6.6.24-6.12.24 by Philippine News Today

MARCOS WARNS OF WAR IF PINOY KILLED IN WPS

California Technological Care marks 25th year with California Forever Grant Award

Denounces illegal, coercive, dangerous actions of China

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

MANILA/SINGAPORE/WASHINGTON –

Speaking at the Shangri-la Dialogue attended by world security leaders headed by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and China’s Dong Junon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood pat on protecting “every inch” of the country’s territory and warned China that Manila would consider any Filipino soldier killed by a Beijing water cannon to be an “act of war,” sparking fears of a further escalation of tension and conﬂict in South China Sea.

POGO problem persists under Marcos

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

SoCal man charged with hate crime for attacking Asian-American woman

By Gilda Balan, Correspondent

37, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 29.

A report appearing in the Rafu Shimpo, Page 7

Pista sa Nayon kicks off PHL Independence rites in Bay Area

By Cesar Antonio Nucum Jr

VALLEJO, California -- A ﬁtting start to the month leading to the celebration of the 126th year of Philippine Inde-

pendence was what the “Pista sa Nayon” in the City of Vallejo in California accomplished over the weekend.

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — California Technological Care (CTC), a 501(c) (3) non-proﬁt organization focused on advancing technological education and innovation, has received the prestigious California Forever grant. The notable recognition coincides with CTC’s 25th anniversary, highlighting 25 years of meaningful contributions to California’s technological landscape.

Page 15

MANILA -- His predecessor Rodrigo Duterte may have opened the ﬂ oodgates for the entry of Philippine Overseas Gaming Operations (POGOs) to the country, but current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has done little to end the scourge that is a known center for illegal gambling, gunrunning, prostitution, and usurious lending, among others.

Worst of all, thousands of POGO workers are believed to be working in the country illegally, mostly Chinese. In the last couple of years, hundreds have been deported back to China, but POGOs continue to operate following a rebranding, which changed nothing.

This, despite many of Marcos’ allies recommending that all POGOs be shut down,

Page 9 Page 4 Page 18

Jan Sramek, California Forever CEO and Founder

CULVERT CITY -- For punching an Asian-American woman in the head in Culver City while shouting racial slurs, Jesse Allen

Lindsey,

DEFENSE SUMMIT. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Aus�n (le�) confers with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Shangri-La Defense Summit.

Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil reads the message of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco. Behind her are City Council Member Rozzana Verder-Aliga (in violet) and Vallejo City Mayor Robert McConnell (in coat).

Demos Punsalan, California Technological Care and Co-Founder

PHL peso sinks to fresh 18-month low at P58.78 to US$1

MANILA -- The Philippine depreciated further against the greenback on June 5 to hit its worst showing in over 18

months, as US Treasury yields rose to the highest levels in a month.

The local unit closed at P58.78 to $1 from 58.71 close on Tuesday.

It kicked oﬀ the day weak at 58.80 from the last day’s start at 58.62 to a dollar.

The currency pair traded from a low of 59.65 to a high of 58.80, with the weighted average for the day settling at 58.73 to the greenback.

Trade volume was ﬂat on Wednesday at US$1.32 billion, the same level of volume as the previous day.

Meanwhile, as the May inﬂation remained within the 2 to 4 percent target of the government, the local bourse gained strength during the mid-week trading, while the peso continued its shedding.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed the day higher by 08.6 percent, climbing to 6,441.32 points.

All shares, likewise, ﬁnished in the green territory gaining by 0.43 percent and closing at 3,453.69.

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Manila mayor seeks more historical markers for ancient rulers

MANILA – Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna asked the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to install more historical markers in the capital city in honor of the heroes who contributed to its rich history.

Speaking at the 453rd anniversary of the Battle of Bangkusay at Plaza Moriones in Tondo, Lacuna called on the NHCP to erect more markers that would honor Rajah Soliman, Rajah Matanda and Lakan Dula, among others.

She said it is also ﬁ tting to honor pre-colonial rulers through the installation of historical markers.

“Ngayon na po ang tamang panahon upang sila ay bigyan natin ng panandang pangkasaysayan, dahil ito din ang panahon kung saan tayo ay mahigpit ang pangangailangan sa mga karagdagang bukal ng inspirasyon na magsusulong pa ng ating mga adhikain para sa malasakit at pagmamahal sa ating inang bayan (This

is the right time for us to give them historical markers because this is also the time when we are in dire need of additional springs of information which would help us pursue our goals toward compassion and love of country),” Lacuna said.

She cited the contributions of patriots from Pampanga and Bulacan provinces who fought with the natives of Manila against Spanish occupation 453 years ago.

As the city is celebrating its 453rd founding anniversary on June 24, Lacuna called on Manilans to look back, understand, and appreciate the past events that brought Manila to where it is today and will lead the city to the future.

The 1571 Battle of Bangkusay marked the last resistance by locals against the Spaniards’ occupation of the Pasig River delta, where the precolonial kingdom of Tondo was located.

Senators: Probe inﬂux of Chinese nationals in Parañaque subdivision

PARANAQUE CITY – Senator Rafael Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking a Senate probe into the alarming influx of Chinese nationals in Multinational Village, Parañaque City.

Tulfo said he filed Senate Resolution 1043 after receiving complaints from residents about the influx of Chinese nationals since 2019, and concerns about the potential existence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Opera-

tors (POGO) within the upscale gated subdivision.

The senator also cited reports of overcrowding in houses, violating the village’s rules.

“Nagmistulang Chinese territory na raw ang kanilang subdivision (They said their subdivision now seems like a Chinese territory),” Tulfo said.

He also wants a review of the country’s

immigration laws to address possible loopholes.

On the other hand, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian ﬁled Senate Resolution 1032 urging an investigation into alleged human traﬃcking and scamming activities in the subdivision.

Gatchalian said homeowners also expressed concern over the growing population of “suspicious-looking” foreign nationals, particularly in a place called “City Garden.”

A recent raid at a residence in the village resulted in the arrest of 10 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in love and cryptocurrency scams, along with a Filipino bodyguard found in possession of an undocumented ﬁrearm.

Gatchalian said these individuals are believed to be fugitives from an earlier raid on an illegal online gambling compound in Bamban, Tarlac.

Pasay City judge, court clerk suspended amid bribery allegations

PARANAQUE CITY – Senator Rafael Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking a Senate probe into the alarming influx of Chinese nationals in Multinational Village, Parañaque City.

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despite their supposed contributions to the economy.

Administration Senator Joel Villanueva who has been leading the call to permanently shut down all POGOs last week said the Department of Interior and Local Government should “walk the extra mile” following reports of their presence in exclusive subdivisions.

He said he had been receiving reports of POGOs renting houses in places like

upscale gated subdivision.

The senator also cited reports of overcrowding in houses, violating the village’s rules.

“Nagmistulang Chinese territory na raw ang kanilang subdivision (They said their subdivision now seems like a Chinese territory),” Tulfo said.

He also wants a review of the country’s immigration laws to address possible loopholes.

Merville in Paranaque, as well as the various villages and condos in Makati.

Aside from the noise they create, Villanueva said the alleged entry and exit of luxury cars in the villages raised suspicions that they were owned by POGO executives.

“It’s hard to sleep at night without peace of mind,” he said.

Several lawmakers have urged the president to completely ban POGOs, as they only “made the country a fertile ground for various crimes.”

On the other hand, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian ﬁled Senate Resolution 1032 urging an investigation into alleged human traﬃcking and scamming activities in the subdivision.

Gatchalian said homeowners also expressed concern over the growing population of “suspicious-looking” foreign nationals, particularly in a place called “City Garden.”

A recent raid at a residence in the vil-

The biggest recent scandal involving POGOs is the case of Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Leal Guo, who has been the subject of Senate hearings regarding her citizenship.

She is suspected of being pure Chinese, as she has been unable to produce birth, school, or other records. Guo says she is a Filipino born out of wedlock in a farm of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, neither of whom have stepped forward to conﬁ rm her claim.

Her unexplained wealth -- Guo acknowledges owning a helicopter and has been attending the Senate hearings in a MacLaren sports car – despite saying she only owns a piggery, has placed her in hot water.

Guo has also been found to be hosting a POGO in her town, in a property that she owns.

The Senate hearings headed by Senator Risa Hontiveros held an executive session attended by representatives from the Philippine National Police, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Inter-Agency Council Against Traﬃ cking, the Oﬃ ce of the Solicitor General, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Security Council, among others.

Senator Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian had exposed Guo’s alleged links to POGOs. Compounding her problems was the ﬁ nding that the POGOs operating in the property in her

lage resulted in the arrest of 10 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in love and cryptocurrency scams, along with a Filipino bodyguard found in possession of an undocumented ﬁrearm. Gatchalian said these individuals are believed to be fugitives from an earlier raid on an illegal online gambling compound in Bamban, Tarlac.

town were not licensed.

After Marcos claimed that he, too, was against POGOs, his actions did not match his words.

The state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR)recently issued 40 licenses to rebranded POGOs. It was a matter of same dog, diﬀ erent collar. Yesterday’s POGOs are now called Internet Gaming Licensees, or IGLs.

Aside from the 40 already issued licenses to operate as of last month, another nine are waiting for PAGCOR approval to operate.

The local gaming industry reported gross revenues of P285 billion last year, which PAGCOR CEO Alejandro Tengco said surpassed pre-pandemic levels. This includes legal casino operations, both operated and/or franchised by PAGCOR.

Of this total, POGOs only brought in P3.15 billion, or 4.31 percent. Total gaming revenues last year were pegged at P79.37 billion, showing that POGOs actually account for a small fraction of total revenues of the industry.

Meanwhile, netizens have cited the former Cavite resort known as Covelandia as having become an untouchable haven for POGO operations, with locals banned from entering.

They say powerful people are protecting the site, which was formerly owned by the family of Justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

POGO...

Ombudsman suspends Bamban Mayor Guo, 2 others over graft cases

BAMBAN/QUEZON CITY – The Oﬃce of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and two others for up to six months in connection with the graft charges ﬁled by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Gou said she will comply but will continue to defend herself from accusations, adding she has done nothing

wrong. .

The DILG alleged that Guo allowed illegal Philippine Oﬀshore Gaming Operators (POGOS) to operate in the municipality.

In an order dated May 31, the Ombudsman said it ﬁnds suﬃcient grounds to suspend Guo, Edwin Ocampo, and Adenn Sigua “considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt” on the charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty.

Ocampo is with the Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Oﬃce while Sigua is a municipal legal oﬃcer.

The suspension was issued as “their continued stay in oﬃce may prejudice the investigation of the case ﬁled against them,” the Ombudsman stated.

“They are preventively suspended, without pay, during the period of investigation until its termination, but not to

exceed six months,” the order read.

In its complaint, the DILG questioned Guo’s divestment of shares in Baufo due to the disproportionate consideration compared to her investment.

Despite the raid on Zun Yuan and its predecessor Hong Sheng Gaming Technology Inc., the DILG alleges that Guo retained ﬁnancial interest in Baufo Land Development Inc., which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission for alleged human traﬃcking and serious illegal detention in March.

The DILG also accused Ocampo of processing permits for Zun Yuan despite incomplete documents.

Further, the DILG said Sigua failed to investigate the negligence of Sangguniang Bayan (local council) members and the Business Permit and Licensing Oﬃce.

Meanwhile, senators are determined to pursue its probe on Guo following the Ombudsman’s suspension order.

In a statement, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she is looking forward to the scheduled executive session with concerned government agencies on June 5 regarding Guo’s ties with illegal POGOs.

