overhauled Philippine sports history with a second Olympic gold in Paris on Sunday, ruling the men's gymnastics vault finals at Bercy Arena.
Following his floor exercise win on Saturday, Yulo became the first Filipino male athlete to win multiple golds in the Olympics -- on a single year.
Yulo's first try set the tone for the rest of the final round as his nearperfect routine garnered him 15.433 points, the highest single-vault attempt score for the night.
After tallying a 14.8 in his second vault, he finished with a total 15.116, enough to deny Great Britain a 1-2 finish.
Armenian Artur Davtyan, the last to perform, scored two consistent runs for a 14.966 average to overtake the British duo of Harry Hepworth and Jake Jarman and take the silver. Hepworth, who scored the best second attempt with 15.066 points, ended up with the bronze at 14.949. Jarman, the half-Filipino gymnast who was bronze medalist in the floor finals, dropped to fourth at 14.933.
A 0.1-point deduction in his first attempt eventually denied Jarman another podium finish.
Yulo's vault win gave the Philippines its fourth medal in the Paris Olympics, barely an hour after boxer Nesthy Petecio secured at least a bronze.
Petecio dominated Chinese Xu Zichun in the quarterfinals of the women's 57-kilogram at Paris North Arena in Villepinte, France. She put on a virtual clinic with
SACRAMENTO, CA -- After three years of the state’s highly successful Clean California initiative — which has created 18,000 jobs and hauled away more than 2.6 million cubic yards of litter across the state — California is launching a new designation program to reward communities for committing to zero-litter policies and regular local cleanups.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of the Clean California Community Designation Program, a statewide effort encouraging local engagement to make communities cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.
The innovative program – in partnership with Caltrans, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep California Beautiful – is the latest feature of Clean California, Governor Newsom’s sweeping $1.2 billion, multiyear initiative led by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform, and beautify public spaces.
The Newsom Administration joined the City of Fresno today to launch the program and designate Fresno as one of 22 California communities first to take the pledge.
“For the past three years, Clean California has transformed littered areas around our state into cleaner, greener, and safer spaces. Now, more than twenty communities are stepping up and committing to do the same – becoming our state’s first Clean California Communities. We all deserve to be proud of the neighborhoods we live in, and with this program, we’re making that a reality for more Californians than ever,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
her punching accuracy and brilliant head movement to frustrate Xu, who struggled to connect on her shots.
Three judges, Holger Kussmaul, Yermek Suiyenish and Wade Peterson, scored the bout 30-27, while Jakov Peterson and Cho JungSook had it 29-28, all for the Davao del Sur native, who will become the
only Filipino female athlete to have multiple Olympic medals.
The 2021 Tokyo silver medalist will try to upgrade to another silver when she takes on Poland's Julia Szeremeta in the semifinals at Roland Garros Stadium early Thursday (PH time). Szeremeta scored a similar
unanimous decision win against Puerto Rico's Ashleyann Lozada.
The four-medal count as of Sunday, the other from virtual bronze medalist Aira Villegas (women’s boxing 50kg), matched the total number of medals the Filipinos hauled in Tokyo.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz,
By y UGEL LOSORATA
SAN DIEGO, CA -- The series
of open house meetings to evaluate trash and recycling collection services in San Diego went underway this week, gaining momentum as residents flocked to the gathering held at Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library in Market St. last Tuesday.
Attendees were welcomed by a variety of booths that in essence presented the basics and history of the City’s trash service and its current status in light of recent developments bound to make significant impact to San Diegans.
the country's first gold medalist in Tokyo, immediately posted a message for Yulo.
"Congratulations ulit, Caloy! Ang galing! Ipinagmamalaki kita hindi lang sa mga medalya mo kundi dahil sa hirap na pinagdaanan mo para makamit ang tagumpay, para sa sarili at higit pang lalo, para
sa bayan (Congratulations again, Caloy. It was great! I am proud of you, not just of your medals, but of all the hardships you went through to achieve this success for your self and most of all, for the country)," Diaz wrote on Facebook.
"Magkikita tayo dyan, Caloy, at mahigpit na yakap mula sa Ate Haidie mo (I will see you there, Caloy, and again, tight hugs from your elder sister Haidie)! God bless you!"
“Answered prayers. We already broke the record in the Olympics,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino told reporters in Paris.
World No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena can make it five medals during his final round Tuesday, starting at approximately 1 a.m. (PH time). Meanwhile, hurdlers John Cabang and Lauren Hoffman will try to qualify for the finals via the repechage.
Cabang finished sixth in Heat 1 of the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.66 seconds. Three-time world champion and 2021 Tokyo silver medalist Grant Holloway of the US ruled the heats in 13.01 to lead the 18-man outright cut. Hoffman was eighth in Heat 4 of the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 57.83 seconds.
Yulo’s near-flawless performance in the floor exercise final earned him 15.000 points, enough for a golden finish -- the first for the country in this year’s Olympics and second overall after weightlifter Hidilyn
The Clean California Community Designation Program highlights localities committed to a number of long-term, zero-litter policies designed to engage residents in supporting community beautification and environmental enhancement. Each municipality must complete 10 of 15 specific criteria to earn the designation. So far, 22 communities have taken this first step.
“Today, we celebrated the first communities pledging to earn the Clean California Community designation and encourage others from across the state to join,” said Caltrans Deputy Director Mike Keever during the cleanup in Fresno. “The designation spotlights communities that are zero-litter leaders with a vision for a better tomorrow. These leaders
Governor Newsom marked three years of Clean California earlier this week. The Clean California program has created 18,000 jobs and hauled away more than 2.6 million cubic yards of litter – enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 with an inch of trash from San Diego to the Canadian border.
understand the long-term benefits to clean communities, and we applaud them for their efforts.”
Clean California Designation Program criteria include a commitment from top local officials, a litter abatement plan, regular local cleanups and litter collection drives, establishing measurements tracking litter removal, and engaging local stakeholders and businesses.
In return, designated communities receive “Clean California Community” signage, educational resources, free cleanup kits, cross-promotional Clean California materials, and priority access to Keep America Beautiful national grant opportunities.
The program’s goal is to enlist 100 communities by June 2025. For more information or an application for the Clean California Designation Program, visit cleanca.com/designation.
For other ways to help clean up your own community or to list a cleanup event, visit the volunteer page at cleanca.com/volunteer.
The City of San Diego has engaged in this public process to weigh in on the collection services following the amendments done on the 1919 People’s Ordinance, as made possible by the passing of Measure B by voters in 2022.
“What we are doing is having these open houses in each council of the City so that we can come to the residents and engage with them about what is Measure B or how did it modified the People's Ordinance,” said Jeremy Bauer, assistant director of Environmental Services Department (ESD) which organizes the open houses and other related people’s engagements.
The latest amendments to the People’s Ordinance included an item that crucially removed the municipal code prohibition which prevented the City from charging a fee for residential waste and recycling collection services it provided.
