Philippine News Today

1 June 23-29, 2022

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

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

Vol. 61 No. 46 June 23-29, 2022

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

GOV’T ADMITS FOOD CRISIS; MARCOS TO HEAD AGRI DEPT Woes worsened by avian flu, war-stirred global chain change

Covid-19 cases start to peak in NCR, other areas

By ALFRED GABOT, Editor-in-Chief

MANDALUYONG CITY — Incoming and outgoing officials of the Philippine government warned the country is now suffering a food crisis partly due to the global food chain disturbance triggered by the Ukraine-Russia war, the onset of avian flu and other local and external factors, prompting Presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to decide that he will take on Secretary of Agriculture portfolio, at least “for now.” Page 9

PHL grapples with food, transport crises

NEXT VICE PRESIDENT. Sara Duterte signs the official oath of office, making her the Philippines’ 15th Vice President, on a makeshi� stage at San Pedro Square, Davao City on June 19, as her parents, President Rodrigo Duterte and MANILA – President-elect hold the post of Agriculture sec- Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Supreme Court Associate Jus�ce Ramon Paul HerFerdinand Marcos, Jr. this week retary “for the time being.” nando look on.

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

warned of an impending food crisis.

His pick to head the National Economic and Development Authority, however, said the food crisis the incoming president referred to is not coming soon; it’s already here.

Incoming Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the main source of the country’s food supply, agriculture, was already in crisis as could be seen in the soaring prices of rice and meat products coupled with the “low profitability” in farming.

Just how critical the food supply situation of the country is could be gleaned by the surprise announcement of Marcos Jr. this week that he would concurrently

The incoming president and his chosen NEDA chief agreed that the poor should be protected as the situation was almost certain to get worse before it gets any better.

Balisacan – who also served as NEDA chief in the administration of the late President Benigo Aquino III – said, “We must protect the poorest and vulnerable groups in our society.”

This means strengthening the ayuda system of giving cash donations to those who need it most. “But this time, make sure the ayuda will go to the deserving groups and not just to anyone,” he said.

For his part, Marcos Jr. rejected the idea of sending a lifeline to another sector Page 8

Sara takes oath as VP, commits to serve nation

By Claire Morales True DAVAO CITY – Sara Duterte Marcos Jr. and wife, Lisa; Pamtook her oath as the 15th Vice panga Representative-elect and President of the Philippines be- former president Gloria Macapafore Supreme Court Associate gal-Arroyo; officials of various Justice Ramon Paul Hernando at embassies; and incumbent and San Pedro Square here on June elected lawmakers led by Sen. 19.

Imelda Imee Marcos and outgoClad in an emerald green Fili- ing Deputy Speaker, now Senapiniana gown, Duterte was sworn tor-elect Loren Legarda. in before her fellow Davaoenos Prior to the inaugural ceras President Rodrigo Duterte and emony, a Holy Mass, presided Elizabeth Zimmerman, parents over by Davao Archbishop Roof the Vice President-elect, stood mulo Valles, was held at the San by her side.

Pedro Cathedral.

Foreign and local guests were While her oath-taking was led by President-elect Ferdinand held early, the Vice Page 8

MANILA – Metro Manila has recorded a “sharp rise” in new COVID-19 cases while the rest of Luzon and the Visayas have also shown an increase, prompting Malacañang to remind citizens to continue observing minimum public health standards.

“Wear your masks, social distancing, wash your hands,” outgoing Communications Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said in Malacanang.

Andanar noted that it is difficult to avoid crowds nowadays since all establishments in areas under Alert Level 1 are now allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity as long as proof of full vaccination is presented.

“You just really have to be careful, drink your vitamins, eat healthy, don’t stay up late, and sleep long,” he added.

At the same time, the Department of Health has detected 32 additional cases of Omicron BA.5 subvariant, 21 of which are from Western Visayas, four from Calabarzon, four from the National Capital Region and three Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 30 of the new cases are fully vaccinated and one is partiallyPage 10

Filipino lawyer shot dead, mother hurt in US

Enrile tapped; BIR, NICA chiefs named VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

What should you do if you entered using a different name?

Duterte confers Natl Artist award to Nora Aunor

By A�y. Lozano

Page 14

Page 7

SPORTS

Bay Area FilAms applaud Warriors in SF celebration Page 21

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 NATIONAL NEWS

June 23-29, 2022

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Marcos names more Cabinet members, appointees MANILA – President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as presidential legal counsel and announced his nominees as head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency ( NICA) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue ( BIR) .

Marcos also named outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo uevarra and retired A chief ose austino r as olicitor eneral and fficer-in- harge of the epartent of ational efense respectively Press Secretary-designate Trix ie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos nominated retired Philippine National Police deputy director eneral icardo de eon as NICA Director General-designate. e eon as A chief will beco e part of arcos security cluster oining other officials fro the departents of efense ocal overn ent oreign A airs and Justice; the Armed Forces of the Philippines; the ; and the ational ureau of nvestigation ru Angeles said.

De Leon is a member of the Philippine Military Academy ( PMA) “Matatag” Class of 197 1 and a classmate of outgoing enator anfilo acson and outgoing epartment of Information and Communications Technology secretary regorio onasan

De Leon currently serves as the president of the Philippine ublic afety ollege which is the pre ier educational institution for the training hu an resource develop ent and continuing education of all police fire and jail personnel. eanti e for er deputy co issioner ilia Guillermo has been tapped to lead the country’s leading ta collection agency ru -Angeles said Cruz-Angeles said Guillermo’s track record makes her ualified to serve as o issioner-designate “Guillermo’s strong background in Information Technology ( IT) and her almost four decades of service at the BIR complements President-elect Marcos’ objective of boosting the country s revenue through efficient ta collection she said Guillermo is cited for the successful implementation of the hilippines a o puteri ation ro ect which established a modern tax collection system for the BIR and the Bureau of Customs.

Guillermo serves as an assistant governor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ( BSP) .

She also heads the BSP Technology and Digital Innovation ffice and anages the s oderni ation oad ap for Cruz-Angeles said Guillermo will be joined by lawyer

Q UEZON CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government ( DILG) will not allow any plot by the Communist Party of the Philippines ( CPP) and its allied and front organizations to embarrass or discredit the incoming administration.

Incoming Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile earlier warned of a credible plot to embarrass the incoming administration.

DILG Undersecretary and National Task Force to nd ocal o unist Ar ed on ict A spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made the remark following the revelation by former cadres of the CPP-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front ( CPP-NPANDF) that the communist terrorist group is planning to disrupt the oathtaking of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on June 30. n a press briefing organi ed by A forer rebels rlando “ a arly aluyot now chairman of Tinang Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative and a ong ibayan a far er fro acienda inang in oncepcion arlac said the radical left has started mobilizing farmers in their province. hey said aside fro acienda inang officials and members of CPP-NPA-NDF front organizations have also been eeting with far ers fro nearby acienda urcia and arangay entral inside acienda uisita “Ayaw talaga nilang maupo si Marcos. Iyon ang nakita natin na gagawin nila sa June 30 bago maupo si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ( They really don’t want Marcos to assume office hat is what we have seen as their act on June 30 before President Bongbong Marcos takes oath aluyot said “We are taking these R ate: intelligence reports seriously and we will do what is necessary to thwart any attempt to embarrass or discredit the forthcoming inauguration alaya added. e said the and other security agencies have finali ed all security preparation for the inau-

PA N G A S I N A N C o ngr es s man-el ec t M ar k C o j uangc o ( 2nd district meets the officers and members of the United Pangasinanes of America, Inc. UPAI the UPAI Building in San Francisco, California. In photo from le� are real estate broker, notary public and Philippine Ne s Today columnist Art Gabot Madlaing, Rep. Co uangco, Ernie Aglipay, UPAI leader, and Fred Almeron, President, UPAI. Romeo Lumagui Jr. who will serve as the BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations-designate under the Marcos administration. u agui ru -Angeles said is a ta lawyer “with decades of ex perience who once served as the Regional Investigation Division Chief of Revenue Region No. 7 B East NCR.”

DILG to thwart attempts to embarrass, disrupt Marcos inauguration on June 30

guration including obili ing around police officers around the ational useu in the co ing days e said it is not a surprise that the co unist terrorist groups ( CTGs) are planning something to embarrass the incoming administration.

“That’s part of their playbook. Whoever sits in alacanang is their ene y because ulti ately all they want is to overthrow the government through violent eans to be followed by a socialist revolution alaya said. e said leftist organi ers have been obili ing in arlac avite a panga aguna in the past wee s to engage people for their nefarious ends.

“They are even misleading the youth to join them in their protest actions he added e said the hilippine ational olice will have additional mobile forces on standby should radical leftist groups attempt to disrupt the inauguration.

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3 June 23-29, 2022

 NATIONAL NEWS

Incoming defense chief vows to defend ‘every single square inch of the PHL territory’ he will also address the country s a or concerns and security challenges, such as climate change and natural disasters terroris support to law enforceent to address cri inality illegal drugs and cyber security.

He assured the public that the campaign to end the local co unist ar ed con ict started by the uterte administration, would continue under Marcos. “ e will li ewise continuously support the successful programs of the peace agreement with the MILF oro sla ic iberation ront and oro ational Liberation Front) ,” Faustino said. austino will assu e as efense secretary on ove ber after the one-year appoint ent ban on reJose Faus�no Jr. MANILA – Incoming Department of National efense officer-incharge Jose Faustino Jr. has vowed to enhance the ilitary’s defense capabilities and ensure that “not a single s uare inch of the hilippine territory is surrendered” once he takes over the post in November. his aligns with the vision of the resident-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of a stronger and better Philippines, he said.

“National security is synony ous to hu an security. That is why we will do our best that all programs of the department will focus on protecting and defending the sovereignty of the country, to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, address the root causes of internal con ict and a e sure to implement the order of the President that ‘ not a single square inch of the territory is surrendered’,” Faustino said.

The Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines A oderni ation rogram is divided into three tranches he first was implemented from 2013 to 2017 , the second from 2018 to 2022 and the third from 2023 to 2028 .

Equipment acquired in these programs are aimed at beefing up the country s e ternal defense capabilities.

“We are now on the Third Horizon of the AFP oderni ation -- building a ore reliable and credible A in strengthening territorial or ex ternal defense capability. We will ensure the smooth implementation of the AFP Modernization ( Program) and will even enhance our capability in defending our territory he said in a essage to reporters Sunday.

tired

ilitary officials austino too over the A leadership fro en irilito Sobejana who retired from military service on July 31, 2021.

He retired as AFP chief after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on N ovember 12 of the same year. rior to his assu ption as the th A chief-ofsta austino was the head of the oint as orce indanao and has also served as the acting commanding general of the Philippine Army.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988.

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 METRO NEWS

June 23-29, 2022

VP Robredo office in QC almost empty, Sara slated to take over Q UEZON CITY – A few days before she steps down from her post, Vice President Maria Leonor Leni Robredo said the ffice of the ice resident located in New Manila, Q uezon City is now almost empty.

Robredo’s successor, Sara Duterte, a lawyer like her, decided to use the same office but revealed a per anent ice resident s office should be put up especially for her successor, and this would be her legacy.

Robredo has congratulated Vice President-elect Duterte and wished her success.

During her Facebook live, Robredo showed the actual office that she used to serve as the country’s 14 th Vice President, and the rest of the Q C Reception House

that served as her office for si years “For posterity, ito yung ano na, patapos na kaming mag empake. K ung nakikita nyo, itong mga kahon na ito ay papunta siya sa susunod na office papunta siya sa Angat uhay office ung ga alala ing kahon ay naiuwi na. Halos bare na yung office na in yung ga personal ite s o na lang yung dadalhin ( we are almost done packing. You see these box es, this will go to the ne t office the Angat uhay office We have sent home the big box es. The office is now al ost bare ust left are so e personal items that we will bring) ,” she said.

She added that among those items left are ust a few clothes so e toiletries documents, and artworks given to her as gifts.

Robredo said the last few box es would be transferred to the new office by the end of this week.

She said some of the artworks and paintings that were given to her would be placed in an art museum that she was planning to open where memorabilia of her office as well as souvenirs she accu ulated during the campaign period, would be preserved.

No further detail has been given yet on the said art museum, however, she said all these would become the property of the Angat Buhay Foundation.

During her Facebook live, Robredo thanked everyone, especially her supporters for ourneying with her for the past si years.

old structure during the celebration of the school’s 55th foundation anniversary on June 19.

“Andidito na, pirmado na ( It’s here and it’s signed) . We have a new campus,” Leyco said in his speech.

With the new building, the PLM’s Colleges of Nursing, Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Science, and School of Public Health would transfer to the new site.

Leyco said the new campus would

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Covid-19 cases in QC jump by 20% in 2 days

enable PLM to accommodate more students in its old campus in Intramuros which it inherited from the Manila High School. President Diosdado Macapagal, who signed the PLM Charter on June 19, 196 5, also bequeathed its Intramuros campus through a Presidential Proclamation while the Manila High School returned to its original campus on Victoria st. corner Muralla st. also in Intramuros.

In 2020, the construction of the Bagong ( New) Ospital ng Maynila started which allowed Domagoso to commit the current Ospital ng Maynila building to PLM. The Bagong Ospital ng Maynila will be inaugurated on June 24, coinciding with the 451s t celebration of “Araw ng Maynila” ( Manila Day) .

“Within the year, magamit na ( the hospital can already be used) . While we’re doing that, the transition for PLM making it fit physically fit yung the building para sa inyo yun po ang ga susunod na mangyayari ( for the students, that’s what will happen in the coming days) ,” Domagoso said.

The city government allotted P2.3 billion for the 10-story Bagong Ospital ng Maynila on President Q uirino Avenue.

The fully air conditioned hospital has 384 beds, 12 intensive care units, 20 private rooms, three-story parking area, and a helipad for emergency cases

Q UEZON CITY – Q uezon City has recorded a 20-percent increase in active Covid-19 cases in two days.

From 365 active infections on Sunday, s tally u ped to on uesday or percent of the overall confir ed cases of 263,1 18.

Fatalities have remained at 1,732 since June 14.

In a statement, the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit reminded anew about adherence to minimum health protocols like avoiding crowded places, maintaining one to two-meter physical distancing, frequent use of alcohol or washing of hands, and wearing of face masks.

As the city is under “yellow” status, which means a surge may happen in the next two weeks, Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered all 142 villages to strictly implement the order to wear masks, with assistance from the Department of Public Order and Safety and Task Force Disiplina ( Discipline) .

On Monday, the Department of Health said the daily average of Covid-19 cases went up by 82 percent from June 13 to 19.

From 340 per day from June 6 to 12, the number rose to 436 daily from June 13 to 19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, assured there is no surge yet.

Dr. Guido David of the OCTA Research Group also tweeted on Tuesday that the seven-day average in the National Capital Region increased from 131 the previous week to 225 on June 14 t o 20.

Hospital occupancy remained low at 22 percent.

“Expe cting 500 to 1, 000 cases per day by end of June and possibly 1k to 2k by first wee of uly a e pecting the pea to happen around that time. Let us all be careful and practice health protocols,” David tweeted.

Q UEZON CITY – Free rides on buses at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue ( Edsa) Busway will continue beyond the end of the third phase of the Service Contracting Program ( SCP) , the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ( LTFRB) said.

In an announcement, the LTFRB said 118 routes under the latest SCP have ended on June 16, while another 28 routes are set to end on June 30.

“Ngunit ang Libreng Sakay sa Edsa

Busway Carousel ay patuloy na magbibigay serbisyo para sa mga commuter hanggang July 31 ( But the free rides at the Edsa Busway Carousel will continue to provide service to commuters until July 31) ,” the LTFRB said. he buses o ering free rides at the dsa usway it said begin their first trip at 4 a.m. and their last trip at 11 p.m. daily. he first phase in of the pro ect to its third phase this year, has served a total of 203,639,626 pa ssengers.

Old Ospital ng Maynila to become PLM College of Medicine MANILA – The old building of the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center at the corner of President Q uirino Avenue and President Roxa s Boulevard in Malate will soon become the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila ( PLM) College of Medicine and Allied Health Services.

This was announced by Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and PLM president Emmanuel Leyco after they signed the deed of donation for the

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Free rides on Edsa to continue up to July 31

5 June 23-29, 2022

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

Ex-Guagua mayor gets 8 years for delay in slaughterhouse project GUAGUA, Pampanga – The Sandiganbayan antigraft court has found a former Pampanga mayor liable for the delay in the construction of the town slaughterhouse that started during his term and was sentenced up to eight years in prison.

A 34 -page decision dated June 8 said former Guagua mayor Ricardo Rivera is guilty of violating Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The P28 .5-million project started on April 21, 2009 was supposed to be completed within 24 0 days. n when the pro ect re ained unfinished a co plaint was filed by a losing candidate citing a o mission on Audit report that said the municipality lost

P8 01,901 annually in amortization due to the project’s non-operational status.

Rivera claimed that road closures due to repairs, ex cavation, dredging of rivers, and inclement weather were responsible for the delay.

The project eventually went into full operation in August 2019, or 10 years after the start of construction.

The court found Rivera liable for “failing to take appropriate action to ensure the completion of the construction” and “to institute proper legal action “against the contractor, NC’s General Contractor, through termination of contract or enforcing payment of liquidated damages for failure to complete and deliver the project on time.

Former Bataan mayor, contractor sentenced to 18 years for malversation MARIVELES, Bataan – The Sandiganbayan has found a former Bataan mayor and a businessman guilty of malversation and sentenced them to up to 18 years imprisonment.

The court’s Third Division convicted former Mariveles, Bataan mayor Angel Peliglorio Jr. for malversation in connection with irregularities in the construction of the Mariveles Public Market in 2007.

Also convicted was Cedric Lee, president and chief e ecutive officer of u o ontractors nc which received advanced mobilization funds for the project

Plan to return to old name of Manila airport revived

which never commenced. “( T) he totality of the facts arising from the evidence undoubtedly shows conspiracy between accused Lee and accused Peliglorio Jr.,” read the 54- page decision promulgated June 3.

The court sentenced both to imprisonment of 12 to 18 years and a fine of illion in fine “e ual to the funds malversed”.

The amount represents 15 percent of the construction budget a ounting to illion for the building construction and site development of the market.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

June 23-29, 2022

6

Ambassador Romualdez honored with Carlos P. Romulo Award

A M B A S S A D O R Jo s e M anuel R o mual d ez ( t h i r d f r o m r i gh t ) r ec ei v es t h e U S -Ph i l i p p i nes S o c i et y ’ s Carlos P. Romulo a ard presented by from le� USPS founding co-chairmen Ambassador Jo h n D . N egr o p o nt e and M anuel V . Pangi l i nan, w i t h U S PS p r es i d ent A mb as s ad o r Jo h n M ai s t o .

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign A airs Secretary Teodoro Locsin a�ended the ev ent .

WASHINGTON/ MAK ATI CITY Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez was honored with the prestigious Carlos P. Romulo award by the US-Philippines Society in recognition of his “superior diplomatic service as Philippine envoy in Washington and un agging support for the Philippines Society.”

In presenting the award, USPS founding co-chairman and former Deputy State

Secretary and Ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte noted that Ambassador Romualdez has been “a tireless and e ective advocate for deepening strategic and economic engagement between the Philippines and the United States. His work in forging partnerships to combat Covid-19, the impact of Climate Change, and confronting other transnational challenges has contributed significantly to advancing the policy priorities of both

govern ents with direct benefits to the peoples of each nation.”

