The Filipino Press: August 26 - September 1, 2022

MANILA -- Malacañang on Thursday announced that press freedom is guaranteed in the present administration and that the government will work closely with mediaPressorganizations.Secretary

Trixie CruzAngeles, in a chance interview, said the Palace will ensure constant healthy dialogue especially during instances when the reportage is critical of the government.

Speaking after the oath-taking ceremony with newly elected officers of the National Press Club (NPC) in Malacañang, CruzAngeles reiterated President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s vow that the government will ensure the rights of journalists in the country are upheld and protected.

“You're free to talk. We're not changing anything. Whatever freedom we have now will always be our freedom. Our Constitution guarantees that,” she said.

Marcos has said time and again that he will be open to dissent and criticisms, especially those coming from the so-called fourth estate.

Sworn into office were Lydia Bueno (Remate, president); Kristina Maralit (Manila Times, vice president); Paul Gutierrez (People’s Journal, secretary); Mina Navarro (Abante, treasurer); Leonel Abasola (PNA, auditor).

The Press Secretary said that proof of the President’s support was when the Chief Executive himself administered the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the National Press Club (NPC).

The NPC is one of the oldest and biggest media organizations in the Philippines.Others inducted were NPC Directors Alvin Murcia (Daily Tribune), Aya Yupangco (DWIZ), Jean Fernando (Manila Bulletin), Nats Taboy (Remate), Madelynne

By Jenny Manrique/eMS

Hate crimes and hate-related incidents have been on the rise in recent years, prompting fear and anger across communities. But according to experts and civil rights advocates more public engagement not increased policing is key to addressing the issue.

And, they say, raising public awareness is a critical step toward individual and communal healing.

“Hate doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” says Becky L. Monroe with the California Civil Rights Department. “If we’re truly going to address hate incidents and hate crimes, we have to enforce all of our civil rights protections.”Monroe,among a panel of speakers during a media briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services, referenced her former mentor at the Department of Justice, Ron Wakabayashi, whose family was among some 120,000 Japanese Americans sent to concentration camps during WWII.

“He used to say: ‘There is a reason for hope, and that reason is actually in all the people who are targeted for hate.’ Many communities who had every reason to give up on this country refused to give up on the idea of making this a more just place for all.”

In response to the rise in hate crimes and hate incidents, California’s Civil Rights Department is launching the California vs Hate initiative, a resource line and network to support victims, and to increase awareness around what is a hate crime and how to report them when they Californiaoccur.state

define a hate crime as a criminal act targeting individuals on the basis of gender, race, nationality, religion or political affiliation.

A hate incident, on the other hand, is an action that, while motivated by hate, may not cross the line into criminality.

Common examples include racist name calling or displaying hateful messaging targeting protected groups.

Monroe says that while hate incidents may not technically be criminal acts, they can have a “devastating impact on the person and the community” being targeted.

And while there is ample data available on hate crimes, experts say the numbers are likely far from accurate.“There is no question when you look at the data that hate crimes are on the rise, but they are also underreported,” Monroe explained. The FBI counts just over 8,000 hate crimes per year, notes Monroe, but the real number could be closer to 250,000.

Dominguez (Manila Bulletin), Jun Mendoza (Philippine Star); Jeany Lacorte (Abante), Benedict Abaygar (Manila Times), Bobby Ricohermoso (Saksi), and Joe Torres (UCA News).

No cause for alarm as crime rate 'still low' -- PNP

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the peace and order situation in the country is stable as he allayed public fear amid the reported abductions and killings in the past few weeks.

Speaking at the Police Service anniversary celebration at the

Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon) headquarters in Pampanga on Thursday, Azurin said the PNP’s crime data has shown a steady decline in crime trends over 12 years sinceHe2010.said the Peace and Order Indicator or the sum of both index

and non-index crime cases has been decreasing since the start of the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III.

“A decrease of 5.85 percent is noted comparing President PNoy and President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s administration. Likewise, a decrease of 45.24 percent is recorded in PBBM’s (President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s) administration as compared to President Duterte’s time,” he added.

Azurin added that index crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, theft, robbery, rape, car theft) have also been on a downtrend since 2010. “A decrease of 45.80 percent is noted comparing President PNoy and Duterte’s administration.

Likewise, a decrease of 72.45 percent is recorded in PBBM’s admin as compared to President Duterte’s time,” he said.

Azurin also cautioned the public against an apparent “sensational surge in social media reporting of some crime incidents,” saying many of these are previously reported cases that had been categorized as solved by PNP units.

“Other purported crime incidents posted in social media turned out to be either rehashed or completely false information. The PNP would like to do our part in educating our people to be more discerning of the true situation, particularly on crime matters, and be able to distinguish between crime hike and crime hype,” he added.

The disparity is explained in part by the fact that many victims often do not see law enforcement as a safe or reliable option when it comes to reporting hate crimes. For Monroe, focusing on community-centered strategies will “help us to connect individuals with culturally competent resources and support.”

Anim na sa mga inaabangan na mang-aawit, komedyante at personalidad sa pelikula mula Manila, na pinagungunahan ni Ding Dong Dantes, ay magtatanghal sa Pechanga Resort Casino st sa kanilang pagtatanghal na konsiyerto- pinamagatang ‘Together Again’ (Magkasamang Muli) live sa Setyembre 24 at 25 alas-6 ng gabi.

Ang Pechanga Resort Casino ay kilala sa pag-iimbita ng pinakamahusay at pinakamaningning na Pilipinong mangaaliw at tagapagpalabas sa naising makapagbigay ng kakaibang karanasan sa mga espesyal na Filipino-Americans na mga patron.

Abot-kamay na! Ang matagal ninyong paghihintay ay tapos na samantalang, kilalang mga aktor sa telebisyon at sinehan ay maghahatid ng live na pagtatanghal sa susunod na buwan. Kasama ni Ding Dong ang mga dekalibreng mga artista sa ilalim ng GMA Pinoy TV— Bea Alonzo, Lani Misalucha, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Julie Anne San Jose, at Rayver Cruz— upang magpakita ng ibat-ibang galing sa pagkanta, sa pagsayaw at larangan ng komedya.

Si Dantes, Isang premyadong aktor, ay naging kilala rin sa paggawa ng mga komersyal bilang modelo, mananayaw, presenter sa TV at producer ng pelikula. Siya ay kasal sa magandang aktres na si Marian Rivera.

Ang ‘Darling’ ng pelikula ng sinema na tanyag sa mga serye ng

drama at patok na mga palabas sa takıyla na naglalarawan ng aktuwal na buhay, ang napaka-talentong si Bea Alonzo ay nag-aral din bilang manunulat pang sinema-nobelista upang hasain ang talino nito.

Tanyag sa ibat-ibang bansa na mang-aawit si Lani Misalucha, ang ‘Nightingale’ ng Pilipinas, ay dating binansagan na ‘New Siren of the Strip”’ ng ito’y kumakanta sa mga casino sa Las Vegas, at tanging Asyano na palagiang tampok sa mga kantahan sa Vegas strip.Si

Ai-Ai Delas Alas, kasama ng grupo, at ang buhay ng kaganapan.

Another factor has to do with state and local law enforcement agencies, which are not mandated to provide data on hate crimes to the FBI. In fact, 85% of law enforcement agencies serving jurisdictions with over 100,000 people in California routinely report zero hate crimes in their Nationwide,area.the majority of hate crimes continue to be perpetrated by white men, while the majority of victims are African American. But in recent years there has been a spike in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, Latinos, Muslims, and Jews. guaranteed Marcos

bilang ‘Reyna ng Komedya,’ siya’y magpapalabas ng ng kanyang talento sa pagpatawa at siguradong hihirit kayo sa kasiyahan at katatawanan.Sagitna ng lahat ng ito ang dalawang premyadong mang-aawit at aktor— si Julie Anne San Jose, na maghahatid ng talento bilang tagagawa ng kanta, musikero at mataas na ratang pagtatanghal bilang artista sa entablado, habang si Rayver Cruz, na bumulusok mula sa paggiging batang aktor sa komedya ang

Autumn Anew

By Francine Maigue

There is a cool breath about autumn that is renewing, refreshing and rejuvenating. If Spring is a time to blossom, then Autumn is a time to shed one’s past, one’s inhibitions—all that

has endured enough and is ready to start anew.

I watch as some head back to school, while others send children off to school. I watch as some head back to work, while others seek new work. I watch as some dig deep to find the stamina to keep straight along the path they have already chosen…while others dig deep to decide in what direction they want to head next.

My friends, may the change in seasons empower you with the courage to relieve yourself of seasons past and inspire great success and joy for seasons to come.This week, I pamper you with motivational words that capture the charm of autumn, and illustrate a season whose very changes are its deepest sources of beauty.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

Albert Camus

“Summer is already better, but the best is autumn.