“Inaasahan ko na mas lalong maliliwanagan tayo sa totoong papel ni Alice Guo hindi lang sa mga POGO, kundi pati sa mga banta sa ating pambansang seguridad (I hope that we will be more enlightened on the real role of Alice Guo not only in POGOs, but also in the threats to our national security),” Hontiveros said.

“Let us not forget, this is a POGO with alleged hacking and surveillance activities,” she said, referring to the raided illegal POGO in Bamban.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the suspension order is “a move in the right direction” which will allow authorities to “investigate freely without fear of a cover-up.”

DPWH readies opening of P7.3-B Bacolod-Negros Occidental highway

BACOLOD CITY – The P7.389 billion Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH), will be initially opened to travelers by the end of June or early July according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The highway stretches from Bacolod South Road junction along Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod City towards the Ba-

colod North Road junction in Victorias City.

BANOCEH spans a 48.8-kilometer stretch that involves the opening, concreting, and improvement of roads along with the construction and enhancement of 16 bridges.

DPWH-Western Visayas Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel said they will open portions of the BANOCEH “by June

30 or maybe by the ﬁrst week of July”.

“The section from Bacolod City going to Bacolod-Silay Airport, passing through the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road junction, will help all travelers by June 30. We are now on our scheduled target to have a soft opening,” Oropel said in a regional public brieﬁng.

He added that the new economic highway is “set to transform regional connec-

tivity by reducing travel time from Bacolod City to Bacolod-Silay Airport by 25 minutes, down from the current one hour” and is “expected to beneﬁt an average of 20,000 travelers daily”.

“They can enjoy a better experience of travel with complete amenities of bicycle lane, including a service road, and the vegetation and landscaping program we are introducing,” Oropel said.

Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo

Marcos readies for 3rd SONA as House, Senate discuss priorities

By Jennifer T. Santos

QUEZON CITY – President Ferdinand Maros Jr. will deliver his third State of the Nation (SONA) before the joint session of Congress on July 22 at the Batasang Pambansa.

The SONA is a national event where the President, in compliance with Article VII, Section 23 of the Constitution,

comes before the assembled members of the Philippine Congress at the opening of its regular session, to give a report on the national situation, the development agenda for the next 12 months and propose certain legislative measures.

SONAs are traditionally held at the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives and the Senate have started coordinating on their legislative priorities ahead of the 3rd and last regular session of the 19th Congress.

ing supply allowance of public school teachers.

“Nag-agree kami ni (We agreed with) Senate President that even before the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) na sa third week ng buwan na ‘to, mag-usap kami (that in the third week of this month, we will talk). Ah siyempre naman, ‘yung (Of course, the) coordination between SP and myself of course, we have each other’s numbers,” he said.

other new leaders of the Senate are aware that the House had already passed all the priority measures of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said he initially discussed their common legislative agenda with newly installed Senate President (SP) Francis Escudero in Malacañang during the signing of the law increasing the teach-

He said House Majority Leader Jose Manuel Dalipe and his Senate counterpart, Senator Francis Tolentino, have their own coordination.

“So mukhang (it’s like) we’re on our way. We will allow the Senate to fully organize itself or reorganize itself and the common legislative agenda will be outlined as well as the priority legislation,” he said.

Romualdez said Escudero and the

“So the coordination will be particularly dito sa mga (here in the) bicameral conference committees on how we reconcile the diﬀering versions,” he added. He pointed out that he and his colleagues would also “just await the Senate in prioritizing which of the local legislations that we have also passed and transmitted to the Senate will be acted upon.”

“Pero maganda po naman ang usapan natin ni Senate President (But my discussion with the Senate President is ﬁne),” he said.

Asked about the proposed amendments to the Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions he and his House colleagues have been advocating, he said “these are pending with the Senate as well.”

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 patrols,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon brieﬁng. These actions are in coordination with the Philippine 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 kaligtasan ng ating mga mangingisda na Pilipino (this is inline our determination to protect our maritime territory and ensure the safety of Filipino ﬁshermen),” Padilla said.

3-day celebration lined up for 126th Independence Day

RIZAL PARK, Manila – A Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) tradition awaits the Filipino public during the celebration of the 126th Independence Day on June 10 to 12 expected to be led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

The festival-like celebrations from June 10 to 12 will be held at the Rizal Park Burnham Green in Roxas Boulevard, Manila, right across the Quirino Grandstand.

Simultaneous ﬂag-raising ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. on June 12 at the Rizal Park, Manila; Kawit, Cavite; Caloocan City; Malolos, Bulacan; San Juan City; Angeles City and the Manila North Cemetery.

At 5 p.m. on June 12, a grand parade will be held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park.

Socal...

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a Japanese-American newspaper, said Lindsey was charged with one count of committing a hate crime, a felony oﬀense that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Lindsey is in a state prison on an unrelated conviction, but his last known address was in Fontana.

Said US Attorney Martin Estrada: “Our community will stay united in condemning intolerance, and my oﬃce will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who harm others on account of bigotry.”

Krysti Hawkins, acting assistant direc-

Various government agencies and nongovernment organizations have prepared diﬀerent activities for everyone to enjoy from sun up to sun down for three days.

The Pilipinas Obstacle Sport Federation will hold competitions for various ages and groups to provide participants a “ninja warrior” experience that would showcase athleticism, bravery, grit and perseverance.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture will hold the Kusina (Kitchen) Warrior, a nationwide competition among select student-cooks who will compete for the best adobo (vinegar and soy saucebased meat or chicken dish) and pancit (local noodles).

tor in charge of the FBI’ LA Field Oﬃce, said the victim “was verbally abused and violently attacked based on nothing more than her appearance.”

Hawkins added that the FBI is committed to protect civil rights in the US “and will hold accountable anyone so driven by hatred that they would target innocent people based on their race.”

According to the indictment, on June 14, 2021, the victim (whose identity was withheld) was walking to work in Culver City when Lindsey – a white man – asked her for a lighter or cigarette.

She told him that she did not smoke, and continued walking. The suspect,

Meantime, the Chili Federation will hold the labuyo (wild chili)-eating contest and other activities, like plants and product displays.

National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes will hold a concert on June 10 at the Burnham Green.

Musikalayaan will provide the stage for musicians and bands like Rocksteady (June 10), The Juans (June 11), Plethora (June 11) and Bini (June 12).

Film showings of “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo,” “Heneral Luna”, and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” are scheduled on the evenings of June 11 and 12.

A total of 41 government and nongovernment agencies will oﬀer medical services, fresh produce, passport appointment-bookings, National Bureau of Inves-

however, began following her, yelling expletives. He also called her a “Korean guy” who did not belong.

After shouting, “You can’t say hi to a (expletive) white boy?” Lindsey punched the victim in the face, causing her to fall and hit her head. The assault was captured on surveillance video.

The victim was rushed by emergency personnel to a hospital, where she received 11 stitches on her face.

Due to the injuries to her face and ear, she was unable to work for one month, and suﬀered ongoing pain for one year.

When Lindsey learned from news reports that his assault was being investi-

tigation clearances, artisanal delicacies, children’s story-telling, book sales, educational exhibitions, games, and contests under the Pampahalaang Program at Serbisyo on June 11 and 12.

On June 12, the Parada ng Kalayaan (Freedom Day Parade) will feature 22 ﬂoats from various provinces and national government agencies. The parade will showcase the 11 events that illuminated the country-wide struggle for liberty. Paolo Bediones and Isabelle Daza will host the program.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) called on Filipinos to join the celebrations.

The NHCP urged the public to follow and monitor the Commission’s social pages and use #Kalayaan2024 for more information.

gated as a hate crime, he ﬂed California. He was later arrested for another crime, and is now in state custody. He is expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks.

Culver City police chief Jason Sims said he was proud of the work done by the city’s police department, which the FBI cited for its substantial assistance in solving the case.

Sims said hate has no place in his city, which is rich in cultural diversity.

“This type of heinous crime will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods,” he said.

MARCOS...

(From page 1)

Marcos stand earned plaudits and support from many countries and leaders, isolating Beijing further.

“If by a willful act a Filipino — not only serviceman but even Filipino citizen — is killed … that is what I think very, very close to what we deﬁne as an act of war and therefore we will respond accordingly. And our treaty partners, I believe, also hold that same standard,” Marcos said.

Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty of the Philippines and United States, the US is bound to come to Manila’s defense should it come under attack even as China and the Philippines have been clashing over territory in the region, during which some Filipinos have been injured but none have been killed thus far.

“Once we get to that point, that is certainly, we would have crossed the Rubicon. Is that a red line? Almost certainly it’s going to be a red line.” Marcos said.

Marcos emphasized that such action would also increase the level of response not only from the Philippine government, but also its “treaty partners.”

“We already have suﬀered injury, but thank God, we have not yet gotten to the point where any of our participants, civilian or otherwise, have been killed,” he said.

“But once we get to that point, that is certainly we would have crossed the Rubicon and certainly crossed the Rubicon. Is that a red line? Almost certainly it’s going to be a red line,” he added.

In his speech during the summit, Marcos denounced the “illegal, coercive and aggressive actions” in the South China Sea which China has ﬂooded with war ships, Coast Guard vessels and militia boats disguised as ﬁshing ships.

Marcos said that the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries had a vision for “peace, stability, and prosperity” in the South China Sea, but that this was being undermined by other actors, without naming China.

“Unfortunately, this vision remains for now a distant reality. Illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” Marcos said.

Marcos emphasized the importance of the Philippines’ territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea: “We will never al-

low anyone to detach it from the totality of the maritime domain that renders our nation whole.”

“As President, I have sworn to this solemn commitment from the very ﬁrst day that I took oﬃce. I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not yield,” the chief executive added.

The President also pointed out that the country’s territorial claims were “derived not from imagination, but from international law,” citing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 arbitral ruling.

In his address titled “Seven Realities and Three Constants: Addressing the Regional Security Challenges facing the Indo-Paciﬁc”, President Marcos said, “We sought to uphold and preserve the integrity of our country’s physical unity through international law.”

“Together with others, we put forward the archipelagic doctrine, which regards all archipelagic states as a single unit, with the waters around, between, and connecting their islands, irrespective of their breadth and dimensions, forming part of their internal waters,” he said.

President Marcos said this doctrine has since been enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The same Convention also clariﬁed the limits of each state’s maritime zones and deﬁned the extent with which they could exercise sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over those zones, President Marcos pointed out.

President Marcos said the Philippines has made a conscious eﬀort to align the deﬁnition of the territory and maritime zones with what international law permits. “This has been inscribed in Article 1 of our Constitution,” he pointed out.

Secretary Austin, who earlier met China’s defense minister, Dong Junon the sidelines of Asia’s premier defense summit, underscored the importance of freedom of navigation under international law, especially in the South China Sea.

Marcos said tensions between the United States and China were destabilizing for Southeast Asia, calling on Washington and Beijing to work harder to resolve disputes.

Washington, meanwhile, declared a “new era of security” in the Asia-Paciﬁc region where the US has a strong network of alliances aimed at countering China’s growing military might and inﬂuence.

At the summit, Austin said the AsiaPaciﬁc region remained a “priority” for Washington, saying the United States was secure “only if Asia is”.

“The United States can be secure only if Asia is and that’s why the United States has long maintained its presence in this region,” Austin told the Shangri-La Dialogue, which in recent years has become a barometer for US-China relations

In another development, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has promised to send assets to the South China Sea to support Manila in upholding sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

In a statement, the PCG said the USCG will deploy its North Paciﬁc Coast Guard following the proposal of Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan for a “greater deployment” in high seas “to address the forthcoming threat” as China is set to implement a new regulation of detaining supposed trespasses in what it considers its maritime boundaries.