The Philippine envoy was particularly cited in the manner by which he “engages interlocutors with frankness, clarity, and the facts a style that re ects his ournalism prowess, his credibility, and his keen diplomatic skills” in carrying out his mission.

“Ambassador Romualdez’s work through electoral transitions in both countries, 2020-2021 in the United States and 2022 in the Philippines, has served to ensure continuity in policy direction and maintenance of diplomatic arrangements that underpin the bilateral alliance, thereby contributing to the mutual security of the Philippines and the United States,” the award citation also stated.

Held at a welcome reception in Makati on June 21, 2022, the awarding ceremony was also attended by Foreign A airs ecretary eodoro ocsin r and president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as guest of honor. Also present were Filipino businessmen that include Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Tessie Sy-Coson, Doris Magsaysay-Ho and Michael G. Tan. Composed of prominent Filipino and American businessmen and politicians with chief anuel angilinan as founding co-chairman, the US-Philippines ociety is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to build on the longstanding historical ties between the Philippines and the US and bring that unique relationship to the 21st century. It ai s to elevate the profile of the hilippines in the US and boost economic, trade and investment prospects between the two countries as well as strengthen cultural, educational and people-to-people ties.

Filipino lawyer shot dead, mother injured in US NEW YORK - A Filipino lawyer visiting relatives in the United States has been fatally shot in a random act of violence in Philadelphia.

The Philippine Consulate General in ew or identified the lawyer as ohn Albert aylo who reportedly wor ed for ice resident eni obredo arlier aylo s fa ily e bers called for prayers as the lawyer fought for his life in the hospital where he was rushed. he fatal shooting of aylo could be a case of mistaken identity, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said, citing US authorities.

“The fatal shooting of Filipino lawyer ohn Albert aylo could be a case of mistaken identity, according to police sources who say gunman appear to have fired at the wrong vehicle that was si ilar to what he was chasing,” Consul General Elmer Cato said. aylo was pronounced dead on onday orning after a still unidentified gun-

an fired upon the ber vehicle ohn and his mother were riding in along 38t h Street and Spruce Street on Sunday.

Citing initial reports, Cato said John was struck in the head by one of several bullets that were fired into the vehicle while his other sustained in uries fro glass fragments.

Cato said the Consulate would assist in the repatriation of aylo s re ains He added that they are in touch with police authorities and continues to underscore to them “the importance we place on the resolution of this case.”

“We will be seeing the mayor and hopefully the police commissioner of Philadelphia,” he said. aylo and his other were on their way to the airport to catch their ight to hicago when their car was fired upon with six bul lets, Cato said.

The mother was slightly wounded by glass fragments and was brought to a hospital, the consul general added.

Incoming Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, who alerted the DFA of the incident, sends prayers for healing and ustice aylo wor ed for ple as chief of sta during her senatorial campaign in 2010. aylo was also the legislative sta officer of en anuel o as fro to associate partner at aw Partnership from 2015 to 2016, and a supervising legislative lawyer in the Senate from 2016 t o 2018.

He also served as legal and political consultant for the city government of Malabon in 2015-2016 and later worked as deputy campaign manager for the reelection bids of the Oretas in 2016.

During the 2022 general elections, he was appointed as the official counsel of outgoing ice resident eni obredo in the board of canvassers for Makati City.

His sister also took to Twitter to ask for Robredo’s assistance.

PLDT, Smart block 23-M smishing text messages in 3 days MAK ATI CITY – In response to the rise in such fraudulent essages and art o unications Smart) have blocked over 23 million smishing tex t messages in a span of three days from June 11 to 14 which contained three unifor resource locators identified as phishing sites Smishing or SMS phishing, it said, is a form of social engineering through tex t messages that deceive customers into thinking that they were sent by legitimate organizations such as banks, recruitment agencies, tour operators, and others.

“These messages often contain links to websites that lure victims into revealing their personal information,” it said.

Tthe telecommunication company said it increased the frequency of detection and blocking activities and constant upgrading of the companies tools. “ he group s latest cla pdown on s ishing has e panded earlier e orts to prevent these harmful messages from reaching customers. From January to May this year and art have bloc ed more than 6 00,000 tex t messages linked to smishing, hoax es, and spamming,” it said.

Aside from blocking fraudulent messages, it said almost 7 8 ,000 SIMs related to smishing were also blocked from January to May of this year -- “more than double” of the same period last year.

In cyberspace, it said more than 500 domains linked to smishing and 10,000 domains linked to phishing were blocked by the two companies from mid-February to May of this year. “ and art have been fortifying their cybersecurity infrastructure, investing nearly PHP3 billion in 2021, to safeguard the public against emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities, including online fraud and other criminal activities,” it said.

Earlier, Globe Telecommunications Inc., another local telecommunications company, encouraged smartphone users to use auto atic filtering in their essaging apps to fight s ishing essages In 2021, Globe said a total of 1.15 billion smishing messages, around 7 ,000 mobile numbers linked to scammers, and 2,000 social media accounts and phishing sites were blocked to protect its user

7 June 23-29, 2022

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

Duterte fetes Nora Aunor, 7 other new nat’l artists

NATIONAL ARTISTS. President Rodrigo Duterte conferred the Order of Na�onal Ar�sts on Nora Nora Aunor Villamayor, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and Ricardo Lee Na�onal Ar�sts for Film and Broadcast Arts Antonio Tony Mabesa Na�onal Ar�st for Theater Agnes Locsin Na�onal Ar�st for Dance Fides Cuyugan-Asensio Na�onal Ar�st for Music Salvacion Lim-Higgins Na�onal Ar�st for Design and Gemino Abad Na�onal Ar�st for Literature .

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte last week conferred the Order of National Artists on eight personalities led by actress Nora Aunor and scriptwriter Ricardo Lee in Philippine culture and arts.

The conferment rites were held at the Malacañan Palace’s Rizal Hall.

The award was given to Nora “Nora Aunor” Villamayor, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and Ricardo Lee ( National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts) ; Antonio “Tony” Mabesa ( National Artist for Theater) ; Agnes Locsin ( National Artist for Dance) ; Fides Cuyugan-Asensio ( National Artist for

Music) ; Salvacion Lim-Higgins ( National Artist for Design) ; and Gemino Abad ( National Artist for Literature) .

Lim-Higgins, Diaz-Abaya, and Mabesa were posthumously bestowed as national artists.

Aunor, who skipped the awarding ceremony, was represented by children Ian and Matet de Leon, who both followed her footsteps by joining the Philippine show business industry.

Duterte personally awarded the Order of National Artists to Lee, Locsin, Cuyugan-Asensio, and Abad.

The Order of National Artists is “a rank, a title, and a wearable award that represents the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have made distinct contributions in the field of arts and letters,” according to the briefer posted on the fficial a ette Each national artist will receive a goldplated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and a citation, based on the guidelines issued by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The National Artists will also get a life emolument and material and physical benefits co parable in value to those received by the country s highest officers Living awardees will be given a minimum cash award of P200,000, net of taxes; a monthly life pension worth P50,000;

edical and hospitali ation benefits not exc eeding P750,000 every year; life insurance coverage; a state funeral; and a place of honor in state functions, national commemoration rites, and other cultural presentations.

A one-time minimum cash award of P150,000, net of taxe s, will be granted to the legal heir of the deceased awardees.

To date, the country has a total of 86 national artists.

Meanwhile, Duterte also conferred the Presidential Award on several Cabinet secretaries, members of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases ( IATFEID) , and medical expe rts.

The RTVM uploaded a taped video of the awarding ceremony also on Thursday at Rizal Hall.

National Task Force Against Covid-2019 ( NTF) chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and NTF Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer and testing czar Vivencio Dizon were among the recipients of the awards.

Joining Galvez and Dizon were Exe cutive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, efense ecretary elfin oren ana and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go.

NTC orders blocking of websites of CPP-NPA-NDF, news sites, other groups Q UEZON CITY – The National Telecommunications Commission ( NTC) has ordered internet service providers ( ISP) to block 26 websites with ties to communist terrorist groups ( CTG) , , including Save Our Schools Network, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan ( BAYAN) , and members of the independent media such as Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly.

In a memorandum dated June 8, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba required all local ISPs to submit an action report “not later than five days after their receipt. “ ou are hereby directed to e ect the immediate blocking of the reported websites found to be affiliated to and are supporting terrorist and terrorist organizations,” the memorandum stated.

The memorandum came after National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. requested the NTC to block 26 websites, several of which are related to the Communist Party of the Philippines ( CPP) and its leader, Jose Maria Sison.

Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Colmenares called the NTC order “another move to dilute the truth” and “a direct attack on freedom of the press and free expr ession.”

Progressive groups included in the list are Save our Schools Network, UMA Pilipinas, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, and Pamalakaya Pilipinas.

The NSC was assailed by press freedom and human rights watchdogs for its order to block access to news sites allegedly linked to communist rebels, branding the ove as a new e ort to silence organizations that are critical of the gov-

ernment.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines ( NUJP) denounced the “arbitrary inclusion” of Bulatlat, Pinoy Weekly, and other independent news sites in a list of those tagged as being “affiliated to and are supporting” the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front ( CPPNPA-NDF) .

The NUJP said the government did not provide any notice to the newsrooms nor provided them an opportunity to refute the National Security Council’s ( NSC) “reckless claims”.

“Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly have exi sted for years and have built a track record of reporting on people’s issues.

Sometimes, that reporting has been critical of government and its policies, but it is dangerous to e uate this with affiliation or support that the government now claims,” it said.

“Blocking access to these sites leaves a gap in discourse and in the ow of information and highlights the threats posed by the Anti-Terrorism Law on the freedom of expr ession and on freedom of , the NUJP added.

Amnesty International also took to Twitter to criticize the order, stressing it is “deeply concerning” that this was released a week before a new administration led by President-elect Ferdinand “ ongbong arcos ta es office “The order to block websites including independent media outlets Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly is a blatant attack on freedom of information & expr ession,” it said.

SAI RAM ASTROLOGER & PSYCHIC MISS DEVI SHAMALA

 NATIONAL NEWS PHL...

(From page 1)

currently in dire straits because of the high prices of diesel and gasoline.

The transport sector is also in the midst of a crisis, with jeepney and taxi drivers abandoning their work by the tens of thousands, which in turn causes headaches for the millions of workers dependent on public transportation to go to and from their places of employment.

The ayuda that the Duterte administration had promised to drivers of public utility vehicles was promised last year, but it was only in recent weeks that the assistance was released to some, but not all, of them.

Hardest hit are the tens of thousands of tricycle drivers who were promised a measly P1,000 -- less than $20 – but who have yet to receive the paltry sum that had been promised middle of last year.

Sara...

(From page 1)

resident-elect will still officially succeed ice resident Maria Leonor Leni Robredo on June 30. She will also assume as Secretary of the Department of Education on June 30. n her speech the inco ing ice resident said the voice of those who voted for her was loud and clear, with the message to serve the Philippines.

“There is a God. A God whose will transcends the desires of our hearts, one whose will directs us to the way that we might not have imagined — but a way that consecrates ourselves every day to help our fellowen overco e the difficulties they face in their lives to change lives, to save lives,” she said.

She stressed that if all would heed to the call to serve the nation, “the country will be heading toward a future of hope, security, strength, stability, and progress.”

In her inaugural speech, Duterte acknowledged the challenges that come with the job.

“But let me reiterate this — we can never go wrong if we are a people dedicated to honoring the will of God, to serving our country and our fellowmen, and protecting the integrity of our families and the future of our children the ice resident-elect said “Hindi ako ang pinakamagaling, o pinakamatalinong tao sa Pilipinas at sa mundo — ngunit walang makakatalo sa tibay ng puso ko bilang isang Filipino,” she added.

“When I committed myself to governance and public service was also deter ined to finish three consecu-

$50m...

(From page 1)

June 23-29, 2022

Jeepney and taxi drivers were not happy when Marcos Jr said that he was against lifting the exc ise and value added tax on fuel products, which would have dramatically reduced the pump prices of petroleum products.

The new president said his administration could not afford to lose the income generated by both taxe s.

A Grab driver told Philippine News Today at the start of this week that he was ready to call it quits. Because of the high cost of petroleum, his net take home pay per day had shrunk to less than P500, where before he easily earned triple that amount.

He said he was not counting on any ayuda to fall his way. Not during the Duterte administration, and not in the coming Marcos regime.

Balisacan said that he was aware of the countless hard-pressed ilipinos who never received any financial help from the government because “we did not have the

8

technology and means to quickly separate the deserving from the non-deserving.”

The solution, he said, was to fast-track the National ID so that the majority of Filipino adults would have one. This was an observation that the incoming president agreed with.

Balisacan said he wants to see more poor Filipinos receive the doleout, but in smaller amounts.

Meanwhile, his critics as well as followers said they expe cted Marcos Jr. to deliver on his campaign promise to bring down the retail price of rice to P20/ kilo, or roughly half the current market price.

Outgoing Agriculture secretary William Dar said this was not likely to happen anytime soon.

In taking the helm of the Department of Agriculture, arcos r will have all the power he needs to a ect the price of the country’s main staple food. But few expe ct him to perform miracles.

tive terms as mayor. That will not happen anymore. I am pregnancy detri ental e ects of illiteracy e otional injury of bullying, unstable mental wellness, recruitment to now the ice resident-elect uterte said She cited the life and works of national hero Dr. support terrorism, and misinformation in the internet”.

“Today, our children are facing a very complex fuJose Rizal, whose 161s t birth anniversary is being come orated for teaching her “sel essness and sacrifice ture one that is rife with con ict and uncertainties A could change the country’s fate and shape the children’s strong, loving, happy family sets down all the basic foundations essential in the development and growth of future”. “ ay his e ory light up the fire within us to be- a child,” she said She highlighted that a strong, loving, happy family come patriots. The bravery of Rizal completes the fabric sets down all the basic foundations essential in the deof our identity as Filipinos,” she added.

She urged Filipinos to show love for the country by velopment and growth of a child. “ “At home, parents have the duty to teach children the taking care of their families and communities despite the values of integrity, discipline, respect, and compassion unending challenges.

“May we rise together every day with the burning for others,” she said.

She cited that the duty of each Filipino family is promise in our hearts that we love and will continue to love the Philippines as long as we live,” Duterte added. to emphasize that education begins at home and not She said the voice of 32.2 million Filipinos was loud “squander the future of our children”.

“I am Inday Sara. A proud Dabawenya. A proud Minand clear, with the message for her to serve the motherdanawon. I am not the best, or the smartest person in land.

“And this message has been reiterated in my oath: the Philippines and in the world but nothing can beat to consecrate myself to the service of the nation. I be- fortitude,” she concluded. lieve the country will be heading toward a future of hope, security, strength, LAW OFFICE OF stability, and progress,” she said.

She thanked the guests and the public who witnessed the event for taking time to celebrate with her & ASSOCIATES on Father’s Day. “This is a time for families to celebrate but you 3255 Wilshire Blvd. Ste# 1010 are here with me. Happy Father’s Day to all the faLos Angeles, CA 90010 thers who make sure that Tel: (213) 388-9925 another person is given the Fax: (213) 388-6080 best of everything,” she ocampolawofc@yahoo.com said.

In her inaugural speech, Sara Duterte emphasized the importance of families in rearing children.

She said society faces FOR COMPETENT & AFFORDABLE LEGAL SERVICES challenges such as the COMPLIMENTARY/FREE CONSULTATION “winding cycle of poverty, trauma of broken families, U S IM M IG R A T IO N L A W life-long baggage because FAMILY/EMPLOYMENT BASED PETITIONS LABOR CERTIFICATION DACA of irresponsible and bad LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN DEPORTATION/REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS parenting, abandonment F A M ILY L A W issues due to an absentee DIVORCE SPOUSAL SUPPORT CHILD CUSTODY/SUPPORT/VISITATION parent, anguish of gender ADOPTION GUARDIANSHIP confusion and discriminaPE R S O N A L I N JU R Y tion, destruction brought AUTO ACCIDENTS PREMISES LIABILITY SLIP AND FALL CASES about by drugs, lure of easy money in criminality, L A B O R / E M PL O Y M E N T L A W cases of hu an i WRONGFUL TERMINATION WAGE AND HOUR DISPUTES DISCRIMINATION unodeficiency virus and WORKERS’ COMPENSATION other sex ually transmitted E S T A T E PL A N N I N G diseases, failure to identify PROBATE WILLS TRUSTS ESTATE ADMINISTRATION and speak up against different kinds of abuses, life T R E A T O T H E R S A S Y O U W O U L D H A V E T H E M T R E A T Y O U altering e ects of teenage

C A L I F O R N I A L A W Y E R S I N C E 1993

9 June 23-29, 2022 Gov’t...

(From page 1)

Marcos made the announcement only days before his inauguration and assumption to office at a briefing with his inco ing members of his economic team at their Mandaluyong City headquarters, pointing out that the epart ent of Agriculture will have to be re-organized, especially its Food Terminal Inc. ( FTI) , and the National Food Authority ( NFA) agencies, and retooled to increase production, especially rice. arcos decision was i ediately welcomed by incoming Agrarian Reform chief Conrado Estrella III, outgoing Agriculture Secretary William Dar, former Agriculture Secretaries Leonardo Montemayor and Emmanuel Pinol and other leaders of the agriculture, farming and business sectors, agreeing with the inco ing resident that the country is in a precarious situation.

“As to agriculture, I think the problem is severe enough that I have decided to take on the portfolio of Secretary of Agriculture at least for now At least until we can reorganize the Department of Agriculture in the way that we ll a e it ready for the ne t years to come,” said Marcos at a press briefing in Mandaluyong City.

Marcos even predicted that prices of prime commodities may increase in the co ing onths due to e ternal and local forces so the government should do something to cushion the impact of the food crisis.

Earlier, incoming Economic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority ( NEDA) chief Arsenio alisacan warned that the country s agri-

culture sector is already in crisis worsened by the avian u which has led to eat price increases that is threatening the nation.

“Food crisis have risen already. As you now the avian u this proble has been with us that has led to crippling price increases of meat. Rice prices have also been a problem,” Balicasan said in a television interview The prices of poultry and other meat products have triggered a chain of increases in the prices of prime commodities, including sugar coo ing oil fish and vegetables officials said adding that prices of gasoline and petroleum products have also soared.

Marcos pointed out a bleaker scenario for the country as some rice-producing countries, particularly Thailand and Vietna are now planning to li it their e ports to protect their citizens from rising prices.

Rice-importing countries like the Philippines will have to increase local production to cope up with the situation he stressed “ n the eanti e we really have to sit down tighten our belts and protect those who ust be protected according to arcos as echoed by Balicasan . “I’m referring to the poor and the vulnerable. While we have resources li ited as they are we should provide assistance to these groups so they wouldn t feel disproportionately the burden of the shocks.”

The incoming NEDA chief said in order to protect the poor, subsidies must be more targeted, and the issuance of the National ID should be fast-tracked to help facilitate a quicker rollout of assistance.

He also called for an increase in funding for the Department of Agriculture in order for the agriculture sector to reach a higher

growth level he A has been proposing an annual funding of ore billion but it was only granted an -billion budget for alisacan added that while rice tariffication has slightly brought down the price cap on the staple, they remain high. Farmers are also facing nu erous issues such as the low profitability of rice far ing and far ing in general. “ ith that would say that our agriculture is in crisis,” he said.

