SAN DIEGO, CA -- On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the Philippine Nurses Association of San Diego County, Incorporated (PNASD) celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in San Diego, CA. Fem Ramirez founded the PNASD in 1974 and became the first president, with the first meeting held at Paradise
Valley Hospital. PNASD is honored to see our staunch supporters, donors, and community partners who have been advocating for our initiatives and community projects. Our mother organization, the Philippine Nurses Association of America, and its leaders were also in attendance. Over the past 50 years, thirty-two presidents have steered PNASD toward greater heights, shaping it into a reputable professional nursing organization. Their collective efforts and leadership, marked by
numerous achievements, have been instrumental in our journey, and we are proud to recognize their contributions.
Dr. Merlie Ramira, the event's Overall chair, set the tone with a warm welcome address, introducing the emcee, Ms. Gemma RamaBanaag. It was followed by a stirring rendition of the Philippine and United States National Anthems by Mae Alvarado and Jocelyn Tence. The presence of Col (Ret.) Bob Gahol and CDR (Ret.) Reggie
Cagampan with the Color Guards further enriched the event. Fr. Joselito Tiongson shared a beautiful invocation.
Jay Larrosa presented the PNASD Past Presidents Video with a Walk of Honor, including Perly Aguinaldo and Emeline Yabut, current and incoming presidents, as they were all greeted with leis by Bob Gahol, RVP for the Western Region. A message from Perly Aguinaldo, PNASD President 2022-2024, enumerating her outstanding accomplishments
in moving PNASD forward with the theme PNASD C.A.R.E.S. (Compassion, Authenticity, Respect, Equality, Service). She also received the Leadership Awards from PNASD and from the Western Region RVP, together with the Perpetual Plaque recognizing her officially as the 32nd President of PNASD. Perly presented Cris Escarrilla with the Presidential award. Dr. Marlon Saria introduced Dr. Gloria Beriones, the PNAA President, 2022-2024 and shared
her message focusing on PNASD leaders as the role models of her theme, “Our United Voices: WE CARE (Wisdom, Excellence, Collaboration, Advocacy, Respect, Equity), and the roles of nurses with the Future of Nursing: 2020-2030. We enjoyed the entertainment songs sung by Jocelyn Tence and Mae Alvarado. PNASD Star Dancers showcased their beautiful, elegant Waltz dance. Attendees loved it,
By Joe Gar Banzos, aar P-Ca state President
Older adults are fed up with the California homeowners’ insurance market crisis. AARP, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that advocates on behalf of adults ages 50-plus and their families has received a flood of concerns about the lack of availability and affordability of homeowners insurance in the state.
In response, we put out a larger call for stories and we emailed AARP California virtual activists asking, “What has been your experience obtaining and affording California home insurance?” Within ten hours, we received over 700 stories and two days later we were in receipt of over a thousand stories that paint a grim picture of how the homeowner’s insurance crisis is affecting individuals and families. Harrowing stories include cancelled policies, unaffordable rate hikes, and insurers using every possible excuse for these actions. We heard from homeowners across the state who despite spending sometimes tens of thousands of dollars to protect their homes from wildfires have had their rates doubled or were threatened with cancellation of their policies.
A homeowner in Sonora was told by their home insurance company to install a new roof and cut down a favorite tree, or risk losing their coverage. After doing as directed and tens of thousands of dollars later, the insurer dropped them anyway. Another homeowner, in the city of Torrance, was dropped over “missing roof shingles”. When the homeowner provided their insurer with evidence that it was in perfect condition, the insurer still denied them.
A cancer survivor in San Bernardino had no choice but to go without home insurance after receiving unaffordable quotes from the state’s last-resort, expensive insurance plan.
These are real experiences of older adults across California. Of the stories shared, frustration, anxiety, and stress were the most repeated words. The common sentiment, it “feels like the rug is being pulled out from under me.”
No one, regardless of age, deserves to feel that way. Especially when it comes to something as essential as home insurance, which is more important than ever in the face of more frequent and severe extreme weather.
We acknowledge that California’s insurance marketplace is complex and faces difficult challenges. Nine of the state’s deadliest and most damaging wildfires occurred in the last ten years. Extreme heat occurs more frequently and severely, making wildfire season longer and more destructive. Flooding events are increasing as well, and windstorms have wreaked havoc on drought-afflicted backyard trees. A separate but related crisis—the high cost of housing—is driving more older adults to live in high-fire threat areas.
Urgent solutions are needed now!
Thousands of Californians have had their coverage dropped, and many thousands more are facing prohibitively expensive rate increases. This couldn’t come at a worse time, as we head into our hotter, drier summer months, with elevated wildfire risks projected to hit nearly every corner of the state.
Affordability and reliability must be the core components of any home insurance reform. By 2030, one in four Californians will be over the age of 60. More older adults mean a bigger
proportion of the state’s population will be on fixed and limited incomes.
Allowing insurance companies to exorbitantly raise rates will have a detrimental economic impact on this rapidly increasing population of older Californians—an impact that could lead to increased homelessness and financial despair.
When consumers invest their hard-earned dollars in the care and maintenance of their property to protect it against fire risks and other insurance liabilities, they deserve to have those investments considered when their rates are set. And, when insurance companies make a false assessment that the homeowner can disprove— like missing roof shingles—consumers should have recourse in appealing these assessments and securing lower and fairer rates.
With over 3.2 million AARP members in California, AARP will continue to raise the voices of older adults and their families to policy makers regarding this critical issue.
Joe Garbanzos, AARP California Volunteer State President Joe leads AARP California's Executive Council and provides advice and guidance on all volunteerrelated activities across the state. He’s also the primary volunteer leader spokesperson for the state office. Joe is a lecturer at the California School of Management & Leadership at Alliant International University, San Diego campus where he teaches healthcare and business courses. He was recently CEO/Executive Director at Samahan Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center in San Diego. His work experience includes consulting in healthcare, population health, and outreach and education in safety net populations.