In the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is on the frontlines of eﬀorts to assert the integrity of UNCLOS as the Constitution of the Oceans.

“We have deﬁned our territory and maritime zones in a manner beﬁtting a responsible and law-abiding member of the international community. We have submitted our assertions to rigorous legal scrutiny by the world’s leading jurists,” President Marcos stressed.

He remarked that the lines drawn on the waters are derived not from imagination, but from international law.

“We have on our side the 1982 UNCLOS and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award, which aﬃrm what is ours by legal right, ” President Marcos said.

“In this solid footing and through our clear moral ascendancy, we ﬁnd the strength to do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign home — to the last square inch, to the last square millimeter,” he stressed.

The life-giving waters of the West Philippine Sea ﬂow in the blood of every Filipino, Marcos said. “We cannot allow anyone to detach it from the totality of the maritime domain that renders our nation whole,” he declared.

President Marcos said that he was proud to co-sponsor our Archipelagic Baselines Law when he was a senator. The law deﬁnes the basis of the country’s maritime jurisdiction.

“As President, I look forward to signing our Maritime Zones Law, which will clarify the geographic extent of our maritime

domain,” he said.

“We are not only unyielding in protecting our patrimony, our rights, and our dignity as a proud and as a free country. We are also ﬁrm in our commitment to regional and global peace,” he added.

“We renew this commitment at this turbulent juncture of our history. I will repeat what I said at the United Nations almost two years ago: Amidst challenging global tides, an important ballast stabilizes our common vessel: Our “open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice,” the President said.

Marcos Jr. emphasized y that any action in the South China Sea must conform to international-based order.

“Finally, any eﬀort to resolve maritime diﬀerences in the East China Sea and the South China Sea must be anchored on international law, particularly UNCLOS, we must accord due regard to the legitimate interest of all parties, and respect legally-settled rights,” President Marcos said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on members of the Indo-Paciﬁc region to unite and make a bold stand against violations of international rulesbased orders in the South China Sea (SCS).

In his speech during the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, President Marcos reminded Indo-Paciﬁc members they are not just “bystanders to unfolding world events.”

“We should transcend geopolitics, find common ground, [and] work to strengthen global institutions. This requires active leadership on the part of middle powers, which have the capacity to cross political and ideological lines, forge genuine consensus, and lead credible efforts towards decisive multilateral solutions,” President Marcos before defense ministers, permanent heads of ministries, and military chiefs of mostly Asia-Pacific states.

“We need to begin by resoundingly rejecting misguided interpretations that paint our region as a mere theater of geopolitical rivalries. We are not mere bystanders to unfolding world events. We are the actors that drive those events. We are the main characters in our collective story. We are the owners of the narratives of our regional community,” he added.

“Thus, we reject any attempt to deny [our] strategic agencies, especially by force that seek to subordinate our interests anyone else’s,” he further stated.

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The pros and cons of prison time

for Trump

Should he or shouldn’t he serve time inside a prison cell, that is the question. There have been debates on whether Donald J. Trump should be imprisoned after oﬃcially becoming a convicted felon following his ‘hush money’ trial in New York.

On one extreme are not only his supporters, but also legal scholars who say that jailing a former president would cause tremendous harm to the Oﬃce of the President or even the US as a whole.

On the other hand are those who ask why Trump should be given preferential treatment that ordinary citizens are not entitled to. Besides, he has also insulted and threatened nearly all the parties involved in his case.

Why indeed?

It will all depend on Judge Juan Merchan, who has received much praise for how he handled the case. He and his daughter were also the object of numerous insults and threats from Trump.

Some, however, blamed Mechan for going too easy on Trump, who never followed his gag orders even under threat of detention.

The good judge has other options, of course, ranging from house arrest, community service, or incarceration in a special federal facility.

Trump can even do the unthinkable and ask President Joe Biden for a special pardon. He can cite how former president Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon as necessary for national healing.

House arrest may be too soft a punishment as it would mean spending all of his term inside Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort, where he can play golf every day. It may even seem more a reward than a punishment.

Community service is acceptable to many, as it would be quite a sight to see the former president cleaning and picking trash from the nation’s highways. Partaking in humble pie would do him a world of good.

A special federal facility makes more sense as Trump is still entitled to Secret Service protection for the rest of his life. He could even be granted certain privileges such as access to the internet and copies of his bible.

The worst penalty we can think of is to send the former president to Guantanamo Bay, where the weather should agree with him.

Whatever Judge Merchan decides is bound to be unpopular, considering how polarized the country has become.

Trump’s true believers will accept nothing than the lightest possible sentence, and even then will grumble that he should not have been tried in the ﬁrst place. They will also argue that he deserves mercy because of his age.

His critics, however, are adamant that Trump be meted the maximum possible sentence, which means life in prison. To be sure, he has shown utmost disrespect for the judicial system, continues to insist on his innocence despite being tried and found guilty by a jury of his peers, and must therefore be punished accordingly.

In our view, Judge Merchan’s decision must be respected, whatever it may be. His fairness cannot be questioned, and if he opts to be kind, then so be it.

In the end, it is history which will render the ﬁnal judgment on Trump. It’s a safe bet that history will not be kind to one of the worst presidents the US has ever had.

SAN MATEO, Calif. – The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce (SMACC) hailed Peninsula Family Service (PFS) the “Best Nonproﬁt in the San Mateo Area” on the basis of 12,500 votes from residents and workers.

Charles Hansen, PFS Chief Programs Officer, thanked the Chamber for the “affirmation” in his response to the recognition on behalf of the organization management and staff of some 160 and a host of equally diverse volunteers. Filipino Americans have a robust representation on every level of its operations and participation.

Under the leadership of CEO Heather Cleary, PFS supports four counties - San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz - helping participants from birth to 101 years of age through its innovative programs.

Its newly unveiled website touts its programs aimed at providing individuals and families the “tools to help them realize their full potential and lead healthy, stable lives”:

- Early Learning curriculum, STEM from the Start, support for ages birth to 12 years, healthy meals, and therapeutic interventions.

- Financial education for teens and adults, lending circles, prepaid debit cards, and credit building tools.

- Mature worker skill building, resume development, job search coaching, specialized workshops, and networking.

- Older adult resource hotline, transportation, mental health, peer counseling, Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center, and technology training.

Recently it was designated to lead the County campaign to overcome loneliness, a pervasive issue besetting every generation today. For more information on programs visit www.pfso.org.

Its latest accolade comes as PFS gears up for its 75th anniversary next year, an occasion that will be commemorated with the community at large.

The award was among those given at Best of San Mateo Area Awards Celebration, a sold-out event June 4 at College of San Mateo.

Launched to “celebrate the businesses, services and amenities that make this place special,”

the awards singled out entities for “their commitment to the community, earning them a well-deserved place among the top businesses” in the San Mateo area:

- David Bohannon, president - CEO of David D. Bohannon Organization for Best Commercial Real Estate Developer

- Claire Mack, owner and baker of Claire’s Crunch Cake for Best MinorityOwned Business and

- Diego Ochoa, Superintendent of San Mateo – Foster City School District, fo Best Public School Spirit.

Cleary, who chairs the SMACC board of directors, opened the program with a rousing welcome following an hour of networking, a custom perfected by the Chamber at its monthly mixers.

College of San Mateo Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives & Economic Development Andrea Vizenor, SMCCC president and CEO Erika Wood and San Mateo Mayor Lisa Diaz Nash reinforced the evening’s objective to (Continue on page 20)

My son Sean is the strong, silent type, a man of few words , as shown in his replies to my texts. It is said that “still waters run deep” and I like to think that is so, with Sean.

The oldest of my surviving 7 children, he became the “kuya” his siblings looked up to, after his sister. our beloved Gigi, was taken from us by the Grim Reaper.

As I sit at my desk on the eve of Sean’s birthday, memories of Sean ﬂood my mind: Sean as a baby at the Chinese General Hospital, a needle in his tiny head, Sean playing basketball and competing at tournaments, Sean ﬁercely protective of his younger sisters, Sean as a reporter for the Philippine Star, Sean as a husband and father father, Sean with his drinking buddies, Sean with his siblings.

Sean and I are alike in many ways. He was the only one of my 8 oﬀspring who followed me in my journalistic career, and like me, is not as talkative as the rest of our family. Physically, he looks more like my side of the family: the Hernandezes.

Come to think of it, Sean and I have never talked lengthily about life. We have both been too busy over the the years, especially after he migrated to the United States over two decades ago. I pray there will be time to do so.

Tomorrow, as he marks another birthday, I send Sean my fervent wishes for good health, peace, love and prosperity now and always. May the good Lord continue to bless you, my son!

Speaking of Sean

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

Moving forward or backward?

(Part 2)

As a columnist and active Evangelist, I am sharing Part 2 of the message I shared during the Sunday morning Worship Services at the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California last May 12, 2024 to commemorate our 50th Wedding Anniversary and my 77th Birthday on August 18, 2024.

3. Third, LOOK FOR EVERY DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY THAT GOD WILL OPEN FOR YOU- By getting out of her comfort zone and walking by faith, God opened doors of opportunities for Ruth. The best door of opportunity that was opened by God for Ruth was when she met Boaz, her future and new husband. Ruth move forward and found the door of opportunity opened through her new husband Boaz. Not only was he wealthy, but took good care of her, and they had a son from whom descended both King David and Jesus, our Lord and Savior, whose Death, Burial and Resurrection (DBR) gave us hope for eternal life in HEAVEN.

Like Ruth, let’s look for every door of opportunity that God will open for us to serve others and to glorify God. Many doors of opportunities are already opened for us (collectively and individually) here at the Golden Gate Church of Christ in San Francisco, namely: 1. PRAYERS –Pray that God will direct us for the sharing of the gospel to our FRANCS “O God, please guide and direct me to a precious soul today; 2. GOSPEL TRACT – We have the gospel tract “The Mystery that Brings Eternal Life” with translations in Tagalog, Ilocano and soon in Spanish and Chinese prepared by brother Terry Denis and his son Gilford Denis; 3. BOOKS MINISTRY – The BOOKS MINISTRY initiated by brother Steven Prine, brother John Jeﬀrey and yours have several books available through Amazon; 4. FISH BRACELET – We can share the FISH STORY to bring our FRANCS to the Prince of Peace and then initiate Gospel Presentation;

5. WE CARE NEW TESTAMENT CHAIN REFERENCE BIBLE;- anybody who can read and write can share the gospel to their FRANCS using this WE CARE NEW TESTAMENT CHAIN REFERENCE BIBLE. Just like a young lady who was baptized on Sunday presented the gospel to her close friend on Wednesday, who also obeyed the gospel in baptism. 6. FOLLOW ETERNAL LIFE OUTLINE- We used this in our gospel presentation to Jack Wang and Boris Quinionez. They are now our brothers in Christ. 7. WE CARE MINISTRY APPROACH ; What if Christ were to come right now, or if you’ll die tomorrow? Would you know for sure that you’ll go to heaven?” 8. SUPPORT MY ANGEL RADIO and IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY TV PROGRAM every Sunday morning; 9. EVAGELISM PROSPECTS REGISTRATION LOG – to monitor your year-round outreach and evangelism; 10. JOIN WORSHIP SERVICES, LORD’S SUPPER AND EVERY ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS - to exhort and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25). These are some of the doors of opportunities opened by God for All of us here at the Golden Gate congregation.