Balisacan said the problem has already been e acerbated by global supply disruptions that would li ely continue in the co ing onths warning that e porting countries will eventually li it their e ports to protect their own citi ens Balisacan stressed the need to protect vulnerable sectors already saddled by the rising prices of basic commodities.

Former DA chief Manny Piñol lauded Marcos’ assumption of the DA post as “a brilliant move and a big break for Philippine agriculture. “ ow the A secretary would not need to wiggle through the gauntlet of the evelopment Budget Coordinating Committee co posed of financial anagers which deter ines how uch budget is allocated for each department,” Piñol said.

Outgoing Agriculture Secretary Dar said there is really a “major disruption of the food supply chain” in a global scale, and the issue can be likened to the impacts of the pandemic.

Dar said the DA has prepared an action plan that is geared towards subsidi ing and boosting the productivity level of farmers, local feed formulation, promoting urban

gardening, and strengthening market access, among others.

The decision of President-elect Marcos Jr. to temporarily take the helm at the Depart ent of Agriculture is a welco e develop ent because it shows agriculture will be the incoming administration’s top priority, Dar said.

Marcos said taking on the role of DA chief would prove his ad inistration was taking issues concerning the agricultural sector seriously and also that it would help move things “quickly.”

“The events of the global economy are oving very uic ly we have to be agile we have to be able to respond properly in a easured way as soon as there is a situation that needs to be addressed,” he added.

Marcos said they foresee an increase in food prices in the coming months because of e ternal forces and while the country has been able to weather these ore has to be done.

“We have been able in the Philippines, in the last few wee s to ad ust to the new situation in terms of the importations from Ukraine and from Russia. But these emergency easures we have ta en will not be sufficient for the long run And that s why we have to plan in a ore thorough fashion than just responding,” he said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said in March that the country s li ited econo ic ties with both Ukraine and Russia may insulate the country fro the con ict ports fro ussia in co prised percent of the country s total i ports and fro raine percent, according to BSP’s Department of Economic Research.

 NATIONAL NEWS

June 23-29, 2022

10

SC asked to stop Guanzon’s substitution as party-list rep MANILA – The Duterte Youth partylist has petitioned the Supreme Court questioning the validity of the late substitution of former elections commissioner owena uan on as the new first nominee of the K omunidad ng Pamilya, Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities ( P3PWD) , a winning party-list group.

Guanzon retired from the Comelec on February 2. On June 14 , she was among the five new no inees of and was approved as the first no inee the ne t day he five original no inees were accepted on October 2021, stating under oath that they were fit and eligible to represent P3PWD. In seeking a temporary restraining order and/ or preliminary injunction against the Commission on Elections ( Comelec) , Duterte Youth party-list Rep.

Ducielle Cardema claimed the substitution is “a deliberate attempt to defraud the electorate and to create the impression that there is no more option but to allow the new substituting first no inee to sit in Congress or else their vote will be disenfranchised”.

National Youth Commission Chair onald arde a oined the filing of the petition for certiorari to stop Comelec fro issuing a certificate of procla ation to Guanzon.

The Cardemas noted that Guanzon’s substitution violates Comelec rules on the deadline of substitution, as well as the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of ublic fficials and ployees hey said filed its new substitution documents way beyond the

Comelec Substitution Deadline of Nov. 15, 2021 in cases of voluntary withdrawal and beyond the added Comelec Substitution Deadline of May 9 or during election day in rare cases of death or incapacity.

“Comelec cannot violate its own rules, especially for a group ( that) preplanned this mockery of the Comelec Deadline Rules,” Ducielle said.

They alleged that the Comelec “committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or ex cess of jurisdiction” by allowing the substitution.

“In hastily approving the illegal substitution of P3PWD, one day after the petition was filed by their for er colleague, the Comelec ex ercised its power in an arbitrary or despotic manner so patent and gross as to amount to an eva-

sion of positive duty to enforce and administer election laws,” they said in the petition.

They said giving due course to the substitution would also violate the code of conduct for public officials which prohibits them from having direct or indirect material interest in any transaction requiring approval of their office for a period of one year after resignation, retirement, or separation fro public office They ex plained that Guanzon was just a commissioner of the Comelec “four months and two weeks ago” and the Comelec as a collegial body approved the inclusion in the ballot and participation in the 2022 elections of around 17 0 party-lists, including P3PWD which she will have aterial benefit in if given due course to substitute now.

Covid...

tral Visayas ( 18 3) .

Vergerie, however, assured that the country re ains under low ris classification for Covid-19, especially in Metro Manila which some predicted could be placed under the stricter Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 1.

Vergeire said 3,198 new cases have been logged from June 14 to 20 nationwide.

The country’s average daily attack rate is less than one per 100,000 population.

Despite more infections, healthcare utilization rate nationwide remains at a “low

risk” with regions’ bed occupancy rate ranging from 14 .6 1 percent to 17 .8 2 percent, Vergeire said.

“What would be most important would be nakikita natin there’s this continued increase in cases, hindi sumasabay ang severe and critical cases,” she added.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David earlier projected that Metro Manila could see a pea in infections during the first two weeks of July.

He said Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila could reach 1,000 per day by the end of the month or early nex t month.

COVID-19 variants Delta and Omicron, and subvariants such as BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 have been detected in the country, Vergerie said.

The worst situation that could happen is the infections increasing significantly as immediate as the third week of July, she said although some expe rts ruled this out, claiming the worse could come much later.

If there is no variant of concern pestering the country and health protocols are followed, Vergerie said infections may peak by October.

(From page 1)

vaccinated.

Noting an uptick of cases, Vergeire said the DOH recorded a total of 3,051 new Covid-19 cases from June 13 to June 19, which is 8 2 percent higher than cases reported the previous week.

She said Metro Manila recorded the most cases in the past two weeks with 2,194 infections followed by nearby provinces in Calabarzon ( 6 59) , Western Visayas ( 37 5) , Central Luzon ( 324 ) and Cen-

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 OPINION Colma gets 200 copies of A-List he first city to fund the outreach progra of a private nonprofit pro oting healthy relationships through education has received prompt return on its investment. ast wee ol a ity anager rian ossey received copies of the “A- ist a resource guide for individuals, couples and families who wish to enhance or improve their interaction. “ t is great to wor with A ossey responded to A Alliance for o unity power ent 2022 president Junior Flores and resource provider CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO committee chair Malou Aclan, who personally delivered the boo lets roduced and published by A the free guide is available at the ol a ity anager s ffice and two recreation centers Dossey announced.

At the ity ouncil eeting the wee prior lores Aclan and A secretary ennifer i ene ong for ally than ed the ity ouncil for the grant its e bers unani ously approved in ctober to boost the all-volunteer organi ation s outreach e orts hey e phasi ed that this fourth edition is dedicated to all front-liners and essential workers for always being the precious lifelines but especially during there years of living in pande ic “The 2022 A-List was made possible with the generous support of our partners and tonight we especially ac nowledge the ayor elen isicaro ice ayor ae on ales last year s ayor iana olvin and fellow ouncil e ber ohn rish oodwin and oanne del osario our own u are for spreading the word about the agencies whose mission is to bring harmony and understanding in homes and comunities lores said lores a pro ect director with Asian A erican ecovery ervices ealthright co ended ol a for ta ing the lead in cha pioning healthy relationships by partnering with A hat collaboration blosso ed when then-new ity ouncil e ber oanne del osario oined the all-volunteer organi ation whose ission is to prevent relationship violence through partnerships with individuals and groups willing to share resources toward the goal.

A A el osario tapped into her personal and professional cohort to provide support ol a traditionally co e orates ctober as o estic iolence Awareness onth pon del osario s reco endation ol a pioneered sponsorship of a or IPV Intimate Partnership Violence workshop of town employees facilitated by ALclinical director r ei Africa “We have continued to partner and collaborate by holding our annual Free from iolence in ol a and tabling at ol a s o unity vents e appreciate the partnership and support the ity of ol a have consistently provided us and hope that this A- ist will be a great resource for the residents of ol a lores said Aclan, retired registered nurse who was a care manager with(C ont i nue d on page 26)

EDITORIAL

The tragic shooting of a Filipino lawyer

F

ilipino lawyer John ‘ Jal’ Laylo did what a lot of his countrymen still dream of doing, which is to visit the US and meet up with relatives and friends, see the sights, and take home the usual pasalubong for loved ones back in Manila.

He had no inkling that his US vacation this month would end tragically, for him and to a lesser ex tent his mom.

After visiting his loved ones on Philadelphia, the vacation he and his mother were taking had just about come to an end. For all intents, it was back to Manila for Laylo, back to his law practice, back to life as a promising member of the Philippine bar.

While heading for the airport, presumably on the way home, a gunman shot six times at the Uber he and his mom were in. is other su ered in uries due to the shrapnel fro bro en glass aylo was not as lucky. He had been shot in the head. Laylo was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he ex pired after a few hours.

It was, for all intents, a meaningless crime, perpetrated by who knows who, for a reason or reasons not yet known.

Laylo was a young lawyer who was going places, before his life was cut short e started out as a legislative sta of for er senator ar o as oving on to beco ing an associate partner at a law office at the sa e ti e serving as legal consultant to the city government of Malabon. He then moved up to the post of legislative lawyer in the Senate. is heart was clearly in the right place e last served as official counsel of outgoing ice resident eni obredo in the board of canvassers of a ati ity Initially, the killing of the young Filipino lawyer was believed to be a possible hate crime, part of the growing crime wave against Asian-Americans, FilAms included.

It was also considered that it may have been a planned killing, but this didn’t make sense either. No one could have known that Laylo and his mother would take an Uber, and at what time of the day.

As of this writing, the police still do not have leads. But one thing’s for sure.

Laylo was killed by a person with a gun, who had no reason to end the Filipino’s life.

It may not have been a hate crime, but it was an ugly, senseless, violent crime in a place that proudly calls itself “the ity of rotherly ove And aylo was the city’s guest.

We have, on multiple occasions, brought up the gun culture that has become all too pervasive in the US. We seriously doubt that the killer had a license to carry the gun that he or she used to end the Filipino lawyer’s life. In all likelihood, it was a reckless shooting by a person who had no right to own a gun in the first place t behooves the hiladelphia to find arrest and charge the iller a e sure he is incarcerated for a long, long time. It’s the best, perhaps only, way to show the family, friends, and the countrymen of Atty. Jal Laylo some brotherly love.

Upside

T

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 OPINION

June 23-29, 2022

On Distant Shore

Better energy prospects ahead with Malampaya

We are not twin brothers but many times many mistook me as Fred Lobo and many mistook him as Fred Gabot.

Maybe because we sported the same moustache and spectacles.

We also both worked at the Manila Bulletin ( he as Malacanang reporter turned columnist, me as a section editor eventually closing page one) .

We both served as director and later president of the Na- A LF RED G . G A B OT tional Press Club ( NPC) and as officer of the onfederation of ASEAN Journalists. Despite the mountains of challenges at the NPC during his term which he inherited and which I also inherited, he was always at peace and the jolly good fellow.

We both climbed the Great Wall of China at the Badaling together with former NPC President and Press Undersecretary Marcelo Lagmay and other CAJ and NPC leaders, conquerred the high altitude of Mex ico City and its National Palace at the Plaza dela Constitucion where PFVR met with the Mex ican President while we hobnobbed with the comely Mex ican actress and singer Thalia.

We both admired PFVR as he lauded the Filipinos in America and paid tribute to the great ilipino writer and wor ers rights fighter in America and his “neighbor” in Pangasinan, Carlos S. Bulosan ( America is in the Heart) in speeches in Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, among others.

We both interacted with world leaders in gatherings such as the Asia acific cono ic ooperation A Asia ociety and World Economic Forum, among others.

We both were ardent followers of our favorite President Fidel V. Ramos, joining him in many travels as he criss-crossed the United States, Canada, South America, Asia and Europe. hen as president spearheaded our first big and unprecedented project, the testimonial “Fidel V. Ramos: Summa Cum aude in the anila otel rand allroo which was filled to the bri he was there to lend support as e -officio e ber of y oard of Directors and award the Plaque of Recognition to PFVR with other officers while introduced the at the podiu He was there, too, to support me in the second highly successful big NPC event which I spearheaded, “An Evening with President Joseph Estrada,” also at the jampacked Manila Hotel Grand Ballroom. Here, we also honored former National Press Club presidents – many joined us: Nereo Andolong, Marcelo Lagmay, Romeo Butch del Castillo, Reynaldo Jaleco and Fred Lobo, of course.

Fred Lobo was there also to lend hand in our third big NPC project, “Erap: Huwag Mo Akong Subukan! ” Gridiron Night also at the Manila Hotel where our guest, President Joseph Estrada, handed a check to me, Anthony Giron who acted as President Erap in the play and our secretary Lynda Valencia for an initial P5 million for the rehabilitation of the landmark National Press Club building on Magallanes Drive in Intramuros.

We both love to write and we both love poetry - he became a Poet Laureate while I enjoyed his stories, the drinks and the lauriat.

We love to teach during the day and, borrowing his own words, touch in the evening ( he at the University of the East and me at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila or PLM where I served also as two-term Regent.) .

Fred and I have more stories and tales together, have many things that we learned from each other and from the community of media that we served and serve and partnership like brothers.

There were many times that I brought him home to Leveriza/ Libertad in Pasay while I drove home south to San Pedro, Laguna.

Along the way, as he turned poetic after our drinks, he reminded me of our favorite poet and writer Edgar Allan Poe and journalist, short story writer and novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner Ernest Hemingway who once made the historic Manila Hotel a watering hole like Fred and I. Alfredo Fred M. Lobo, journalist, columnist, author, poet, professor, brother, and friend, has left us for the Great Beyond in the bosom of the Lord. Many call him “Mr. Balloon” not because of his surna e but to any friends and colleagues he is up there filled with wit, smile, laughter and joy, genuine concern and friendship.

One of Edgar Allan Poe’s poems, “A Dream within a Dream,” aybe in order during this ight A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me a vow – You are not wrong, do deem That my days have been a dream’ et if ope has own away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar (C ont i nue on pag e 27) Of a surf-tormented shore,

ews that Prime Infra Holdings, Inc. will be acquiring a controlling stake in the Malampaya deepwater gas-to-power project is good news.

We all know that there is a need to address energy requirements for the economy to grow and the development of natural gas reserves will contribute to the stability of energy supply MELA ND REW T . V ELA S CO in the country.

The entry of Prime Infra into the natural gas industry aligns with its purpose to create better lives and resilient economies through critical infrastructure coupled by its aspiration to help its customers transition to cleaner energy resources to fuel the economic growth of the Philippines.

Natural gas is dubbed as the fuel of the future. According to the website https: / / malampaya.com/ , natural gas is composed of hydrocarbons found deep underground, or ex tracted through driven wells. It is formed beneath the earth’s surface over millions of years by the decomposition of organic matter, in much the same way that oil and coal are formed. Natural gas is 8 5-90% methane, with varying amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and other hydrocarbon compounds. Some condensate and oil will always be associated with the gas.

In its natural state, the gas is colorless, odorless, and lighter than air.

The Malampaya deep-water gas project ushered the natural gas industry into the Philippines. It supports up to 20% of the country’s electricity requirements using indigenous resources of natural gas, the cleanest-burning hydrocarbon, and reduces the need for imported oil.

As a joint undertaking of the government and the private sector, it is under the Department of Energy ( DOE) , and developed and operated by Shell Philippines Ex ploration B.V. ( SPEX ) on behalf of joint venture partners Udenna Corporation and the Philippine National Oil Company-Ex ploration Corporation. Udenna Corporation’s entry into the Malampaya project has been the subject of scrutiny.

In 2001, Malampaya began its commercial operations. It has reduced the country’s dependence on oil imports and ensured a more stable supply of cleaner energy. Phases 2 and 3 of the Malampaya project commenced in 2013 with two additional production wells installed. By 2015, Malampaya Phase 3 was completed.

By 2024 , Malampaya’s service contract is set to ex pire.

Prime Infra’s entry is critical to be able to continue operating the project while applying for an ex tension so it can invest in its ex pansion, which will sustain the economic and social benefits that ala paya is providing for the country he transition of the operations of Malampaya is critically urgent.

Prime Infra and Udenna, as the new operators taking over from Shell Philippines, will need to immediately plan for the ex pansion to ensure the continuity of the production as long as the reserves support it.

“Natural gas is a critical transition fuel and the modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure built to harness this valuable transition fuel attracted us to pursue this deal – all aspects of the pro ect tic s o our environ ental social and governance ( ESG) check list that will allow us to contribute more to the country’s transition from ex pensive and volatile coal and i ported fuel prices to a ordable cleaner and do estic energy resources like natural gas,” said Prime Infra Chairman Enrique K . Razon, Jr. “Also, there is a sense of ownership to achieving national energy independence when you bring in Filipino companies to handle the reins of a critical power infrastructure and this is what Prime Infra aims to do with our participation in Malampaya. We will invest and sustain the development and production of domestic gas as long as the terms of the operating license and the natural resources permit,” Mr. Razon added.

Prime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc. ( Prime Infra) is Filipino businessman Enrique K . Razon Jr.’s infrastructure arm that is established and designed specifically to focus on building infrastructure assets that support the most urgent sustainability priorities - clean and renewable energy, access to clean water, waste management, and viable critical infrastructure.

In 2020, Prime Metroline Holdings, Inc. led by Razon signed with Manila Water a subscription agreement for the acquisition of shares of Manila (C ont i nue on page 27)

N

THE OUTSIDER

J

ust as the appeals to control the sale and regulate the use of guns are basically being ignored despite the wave of mass shootings that have killed scores of Americans in the past few years, the warnings on the consequences of climate change continue to fall on deaf ears. ear after year the e ects of global warming have result- V A L A B ELG A S ed in ex cessive heat, massive oods destructive wildfires drying lakes and rivers, ex pansive drought, and other ex treme weather conditions. And each time, scientists warn of the dire consequences of climate change, and still, governments and industries continue to drag their feet to slow down global warming.

Just last week, a massive heat dome engulfed much of the United States, placing more than 25 million people in over a dozen states under ex treme heat alert, with temperatures in the upper 90s and the heat index levels well into the triple digits.

The heat warning came on the heels of another recordbreaking heat wave the week before, with temperatures reaching triple digits by the end of the week. In both instances, hundreds of thousands of Americans were without power due to ex cessive use of air-conditioning that tested power generators to the limit.

In Western Europe this week, million of Europeans sweated under sweltering early su er heat as wildfires burned acres of forests in Spain and other areas, drought stalked Italian farmers, and temperatures went past 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile in Chile, the Penuelas Lake, which is the major source of water supply for Chileans, has dried up and turned into a virtual desert with bones of fish and other sea creatures scattered on what used to be the lake’s bed. To give you a clear idea of how global warming has squeezed the huge reservoir dry, the lake used to hold water equivalent to 38 ,000 Olympic size swimming pools 20 years ago, but now holds water equivalent to just two swimming pools.

Higher air temperatures have resulted in snow in the Andes, once a key store of melted water for spring and summer, not compacting, melting faster, or turning straight to vapor instead of sending water to the country’s rivers and lakes.

The same is happening to the Colorado River, which runs from Rocky Mountain in Colorado to Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California, and supplies much of the water requirements of these states plus two others others – New Mex ico and Wyoming.