SAN DIEGO, CA -- In the wake of a criminal case filed against three defendants, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan is warning the public about criminals targeting elderly women at shopping centers throughout the county to steal their purses while they shop. Three defendants have been arrested and arraigned in a current case that involves 15 separate victims, most of whom are elderly Filipino/Asian women between the ages of 64 and 89.
The incidents happened between January and April of this year in the cities of San Diego and National City. The thieves canvas shopping centers and wait for elderly women to leave stores and walk to their cars. When the victims put their purses in the passenger seat of their vehicles as they load up their groceries, the defendants pull their car up, one of them gets out and grabs the purse off the front seat of the car and runs to the getaway car. In most cases, the suspects use the victims’ stolen credit cards and pawn any other valuable items. While the value of the stolen property may not always include a large amount of money, the emotional impact to these victims is often significant. Defendant Shawntece Davis, 32, was arraigned in San Diego Superior Court today, while her two co-defendants, Kenya Frazier, 29, and David Anthony Foster, 67, were arraigned last week. All three face multiple counts of theft from an elder, robbery, burglary, and conspiracy to commit elder theft, among other charges. The
defendants face up to 8 and 17 years in state prison if convicted of all charges.
“Those who prey on the elderly should understand that these crimes will not be tolerated and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In this case the defendants were caught, thanks to great investigative work and collaboration from the National City and the San Diego Police Departments,” said DA Stephan. “In order to keep our community safe, especially the elderly and vulnerable, it is important that everyone remains vigilant and aware of their surroundings and hold on to their personal belongings while they are out shopping.”
Prosecutors say these types of crimes are occurring in every area of the county. They advise women in busy shopping centers to avoid shopping with large purses and never leave purses unattended in the shopping cart or open in their vehicles while focused on other tasks. Law enforcement is also reminding the public that if you see something, say something. And if you believe you witness
suspicious activity in shopping center parking lots, document license plate numbers and physical descriptions of those involved.
“Abuse and crimes against the elderly come in many forms. It’s sickening to see criminals prey on our most vulnerable community members,” said SDPD Chief of Police Scott Wahl. “We are committed to ensuring anyone who victimizes our seniors will be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.”
“I am incredibly proud of our officers working closely with the San Diego Police Department for their exceptional work on these series-related cases,” said National City Police Chief Alejandro Hernandez. “This case highlights the importance of teamwork in safeguarding our community.” In
PILIPINO NURSES ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO CURRENT AND PAST PRESIDENTS (L-R) Emeline Yabut, Perly Aguinaldo, Crisabel Ramos, Erlinda Mascardo, Vivian Sanderlin, Dr. Merlie Ramira, Dr. Marlon Saria, Chona Lutap, Maria Camilon, Elaine Soliven, Vickie Berbano, Tessie Porciuncula, Cece Echon, Nellie Pancho, Filipinas Reyes, Elvie Magsarili, Amy Buluran, Ludy Deperio, Carmen Galang and Carrie Flores
( courtesy photo)
The Pampered Pinay Lifestyle: “Pamper your dreams.
By Francine Maigue
Become Miss Philippines, and help charities near and far…Check!
Live in Los Angeles, and graduate with my Bachelor’s from UCLA…Check!
Choreograph an international concert tour…Check!
Become a published writer… Check!
Live on the east coast, and graduate from Harvard with my Master’s before I’m 30…Check!
Get my Driver’s License…… ……………I’m working on it, I promise…
While I feel very blessed to be able to say I have checked off several of my “bucket list” goals (things I’d like to achieve before I “kick the bucket”), there are still plenty of adventures, places, and cultures I want to experience in my lifetime…some are career-oriented, some are family-oriented…some are for pure fun!
I think it’s important to revisit one’s bucket list from time to time because as we grow and evolve so do our priorities, our values, our dreams.
Here is one of the latest additions to my bucket list involving travel and family:
“HAVE ADVENTURES WITH MY COUSINS IN CAGAYAN DE ORO, PHILIPPINES”
Known as “The City of Golden Friendship,” Cagayan de Oro was one of the areas hit by the wrath of the recent Typhoon Sendong. I pray for the safety and well-being
of the citizens of this area. I hope that these people and their beloved eco-tourism will be able to recover from this challenging period soon. When the time comes, I hope you’ll join me in supporting this incredible Philippine treasure.
Cagayan de Oro is home to Asia’s longest zipline (YAY FOR FLYING!!!), fantastic mountain lodges with rooms that really lend themselves to group bonding, great ropes courses, top notch cuisine, hillside Zorb rolling, exciting ATV trails, spellbinding caves, lush landscapes, wondrous waterfalls and white water rafting, exquisite golf courses, awe-inspiring cathedrals, indigenous artwork, one-of-a-kind shopping, and SO MUCH MORE! Whew!
I would love to push myself physically by overcoming the different treetop obstacle courses, taste the fresh fruit the region is known for, and photograph the poetic views…all while doing some long-overdue catching up with my cousins. Making memories surrounded by breathtaking Philippine nature–who could ask for anything more?!
You’ve got to check out some of these attractions for yourself!
www.dahilayanforestpark.com
www.dahilayanadventurepark. com
How Medi-Cal is Closing Health Access Gaps
By Selen Ozturk/eMS
Over the last few years, California has been on the national front lines of closing health care access gaps through transforming Medi-Cal, its version of Medicaid.
Although California reached its lowest uninsured rate in 2022, health care access barriers still remain for many Californians, resulting in higher rates of illness and death — particularly for low-income individuals and people of color. In response, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) staff went on a statewide tour to listen to Medi-Cal members who experienced health inequity firsthand, and use the feedback to re-design Medi-Cal.
