The Filipino Press: June 2-8, 2023

Japanese bank interested in PH energy sector, MIF

MANILA -- The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has expressed interest for energy tie-ups in the Philippines and the Marcos administration's proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), Malacañang said Thursday.

JBIC's planned partnerships with Philippine firms for energy development and interest in the proposed MIF were raised during Marcos' meeting with the bank's Board of Directors led by Tadashi Maeda at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday.

Maeda pitched JBIC's plan to address the liquefied natural gas' (LNG) role as the Philippines' traditional source of power and tap other energy sources such as hydropower, solar and wind.

Maeda told Marcos that he had met with Private Sector Advisory Council lead convenor and Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz to discuss JBIC's interest to sign a memorandum of understanding with several Philippine companies including Metro Pacific and San Miguel.

"We have the potential…between Japan and the Philippines to work together,” Maeda, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office, said, adding that there is a need to identify specific projects to ensure the successful transition to more efficient energy and the development of new technology like

hydrogen.

The JBIC is seeking investments in renewable energy projects to address the Philippines’ power

supply needs, as well as mitigate the effects of climate change in the country, according to a statement posted on state-run Radio Television

Malacañang's Facebook page.

The JBIC also had a separate meeting with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to discuss

By Lainie aLfaro

opportunities to accelerate sustainability efforts in the Philippines, in line with the bank's Environment, Social and

Governance Policy which outlines its goal to contribute to global carbon neutrality through energy transition.

Maeda, in a meeting with Pangandaman, mentioned the JBIC's financing options, which include Green Finance and Social Impact Finance that helped countries fast-track their transition to renewable energy, create waste treatment systems, and establish countermeasures for marine plastic waste.

MIF approval

During the courtesy visit to Marcos, Maeda also congratulated the Philippine government for the Senate and the House of Representatives' approval of the MIF bill which seeks the creation of the proposed sovereign wealth fund.

Marcos said his administration is eyeing the establishment of the MIF to attract more investments.

“It’s so that we, the Philippines, can participate in what would be, what is regarded, of course, as an investment for us. It is a necessary infrastructure that we are investing in,” he said.

“So, that is the plan for the sovereign fund. We now have to go and look at the design or the structuring of the fund. But it is basically seen as our government participation in projects that, mostly, it will really be in the Philippines,"

SAN DIEGO, CA -- San Diego County Library was among this year’s winners of the Little Free Library nonprofit organization Todd H. Bol Awards for Outstanding Achievement. The award announcement came during the celebration of Little Free Library Week, which ran from May 14-20.

Little libraries are mailbox-like structures put up in communities to create neighborhood book exchanges where people can freely borrow or leave books for others to read. They can be found all around San Diego County.

In 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create a “little libraries” initiative to boost literacy in low-income and communities of color by giving the people and children living in them more opportunities to have books to read in their homes. San Diego County Library (SDCL) currently has 45 Little Free Libraries installed across the region and 56 more on their way.

SDCL is working in partnership with the San Diego Council on Literacy, other public library jurisdictions in the region, collective Friends of the Library groups, and local non-profits and volunteer groups to implement Little Free Libraries throughout the county.

SDCL Little Free Libraries are now open at the following locations:

Sweetwater Community Garden

5354 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, CA 91902

Sweetwater Summit Regional Park 3218 Summit Meadow Road,

Bonita, CA 91902

Christmas Circle Community Park 700 Christmas Circle Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Lake Morena County Park 2550 Lake Morena Drive, Campo, CA 91906

Heritage Park 1381 E. Palomar Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913

Lauderbach Park 333 Oxford Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911

SBCS – Ken Lee Building 430 F Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Tiffany Park

1713 Elmhurst Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91913

Flinn Springs County Park 14787 Old Highway 80, El Cajon, CA 92021

Felicita County Park 742 Clarence Lane, Escondido, CA 92029

Live Oak County Park 2746 Reche Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028

Vallecito County Park 37349 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, Julian, CA 92036

For more Little Free Library locations, please visit www.littlefreelibrary.org.

SAN DIEGO, CA -- When Dyna Jones first started serving seniors as a one-on-one care provider, the need for outreach and support in the senior community became clear to her. Rather than worry about the barriers to helping them get care, she decided to become part of the solution.

