Kamala Harris Immediately Gains Black, Latino, AAPI Support as Biden Steps Down
By Sunita Sohra Bji/eMS
After three weeks of intense pressure from members of his own party to step down, President Joe Biden announced July 21 that he would not seek re-election and immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” said Biden in a statement. “While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus entirely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” he said.
About an hour later, Harris, the first Black, South Asian and female Vice President, said she would seek the nomination. In a speech last week at the APIAVote Presidential Hall, Harris said: “This is the most existential, consequential, and important election of our lifetime.” She roundly condemned Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, who may now be her opponent. Biden’s Legacy Both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus immediately endorsed Harris. Shekar Narasimhan, co-founder and chair of the powerful AAPI Victory Fund told Ethnic Media Services as news was breaking that his organization firmly endorses Harris. “We will work very hard to make sure she is the nominee,” he said. “Both for the legacy of Biden and for the sake of keeping the large Democratic coalition intact, it would be political malpractice for us not to nominate her.”
“Kamala Harris inherits the apparatus of the campaign. She is the logical
the
By Sejal Parekh/eMS
SAN FRANCISCO. CA -- Knee
surgery in 2021 limited Elizabeth Duran’s physical activity and caused her to gain weight. Duran, 65, took pills for high blood pressure and dealt with her anxiety privately.
In the fall of 2023, her doctor referred her to a county program, Recipe 4 Health, that delivers fresh produce to her house. Duran, who is Hispanic, credits the program with getting her back on track.
“I was familiar with Swiss chard and kale,” said Duran, “but I never would really choose those things.” After learning their nutritional value in the program, she looked up how to cook them.
Duran said participating in Recipe 4 Health helped her control her blood pressure, sleep better, and reduce her anxiety.
Since its inception in 2020, Recipe 4 Health – part of the “food as medicine” initiative – has connected over 6,000 Alameda residents, 83% of them people of color and more than half Spanish speaking, to healthy vegetables and health coaching. The results are impressive.
“One third of our patients with prediabetes and diabetes show a clinically meaningful reduction in their blood sugars,” noted the program’s chief medical officer, Dr. Steven Chen. “Two thirds of the patients improved their cholesterol indicators, thus reducing heart disease risk” while “44% of our patients are reducing their depression symptoms.”
Such outcomes can help prevent chronic illnesses and cardiovascular disease which ultimately save healthcare dollars, said Chen. He believes that consistent funding
for Recipe 4 Health is critical to its longevity.
Currently, Recipe 4 Health receives much of its funding from CalAIM, a multi-year initiative that combines federal and state dollars to address social drivers of health, including food and housing insecurity.
The state Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) administers CalAIM, and funds local MediCal plans to reimburse programs like Recipe 4 Health that provide medically supportive nutrition. DHCS was granted a five-year extension for federal funding for CalAIM, which was previously set to expire in Dec 2021. As he inches closer to 2026, Chen is looking for a stable funding source for his program that does not need frequent renewal.
This is why he is urging lawmakers to adopt AB 1975, Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s (D-Oakland) second attempt to require Medi-Cal coverage of medically supported food programs. If passed, California would become the first state in the country to require its Medicaid program to cover this benefit. The bill is currently makings its way through the state legislature. “Too many Californians,
particularly Californians of color, are living with largely preventable chronic illnesses and conditions,” said Bonta, noting her measure would go a long way in advancing health equity in the state.
A majority of those enrolled in Recipe 4 Health are low-income people of color.
Every week for 3 months, program participants receive 16 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, said Sasha Shankar, co-farm director at Dig Deep Farms, which supplies the program’s produce.
Weekly health coaching, meanwhile, helps participants learn about nutrition, exercise, and stress management, while also helping them set and meet health goals.
To participate in Recipe 4 Health, Medi-Cal patients in Alameda County need a referral from their primary care provider at participating health centers, which include Alameda Health System, Bay Area Community Health, Lifelong Medical Care, Native American Health Center, and Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center.
The program is separate from
By Shauni lyleS/CSDCo
SAN DIEGO, CA -- The Board of Supervisors agreed recently to move forward with plans to renovate the Mira Mesa Epicentre as a Countyoperated community center.
The County will rebuild and operate a portion of the property located at 8450 Mira Mesa Boulevard as an open recreation center for youth.
Over the past three years, the County connected with community members during meetings, surveys and events to come up with programs to accommodate people of all ages.
The new facility will help promote health and well-being through various programming opportunities including mentoring, career counseling, performing and visual arts, gardening, cooking and recreational classes.
The reconstruction of the epicentre will also provide community members and teenagers access to a safe and positive environment.
The approval of the lease agreement contributes to many of the County’s sustainability goals by:
Improving the layout of the building to accommodate people with diverse physical and mental abilities.
Transitioning to a green, carbonfree economy by reducing the building’s energy demand by 50%.
Protecting health and wellbeing by providing natural daylight, enriching landscaping, and using non-toxic materials.
Protecting
to get here and will break that last glass barrier.”
Porter has supported Harris since 2004, when she campaigned on the streets of San Francisco, using a fold-up ironing board on which to place flyers in her run for the District Attorney’s office. “I knew, even back then, that there would be a path for her to get here,” she said.
“Kamala is not only going to reenergize the base. She’s going to bring more people in: Gen Zs, the working class, women, among others. She is lifting us all up,” said Porter. “I’m here to support the best person for this job, and that is Kamala Devi Harris,” said Porter. “I’ll do whatever she needs me to do to get her to where she deserves to be.”
Race Shakes Up
Political science professor Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPI Data, told Ethnic Media Services that there has been a high level of dissatisfaction by Democrats and Republicans for their party’s nominees. “Biden’s debate performance put Democrats in a deeper deficit, although that was not reflected in polling numbers. But it was starting to look like a landslide for Trump.”
“This completely shakes up the race. It’s likely more of a toss up now, and a real danger for Trump,” said Ramakrishnan. Trump has called his
nominee.”
minimum of 300 pledged and signed delegates by Aug. 1. The nominee would then be announced Aug. 6.
real surprise will be the vice presidential pick,” he said.