It is mature, reasonable and serious.Itglows moderately and not frivolously.Itcoolsdown, clears up, makes you reasonable..." Valentin

"Autumn is the mellower

season,andwhat we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits."

Samuel Butler

"It is only the farmer, who faithfully plants seeds in thewhoSpring,reaps a harvest in Autumn."

B. C. Forbes

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Autumn is the eternal corrective.Itisripeness and color and a time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his andworldthemeaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?"

Hal Borland

What leaves in your life are you ready to let fall, my friends? What fruits in your life are you ready to harvest?There is so much beauty, freedom, and fulfillment that come with welcoming a time of inevitable change with open arms. Let life pleasantly surprise you as you open yourself up to a new season full of possibility, growth, and opportunity. Let autumn enliven within you the strength to startCheckanew!back every week for ways to pamper yourself and those you love. Why? The answer is simple: YOU DESERVE IT!

Wanna join in on fun weekly chats with other Pampered Pinay fans? Your comments could be featured here! Simply check out www.Facebook.com, and search “Francine Maigue.” See you online!Gota business or event Francine should know about? Wish to agree or “agree to disagree” with her? Want to send her a love note? (She loves those.) Email Francine at thepamperedpinay@yahoo.com.

COMMUNITY

HOUSINGWORKS PARTNERS WITH SAN YSIDRO HEALTH AND NATIONAL CITY ON NEW URBAN VILLAGE, SETTING EXAMPLE FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

Award-Winning Affordable Housing Developer to Break Ground on Kimball Highland Development Featuring Family Apartments, Federally Qualified Health Center and City-Operated Senior Center

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Offering a blueprint for future community developments, the Community HousingWorks (CHW) – in partnership with San Ysidro Health (SY Health) and the City of National City – is celebrating the groundbreaking for the Kimball Highland Master Plan, a unique urban village being developed in the City of National City along Kimball Way less than half a mile from City Hall.

As part of the master plan, CHW is the owner and developer of Kimball Highland Apartments, a two-property development offering 145 homes with on-site resident services to very low, low-, and moderate-income families and an 8,000-square-foot, groundfloor senior center at one location to be operated by the City of National City. Concurrently, SY Health is the owner and developer of a 44,000-squarefoot, multi-story building to include a federally qualified health center and the City of National City’s first Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center. The new master plan will have walkable access to existing local retail, transit, and city resources in the intergenerational neighborhood.“TheKimball Highland groundbreaking reinforces National City’s commitment to creating an AgeFriendly community by recognizing the unique needs that all walks of life may have,” said Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, City of National City. “This project will include 145 housing units (studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms), our City’s first ever PACE center, new Kimball Senior Center and a new federally qualified clinic. By working with strong community partners like San Ysidro Health and Community HousingWorks, we know we will get quality housing, and excellent services

that address our diverse families and elders' needs while respecting our National City community culture.”

CHW’s Kimball Highland Apartments will provide homes with rents ranging from approximately $660 per month to $2,300 per month for individuals with annual earnings between $27,330 and $63,770. Adjacent to CHW’s recently renovated Kimball Tower and Morgan Tower senior apartments, the Kimball Highland development will provide a pedestrian-friendly walkway with access to Highland Avenue MTS transit, Kimball Park, commercial retail, and city resources to promote a healthier, more integrated community.

“Community HousingWorks and our partners envisioned the Kimball Highland Master Plan as integrating intergenerational homes, health care, and community amenities in a walkable urban village,” said Sean Spear,

president and CEO of Community HousingWorks. “We are proud to be collaborating with San Ysidro Health and the City of National City to bring this vision to life while demonstrating how the housing, health care, and public sectors can come together to enhance our“We’recommunities.”thrilled to partner with Community Housing Works and the City of National City for our San Ysidro Health - Kimball Highland site. This $50 million, 44,000 square ft. state-of-theart, two-story facility and investment in health equity will integrate our Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) on the first floor and on the second floor, our Federally Qualified Health Center focused on the healthcare needs of our low-income, Medi-Cal and uninsured families of all ages,” said Kevin Mattson, President and

See SAN YSIDRO

Brightly colored autumn leaves

Brightly colored fall San Diego pumpkin patch

Beautiful autumn apples harvested from Julian

National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Community HousingWorks President and CEO Sean Spear, San Ysidro Health Executive Vice President Veronica de la Rosa, and National City council members during the ground breaking ceremony (photo by Zen Ply)

Conversation with County Assessor Candidate

Jordan Marks: Running on his record of Customer Service

By Joe Gar Banzos

SAN DIEGO, CA -- The two words that Mr. Marks use frequently when you interview the candidate for San Diego County Assessor is Customer Service. He prides himself as a candidate who puts customer service for the county’s taxpayers a priority.

When asked where the inspiration for customer service comes from; Mr. Marks has a personal answer.

He credits his mother, a single mom, as a reminder and source of inspiration. He remembers growing up, when his mother had to deal with government agencies and bureaucracies, the experience was not always pleasant and can be frustrating. Easy example is with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Frustration and inconvenience are all too common experience for many individuals. It is not exaggeration to say, customer experience doing business with government agencies is impersonal and can be unfriendly.

Mr. Marks vowed then, and as a county agency administrator now, to lead an agency that offers better service to all regardless of means and status. He offers an example of what good customer service looks like. “I put customers first. When Covid shut down all government offices, our Assessor/ Recorder/Clerk office found a way to safely remain open while performing weddings. We converted an outdoor snack shop into a “Marriage Hut.” The State of California commended the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/ Clerk’s team for coming up with an innovative solution”, Mr. Marks claims proudly.

Who is Jordan Marks?

Mr. Marks is married to Eva Moreno Marks. They have a son. He was first elected, 20 years ago, as a student trustee at Mira Costa College and then went on to UCLA, SUNY Buffalo and studied tax law at Georgetown Law School. He is a licensed Certified Property Tax appraiser and an attorney.

He has background in business, as an entrepreneur and was also involved in non-profit organization. He moved to state government when he was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown

SAN YSIDRO

Continued from page 2

CEO of San Ysidro Health. “Lastly, accompanying our innovative healthcare facility will be a three-story mechanical underground parking structure. We are excited to offer expanded access to care as we will add 20 medical exam rooms, 10 dental operatories, six individual and one large group session rooms for new behavioral health services. When we open our doors, our projections for the first year are to serve approximately 20,000 community members, generate 61,000 visits and create a range of 200 to 250 permanent jobs. San Ysidro Health - Kimball Highland has been thoughtfully planned out to facilitate availability, accessibility, and continuity of services in order to eliminate barriers to healthcare access and the best health for our National City families.”

CHW obtained financing for Kimball Highland Apartments in part through Bank of America’s private investment of including $37.4M in low-income tax credits, and a $59.5M a construction loan. “Kimball Highland represents the significant positive impact that publicprivate partnerships can make for a community and its residents,” said Rick Bregman, President of Bank of America San Diego. “This transformational master-planned community led by Community HousingWorks will bring needed homes, health care and other resources to residents as part of National City’s larger redevelopment vision. Bank of America is proud to be part of this effort to bring high quality and service-rich affordable housing to the region.”Additional funding for Kimball Highland Apartments includes a $13.5M loan from the City of National City and $28.6M from the Mixed Income Program (MIP) of the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday, August 16, at 1221 D Avenue in National City at 10 a.m.

National City Mayor Alejandra SoteloSolis, Community HousingWorks President and CEO Sean Spear, San Ysidro Health Executive Vice President of Operations Veronica dela Rosa and National City council members participated in the ground breaking ceremony with hard hats and shovel to commemorate the milestone event.

to advocate for taxpayers in the State of California. He is presently a Chief Deputy in the County Assessor’s Office, leading the Taxpayer Advocacy efforts. The County Assessor/ Recorder/Clerk’s agency has 450 employees and a $80 million budget.

The office administers property taxes, vital records such as realty records, birth, death, marriage certificates, issuance of marriage licenses and performs civil weddings. What is the Assessor’s Clerk Office?

The Assessor’s Office responsibilities are supposed to be non-political. Nowadays, however, everything drips with politics. The

general election contest on Nov. 8th between Mr. Marks and Barbara Bry are supposed to be a race between two Independents. Ms. Bry was a member of the San Diego City Council in California, representing District 1. She assumed office in 2016. She left office on December 14, 2020. She was recently endorsed by SD Democratic Party. It will remain to be seen if party endorsements will make a difference in the outcome of the vote.

The San Diego County Assessor/ Recorder/Clerk is an important county agency. Its primary responsibilities are broad and affect the lives all residents, at a certain point of time. Here is a list of what the office is charged with:

(1) locating, identifying and appraising all vacant land, improved real estate, business property, and certain mobile homes, boats and aircraft for property tax purposes;

(2) providing public notice by accepting and recording legal instruments (documents) required by law upon payment of proper fees and taxes as well as maintaining birth, marriage and death records and indexes for San Diego County.