The turnout at the Malcolm X Library community room was deemed “very exciting” by inside observers. The atmosphere for one was
interactive as interested residents made their presence felt by asking relevant questions and sharing their insights related to the concerns at hand.
The ESD noted that the number of attendees last Tuesday more than doubled that of those who came to Logan Heights on 28th St. the previous day to open the first of nine open houses. A virtual engagement for all city districts is set on August 24.
Bauer stressed that the ESD, through the meetings set for three rounds, aims to know “what the residents would like to see in their waste and recycling collection services,” as well as “what their insights into the potential fees are.”
The ESD officer made note that the City had invested in comprehensive efforts to ensure multiple approaches to reach residents and involved them in the discussion. He said that apart from the community meetings throughout
the city, they are also working with community-based organizations.
“We designed this to be iterative and to be done in multiple rounds across the
MANILA -- Carlos Edriel Yulo
The Pampered Pinay Lifestyle: Steve Jobs: iNSPIRATION
By Francine Maigue
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. Most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
– Steve Jobs, 2005 Stanford University Commencement Speech Even in his passing, modern technology guru, Steve Jobs, best known for his creation of Apple and his development of Pixar, still has the incomparable power to make the world buzz.
It was just a handful of years ago that Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, of which he was initially cleared. On October 5th, at the age of 56, Jobs died leaving behind loyal fans, each of whom held a part of his remarkable legacy of technology and artistry in the palms of their hands, literally.
Steve Jobs was also gifted writer and public speaker. This week I share with you some of his greatest quotes. I hope his words
offer you guidance and support, daring you to dream big and work with even bigger passion and determination.
BusinessWeek, May 25, 1998: “That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple, but it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
"This is not a one-man show... There are a lot of really talented people in this company who listened to the world tell them they were losers for a couple of years, and some of them were on the verge of starting to believe it themselves. But they’re not losers. What they didn’t have was a good set of coaches, a good plan—a good senior management team. But they have that now.”
NBC Nightly News, May 2006: “I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what’s next.”
The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993:
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me… Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful…that’s
what matters to me.”
60 Minutes, 2003:
"My model for business is The Beatles. They were four guys who kept each other's kind of negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. That's how I see business: great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people."
Stanford Commencement Speech, June 2005:
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards, so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. There is no reason not to follow your heart... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
Though many will never have the privilege of knowing Steve Jobs personally, his impact on the lives, habits, and networks of countless people demonstrates the immeasurable, universal reach one can accomplish. Through constant commitment, discipline, and innovation, Jobs brought to life visions that will forever unite and inspire people worldwide. Keep your dreams alive and thriving, my pampered friends!
Sycuan Casino Resort Continues the Summer Fun Through August with Exciting Events and Shows
SAN DIEGO, CA -- Sycuan Casino Resort will keep the party going all month long with electrifying up close entertainment throughout August. Artist with chart-topping hits to nonstop action-packed fights will turn up the heat this summer, giving 21+ guests events filled with excitement.
The California-born country star, Gary Allen, will perform at the Heritage Event Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. Guests will enjoy listening and dancing to Allen’s greatest hits from his platinum and gold certified albums, blending traditional country melodies with rock influences. Guests will also enjoy the Heritage Event Center as the venue blends space and elegance for a one-of-a-kind experience. The doors will open at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $79.
To keep the summer festivities alive, San Diego’s only country concert pool party continues with LOCASH performing at The River at Retreat Pool & Cabanas at 8 p.m.
on Thursday, Aug. 22. Guests will enjoy relaxing in the Lazy River, gaming or sipping on cocktails by the pool while listening to LOCASH play their chart-topping hits such as: “I Love This Life,” “Feels Like a Party,” and “I Know Somebody.” The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets start at $59. Tickets to the events and other upcoming events in August are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at Sycuan.com or at the box office located inside Sycuan Casino Resort.
For additional information about current or upcoming events, please visit Sycuan.com/events/.
Upcoming Events at Sycuan Casino Resort: Gary Allen on Friday, Aug. 9. Tickets starting from $79. LOCASH at The River on Thursday, Aug. 22. Tickets starting from $59. WCK, Ultimate Conquest on Saturday, Aug. 24. Tickets starting from $48. The Jacksons on Friday, Aug.
30. Tickets starting from $79. Marcelito Pomoy on Saturday, Aug. 31. Tickets starting from $67. About Sycuan Casino Resort Sycuan Casino Resort began as a humble Bingo Palace in 1983. Now more than 40 years later, it has become a community landmark and one of San Diego’s premier casino and resort destinations. Sycuan recently completed a $260M expansion, which includes a 12-story luxury hotel tower with over 300 guest rooms and 57 suites. Guests can enjoy a wide range of onsite amenities including a variety of new restaurants from fast-casual to fine dining, meeting and event space, a full-service spa, fitness center and a state-of-theart pool and gardens area with a lazy river and swim-up bar. Sycuan also boasts a newly expanded casino floor for a total of 2,800 slot machines and 54 table games in a variety of gaming options. Sycuan is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information visit Sycuan.com or call 619-445-6002.
Rhian Ramos opens up about new film, politician boyfriend
MANILA -- Actress and advocate
Rhian Ramos met her fans at a mall in Quezon City to promote her new movie "Miss Probinsyana," under the direction of JP Bautista-Ninalga.
Before she went on stage in her sparkly, cream-colored dress, Ramos gracefully granted the entertainment press an interview.
When asked about her future plans with boyfriend Sam Verzosa, she said "Sa (July) 31, 3 years na kami. Wala pa naman kaming pinaplano anytime soon except for maybe a vacation but nothing big."
Ramos also responded to the question if Verzosa will run for office again. She revealed, "He's definitely running but I can't confirm for what."
Using her platform for good, the Filipina actress said that if she's not busy, she always makes sure to join boyfriend's charity activities.
She shared, "Mostly him. Minsan 'pag time ako, nakakasama ko rin siya. Marami siyang tinutulungan."
The supportive girlfriend added, "When we were new, aside from 'yung mga personality namin that we got along, one of the things talaga that we really agreeing on is it's important to use your life, your skill, or your success for the better. At the time, when we knew we bonded about that, we actually shared our dream eh na parang when you retire, 'What's your dream ganyan.' And we had the same dream and it was really centered also on helping others and doing something for others."