President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris. (White House photo)
The Pampered Pinay Lifestyle: CLEANING FOR THE SOUL
By Francine Maigue
TIMES
SUMMER IS ACTIVE
MY PAMPERED FRIENDS!
People are hustling and bustling to and from countless events, and the emails and phone calls seem to multiply at the most alarming rate.
Although my week was jam-packed with countless commitments, I made sure to put my world on pause to spend time supporting my inaanaks, my dear Godchildren.
Amongst the many hats I wear, the one I wear most proudly is that of Ninang—Godmother to my nieces and nephew. In fact, I believe my Godchildren’s lists of impressive spring activities put mine to shame!
As I sat in a school auditorium to watch my nephew receive not one, but two awards for being both a positive role model of outstanding character for his peers and an outstanding citizen at his school’s assembly, a bulletin board caught my eye. The board was decorated
in vibrant spring flowers and featured a poster with the title, “10 Great Ways to Treat Others.” As I read through the poster’s timeless lessons, I reflected on my busy week and the people and situations I encountered. It dawned on me…
“Maybe what we all need is a little spring cleaning for the soul—to be reminded of the best ways to take care of ourselves and one another, especially during such a stressful and busy season.”
My pampered friends, both this week and next, I will be sharing my personal interpretation of these lessons and what they can mean to us adults during our March Madness…
1. Use kind words.
With all the negativity out there in the world, we hardly need any more critics for our respective life paths, right? I’ve always been steadfast in my conviction that if we are to expect anyone to believe in us, we ought to believe in ourselves first. As the spring season allows for the blossoming of nature, let us, too, allow ourselves to blossom and strive for what we most need and desire in life. Let’s choose to face every challenge, adversity, and opinion (both constructive and unwelcomed) with a brave face and positive outlook. Let your inner voice speak kind words to you as you pursue everything you’ve always wanted.
2. Help when you can.
I’m a big believer in volunteering in one’s community. Championing the causes of others in need always
puts one’s own life challenges into perspective and provides infinite inspiration. Imagine the positive impact we can each make with just a little time, effort, and selflessness.
3. Share and take turns.
This rule held true when we shared toys as children. As adults, I believe this holds true for the way in which we manage our time and attention. In order to make sure everyone important in your life feels special, hang and regularly update a family/household calendar. It’s important that we don’t get caught up in our own goals and itineraries. We must remember and give importance to the events, achievements, and victories both big and small of those around us.
4. Listen to what others have to say. We have so many resources available at our fingertips these days that we really have no excuse for not being in touch with the world, current events, and the latest progress in different sectors. When possible, I try to take a step beyond simply reading and watching the news and challenge myself to take a class, any class. In fact, many universities and organizations even offer free online classes, which you can peruse at your leisure. By listening to what others have to say, we push ourselves to grow and garner an education far beyond our day-to-day interactions.
5. Be honest and truthful.
I believe it is as important to be honest, truthful, and tactful with yourself as you are with others. As we set goals for ourselves, let us dream big, but let us also set out reasonable plans and timelines with detailed steps regarding how to attain what we truly desire for our health, relationships, career, and otherwise. Sometimes our journeys to greatness and satisfaction take longer than we want or expect… the least we can do for ourselves is to remain positive and tenacious-comforted by a well-thought out plan we’ve designed for ourselves.
Paradise Valley Hospital is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality care for stroke and heart failure
The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus and Heart Failure Gold Plus awards for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke and heart failure patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.
NATIONAL CITY, CA -- Paradise Valley Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus and Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement awards for its commitment to ensuring stroke and heart failure patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. And about six million adults in the United States live with heart failure, with that number expected to rise to eight million by 2030.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest researchand evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines is an in-hospital program for improving stroke and heart failure care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of these terrible diseases and even prevent death.
“Paradise Valley Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” says Neerav Jadeja, PVH CEO. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in our community can experience longer, healthier lives.”
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke and heart failure patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also
educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Paradise Valley Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of
Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Sabra Lewsey, M.D., MPH, adds, “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure often see better patient outcomes, fewer
readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for families, communities and health care systems.” Lewsey is the chair of the American Heart Association Heart Failure System of Care Advisory Group, and assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Paradise Valley Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.
Paradise Valley Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2
Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke. The hospital has also been certified as a Primary Stroke Center featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.
MANILA -- Miss Universe
Enrique Gil, Jane De Leon star in MMFF entry 'Strange Frequencies' Rabiya Mateo says
MANILA -- The Philippine cinema landscape is set to witness a groundbreaking entry in the horror genre with the upcoming film "Strange Frequencies," starring Enrique Gil and Jane De Leon, and directed by Kerwin Go.
"Strange Frequencies" promises a novel cinematic experience. The film employs a found footage style, a first in Philippine cinema, which aims to provide a raw and realistic portrayal of supernatural occurrences.
Enrique Gil, a self-proclaimed horror aficionado, said he was immediately captivated by the concept when it was pitched to him.
"[It's] something different, something very raw. Parang found footage style. I don't think it's ever been done in Philippine cinema ever," Gil said.
The decision to shoot in Taiwan adds another layer of authenticity to the film. Director Go said Taiwan's cultural beliefs in ghosts and the supernatural made it the perfect backdrop for a horror film.
"Taiwan is a place where people still believe in ghosts and the supernatural. If any sort of ghost stories happen in Asia, Taiwan is the perfect place to be," Go said.
One of the film's most intriguing elements is its primary location: the infamous Xinglin Hospital, known as Taiwan's most haunted place. Gil and De Leon, along with the crew, will be entering and filming in this abandoned hospital, equipped only with GoPros and CCTV cameras, enhancing the film's raw and unfiltered feel.
The team’s genuine reactions are a key aspect of "Strange Frequencies."
Jane De Leon, transitioning from action to horror, expressed her excitement about the project.
"I love scary films... Napakaauthentic ng magiging reactions namin. Hindi siya acting-acting," she said.
The film's unique approach blurs the line between reality and fiction, immersing both the actors and the audience in an unpredictable and thrilling experience.
Go, making his MMFF debut, sees this film as a significant milestone.
"I feel great, it's a dream come true for me, this is my first," Go said, underscoring the innovative and risky nature of the project.