(3) issuing marriage licenses and performing civil marriage ceremonies; registering Fictitious Business Name Statements, notaries public, process servers and professional photocopiers. to assess, record, collect and implement

the tax laws in the county.

Approach to Business Community

Mr. Marks approach to business can be summed up by his emphatic statement. “I will put your business first and make the process easier and transparent, so you are not overtaxed!” He related a story. “During the pandemic I walked door to door across San Diego County as a board member of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber along with the Asian Business Association to check on small businesses and ensure they have the resources they need to survive.”

He continues, “using my property tax knowledge and the law, we reduced small business taxes by over $11 million dollars so they could keep their doors open”. Again, the theme of customer service adds flavors to his stories. “We expanded services online to reduce wait times for those in line that want help in person. We located our office across the county because not everyone should have to drive downtown to receive help.”

Mr. Marks’ Endorsements

Mr. Marks received the San Diego County Taxpayer Watchdog award for creating innovative programs that led to “unprecedented property tax savings” for San Diegans: $18.9 million for disabled veterans, $32 million for homeowners, and $200 million to help renters, small businesses, homeless

services and affordable housing providers.Mr.Marks

claims that providers from Homeless Service have endorsed him. Providers have said “Jordan’s tax knowledge and well-run Assessor/ Recorder/Clerk office helped us deliver more homeless housing and wrap around services, key to solving San Diego County’s homeless crisis.”

The San Diego County Firefighters endorsed Jordan “the only experienced candidate for Assessor with the training and leadership we trust to protect our homes. Jordan wrote the law that protects San Diegans devastated by

wildfires from being punished with additional taxes when they went to rebuild their homes and lives.”

Caveat Emptor – Information; Not Endorsement This article is intended to be informational, not an endorsement. The aim is to help voters learn more about candidates running in the Nov. 8th general election. This article is on the race for County Assessor’s Clerk office. Future articles will profile other candidates running for elected office. Filipino Press is a non-partisan community newspaper. Please register and vote.

Group lauds PBBM order vs. hoarders to lower sugar prices

MANILA -- The Samahang Industriya at Agrikultura (SINAG) on Wednesday lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order for the government to continue exercising visitorial powers in sugar warehouses as well as hold talks with supermarkets to lower market prices nationwide.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, SINAG president Rosendo So said the sector truly appreciates the move of Marcos in the aftermath of the sugar importation fiasco.

“It's a very good achievement of the President to speak with supermarket owners to lower their prices. Of course, we are expecting that next month, the price will be even lower because we have seen our local millers only selling for PHP45 and the import price was at PHP43 plus a 5-percent tariff. So we are expecting it to be lower than PHP70,” he said.

So noted that the President made it clear that the local producers will be prioritized. So also agreed that the shortage was artificial.

“Ang sabi niya tingnan mabuti ‘yung local kung maraming stocks, i-prioritize ang local producers, anong kulang lang ‘yun ang ipasok. Nakikita naman natin na wala talagang shortage, and nag-panic lang siguro lahat dahil nag-announce ang SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) na may kulang kaya umangkat"ThePresident wanted to know if we have enough local supply. If we do, local producers should be prioritized. Then if we still have a shortage, that's the only time we should import. We can see there is really no shortage. Everybody panicked only after the Sugar Regulatory Administration announced an importation due to shortage,” he added.

Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles, meanwhile, assured the public that investigations on possible hoarding are also ongoing.

“Let’s wait for the results of the investigation. Others have assumed that their actions are legal and legitimate. If these are not smuggled, we are also investigating whether or not they were hoarded. Both the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) are conducting their probe,” she said.

She added that these procedures help the DA-SRA secure valid inputs on the actual market status, and determine if supplemental importation is Cruz-Angeles,needed. however, clarified that the implementation of lowered PHP70/kilo sugar prices in supermarkets is only “voluntary and with a limited period” only.

She also said that the government will ensure that the setup would not be disadvantageous to small retailers even if the period gets extended.

“If this gets extended or the President [asks for its extension], or if the effects would be too dire for them, then the government will respond,” she said.

Earlier this week, the DA said that sugar prices in the market may further improve and be lowered to PHP60/kilo. It also said that the sugar supply in the country is sufficient until December.

Sugar prices seen to stabilize ‘in a month’s time,’ says SRA

The retail prices of sugar are expected to stabilize in about a month as milling season begins, the Sugar Regulatory Administration

(SRA) said Wednesday.

SRA Acting Administrator David Alba said that sugar milling has already started and full operations are expected in mid-September.

“It will take about a month until it reaches Manila. In a month’s time ma-stabilize na ang presyo (prices will stabilize),” Alba said.

The SRA chief said that prices of refined sugar may “go over P80 per kilo.”Data from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) monitoring as of August 22 showed that the prevailing price of refined sugar is at P100 per kilo while washed sugar and brown sugar are sold at P75 per kilo and P70 per kilo,

Meanwhile,respectively.somesupermarkets have started refined white sugar for P70 per kilo, but purchase is limited to one kilo per customer.

Earlier, the Palace said that owners of Robinsons Supermarket, SM Supermarket, and Puregold Supermarket have agreed to sell sugar at P70 per kilo.

Sugar is on the spotlight following the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4), authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar which was later on deemed “illegal” as it was signed without the knowledge and expressed approval of the President, who as the concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture also sits as the chairman of the Sugar Board.

Signatories of the controversial order, including Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, board member Atty. Roland Beltran, and Sugar Regulatory Administration administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, have quit from their posts.

Marcos earlier rejected the proposal to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar despite the increasing prices of the basic commodity due to supply constraints.

The Department of Agriculture earlier said there is a shortage of about 300,000 metric tons of sugar as local production was affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette late last year.

BOC discovers 466K sacks of raw sugar in 3 CDO warehouses Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents in Northern Mindanao found around 466,142 sacks of raw sugar during surprise visits to several warehouses in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday.

Acting on orders from the Office of the President (OP), operatives from the Bureau, armed with a Letter of Authority (Reference No. 08-22165-2022) and a Mission Order (No. 08-22-2022-536), conducted the examination in three warehouses of Crystal Sugar Milling located at North Poblacion in Cagayan de Oro City where they discovered the thousands of sacks of raw sugar.

In a statement Wednesday, the bureau said the operation was initiated based on intelligence reports that the owners are allegedly engaged in the hoarding of stocks of sugar.Initial investigation by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) indicated that of the total inventoried sugar, some 264,000 sacks were said to have been already sold to traders but the stocks have not yet been withdrawn from the warehouse.

According to the warehouse manager identified as Javier Sagarbarria, the Crystal Sugar Milling produces 2 million bags of sugar a year.

He added that “the one holding or safekeeping the documents was not around” when authorities demanded copies of sugar transaction documents to verify if the numbers would confirm that the discovered sugar is an authorized stock.

Customs agents from Northern Mindanao were assisted by a representative from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) as well as security units provided by the local units of the military and police based in the municipality of Maramag in Bukidnon province.

Earlier, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced that the BOC and other agencies are continuously inspecting sugar warehouses, in accordance with the intensified campaign of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against the illegal importation of agricultural products.“The government crackdown against hoarders and profiteers is part of the campaign of the Marcos government to bring down the price of sugar,” she said.

In less than a week, simultaneous operations were conducted by the BOC, the SRA, and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to inspect sugar warehouses in Deparo, Caloocan City; Balut in Tondo and San Nicolas in Manila; Rosales, Pangasinan; San Fernando, Pampanga; Ibaan, Batangas; and Davao.

A few days after the Chief Executive met with owners of Robinsons Supermarket, SM Supermarket, and Puregold, prices of sugar in their Metro Manila stores dropped to PHP70 per kilo from a high of PHP110 per kilo a few weeks back.Over the weekend, four warehouses in Guiguinto, Bulacan jointly inspected by the BOC, SRA and the DA yielded at least 60,000 bags of suspected hoarded sugar.

The huge volume of sugar discovered in various inspected warehouses in Luzon and lately in Mindanao has led Palace officials to conclude that the sugar shortage was artificial, caused mainly by the hoarding of the commodity by traders who want to profit from the sudden spike in prices.

6 BOC officials ‘reassigned’ amid sugar smuggling probe

At least six Customs officials have been transferred to the Office of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner pending results of the investigation into alleged smuggling of sugar products at the Port of Subic in Zambales, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

Press Secretary Trixie-Cruz Angeles confirmed in a Palace briefing the transfer of the BOC officials because of their supposed participation in the smuggling of sugar from Thailand.