CONCLUSION & INVITATION: As a summary and conclusion let us ALL move forward as Christians by: 1. GETTING OUT FROM OUR COMFORT ZONE, 2. WALKING BY FAITH, NOT BY FEAR; 3. LOOKING FOR EVERY DOOR OF OPPORTURNITY THAT GOD WILL OPEN FOR US.

If you’re not yet a Christian, you can start to move forward by getting out from your UNSAVED CONDITION as a sinner destined to eternal damnation in HELL; and move to a SAVED C0NDITION as forgiven sinner destined for eternal life in HEAVEN by repenting and obeying the gospel in baptism for the forgiveness of ALL your sins (Acts 2:37-38). Last Sunday, brother Steven Prine discussed the Power of the Gospel and the urgency and necessity of obeying the gospel in baptism for the remission of your sins (Acts 22:16).

To those who have not obeyed the gospel in baptism, let me have a heart to heart talk with you for a moment. On the very important issue of personal salvation, please remember that Jesus is the ﬁnal and supreme authority when He gave and proclaimed the Great Commission . He said in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Jesus said in Mark 16:15-16- “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

Who will replace Bongbong Marcos? Gentleman’s agreement

Those who ask the obvious question of who will replace Bongbong Marcos -- if for whatever reason he is removed from oﬃce – need to know the possibilities, of which there are several.

The answer for now is just as obvious – Sara Duterte, of course.

Of course, did I say? Not necessarily. In fact, I daresay, deﬁnitely not.

Recall that when his father and namesake was forcibly removed from Malacanang in 1986, his vice president Arturo Tolentino did not assume the presidency. He may not have been sent into exile, but there was no way that he would have become president without being violently removed himself.

Of course in the other Edsa revolt, then vice president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was allowed by the military to replace Erap Estrada, while the military under Marcos Sr. had no choice but to install Cory Aquino as chief executive.

So the question to ask should be: Is the Marcos presidency Part 2 closer to the ﬁrst Marcos presidency, or more like the Estrada regime?

It is neither and it is both. Or rather, it combines the worst of both administrations. He is at the very least as lazy as Erap, and there are indications he and his wife and other relatives allow the same level of corruption of the dictator called Makoy.

Marcos Jr’s enjoyment of flying first class at every opportunity is no longer just irksome, it is bothersome. That he brings along a retinue of hangers on smacks of a return to the glory days of his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, who enjoyed nothing more than flying to wherever she felt like in order to go shopping. At the taxpayers’ expense, of course.

Junior will then come home with unveriﬁable claims of “commitments” from supposed bit business groups to invest in the Philippines.

This was the excuse former president Rodrigo Duterte made each time he went to China to kowtow to Xi Jinping. He claimed getting mega loans from China, when in fact he was making all sorts of deals with the dictator, including a gentleman’s agreement or two. Or more. No one knows for sure.

This early, there is already some talk of removing Marcos, and one of the unexpected defenders of Bongbong is none other than former senator Antonio Trillanes.

He defense is simple. Ridding the country of Marcos is tantamount to jumping from the frying pan to the ﬁre, as a second president Duterte will be a calamity, says Trillanes.

By law, it is only Sara Duterte who may succeed Junior.

Trillanes is right, but the former senator is forgetting one thing -- the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as the Philippine National Police may not be inclined to allow a pro-China president in the palace.

If Junior is forced to resign, the AFP will likely treat Sara the same way Tolentino was treated back in ’86. She will be a pariah nationwide, but will likely ﬁnd her way back to some position of power in Davao City.

Next in line would be newly-installed Senate President Chiz Escudero, who carries the heavy baggage of being known ames a Marcos yes man. He is so closely identiﬁed with Junior that the AFP, PNP, and most of civil society with the academe and business sectors thrown in would not be happy with Escudero handling the executive department. He would be allowed to keep his Senate presidency, but not receive the keys to the kingdom that is Malacanan Palace.

After Escudero, next in line would be House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

No need to state the obvious. As ﬁrst cousin of Junior, he will receive the same treatment from the police and the military and everyone else.

If Junior and family are forced to ﬂee a second time, Mr. Speaker may as well join them in the plane that will take the Marcos family. Back to Hawaii, perhaps? Or maybe New York, since Junior’s wife, the current First Lady, has claimed that she is a New Yorker at heart.

Hey, remember when old man Makoy and Imelda were ﬂying out of the country, courtesy of the US? Reports say that during the trip, Imelda was singing “New York, New York.”

So with the next in line after Junior and Sara beinunacceptable, it would be the chief justice of the Supreme Court who becomes interim president, doesn’t it?

Salvador Medialdea, the former executive secretary in the Duterte administration, ﬁrmly denied the “gentleman’s agreement” between the former president and China’s leader Xi Jinping.

The two met more than six times when Rodrigo Duterte was in power from 2016 to 2022. They again met once after Duterte left Malacañan.

IN THE TRENCHES

Medialdea did not only deny the verbal deal under Duterte, he also pointed to another deal struck during the Benigno Aquino III administration. He pointed to former defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who agreed with the Chinese embassy to bring only food and fresh water to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, sometime in 2013.

Medialdea said he learned about the deal 12 days after Duterte was sworn into oﬃce in July 2016, only days before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague made a ruling that repudiated China’s nine-dash-line and awarded the Philippines economic rights in the West Philippine Sea under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Medialdea said the Duterte government respected the deal made by Gazmin and kept the status. But, there were ﬂaws in Medialdea’s testimony before the House Committee on National Defense and Security.

First, Medialdea needed to produce a copy of the agreement entered into by Gazmin with the Chinese embassy.

Second, his testimony is primarily hearsay from someone he could no longer remember. It is a convenient excuse.

Third, former defense secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana denied any knowledge about Gazmin’s deal. Gazmin dd not inform him about the supposed deal if there was any.

Fourth, he passed the buck to a previous administration to clear Duterte of any wrongdoing.

Medialdea also needed to remember fundamental details about the relations between the Philippines and China.

The Philippines had ﬁled an arbitration case against China in early 2013, a move that angered Beijing as contacts between the two states were reduced. If there was an agreement on the bringing of supplies to BRP Sierra Madre, how could China have prevented the wooden supply boat from carrying out its mission during that time?

The international and local media were reporting China’s shadowing and blocking of a civilian supply vessel from reaching Ayungin Shoal. During that time, in 2013, there were already rumors swirling in the local media about the repairs made inside BRP Sierra Madre to prevent it from disintegrating, almost 15 years after it rank aground on the submerged shoal.

Reuters, in an exclusive report in July 2015, finally reported about the repairs based on interviews with two officers, including a general. Ambassador Charles Jose, a foreign affairs undersecretary who was a spokesman at that time, declined to comment about the repairs but emphasized if the military decides to do it, it was not illegal under the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, an informal code of conduct signed by China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh.

China tried adhering to the code by not occupying any new feature in the South China Sea. It also built artiﬁcial islands only on the features it already occupied.

(Continue on page 20)

Obeying what Jesus said and commanded, Apostle Peter preached the gospel in its purity and simplicity on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem and 3,000 precious souls obeyed the gospel in baptism (Acts 2:41-47) .Please do not follow the false teachings of denominational preachers who teach that one needs only to believe and put Jesus into his/her heart or recite the Sinner’s Prayer in order to be saved. Please be persuaded that on the very important issue of personal salvation, YOU must obey what Jesus said and commanded rather than the false teachings of denominational preachers who are wearing high-sounding titles like “Reverend-Doctor” of Divinity or “infallible Pope” Jesus said: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, NKJV)

This may not be such a bad choice, although a better one would be the presidential candidate that Junior supposedly defeated in the last elections -- former vice president Leni Robredo.

Ever since her supposed loss in the last polls, former secretary of information and communications technology Eliseo Rio Jr. has been showing what he says is proof of massive cheating that resulted in Junior winning the presidential race.

He makes a strong case too, except it sounds too technical for most people.

But he asks a simple question: Why were the results showing a landslide win for Junior known less than an hour after the close of polling precincts?

(Continue on page 20)

The 2002 DOC stands, although there were still blatant violations by China, like excessive reclamations and converting the reefs and shoals into military fortresses with ports and airﬁelds. The reclamation and construction also began in early 2013, activities which the Philippines and other Southeast Asian states protested. In 2013, relations between Manila and Beijing were getting sour and shaky. Is an agreement on Ayungin Shoal is feasible during that time.

The tense situation in the West Philippine Sea began in 2011 when Chinese warships stopped a private exploration vessel hired by n Anglo-Filipino company to test oil and gas fields in the Reed Bank. The following year, there was a standoff in Bajo de Masinloc when BRP Gregorio del Pilar tried to arrest Chinese fishermen who were rescued by China’s Coast Guard. This would show that relations between China and the Philippines slowly deteriorated even before a supposed deal on the Ayungin Shoal was forged.

(Continue on page 20)

BETING DOLOR

“

MANNY MOGATO

ART GABOT MADLAING Health & Wealth

PHL debt soars to P15.017 trillion as peso depreciates to new low

MANILA --The Philippines’ sovereign debt climbed higher in April following the depreciation of the Philippine peso and the government’s net ﬁnancing during the period, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.

The national government’s debt stock stood at P15.017 trillion as of end-April, 0.61% higher than the P14.925 trillion as of end-March, and 7.95% higher than the P13.911 trillion as of end-April 2023.

“[This is] due to government net ﬁnancing and the impact of local currency depreciation on the valuation of foreigncurrency-denominated debt,” the bureau said in an accompanying statement and reported by GMA News and Manila me-

dia.

The Philippine peso closed on April 30, 2024 at P57.76:$1, reﬂ ecting a depreciation of P1.52 from the ﬁ nish of P56.24:$1 on March 27, 2024, the last trading day of the month. It has since depreciated even further to a fresh 18-month low of P58.635:$1 on May 30.

Broken down, the end-April debt stock was 31.36% external debt, equivalent to P4.708 trillion, up 1.30% from P4.648 trillion in March, and 5.74% higher than the P4.453 trillion the year earlier. This was composed of P2.251 trillion in loans, and P2.457 trillion in external debt securities.

Electricity, fuel costs, others drive inflation upward in May

QUEZON CITY -- Inﬂation picked up for the fourth straight month in May due to rising electricity and fuel costs, consumer goods and services, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

The consumer price index reached 3.9 percent, higher than the 3.8 percent recorded in April amid faster increase in utility and transportation costs during the period, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

At a press conference, newly re-appointed National Statistician and PSA

chief Claire Dennis Mapa said inﬂation — the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services — rose to 3.9% in May, a slight increment from the 3.8% rate in April.

But this is still within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 3.7 to 4.5 percent forecast, and within the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent.

Mapa said inﬂation for housing water, electricity, gas, and other fuels reached 0.9 percent in May, faster than the 0.4 percent seen in April.

Strategies for faster family immigration to the US

There is a need to strategize the immigration process for maximum beneﬁts. For most of the immigrants, family unity is the most important part of staying in the United States. However, many failed to use a strategy or process that will make them united faster than what is happening. There are lots of strategies that family unity may be achieved. Some of them are:

1. For a newly married couple with one having a green card, ﬁling a petition for spouse and all qualiﬁed children once an immigrant received his green card. Remember that even if you are a green card holder, you can petition your spouse and children as soon as you receive your green card. You do not have to wait for you to become a U.S. citizen to petition a wife or husband and children. There are many cases when a minor child could have been included in the petition but for some reason they were left behind and age out.