Go hopes that "Strange Frequencies" will challenge viewers to reconsider their beliefs about the supernatural.
"When I started making this movie, I wasn't really a believer. But during the course of it, I think I've changed my mind. So maybe a message to the viewers, do not discount things that
you do not understand," Go said, hinting at the transformative journey the film offers.
The film also stars Alexa Miro, MJ Lastimosa, Rob Gomez, Raf Pineda and YouTuber Zarckaroo who are all first time MMFF participants.
For the very first time, Jane also clarified the rumor about her and Rob Gomez and said that there was nothing going on between her and co-star who was seen in her IG post.
“No. Noong time kasi na yun, it was our rest day. Marami naman kami. I was with my mom, my makeup artist, Rob, and Zarck. So, noong time na yun na may na-upload ako, minsan na nga lang mag-upload sa Instagram. Nahagip tong si Rob. So I was with Rob and Zarb. And then hindi namin alam na naa-article na kami. So I feel bad lang din kay Rob kasi nagso-sorry siya sa akin. Sabi ni Rob sa akin, 'Jane sorry nadamay ka pa, nahiya ako sa mom mo.' Sabi ko, 'No, it's okay because we know that you're a nice person.'” (MNS)
For Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing, Cinemalaya entry like a trial for parenthood
MANILA -- Celebrity couple
Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing likened their experience of shooting for the Cinemalaya entry “Love Child” to a free trial on parenthood.
“Tumatak sa akin. Para kami naka-15-day free trial having a kid. Naka-lock in kami. It was a really fun experience for me because I got to work with RK again. Free trial before lifetime subscription. Prepare muna kami,” Oineza said in an interview after the press conference of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in Manila City.
“Ang hirap pala. Ako na lang muna baby,” Bagatsing added in jest. “Eventually if we have a kid na, we think paano kaya kami maging magulang? ‘Yon ang message ng movie eh.”
Jonathan Jurilla’s “Love Child” is billed as an alternative rom-com that illustrates “love in the real world.”
Philippines 2020 and actress Rabiya Mateo is hoping she is now closer to finding her father, Syed Mohammed Abdullah Moqueet Hashmi, after getting a new lead regarding his whereabouts months ago.
“Somebody emailed me, ‘this is your dad.’ Maganda kutob ko because his year of birth, tugma. According to the details, may isang anak na lalake. Specific sa address. May contact number. Tumawag ako. May sumagot na babae. I was looking for my dad—but sabi ng babae hindi niya kilala,” Mateo said during the press conference where she was named as the CEO of a jewelry brand in Cavite.
“Malalaman ko lang if puntahan ko and do background check. It was out of the blue. I have a good feeling. I am hoping and praying I find him,” she said.
According to Mateo, some of her friends have volunteered to help vet the information.
“Alam ‘to ni Kuya Kim and close friends. He said he will help me because he has connections in the US, to do background check. It was out of the blue, I don’t know paano nito nalaman email ko,” she explained.
Mateo recounted in a 2020 interview with host Tim Yap on his online talk show that she and her mother were expecting he would return after flying to the US, but he never came back.
“I think it was his plan to abandon us,” she said, noting that they never heard from him after his departure.
closer to finding father
She also narrated on the vlog that her mother was no longer able to contact her father’s brothers.
“And all of a sudden, all of the connections were cut,” Mateo said.
"Hatred will ruin you: Despite father's plan to abandon her, Rabiya chooses understanding"
Mateo is optimistic her new stint as the CEO of the fine jewelry brand in Cavite will help fund her search— especially since she recently lost millions after being scammed by a “friend.”
“Dahil CEO na ako, mas marami na ako pera para hanapin yung dad ko. Of course, he is in the states. I need funds, for plane ticket—hindi madali maghanap ng taong ayaw
magpahanap. But overall, mahanap ko o hindi, at least ‘yon fulfillment ko bilang tao,” she saod. The actress explained she wishes to find her father, who she believes is now 57 years old, as she wants to take care of him.
Mateo also clarified despite believing her dad abandoned them— she does not hold any grudge.
“Never ako pinalaki na may sinasabi masama about my dad. Sana makita ko siya because he is getting old. Sana,” she said.
“I would always want to look for him. Pero wala talaga. Madami nagsasabi for sure alam niya—baka daw ayaw magpahanap. Wala ako galit,” she said. (MNS)
of weight. It’s not because nagiging sobra ako sa mga pinapagawa ko. I also lost a lot of weight overall,” she said.
"Sa mga nagko-comment about my arms? I really don't care. It’s crazy to think that other people think they have the authority or the right or their opinion matters to me. Everything that I do for my body is for me kasi pag ka gising ko nakikita ko sa salamin nakikita ko is ako hindi naman si [random] username."
“It is hard to raise a child as it is. Ta's marami ka pa isipin, added gastos, and everything especially open with special needs. ‘Yun mga ma-tackle,” Oineza explained. The title marks the couple’s debut in the highly anticipated film festival.
Kwinekwento nila and very fortunate to be part of it,” Bagatsing enthused.
“There was a lot of firsts for us. And marami kami na-discover sa sarili namin, and as a couple,” he added.
Acknowledging the public's reaction to her slim arms, Brillantes said she remained unfazed by the criticism. She asserted, "Aware ako sa sinasabi nila pero hindi ko siya pinapapasok sa akin kasi ginagawa ko kung ano magpapasaya sa akin and I am really happy with my body right now. Gets ko sinasabi nila na hindi proportionate. Well, I can't control if God blessed me with 'blessings.'"
“It is 20 years of Cinemalaya creating stories that will give color to every Filipino, pinagdadaanan.
Cinemalaya runs from August 2-11 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. (MNS)
Pacific Arts Movement and San Diego Filipino Cinema's Cine Libre Program
individuals who bodyshamed her on social media.
During an interview at the signing of the contract renewal for the beauty product "Dear Face",
Brillantes addressed the criticism she received regarding her slim arms.
