and Alaska (733,536), and North Dakota (788,940).

Mythical dangers

Misinformed or disinformed naysayers for centuries and

social media abusers today have been circulating this long list of falsehood, myths about the side-eﬀects of masturbation: blindness, insanity, hairy palms, hand tremors, shrinking penises, decrease in sperm count, erectile dysfunction, etc. These are all false. Masturbation does not have any serious side-eﬀects.

If done violently, the excessive force might cause penile skin chaﬃng, soreness and swelling of the penis, and possible (rare) bleeding under the skin of the penis if someone is taking blood thinner or aspirin.

If one’s mental health is not stable, masturbation could become a compulsive behavior. But this is a mental problem, not a side-eﬀect of masturbation. With this obsessive “hypersexuality” behavior, which, fortunately is rare, professional help is needed.

Beneﬁts of masturbation

Some of the beneﬁts of masturbation include the release of endorphins, hormones like dopamine, the feel-good hormone secreted by our glands whenever we are happy, like after eating chocolates, sweets, during sex, etc.), and oxytocin, the love hormone that blocks pain and make us feel well.

These hormones increase positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and inner peace. They also counteract adrenalin, Cortisol, the stress hormone to reduce anxiety. Masturbation is beneﬁcial for long term health for those who enjoy it. It also reduces risk for prostatic cancer, since ejaculation prevents build-up of cancer-causing agents, like old semen, in the prostate gland.

In women, masturbation makes a woman more likely to have orgasm during sexual relationships. During pregnancy, masturbation releases sexual tension and helps ease some pregnancy symptoms including lower back pains. It also lowers the rate of cervical infection.

Orgasm (in actual sex or masturbation) also reduces stress, improves sleep, eases pain, boosts our mood, increases focus, and it also prevents anxiety and depression. Those who are deprived of regular sexual pleasure for any reason have the opposite (negative) eﬀects on those health eﬀects listed above.

Masturbation reduces vaginal dryness, relieves menstrual cramps, increases libido, induces greater satisfaction with sex and provides a higher self-esteem. All of these make life more enjoyable and marriage more stable and lasting.

COVID-Flu Vax combo

More than a year ago, in this column, we were saying

hopefully, a triple combo vaccine would be developed for COVID-19, The Flu, and the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infections. The 3-in-1 vaccine would certainly catapult vaccination compliance, with one shot instead of 3, less needle stick, less clinic visit, more convenience for the public.

On October 4, 2023, Moderna announced successful trials with mRNA 1083 vaccine combo to be more eﬀective against COVID-19 viruses and all four A and B strains of the Flu, and superior to the previous 2 individual shots.

Anyway, while waiting for the trio, we look forward to this duo (mRNA 1083) tandem vaccine with great eagerness.

New Alzheimer’s drug

Eli Lily’s new drug for Alzheimer’s, Donanemab, announced 6 hours ago while writing this column, is the second drug approved by the US-FDA to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s. The first one was Lecanemab (Lequembi, by Eisai, Inc.), also an amyloid-fighting drug was granted full approval by the FDA in July 2023. Tacrine, (Cognex) approved in 1993 as the “very first” against Alzheimer’s has been shown to improve some psychometrics but did not to affect the progress of this scary dementia.

Worldwide, there are about 55 million people with Alzheimer’s, with nearly 10 million new cases each year, and predicted to double every 20 years. In the United States, there are over 6 million cases of Alzheimer’s, mostly those aged 65 and older, which includes 200,000 cases under 65, according to the National Institute of Aging.

For love of family, many would prefer to have cancer than to develop Alzheimer’s to spare their loved ones from the daily struggle, pain, and tremendous hardships of taking care of them.

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Filipino American innovator and techpreneur Dado Banatao was given a cer�ﬁcate of recogni�on by Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo for his outstanding achievements and contribu�ons to the Filipino American community and the tech industry (PCG San Francisco photo)

Filipino American youth delight guests with a vibrant intermission number, showcasing the classic Filipino dance Tinikling. (PCG San Francisco photo)

PHILIP S. CHUA

Networking event, hosted by Mr. Don Orozco of Global Maharlika Founda�on, Inc. and the Filipino Community of Santa Clara County, for the delegates of the PCCI-PUCB 2024 Trade Mission in the US at Tribu Grill restaurant in Union City on 6 June 2024 (PCG San Francisco photo)

Recipe of the Week

Monggo with Pork Pata, Mung Beans with Pork Leg

Ingredients:

1 small size pata ng baboy (pork leg or hocks)