On what it's like to have a politician boyfriend, Ramos expressed: "At the time, hindi ko alam na ang magiging paraan niya to help other people was to run for office. It was kind of came about naturally. Now that it's here I totally support. I know him. Sometimes you have a negative connotation of what it means to be a politician especially in the Philippines. But, because I know him very well, I know what's in his heart, I know it's very pure, and I know he doesn't need money that's why I am able to support." About the Typhoon Carina and
the relief operations, she had to say: "I've been busy with work so hindi pa ako nakakasama with the repacking. It's sadly when it's this time of the year before anything bad even happens, dapat handa tayo. He's been preparing everyday. What's nice also is may mga magagandang loob na nagbibigay at tumutulong." Ramos told her fans to watch her film "Miss Probinsyana," produced by Marjorie Aviso, Lyn Baynosa, Impact Media Convergence Inc., and Global Impact Productions Inc. As the film promotes women empowerment, the lead actress shared her thoughts on the theme: "I definitely can say that I'm an
empowered woman kasi I make a lot of my choices for myself no matter how people assume I should be. I've been told many times na I can only focus on one daw — you're either an actor or celebrity. I felt that to be a very limiting thought. I did not want myself to choose. I wanted to give myself both. And even the whole idea of cutting my hair, so many people told me, 'Don't do it.' But I just felt like I need to make choices to be the most authentic me. You're not looking for compliments from other people. I compliment myself everyday. But I really try to remind myself that, 'You're hot. You're good at what you do,'" she ended. (MNS)
Maricel Soriano reminisces moments with 'Mother Lily' Monteverde
MANILA -- The entertainment
industry is in mourning following the passing of Regal Films matriarch, Lily Monteverde.
Among those who paid tribute to "Mother Lily" is the Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano, who fondly remembers her as a second mother and a pivotal figure in her illustrious career.
Soriano described Monteverde as more than just a producer.
"She's really like a mother. When she's mad, she gets mad at me talaga. Papaglitan talaga ako. Walang mga label-label doon. Papaglitan ka talaga ng nanay mo," recalled Soriano, highlighting the genuine maternal bond they shared. "Second mom ko talaga siya."
Soriano shared that Monteverde had a unique way of celebrating success, saying: "'Pag maganda naman ang nagawa mo, at okay ang pelikula natin, kakanta siya: 'Maria went to town. Maria went to town.' Ganoon 'yun."
Yet Monteverde also knew when to maintain silence. "Silence is the best. Huwag ka na magsasalita pag galit si Mother," said Soriano.
Soriano's journey with Regal Films began when she was just 16 years old. Now at 59, she reflected on her enduring relationship with the production company.
"Hindi ako nawawala sa Regal, kahit anong mangyari. 'Pag kailangan ako ni Mother o ni Roselle, andiyan ako," said Soriano, who has starred in over 100 films under the Regal banner.
Why
Asked about the significance of being a "Regal Baby," Soriano said: "Bongga ka!"
"Ang swerte-swerte namin," added Soriano as she looked back on her iconic movies "Galawgaw," "Babling," and "Hindi Kita Malimot," directed by the legendary Ishmael Bernal.
The loss of Mother Lily has been deeply personal for Soriano, who is still coming to terms with her passing.
"Up to now, I'm still in denial that Mother Lily is gone. Unless I see her really there. That's a different story, diba? Hindi nag si-sink in sa akin.
namin sa matagal na panahon at makatrabaho," she said, while extending her condolences to the Monteverde family.
Monteverde passed away on Sunday morning. She was 85.
Rabiya Mateo wants to start a funeral parlor business
MANILA -- Former Miss Universe Philippines and now TV host Rabiya Mateo shared a very out-of-the-box business plan that she intends to pursue in Iloilo.
According to Mateo, she still dreams of having her own funeral business -- which all started due to her perfectionist taste in cosmetics.
"Nag start kasi yan dati, hindi ko gusto ang mga make up ng mga patay. Masyado maputi, masyado manipis ang kilay. So sabi ko, 'why
CARLOS YULO
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Diaz’s breakthrough gold in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
Diaz also posted a congratulatory message for the 4-foot-9 gymnast fondly called Caloy.
“Proud ako sa iyo. I-enjoy mo ang bunga ng pinagpaguran mo. At lagi mong ibabalik -- sa Diyos at bayan, dahil lahat ng tagumpay natin ay hindi pansarili (I’m proud of you. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work and always give back – to God and country, because of our success are not just ours),” Diaz said.
“Nandito lang ang Ate Haidie mo para sa iyo lagi (Your Ate Haidie will always be here for you)!”
Yulo will try to make more history on Sunday night when he competes in the vault finals, also at Bercy Arena.
Congressional honor given to Carlos Yulo for winning 2 Olympic golds
The House of Representatives has conferred the Congressional Medal of Excellence to gymnast Carlos Yulo for bagging two gold medals in
not ano (to have my own business)?'
Siyempre, last few days na lang nila na makikita sila ng pamilya nila so doon nag start ang idea," she said. When asked if she has encountered real cadavers, Mateo shared that she learned not to be afraid of them after doing laboratory work involving corpses during her college days.
"Hindi ako takot sa patay naniniwala ako na mayroong Diyos at kung ano man entity meron dito sa mundo. Kasi 'yung background
the 2024 Paris Olympics.
During the plenary session on Wednesday, the chamber adopted House Resolution 1864, which confers the congressional award to Yulo for being the first and only Filipino athlete in history to win two gold medals in a single Olympic series.
“For his remarkable victory and exceptional performances at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics that brought great honor and glory to the country while showcasing the magnanimity of a Filipino athlete, Carlos Edriel P. Yulo deserves utmost recognition and commendation,” the resolution read.
"Hindi man lahat tayo ay Olympic material, pero tinuruan tayo ni Caloy Yulo na sa tamang pagpupursige ay maaabot din natin ang ating mga pangarap, hindi lamang para sa sarili pati sa ating pamilya, komunidad, at bansa (We might not all be Olympic material, but Caloy Yulo taught us that with the right amount of perseverance, we could achieve our dreams not just for ourselves but also for our family, community, and country).”
The resolution noted that
ko kasi during my PT school, part ng pag-aaral namin nag-open kami ng cadaver and bangkay talaga so hindi naman ako natatakot," she explained.
Knowing the business flow will not be easy, the former beauty queen is taking it slow but is making sure to find the right people to work with her in this future venture.
"Wala po ako makuha embalmer and nag-search ako, four years pala siya pag-aaralan. So siyempre, it takes a lot of time, pero malay natin may makilala din ako na pwede," she added.
Before she pursues her dream, the former beauty queen has also started collaborating with different businesses.