"Yung mga sinasabi nila na OA, it’s because I lost almost 20 pounds. Lumiit na siya because of what I did with Belo but I also lost a lot
"Ang weird lang na ginagamit nila pang body shame ang katawan ng ‘nanay’, na parang, ‘Grabe parang nanay na si Andrea, yung katawan niya.' That's so embarrassing for you to say... You’re body shaming your mom? So yun gusto ko sabihin, maganda katawan lahat ng kababaihan. Hindi dapat ginagawang pang body shame ang katawan ng nanay,” she continued. (MNS)
Liza Soberano prioritizes self-care, appears on international magazines
MANILA -- Liza Soberano
prioritizes self-care despite her busy schedule as she recently appeared on Foxes Magazine and Numéro Netherlands.
As a fashion queen to supporters, the Filipina actress also graced Gucci and Tiffany & Co. fashion events.
While having her moment in the fashion industry, the proud Pinay was invited to attend Elton John’s foundation event.
Last April, Soberano announced that she’s part of the first ever Ho Chi Minh International Film Festival as jury member.
“[It] was such an amazing showcase of talented filmmakers from all over the world. [I am] truly so inspired to continue working in an industry that encourages freedom of expression and challenges the way we think,” she said.
Soberano hopes to work again with Filipino artists for movies. Her last film was Lisa Frankenstein. Her stint in the movie had the Los Angeles Times calling her the Hollywood film’s “breakout star and true discovery.” Vanity Fair, for its part, dubbed her “an ace scene stealer.” According to her manager James
Reid, Soberano is set to do new projects here and abroad.
“Sometimes it's very hard for me to work out regularly and I think that's the one thing that I kind of give up on but definitely with my
MANILA -- Kapamilya actress Andrea Brillantes recently spoke out against
NEVER COUNT A FILIPINO OUT: WHAT IS THE PHILIPPINES’ ROLE IN THE FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE WORLD?
SAN DIEGO, CA -- Greetings!
Our beloved old homeland, the Philippines played a significant role in the first circumnavigation of the world led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1519-1522. After Magellan’s ships reached the Philippines in 1521, they established relations with the local ruler, Rajah Humabon who converted to Christianity and became an ally of the Spanish expedition. Magellan was later killed in the Philippines during a battle with the rival ruler LapuLapu but his crew continued the voyage and eventually completing the first circumnavigation of the globe. Indeed, the Philippines became an important stop along the Spanish trade route from the Americas to Asia known as the Manila Galleon Trade which connected the Spanish colonies in the Americas with the Spanish East Indies.
Enrique of Malacca became the first person to circumnavigate the globe. The map of Enrique’s circumnavigation includes: Malacca, Lisbon, Seville, Rio de Janeiro, Puerto San Julian, Guam, Limasawa and finally to Cebu.
This has led to the yarn that Enrique was originated from Cebu or the Visayas, and so he is actually a Filipino - and that he was captured in a slave-raiding expedition and sold to Magellan in Malacca. Following this line of thought, Enrique is truly the first person (and first Filipino) to circumnavigate the world from start to finish.
On March 28, 1521 –Enrique became the very first man to complete a “linguistic” circumnavigation of the globe – he traveled so far in one direction that he reached a point where his own language was spoken!
Enrique’s journey began a decade earlier following the sack of Malacca, when he was taken as a slave by Ferdinand Magellan. A teenager, he accompanied Magellan back to Portugal, then to Spain, and finally on the Armada de Molucca to locate a westward route to the Spice Islands.
When the Portuguese invaded in 1511, Malacca was an ultrawealthy city state with a population of over 120,000. It was possibly the most cosmopolitan city in the world then. Portuguese apothecary, colonial administrator and diplomat Tome Pires, also a merchant at the time, counted eighty-four languages spoken in Malacca.
Even the parrots, it was said, were multi-lingual. Ha-ha-ha-ha!
Traders and merchants came from Cairo, Ormuz, Goa, Timor and Ceylon as well as China,
Cambodia, Java and Brunei. People became known for the goods they traded: the Gujaratis, Tamils, and Bengalis for cloth; the Chinese for silk, camphor and porcelain and the Malays and other Southeast Asians for spices. Malacca’s sizeable Chinese population had their own quarter on one side of town, “Bukit China” (“Chinese Hill”).
Pires had this to say at that time: “Malacca is a city made for merchandise, fitter than any other in the world; the end of the monsoons and the beginning of others. Malacca is surrounded and lies in the middle, and the trade and commerce between different nations for a thousand leagues on every hand must come.”
At the time Pires was writing this narrative in 1513, Malacca’s future was waning. The Portuguese wanted the city to survive as a trade hub, but news of the brutal assaults there and around the Indian Ocean spread throughout the region, and many merchants took Malacca off their itineraries.
After defeating the Sultan’s forces, the Portuguese systematically sacked the city. The Chinese, Hindus, Javanese and others who had aided the Portuguese were spared from pillaging; their residences marked with flags but the invading troops slaughtered Malacca’s Muslim population. They also hauled away huge amounts of wealth plundered from underground cellars around the city, including gold bars and dust, rare gems, perfumes and spices. It was likely around this time that Magellan “captured” Enrique and took him as a slave. In 1512 or 1513, and on Enrique of Malacca ‘s first journeyMagellan and Enrique made the long voyage to Lisbon, possibly stopping at Cochin (“Kochi”), Portugal’s main stronghold on the India coast, and other spots such as “Malindi” (for beach and supplies) on the coast of modern-day Kenya along the way.
I would suppose that Enrique (as presumed Filipino) likely had a talent for languages (as evidenced even today by bilingual or even multi-lingual Filipinos?); numerous Malay dialects were spoken among merchants and Enrique learned Portuguese and later mastered Spanish.
On departure, Enrique was forced to commit to memory a lot and learn quickly beyond just languages. He had to get by heart shipboard routine and get accustomed to the clothes worn and the sparse food available at sea. He had to find meals and spots on or below deck to sleep.
Finally, the issue of eliminating the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) in the MATATAG curriculum has spawned fears among Bicolanos that the Bicol mother tongue could be facing extinction. Those who entertain such thoughts are romanticizing the issue because it is not going to happen in my lifetime or an extension of such lifetime. If a Bicolano speaks other than his or her mother tongue, it is by design, but it does not mean that the person has begun the countdown for the language extinction.
Growing up in Bicol exposed me to six years of elementary education, four years of high school, and two years in college. During those years, I spoke three languages: Bicol, English, and Tagalog (Pilipino).
