Norcal 6/8/23 by Philippine News Today

1 June 8-14, 2023

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

www.pnewstoday.com

THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961

Vol.62 No.43 June 8-14, 2023

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

TEODORO FIRM PHL HAS RIGHT TO BOOST DEFENSE CAPABILITIES Takes pot shot at China, others questioning military build up

NYC woman nabbed for serial hate crimes vs By Jun Nucum SACRAMENTO - Filipino Asian-Americans

Bonta decries presidential wanna-be’s ‘drama’ sending migrants to California

By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Bar topnotcher and former congressman Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is back as Secretary of the Department of National Defense and immediately took a pot shot at China as the Philippines boosts its defense posturing in the wake of growing tension in South China Sea and the Indo Paciﬁc region. Page 9

Acclaimed documentary film director invites FilAms to be featured in his film By Jun Nucum

AG Rob Bonta

Top academicians, more lawmakers, NGOs lambast Maharlika fund By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

Film Director Tony Shyu speaking before pre-screening audience.

SAN JOSE, California - The celebrated director of the documentary ﬁlm that highlights how Asian American pioneers shape and enhance local, national, and global economy by exploring the

experiences of Asian American entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley invites Filipino Americans to be a part of and be featured in his ﬁlm “Builders of The Silicon Dream.” Page 17

MANILA – The Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) may become a reality when the bill creating it is signed into law by the president, possibly this week. But a growing number of opponents are still bent on stopping what they say is a ﬂawed law that contains numerous landmines, symbolically speaking. For one, a group of 21 faculty members from the UP School of Economics – considered as one of the top institutions of Page 8

American California State Attorney General disclosed he believes that one of those 2024 Republican presidential “wanna-bes” may be involved in what the AG has compared to State sanctioned kidnapping after migrants arrived in Sacramento by planes on Friday. AG Rob Bonta deplored that a total of 36 migrants from Venezuela and Colombia on two planes – one with 16 migrants Page 7

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent

NEW YORK - Whatever her reasons are, this 29-year-old woman’s seemingly non-stop assaults on persons of Asian descent may have ﬁnally come to an end. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says she will have to pay for multiple attacks on people in New York City committed over the last Page 8

Upside

SSF champions healthy, safe homes, communities By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

SOUTH San Francisco’s Philippine-born Mayor Flor Nicolas exempliﬁes residents’ quest for quality of life in her personal life and her elected role. This spring her city joins San Mateo County cities Colma and Daly City as champions of safe communities by hosting ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment’s 14th annual Our Family, Our Future, a free event 2-4 pm, Saturday, June 17 to promote elder care, prevent elder abuse SSF Mayor Flor Nicolas, 2023 and stop AAPI hate. Page 11 Outstanding Mapuan.

US Embassy hikes nonimmigrant visa fees FilAm cum laude graduate addresses SFSU class of 2023 VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

Requirements for petitioning Caregivers

Tito, Vic and Joey, Eat Bulaga moves to TV 5, to air by July

By A�y. Lozano

Page 14

Page 18

SPORTS

NBA’s Clarkson, Sotto lead Gilas 21-man pool for FIBA Page 19

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 NATIONAL NEWS

June 8-14, 2023

PHL, Japan, U.S. Coast Guards hold ﬁrst trilateral maneuvers, drills

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

MARIVELES, Bataan - For the first time, the Coast Guards of the Philippines, Japan and the United States held their trilateral exercises in West Philippine Sea off the coast of Bataan. The drills included small boats of armed men in grey camouflage fatigues and balaclavas speed towards a Philippine ship before climbing aboard and scanning the deck with small rifles at the ready in what was described as counter-terrorism simulation attack. The drills were launched at a time of growing unease over China’s maritime conduct in the region, reflecting an increasing interest to level up cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific. In an earlier ceremony in Manila, Japan Embassy Chargé d’affaires Kenichi Matsuda said the inaugural drills is Tokyo taking a “step forward towards reinforcing maritime domain awareness and maritime law enforcement” in the region. “Without a doubt, the shared history between Japan, the Philippines and the United States realizes a free and open international order in the Indo-Pacific re-

gion,” he said. “This afloat exercise elevates the level of maritime cooperation and mutual understanding of the Coast Guards in the field of maritime safety, environmental protection, and security and law enforcement,” he added. The trilateral drills were held off the waters of Mariveles, Bataan from June 1 to 7, with a focus on enhancing “interoperability” between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). The PCG sent the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB2401), and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) during the drills. The JCG and USCG, meanwhile, deployed the Akitsushima (PLH-32) and USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752), respectively. The Japanese Embassy in Manila said the exercises included communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises, among others. The joint drills follow the JCG and

USCG’s support in Mindoro’s oil spill response and the recent culmination of the Multinational Vessel Boarding Officer Course by the Mobile Cooperation Team of the JCG and USCG in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from May 14 to 27. “[W]e greatly welcome this opportunity to re-unite in enhancing our interoperability in joint maritime operations as JOINT DRILLS. The JCG Akitsushima (PLH-32) of the Japan we increasingly strength- Coast Guard is docked in Manila prior to the first-ever joint en collaboration between mari�me drills. our three countries,” Matsuda said. at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila on “Needless to say, Japan places consid- Thursday to welcome contingents from erable emphasis in supporting the area of the JCG and the USCG. maritime security. As a maritime nation, Joining Matsuda were US Embassy Japan has a stake to uphold and protect Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Varia rule-based maritime order,” he added. ava, PCG Vice Admiral Rolando PunzaMatsuda stressed that modernizing lan Jr., Transportation Undersecretary PCG facilities and equipment as well as for the Maritime Sector Elmer Francisco supporting its human resource develop- Sarmiento, and Foreign Affairs Deputy ment is also “at the forefront of Japan’s Assistant Secretary Raphael Hermoso. long-standing initiative”. The PCG held an arrival ceremony

Phivolcs warns Taal residents vs. volcanic smog, acid rain; Mayon, Kanlaon also acting up volcanic smog or “vog” active forming over Taal Caldera and its surrounding areas as degassing of the Taal TALISAY, Batangas – Taal Volcano continues acting Main Crater continues. Phivolcs, meanwhile, raised Mayon Volcano’s alert up. This prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanol- level from Level 1 (abnormal) to Level 2 (increased unogy and Seismology (Phivolcs) to warn of significant rest) due to increased rockfall. In an advisory, Phivolcs said that from an average of five rockfall events per day, the frequency has increased to 49 from 5 a.m. of June 4 to 5 a.m. the next day. A total of 318 rockfall events and 26 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded since April 1, Phivolcs said. The lava dome has increased in volume by approximately 83,000 cubic meters since Feb. 23, and a total of nearly 164,000 cubic meters since Aug. 20, 2022. Meanwhile, the highest sulfur dioxide emission was 576 tons last April 29, and the last measurement averaged 162 tonnes last May 23. “These low-level volcanic earthquakes, ground deformation, and volcanic gas parameters are overshadowed by recent steep increases in rockfall events which may possibly lead to further dome activity,” the advisory states. Under Alert Level 2, the current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes could lead to phreatic eruptions or precede hazardous magmatic eruption. Kanlaon Volcano in Negros is also acting. It has been under Alert Level 1 (abnormal) since March 11, 2020. Moderate plume emission 300 meters high and five volcanic earthquakes have been recorded in Mount Kanlaon for the past 24 hours, according to Philvolcs. On Taal volcano, Phivolcs said it has observed visible upwelling of volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake and generation of voluminous steam-rich plumes reaching 2,000 meters above the Taal Volcano Island. Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract in severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure. The Phivolcs said the vog could persist over the Taal By Jeanne Penaranda

region while degassing, weak wind movement and humid atmosphere prevail. It also said that an average of 7,680 tons of volcanic sulfur dioxide emission was recorded on June 6, which was preceded by an average of 9,391 tons on June 5. Phivolcs urged the communities near the volcano to limit their exposure to vog by avoiding outdoor activities and closing the doors and windows. They are also urged to use an N95 mask and drink plenty of water to reduce throat irritation. “People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children,” Phivolcs said, adding that they should seek help from a doctor or barangay health unit, especially if they experience serious effects. Phivolcs also said acid rain can be generated during periods of rainfall and volcanic gas emission over areas where the plume disperses, causing damage to crops and affecting metal roofs of houses and buildings. Taal Volcano has been under Alert Level 1 (abnormal) since July 11, 2022. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ash fall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within TVI. Entry into TVI, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, remains strictly prohibited, Phivolcs said. Local government units are also advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities, and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest. People are advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, possible ash fall and minor earthquakes. An increase in Taal’s degassing activity was also observed over the weekend.

3 June 8-14, 2023

 NATIONAL NEWS

Ex-Sultan Kudarat governor named TESDA chief, Bingcang as BCDA president By Jennifer T. Santos MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Sultan Kudarat governor Suharto Mangudadatu as Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Meantime, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) acting president and chief executive oﬃcer (CEO) Joshua Bingcang took his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Prior to his new appointment, Bingcang was the president and CEO of the Clark International Airport Corp., a subsidiary of the BCDA mandated to ensure

the development of the Clark civil aviation complex. Bingcang also previously served as BCDA senior vice president. Mangudadatu has a notable career in public service, given his leadership abilities. Mangudadatu served as representative of Sultan Kudarat’s First District from 2016 to 2019 and in the lone district of the province from 2004 to 2007. Mangudadatu was elected as Sultan Kudarat governor from July 2007 to June 2016, implementing various initiatives and programs aimed at the development and progress of the province. He was re-elected as governor, serving a second term from July 2019 to June 2022.

Qualiﬁed Filipinos now eligible for visa-free travel to Canada

By Claire Morales True

SAN FRANCISCO/MANILA — Good news to Filipinos wanting to visit Canada. The Canadian government has waived the visa requirements for Filipino who had traveled to Canada in the last 10 years or hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa. The Canadian government announced the new policy, adding that if Filipino travelers fall under the two categories, they only need to apply for an

electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of visa to enter the country by air. Those who are not eligible for an eTA, or who are traveling to Canada by means other than air (e.g., by car, bus, train, and boat, including by cruise ship), will still need a visitor visa. The announcement in Manila and Canada was published by Manila, United States and Canadian media. The Philippines is among the 13 countries added to Canada’s eTA program, Ottawa stated. Manila’s inclusion comes after the official visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to the Philippines. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the inclusion and described it as a “milestone and a striking indication of Canada’s growing friendship and trust in the Philippines” and the importance it attaches to the Filipino community. “The Philippines considers Canada as a close partner due to its wellestablished people-topeople ties and looks forward to charting a new era of engagement under this new policy,” Manalo said. The latest move from Canada came following Manalo and Joly’s meeting in May in Makati City. It was announced that applying for an eTA to fly to a Canadian airport only costs $7 CAD and most applications are approved within minutes as compared to the $100 CAD processing fee for a visitor visa.

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 METRO NEWS

June 8-14, 2023

Muntinlupa court nixes Leila de Lima’s bid for bail

MUNTINLUPA CITY – The Muntinlupa regional trial court (RTC) has denied former senator Leila de Lima’s petition for bail for her remaining criminal case. In his order dated June 7, Judge Romeo S. Buenaventura of RTC Branch 256 clarified that while De Lima’s plea for provisional liberty on humanitarian considerations is untenable, the denial of bail by the court after finding the evidence of guilt is strong “does not equate to a finding of proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.” “The arguments raised by the accused regarding the lack of credibility of the

prosecution witnesses and inconsistencies in their testimonies failed to convince the court,” the court said. The court set a hearing for the presentation of the prosecution’s evidence on June 19 and 26 in the case which involved allegations that De Lima tolerated drug deals inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) while she was secretary of justice. Last May 12, another Muntinlupa court RTC Branch 204 dis- m i s s e d the case of conspiracy to c o m m i t illegal drug trading against De Lima, related to her alleged involvement in shady deals at the NBP.

After key witness and former Bureau of Corrections deputy director Rafael Ragos recanted his testimonies last year, Branch 204 presiding judge Joseph Alcantara said reasonable doubt was cast on the guilt of the 63-year-old De Lima, who has been under detention since February 2017. The prosecution claimed proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs were delivered to De Lima in two tranches of PHP5 Former senator Leila de Lima million on Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 2012. Ragos and intelligence agent Jovencio mer claimed knowledge of the supposed Ablen were initially presented as witness- source of the money. es but the judge noted that only the for-

PASAY CITY – A female lawyer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and her driver were injured in a shooting incident in Pasay City, the Southern Police District (SPD) said. Citing the report of the Pasay City Police, SPD chief Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft identiﬁed the victims as Maria Rochelle Melliza Melendez, 53, lawyer of DPWH NCR and her 42-year-old driver Deo Decena. Based on Decena’s account, the shooting incident transpired near Melendez’s

residence along Fortuna Street in Barangay 20 at around 8:10 a.m. Monday. The driver said they were traversing the stretch of Fortuna Street towards F.B. Harrison Street when two unidentiﬁed male suspects came closer at their vehicle, pulled out their handguns and ﬁred toward their vehicle. The incident prompted Decena to alight from the vehicle to seek assistance. Melendez sustained gunshot wounds on her forehead and forearm while Decena was wounded in the left shoulder and left side of his chest.

After the incident, the suspects threw pieces of paper with the heading “Partisano” (Armadong Operatiba ng Partido Marxista-Lennista ng Pilipinas) and ﬂed away going to F.B. Harrison Street. Dave Calixto, a witness who was then at the place of the incident, boarded the victims’ vehicle and rushed them to the Adventist Hospital in Pasay City for treatment. As of this time, Decena is already in stable condition while Melendez just came out of the operating room, according to her husband Marco Matias.

Matias said the bullet inside his wife’s head was already removed and she was transferred to the intensive care unit because she is unstable. Pasay City police chief Col. Froilan Uy immediately ordered the conduct of dragnet operations and assembled tracker teams to backtrack the location, entrance and exit points of the motorcycle-riding suspects. He added that backtracking the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras of Pasay City barangays is ongoing.

NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – The privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may be implemented by the first quarter of 2024. “It is doable that there will be a conclusion that could possibly be proclaimed by the government,” Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim said. “That takes time. If there are more than one participants, we will have to talk to all of them. It will take time,” he added. NAIA’s privatization, Lim said, would have “upsides” in terms of efficiency in passenger and flight movement, and generate income for the government. “There is a lot of upside when you upgrade NAIA. You introduce efficiencies. That means you can process more passengers, you can take in more flights, and more revenues -- means larger share for the government,” he added. Lim clarified issues surrounding the

airport’s privatization, including the role of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) once the privatization takes place and the airport employees. “The relationship between MIAA and the concessionaire will be regulator-operator. The MIAA will continue to operate as a body that will regulate, oversee,” he said. “Generally no loss of employment. Airport employees will be oﬀered opportunity to work when the airport facilities are privatized,” he added. All airport assets at the NAIA still belong to the government with the private concessionaire limited to an operations and management role, Lim said. Last Friday, the Department of Transportation and MIAA submitted their joint proposal for the NAIA-solicited Public Private Partnership project for approval by the National Economic Development Authority Board, giving the private concessionaire 15 years to operate the airport and recover its investment.

DPWH lawyer, driver hurt in Pasay shooting

Gov’t set to privatize Manila airport operations

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Belmonte okays QC free bus rides measure QUEZON CITY - Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has signed the free bus rides ordinance authored by former congressman and now Councilor Alfred Vargas institutionalizing the program. “I am grateful to Mayor Joy and my colleagues in the city council for approving Ordinance SP-3184, S-2023. With this ordinance, we can now guarantee the sustainability of the Q City Bus program, which our mayor pioneered and implemented to beneﬁt thousands of Quezon City passengers every day,” Vargas said. The bus program has serviced 12 mil-

lion passenger rides on its eight routes. The city mayor initiated the program at the height of the pandemic and its institutionalization is a joint priority of the city’s executive and legislative departments. Vargas cited the program’s socio-economic impact, saying the residents can use their savings from the free bus rides for food, electricity, and other basic necessities. He said he rode the free bus ride from Novaliches to city hall, adding he was impressed by its eﬃciency and convenience.

5 June 8-14, 2023

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

TPLEX 59-kilometer extension ok’d by NEDA

Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway

LILOAN, Cebu -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch over the weekend of Pier 88, a smart port expected to accelerate economic activities and boost tourist arrivals in the province. In his speech, Marcos said he envisions the launch of the P2-billion Pier 88 project in Liloan, Cebu as an important piece of the puzzle in pushing for con-

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda nectivity, and seamless travel and interna- that our connectivity, not only amongst tional trade. the islands of the Philippines, but even The President said the seaport project amongst our international friends and will be a springboard for bigger under- visitors and tourists, is strengthened and takings in the future. made easier and more accessible,” MarAmong those who graced the event cos said. were Vice President and Education Sec“These are the important aspects that retary Sara Duterte, Tourism Secretary we have to attend to if we are going to Christina Garcia-Frasco, a former mayor transform our economy into the postof Liloan; Transportation Secretary Jai- pandemic economy. So, there is much me Bautista, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn that we will achieve. There are activiGarcia, and local officials of the munici- ties of tourism, job generation, energy pality of Liloan. efficiency and sustainability,” he added, With the launching of the roll-on, noting that the project would not only roll-off port, domestic and foreign tour- be good for Liloan and nearby islands in ists can now take a bus ride to experience Cebu but also for the entire country. the “unexploited” beaches of Camotes The President said such kinds of projIslands. ects are being discussed by member states “Today, we put in place a very im- of the Association of Southeast Asian Naportant piece of that puzzle; that puzzle tions (ASEAN) for the longest time. that we are trying to put together so “The concept that ASEAN leaders

have been talking about so as to develop the economies of the ASEAN Member States is a concept of connectivity. We have used the word connectivity merely to describe digital connectivity,” President Marcos noted. He pointed out that the meaning of connectivity has expanded to include not only the digital realm, but also connectivity in terms of land, sea, and air transport and travel. “We have seen, all of us have seen all the problems with supply chain networks and that is why we have focused, all of us have focused on making that connectivity smoother, more streamlined, more accessible and easier to use and therefore making the ease of doing business not such a diﬃcult eﬀort for those who would like to do business in any way whatsoever,” the President added.

tures damaged by Typhoon Odette posed danger to visitors who wanted to take a dip in the area’s cool water, PNA’s John Rey Saavedra reported. “I don’t want a black mark on Cebu tourism, particularly Kawasan Falls which is recognized as one of the most beautiful falls in the world,” Garcia said in justifying taking over the famous destination. Garcia is the mother of Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-

dian near the border of Alegria. Garcia also announced taking over the operations of Lambug Beach in order to implement the demolition of an unused concrete port whose structure aﬀected the natural distribution of the sand towards the beachfront. “Right beside the port. there continues to be scouring of the sand because of this port which is abandoned. So we already sent equipment there to clear it and take it out,” the governor added.