From the ground up, she and her husband created a caregiving facility to provide caregiving support to seniors. She could’ve stopped there, but she had the vision for how to activate her community.

Now, she has founded a network of services for senior care including an in-home care agency called First Promise Care Services, a non-profit offering free care services to seniors and a certified nursing assistant (CNA) school called Heart to Serve.

Within these services, she said she is motivated to help seniors and invest in the future of care providers to ensure they have the heart to serve.

Her introduction into serving seniors began when she arrived in the U.S. from the Philippines with, she says, just $35 in her pocket. She started getting involved with the senior community by cleaning at mobile parks. She then focused on one-on-one care and eventually bought a care facility, which she and her husband invested in from the ground up.

“I didn’t know what I was doing; I just know that I can care for them,” Jones said. “One of the things that helped me become a great caregiver is that I put myself in their shoes. How can I, if I am in their position

in a wheelchair or bed bound, how can I make it better? How do I want to be cared for?”

These questions propelled Jones as she realized that many seniors in the El Cajon community were not receiving the support they needed due to the cost.

According to the Administration for Community Living, “Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and support in their remaining years.”

The U.S. Federal Reserve also reported that retirement savings by race and ethnicity retain significant differences: 46% white workers, 26% Black workers, 25% Hispanic workers and 52% Asian workers have retirement savings on track. However, according to a National Institute on Retirement Security report, “Only 54 percent of Black and Asian employees and 38 percent of Latino employees ages 25-64 work for an employer that sponsors a retirement plan, compared to 62 percent of white employees.”

Her answer to the financial dilemma among seniors was BLISS, an acronym that stands for “Blessed Low-Income Senior Support.”

“There needs to be some kind of solution. I want to be part of the solution. I see there is a problem. Let me be part of the solution,” Jones said.

With over 20 years of experience serving seniors, she created BLISS in 2019, which partners with licensed care providers to help low-income seniors get the support they need. According to Jones, all care providers part of BLSS are fingerprinted, health screened and are state-registered caregivers. The BLISS website states that over 13,803 hours have been donated.

When BLISS was first imagined, there were initial barriers she wasn’t sure how to overcome.

“We consulted a lawyer and at the time she said, ‘If you don’t have $1 million, you can’t start a nonprofit. I don’t have $1 million, but I have a one-million heart and a onemillion vision, so I will activate the community to help,” Jones said. “If I have the heart for it, I’m sure there’s people who can join in this mission.”

BLISS persevered and in July 2022 Bliss applied to become a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They were approved within a month, according to Jones.

On May 27, BLISS held its first fundraising event called “Fund in the Sun” as its own 501(c)(3). Jones said she’s hoping to have at least 120 people, including Senator Bryan Jones was invited.

Spring-spiration

By FRANCINE m AIgu E

This week, I share with you inspirational quotes to help with the “spring cleaning” of our souls.

“But from this earth, this grave, this dust, My God shall raise me up, I trust.”

~Walter Raleigh

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.”

~Martin Luther

“Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.”

~Floyd W. Tomkins

“Let every man and woman count himself immortal.

Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection.

Let him say not merely, ‘Christ is risen,’ but ‘I shall rise.’”

~Phillips Brooks

BLISS

Continued from page 1

And her ministry to serve seniors, has extended to prepare the next generation to carry on the gauntlet. Amid COVID-19 restrictions and the shortage of healthcare workers, Jones got her CNA school, Heart to Serve, certified. She was able to hire a teacher, and Heart to Serve began partnering with local skilled nursing/nursing pathway facilities.

“We like to promote passion and a heart to serve to create a pool of [people] with the heart to do it,” Jones said. “That’s so important. When I talk to my peers at my age, [they say], ‘Who’s going to care for us when we get to the age where we need help?’ We need to create a pool right now. The needs are here. The workers are here.”

Over 100 students have made it through the pathway, according to

“Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there.”

~Clarence W. Hall

“The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice.”

~Henry Knox Sherrill

“We live and die; Christ died and lived!”

~John Stott

“It is the hour to rend thy chains, The blossom time of souls.”