In the community, at home since I was born, and in between classes in school, I spoke Bicol. I’ve spent another five years in the United States completing my baccalaureate degree and two years towards my masteral degree in public health with English as the official language
They had at best roll-up straw mattresses and at times were lucky to find somewhere dry to lay those out. Then there were ever-present smells, the stench of bilge water and livestock, these as a backdrop to constant pitching and rocking on the waves.
And while surrounded by water in every direction for months, Enrique likely missed water – freshwater, that is, for drinking and bathing. During that time, Europeans considered bathing unnecessarily dangerous, while peoples in Southeast Asias considered it essential for purification and cooling. Whereas the Chinese drank tea and the Europeans wine, the common
drink in Southeast Asia was water, fresh and purifying. Among the fleet’s supplies, the most important provisions were not water but
Jesse T. Reyes Filipino Potpourri
wine.
Enrique and Magellan probably arrived in Lisbon in 1513, meaning Enrique spent close to six years in Europe. In September 1519 as they prepared to sail on Magellan’s great enterprise – the Armada de Molucca - Enrique was already one of the more experienced crew members on board and also one of the more highly paid.
Enrique was primarily enlisted as an interpreter with a monthly salary of 1,500 maravedis. That is the same amount that Duarte Barbosa, Magellan’s relation by marriage was earning and 300 maravedis more per month than Cristovao Rebelo, who is possibly Magellan’s illegitimate son.
Of course, when valuing Enrique’s work skills, no one knew the fleet would have to travel for a year and a half before the young man could do any interpreting at all.
About Enrique’s circumnavigation of the world, I would say a Disney film about Enrique would certainly be built around the fleet’s arrival at Limasawa Island in the Philippines as a triumphant climax. The armada had just spent three harrowing months at sea, losing some twenty crew members to scurvy and starvation and at the third or fourth island they called on in the Visayas, they were met by eight men in a canoe- and presumably to everyone’s surprise and delight - Enrique could converse with them!
Yes…Enrique had absolutely circumnavigated the globe “linguistically”; he and Magellan had just produced empirical proof that the world was indeed round. The two explorers had come about 2,600 kilometers (1,615 miles) from a full circle of the earth, Malacca being the starting point.
Enrique may well have gone on. After the massacre at Cebu, he basically could have defected from the Spanish fleet and from history in the process. But no denying that continuing or journeying on was still possible as Limasawa and the neighboring islands were in fact genuinely part of the regional trade network.
It is also possible Enrique had already reached his very own home islands.
Several scholars in our beloved old homeland – the Philippines –argue that since Enrique spoke the language at Limasawa, he could
have very well grown up in the region – the Visayan Islands – and was eventually brought to Malacca as a very young slave, perhaps. Most likely though as Western historians point out – Enrique was speaking Malay at Limasawa – as that was the language being used in Southeast Asian trade at that time. Magellan/Elcano chronicler Antonio Figafetta accounts at both Limasawa and Cebu point out to that. Nobody can definitively prove what language Enrique actually used in Limasawa and Cebu is the counter argument. As for Enrique himself, the feat of circling the earth would have had a special meaning. I would add that for Enrique, reaching Asia, having an Austronesian language he knew meant he had his homecoming or at least nearly returned to his homeland. As a backdrop he had two years earlier faced the possibility of spending the rest of his life in Portugal or Spain as a slave.
So, essentially to Enrique’s circumnavigation of the globe wasn’t about finding new land but about returning to familiar ones.
Shades of the prodigal Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)? Haha-ha-ha!
For my two cents – and as folks continue the debate on the meaning of the voyage and who gets credit (Magellan who was killed in the Philippines by the “First Filipino Patriot” whose name was LapuLapu - or Juan Sebastian Elcano – or all of the surviving crew members?) – it is simply fitting that the first circumnavigator of the world turned out to be an unlikely hero – neither Spanish nor Portuguese or Italian but rather a young Filipino slave captured in Malacca a decade earlier. This was a young man who witnessed first-hand the early forays of colonizing by both the Portuguese (in Malacca) and the Spanish (in South America and the Philippines) half a millennium ago…and traveled from one to the other the long way.
For me, it once again somehow reminds us of all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are currently in all parts of the globe and who conquer all fears in the pursuit of their family and old homeland’s dreams. As I have always believe –Never ever count a Filipino out! Mabuhay!!
The mother of all Mother Tongues: Language as part of the Bicolano Identity, Final
that we have transformed ourselves into something different. And, why not? All babies are born beautiful but somewhere along the way, we redefined our looks that when we look at old pictures, we ask. “That’s me?”
of instruction.
Since I left the Philippines in 1975, San Diego, California has been my home with military deployments and overseas assignments in between, and the occasional trips back to the Philippines. During my 28 years of military service and 22 years professional career in federal service, English was and continues to be the spoken and written language. I speak the three languages that I know every day depending on the situation with English being the predominant language spoken. At 70, I still speak and write in Bicol fluently because people don’t really lose their mother tongue as a matter of course. If one “loses” it, it must have been deliberately done and by design. Why? The mother tongue is part of our identity and stays with us until death. We go through life establishing our own identity, an identity that persists over time.
As evolving humans, we unfold time into what seemingly appear to be different versions. As we age and mature, we get this impression
We all have a mind and most of us tend to keep it. With every additional knowledge that we have accumulated from kindergarten to college, and the experiences that came along with it; our minds remain the same and for every experience and decisions we had made were all shaped by our minds. The body ages, the hair falls out, eyesight dims, and a couple of wobbly knees inched us to where we want to go, but through it all, we still have our sanity that helps us remember the language we grew up with.
If our thinking is more mature, then shouldn’t our minds have evolved too? Meaning, some discernible differences from what it was back when we began crawling on our knees? Our minds play tricks on us that makes us review our own journey in reverse and as we add more birthdays, revisions come into play. But there must be something else that connects our minds to our body – a soul.
Our soul is what gives us consistency that makes us who we
are today, not much different from when we were a child. What changed that affected our experiences and decisions, is ego. Ego, along with the mastered languages of our choosing, places us in a different universe that we temporarily inhabit, well, hopefully true unless we lose our minds.