At a Tuesday, June 18 Ethnic Media Services Briefing, a DHCS representative and two health care providers from a community-based organization that hosted one of the listening sessions discussed Medi-Cal’s transformation and the road ahead. Medi-Cal and equity
“Who you are and where you live should not determine whether or how well you live,” said Pamela Riley, chief health equity officer and assistant deputy director of quality and population health management at DHCS.
“With nearly 15 million Californians enrolled, Medi-Cal has already taken significant steps to advance equity,” she continued, “our first step being to make Medi-Cal coverage available to all income-eligible people, regardless of age or immigration status” as of January 1, 2024.
Other historic measures include eliminating asset limits so only income is considered when determining MediCal eligibility; establishing a Member Advisory Committee to give feedback on Medi-Cal programs; expanding language access so members can receive interpretation services in 18 languages; and creating new Community Supports that provide services well beyond the doctor’s office, like housing aid, home accessibility modifications, healthy meals and transportation to and from medical appointments.
“To listen to our members more
directly to understand where our greatest health disparities lie and how we can improve them, DHCS also launched its three-phase Health Equity Roadmap Initiative,” said Riley.
For the first phase, begun in November 2023 and now complete, DHCS staff held 11 listening sessions hosted by community-based organizations statewide, to listen to hundreds of Medi-Cal members about the challenges that prevented them from getting the health care they need — particularly for members from communities of color, those with disabilities, those in rural areas and those with behavioral health issues like substance abuse disorder.
“We often heard from members that they wanted Medi-Cal to cover certain services which were already covered — like dental, vision or mental health care — which told us that our communication could be improved,” said Riley.
“They also wanted to feel respected and listened to in their native language,” she continued, so we have required all our health care facilities to have interpretation services available in threshold languages,” numbering 18 statewide as of 2021 — including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Hmong, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Alongside a report about listening tour feedback, to be released next year, “the second phase will involve using this feedback to identify common themes,” she added, while the third will outline specific steps to make MediCal more accessible on the ground.
Closing health access gaps on the
ground
“In my 22 years here, there has never been anything like this. This is historic,” said Debbie Toth, president and CEO of Choice in Aging, one of the listening session hosts.
“DHCS reached out to us about talking with patients at our Bedford Center in Antioch” — which primarily provides Alzheimer’s day health care and transition care out of/from nursing facilities — “because you could see the social determinants of health at play. We have elderly adults, but also younger low-income participants who may be in their 50s, yet their physical health is like somebody in their 80s,” she explained. “They may be unhoused, or have substance use or mental health support needs.”
“Our biggest challenge was that we’re working with a population with a lot of cognitive impairments, like mid-to-late-stage dementia, who can’t always express what they need directly,” Toth continued, “so Michael, our program director, broke the participants into small tables while also engaging their caregivers as to what everyone’s needs were for easier health care and language access.”
“Another challenge is that we’d always like to enroll more people, but we’re the only adult day health care center in the area,” added Michael Whalen, program director of The Bedford Center. “As many of our at-home caregivers themselves can be quite elderly, we had a unique opportunity to coordinate solving the
See MEDI-CAL on 4
defends Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo on 'false online accusations'
MANILA -- Aguila Entertainment, which manages the careers of celebrity couple Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado, has dispelled rumors about their artists.
A statement posted by Aguila Entertainment's Becky Aguila on her personal Facebook account first clarified that Mercado remains a talent of GMA Network.
This was after netizens speculated that Mercado might be leaving her home network because of her absence in the recently released station ID of GMA 7. She also recently signed a contract with ABS-CBN's record label Star Music for a recording comeback.
"I just want to clarify to those who keeps on insinuating re the issue of network transfer that Jennylyn is a loyal artist of GMA and will always remain loyal for as long as her mother network wants her to stay," Aguila said in a statement.
The talent manager also explained the reason why Mercado was not seen in the GMA station ID.
"She was absent from the station ID simply because she was unavailable that day. Rest assured GMA extended an invitation to her, which we very much appreciate," she explains.
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challenges both they and their patients faced.”
“Another big challenge is financial,” said Toth. “We have the DHCS Health Equity Roadmap, we have the California Master Plan for Aging, these policy frameworks set up to support people in their communities … but if we have a recession, a change in administration, if we can’t pay livable wages, we lose the infrastructure like we are already, with the massive closures of adult day health care centers.”
The management team also defended Trillo after the actor trended on X (formerly known as Twitter) when a netizen asked him to clarify alleged Mercado's career move after she signed on ABS-CBN's record label. The camp said the actor's TikTok account had been hacked.
"As for Dennis’ alleged comments on Tiktok, it was not him. Dennis is a very humble and respectful and known
less than 300 adult day health facilities — compared to 365 before the Great Recession, when the statewide closures began.
“Our greatest marker of success is keeping people out of skilled nursing facilities who don’t want to be there,” Toth said. “Our current de facto longterm care system is warehousing folks as they age or become disabled … and what’s so incredible is the community focus that DHCS has, rather than an institutional focus. They’re not just giving out questionnaires to clinics, but actually learning from the community whether their needs are being met.”
to be a man of few words. He is not the type who would release comments that are insensitive to others most specially to his former colleagues in ABSCBN where he was first launched via Star Circle. His account was hacked yesterday as what our official statement said," they said.
"Hope [this] clears everything. We appeal to the public to stop spreading hate and false accusations online." (MNS)
present A IS FOR AGUSTIN
Date: Friday, August 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Southwestern College Performing Arts Theatre 900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910
we have partnered with our friends at San Diego Arab Film Festival in solidarity with Palestine, San Diego Queer APIMEDA Coalition, and now San Diego Filipino Cinema.
Pacific Arts Movement and San Diego Filipino Cinema's Cine Libre Program present A IS FOR AGUSTIN directed by Grace Pimentel Simbulan. Q&A with the filmmaker following the screening.
sing, never learned to read or write. After being repeatedly cheated by his boss, 40-year-old Agustin enrolls in grade 1. Filmed in an immersive style, the film invites the audience to share Agustin's hopes and dreams, highlighting the fragile optimism of many Indigenous peoples. This event is free and
there were Russian, Farsi, and English programs, but no Spanish program for the needs of our Spanish-speaking community members — so I made one, and quickly discovered that they did not want it,” she continued.