The Colorado River also dumps water into Lake Mead in Nevada and Lake Powell in Utah and Arizona, which are two of the largest water reservoirs in the United States that are responsible for the supply of drinking and irrigation water, and for generating electricity in some western states, including California.

As a result of the rapid drop in the river’s water level – and consequently of that of Lake Mead and Lake Powell – federal officials have warned that supply cuts would have to be imposed on the seven states to conserve Colorado River’s water.

Scientist say that the drought has been ongoing since 2000 and that the last 20 years has been described as the driest two decades in the last 1,200 years!

If you live in California and the six other states dependent on Colorado River, you would have ex perienced the drought s e ect in ter s of restrictions in outdoor watering higher water and power bills and intermittent power outages.

For farmers, it means less water for irrigation and, therefore, less harvest and less income. n outhern alifornia where live state and county officials are demanding that businesses and residents cut outdoor watering to one day a week. In the nex t few months, we will again see brown yards across the region or in households that can a ord the yards covered by synthetic grass Worse, if the drought persists, the Metropolitan Water Board may completely ban outdoor watering by September 1.

On the ex treme opposite side of the climate crisis are the assive ooding and strong typhoons that have hit areas that have traditionally not ex perienced such weather disturbances. ast year assive ooding (C ont i nue on page 27)

Remembering Fred Lobo, National Press Club president In My Heart

Climate change: Will the world ever listen?

12

13 June 23-29, 2022

 OPINION

As book author, columnist and licensed eal state ro er in California since 1981, I am delighted to announce that the Third Printing copies of y boo “ A A & YOU’ subtitled “Your Basic Guide & Information for Successful Investing in Home, Land and Income A RT G A B OT MA D LA ING Property” are now available through Amazon in paper pack, hard cover and e-book.

Lawyers both in the United States and in the Philippines personally recommend the book. Atty Cesar Fumar, licensed and practicing lawyer in California and in the Philippines, wrote the oreword to the evised dition of “ A A pages A A prices per copy $19.95 hard cover; $15- 95 paper back, plus shipping and handling; $1 1.95 e-book ) Here’s exc erpts of the Foreword: “At the age of seventy five and wearing several hats as author colu nist eal state ro er otary ublic and former newspaper publisher, Mr. Madlaing is a good role model for both the young and old alike,” Atty. Fumar wrote. strongly reco end Art adlaing s boo “ A A to everyone especially for ilipinos in the nited tates anada Asia iddle ast urope and in our homeland,” he concluded.

Others lawyers who reviewed and recommended the book include Atty. Rizaldy Ferrer from Tanza, Cavite, Philippines; Atty. Jack White from Washington, D.C. USA, Atty. Junas R. Sagurit from Mangaldan, Pangasinan, Philippines, and Superior ourt udge onald uidachay of an rancisco California USA. Here are some of their reviews and coments on “ A A “I personally recommend this very informative book on real estate or necessary guidance first-ti e buyers sellers and prospective land investors must order a copy and read it,” said Atty i aldy errer eal state ro er Appraiser and practicing Lawyer & Minister, TANZA CHURCH OF CHRIST, Tanza, Cavite, Philippines.

“Art adlaing s boo is very infor ative and beneficial for first-ti e buyers sellers and newly- arried young couples,” echoed Atty. Jack White, star witness during the confir ation hearing of upre e ourt ustice a uel Alito in Washington, D.C. USA. “As a Christian lawyer and educator, I am glad that we have Art adlaing a hristian eal state ro er and otary ublic who wrote this boo highly reco end “ A A evised dition to individuals couples and fa ilies wrote Atty unas agurit vangelist & President, Asian Christian University ( ACU) in Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines.

“Art Madlaing’s book on real estate is very informative. I have to co end hi for his pioneering e orts in writing the boo said onald uidachay uperior ourt udge an Francisco, California USA. A - y full-ti e partner and top-producing eal state rofessional has shared our easons o ell ow na ely A - n an rancisco ay Area ho es were on the ar et for an average of days and of ho es were on the market for less than a month. Listing now could result in a much quicker and easier home selling expe rience. our ho e is a hot co modity. Currently, it would take four months on the market to sell all the homes on the market, which favors sellers.

A After spending so uch time at home, many buyers are ready to safely dive back into the ar et for houses that better fit the needs of their new normal. Data suggests that pending home sales activity has been climbing since April.

A A ecause inventory s been tight this led to significant price increases during and even before -- the pandemic. This means that if you list now, you’re more likely to get top dollar for your home. ( SOURCisting o e ales li b ecord in une ational Association of Realtors; Metro Home Prices Rise, National Association of Realtors; Pending Home Sales Index ( PHSI) , National Association of Realtors) If you are wondering what your own home would look like on the market , give us a call. (C ont i nue on pag e 27)

I

Where is Julius Magno, activist lawyer and labor leader turned Marcos loyalist?

I

t took a while before this writer finally located A as he is occasionally called with the letters corresponding to his full name’s initials.

The last time I heard about him was when he helped re-organize the K ilusang Bagong Lipunan ( K BL) , the same political party that was founded by then President Ferdinand Marcos.

T ED D Y P . MOLINA The reorganized K BL spearheaded the launching of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as presidential candidate even as BBM was still making up his mind whether to run or not.

Julius Magno, K BL Vice President, was among the key leaders in that convention held in Montalban, Rizal last year where they also launched Larry Gadon’s bid for Senator under BBM’s ticket.

Gadon went to and spoke at the convention but BBM didn’t, opting to address the K BL delegates via Zoom instead wherein he looked ex huberant for his late Dad’s party’s overwhelming endorsement of his upcoming bid.

It may not be preposterous to think that the new K BL, meeting in large numbers in that Montalban confab, inspired and contributed to BBM’s eventual decision to throw his hat into the political ring. The delegates came from various sectors and areas in the country.

I’m compelled to say, the rest is history. BBM moved and he’s now on the threshold of becoming the nex t President of the Philippines!

Before his formal ties with K BL, JAM had served as overall Coordinator for Ilocano Groups of the Loyalists for Marcos ( LFM) , a group founded in the late ‘ 7 0s. He brought to LFM his own group Confederation of Ilocano Associations Inc. Julius Magno and his partymates ex panded K BL throughout the country and coordinated ulti-sectoral e orts before, and, much more, during the presidential campaign.

He galvanized his old and present-day alliances which are plenty involving groups from the labor sector, youths/ students, professionals, academe, cooperatives, military,and others.

Thrown into the action is the Samahang Ilocano, ( SI) a closely-knit organization of Ilocano students founded by Magno in the ‘ 7 0s. SI is still a robust Ilocano alliance counting in its ranks members who are now professionals, in business,and other endeavors in the country and abroad.They ca paigned all-out with un inching loyalty and passion I learned that some of them accompanied BBM in his sorties serving as his human security umbrella especially when he got mobbed by crowds which was more often than not.

Former Mayor Tomas Toralba of Badoc, Ilocos Norte heads the group as National President while Magno is Chairan- eritus Toralba himself played a vital role in the BBM-SARA campaign. Apart from SI, he also operated under the group of retired Gen. Thompson Lantion, Partido Federal mg Pilipinas ecretary- eneral is s official political party Julius Allado Magno is one guy who wears many hats. e s a lawyer a certified public accountant a cooperatives organi er a professor a retired ilitary officer with the ran of Colonel, and a diplomat.

He holds three doctoral degrees : Doctor of Laws specializing in political and international law obtained from the niversity of to o as octor of ducation a or in Aeronautical Management from the Philippine State College of Aeronautics ( PHILSCA) , and Doctor of Philosophy major in International Studies on Peace and Security with focus on the United Nations and other Regional Institutions.

A major part of his life has been spent to college teaching that began at the age of after he earned his cono ics and Accounting degree, as CPA reviewer at age 25, and professor of law and doctoral subjects in various universities/ colleges mostly at the University Belt in Manila.

Until now, he serves as Professorial Lecturer in UST and PHILSCA. e was a firebrand labor leader and labor lawyer obtaining for his members and clients their just dues. Magno was in the thick of the labor movement (C ont i nue on page 27)

Breaking Through

t will only last for a week and a half, but as of Sunday, June 19, the Philippines had two legitimate vice presidents.

There is incumbent VP Leni Robredo and there is VP Sara Duterte, and please never forget that the latter has no in her first na e Over the weekend, uterte too her oath of office B ET ING D OLOR as vice president, her swearing in ceremony held at her precious Davao City. So for all intents, she is the legal VP. Or at least a legal VP. he only proble is that obredo s ter does not officially end until June 30, which means that the Philippines now has two women who can rightfully be called Madam Vice President.

Here’s a secret. I like the incumbent one much, much better than her successor.

In fact, Duterte had originally wanted to take her oath earlier than the 19th of this month. For what reason, no one really knows.

Perhaps she was afraid that “something” would happen, either to her father or to her running mate which would result in Robredo assuming the presidency, even for the shortest of periods.

Or, if by some longshot the Supreme Court declared her running mate’s candidacy as illegitimate, Robredo would have to be declared the winner of the May 9 elections, as all votes cast for Marcos Jr would have been declared null and void.

There is, to be sure, one more legal challenge to Marcos r s presidency which was filed by a group of lawyers led by a former SC spokesman. I’m no lawyer, but they presented what appears to be legitimate legal arguments to disqualify the son and namesake of the late dictator.

Duterte with no H would have none of that, of course.

The Philippine judicial system is chock full of holes, such that big cases are hardly ever decided on their merits, but on technicalities. Also known as legal mumbo jumbo.

The two vice presidents are aware of this situation, so SaraD was just playing it safe.

As far as she is concerned, she will be the next president of the Philippines, anytime between now and 2028 when Marcos Jr’s term ends. Unless he follows in the footsteps of his father, of course, and decides to declare martial law.

By the way, just to be perfectly sure, I am not wishing for any bad thing to happen to Marcos Jr. He may sincerely want to do a good job as president, so bully for him. But I also believe that at best he will be no di erent fro rap strada and his failed presidency.

Madam No H can bide her time. She is, after all, a young 4 ye ars of age, and it shows.

Not that she doesn’t look 4, but her immaturity has been coming to light in recent weeks and months.

During the campaign period, she said she wanted a return of compulsory military training for the country’s students.

After she was appointed or anointed ducation secretary she reiterated her wish and seems to think that she has the power to make it happen.

She doesn’t.

She very likely means that college-age men and women would have to undergo military training, which was the case many moons ago. In my time, it was called NROTC, although for most students back in the 70s , it was known as ROTC. or us it was aval eserve fficer raining orps while for everybody else, the word Naval was exc luded.

See, in my school, someone had the bright idea of us teeners becoming seamen – a silly joke would be apt here – while for other schools, the idea was to turn their kids into soldiers.

I had dreams of piloting a nuclear submarine, which indicates how ildly cra y was now now ubs don t y which is why they don’t have pilots.

So what does Sara no H have to do with this? i ple fol s As ducation secretary she is in charge of the country’s public schools from elementary to high school.

If compulsory military training is revived, it would still cover college men and women, no? You know. Young adults ages 18 a nd up. he new vice president is unaware that being ep d secretary does not cover the coun(C ont i nue on page 27)

Health & Wealth

Lawyers recommend “REAL ESTATE & YOU;”Four Reasons to Sell Now Offline

A country with two vice presidents

 BUSINESS | IMMIGRATIONS What should you do if you entered using a different name? f you entered the nited tates using a di erent name or committed a crime elsewhere then you need a waiver of inadmissibility under Form I-6 01 so that you can process your green card.

Q : What grounds of inadmissibility may be covered by a waiver?

A: The following grounds of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Naturalization Act ( INA) are as follows: health-related grounds, criminal and related grounds, immigrant membership in a totalitarian party, misrepresentation in immigration matters, smugglers, subject to civil penalty, and unlawful presence in the U.S. for at least 18 0 days, beginning on or after April 1, 1997 , followed by departure from the U.S. Q : How long is the validity of the waiver?

A: If the waiver is granted, then, ex cept for K -1 and K -2 nonimmigrant’s and conditional permanent residents, the grant permanently waives fraud or willful misrepresentation included in the application for purposes of any future i igration benefits application, whether immigrant or nonimmigrant. The waiver remains valid even if the person later abandons or otherwise loses LPR status.

Q : If you are a conditional permanent resident, is the waiver also permanent in nature?

A or conditional per anent residents the waiver only beco es valid indefinitely if and when the conditions are removed from his or her permanent resident status.

Conversely, termination of the conditional permanent resident status also terminates the validity of the waiver.

Q : Does the waiver cover all grounds of inadmissibility?

A A waiver applies only to the specific grounds of inad issibility and related cri es events or incidents specified in the waiver application f in the future the applicant is found inadmissible for a separate incident of fraud or willful misrepresentation not already included in an approved waiver application he or she will be re uired to file another waiver application. USCIS may reconsider an approval of a waiver at any time if it is determined that the decision has been made in error.

Q : Are there conditions for the grant of a Waiver to K -1 or K -2 nonimmigrant visa applicants?

A f the applicant see s a waiver to obtain a fianc e visa - or - the waiver’s approval is conditioned upon the K -1 nonimmigrant marrying the U.S. citizen who filed the fianc e petition he waiver beco es per anent once the arries the petitioner.

Q : What happens to the waiver if the K -1 nonimmigrant does not marry the petitioner?

A: In general, if the K -1 nonimmigrant does not marry the petitioner, the K -1 and - if applicable will re ain inad issible for purposes of any application for a benefit on any basis other than the proposed marriage between the K -1 and the K nonimmigrant visa petitioner. hat happens if at the ti e of entry the i igration officer declares the visa holder inadmissible based on documentary requirements?

A f an applicant procured an i igration benefit by fraud or willful isrepresentation, the applicant may also be inadmissible for lack of documentary requirements at the time of entry. When an applicant is granted a waiver for fraud or willful misrepresentation, inadmissibility based on lack of documentary requirements at the time of entry is also implicitly waived.

Q : Can you give an ex ample of the above?

A: For ex ample, an applicant misrepresents a material fact during the overseas nonimmigrant visa application process. The Department of State, however, grants her a visa. Later, she applies for adjustment of status. During her adjustment interview, an officer discovers her isrepresentation and finds her inad issible for both willful misrepresentation and failure to comply with documentary requirements. The applicant then applies for a waiver of inadmissibility for willful misrepresentation. Approval of the waiver has the e ect of waiving inad issibility for willful isrepresentation and for the lack of a valid visa at the time of entry.

Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for information purposes only. f you have i igration proble s the aw ffices of rispin o ano can help you find a solution before your proble gets worse which could lead to deportation and fa ily separation.

Bankruptcy Basics 1. Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years not filing ban ruptcy will a e your credit even worse until ost your debts are paid.

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

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

4 . Chapter 7 will eliminate all unsecured debts. If you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts.

INCOME TAX PROBLEMS We can help you if you are under IRS audit, need a representation with IRS, need (C ont i nue on page 27) to reduce your ta liability or need to o er a pay ent plan

June 23-29, 2022

14

Incoming BSP chief Medalla signals 2 new rate hikes, more ‘if needed’ MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will likely raise the interest rate on June 23 and August and more until 2023 if necessary to anchor in ation inco ing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla disclosed.

Medalla said another 25-basis point hike in the key borrowing rate is highly possible y and another 25-basis point hike in August as the BSP implements a “gradualism” approach to monetary policy to te per in ation he goal is to prevent a spill-over e ect fro the elevated global in ation edalla said in published reports. Global oil prices and other commodities have been rising due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“And one way to do that is to signal that the BSP will keep on adjusting the policy rate until we’re comfortable that the change of in ation fro one onth to the nex t will be consistent from 2 to 4 percent.

That’s why, I already said we’re going to raise it by .25 this meeting and raise it by another .25 in August,” Medalla said.

“The best thing to do is signal to the markets that we are actually now preparing for a series of 25-basis point increases.

Ex actly how many, we know it’s at least 2 more for this year and if necessary more in 2023,” he added. n ation uic ened further to percent in May. The BSP had also hiked interest rate to 2.25 percent.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives ways and means committee chairperson Joey Salceda said the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services in the country ay go to as high as if the con ict between Russia and Ukraine continues. alceda oated the possibility that the in ation can go further up fro the in May as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“I have my own model tapos ‘ yung base last year was slow so I think it can shoot up to 8 .1 [ percent] . Depende ‘ yan kung hindi titigil ang Ukraine at ang Russia. Mukhang ayaw namang tumigil e kasi mukhang we will see an escalation, especially with the EU ( European Union) coming together to really fight the war he said in a television interview. “ ut would say that of the in ation is ex ternal shot, so and problema ko

G o v er no r F el i p e M ed al l a yung second round e ects anda na an ang ating economic team kung ano ang gagawin,” he added.

To address this looming problem, Salceda said the national government should work on the protection of poor Filipinos and ensuring food security in the country.

As this developed, motorists will again have to pay more for petroleum products this wee as oil fir s are set to i ple ent increases for the third straight week.

Despite headwinds, Medalla, in an ABS-CBN report, said he is hopeful that in ation could revert to the target ne t year, but it is ex pected to “barely” settle within 2 to 4 percent due to the global price challenges.

“What were aiming for is to stabilize it, unless there are new shocks coming, then we should be able to attain our in ation target nex t year but I think barely because the o entu fro current in ation is just too powerful,” he said.

California reduces unemployment to pre-pandemic levels SACRAMENTO – California’s economic recovery continues to make incremental gains, with another month of five-figure ob growth and the une ployment rate returning to pre-pandemic levels.

In May, California created 4 2,900 new jobs, and the unemployment rate went down to 4 .3% .

California has now regained 93 percent ( 2,56 5,100) of the 2,7 58 ,900 nonfarm jobs lost during March and April of

2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the 390,000 U.S. nonfarm jobs gained in May, California accounted for 11 percent of them.

At 8 6 9,300 jobs, California had the largest absolute year-over seasonallyadjusted job increase in the nation in May 2022 California has enjoyed month-over gains in nonfarm jobs in 15 of the past 16 months totaling a 1,4 8 1,8 00 job gain over that time period

15 June 23-29, 2022

Stephen Curry and Chesa Boudin — Mirror opposites of what’s missing and what’s possible for San Francisco B y Jay a Pad manab h an

S t ep h en C ur r y

C h es a B o ud i n

SAN FRANCISCO -- Just as the ousted district attorney Chesa Boudin came to symbolize all that’s wrong with San Francisco, the basketball star Stephen Curry now signifies all that s re ar able about it — a city columnist Herb Caen compared to heaven: “One day if I do go to heaven ...

I’ll look around and say, ‘ It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.”

The scrappy Golden State Warriors won the NBA title on the 6 th of 7 games against the Boston Celtics. The Warriors’ win comes on the heels of the primaries, held on June 7 , which showcased the rampant disorder in the city and the chaos among its handlers.

In the days leading up to the primaries, District Attorney Chesa Boudin became the scapegoat for the city’s social ills, from homelessness to hate crimes targeting Asian Americans. Voters were split on his record and arguments were loud and contentious on what the city needed to make it “livable” again.

Amidst this climate of despair and divisiveness, the greatest point guard of all time, Stephen Curry, led his teammates to victory, game after Finals game, reigniting optimism for fans from all walks of life, sex ual orienta-

tions, genders and ages. As the clock ticked down at the end of game 6 , the city of the Warriors ex perienced a rare electric high — if only for that moment.