Cebu capitol takes over Badian falls, beach operations

CEBU CITY – The provincial government here has taken over the operations of the two famous tourist destinations in Badian town – the world-renowned Kawasan Falls where canyoneering activities are done and Lambug Beach which is known as the south Cebu’s paradise. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the provincial government will place safety measures in Kawasan Falls where an abandoned hydropower plant and struc-

Plan to return to old name of Manila airport revived

Frasco whose tourism agenda includes a comprehensive plan for visitor arrival count in Cebu province. The governor said canyoneering activities in Alegria town are temporarily suspended but may continue with caution on the Badian side. Canyoneering is one of the spectacular attractions in the two neighboring towns. Kawasan Falls is shared by the two municipalities but most of the area falls within Barangay Matutinao in Ba-

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

June 8-14, 2023

EGov PH app launched, to ease doing business, lessen corruption By Jennifer T. Santos MANILA – The eGov Super App, the country’s ﬁrst one-stop-shop platform for national and local government services, will provide the public with a hassle-free transaction and curb corruption, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said. Marcos made the remark as he congratulated the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for launching the eGov SuperApp at Malacañan Palace in Manila. “This is what we are pushing for. This is what e-governance is about -- to bring it all together, to make it simple and available and accessible,” he said in his speech. “I am very, very happy that we are going in this direction. There is another part of this that is extremely important, that is sometimes we do not talk about, and that is the lessening of corruption,” Marcos added.

Marcos stressed the importance of digitalizing government services, saying it would be “useful, easy and convenient” for ordinary Filipino citizens. He said maximizing the use of new technologies would also get rid of “fixers” who ask for money, in exchange for facilitating transactions with government agencies. “In that way, it simplifies the process especially for the citizens and there is no discretion being exercised by anyone,” Marcos said. “We should not allow them to continue to suffer from these antiquated, corrupt, inefficient system.” Marcos said he is looking forward to the success of eGov Super App, emphasizing that the launching of the online platform is a “very good step” in attaining his administration’s full digital and economic transformation goals. The eGov PH mobile application allows users to transact with government agencies, pay bills, and access essential

EGOV SUPER APP. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the launching of the eGov Super App at the President’s Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila. (PNA/Joey Razon) information about government programs and services online. National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan admitted that transacting even among government agencies is already a big challenge. “By forcing us to have a common platform, then it will be easier for us to communicate among the diﬀerent agen-

cies better,” Balisacan said in a brieﬁng. “The public will have a better way of experiencing public service. So, if they can reduce their cost of transacting with the government because you have an efﬁcient app platform for transacting with the government. You don’t have to travel if you are from Bulacan, you don’t have to go to Makati or to Pasig, just to transact with an agency.”

NBI files raps vs. owners, execs of vessel in Mindoro oil spill MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed criminal charges against 35 individuals before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the sinking of the M/T Princess Empress off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province on Feb. 28. The NBI - Environmental Crime Division slapped perjury and falsification charges against the vessel’s owners, officials and incorporators of the oil tanker and owner RDC Reield Marine Services. Earlier NBI and police investigation indicated the oil tanker was rebuilt using

scrap materials. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) previously said it has found probable cause to file charges against RDC Reield and issued two cease and desist orders for the firm’s Certificate of Public Convenience and its remaining three vessels. RDC Reield Marine maintained that M/T Princess Empress was a new vessel that fully complied with MARINA guidelines. The oil tanker was en route to Iloilo to transport 900,000 liters of industrial fuel

oil from SL Gas Harbor Terminal in Limay town, Bataan province when it submerged before daybreak, reportedly due to rough sea condition. A recent update from the Office of Civil Defense said out of the 79.33 kilometers (83.74 percent) of affected coastlines, some 66.433 km have been cleaned. The National Task Force on Oil Spill Management said the ongoing final phase of the siphoning of the oil spill may take 20 to 30 days. The oil spill has left P58,137,124 worth of damage and losses to fisheries,

affected more than 27,500 fisherfolk, and caused 15 local government units to declare a state of calamity. More than 42,400 families from 107 affected areas in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique and Batangas have been given various forms of assistance. The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it has distributed more than P611 million worth of assistance like family food packs, nonfood items, emergency cash transfers, and cash-for-work in affected communities.

Suspect in killing of Oriental Mindoro broadcaster identiﬁed

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – The Philippine National Police (PNP) identiﬁed the still at-large second suspect behind the killing of radio broadcaster Cresenciano Bunduquin in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on May 31. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo identiﬁed the gunman as Isabelo Bautista Jr. “Based on our coordination with the (police) provincial director of Oriental

Mindoro, he has a previous record related to drugs,” Fajardo said. She said Bautista surrendered to the PNP during the height of the government’s anti-drug campaign in Oriental Mindoro. The PNP ﬁled the murder case before the Calapan City Prosecutors’ Oﬃce on Monday but it initially withheld the suspect’s identity, pending the resolution of the case.

Fajardo said Bautista was also charged with attempted murder after he ﬁred at the son of Bunduquin who chased him and his companion. Bunduquin hosted the program Balitaan at Talakayan aired over the 101.7 FM radio based in Calapan City, and a similar program at the MUX online radio, which he owned. He was shot dead by two suspects in front of his convenience store.

One of the suspects, Narciso Guntan, died after the son of Bunduquin, aboard a car, chased and bumped the motorcycle used by the suspects. The other suspect, who turned out to be Bautista, managed to escape. Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security have oﬀered P100,000 and P50,000, respectively, for information that would lead to Bautista’s arrest.

US Embassy hikes nonimmigrant visa fees By Jeanne Michael Penaranda MANILA - The US Embassy announced that it will increase its charges for regular nonimmigrant visas from $160 to $185 starting June 17. US Consul General Mark McGovern made the announcement as the US Embassy posted also the announcement on thee mbassy website. “But the good news is that visas for Philippine nationals are good for 10 years

so you just pay once and that $185 means you carry a visa for $18.50 per year,” McGovern said, stressing that immigrant visas will not be increased. Here’s the US Embassy announcement: “The increase in certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application fees will go into eﬀect on June 17, 2023, instead of May 30. Payment services for new visa fees will be suspended on June 16 and will not resume again until June 17. Please do not

attempt to make any visa fee payment on that date. The application fee for visitor visas for temporary business or tourism (B1/ B2s) and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, has increased from $160 to $185. The application fee for certain petitionbased NIVs for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) has increased from $190 to $205. The application fee for a treaty trader or treaty investor (E

category) visa applicant has increased from $205 to $315. Other consular fees remain the same, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors. Applicants who have already paid a visa application fee that is currently valid and non-expired, but who have not yet appeared for their visa interview or are waiting for their case to be processed, will not be charged additional fees as a result of this fee increase.”

7 June 8-14, 2023

2 PNP officials tagged in P6.7 billion shabu cover-up PASAY CITY — Two lieutenant colonels have been tagged by relieved Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo as among the main players in the alleged cover-up surrounding the seizure of 990 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P6 billion. Domingo identified Lt. Cols. Glenn Gonzales of the Quezon City Police District and Arnulfo Ibañez, then officer-incharge of the PDEG Special Operations Unit-National Capital Region, in the attempted cover-up to exonerate former police officer Rodolfo Mayo over the raid on Mayo’s lending firm in Manila last year that resulted in the discovery of

Bonta...

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the other with 20 – landed in Sacramento and passengers ended up in a church-based organizing group. In an interview, Bonta claimed that he had a direct conversation with a number of the migrants who indicated that they were promised to help finding jobs if they got on the plane. “And after they got off the plane rather than receiving any help finding jobs, as was represented to them, they were dumped and deserted and left without any contact for how to be in touch with those who had brought them there, the individuals who dumped them and deserted them who said we’ll be right back and never came back. They knew they weren’t coming back. They deceived them, misled them and lied to them. And that’s morally bankrupt, it’s cruel, it’s inhumane and it’s wrong,” Bonta recounted. Bonta added that these are individuals who have come from long journeys fleeing

shabu valued at P6.7 billion. “If you want to know who is behind the drug syndicate at the (PNP), you should look at the boss of Gonzales and Ibañez,” Domingo told former PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa during the resumption of his Senate committee hearing on the drug pilferage. In his opening statement, Domingo said he would “present everything I know on (the) 990 case,” referring to what authorities consider as the country’s largest conﬁscation of shabu. He admitted lapses in the police operation against Mayo and his accomplice Ney Saligumba Atadero, notably the absence of a drug inventory upon

their arrest due to a plan to use Mayo in a follow-up operation to ﬁnd his source of drugs. “I admit there are lapses in our entire operation, but such judgment calls and procedural lapses were done by me in good faith based on the reports of my men,” Domingo said. He pointed to Ibañez as Mayo’s superior and the one who signed a spot report that included Mayo as an arresting oﬃcer in a separate drug bust so that the latter could lead operatives to another alleged drug warehouse. But former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin later canceled the plan to use Mayo in the follow-up operation and ordered

the filing of charges against him instead, Domingo said in a Philippine Star report. Azurin had Mayo secured instead “supposedly because Ibañez might clean up his mess and kill Mayo.” As for Gonzales, he intervened in the operation despite being assigned to the Quezon City police and arrived at the crime scene supposedly to get a “reward” for his informant, who allegedly tipped off police, according to Domingo. “Ibañez and Gonzales have a lot of explaining to do,” Dela Rosa later said of the two in a press briefing after the hearing. “Questions surrounding this shabu haul revolve around the two, aside from Mayo.”

violence and oppression and are seeking safety adding that the migrants are asylum seekers and that’s how they were treated they were deceived and lied to instead of supported with compassion and apathy. “We’re still determining and we are investigating all of the facts. We’re completing interviews with first set of asylum seekers who were flown to Sacramento those first 16 and there’s 20 more who are now with us in Sacramento that we will need to interview and get facts from here. What was represented to them, what they were told, what they believed, what they were informed? And we will identify any violations of criminal law whether it be misdemeanors or felonies and any potential violations of civil law at this time were not at a place where we are able to make the final legal conclusion we need to complete our factual investigation,” Bonta said. Bonta said he also believes that Vertol Systems Company Inc., the company responsible for these two planes that group

was reportedly paid by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s Administration last year in order to transport migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, is the same group involved in the flight to Sacramento on Friday from New Mexico. “From all indications, all arrows point to this is the official program of Ron DeSantis State of Florida. And mind you these Asylum Seekers were identified by Vertol Systems employees that the vendor for the State of Florida not in Florida where they identified they were identified in Texas another state so state tax dollars from Florida being used for um to for a private company to identify Asylum seekers in Texas and then fly them to California or Martha’s Vineyard,” disclosed Bonta. “Kidnapping charges against Governor DeSantis is one of the crimes that we’re looking at and of course has certain legal elements that need to be present that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. And so before we charge

that we need to make sure that we are able to meet that standard. There are other sort of lesser included forms of kidnapping. There are also potential civil violations. Kidnapping is something that we’re looking at and the element of duress is important in that instance. We are also looking at other potential legal violations, criminal and civil complaints,” he said. Bonta added that he has not heard anything from any Florida oﬃcials and there has no one from federal government has talked about this at this time. “Right now we are focused on developing the facts on what’s happening here, tracking down all of the connected parts of the story and the process from the $12 million Florida budget to the contract with Vertol Systems and the plane ﬂights that came here. We’re also very focused of course on care compassion, dignity, respect, support services and programs being given to the asylum seekers and making sure that they’re safe,” Bonta assured.

COMMEMORATIVE COIN. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla lead the launch of the commemora�ve coin set for the 125th Anniversary of Philippines Independence at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace. (PNA/Alfred Frias)

 NATIONAL NEWS Top...

(From page 1)

higher learning in the field of economics -- recently held a discussion on the MIF and concluded that the proposed bill is a total mess. This, despite the fact that the original version that first emanated from the House of Representatives has been revised a number of times, with the later Senate version also meeting a similar fate. A copy of the discussion paper was made available to local media this week. Despite the many changes to the proposed bill, the authors concluded that the Maharlika fund was still beyond repair. The academicians aired their “grave concerns” on the fund, and dismissed it as “still beyond repair” even after getting greenlit by both houses of Congress. Said the professors: “We find that the MIF violates fundamental principles of economics and finance and poses serious risks to the economy and the public sector – notwithstanding its proponents’ good intentions.” They cited multiple flaws in the proposed law. For one, the fund lacked “a clear focus” as its proponents want to use it to invest in a wide range of assets, including capital markets and socioeconomic development projects. Because of this, the lawmakers failed to clearly state the fund’s goals, and may thus violate the Santiago Principles, which state that “the policy purpose of the sovereign wealth fund should be clearly defined and publicly disclosed.” The professors also stated that “confused goals” resulted in the bill inadequately articulating and taking into account several implications of the fund’s dual bottom line objective. The proposed fund is not even aligned with the approved Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028, they pointed out. Without linking the fund on specific long-term develop-

NYC...

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few weeks. Camila Rodriguez was charged in two New York State Supreme Court indictments on felony hate crime charges. Speciﬁcally, Rodriguez faces charges of assault in the second degree as a hate crime, and six counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree. Bragg’s oﬃce announced the indictments last week following Rodriguez’s assaults on six Asian victims in separate incidents between March 16 and May 11, this year. All the incidents occurred within blocks from each other, with one of her victims being a Fil-Am, and the others of Korean or Chinese descent. Rodriguez’s hate crime spree began on the corner of Cathedral Parkway and Broadway, when she allegedly kicked a Korean woman in the leg as she was walking towards the subway stairs. The attack left the victim in pain.

June 8-14, 2023

ment objectives, the MIF “may pose macroeconomic risks and become prone to exhaustion when the political environment is unstable,” their paper said. The professors also questioned the MIF’s target development projects, saying these may “render redundant” existing government programs. Further, the proposed law was also “vague” on expected financial and economic returns. The MIF may actually cause more harm than good as it could “worsen rather than abate the country’s fiscal situation,” they said. As has been stated by other experts, most foreign sovereign wealth funds are from countries with substantial surpluses, while the Philippines continues to operate on budget deficits year in, and year out. The MIF may then be forced to scour money from other agencies and government corporations, posing risks on state-run banks and even the BSP itself. Finally, the UP professors took note of the red flags hounding the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC), which will take charge of the fund, perceiving it as a poorly designed governance structure, rendering it vulnerable to “political interference, mismanagement, and corruption.” Even the proponents of the bill could not agree on what the fund can or cannot do. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva continued to add to the confusion on one of its most important provisions when he contradicted what is in the final version of the bill. Villanueva insisted this week that the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) can invest in the same projects funded by the MIC. Recall that when the Maharlika fund was first proposed in the House last year, the SSS, GSIS, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) were stated as the source of the seed money. SSS and GSIS members as well as the banking com-

munity said the plan was dangerous and threatened to take mass actions if the plan was pursued. In its latest version, the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines were named as the source of the seed money. It must be noted that LandBank and DBP are currently in the process of merging, creating what is expected to be the country’s biggest banking institution, literally a superbank. Dividends from the BSP remain an identified source of funding for MIC, along with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. AKA Pagcor. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno also said earlier that the two pension funds can “subscribe” to the projects of the MIC, in effect the same stand as Villanueva. Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel said Villanueva was engaging in a mere “play on words” when in fact the purpose was really to circumvent the law. Pimentel said the final version now being cleaned by the Senate Secretariat “orders the absolute prohibition on the use of funds of the GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth and other insurance and pension institutions.” Senator Risa Hontiveros who voted against the final version of the bill creating the Maharlika fund called it “the country’s largest investment scam.” At the House, the Akbayan Party which plans to contest the proposed law before the Supreme Court said the people “should not be lulled into a false sense of security just because (safeguards) exist in the bill.” Migrante International is also not convinced, stating that plans for the fund remain vague. Proponents of the Maharlika fund say that a large part of it will be used to fund infrastructure projects. To this, Migrante said that while such projects “create temporary precarious jobs” the funds for the projects “have always been marred with corruption.” IBON Foundation head Sonny Africa said “it’s an illusion to say that the government will earn from this fund.”

Six days later, on March 22, Rodriguez supposedly pulled the hair of a Chinese woman between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. The victim was reportedly speaking in Mandarin when Rodriguez slapped her, then proceeded to punch her as they fell to the ground. The next alleged assault happened on April 8, when Rodriguez is accused of again pulling the hair of another individual of Chinese descent, who was waiting for a seat at a restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue, between West 106th and West 107th streets. When a friend of the victim tried to intervene, Rodriguez allegedly pushed her electric scooter into him, causing bruises on his leg. The next assault was against a waitress at the same restaurant who was described as being of Asian descent. She had come out to tell the group that their table was ready when Rodriguez assaulted the waitress. When a friend tried to intervene, he was hit by Rodriguez with a semi-closed ﬁst. Then on April 21, a Filipino woman who was walk-

ing home along West 104th street and Broadway was allegedly attacked by Rodriguez, who is accused of grabbing the victim’s hair, pulling her to the ground, and punching her on the face several times. The victim suffered bruises and cuts on her face and wrist. On April 27, Rodriguez supposedly spat on a Chinese person on West 110th street and Broadway. Her last reported assault was when she slapped the face of a Korean man who was smoking near her car parked along West 109th street and Amsterdam Avenue. D.A. Bragg said in a statement, “Hate and harassment have absolutely no place on the streets of Manhattan and New Yorkers of all backgrounds deserve to feel safe.” He added that his thoughts were with the victims as they continue to heal. With hate crimes being deemed a felony, Rodriguez stands to do serious time in prison if found guilty of any or all of the accusations levelled against her.