“There were people from El Salvador, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and their message was: ‘Just because we share a language, we don’t necessarily share a combined interest.’”
“It was a lesson to be learned … that our needs aren’t necessarily based on one characteristic we share,” Toth added. “It’s important to ask with humility what everyone’s needs really are, and then adapt — which is how DHCS is leading Medi-Cal right now.” MEDI-CAL
As of June 2024, California has
“As an example of the humility needed in asking these questions … When I started at Choice in Aging,
Pac Arts' Spotlight Screening series is part of our SDAFF 25th anniversary campaign to collaborate with our community partners to provide year-long film screenings across San Diego County. This year
About the film: Living on a remote Philippine island, Agustin, an Indigenous man who loves to
Sponsored by Southwestern College
Physical Therapists Help People of All Ages.
NATIONAL CITY, CA -- Physical
therapists are experts in human movement who are trained to evaluate and treat all kinds of musculoskeletal issues. They are highly trained in prescribing and progressing exercise to help people move and feel better. Because everyone moves and everyone can benefit from exercise, physical therapists can help people through their entire lives.
Some people see a physical therapist shortly after birth. The most common reasons a baby would need to see a PT would be something like torticollis or cerebral palsy. Torticollis is a postural issue that causes babies to hold their heads tipped to one side. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that causes difficulty with movement and coordination.
As children continue to grow, some have trouble hitting their motor milestones - like rolling, crawling, or walking. Physical therapists can use their expertise to help encourage development of motor skills and coordination to get these children back on track.
Sports injuries become more common in adolescents. Whether it's an ankle sprain, or an ACL surgery, a PT can help. Some adolescents have issues from the rapid growth their bodies go through. Things like growth plate fractures, growing pains, Osgood-Schlatter's disease, and Sever's disease are all common in adolescence.
As adults, a lot of us will have
back pain - studies say up to 80% of us. Physical therapy is one of the first treatments recommended for back pain. Physical therapists also see injured adults. It could be from weekend warrior type sports injuries, overuse, or from an accident at work. Some adults also start to show symptoms of diseases like multiple sclerosis, or myositis which also benefit from physical therapy.
Later in life, people tend to accumulate more health issues that impact their ability to move. Issues like arthritis, joint replacements, strokes, and heart attacks are all things a PT can help with. Physical therapists also help people age better - keeping them moving with exercise programs that help reduce falls, or helping them make adaptations and modifications to keep them in their homes safely. Movement is a constant in life. As
movement experts, PTs can help people of any age. Some specialize in treating pediatric patients, and some specialize in treating geriatric patients, but all PTs have the expertise to help people move better.
About The Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association
Founded in 1956, the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association champions the success of physical therapist-owned businesses. Our members are leaders and innovators in the healthcare system. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy nationwide. For more information, please visit www.ppsapta.org.
PASSING PATRIOTISM TO THE NEXT GENERATION
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the blood stream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and children’s children what it was once in the United States where men were free.”
- Ronald Reagan
SAN DIEGO, CA -- Recently, American flags have had frontand-center attention. Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue from Memorial Day to D-Day to Flag Day, and now – to Independence Day festivities which concluded a week ago.
The days after the Fourth of July weekend celebration has already begun. It’s past my bedtime and I must crawl into bed. But not before I offer one closing afterthought… so, here goes.
The next generation is often judged for their lack of patriotism, yet many parents have completely dropped the ball on teaching their children how to love our great country. Most kids hear opposing political parties spew insults all over the airwaves and criticize the current and future state of the country. Dinner table talk, if that even still exists in homes, focus on the negative and not the positive. Simply put, kids’ model what we teach them. Patriotism is not taught by watching fireworks every Fourth of July and saying “I’m Proud to be an American,” but by living out a day-to-day love of country.
Hang the American flag outside your house. Discuss the meaning of Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, D-Day, the Fourth of July, and Flag Day.
Do your kids know the pledge, “Star Spangled Banner”, “God bless America” (Hey…I remember
singing this in my Grade 4 class under Mrs. Valencia at Sta. Ana Elementary School way back in the late 50s in our beloved old homeland – the Philippines – would you guys believe that?) – or better yet, do they know what all of these really mean and stand for? Take the time to talk about these and the stories behind them.
Visit Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia and historic places in your area. Don’t just count on the record books to teach history to your child.
Talk about the Revolutionary War, World War I and World War II. What are the differences between these wars? What did we learn from these conflicts? What can we still learn from these battles?
Discuss soldiers who have served and/have given their lives for our country. If possible, have your child speak with a grandfather or
Months ago, I posted on Facebook my apprehensions regarding eventually losing my mother tongue, that the Bicol dialect that I learned from birth will be extinct among my descendants. This was a deliberate choice on my part not to teach my only child to speak my Bicol or my wife’s Ilocano dialect. I rued the day that we did that, but it was for a good reason – protecting our child from a judgmental society or racist environment.
Much like going to Manila and deciding to stay for good in the Metropolitan where Tagalog is the preferred language for day-today conversations in all aspects of society. One must adapt to survive. In America, the same is true and it is beneficial for a child to learn, speak, and communicate in English for her own survival. My wife and I are both immigrants to the United States and society here is unforgiving when it comes to daily communication and use of foreign language.
Not only is English the preferred language; immigrants are also expected to speak with the fluency like the locals do. Filipinos who grew up in other parts of the Philippines
where their mother tongue’s accent is very noticeable, they speak English with such a heavy accent. Filipino immigrants have a habit of congregating and speaking Tagalog (if attendees are multilingual) or their mother tongue when they’re from the same region. Even among Bicolanos, within such regional groupings are subgroups who prefer to speak the Rinconada varieties (Buhi, Iriga, Bato, or Bula) because they all long for their mother tongues.