To be sure, Curry could not have brought home the trophy on his own without the help of Draymond Green, with his devil-maycare attitude, performing with the kind of physical and mental agility that have few parallels. Alongside Green were K lay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, and K evon Looney, as well as the others on the bench. Together they devised a playbook for a victory that was hardly predicted even six months ago.

Curry emerged as the man of the moment, making plays, assisting others, scoring points and holding the Celtics back. He was ustifiably rewarded as the MVP of the Finals, a title that had eluded him thus far. ut reen put his finger on what lay at the heart of the Warrior victory. “We relied on each other for what we’re great at,” Green said: a spirit of unison that had the players anticipating and filling in for each other reading plays, passing the ball, and making room for shots that left their fans elated at the display of

generosity and skill.

Boudin, on the other hand, lost the support of his team as key prosecutors quit the District Attorney s office at a ti e when he needed them most. This proved to be an insurmountable hurdle, as Boudin confronted a host of entrenched problems that required innovative thinking, collaboration and compromise.

Under Boudin’s watch neither homelessness, crime, mental illness, nor fentanyl overdoses have abated. Embroiled in public battles with the San Francisco Police Department, he was never able to rebuild the consensus that had put hi in office Coach Steve K err called the Warriors victory “the most unlikely” given all that was stacked

against the team going into the season. In the last two years, the team was laid low by injuries and changing rosters and picked up the record of being the worst in the league. “For this group to make it back here — I am not sure we ever knew we could do this.” remarked K err.

Unlike a basketball series, San Francisco’s problems appear to have no end game in sight. But there are takeaways to be absorbed from the Warriors’ meteoric rise.

Both the Boudin recall and the Warriors win are mirror opposites within the city. They tell us what’s missing and what’s possible to move San Francisco forward. ( Ethnic Media Services)

 ENTERTAINMENT

June 23-29, 2022

16

Ardyanna and friends sing songs of life in Long Beach concert June 25 LONG BEACH -- You must have watched and adored her in one of those Filipino community events as a guest performer. This time, you’ll be able to watch nine-year-old FilipinoAmerican singing sensation Ardyanna perform with seven of her young friends in her own show, billed “Seeing and Dreaming” on Saturday, June 25, 5 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Event Center at 855 Elm Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813 .

Ardyanna, whose full name is Ardyanna Ducusin, will sing all her original songs, as well as will her seven guest performers -- Jerrica Wu, Jackson Burroughs, Carolyn Mazza, Skye Cruz, Yemah Bannister, Aubrey Myers, and Aralyn Franklin. They will basically be narrating their true-life stories through songs that they themselves wrote.

“You’ll be amazed as you listen how a group of young kids share their own thoughts, points of view, and collaborate in a spectacular show that promises to not only entertain you, but inspire you and your children through their music,” the producers said.

The show will feature original songs written by Adryanna that are included in her recently released debut album, “Living the Dream.” These songs include “This Is My Song,” “My Mom,” “Living The Dream,” and her new songs “In This Place,” “Just Chill For The Day,” and “Love

Would Never Fade Away,” which will be heard for the first ti e in the ong Beach show.

Ardyanna debuted her original song “My Mom” in her Mothers Day Virtual Concert on May 8, 2021, which she wrote in tribute of her own mother and which received critical aplomb from those who watched from the United States and the Philippines.

At her young age, Ardyanna has won numerous singing, modeling and acting competitions. he won first and second place awards in modeling, singing and acting in the “That’s Entertainment” regional competitions in Anaheim, California last February. In the “That’s Entertainment” national competition, Adryanna also won first and second places in vocal performances and the Judges Future Award for her vocal rendition of “The Climb” in Connecticut in July 2021.

Adryanna also placed second best as vocalist in the Diva Division and 3rd runner up as vocalist All Star Award Diva Division for ages 9-12 at the “Access Broadway” regional competition in Las Vegas, Nevada last January.

She won the Stars Mini Vocal Title Award in the “Turn It Around” regional competition in San Diego in June 2021 for her rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream.”

When Adryanna was only six years old, she competed in the International Model and Talent Awards ( IMTA) in Los Angeles in 2019 and went home with a total of 11 awards, including the Most Sought After Female Talent and TV Beauty Award.

Ardyanna has also consistently been a

consistent high honor roll awardee since her kindergarten days, and has won the Principal’s Award and Academic Achievement Award a number of times.

She has performed as guest artist in numerous concerts and events, including the Love Moves US Tour 2022 with Nina and Luke Mijares in LA, Mayfest 2022 with Jaya and Jay-R in Carson, the Jose P. Rizal Day Live Event in Carson, the Larry Itliong Day concert also in Carson, The Labor Day Live Event also in Carson, and many more.

On Saturday, June 25, she will be the star of the show, and will be shar-

ing the stage with her young friends who “live the dream” like her. The show will be choreographed by Canadian pop star, choreographer, vocal coach, and award- winning musical director Jayne Ava; and will be directed by Brodway actress, voice over actor/ writer, audiobook narrator, and award-winning writer/ director Lori Ada Jaroslow’ The concert is being presented by Monochord, One World Stage and Screen, and Long Beach Scottish Rite Cultural Centre.

For ticket inquiries, please call Ydamme at tel. ( 562) 73- 1392.

Ardyanna and friends sing songs of life in Long Beach concert June 25 Folk pop band Ben& Ben teased their followers about a new track which they will release next week.

Without revealing its title yet, the band announced through a Twitter post that the tune will come out on June 22. en en is set to hold a send-o concert at the CCP Open Grounds on September 3 prior to their eight-city tour in the United States.

“May sasabihin kami. Bestie, dahil patas ang mundo. May bagong kanta kami para sa ‘ di pinanindigan. June 22 lalabas,” the band said.

The group recently dropped their other song “Paninindigan K ita.” As a treat to their listeners, they also wrote a song for those who were left behind.

“Di naman masakit yung bagong kanta. parang kagat lang ng dinosaur,” Ben& Ben said in another tweet.

Aside from the new song, Ben& Ben also announced that the official usic video of “ aninindigan K ita” will come out on June 30.

“Pasasalamat sa 6.1M views ( and counting) ng lyric video,” they said.

17 June 23-29, 2022

 ENTERTAINMENT

‘Ang Probinsyano’ record-breaker: Cardo wakes up, real president found A A A A arapan pic twitter co i ey fg rea scape rea scape une 2022 he cli actic episode proved to be a hit with follower of “Ang robinsyano as the series yet again bro e its own viewership record on apa ilya nline ive “ arapan pea ed at concurrent live viewers according to producer rea scape ntertain ent Aside fro apa ilya nline ive “Ang Probinsyano” can be watched via K apamilya “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” logged a new alltime high viewership online on Wednesday as the iconic character portrayed by Coco Martin finally wo e up after being once thought dead and in critical condition.

In the episode titled “Harapan,” Cardo artin anaged to snea past both the tea s of ito ichard utierre and Albert eo igen ann whose con ict on how to handle their hostage led to an all-out gunfight From his hospital bed, a still-recovering ardo put on the lac ps unifor as a disguise to safely e it but that put hi at odds with the gun en allied with ito forcing hi to e change bullets despite his condition ith Albert apparently illed by ito the latter pursued ardo who he needed to capture alive rac ing the trail of ardo s blood fro the bed ito cornered hi at a toilet cubicle inside the hospital Meanwhile, in a pivotal moment in the series resident scar idalgo owell antiago) — the real president, not the imposter who

had been installed by crime syndicates in the alace finally got reunited with as orce Agila. scar had long been in hiding after wa ing up fro a drug-induced co a by the irst ady ily orna olentino who continued her sche e to ta e over alacanang A A A A A AA A A A

hannel A

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e

 ENTERTAINMENT

June 23-29, 2022

18

Film Council celebrates Pride Month with PeliKULAYa International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival The Film Development Council of the Philippines ( FDCP) is celebrating Pride Month this June with PeliK ULAYa: International LGBTQ IA+ Film Festival in a hybrid format from June 10 to 26 .

With the theme “Pantay-Pantay, Iba’t Ibang K ulay! ,” this year’s PeliK ULAYa aims to champion and empower members of the LGBTQ IA+ community, while highlighting stories that delve into the underrepresented members of the LGBTQ IA+ community, especially the trans community, through a lineup of fil screenings of local and international fil s fil tal s and special events “ his year as we continue to fight for the freedom and rights of the LGBTQ IA+ community, we also celebrate the achievements and support the causes of the members of the community this une e at the are o ering an eventful month through PeliK ULAYa with a onth-long lineup of fil screenings and events to celebrate this significant month. Happy Pride Month from Team FDCP! ,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

PeliK ULAYa screenings, special events and fil tal s PeliK ULAYa 2022 had its Grand ress aunch at the A ra o edy estobar last uesday une to officially announce this year s lineup of fil s and activities. The event was hosted by DJ Jhai Ho and was followed by the Pride Party and FDCP’s 20th Anniversary Celebration.

A total of 50 local and international fil s co-presented by partner e bassies and organizations: the British Council, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of en ar bassy of hile bassy of Spain, Embassy of Canada, K orean Cultural Center, US Embassy, Mex ican Embassy, Instituto Cervantes, will be screened online and onsite as part of this year’s festival lineup.

Beginning June 10, there will be a one-time special screening of Isabel Sandoval’s Lingua Franca at the Cinematheque Centre Manila, while 6 subscription fil s and available for rental on the FDCP Channel, including 10 fil s fro this year s eli A a BTQ IA+ Short Film Competition and 6 fil s fro inespectra hort il estival 2019 that can be streamed for free throughout the festival.

June 11, 2022 ( Saturday) he il al s on eli ulaya “The ABCs of SOGIE” is a discussion that delves into the the basics of Sex ual Orientation or Gender Identity or Ex pression and the e ects it brings to the lives of the Flipino members of the LGBTQ IA+ community. It will be at 2 p.m. at the Cinematheque Centre Manila. o en o ry by esela a a ova and Mina Mileva will have its Philippine premiere, featuring a special video essage fro the fil a ers at p at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

June 12, 2022 ( Sunday) Film historian, scholar, and accomplished fil a er ic eoca po will launch his boo Alternative Cinema, 10: 30 a.m. at the Cinematheque Centre Manila he boo launch event will also screen four of his fil s as part of the ic eoca po il etrospecWe have ready buyers of lots, single homes, commercial properties tive for this year’s festival: in the Philippines located in Palanan, Makati, Malate, Singalong, Oliver, Sex Warriors and San Andres, Santa Ana, and in other cities in Metro Manila. the Samurai, Private Wars, and Memories of Old MaSORRY - No condominiums needed at this time. nila.

Should you be interested in selling your Philipine properties, June 16 , 2022 ( Thursplease call us immediately. Thank you! day) A special screening followed by a tal bac session of Boys Don’t Cry, co-preRaya Garden Condominium Paranaque. Metro Manila Philippines sented by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, will be held at 5: 30 p.m. at the Cinematheque Center Manila.

The PeliK ULAYa: Short Film Competition - Set A ala ight will be at p at the Cinema ‘ 7 6 Anonas.

The event will be attended by the fil a ers of the DAKILA F. DOMINGO BLESSY G. VALERA Country Coordinator - USA & Canada Director of Sales & Marketing - Philippines short fil s for a tal bac 0919-002-0819 415-741-8800 session after the screenings. dakiladanilo@yahoo.com blessyvalera@yahoo.com June 17 , 2022 ( Friday)

PHILIPPINE PROPERTIES

NEEDED

DFD REALTY

PeliK ULAYa: Short Film Competition - et ala ight will be at p at the Cinema ‘ 7 6 Anonas followed by a tal bac session with the fil a ers of the co peting fil s utierre “ eng angansa an s opografia will also have its world premiere at 6 p.m., followed by a tal bac session at the inematheque Centre Davao.

June 18 , 2022 ( Saturday) he il al s on eli A a “ he olor eel is a panel discussion on the roles members of the A co unity are ta ing on as part of the audiovisual industry. The discussion will be at 2: 30 p.m. at the Cinematheque Centre Manila. At 6 p.m. in the evening un obles ana s ig ight will have its ala ight followed by a tal bac session The “From His/ Her/ Their Lens: A ic eoca po il etrospective Gala Event will be at 2 p.m. at the Cinematheque Centre Iloilo. The event will also screen Deocampo’s Private Wars and Oliver.

June 19, 2022 ( Sunday) Ivan Andrew Payawal’s Gameboys he ovie will have its ala ight followed by a tal bac session at p at the Cinematheque Centre Manila. There will also be a special screening of Marova o fort ay by il ortes at p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater.

June 24 , 2022 ( Friday) PeliK ULAYa will hold special screenings of anila y ight by shael ernal and soteri a aynila by Elwood Perez at the Cinematheque Centre Manila in celebration of Manila Day. June 25, 2022 ( Saturday) he il al s on eli Aa “ rans epresentation in edia is a panel discussion that delves into the representation of transex uals in Philippine media, how it has evolved, and what else needs to be done he fil tal will be at 11: 30 a.m. at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

A special screening of the closing fil oys on t ry co-presented by the US Embassy, will be at 5: 30 p.m. at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

There will also be screenings of the fil s of eli A a hort il o petition finalists ealthy ilipinas hort il estival and ine s ool il ab and Festival at Gateway Cinemas.

June 26 , 2022 ( Sunday) The PeliK ULAYa 2022 Closing Progra “ ara sa a ulay na u as will serve as the closing event of this year’s festival. The winners of the PeliK ULAYa: Short Film Competition will be announced during this event.

The PeliK ULAYa: International LGBTQ IA+ Film Festival is presented by the Film Development Council of the

Philippines, powered by FDCP Channel, ine athe ue entres and ood ayo g ine in partnership with the ritish Council, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of en ar bassy of hile Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Canada, K orean Cultural Center, US Embassy, Mex ican Embassy, Instituto Cervantes, Metropolitan Theater, and Cinema ‘ 7 6 , Gateway Cineplex , and the Metropolitan Theater.

The PeliK ULAYa: International LGBTQ IA+ Film Festival lineup from June 10 to 26 : Opening Film ( June 10) Lingua Franca by Isabel Sandoval ala ight at p at the Cinematheque Centre Manila With succeeding paid screenings at the FDCP Cinematheque Centres ic et rice Closing Film ( June 25) Boys Don’t Cry ( co-presented by the US Embassy) losing ight at ine atheque Centre Manila With preceding screenings at FDCP Cinematheque Centre Manila only PeliK ULAYa LGBTQ IA+ Short Film Competition et A ala ight une at the inema ‘ 7 6 Anonas: Mga K uan by Jermaine Tulbo ut by on ictor iernes ean ussel o ero As if othing appened by rinidad ubli by a avalta his is ot A o ing ut tory by ar eli breo et ala ight une at the inema ‘ 7 6 Anonas: e ere ever eally trangers by atric angan Second Gear by Christian Angelo Cruz K ung Sa Diin Ang Suba Tarabuan by Seth Andrew Blanca a laa by abb antala ang aglublob A o sa sang ango ng iwanag by u ay ina pan he A -centric fil of this year’s lineup are divided into three sections: Spectra Pelicula is a curation of feature-length fil s fro local fil a ers ainbow orld ine a are feature length fil s fro all over the world co-presented by partner embassies and organi ations and ainbow horts are local and international short fil s copresented by partner embassies and organizations. There will be free and paid onsite screenings at Cinematheque Centres nationwide, as well as at the Metropolitan heatre elected fil s fro the lineup are available to stream on the FDCP Channel.

19 June 23-29, 2022

 ENTERTAINMENT

Cinemalaya film festival finalists bared It’s a go for this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

This as the Cultural Center of the Philippines ( CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. announced the co peting fil s in the hort Film category of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2022. he finalists are “A pangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol” ( It’s Raining Frogs Outside) by Maria Estela Paiso; “Black Rainbow” by Zig Dulay; “City of Flowers” by X eph Suarez; “Dikit” by Gabriela Serrano; “Distance” by Dex ter Paul de Jesus; “Duwa-Duwa” by Nena Jane Achacoso; “Mga Handum Nga Nasulat Sa Baras” ( The Dreams That Are Written in the Sand) by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico; “Mata K ang Busay” ( Vision of the Falls) by Nino Maldecir and Cyphor John Gayorgor; “K wits” by Raz de la Torre;

“Roundtrip to Happiness” by Claudia Fernando; “See You, George! ”

by Mark Moneda; and “Si Oddie” by Maria K ydylee Torato.

The selection committee, composed of Teddy Co, Joel Ruiz, Manet Dayrit, Lee Briones and Martika scobar confir ed the finalists after intense deliberation of 199 submitted entries. he short feature fil finalists will be screened during the 2022 Cinemalaya Festival, happening from 5 to 14 August at various CCP venues and select partner cinemas. he best short feature fil will be awarded a cash prize amounting to P150,000 and a Balanghai trophy during the Cinemalaya Awards Night on 14 August at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo ( CCP Main Theater) .

On its 18 th year, the Cinemalaya returns to on-site screenings after its successful online streaming. The fil festival is an all-digital fil

competition that aims to discover, encourage and support the cinematic wor s of ilipino fil a ers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino ex perience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

For more information, visit www. culturalcenter.gov.ph and www. cine alaya org ollow the official CCP and Cinemalaya social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates.

FilAm Liza Soberano marks PH Independence Day Soberano became more open about her decision Asked what she would advise to fellow Asian to “ta e the first leap to u pstart a potential talents who aspire to make it big in the US, she career in the United States. answered “ would say to ust go for it

Filipino American Liza Soberano spent Philippine Independence Day with her fellow FilipinoAmerican celebrities while in Los Angeles.

In her latest Instagram post, the Californiaborn Soberano shared her photos with social media stars Bella Poarch and Breman Rock after they had dinner together on June 12.

“Always happy to be with people I can relate to! ! ” she captioned her post. “Proud Filipinos! ” Soberano made headlines two weeks ago when her former talent manager, Ogie Diaz, revealed that the actress’ career is now managed by James Reid, who is part of the US-based Transparent Arts group championing Asian-American talents.

Since her management switch went public,

 REAL ESTATE

June 23-29, 2022

$518-M grants up for housing and services for people experiencing severe mental illness and substance abuse SACRAMENTO — The nation is expe riencing a mental health crisis. Thus, California announced $518.5 million in grants to help provide services and housing options to those with severe mental illness or substance abuse problems, including for those who are living on the streets.

The latest funding will help Governor Newsom’s CARE Court proposal, taking a new approach to homelessness and taking stronger action to get people o the streets and into a place where they can get the care they need.

The funding will provide treatment beds for more than 1,000 people at a time, plus behavioral health services for many more. It is part of a $2.2 billion e ort to e pand ental health housing and services across California, especially for people experiencing homelessness.

The Governor announced the latest grants during a meeting with families who have loved ones dealing with serious mental illness, many of whom have been homeless.

“The crisis on our streets is at a breaking point.

Too many Californians are struggling with mental illness and substance abuse, and many of them end up on our streets. We need to change the way we deliver help to those who need it, and these grants are an important step in changing our approach to

homelessness and serious mental illness,” Governor Newsom said. “California won’t look away any longer; we’re helping our fellow Californians now.

That’s the California Way.” The Governor’s meeting in Sacramento with members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI) included families who are caring for loved ones struggling with behavioral or mental health disorders and could be helped by CARE Court. The Governor heard their stories and talked about the historic actions that California is taking to address this crisis.