9 June 8-14, 2023 Teodoro... (From page 1)

The Philippines has the right to build up its credible deterrence without any question coming from any other nations, Teodoro said in a media interviews after he was warmly welcomed by DND officials and employees led by former officer in charge Carlito Galvez as he assumed post. At the same time, Teodoro disclosed his priorities, including the modernization plans for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The job of the [department] really is to build up its capabilities in order to be ready as much as possible to foresee, predict, and to react to defend the Philippines from any geopolitical happening,” Teodoro said. The military is now going into Horizon 3 which involves the procurement of defense equipment such as missile systems, submarines, and multi-role fighters, he said, adding it will be the DND’ priority until 2028 or until the end of the Marcos Jr. administration. This developed as a former Pentagon official said the Philippines is on the right track in building up its defense capabilities, citing its potential to contribute to peace and “blunt” potential aggressions in the region. Elbridge Colby, former Pentagon Deputy Assistant Secretary and co-founder of the think tank Marathon Initiative, made the statement as he cited China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and over Taiwan, which lies only a few hundred miles away from the Philippines. Colby, who was also the lead architect of the United States’ 2018 National Defense Strategy, agreed that Manila should continue engaging with China as a bilateral partner but at the same time back diplomacy with strength. “The Chinese are not going to take your diplomacy seriously if you’re operating from a position of weakness, they will take our diplomacy seriously if it’s backed,” Colby added. Teodoro stressed that other countries should not question the right of the Philippines to strengthen its defense capabilities as it does not call out other nations engaged in the buildup of defensive and even offensive capabilities. “Just like we do not question the buildup of not even defensive capabilities but offensive capabilities of other countries, they should not question ours and they should not tie up our buildup of our capabilities to any question of whether it’s Taiwan or whatnot. The Philippines is for the Philippines and we leverage that and I think other countries want to help us because they view it as an integral (part of) standing strong with democratic values,” the defense chief added. Teodoro also said that the Philippines is not a pawn of anyone in the ongoing “geopolitical battle” in the region. “And so the Philippines is a value (proposition) as we call it by its own self and not a pawn of anybody else in the geopolitical battle that’s raging within our area now,” he stressed. Teodoro ran for senator and lost under the banner of Marcos and Sara Duterte who both won in the May 2022 elections. He added that he was only informed

that he would be appointed to the DND following a meeting with Marcos. “The President, we had a meeting and we both agreed that this is the best way I can help his administration,” Teodoro said. He also added that national defense is everybody’s business and the most important thing is to communicate about its importance. “You know the enormous expense that’s required for it but any country worth its salt requires a robust defense because there’s no country that can have any integrity whatsoever unless it is able to enforce its laws within its own territorial boundaries,” Teodoro noted. While he is not new to the DND portfolio having served as defense chief from August 2007 to November 2009 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Teodoro said manning the post is more challenging now as we are all now living in a different world. “It was not merely the relationship with China which was different then, during that time there was no Middle Eastern implosion yet, there was no Arab Spring, there was no tension between Russia and Ukraine and the relationship between China and the United States was different, even in the semiconductor and technology sector there was cooperation so now we live in a vastly different world,” he added. And with these events that have occurred, Teodoro said the lesson is the need to build up the country’s capabilities in order to make sure that we are safe from any “world happening or event.” “Okay, we are talking about the conflict between these superpowers now, but who knows 30 years hence whether there will be regional conflict, we cannot foresee the political developments in the region, and our job, my job, my primary job, of course the first marching of the President to me was the pension scheme for the Armed Forces, and a lot of work has been done towards that end and it’s a matter of continuing the work done and I commend (former DND officer in charge) Secretary (Carlito) Galvez (Jr.) and the rest of the financial team, (Finance) Secretary (Benjamin) Diokno for working together for it, it’s a matter of really just communication and tweaking the basis of it, now having said that the job of the DND is to build up its capabilities in order to be ready as much as possible to foresee, predict and to react to defend the Philippines from any geopolitical happening,” he added. Teodoro said that he will continue to lobby Congress for more funds to help the AFP in its ongoing modernization program. “There are already set horizons for that, that they have set for the coming year. We will continue to lobby Congress for that and for more funds,” he said. Teodoro also added that he will also push for a “capital outlay” for the DND to build up its capabilities. “And I would also like to add certain things that are important. We cannot continue to have a Department of National Defense without a capital outlay for our own department. We need to build up the capabilities of this department as part of the national defense family. And I would like to state that (it is) one of my goals, to build up the capabilities of the Department of National Defense Proper,” he

Sec. Teodoro

added. But in order to manage the ﬁve agencies under its wing, with the AFP as the largest, Teodoro said there is a need to “build up the managerial capability of the managing department” which is the DND and that he intends to focus on it. “As a manager, my ﬁrst job is to manage the home institution itself. I want to help lay the foundations for (the) Department of National Defense for our future, to develop expertise in program management, analytics, predictions, other capabilities, contracting, international relations, and to build up the career track of our own employees,” Teodoro said. Also, in the ongoing AFP Modernization Program, the DND chief said they will make sure that the services get systems and platforms with the “best, at the

Sec. Herbosa

most aﬀordable costs, and the most sustainability as possible”. The newly appointed DND chief also reiterated his thanks for the “trust and conﬁdence” given to him by President Marcos in order “to steward” the defense department. “I would also like to thank all my predecessors, most especially Secretary Charlie Galvez for the sterling work that he has done, let’s give him a big hand, all of them, all of them, because national defense is not a zigzag, it is a building block. Each of us must help and reinforce one another and with the whole of government approach especially right now given the challenges we face and the future we want to build, moreso we need each other right now,” he added.

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11 June 8-14, 2023

 OPINION SSF champions healthy... (From page 1) FRANCIS ESPIRITU

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EDITORIAL

Time to arrest China’s growing belligerence

he near collision between US and Chinese warships at the Taiwan Strait a few days ago is further proof that China is growing more and more belligerent today, posing a challenge to peace in the region. Previously, China would only bully the likes of Filipino fishermen or the Philippine Coast Guard or Philippine Navy. Being a far superior force militarily, its ships have lorded it over an area that they claim is theirs, offering no proof but old maps that could be concocted from thin air, for all anyone knows. China referred to the near collision between the two ships and the possibility of it deteriorating to an armed confrontation as an “unbearable disaster.” The US, for its part, said any conflict as a result of that near accident would have had “devastating consequences.” Both are correct, yet it was clearly the Chinese who were trying to provoke the US. Having successfully bullied any and all its neighbors which also have claims to the rich waters of the South China Sea, the country now feels that it can go headto-head against the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America. Where it found the gall to believe that its might is equal to the US is beyond us. Or maybe it’s just one leader, Xi Jinping, who believes – or would have the rest of the world believe – that they are now at par with the US and that they will eventually own all the lands and seas of its neighbors. Air space too. Let there be no doubt, China and most especially Xi is the danger, one that must be stopped soonest. As the head of the Philippine Coast Guard put it, what China says and what China does are not always one and the same. Put it another way, China’s diplomats will say that all problems between friends can be settled by dialogue, but the country’s military, specifically its Coast Guard, does not seem to believe in what its leaders and diplomats say. They only believe that the entire South China Sea is theirs, and this includes the West Philippine Sea. This is how they act now. It will certainly be worse in the weeks, months, and years to come. Xi should be reminded that China would not be the superpower that it is today had it not been for the US. It was the US that opened its doors to Chinese exports, granting China most favored nation status. This was the spur that the struggling Chinese economy needed to get out of its rut some decades ago. Sadly, as China became rich, it opted to become not just an economic superpower, but a military giant as well. And it has been XI who has set his country on the most dangerous road imaginable. He is leading his country on the road to war. Xi is no Asian Putin. He is, in fact, China’s Hitler, whose lust for expansionism must be stopped now, by whatever means. Let one thing be clear. The Chinese people are not the enemy of the American people or the people of our beloved homeland, the Republic of the Philippines. There are no ifs and no buts. It is China’s current leader and his megalomaniac ways that poses the greatest danger to world peace.

Mayor Nicolas, a 25-year leader in biotechnology, is vice president and head of global safety and pharmacovigilance at Rain Oncology. Just a few days ago, she received the Outstanding Mapuan, the highest award from her alma mater Mapua Institute of Technology, where she earned her bachelors in Chemical Engineering before gaining her masters of Public Health at University of Massachusetts Amherst. BOOMING CITY South San Francisco is multicultural with a booming economy instantly recognizable by skyscrapers piercing CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO the skies over its massive sprawl. Hard to imagine its beef packing beginnings now that “South City,” for decades self-identified on its mountainside as the “Industrial City,” has become the Biotech Capital of the World, its current sobriquet for the largest industries pumping greens into its coffers: healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, hospitality and food service, professional, scientific and tech, and more. Lucky are some 68,000, per the 2020 Census, who come home to the municipality at the foot of San Bruno Mountain, that, by the city’s own admission, “has an unusually high number of residents working in Law Enforcement Supervisors; Life, Physical, & Social Science; and Architecture & Engineering.” In fact the “highest paid jobs held by residents of South San Francisco, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical; Fire Fighting Supervisors; and Health Practitioners,” according to its website. The first FilAm woman elected in her city where she is currently the lone female on the City Council, Nicolas combines wisdom from her education, optimism from her immigrant beginnings when a fire broke out while her family was on vacation and the community showered Flor, husband Nenar and their children with support, and compassion for those still finding their footing as newcomers. Since 2019, Nicolas has called herself a Kumare, as female members of the allvolunteer organization ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment call themselves. The team has been educating the public about the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to distinguish between the two. They stayed united through the pandemic, pivoting to virtual presentations and activities to provide individuals, couples and families a lifeline to safety precautions and how to access helping resources. FORWARD TO SAFETY As this year’s co-president, Nicolas is leading South San Francisco in advancing ALLICE’s movement mission as host of their traditional spring at the city’s Municipal Services Building on 33 Arroyo Drive. Free and open to the public, the event is sponsored by Philippine News Today, Positively Filipino and San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services with support from allies Lucky Chances, Moonstar, Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, Classic Bowl, Serramonte Center, FilAm Cuisine and many more. “As Mayor and longtime community volunteer, I have assisted families facing all kinds of challenges,” explains the now grandmother of three. “Many often are uncomfortable reaching out at first, whether to friends, professionals or our faith community. We elected officials are duty-bound to earn their confidence, so we may gently guide them through the healing process.” (Continued on page 26)

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Postcript to a birthday celebration

n May 20,2023, at Benicia ‘s Veterans Hall, I celebrated a milestone: my birthday. The event, based on the feedback of the attendees, was a success, despite the fact that a number of relatives and friends were “conspicuous by their absence.” Preparations for the celebration started months earlier and it was supposed to be a surprise to me. It was not, considering the speed of communication these days. From diﬀerent parts of the United States, friends and relatives came: Aimee Tagle Billones, Lilian Parale Urbi, Gina Debuque from Los Angeles; Goya and Danny Navarrete, George Nervez, Ging Reyes of ABS-CBN fame, Ditas and Robert Hahn, Grace and Gilbert De Ocampo, Ronald and Arlene Domingo, Long Mahinay, Bing Anisco from San Francisco; Birdie and Ashley Reyes from New Jersey, the Nava sisters Erlinda Mendoza, Myrna Pinili and Josephine Pineda from Hayward and Fairﬁeld, Rica Gatchalian from Alameda, Soledad Ruivivar and her husband , Sonia Reyes from Antioch, Elizabeth Williams Gonzalez and son, Ricky Williams and family and others whose names escape me at the moment. Not to be forgotten is my grand daughter Pamela, who came all the way from the Philippines enroute to Canada, to celebrate my special day. Many hands made light work, orchestrated by my youngest daughter, Yasmin Assad. It was a labor of love for her, her husband Dave, her children Kevin, Chilli and Brison, her brother Sean and his family made up of Vien, Erle and Sara and her brother Jory, wife Natasha and son Kyle and Birdie Reyes and daughter Ashley. Close friends also pitched in to make the party a success: Grace and Gilbert De Ocampo, Brian Wardle, Long Mahinay and Bing Anisco. Even the girlfriends(Continued on page 26)

 OPINION

June 8-14, 2023

ast month, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) installed five navigational aids in disputed waters in the Spratly group of islands to assert its sovereignty claim in the South China Sea. The five yellow-colored, 30-foot buoys were strategically placed in an area called “dangerous ground” in the southeast part of South China MANNY MOGATO Sea, where most of the low islands, cays, sunken reefs, shoals, and reefs were occupied by the Philippines. Four of the Spanish-made buoys with the country’s flags were placed near Philippine-occupied features: the Flat Island (Patag), Irving Reef (Balagtas), Loaita Island (Kota), and Lankiam Cay (Panata). The fifth buoy was installed near Whitsun reef (Julian Felipe) in the Union Banks, where some 200 Chinese militia vessels were seen anchored in March 2021. Huge tankers, bulk carriers and cargo shipping going to and from Hong Kong and Singapore have been avoiding the uncharted “dangerous ground,” passing east and west of the area to avoid running aground. Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard adviser for maritime security, said the installation of the navigational aids was an exercise of the country’s sovereign rights, insisting the Philippines has jurisdiction over the area. These areas are within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). “This move highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade,” Tarriela said in a Twitter post. This is not the first time the Philippines installed buoys in the disputed waters. Last year, four buoys were also placed at Thitu Island (Pagasa), Nanshan Island (Lawak), West York Island (Likas), and Northeast Cay (Parola). All four features have been occupied by the Philippines since the 1970s. Thitu and West York islands are the two largest Philippine-held territories in the South China Sea. The coast guard said it planned to install more buoys in the near future to help civilian maritime shipping navigate the dangerous and shallow waters in the Spratlys. China and Vietnam, which claim almost the entire South China Sea, protested the installation of the buoys. Beijing went further by installing its own buoys in three areas in the South China Sea. Two were placed near the Philippine buoys in Whitsun Reef (Julian Felipe) and Irving Reef (Balagtas) and the third was installed at Gaven Reef (Burgos), a Chinese-occupied feature. Before the Philippines and China went on a buoy war, the two countries have been playing a dangerous cat-and-mouse game in the Spratlys. In the 1990s, Philippine troops blew up concrete markers put up by the Chinese on uninhabited features to lay claim on territories. The markers had Chinese inscriptions naming the particular cay, reef, shoal, and island. Philippine troops on patrol removed these markers, destroying and blowing them into pieces. The blasts sent shock waves to Hawaii as senior US military officials became worried the Philippine actions could lead to an escalation that could become a conflict. At that time, Washington tried to distance itself from a potential conflict in the South China Sea despite the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The US was courting Chinese support against the Soviet Union before the latter disintegrated. The US does not consider China as a threat. China has limited presence in the disputed waters. It started occupying features in the Spratlys when it dislodged the Vietnamese on Fiery Cross reef after a brief naval battle, sinking a Vietnamese navy ship. The Philippines also has limited capabilities. Its old navy ships, mostly World War II vintage destroyer escorts and transport ships, cannot venture into the rough and dangerous Spratly waters during the monsoon season. After China seized control of Mischief Reef (Panganiban), building a makeshift shelter (Continue on page 27)

I’m a fool to want you I’m a fool to want you To want a love that can’t be true A love that’s there for others too I’m a fool to hold you Such a fool to hold you To seek a kiss not mine alone To share a kiss the Devil has known Time and time again I said EMMANUEL SAMONTE TIPON I’d leave you Time and time again I went away But then would come the time when I would need you And once again these words I’ll have to say Take me back, I love you Pity me, I need you I know it’s wrong, it must be wrong But right or wrong I can’t get along Without you. -- I’M A FOOL TO WANT YOU Lyrics by Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf, and Joel Herron Sung by Frank Sinatra Dedicated to Ava Gardner

’d like to highlight three extraordinary teachers from the Philippines who enrich the lives of students who attend schools in the Jeﬀerson Elementary School District. The teachers are Sharena E. Domingo, 7th and 8th grade math teacher at Benjamin Franklin Intermediate School, Angeline Marie G. Osana, DAVID J. CANEPA special day class teacher at George Washington Elementary School and Joyce Vernadeth B. Cruz, special education teacher at M.P. Brown Elementary School. All three schools are in Daly City.

The Supervisor

Teachers from PH enrich lives of Daly City students

What’s Up Attorney

Immigrant bride fooling around and how to unlove a loved one

IN THE TRENCHES

Peaceful competition: The buoy wars

“Train yourself to let go Of the thing you fear to lose.” --George Lucas

Filipino tearfully admitted that his young wife who had arrived less than a month ago had left him. She was talking with another man by phone when he arrived home. Grabbing her cell phone he threw it on the table. They quarreled. But that same afternoon he bought her another cell phone. He caught her again communicating with a man. When he arrived home one day, his wife was gone and had left her wedding ring on the bed. The wife’s relative said she moved to the mainland. He wanted her deported. He showed a picture of his wife and another man cheek to cheek which he discovered through the internet. The next day, he said he changed his mind. He did not want to deport his wife. He said he still loved her. I provided him guidance on how to unlove someone. A FOOL TO WANT HER Many men who claim that they really love their wife cannot give her up even if the wife has committed the worst matrimonial sin – adultery. A friend did not talk with me for a time when I suggested that he divorce his wife after he found that his wife was not faithful. When we resumed talking he said that Satan was behind his wife’s fakefulness but that Satan was no longer behind her. I was about to joke that maybe Satan was beside her now, but I held my peace. He said he did not have concrete evidence anyway that his wife was committing adultery. I was going to say that circumstantial evidence is sufficient, but again I remained silent. As Frank Sinatra’s ballad “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” puts it “Use your mentality, wake up to reality But each time that I do just the thought of you Makes me stop before I begin Because I’ve got you under my skin.” (“get under someone’s skin” means “grow to like something”. MerriamWebster Dictionary online). DIFFICULT TO UNLOVE SOMEONE For those who are really in love, it appears that it is difficult to part with someone you love. It is said to be worse than the death of a person you love. Frank Sinatra despite all odds refused to “wake up to reality” in pursuing Ava Gardner whom he loved and was obsessed in winning because he had her “under his skin”. He described his lamentations and desperation by writing the song “I am a fool to want you”. He persevered and won her briefly and then lost her. But if your loved one is not an Ava Gardner who was beautiful, a good actress, and a wonderful person, is she worth pursuing? Or should you “wake up to reality” and “use your mentality”. If your “loved one” is an adulteress or unfaithful, is she worth keeping? Are you the forgiving kind? A California Filipino asked an Ilocano lawyer to reconcile him and his attractive wife who had betrayed him. The (Continue on page 27) lawyer hosted a dinner for both of

JESD teachers Angeline Marie Osana, Sharena Domingo and Joyce Vernadeth Cruz receive commenda�ons.

