Page 14By A� y. Lozano

Villar, Quiboloy awarded ABS-CBN frequencies

QUEZON CITY – The government has dealt the fi nal death blow on the ABSCBN Network as it awarded several frequencies it once had under its franchise to known allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The biggest benefi ciary is business tycoon Manuel B. Villar Jr. whose Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. was awarded by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) provisional authorities (PA) to to install, operate, and maintain digital TV channel 16 and temporary simulcast on analog TV channel 2.

Other benefi ciaries of two separate companies to use channels 23 and 43 -- both previously used by broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. -- to operate on digital television (TV) in Mega Manila are presidential spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and the Aliw Broadcasting Co. of the late Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua.

The NTC fi rst granted a PA to the Villar-led Advanced Media Broadcasting System, Inc. the use Channel 2 “for simulcast purposes only” until the analog TV shut-off in 2023 as part of the country’s full transition to digital TV.

NTC sources said the Villar group has 18 months within which to put Channel 2 back to work.

In a statement, the NTC said it granted a provisional authority to Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (Aliw), which operates DWIZ, RPN and other stations, to “install, operate, and maintain” a digital TV broadcasting system using channel 23 in an order promulgated on Jan. 5, 2022.

“Aliw was the second applicant to install, operate, and maintain a digital TV in Metro Manila as fi led on 30 July 2007, under Cast No. 2007-0126. ALIW has been waiting for an available digital TV frequency since 2007 after undergoing a quasi-judicial process which includes notice to all interested/aff ected parties and hearing,” the NTC said.

On the other hand, the NTC granted the Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC), the legal operating name of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) founded and led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a provisional authority to install, operate, and maintain digital TV channel 43.

SMNI president Dr. Marlon Rosete confi rmed the award to their company.

“Yes ‘yung ch43 ang binigay,” he said.

Channel 43 used to be assigned to Amcara Broadcasting Corp., whose legislative franchise expired in 2020. ABS-CBN used it for its TVPlus channels under a blocktime agreement with Amcara.

Quiboloy already owns UHF Channel 40 where he broadcasts news and religious programs of his religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Both companies, it said, were granted the provisional authorities after the determination of their “legal, technical, and fi nancial qualifi cation.” “Prior to the grant of the PA, the NTC sought policy guidance from the DICT, a legal opinion from the DOJ (Department of Justice), and the concurrence of OP-OES (Offi ce of the President – Offi ce of the Executive Secretary),” the NTC said. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarifi ed that when the NTC sought the legal opinion and concurrence of the DOJ and OP-OES on the matter, it was a “purely legal question” and no names of individuals or companies were discussed. “When the NTC went to the OP-OES, it was only to seek guidance on the authority to assign available and unused frequencies. Again, there was no mention of any name or entity whatsoever,” Nograles said. The decision to grant PAs to allow the operation of channels previously used by ABS-CBN, he said, was “up to the NTC based on their rules, regulations, and existing laws.” The NTC decision was criticized by various groups, including Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO. “ABS-CBN is not our franchise. It’s not our transmitter, not oiur studios. ABS-CBN is found in your heart of e very kapamilya that chooses to serve the Filipino, ABS-CBN is you. For so long as the passion to serve burns brightly in you, ABS-CBN will continue to be alive and well,” Katigbak said in a statement.

“You will never be ABS-CBN!,” said former ANC head Jing Magsaysay, referring to Villar.

“A frequency is just a frequency. Content creation is a whole diff erent ball game. Plus, I hope they realize that the audience does not come with the frequency. You’re going to have to work blood, sweat and tears to build what ABS-CBN accomplished over 34 years plus the years before Marcos stole the channel.You can get the franchise but you will never be ABSCBN,” Magsaysay added.

Villar-linked Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc., got its 25-year franchise extension in 2019. It is taking over the television broadcast frequencies previously held by Lopez-led ABS-CBN Corp. ANC reported the award of frequencies to allies of President Rodrigo Duterte has provoked outrage.

In a report, ABS-CBN stated that on January 5, Advanced Media Broadcasting Systems Inc (ABMS) took control of two channels that ABS-CBN once used.

Channel 2, which ABS-CBN used for its analog broadcasts, and Channel 16, which the company used for its digital TV broadcast, were transferred to ABMS on the order of the National Telecommunications Commission.

ABMS, which operates the FM station K-Lite, is owned by Planet Cable, a fi rm owned and operated by billionaire Manny Villar, one of the biggest supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The board of directors of Planet Cable is chaired by Cynthia J. Javarez, who sits as Treasurer and Chief Risk Offi cer of the Villar family’s listed real estate developer Vista Land and Lifescapes and retail mall operator VistaMalls.

ABS-CBN also reported Planet Cable’s controlling shareholders are Prime Asset Ventures, and Streamtech Systems Technologies, both controlled by the Villar group.

The company builds, operates and maintains cable, television and other related systems and services, covering the Villar group’s many real estate developments across Luzon and Visayas.

The NTC said AMBS had applied for a permit to build and operate a digital TV broadcasting system in Metro Manila as early as October 2006.

In 2019, ABMS was granted a 25-year congressional franchise and sought government approval to sell itself to the Villar group.

At the end of 2020, AMBS had suffered a net loss of over P3 million, based on its latest SEC fi lings.

Planet Cable on the other hand lodged total revenues of P712.8 million in 2020, up substantially from 2019’s total sales of P445 million. Planet Cable’s SEC fi lings show its net profi t in 2020 was P164.2 million, more than double 2019’s P69.3 million. Its total assets amounted to P3.6 billion.

On Sept. 6, 2021, the House of Representatives approved the sale of AMBS to Planet Cable, according to ABS-CBN’s report.

Planet Cable has substantial fi nancial muscle compared to AMBS. It can also raise more capital through its principal, former Senator Manny Villar, who is listed as the richest man in the Philippines and valued at $7.3 billion by Forbes.

The Villar group has yet to respond to requests for comment.

AMBS has 18 months, or until 2023 to prove it can put up and run a digital television broadcasting system, or risk losing its provisional authority to use the frequencies previously held by ABSCBN.

According to Bilyonaryo website and reported by ABS-CBN, the NTC sought the Justice Department’s opinion on opening up digital TV service to new players like Advanced Media.

“The DOJ declared that the digital TV service could be opened to new players like Advanced Media because… the applicability of Memorandum Circular No. 07-12-2014 (which limits digital TV licenses only to those with analog TV operations) has been “altered by the change in factual circumstances,” according to Bilyonaryo.

Bilyonaryo noted that Villar’s daughter-in-law, Emmeline Aglipay, was appointed Justice Undersecretary in 2018.

Villar’s daughter, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, meanwhile voted in 2020 against granting ABS-CBN a new franchise.

The billionaire is a major supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, and his son Mark was head of the Department of Public Works and Highways before resigning last year to run for a Senate seat in this year’s elections.

ABISO NG PUNONG OPISYAL NG MGA HALALAN TUNGKOL SA ORAS AT LUGAR NG

PAMBUONG-ESTADO NA DIREKTANG PRIMARYANG HALALAN, MGA PEDERAL, PANG-ESTADO, AT PAMBUONG-COUNTY NA KATUNGKULAN KUNG SAAN MAGMUMUNGKAHI NG MGA KWALIPIKADONG KANDIDATO

SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO AY IBINIBIGAY ANG ABISO na gaganapin ang Pambuong-Estado na Direktang Primaryang Halalan sa Martes, sa ika-7 araw ng Hunyo, 2022. SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO AY INAABISUHAN ANG LAHAT NG KWALIPIKADONG TAO na gaganapin ang mga halalan sa County ng San Mateo, sa Estado ng California, para sa layunin ng paghalal ng mga miyembro sa mga Pederal, Pang-Estado at Pambuong-County na Katungkulan na gaya ng sumusunod:

Mga Pederal at Pang-Estadong Katungkulan:

Senador ng U.S. (Buong Termino): 6 na taon, magsisimula sa Enero 3, 2023 Senador ng U.S. (Hindi Buo/Hindi pa tapos na Termino): Ang espesyal na halalan para sa bakanteng Senador ng U.S. (Hindi Buo/Hindi pa tapos na Termino): Ang espesyal na halalan para sa bakanteng posisyon na ito ay para sa natitirang panahon ng hindi pa tapos na termino sa Senado ng Estados Unidos, na matatapos sa Enero 3, 2023. Kinatawan ng U.S.,Mga Distrito 15 at 16: 2 taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 3, 2023 Gobernador: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Tenyente Gobernador: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Abugado Heneral: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Kalihim ng Estado: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Kalihim ng Estado: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Magsusupil: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Ingat-Yaman: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Komisyonado ng Seguro: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Lupon ng Pagpapantay ng Estado, Ika-2 Distrito: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Asembleya ng Estado, Mga Distrito 19, 21 at 23: 2 taong termino na magsisimula sa Disyembre 5, 2022

Mga Di-partidistang Katungkulan sa Estado: Mga Di-partidistang Katungkulan sa Estado:

Superintendente ng Pampublikong Pagtuturo ng Estado: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023

Mga Di-partidistang Katungkulan sa County:

Hukom ng Kataas-taasang Hukuman: mayroong 6 na puwesto; 6 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Lupon ng Mga Superbisor: Ika-2 Distrito at Ika-3 Distrito; 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero Lupon ng Mga Superbisor: Ika-2 Distrito at Ika-3 Distrito; 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Tagatasa-Klerk na Tagapagtala ng County: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Kontroler: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Koroner: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Abugado ng Distrito: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Serip: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Ingat Yaman-Tagakolekta ng Buwis: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Ingat Yaman-Tagakolekta ng Buwis: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Superintendente ng Mga Paaralan ng County: 4 na taong termino na magsisimula sa Enero 2, 2023 Mangyaring tumawag sa Dibisyon sa Pagpaparehistro at Mga Halalan ng County ng San Mateo sa 650.312.5293 para sa higit pang impormasyon. Makukuha ang mga papel ng deklarasyon ng kandidatura at papel ng nominasyon para sa mga Makukuha ang mga papel ng deklarasyon ng kandidatura at papel ng nominasyon para sa mga kwalipikadong kandidato na gustong mag-file para sa alinman sa mga pagbobotohang katungkulan sa Dibisyon sa Pagpaparehistro at Mga Halalan, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, 650.312.5293, sa o pagkalipas ng Pebrero 14, 2022, at dapat itong ma-file nang hindi lalampas sa 5:00 p.m. sa Marso 11, 2022. Kung hindi na-file ang mga papel para sa kwalipikadong nanunungkulan bago lumipas ang takdang petsa at oras, magkakaroon ang mga botante ng hanggang 5:00 p.m. sa Marso 16, 2022, upang magmungkahi ng mga kandidatong bukod sa nanunungkulan para sa naturang katungkulan. IPINAHAHAYAG KO RIN na sa naturang halalan isusumite sa boto ng mga manghahalal ang IPINAHAHAYAG KO RIN na sa naturang halalan isusumite sa boto ng mga manghahalal ang naturang mga iminumungkahing pag-amyenda sa konstitusyon, katanungan, panukala, at inisyatibang hakbang alinsunod sa iniaatas na pagsusumite ng mga ito ng Konstitusyon at mga batas ng Estadong ito. BILANG KARAGDAGAN SA ABISO magbubukas ang mga botohan sa naturang halalan mula 7:00 a.m. hanggang 8:00 p.m., sa araw na iyon. BILANG KARAGDAGAN SA ABISO ang mga may botong Balota sa Pagboto sa Pamamagitan ng BILANG KARAGDAGAN SA ABISO ang mga may botong Balota sa Pagboto sa Pamamagitan ng Koreo at Pansamantalang Balota para sa Halalan na gaganapin sa Martes, Hunyo 7, 2022, ay bibilangin sa lokasyong nakasaad sa ibaba: County ng San Mateo Dibisyon ng Pagpaparehistro at Mga Halalan 40 Tower Road San Mateo, CA 94402 Petsa: Pebrero 7, 2022 Petsa: Pebrero 7, 2022 _______/lagda/_________ Mark Church Punong Opisyal ng Mga Halalan at Tagatasa-Klerk na Tagapagtala ng County 1/27/22