~Katherine Lee Bates

May we all embrace the Easter spirit and every opportunity to lift ourselves up to our greatest potential and fulfillment, my pampered friends!

Cheers to rising on and on and on,

*Francine Maigue

Jones, and some have returned as registered care providers to serve at the non-profit, BLISS. Her consulting services have also helped get one CNA school and two caregiving agencies licensed.

“We are not in competition because for every company that is out there, we may be the same in what we’re doing, but there’s gifts for each one of us,” Jones said. “Not one person can eat the whole pie. Everybody has to have a slice. The more the better because we can help more seniors.”

Moving forward, Jones said she looks forward to seeing the ways BLISS steps into the role as a nonprofit to activate the community and beyond.

“Right now, we’ve been trying out small grants, but I know you have to have at least a year or two status before you can get huge grants,” Jones said. “My goal is to serve the ones in El Cajon, and then

“The Pampered Pinay”

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We love to hear from you our dear readers!

we extend that to the whole [of] San Diego and then California.”

Until then, she said she is motivated to continue to offer support to her community and give in the ways she can through the BLISS Care Foundation, Heart to Serve Institute, First Promise Care Services and consulting.

“It’s not about your wealth. I’m a millionaire in the fact that I make an impact every single day,” Jones said. “You do not measure a person’s success by how much money they have in the bank; it’s measured by the impact they make in people’s lives daily.”

To learn more about the“Fund in the Sun” fundraising visit https:// blisscarefoundation.org/. You can also visit the First Promise website for inquiries regarding senior inhome care and the Heart to Serve website to learn more about CNA and CHHA courses offered.

Dyna and Kevin Jones of BLISS CARE Foundation fetes its ribbon cutting ceremony recently at their El Cajon office located at 1283 E Main St, Suite 101 with support of its staff and board of directors as well as the members of the El Cajon Chamber of Commerce and Fil-am Chamber of Commerce Greater San Diego members (Photo by Zen Ply)

Happy Philippine Independence Day/ Month Celebration to Everyone!!!

The Filipino Press

MANILA -- The bill seeking to establish the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) is now awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

This comes after the House of Representatives formally adopted the Senate's version of the MIF bill during the plenary session on Wednesday night.

Earlier in the day, House committee on banks and financial intermediaries chair Irwin Tieng said the House contingent to the bicameral conference committee agreed to accept the provisions under Senate Bill 2020.

“On behalf of the Congress panel, we accept the Senate version in principle, subject to style,” Tieng said.

The bill seeks to establish the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC), which "shall act as the sole vehicle for the purpose of mobilizing and utilizing the MIF for investments in transactions in order to generate optimal returns on investments (ROIs)."

Certified as "urgent" by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the MIF is a sovereign wealth fund that will be used to invest in a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixedincome instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate and infrastructure projects. The fund is expected to generate income for the government and help promote economic development.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the adoption of the Senate version would allow the Executive to start crafting the rules and regulations of the proposed law.

Salceda reiterated that the proposed MIF will not touch the funds of the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), or Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF).

The Senate version, he said, also retained most of the accountability and transparency safeguards established by the House.

"To refine the implementation, I raised some points during our pre-bicameral conference meeting that I hope can be addressed by the Executive," he said.

He suggested some possible tweaks that can be done during the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations, such as the Civil Service Commission regulating MIF employees, the listing of the MIF in the stock market, and allowing multilateral financing institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to be strategic partners with a stake in the founding of the MIF.

"I congratulate House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Chairman Irwin Tieng, and our Senate counterparts. I will continue to offer what I can by way of prior experience and subject matter expertise in the drafting of the IRR," he said.

Under the bill, the MIC shall have its principle place of business in Metro Manila, but may maintain branches and agencies in other areas within and outside the country.

It shall have an authorized capital stock of PHP500 billion, with common shares of PHP3.75 billion, to be subscribed by the national government, its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations or government financial institutions except Social Security

System, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

Landbank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and the national government will each contribute PHP50 billion to the fund.

Marcos: No intention of using pension funds as seed funds for Maharlika

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday guaranteed that the national government has no intention of using state pension funds as “seed fund” for the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

In an interview with reporters, Marcos, however, said pension funds themselves could invest in the proposed sovereign wealth fund if they think it is "good investment."