Many people in our community may not realize the impact teachers recruited from the Philippines have on our students. With 1 in 3 of every Daly City resident identifying as Filipino, it is vitally important to have teachers in our schools who represent this demographic. Sharena, Angeline and Joyce are incredible examples of how education can be delivered in a culturally-appropriate way and in multiple languages. They rose up during the pandemic to assist our students and their parents struggling at home and in isolation to limit learning loss and help them socialize. These three teachers are just a small example of all the teachers in the JESD who care for our children, keep them safe every day and prepare them for bright futures. At Benjamin Franklin, Ms. Shareena Domingo organized and put up “Falcon Boosts,” a peer tutoring program. Sharena teamed up with her colleague, Erika Leydig, to establish this program for struggling at-promise learners. Together, they aimed to boost student conﬁdence in the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic by pairing them with passionate Ben Franklin alumni. Sharena played a pivotal role in recruiting former students and coaching these alumni to become successful tutors for struggling learners. She and her partner teacher were able to create a safe and supportive environment where students could interact with other students virtually and learn lessons from them. At George Washington, Ms. Angeline Marie G. Osana worked tirelessly and rose to the crisis brought about by the pandemic with her passion and commitment to making sure that no student was left behind. She created a website for her students with special needs and their families to easily access their lessons and online resources to support their various needs. Despite the restrictions during distance/remote learning, she dedicated her time and creativity and utilized her skills in technology to develop interactive lessons and activities through Zoom. She also made sure that all her students had access to materials and technology resources that they needed, such as hotspots and iPads. At M.P Brown, Ms. Joyce Vernadeth B. Cruzc provided outstanding contributions to her students with exceptional needs that were truly remarkable. In the face of unprecedented challenges, she swiftly adapted to various learning platforms, leveraging technology and in(Continue on page 27)

13 June 8-14, 2023

 OPINION

A conjugal presidency

Diliman Way

Offline

“If you can keep your head when all about you f I were just a semi-retired Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, journalist covering a variIf you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, ety of beats of interest to But make allowance for their doubting too;” me, I would not have a prob- From IF by Rudyard Kipling lem with the so-called presidency of Ferdinand Marcos ore than fifty years ago, the whispered talk of the Jr. town was a conjugal dictatorship – of President FerI could ignore his daily dinand Edralin Marcos (FM) and Imelda Romualbarrage of speeches, most of dez Marcos. Now, it is the conjugal presidency of Ferdinand which are generic mother“Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Liza Araneta Marcos, the curhood statements delivered rent First Lady. during mostly inconsequenBETING DOLOR It is a giant plunge down from a dictatorship to a presitial events. dency. But since I came out or Comparison –On FM: semi-retirement one year ago this week to join a news broadcast station, I have had to live It takes a lot of brilliance or with the fact that I need to edit stories related to his speeches balls to be a dictator. Somenearly five days a week. Good thing I get to rest on weekends, times it is a combination of as I would have died of boredom or irritation many months both. In the case of FM, in my perception, it was both ago. With Junior set to deliver his second State of the Nation brilliance and balls when he Address early next month, I believe I can edit his long-winded declared martial, though potalk with both my eyes and one of my ears closed. His speech- litically and constitutionally, it was a serious error. Under es have become extremely predictable. He will talk without saying anything. In other words, there martial law, you cannot build will be little if any substance in what comes out of his mouth. a new society – whether in At his next SONA, expect him to proclaim that his first small or capital letters. With- HOMOBONO A. ADAZA year as president was a total success. He may take potshots at in the ambit of the Constitution then, martial law had those who criticize his constant travels. I imagine that he enjoys nothing more than flying first definitive limits – to control class at the people’s expense, exchanging small talk with the insurrection, rebellion or lawless violence. The only deparscores of hangers on who he has invited to his trip. Also all at ture from the normal is that you could be arrested without warrant of arrest and you cannot post bail. the people’s expense. That was the constitutional mistake of FM and his advisHis meetings with supposed business titans of whatever country he is visiting will pledge to invest in the Philippines, ers. They went into trackless territory of which they were not but this they will do only because they will be treated to sump- familiar. It is unfortunate FM did that - coming as he does from the UP College of Law. No wonder, he went out of his tuous lunches or dinners with the Philippine president. Mostly, they will only confirm that they will be investing way in convincing a UP intellectual who was elected as Govsome funds in the Philippines as this has been planned for ernor under his own Opposition political party. This is the one and one conversation that took place in a months, even years, in advance. They would have invested even if the Philippines were wooden-rattan sofa at a passage way to FM”s bedroom next led by a President Robredo or a President Pacquiao. President to his office. FM – You know Pañero, you should join me for several Isko? Maybe not so much. Sooner or later, however, they will back out, citing such reasons. We both graduated from the UP College of Law. We reasons as the current global economic situation when in fact dream dreams for our people. You are an ideologue and so am they will see first-hand how graft and corruption remains a I. (FM paused for a while and continued.) And on top of that, we are two of a kind. way of life in the Philippines. Governor – Much as I would like to join you, Mr. PresiFact is, it would be better for Junior if he were to count on the pledges of companies owned by the Mafia or the Yakuza. dent, I cannot also for several reasons. First, if I join you, He may even want to deal with a Nigerian prince or two. How people will say you bought me and I allowed myself to be about shipping deals with Somali sea-based business enter- bought. Second, my father who is a legendary mayor of my town told his four lawyers sons this: “When wealth is lost, prises? Then again, even multinational companies have proven nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. But that they are not averse to giving kickbacks to government of- when character is lost, everything is lost.” Mr. President, my father will rise from his grave and berate me for dishonoring ficials who grant them multi-million dollar contracts. Recall that Westinghouse granted a crony of his late dad a him. I’m sorry I cannot dishonor my father, so I cannot join huge kickback for building the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, you. FM and the Governor parted ways like gentlemen warwhich never went into operation. That crony, Herminio Disino, would end up buying him- riors with FM telling the governor, “I cannot give you permission to leave for the US as according to General Ver you self a royal title. As an aside, did you know that you can buy a royal title are a security risk.” This is the reply of FM to the request of by purchasing a one square foot property in Wales or Scotland the governor to visit his sister, Nilda, who was a supervising or something. You get to legally call yourself Lord Whatever nurse in a hospital in Maryland, USA. Actually the goverif you do. Now that seems like a perfectly legal scam which nor’s primary reason was to help then Senator Doy Laurel unite fragmented Opposition leaders from Ninoy Aquino to harms nobody, no? Raul Manglapuz who were all living in the USA. The goverBut I digress. Mr Marcos Junior soon completes his first of six years as nor was able to leave for the USA despite presidential prohibition – being an innovative Sun Tzu warrior. chief executive, and he has precious little to show for it. On BBM: They say that comparisons are odious but in When he assumed the mantle as concurrent Agriculture Secretary, countless heads were shaking and palms slapping this case, odious or not, we have to compare, the father, FM, and the son, BBM. FM was brilliant, a scholar, a bar topforeheads from Tawi-Tawi to Jolo. What was he thinking, we all asked. The guy had, after notcher, a visionary, disciplined, strong leader and committed all, zero experience in agriculture. Maybe he had successfully to country. In the case of BBM, former President Rodrigo raised a marijuana plant or two during his misspent youth? I “Digong” Duterte (PRD) described BBM as “weak leader, cocaine user and a spoiled son of a rich and powerful family.” do not know, and I do not care. All I see is a repeat of “traders” hoarding key agri products PRD is highly descriptive in his language and thus far BBM like rice, onions, sugar, tomatoes, and garlic year in and year has not denied the accusation and based on the behavior of out. They will fill warehouses to the brim and wait for prices BBM in the past eleven months in office, BBM appears to to skyrocket, then they will release the hoarded produce to confirm PRD’s colorful description. BBM is weak in the handling - of China and the USA, his the market, earning gazillions and laughing all the way to the lackluster Cabinet, his First Lady, domestic issues and probbank. In a rare moment of candor, his own senior undersecretary lems, the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is his at the Agri department admitted (Continue on page 27) cousin. In plain and simple terms, (Continue on page 27)

Memorial Day: Fallen soldiers did the ultimate sacriﬁce for our country

es, my fellow countrymen, let us set aside this day, Memorial Day, to honor our military personnel who did the “ultimate sacrifice” for our country. As we remember and honor those fallen soldiers this Memorial Day, we are bringing back to life their patriotic and heroic contribu- ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO tions to our beloved country. They gave their lives fighting in the name of freedom! Let’s remember them! Let us pay our respects to our fallen and retired heroes during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony happening May 29 at Veterans Park beginning at 11 AM. Thank you to the City of Big Bear Lake and the American Legion of Big Bear Lake for making this special event possible. I learned that the event is free for all attendees. Stay after the ceremony for a celebration with free hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, and fries. A special giveaway raffle will be included, tickets are $10. Memorial Day began under the name “Decoration Day” in 1868 — three years after the Civil War ended — and was declared a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers and otherwise honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. So, Memorial Day is a day for us to remember those who died in battle, those brave warriors who gave their lives in defense of our country, and also those who were wounded as a result in battle. By the way, let’s not confuse ourselves with Memorial Day, which we are celebrating in the month of May, with that of Veterans Day, which we are celebrating in November. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen and wounded in battle while on Veterans Day, we honor all who have served in the military, which according to the legislation on June 1, 1954, were leveled as “American veterans of all wars.” Their legacy will be remembered that will endure and last forever! As a gesture of remembering and honoring our fallen soldiers, Americans must thank a veteran on Memorial Day… and beyond. We must thank them for all they have done to protect our country and our freedom. For those who didn’t know a veteran, you may write a letter to a veteran or a soldier expressing your gratitude and sentiments on Memorial Day. There are a lot of ways to celebrate and honor them. In addition to the traditional BBQs and picnics, people attended a parade or watched the parade in television; some residents decorated the graves of the fallen soldiers on Memorial Day with flags and elaborated on the red, white and blue colors. They even brought that tradition home and decorated their houses and lawns with the stars and stripes. For those who have their flagpoles, they raised their flags at half-mast from dawn until noon local time in reverence to our dead heroes. In the article written by Jenae Sitzes and Jennifer Aldrich, there are a lot of things, a variety of activities, we can do on Memorial Day 2023, in addition to what were already mentioned. They wrote, “if the skies are clear and the weather is warm, we can fill up that inflatable pool in the backyard and cool off our feet. If the weather sours, we can gather indoors for a patriotic craft or pop the popcorn and indulge in a great summer movie. No matter how you choose to commemorate the day, this list of Memorial Day activities has options for the whole family—and for indoor celebrations as well.” As to going to a parade, if there’s not one happening near you, tune in to watch the National Memorial Day Parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 29, at 2:00PM ET. You can also tune the National Memorial Day concert, airing Sunday, May 28, at 8:00 PM EST on PBS. The National Memorial Day Concert is a moving tribute that honors America’s servicemen and women. Past celebrity performers have included Mickey Guyton, Sara Bareilles, Vince Gill, and Alan Jackson. Or, take a virtual tour of the White House. Kids will love exploring the historic rooms and fascinating history of The White House via this online tour, (Continue on page 27)

As I See It

Junior’s maddening presidency

 BUSINESS | IMMIGRATIONS Requirements for petitioning Caregivers

o you need Caregivers in your Care Facility? This is a very challenging time for those Care Home Facility owners because of the shortage of Caregivers. Many caregivers can be petitioned by the facility owners whether they are coming from the Philippines or already in the United States. Our Law Firm can handle the process from start to finish. As of this writing the priority for caregivers is January 1, 2020. However, if you are inside the US you can file an adjustment of status based on approved I-140 petition if your priority date is February 1, 2020. What are the requirements for EB-3 Green Card for Skilled Workers, Professionals, or Other Workers? Answer: The EB-3 green card covers a wide range of applicants and has less stringent requirements compared to the two categories above. To qualify as a skilled worker, you must demonstrate that you have at least two years of job experience or training in the job you are applying through. To qualify as a professional, you must have at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign degree equivalent in the field you are working in. Other workers are usually unskilled workers who are able to demonstrate the ability to perform unskilled labor that is not seasonal or temporary in nature. Caregivers usually need only three months experience as a caregiver. What is needed to start a caregiver petition? Answer: An EB-3 applicant must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and fulfill the PERM Labor Certification requirements, which will likely mean a longer application timeline than other categories where the PERM can be waived. Note that since some cases require additional paperwork to be filed, it’s best to contact a qualified employment immigration attorney. What is the processing time for employment based green card? Answer: The employment-based green card timeline varies depending on the category you qualify for. Generally, however, here are the steps you need to take if you are working toward getting an employment-based green card: 1. Have a U.S. Employer 2. Complete PERM Labor Certification Process: Average of Six to Nine Months Once you have a qualifying job offer and an employer who is ready to sponsor your green card, the next step is to complete the Program for Electronic Review Management (PERM) Labor certification. This is a process that requires your employer to demonstrate that the foreign worker (you) is not taking a job position away from qualified U.S. workers. What should an employer do to process PERM? Answer: Your employer with the support of an immigration attorney will conduct a recruitment process to ensure that you are not displacing any qualified U.S. workers The PERM can take between six months and a year and a half to obtain depending on whether or not your employer is subjected to an audit. Here is the breakdown of the timeline for PERM Labor processing times: • Prevailing Wage Request: two weeks • Recruitment Process: eight to nine weeks • ETA-9089 Application: 24 weeks After getting approved on the PERM Labor Certification, what is the next step? Answer: Your employer will need to file a Pettion for Alien Worker Form I-140. Once your Form I-140 is approved, and your priority date becomes current, you can file for an Adjustment of Status by submitting an I-485 form. The I-485 is the last stage along the employmentbased green card timeline, but in most cases, it has the longest waiting period. However, you will be issued a work authorization document after submitting Form I-485 in about five months. Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for educational purposes only. Our office successfully obtained green card for caregivers. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 1. PETITION FOR NURSES LVN AND CAREGIVERS Our Law Firm entered into agreement with nursing facilities in the U.S. to process applicants for Nurses, LVN and Caregivers in the US You may qualify if you have RN or LVN license. Caregivers will need a year of caregiving experience. Applicants Inside or outside the United States may qualify. Bankruptcy Basics We also process Bankruptcy cases. 1. Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years, not filing bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most your debts are paid. 2. If you are being sued by your creditors, most money judgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy. 3. Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement. 4. Chapter 7 will eliminate all unsecured debts. If you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts. CAR ACCIDENTS Our Law Firm successfully settled a car accident for $675.000. FAMILY LAW We also handle uncontested DIVORCE. ITIN and INCOME TAX PROBLEMS We can help you if you need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer ID number) We also prepare income tax returns and if you are under IRS audit, and need a representation with IRS, need to reduce your tax liability or need to offer a payment plan to IRS, we can help you with that. SUCCESS STORIES For the month of March 2023, we received approval from USCIS for three naturalization applications, one Fiancée visa petition, one removals of condition on residence and five adjustment of status applications. If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse, which could lead to deportation and family separation. Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He has practiced immigration law, bankruptcy, personal injury and income tax representation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/ with offices in Hayward and Cerritos, CA.

June 8-14, 2023

Top firms may lose P6.15 billion daily to cyber attacks - expert CEBU CITY – Top listed companies operating critical information infrastructure (CII) may lose P6.15 billion in revenues a day due to cyber attacks, an information and communications technology (ICT) advocacy group estimated. In a media seminar hosted by the United States Embassy here, Secure Connections ICT policy analyst Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos said the number is based on the assumption that these CII companies are compromised at the same time. “It’s unlikely, but who knows. [There are] so many things are possible in these days,” she said on the sidelines of the event, PNA’s Kris Crismundo reported. Largest losses per day are in the energy sector with potential daily losses of P2.8 billion, followed by banks at P1.5 billion, telecommunications at P1.06 billion, transportation at P631 million, water at P115 million and healthcare at P40 million. Aside from these sectors, CII operators are also in business process outsourcing (BPO), broadcast media, emergency services and disaster response and government. Mirandilla-Santos said this ﬁgure is only a fraction of the potential damage to the economy due to cyber attacks, as the

number only counted firms listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). She said cybersecurity incidents have cascading effects that also compromise and cause damages to other sectors depending on CII operators. “If there is no alternative to critical infrastructure, then it makes the cost much bigger,” she added. Mirandilla-Santos cited some gaps in protecting CIIs in the country, including the lack of a national directive mandating government agencies with jurisdiction over critical infrastructure to promote information security, the poor awareness and adoption of minimum information security standards and the lack of clarity in institutional arrangements on cybersecurity. To address these challenges, Secure Connections is urging the Office of the President to issue an executive order mandating information security standards for CIIs. To address cyber threats on CIIs in the long-term, the group is pushing for the Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Act (CIIPA). Five Senate bills and three House bills were already filed in the Congress on CIIPA.