The transferred Customs personnel were Maritess Martin, district collector; Maita Acevedo, deputy collector for assessment; Giovanni Ferdinand Leynes, deputy collector for operations; Belinda Lim, chief of assessment division; Vincent Mark Malasmas, Enforcement Security Service (ESS) commander; and Justice Roman Geli, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) supervisor."In-assign sila o trinansfer sila sa Office of the Commissioner (They have been transferred to the Office of the [BOC] Commissioner), while

Cayetano: DepEd, PS-DBM have 'a lot of explaining to do' on overpriced laptops

MANILA --"Anyare?"

This was the question Senator Alan Peter Cayetano asked on Thursday during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the purchase of allegedly overpriced laptops by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

In his opening statement, Cayetano said the DepEd and the PS-DBM "have a lot of explaining to do" since Filipinos are already having a hard time due to the pandemic without having to contend with the anomalous purchase of laptops.

"Sa DepEd family at sa DBM, please explain today, and I'll start with the question: Ano nangyari?

Anyare?"lCayetano also noted that members of Congress worked hard to pass the Bayanihan to Recover as One (Bayanihan II) Act so that, among others, the laptops could be given within three months.

"Ilang araw naming tinrabaho ang Bayanihan II, grabe po ang trabaho namin dyan at in-assure kami na in three months kaya 'yang bilhin, ipamimigay agad para sa 2021 at 2022 budget meron na tayong ilalagay na laptop o tablet para sa mga bata. Pero end of 2021 hindi pa rin nadidistribute ito," he said.

"We were assured that the laptops will be delivered in three months. How come at the end of 2021, the laptops were not yet delivered? Anyare? Anyare? Anyare?" he added.

The Senator said he wants to hold the entire Department accountable. "I'm not talking about one person or the Secretary here. I'm talking about the Department, the USec, the Asec, the Director, y'ung head niyo ng finance. Bakit hindi niyo binid at binilisan?" Cayetano said.

He said while it was the DBM that conducted the bidding and the procurement, it was the DepEd that received the laptops without duly questioning the price and specifications of the units.

"[The DepEd officials] spoke too soon in saying na DBM-PS lang 'yan, because according to COA, pumayag ang DepEd sa P58,000," he said. "Meron naman po kayong BAC (Bids and Awards Committee), bakit naman po lahat pinapasan sa DBM-PS at anong nangyari?" he added.

He said the anomalous procurement hindered the possibility of having a big allocation for the information technology equipment for students and teachers in the 2023 budget.

"So instead of 2021 [budget] and 2022 [budget], and two days ago 2023 budget, instead na 'yan ay may napakalaking pondo para sa tablet at laptop sa estudyante, sa Alternative Learning System, at sa teachers, because the experiment that we put in Bayanihan II ay hindi tinutukan at tinapon sa DMB-PS at nagkandaloko-loko ang presyo," Cayetano said.

"Ngayon lang ako nakakita na P45,000 y'ung mid range (laptop) but P58,000 y'ung entry level [...] Walang papeles kung bakit iniba ng DBM-PS y'ung recommendation. Kung iibahin mo y'ung presyo, dapat sabihin mo bakit tumaas ang presyo. Pero ang question, bakit in-approve din ng DepEd?" he added.

"Sobra na po ang pagluluksa ng ating mga kababayan sa COVID, sa

taas ng presyo, sa mga problema [...] Y'ung buhay ng ating mga kababayan ay apektado nitong lahat," "My hope after this hearing, 'wag naman sanang maulit pa sa ibang departamento ito para bumalik naman ang tiwala ng tao sa ating gobyerno."

TV5 asked to submit clearances to secure NTC approval

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Wednesday said TV5 Network Inc. should submit clearances from various national government agencies and local government units before its investment agreement with ABSCBN Corp. is approved by the NTC.

During a hearing of the House committees on legislative franchises and trade and industry, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said a memorandum order has been issued requiring a franchise holder to have no outstanding obligations to the national and local governments before it could enter into a commercial contract with another entity.

"So for purposes of this, bago po namin aprubahan ang isang commercial agreement entered into na may jurisdiction ang National Telecommunications Commission ay hihingi po kami ng clearances doon po sa kontrata ng franchise holder and that includes clearances from the Department of Finance, nandyan po kasi ang Bureau of Internal Revenue, and nandiyan din po ang Bureau of Customs," Cordoba said.

Cordoba said the NTC would also issue clearances if the franchise holder has no outstanding obligations or pending administrative case.

The NTC also requires the franchise holder to ask for clearances from the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as the local government units regarding local taxes or real property taxes.

Cordoba said the commission would enforce the collection of taxes to raise more revenues for the government, especially to fund its response and recovery efforts to the coronavirus pandemic.

"So kung ito po ay itutuloy ng TV 5 ang kanilang (So if TV5 would continue its) transaction with ABSCBN then we would ask for the said clearances to be submitted to the NTC before we can approve the commercial agreement that they entered into," he said.SEC General Counsel Romuald Padilla, for his part, said ABS-CBN initially "refused to comply" with the commission's directive to submit copies of the investment agreement by only providing SEC with an executive summary of the deal with TV5. Padilla said the disclosure of material facts was "not full or complete" that would enable the investors to make an informed decision.

He said ABS-CBN only submitted redacted copies of the investment agreement after the SEC issued a show-cause letter.

He, however, stressed the need for the SEC to further examine the provisions of the agreement to determine whether the shares, notes, and transactions covered therein are exempt from registration under applicable provisions of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).

Meanwhile, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) officer-in-charge Johannes Bernabe

said the commission would look into whether the transaction between the two networks would likely or substantially lessen competition in the industry."The basis for conducting a motu-propio review will have to also include an initial assessment of whether the transaction is likely to cause a lessening of competition based on a very cursory examination of the facts," Bernabe said.

According to a statement, ABSCBN Corp. and TV5 Network Inc. have agreed to delay the closure of their investment agreement to address the issues raised by legislators and the NTC."This pause will give the space for both media organizations to respond to the issues, and accommodate any relevant changes to the terms," the two networks said.

Earlier, the ABS-CBN Corporation announced its plan to acquire 6.46 million new common shares of the TV5 Network Inc., representing 34.99 percent of its total voting and outstanding capital stock for PHP2.16 billion.Following the acquisition, MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. -- the operator of TV5 -- will have 64.79 percent of voting and capital stock and would still have controlling stock of the network.

PH has sufficient salt supply, DTI says after price hike

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday assured that the country has a sufficient supply of salt.The assurance came after the DTI approved an increase in salt prices.

"On the issue of supply, we have sufficient supply," Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said during the Laging Handa program, noting that the country would not experience a supply shortage as it has four large salt manufacturers and plenty of imported salt.

Castelo explained that the recent price hikes for salt were granted because these prices have been unchanged for roughly six years.

"Itong mga manufacturers na ito ay sobrang tagal na na hindi nagtataas ng presyo. Parang umabot na ng four, five, six years bago sila nag-request ulit. So sa computations natin, talaga namang dapat lang na itaas natin ang presyo (These manufacturers have not adjusted the prices of salt. It took about four, five, six years before they asked for the price hike. So, based on our computations, it is necessary to increase the price)," she said.

Based on the DTI's suggested retail price (SRP) bulletin released on August 12, the prices of several salt brands have increased.

The SRP for iodized rock salt was set at PHP21.75 for 500 grams and PHP23 for 1 kg.

The DTI also approved the PHP4.50 SRP for a 100-gram pack of iodized salt; PHP9 to PHP12.75 for 250 grams; PHP16 to PHP23.25 for 500 grams; and PHP29 for 1 kg.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier bared its plan to improve the local production of salt to stop the country's dependence on imports. This was after the DA noted that the Philippines imports about 550,000 metric tons of salt every year, or approximately 93 percent of the country's salt requirement. (MNS)

OPENING-DAY BLUES. A teacher engages Kindergarten students in physical activities at the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Barangay 176, Caloocan City on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022). The teacher said 22 out of her expected 30 pupils attended the first day of classes.(MNS photo)

RAINY DAY WOES. Commuters shield themselves from the rain while waiting to get a ride along Commonwealth Avenue, in Quezon City on Tuesday (Aug. 23, 2022). According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Metro Manila will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains due to the prevailing tropical storm. (MNS photo)

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Greetings!

My dear readers think about the best teacher you’ve had. What was he or she worth to you?

As schools in the United States open for the 2022-2023 academic year, a teacher shortage more than a decade in the making has hit crisis levels, dramatically worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

While you – my dear folks –may have heard about this present teachershortages here in the U.S., you may not realize just how severely understaffed some states really are. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) projects there will be a demand for approximately 300,000 new teachers nationwide and a supply of just over 100,000 by 2024.