"Of course, ah no, I agree. We have no intention of using… kukuha tayo ng pera ng pension fund," Marcos said.

"We will not use it as a seed fund. However, if a pension fund, which is what pension funds do, is they invest. If the pension fund decides that Maharlika fund is a good investment, it's up to them if they want to invest in it," he added.

Government Service Insurance System President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said in a separate interview that even before, discussions were made that pension funds will not be utilized for the sovereign wealth fund.

"Noon pa hong a-dose ng Disyembre, ang mga pension funds katulad po ng GSIS ay di na po kasama. Hindi ho natin alam kung ano pang mga diskusyon na nangyayari sa mga bagay na 'yan," Veloso said.

"Isa lang ho ang gagawin natin, kung ano po ang desisyon ng mga mambabatas sapagkat sila'y nakikinig sa ating taumbayan, eh 'yun po ang susundin natin. Kami po ay nakapatnubay lang kung anong bibigay na direksyon sa amin," he added.

Following marathon deliberations, the Senate approved early Wednesday the proposed measure seeking to establish the sovereign wealth fund.

The bill states that the MIF would be created through the funds THAT will be sourced from:

Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP): P50 billion

Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP): P25 billion

National Government: P50 billion

Meanwhile, the contribution from the national government will come from the following sources: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' total declared dividends

National government's share from the income of PAGCOR Properties, real and personal identified by the DOF-Privatization and Management Office

Other sources such as royalties and/or special assessments

Among the major amendments introduced to the bill was the absolute prohibition of the use of funds of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) corporation, Pag-IBIG, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippines Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) in the capitalization and investments in the Maharlika fund.

On Monday, Senator Risa

Hontiveros raised what she called a "backdoor provision" in the MIF bill, which provides that "other government financial institutions government-owned and -controlled corporations may invest into the MIF, subject to their respective investment and risk management strategies and approval of their respective boards."

The SSS and GSIS are both GOCCs or government-owned and -controlled corporations.

Hontiveros, who voted against the passage of the bill, said the backdoor would work if the GSIS board would change its investment strategy and "gamble" the over a trillion-peso fund of the GSIS in the MIF.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said board members of state pension institutions should not be "precluded" from deciding on possible investments in proposed sovereign wealth fund.

Senate votes to prohibit GSIS, SSS, etc. from investing in Maharlika

The Senate on Tuesday adopted an amendment in its version of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill to prohibit state pension and insurance funds from investing in the sovereign wealth measure.

Banned from investing in the MIF are the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Pag-IBIG Fund, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

The amendment of Section 12 of Senate Bill 2020 reads, “Provided, that other GFIs and GOCCs may invest into the MIF, subject to their respective investment and risk management strategies, and approval of their respective boards; Provided, further that the government agencies and GOCCS providing for the social security and public health insurance of government employees, private sectors, workers, and employees, and other sectors and subsectors, such as but not limited to the GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, OWWA, PVAO, and PagIBIG, shall be absolutely prohibited whether mandatory of voluntarily to invest in the MIF: Provided, Furthermore, that the Investments from LBP, DBP, and other GFIS shall not exceed 25% of their net worth.”

The prohibition was first proposed by Senator Raffy Tulfo in Section 6 of the capitalization and initial funding.

Senator Pia Cayetano said many senators also proposed a similar amendment not only on the capital funding but also in the other sections such as Section 12.

“The rationale for this as many of our colleague including this representation has manifested on the floor in as much as we truly hope that the fund will be successful, we would like to ensure that the pension fund and aforementioned funds would not be touched to at least preserve this because we have experienced in the past the hard-earned money of our people were lost,” Cayetano said during the Senate session.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senator Imee Marcos earlier expressed reservations over the use of pension funds as seed capital of the MIF.

While there’s a push to pass the measure before the adjournment of the session on June 2, Marcos and Senator Francis Escudero said the MIF bill still contained vague provisions and it still has no final form. (MNS)

MANILA -- The Philippine government’s running debt has ballooned to a new record high as of end-April this year, mostly due to the weakening of the peso, which increased the local currency equivalent of foreign obligations during the period, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed Wednesday.