Recently, she signed as a brand ambassador of LVNA Jewelry. Part of her contract is a special package that allows the former beauty queen to become the CEO of her very own branch in Cavite. And as she starts her new venture, the former beauty queen is once again challenged to learn something very new to her/
"Ako bilang isang leader naman, I listen. Kasi for me to make the best decisions in the business you have to listen sa mga tao na nagta trabaho doon. I have so much to learn, parang feeling ko back to school ulit ako but still, I'm grateful to be here," she said. (MNS)
Yulo captured the gold medal in the floor exercise with a historic score of 15.000 points, dethroning Tokyo Olympic champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel and besting Jake Jarman of Great Britain. It also highlighted that the Filipino gymnast's "stellar routine performance" in the final vault events with a total score of 15.116 overtook Armenia’s Artur Davtyan and Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth. Yulo will be furnished with a copy of the resolution. Yulo stands to receive rewards both from the government and private sector for his achievement. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), under RA 10699 (National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act), will award PHP20 million, or PHP10 million each, for the gold medals he won. Yulo will also get PHP6 million as pledged by the House of Representatives, a house and lot in Tagaytay from the Philippine Olympic Committee, PHP5 million from ArenaPlus, and a condominium unit worth PHP35 million from a property development firm. (MNS)
Kasi ayoko. Ayoko. Gusto ko parin yung 'Mother, ang datung!' yun kasi yung lokohan namin," she said. Soriano also expressed her immense gratitude to Monteverde, for her impact on her life and career.
"Sobra ang ginawa ni Mother for us. I’m very grateful and thankful dahil si Mother Lily ang napili ni Lord na makasama
(MNS)
THE REMARKABLE FILIPINO PARTNERSHIP WITH AIR AMERICA: TRUE STORY OF OUR “KABABAYANS” ROLE IN UPHOLDING THE AIRMEN’S BOND
“To everything there is a Season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven…A time to be Born and a time to Die…A time of War and a time of Peace…” - Ecclesiastes, 3:1, 2, 3. SAN DIEGO, CA -- It really is amazing at the number of people that don’t believe Air America ever existed or for that matter the secret. Ever since Mel Gibson hit the big screen a few years back with the movie I’ve heard comments such as a fictional film, yeah, a great piece of fiction. Sure…the movie was a figment of the imagination to a great extent but that’s Hollywood, if I must add.
A lot of us in a certain age group can well remember an American President stating to the public that Laos was out of bounds, etc., etc. Really? A lot of really talented American pilots and aircrew members were lost and a lot pulled off some pretty mean feats of flying into jungle air strips while being shot at, too. Unfortunately, the American public is probably never going to hear or read a lot of the heroics that Air America pilots and aircrews initiated all in a day’s work.
In all honesty, Air America’s public image has fared poorly! The 1990 motion picture “Air America” is largely responsible for this. The film featured a cynical CIA officer who arranged for the airline to fly opium to the administrative capital of Vientiane for a corrupt Asian general – loosely modeled after Vang Pao – a military leader of the mountain-region-based Hmong ethnic group. The movie depicts the CIA man as having the opium processed into heroin in a factory just down the street from the favorite bar of Air America pilots. The Asian general, in return, supplied men to fight the war, plus a financial kickback to the CIA. Ultimately, we learn that the Communists versus anti-Communists war in Laos was merely a façade for the real conflict, which was fought for control of the area’s opium fields.
Air America pilots in the picture show are portrayed as skilled at landing damaged airplanes, but basically as a wildly unprofessional menagerie of party animals including a few borderline psychotics. These ill-disciplined airmen are not the villains of the story; they are merely pawns in a drug game that they do with disdain or oppose outright.
Unfortunately, the connection among Air America, the CIA and the drug trade in Laos lingers in the public mind.
Records indicate, however, that Air America was not involved in the drug war. As Joseph Westermeyer, who spent the years 1965 to 1975 in Laos as a physician, public health worker and researcher, wrote in “Poppies, Pipes and People”: “American-owned airlines never knowingly transported opium in or out of Laos, nor did their American pilots ever profit from its transport. Yet every plane in Laos undoubtedly carried opium at the same time, unknown to the pilot and his superiors – just as had virtually every pedicab, every Mekong River sampan, and every missionary jeep between China and the Gulf of Siam.” It was essentially a bump rap that got stuck in the public’s perspectives.
No doubts about it, the CIA’s main focus in Laos remained on fighting the war, not in policing the drug trade…Period!
Moving on…let’s stick to the genuine narrative of Air America supporting the “Secret War” and the CIA air operations in Asia circa 1955-1974.
On a corner pillar overlooking the main courtyard of the Original Headquarters Building is a memorial plaque dedicated to the pilots and employees of Civil Air Transport (CAT), Air America, Air Asia, and Southern Air Transport (SAT) who died in Asia between 1947 and 1975.
These employees perished while flying food and medicine into besieged areas, which often were military targets. In several countries, flights also evacuated persons fleeing advancing Communist armies. The dedication of the pilots flying these hazardous missions was matched by their highly skilled maintenance and ground crews.
CAT, the original organization, operated refugee and resupply flights from 1947 to 1950 in support of Chiang Kai-shek’s forces on the Chinese mainland. During the Korean War, when the U.S. needed an air transport operation, the CIA purchased CAT. SAT operated under the U.S. Government contract from Japan, providing mostly administrative and “R and R” (rest and recuperation) flights for military personnel in East Asia during the 1950s. Air America was originally organized to service SAT; by the 1970s, it had grown into the largest aircraft maintenance facility in East Asia.
Air America was established after the Korean War and operated under U.S. Government contract.
As the Vietnam conflict escalated, Air America’s role in Southeast Asia expanded. Bases were established in major cities and in remote areas to support a variety of services, including the training of local national employees.
Although the majority of employees during the early years were former Flying Tigers, future employees were recruited from all branches of the Armed Services, as well as from several civilian sources. Over the years, each of these organizations had employees who were captured, declared missing, or died while serving their country. The last U.S. helicopter that left the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon on 29 April 1975 was flown by an Air America pilot.
On Memorial Day 1988, Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) William H. Webster dedicated the memorial plaque to the men and women, “who died while serving the cause of freedom in Asia.”
Indeed, quietly and courageously throughout the long and difficult Vietnam War, Air America, a secretly owned air proprietary of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), remained the indispensable instrument of CIA’s clandestine missions.
This legacy is captured in a CIA Director’s statement that the Agency’s calling is to “accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go”. While some of Air America’s work may never be publicly acknowledged, much of the company’s critical role in wartime rescue missions can now be revealed.
Air America crews were not required to monitor military emergency radio calls, fly to the location of military personnel in distress, or place their lives at risks of enemy ground-fire and possible capture. They receive no extra compensation for rescue work and sometimes lost wages for their efforts. However, in the flying community it was enough to know that a downed aviator was in trouble and that therefore - airmen should always come to the aid of other airmen. It was simply the Airmen’s Bond.
Here are some interesting
discussions - all with appropriate translation services - in advancing its goals to come up with even better trash service for communities.
Air America facts: In 1970, Air America had 80 airplanes and was “The World’s Most Shot at Airline.”
Air America lost 240 pilots and crew members to hostile fire. During 1970, Air America airdropped or landed 46 million pounds of food stuffs – mainly rice – in Laos. Helicopter flight time reached more than 4,000 hours a month in the same year. Air America crews transported tens of thousands of troops and refugees, too.