Teacher shortages have ravaged a handful of states more drastically than others. Fortunately, many states are taking a proactive approach and offering additional incentives to attract new hires. Certainly, there are many career opportunities for teachers, especially those willing to relocate.Acurrent news update on the U.S. teacher shortage crisis shows the following statistics: Nevada students started school on August 8, 2022 with a shortage of 1,400 teachers. Florida is recruiting military Veterans without a license to help the Teacher shortage and Polk County has hired 60 international Teachers. Georgia is attempting to recruit retired Teachers – with little success. New Jersey is implementing a pilot program to allow individuals with workforce experience to pursue a Teaching Certificate even if they don’t have the grades or higher education requirements. Texas’ rural districts are implementing a 4-day school week to alleviate the Teacher shortage. Houston, Texas currently has over 2,200 teaching vacancies. New York announced new investments into the education system to help remedy the teacher shortage. From large incentives to recruit retired educators and those who left the profession to accelerating the teacher certification process and providing school districts with billions in funding. Daly City, California is offering affordable housing to their Teachers with greatly reduced rent prices. School districts across the country are planning to spend billions on staff retention, attrition, bonuses, and pay increase. The U.S. Department of Education partners with school districts across the country to address the teacher shortage – full press release ed.gov

There’s no doubt about it that for years, the U.S. public education system has dealt with sweeping teacher shortages. Last year, the deficiencies were worsening. Reasons for the teacher scarcity range from low teacher pay to large class sizes, difficulty with teacher retention to burnout from the coronavirus. The staffing issues tend to affect some states more than others, but most jurisdictions have difficulty hiring and retaining employees.These shortages have been magnified over the past 3 years. As a result teacher shortages in 2022 could continue to persist. As we head back to school we are already seeing massive shortages in Texas, Nevada, Florida and Arizona as school resumes this August 2022. These shortages are exacerbated by the lack of substitute teachers as teaching jobs remain vacant into the 2022-2023 school years.

While this shortage can have dire consequences if left unresolved, it also means plenty of career opportunities for aspiring teachers.

So, amid this U.S. national teacher shortage, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino teachers are coming to the rescue!

Indeed, the sixth-largest school district in the nation, Broward County Public Schools in Florida has found one more way to fill many vacant positions going into the school year: hiring “kababayan” educators from our beloved old homeland, the Philippines. About 102 Filipino teachers have either already arrived in schools, or are on their way to schools in the coming weeks.“It’s overwhelming,” Artie Marforie, a new science teacher from the Philippines at Westpine Middle School, said to Superintendent Vickie Cartwright when she visited his classroom on Tuesday, August 16 for the first day of school.

His door was next to Onofre Bejoni’s, another new teacher from the Philippines who also will be teaching science. “I am adjusting to my environment. Hopefully in a matter of days or weeks I get

acclimated.”TheWillmar Public School District in Minnesota will have four women from the Philippines when the school year there starts Sept. 6. All are experienced teachers who speak fluent English.

Filling teaching positions and other jobs in this district has been a struggle in recent years. Even with the four “kababayan” teachers coming, the district continues to have multiple openings for teachers, paraprofessionals and other positions according to its Human Resources Director.“They’re going to be teaching the same subjects and the same curriculum, and they’ll bring their flavor just like any other individual would,” the HR director observed.

“I’m excited…it’s something so new, to have people from another country under an exchange program like this.”

Filipino teachers are also filling a major need in Polk County Public Schools in Florida. Students there are now getting a one-of-a-kind learning experience from a worldlier point of view.

“The students win when they gain a qualified teacher in a critical subject area. The teachers win. They get to share strategies and learn new things. The schools win by gaining certified qualified educators,” one district official commented.

“It’s my dream to be here in the United States of America. Ever since I was a little kid I envisioned myself to be a teacher here,” presumed our “kababayan” Angelbert Mariano, who’s now teaching middle school. He has never been to the U.S. before now.The new teachers are provided with housing and employed under the J-1 visas.

The Polk County Public Schools superintendent hopes it remind people of the importance of public education, “We’re going to have to do a better job of marketing public education and all the benefits that people get from it, It’s a true investment. It is a calling. People don’t go into education for the monetary reward. They go into it because many of them are servant leaders.”Inthe Lower Kuskokwim School District of Alaska, the teachers have been arriving from the Philippines with only a few months before the start of the school year. With dozens of teaching positions to fill, the district looked outside the United States for solutions.

Our “kababayan” Socrates Embesan, who will be teaching

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mathematics and science in the city of Chefornak was college math professor in the province of Tarlac which he says is much like his remote Alaskan new home.

With a family growing faster than his salary, he took the chance to teach in Alaska right away, to earn four or five times more than in the Philippines. He will be sending part of his pay to family members back home.Atotal of ten new teachers from the Philippines were hired by Lower Kuskokwim School District this year. Other Filipino teachers who had been hired before welcomed the newcomers. The new Filipino teachers are planning to stay at least three years on J-1 visas, but first they’ll need to survive their first winter.Ignacio School District in Colorado is hiring a teacher from the Philippines for the 2022-23 school years. Four years ago, the district hired two teachers from the Philippines and “they’re great,” declared Superintendent Christopher

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de Kay.Whether local or international, “We just want to bring in really good people,” he postulated. “People who will stay; we are willing to deal with visas, and support new teachers with staff housing and mentors. Welcoming teachers from other countries and cultures is one clear way to get teachers here…Now.”

Desperate to fill teacher shortages, U.S. schools are without a doubt in mind hiring teachers from overseas…and definitely Filipino teachers are their top choice for signing

Whenon.Joevie Alvarado became a teacher, she never expected to teach American students 7,600 miles away. But as I have stated several times above, a dire shortage of American teachers means some schools are taking drastic measures – like hiring teachers from half a world away.

“For the first year, it’s a little bit of a struggle because I’m the kind of person who misses family that easily,” said Alvarado, who taught for a decade in the Philippines before

moving to Arizona. But “in terms of pay, let’s just say my previous pay was multiplied by eight or 10 when I got here,” she explained. “So having that kind of pay, it enticed me to be here.”

Indeed, some parents may be surprised to learn their children are now being taught by international teachers.Theprincipal at Casa Grande High School when Alvarado was hired reiterated there’s not much choice.“When you really don’t have any other applicants, how are you going to fill those spots?” the principal supposed.Arizona alone had 7,000 teacher vacancies going into year 2019. Some of those vacancies are filled by people who don’t have a standard teaching certificate. Others are being plugged by long-term substitutes, contracted agencies or teachers who must pass an additional course to their day. So schools like Casa Grande have hired several Filipino teachers using J-1 visas. Those visas allow teachers to stay in the U.S. for up to five years.

Alvarado is one of several Filipino teachers in their fourth year at Casa Grande teaching science – a notoriously hard subject to fill with American“Peopleteachers.thathave math and science degrees can make so much more money in research and in analytics and in other areas that their degree opens door to,” the president of the Arizona Education Association stated.

“The average starting pay (for teachers) in Arizona is about $36, 300.” While that salary may seem paltry for many Americans, Filipino teachers like Noel Que say their jobs in the U.S. are much more lucrative, allowing them to live better.

“You can buy anything here –not like back home,” remarked Que, who teaches high school biology and biotechnology at Casa Grande.

“We can eat whatever we want. We can buy whatever we want of the salary that we’re getting…We just need to budget that salary that we’reQue,getting.”likeother Filipino teachers at his school, lives with roommates to cut down on expenses.

While teaching in America has brought financial rewards, there are also emotional costs.

Que said he made the difficult decision to move from the Philippines to Arizona leaving his family

“Thebehind.economic condition in the Philippines is very different…it is not really enough,” he explained.

“There is always a trade-off in everything that you want to get. I want this job (for) for my family, and then the trade-off of that is I need to leave them there first.”

But ultimately, Que declared he made the right decision.

“I’m a family man, so it’s like my responsibility to provide for my family, for my parents, also for my mom most specially,” he said. “Half of my money goes back home and then half stays with me.”

Que and Alvarado came to the US through one of several placement agencies that connects foreign teachers with American schools in need. It’s a booming business. In some cases, Filipino teachers’ pay an upfront fee, and the agency sets up the online interviews, tests and

paperwork.“Thewhole process just took two months for us to complete everything,” Alvarado noted.

Over the past decade, the number of Filipino teachers coming to the U.S. to teach on J-1 visas increased from 21 to almost 800, according to the U.S. State Department.

But for the $64,000 Question, why do many Filipino teachers get selected to go to the US?

“Filipinos are very known to be patient and hardworking, and that’s probably one of the reasons why mostly Filipinos are the participants of the J-1 (visa) teacher program,” Alvarado presumed.