CNS-3549459# Villar Quiboloy

US-based Star Magic artist, former Net25 newscaster eager to join public service

Former Star Magic artist and Net25 newscaster Eduard Bañez, now based in the US, is planning to come back to the Philippines, this time, not as an artist but to try his luck in public service.

Eduard started singing at an early age of 5. However, it wasn’t until he was 17 years old when he decided to pursue a musical career.His rendition of Sharon Cuneta’s “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko,” penned by Rey Valera, generated over 120,000 views on YouTube then.

Eduard eventually became a member of Star Magic Batch 15 and was launched in 2006. His notable batchmates were Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Bela Padilla and Jessy Mendiola.

Fortunately, Eduard managed to pursue his undergraduate nursing course at the New Era University then.

Eduard was given a chance to co-anchor a tele-radio show with Arnell Ignacio on Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM. He also had a stint as a newscaster on Net25. he chance to work in the US came for Eduard. For fi ve years in California, he had an opportunity to work with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber in the music video, “I Don’t Care.”

Eduard also relished the opportunity of working with Sia and her team for the music video, “Chandelier.” They used a lot of antique furniture from Africa is the shoot.

He was so honored to have worked with Sia, that he intends to bring the artist to perform in Manila. However, that is set to happen when he pandemic tapers off and entertainment performances return to normal.

Eduard even expressed his plan to release a single for Sia and other international artists, like R&B, pop and soul singer-songwriter Cassie Ventura, in the near future.

Eduard remains undaunted in pursuing his Hollywood dream. He started with his small breakthrough, but he intends to continue until he makes his mark.

While in the US, Eduard had the chance to pursue his studies in political arts and media history at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).

In the meantime, Eduard has been busy with an upcoming sitcom for the children’s cable network, Nickelodeon. He also recently worked at the popular California theme park, Six Flags, best known for the largest roller coasters in the world.

As he returns to Manila, Eduard wants to try his luck in public service. He has been considering to enter the political arena soon.

Eduard also would like to devote his time and support relevant causes, such as HIV awareness in the Philippines. If given the chance, he would like to help those aff ected by the virus and to encourage them to always stay positive in all that they do and live life to the fullest.

This year, as soon as the pandemic is over, Eduard wants to support the least fortunate children in diff erent parts of the country. “I want to make them feel that somebody loves and cares for them, no matter what they are going through in life,” Eduard promises. (MTVI)

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Bong Revilla, Agimat ng Agila S2 takes flight

THERE’S more action, more adventure, and more exciting scenes to look forward to in the highlyanticipated GMA fantasy drama series “Agimat ng Agila Season 2” beginning January 29.

Led by versatile actor Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as Major Gabriel Labrador, the top-rating program showcases his adventures and misadventures as the bearer of the powers of an enchanted eagle who sets off on various missions to battle evil forces and protect the environment.

Also returning to the series is the stellar roster of cast headlined by special guest Sanya Lopez as Maya Lagman, Ms. Elizabeth Oropesa as Nanay Berta, and Benjie Paras as Sergeant Wes Dimanahan together with new cast members Gardo Versoza as Zeus Limjoco, Betong Sumaya as Sergeant Art, Kim de Leon as Jumong, Lia Salvador as Sharmaine, Sandro Muhlach as Archie, Shermaine Santiago as Carol Llamanzares, and newest Kapuso and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Rabiya Mateo as Agent Asha Raj.

“I am very thankful and very pleasantly surprised,” shared Bong. “Sobra sobra po ang pasasalamat ko sa lahat ng tumangkilik ng book 1 ng Agimat ng Agila. Siyempre alam naman natin ang ganda at husay ng produktong pinagsikapan natin para sa publiko, pero ganunpaman, sobrang nakakatuwa ang naging ratings natin at ang pagsubaybay ng mga manonood hanggang matapos.”

He added that they’re all grateful to everyone anticipating the upcoming season, “Nakakataba ng puso marinig ang feedback ng mga manonood na sinasabi sa akin na sobrang ganda raw ng Agimat, at nabitin sila, at hinihintay na nila ang book 2.”

After a successful fi rst season earlier this year, the story continues in a brand-new light with more twists and exciting characters.

Bong promises that they have intensely prepared for action-packed scenes that viewers loved from the fi rst season, “Mas pinaghandaan ko physically itong book 2. Gusto kasi ng ating mga viewers ng mas maraming aksyon kaya ‘yan ang pinaghandaan at ginagawa namin. Makikita nila sa action scenes sina Betong at si Rabiya Mateo. Kung nagandahan na sila sa mga napanood nila sa book 1, hintayin nila itong book 2 and I’m sure hindi sila madi-disappoint.”

Agimat ng Agila is under the supervision of the GMA Entertainment Group headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria, and Executive Producers Joy Pili and Nieva Magpayo.

Based on the fi lm concept by Revilla, the series is a product of the visionary minds of GMA’s award-winning creative team -- Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Creative Consultant Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan; Head Writer Jojo Tawasil Nones; Senior Writer John Roque; Writer Ays De Guzman and developed for television by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan and Jojo Tawasil Nones. Joining them is Genaro Nerdie Cruz, script consultant of Revilla.

Be part of Major Gabriel’s oneof-a-kind journey in Agimat ng Agila Book 2 - under the helm of award-winning director Rico Gutierrez – starting January 29, Saturdays at 7:15PM on GMA.

Kapuso abroad can catch Agimat ng Agila Season 2 on the Network’s international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For more stories about GMA Network, visit www.GMANetwork. com

19 January 27-February 2, 2022  ENTERTAINMENT

LA Unified School District supports measure to hike arts and music funding

LOS ANGELES, California – The Los Angeles Unifi ed School District Board has voted unanimously to support The Arts and Music in Schools Ballot initiative to increase arts and music funding in public schools after hearing from a diverse coalition of supporters.

LA Unifi ed arts educators voicing their support of the measure to the board include Stephanie Brown (Art Educator, Maclay Middle School), Stephen McDonough (Instrumental Orchestral Strings & Classical Guitar instructor, Hamilton High School), Jesus Sotelo Martinez (Teacher, Simon Rodia High School), Lea Woods (Theatre Teacher, Joseph Le Conte Middle School), and Eloy Adame (Teacher, Elizabeth Learning Center).

Educators were joined by public education advocates Kevin Frazier (Co-host, Entertainment Tonight) and Chris Meledandri (founder & CEO, ILLUMINATION), as well as LAUSD Beyond the Bell Music Coordinator Tony White, urging the board to support this initiative.

Additional supporters of the measure include actors, entertainers, and musicians who are education advocates including, Dr. Dre, will.i.am (Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, and tech entrepreneur), Issa Rae (actress, writer and producer), Jimmy Lovine (entrepreneur), and Richard Lovett (Co-Chairman, CAA).

The Arts and Music in Schools measure seeks to increase funding for arts and music education in all PreK-12 public schools statewide—without raising taxes. It provides additional funding dedicated to arts and music education equivalent to 1% of the state’s existing PreK-12 annual investment--generating roughly $1 billion in funding each year.

Funding from this initiative will cover a wide range of arts education programs. In addition to traditional music, visual arts and performing arts, funds will be used to pay for instruction in computer graphics, animation, coding and costume design.

While all PreK-12 California public schools will see an increase in arts funding, schools serving students from lower income communities will receive more money. This will directly benefi t the Black and Hispanic students that makeup 77% of public school enrollment in low-income communities.

“Black and Latinx students comprise 61% of Pre-K-12 enrollment in California, 77% in low income communities. In LAUSD, the second largest school district in the country, 80% of our students are low-income. We know that an increase in access to the arts within our schools will open the door of opportunity for students to have careers in media and technology,” said Mónica Garcia, LAUSD Board Member who introduced the resolution alongside Board Members Melvoin and Gonez. “This measure understands what we see in our school system continually–Black and Latinx children are most likely to lack access to arts education—and specifi cally allocates more funding to schools serving these children to close the gap.”

“Our coalition continues to grow with the endorsement of LA Unifi ed, California’s largest school district,” said Austin Beutner, founder and Chairman of Vision to Learn and proponent of the initiative. “We hope each of the more than 1,000 school districts throughout the state will join us in support of the initiative. It’s clear the support is there in the community for this eff ort—we’ve already collected more than 100,000 signatures in just two weeks.”

LA Unifi ed School District’s vote in support of this measure comes as public school arts and music educators recently kicked off the eff ort to gather signatures to ensure the measure will qualify for the November Ballot.

Beutner’s coalition, Californians for Arts and Music Education in Public Schools received the offi cial Title and Summary from the Attorney General on January 5th which can be found here: 21-003A1 - Final TS (ca.gov). The initiative needs 623,212 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the November ballot.

The California Music Educators Association has endorsed the measure and is actively engaged with the campaign’s committee. They are joined in support of the measure by the California Art Education Association, the California Dance Education Association, and the California Educational Theatre Association.

These statewide organizations have brought together arts and music educators for a series of online discussions to help organize signature gathering eff orts at schools. Events have featured actor, author and musician John Lithgow.

Within just two weeks of early signature gathering eff orts, the campaign has received more than 100,000 signatures.