Inflation in PHL further slows to 6.1% in May MANILA – Headline inflation slowed down for the fourth consecutive month, settling at 6.1 percent in May from 6.6 percent in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported. Last month’s inflation also settled within the 5.8 to 6.6 percent forecast range of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). It was, however, still higher than the 5.4 percent recorded in May last year, according to PNA’s Anna Lea Gonzales in a report. Balance of risks to domestic inflation remain on the upside but the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said that monthly rate is still expected to slow to withintarget levels in the last quarter of the year without any shocks. The average inflation in the first five months of the year stood at 7.5 percent, still higher than the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band. The BSP forecasts inflation to average at 5.5 percent this year. Core inflation, which excludes volatile oil and food items, also went down to 7.7 percent from April’s 7.9 percent Year-to-date, inflation settled at 7.5 percent. In a briefing, PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the downtrend could be attributed to the annual decline in the index of transport at -0.5 percent from 2.6 percent in April. This was mainly due to the lower prices of gasoline, diesel and tricycle fare. “The heavily-weighted food and non-

Philippine Sta�s�cs Authority Undersecretary and Na�onal Sta�s�cian Dennis Mapa

alcoholic beverages also pulled down the overall inflation during the month with a lower inflation rate of 7.4 percent from 7.9 percent in April 2023,” Mapa said. Mapa attributed this to the slowdown in the inflation of fish and other seafood, meat, milk and other dairy products and eggs. The price increase of fish and other seafood was at 5 percent from 7 percent in April. Meat inflation also slowed to 3.2 percent from 4.2 percent while the price increase of milk and other dairy products likewise eased to 12.1 percent from 13 percent a month earlier. Similar to the national trend, inflation in the National Capital Region (NCR) further decelerated to 6.5 percent in May from 7.1 percent in April. Inflation in areas outside NCR also slowed to 6 percent in May from 6.5 percent a month earlier.

15 June 8-14, 2023

 ENTERTAINMENT

Jessica Soho renews contract with GMA Network Aw a r d - w i n n i n g broadcast journalist Jessica Soho has renewed her contract with GMA Network. Soho signed new contract with her home network for “38 years now and counting,” through a signing event held at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City. GMA Network reported the contract signing event. Present during the contract signing were GMA Network President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto Duavit Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Public Affairs First Vice President Nessa Valdellon, Senior Assistant Vice President Clyde Mercado, Assistant Vice President Angeli Atienza, Assistant Vice President for System and Budget Riza Laurente, Assistant Vice-President Lee Joseph Castel, and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio. “Thank you, wala na kong ibang masasabi pa,” Jessica said during the signing. “I’m just proud to be here, and to be given another chance to continue telling stories that not only deliver the revenues, the ratings, the views, and you know, puts forward [our] messages [as a] news and public affairs organization.” In another interview, she said that it’s been “one hell of a ride, but it’s been a good run, very productive, and certainly most rewarding.” The Philippines’ most awardest broadcast journalist, who hosts “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” “State of the Nation,” and “I-Witness,” added that she thinks God put her in GMA because it’s where she’ll thrive the most. “Simple lang naman, kung walang GMA, wala ako, walang Jessica Soho,” she said. “Wala na akong mahahanap pa kasi lahat nang pinangarap kong maging, dito ko nahanapan ng fulfillment.”

In her 38 years in GMA, Jessica said she’s most proud of witnessing and reporting important news and events in society that will go down in history. “I’d like to think na nagawa ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para makapag-ulat nang tama, nang responsable at nang maayos,” she said. She also takes pride in paving the way “for a new generation of story-

tellers, journalists, and production staﬀ.” “Nabigyan sila ng careers at natulungan ang kanilang mga pamilya,” she added. Jessica’s show “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” is a testament to the broadcaster’s undisputed mark in journalism. In 2022, KMJS earned a bronze medal at the 2022 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards for its “Bestida ni Ranelyn

(Ranelyn’s Dress)” segment. The Sunday show also won as Top Media Publisher at TikTok Awards 2022. That same year, Jessica was recognized as the “Most Trusted TV Host for News and Current Aﬀairs” at the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards 2022. “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” airs on GMA Network every Sunday at 8:25 p.m.

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17 June 8-14, 2023

 ENTERTAINMENT

Acclaimed documentary film... (From page 1) In his speech at the pre-screening of the film, Shyu shared that he wanted to do something to change the narrative to not just make Asian the victims in the racism epidemic by moving on from getting picked on “but it’s us being the leader.” “The film talks about Silicon Valley’s Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) leadership and their contribution to what’s going on in Silicon Valley and the future. I’m very proud to be able to do this film,” Shyu elaborated. “I hope we can continue to do more episodes because one film’s not going to make that much impact. If we can continue doing the film people will see us as representation matters and they will understand our culture too.” Shyu also recalled that, twenty years ago, he wrote a script with Asian characters and it was turned down everywhere because people from Hollywood companies were saying nobody wants to see all Asians on screen because it’s just not normal forcing him to do a lot of TV or commercials that are based on Caucasian characters “But that changed a lot when the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” was shown and people realize they you know uh it’s all Asian cast and it makes a lot of money that made many actually want to see Asian characters and we had a chance to do this film about Asian American documentary to talk about a little bit about the sort of uh stereotype and bias against Asian Americans,” Shyu said. “I don’t want my kids to feel like I did when I was around 12 or 13 years old growing really confused because I felt like an outsider and I felt like I don’t belong because everyone always teases you,

Dignitaries at pre-screening

call you names and you just kind of feel like that’s the norm. That is why I wanted to do a film to let them know you got to be proud of yourself, you can be Asian and you can also be American,” Shyu admitted. “I hope that they understand how important media is to Asian Americans to be represented and Asians are not invisible. We should be out there letting people understand us and our culture. This film really is a culture bridge – to bridge the culture of misunderstanding,” Shyu said. Shyu’s previous documentary about Anti-Asian sentiment caused by COVID-19 The Race Epidemic won numerous Best Documentary feature film awards and will be released nationwide on PBS Sept 1. For her part, Ethic Media services Executive Director Sandy Close reminded everyone that ethnic media was organized as an offshoot of an association that served as a collective voice for immigrant Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese American scientist accused of economic espionage. “Lee would still be in prison if it wasn’t for Chinese language media after the New York Times

front page labeled Lee China spy. So it was Chinese language media that really paved the way for a coalition of ethnic media to stand up in defense of Lee.” Close disclosed. “We now look at China in America as public enemy number one and don’t think this is not serious. There are two bipartisan bills that are both aimed at China and this gives me great worry as we enter 2024,” Close added. Close made a pitch for the documentary ﬁlm that is “not only important for inter-ethnic relations but also makes this ﬁlm imperative that Americans understand we wouldn’t have a Silicon Valley without Chinese and also without Asian Indians the majority of entrepreneurs who contributed to the spirit.” “Builders of The Silicon Dream” features four well-respected notable Asian American highly successful entrepreneurs, scholars, and community leaders in Silicon Valley - Kenneth Fong, Hsing Kung, Ta-Lin Hsu, and David Tsang – the documentary is targeted to air on PBS, co-produced by Diana Ding and is a project of Ding Ding TV and Himalaya Entertainment.

 ENTERTAINMENT

June 8-14, 2023

Tito, Vic and Joey, their Eat Bulaga to TV5 by July Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon are moving with their “Eat Bulaga” Dabarkads to TV5 and will air on free television by July. The Kapatid network made the announcement via Twitter by sharing the oﬃcial statement of Mediaquest Group headed by Jane Bases. Meanwhile, lawyer Lorna Kapunan said that TAPE has no copyright or trademark right on “Eat Bulaga.” Interviewed on Net 25, Kapunan said TAPE only has right over merchadise products out of the long-running show. Kapunan’s statement means Tito, Vic and Joey may have the right over “Eat Bulaga” as talent and television show as per their application. Kapunan, however, sees a protracted legal battle between TVJ and TAPE and suggested that they just settle their diﬀerernces amicably. The Mediaquest Group has entered into an agreement with Tito, Vic and

Joey and the Dabarkads to produce content for TV5 and other Mediaquest platforms. The deal opens yet another chapter in the long-running, celebrated entertainment careers of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon,” the statement said. Basas said she is honored that the three have agreed to work with Mediaquest Group. “Our partnership strengthens our ability to continue to deliver the best for Filipino viewers here at home and all over the world. I’m happy that Tito, Vic, and Joey will now call TV5 their home,” said Basas. Tito Sotto, for his part, considers this a fresh start. “Dahil sa ating mga Dabarkads na naging Kapatid, tuloy pa rin ang tuwa’t saya na aming dala,” he said. In another post on Twitter, News5 shared a 28-second clip teasing this development. On May 31, Tito, Vic and Joey

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announced their departure from TAPE, Inc., their management partners for several years. The remaining hosts and production team of “Eat Bulaga” including Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo, and Allan K eventually followed suit. On June 5, the new hosts of the long-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga” on GMA Network were introduced including twins Cassy and Mavy Legaspi, Buboy Villar, Paolo Contis, Betong Sumaya and Alexa Miro. With the transfer of TVJ to TV 5, “It’s Showtime” will no longer air on the Kapatid station at noon next month to give way to Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon’s new program. There is no oﬃcial announcement on the matter as of writing but a post on Kapamilya Online Updates seemingly conﬁrmed this. It read: “Sa susunod na buwan ay hindi nyo na matutunghayan ang It’s Showtime sa TV5 tuwing tanghalian. Magkakaroon na lamang ng delayed telecast sa hapon. “Samantala patuloy natin maka-

kasama ang It’s Showtime family tuwing tanghali sa A2z, Kapamilya Online Live, Kapamilya Channel at iWantTFC.” Similar reports have since appeared on a number of entertainment-related new sites. Talk about “It’s Showtime” being eased out of its current time slot on the Kapatid Network emerged following rumors about the trio’s impending transfer to TV5 subsequent to their disengagement from TAPE Inc. and GMA, May 31. The move was made oﬃcial June 7, Wednesday, with TV5’s parent company, MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., through its president and CEO Jane Basas.

19 June 8-14, 2023

 SPORTS

NBA’s Clarkson, Brownlee, Kouame, Sotto lead Gilas Pilipinas 21-man pool for FIBA World Cup MANILA -- Filipino-American NBA star Jordan Clarkson and naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame as well as NBA hopeful Kai Sotto have been named in the 21-man pool for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup 2023. From the pool, the ﬁnal 12 players will be chosen for the Philippine team, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) which released the names of those in the pool. Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said the selection of those in the pool put premium on height, speed and familiarity. Joining Clarkson, Brownlee, Kouame and Sotto are AJ Edu, six-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player June Mar Fajardo and Gilas mainstay Japeth Aguilar. Also part of the pool are Aguilar’s Ginebra teammates Jamie Malonzo and Perez. Scottie Thompson, TNT’s Poy Erram, B.League imports Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy, Meralco’s Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks Jr., Chris Newsome and San Miguel’s CJ Jordan Heading and Carl Tamayo, and

Sotto was selected even after he signed a contract extension with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B.League. Gilas Pilipinas is expected to start training on June 7 following a two-week break after their campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, where they beat host nation Cambodia to regain the gold and re-establish supremacy in the region. The team is reportedly set to train in Europe, with tune-up games against Estonia, Finland, and other European teams in their plans. Gilas is drawn in Group A in the World Cup preliminaries, joining Angola, Dominican Republic and Italy. Gilas will need to finish at least in the top 2 spot at the end of the group stage to advance to the next round and hopefully boost their chance of becoming the best KBL import Rhenz Abando who recently placed Asian team to directly qualify to helped Anyang KGC win a championship the 2024 Paris Olympics. in his first season in the Korean Basketball League, complete the cast.

SEA Games medalists to get P12.4 M in cash incentives He won it all in the men’s individual all-around and parallel bars while winning silvers in rings and the team all-around. Swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi is the most bemedalled Filipino athlete during the biennial meet with six medals

Gymnas�cs star Carlos Yulo

MANILA – A total of P12.4 million is set to be given by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to the medalists of the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games. Of the total bonus, P7.2 million comes from the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation (MVPSF), and the other P5.2 million from POC funds. “The amount is from the generosity of Manny V. Pangilinan through the eﬀorts of [MVPSF president] Al Panlilio,” Tolentino said. Panlilio is also POC’s ﬁrst vice president. Under the incentive program, gold medalists will receive P100,000 if they’re individual medalists, P50,000 each if they played as pairs or relay teams, and P30,000 each for team sports squads. For silver medalists, P50,000 will be given to individuals and P30,000 to doubles and relay teams, while bronze medalists will get P30,000 and P10,000, respectively, for individuals and teams. Gymnast Caloy Yulo gets a lion’s share of the cash bonuses as he will receive P270,000 in total for winning two golds and two silvers.

-- three silvers and two bronzes -- and she will receive P240,000 from the POC. The POC bonuses are separate from the incentives the medalists would get from the national government through the Philippine Sports Commission

 REAL ESTATE

June 8-14, 2023

Assessor offers relief to those hit by storms Should I get an Equity Line of Credit

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang is reminding property owners in the path of the recent torrential rainstorms that they may be eligible for tax relief. “The recent spate of winter storms have caused significant damage and in some cases devastating losses,” Assessor Jeff Prang said. “I want to remind property owners that you may be eligible for property tax relief that could save you money on your taxes as you move forward.” By filing a claim for Misfortune & Calamity relief within one year of the incident, properties that have sus-

tained a minimum of $10,000 in damage or destroyed entirely may be eligible for a refund of taxes already paid and lower annual tax bills until the property is repaired or rebuilt. Claim forms for Misfortune & Calamity relief can be accessed by calling the Disaster Relief Hotline at 213/974-8658 or online at assessor.lacounty. gov/disaster-relief or connect on social media @LACAssessor. Penalty Cancellation Relief The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is aware that property owners impacted by the storms and first responders may not be able to pay their second installment of their 2022-23 Annual Secured Property Taxes by the delinquency date of April 10, 2023, and will be subject to a 10% penalty. Those constituents may file for a penalty cancellation at https://ttc.lacounty.gov/penalty-cancellation-request-2/ or submit a paper request by calling. Also, Assessor Prang encourages residents to use the County’s general information phone number of 211 or online at https://lacounty.gov/recovery/ to get information about other services offered during the recent slate of heavy storm weather.

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or do a Refinance Cash Out Loan

f you’re interested in borrowing against your home’s available equity, you have limited good choices. One option would be to refinance and get cash out. Another option would be to take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Here are some of the key differences between a cashout refinance and a home equity line of credit in today’s market: Loan terms Cash-out refinance pays off you’re existing first mortgage. This results in a new mortgage loan which may have different terms than your original loan (meaning you may have a different type of loan and/or a different interest rate as well as a longer or shorter time for paying off your loan). It will result in a new payment amortization schedule, which shows the monthly payments you need to make to pay off the mortgage principal and interest by the end of the loan term. What plays a huge factor in your decision making should be what is the current rate you are paying compared to the new rate you would be taking out. Most of the homeowners who refinanced a few years ago should be carrying a rate below 3% on their existing loan. A cash out refinance best scenario rate today would be around 6% for 30 years and about a 5.5% for a 15-year loan, no APR quoted, and rates may change without notice. Therefore, if you have a $300K loan and you are currently at 3% rate, to take out $100K you would have to refi your 3% rate and push your rate up to 6%. Quick math would mean the current payment of interest monthly would go up from $750.00 to $1500.00. And your new $ 400K mortgage payment would be around $2400.00 without taxes and insurance. That is a serious discussion that I would like you to consider, I personally would look for other alternatives. Home equity line of credit (HELOC) is usually taken out in addition to your existing first mortgage. It is considered a second mortgage and will have its own term and repayment schedule separate from your first mortgage. However, if your house is completely paid for and you have no mortgage, some lenders allow you to open a home equity line of credit in the first lien position, meaning the HELOC will be your first mortgage. Compared to the scenario previously mentioned, if you would just take out a HELOC loan now at $100K, your rate that is tied to Bank Prime plus about 2.25% margin would be in the 9.25% range. Therefore, your additional payment would be around $ 770.00 per month if you take out the entire loan. Otherwise you only pay for the interest charged on the amount withdrawn. How you receive your funds Cash-out refinance gives you a lump sum when you close your refinance loan. The loan proceeds are first used to pay off your existing mortgage(s), including closing costs and any prepaid items (for example real estate taxes or homeowners’ insurance); any remaining funds are paid to you. Home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets you withdraw from your available line of credit as needed during your draw period, typically 10 years. During this time, you’ll make monthly payments that include principal and interest. After the draw period ends, the repayment period begins: You’re no longer able to withdraw your funds and you continue repayment. You have 20 years to repay the outstanding balance. Interest rates Cash-out refinance is available through either a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage. Your lender can provide information about fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage options so you can decide which one best fits your situation. Home equity line of credit (HELOC) has an interest rate that’s variable and changes in conjunction with an index, typically the U.S. Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal. Your interest rate will increase or decrease when the index increases or decreases. Your lender may also offer you a fixed-rate loan option that would allow you to convert all or just a portion of the outstanding variable rate balance to a fixed-rate loan (Bank of America home equity lines of credit include this fixed-rate conversion option). Closing costs Cash-out refinance incurs closing costs like your original mortgage. Home equity line of credit (HELOC) usually has no (or relatively small) closing costs. Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-5087048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net Based on your personal situation and financial needs, we can provide the information you need to help you choose the best option for your specific financial situation. CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