The first occasion to rescue a downed U.S. military pilot came on 6 June 1964, when U.S. Navy Lieutenant Charles F. Klusmann was shot down in his RF-8A Crusader from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) over the north-eastern area of Plaine des Jarres, that is near Khang Khay in the Ban Pha Ko (LS-40) area.
The most celebrated evacuation flown by Air America on 29 April 1975 was one from the Pittman Building at Saigon, although most people who saw the world-famous snapshot taken by UPI photographer Hubert van Es probably thought that it was a U.S. military helicopter on top of the U.S. Embassy – it wasn’t.
At the end, during this dramatic evacuation of Saigon, more than 7,000 refugees – 1,373 Americans, 5,595 South Vietnamese and 85 third-country nationals (TCNs) –were airlifted to the 40 ships of the U.S. fleet lying before the coast of South Vietnam. Air America’s crews did a tremendous job in hauling more than 1,000 passengers to the Embassy, to the Defense Attache Office (DAO), or to the ships.
“Black flights” – secret/covert/ possibly illegal – were for the most part utterly useless. If something went wrong, they were also dangerous for the crew because you could get no support. It was like the opening lines from the TV series Mission: Impossible: “The Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.” How true that proved to be for John T. Downey and Richard
Ordinance was passed in 1919.
G. Fecteau, CIA agents who were captured trying to infiltrate China in 1952 and spent 20 years in a Chinese prison, waiting for the U.S. government admit that they were agency operatives, all the Chinese government wanted to hear. Fecteau was released in 1971 and Downey in 1972 as U.S. relations with China improved during President Richard Nixon’s administration.
Something that all of our “kababayans” should be made aware of is the immense Filipino participation and contribution to Air America’s successful operations in Asia. This is something I just learned recently myself. And I thought it was definitely worth sharing. I admit a bit of ignorance on this subject matter. Until recently, I didn’t know the extent of our “kababayans” efforts in Air America’s clandestine activities or previously - with many having done a great deal of humanitarian work as well particularly in the Kingdom of Laos.
There has been very little written about the flight mechanics employed with Air America, many of whom were Filipino nationals. The U.S. military called them crew chiefs, combat air crewmen or load masters. Their responsibilities were multiple and with Air America they soon, too became as masters of all trades. Many of them paid the supreme sacrifice in the struggle. Pushing out pallets while clinging on for dear life to keep from falling with the pallet was tricky business, and enemy gunfire usually hit the fuselage more often than the cockpit. Being swarmed by terrified refugees and making sure the load was balanced at the same time added to the misery, but the kickers usually went home at night to lick their wounds.
Air America’s helicopter flight mechanics performed many of the same duties as the big bird kickers but stayed up country with their assigned aircrafts. Very often,
Jesse T. Reyes
Filipino Potpourri
after a full day’s work, a flight mechanic’s job was just beginning.
While the pilot went to his quarters to take a warm bath, and a hot meal and relax, the flight mechanic was still performing scheduled (or unscheduled) maintenance on his aircraft. Usually this work was conducted outside, with poor lighting and primitive conditions.
The incentive to do a good job was part of his work ethics but he had personal reasons also, because the next day he had to fly in the same bird he worked on.
Flying with Air America wasn’t routine. The situation was unpredictable and required experience and expertise. It’s understandable why you often hear about the plight of the pilot just like you hear more about the quarterback than the linebacker, but one can’t perform without the other.
The flight mechanic flew looking at where they had been, blind to where they were going, and hoping the pilot didn’t run out of altitude, air speed and ideas all at the same time.
Yes…he was a flight mechanic first and foremost, provided another set of eyes and ears, and often aided in decision making but in effect was a passenger, and forced to accept the consequences as fate would have it.
To cite an example – when an American pilot named Bill Foster was hit with mortar or RPG, he received substantial injuries; there were two flight mechanics onboard then. It was a line training flight in which a Filipino crew member named Ernesto Cruz was killed.
Few people remember the other flight mechanic’s name either. His name was Reggie Boston. Boston received third degree burns and lost one of his eyes. He was one of the few African American working with Air America.
Yet, most of Air America’s flight mechanics went on to lead very fruitful lives, despite, or perhaps because of the injuries and experiences – and represents a credit to their will and constitution.
The memorial plaque to commemorate the CAT/Air America’s personnel at the CIA Headquarters indicates a distinguish record (Filipinos such as Ernie Cortez who risked his life by exposing himself to hostile ground fire to lift up a downed American officer when his helicopter was shot down and there is Ramon S.
Aplaon who served as ground crew for aircraft mechanics during 19651969 – and died in California on January of 2004). Numerous other Filipino names in the memorial plaque with their casualty dates included: (Timoteo Bagnot/8 March 1969 – Died at Clark Air Base Hospital); (Romeo B. Crisologo/9 April 1966 – Killed by hostile ground fire near Ban Pak); (Feliciano C. Manalo/16 July 1972 – Killed by gunfire while attempting a Medevac operation); Ceferino B. Nabung/11 January 1961 – Captured by the Pathet Lao); (Reggie Dimaculangan/22 December 1967 – Died due to illness); (Cornelio B. Pascual/18 August 1964 – Killed by enemy gunfire ); and a dozen more with Filipino names are inscribed on its scroll of honor.
Looking back on it, our “kababayans” did a superb,
distinguished job - these dedicated professionals of CAT and Air America; but the cost often was high, which is why the memorial plaque was hallowed to honor these individuals who lost their lives while serving the cause of freedom. The unique service they shared in defense of liberty forged a bond of brotherhood that time and distance cannot break. Unsung and unrecognized, each of them confronted danger and endured terrible hardship, and each rose to the challenge; they never faltered! Although free people everywhere owe them more than we can hope to repay – our greatest debt is to their comrades/crew mates who gave their last full measure of devotion for America – and never came back home to their families and loved ones. Just as their names are engraved on this memorial, so their memories are inscribed in our hearts. We will never forget them or their families, some of who still seek answers even to this day. No doubts about it, CAT/Air America performed magnificently for the CIA. The skilled aircrews and ground personnel of the air proprietary had given CIA the air transport capability required for a variety of covert operations in Asia. Although the “air complex” had caused legal problems for the CIA’s Directorate of Administration, there is no question that personnel in the Directorate of Operations considered CAT/Air America as an essential tool for their work.
During the war in Laos itself, Air America was called upon to perform paramilitary tasks at great risks to the aircrews (Filipinos and other TCNs) involved. Although lacking the discipline found in a military organization, the personnel of the air proprietary continued to place their lives at hazard for years. Some Air America pilots flew in Laos for more than a decade, braving enemy fire and surmounting challenging conditions with rare skill and determination. As pointed out by a senior Agency official during the dedication of the plaque to Air America personnel CIA Headquarters in May 1988: “The aircrew, maintenance and other professional aviation skills they applied on our behalf were extraordinary. But above all, they brought a dedication to our mission and the highest standards of personal courage in the conduct of that mission.”