American workplaces have adopted language requirements that forbid speaking a language other than English for professional lessons (unless as an interpreter for a patient or a customer). Locals and other non-Filipino immigrants complain that they can’t understand the other languages and are offended by such practice. “You’re in America, so speak English,” some will curtly say. Some would complain that an employee’s accent is so thick that they can’t even understand their English, much less syntax.
As adults coming to America, we’ve learned to adapt through such racist experiences knowing that this is the price of wanting a piece of
relative who served in the military. Research and share stories of local heroes.
FYI: On the horizon of our Filipino-American community here in “America’s Finest City of San Diego” is a plan to develop a park and monument in the neighboring City of Chula Vista honoring Filipinos and Filipino-Americans’ immense contribution to the nation is coming to fruition soon.
Assuming that everything goes to plan, the park which would be located in a new housing development in Otay Ranch will be named the Filipino American Veterans Memorial, “the first monument of its kind,” said Joy Gacuya, project leader with the Filipino American Military Officers Association (FAMOS) in our neck of the woods.
Awesome news, yes, indeed!
And if I may say so myself…it’s
about time, too that something of this nature will come to bear fruits soon…let’s all chip in and help out and let’s make this happen! I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed, so to speak.
And hopefully in a year or two – we will be celebrating Memorial Day, D-Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day on this recognition project long past the right time…in fact, now is the opportune moment…and absolutely, it’s about time for our fellow “kababayans” to rise up and shine!
And to passing patriotism to the next generation of FilipinoAmericans in particular and to our fellow Americans in general!
Honor people who are currently serving our country.
As one Atlanta Public Schools instructional staff/teacher by the name of Susan Barber poignant
Jesse T. Reyes
Filipino Potpourri
narrative and remembrance story stated, “I was in an airport a couple of months ago and was reminded how easy this can be. A young woman in her fatigues was traveling home. She was at an airport ChickFil-A ordering a chicken biscuit and commented on how she had missed eating these. Before she could pay, the man in line behind her had paid for her breakfast and thanked her for serving our country.”
That is a very heart-warming patriotic encounter, isn’t it?
Two more quick stories of how she has seen love for country were in her very own classroom. 1 – she remarked, “From time to time I have a student who doesn’t want to stand for the pledge not out of any conviction but just to be annoying.
Of course, I cannot make a kid pledge, so each day this student just sat down in his desk while we were pledging. One day, however, a couple of his buddies decided to join him, and they began making jokes while we were pledging. When I told them they needed to be quiet, the ring leader said something like ‘What’s the big deal?’ I didn’t have to answer because one tiny girl who had hardly said anything all year stood and said, ‘My dad has been in Afghanistan for the last year; that’s the big deal and I am tired of watching all of you not give proper respect to our country.’ The entire class stood and said the pledge for the remainder of the year.”
2 – she affirmed, “As I often do on Mondays, I asked if anyone in the class did anything interesting
The mother of all Mother
or fun over the weekend (that is classroom appropriate to share –I often qualify with this). Several kids spoke of going to the lake, seeing a movie, and getting a new video game then one socially awkward boy quietly said, ‘My dad came home from Afghanistan this weekend’. The class immediately jumped to their feet and starting applauding and cheering, and the kid was a rock star for the day. Even now, thinking of this brings tears to my eyes.”
Makes you proud to be an American, doesn’t it?
And so, by all means, celebrate the Fourth of July with gusto! The Fourth is one of my favorite holidays of the year besides Thanksgiving and Christmas, of course. Since my wife Zeny and I are empty-nesters most holidays involve just the two of us but obviously that does not make for good family time with the exception of a family member’s birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. What say you, my dear folks? I say create your own family tradition for the Fourth of July festivities. And amen to that, too! Does our country have problems? Yes. Are there challenges we as a nation must address in the future? Yes. Should these cause us to love our country less? No! These things should motivate us to fight back to keep patriotism alive in the next generation.
Mabuhay!
God bless the U.S. of A.!!
Tongues: Language
as part of the Bicolano Identity, Part
the American dream. We’ve learned early that the use of our mother tongues was a liability especially for our children born and raised here. We believed then that our mother tongues inhibit language learning by creating dependency to it, limiting opportunities for practice and immersion and consequently hinders their development of proficiency (fluency) in the target language (English) .
Some kids who learned their parents’ mother tongues experienced derision and other forms of bullying in school from local kids who made fun of their accents or “funny” way of communicating. For us who came here and learned to be better with the English language, it was a necessity to swallow our pride by sacrificing our cultural pride and were willing to accept it despite the price of being muted and denying our descendants to speak and learn the dialect. It is wishful thinking to hope that American society will judge immigrants’ ability to communicate through the lenses of their mother tongues.
Many immigrants who relied too much on their mother tongues instead of immersing themselves to the acquired language lost the opportunity to engage politically (other than exercising the right of suffrage) because of inabilities to grasp the nuances of American democracy. It also hindered their
ability to climb through the corporate ladder and break the glass ceiling that limits their active engagement. Politicians do recognize such weaknesses and would exploit them for their own selfish interests.
This is primarily the reason why I don’t agree with using the mother tongue in primary or secondary education. Unemployment in the Philippines is so high that seeking overseas employment has become a financial goal for families. When one looks at the employment demographics for overseas workers, it is still much higher for blue collar workers and those in the service sector than those with professional degrees. So, why not equip students with language and life skills (critical thinking and creative reasoning) that make them competitive overseas?
Reflecting on 1975 when I took the U.S. Navy’s Basic Test Battery (BTB) as a second year mechanical engineering student, it reminded me of similar difficulties that I struggled with comprehending and visualizing some of the worded questions in these areas and the science (mostly physics) knowledge items. BTB was the navy’s standardized testing that measured traditional cognitive constructs or abilities in verbal and arithmetic reasoning, and perceptual speed.