Educators lead the way to the ballot qualifi cation alongside supporters from across California. Businesses Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and NBCUniversal headline the fundraising alongside committed individuals and public education advocates including Austin Beutner (founder and Chairman of Vision To Learn and proponent of the initiative), Connie and Steve Ballmer (former Microsoft CEO & owner of the LA Clippers), Frank Baxter (former Chairman of Alliance for CollegeReady Public Schools), Chris Meledandri (founder & CEO, ILLUMINATION), and entrepreneur Sky Dayton (founder of EarthLink and Boingo).

Education, art, and community leaders are also supporting the measure including Michael Govan (CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director, Los Angeles County Museum of Art), Ravi Rajan (California Institute of the Arts), Antonia Hernández (President and CEO, California Community Foundation), John Echeveste (CEO, La Plaza), Michael A. Lawson (President and CEO, Los Angeles Urban League), and Neal Benezra (Director, SFMOMA).

Guitar Center and The Forum are also supporting signature gathering eff orts on their premises.

“The arts are not optional, they are essential. While students are recovering from the isolation and trauma of the pandemic, the arts provide an outlet for healing and spark joy,” said Kelly Gonez, LAUSD Board President. “This proposed initiative would bring signifi cant funding to our district and all school districts towards supporting arts and music education for our students, and I hope the voters will support this investment.”

 REAL ESTATE SEC approves Century Properties bond offering

Pag-IBIG releases record P1-B housing loans in 2021

PASAY CITY – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has considered favorably the public off ering of Century Properties Group for P6 billion worth of fi xed-rate bonds under shelf registration.

In its meeting on January 25, the commission en banc resolved to render eff ective the registration statement fi led by Century Properties for the debt securities program, subject to certain remaining requirements.

The bonds may be off ered in one or more tranches within three years. For the fi rst tranche, the listed property developer will off er up to P2 billion of fi ve-year fi xed-rate bonds due 2027, with an oversubscription option of up to P1 billion. Net proceeds from the off er could amount to P2.94 billion, assuming the overallotment option is fully exercised. Proceeds will be used to partially refi nance the company’s debt, fund capital expenditures for horizontal affordable housing developments, and fund general corporate requirements.

Century Properties will off er the bonds comprising the fi rst tranche at face value from February 14 to 18, in time for their listing on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on February 24, according to the latest timetable submitted to the SEC. The company has engaged China Bank Capital Corporation as the sole issue manager, sole lead underwriter, and sole bookrunner for the off er.

QUEZON CITY – The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) last year fi nanced P100.8 billion worth of housing loans, the highest ever released by the agency in a year despite the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who also heads the 10-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said the in-home loan disbursements contributed to the economic recovery eff orts of the government.

“While the country is still facing challenges caused by the pandemic, I am happy to report that Pag-IBIG released more than PHP100 billion in home loans in 2021, surpassing its best-ever fi gure which it achieved in 2019, before the health crisis started,” del Rosario said in a statement.

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January 27-February 2, 2022 20 Loan Modification soon to be a popular option for homeowners

What is loan modifi cation?

Loan modifi cation is when a lender agrees to alter the terms of a homeowner’s existing loan to help them avoid default and keep their house during times of fi nancial hardship. Goal is to reduce borrowers payment so they can aff ord to stay and not let the property go into foreclosure.

Loan modifi cation vs refi nance

A refi nance is typically the fi rst plan of action for homeowners who need a lower mortgage payment.

However, borrowers going through fi nancial hardship might not be able to use a refi nance program.

They may have trouble qualifying for the new loan due to a reduced income, lower credit score, high-interest credit card debt, or other unexpected debt obligations (such as medical expenses).

In these cases, the homeowner might be eligible for a mortgage loan modifi cation.

Loan modifi cation vs forbearance

Forbearance is another way servicers can help borrowers during times of fi nancial stress.

Loan forbearance is a temporary plan that pauses mortgage payments while a homeowner gets back on their feet.

For example, many homeowners who lost their jobs or had reduced income were able to request forbearance for up to a year or more during the COVID pandemic.

“At this time, it may be much less of an option due to the amount of forbearance provided early on, during COVID, and many are now becoming due,” says Jon Meyer, The Mortgage Reports loan expert and licensed MLO.

Unlike forbearance, mortgage loan modifi cation is a permanent plan that changes the rate or terms of your loan.

Forbearance and loan modifi cation can sometimes be combined to make a more eff ective mortgage relief plan.

Conventional loan modifi cation

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and private lenders of conventional loans have their own modifi cation programs and guidelines.

In particular, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae off er Flex Modifi cation programs designed to decrease a qualifi ed borrower’s mortgage payment by about 20%.

Flex Modifi cation typically involves adjusting the interest rate, forbearing a portion of the principal balance, or extending the loan’s term to make monthly payments more aff ordable for the homeowner.

To be eligible for a Flex Modifi cation program, the homeowner must have:

At least three monthly payments past due on a primary residence, second home, or investment property

Or less than three monthly payments past due but the loan is in “imminent default,” meaning the lender has determined the home loan will defi nitely default without modifi cation. This is only an option for primary residences

Certain hardships can trigger imminent default status; for instance, the death of a primary wage earner in the household, or serious illness or disability of the borrower.

Unemployment is typically not an eligible reason for Flex Modifi cation.

Borrowers who are unemployed are more likely to be placed in a temporary forbearance plan — which pauses payments for a set period of time, but does not permanently change the loan’s term or interest rate.

In addition, government-backed FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans are not eligible for Flex Modifi cation programs.

FHA loan modifi cation

The Federal Housing Administration off ers its own loan modifi cation options to make payments more manageable for delinquent borrowers.

Depending on your situation, FHA loan modifi cation options may include: • Lowering the interest rate • Extending the loan term • Rolling unpaid principal, interest, or loan costs back into the existing loan’s balance • Re-amortizing the mortgage to help the borrower make up missed payments

In some cases where extra assistance is needed, FHA borrowers may be eligible for the FHA-Home Aff ordable Modifi cation Program (FHA-HAMP).

FHA-HAMP allows the (Continue on page 27)

21 January 27-February 2, 2022

 NATIONAL NEWS SPORTS NEWS Mark Magsayo upsets Russell, wins WBC featherweight belt

ATLANTIC CITY/MANILA – The Philippines has a new boxing world champion.

This after Mark Magsayo, who fi ghts under MP Promotions, trounced undefeated American Gary Russell Jr. for the WBC featherweight championship on Sunday at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, making him the fi rst Filipino world sporting champion in 2022.

Malacañang joined the nation in celebrating the victory of Magsayo, now the country’s fi fth world reigning professional boxing champion.

Earlier, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, a world boxing icon, congratulated Magsayo, his protegee, for the upset win.

“Congratulations, Mark Magsayo on your fi rst world championship,” Pacquiao tweeted.

“Thank you for bringing honor to our country by becoming the latest Filipino world boxing champion. Welcome to the club.”

“We are one with the Filipino people in celebrating the victory of Mark “Magnifi co” Magsayo when he dethroned Gary Russell Jr. to become the new WBC featherweight champion,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, acting presidential spokesperson, said in a statement.

Other reigning Filipino world titleholders include Jerwin Ancajas (IBF super fl yweight), Rene Mark Cuarto (IBF world minimumweight), John Riel Casimero (WBO bantamweight), and Nonito Donaire (WBC bantamweight).

“We thank Mark for giving pride and honor to the country and demonstrating to the world the courage, determination and perseverance of the Filipino boxer,” Nograles said. “Mabuhay ang new world champion! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! (Long live to the new world champion! Long live Philippines!).”

Magsayo later said he is eyeing Mexican fi ghter Leo Santa Cruz in his fi rst title defense.

The pride of Tacloban said battling Santa Cruz would be a great clash in the ring.

“It will be good to fi ght him because he’s also strong,” the 26-year-old Magsayo said.

Magsayo said he will work harder after his win because it’s tougher to defend a title than to chase it.

“I will double my eff orts because it’s harder to defend the title. I will persevere more in my trainings,” he added.

Magsayo kept his immaculate record at 24-0 with 16 knockouts.

Another report indicated taht unbeaten Mexican contender Rey Vargas emerged as Magsayo’s mandatory challenger, according to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman in a report from BoxingScene.

Currently, Vargas, the former WBC super bantamweight champion, is the No. 1 contender in WBC’s featherweight division while he is ranked No. 4 in the World Boxing Organization with Magsayo being the No. 1.

Vargas has an unbeaten record of 35-0 (win-loss) with 22 wins coming by way of knockout.

With the latest development, the possible unifi cation bout between Magsayo and WBO world featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete will be likely sidelined, it was reported.

In his biggest victory so far, Magsayo, a native of Tagbilaran City, fl ashed his brilliance for most part of the bout.

Russell, however, showed heart despite hurting his right shoulder and kept the fi ght too close that it ended up in a majority decision favoring Magsayo.

Magsayo began the match aggressive, quickly tagging Russell with power shots especially to the torso to get a head start three rounds in.

Russell appeared to have bounced back early into Round 4, but after landing a punch, he apparently injured his right shoulder.

Despite the injury and even the weight issues he had late into training camp, the 33-year-old Russell proved

why he has been a champion in the 126-pound division for nearly seven years, eventually slowing Magsayo down midway through the bout. But come the second half, Russell’s injury took a toll on him as Magsayo put on a clinic, forcing the former to just go on dodging mode with his right arm feeling the pain already. Lynne Carter had it 114-114, but fellow judges Mark Consentino and Henry Grant both scored the bout 115-113 for the now 24-0 Magsayo, who was successful in only his fi rst world title shot. Russell, on the other hand, fell to 31-2, losing for the fi rst time since also dropping a majority decision loss to Vasyl Lomachenko in 2014. Obiena-PATAFA mediation put on hold

MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has put the mediation between EJ Obiena and the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association (PATAFA) on hold.

The PSC made the statement after Obiena announced his decision to back out of the talks.

According to the world number six pole vaulter, he was “forced to offi cially withdraw” from the mediation process to be led by the PSC “due to the bad faith” of his mother national sports association.

“It is a recipe for failure to enter into mediation when one party is in bad faith; PATAFA was in bad faith this whole time as they signed the mediation with their true intention to still pursue the fi ling of a baseless criminal case of estafa against me,” Obiena said.

Obiena also accused PATAFA of lying about its true intent to enter mediation with him, bringing up the case of World Athletics vice president Sergey Bubka’s affi davit regarding Obiena’s liquidation matters.

“PATAFA has said they want a peaceful resolution, but their actions prove this as a lie. You cannot have peace while pointing a gun at the other guys’ head, and say ‘let’s have a peaceful resolution.’ This is the exact opposite of good faith mediation. They have been telling the public that Sergey Bubka voluntarily executed his affi davit. They omitted the fact that it was Mr. [Philip Ella] Juico who prepared the affi davit of Sergey Bubka, instructed him to get it apostilled, paid all associated costs, and cajoled him to sign,” Obiena claimed.