2. When a person is petitioned by a U.S. citizen spouse, the U.S. citizen spouse may also ﬁle a petition for the step children below 18 at the time of their marriage. This was always set aside or forgotten for some reason. The same is true when an employment-based petition is ﬁled. Once the priority date has been established for the worker, the spouse and children become derivative of the petition. They can immigrate with the petitioned worker together as a family.

3. Conditional permanent residents may also start petitioning their children without waiting for the permanent green card which is taking a long period of time in the processing of the case. This will save precious time for the children so that they will not age out.

4. You can ﬁle for naturalization even if you have a pending petition for a child who is over 21 years of age. Beforehand, you may not naturalize because the priority date will change for a children of green card holder to that of a U.S. citizen. Now you can request the USCIS to keep the priority date of your children under the category of children of permanent resident. This is called Request for cancellation of automatic conversion. With this process, you can be a US citizen and at the same time keep the priority date of your children’s petition.

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

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. Your relatives may also qualify.

Bankruptcy Basics

We also process Bankruptcy cases.

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

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 and bankruptcy since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/ with oﬃces in Hayward and Cerritos, CA.

‘Rule the Cool’ with PG&E: Power Up Energy Efficiency & Summer Savings

Customers Can Lower Energy Costs with Simple Tools, Tips, & Assistance Programs

Oakland, Calif. — As households spring into summer, PG&E encourages customers to prepare for the warmer months ahead by making their homes and businesses more energy eﬃcient to reduce their energy usage, save money, and explore assistance programs to manage summer energy bills.

More than 50% of a typical household’s annual energy consumption is due to air conditioning and heating according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As temperatures climb, PG&E is helping customers ensure their AC unit runs smoothly all season long with simple steps you can watch in this short video.

“Making a few small adjustments around your home can add up to bill savings, said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. “By scaling back energy consumption, customers can also reduce their carbon footprint, which helps ﬁght climate change.”

Summer Energy & Money-Saving Solutions

PG&E is helping customers weather the summer heat with no-cost and lowcost actions to reduce energy use during peak demand periods without sacriﬁcing comfort:

Thermostat Tip: Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher when at home, health permitting. Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day.

Seal Leaks: Use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any gaps around drafty doors or windows so your AC doesn’t have to work overtime.

Replace Air Filters: Dirty air filters make your AC work harder to circulate air. Replacing filters regularly can improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Fans Are Your Friend: Use a ceiling fan to create a breeze without draining energy on your AC.

Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit: With a $200 investment in energy-efficient materials in PG&E’s Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit, customers can save nearly $1,000 a year on their energy bills.

Conquer Kitchen Heat: Use an induction cooktop for meals instead of a traditional stovetop to keep your kitchen cool. Induction cooktops are safer, faster, and more energy eﬃcient than gas or electric resistance cooktops. The PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program allows customers to borrow a single-burner induction cooktop and pan for two weeks at no cost.

Pool Power: Use a pool cover and consider installing a variable speed pool

pump to curb energy costs. This video dives into additional ways to maximize your savings.

Energy Incentive Programs

Power Saver Rewards: This is a free program that rewards customers with a bill credit for temporarily reducing energy use on select summer days when the demand for electricity is high.

SmartRate Program: You can pay a reduced rate in exchange for minimizing your electricity usage between 4-9 p.m. when “SmartDays” are called.

For more resources to help manage summer cooling costs, including a Home Energy Checkup, Personalized Rate Comparison, and HomeIntel program, visit pge.com/summer.

Income-Eligible Assistance Programs

PG&E has several assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills:

California Alternate Rates for Energy: provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity bills. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): provides a monthly discount of 18% on electricity for households of three or more people. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.

Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.

Relief for Energy Assistance Through Community Help (REACH): a program that provides up to a $1,000 bill credit to help income-eligible customers with past due balances. In April, PG&E also launched REACH Triple Match, which expands eligibility to more low-to moderate-income customers and requires customers to make a bill payment to receive a 3 to 1 match, providing up to a $1,000 bill credit. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally funded assistance program overseen by the state that oﬀers a one-time payment up to $1,000 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes.

About PG&E

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

Willie Revillame bounces back, closer to opening TV5 show

By Jennifer T. Santos

Popular television host, singer and businessman Wilfredo “Willie” Revillame is nearing the homerun for the opening of his new show, this time in TV5.

It was gathered the still untitled show will start in July. The show will precede the news program, just like its run in the GMA Network.

Already, Senator Rafael Raﬀy Tulfo said he is happy for actor-television host Willie Revillame following his return to TV5 network.

Tulfo extended his congratulations to Revillame on his new program on the Kapatid network. The senator visited Revillame to show his support during his contract signing with tv executives last April.

Tulfo and Revillame previously hosted their separate programs on MVP-led TV5 network.

The reunion of the duo was shared on Facebook by Raﬀy Tulfo In Action with the title: “Hari ng Public Service at Hari ng Game Show Nagkita.”

“Sa signing ng magiging bagong show ni

Willie Revillame sa Kapatid Network, pinuntahan ni Sen. Idol Raﬀy Tulfo si Kuya Wil para kumustahin at i-congratulate,” Raﬀy Tulfo in Action wrote Facebook.

“Dati nang nagkasama ang dalawa maraming taon na ang nakakaraan sa TV5. May kanyakanyang programa sila noon — si Idol Raﬀy ay sa ‘T3’ at si Kuya Wil naman ay sa ‘Wil Time Bigtime.’

Abangan ang magiging bagong show ni Kuya Wil sa Kapatid Network!” the post added.

Last week, Willie introduced three of his ﬁve co-hosts, the Win Girls, composed of Inday Fatima, Queenay, and Ana Ramsey.

The three girls were also welcomed into the fold by MQuest Ventures, with two more Win Girls who are yet to be named, to team up not only on Willie’s show but also in upcoming MediaQuest and TV5 projects.

“When I met Kuya Will, to be honest, he was very kind,” said Queenay of the comebacking TV host at a mediacon, as reported by Philippine Star, an aﬃliate of TV 5 under the umbrella of Manny V. Pangilinan.

“Especially when it comes to food, he is generous. Pagdating sa food, (he would say), ‘O kawawa naman mga ‘to, pagod mga ‘to’ and we will all eat somewhere,” Queenay added.

As for Ana, being tapped as co-host felt like coming full circle, having previously encountered Willie on his previous show at another network, according to the Philippine Star rport. “I never imagined that the time would come when I would be his co-host,” she maintained.

“I’m very much thankful. There were also moments where we were in one table, kumakain tayo. I couldn’t believe na ang isang Willie Revillame makakasama ko sa isang lunch, dinner and (that I would) share a conversation with him,” Queenay said.

“Actually, you cannot erase the pressure because napakaganda po talaga yung legacy (that) Lola Elizabeth and Tita Jaya (built in the industry). They really achieved the peak of their success. So there’s really a pressure (for me to do the same) but at the same time, I looked up to them as an inspiration to follow in their footsteps in the industry,” stated Ana.

“Before Lola passed away, she told me na sana ma-maintain ko yung Ramsey (name) in the industry. And with God’s help and will, I hope I will stay longer in the industry,” she continued.

Fatima, meanwhile, is a beauty queen and Bisaya inﬂuencer. She is a registered medical technologist advocating for the health of persons with disabilities in her home province of Malungon, Sarangani.

“I’ve been joining pageants for more than 13 years,” recalled Fatima in a Philippine Star report. “And I always thought that if I join pageants, it will be a way for me to get discovered to be an actress. But that was like almost a decade ago.”

“But when I did content (creation), vlog-

ging, that’s when people recognized me as Inday Fatima. I showed them who I am — someone who came from the province, yung nago-open ng buko, nagaakyat ng mga puno. I showed them what it was like having a simple life in the province. I got discovered, just by being me, my natural self,” she added.

So when the opportunity opened up for Fatima to be part of Win Girls and be on TV, she considered it as a huge milestone and described it as a “leap of faith.”

“I’ve done hosting in pageants but this is my ﬁrst time to be onscreen, on TV kaya I’m sure sina mama naiiyak na din talaga,” she onfessed.

Likewise, TikTok content creator Queenay couldn’t be more grateful for the people who supported her content on social media platforms, especially her fellow Batangueños.

“I will use my platforms, create more videos behind-the-scenes kung paano kami nagshoshoot (to connect and entertain more viewers),” said Queenay on how she will use her platforms to introduce her newly formed group.

“At least (in that way) they will get to know us more, not only me, but also the Win Girls and the program. They will see kung gaano kasaya yung bonding na nabubuo namin sa show,” she was quoted as saying by Philippine Star.

In terms of preparations, Queenay said that she will think of content that the audience will surely like. “Aside from a day in my life (content), I will also feature videos where they can see us dancing, with the Win Girls and malay natin

Gary Valenciano and Apl.de.Ap celebrate Philippine Independence Day in Carson June 8

The City of Carson’s 126th Philippine Independence Day Celebration on June 8 promises to be an electrifying event as two renowned Filipino artists, International Sensation “Mr. Pure Energy,” Gary Valenciano, and Filipino-American rapper, singer, record producer, global philanthropist, and co-founding member of the multi-Grammy winning hiphop group, Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.Ap, will bring their respective talents to the mainstage. Apl.de.Ap will be the ﬁrst-ever celebrity Grand Marshal of Carson’s Philippine Independence Day Celebration and will deliver a keynote speech and perform a few songs.

Gary Valenciano, also known as “Gary V,” is an iconic ﬁgure in the Filipino music industry, with his soulful voice and dynamic performances spanning decades. He has captivated audiences worldwide with his hits like “Hataw Na” and “Take Me Out of the Dark.” This year marks his 40th Anniversary in the world of entertainment, and he will close out the festivities by headlining the entertainment portion of the day.

In collaboration with the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, the event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Park, 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745. The celebration is open to the public, and admission is free.

“On behalf of the citizens of the great City of Carson, I extend my sincerest appreciation to the Philippine Independence Day Foundation for their exceptional dedication in ensuring a successful event each year to celebrate this important historical occasion. It is truly a delight to see the diversity of Carson celebrated through cultural events such as this. Thank you for giving the community the opportunity to see and experience the richness of Philippine history and culture and for making a wonderful contribution to the ethnic diversity that makes Carson great,” said Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes.

Philippine Independence Day has been celebrated in the City of Carson since 1986 and is the largest and longest-running Filipino cultural celebration nationwide. Located in the heart of Southern California, this annual event draws thousands of Filipinos and nonFilipinos of all ages and backgrounds.

The Philippine Independence Day Celebration will be a jubilant occasion ﬁlled with cultural performances, traditional cuisine, and heartfelt tributes to the nation’s rich history. Including Gary Valenciano and Apl.de.Ap in the lineup ensures an unforgettable experience for attendees celebrating the spirit of freedom and unity that deﬁnes the Filipino people.

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The California Forever grant, known for supporting initiatives that drive long-term progress and sustainability, will bolster CTC’s eﬀorts in expanding its educational programs, community outreach, and innovative research projects. This grant aligns with CTC’s mission to foster technological advancement and prepare the next generation of innovators and leaders in the tech industry.

“We are incredibly honored to receive the California Forever grant,” said Demos Punsalan, Executive Director and Co-Founder of California Technological Care. “This grant is not only a testament to the hard work and dedi-

cation of our team over the past 25 years but also a catalyst for future growth and innovation. It will enable us to expand our programs, reach more communities, and continue to lead in technological education and development.”

Founded in 1999, CTC has consistently led the way in technological education. Their commitment is evident through the provision of state-of-the-art resources, personalized mentorship, and comprehensive training to a diverse range of individuals, including students, at-risk-youth, senior citizens, and other disadvantage individuals regardless of geographical location.