2 cups mung beans

1 bunch of green beans, trimmed

1 large bag baby spinach

4-6 pieces long green chili

1/2 head garlic, chopped

1/2 head garlic, crushed

2 thumb size ginger, peeled, cut into thin strips

1 thumb size ginger, peeled, crushed

1 large size onion, chopped

1 medium size onion, quartered

2 large size tomato, chopped

1/4 cup ﬁsh sauce

salt

Cooking procedure:

Ask the butcher to saw cut pork pata crosswise at 1 1/2” thick slices. Wash thoroughly, put in a large pot, cover with enough water, bring to a boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Discard first boiled liquid and rinse the boiled pata off scum. Now pour in fresh water to cover pork pata, add in the crushed garlic, crushed ginger and quartered onion, bring to a boil, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until pork and beans are tender. I the meantime in a separate large sauce pan place the bean and add in enough water to about 2 to 3 inches above the beans line, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the beans disintegrate and the desired liquid consistency is achieved. Take out all scum that rises to the surface and add more water as necessary. When the pork legs are tender separate it from the boiling liquid and keep aside. Using a sieve to filter out the residue add the boiling liquid to the now simmering mung beans. Now sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant add in the onion and tomato and continue to stir cook for about a minute. Add in the boiled pork leg and fish sauce and continue to stir cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the stir cooked pork leg to the simmering mung beans, continue to cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Coreect saltines if require. add in the green beans or similar vegetable and green long chili, cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Now add the spinach and cook for another half a minute. Serve with a lot of rice.

Experience Northern Mindanao: A nature, cultural immersion

RICH CULTURE. The Ma�gsalug group performs a mix of tradi�onal dances inspired by the nature surrounding them, in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on May 25, 2024. The Ma�gsalug is part of the seven hill tribes of Bukidnon (Bukidnon, Higaonon, Manobo, Ma�gsalug, Talaandig, Tigwahanon, and Umayamnon) whose name was derived from the word “ma�g” or from, and “Salug,” meaning people living along the Salug River.

Northern Mindanao is not only home to three of Southeast Asia’s most lush nature parks – Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Malindang, and Mt. Hibok-Hibok – but also to a vibrant culture and tradition that its indigenous groups have carefully preserved to this day.

These diverse oﬀerings were highlighted in the three-day Philippine Experience Program (PEP): Northern Mindanao, a ﬂagship Department of Tourism (DOT) initiative that brought in more than 100 local and foreign delegates to the region last week.

The trip put a spotlight on the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental and reintroduced them as destinations that are ready to welcome tourists.

With the signiﬁcant improvement in safety and security in Bukidnon, the trip proved how local governments do well in ramping up eﬀorts to further develop their tourism industry and attract more visitors.

“Bukidnon is peaceful, it’s a lot different from 10 years, 20 years ago,” Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque said about tourist safety in the province, during an interview on the sidelines of the PEP.

“A lot has (changed), mahirap talaga before and tourism can be affected. Even ako, I’m an official before. During that time, it was my first term as congressman, I would not encourage for tourists to come. That’s years ago. But now, we encourage them to come (it was difficult before and even tourism was affected. It was my first term as congressman then, but I would not even encourage tourists to come during that time. That was years ago. Now, we encourage them to come),” he said.

Bukidnon, known for its cool climate and picturesque landscapes, makes for a perfect spot for tourists interested in “slow travel” or simply destinations that

oﬀer both relaxation and a standby option for adventure.

It has the famous Dahilayan Adventure/Forest Park located in Manolo Fortich that houses a myriad of activities, such as an 840-meter dual zipline, the longest in Asia, and the extreme pendulum swing Dropzone that features a 120feet free-fall for extreme ride seekers.

Dahilayan also has the New Zealandinspired luge, a part-toboggan part-gocart ride, that visitors can rent and use at its own downhill track.Even more interesting is the Razorback mountain coaster, similar to the alpine rides that are famous in Switzerland and Austria that no less than Peter Faistauer, the Austrian honorary consul to Davao who joined the PEP, praised as a good tourist-draw for the province.

About 15 minutes from Dahilayan, one can dine at the Farmhouse by Josef Restaurant in Kumaykay River Farm.

The place has been named the go-to destination for exquisite dining and serene gathering by the riverside, and it does not disappoint.

During the PEP, the farm oﬀered barn-themed entertainment, with Bukidnon’s cowboys and cowgirls themselves serenading the visitors.

On top of its moniker as the pineapple capital of the Philippines, the province is also known as home to the country’s ﬁnest cowboys.

Less than two hours away from Manolo Fortich is the Communal Ranch in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, a publiclyowned ranch known for its breathtaking landscape and mountain backdrop.

Other than Kumaykay, visitors have the option of lounging at Ricardo’s by Cucina Higala, still in Barangay Dahilayan, about 30 minutes away from the adventure park, to try the unique Mindanaoan cuisine but with international inﬂuences.