Regarding the liquidation itself, Obiena said he already completed it last week.

“As of January 21, 2022 all my pending liquidation with the PSC is done. It’s closed,” he added while thanking PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez for his eff orts as the peacemaker.

Obiena also lashed out at PATAFA for not completing the information it released during its press conference on January 4 where the body ruled to have him removed from the national team and slapped with an estafa complaint.

“As mediation requires the voluntary agreement of both parties for the process to proceed, we inform you that mediation is temporarily on hold,” the PSC stated.

The PSC said it remains fi rm that the mediation process is the best way to fi nally put to rest the rift between Obiena and the PATAFA, which stemmed from liquidation issues.

“We maintain our stand that mediation is still the best option to resolve this matter,” it said.

Speaking of liquidation, the PSC also confi rmed that Obiena has accomplished his liquidation reports.

“Mr. Obiena has submitted his liquidation reports. The PSC’s accounting offi ce and the Commission on Audit shall proceed with their normal post-audit process of checking and verifi cation on submitted liquidation documents,” it said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino disclosed that Obiena is listed in the Philippine team that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Hanoi this May.

Tolentino reiterated a certain clause in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter that could allow Obiena, the defending SEA Games men’s pole vault champion, to compete even without an endorsement from his mother national sports association (NSA), which is the PATAFA.

“The NOC (National Olympic Committee) is the sole authority who submits the delegation as the fi nal list on all Olympic, regional, continental, and world tournaments patronized by the IOC not only based on sports merits but based on if the athletes will be the inspiration of the youth of that country,” Tolentino told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum as reported by PNA’s Ivan Stewart Saldajeno.

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CA top epidemiologist urges everyone to cooperate in war against COVID-19

By Jun Nucum

SAN FRANCISCO - Admitting that California is in a critical stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan declared that “we are getting back to basic” as cases continue to rise to the “highest levels that we have ever seen.”

Pan shared the view as she addressed the most frequently asked questions around Omicron, COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and testing, among others, in a media briefi ng organized by Ethnic Media Services and the Vaccinate All 58 campaign. Questions also included queries received from Californians who called the Statewide COVID-19 Hotline to respond to them live.

As the state’s top-ranking epidemiologist appointed by Governor Gavom Newsom to the Western States Scientifi c Safety Review Workgroup, which is responsible for independently reviewing the FDA’s actions related to COVID-19 vaccines, Dr, Pan enlightened participants on the basics and even complex questions on the pandemic. .As part of the California Department of Public Health’s “Week of Action” (Jan. 17-21), the briefi ng was hosted by the Vaccinate ALL 58 campaign.

“Though some leveling off are seen at some level but case numbers are still increasing. And we are greatly impacted by this Omicron variant. As of January 19, around 15,000 Californians are in the hospital with COVID-19 and the state has seen a 20.9% positive history meaning a fi fth of those tested have proven positive,” Pan reported..

Pan stressed that it is everyone’s responsibility to do what “we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic.”

“The risks of hospitalization and death remain high for unvaccinated individuals, so the most important thing we need to continue to do is get vaccinated and get boosted,” said Pan, a pediatric disease specialist and an expert on COVID-19. “All three available COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly eff ective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.”

In pitching for the vaccine, Pan underscored that vaccines teach the body’s immune system to fi ght against infection. Scientists have made the COVID-19 vaccines by using part of the virus’s genetic code, either a messenger RNA (mRNA) or DNA, depending on the type of vaccine.

“Like all other vaccinations, the vaccines teach our body’s immune system to fi ght against infection. Once inside the cell, this piece of the genetic code gives instructions to make a small, harmless piece of the COVID-19 virus called the spike protein. Our body notices the spike protein, and the immune system makes antibodies to destroy the spike proteins,” Pan said.

“This process then teaches your body how to recognize and fi ght against the virus. If you are exposed to the virus in the future, even currently circulating variants of the virus, your immune system will quickly recognize the virus and have the antibodies and T-cells ready to fi ght infection,” she said.

In replying on how eff ective the vaccines are against the new variants, Pan countered that the risks of hospitalization and death remain high for un-vaccinated individuals, so the most important thing we need to continue to do is get vaccinated and get boosted. All three available COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly eff ective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.

On the benefi ts of the vaccine even after still contracting the virus, Pan said that “getting vaccinated and getting boosted helps keep you out of the hospital by lessening the severity of positive cases. Vaccines keep Californians off of ventilators and save lives. Protect yourself from the worst impacts of this virus and prevent spreading it from those at high risk or who can’t get the vaccine.”

Pan y answered yes when asked whether someone still needs to be vaccinated even after having COVID-19 especially considering highly contagious variants are impacting communities. “Immunity acquired from a previous infection of COVID-19 is strong but often variable from person to person and antibodies developed from a previous infection are also temporary, with immunity declining over time,” Pan said. “The immunity protection from vaccination appears to be broader, providing stronger protec-

tion against the virus and variants. The more vaccinations get into the arms of eligible Californians, the more we prevent the spread and shrink the pool of people vulnerable to COVID-19.The goal is to minimize and mitigate the burden of disease in California, which is why every single shot counts.” ERICA PAN Pan advised that even with a vaccine and a booster dose, harm reduction precautions are still prudent to keep all Californians safe. Vaccines are not 100% eff ective, and some groups are not yet eligible for the vaccine, so taking harm reduction precautions such as wearing a face mask helps protect them from contracting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill. Pan also addressed the concerns that vaccines may not be safe for young children saying that comprehensive clinical trials in more than 4,500 children ages 5-11 demonstrate that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in this age group, resulting in strong antibody response in children who received the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine was found to be safe for children ages 5-11, with only mild side eff ects like fatigue, fever and headache. The nation’s immunization experts analyze all reports concerning any possible serious side eff ects following a COVID-19 vaccine. Serious side eff ects are rare — and the benefi ts of vaccination far outweigh any risk. “There have been rare, reported cases of infl ammation of the heart muscle known as myocarditis and pericarditis sometimes a week after receiving the second dose of mRNA vaccine. Cases have generally occurred in young adults, men, and people with certain medical conditions or recent medical procedures. In contrast, COVID-19 disease can cause more severe myocarditis than cases rarely seen after immunization.,” Pan said. Gold House, other API brands to usher in Year of the Tiger with campaign for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Jan. 25, 2022) – Gold House is partnering with several Asian and Pacifi c Islander-owned brands for its second annual Lunar New Year campaign for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to bring good fortune to St. Jude patient families and raise awareness and support for its lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®

From February 1 through April 30, when shoppers purchase from participating brands, they will have the option to donate to St. Jude during the checkout process. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from each sale will go toward St. Jude research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Pediatric cancer is a trillion-dollar, multi-year problem, requiring millions of supporters coming together to solve. The public and partnerships like this one make it possible for St. Jude to save children together.

“Gold House is proud to once again partner with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to direct the collective power of API-founded businesses in the Gold House community toward supporting and advancing its crucial research and treatment of cancer and other catastrophic children’s diseases,” said Mikkoh Chen, Head of Gold House Futures.

Last year St. Jude launched its six-year, $11.5 billion strategic plan – the largest in St. Jude history – to create a brighter future for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases by delivering on its promise to triple its global investments and help more of the 400,000 children with cancer around the world each year.

Thanks to generous supporters, St. Jude has pressed ahead with a vital collaboration with the World Health Organization to increase global access to pediatric cancer medicines, which will allow St. Jude to impact as many as 120,000 young cancer patients in 50 countries by 2027.

Participating brands in the Lunar New Year campaign include Covry, Dagne Dover, Duck Duck Books, Fly By Jing, Glow Recipe, Health-Ade, Neuro Gum, Nona Lim, The Qi, Sanzo, and Tochi Snacks. These companies off er a wide array of products, including food, condiments, beverages, books, eyewear, beauty and handbags. Several of them are members of the Gold House Founder Network, a cross-industry community of promising Asian and Pacifi c Islander entrepreneurs and business leaders.

St. Jude patient families embody the strength and courage of the Tiger. Among the children who are thriving after receiving treatment at St. Jude are Calvin who had an aggressive, noncancerous brain tumor called craniopharyngioma, Max who had retinoblastoma, a cancer of the eye, and Maelin-Kate who was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Fanconi anemia. A limited-edition Tiger plush toy named after St. Jude patient Maelin-Kate is available via the St. Jude Gift Shop.

For additional campaign information, visit stjude.org/lunarnewyear. About Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is celebrated by billions of people around the world. The holiday begins with the fi rst new moon of the lunar calendar. Loved ones gather to usher out the old year and welcome the new with celebratory feasts and the traditional exchange of monetary gifts in red envelopes to children. The Year of the Tiger commences on February 1.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ®

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.

25 January 27-February 2, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS VP Harris, Newsom push State-Federal investments, action to build wildfi re resilience

At San Bernardino Na� onal Forest, Governor Newsom joins Vice President Harris to highlight state-federal ac� on to build wildfi re resilience.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – Governor Gavin Newsom last week joined Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a visit to the San Bernardino National Forest to highlight new federal funding for wildfi re recovery and mitigation efforts and discuss state-federal collaboration to tackle the wildfi re crisis, complementing California’s bold investments and ongoing work to build wildfi re resilience statewide.

The California Blueprint proposes an additional $1.2 billion as part of a total $2.7 billion multi-year package to step up forest management and other projects to decrease catastrophic wildfi re risk amid the extreme climate impacts across the West.

“California is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, experiencing record-breaking heat waves, wildfi re seasons, and droughts. We’re fortunate to have the BidenHarris Administration’s partnership in meeting this existential challenge head-on,” said Governor Newsom. “Our state is leading the nation with transformative investments and innovative strategies to protect Californians and the environment. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the federal government to scale up this vital work, and I thank Vice President Harris for her leadership in this space,” Newsom said.

Vice President Harris announced $1.3 billion in federal funding for post-wildfi re and hurricane recovery in states across the country, including $600 million to

support California communities hit hard by recent wildfi res with cleanup eff orts, reforestation, watershed restoration and infrastructure repairs.

In addition, the Vice President announced more than $48 million in funding for Joint Chief’s Landscape Restoration Partnership projects – including four in California – that mitigate catastrophic wildfi re risk and help create climate-resilient landscapes, protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. At San Bernardino National Forest, Governor Newsom joins Vice President Harris to highlight state-federal action to build wildfi re resilience.

The announcements build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s recently-released 10-year strategy that aligns with the Governor’s Wildfi re and Forest Resilience Action Plan. The strategy calls for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to signifi cantly expand fuels and forest health treatments, prioritizing high-risk areas including the Sierra Nevada Range in California. Joint state-federal management is crucial to California’s overall forest health and wildfi re resilience, as the federal government owns 57 percent of California’s forestlands while the state owns 3 percent.