21 June 8-14, 2023

 COMMUNITY NEWS

Debt ceiling deal averts default, with poor and elderly paying the price By Peter White The debt ceiling deal brokered last week between Democrats and Republicans staved off potential economic disaster. But experts say the bill will have long-term consequences for those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder. There is also growing concern about the nation’s mounting debt and what that means for the many federal programs that millions rely on. “We know those effects would have been felt deeply, very deeply by people who are the least economically secure,” says Shannon Buckingham, Senior Vice president at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, speaking about the potential consequences of a default. “Sixty-five million Social Security beneficiaries could have seen their benefits delayed, six million veterans and their survivors could have had their benefits held up. Families could have seen their

monthly rental assistance, food assistance, childcare delayed,” Buckingham said. Without a deal we could have seen a loss of 7-8 million jobs and a spike in unemployment. Buckingham spoke with reporters Friday during an Ethnic Media Services press briefing, one day ahead of President Biden signing the deal, extending the debt limit through 2025 and ensuring the US avoids a first-ever default. Buckingham called out Republicans for using the debt ceiling as a hostage to force deeply unpopular and harmful policies that they could not pass when they held full control of Congress. “We saw the extreme nature of their demands in the bill that (the Republicancontrolled House) passed a few weeks ago. Fortunately, the ultimate agreement that was reached avoided much of the damage that that bill would have inflicted,” she said. The bipartisan deal, which passed de-

spite resistance from far-right GOP lawmakers in the House, has some bad news for people who struggle to make ends meet. For example, a work reporting requirement for low-income older adults who receive SNAP benefits will increase hunger and poverty for people, age 5054. Buckingham said many people in that age group are in poor health and can no longer do the physically demanding jobs they once held. “And so many will lose the basic assistance that they count on to buy groceries,” she says. People can get a medical waiver, but the process is notoriously laden with red tape and just doesn’t work, Buckingham added. “We applaud Congress’s willingness to avoid default,” says Rachel Snyderman, Senior Associate Director of business and economic policy for the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington. The deal targets discretionary spending – about one quarter of the federal budget – and Snyderman says we have seen political brinkmanship surrounding the debt limit intensify in the last decade. “We’ve started to see the debt limit be kind of a hostage-taking device. It’s the only time when both parties come together to have fruitful, meaningful discussions about fiscal policy,” she says. ‘Time to act’ on debt “The interest on our debt is going to outpace our spending on Medicaid next year. It’s going to become the largest federal expenditure within the next 30 years,” Snyderman warned. She then listed things the government won’t have money to pay for when interest payments become the nation’s largest expense. They include critical social programs that millions of American families rely on, spending for defense in our military, and foreign aid investments in clean energy, and education. “It’s time to act now,” she says. The national debt of $31 trillion amounts to about one third of the total sovereign-debt market. “Before we’re even talking about default, we’re seeing a reflection of increased risk aversion among global investors holding and buying our debt,” says Snyderman. Increased yields that investors demand on treasury notes only drive up our costs to borrow, but those are then paid for by taxpayers. If we were to default, there would likely be a rapid decrease in demand for US securities and negative shocks to economies around the world. Two years from now Republicans could force another game of political brinkmanship to cut back social programs like Social Security and Medicare. Eliminating the debt ceiling Could the debt limit be suspended for a longer period of time or eliminated altogether? “The answer is absolutely one hundred percent,” says Lindsay Owens, Executive Director of the Groundwork Col-

laborative, a left-leaning think tank in Washington. “There is no sort of glory in the fact that it is bipartisan. You know, we should not be in a position where the American government is getting within a week of defaulting on its obligations.” Owens stressed that the debt ceiling isn’t about future spending. It’s about paying bills on spending that’s already been incurred. “So, this lifting the debt ceiling has absolutely no bearing on fiscal matters moving forward,” she says. As a structural matter, the budget and talking about fiscal matters is mostly unrelated to the debt ceiling, she says. “It’s because a contingent of Republicans in Congress insisted on tying a budget fight to the debt ceiling elimination, right? So, the pairing of these two things is strictly artificial and strictly a political construction, not a requirement of lifting the debt ceiling.” Reducing the newly approved IRS budget will deprive the agency of the staff and technology it badly needs to crack down on tax evasion and ultimately cost the U.S. millions of dollars, says Lindsay Owens, Ph.D., Executive Director, Groundwork Collaborative. Getting our fiscal house in order The IRS budget cuts of $21.4 billion over ten years included in the bill actually results in a net increase to the deficit, Owens says. “That’s because it results in foregone revenue collection by the IRS. So that’s just a really important piece of the deal,” she says. The deal freezes discretionary funding for one year and increases it by 1% in the second year. But if you consider inflation is running about 5%, Owens says it means less housing assistance, fewer slots for toddlers to go to Head Start, less services for seniors, and the like. Denmark does a better job than the U.S. handling its debt, Owens notes, adding that while these are politically motivated discussions, there is a way forward. “We have to have the political courage to get our fiscal house in order.” While we fault other countries for their sluggish economies, the U.S. continues to live beyond its means. “As the world’s strongest economy, we’re leaving default on the table for purely political reasons, not because we don’t have access to the to capital markets, which differentiates us from the crises that we’ve seen in Greece and Argentina and Venezuela, for example,” Owen says.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

June 8-14, 2023

SOMA BLOCK PARTY AND GROUND MURALS UNVEILING Block Party Celebrates Community, New Ground Murals, and Permanent Slow Streets in the South of Market

SAN FRANCISCO – The South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is hosting the SOMA Block Party, a free all-ages community event on Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at SOMA Slow Streets: Mabini, Bonifacio, Lapu Lapu, Rizal, and Tandang Sora Streets. The SOMA Block Party is in celebration of the permanent designation of the first ever Slow Streets in the South of Market (SOMA) and the unveiling of eight new ground murals on SOMA Slow Streets. The block party and ground murals were two of the Slow Streets enhancement methods that were voted on by the community. Three artists from the community, Rea Lynn de Guzman, Cherisse Alcantara, and Kacy Jung, were commissioned to design and paint eight ground murals along SOMA Slow Streets. The ground mural designs reflect the Filipino, Chinese, and Russian culture and heritage of the majority of the residents and workers in the area. These ground murals were painted with the help of community members. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the SOMA Block Party to unveil the ground murals and officially open SOMA Slow Streets. The SOMA Block Party will feature music, food, games, tabling by community based organizations, activities, and performances. SOMCAN launched the SOMA Slow Streets Project and Campaign on August 2023 under its Reclaiming Our Space (ROSe) Program that combines art, design, and community planning to organize, empower, and increase the civic engagement of the community around urban planning activities in SOMA Pilipinas, Filipino Cultural Heritage District. Slow Streets in San Francisco started as a COVID-19 pandemic program by SFMTA to provide much needed space for people to be outside at a safe distance. These Slow Streets were designed to limit through traffic at a reduced speed on

certain residential streets and allow them to be used as a shared space for people traveling by foot and by bicycle. SOMA Slow Streets were an essential addition to the district, not only as a pandemic era solution but also for the overall safety and well being of the community comprised of residents, workers, seniors, and elementary and middle school students. The SOMA neighborhood is the entrance and exit to major freeways such as the 101, I-80, and I-280 and continues to have the highest severe and fatal injuries per mile to pedestrians and cyclists. SOMA Slow Streets also provided more open space in the SOMA which has the least amount of park space per resident in the entire city. However, on December 6, 2022, only 16 of the 18 Slow Streets throughout San Francisco were granted permanent designation by the SFMTA Board of Directors. One of the two Slow Streets that were not part of the designation were SOMA Slow Streets. SOMCAN launched a campaign with the strong support of community members and community based organizations for the reinstatement and permanent designation of 2 these much needed Slow Streets in the SOMA. The campaign culminated with the delivery of more than 300 postcards signed by community members along with several community members voicing their demands in person for SOMA Slow Streets at the SFMTA Board of Directors meeting at City Hall last March 21. On May 16, the SFMTA Board of Directors unanimously voted for the reinstatement and permanent designation of SOMA Slow Streets. For more information about the SOMA Block Party, email info@somcan.org or call (415) 255-7693. *** SOMA Block Party Saturday, June 10, 2023

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. SOMA Slow Streets: Mabini, Bonifacio, Lapu Lapu, Rizal, and Tandang Sora Streets, San Francisco, CA Music, Food, Games, CBO Tabling, Activities, Performances, and Ribbon Cutting of Ground Murals by Rea Lynn de Guzman, Cherisse Alcantara, and Kacy Jung Download Press Kit with Photos Here. About the Ground Mural Artists: Rea Lynn de Guzman is an artist, curator, and educator. She works in painting, print media, and sculpture. Born in Manila, Philippines, she immigrated to the United States at age 14. She received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She has exhibited work throughout the US, and internationally in Australia, India, and the Philippines. She is a recipient of the API Artist Futures Fund award and the National Endowment for the Arts’ Multidisciplinary Arts Grant (in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco) in 2022. In 2019-2023, she curated the Wander Woman art show series — featuring Bay Area-based, women of color artists with immigrant backgrounds. She has been featured in the Asian Journal Magazine, Hella Pinay, KQED Arts, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among other publications. She is currently the Manager of Community Partnerships at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. She has taught art at: City College of San Francisco Continuing Education, de Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco Center for the Book, and Root Division, where she served as the organization’s ﬁrst Filipina Teaching Artist Fellow in 2017. She lives and works in the Bay Area. Cherisse Alcantara (b. Philippines) is a FilipinaAmerican painter who lives and works in San Francisco. She received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (2021) and BA in Art Practice from the University of California-Berkeley (2013). She has shown locally and nationally. Her recent awards include the PAFA Murray Dessner Memorial Travel Award, Jentel residency, the Hopper Prize, and the 2022 Balay Kreative Grant. She examines her surroundings and the constructed world in search

of a deeper connection with reality and the everyday through painting. Focusing on the ordinary and ephemeral moments presented in a new light, she engages with color, formal relationships, and representation in her luminous paintings. Kacy Jung, who immigrated to the US from Taiwan, was halfway through a Ph.D. in biomedical science when she decided to walk out of the laboratory to pursue her lifetime dream of being an artist. Since then, through photography, photo sculpture, and field study, she continuously investigates the ways in which culture is shaped by capitalism and explores the idea of existentialism within the late capitalist era. The subject often intertwines with the manipulative nature of the capitalist system, the anxiety of being part of the disappearing middle class, and her immigrant experience in the USA. Kacy’s works have been shown and awarded internationally. She is acceptant of the Harlan Jackson Diversity Scholarship from the San Francisco Art Institute, Ox-Bow School of Art Long Form Residency, and Headlands Center for the Arts Affiliate Artist Program. Her works have been featured in Cultured Magazine, Forbes, and Inquire, shown at the Berkeley Art Museum, De Young Museum in San Francisco, Hastings College in Nebraska, and multiple galleries and private collections in the USA and Taiwan. She currently works and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. About SOMCAN: Established in 2000, the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is a multi-issue and multi-strategy organization that nurtures the lives of youth, families, individuals, and workers. We work on a wide range of issues—from tenant rights to community planning to Filipino language access to workers rights—and provide culturally competent direct services ranging from tenant counseling to family support to youth empowerment to employment. SOMCAN believes in uplifting the voices of immigrant, peopleof-color, and low-income communities, so they will be heard in local policymaking decisions and so civic offices are accountable to their needs. www.somcan.org

Social Security Update

ELIGIBILITY FOR SPOUSE’S BENEFITS By G. Samson Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in the Bay Area Social Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you throughout life’s journey. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following: • 62 years of age or older. • Any age and have in your care a child who is younger than age 16 or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If you wait until you reach full retirement age, your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full for a retirement benefit of $1,000 and a retirement age. If you choose to receive spouse’s benefit of $1,250. At her full your spouse’s benefits before you reach retirement age, she will receive her own full retirement age, you will get a perma- $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add nently reduced benefit. You’ll also get $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total a full spouse’s benefit before full retire- of $1,250. Want to apply for either your or your ment age if you care for a child who is enspouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 titled to receive benefits on your spouse’s years and nine months old? If you anrecord. swered yes to both, visit www.ssa.gov/ If you’re eligible to receive retirement benefi ts/retirement to get started today. benefits on your own record, we will pay Are you divorced from a marriage that that amount first. If your benefits as a lasted at least 10 years? You may be able spouse are higher than your own retireto get benefi ts on your former spouse’s ment benefits, you will get a combination GRADUATION. Jianna Camille Tesoro Es�oko graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School of benefits that equal the higher spouse record. For more information, please visat Jacksonville, Florida June 2, 2023 with honors. She is the daughter of John Edward and Alvi Es- benefit. For example, Sandy qualifies it our website at www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire/divspouse.html. �oko. Jianna will pursue her college degree at University of Florida.

25 June 8-14, 2023 Much-awaited 2023 County Fair excites patrons from San Mateo County and beyond marvel at these magnificent creatures brought to life with cutting-edge technology authentic sound and movement that promises to be an enchanting experience for fairgoers of all ages featuring interactive displays that kids can play around with and at the same very educational about the lost world of dragons “Of course, we are also offering in the fair everyone’s favorite fair food, fun and Filipino American farmworker leader Larry beautiful butterfly exhibit, farmworkers appreciation exhibit, Pacific Island exhibit with Itliong mural in the farmworkers exhibit specific island scene theme, numerous clasThe ongoing highly anticipated San Ma- sic carnival rides to choose from catering to teo County Fair returns to the city of San strong-hearted individuals who would dare Mateo and delivering an unforgettable expe- to have the rides of their lifetime,” Khano rience for fairgoers of all ages with a perfect touted. blend of tradition and innovation that showIn their invitation to all, the San Macases exhilarating entertainment, captivating teo County Fair is also thrilled to present exhibits, and delightful festivities, making it an electrifying concert series featuring rea must-attend event for the entire community. nowned bands that will rock the stage night San Mateo County Fair Marketing Direc- after night. Music enthusiasts will be treated tor Milla Khano invites everyone to come and to phenomenal performances by an array of see the June 3-11 9-day fair 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. talented artists, including Foghat, Rememand have the best time ever this summer bring ber When Rock Was Young (an Elton John your family and friends so they can all have a Tribute), Abel Sanchez, Fleetwood Masks great time as there is a little bit of something (a Fleetwood Mac Tribute), Smash Mouth, 3 for everybody. Plus, Grupo Bryndis, Los Gamma, and Las “I think with COVID still around but con- Fenix. Get ready to dance and sing along to ditions being much calmer now, people are your favorite hits as these incredible acts crebeing exited to be out and about and enjoy ate an atmosphere of pure musical magic. their time with the community and, of course, In addition, there is also a wide range of much-needed and cherished bonding their attractions and activities to keep the excitefamilies. People are getting more comfortable ment soaring including the crowd favorites to also enjoy our concert series. Some of them thrilling pig races (where these adorable and are still on the careful side but are more ex- agile creatures compete for the title of fastest cited this year and we are excited for them as piglet), and the opportunity to interact with well,” Khano observed. friendly farm animals will delight animal lovKhano is excited for everyone to see the ers of all ages. main attractions of the 2023 Fair includAmong the exhibits showcasing the best ing the new dragon exhibit featuring seven of San Mateo County and surrounding areas animatronic dragons, a world of fantasy and are the 10th Year Anniversary of the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center (which offers a compelling journey through African American history and culture), and the Farmworker Heroes Appreciation Event featuring a special appearance by renowned activist Dolores Huerta who will pay tribute to the hardworking individuals who contribute so much to our local agriculture. “The San Mateo County Fair is where tradition meets innovation,” says Dana Stoehr, CEO. “We’re thrilled to bring together the best elThree of the awardees of the Asia’s Golden Icon Awards held ements of our beloved fair, in Waterfront Hotel in Cebu. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for Public from the timeless attractions Service, Dr. Sergio Or�z Luis for Business Leadership and Sen. J V that families have enjoyed for generations to exciting new exEjercito for Legisla�ve Service. hibits and entertainment that push boundaries and captivate audiences. It’s an event that truly has something for everyone.” Filipino American Fair Operations Manager Justin Aquino has through the years since he came aboard in 2018, the prominent city in having the most concentrated number of Filipinos in the U.S. Daly City ranked 9th amongst the attendees of San Mateo Fair. “And after talking with the neighborhood there and I found out that three things were their concerns: the fair was too far, the notion that A�y. Chris Caday Lozano successfully represented Melanie Man- the fair was only for San Mateo residents even though it is tes to receive green card approval from USCIS

San Mateo Event Center Marke�ng Manager Milla Khano a San Mateo County Fair, and third, the fair in farmworknever represented me. So an idea of having a ers activism,” Paciﬁc Islands Day where we celebrated how s t r e s s e d Fair Opera�ons Manager Justhe Paciﬁc Islands communities came. From Aquino. �n Aquino then on, Daly City moved up the ladder and has now become third from ninth of attendees,” beamed Aquino. “As much as possible we make everyone feel that the fair is also part of them. We may have the largest Filipino community in the whole mainland United States. When the Filipino community read about Larry Itliong and the manongs, whose stories they may not have known yet, they feel represented as Itliong and the manongs are the prides of the community that makes Filipinos feel they belong. As much as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta are talked about much then they see Larry Itliong and the manongs, they see a part of himself Some of the animatronic dragons in the Dragon as a Filipino in them who had contributions Exhibit

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 COMMUNITY NEWS STATE TREASURER FIONA MA OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

June 8-14, 2023

Upside...