The California Forever grant will support CTC’s programs and initiatives aiming to

With a very anemic housing inventory, are we to say that foreclosures looming around us? The recent homebuyers that have taken this low down pay risky loans will lead the pack of property defaults. These are the same high-risk loans that created the big bubble in the mid to late 2000s’. I don’t see the scale to be as large but for buyers who are looking for deals, they will come but you will have lots of buying competition for these properties.

Underwater homeowners — owing more on their mortgage than their home’s current fair market value (FMV) — are more likely to be delinquent on their mortgages than those in a positive equity position.

Nationally, 5% of mortgages originated in 2022 are underwater as of Q3 2022, and an additional 19% of mortgages originated in 2022 have less than 10% equity. Most of these no- and lowequity mortgages are FHA-insured and VA-guaranteed loans, which have little to no down payment requirements.

A seller typically needs at least 10% equity to be able to sell and cover the 5%-6% broker fees as well as pay for any necessary repairs, improvements or other seller concessions demanded in a buyer’s market.

Without at least 10% equity in a property, a traditional sale is not possible, and foreclosure follows when mortgage payments are not paid. As this dynamic snowball in 2023-2025, a rise in real estate owned (REO) property will occur as the number of bank-owned properties balloons.

Generally, when going into foreclosure season, mortgage lenders are without staﬀ to properly manage pricing at trustee’s sale or work out payment moratoriums for recently unemployed homeowners. Thus, the lender starts foreclosure and bids on the property for the debt rather than accept a market price at the auction a 3rd party bidder is willing to pay. The result is the lender becomes the owner, and the property becomes classiﬁed as REO inventory.

Real estate agents are preparing to work with REO properties and maybe short selling might be coming back. Preparing to invest as a real estate syndicator who purchases REO property at a steep discount for a long-term rental property investment; becoming a property manager of REO property to ensure regular income when traditional listings are sparse; and acting as a listing agent of REO property by making contacts with mortgage servicing companies which will soon see their REO inventory rise to an unmanageable number.

January 2023 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 31,557 U.S. properties with foreclosure ﬁlings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions – up 36 percent from a year ago, and up 2 percent from the prior month.

” The uptick in overall foreclosure ﬁlings nationwide points toward a trend that may suggest more increased activity is on the horizon as we enter the new year,” said ATTOM CEO Rob Barber.” While both completed foreclosures and foreclosures starts have stalled slightly over the past month, the annual increase in overall activity seen over the past 21 months may indicate a more substantial trend that could continue into 2023.”

Lenders repossessed 3,896 U.S. properties through completed foreclosures (REOs) in January 2023, up 6 percent from last month but down 19 percent from last year – the ﬁrst annual decrease in completed foreclosures since June 2021.

States that had at least 100 or more REOs and that saw the greatest annual decreases in January 2023 included: Florida (down 53 percent); Maryland (down 23 percent); Michigan (down 22 percent); New Jersey (down 15 percent); and Texas (down 14 percent).

create a more equitable and inclusive digital world, where everyone can access the resources, they need to succeed.

As CTC celebrates its 25th anniversary, the organization reﬂects on its journey from a small grassroots initiative to a leading force in technological education and innovation. Over the years, CTC has impacted thousands of lives through its programs, partnerships, and advocacy eﬀorts.

“Looking back at our achievements, we are ﬁlled with pride and gratitude,” added Punsalan. “This grant is a wonderful milestone in our anniversary year, and we look forward to the next 25 years of driving technological excellence and equity.”

For more information about California Technological Care and its programs, please visit www.ctcglobal.org.

About California Technological Care: California Technological Care (CTC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting technological education and innovation locally and internationally. Established in 1999, CTC offers a wide range of programs aimed at empowering individuals and communities through technology. CTC has been recognized for its exceptional work in the field of digital inclusion and as a “champion of the environment” by combating electronic waste pollution and empowering disadvantaged communities locally and internationally.

Rising delinquencies change the housing landscape

Counter to the national trend, only 3 states with 100 or more REOs in January 2023 saw an annual increase, including: New York (up 76 percent); Pennsylvania (up 12 percent); and California (up 4 percent).

Those major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with a population greater than 200,000 that saw the greatest number of REOs included: Detroit, MI (783 REOs); Chicago, IL (206 REOs); New York, NY (149 REOs); Philadelphia, PA (100 REOs); and Riverside, CA (66 REOs).

Highest foreclosure rates in Delaware, Illinois, and Michigan Nationwide one in every 4,425 housing units had a foreclosure ﬁling in January 2023. States with the highest foreclosure rates were Delaware (one in every 2,109 housing units with a foreclosure ﬁling); Illinois (one in every 2,279 housing units); Michigan (one in every 2,617 housing units); New Jersey (one in every 2,858 housing units); and Maryland (one in every 2,967 housing units).

Among the 223 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the highest foreclosure rates in January 2023 were Fayetteville, NC (one in every 1,322 housing units with a foreclosure ﬁling); Bakersﬁeld, CA (one in every 1,522 housing units); Cleveland, OH (one in every 1,557 housing units); Detroit, MI (one in every 1,575 housing units); and Laredo, TX (one in every 1,953 housing units).

Other than Cleveland and Detroit, among the metropolitan

areas with a population greater than 1 million, those with the worst foreclosure rates in January 2023 included: Chicago, IL (one in every 2,074 housing units); Riverside, CA (one in every 2,123 housing units); and Las Vegas, NV (one in every 2,341 housing units).

Foreclosure starts increase monthly in 31 states including the District of Colombia

Lenders started the foreclosure process on 20,752 U.S. properties in January 2023, down 1 percent from last month but up 75 percent from a year ago.

Those states that saw the greatest number of foreclosures starts in January 2023 included: California (2,513 foreclosure starts); Texas (2,136 foreclosure starts); Florida (1,725 foreclosure starts); New York (1,375 foreclosure starts); and Illinois (1,309 foreclosure starts).

Among those major metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the greatest number of foreclosure starts in January 2023, included: New York, NY (1,370 foreclosure starts); Chicago, IL (1,156 foreclosure starts); Los Angeles, CA (774 foreclosure starts); Houston, TX (629 foreclosure starts); and Philadelphia, PA (612 foreclosure starts).

Thanks for your inquiries, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group for your home mortgage needs, call 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

Rev Up Your June with Sky River Casino’s Trio of Thrilling Promotions!

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Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Paalam, ex-martial arts champion Bacyadan get Olympic berths

BANGKOK/MANILA – Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam booked a return trip to the Olympics after a unanimous decision win over India’s Sachin Siwach in the men’s 57 kg semifinals at the 2nd World Boxing Olympic Qualification held at Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday night, June 1. It was an early birthday gift for Paalam, who will turn 26 on July 16 or 10 days before the official opening of the Paris Games.

“Fought hard for my spot for the Paris Olympics 2024,” Paalam, silver medalist in Tokyo 2020, posted on Facebook. “Una sa Poong Maykapal dumaan man ako sa maraming pagsubok pero mas naging buo ako at panatag sa pag pagkamit ng ticket sa (First, the Lord. I experienced several challenges but I was strong and conﬁdent I would make it to the) Paris Olympics 2024.”

He also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines and secretary general Marcus Manalo, his team (coaches, dietitian, physical therapist), and his family “sa walang sawang supporta, pagdasal at tiwala (for your endless support, prayers and trust).”

Paalam will join 13 other Filipinos in Paris, including fellow boxers and Tokyo batchmates Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio, along with ﬁrst-timer Aira Villegas; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, LeVi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo; world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando and John Febuar Ceniza; rower Joanie Delgaco; and fencer Sam Catantan.

Former martial arts champion Hergi Bacyadan is the 15th Filipino Olympian and fifth boxer going to the Paris Games after hurdling her quarterfinal bout in the 2nd World Boxing Olympic Qualification held in Bangkok, Thailand on June 1.

Bacyadan beat Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the women’s 75 kg via unanimous decision.

The qualiﬁcation of the Kalinga native came less than 24 hours after Carlo Paalam booked his return trip to the quadrennial summer Games in the same Bangkok tournament.

Bacyadan, 28, is a world vovinam champion, winning the women’s combat 66 kg division of the Vietnamese martial arts in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2023.

She ﬁrst made the Philippine wushu team in 2016, shifted to boxing, returned to martial arts, and grabbed the opportunity to box again in order to achieve her Olympic dream.

Bacyadan advanced after a 3-2 split decision win over Hungary’s Veronika Nakota, also on Saturday.

The 28-year-old native of Kalinga province won the women’s combat 66 kg of the 7th World Vovinam Championships held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in November last year.

“Babalik sa Olympics na mag kakasama ulit!!!!! Sobrang saya ko at pasok tayong tatlo ulit (Returning to the Olympics together!!! I’m so happy that we all made it)!!!” Petecio wrote on Facebook. “Paris!!!! Here we go!!!! We are coming.”

“Paris Olympics let’s go! I am very proud of you Loy. Congratulations!!!” Marcial wrote.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, who watched Paalam’s win in Bangkok, told Paalam on Facebook that “your family and the whole nation is proud of you!”

There are 13 Olympic boxing weight categories -- six for women and seven for men -- in the Paris competition.

There were 28 men and 21 women who made it during the ﬁrst qualiﬁer in Italy in March. A further 23 female and 28 male Olympic spots are available in Bangkok.

Carlo Paalam

Hergie Bacyadan

Pista...

(From page 1)

A ﬁtting start to the month leading to the celebration of the 126th year of Philippine Independence was what Pista sa Nayon in City of Vallejo in California accomplished this weekend.

Billed as an event for colorful festivities and heartwarming moments the 38th Vallejo Pista sa Nayon lived up to expectations as dazzling performances to mouthwatering culinary delights, told a story of unity, joy, and cultural pride that surely served as a colorful and meaningful start in also observing rich heritage and diverse community spirit of Vallejo.

Showcased were the usual highlights of Pista Sa Nayon and more through curated collection of images, showcasing the beauty of Filipino traditions and the warmth of community bonds that saw family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances cherished memories, celebrated diversity, and honored the spirit of Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon. The featured display of arts (dances, music, ancient handwriting Baybayin), crafts, activities (like martial arts, tattooing, baybayin and even actual history educational lessons from the Vallejo Filipino elders holding the torch for Filipino American National Historical Society, among others) and not least of all the sumptuous oﬀering of Filipino culinary dishes that attracted not just Filipinos but also non-Filipino friends and supporters as well.

On the third straight year, Pista sa Nayon was held at the Mare Island shipyard which shares a long, storied relationship with the Philippines and FilipinoAmericans when in 1898, the U.S. Navy deployed ships from Mare Island to ﬁght in the Battle of Manila Bay, eventually leading to the Philippines’ declaration of independence from Spain in June of that year. Many Filipinos would later be stationed at Mare Island before laying down roots in Vallejo by buying homes, raising families and starting businesses.

Vallejo City Mayor Robert McConnell, Vice Mayor Mina Loera-Diaz and the rest of the Vallejo City Council welcomed the dignitaries, guests and all participants to Mare Islands while the ﬁrst Filipino woman elected to oﬃce City Council Member Rozzana Verder-Aliga highlighted the resolution passed by the council in declaring the whole month of June 2024 as Philippine Cultural month and we encourage our diverse community to explore Filipino culture and appreciate Filipino heritage that help make our city and our county great.