The Navy’s BTB scores were not a predictor of success in Navy service but nevertheless, it became
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the basis for determining what my rating (occupation) would be. I only did well in the sciences but poorly on the others. Thus, a medical career was the closest rating they could put me in despite my background in engineering. Although my classification turned out to be spot on, still this repercussion was something that bedeviled me for the last 45 years.
With the MATATAG curriculum, the new generation of Filipinos will have the opportunity to do better than their previous generations, if it is fully implemented and funded. Money is a big driver for quality education. Lack of funding cuts through the whole curriculum because students and teachers are the ones impacted.
Particularly for teachers and pre-service teachers who will be faced with the increasing demand of instructional strategies based on the new curriculum, applying best practices and pedagogical approaches to effectively implement it becomes a big challenge. Learning and teaching materials need to be developed and absorbed by teachers (and pre-service teachers) who will be at the forefront of this new experiment. Adequacy of resources (money and people) will determine success in delivering quality education.
Corollary to the poor PISA (2018, 2023) performance by Filipino
DA WARNS
Continued from page 1
the shopping cart and don’t pay attention while they shop. Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello, who leads the DA’s Elder Abuse Unit is prosecuting the case involving the three defendants Davis, Frazier, and Foster. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was last Saturday and serves as a reminder that we need to continue to work together to help our elders avoid becoming exploited and victimized. Older people throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation.
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students, the teachers who took their tests as well, didn’t do any better. How much preparation time and training will incumbent teachers get to enhance their mastery, practices and understanding the philosophy behind it, determines the predictive value of the new approach. Teaching is not only about lesson plans, but it also encompasses a teacher’s educational philosophy. No two teachers are alike because the educational philosophies they bring to the table will determine students’ success or lack of it. Teaching involves knowledge, skills, and dispositions. The teacher’s educational philosophy which is influenced by mentors and formed by personal beliefs, attitude, and behaviors espoused to facilitate the student’s learning and development is part of the framework that guides a teacher and filters what’s important towards what he/she considers the purpose of education. Philosophy is key to teaching because it sharpens the teacher’s ability to clarify concepts, to express, to think clearly and correctly, and purposely. There are four major educational philosophies that are currently used in classrooms all over the world within the epistemological frame that focuses on the nature of knowledge: Perennialism, Essentialism, Progressivism, and Reconstructionism. (To be continued)
Elder abuse also creates health care and legal costs for our society. The District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit, which is part of the Family Protection Division, works to protect seniors through crime prevention outreach and prosecution of those who prey on seniors. If a situation appears to be life threatening or a crime is in progress, call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agencies such as police and Sheriff’s departments. Some agencies have specialized units that focus on crimes involving elder and dependent adults. If you believe elder or dependent abuse has occurred, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-339-4661.
Spiritual Life
Voting: a sacred responsibility
One of the sacred responsibilities of a citizen of this country – is the right to vote. My vote will support the candidates whom I believed could best represent me in the Congress of the United States, at the California State Legislature and at the City Council. I will also vote for Superior Court Judges, whom I believe would give honor to the position, as well as for the six new members of my party’s Central Committee. I will also vote for life-changing propositions. And I will vote according to my conscience.
That’s the beauty of living in a country where democracy is a way of life. Every one eligible to vote can speak out through the ballot.
After the result of the primary election, the electorate can now move on to select from the two best winners for each elective position and to vote in the General Election on November 2024. This is a significant election and all Filipino Americans who are eligible to vote but are not yet registered voter should register and vote. Let your vote count. Call the San Diego County Registrar of Voters (858) 5655800.
My Personal Testimony
This brings me to reflect on a chapter, Submission to the Authorities in the Book of Romans. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist has been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what god has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrong doer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect;
if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:1-7, NIV).
As we elect our government leaders, it is worthwhile to ponder on Leon Wagner’s essay, The World Needs Men (and Women) …who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their identity in a crowd; who will be as honest in small things as in great things; who will make no compromise with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires; who will not say they do it “because everybody else does it”; who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity; who do not believe that shrewdness and cunning are the best qualities for winning success; who are not ashamed to stand for the truth when it is unpopular; who can say “no” with emphasis. Although the rest of the world say “yes”.
In the past Sundays we have heard the many miracles and wonderful acts of Jesus in order to proclaim the advent of the Kingdom of God and manifest the nature of His Father who is all powerful, loving, merciful and always concerned for the good of all. This revelation of Jesus, however, also stressed the fact that the need for real faith in the people who want to know Him is so important and a fundamental requirement. The story of the calming of the wind and the sea, the healing miracle of the daughter of Jairus and the woman who suffered hemorrhages for twelve years and the lack of faith among his own kinsmen and people who knew him in Nazareth are clear indicators for how faith is so necessary in order to understand the meaning of the Kingdom and God and be a part of its reign. The readings in today’s liturgy are so related to the past Sundays’ readings in a different angle. Here we see how Jesus sends the own disciples to mission. Therefore, in today’s gospel reading we would be able to understand the meaning of missions. There are several fundamental elements in the understanding “mission” in relation to the sending of the apostles by Jesus. Among these are the following: who is the sender, what is the purpose of the sending, what are the expected comportment and tools that the missionaries should have and the consequences of not accepting the missionaries on the part of the people and places to whom the missionaries are sent. From the gospel reading today we see that the sender is Jesus himself: “He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…” Christian mission always originates from Jesus Christ himself. He is the sender to gives authority to the missionaries who cannot claim their authority as self generated
or one coming from an unknown sender. Only persons who would acknowledge that authority for their missionary activities comes from Jesus and the institution that Jesus Himself has left behind to faithfully hand over the mission can continue the purpose of the mission itself.