(From Page 11)

Backed with Key Endorsements and Funding, Ma Seeks to Become State’s First Elected Asian-American and Second Elected Woman Lieutenant Governor SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 31, 2023) – State Treasurer Fiona Ma today formally announced her bid to become California’s Lieutenant Governor in 2026. Ma, a Democrat and Certified Public Accountant, would be the state’s first elected Asian-American Lieutenant Governor and the second woman elected to the position. She would also be the first CPA to be elected Lt. Governor of the state. “With more than two decades of experience in public office, I am uniquely qualified to be California’s second-highest ranking elected official — where I will continue to be a powerful advocate for improving our state’s housing supply, environment, education systems and economy,” said Treasurer Ma. “California needs proven leadership to take on bold action to meet our ambitious climate change and energy goals, level the playing field and attract better quality jobs for all Californians while expanding access to healthcare, housing and education. I am committed to ensuring California remains an economic leader and powerhouse, investing in the small, family-owned businesses and the people that are the foundation of our success.” Ma, 57, has been serving as California’s 34th State Treasurer since 2019. She was first elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for Treasurer in the state’s history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position. As the state’s banker, Ma helped steer the state’s finances through the COVID-19 pandemic. She has grown and revamped the state’s affordable housing and homeless housing programs, funded clean energy projects to create new jobs, and dramatically increased Californians’ ability to save for college, retirement, live with a disability and achieve a better quality of life. At the same time, she has bolstered support for K-12 and higher education. She also has been a strong advocate of divestment from fossil fuels at the state’s pension funds. Her office processes $2.5 trillion in payments within a typical year and provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio that currently averages over $200 billion – a significant portion of which is beneficially owned by more than

2,200 local governments in California. She serves as agent of sale for all state bonds and is trustee of billions of dollars of state indebtedness. Ma previously served as a member of the California Board of Equalization from 2015 to 2019 and the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012. She has built a reputation as a solution-oriented public servant and adept at building unlikely coalitions to overcome California’s most complex problems. Prior to serving as Speaker pro Tempore, she was Assembly Majority Whip and built coalitions during a state budget crisis to pass groundbreaking legislation that protected public education and the environment while expanding access to health care. As an Assembly Member, she authored 60 bills that were signed into law by two different governors. Her successful legislation to ban toxic chemicals in baby products, known as phthalates, became a model for federal legislation that was authored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2008. She chaired the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence and spearheaded legislation that strengthened laws protecting victims of domestic violence, consumers and working families; prevented the spread of Hepatitis B; increased access to quality health care; and expanded equal rights for all Californians. From 2002 to 2006, she served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and championed a human rights campaign to end human trafficking in massage parlors and close prostitution rings. She led an effort to create the city’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program to empower small businesses to more easily participate in public works projects Treasurer Ma first became involved in public service in 1994 when she was elected president of the Asian Business Association, where she began advocating at San Francisco City Hall and the State Capitol on behalf of minority business owners. Her work resulted in her election in 1995 as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, where she advocated for socially responsible contracting for minorities and women in San Francisco, ultimately producing a report to Congress detailing 60 top policy recommendations to help small businesses grow and prosper in the 21st century. Also in 1995, she was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board of San Francisco by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. That year she started her public service career as a part-time district representative for then-State Senator John Burton and served as Burton’s district representative until her election to the San Francisco Board of SuperviALLICE Kumares & Kumpares Alliance for Community Empowerment sors. For Burton, she was responin collaboration with Positively Filipino, Philippine News Today, sible for helping constituents with San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Medi-Cal, workers’ compensation, and the City of South San Francisco unemployment insurance, franchise invite you to our and employment development department taxes, and professional th licensing. From 1989 to 1993 she worked for Ernst & Whinney in the real estate tax group, before starting her own accounting practice in San Francisco. Today Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services firms in the world and considered one of the “big four” accounting firms. Treasurer Ma has been a licensed CPA in California since 1992 and holds a Bachelor’s DeA free and open-to-the-public event to promote elder care, gree in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), prevent elder abuse and address Asian hate attacks a Master’s Degree in Taxation from 2:00 –4:00 p.m. | Saturday, June 17, 2023 Golden Gate University (SF), an SSF Municipal Services Building MBA from Pepperdine University, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080 and an Honorary Doctorate from the RIT.  Free health exams by Kaiser Permanente Filipino WELCOME She is a Member of the VatiAssociation Hon. Flor Nicolas, Mayor, City of South San Francisco; can’s Council for Inclusive Capi2023 Co-President, ALLICE  Light refreshments will be served talism, Member of the California KEYNOTE  Free raffle drawing follows the program; must be Society of Certified Public Accounpresent to win Hon. David J. Canepa, District 5 Representative, San Mateo tants, serves on the Board of CaliCounty Board of Supervisors  Family and Health Service Providers will be fornia Women Lead, asa member present to address questions: MESSAGE of the CalCPA society, is an HonAdult Protective Services San Francisco, Aging and Disability Hon. Leni Robredo, Former Vice President of the Philippines; orary Chair and Spokesperson for Resource Center San Francisco, Asian American Recovery Founder, Angat Buhay (Uplift Lives) Services/Healthright 360, San Mateo County Behavioral Health the San Francisco Hepatitis B Free and Recovery Services, Catholic Charities Adult Day Care Services, PRESENTATIONS Campaign, and is a member of the Colma Police Department, Community Overcoming Relationship Safety Tips for those Witnessing or Experiencing Abuse, Daly City HART, Peninsula Family Service, Philippine Screen Actors Guild. Treasurer Hate Incidences Consulate General in San Francisco , Kaiser Permanente Filipino Ma is also active with the National Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, North East Dr. Jei Africa, Director, San Mateo County Behavioral Medical Services, Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Association of State Treasurers Health and Recovery Services Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center, Pilipino Senior Resource (NAST) and has served as the 2020 Center-San Francisco, Rape Trauma Services, San Mateo County 9 Acts of Kindness to Empower Older Adults Aging and Adult Services, San Mateo County Chair of the ABLE Committee and Ms. Tessie Madrinan, Coordinator, Peninsula Family Commission on Aging, SamTrans, Member of the Legislative ComService Filipino Peer Counseling Program Self-Help for the Elderly, Second mittee. Harvest of Silicon Valley, South San RECOGNITION Francisco Police Department, South She is married to Jason Hodge, Grand Agers: Aurea Cruz, Conrad Gamboa, Cynthia Bonta, San Francisco Women’s Club a full-time firefighter and Oxnard Perla Ibarrientos, Peter & Estrelle Chan Harbor Commissioner. ALLICE is an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy interaction by education through shared resources since 2003.

14 Annual

Mapua Ins�tute of Technology execu�ves hail Mayor Flor Nicolas and husband Nenar Nicolas (center) for modeling the school’s pursuit of excellence. To mark March 8 International Women’s Day, Nicolas invited ALLICE to give a mini presentation at a City Council meeting as a re-introduction for the organization that has collaborated with South City faith-based and health entities in their twice-yearly presentations. Majority of people surviving and working to prevent relationship abuse are women, after all. ALLICE believes that education is the greatest weapon for empowerment, and South San Francisco concurs. The June 17 event features San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa as keynote speaker. Former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, founder of Angat Buhay - a PH-based nonprofit volunteer movement to uplift Filipinos, will deliver a message encouraging the “bayanihan” system ALLICE espouses. Dr. Jei Africa, Director of San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, will present safety tips for people witnessing or directly experiencing hate attacks against Asian Americans. Tessie Madrinan, coordinator of Peninsula Family Service Filipino Peer Counseling program, will present the 9 Acts of Kindness to Empower Older Adults. Twenty-five family resource providers will attend to discuss their programs and services. ALLICE’s “A-List,” a resource guide vetted for cultural and linguistic competence underwritten by the Town of Colma, will be distributed. Refreshments will be served. A free raffle will be drawn immediately at the end of the program. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION “At this gathering we can learn how our organizations may earn public trust to help participants recognize and learn to distinguish between healthy and abusive behaviors. Knowing the subtle but impactful differences in the way we interact can help us make adjustments toward healthy interaction with our family, our friends, clients - even strangers,” said the mayor. The event reinforces South San Francisco’s efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. “I’m proud to say that South San Francisco formally established a Commission on Equity and Public Safety. It is the result of a yearlong initiative called the Commission on Racial and Social Equity to identify issues of racial and social injustice, investigate their causes, and to create systems for positive change in policies and processes. The Executive Summary, Action Plan, and full Final Report are available in Spanish, Tagalog, and Traditional Chinese as well,” Nicolas shared. The Commission on Equity and Public Safety bolsters community participation and decision making and increases transparency and accountability. It focuses on a holistic approach to community safety and applies an equity lens to advance equitable practices in housing, social services, policing, and other areas. For more information, visit www.allicekumares. com. See public service announcement in this issue.

27 June 8-14, 2023 Through a looking glass... (From Page 11) of my three grandsons, Kevin, Erle and Brison did their share. Highlight of the event was the impromptu program which began with a prayer led by Pastor Dwight, who came with his wife Pat. My son Sean gave the welcome remarks and he was followed by my sonin-law, David Assad. My two other sons Birdie and Jory spoke brieﬂy, as did my godson Ricky Williams. I was introduced for my prepared speech by my grandson, Kevin Fernandez There was an open bar, great food, a photo booth and dancing to the music played by a disc jockey. Admittedly, my cup was full that May evening in Benicia, once, brieﬂy the capital of the State of California. It was certainly a time to remember, a time to be grateful for family and friends and for God’s grace which had brought me to that special time and place.

Oﬄine

(From Page 13)

last month that there were but a handful of businessmen who may import sugar. They were all friends, or at least donors, to the faux president’s campaign last year. What is he in power for, yes? And what are businessmen-cumtraders-cum-hoarders good for if not to seek and receive favors in exchange for God-knows-what? This pattern has been repeating itself for decades, ladies and gentlemen. And the two sectors at opposing ends of the spectrum end up looking and feeling like fools. This would be the farmers who raise the crops and the consumers who buy their produce. In the middle are the mostly Chinese or Chinoy traders. Call me racist all you like, but first explain to me why almost all traders whose names are dropped during Senate or House investigation have Chinese sounding surnames. I reckon these self-same traders will be the first to try and convince us that when China finally invades the Philippines, we should all accept the conquerors for our own good. I’m digressing again, huh? If there’s one thing that Junior can be given credit for, it is his pivoting the Philippines back to the loving arms of Uncle Sam and the US of A. It’s his only major accomplishment, but he remains only half convinced that it’s maybe the right thing to do. One thing he could not bring up with Xi the Pooh was why can’t China at the very least recognize that the Philippines has claims over what it calls the West Philippine Sea? Why does China insist on the Philippines accepting their claim of ownership over our seas, while not accepting the fact that we have our own claim over the same waters? China bullies our fishermen, Coast Guard and Navy, but insists we are their friends? How hard was it to say, “Look Mr. Xi, you have your claims and we have ours. Can we talk about the conflicting claims as equals?” Mayhap in their one-on-one meetings, Junior found Old Joe Biden a much nicer guy that that big, bad Xi, the very same Xi who introduced to the world the fictional Nine Dash Line. I believe that that is only the beginning. Future maps discovered from some forgotten past will show that the Philippines was actually a province of China, thereby making all of us Chinese. Junior may even proclaim that his surname is actually Ma Koy. Meantime, he remains Agri secretary who knows nothing of agriculture, and chief executive who knows even less of such inconsequential matters as economics, finance, diplomacy, the environment, and how the judiciary, executive and legislative departments work. But hey, maybe he is knowledgeable on who the best KPOP artists are. Junior’s score as chief executive of Philippines, Inc? A big, fat zero.

As I See It

(From Page 12)

created by the The White House Historical Association. We can also create a sidewalk mural where Kids of all ages (even preschoolers) can get in on the fun of creating a giant sidewalk chalk mural of a flag. Passersby will adore this creative approach to commemorating Memorial Day. Of course, we can always offer a moment of silence. With all the hustle and bustle of a long weekend, it’s easy to forget to pause and think about what Memorial Day is really about. Simply take a moment or two with your family to remember those who have served. We can send a care package, to honor the heroes of the past, to an active duty service member. According to the Support Our Troops website, $25 credit card gift cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) are the most requested item because they’re used to buy wifi. Decorate your house… twirl up your house with patriotic decor and other red, white, and blue decorations that are cute and inexpensive to show your appreciation for the people who have served our country. Or, do a patriotic act if you’ve got the creative itch. Get the family together for a patriotic craft! A baseball-themed front door wreath will carry you

right into summer. Maybe you can camp out in your backyard. From pitching a tent to making popcorn over a fire, these backyard camping ideas will make you feel like you’re in the great outdoors. You can also set up a drinks and snacks station. If your Memorial Day includes a laid-back day playing in the yard, set up a drinks and snacks station so everyone can serve themselves. Save the fabric pinwheels and garland made of paper drinking straws for the 4th of July! You can watch a movie outside. The backyard is the new drivein. Pick one of these best classic kids’ movies for a movie night under the stars. Plan a backyard barbecue. A backyard grilling session featuring these Memorial Day recipes for your weekend barbecue is an ideal—and all-American—way to usher in summer. Pay respects at the cemetery. Not everyone can pay their respects at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend, but there are many national cemeteries across the country where you can place American flags on the resting places of fallen soldiers. Go berry picking. Sweet strawberries and blueberries will be in season around Memorial Day, so find the nearest farm for berry picking and get some fresh ingredients for your next summer dessert. Finally, you can visit a national park. It’s absolutely beautiful outside, and it’s even better when you’re soaking up the warm weather at one of our America’s most beautiful national parks. Before visiting, check the park website for updates on operating status. In Milpitas, Memorial Day Ceremony will be held in the Milpitas Recreation and Community Services on May 29 at 9 a.m. to honor veterans and current members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The ceremony includes the presentation of colors by the Knights of Columbus, a 21-gun salute and a remembrance chair. The event will be held rain or shine at 9 a.m. at Milpitas Veterans Plaza, 455 E. Calaveras Blvd. At this time, I can’t prevent myself from remembering the contributions of our fallen relative-soldiers led by the late Gen. Sergio Estioko; the late Col. Eliodoro Estioko; the late Col. Gabriel Estioko; the late Lt. Jose Estioko (Philippine Army); the late Sgt. Ising Estioko (US Army). Through our recollections, they have risen to remind us of their major contributions to our country in particular, and to humanity, in general! We honor them… They deserve our highest recognition and respect for risking their lives for a cause! (Elpidio R. Estioko was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. His book Unlocking the Chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream is now available with Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments, email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail. com).

The Supervisor

(From Page 12)

novative strategies to deliver engaging lessons to her students. She went above and beyond to maintain a deep connection and engagement and ingeniously incorporated interactive activities, such as virtual discussions and multimedia resources, ensuring students remained captivated and motivated. Joyce provided crucial support and guidance during the emotional toll on students. Collaborating with parents played a pivotal role in supporting students. Joyce’s creativity and commitment to continuous improvement exemplify her unwavering dedication to providing the best education possible. We should all be grateful to all the incredible teachers and staﬀ who support our students in the Jeﬀerson Elementary School District. To all of our teachers, I say thank you! David Canepa serves on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and is a proud Daly City resident.

In the Trenches

(From Page 12)

in 1995, the Philippines halted its operations to blow up Chinese markers. Mischief Reef has been transformed into a man-made island with a 3-kilometer runway and secured ports for China’s People’s Liberation Army-Navy, coast guard, and militia vessels. After Mischief, the Philippines deliberately ran aground BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin) to stop China from moving eastward to Sabina Shoal and Half Moon Shoal. The Chinese markers have been replaced by militia vessels which control waters around uninhabited features, expanding China’s claims on the areas. A 2002 Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and Asean states in Phnom Penh has been preventing China from further occupying territories in the Spratlys but its militia vessels have been providing control over large areas in the disputed waters. The installation of buoys in the Spratlys is a clever move by the Philippines to assert its sovereignty claim in the South China Sea. It is a non-military action and peaceful means to push the country’s territorial agenda. It would be counterproductive for China to remove these buoys as it serves as navigational aids to mariners in the Spratlys, particularly in the uncharted “dangerous ground” in the area. What China and other claimant states can do is put up their own buoys in the disputed waters and build lighthouses on their occupied features. In the near future, the Spratlys will be littered with buoys, lighthouses, and other navigational aids that will eventually help international shipping as well as naval and maritime law enforcement

vessels frequenting the disputed waters. The buoy war is an escalation, but a more peaceful and nonmilitary action to assert sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. More non-military competition and perhaps, cooperation are needed to calm down nerves which have risen in recent months because of China’s harassment and coercive activities in the area. In the near future, China and Asean states should consider a ﬁshing agreement as well as an environmental cooperation deal to ease tension in the region. (PULITZER PRIZE winner Manny Mogato wrote this column for PressOne.PH)

Diliman Way

(From Page 13)

PRD appears to be correct – BBM is a weak leader. The sitting President has not graduated from any course in college. He has supporters claiming that he has a college diploma from Oxford which proved to be false. His responses to interviews show that he has no adequate intellectual training and if the late Justice Benjamin Gorospe of the Court of Appeals were alive, he would describe the responses as in the company of the genius of the below average. Up ro this point, which is eleven months from his assumption of office, BBM’s presidency can best be described as a failed presidency but his consoling thought is that his presidential failure is just as bad as the Cory Aquino, Ramos, Erap, GMA, Pnoy and Digong presidencies. He is in such distinguished company. At least, he has five more years to recoup lost ground. He needs no First Liza for that as many considers her a liability. BBM needs VP Sara Duterte who seems presidential than BBM. On former First Lady Imelda: She has an electrifying presence. During her days, she brightened any room whenever she entered and every head turned to her in gasping admiration. It cannot be otherwise as Imelda has a face that could launch a thousand ships just like Helen of Troy. She outshone FM, almost at every turn, especially in camera. She is intelligent and a fast learner. She electrified not only FM but almost everyone including the ebullient and acerbic Mayor Arsenio “Arsenic: Lacson of Manila. Despite the charges of extravagance and corruption, it cannot be denied she inspired the building of the Heart Center, Kidney Center, Lung Center, Children Hospital, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine Convention Center, Folk Arts Theater, Coconut Palace. It is beyond debate that the hospitals helped Filipinos of all social levels and the conventions and cultural centers and theaters brightened the cultural landscapes in the Philippines. She improved the training of young artists in that cultural school in Makiling and in the CCP and the Folk Arts Theatre. She gave us piano artists like Cecile Licad and created conditions for Filipino artists in world stage like Lea Salonga and Cocoy Laurel in Miss Saigon. So it is easy to explain conjugal dictatorship – beauty, brains, commitment to values that appeal to the common people and cultural commitments which appeal to intellectuals and the privileged class. In effect, Imelda was a living embodiment of Evita Peron of Argentina. Current First Lady Liza: She is not an Evita Peron or an Imelda Romualdez. Liza is not a beauty but a lawyer. You don’t have to be a beauty to be a lawyer. She is an Araneta – that makes a lot of a difference in this country. When you hear the name Araneta – it means power, wealth and influence. In this country, those are all you need to marry someone who is a son of a President. Now, people are talking about a conjugal presidency. It is less than a year from the assumption of BBM as President. In a sense, it is too early to talk about a conjugal presidency. It took years before Filipinos talked about the conjugal dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda. Why too early in the case of BBM and Liza Araneta? It is due to the very obvious behavior of both – in the appointment of public officials, presence in the inner circle of the Liberal Party Aquino Wing which people call the DILAWANS or YELLOWS, especially in Malacañang, and the company that both BBM and Liza keep with the noticeable absence of the Marcos Loyalists, especially Senator Imee Marcos.