Following an aerial tour of fi re scars from the 2020 El Dorado Fire and Apple Fire, the Governor, Vice President Harris and Secretary Vilsack joined offi cials including Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) at the USFS Del Rosa Fire Station for a briefi ng by state and federal fi re offi cials.

USFS Chief Randy Moore, USFS Regional Forester

Jennifer Eberlien, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot and CAL FIRE Acting Director Michael Richwine provided an overview of this year’s fi re outlook, current drought impacts and the extreme weather conditions that are driving catastrophic wildfi res in the Western U.S. Building on the Governor’s previous budget investments in emergency management and executive actions to help combat catastrophic wildfi res, the California Blueprint proposes an additional $1.2 billion as part of a total $2.7 billion multi-year investment to step up forest management and other projects to decrease catastrophic wildfi re risk. The Blueprint also includes $648 million for fi refi ghters and fi refi ghting equipment, including new fi re hawks and helitankers. In addition, a proposed $175.2 million, as part of a planned $1.1 billion investment over the next fi ve years, will fund major capital outlay projects that include replacing fi re stations and making improvements to accommodate CAL FIRE’s new helicopter and aircraft fl eet. In 2020, the Newsom Administration and the U.S. Forest Service announced a shared stewardship agreement under which they are working to treat one million acres of forest and wildland annually to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfi re. The Governor last year launched an expanded and refocused Wildfi re and Forest Resilience Task Force with federal, local and tribal leaders to deliver on key commitments in his Wildfi re and Forest Resilience Action Plan. (Jo Erlinda Maufi t) COVID-19 cases down but deathsup in LA County; residents told to help reduce risk and spread of virus

LOS ANGELES - Several LA County COVID-19 metrics are showing decline, including daily cases, daily case rate, positivity rate, and hospitalizations, the county’s Department of Public Health reported.

Although the declines are a positive sign, residents should not take them as an indication to forgo common sense protective measures that will allow these declines to continue, the department said. Utilizing public health safety measures will drive down cases, which will ultimately end staffi ng shortages, reduce workplace and school outbreaks, and most importantly, keep residents from getting seriously ill and dying, the department added in a statement sent to Philippine News Today.

Two weeks ago on January 11th, LA County reported 34,827 new cases, two days after seeing the highest number of new cases since the pandemic began, said the Department of Public Health.

The number is down to 18,822 new cases at press time, the department said.

“While this is still a high number of cases, it represents a 46% drop in new cases in two weeks. Over the same time period, the daily rate of cases per 100,000 residents also decreased by 20% and the daily positivity rate decreased by 30%,” the department added.

The department also reported that the number of residents getting seriously ill and needing hospitalization has also begun to decline. “As hospitalizations lag cases, the number of people hospitalized peaked on January 20th at 4,814 and have slowly declined since, with 4,554 people currently hospitalized. While this decline is small and just beginning, we are hopeful with a reduced number of cases, the number of people hospitalized will continue to go down,” the department said.

The department noted that while the declines are cause for hopefulness, “the number of people dying from COVID-19 is unfortunately increasing, as deaths typically lag increases in cases and hospitalizations.” Over the past two weeks, deaths have increased by 140% from 15 deaths reported on January 11th to 36 deaths reported on January 25, the department said. “Sadly, the number of people dying is expected to continue to increase for the next several weeks,” it added.

“I know so many are mourning the loss of a loved one and I send my heartfelt condolences and wishes for healing,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “While we are fi nally turning a corner on this surge, we will need to remain cautious in order to reduce transmission to a low enough level that it poses less risk for those most vulnerable and less risk for our recovery journey.”

“We are in a diff erent place today because we have more eff ective tools for managing transmission, and these tools allow us to use diff erent strategies for getting through this surge,” Ferrer said. “Even during the surge, it’s been possible to continue many of our customary activities if we layer in all of the protections now available and take personal responsibility for recognizing our role in reducing transmission, protecting those we love, and protecting those most vulnerable.”

This as the Department of Public Health confi rmed 36 additional deaths and 25,784 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 27 new deaths reported, one person was between the ages of 18 and 29, three people were between the ages of 30 and 49, four were between the ages of 50 and 64, eight were between the ages of 65-79, and 15 were over the age of 80 years old.

From pandemic to endemic: Will we ever be there?

By Ethnic Media Services

LOS ANGELES - Even as Covid-19 hospitalization rates surge in some parts of the U.S., many public health experts are advising a shift from thinking of the crisis as a pandemic to an endemic, in which Covid will continue to be around for an unknown number of years, but at levels that are low and controllable.

At a round-table news briefi ng Jan 21, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, Dr. Ben Newman — chief virologist at Texas A&M University’s Global Health Research Complex — and Dr. Dali Fan, Health Science Clinical Professor at the University of California, Davis, debated the issue in a lively discussion.

Fan likened Covid-19 to the fl u. “We have to learn to live with this virus, like we do with angina or cancer.”

Newman disagreed. “In the US, in a given year, the fl u will kill between 12,000 and 16,000 people. And in a given year, Covid will several hundred thousand people. So this is a very much more serious problem.”

“I’m not done with this thing until we have exhausted every possible opportunity to get rid of Covid once and for all, because the reward for doing that is a world where you don’t have to worry about Covid, and you don’t have to live with that number of deaths and hospitalizations in the ones you love. And I think that’s worth fi ghting for,” he said.

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

The Centers for Disease Control announced Jan. 21 that booster shots of the Pfi zer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have proven highly eff ective at preventing Omicron-related hospitalizations, and 90 percent eff ective at keeping people out of hospital after they had become infected with the Omicron variant.

DALI FAN — Well, that’s hardly surprising. We know that even the protective eff ect of two shots of the Pfi zer vaccine, wanes after some time from 80 percent to about 30 percent, but a booster shot really elevates it back up to 70 percent. So this was a really good piece of news. The undertone of the news is: get vaccinated, get the booster shots.

Given that that the vaccine’s eff ectiveness wanes after a period of time, will we have to get fourth and fi fth boosters as we go along, maybe boosters every six months?

BEN NEUMAN — It’s not clear whether this is the case, but at the moment, based on the data we have, I think I would agree that more boosters are likely.

Additional doses of the vaccine raise both the levels of cellular immunity and antibody immunity. And they give you both broader protection and more protection. They are a good idea, and they are the best idea that we have so far to deal with this virus.

DALI FAN — It is not only whether we should have a fourth or fi fth shot or not, but also the time of those shots, whether it’s six months or 12 months or later. That is still unknown. I think time will tell.

When do we expect to see a peak of the Omicron variant? And what target number or percentage must we reach before we can say we have eff ectively fought off this variant?

DALI FAN — Omicron started in South Africa, and then went to England very quickly. So if you look at those countries, they peaked very quickly within the fi rst week or two, and then they come down very quickly as well. That’s the hallmark of Omicron across the globe. I think that’s the same thing happened in the US. It started in New York, then spread towards the middle part of the country, and to the West Coast right now.

From le� to right: Dr. Ben Neuman, Chief Virologist at the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University; Dr. Dali Fan, Health Science Clinical Professor, UC Davis; Dr. Monica Gandhi, Professor of Medicine and Associate Division Chief of the Division of HIV, Infec� ous Diseases, and Global Medicine, UCSF/San Francisco General Hospital

I think we’re peaking in the West Coast it. In California, I think we should spike now or in the next week, and then come down by early February.

BEN NEUMAN — Testing centers are overwhelmed: we are under-reporting because we are under-testing at the moment. So to some extent, I’m not sure how much we can believe the apparent slowing in the number of cases.

Given the current rates of infection, is it safe for our schools to re-open?

DALI FAN — I do. I think it’s always a balance, not just in infectious disease, but in also in any other fi eld. You balance the risk and benefi t of reopening schools. Societal engagement for children right now outweighs the benefi t of shut down.

My concern is the side eff ect of shutdown society, and it’s aftermath.

Can we move towards an endemic, in which we acknowledge that Covid-19 will be with us for the long-term, and re-open our society to pre-pandemic norms?

DALI FAN — if you look at cancer, or in my fi eld, chronic angina, you try a bypass, you do everything you can to mechanically provide more circulation back to the heart. But at some point you’re going to have to say enough is enough. And then the patient has to live on. There’s a life to live, their families, work that needs to be done. So at that point, you have to live with angina. By that same analogy, we have to learn to live with Covid, no matter how brutal it is. BEN NEUMAN — I do not believe we have come to the point where we have to give up. And that’s essentially what people are talking about when they talk about the the disease becoming an endemic. I’m not done with this thing until we have exhausted every possible opportunity to get rid of Covid once and for all. Because the reward for doing that is a world where you don’t have to worry about Covid, and you don’t have to live with the number of deaths and hospitalizations in the ones you love. And I think that’s worth fi ghting for. PG&E Offers Wide Variety of Resources to Reduce Energy Usage, Costs

Here are Ways to Reduce Winter Energy Bills and Get Help Paying Them

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— By taking advantage of some simple, realistic steps, customers can reduce energy bills this winter. Pacifi c Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) knows some customers may be experiencing higher energy bills this winter.

A decline in natural gas production during the initial months of the pandemic, combined with drought conditions reducing hydroelectric generation is impacting the cost of natural gas around the nation. Natural gas prices from November 2021 to January 2022 are 90% higher than last winter. PG&E passes the cost of energy purchases – both gas and electricity -- to its customers with no mark-up, meaning that what customers pay for fuel costs is what PG&E pays. “We take a number of actions to reduce the impact of volatile natural gas prices but recognize even these proactive measures can’t prevent a spike like this from impacting a customer’s monthly bill. That’s why we are encouraging customers to act now by making simple changes, checking available rate options, and ensuring they are aware of and participating in fi nancial assistance programs, if eligible,” said Aaron August, PG&E’s Vice President of Business Development and Customer Engagement. https://d.adroll.com/cm/aol/out

Ways to Save Energy this Winter

Heating can account for more than 40% of energy costs. Here are ways to make sure that you’re getting the most from the money you spend on heating your home or business:

Set the thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, health permitting. Save 2% for each degree the thermostat is lowered.

Install and properly set a programmable thermostat. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save about $180 every year in energy costs.

Clean or replace furnace fi lters monthly to improve effi ciency and save up to $15 a year.

Use window coverings to prevent the outside temperature from impacting the temperature inside the home. Closing blinds or drapes on a cold winter day can help to keep the cold from migrating further into the room.

Additionally, PG&E continues to work with customers who are having diffi culty paying their bills.