The national government’s outstanding debt stood at P13.911 trillion, up 0.4% or P52.24 billion, from P13.856 trillion as of end-March 2023.

The Treasury attributed the increase to “the net issuance of external debt and local currency depreciation against the US dollar.”

Broken down, the bulk, or 68%, government’s total debt stock was sourced locally, while the remaining 32% were foreign borrowings.

In particular, domestic debt totaled P9.457 trillion, down 0.6% from P9.513 trillion, as of the prior month.

The lower domestic debt was “due to the net redemption of domestic securities amounting to P57.79 billion.”

This, however, was slightly offset by the P2.47 billion effect on onshore foreign currency-denominated securities caused by peso depreciation against the US dollar, according to the BTr.

In April, the Philippines sank to a four-month low against the US dollar, tracking the P56:$1 level during the period.

Foreign debt, meanwhile, saw an increase of 2.5% to P4.453 trillion from P4.343 trillion as of end-March 2023.

“For April, the increment to external debt was due to the P27.98 billion net availment of external loans and P94.28 billion impact of localcurrency depreciation against the US dollar,” the Treasury said.

“On the other hand, third-currency adjustments against the US dollar trimmed P12.30 billion from the peso value of foreign currency debt,” it said.

Despite the increase in the debt pile, its size compared to the economy’s worth has shrunk as of the first quarter of the year.

For the January to March 2023 period, the Philippines' debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio stood at 61%, down from 63.5% in the first quarter of 2022, Diokno said in a statement.

The debt-to-GDP ratio represents the amount of the government’s debt stock relative to the size of the economy.

The government is targeting to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to less than 60% by 2025, then further down to 51.1 percent in 2028, and reduce the budget deficit to 3.0% of GDP by 2028. (MNS)

BSP expects May inflation to cool down further to 5.8% or stay at 6.6%

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expecting inflation to continue its downtrend in May or remain at the same level as the previous month amid lower fuel, food, and utility prices.

In its month-ahead forecast, the BSP said it expects inflation —the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services— to clock in within the range of 5.8% to 6.6%.

The upper end of the central bank’s forecast range is the same level as April’s 6.6% inflation print.

“The cumulative rollback in domestic petroleum prices as well as lower poultry and fish prices and electricity rates of various regional power distributors could lead to lower inflation in May,” the BSP said.

However, the central bank said upward price pressures would come from higher prices of rice, vegetables, and other key food items as well as the increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and Meralco electricity rates.

“Going forward, BSP will continue to monitor developments affecting the outlook for inflation and growth in line with its data-dependent approach to monetary policy formulation,” it said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is set to release official inflation rate figures for May on June 6.

PBBM orders geomapping of agri lands to increase farmers’ yield and income

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wanted all agricultural lands in the country to undergo geomapping to establish soil maps for specific agricultural products to ensure increased yield and improve farmers’ income.

Marcos issued the order during a meeting with the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) in Malacañang on Wednesday.

According to the President, the government is already using geomapping in resolving titling issues to boost agricultural production and increase the income of farmers.

“Iyong sa geomapping, actually ginagamit na namin ang mapa ng BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) at saka NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource Information Authority). We are putting together everything kasi mahirap naman ipa-survey lahat. So, para alam na natin ‘yung mga areas and it started also with irrigation, sa NIA,” Marcos said in the meeting.

“So from that, ‘yung titling problem na sinasabi natin, magiging mas madali. But at least ma-define na natin ‘yung mga parcels of land and, in that way, alam na natin. So, kung maalis na natin ang titling problem, mas madali na lahat.”

According to an online source, geomapping “is the process of converting raw data from surveys into a geomap that helps by providing a visualization of the location of utilities quickly and accurately.”

PRISM raised several concerns during the meeting although, based on the discussions, many of those challenges could readily be addressed by the current government interventions and programs.

Among these concerns are high cost of rice production and limited market access, limited access to capital investment, adverse BIR policies, lack of extensive irrigation system and climate crisis-El Niño threat, and slow adoption of vital rice production technology.

Unavailability and lack of access to real-time data, misaligned programs and activities across agri-related government agencies, inconsistent consultative meetings among the various rice stakeholders, and rice smuggling were also among the identified roadblocks to higher

productivity.