What’s Up Atty

(From Page 12)

them in a romantic setting. The wife complained that the husband was abusive in words and in deed. The husband promised to be loving and caring. The wife accepted him. Later, the guy called the lawyer: “Manong, I cannot make love with my wife anymore. Every time I try to make love with her I imagine the other guy making love with her. “It is just marrying a widow or divorcee, another guy has made love with her before,” explained the lawyer. “But I would not want to marry any one but a virgin,” the guy responded. “Welcome to the club,” cheered the lawyer. HOW TO UNLOVE SOME ONE. How then do you unlove someone you love? The ﬁrst thing to ask is what made you fall in love with this person? Do these reasons still exist? If not, then as the Bible says: “There is a time to stay and a time to leave.” If it is time to leave, “cut and cut cleanly,” as President Marcos was told by the Americans during the EDSA coup d’etat. Be civil and do not hurt the other person. Do not “burn bridges behind you.” You might have to return someday. Avoid or minimize contact with her. Remove everything that reminds you of her. “Out of sight, out of mind.” Think of all the bad things that she did and balance them against the good things. Is she truly worth loving? Is she trustworthy? Is she really beautiful or are you blind? Did you really enjoy each other’s company and had fun being together?

 HEALTH NEWS

June 8-14, 2023

The Impact of Hate-Motivated Behavior on African American Health By Selen Ozturk At the 13th annual virtual Black Physicians Forum, health experts shared how racism underlies hate-motivated behavior which adversely impacts African American health. Above: William Jahmal Miller, MHA, the Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy Medical Group and Dr. Flojaune Cofer, an epidemiologist and 2024 candidate for Sacramento Mayor. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In the context of increased social unrest in recent years, addressing the impact of hate-motivated behavior on African American health is critical, physicians and community leaders shared at the 13th annual virtual Black Physicians Forum. The event was hosted by Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation and the UC Davis Health Office for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The forum featured keynote speaker Dr. Flojaune Cofer — an epidemiologist and 2024 candidate for Sacramento Mayor; and moderator William Jahmal Miller, MHA — the Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy Medical Group. Social Determinants of Health and Trauma Data show African Americans fare worse than their white counterparts across a range of health indicators, including infant and maternal mortality, as well as rates

of asthma, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Social determinants of health are key to improving these trends across African American communities, said Dr. Cofer. These determinants not only “include the physical factors in our environment, like safe housing, areas for recreation, and the availability of nutritious foods, and clean air and water, but also the social and economic factors like racism and poverty… job opportunities, and community or family violence,” she added. She presented these determinants in terms of five domains: economic, educational, health, neighborhood and built environments, and social or community contexts. Although hate-motivated behavior can cross domains, it often fits most squarely in a social and community-based context, in terms of “the experiences that we’re having and our connection or disconnection with one another.” African Americans remain among the groups most targeted for racially motivated hate crimes and hate incidents, both of which have been trending upward in recent years, according to data from the FBI. The perpetuation and experience of hate-motivated behaviors is effectively examined through a lens of trauma, Cofer said. She defined trauma as an event or series of events “that are experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful, or even life-threatening,”

leaving a “lasting and perpetual adverse eﬀect on their ability to function their mental, their physical, their social, their emotional or spiritual well-being.” Forms of Racism Racism critically underlies hate-motivated behavior which adversely impacts the health of African American community members. Racism can take many forms beyond personally mediated actions involving “an acute stressor, an individual insult or a discriminatory act,” Coﬀer said. Beyond this individual scale there’s cultural racism, “which determines which group qualities and characteristics are valued or devalued” in a society; internalized racism, “when we accept the negative things that are said about our own abilities our worth”; and institutional racism, which are “discriminatory race- or class-based policies or practices that can be formal or informal, that can continue to perpetuate themselves long after they’re formally in place because of the way that they shape the foundation of how we operate.” To discuss hate-motivated behavior, she continued, is to discuss the intersection of two or more of these forms of racism, and the way in which economic, educational, health, environmental, and social systems amplify or mitigate the harm caused by this racism.

How to ruin your health in just seven easy steps! Heart of Hope

Some of us may already be doing a good job at wrecking our heart, besides other organs in our body, but for the others who may not be as innovative and cunning, here are eight easy and simple ways to accomplish the job more efficiently and effectively. (1) If you are not a cigarette smoker, start smokPHILIP S. CHUA ing or inhale as much secondhand smoke as possible. If you are, continue this very dangerous and expensive habit. Out of the 1.3 billion smokers around the world, one dies from smoking every 6.5 seconds. Smoking kills 5.4 million each year. This is projected to rise to 6.5 million by 2015, and 8.3 million by 2030. One billion will die from tobacco use in this century alone. Besides heart disease, smoking causes cancer of the lungs and other organs, besides causing emphysema and air-hunger. Secondhand smoke is no less a brutal killer. People who quit smoking lower their risk of heart disease to the level of nonsmokers in just 2 years and protect their loved ones from secondhand smoke. (2) Binge daily, 3 times a day or more, on saturated animal fats like red meats (pork, beef, especially processed foods, like bacon, hamburgers, ham, hotdogs, sausages, etc.), French fries, junk foods, and foods with trans-fats. Do not eat any vegetables, fruits, nuts, oatmeal, bran, and other hi-fiber foods, because this lower cholesterol, are good for our immune system, and lower our risk for cancer. Besides, these are healthy foods, good for our body. They will not damage but protect our heart, colon, brain, kidneys, liver, etc. So, stay away from Mediterranean diet and other health diets, and binge on fast foods and other unhealthy diet. Your aim is to wreck your heart (body, life) anyway. (3) Throw away the scale. Just take in all the calories you can grab, especially carbohydrates (rice, bread, cookies, candies, ice cream, sweets, and many people’s favorite beverage, the mega sugar-loaded softy drinks, which I call the ‘liquid candy, ’the poisonous potion). Allow yourself to put on as much weight as possible. Forget about the gorgeous body curves, ladies. The fatter, the heavier, the faster we can damage the heart, and obesity will also give you’re the privilege of getting diabetes, heart stack, stroke, and even cancer. So,

do not read food labels and learn about the calorie-fat-sodiumtrans-fat contents. Just don’t watch your diet, because losing 10 pounds alone will lessen the risk for heart attack by 50 percent and help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of cancer too. So, stay heavy. Fat is cute, anyway. (4) Be a couch potato. Be lazy. Live a sedentary life. Do not exercise. Do not move a muscle, except the fingers needed to click on the TV remote control, as we gorge on junk foods while watching the soaps, sports, or game shows, comfortable in a couch; or doing social media on your laptop or cell phone. Lack of exercise weakens not only our body but our heart and brain. Believe it or not, it also impacts our psyche. For those who are overweight, dieting, and counting calories would be more effective with daily exercise in achieving the target more effectively. So, why exercise? It will only help bless you with a healthy body lengthen your life. (5) Eat more salt. Don’t listen to your doctor. Add salt to everything you eat, even before tasting the food. Just keep on shaking. This will raise your blood pressure and cause damage to the arteries in your body, including those that supply blood to your heart. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk for stroke and heart attack. If you lower the salt intake, it will help lower your chances of developing high blood pressure, and among those already with hypertension, it will greatly help in maintaining a normal blood pressure. . Eating a lot of salty foods also increases the chances of developing cancer of the stomach. For flavoring, go the natural way and use pepper, garlic, onion, oregano and other no-sodium food seasoning. But I want to warn you that this will NOT damage your heart. (6) Sleep and rest as little as possible. The TV shows are exciting and worth the time. You can nap while you drive, anyway, and you can also snooze on the job. If you want to harm your heart, why even have rest and relaxation, which are simple and natural pleasures that are healthy. Those who lack sleep are prone to heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke. These conditions and diabetes become harder to manage and control when sleep and rest are not adequate. Why even sleep? And if you are a suspect to have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), do not have a Sleep Study, because this will clinch the diagnosis of OSA, and require CPAP to prevent you from holding your breath for a long time, hundreds of times at night depriving your brain, heart, and other organs of oxygen, and increase your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, hearty attack, strokes, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. Remem-

ber, sleep is not important unless you want to be healthy and well. (7) Do not pay attention to stress or depression. Both have adverse impact on the heart, besides the mind and, actually, on the whole being. The earlier they are managed, the easier they are to cure. Stress and depression increase the risk for heart attack by more than 30 percent and also lead to weakened immune systems, which predisposes these people to other illnesses as well. So, why prevent stress and depression? Allow them to overwhelm and control you. Almost 1.6 million people die from heart attack, or 3 every minute, 136,000 from stroke, about 75,000 from diabetes, and about 263,000 from cancer, each year. Those seemingly eﬀortless 7 steps are, indeed, very tempting. But since they are obviously dangerous alternatives that only guarantee sickness and misery, the more prudent and wiser “one-step” option is living a healthy lifestyle and growing self-reliant and happily to as close to a hundred or so. However challenging and often frustrating growing older might be, the blessing of a long and fairly healthy life is a privilege. While getting old is a problem, growing old is a solution, in spite of all the aches and pains that come with the package. Life is tough, and more especially so for the seniors. Growing old is, indeed, not for sissies or the faint of hearts. But let’s be realistic and face it, we’ve got only one other option. That option is to stop aging. And the only way to achieve that alternative is to die young. Not a palatable nor a more attractive alternative, indeed. Since we cannot control and direct the winds in our voyage through this sometimesharsh ocean of life, we can at least, to quote a wise man, “adjust our sails,” and ﬁnd happiness and peace during our journey and wherever fate takes us. 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, later Senator, and then 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

29 June 8-14, 2023

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS FAITH IS THE ANSWER By TIM PEDROSA

LET US HAVE FAITH THAT BETTER THINGS ARE COMING; THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME. Let us never regret anything that has happened in our lives, because it cannot be changed nor undone. We might as well take it as a lesson and move on. Faith is taking the first step even when we don’t see what could happen. There are times when we might have craved for certain things, but then, unfortunately, these particular things do not come to us. Sometimes someone or something dear to us is gone. When something happens beyond our control, we should accept it some way or the other. We should not keep chasing it for the rest of our lives. In life, something happens that might not be according to our wishes. In such a scenario, we have to accept the reality without allowing ourselves to keep nagging about it all the time. We must not feel low but continue to have faith in ourselves and our abilities. Let us rely on the Almighty and must understand that this is part of life. When something is gone, we must let it go! Maybe it was not meant for us; maybe there is something greater coming along the way. We probably deserve a lot better, and that is what is on the way. I have learned that if things are meant for us, they will come to us. All we need is to hold our patience and have enough faith in ourselves. The moment we actually have faith and trust in God, things are going to fall in their places all by themselves. Let us just accept the reality, keep working ahead and trust ourselves. We have survived a lot, and we will survive whatever is coming. We should realize that we are capable of withstanding any sort of difficulties that come along our way. When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us – Alexander Graham Bell. We often fear something because we are not aware of our own potential. Let us be confident that we are capable of dealing with all sorts of hardships, and nothing in this world can stop us from achieving all that we want to attain. Too often, we underestimate our own abilities and that is the biggest mistake that we can ever do. We have survived a lot in the past, we will be able to survive a lot more what is yet to arrive. Life is a battle and we are just like the soldiers trying to give our best and make sure that we win. Every time we feel that we are low, let us just look back at our past and we will be able to understand that we are good enough! We have survived many times, and we have a lot more to see ahead! 1. Our Lady of Angels Church - 1721 Hillside Drive, All we need is to have Burlingame, CA 94010 2. St. Isidore Catholic Church - 222 Clark Avenue, faith in ourselves and to Yuba City, CA 95991 God and we will be able 3. St. Andrew’s Catholic Church - 1571 Southgate Avenue, to overcome each and Daly City, CA 94015 every hurdle that comes 4. St. Jarlath Church - 2620 Pleasant St., Oakland, CA 94602 along our way. Always 5. St. Isabella Church - One Trinity Way, San Rafael, CA 94903 believe that you have 6. St. Catherine Church - 3450 Tennessee Church, the power to renew, Vallejo, CA 94591 revitalize and regenerate 7. Holy Child and St. Martin Church - 777 Southgate Avenue, your life, you can heal Daly City, CA 94015 yourself, body, mind, 8. Parish of the Holy Infant Jesus - 37051 Cabrillo Terrace, heart and soul. The atFremont, CA 94536 titude of faith is to let 9. Good Shepherd Church - 3200 Harbor St, Pittsburg, CA 94565 go and become open to truth, whatever it might For more information, please contact: turn out to be – Alan JR: (650) 952-8238 Watts.

Jabez and His Prayer

person has many reasons why he prays. We have many things to pray about, all we have to do is accompany our prayer with faith, hope, and love of God. I would like to bring into our reflection Jabez and his prayer. He is from the clan of Judah, and the Scriptures says: Jabez was the most distinguished of his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I bore him with pain.’ Jabez prayed REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD to the God of Israel: ‘Oh, that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! May your hand be with me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!’ And God granted his prayer (1 Chronicle 4: 9-10). Jabez and his prayer has always been interesting among the personalities in the Bible. Few lines are written about him and yet to our time, his life has touched many people. Perhaps among the things we can learn about his story is how he turned his life around; how he was a cause of pain and has become a person of joy and prosperity, and God has approved him by granting his prayer. We all want our life to be better, to be a person close to God, to be an inspiration. What do you wish your life to be, dear reader? Jabez was said to be cause of pain for his mother, who “bore him with pain;” that’s what his name also meant. Would you want to have the name that means pain or cause of pain? Would I want to be known and remembered to be cause of pain? I believe, you and I, dear reader, would immediately say, no! Never. And yet, we know that there are things and events in our life, whether we did it or not, that we cannot change, but what we can change is how we can do something about it, about the given situation. Jabez can neither change the experience of his mother nor can he change even his name. He accepted what came to his hands and with optimism believing there is the God of Israel, he lived his life in a way that he would transcend from what his family experienced about him and what people said about him. He lived his life not weighed down by what he was thought or known of, but by what God wanted him to be. By God, no person can be about pain or be in pain, we always have the choice to choose to be the best person we can be, and God’s help in such a journey will not be lacking. And Jabez was said to be “the most distinguished of his brothers” for the way he has become. His prayer hints actually about what he did about his life, and as it is said, “God granted his prayer,” it means He was pleased of Jabez, and this is where we can say, God approved both the prayer and person. Jabez’s prayer contains four blessings petitioned for; first, “extend my boundaries,” a blessing to mean both material and moral-spiritual. For peoples of his time, territorial property or owning lands are vital to success with farms or cattle or animals for grazing; hence, it was a sincere plea on his part. But there is also a deeper sense to it, “extending boundaries,” can also mean helping him to live his life in a way that it will be an encouragement, an inspiration, for many people. This is what I consider the moralspiritual impact that his life was aiming for, and indeed God granted him. And then, “may your hand be upon me,” with these words, Jabez was not only sincere, but humble as well. He knew that he can never even think of success or prosperity unless God is with him along the way; thus, he asked that God’s hand be upon him, to guide and lead him, and to bless him. He accepted his own capacities and limitations. He knew only God has the power to assist him in his project of carving out of pain the person God wants him to be. Moreover, he prayed, “make me free of misfortunes,” he knew life is never immune to misery and suffering, but that they can be avoided or tamed. There is no life without misfortunes or problems, but to say, “free,” means his heart must know, by God’s help, how to make good decisions, for they do occur after making bad ones; it means also to be able to manage misfortunes when they come along, for learning to deal with them, they can also become a blessing. Lastly, he included, “without pain,” for he knew what it is about; thus, he wants his life may not only be without pain, but that he too, by his actions or behavior, may not cause others’ pain. Indeed, such a prayer is noble and powerful. And no wonder, God is said to have granted his prayer. May we all pray with prayers that define our lives; with a prayer that can describe our life’s journey. I end by wishing and blessing you, dear reader, with Jabez prayer: May God bless you, extending your boundaries. May His hand be upon you, make you be free from misfortunes, and be without pain. Amen.

Aﬂame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

31 June 8-14, 2023  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

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.

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Guimaras celebrates mango festival, sees tourism soaring to new height

JORDAN, Guimaras – Guimaras will use its mangoes, dubbed as the sweetest in the world, as an anchor to promote other attractions in the province as it celebrates its 2023 Manggahan Festival with the theme, “Mangoes and More.” This was disclosed by Governor JC Rahman Nava as he acknowledged that the mango is the main commodity of the province. “We will capitalize on that and eventually expand and showcase some other products. That’s what we are doing right now,” he said. Since mangoes are a showcase of their agricultural produce, they created a festival, adding value to the product. “Tourism transcends all sectors. It involves everybody. Tourism is the best value adding to the economy of Guimaras,” the governor said. The Manggahan Festival kicked oﬀ on April 29 with the opening of the Agri-Fishery and Eco-Tourism Expo at the provincial capital grounds, followed by a series of events leading to the four-day highlights on May 19-22. Starting May 19, there will be the Mango-Eat-AllYou-Can where for a fee of PHP150, one can feast on the product for 30 minutes and enjoy entertainment from nightly live bands, the coronation of Miss Guimaras, street dance and cultural competition and a program commemorating the 31st provincehood of Guimaras on May 22. This year, the Provincial Economic Development Oﬃce has introduced a fast lane for those who wanted a hassle-free comfortable and seamless Manggahan experience through its “VIP” packages. Perks and privileges like a free ride between Iloilo and Guimaras, express lane at the Mango-Eat-All-You-Can and refreshing freebies come with the purchase of Manggahan Gold, Manggahan

Premium, and Manggahan Group tickets. Meanwhile, the governor said the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex will cater to four-wheel private and public no-cargo vehicles that will board the FF Cruz Shipping Corporation roll on, roll off vessels due to the projected large influx of travelers and visitors to Guimaras during the duration of the festival. Fiber boats have been allowed to ply the Jordan to Iloilo City and vice versa routes until 2 a.m. while roll on, roll off vessels will have special trips to cater to guests even during nighttime. Guimaras Vice Governor John Edward Gando said Republic Act 11118 declared May 22 as a special non-working holiday in the province.