And unlike some teachers in the U.S. who aren’t certified in the subjects they teach, both Alvarado and Que have years of expertise in science.“It’s a win-win scenario,” Que said.“It’s a very good opportunity for the Filipinos to come here in America, to experience the life that we have here rather than the one that is being told to us or the one that we look at (in) the movies,” he observed.

“I think it is also beneficial for the state (where) the number of teachers lacking, especially on subjects like science, math, special education, things like that,” Que added.

“And they look into the Philippines, because many of our teachers are actually qualified on the subjects that they are teaching… We are not just certified, we are very qualified.”

However, the clock is ticking nonetheless; regardless of how many Filipino teachers love their students, or how much student and school districts love them, everyone knows their time in the U.S. is limited.

Alvarado said some of her students know she has to go back to the Philippines. They make it a point to tell her how grateful they are.

“It makes me feel so good when they would say, ‘Miss I am very happy that you are one of my teachers because I’ve learned a lot from you,’” Alvarado admitted.

“When it comes to that point, when they would say thank you, it’s a reward to myself that I have touched probably some lives of these people. But it’s just so sad that we have to say goodbye.”Imust note that after two years of disrupted and inadequate learning, confidence in the American public school system is near an alltime low. Teaching is a tough job, no doubt, with fewer takers. We’re just not producing educators! This was before COVID-19 exacerbated problems, pushing teachers toward the exits. And who could blame

them?Unarguably, to attract better local candidates, school districts should give American teachers what they’re worth. Otherwise, international educators such as those coming from our old country – the Philippineswill continue to fill in a major need in the U.S. education system.

I do agree native teachers make the best sense; teachers who have a tendency to stick come locally. Until we accomplish this as Americans, it’s reasonable to throw open the doors and invite teachers of the world such as our “kababayans” to America’s school districts in its hour of need.

Mabuhay!

MANILA -- Malacañang on Tuesday released the list of regular holidays and special non-working days for 2023 under Proclamation 42 signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday.

The following days are declared as regular holidays and special days for 2023:

Regular Holidays

January 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day

April 9 (Sunday) – Araw ng Kagitingan

April 6 – Maundy Thursday

April 7 – Good Friday

May 1 (Monday) – Labor Day

June 12 (Monday) – Independence Day

August 28 (last Monday of August)

– National Heroes Day November 30 (Thursday) –Bonifacio Day December 25 (Monday) –

Christmas Day December 30 (Saturday) – Rizal Day

Special Non-Working Days February 1 (Tuesday) – Chinese New FebruaryYear25 (Saturday) – EDSA

People Power Revolution

AprilAnniversary8–Black Saturday August 21 (Monday) – Ninoy Aquino Day

November 1 (Wednesday) –All Saints' Day December 8 (Friday) – Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion of DecemberMary 31 (Sunday)Last Day of the Year

Additional Special Non-Working NovemberDay 2 (Thursday)All Souls' ProclamationDay 42 emphasizes the need to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Edsa People Power

A BROKEN PIPELINE: The increasing politicization of the public education field is one of the issues contributing to the U.S. teachers'

FOR EQUAL WORK: While foreign educators and U.S.born teachers in her school district are on the same pay scale, Joevie Alvarado said her salary in Arizona is at least eight times higher than what she made in the Philippines. taught for years in the Philippines before coming to Arizona to teach high school biology

On Wednesday, the PNP chief said some kidnapping incidents wherein the victims would end up dead in other areas are criminal incidents that are highlighted in both traditional and social media and are now being attended to by the police.

“There is no breakdown of law and order. The peace and order situation in the entire country is still manageable. There are crimes that are highlighted in different platforms but definitely, the crime rate is still low and we continuously aspire to bring it down further,” he added.

The issue of peace and order in the country has been highlighted in the past days over incidents of kidnappings and other high-profile crimes that include rape and murder.

In Batangas, a man who was forcibly taken by armed men in Taal town ended up dead in Quezon on Aug. 17 while four people were found dead inside an abandoned car in Rodriguez town, Rizal province on Aug. 22.

However, some incidents were immediately resolved by the police, including the killing of a 15-year-old girl in Bulacan and another recent rape-slay case in Malabon.

Azurin, however, sees the positive side of the highlighted criminal incidents, saying these manifest the active participation of the public in reporting crime.

“The series of crimes were highlighted because this is the first time that the different sectors of the community are starting to report the crimes they would witness. And we in the PNP are happy about it because it makes the start of the investigation easier. The rescue and police assistance of the alleged victims are attended to because they are all over the media,” he added.

On Tuesday, a pursuit operation led to the arrest of the prime suspect in the Aug. 22 rape-slay of 29-yearold Lovely Ann Villagomez in Malabon City.

The suspect, 26-year-old Jaemark Reyes, a construction worker, was arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group

(CIDG) Northern Metro Manila and the Malabon City Police Station in Malolos City, Bulacan.

Reyes was identified through gathered information, review of the closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage, statements from witnesses, and the suspect’s revelation of his crime to his relatives.The police immediately proceeded to Malolos City to locate the suspect where they reached the residence of Benito Fernandez, the grandfather of the suspect, who confirmed that the suspect is sleeping inside his house.

The suspect was called to come out and was positively identified by the police, resulting in his arrest.

In plain view, police found the black sports bag he was carrying and the yellow shirt and dark shorts he was wearing when he was captured by CCTV in Malabon City.

ACG to intensify online patrols, validation of 'trending' videos

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNPACG) on Thursday directed all

police units to intensify cyber patrolling and validate all "trending" videos posted on social media.

ACG chief, Brig. Gen. Joel Doria, gave the order following another viral video where a woman was heard crying for help because of alleged attempted rape.

Doria cited the need to check the legitimacy of these materials as some photos and videos turned out to be recycled incidents that have already been resolved by the police while some are manipulated due to different motives such as attracting more followers or putting the government in a bad light.

He, meanwhile, acknowledged the role of social media in making the public aware of these incidents.

"This is a clear manifestation of the community coming out into the open and responding to the PNP’s call for help in the country’s peace and order situation where they play an active part of support to the organization," he said in a statement.

Doria also ordered ACG units to

ensure that malicious or fake videos are taken down to prevent undue panic among the public.

On Wednesday, the PNP dismissed anew rumors that a serial killer and members of a criminal group aboard a white van are behind the series of reported killings and disappearances of several Interiorindividuals.Secretary

Benjamin Abalos Jr., meanwhile, said he has asked PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to submit a report on the series of reported killings that stirred public alarm, especially amid the start of in-person classes this year.

ROTC return to make vibrant army reserve -- Tolentino Senator Francis Tolentino is anticipating the return of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

and an empowered Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM).

Tolentino, who is a Brigadier General of the Philippine Army Reserve Force, made the statement during the inauguration on Wednesday of the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group's Military Police (NCR-RCDG MP) Building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City under the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program.

"Malapit na pong manumbalik ang ROTC. Yan po ang nakikita ko. Kaya napaghandaan na po natin ito (ROTC is coming back soon. That's what I am seeing. And we have already prepared for this). The ARESCOM will be a vibrant community, a vibrant institution of the reserve force in the months and the years ahead," Tolentino said in

his message.

He said that ARESCOM, which is currently being led by Brig. Gen. Fernando Felipe, will be having its own chapel, a new headquarters building, and a General Hospital within the year.

"Kung di ako nagkakamali (If I am not mistaken), 2-story or 3-story. We will have an ARESCOM General Hospital. Tapos na po yung (We are done with) ARESCOM Library. By October, sabi ni (according to) Gen. Felipe, tapos na po yung (we will be done with) ARESCOM Museum. Napakaganda po nun (It is very beautiful)," the lawmaker told NCRRCDG

Tolentinoofficers.urged the officers to be steadfast, not just in reassuring their command, but also in shaping future soldiers through the traditions of

Spiritual Life

Religion vs. Spirituality in a nutshell

The founders of the Filipino American Development Initiatives, Inc. had their reunion recently. I was so delighted to be with friends whom I haven’t seen for quite some time. Our conversation was multi-faceted and wide ranging; we shifted from one topic to another as we shared our own perspective on the subject at hand. Then we came to the subject of Religion. The group is heterogeneous when it comes to religion but as the discussion progressed we all agreed that religion should not divide us our own spirituality should unite us. Being religious and being spiritual are two different things. Religion is a thought process but spirituality is of the heart. Religion involves rituals but spirituality involves attitudes and feelings honed by our religious beliefs.

As a former traveling UNESCO consultant (on problems related to the use of drugs), I had the opportunity to observe religious practices of the Taoists in Taiwan, the Muslims of Malaysia, the Hindus in Indonesia and the Buddhists in Thailand. I found all these religions attractive in their rites and practices and I also found that my friends who practiced their respective religions are deeply spiritual. My friends took me, a Christian, into their fold and showed me the meaning of love as they dealt with members

S.AuroraCudal-Rivera My TestimonyPersonal

of their family, as they served the community and as they helped others. We found a common ground and that is LOVE. The core value of all religions is love towards your fellow human being and love is the core of spirituality. The first Bible verse that I memorized at my Sunday School kindergarten class was “God is love.”