Existing government interventions addressing these concerns include the implementation of Farm and Fisheries Consolidation and Clustering program (F2C2), provision of various support services including credit and financing by the DA and the Land Bank of the Philippines, and establishment of climate-smart agriculture infrastructure.

The administration is also formulating the National Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan and other plans, in consultation with other stakeholders, to guide the development of the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

It is also utilizing information technology to gather, analyze, and use data for food production such as the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines or SARAI, and has been conducting regular meetings conducted by the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development.

The recalibration of importation schedule is also being carried out to protect local farmers and industries. The government is also studying the requirements of the proposed preshipment inspection system by the Department of Finance (DOF), DA, and other government agencies, and the DA is also conducting a review of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Clustering, low soil fertility, mill modernization and improved milling process were also discussed during the Palace meeting.

Founded in 2019, PRISM is composed of multisectoral groups involved in the rice industry value chain. Its goal is to address the fragmented government approach in addressing issues and help protect the interests of all stakeholders, from the farmers to the consumers.

The President met with the members of the PRISM in Malacañang Palace and discussed the status of the Philippine rice industry, issues and concerns of the stakeholders, and possible ways forward.

Betty affects nearly 15K individuals in 6 regions

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Wednesday that about 3,821 families or 14,908 individuals have been affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Betty.

In its latest disaster bulletin, the agency said these families are residing in 94 barangays in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and the Cordillera regions.

Of the affected population, only 216 or about 806 persons are being aided inside 31 evacuation centers while the rest are seeking shelter with relatives and friends, or have returned home.

As of posting, the NDRRMC reported five houses damaged by Betty in Ilocos, Central Luzon, and Cordillera, two of which were classified as "totally damaged."

Earlier, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, said no major damage has been reported during the onslaught of Betty. (MNS)

Senators and the administration's economic managers pose for a photo after the almost 12-hour marathon session for the passage of

MANGO BUSINESS. Balong Villamor buys mango wholesale for PHP1,000 per tree in Barangay Estrada, Digos City, Davao del Sur on Monday (May 29, 2023). Villamor says a tree usually produces around 500 kilos of ripe mangoes, sold at PHP12 per kilo. (MNS photo)

Investment Fund bill awaits Marcos’ signature

“WE GIVE THE WORLD OUR BEST”: A PLETHORA OF FILIPINO POTPOURRI OF SORTS NOW FRONT AND CENTER ON

“What do you wanna be?

Will you believe me if I tell you

You can be anything you want?

Where do you wanna go?

Will you believe me if I tell you

That you’ll see the silver lining with your dreams?

‘Cause when they say we can’t, we have to be braver

Together we’ll reach for the impossible

Even when you think that it’s crazy

The longest journey begins with a single step from you and me.

Raise your flag

For the ones who think they can’t get somewhere

Raise your flag

For the ones who think no one believes in them

Raise your flag

For the ones who already feel like giving up I stand here, not as one

For we’re all in this together

Reach high and raise your flag

Raise your flag

Raise your flag, oh oh

Raise your flag

Don’t ever let them put you down

You’re a fighter

Never saying never

And learn to lift each other up

We’ll be stronger

If we get together, we’ll be soaring even higher

Raise your flag

For the ones who think they can’t get somewhere

Raise your flag

For the ones who think no one believes in them

Raise your flag

For the ones who already feel like giving up I stand here, not as one

For we’re all in this together

Be proud and raise your flag

“Sa bawa’t hakbang ng paa

Pangarap ko lagi ang aking dala

Bitbit ang layunin na dapat limutin

Ang takot sa puso at mga kaba

Kahit madapa man ng ilang ulit

Babangon pa rin lalaban ang isip

Sa mga mata iyong masisilip

Ang mga pagsubok na pilit umupit

At kahit na anong mangyari

Umasa kang lagi mong nasa tabi

Sabay nating libutin ang buong daigdig

Hindi tayo mag papa gapi

Ang mga imposible gagawing posible

Ang lahat ng nais makukuha

Makikitat maahahanap ang lahat ng mga pangarap

Huwag sumuko itaas mo ang bandila”

Raise your flag

For the ones who think they can’t get somewhere

Raise your flag

For the ones who think no one believes them

Raise your flag

For the ones who already feel like giving up I stand here, not as one

For we’re all in this together

Be proud and raise your flag

Be proud and raise your flag

Be proud and raise your flag

Be proud and raise your flag

Be proud and raise your flag.