Among the reasons for this resolution cited by Aliga were that:

Filipino Americans comprise 12% or 52,000 of Solano County’s population 20% or 25,000 of the City of Vallejo population;

In 1898, the U.S. Navy ships sailed from Mare Island Naval Shipyard to the Philippines directly contributing to the United States victory over Spain which led to the Philippines declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898;

The 78th anniversary of Philippine Independence whereas is commemorated on July 4, 1946 and;

Filipino Americans greatly contributed to various social, religious, and

economic well-being as well as political landscape with the elections point us to the city council and schoolboard.

In a message read by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco through Consul General Neil Francis Ferrer, stated that 126 years on (since the proclamation in 1898), “we continue to bear the lessons of the past as we build a prosperous, peaceful, and equitable future for our beloved homeland, which is encapsulated in the theme of the 2024 Independence Day festivities in the Philippines: “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” or “Freedom. Future. History.”

“Philippine Independence Day is a yearly reminder of the centuries-long struggle that the Filipino people have endured and fought for freedom and democracy. Following the example of our heroes, may you inspire Filipinos and Filipino Americans towards cooperation and unity within the community, and in endeavors that will elevate the proﬁ le of the Philippines and of the Filipino people in the United States. By working towards our goals and aspirations for our community and our home country, we can build and pass on a New Philippines or Bagong Pilipinas to future generations of Filipinos,” Ferrer regarded FilAms.

Former Mayor Bob Sampayan whose parents are from Binalonan Pangasinan conﬁrmed that over 25% of Vallejo’s local population are Filipinos “so we have a large voting bloc Filipinos are very active in this community as you can see today and we are also very involved in politics. So it is really good to have the Pinoys involved in our community. Since we have a lot to say so.”

“It is extremely important to have Filipino representation so that our voices can be heard not just the other races. And so it a very important thing to be represented not only in the state, county, and local. Get involved is my advice to those who were born in the U.S. but do not know much about Filipino culture and heritage. Learn about your heritage because somebody has got to carry on after we are gone. You are our future,” Sampayan advised the youth.

For his part, California Senate hopeful Christopher Cabaldon shared that he is “super excited we are about to elect to be the ﬁrst Senator from Filipino American community of California in the history of the State.”

“It is great to be here celebrating our culture, our political empowerment, our economic prosperity, and looking forward to serving the communities of Vallejo, Fairﬁeld, Suisun City and Filipinos from California in the coming years,” Cabal-

don shared. “Thanks for coming out here and supporting the FilAm community.” Also seen at the festivities were California Forever’s CEO Jan Sramek and his wife, Naytri Sramek, who joined the vibrant festivities at Vallejo Pistahan, celebrating Philippine Independence Day on June 12. Their presence, alongside the California Forever team, underscored their commitment to recognizing and supporting the Filipino American community in Solano County and across the entire state of California.

As this will just jumpstart the series of Philippine Independence celebrations across the country, other cities scheduled to have ﬂ ag-raising in their cities are:

Raising of the Philippine ﬂag at San Francisco City Hall before noon of June 12, 2024 the day of Independence itself with Mayor London Breed expected to lead the event with Philippine ConsulGeneral to San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer; and 10th Anniversary of the Philippine Flag Raising also before noon on June 14th, 2024 at City of Daly City Hall in partnership with the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center. The momentous event I will be led by Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, Vice Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual, other members of the City Council and oﬃcers of the city and community members, friends and supporters.

Arianne Del sang the Philippine Na�onal Anthem

Christopher Cabaldon

California Forever’s CEO Jan Sramek (middle) and wife Naytri Sramek (extreme right)

Pista sa Nayon par�cipants line up for to sample dishes from the food trucks

FILIPINO LOLOs AND LOLAs RELIVE TRADITIONS AT ANNUAL FLORES DE MAYO, SANTACRUZAN IN SAN FRANCISCO

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the 26th annual Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan of the Canon Kip Senior Center, held in partnership with SOMA Pilipinas at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on 31 May 2024.

In his message that was read by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Consul General Neil recognized the role that the seniors play as “ambassadors of Philippine culture and heritage in the United States,” and thanked them “for keeping our cherished traditions as Filipinos alive and well and for passing them down to

the succeeding generations, especially the Filipino American youth.” The Philippine Consul General added that the event is a ﬁtting end to the celebration of Asian American and Paciﬁc Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States.

Around 30 lolos and lolas donned their best Filipiniana attire for the sagala around the adjacent Yerba Buena Gardens.

The Canon Kip Senior Center provides health and legal assistance, meal programs, and socialization opportunities to elders aged 60 and above, oﬀering their services in English, Filipino, Ce-

CWS. A delega�on from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Ms

Yu visited the oﬃce

the California Waste

for the environment, elimina�ng waste and promo�ng recovery of limited resources. Here they listen intently to the presenta�on of VP Victor Duong. Also present were Kris�na Duong (CFO) and Michael Duong. Also joining the PCCI group was Yolanda Stern and Angie Louie. The CWS oﬃce also serves as HQ of the Vietnamese American Business Associa�on.

and Ilonggo. It is located at SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco’s

The Filipino Community of Santa Clara County together with the officers of Global Maharlika Founda�on, Inc in a dinner recep�on welcome delegates of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In photo are officers of FilCal Dancers and Ms Simeone Chien and Jus�ne Garcia as representa�ves from the office of Congressman Ro Khanna of Silicon Valley , California.

PCCI Visits

Charo

Solu�ons, a company that cares

buano

oﬃcial Filipino

cultural heritage district. (San Francisco PCG photos)

(From Page 11)

This was nothing short of miraculous, the retired general says. Rio also says that Comelec has never presented proof that the results were veriﬁed.

Using his logic, it seems that Leni Robredo was the real winner, but she never contested the results. For what reason, we do not know. It may have been dangerous to do so, as violence would have erupted nationwide if she had called on her followers to reject the election results.

The AFP installing her as president may not be acceptable.

It would seem that the best alternative is for the chief justice serving as interim president to call for a presidential election soonest.

The danger here is that yet another populist who has zero qualiﬁcations for the presidency will run and win. One name being talked about as a possible next president is senator Raﬀy Tulfo, but he carries a lot of baggage.

That baggage is mostly expensive shoes and clothes, as he reportedly has a separate dwelling dedicated solely to his collection of pricey attire.

So scratch Tulfo for now. While he has been showing in Senate hearings that he brings with him some no-nonsense street smarts, he may not be ready for the presidency for the time being.

Please note that I am merely presenting possible scenarios.

Junior has been lucky thus far. The country’s economy is stable enough, although inﬂation remains worrisome. The political opposition remains weak, and there is only one true oppositionist in the Senate and a handful in the House.

Yes, Junior is indeed lucky, but there is no guarantee that his luck will last until the end of his term.

Vico Sotto is the brightest light who can one day lead the country to true greatness. But for now, he is way too young. Or is he? Now 34, isn’t he older than Emilio Aguinaldo was when the Caviteno became the country’s ﬁrst president?

One scenario I have avoided mentioning is a full-blown AFP takeover. It’s a scary thought, although there are a number of good men and women in the upper echelons of the service who may have the leadership skills that the Philippines needs.

There’s an old saying, nature abhors a vacuum. I do not exclude the possibility that a young leader will soon emerge who can be the Great Leader that the country needs.

Or maybe it’s Leni Robredo, Risa Hontiveros, or Vic Sotto who should now be preparing themselves to take the helm if fate deals Junior another painful exit from the country.

Health & Wealth...

(From Page 11)

plead for YOU to come forward and obey the gospel in baptism today for the forgiveness of ALL your sins before it’s too late.

If you’ve been a Christian but became lukewarm, we encourage you to repent and rededicate your life to Jesus. Whatever your needs, we encourage and invite YOU to come forward as we sing the invitation song TRUST AND OBEY.

FREE “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” BOOK

As book author, columnist and Evangelist, my beloved wife and I are oﬀering FREE autographed copy of the updated “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians” to our readers and the general public to commemorate our 50th Wedding Anniversary last May 5, 2024.

The updated “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” (393 pages, now available at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback and E-book) is excellent addition to your Personal Library or Family Library. Foreword was written by Atty. Junas T. Sagurit, President of Asian Christian University.

The back cover includes group picture with then Congressman and former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao during a Courtesy Call & Prayer Meeting with the WE CARE Ministries Team inside his mansion in General Santos City, Philippines last February 19, 2024. Here are some reviews and comments on the “HISTORICITY OF JESUS:”

“This book can help bring millions of Filipinos to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, for salvation and spiritual awakening<” wrote CORAZON M. NERA, former Chair, Regulatory Board of Librarians, Director of Libraries, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila, Philippines.

“For reformation, moral and spiritual regeneration, I recommend this book to everyone especially to Filipinos at home and abroad,” echoed Manny Pacquiao, boxing icon and former Philippine Senator, General Santos City, Sarangani, Philippines.

“I urge ownership of this book for faith building and antidote to fear and worry,” said DARLENE GAMBLE, Teacher who ﬁnished BA in Special Ed and MA in Reading at Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, USA.

For your FREE autographed copy of the updated “HISTORICITY OF JESUS,” just send $9.85 (for mailing, handling & shipping) 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 good only in the United States until August 18, 2024.

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

Cabaldon Endorses Bautista Zavala for Yuba Community College Board

WOODLAND, CA – Today, Deborah Bautista Zavala earned the endorsement of Christopher Cabaldon, the former West Sacramento Mayor and leading candidate for State Senate District 3, for her run for Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees, Area 6.

“Christopher and I have long advocated together for public education at the local, state, and national levels,” said Bautista Zavala, currently a Trustee on the Woodland Uniﬁed School District Board. “I am honored to receive his endorsement and if elected, I look forward to working with him to ensure our community college students, faculty and staﬀ, have the resources they need to be successful in the 21st century.”

While Bautista Zavala just announced her candidacy last week, she has already earned the endorsements of several key elected oﬃcials and leaders in the community.

Bautista Zavala’s impressive list of endorsements already includes:

Congressman Mike Thompson

Former US Senator Barbara Boxer

State Treasurer Fiona Ma

State Senator Bill Dodd

State Senate Candidate and former West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon

State Board of Equalization Member Tony Vazquez

Former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez

Former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago

Assemblymember Phil Chen

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor

Assemblymember Kevin McCarty

Former Assemblymember Mariko Yamada

Yuba Community College District Trustee Jesse Ortiz

Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs

Yolo County District Attorney Jeﬀ Reisig

Woodland Mayor Tania Garcia Cadena

Woodland Councilmember Richard Landsberg

Woodland Councilmember Tom Stallard

Woodland Councilmember Mayra Vega

Upside...

Woodland School Board President Rogelio Villagrana

Woodland School Board Member Kandice Fowler

Woodland School Board Member Sandra Mott

Woodland School Board Member Noel Rodriguez

Yolo County Board of Education Member Elizabeth Esquivel

Yolo County Board of Education Member Melissa Moreno

Former Woodland Mayor Dr. Skip Davies

Former Woodland Mayor Xochitl Rodriguez Murillo

Former Yuba Community College District Trustee Xavier Tafoya

Former Woodland School Board Member Cirenio Rodriguez

Former Woodland School Board Member Carol Souza Cole

Former Woodland School Board Member Meg Stallard

Former Woodland School Board Member Jake Whitaker

Woodland Planning Commissioner Marco Lizaraga

West Sacramento Councilmember Quirina Orozco

Sacramento County Sheriﬀ Jim Cooper

Sacramento Councilmember Karina Talamantes

Sacramento County Board of Education Member Mariana Sabeniano

In addition to her role as a Woodland School Board Member, Bautista Zavala currently serves as Chief Deputy to California State Board of Equalization Member Antonio Vazquez, representing the Southern California/Los Angeles region. Previously, she advocated for the Los Angeles Uniﬁed School District at the California State Capitol. Bautista Zavala is also a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and is Vice President of the California Latino School Board Association (CLSBA). In December 2023, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce awarded Bautista Zavala the Estrella Champion Award for her impact as a Latina leader, and in 2018, she received the City of Woodland’s Community Service Award.