I shared my experience in a Bible study class where the Bible study leader asked us to substitute “I” for “Love” in I Corinthians 13. Instead of reading, Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not boastful. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. We read aloud together, I am patient. I am kind. I am not boastful. I make no record of wrongs. It was then when I realized what love is.

How pleasant it is to carry on a two-hour conversation with friends without coming up with a negative topic about other people.

That’s why I love my friends in FADI, we may not see each other for a long period of time but when we come together we just picked up where we left off. Our conversations elevate the human spirit.Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. My focus is to thank God for loving and generous friends who have been kind and helpful to me in every way. I have lots of them here in San Diego. It is through their encouragement and support that I am able to do what I am doing as a community volunteer. Love is an action word, and definitely my friends has shown their love to me in many ways. I dedicate this Thanksgiving Day to Almightythem. God, thank you for giving me good and caring friends. Continue to bless each and every one of them and fill their hearts with peace, love and joy. Amen.

There is no fear in love...

A friend is a sky-diving, mountain-climbing, hang-gliding thrill-seeker, but in the cave he felt sheer panic. He was terrified. He tried fighting his fear, but he kept picturing his dead body moldering in the cave. Finally, he told his guide he was about to lose it, and the guide said, "Hey, close your eyes and listen to my voice. I will keep talking, calmly, and guide you through this. We will be okay. I have been here before. I will get you to the other side. But you must listen to my voice. It will not work for you to let your thoughts run wild. Just focus on my voice." He did so. What freed him from panic and fear was not trying hard to quit thinking fearful thoughts. It was listening to another voice.

What voice do you listen to when you're in the cave and it's dark, when the ceiling is low and you can't back out? The Spirit longs to flow in our minds all the time. One reason why people have found memorizing Scripture helpful is that it helps us listen to the voice of our guide when we are in the cave. We set our minds on those thoughts that equip us for life. God does not want us to live in worry or fear. He wants us to live with bold confidence in his power. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and selfdiscipline."

Danny Hernaez From Whom All FlowBlessings

In the Bible, we see a pattern in which God rarely sends people into situations where their comfort level is high. Rather He promises to be with them in their fear. It is God's presence - not comfortable circumstances - that brings people to the best version of themselves.

Paul said that when we live in the flow of the Spirit, he does not make us timid, but instead gives us power and love. This is not the only place in the Bible where we see a close connection between receiving love and living in power. The apostle John makes the same association in one of the most famous statements in the Bible: "There is no fear in love... perfect love casts out fear."

When we live in the flow of the Spirit, we let the perfect love of God wash over us until our fear begins to leave. Modern science has confirmed what John wrote so many centuries ago. Love and fear are literally incompatible in our bodies. God wants to love you

- and in loving you, to cast out yourJesusfear. was facing adversity when he told his followers that if they had faith, they could command a mountain and it would be cast into the sea. When my focus is on the mountain, I am driven by my fear. When my focus is on God, however, I am made alive by my faith. But if I did not have the mountain, I would not know that faith could be in

Useme. your imagination to picture being shepherded by the Lord in green pastures beside still waters. Is there any room for fear?

God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not. It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be. God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it.

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Sycuan Pow Wow to Host First Annual Fashion Show on Sept.

EL CAJON,CA-- Pow Wow is a sacred social gathering held each year by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. It is an event where Native American people come together to dance, sing, socialize and honor cultures, which includes dancing competitions with many types of traditional dances from other Native American Nations from all over the world in a weekend-long celebration. This year, Sycuan Pow Wow will be held on September 9 – 11, 2022. As Sycuan celebrates its 30th year of Pow Wow, this year will have a brandnew element: the first annual Sycuan Fashion Show. The fashion show aims to create a platform for Native American designers to showcase their

creativity and passion in the field of art with a specialization in jewelry and clothing fashion. The seasoned and upcoming designers will be coming from all over North America and some will be putting their designs for sale after the show. The show is on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Retreat Pool and Cabanas (Sycuan Casino Resort) 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, CA 92021

Native American designers include Osamuskwasis, Ro Tree, Ashley Garcia, Disa Tatoosis, JD Customs, Designs by Della, Benjamin Leedom, Cheyleen, Yazzie, Collins ProvostFields, Aresta Tsosie Paddock, KM Originals and more. To purchase tickets to the event, please visit

sycuanfashionshow.yapsody.com. Must be 21+ to attend the event.

About Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Members of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have resided in and around the foothills of the Dehesa Valley for more than 12,000 years. Today they are a modern government providing public services to their members, employees and neighbors.

The Sycuan Tribal Government operates one of the region’s premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, the Sycuan Casino Resort. The Sycuan Tribe demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through the support of hundreds of civic and charitable organizations.

Greetings in the Lord!

Today we celebrate the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the past several Sundays we have reflected on stewardship as the joyful response to the call of Jesus for discipleship. The last two Sunday readings dwelt on the consequence of being a disciple, namely, undergoing the paschal mystery by one who follows Jesus should die to himself, take up his cross in order to follow Jesus. Last Sunday the focus of the gospel was on the expectation a disciple would hope for in following Jesus. This desire is anchored on the hope to be able to enter into His Kingdom and be in communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. However, Jesus clearly indicated that entrance to His Kingdom may only be obtained by passing through the narrow gate, who is Jesus Christ Himself and following faithfully his teachings and obeying unquestionably his commandment, especially that of loving one’s neighbor as He has loved us.

The gospel message this Sunday relative to choosing the lowest place when invited to a banquet instead of choosing the places of honor at table, brings us back to the first step in the joyful response to the invitation of Jesus to discipleship through stewardship. This is the acknowledgement that God is the source of everything that we are and even everything that we have. This

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the investigation is ongoing," CruzAngeles said.

In an office order dated Aug. 22, acting BoC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz “temporarily transferred to the Office of the Commissioner” the six Customs officials, pending the results of the inquiry into the alleged smuggling of sugar from Thailand.

The order takes effect "immediately," based on a copy of the order released by the Office of the Press Secretary.

On Aug. 18, the BOC averted the possible smuggling of 140,000 bags of imported sugar from Thailand, which is equivalent to 7,021 metric tons.

The BOC learned that the import permit used for the cargo was “recycled.”According to the initial probe conducted by the BOC-CIIS, the said permit was already used in an old sugar allocation.

'Heads may Cruz-Angelesroll'said heads may roll if there is "sufficient" evidence against the BOC officials accused of being involved in the smuggling of sugar.

"Pagka-sufficient na yung ebidensya, reasonable na 'yung amount ng ebidensya, then subject to administrative proceedings na sila. Ang pinakamatinding penalties sa admin case ay dismissal from office, pero without prejudice to criminal charges. (If the evidence against them is sufficient and reasonable, then they will be subject to administrative proceedings. The most stringent penalty in an administrative case is dismissal from office, but without prejudice to criminal charges)," she said. The cargo vessel MV Bangpakaew was found to be loaded with 7,021 metric tons of Thailand white refined sugar equivalent to 140,000 bags and with a total tax payment valued at PHP45,623,007.Resultsofthe initial investigation found that the consignee of the smuggled sugar is Oro-Agritrade Inc., which is under the account of ARC Refreshments Corp. under Entry Nos. C-12513 and C-12521.

The Thai exporter is listed as Ruamkamlarp Export Co. Ltd, while the local customs broker was identified as Malou Leynes Buerano.

The BOC-CIIS reported that the cargo is covered by a “Special Permit to Discharge (SPD) and Verified Single Administrative Document (SAD)” from the bureau and with a verified clearance from the SRA through a certain Rondell Manjarres.

Sugar Board wants all sugar production allocated for domestic

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic

acknowledgement may only happen when we have been able to develop the virtue of humility. Indeed humility is a virtue and, like any virtue, it is not received as a gift, but acquired and developed gradually, with patience and perseverance. The American heritage dictionary defines humility as the condition of being humble, meek and modest. Reviewing the lives of men and women in scriptures and in the history of the Church, I truly believe that the virtue of humility really means the acceptance of our condition as mere creatures who are dependent on God who is the creator, the master and Lord. The Christian outlook is, however, possibly acceptable only among people who truly believe in God. For this reason only the believer can truly humbly accept the reality of God in their lives and allow him to be the Lord and master of their destiny.

Another message of the gospel is

use The Philippines might be allocating all the sugar produced during the next crop year for local use, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said Tuesday.