In September 2021, PG&E began automatically enrolling all residential and small business customers with past due balances over 60 days in new extended payment arrangements. Customers are being automatically enrolled on an ongoing basis based on eligibility through September 2022. As of December 2021, nearly 1 million PG&E customers were enrolled in the payment plans as well as the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP), both focused on helping customers reduce unpaid balances over time and protecting those enrolled from disconnection once the process restarts later this year. Get Help with Past Due Bills

Customers struggling to pay their bills can learn more about the following programs:

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) off ers up to $1,000 to pay eligible household energy costs.

Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) Program off ers one-time fi nancial assistance to qualifi ed customers with past-due bills.

The Arrearage Management Plan off ers up to $8,000 in unpaid balance forgiveness to qualifying customers who owe at least $500 or more on their gas and electric bill or at least $250 or more on their gas only bill and are more than 90 days past due.

The newly established California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) included in the 2021-2022 California state budget off ers fi nancial assistance for eligible customers with past due energy bill balances accrued during the pandemic.

Customers do not need to apply. The funding will be automatically distributed to qualifying customers in February and March 2022.

Only energy bill balances over 60 days past due for energy use from March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021, qualify for relief under CAPP.

If a customer still has a past due balance after receiving a CAPP benefi t, PG&E will offer a payment plan.

For additional questions on the program: contact the California Department of Community Services & Development.

California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Act helps income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments. Renters and landlords are eligible to apply. Ways to Reduce Future Energy Bills

Customers may also qualify for several programs at once and can start applying or enrolling now. California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) saves 20% or more each month on energy bills for income-qualifi ed customers.

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (FERA) off ers a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualifi ed customers with three or more people in the household.

Medical Baseline provides a lower monthly rate for customers with special energy needs due to certain medical conditions.

Budget Billing averages out energy costs for more manageable monthly payments and eliminates big spikes in bills due to seasonal changes.

Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program provides qualifi ed customers with free improvements to make the home more energy effi cient, safe, and comfortable. For more information please don’t hesitate to call (800) 743-5000 or log onto pge. com/covid19.

About PG&E

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

Upside...

(From Page 11)

cently, Michelle travelled to the Maldives with friends to celebrate her 40th birthday and the New Year 2022.”

Authorities described her attacker as a “homeless man” who reportedly has a history of schizophrenia.

The sister of 61-year-old Martial Simon told reporters her brother has been sick and needs help.

“People who saw him know he’s crazy… he’s been on medication for over 20 years and in and out of mental hospitals in New York,” Josette Simon told reporters. “My heart goes out to whoever lost their loved one, whether it was a mother, a sister, a daughter. I just would like to put that out there, to apologize, to feel for them.”

A social media post reminded users to focus on the life lost instead of the one that took it.

“The death of Michelle ripped out my heart, to see what happened to her, and to see what has happened in our city, months after months. What has happened to the AAPI community,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at the vigil for Michelle Go. “I don’t want the kneejerk reaction of going through our subway system and going through our streets and demonizing those who have slipped through the cracks and did not receive the mental health treatment that they deserve. We must ensure that we have a plan of intervention and prevention.”

Adams’ statement is not novel.

Last year a video spurred outrage as it showed a Filipina American being kicked and mauled by a man at least twice her size on a Manhattan sidewalk. Employees of a building nearby shut the door, evading involvement instead of helping the woman. The attacker reportedly was mentally ill and had served time for beating his mother to death with a hammer but had been released.

Simon reportedly turned himself in. He has been charged with second-degree murder. The tragedy occurred amid the surge of hate crimes against Asian and Pacifi c Islander Americans, and police say they were investigating the killing to determine motive.

Local AAPI offi cials and activists condemned the fatal attack. Hate crimes against Asian - Pacifi c Islander Americans in New York rose by 361%, according to NBC News.

Michelle Go’s death shines the light yet again on the failure of the criminal justice system to protect citizens from people who are a danger to themselves and others, and for the health and human service community to provide services for persons who are mentally ill. Ken Go

(From Page 20)

lender to defer missed mortgage payments to bring the homeowner’s loan current. It can then request that HUD (FHA’s overseer) further reduce the monthly payment by opening an interest-free subordinate loan of up to 30% of the remaining loan balance. The borrower only pays principal and interest based on 70% of the balance, and can pay back the remainder upon a sale or refi nance of the home.

Deferring this extra principal amount can help make it easier for FHA borrowers to get back on track with their loans.

FHA-HAMP is typically combined with one of the loan modifi cation options above to lower the borrower’s monthly payment.

Eligible FHA borrowers must complete a trial repayment plan to qualify for either loan modifi cation or the FHA-HAMP program. This involves making on-time payments in the modifi ed amount for three months straight.

It may be diffi cult to qualify for a refi nance program during times of fi nancial hardship. But before writing this strategy off , check all the loan options available.

Streamline Refi nancing

Homeowners with FHA loans, VA mortgages, and USDA loans have an additional option in the form of Streamline Refi nancing.

A Streamline Refi nance typically does not require income or employment verifi cation, or a new home appraisal. Even the credit check might be waived (though the lender will always verify you have been making mortgage payments on time).

These loans are a lot more forgiving for homeowners whose fi nances have taken a downturn.

Note that Streamline Refi nancing is only allowed within the same loan program: FHA-to-FHA, VA-to-VA.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636. Offl ine

(From Page 13)

scope, and Junior would have fared badly compared to the four.

It is not clear how many votes he lost after his latest public display of cowardice. Two weeks ago, he appeared to feign sickness when he was expected to attend the Comelec hearings to disqualify him. Junior claimed he was sick but was miraculously up and about mere hours after his failure to show up.

When asked why he couldn’t even switch on his cellphone and meet briefl y with the commissioners trying his case via zoom, his spokesperson gave an exceptionally idiotic reason: Junior did not want to spread the coronavirus by switching his phone on.

Even his fi ercest defenders – paid or otherwise – could only slap their foreheads and cringe over that faux pas.

The offi cial start of the campaign period is weeks away. Marcos is expected to face crowds everywhere he goes, and he cannot dismiss the questions of local media by giving them that patented goofy smile of his.

Since it is known that he always resorts to canned replies to tough questions, his handlers had better prepare the hardest queries he will face, and have a credible, ready answer.

Unfortunately, the one thing his camp cannot do is to force him to display a sincerity the he does not possess.

There is a strong possibility that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will follow in the footsteps of Genaro Magsaysay. He will falter because he does not have the glib tongue or the sharp mind of his father and namesake.

In truth, Junior’s biggest mistake was believing he could win the Philippine presidency by dumping billions of pesos of ill-gotten wealth at the poorest segment of the electorate. Having zero qualifi cations could be his undoing. Health & Wealth (From Page 12)

AVOID TAKE OFF FROM WORK: You don’t need to take off from work and drive to Sacramento just to submit the notarized documents to the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, for apostille. MSS will take care everything for you.

SAVINGS ON GAS AND MILEAGE FEES – We encourage old and new clients to drive and come to our home offi ce in San Francisco for savings on gas and mileage fees ($50 - $120). Victor and his wife and their son came to our home offi ce in San Francisco so they saved $160 on gas and mileage fees.

FREE PARKING – When we had our offi ce at the Philippine Center near the Philippine Consulate Offi ce, our old clients were complaining for the expensive parking fees. With our home offi ce in San Francisco, old and new clients can have free parking on our driveway and the available street parking spaces. Those who can’t drive can take the BART up to the Balboa Park and Geneva Avenue BART Station and we’ll pick you up.

VERY FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENTS – We have very fl exible appointments for old and new clients during regular offi ce hours, after offi ce hours and weekends except on Sundays. For those who can’t come to our home offi ce in San Francisco, we can do notarization in your homes, offi ces, schools. restaurants, BART and Post Offi ce lobbies and other locations.

MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS AND MULTIPLE SIGNATURES DICOUNTS - We off er 10% discount on multiple documents and multiple signatures for old and new clients.

DOCUMENTS PREPARATION DISCOUNT - With our paralegal and lawyer-friends, we off er special discounts in the preparation and drafting of documents for old and new clients.

CONVENIENCE AND PEACE OF MIND – With the effi cient, complete and unique services at MSS, you can have total convenience and peace of mind. Most of the time, it is more convenient and economical for you to avail yourself with professional and complete services at MSS.

For immediate assistance and help in the notarization and apostille follow of documents needed in the Philippines and the other member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention, just write or contact: MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or emai:agmadlaing@hotmail.com (ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. He is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California. )

PerryScope... (From Page 12)

land, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia? Heck that’s about half the membership of NATO!

Russia also demanded that the U.S. must pledge to “bar entry to NATO for ex-Soviet states such as Ukraine and Georgia and refuse to make use of their military infrastructure or develop bilateral defense ties with them,” the security demands said.

Russia also demanded that the U.S. must also “agree not to fl y heavy bombers armed with nuclear or non-nuclear weapons or deploy warships ‘outside national airspace and national territorial waters’ if they could be used to attack another country,” the document said.

NATO swiftly rejected Russia’s demands the same day, with a spokeswoman saying that such a move would create fi rst- and second-class alliance members. The question is: Does Putin think that NATO would ever withdraw its troops from NATO’s frontline countries?

Biden’s withdrawal

But President Biden, who would withdraw or surrender NATO territory to Russia at the slightest provocation, is clearly a sign that he is up to his old trick of withdrawing troops like what he did in Afghanistan.

In a recent video chat with Putin over the situation in Ukraine, details of the conversation have emerged: “Administration offi cials have suggested that the U.S. will press Ukraine to formally cede a measure of autonomy within its eastern Donbas region, which is now under de facto control by Russia-backed separatists who rose up against Kyiv in 2014.”

Lately, Biden refused Russia’s demand that NATO will never admit Ukraine into NATO, the fact of the matter is: NATO will never admit Ukraine into NATO, while Putin is in power and the Russian “volunteers” are still in Donbas.

Biden said that he thinks Russia will attack Ukraine but he warned that Moscow would face a “stiff price.” He also said that Russia would prevail militarily in an invasion but would suff er heavy casualties. He then said that NATO was divided on how to respond if there is only a “minor incursion.” One Ukrainian offi cial told CNN it “gives the green light to Putin to enter Ukraine at his pleasure.”

Immediately, NATO allies criticized Biden for saying that. Biden then clarifi ed, saying, “Any Russian troop movement into Ukraine would be considered an invasion.” He also said that if Russia invades Ukraine, “it is going to be a disaster,” and the U.S. and its allies would respond with measures including economic sanctions.

It amazes me to hear Biden say that Russia would “prevail militarily in an invasion.” Has he surrendered before the Russians invade Ukraine? My God! That’s defeatism! And coming from the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, it would surely encourage Putin to invade.

One needs to remember Putin’s favorite strategy, which is: “If a fi ght is inevitable you have to throw the fi rst punch.”

Yes, Putin’s punch is coming! On Distant Shore (From Page 12)

other projects.