It is appropriate, I believe that they should have their special place, apart from the great memorial in Washington. They were after all a unique group of individuals who are the secret soldiers of the Cold War. The exploits of CAT/Air America form a unique chapter in the history of air transport, one that deserves better than a misleading, mediocre movie.
One final thought – I hope the day will come when Air America’s air crews and ground support personnel - flight mechanics – particularly our remarkable fellow “kababayans” –who died while serving the cause of freedom from 1947 to 1975 - will be officially recognized for their efforts and sacrifices because no one deserves it more than they. Mabuhay!
determine the costs to collect and manage residential waste and recycling, and determine what enhanced services the residents may likely use.
The ESD will then provide the necessary information to the San Diego Council from which it will make the “informed decision” on the services to be offered along with the associated fees.
The City has been sharing questionnaires, delivering community group presentations, and holding group
Bauer said, “My hope is that we'll have high participation in these open houses. The online questionnaire has already produced five to six thousand responses which is wonderful. This is really about co-creation with the communities.”
The open house style according to ESD is attractive to the residents and puts everything in proper context. One of the booths showcased the history of San Diego and how it looked different some 100 years ago when the People’s
The engagement with the people makes it easier for ESD to determine the needs of residents, and share information on things like the size of the containers or what goes in each of them or how to deal with the hazardous waste.
“Everyone is welcome to the open house in the name of municipal decision-making so that our elected leaders are aware of the perspective of the residents and from there they can make decisions that are well informed and in line with what the residents prefer,” Bauer explained. The result of the Cost-of-Service
Study, after more rounds of meetings and deeper insights will be presented to the San Diego City Council next year.
The next open houses are set at the Mira Mesa and Mission Valley Libraries on Monday (August 12) and Tuesday (August 13), respectively. The rest are as follows: Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox (August 19), Point Loma/Hervey (August 26), Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa (August 27), Scripps Miramar Ranch (September 3), and La Jolla/Riford (September 9). All meetings are scheduled from 5:30 to 7 pm.
For more information, visit cleangreensd.org.
The most famous evacuation flown by Air America on 29 April 1975 was one from the Pittman Building of the U.S. Embassy at Saigon in South Vietnam.
The memorial plaque dedicated to the air crews and ground support personnel of Civil Air Transport, Air America, Air Asia and Southern Air Transport who died while serving the cause of freedom in Asia from 1947 to 1975.
Spiritual Life
Psalm for Busy People
I was talking with a friend when we shared our common experience of being busy most of the time. I asked her to relax and have time for herself. I said, “Take time to smell the roses.” In our search for a living, we often take for granted the things that are valuable to us, among them, the precious gift of time. We are so busy doing so many things – pursuing a client, attending meetings, providing care to the sick and infirm and fulfilling personal obligations. We don’t have time for ourselves!
I’m glad I had the time to visit friends and relatives in the Philippines recently. It was an eyeopener for me. My schedule was tight but well-planned. I was able to balance my activities. A time for meetings, a time for family and friends, a time for bonding with my son and his family, a time for my personal health needs, and a time for recreation. I was able to attend church worship services at the Central UMC in Manila and Cagayan de Oro UMC. I was even able to see two movies with my grand daughter, an activity that I failed to do here in San Diego because I am too busy. I think I was able to accomplish all what I wanted to do within the limited time that I had for one reason: I had a written plan. My written plan allowed me to analyze how I will spend my time more
Aurora
S. Cudal-Rivera
My Personal Testimony
efficiently and effectively.
I was at the dental office of my daughter-in-law in Cagayan de Oro waiting for my turn as a patient, when I saw a framed poem on the wall entitled, the Psalm for Busy People. I wrote it on my notepad with the hope that I will be able to share it with the readers of this column.
The Lord is my Pacesetter I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness, which restores my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind, and His guidance is peace.
Although I have so many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, For His presence is here; His timeliness, His all-importance will keep me in balance. He prepares refreshment and
renewal for me in the midst of my activity
By anointing my mind with His oil of tranquility, My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord forever.”
For all of us who seem to be busy all the time, this psalm comes as a reminder that the Lord our God is our pacesetter. When we wake up in the morning, let us plan our day in order to prevent the hurry and scurry of meeting our appointments and assuming our responsibilities. For those of us who have burdens that are difficult to bear , which robs us of time just thinking about them, our generous and loving God calls us, “Come all you that are tired and heavily laden and I will give you rest.”
A place of nothingness
In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
Many of us live a rush hour existence: running here, there and everywhere, never quite catching up to our to-do list, seldom taking time to slow down and reflect.
We get so used to the frenetic that when silence does come, we grab whatever device is within reach and fill it with screen time.
Underneath the surface, there are a myriad of emotions, dreams, and disappointments waiting to be heard and understood. But we often choose to stay busy and entertained instead of listening to what our hearts are saying. As a result, we miss out on taking our hearts to Jesus with vulnerability and trust. We stay stagnant spiritually.
We have a lot to learn from King David. "What so distinguished David was that he took a broad spectrum of emotion straight into his relationship with God ...
Danny
Hernaez From Whom All Blessings Flow
His emotions showed in tears, shouting, singing, and even intense dancing."
David dared to look at His own heart and tell God about it; once He got things off His chest, he was filled with hope again. He believed His heart was safest in the hands of God. Do you?
Will you get off the highway, find a rest stop, get back in touch with your heart and tell God exactly how you feel? That's not flaky spirituality; it's having a real and authentic relationship with your Heavenly Father. It's being an emotionally secure man or woman instead of an emotionally detached media zombie.
And now may the Lord bless you, and may the Lord keep you, and may the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and may the Lord be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you walk in the blessed assurance that your steps are being ordered of the Lord and that His angels are going before you to make certain that your life reaches its spiritual destiny. May the prayers that you pray, be reward to you according to your faith, for God is a faithful God, and He will open the windows of heaven and bless you with blessings you cannot contain, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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DA Charges Burglary Ring Defendants Operating in Southern California
Dozens of Residential Burglaries Committed in San Diego County
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl announced today that nine defendants have been charged in connection with 30 burglaries in the City of San Diego, following a lengthy investigation. The investigation spanned approximately 55 residential burglaries committed in California and Nevada. The total loss for victims in San Diego County is at least $700,000. In San Diego County, the defendants primarily targeted homes in the Mira Mesa neighborhood from February to May of this year. A multiagency takedown led to arrests last week in Los Angeles, and throughout Riverside County. The defendants are being arraigned in San Diego Superior Court this week.
“Stopping this prolific burglary crew took incredible coordination among law enforcement in several jurisdictions and from many different agencies,” said DA Stephan. “This prosecution sends the strong message that if criminals come to San Diego County to steal from our residents,
we will track them down and hold them accountable.”