We hallucinate from a distorted sense of who we are and make ourselves the center of such a universe. Thus, believing wrongly, that we have two souls with the ability of switching back and forth. Like the good soul is the rational one, and the other, well, lustful for the material world and with an unruly passion.
Power, wealth, titles among others, provide the aphrodisiac that makes us dizzily live in such a different, assumed, or parallel universe, apart from our true selves. It is when we lose these accoutrements and faux personalities that we fall back to earth and recognize that we have regained our true selves, our soul. Tatao pa palan mag-Bicol (I can still speak Bicol).
What is important is that as a community, we can communicate with and understand each other to survive the doldrums of everyday living and know full well that the current generation will always differ
in many ways with the previous generation. In real life, nobody cares if we speak taglish, broken Tagalog, or speak with our diluted dialect. It is a fact of life that language and dialects do evolve right before our eyes.
Growing up in the 60’s through 70’s, nobody used the word “salamatonon” (thank you very much) in Central Bicol (Naga) that is commonly used now as part of the Bicol lexicon. Bicol has its own word for thanks – mabalos with variations for context like “po” at the end for respect, or “Dios” before the word for gratitude as a spiritual virtue, “na maray” for “thank you very much,” or with the adopted Tagalog word “salamat” as “dakulang pasalamat” for the superlative version . “Salamatonon,” a word that can be traced perhaps to Albay or Sorsogon, is an encompassing word to capture a deeper acknowledgement of what transpired. There are other words that made their way into our day-today conversations by assimilation brought about by migration, travel or social media: “Hanep,” “Petmalu,” “Gimik,”Pipol,” Dedma,” “Syota,” “shit,” among others have added colors to the day-to-day vocabulary of the Filipino. These words have found their way too into the Bicol lexicon as a matter of course.
Perhaps Plato’s wisdom can illuminate our minds with his early sorties into the issue of language. Plato’s language theory can be categorized as part of mythology that Ancient Greek is well-known for, but in truth will find them with astonishing currency to the very topic bedeviling us today. Plato posited that the assignment of names is arbitrary as part of wordsmithing that is separate from the concept of studying ideas.
Meaning, any name may be given to any object (rock), and that existing names may be changed (to bato, gapo) without loss of meaning. Language is contextual, according to Plato that an individual and public need not agree with. Both can be correct thus the need for dialogue. We hear it all the time that an incident is huge but we disagree, insisting it is not. We call a man an animal or vice versa. “Hayop ka!” a wife might call a husband or a worst version, “demonyo!” Some call a dog Goliath.
In fine, reality is what people perceive it is – ideal or some phenomenon or metaphysical; and language is only a medium to express the ideal as a perfect reality, or the phenomena of the physical world that we experience outside the realm of space and time.
Magellan's interpreter, Enrique was the first to circumnavigate the world.
Map of Enrique's circumnavigation of the globe: Malacca, Lisbon, Seville, Rio de Janeiro, Puerto San Julian, Guam, Limasawa and Cebu.
On 16 March 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the Philippines.
The Battle of Mactan where the Spanish forces were defeated and Ferdinand Magellan was killed by the first Filipino patriot Lapu-Lapu.
Spiritual Life Psalm for Busy People
I was talking with a friend when we shared our common experience of being busy most of the time. I asked her to relax and have time for herself. I said, “Take time to smell the roses.” In our search for a living, we often take for granted the things that are valuable to us, among them, the precious gift of time. We are so busy doing so many things – pursuing a client, attending meetings, providing care to the sick and infirm and fulfilling personal obligations. We don’t have time for ourselves!
I’m glad I had the time to visit friends and relatives in the Philippines recently. It was an eyeopener for me. My schedule was tight but well-planned. I was able to balance my activities. A time for meetings, a time for family and friends, a time for bonding with my son and his family, a time for my personal health needs, and a time for recreation. I was able to attend church worship services at the Central UMC in Manila and Cagayan de Oro UMC. I was even able to see two movies with my grand daughter, an activity that I failed to do here in San Diego because I am too busy. I think I was able to accomplish all what I wanted to do within the limited time that I had for one reason: I had a written plan. My written plan allowed me to analyze how I will spend my time more
Aurora
S. Cudal-Rivera
My Personal Testimony
efficiently and effectively.
I was at the dental office of my daughter-in-law in Cagayan de Oro waiting for my turn as a patient, when I saw a framed poem on the wall entitled, the Psalm for Busy People. I wrote it on my notepad with the hope that I will be able to share it with the readers of this column.
The Lord is my Pacesetter I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness, which restores my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind, and His guidance is peace.
Although I have so many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret,
For His presence is here; His timeliness, His all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and
renewal for me in the midst of my activity
By anointing my mind with His oil of tranquility, My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord forever.”
For all of us who seem to be busy all the time, this psalm comes as a reminder that the Lord our God is our pacesetter. When we wake up in the morning, let us plan our day in order to prevent the hurry and scurry of meeting our appointments and assuming our responsibilities. For those of us who have burdens that are difficult to bear , which robs us of time just thinking about them, our generous and loving God calls us, “Come all you that are tired and heavily laden and I will give you rest.”
A place of nothingness
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
Do you find yourself in a place of nothingness? There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of isolation and waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is a place of nothingness designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a taskdriven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something" while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God." You know the signs that you have been brought into this place when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Many people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot see what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.
Has God brought you to a place of nothingness? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, your nothingness will be turned into something you will value for the rest of your life.
Danny Hernaez From Whom
All Blessings Flow
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
In the past two Sunday we have shared our reflections in the meaning of Christian missions, namely, that the sender of the mission of Jesus Christ himself, the message of the mission is the proclamation of the gospel that the reign of God is at hand, the spirit of the missionaries is that of poverty so that they would always depend on God’s grace and the cooperation of the people to whom they are sent and finally the consequences of accepting or rejecting the missions.
Last Sunday we shared how Jesus received the apostles, the first missionaries, back to his fold, listening to their experiences and sending off to recreated and refresh themselves in desert so that they could be able to proclaim further the mission of Jesus himself. The readings of the past two Sunday were truly very meaningful and significant in our own lives as disciples of Jesus who would aspire to follow Him more closely.