The second fundamental element of Christian mission is the purpose of the mission. In the words of Mark he mentioned the following: “he gave them authority over unclean spirits… and they preached repentance and … anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” Briefly, therefore, the purpose of the original mission of the Twelve was to extend the missionary activities of Jesus Himself, namely, to proclaim that the reign of God was close at hand and confirmed this message by their preaching about repentance and doing healing miracles that would manifest truly the loving mercy and concern of God for His people. This extension of the mission of Jesus, in fact, continues until today with the disciples who have the faith made more profound in their willingness to give testimony to their love for God. Similarly, the success of the mission of the Twelve then, as it is now, would greatly depend on the reception of the people to whom they have been and are being sent today.
The third fundamental element that I mentioned earlier describes
HUWAG MATAKOT
the comportment and tools of the Twelve and the present missionaries.
“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. This describes how the missionaries should embrace the spirit of poverty that speaks greatly on divine providence and mainly on the support of the people to whom they were and are now being sent. The virtue of poverty makes one depend much on the sender, Jesus, and never on oneself and also trust on the material support of the people to whom they are to proclaim the message of the reign of God.
Finally, Jesus did not hesitate to make the Twelve aware that their mission should never be coercive but one which would not be responded in love and openness. He said, according to Mark, “wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and share the dust off your feel in testimony against them.” What a good reminder for all of us. Faith is never forced into us, but only one that we should accept openly, freely and lovingly. Let us, therefore, pray that we become a community that would always welcome missionaries into our midst. Let us pray for the many missionaries who are giving their lives for the sake of the gospel so that people may know more about God and His Kingdom. Let us pray that we, too, would see in our own Christian lives how we can be missionaries of Jesus in a world that does not accept the Christian values anymore, in a world that has blinded itself from seeing what is true, in a world that has made the judgment of the right to its own aspirations and desires.
During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. (2 Samuel 21:1a)
There was a famine in the land, and David equated that famine to the blessing or lack of blessing from God. He sought God to know why there was a famine. The Lord did not take long to answer: "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death" (2 Samuel 21:1b).
Many years earlier, when Joshua entered the Promised Land, the Israelites were tricked by the Gibeonites into believing they were travelers when they were actually enemies of Israel.
The Gibeonites tricked Israel into making a peace treaty with them. It was one of the first major mistakes Israel made after entering the Promised Land. As a result of the peace treaty, the Gibeonites were kept as slaves to Israel. This was never God's intention for Israel. He had wanted Israel to destroy all their enemies, but they made an error in judgment that required that they honor a covenant with the Gibeonites.
Saul made a decision to disregard this covenant with the Gibeonites and sought to annihilate them. David sensed there was something preventing God's blessing on Israel. As a nation they had violated a covenant made before God. Now they were reaping the consequences.
There are two things we can learn from this story.
First, when we make a covenant, God expects us to fulfill it. God is a covenant maker. He made one with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He made one with each of us through Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are numerous regarding the importance of honoring our commitments.
Second, God is a very longsuffering God. He gave Israel many years of grace before He exercised judgment for their sin. However, there always comes a day when God must uphold His
standard of righteousness.
Are you failing to walk in God's blessing due to some failed commitment? Calamities can befall us for many reasons; sin can be one of them. In the case of Israel, David had to make things right with the Gibeonites. When he did this, God removed the famine, and Israel again was prosperous. When you feel you lack God's blessing on your life, ask the Lord if there are any past - generation sins that you may need to repent of. He may be waiting on us before He can release His blessing on our lives. Luke 24:13-35 New International Version (NIV) On the Road to Emmaus
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
"What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is
the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus."
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
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Bahagi ng ating pagkatao ay ang damdaming matakot
Maraming mga bagay at situwasyon ang kinatatakutan
Kung bakit tayo ay natatakot ay marami ang dahilan
Ating usisahin upang maintindihan at maiwasan.
May mga taong natatakot harapin ang kamatayan
Takot sa mga pangyayaring hindi lubos maintindihan
May mga taong natatakot magsabi ng katotohanan
Baka sila masaktan, masangkot sa gulo o mawalan ng ari-arian.
Kung minsan ay nagpapangabot ang kahihiyan at takot
Kung kayat pati ang katotohanan tungkol sa sarili ay tinatalikuran
Kaya ang problema ay patuloy na walang kalutasan
Samantala, patuloy na kimkim, isang damdaming di kanaisnais na dapat sana ay maiwasan.
Ang sanhi ng takot ay dapat harapin at labanan
Ito ay hadlang sa isang buhay na mapayapa at walang kaba
Dahil sa takot di na lang
iimik at di makikialam
Nang dahil dito ang situwasyong hindi tama ay nagiging malala.
Huwag matakot! Ang takot ay nasa isip lamang
Ating pananampalataya ang panlaban sa anumang kinatatakutan
Kung tayo ay nasa panig ng Katarungan ng Panginoon
Ano ang dapat nating ikatakot? Wala na tayong dapat ikatakot pa!
Sa mga sandaling tayo ay sinusubukan ng tukso
Isang pangalan ang kinstatakutan ng Diyablo Bigkasin lamang ang katamistamisang ngalan ng Panginoong Hesus Mawawala ang kaba at takot, manumbalik ang karamdamang maayos.
Kung sa buhay nating pansamantala ay ating pagsisikapan Ang maging laging handa para sa oras ng kamatayan Ating pagpanaw sa mundong ito ay buong pusong tatanggapin At sa wakas ang Panginoong Diyos ay ating makakapiling.
Isang bagay lamang ang dapat nating ikatakot Ito ay ang lumabag sa kautusan ng Diyos Ang magdusa sa impierno na di man lang masulyapan ang Panginoon Tunay ngang nakakatakot, kung ating pagisip-isipan. Huwag matakot! Harapin ang kinatatakutan at labanan! Humingi tayo sa Diyos ng karagdagang lakas at tapang Ang Katarungan at Kapangyarihan ng Panginoon ang ating Sandigan At nang pagkalooban tayo ng Diyos ng Kanyang Katahimikan at Kapayapaan.
Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera
Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic
Ni Salvador S. Idos
S. Idos
Danny Hernaez From Whom
and the guests had a chance to learn the dance steps. Kudos to Vivian Sanderlin, the choreographer, and all the PNASD Star dancers. They worked hard to share a beautiful dance presentation.
Dr. Gloria Beriones inducted the PNASD new officers for the term 2024-2026, a moment of recognition and honor for their commitment to the organization. President Emeline Yabut presented a dance in her beautiful golden gown, symbolizing her dedication and leadership. She followed with her message of PNASD Empowering IDEAS (Inclusivity, Diversity, Engagement, Advocacy, Success), urging all members to engage and support the next generation of leaders actively, stating, "Let us zero in on five for our PNASD Empowering IDEAS."
This recognition of the new officers and their pivotal role in shaping the future of PNASD instilled a profound sense of importance and responsibility in them. A gavelpassing ceremony between Emeline and Perly followed.
Crissy Escarrilla, chair of the Scholarship Committee, presented the scholarship recipients their
awards together with their assigned sponsors. Congratulations to our PNASD nursing students’ scholars: Mia Mae Dacasin – BSN at Grand Canyon University (GCU), Makhiba Williams -BSN at National University, Mercy Essien- ADN at Southwestern College, Carlo Miguel Joaquino BSN at GCU, Whitney Monroe -BSN, Ohio University, Kyle Montgomery-MSN/FNP at CSUSM, Adeline Lee- MSN at USD, Jessica Nitta – BSN at Ohio University, Justin Carl De FranciaBSN at GCU, Cherry Shott-BSN at GCU, and Aliane Shaine SorianoBSN at SDSU School of Nursing. Rosemarie Cruz, Chair of the Excellence Awards Committee, presented the certificates to our recipients. Congratulations to our Excellence Awardees; Jerry Abalos, BSN, RN, CCRN – Nurse Administration/Manager, Grossmont Hospital; Arlene Cagampan, LVNClinical Staff, VA Outpatient Specialty Women; Catherine De Leon, PhD, RN-Nurse educator, USD; Eleanor Pizarro, MSN, NPAdvance Practice, Kaiser; Veronica Santos Timple, PhD, RN, CCRN-KNurse Researcher, Kaiser; Melanie Cuaresma, BSN, RN-Clinical Staff RN, VA Hospital; Ariane Cagampan, BSN, RN-Novice RN, Scripps La Jolla; and Hilario Noveno, Jr., PhD,
NP-C, APRN-CNP- Community Service, UCSD.
Lipin Reyes, Chair of the PNASD Board of Directors, gave the closing remarks, followed by the singing of the PNAA Hymn, Shine PNAA Shine, symbolizing our unity and shared mission, led by Dr Mary Joy-Garcia Dia, Mindy Ofiana, Vickie Berbano, and Perly Aguinaldo. We are grateful to Ms. Gemma Rama-Banaag, Chief Nursing Officer from Paradise Valley Hospital, our great emcee for this event. We also celebrated special moments such as the PNASD cake cutting, an opportunity drawing sponsored by USD Research and Dr. Razel Milo picking out the winners. Elected officials presented several Proclamations, such as from Mayor Morrison of National City, Councilmember Kent Lee's video from 6th District, San Diego, CA, and the PNASD Certificate of Recognition from Attorney General Ron Bonta. Thank you for our” Uber” drivers Emeline, Chona, and Vickie who picked up the guests from airport. Shout out to all the Planning Chairs and Committee members, it took the PNASD Village to deliver a remarkably successful celebration, an “Affair to Remember,” and a significant milestone for PNASD Golden Anniversary!
PNASD
How Kim Chiu handles heartbreaks
MANILA -- Actress Kim Chiu revealed in the pilot episode of the Visayan mainstream talk show "Kuan On One" with Melai Cantiveros how she handles heartbreaks.
"Hindi, kasi hindi naman ako lalabas na sad na umiiyak ka, na kuan ka," the actress told Melai during the interview.
"Meron kasing nagsabi sa akin, na huwag kong dalhin 'yung personal kong problema sa harap ng maraming tao. Kasi, hindi naman ako ma-explain ang sarili ko kung anong nangyayari sa akin, ang i-explain ko
sa'yo 'Uy, etong nangyari sa akin."
Despite her celebrity status and being a public figure, the actress said she chooses to resolve her problems privately.
"Ang daming tao sa buong
Pilipinas, na nanunuod ng TV sa'yo, kahit saan ka nila pinapanood, hindi ko ma-explain ang sarili ko. So sarilinin ko na lang 'yung pinagdadaanan ko na hirap, ako na lang ako. Kunwari sa showtime, tatlong oras lang 'yan, tatlong oras lang na tawanan, may 24 hours sa isang araw so puwede na akong
bumalik sa sarili ko, ganyan hindi ko dadalhin ang problema sa trabaho," she explained.
The actress also believes that it is okay to show other people how you feel and be yourself.
"Kung [gusto mo dalhin mo] ang problema sa kung nasaan ka, pwede naman to show vulnerability pero hindi lagi. Malay mo meron pang mas mabigay na problema 'yung isa doon, hindi lang siya nagsasalita. Pero ang importante rin na mayroon kang kausap, para hindi ka mabaliw," she said.
Chiu also believes in the saying that experience is the best teacher, which helped her to get through the conflicts she experienced.
"I-feel mo lang tapos hindi moideny, hindi mo i-kuan tanggapin mo na ganun talaga ang nangyari hindi mo kasalanan, hindi rin kasalanan nung lalaki or ng kahit sino, walang may kasalanan. Nangyari lang talaga siya, kasi hindi ka pa pinapanganak
Bottom left photo shows Emma Tabones Stevens
Photo on right panel (left to right) Sasha, Maarit,