Each defendant is charged with three to 24 counts of first-degree residential burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. If convicted of all counts, they face between eight years, eight months to 35 years-tolife in state prison depending on their level of involvement and criminal history.
“Our homes are the place we should feel safe, but these criminals took advantage of our communities to carry out their crimes,” San Diego Police Deputy Chief Paul Connelly said. “This joint investigation took great collaboration and coordination, to put a stop to a burglary series spanning two states. San Diego residents can rest assured their homes are safer because of the great investigative work of the San Diego Police Department, along with so many other law enforcement partners.”
Nearly 100 law enforcement officers worked closely with the San Diego Police Department and the San
Diego County District Attorney’s Office to conduct surveillance, serve search warrants, and make the arrests. Eleven firearms were recovered as well as large amounts of cash. Two separate groups that had a common co-conspirator committed the burglaries. The defendants reside in Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
In addition to targeting San Diego County, the thieves also committed burglaries in Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange counties.
The burglary crews were typically groups of at least three people wearing masks and gloves. They would break out rear sliding glass windows, take as many items of value as possible and then flee the scene. Many of the burglaries were essentially mini crime-sprees that took place back-toback on the same day.
The defendants charged in the case are Amaya Armstead, 24; Timmon Betts, 23; Gregory Davis III, 19; Daniel Esquivel, 22; Tyrell Haley, 24; Nakia McBath Jr., 22; Khaliq Thomas, 22; Noel Torres, 23; and Keshaun Watson, 18.
Greetings in the Lord!
Last Sunday we heard how Jesus did one of his amazing miracles, the feeding of the multitude, five thousand men, not counting the women and children, who followed him because they witnessed his healing miracles and listened to his parables. For this reason they continued following him, wanting more food, eagerly expecting more miracles that would satisfy their human longing and aspirations.
But, Jesus had more in mind for them: “Work for the food that endures for eternal life” (Jn. 6:27).
The crowd hardly knew what this “food” was, then Jesus declared: “I am the bread of life” (Jn. 6:35).
The people who witnessed the miraculous feeding were eager to see Jesus again. After a brief interlude (Jn. 6:16-24), they found him and asked – “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus got right to the point: “You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.”
More than just bread, however, they were probably expecting Jesus to feed them with manna as Moses did in the First Reading (Ex. 16:24, 12-15). We recall that in the previous episode (Jn. 6:14), they acclaimed him as “the prophet” whom Moses promised. However, Jesus cautioned
them: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.” Here, he was bringing up something new for them to expect. The manna, which was temporary and perishable, was merely an introduction for the coming of the “bread” that would satisfy their hunger for eternity; the “living bread” that “gives life to the world.” Curious but not comprehending what this “food” was, they asked: “What can we do?” Jesus’ response was for them to “believe in the one (God) sent.” He was pointing to himself, the giver of the “food” that does not perish but “endures for eternal life.” Then he declared himself to be the “bread of life.” His invitation indicates a “mystery” in this “food,” which one can receive, and by which one can live,
through faith in him. What was so stunning about his remarks was that he did not claim to be another Moses, nor one more messenger in the line of the prophets. In giving us this “bread,” he does not offer temporary nourishment, but gives himself as the “bread of life.” Offering to share it with us, he calls us to faith in him. What does faith in the “bread of life” mean concretely for us in our life? Paul in the Second Reading (Eph. 4:17, 20-24) leads us from “believing” to “living.” He gives this practical advice: “Put on the new self, created in God’s way, in righteousness and holiness of life.” Fed with the “bread of life,” we are able to share in the life of Jesus. As it is the work of God, it leads us to live in righteousness and holiness of life. This is the goal of our sacramental life particularly in the Holy Eucharist. By the dispensation of grace, depending on our intention and proper disposition, we are transformed and made “Christ-like.” Thus, Paul exhorts his converts: “You must no longer live as Gentiles do . . . but be renewed in the spirit.” In the Eucharist, Jesus, the “bread of life,” continues to transform us. May we truly become what we receive in the Eucharist that we celebrate.
Tatlong binatilyo ang naguusap at may balak gawin
Isa sa kanila ay may duda at nagaalangan
Sabi ng dalawa sa pangatlo “Makisama ka Naman!” Tumutol ang pangatlo, yong kaya ay nakakabuti o nakakasama.
Sa isang dako napakagandang ugali ang pakikisama Umiiral ang bayanihan at ito ay kailangan Magkaisa at magtulungan sa isang gawaing marangal Makamit ang isang layunin na ikabubuti ng marami.
Sa kabilang dako ang pakikisama ay maaring hahantong sa masama Kung kayat pagisipang mabuti bago makisama Kung karamihan sa opisina ay tumatanggap ng suhol
Ayos lang bang tumanggap na rin ng suhol at makisama sa iba?
Ang taong sa tsismis sa social media ay agad naniniwala
Ay nakikisama sa madla na yumayakap sa isang haka-haka Ang kasinungalingan kahit libo-libo ang naniniwala Nananatiling kasinungalingan pa rin at di nagiiba.
Ang katotohanan ay mananatiling katothanan Kahit na hindi pinapaniwalaan Magtangka kang baliin ang katotohanan Sa bandang huli, ikaw ang mababalian. Kapag ikaw ay nasa masamang kapaligiran Isang malaking pagsubok sa iyo ang hindi makisama Magdasal at pagkalooban
ng tibay ng loob at paninindigan Upang ang buhay mo ang siyang maging tanglaw sa kadiliman.
Sa ating maikling buhay na pansamantala Napakaraming tukso ang ating maencuentro Mahigpit tayong kumapit sa ating pananampalataya Upang sa panig lamang ng tama tayo makisama.
21 areas in Bataan, Cavite under state of calamity due to oil spill
MANILA -- A total of 21 areas in the provinces of Bataan and Cavite have declared a state of calamity due to the impact of the oil spill caused by the sinking of the M/T Terranova, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.
In its situation report, the NDRRMC said the figure includes Bataan's 11 towns and capital city Balanga as well as Cavite's seven towns and two cities -- Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, Ternate, Cavite City and Bacoor City.
The oil spill has so far affected 25,145 fisherfolk in Calabarzon, it added.
Operations are now ongoing to contain the oil spill.
The M/T Terranova sank off Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan last July 25 at the height of bad weather due to Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
The ship was carrying some 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier created an inter-agency task force to quickly address the possible effects of the oil spill.
The task force is led by the Office of the Civil Defense with the departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Health (DOH), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Coast Guard as members.
76% of Filipinos want cellphones banned in schools -survey
A Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Sherwin
Gatchalian showed that almost eight out of 10 Filipinos support the banning of cellphones in schools.
The results of the survey, conducted from June 17 to 24, showed that 76 percent of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide agree with having a cellphone ban inside schools. Thirteen percent said they disagree, while 11 percent said they cannot say whether they agree or disagree.