In The Trenches

highlight outstanding establishments and encourage excellence. Jonathan Nicolas, ﬁnancial advisor with Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC emceed.

California Youth Poet Laureate Chloe Chou of Daly City’s Westmoor High School gave a thoughtful closing with her moving delivery of her poem.

Membership in chambers of commerce broadens understanding of best business practices in the community to which it caters. Members gain increased credibility, knowledge, contacts, and a voice in public policy.

Avenida, a contemporary Filipino restaurant on Third Avenue in the heart of the City of San Mateo, is among the Filipino American businesses on the SMACC roster. It is also one of many FilAmowned or managed establishments in the area where Filipino Americans are among the most populous communities of color.

***

Cherie Querol Moreno is PNewsToday Executive Editor and PFS Transportation Program Manager.

In any case, Medialdea was lying and trying to deflect the blame on Duterte. Despite outright denials by three former Duterte officials — Medialdea, Lorenzana, and former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon — the “gentleman’s agreement” was confirmed by Duterte’s former spokesman, lawyer Harry Roque.

It is unclear what was Roque’s motive for revealing a secret deal between the former president and the Chinese leader. Why was Roque mouthing a Chinese propaganda? Beijing’s foreign ministry and its embassy in Manila have been insisting about the existence of a “gentleman’s agreement.”

It was not pointing to the administration of former president Aquino. However, China has also been insisting about separate new deals with the Marcos administration — the one struck by Ambassador Teodoro Locsin, Jr. in September 2023 and with another DFA oﬃcial early this year.

These two agreements under Marcos would be better discussed in another column.

The absence of a written document about the gentleman’s agreement between Xi and Duterte would be diﬃcult to prove. However, it should be enough that Duterte himself had admitted that he had a verbal agreement with Xi.

(Pulitzer winning journalist Manny Mogato originally wrote this column for TV News 5 Philippines.)

Napa County Sheriﬀ Oscar Or�z

delivered the Medal of Valor to five Depu�es of American Canyon, CA. To Police Officers Adam LeCount, Keoni Piceno, Maureen Pa�erson, Josh Coleman, and Ryan Proctor. All five police officers provided an excep�onal and heroic service of duty, during a recent shoo�ng at a local Safeway store. The officers received their highest award for saving lives and immediately detaining a mul�ple suspects. Awesome job, congratula�ons on receiving an awesome award!

(From Page 11)

PFS CEO Heather Cleary (5th from le�, standing) with some Peninsula Family Service leadership at Best of San Mateo Area Awards, from le�: CPO Charles Hansen; Transporta�on Program Got Wheels! Manager; Fair Oaks Older Adults Programs Manager Patricia Duarte; CFO Deborah Miller; Marcom Coordinator Bryan Cohn and Marcom Senior Manager Theresa Myers; (foreground from le�) Master Teacher Theresa Faapua and CFO Inessa Shismanyan.

(From Page 10)

Lee Alvarado Memorial Award launched in honor of Filipina teenage achiever in New Jersey

Haylee Alvarado, the Filipina teenage college student who disappeared before Christmas last year and whose body was found almost three months later in a Bayonne New Jersey lake has an award named after her by the high school where she graduated from as summa cum laude.

In her glowing words on Haylee during the Senior Award Luncheon for class 2024 of the Beloved Community Charter High School, adviser of Student Council Ms. Laura Siegel stated, “Alvarado a member of our ﬁrst graduating class, a founding member of the beloved of the high school student council an incredibly talented, intelligent, insightful, kind and special human being. Lee’s positive impact on our school community and its family members is as vast and as deep as the grief we feel in her absence. Lee and her family remain in our thoughts and prayers every single day.”

“To honor Lee’s (Haylee’s) legacy we have the Lee Alvarado Memorial Award. Beginning today and each year hereaf-

ter, we will be presenting this prestigious award to a graduating senior who exempliﬁes Lee’s many wonderful characteristics including unwavering empathy, kindness, quiet leadership, loyalty, creativity and insatiable hunger (passion) for learning,” disclosed Student Council co-adviser Anthony Bongiorno.

Both Ms. Siegel and Mr. Bongiorno awarded the ﬁrst awards to four senior awardees.

In thanking the school administrators, below is the response of parents

Dear BCCS,

Words cannot fully express our gratitude for this incredible tribute to our beloved LEE Alvarado. The establishment of a memorial award in her honor is a touching and enduring way to remember her and keep her spirit alive within this community.

Hayley (LEE) was a remarkable in-

dividual who touched the lives of many with her kindness, dedication, and passion. We are deeply moved that her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate students each year through this award.

Thank you to the administration, teachers, and students for this thoughtful gesture. It brings us immense comfort to know that LEE will be remembered and celebrated in such a meaningful way.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Sincerely,

Portia and Stephen Alvarado

Father Stephen also revealed that a tribute for Haylee by school faculty and student council was held Friday May 31. Sadly, however, until now the autopsy report on her death is still to be released by the Newark medical examiner.

PHILIP S. CHUA

Heart of Hope

MMedical tip capsules

ore than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily around the world. Coffee itself, without cream and sugar or other additives (except cinnamon or collagen protein powder), is a healthy drink. It lowers the risk for T2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. It improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Coffee is the most traded commodity, second to oil. Arguably, tea is a wonderful contender for the title of “the healthiest drink.”

***

Tattoos may increase blood cancer by 21 percent, according to medical research in Sweden. Not to mention infections, damages to skin, and a higher risk for Hepatitis C, with a 3-14 times higher risk of death, compared to the general (uninfected) population.

***

Caffeine (coffee/tea) may lower the risk for the development of Parkinson’s but does not slow down the progress if one already has it. The following are advised against drinking coffee: pregnant women or those trying to conceive, those with irregular heartbeats, those with anxiety or depression, those with digestive problems or insomnia. Caffeine may also interfere with some medications.

***

Energy drinks, with high dose of caﬀeine, have been linked to serious health issues (seizures, irregular heartbeat, heart failure) and deaths. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for teenagers to stop taking energy drinks completely. Adults should do the same as older people are more prone to heart attacks and strokes.

***

Soft drinks of any type are harmful to the body, a beverage medically considered poison, especially to children, which heightens the risk for metabolic syndrome. It is a healthy strategy to stay away from soft drinks, and also to minimize, if not eliminate, rice from our diet. We need to make some sacriﬁces to protect our

health, which is a priority.

***

Smokers, vapers, those using electronic cigarettes, especially those who started before age 15 have nearly triple the risk of early deaths from heart disease and stroke, not to mention cancer. E-cigs is no healthier or safer than tobacco.

***

Snorer or not, if one feels fatigued often, it could be from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), prolonged breath holding, dozens to hundred times while asleep), causing a restless, impaired sleep, with oxygen deprivation for all organs (brain, heart, liver, kidneys) in the body. Consult your physician for a Sleep Study, and possible use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) therapy, the gold standard evidence-based management of OSA today. Other contraptions on the market do not address the root cause of OSA, and are useless and a waste of money. The surgically-implanted “Inspire” is only an option, not the ﬁrst choice. CPAP, which does not require surgery and more dependable, is still the best.

***

Deodorizer danger

Home and car deodorizers/aerosols are harmful to our lungs. Anything that pollutes the air we breathe in, especially chemicals, in the long run, impairs our pulmonary functions. Children are most likely to sustain the injury, in the form of allergies, breathing problems, as they grow older. While aerosols make the area smell better with the fragrance, the initial bad odor is simply masked but still in the air we inhale. We have enough natural pollution in our atmosphere we do not need to add more pollutants to our oxygen and increase pulmonary diseases.

***

Oxygen kiosk

Sprouting in airports around the world are oxygen kiosks, which “sell” oxygen to inhale “on the spot” for supplemental O2. And it is not cheap. This is unnecessary (except for those with shortness of breath due to severe pulmonary disease) and a waste of money.

***

Dental health

Evidence-based clinical studies around the world have independently shown that the health of our mouth directly impacts our cardiac health and gastrointestinal health. Neglected teeth and gums cause subtle infection and inﬂammation that sends bacteria into our blood stream. Over time, it negatively impacts our heart health, GI system, and our microbiome. Daily oral-dental hygiene, at least three times a day, and regular dental check-up are vital not only for our mouth but, more importantly, for our over-all general health.

***

Plant-based diet

Studies around the globe the past century have revealed that plant-based diet is the healthiest for disease prevention, good health and maximal longevity, and that regularly eating a lot of red meat, especially processed meats, increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The charred (black) burnt meat from grilling with high heat is suspected to be carcinogenic and increases the risk for colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. We suggest minimizing red meat (and rice and sugars) to once a week and increasing our consumption of plantbased foods.

Let’s do everything to maintain good health, aiming for a long, wonderful life!

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

Recipe of the Week

Mais at Patola, Sweet Corn and Luffa Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

4 young corn in a cob

2 medium size patola, peeled, cut crosswise

2 medium size eggplant, sliced into strips

1/4 kilo pre-boiled pork, cut into strips

1 cup small shrimp, shelled

2-3 long green chili

1/4 head garlic, chopped

1 small size onion, chopped

1 medium size tomato, chopped

1/4 cup ﬁsh sauce

salt to taste

cooking oil

Cooking procedure:

Using a knife cut of the corn kernels of the cob, keep aside, discard cobs. In a sauce pan suttee garlic, onion and tomato until lump. Add in the pork and shrimp, stir cook for a minute. Add in ﬁsh sauce and stir cook for another minute. Add 3 to 4 cups of water bring to a boil and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the corn and continue to simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, add more water as necessary. Add in the vegetables and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, correct saltines if required. Now add in the green chili and cook for another half a minute. Serve with steaming hot rice.

Graton $350,000 Ridin’ Into Summer Giveaway, Concerts, & More in June!

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Graton Resort & Casino

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June 6th – August 29th, Thursdays from 1pm – 6pm, don’t miss the Up To $500,000 Smokin’ Hot 777 Slot Tournaments. With top prizes up to $15,000 in cash, and 40 winners guaranteed at each tournament, the stakes are high. Plus, fortune winners will enjoy double the prize amount, while Royalty & Chairman winners will triple their winnings! All reward members get one free entry into the tournament.

Join us for the Vietnamese Summer Concert: BUỔI VĂN NGHỆ MÙA HÈ VIỆT NAM, happening Friday, July 12 at 8 PM. Also, don’t miss the Sharon Cuneta concert on August 8 & 9 at Graton Resort & Casino. Tickets on sale now at www.gratonresortcasino.com.

About Graton Resort & Casino

Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California’s wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com or call 707-588-7100.

SOCIAL SECURITY OMITS FOOD FROM IN-KIND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE CALCULATIONS

By G. Samson

Supplement Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness. It also provides monthly payments to adults aged 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSI beneﬁts help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. People applying for and receiving SSI must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits.

could aﬀect your SSI eligibility or reduce your payment amount, so we made changes. Beginning September 30, 2024, we are no longer counting food that someone gives you as income when we ﬁgure SSI payments. This new rule removes a critical barrier for SSI eligibility due to informal food assistance from friends, family, and community networks of support.

Under our current rules, we include food assistance as unearned income when calculating In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). We understand this rule

For more information on the SSI program, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit www.ssa.gov/ssi.

Please share this with those who may need it.