In a statement, SRA Acting Administrator David Alba said that the “Sugar Board was recently convened by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and we were directed to immediately come up with Sugar Order No. 1 regarding sugar allocation.”TheSugar Board is the governing body of the SRA. It is chaired by Marcos, who is concurrently sitting as the secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Alba said the Sugar Board recommended that all sugar for crop year 2022-2023 will be classified as “B” sugar or domestic sugar.

The country’s sugar crop year begins every September and ends in August of the following year.

Meanwhile, the SRA classifies and allocates sugar produced as “A” for US quota, “B” for domestic consumption, “C” for reserve, and “D” for the world market.

“There will be no allocation for the US quota,” Alba said.

Under an agreement with the World Trade Organization, the US committed to import sugar from sugar-producing countries, such as the Philippines, at lower tariffs and at certain quantities.

For the Philippines, the US Department of Agriculture has an allocation of 145,235 metric tons of sugar for its crop year 2023 or from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023.Alba said the proposed Sugar Order No. 1 for crop year 20222023 “will, of course, be subjected to thorough consultation with all industry stakeholders.”

“We also came up with Sugar Order No. 2 which recommends the importation of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar,” he said.

“While in principle this has been approved, we still need to draw up the mechanics covering this order after consultations as well,” he added. Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles earlier confirmed that the proposed amount of sugar that will be imported is 150,000 metric tons.

Sugar is on the spotlight following the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4), authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar which was later on deemed “illegal” as it was signed without the knowledge and expressed approval of Marcos.Signatories of the controversial order, including Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, board member Atty. Roland Beltran, and Sugar Regulatory Administration administrator

worth a more serious consideration. This is when Jesus said to the host who invited him, “when you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brother or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” This statement goes against the current human point of view, but truly affirms the fact that Christian love for others should be unconditional, and has a preferential option for those who those who have less and have more needs in life that should evoke our compassion and

concern.Truly the message of the readings this Sunday goes against our human nature and the culture of the world today. Nevertheless, the acquisition and development of the virtue is humility is a pre-condition in order to pass through the narrow door, Jesus Christ himself whom we should know, love and follow in order to enter into the heavenly kingdom He has prepared for those who know and do his will. Let us pray that we may open ourselves and see that we can be humble and be able to respond faithfully to the invitation of Jesus to follow Him faithfully and lovingly now and forever.

Hermenegildo Serafica, have quit from their posts.

Marcos earlier rejected the proposal to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar despite the increasing prices of the basic commodity due to supply constraints.

The DA earlier said there is a shortage of about 300,000 metric tons of sugar as local production was affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette late last year.

DAR wants more farm-tomarket roads to improve food supply flow

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said Thursday more farm-to-market roads should be built in remote areas in the country to improve the flow of food supply.

In a statement issued on Thursday, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said a memorandum was provided to its regional and provincial offices with the list of completed and ongoing bridge projects under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-agraryo (TPKP).

Estrella also requested DAR field offices to submit proposed farmto-market road projects that would connect completed bridge projects to the main roads.

“The best way to improve the flow of food supply is to improve our road networks, from as far as the remotest villages to the main roads leading to the market centers so that farmers themselves can bring their fresh harvests easily,” he said.

Through Memorandum 326, series of 2022, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Milagros Isabel Cristobal ordered all provincial agrarian reform program officers to identify completed and ongoing TPKP projects “that will require extension of the bridge approach roads to connect it to the main

thoroughfare.”TheDARsaid 140 bridges had been completed under the TPKP project, a joint project between the Philippines and French governments. Construction for 29 other bridges is ongoing while another 17 are still under study or in the preconstruction stage. Improving road networks would greatly help farmers maximize their earning potential, Estrella said.

He added that with completed farm-to-market roads, farmers could directly haul their harvests to the city and town markets, rather than selling their products to traders or middlemen at very low prices.

“With improved road network, the cost of hauling or transportation will be much lower and affordable for our farmers,” Estrella said.

With the cut in transportation and logistic costs, the prices of farm products are also expected to naturally go down, benefitting consumers. (MNS)

According to Stop AAPI Hate data, there have been 11,000 incidents of hate targeting the AAPI community since 2020. The majority have taken place in public spaces and have targeted largely women and elders.

Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipinos and Vietnamese Americans are among the groups most targeted, with 63% of cases involving verbal harassment, 16% physical assault, and 11% civil rights violations.

Stop AAPI Hate Director and CoFounder Manjusha Kulkarni says the drivers behind these incidents vary, and so “a one-size fits all solution doesn’t work.” She added, “Policing is not going to be the answer. We need a comprehensive civil rights infrastructure all across the country.”

Stop AAPI Hate is currently pushing two bills SB 1161 and AB 2549 in the California State Legislature to work with state officials

in three core areas: civil rights, community safety, and educational equity.Brian Levin with the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State-San Bernadino says rhetoric from elected officials and media has helped fuel the uptick in hate crimes and hate incidents across the country.

“Anti-Latino hate crimes in 2018 were the highest in a decade because of the craven discussion on TV,” noted Levin, adding that hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ community doubled in Los Angeles and rose 40% nationwide in that same year, with attacks becoming “more vicious and moreAndviolent.”while Levin agrees that noncarceral solutions are an important tool in addressing the rise in hate, he also notes that the Justice Department currently prosecutes fewer than 20% of referrals.ForSassana Yee, whose grandmother died after being brutally beaten in San Francisco in

2019, healing has meant building cross-cultural connections between communities that often exist side by side.“Her death has sparked in me an awareness to reach across cultural lines and develop friendships,” said Yee, who advocates for what she calls transformational justice.

As part of her work, Yee led a month-long road trip around the country with 10 high schoolers: half African American and half Chinese American.“Wewent to 16 cities to learn about each other’s culture, history, and contributions to the U.S,” she said. “We got to understand who we are as individuals and as a collective.”

Last May, the legislature approved renaming the playground where Sassana’s grandmother, Yik Oi Huang, was attacked as Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park. “A black elder in the community suggested this name,” noted Yee, “which is a very potent symbolic gesture of solidarity.”

honor, loyalty, valor, duty, solidarity, and love of country.

"I wish in the days ahead, your sacrifice and enthusiasm will be sustained. I fervently pray that the building that we have just inaugurated will be a haven for education, peace, unity, and growth of our army personnel," he said.

Tolentino also pledged his support

to the army officers and reservists, not just in terms of infrastructure development through the TIKAS program, but also in policy-making.

Under the ARESCOM, which is based in Tanza, Cavite, the NCRRCDG handles the university/ college-based Department of Military Science and Tacticsadministered mandatory basic training and the optional advanced ROTC; and the territorial unitadministered Basic Citizen's Military Training (BCMT).

It makes the administration and training of reservists more compartmentalized and territorialbased with its base units which include the Headquarters & Headquarters Service Company, the ROTC Training Unit, the Citizens Military Training Unit, and the Reservist Management Information Systems Office.

The NCR-RCDG also has five line units, two reserve divisions, and three reserve officer training corps units all over Metro Manila. (MNS)

Revolution "which ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country.”The proclamation also states that Black Saturday, which falls on April 8, 2023, has been traditionally declared as a special non-working day in the entire country, in observance of Holy Week which is "one of the most cherished traditions of our predominantly Catholic people.”

It added that by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 10966, December 8 of every year must be celebrated as

a special non-working holiday nationwide to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.August 21 of every year must also be declared as national non-working holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., according to theNovemberproclamation.2,which was declared special working day in 2022, has been declared as an additional special nonworking day in 2023 to "strengthen family ties by providing more time for the traditional All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day activities, as well as promote domestic tourism."

The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of the Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined, in the accordance with the Islamic calendar or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or Proclamationconvenient.42 directs the Department of Labor and Employment to promulgate the implementing guidelines.

The proclamation, which takes effect "immediately," must be published in a newspaper of general circulation. (MNS)

Paul and Cora Agpaoa, celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary and Renewal of Vows in a special Garden Wedding at their son Rodel's estate in El Cajon. Set against the picturesque background in bright sunny day of July 30, the lovely couple was surrounded by well wishers with their two sons, Rodel and Ferdinand their respective families, relatives who came from all over US , Philippine, colleagues, staff from their Accounting /Tax Business business and close personal friends. Officiant recited Corinthians13:4-7 about LOVE which is patient and kind, it does not envy, it does not cost, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self -seeking, it is not self seeking, it is not easiy angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, it does not delight in evil. LOVE rejoices with the truth, it always, protects trusts, hopes, persevere and LOVE NEVER FAILS. Our best wishes to the young at heart couple who withstood the test of time, life's ups and downs as well as the bounty of blessings for their love, dedication to their family, friends and the community.(Photos by Zeny)

Congratulations and Best Wishes Paul and Cora Agpaoa on their 60th Wedding Anniversary