According to the survey, Filipinos across all socioeconomic classes also support the cellphone ban in schools, with the strongest support from Class ABC, with 80 percent; 76 percent from Class D; and 71 percent from CLass E. Eight out of 10 respondents in the National Capital Region, or 80 percent, support the proposal; with 79 percent in Balance Luzon; 61 percent in the Visayas; and 81 percent in Mindanao.
In a news release on Tuesday, Gatchalian said the results of the survey show that Filipinos see the benefits of imposing a ban on cellphone use in schools, especially because distraction from mobile phones in schools is linked to poorer learner performance.
“Malinaw na suportado ng ating mga kababayan ang ating panukala na ipagbawal ang paggamit ng mga cellphones sa mga paaralan, lalo na’t ang paggamit nito sa oras ng klase ay maaaring makapinsala sa kanilang pag-aaral (Our countrymen clearly support our proposal to ban the use of cellphones in schools, especially because their use during class can harm their studies)," he said.
According to an analysis of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment by the Senate
Committee on Basic Education, eight out of 10 Filipino learners aged 15 reported being distracted in class by using their smartphones, while another eight out of 10 reported being distracted by other students’ smartphone use.
"Kaya naman patuloy nating isinusulong ang panukalang batas na magbabawal sa paggamit ng cellphone sa oras ng klase (That's why we continue to push for the bill that will ban the use of cellphones during class),” he added.
Gatchalian recently filed Senate Bill 2706 or the Electronic GadgetFree Schools Act, which seeks to prohibit learners’ use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets from kindergarten to senior high school within school premises during school hours. It mandates the Department of Education to establish guidelines for the prohibition, which covers learners from kindergarten to senior high school in both public and private institutions, including teachers. The bill, however, provides some exceptions – learning relatedexceptions, such as classroom presentation or class-based learning activities; health and well-beingrelated exceptions, such as learners with health conditions and requiring the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets; and exceptions related to managing risks, such as emergencies, response to perceived threats or dangers, and during field trips or activities outside school premises.
All public and private basic education institutions, as well as learners, who will fail to comply, shall be subject to appropriate sanctions. (MNS)
Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic
PAKIKISAMA
Ni Salvador S. Idos
Salvador S. Idos
MANILA -- Actress Ivana Alawi has bid goodbye to her “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” family.
In a lengthy social media post, the TV actress recalled the days when the role was offered to her to be the next leading lady of Coco Martin who plays the lead role of Tanggol in the hit Kapamilya series.
“Nung unang inalok sakin ang Batang Quiapo, isang malaking tanong ang pumasok sa isip ko. Bakit ako? Kaya ko ba ito? Deserve ko ba? Pero dala na ng aking tiwala sa ABS-CBN lalo na kay Tita Cory, Direk Coco, at sa panalangin ko din, tinanggap ko siya ng buong puso. At sobrang proud ako sa show na ito,” she said in her post.
Alawi thanked her “Batang Quiapo” family as she closed the door on her character as one of primetime series ladies.
"Kaya naman gusto ko magpasalamat sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Batang Quiapo. Mula kay Direk Coco, hanggang sa lahat ng mga artistang nakasama ko, technical staff, production staff, at sa mga utilities... Salamat sa pag aalaga ninyo sa akin. At ngayong tapos na ang isang chapter ng buhay ko sa Batang Quiapo, babaunin ko lahat ng natutunan ko,” she said. Alawi also thanked viewers for consistently tuning in with them every single night.
“From the bottom of my heart maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, sa inyong walang sawang pagtanggap sa akin gabi-gabi, sa pagmamahal niyo kay Bubbles. Salamat po ng marami at sana patuloy niyo parin supportahan
ang Batang Quiapo,” she said. “Hanggang sa muli, Bubbles signing off.”
During Monday’s episode of ABS-CBN’s series, Alawi’s character Bubbles was gunned down by David,
played by McCoy De Leon.
During the episode, Dreamscape Entertainment announced that the series has reached 596,164 concurrent viewers from Kapamilya Online Live. (MNS)
Kids Taking the Wheel to Drive Health Equity Across Zip Codes
Youth Philanthropy Council Launches Car Sweepstakes to Support San Ysidro Health’s Children’s
SAN YSIDRO, CA -- Did you know that children born in the San Ysidro, CA zip code can have a life expectancy that is 10 years shorter than those born in more affluent areas of San Diego? The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) is on a mission to change this alarming statistic by increasing access to health services for all children, regardless of their zip code.
California’s largest kid-run nonprofit is thrilled to announce their latest fundraising initiative: a car sweepstakes aimed at raising funds to support San Ysidro Health’s pediatric services. Thanks to the generous donation from Honda of El Cajon, participants have the chance to win a fantastic prize while contributing to a meaningful cause. Founded in 2019 by a passionate group of friends committed to serving their community, YPC has raised over $2.1 million for healthcare and education, proving that age is no barrier to making a significant impact.
YPC is also honored to be the presenting sponsor of San Ysidro Health's 55th Anniversary Emerald Ball on August 10. Founders Augustus Holmes and James Farrell will co-host this special event supporting pediatric services. Their journey began in middle school and high school when they learned about San Ysidro Health’s life-changing mission. Discovering that children in San Ysidro live 10 years less than those in more affluent communities in San Diego was a shocking statistic that inspired them to act. Since 2019, YPC has raised over $230,000 for San Ysidro Health.
As future leaders, YPC believes in investing in all children and helping them achieve their dreams. The YPC Car Sweepstakes, benefiting San Ysidro Health’s Pediatric Health Services, offers everyone the opportunity to contribute. Participants can enter to win a pre-loved 2019 Honda Civic, generously donated by Honda of El Cajon. Every dollar raised supports pediatric services across San Diego County.
The YPC is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people. Their car sweepstakes is not just about giving away a car; it’s about driving change and ensuring that every child, no matter where they are born, has access to quality healthcare. San Ysidro Health serves over 30,000 children throughout San Diego County, 85% of whom live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Kids helping kids to raise funds for critical services is at the heart of YPC's mission. Your participation in the sweepstakes makes a real difference in their lives.
“We encourage everyone to participate in the sweepstakes,” said Augustus Holms, Chairman of the Youth Philanthropy Council. “It’s a win-win: you get a chance to win a car, and you support an essential cause. Every ticket brings us closer to our goal of supporting San Ysidro Health's children's services. Your participation and support make a significant difference in the lives of our youngest community members.”
To enter, community members can visit YPC’s website at ypc.care to
Services
purchase tickets. Each ticket purchase costs $10 and contributes directly to the fundraising goal, with all proceeds supporting San Ysidro Health’s vital children’s services. The sweepstakes will run until August 31, and the winner will be announced on September 6.
Top photo shows YPC's Augustus Holm and James Farrel, CoChairs of SYHC Emerald Ball on 8/10, with Carmen Martinez, San Ysidro Founding Mother.