A ourt will provide alifornians su ering from untreated schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders with community-based treatment, services, and housing, and is intended to serve as an upstream intervention for the most severely impaired Californians.

Governor Newsom meets with NAMI CA “Governor Newsom has NAMI’s full support in getting A ourt across the finish line said Jessica Cruz, NAMI CA CEO. “We’re here today to show our commitment to providing help, hope and health for those a ected by serious ental illness by supporting initiatives like CARE Court which will provide much-needed help to Californians who need it most.”

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20

Are you over the age of 62 and currently not having a qualify of LIFE? You have worked all your life and you would think that once you have retired and saved up a small retirement savings that you will have a dream life. A Dream Life or a Q uality of Life to me for some retiring is that they will live comfortably with minimal to no mortgage payments, a nice nest egg savings in the bank, a steady strea of fi ed inco e co ing in either or both from a retirement plan and Social Security income. Right? I am sure most of you have that, but we have family that constantly have to help out in any financial ways we have relatives that we support back home for their survival and maybe education.

So, a good scenario for a hard working person would be maybe a house that is al ost paid o or has lots of e uity But what we are seeing are retired homeowners with high amounts of mortgage balances that could not live a Dream Life. They have to depend on renting rooms out and go thru daily headaches dealing with bad boarders, dealing with high cost of living expe nses, dealing with expe nsive home repairs. ur enior ho eowners with the way the e uity will be dropping due to a Big Recession coming have to think about ways to stop the bleeding and control a future problem that might be in the horizon! f you are retired and have ore than of e uity in your home and still are living month to month just breaking even and not enjoying I “Q uality of Life”. You are doing so ething wrong and “ A has to happen in ationary prices hits you, before a “R” recession comes and takes away a big chun of your e uity before your boarder starts to have a hardship paying rent.

Lets discuss a few scenarios: First we have Mr. and Mrs. Jones. They want to remain in their home but they’d like to purchase an additional property like a vacation home or rental property so they can generate passive income during their retirement years. By using a o e uity onversion ortgage loan the iths will be able to borrow against the e uity in their e isting ho e and use those funds to purchase their additional home. The Smiths will be asked to demonstrate that they have the ability to eep up on the financial responsibilities on properties. Real estate professionals will earn a commission on the purchase of the new home in addition to very happy clients. olution sing your sleeping e uity in your house to make money, but by using a HECM program you will avoid a payment on the second home.

Here’s another exa mple…

• Patty and Bob just became empty nesters • They want to right size in terms of the size of their home but not the uality of ho e or neighborhood • Their current home is worth $600k and they owe $200k, this leaves them with $400k f or their new home • Thanks to the ability to use a HECM to purchase a home; Patty and Bob can use all or a portion of the $400K plus a loan to purchase a ho e that is a better fit for the while aintaining their e uity position and eli inating ortgage payments.

Solution: Selling and down sizing to a newer and better home, eliminating the mortgage payments. You can also carry over your current tax r ates with Prop 13. ective April ho eowners age and older can move anywhere within California ( rather than only to certain counties) and transfer their original Prop. 13 tax assessment to a ho e of e ual or lesser value or to a ore e pensive ho e with an upward adjustment.

Final Scenario: George & Rosy currently own single family home worth $600K and they owe = $200K so that leaves them $400K in e uity hey want to buy a duple so they can rent one unit and live in the other and generate some passive income during retirement. They use the $400K from sale of their home plus a HECM loan to make the purchase Using a HECM to buy a home has now put them in a situation where they live in a duplex that generates rental income, they have no mortgage payments! Once again; happy clients.

T hank s f or y our i nqui ri es , pl eas e c ont ac t K en G o of 1s t I nov at i v e Fi nanc e G roup 56208-5 7048 or w ri t e t o k enne t hgo@ v eri z on.ne t C A B R E 10 02123 N M L S 2386.

21 June 23-29, 2022

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

SF Bay Area Filipinos celebrate Warriors 4th NBA championship

By Jun Nucum SAN FRANCISCO - Basketball crazy Filipinos in San Francisco and neighboring cities joined the Bay area Golden tate arriors fans that filled the ar et and side streets in downtown an rancisco onday for the first ever victory parade of the arriors in an rancisco for its th ational Basketball Association ( NBA) Championship. . ain an rancisco downtown streets were closed to traffic as double-dec er buses specially painted with players and coaches na es and i ages drove along carrying players top tea e ecutives and coaches who waved to the crowd on both sides of streets. verall the arriors now have a total of seven A ha pionships since it won on the years and as hiladelphia arriors before the olden tate arriors won in and this year And through their ca paign in the years as the arriors counted on any diehard ilipino fans who lived around the an rancisco ay Area cities even when they were still regarded as a lowly team where starting players who wore their Warrior jerseys honing their basketball talents and skills before eventually leaving for the top tea s for big oney ne fan is an runo A resident onathan perio whose parents hailed fro ue on and ulacan provinces and has been a follower since when one s can get you five tic ets with hotdogs to boot all in what was then regarded as the “ reat i eout at racle Arena in the ity of a land and one usually watched the ga es for the big-ti e players of the opposing team.

“This is the championship the Warriors won to silence the haters bashers and naysayers that never gave the tea a second look to be championship contenders after ranking the lowest two years ago due to in uries to and departure of so e dependable players li e evin urant who was with the with and cha pionship said perio who in uenced his family into following and cheering the Warriors to cha pionship and the victory parade that ade the closer and gave the ore chances to bond together choing perio is an ose A s Anthony onette ivero who has been a fan since s and brought to the fro the hilippines his love for bas etball as a fan of oyota tea co posed of obert awors i a on ernande and rancis Arnai a ong others “ t was so nice to see how they developed being a training ground of players before their ti e to win ca e with the entry of tephen urry ray ond reen and lay ho pson through the anage ent tea of ohn acob and ob yers that too over he player develop ent strategy they introduced paved the way for the tea to orphed fro a training ground of star players to a tea that ade players they develop to stay and beco e cha pions ivero said i e perio ivero en oyed the way arriors care for their fans putting i portance on how their ilipino fans feel and in return an affinity and a never-say-die attitude are developed a ong these fans for the tea e also cited the ilipino eritage ight as a significant way of showing how Filipinos are important to them t was the first ti e for unnyvale A local and originally

Jonathan Imperio e treme le� , sho n ith his family at the parade, as ith the Warriors hen �ckets of ve costs only 20 ith hotdogs to boot.

San Jose local Anthony Tone�e Rivero middle ent to the parade and is anked by son Topee e treme le� and grandson Austyn e treme right .

Migo Guillen e treme right , himself a son of a Filipina star, as star-struck hen he and borther Juanch middle and ife Yumi e treme le� ere approached by Warriors player, general manager and coach.

Maritess Ingco ith mask second from right atched a recent Warriors game ith brother Enrico to her le� and family friends Maryann and Dom.

fro utuan ity igo uillen to oin a victory parade but was also so happy he did with wife u i and brother unch who felt overwhel ed with the big nu ber of fan turnout “ was star-struc after players and arriors honchos li e coach teve err eneral anager ob yers and guard ary ayton ca e down to greet us with high fives disclosed uillen who hi self has ilipina and ovie stardentist ivian o as a other A fan since uillen stated that the arriors tea spirit being one with each other ade uillen endear the arriors to hi and his fa ily as the arriors treat each other star or roo ies they ay be e ually ong ti e ilipina fan aritess ngco of outh an rancisco issed the parade this ti e for health reasons but was

able to catch the coverage by television networ s “ was confident that the arriors will be cha pions again as the tea che istry is perfect and no other tea can beat us and we didn t need urant to win e are strong and confident and never ever give up especially when lay h pson ca e bac fro his in ury ngco said ngco s favorite player is ho pson who she regards as a very good role odel to those who have lost hope due to an in ury and so eone who never gives up and eeps pushing to recover and get bac on the oor “YESSSSSSS I think the Warriors can be champions again for at least five ore years e are a dynasty and nothing can hold us bac now we have the best tea in the league even as any thought we could never be cha pions they were wrong wrong wrong lol ngco teased

Carlos Yulo wins 3 gold medals in Asian championships in Qatar

A A A - ilipino gy nastics star arlos ulo pulled o last wee a historic feat in his ca paign in the 9th Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Aspire o e in oha atar by copping three gold edals and one silver edal The Olympic gymnast started his campaign last hursday with a runner-up finish in the en s allaround event earning hi a tic et to the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships set in October at iverpool ngland published reports fro oha Q atar showed. ulo finished with points in the si apparatuses while hina s hi ong topped the event with and his co patriot ang ia ing clai ing the bronze medal. he anila-born gy nast rebounded in his ne t

event on riday hilippines reported after he bagged the elusive gold edal in the oor e ercise a category where he became the world champion in 2019. ulo scored points in his gold finish edging outh orea s i ansol and ia ing who were tied at second place with points he outh orean won the silver edal while the hinese settled for the bronze medal.

The 22-year-old gymnastics sensation ended his ca paign in the Asian tilt on aturday with two gold edals in the vault and parallel bars events ulo the reigning world cha pion in vault tallied points to e erge as the Asian cha pion in his pet event apan s higa achibana captured the silver medal while K im nabbed the bronze medal. ulo s last act ca e in the parallel bars event where

he won a silver edal in the world cha pionships last year as he topped the field with a score of points apan s suyoshi asegawa and hina s in ehang ended up tied for second place with points but the apanese clinched the silver edal he ilipino gy nast only failed to land a podiu finish in the still rings event after he wounded up in fourth place Aside fro ulo the hilippines sent its pro ising gy nasts in the Asian cha pionships that included ohn van ru uancho iguel esana ustine Ace de eon an wynn i bang and ohn atthew ergara he si gy nasts also represented the country in the en s artistic gy nastics co petitions of the st outheast Asian a es in ay

June 23-29, 2022

22

Q : W hat are the way s to k eep debt collectors away ?

A: This is an unusual question. I would like to say that if you pay your debts on time would be the best way to keep debt collectors away. But, I know what it is that you refer to when you ask this question.

In most cases people who are not able to pay their debts are riddled with never ending phone calls, threatening letters and even lawsuits from collectors. Even clients who enroll in what other co panies call debt resolution progra s have to su er these ordeals. The only thing these program providers tell their clients is to not answer the phone call so they do not endure the threats. Imagine if you have 5 credit cards enrolled in their program and collectors from each call 10 times a day, you are looking at 50 calls a day, daily from debt collectors. You won’t last a week!

Then you can add the threatening letters that you would be receiving every day from the creditors and debt collectors. Shortly after not responding to the calls and letters, you will receive threats and essages of legal action and lawsuits being filed against you.

The owners of other companies do not even know that some of their employees have reached out to us for employment due to their declining calls and sales. We do not hire people who ca e fro the sa e industry e want e ployees who have finance backgrounds both in the US and Canada, then we mold them to the culture of our company. That’s the way we do it to ensure client satisfaction and success.

Ating lesson, Ayaw natin ng magulo, pero tayo ang gumawa ng multo.

If you need help in getting out of debt, call Debt Aid Consulting International. We do not use call centers which keeps your information safe. We have a new program that reconstruct debts for half of what you would pay our competitors. We also provide legal assistance that keeps collectors away. We take Federal Credit Unions, Payday loans and high interest personal loans in our program too. This is ex clusively available for Debt Aid Consulting clients. None of our competitors provide this program. You are well protected.

We only provide Federal Trade Commission compliant programs. Go with Debt Aid Consulting!

Do not fall for marketing gimmicks saying that they have the right program for you.

Most marketing companies only have one program and will enroll you in that program whether it fits you or not. So beware!

Ben Lou at your service!

I have over 35 years of financial e perience. If you would li e sound financial advice, call us at Debt Aid Consulting International. We do not use call centers.

No one has the right to put your information at risk.

Debt Aid Consulting is the first and only Filipino debt mediation company incorporated in the US and Canada, Caribbean Islands, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines!

Your Global Debt Solutions Company!

Tawag na po sa 1-8 8 8 -34 1-5234 at tutulungan po namin kayo.

Itama po natin ang mali!

23 June 23-29, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS

PHL Embassy celebrates PHL Independence Day WASHINGTON D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. celebrated the 124t h anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence through a series of events.

The embassy said the events included 1) installation of a Philippine historical marker for the Philippine Ambassador s fficial esidence in the nited tates; independence day ag honoring cere ony by bassy personnel; i ig ng alayaan ndependence ay concert for the Filipino community in partnership with he ilipino hannel ; launch of the ast- est Center’s publication titled “The Philippines Matters for A erica A erica atters for the hilippines ; and a diplomatic reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy.

The Independence Day Anniversary celebration had for its the e alayaan agsulong sa a on ng anibagong u as ise towards the hallenge of a New Beginning) .

The Embassy launched the series of Independence Day activities with the installation and turnover of a historical ar er for the hilippine A bassador s official residence in the nited tates ational istorical o ission of the hilippines hairperson ene scalante and hief Architect eynaldo ita were the guests of honor during the official signing and turnover cere onies conducted at the bassy and the official residence, respectively.

The Embassy and its personnel - led by Philippine A bassador to the nited tates ose anuel omualdez - successfully held its traditional Independence ay ag honoring cere ony in the orning of une at the bassy s ld hancery building ollowing the raising of the hilippine ag the ndependence ay video essages of hilippine resident odrigo uterte hilippine oreign A airs ecretary eodoro ocsin r were played A bassador o ualde then

delivered his personal greetings and message. ater that evening the bassy and both ilipino and American communities were entertained and serenaded at the ndependence ay concert produced by at the A onstitution all in ashington he concert celebrated the the e “ i ig ng alayaan elebrating ilipino cellence and eritage and showcased world-class performances by distinguished ilipino artists such as the oncert ing artin ievera Asia s ightingale ani isalucha and ew York’s Broadway Barkada.

A bassador o ualde also had the opportunity to address the audience and Filipino community members at the start of the concert. He recalled the accomplishPh i l i p p i ne A mb as s ad o r t o t h e U ni t ed S t at es Jo s e M anuel G . R o mual d ez ( c ent er ) w i t h t h e o t h er H ead s o f Ph i l i p p i ne Foreign Service Posts in the United States. le� to right Ph i l i p p i ne C o ns ul s G ener al E l mer G . C at o ( N ew Y o r k ) , E d gar B . B ad aj o s ( L o s A ngel es ) , Jer r i l G . S ant o s ( H o us t o n) , Jes us a S us ana V . Paez ( C h i c ago ) , N ei l F r ank R . F er r er ( S an F r anc i s c o ) , and E mi l i o T . F er nand ez ( H o no l ul u) . ents of the bassy for the past five years and shared that, “Although there have been a lot of challenges, the wor we have been doing here has also been fulfilling and rewarding et e ust share that we refurbished all Philippine properties in D.C. and two of the three buildings, namely the Old Chancery Building and the fficial esidence have been declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.”

The Ambassador continued, “Furthermore, the return of the Balangiga Bells to the Philippines undoubtedly brought closure to, and reinforced the mutual respect and recognition between our two countries. These his-

U S D ep ut y A s s i s t ant S ec r et ar y o f S t at e Jung Pak , A mb as sador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, and Na�onal Security C o unc i l S eni o r D i r ec t o r E d gar K agan d ur i ng t h e t o as t c er emony at the diploma�c recep�on torical moments are something that we take great pride in as it symbolizes the long standing and friendly relationship we have had with the nited tates he bassy s ational ay reception on was preceded by the launch of the ast- est enter’s publication entitled, “The Philippines Matters for America / America Matters for the Philippines”. The launch of the infographics pro ect capped the yearlong co e oration of the th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the nited tates n his re ar s A bassador o ualde underscored that the hilippinesrelations re ain strong and robust while harg d A aires eather ariava of the bassy of the nited tates of A erica in anila oined virtually ast- est enter resident u anne ares- u delivered a brief presentation on the publication, which is part of the Asia Matters for America initiative.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

June 23-29, 2022

24

Non-Stop Entertainment: Philippine American Friendship Day on July 9 In Cerritos Cerritos, Calif. – All roads will lead to this city as non-stop musical entertainment, Philippine cultural presentations, inspirational messages, product booths, food vendors, and workshops, await attendees during the Philippine American Friendship Day on July 9 from 8 am to 6 pm at the Don K nabe Community Regional ar on loo field Ave in this ity of residents.

Hosted by National Federation of Filipino American Federation Associations ( NaFFAA) Greater Los Angeles in partnership with Los Angeles County’s th istrict anice ahn and A heri Ale illanueva, this historic milestone promises to be the L.A. County’s Largest Philippine American Friendship Day that had its roots in the City of Carson in 2021.

Among notable entertainers who will perform at the huge park overlooking the picturesque lake include singer iana alenciano obin ievera elson Palad, Sara Mislang, former Miss Saigon Emeben Baysic, Lyndon Apostol, Filipino American Symphony Orchestra ( FASO) Garth Garcia, Introvoys, Club Magkaisa of Cerritos High School, Filipino Cultural School Ensemble, , Pamana K ali, Carson Street Dancer, Paco Arespacochaga of Introvoys, Pamana K ali, The Rising tars isual ove ent i ancers and ollywood Dance Moms, to name a few.

A short parade on the site will ic o the festivities to be participated in by community leaders representing various Fil-Am organizations, City of Cerritos Council e bers and other il-A elected public officials acco panied by ounted sheri deputies with a y by helicopter.

Dignitaries who will deliver their inspirational messages include State Treasurer Fiona Ma, L.A. County upervisor anice ahn A heri Ale illanueva Philippine Deputy Consul General Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso, Artesia Mayor Melissa Ramoso, Cerritos Mayor hung o erritos ouncil e bers ynda ohnson and ran o oya a ell ower ayor ro e onny Santa Inez, Lakewood Mayor Pro Tem Ariel Pe, Carson Councilmember Arleen Rojas, Jessica Caloza, the eputy hief of ta to Attorney eneral ob onta and other elected il-A public officials This year’s theme, according to organizers, ‘ Together e ise he i e s ow will celebrate the e traordinary contributions and accomplishments of everyday Filipino Americans with our diverse community who have also contributed to the prosperity in our adopted country – despite its challenges as a nation in pursuit of perfect union.”

This Philippine American Friendship Day festivity is in lieu of the July 4t h which also used to be celebrated

as Philippine Independence Day granted by the United States in 1946 until it was reverted back to June 12, the original proclamation of the country’s independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.

Among the corporate sponsors of this historic milestone include erry Al nauer ista and hilippine Airlines with the support of Janelle So Productions, Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Department of Tourism, Department of Trade & Industry, Federation of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, Fourth District County of Los Angeles Supervisor Janice Hahn and City of Cerritos.

Also supporting this community event include: Social Media and Media partners Adobers, Asian Journal, Philippine Post, Philippine News, Philippine Tribune, TFC and Weekend Balita and Janelle So, co-chair of this event.

Interested parties may contact Overall Event Chair an ino at or e ail hi denino g al co a AA resident oel ega or noel o ega g ail co ; ary Ann ega or aryannro ega g ail co ; un Aglipay or aglipay hot ail co ; rlinda ranada- abah or erlindagranada yahoo co

Carson voters asked to consider continuing 2% utility users tax in upcoming November election CITY OF CARSON - - At its Tuesday, June 21 meeting, the Carson City Council approved a resolution to place “Measure C” on the ballot for the November 8 General Election. Measure C will ask voters to consider continuing the tility sers a until such time it is ended by Carson voters.