Today gospel reading speaks about the foreshadowing of the greatest miracle that Jesus left for us to always consider. The multiplication of the bread that fed thousands of people who “followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick,” points to the Sacrament of the Eucharist that he eventually instituted on the night of his betrayal when he also instituted the sacrament of the orders. Looking into the miracle of the multiplication of the bread we can already see certain
elements of Christian ministry itself. These elements I would like to share with you today. The first among them is the presence of the multitude of people who seek for spiritual and physical healing, material satisfaction, psychological fulfillment and others. The second element of ministry is the objective of the minister himself. Ministry is always for the welfare of the people who seek what would be giving them the fullness of their personal aspiration. Ministry is never a self-service unto the satisfaction of the minister himself. Jesus did not multiply the loaves so that the people would make him their king for in fact when the people want to be proclaimed as the prophet among them, “he withdrew again to the mountain alone.” The third element that I see in this gospel passage is the value that Jesus gave to little or insignificant things. “When they had their fill, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” In serving people
everything matters, both small and big. Jesus wants us to always consider everything and everyone important to be in life. The readings this Sunday allow us to ponder further and more deeply the paternal concern of Jesus for all of us. He left behind the Eucharist not only as a memorial of his saving mysteries, but as an occasion for us to minister to each other in a Christian way. This means that we should never serve in order to make ourselves known or honored nor so that we would be compensated in any way. Our service and ministry should always be in view of the common good, if not the welfare of the whole community, especially those who are most in need, the poor, the oppressed, the immigrant, the less fortunate, those who live in the peripheries in life. The spirit of service should always include the consideration of the value of all things, no matter how big or small because for Jesus nothing should go into waste. In a world that has become so secular, selfish and material, we truly need ministers who would remain faithful to the ministry that Jesus showed during his lifetime. There may be ordained ministries, but Christian life itself is a ministry within our own families, our community, our neighborhood and the whole wide world. Let us pray that our ministry would mirror the ministry of Jesus, selfless, other centered and concerned about the value of everything.
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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Para sa mga taong may paniniwalang may buhay sa kabila
Ang buhay ay isang paglalakbay sa Pananampalataya
Kung ating pagaralan at suriin ang buhay na ito Ito ay buhay ng isang Santo, isang tapat na alagad ni Kristo.
Bahagi ng ating pangako bilang isang Kristiano
Ang palaganapin ang mga utos ng Panginoong Hesu Kristo Utos ng Diyos na tanggap nating banal at tama
Ang Santo ay kapwa nating tao lamang at di naiiba
May buhay siyang marupok at mahina
Subalit tanggap niya ito dahil may puso siyang mapagpakumbaba Kaya’t pinagkakalooban siya ng karagdagang dunong at lakas Nabubuhay siyang marunong sumunod at magtiwala.
Ang buhay at utos ng Panginoon ay pinagaaralan Isang gawain na sa panghabang buhay ay pinagsisikapan Sa paniwalang habang lumalawak ang kaalaman Lalong nagiging matindi ang pagmamahalan.
Ang isabuhay ang utos ng Diyos sa isang Santo ay mahalaga Kaya’t sa buhay ng isang Santo ang kabutihan ng Diyos ay nakikita Kunmg ang buhay ng isang Santo ay pinagmamasdan ng iba Para silang nagbabasa ng Banal na Biblya.
Maari nating sabihin na ang buhay ng isang Santo ay may kahirapan Ang buhay na banal na hangad natin, hindi madaling tahakin ang daan Upang ating makapiling ang Panginoon sa
Kanyang Kaharian Ang buhay ng isang Santo ang ating dapat tularan. Muli, ang buhay ng isang Santo ay isang ehemplo Lahat tayo ay inaasahan ng Panginoon na maging Santo Tunay ngang hindi madaling mabuhay bilang isang Santo Ang biyaya naman ay Kapayapaan at Kaligayahan na hindi Kayang ibigay ng mundo.
Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic
Ni Salvador S. Idos
Salvador S. Idos
CalFresh, California’s food stamp program, and many patients are able to receive both Recipe 4 Health and CalFresh benefits at the same time.
Primary care providers can refer patients if they are food insecure, or have a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart failure, or stroke.
Nearly 10% – roughly 154,000 – of Alameda’s 1.6 million residents live in homes that experience food insecurity.
Once participants have been referred by their primary care provider, Recipe 4 Health receives the referral and passes it to the county Medi-Cal plan, Alameda Alliance for Health for authorization. The referral is also forwarded to partners Dig Deep Farms and Open Source Wellness, which provides health coaching. These partners contact the participant to verify contact information before starting services.
Still, despite its successes the program has not been without challenges. “Literally a few weeks into the program and the pandemic hit,” said Chen. “We went totally to doorstep delivery. And then we went to virtual groups.”
The pandemic had several other ripple effects on the program. As fewer people saw their primary care provider for routine care, fewer referrals were
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made to Recipe 4 Health. Contact information in the clinic’s medical records also became outdated.
If phone numbers were not updated in the clinic’s record, referrals would carry that incorrect information to Recipe 4 Health. When that happens, “We have data to show that drops off significantly,” by as much as 50%.
“Wrong number, you can’t reach the patient, kind of dead in the water,” said Chen.
Lack of time or transportation can also prevent people from participating in weekly coaching sessions. In 2023, only 1,105 of 1,949 – about 56% –Recipe 4 Health participants attended coaching.
That has put a strain on Open Source, explained Director Elizabeth Markle, who said Recipe 4 Health
is currently seeking to renegotiate its contract with the organization by moving to a fee-for-service model.
Rising inflation and food costs have also had an impact. Shankar said that Dig Deep Farms was reimbursed $23 per bag of produce delivered to participants in 2023, and that reimbursement rates had to be increased in 2024.
But compared to the billions California spends each year treating chronic illnesses, Recipe 4 Health’s per-patient outlays – roughly $785 per participant for the year, based on information provided by Chen’s team – are more cost effective.
When critics ask, “How do we pay for this food?” Chen replies, “We’re already paying for it. It’s just through our healthcare system.”