Marcos’ ever-loyal and capable spokesman, Atty. Victor Rodriguez, said the younger Marcos declined the invitation because he perceived Jessica Soho to be “biased against the Marcoses.” Marcos later confi rmed he did not participate because he knew from personal experience that Soho was biased against the Marcoses. The GMA Network, whose reputation has been boosted by Jessica Soho’s outstanding journalism and her many awards in prestigious TV awarding events in New York and elsewhere through the years, rejected Rodriguez’s claim of bias. Lacson agreed with the network, saying it was Jessica’s job to ask tough questions. “The questions are tough because the job of the presidency is tough,” the network stressed.

The next day after the Jessica Soho interviews aired without Marcos, it was reported that he has accepted an invitation to be interviewed by Boy Abunda of ABS-CBN, who is known more as interviewer of showbiz personalities, and a DZRH presidential forum with a Manila Times columnist and three DZRH broadcasters. The Manila Times is owned by Dante Ang, long time publicist of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and special envoy on international public relations of President Rodrigo Duterte. Arroyo and Duterte are part of the MAD + E (Marcos, Arroyo, Duterte and Estrada) dynasties that supports the candidacies of Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte. DZRH is owned by the Elizaldes. That should explain why Marcos readily agreed to attend the program.

Lacson, Pacquiao and Moreno have gamely agreed to join the DZRH forum, but Robredo said she was willing to attend the forum, but that the producers moved it to a later schedule, which, she said, was in confl ict with another commitment. She said she would be available if the producers would move it to a later date, to which DZRH has reportedly agreed.

Three more opportunities for the people to gauge the readiness and eligibility of the candidates, and for the candidates to explain their stand on various issues are the upcoming three presidential debates being organized by the Commission on Elections.

All four candidates -- Robredo, Lacson, Pacquiao, and Moreno -- have expressed readiness, and, in the case of Pacquiao, “excitement,” to join all three debates. But Marcos, as of this writing, has not advised the Comelec if he would join the debates, nor has explained his reluctance to attend them.

The moderators will defi nitely ask tough questions, and the candidates are expected to ask their rivals’ even tougher questions. But following what the GMA Network said, the candidates should be ready to be asked and to answer tough questions because the president should be able to confront tough issues and problems during the six years of his term. While there will be spokesmen and advisers to help him, he still has to make the ultimate decision. Indeed, if Marcos is not ready to face tough questions, will he be ready to make tough decisions?

Diliman Way... (From Page 13)

agreed with him, Macpagal stood up and said, “I’m leaving. Even my Secretary of Foreign Aff airs is shouting at me.” Before he could leave, Speaker Laurel got a glass of water, handed it to Macapagal and he drank it and sat down. The spark: After that meeting, I organized the fi rst regional political party in the country, MINDANAO ALLIANCE, to accept the challenge of President Marcos. It was only composed of a bunch of young lawyers – Atty. Firdausi “Seng” Abbas as Secretary General, Atty. Jesus “Jess” Balicanta as Regional Chairman for Region 12 and this writer as Chairman. That little spark which Ben mentions resulted to front page treatment in the Marcos mainstream media and the consequent mushrooming of regional parties like Zamboaga City Mayor Cesar Climaco’s Concerned Citizens’ Aggrupation (CCA), Ninoy Aquino’s Laban, Nene Madarang’s Pusyon Bisaya, Abdul Khayer Alonto’s Muslim Federal Party, Atty. Badong Princesa’s Bicol Saro, and Congressman Tito Dupaya’s Timek Ti Umile’ That little spark that led to the organization of MINDANAO ALLIANCE and the mushrooming of regional political parties eventually led to the birth of national political parties like Senator Jovito Salonga’s National Union for Liberation (NUL) Francisco “Kit” Tatad’s Socialist Party of the Philippines (SPP), Mayor Nene Pimentel’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), Senator Edgardo “Ed” Angara’s Laban ng Demokratikon Pilipino(LDP).and the giant of all political parties, the United Democratic Organization (UNIDO) which toppled the regime of President Marcos. Yes, Ben, it only takes a little spark to start a confl agration. That little spark that led to the organization of MINDANAO ALLIANCE bloomed into a confl agration. All my life, I have always believed like some other good men that – it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

Health dep’t opposes anti-health vape regulation bill

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) strongly opposes the blatant disregard of public health in the recently approved Senate Bill 2239 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Regulation Act) that seeks to further expand access to vaporized nicotine and nonnicotine products.

The bill is retrogressive and contains several provisions that contradict public health goals and international standards and undermines the country’s progress in tobacco control, according to the DOH in a statement.

Nineteen senators approved last week the bill seeking to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.

By lowering the age of access to vapor products from 21 to 18 years old, allowing fl avorings, and permitting advertising and sponsorship strategies, the bill exposes the youth to harmful and addictive substances by making vapor products enticing and easily accessible.

The DOH maintains that vape products are harmful and not risk-free and should be regulated as health products due to their toxic substances and eff ects.

Vape liquids and its emission contain chemicals such as nicotine, propylene glycol, carbonyls, and carbon monoxide that are either addictive, toxic or can cause cancer.

Additionally, studies have shown vape use increases the risk of using other known addictive substances such as cigarette, alcohol, and even marijuana.

There is also growing evidence of the harmful eff ects of using vapes, both to the user and those exposed to its emissions, including its potential to cause cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, and explosion injuries.

The DOH said that the approval of Senate Bill 2239 puts the Filipino youth at risk.

The agency cited the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which showed that the prevalence of using electronic cigarettes is increasing among the Filipino youth.

Data showed a 110-percent increase in vape use in just four years -- from 11.7 percent in 2015 to 24.6 percent in 2019.

A recent study conducted by the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Department of Education also showed that the age of initiation of using electronic cigarettes starts at 10 to 15 years old.

The DOH added that this is concerning because several studies noted that the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is involved in executive and decision-making functions, continues to mature until about the age of 25.

This bill predisposes adolescents and young adults to be more susceptible in initiating smoking and subsequent nicotine addiction.

An overwhelming majority of Filipinos support stringent measures in protecting themselves from the harms of using and exposure to electronic cigarettes, according to a Pulse Asia Survey conducted from September 6 to 11.

In particular, 74 percent support a 100-percent cigarette-or-vape free policy in public spaces, 70 percent support a policy that restricts accessibility of electronic cigarettes at 21 years old and above, and 62 percent support a bill that will ban the availability and accessibility of fl avors that appeal to the youth.

Coconut oil: “poison”?

PHILIP S. CHUA

Heart of Hope

Coconut oil, touted to be a healthy oil and a “superfood” is a “pure poison” according to some Dutch researchers, claiming there are no studies to prove it does your body better than other edible oils. We have been warning the public about the danger of coconut oil since the early 80s as false claims fl ooded the market, together with various forms of coconut products, including virgin coconut oil.

The American Heart Association published a report a couple of years ago warning about the dangers of eating too many unhealthy, saturated fats, was a big blow against coconut oil, which is listed and characterized as one of the “unhealthy fats,” which raises LDL (bad) cholesterol levels “more than any other liquid fat.”

The report further stated: “From a structural perspective, coconut oil is about 90 percent saturated fat (which is why it stays solid at room temperature). According to Harvard’s Walter Willett, that’s a far higher percentage than butter, at 64 percent, as well as beef fat and lard, both at 40 percent.” Olive and avocado fruits and oils are healthy food items.

Coconut oil is known to be good for the hair, and perhaps for the skin, but falsely marketed as a “superfood.”

As always, caveat emptor! * * *

Fecal Transplant

One of the most recent popular topics in medical science is the microbiome, especially of the gastrointestinal tract. Microbiome, as the term suggests, concerns the microscopic life environment in and on our body. The gut microbiome (microbes in our intestinal tract) infl uences our metabolism, immunity, and mediator of resistance to some infections. There are good and bad microbes (trillions) on our skin and in our body, like the gut. The balance of their coexistence with us and our body determines our health and wellbeing. Our body needs both types of microbes, in harmony and in balance, for good health.

It has been reported that the “distinct and essential organ within the human body, the gut microbiome contains an estimated 500-1000 species and 100 trillion organisms, encoding 100-fold more unique genes than our own genome.”

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, for one, is caused by a disturbance in the balance of the microbiome milieu when the drug kills both types (good and bad) of bacteria in the body. The condition leads to Clostridium diffi cile infection, which has doubled in incidence in the USA alone from 1996 to 2003, and in 2010, estimated to be half a million a year, resulting in 20,000 deaths a year.

To reestablish the original balance of gut microbiome, Fecal Microbiome Transplantation (screened donor human stools given to the patient) has been found eff ective in the management of C. diffi cile infection, which has saved countless lives. The donor feces, blenderized and fi ltered, is introduced by enema or colonoscopy into the patient’s colon, aimed at providing the gut a normal fl ora of stool bacteria. FMT has been found to be very eff ective.

Stools, after all, are not a total waste. * * *

NIOSH-N95 Mask

The government is providing free masks for all soon, a mitigating PPE that should have been distributed two years ago, followed by a federal mandate for vaccination for all when the vaccine fi rst came out on December 11, 2020. Those two strategies would have ended COVID-19 in the USA before 2022. Mutations gave us Delta, Omicron, Deltacron and now a subvariant of Omicron, BA.2 virus, an even more rapidly transmissible strain (fi rst found in Denmark late December 2021 and now 30,000 new cases per day, the 45-percent predominant strain in Denmark), nicknamed “Stealth Omicron.” With the massive surges of these new variants, we can expect the virus to be all around us, on us (especially among the unvaccinated), fl ying in the air, and dropping on the fl oor. Talking, breathing, sneezing, and coughing (without a mask) spews out the virus and transmit the virus to people around. Sneezing and coughing shoot the virus into a trajectory of 16.5 meters per second. Certainly beyond 6 feet. The more reason to mask-up, perhaps doubly, or with a gaiter or a face shield on top of the mask. One can never be too careful in the presence of this stealth enemy. Even to a silly degree of protection. The size of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) virus is 0.1-0,5 micron, 600 times smaller than a grain of salt, 150 times smaller than pollen, 25 times smaller than dust, 20 times smaller than bacteria. The mask we need should have pores smaller than 0.1 micron to really prevent the virus from going through our mask and entering our nose and mouth. Unfortunately, such a mask does not exist (yet).

Cloth masks, using 100 percent cotton, found to be the best material among dozens of common fabrics, still has about 100 micron-size pores, which would allow (accommodate) 1000 viruses in one pore alone, making it a poor fi lter for COVID-19 viruses.

The NIOSH-approved N95 mask fi lters up to 0.3 micron. During a high velocity cough, even N95 masks fi lters only 53 percent of small particles. But reducing the viral load is always benefi cial. Even 100 percent cotton, when made into a 3- to 5-layer mask, is still helpful, better than no mask at all.