A is a ta approved by local voters and assessed on various utilities to raise funds for that jurisdiction. In Carson, utility service providers ( e.g., Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas) collect the ta fro residents and businesses for electricity and natural gas, then remit the funds to the City. Senior citizens ( ages 62 or older) and low-income households are e e pt fro the ta o ercial and industrial consumers pay appro i ately of the total; residents pay appro i ately of the total A iti en versight Committee regularly meets to make budget recommendations and to oversee the use of UUT funds. n arch arson voters approved easure C imposing a 2% UUT on natural gas and electric usage for seven years ( until July 1, 2016) . On June 7, 2016, arson voters approved an e tension of the e piration date of the tility sers a by seven years until une A recent co unity survey concluded appro i ately of respondents are inclined to support maintaining City services by continuing the City’s 2% UUT. “The City of Carson has come to depend on our revenue appro i ately illion per year which is about 10% of our entire annual budget,” said Mayor avis- ol es “ ontinuing the at the sa e e act rate would allow the City to sustain funding for essential services, such as 911 emergency response, natural disaster and public health emergency preparedness, protect local drinking water, and repair streets and potholes.”

As of anuary cities in alifornia have UUTs. Because most large cities have UUTs, roughly half of California residents and businesses pay a utility user ta arson s rate is significantly lower

than neighboring cities: os Angeles on co unications; on electricity and gas. ong each on telephone electricity gas and water. orrance on telephone prepaid wireless electricity cogeneration cable and gas; on water owney on eleco unications; on electricity and gas. isit the ity s website to learn ore about the tility ser s a and e e ptions or call the evenue ivision sta at or any uestions regarding easure please call the ublic nfor ation ffice at or e ail arson A gov

25 June 23-29, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS

CAL FIRE hits peak staffing for wildfire this summer A is not alone in this endeavor t is one of state depart ents i ple enting alifornia s billion wildfire resilience progra As of une within less than a year the progra has already co itted billion and has launched ore than pro ects which includes the A pro ects and funding any of these pro ects finished within a few onths of receiving funding or ore infor ation refer to the ildfire esilience rogra As A has wor ed to increase fuels reduction e orts it has directed significant e orts at increasing defensible space co pliance ho e hardening and forest health All of these initiatives are critical co ponents of A s wildfire resilience strategy

SACRAMENTO – In preparation for the upcoming wildfire season the alifornia epart ent of orestry and ire rotection A has co pleted the transition to pea staffing across alifornia and continues to report progress on ey fuels reduction and forest health pro ects ea staffing ensures all A stations are open and sta ed hours per day; response capabilities are enhanced; all aircraft are prepositioned and sta ed; and crews are sta ed trained and wor ing According to current esti ates A has achieved acres treated in preparation for the upco ing wildfire season which e ceeds its goal of treating acres by “Although conditions have varied geographically throughout the state weather conditions fuel loads and the nu ber of fire incidents have guided the epart ent s thorough response and overall preparedness oving into the su er onths said hief oe yler A irector ire hief “ ven as we ra p up our preparations for wildfires that are now occurring year-round we continue to accelerate forest health and fire prevention pro ects throughout the state launching ore than wildfire resilience pro ects fro last year s budget ranging fro fuel brea s to prescribed burns to fuel reduction yler added “ alifornia is ta ing aggressive action to protect co unities and a e our forests ore resilient said overnor avin ewso “ here is uch wor to do but in addition to our fire suppression e orts we are laser-focused on scaling up invest ents and wor to tac le this challenge head-on arly aug entation funding approved in partnership with the egislature last year has allowed A to ta engines in the northern region an increase of and engines in the southern region an increase of earlier than in years past ; e clusive-use aircraft are available statewide today with four additional by uly which is on top of A s e isting aerial eet of ore than aircraft; additional hand crews are operational now as a result of the budget aug entation for fire prevention and e ergency response eanwhile the data that has been validated so far show that A and its grant recipients have conducted fuels treat ent and fire prevention wor on ore than acres in the fiscal year which e ceeds its -acre goal ahead of schedule Additional data continues to be reported to and validated by A

 COMMUNITY NEWS

June 24-30, 2022

Youth facilities and features unveiled at Presidio Tunnel Tops B y Jun N uc um

F i l i p i no A s s o c i at e D i r ec t o r f o r Y o ut h L ead er s h i p f o r t h e G o l d en Gate Na�onal Park Conservancy GGNPC Ernesto Pepito

SAN FRANCISCO - The new youth facilities at the Presidio Tunnel Tops were given much importance during a “soft opening” to highlight the Presidio’s commitment of service to Bay Area youth!

Featured in the opening were youth programs at the Crissy Field Center that were ex plained by Youth Adventure Guides while they introduced the new drop-in Field Station, and let children play in the Outpost nature playground with kids from visiting community groups, and where interaction with the educators, program coordinators and community leaders who will serve approx imately 6 0,000 youth per year, upon opening.

Located at a new building at the corner of Halleck and Mason, the opening event had for its host The Partnership for the Presidio ( Presidio Trust, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, NPS and the Youth Adventure Guides) who welcomed youth groups from APA Chinatown Y and Edgewood Center for Children and Families who tested out the facilities as prelude to the public opening, July 17 , 2022.

One of those in hand to greet and talk with the guests was Filipino Associate Director for Youth Leadership for the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy ( GGNPC) Ernesto Pepito who grew up with Filipino relatives and friends who married Filipinas in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been ex posed to Filipino culture.

“I think of family, of pride, of passion, the Filipino culture although I haven’t been raised in a Filipino family but it is still something feel connected to,” Pepito said. “That is important to me especially having your identity as a Filipino. As you grow up, your surrounding whether at work, school, the community. That is something with the young people. We want them to embrace who they are and they don t have to change because they are co ing fro di erent neighborhood because they have a job.

Pepito said that they at the GGNPC want to see young people balancing but still see who they are and love their family, their culture, and bring them to the park and the place where they work.

Ask on representation, Pepito replied that representation is really really important as lot of times the outdoor field conservation the national par s have been shaped by one American culture.

“But America itself has more than one culture where a beautiful blend of histories, of talent, of skills, and perspectives And so here in this par we welco e those di erent perspectives to help shape the program,” Pepito said. “So when you think of protecting the land you also are protecting the past, I think we put it in another way. We invite people to shape the future.”

Pepito said the Presidio Tunnel Tops has programs and sta that can hopefully represent what they believe in their family and their culture to the program.

He said they really aim to lure and attract the youth to the Presidio especially since the pandemic has restricted the movement of people.

T h i s c o y o t e w as s ai d t o h av e b een w and er i ng ar o und t h e Y o ut h Center facili�es hen it as s�ll alive and is no a top a�rac�on for kids in the Field Staion.

Upside...

26

(From P age 11)

K aiser Permanente, was the perfect lead for the team who research, screen and update the entities on the AList.

UNIQ UELY HELPFUL “This booklet includes information on 65 agencies from the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco and Sacramento,” she said. “Our resource provider committee members lsa Agasid lessy alera aulita alay fie Albrecht and Rev. Leonard Oakes individually interviewed contacts to understand better the agency’s mission/ goals and services. These agencies were very enthusiastic to be included in this booklet.”

Each organization may have 24- hour hotline, the gateway to information. Most have free services or sliding scale fees for services such as counseling, legal help, education or training on domestic violence or collaborate with other community agencies to assist in addressing the survivors’ needs.

ALLICE founding president Bettina Santos Yap designed and exe cuted production. Voltaire Yap photographed the cover symbolizing hope.

What makes the resource guide unique is its evaluation for cultural and linguistic competence to inform Filipino Americans and underserved communities on how to promote healthy relationships and prevent abuse.

Readers get an introduction to the dynamics of relationship abuse and safety planning, highlights of the overview presented at the City Council meeting by Jimenez Wong, a supervising marriage and family therapist at Fred Finch Youth Center with a private practice in San Mateo.

Copies will be distributed at the ALLICE table at the Colma Community Fair 11 am – 3 pm, Saturday, July 9. Copies also are available for free at malou.aclan@ gmail.com. For more information on ALLICE visit www.allicekumares.com. * P hi l i ppi ne N ew s T oday E x ec ut i v e E di t or C he ri e M .

Q ue rol M oreno i s f ounde r and ex ec ut i v e di rec t or of A L L IC E .

“I read that young people has challenges socializing especially being practically locked up during the peak of the pandemic even at the school where they are supposed to be welcome and do not feel as much so,” Pepito said. “Children are a top priority in the national park. You can tell by these youth camps. A huge investment has been made to make sure that young people can have memorable transformative ex perience here whether it is the public side of the new Outpost in the Field Station unlike the playground that they have been to before. And when they participate in our programs they have opportunities to think about leadership in the community. It is important that we invest in those kinds of programs.”

Pepito invited Filipinos, the Filipino community and families to see that Presidio as their national park too as they are part of this country’s history and they are going to be a huge part of shaping the future.

“So we hope that the Presidio Tunnel Tops becomes a part of their community. Come celebrate. Come bring the celebrations here with us,” Pepito said. . .

The new and rehabilitated facilities for youth at the Presidio Tunnel Tops that will serve 6 0,000 youth per year will be laying the groundwork for ex traordinary park ex periences and evoking a unique spirit of adventure and connection to our shared heritage of national parks.

The facilities include: 1. The Outpost which is a 2-acre choose-your-adventure outdoor destination full of fun physical challenges and creative play with features that evoke the natural and cultural history of the residio such as a hydro-tunnel blu slide, fallen tree and oversized bird’s nest) . Set in a natural landscape of native wild owers trees logs boulders and water features, the Outpost connects visitors to the natural world in a unique national park setting. It’s free and open seven days a week. 9: 30am-6 pm daily; he ield tation a new indoor par facility filled with an abundance of real ob ects field speci ens tools and reading resources that connect visitors with the park’s natural and cultural history. It is sensory-based activities with seasonally changing content encourage curious ex ploration, discovery, and investigation of the real Presidio.

It’s free and open to the public six days a week. Wed-Fri 11am-4 pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm ( Closed Mon & Tues) ; and 3. The Crissy Field Center that for twenty years has offered park programs that support academic achievement, environmental literacy, and leadership and career development for young people across the region.

The Crissy Field Center’s programming will reside in two buildings ( one renovated and one brand new) with two new labs, a spacious outdoor courtyard, and classrooms that will be fully accessible and updated to increase program capacity. A dynamic hub for the Presidio and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Center is a model program of the National Park Service, the Presidio C o l ma C i t y M anager B r i an D o s s ey ( r i gh t ) r ec ei v es t h e A -L i s t f r o m A L L I C E 2022 p r es i d ent Juni o r F l o r es and r es o ur c e p r o v i d er Trust, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. commi�ee chair Malou Aclan.

27 June 23-29, 2022

Offline

(From P age 13)

try’s colleges, be they public or private. She, therefore, has no say on the matter.

This is something she should have known from the onset.

To be fair, there is some sense in our young men and women undergoing compulsory military training. It’s done

by Israel, and it’s one reason the Jewish state is so powerful.

Not just economically, but also militarily. Israel is one country that is nearly impossible to invade because their military can kick anybody’s ass.

They’ve never, ever lost a war, have they?

On the negative side, compulsory military training also true of China and North K orea.

Ditto with Sparta, but that’s another story, innit?

Incidentally, does anyone remember the brouhaha Sara no H raised when the song “Manila” by the group Hotdog was used for some government–sponsored event, and Inday Sara angrily said Manila does not represent the Philippines?

She then mouthed the old line of Imperial Manila bullying the rest of the country, her beloved Davao included.

She did not know back then, and perhaps she still doesn’t know up to now, that Manila is the capital of the Philippines, and therefore symbolically represents the entire republic in many ways.

I only hope and pray that she is aware that Manila is the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, because if she doesn’t we’re all in a world of trouble. Imagine a VP not knowing what the capital of her own country is.

Maybe, just maybe, she thinks Q uezon City is the Philippine capital in which case she would not be too far o the mark. A few decades back, Q C was the capital of the country, but some president decided Manila deserved that honor.

And if she knows her history, Sara the VP should also be aware that the Philippine capital is NOT Manila, but rather Maynila. That’s the real name of the city, because that’s how it’s pronounced.

I am wishing the new VP well. I hope she succeeds in becoming half as good a vice president as the woman she replaced. That lady cast a giant shadow, and will be a tough act to follow.

Immigrants Help

(From P age 14)

to IRS, Success Stories For the month of May 2022, we received approvals from USCIS seven naturalization applications, three Fiancé e visa petition si re ovals of condition on residence and five adjustment of status applications.

C hr i s C aday L oz an o, E s q. i s an ac t i v e membe r of t he St at e B ar of C al i f orni a, t he A meri c an I mmi grat i on L aw y ers A s s oc i at i on and San Franc i s c o T ri al L aw y ers . H e prac t i c es i mmi grat i on l aw , bank rupt c y , pers onal i nj ur y and i nc ome t ax prob l ems s i nc e J une 199.

H i s c ont ac t phone i s 1- 8745692 6, emai l : i nf o@ C C L l aw .ne t W ebs i t e: w w w .c ri s pi nl oz anol aw .c om/

Health & Wealth

(From P age 13)

We’re happy to run a comparative market analysis to see what homes in your neighborhood are going right now.

By calling or contacting us, you’ll get a FREE Comparative Market Price and Analysis of your home plus an autographed copy of “REAL ESTATE & YOU” subtitled “Basic Guide and Information for Successful Investing in Home, Land and Income Property.”

If you are thinking of selling or buying a home, make sure to order a copy of “REAL ESTATE & YOU” and read it first in the privacy of your ho e or office or a co plimentary autographed copy of the book, just write or contact: ART GABOT MADLAING, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 941 12. Tel. ( 650) 438 -3531 or ( 415) 584- 70 95 or email: artmadlaing@ gmail.com *A R T G A B O T M A D L A I N G i s ac c redi t ed and c ommi s s i one d N ot ary P ubl i c an d l i c ens ed R eal E s t at e B rok er (D R E #063597) i n C al i f orni a s i nc e 1981.

H e i s f ounder of M O B I L E SI G N I N G SE R V I C E S , FI T N E S FO R H U M A N I T Y (ak a FI T N E S FO R C H R I ST ) and A C A P I N O Y . A rt i s ac t i v e E v ange l i s t w i t h t he G O L D E N G A T E C H U R C H O F C H R I ST in San Franc i s c o, C al i f orni a U SA

In My Heart

(From P age 12)

Of a surf-tormented shore, And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand – How few! Yet how they creep hrough y fingers to the deep While I weep – while I weep!

O God! Can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! Can I not save One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream!

(T h e w ri t er s erv ed as pres i d en t of t h e N at i on al P res s C l u b of t h e P h i l i ppi n es w h en h e s i gn ed a s i s t er- c l u b agreemen t w i t h t h e N at i on al P res s C l u b of t h e U n i t ed S t at es i n W as h i n gt on D . C . Fred L ob o w as N P C pres i d en t b ef ore h i m and he was an ex-officio member of the NPC Board of Direct ors u n d er P res i d en t A l f red G ab ot . )

The Outsider

(From P age 12 )

Water bringing in additional investments into Manila Water to pursue more projects and improve its water and wastewater services.

Udenna Corporation is optimistic about the Razon Group’s entry into the Malampaya project.

“We look forward to this opportunity to partner with Prime Infrastructure and PNOC EC, as we ex plore more ways to fulfill our co on vision to a e ala paya sustain its capability to meet the urgent energy security needs of the Philippines,” said Udenna Corporation Chairman and CEO Dennis Uy. By becoming a strategic investor in Malampaya, Razon has once more become a white knight.

On Distant Shore

(From P age 12)

devastated much of Western Europe, particularly Gerany elgiu and the u e bourg countries uge oods also destroyed homes, vehicles and buildings in Japan and hina assive oods also hit desert areas in audi Arabia and Oman. These areas have not been hit by such massive ooding in ore than a century Last April, at least 4 4 3 people died and 6 3 others were missing after the deadliest storm on record rained down on the city of Durban and the surrounding area of K waZuluNatal province in South Africa. ust before that people died fro ass ooding in Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, areas that were rarely visited by typhoons.

Everyone who cares agrees that climate change has reached alarming proportions. Last year, the British leader of the November 2021 climate talks ( COP26 ) warned that “failure to act now” on climate change would lead to “catastrophic consequences to the world.”

Alok Sharma, the British minister in charge of the 26 th UN Climate Change Conference ( COP26 ) said then: “You’re seeing on a daily basis what is happening across the world.

Last year ( 2020) was the hottest on record, the last decade the hottest decade on record.”

Again, in April this year as the world prepares for the 27 th UN Climate Change Conference ( COP27 ) , UN secretary general Antonio Gutteres, in reaction to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC) , warned that unless governments everywhere reassess their energy policies, the world will be uninhabitable.

The IPCC has insisted that all countries must reduce their fossil fuel use substantially, ex tend access to electricity, improve energy efficiency and increase the use of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen.

Gutteres said unless action is taken soon, some major cities will be under water, and that “unprecedented heat waves, terrifying storms, widespread water shortages and the ex tinction of a million species of plants and animals” would occur. “ his is not fiction or e aggeration t is what science tells us will result from our current energy policies. We are on a pathway to global warming of more than double the 1.5-degree ( Celsius, or 2.7 -degrees Fahreinheit) limit that was agreed in Paris in 2015,” the UN chief added.

Many scientists have echoed Gutteres’ warning. Will the world ever listen?

Breaking Through

(From P age 13)

for over thirty years. He had served as national President of the Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions ( PAFLU) , succeeding the late Onofre Guevarra after he was appointed to head the Labor portfolio by President Marcos.

JAM also had a four- year stint at the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission which he served as Senior Legal Adviser during the PNoy Aquino administration.

At some point in his colorful career, he joined the military service where he got appointed as Judge Advocate General ( JAG) of the Philippine Air Force and commissioned with the rank of Colonel following his earlier entry as a Major in the AFP-JAGS. arlier he was the hief egal fficer of the ept of Industry( now Dept of Trade and Industry) under then Secretaries Roberto Ongpin and Vicente Paterno.

Presently, his new passion is the cooperatives movement as cooperatives organizer and lecturer nationwide. He’s serving as Northern Luzon coordinator of the United Cooperative Movement.

So where is this diehard Marcos supporter headed to after another Marcos becomes the leader of the land?

Just like other so-called Marcos ‘ origs’, JAM turns uncharacteristically mum but manages to leave the impression that he’s still willing to serve if asked.

Los Angeles County gets highest credit ratings on tax and revenue anticipation notes LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County has received the highest possible short-term credit ratings on its current Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes that will ini i e the cost of illion in financing. This annual, short-term borrowing program assists the County in managing cash given that it receives revenues such as property tax es on an uneven basis throughout the fiscal year “We are pleased that the credit rating agencies recogni ed the ounty s fiscal strength and stability as well as our collective response to the challenges posed by the pandemic,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell, Supervisor to the Second District. “Our Board of upervisors hief ecutive fficer and ounty departments have demonstrated that we can maintain and strengthen essential services to County residents while re aining fiscally responsible As we e erge from the pandemic, we will address inequities and be better than before.”

The ratings issued by the leading national credit rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors ervice and lobal atings re ect the continued breadth and diversity of the local economy and the County’s proven track record of conservatively anaging its finances “ ur ission is to provide services that improve the quality of life for all County residents and do so in a manner that is e uitable and fiscally responsible said hief ecutive fficer esia avenport “ hese strong ratings re ect our values of integrity inclusivity and compassion, while serving as a steward of the public’s resources.”