SAN DIEGO, CA -- The City of San Diego wants to hear from San Diegans who receive trash and recycling collection services from the Environmental Services Department (ESD).
Starting early August, the City will kick off a series of open house meetings to evaluate the level and types of service provided by ESD and how that would impact the cost of waste collection for residential properties.
Developing a fee structure will allow the City to provide enhanced and more tailored services, such as increased recycling collection frequency and replacement bins at no additional charge. Launching today with a new website and calendar of events, the City’s Community Engagement Plan will include in-person and virtual public meetings in each of the nine Council Districts, as well as focus groups and questionnaires. The City is also forming a Community-Based Organization Working Group that will foster inclusive dialogue, gather diverse perspectives and build an understanding of preferences.
In 2022, Measure B amended the “People’s Ordinance” to allow the City to charge a cost-recovery fee for trash and recycling collection services the City provides to residential properties. Such a fee would apply to approximately 285,000 residential properties currently serviced by the City. This includes single-family homes and residential complexes of four or fewer units that meet City requirements for City-provided trash and recycling collection. Currently, these properties do not directly pay for trash and recycling collection, while residents in apartment complexes and those with homeowners associations, for example, do pay private waste collection companies for these services.
“The most important component of this process is listening to what our customers want for services,” said Jeremy Bauer, Assistant Director of ESD. “Our forward-thinking, customer service-focused outreach and engagement efforts will help us elevate community voices, with a keen lens on equity and inclusion.”
Charging a fee for waste collection would not only enhance services, but also protect the environment and create a fair system by requiring all San Diegans to pay for waste collection services. It would also allow the City to allocate General Fund dollars previously spent on trash and recycling collection for only a subset of San Diego residents to City projects and services that benefit all residents.
It’s important to note that under existing law, the City cannot generate a profit, but only recover the costs of providing the services as determined by an extensive Cost-of-Service Study. An efficiency analysis is also being conducted to ensure the City is being as cost-effective as possible. San Diegans who receive collection
services for trash and recycling from the City’s ESD are invited to share their input about potential service enhancements by completing a questionnaire or attending one of several community meetings. The first meeting will be held Aug. 5 at Logan Heights Library, 567 S. 28th St. Accommodations for ASL and foreign-language interpretation at meetings will be made available to those who request it in advance.
The City’s Community Engagement Plan will be used to help inform the City’s Cost-of-Service Study (COSS), which not only determines the cost of trash and recycling collection services the City is currently providing, but also enhanced services City residents want
can only charge residents for the actual costs the City incurs in providing the services. The COSS, which is expected to be complete by the end of this year, will also explore a discount program for those who meet eligibility requirements.
Those who want to learn more about the COSS and to provide feedback about their preferences are invited to attend a community meeting. To reach a broad audience, 10 meetings (nine in-person and one virtual) will be held in August and September at familiar locations in each Council District. The meetings will incorporate educational materials and engagement activities, including collaborative exercises. Sustainable giveaway items,
scraps) and compost samples, will be available for participants. Additional meetings are planned for this fall.
Anyone can stay in the loop by joining the engagement email list and visiting the City’s webpage, which includes fact sheets, the meeting schedule and historical information about waste services in San Diego.
The San Diego City Council is expected to consider the fee schedule in June of 2025, which would be rolled out with the new customer-requested service levels over the next few months in the summer of 2025.
In-person Community Meetings by Council District (CD); 5:30 to 7 p.m. CD8 Monday, Aug. 5 Logan Heights Library, 567 S. 28th
and
Continued from page 1
now apparent opponent “crazy,” and “nuts.” Minutes after Biden dropped out, Trump’s campaign launched into an attack on Harris.
Ramakrishnan noted that California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have both stated they will not run. The wild card is former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, he said, adding that Latinos have felt a lack of visibility within this administration. Castro was one of the earliest to call for Biden to step down.
Wild Card Julian Castro
“Kamala Harris has been an excellent Vice President, an electric campaigner, and is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump,” said Castro on X/Twitter, shortly after
the announcement.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, would make a good vice presidential pick said Ramakrishnan, noting that the husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, permanently disabled after an assassination attempt, is one of the strongest advocates for gun control.
Robert Camacho, a Latino elected delegate from California’s CD11, had mixed emotions about Biden stepping down. He and his husband Tim Miller spent a day with Biden last month when he came to the San Francisco Bay Area, and also met the President at the White House on June 15, 2022 when he signed an executive order protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
The LGBTQ+ Vote
“I feel like someone has attacked my family member,” he said, weeping as he spoke. “In Biden, I saw a man that gave his all in trying to make our
lives better. He is and will always be a true leader.”
“It was heartbreaking for me to see the President go through the media attacks. We have had presidents with disabilities who served us well,” said Camacho, referring to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served four terms, though afflicted with polio. “This was really disrespectful,” he said. Camacho serves on the DNC’s Finance Committee, and has volunteered with the White House’s Office of Public Engagement’s outreach to the Latino community. He dismissed media chatter about Hispanics reportedly turning to Trump, saying polls consisting of not more than 2,000 people could not accurately represent a voting population of 14 million people.
Camacho said he will now firmly throw his support behind Harris.
# in San Diego
TOP 20 IN THE NATION
2nd Consecutive Year on Best Hospitals National Honor Roll
Ranked in TOP 50 Nationwide for Specialties
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery (10)
• Obstetrics & Gynecology (12)
• Geriatrics (19)
• Neurology & Neurosurgery (22)
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (26)
• Heart & Vascular (27)
• Diabetes & Endocrinology (34)
• Ear, Nose & Throat (40)
• Cancer (42)
• Urology (43)
• Orthopedics (44)
Leading Health Care Excellence
At UC San Diego Health, we’re passionate about providing exceptional patient care — and this focus on quality and safety gets noticed. We’re again ranked the #1 health care provider in San Diego and among the nation’s top 20 hospital systems on the Best Hospitals National Honor Roll in U.S. News & World Report ’s 2024–25 rankings.
This year, we also rank among the nation’s best in 11 medical and surgical specialties, more than any hospital system in San Diego. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire team, who work tirelessly to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care possible. Learn more at health.ucsd.edu/usnews.