NIOSH-N95 mask is still the best (when worn properly covering the nose also), compared to all the other masks, even expensive high-end and designer masks. The N95 could be doubled or reinforced with a gaiter or a face shield to maximize protection. Frequent handwashing, social distancing, avoiding crowds, and staying home except for essential travel, are still the best weapon we have against the virus, which has so far killed more 5.6 million worldwide, greater than 890,000 in the USA, and almost 53.6 thousand in the Philippines. * * *

Cancer and diet

Diets high in red meat, processed foods, and low in vegetables, fruits, and nuts are well-known causes of cancers in general. High saturated animal fats and burnt meat (barbeques) are believed to increase the risk of pancreatic and colon cancers. Recent studies show the impact of diet on cervical cancer. Eating a variety of natural fresh whole food items (unprocessed, no preservatives, no additives), minimum red meats (twice or once a week), a lot of green leafy vegetables, other colored veggies, nuts, and fruits, lowers the risk for cervical malignancy and other forms of cancers. In the Philippines, about 5,000 cases of cervical cancer (caused by Human Papilloma Virus) are detected each year, making it the second most common cancer in women. The vaccine, Gardasil, which prevents cervical cancer almost 100 percent, when given to young boys and girls in grammar school before they become sexually active, is a miracle drug all parents should welcome.

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. Websites: FUN8888. com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

The Lord’s Prayer 1

THE WINTER OF MY LIFE

By TIM PEDROSA

We have to decide how we want our life to be. If our life were ending tomorrow, would this be how we would want to have spent it? The truth is, nothing is guaranteed. We know that more than anybody. So don’t be afraid. Be alive. A good life is when we assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed we are. Love what you have. Need what you want. Accept what you receive. Give what you can. Always remember, what goes around, comes around.Here are some thoughts about life’s regrets, outlook and perspectives inspired by the writings of an unknown writer.

Time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons(indefi nitely long time) ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all... And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go? Life is a one time off er, use it well. You only live once but if you live it right, once is enough – Mae West

I remember well.. seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like...

But, here it is...my friends are retired and really getting gray...they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now thosee older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I fi nd that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains, the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it’s over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done ......, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.So, if you’re not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!! Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. Live it well! Enjoy today! Do something fun! Be happy and be thankful! Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way. Age is a question of mind over body. If you don’t mind it does not matter. We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten – Cesare Pavese

The Lord’s prayer or the “Our Father” as it is also called is among our most important prayers as Christians. There are many books written about this prayer and our Catholic Catechism has an ample treatment of it as well. However, I would like us to spend some time on it with some fresh eyes as people of faith of our time. Maybe you, dear reader, have had some readings about it, or maybe none at all except learning about it from our basic catechism when we were kids. So, let us take this as an opportunity to learn and relearn about it anew. Oftentimes, we pray the Lord’s prayer without minding much from whom it came and for whom it is addressed. And just considering about the “from whom” and the “for whom” about this prayer, we should already take on a disposition of seriousness and of highest respect. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself taught us this prayer, that’s the from whom; hence, this prayer should be treated as far better than our spontaneous and fl owery-words prayers. Our liturgical celebrations, if you notice, always include the Lord’s prayer. The Holy Mass, our highest form of prayer, also contain this prayer; it is positioned as the bridge from the Consecration to the Holy Communion. To facilitate the fl ow of our discourse, we will have three parts: First part, the “for whom” and its implication in our prayer and life; second, the diff erent forms of prayer and their consequence to our ways of praying; lastly, the missionary aspect of this prayer, what it calls and commands us to do. Hence, The First Part: The Lord’s prayer is addressed, “for whom,” to God as “Our Father.” Jesus Christ introduces us to His personal way of relating to God the Father. He opened us a door way to the Father through Him, through His way of relating to God. He taught us using the pronoun “Our;” for, we cannot go to God unless through Him and we cannot be God’s children without Him. Hence, using the “our,” He fi rst includes us into His own relationship to the Father; and then, with Him and in Him, we call God Our Father too. Furthermore, we cannot overlook the signifi cance of the word “Father.” God is Father because He is Love and He is The Creator; and in Christ Jesus, we are reborn anew into His divine life. In Jesus, we are born anew as God’s children, adopted children in the Son. We are incorporated and made participants in the IntraTrinitarian Life. Jesus, the Only Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, relates to the Father, and it is in this relationship to The Father that we are deigned worthy to participate in. Therefore, every time we pray this prayer, let us bear in mind how special we are to God. Furthermore, the very moment we say “Our Father” we call into mind His love for us in and through His Son, Jesus; and God, as well, is reminded how much He loves us. So, He listens when we pray and grants our prayer for we are His children. Notice, we have nothing to claim meritable before God. It is God’s love for us that we call Him Father and relate to Him as Father. Let us practice these truths; and we will pray the Lord’s Prayer in a new and best way we can. Meanwhile, calling God, Father, is also a recognition that He is our Creator. He is, therefore, the source of our life and everything in it. Thus, we are His children who must relate to Him with the highest respect, honor, and glory. We are to obey God as good children. As good and responsible children, we can never take for granted His Holy Will. Doing the Will of God is of primary importance even Jesus our Lord did the Will of the Father; even if, it meant He is to be sacrifi ced on the altar of the Cross. This is explicit in the prayer, “…Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus included this line in the prayer to teach and remind us always, it is not our will and wants that matters, it is God’s. As we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we must know God’s will comes fi rst. We may say that such and such is very important to us, but God’s will is infi nitely more important; hence, God’s will must always be prioritized. Our Lord Jesus showed us an example; in Gethsemane, He prayed: “…not my will but yours be done (Lk. 22:42).” Amen. This ends this part, please stay tuned, for next week’s issue. God bless! Afl ame The Heart REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD

Recipe of the Week

Pork and Chicken Afritada

Pork and Chicken Afritada. Afritada is one of the Pinoy dish that is as popular with adobo and kaldereta to non-Filipino. In fact it would be safe to say that it is more acceptable to a nonFilipino because it is milder in taste compared to the tangy adobo and spicy kaldereta. Manila.

Ingredients:

1 kilo pork belly or pork chop, cut into cut into serving pieces 1/2 kilo chicken tights, cut into serving pieces 1/2 head garlic, chopped 2 medium size onion, chopped 1 big canned crushed tomatoes 3 medium sized potatoes, quartered 1 medium size carrot, cut into wedges 2 large red bell pepper, cut into trips 1 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup patis 3-5 pcs. bay leaf 2 tsp. dried parley fl akes 1 tsp. peppercorns salt and pepper 1/2 cup cornstarch 3 slices loaf bread, trimmed, soak with water, mashed cooking oil

Cooking procedure:

In a bowl marinate pork and chicken with light dust of salt and pepper for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. In a sauce pan fry the pork and chicken for 1 to 2 minutes or until colour turn to light brown each side in batches. Remove from pan and set aside. In same sauce pan sauté garlic and onion, add pork and chicken and stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes, Add patis canned tomato and tomato sauce, stir cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in 6 to 8 cups of water add in the peppercorns, parsley fl akes bay leaf and the mashed loaf bread, simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid is reduced to half. Add potatoes and carrots simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until pork and vegetables are cooked and tender. Add bell pepper, season with salt and pepper to taste, thicken sauce with cornstarch dissolve in 1/4 cup of water, cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot with a lot of rice.

71 more ‘new normal’ tourism circuits eyed

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is in the process of validating 71 new tourism circuits in 13 regions across the country in a bid to boost tourism in the country. Tourism Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said the circuits are being developed in coordination with local government units and tourism stakeholders and will feature activities based on travelers’ preferences in the new normal.

In a virtual presser, Maquiling said these circuits would reintroduce the best travel products and experiences a region off ers, including but not limited to culinary, history, nature, wellness, farm, and faith-based tourism.

As of posting, 44 tourism circuits have been validated in Metro Manila, the Ilocos and Cordillera regions, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao region, and Soccsksargen.

‘Touring a circuit’

Developed for the new normal, the DOT sees to it that the destinations included in the “recalibrated” circuits are not only infused with the health and safety protocols but are carefully crafted for diff erent kinds of travelers. Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce

One example is Laguna’s SaRiLiNa (San Pablo, Rizal, Liliw, Nagcarlan) circuit, which spotlights the province’s cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and rich ecotourism offers.

In Rizal, Laguna, the Tayak Adventure and Nature Park (TANAW) is a must-visit with the unparalleled view of Mount San Cristobal offers, and the cool, fresh air that would welcome you when you reach the park’s peak at Noah’s Ark.

About 17 km. from Rizal is the famous Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, a museum and historic gravesite set against the town’s hilly terrain. And just a stone’s throw away from it is the Belen’s, the store that is said to be the origin of the traditional Filipino rice cake known as espasol.

Less than 30 minutes away from Nagcarlan is Liliw where one can stroll in the town’s bustling Gat Tayaw Street, where all sorts of abaca footwear are sold, for a genuine Laguna travel experience.

San Pablo would be a fi tting last stop for this specifi c circuit if you want to end your Laguna trip with a food crawl.

San Pablo is home not just to traditional Filipino dishes but also to unique cuisines prepared from ingredients that are sourced from its very own lakes – the Bunot, Calibato, Mohicap, Palakpakin, Pandin, Sampaloc, and Yambo lakes. Among the interesting fi nds here are Sinugno, Kulawo, Pinaete, and Hipon Palakpakin.

‘Sustainably, inclusively’

Two years into the pandemic and with less than a year left in the administration, the DOT continues to promote a “safe, fun, and competitive” Philippine tourism, Maquiling said.

“For the fi scal year 2022, we will continue the pursuit of sustainability, resiliency, and inclusiveness of tourism,” he said, highlighting the department’s commitment to rebuilding confi dence and growing demand in the domestic and foreign markets.

While the plan to reopen the country to foreign tourists was halted due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant, Maquiling said the DOT continues to prepare for possible international travel corridors or green lanes.

“These things are continually being discussed and hopefully, we will have more travel bubbles because the secretary wanted to bring in, for instance, familiarization tours coming from abroad... for tour operators to come here to the Philippines and visit destinations that have been already recalibrated,” he said. “These are being closely coordinated with our foreign attaches across 13 offi ces, (including in) London, Taiwan, and Korea.”

In the same presser, Maquiling said the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit is set to happen in Manila in March.

The WTTC Global Summit is widely considered the most infl uential event for travel and tourism professionals and stakeholders, with at least 650 executives expected to attend.

“(T)hey have been given special lanes. They will be coming from diff erent countries. These are the things that are always being talked about in the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases). Hopefully, it can expand to more groups coming in for special purposes. Hopefully, these are the things that we look forward to in the coming months,” he said.