The ratings provide an important evaluation of credit risk for purchasers of the County’s Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes, known as TRANs, and other bond issues.

“Los Angeles County has a population of more than 10 million people and an economy larger than ost states ur strong credit ratings re ect our prudent budgetary practices under the leadership of our Board of Supervisors,” said Treasurer and Tax Collector K eith K nox .

The announcements came after the County’s annual meetings with each of the three agencies on May 26 , 2022. The County was represented by the Board of Supervisors Chair, Holly J. Mitchell, as well as the hief ecutive fficer reasurer and Tax Collector, Auditor-Controller, and Director of the Department of Health Services.

 HEALTH NEWS

June 23-29, 2022

28

COVID-19 vaccines OKd for children as young as 6 months SACRAMENTO – The California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, and Director of the California Department of Public Health and tate ublic ealth fficer r o s Aragó n, issued a joint statement supporting the recomendation by the estern tates cientific afety eview Workgroup, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ( CDC) , the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Federal Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) to grant e ergency use authori ation A of the fi er- ioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months.

The statement follows: “Vaccination for children aged 6 months and older is an important tool to protect against COVID-19 and ensures our communities can now have whole family protection against this deadly virus. Along with other routine children’s vaccinations, we recommend infants

and children 6 months and older complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and stay up to date on all recommended childhood vaccines, including COVID-19.

Although our youth are resilient, COVID-19 hospitali ations for children under years old were five times higher during the Omicron surge than during elta and one in five children hospitali ed with VID-19 were also admitted to the ICU. COVID-19 has beco e one of the top five leading causes of death in children and vaccines make these deaths preventable.

Studies have shown that getting our children vaccinated is the safest way to protect them from the worst outcomes of COVID-19, including hospitalization, long ultisyste n a atory yndro e in Children ( MIS-C) , and death. Getting everyone in our homes and communities vaccinated reduces the chances for the virus to spread to those we love most.”

Clinical trials involving thousands of infants and toddlers onths and older fir ly show that the - vaccines are safe and e ective in this population.

The authorization will add young children aged 6 months through 4 years old to those eligible to get a fi er vaccine ages are already eligible and children and adolescents aged 6 months through 17 years old to get a Moderna vaccine.

In alignment with California’s SMARTER Plan, the state is operationally ready to immediately begin administering vaccines for infants and toddlers aged 6 onths and older this wee o find a vaccine visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1-8 33-4 22-4 255. Parents can also talk to their child’s health care provider, or visit Vaccinate All 58 to learn more about the safe and effective vaccines available for all Californians aged 6 months and older.

UVC Light vs COVID Heart of Hope

UVC light is a popular disinfectant for air, water, and nonporous surfaces. It has been used for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria ( like tuberculosis) and various viruses. UVC lights are now sold as “germicidal lamps,” against bacteria, viruses, and to some ext ent, molds. UVC light destroys PHILIP S. CHUA the outer protein coating of the viruses, resulting in the deactivation, or inactivation, of the virus, like to SARS-Cov2 virus of COVID-19.

Precaution must be taken when using UVC lamps at home. UVC light must be used in a room with no person, or pets, because it could cause injuries to the skin and the eyes with prolonged expos ure. It could also damage living plants. The remote control switch must be turned on after the door is closed.

The UVC light with ozone dissipates with a distinct odor and ows to noo s and corners not reached by the UVC light, to sterilize them. Ozone is irritating when inhaled. This could be used in basements and laundry rooms, storage rooms. Allow an hour or so for the ozone smell to disappear before entering these rooms.

A very e ective way to destroy the - virus and other airborne viruses ( Flu viruses, included) and germs, even on surfaces, UVC light is now available as Far-UVC light ( 222 nm) , developed by Professor David Brenner of Columbia University. Far-UVC light, unlike regular UVC light, is not dangerous to the skin, eyes, animals, and plants. This could conceivably be installed in hospitals, stores, theatres, and all public areas and mass transit, not to, mention people’s homes. Far-UVC could soon make the world safer and healthier.

OSA and CPAP Contrary to may Ads on TV, which advertises nasal clips oral gadgets etc the only truly e ective device to manage Obstructive Sleep Apnea ( OSA) is the use of CPAP ( Continuous Positive Air Pressure) , following a Sleep Study. OSA increases the risk for heart attack, diabetes T2, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer, because of the severe lack of oxyge n in the person with sleep apnea who holds their breath for a prolonged period of time while asleep, sometimes dozens of times in a minute, 24/ 7, for years. The CPAP keeps the airways open and delivers oxyge n evenly, and continuously while the person is asleep, providing a healthy and restful sleep,

waking up refreshed and energized. Persons with untreated OSA have restless sleep, some are snorers, and wake up feeling tired, with low energy the whole day, and some are groggy, with lack of concentration. These individuals need to see their physician, for a Sleep Study, even if they don’t snore. CPAP does wonders and could save lives.

Pulse Oxi meter People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea ( OSA) , who hold their breaths for prolonged periods of time while asleep and develop dangerous hypoxe mia ( low blood oxyge n saturation being circulated to all vital organs) need an oxi meter to determine how serious the condition is. All our vital organs need normal ( optimal) blood oxyge n levels to remain healthy. Other conditions like a ong s o ers and those with gastric re u disease, those with pulmonary illnesses, heart ailment, or other medical issues, who are advised to monitor their o ygen saturation level p could also benefit fro an oxi meter.

One such device I have personally tested myself with great satisfaction is the EMAY Sleep02 PRO Wrist Pulse Oxi meter ( with a rechargeable battery) I ordered on amazon.com. It has a 1 ½ inch-LCD display screen and is worn around the wrist like a watch, with a connected p “sensor probe where a finger is inserted to continuously measure in real-time the oxyge n saturation and pulse rate, and the data are saved in its built-in 20-hour recorder for analysis by the physician. A most valuable health tool with prompt customer support.

Misguided politicians One of the reasons we have a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is the misinformation, ignorance or plain stupidity and isguidance by our govern ent officials Remember Florida Governor Ron Desantis berating the students with him on a stage for wearing masks, wanting to be politically correct, and boasting to the world that he, as Governor, had “controlled” COVID-19 so well ( compared to other Governors) that masks were no longer needed. There were other similar unhealthy pronouncements by other leaders.

And now comes Florida’s Surgeon General Jope Ladapo, an outspoken skeptic of the COVID-19 vaccines who did not order the vaccines for ids five and under because of his personal convoluted decision. And Desantis obviously agreed.

These are not epidemiologists; they are arrogant, misinformed politicians making grossly erroneous medical decisions, putting the lives of children at stake. We

have already lost more than a million lives to COVID in the United States. How many more do these people want to spare? e e ber the five radio tal show hosts who were anti-vaccines for COVID-19, who were vehemently against the vaccines, advising their audiences not to get vaccinated? They all got infected and died. Before they died, they announced their regrets and apologies and told people to get the vaccines. Without any doubt, they have “killed” countless lives around the USA because of their anti-vax m arketing.

COVID-19 is a pandemic, a medical matter not politics, and should be left to epidemiologists and other experts in medicine, not to politicians, whose only interest is to be politically correct not to lose votes, and to hold on to their offices hey will say anything to get votes even to the ultimate detriment of their constituents.

In spite of 2 boosters Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID) , who is fully vaccinated ( with two boosters) has tested positive for COe obviously was infected by a di erent strain not fully covered by his vaccines. Lesson: In spite of full vaccination, we must still be careful, with masks on and doing social distancing. Nothing to lose, ex cept the virus.

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 10: 20 ( CST) , there were 545,202,217 COVID-19 cases and 6,342,280 deaths, worldwide; 8,054,080 cases ( 100T+ new cases) , with 1,038,385 deaths in the United States, and 3,697,200 cases ( 409 new cases) and 6 0,467 deaths in The Philippines. There are still an average of more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19, with 313 deaths in the USA in the past 14 da ys.

The pandemic is not over yet. Let us not fool and endanger ourselves and let our guard down, even if we already had the second booster. New strains are out there, and sadly, more new ones in the future because only 67 percent of the US population has been fully vaccinated.

More than 100 million Americans are unvaccinated and most likely carriers and spreaders of the COVID-19 virus.

P hi l i p S. C hua, M D , FA C S, FP C S, a C ardi ac Sur geon E meri t us bas ed i n N ort hw es t I ndi ana and L as V egas , N ev ada, i s an i nt ernat i onal medi c al l ec t ur er/ aut hor , H eal t h A dv oc at e, ne w s paper c ol um ni s t , and C hai rman of t he Fi l i pi no U ni t ed N et w ork - U SA , a 501( c )3 humani t ari an f oundat i on i n t he U ni t ed St at es . W ebs i t es : FU N 8.c om, T oday .SP SA t oday .c om, and phi l i pSc hua.c om E mai l : s c al pel pen@ gmai l .c om

29 June 23-29, 2022

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS Nonviolence

LIFE IS LIKE WHAT?

atience is a virtue; but it may be hard to live it when we are confronted daily with mistreatment, bullying, and forms of antagonism. A human being can endure for quite a time, but there could be a tipping point that can result to violence in retaliation to bad things ex perienced. I am not saying that we cannot fight against in ustices; but to do it with nonviolence ur Lord Jesus Christ taught us, violence is REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD never an option. He even said to love the enemy and to pray for those who persecute us ( Mt. 5: 39) ; to the one who stri es you on one chee o er the other one as well ; o er no resistance to one who is evil t e are taught of non-violence and such should always be our option. ur hristian identity ar s us for nonviolence hrist our Lord is the Prince of Peace; so, we must always seek peace and resolve frictions through peaceful means. St. Francis of Assisi’s famous prayer: “Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury pardon, where there is despair hope… ” How do you, dear reader, deal with hurts or offenses done to you? How do you translate into practice and behavior the peaceful and nonviolent demands from our faith in Christ?

We must live with conviction that peace is more sustainable than violence. Peace can be hard but violence is harder. Peace is of God; hence, we must follow the ways of God to attain it. Peace is gift of the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who said: “… peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give it to you ( Jn. 14 : 27 ) … ” So, we go to Jesus and listen to His teachings. He Himself practiced nonviolence e i self was a victi but e e ected change and transfor ation by is very sacrifice e are not and we will not be given the same opportunity to die as victims; but surely, we will encounter situations that will challenge us and maybe tempt us to use violence instead of being nonviolent. We will be inclined to vengeance rather than forgiveness. We must, therefore, train our hearts to always choose peace and peaceful means. We have to train our hearts and minds to never give in to violence but to use right reason and dialogue; winning over an enemy to the side of truth and goodness. Such action is noble and more valuable before the eyes of God, than, choosing to win by violence or to win by force.

Dear reader, when you are hurt what is your inclination? Do you go and talk about it with the person concerned or not? When you are deeply hurt or o ended do you see to get even or see understanding and patience t is hard to bear hurts and o enses but is harder to be bringing grudges. It is hard to dialogue and reason out with the one who hurts us to be reconciled again, but it is harder to have no friends and isolated ftenti es we prefer to give up on friendships; because, we do not want to be hurt again, or afraid to hurt or be hurt. To have a nonviolent attitude and disposition is a process in time. It is to be formed in our behavior and must become our character. It must be engraved into our personal make up and attitude that we are for nonviolence, we are for peace.

Nonviolence is not weakness. Being a peaceful person is not weakness but rather courage. It is a choice and such choice is an act of the will. As act of the will, it must be built up. Because of sin, we are inclined to sin; so also, we could be inclined to with is wrong, and violence could be an easier choice. True courage happens when one has command over oneself; hence, one who chooses nonviolence is the most courageous.

There is abundant grace from God to make us nonviolent, to make us peaceful and patient. We have to ask for it. There is so much grace to make us be composed and self-disciplined; but we have to seek and beg God for it. Nonviolence is God’s way. It is Jesus’ way; we have to learn from Him and imitate Him. Lord Jesus, enable me to be nonviolent. Make me be peaceful and patient with people, especially those who hurt and treat me badly. Make me be li e ou who choose to love and forgive even those who crucified You. Amen.

By TIM PEDROSA

Whenever our life is like a life on the river, let us send our worries downstream, watch every sunset and let the current give us strength.

Rivers never go reverse. So try to live like a river. Forget your past and focus on your future.

Always be positive! Let us take walks on lazy days or play in the sand and make memories.

Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, sad times, and good times. Let us have faith that good times are on the way if we are going through hard ti es i e a boo life has any di erent chapters for us ne bad chapter does not mean that it is the end of the entire book. Sometimes in life we just need a hug, not words not advice, just a hug to make us feel better. I have learned that to feel happy, we don’t have to ex pect anything from anyone. Ex pectations always hurt. Life is short, so let us love life, be happy and keep smiling. Let us see the brighter side of things, create our own future destiny and give it all we got. Let us remember that God is guiding, leading and showing the way. The closer we get to God, the more we become gracious, generous humble, magnetic, attractive irresistible, charming, adorable elegant agnificent and wonderful person et us also re e ber that as we breathe right now, another person takes his last. So let us stop complaining, and learn to live our life with what we have.

Life is like a camera, focus on what is important, capture the good times develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out take another shot. It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. Life is like an arrow, we have to take a step back to propel into the future, go to our own way, focus and aiming. Let us always remember that difficult ti es will launch us into so ething great An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging us back with difficulties it eans it is going to launch us into something great. Life is like an arrow, we have to take a step back to propel into the future, go to our own way, focus and keep aiming. Let us always remember that difficult ti es will launch us into something great!

An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging us back with difficulties it eans it is going to launch us into something great. Life is like a bicycle, you won’t fall o unless you stop peddling, it is all about balance.

Challenge your limits but always remember life is not a race but journey.

P

Aflame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

31 June 23-29, 2022  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Monggo with Pork Pata, Mung Beans with Pork Leg Ingredients: 1 small size pata ng baboy ( pork leg or hocks) 2 cups mung beans 1 bunch of green beans, trimmed 1 large bag baby spinach 4- 6 pi eces long green chili 1/ 2 head garlic, chopped 1/ 2 head garlic, crushed 2 thumb size ginger, peeled, cut into thin strips 1 thumb size ginger, peeled, crushed 1 large size onion, chopped 1 medium size onion, quartered 2 large size tomato, chopped cup fish sauce salt Cook ing procedure: Ask the butcher to saw cut pork pata crosswise at 1 1/ 2” thick slices. Wash thoroughly, put in a large pot, cover with enough water, bring to a boil for 3 to 5 minutes. iscard first boiled li uid and rinse the boiled pata o scu ow pour in fresh water to cover pork pata, add in the crushed garlic, crushed ginger and quartered onion, bring to a boil, and simmer for 1 1/ 2 to 2 hours or until pork and beans are tender. I the meantime in a separate large sauce pan place the bean and add in enough water to about 2 to 3 inches above the beans line, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the beans disintegrate and the desired liquid consistency is achieved.

Take out all scum that rises to the surface and add more water as necessary. When the pork legs are tender separate it from the boiling liquid and keep aside. Using a sieve to filter out the residue add the boiling li uid to the now si ering ung beans ow sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant add in the onion and tomato and continue to stir coo for about a inute Add in the boiled por leg and fish sauce and continue to stir cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the stir cooked pork leg to the simmering mung beans, continue to cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Coreect saltines if require. add in the green beans or similar vegetable and green long chili, cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Now add the spinach and cook for another half a minute. Serve with a lot of rice.

Manila Bay then and now: Two worlds apart B y M ar i t a M o aj e MANILA – It used to be the best location in the country to expe rience and capture amazing sunset views but over time, the Manila Bay in Roxa s Boulevard became an eyesore.

The Duterte administration thus pushed for the Manila Bay rehabilitation program in consonance with the writ of Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court despite all the odds and the criticism on the rehabilitation and beautification of the area Now, it is no longer the government appreciating its improvement, but the people who are exc ited to expe rience a sort of “Miami” feel of a white beach within the metropolis.

Lani Combes of Q uezon City was enjoying the view, the air, and the white sand on a lazy Tuesday afternoon while chatting with her mother over the phone as she described the “new” Manila Bay. “Bago. Bagong Manila Bay, maganda, fresh , malinis, di kagaya ng dati na ano siya, malaking malaking pagkaka improve ( New. New Manila Bay, beautiful, fresh, clean, unlike before, it is really a big improvement) ,” Combes said.

Trying to picture the old Manila Bay, she said, there is no comparison and she appreciates very uch the e ort placed by the govern ent in a ing a di erence “Hindi namin mai-cocompare yung dati sa ngayon, kasi puro basura to dati. Hindi makakaupo ng ganito ( We cannot compare this from before. This was full of trash before.

You cannot sit like this) ,” she added.

Manila Bay’s dolomite beach is a 500-meter by 60- meter structure built by the national government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR) in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways ( DPWH) , with geoengineering interventions.

Manila Bay used to be the catch basin of all the wastes coming from the city and nearby areas.

Its waters contained not only high levels of fecal coliform bacteria from human wastes, but also wastes coming from nearby hotels, houses, and even hospitals.

Salvacion Calag, a resident from Marikina, was impressed at how the government rehabilitated the area.

“Hindi na katulad ng dati puro basura, kahit hindi kami palaging nandito pero malaki talaga ang pinagbago. Pagkaano naglalakad lang naman kami diyan hindi naman talaga

kami nag iistay na matagal ( It is no longer like before that was full of trash. We do not come here often but the improvement is tremendous. Before we just walk by and we do not really stay long) ,” Calag said.

She even brought with her 17- year-old granddaughter ofia to also e perience the place.

“Maganda kasi madaming tao, parang tourist spot na siya sa sobrang dami ( It’s beautiful because there are so many people, it’s now like a tourist spot with many people co ing ofia said Dolomite beach Visitors enjoying the dolomite beach in Manila Bay ( Photo by Marita Moaje) At the center of the dolomite beach is a big stone with a picture of the old Manila Bay and now.

To remind the people of the safety rules, such as wearing face masks and not throwing their garbage, DENR teams are in place, as well as members of the Philippine National Police for the maintenance of peace and security.

Husband and wife Ramil and Mary Grace Cadano traveled all the way from General Trias, Cavite to personally see the area, and they say it is worth the trip.

“Malaking improvement, mas napapasyalan ng mga mamamayan ngayon, makikita nyo naman na napakaraming tao, nagsasaya nag eenjoy at yung pinapangarap nilang pagbabago is nakakamtan na nila ( It’s a big improvement, people can now tour and take a stroll. You can see there are a lot of people, they are enjoying, the change they always wanted is here) ,” Ramil said.

Ramil said he was just happy that despite the criticisms, the government opted to push for the project.

He said Manila Bay used to be his regular route as he studied in one of the universities in Intramuros.

His wife Mary Grace urged him to visit Manila Bay and the dolomite beach to see the changes themselves.

“Napakaganda po, mas maganda kesa sa nakikita sa Facebook. Sabi ko sa kanya, pasyalan natin gusto ko makita ng personal, sulit naman, masarap sa pakiramdam, maganda sa paningin ( It is very beautiful, even nicer from what I see in Facebook. I told him let’s visit, I want to see it personally, and it’s worth it, it feels nice, and the sight is beautiful) ,” she said.

While swimming is not yet allowed, families just enjoy sitting on the white sands while children play.