- “Raise Your Flag” by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Magnayon Gray SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Greetings!

If you – my dear folk are still not aware of it yet -“Raise Your Flag” was born from the answer of Catriona Gray during the Top 15 round of the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Thailand when the host Steve Harvey asked her what would be the song to best describe her experience at the contest.

Composers Jonathan Manalo and Trisha Denise Campaner later turned it into a song which was performed by KZ Tandingan and Kritiko in front of Gray at the Miss Universe 2018 Homecoming Special aired on ABSCBN on the 10th of March 2019.

The song was created as an ode to Gray’s journey at Miss Universe. However, Miss Universe 2018 believes that each one could relate it to their own lives and challenges. “I really believe that this whole song’s message is about standing up for someone or something and that can easily be adapted to standing up for your fellow countrymen, for their rights, their safety, and their well-being. ‘R.Y.F.’ is really a call to action. The world needs more people to stand up and get involved,” she said.

And so, for the very first time in history, Filipinos had been invited to the coronation of a British monarch, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Ramos, with nurses Charito Romano and

“ALL THE

WORLD’S A STAGE

Jesse T. Reyes

Filipino Potpourri

Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla on their Coronation.”

“It was a great honor to have a pleasant exchange with His Majesty and to represent the Philippines at such a historic event.”

“On behalf of the Filipino people, I wish His Majesty King Charles III a long and happy reign that brings peace, progress, and prosperity for the United Kingdom (UK) and the Commonwealth,” he ended.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also attended the coronation service. He said he hoped for deeper ties between the Philippines and the UK.

As I have earlier stated above, distinguished Filipino nurses Charito Romano and Xyza MacutayMalloch both of whom were awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in January of 2021 for their exceptional work during the Covid-19 pandemic were also in attendance to the historic event.

Ms. Romano was recognized for rallying her nursing and care team to keep residents and staff safe at the Arbrook House Care Home in Surrey during the epidemic. She also covered the role of clinical services manager while colleagues were shielding or self-isolating.

Ms. Macutay-Malloch is a care home manager at Kingsley House Nursing Home in Tetbury. She was awarded a BEM for protecting residents throughout the pandemic. In an interview after the coronation, she said, “Receiving the email invite to attend the King’s Coronation was unexpected and I had to read the email three times to make sure.”

“I had my first glimpse of King Charles during the procession and it was spectacular!”

Palace on 16 May 2023. Ambassador Locsin holds the distinction of being the first head of mission in London and the first Philippine ambassador to present credentials to the British King after his Coronation.

During the tete-a-tete following the presentation of credentials ceremony, Ambassador Locsin congratulated the King on his recent coronation and looked forward to stronger PhilippinesUK relations.

The King expressed gratitude for the immense contributions of Filipinos in the UK, particularly healthcare workers, and expressed hope to meet with and engage the community more.

The King also looked forward to an opportunity to visit the Philippines in the near future. On the other side of the ocean and following mixed reactions, the Philippines’ Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano said government ads abroad featuring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with the tagline “We give the World Our Best” are meant to pay tribute to the migrant community including those in the UK.

This came after Senator Nancy Binay noted that a bus ad in London, which featured the FilipinaBritish nurse who administered the world’ first Covid-19 vaccine, appears to send the message that the Philippines is a labor-exporting country that “commodifies” its people.

As I listened to American President Joe Biden speak at Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day, he reminded me of a separate speech he made in Pennsylvania in 2022 when he spoke about the battle for the soul of a nation. “The soul of America is defined by the sacred proposition that all are created equal in the image of God. That all are entitled to be treated with decency, dignity, and respect. That all deserve justice and a shot at lives of prosperity and consequence.”

To Biden, America is an idea that beats in the hearts of Americans, that it unites the country. “That’s who we are!” Indeed, it is true. While the country was riveted on Arlington, Memorial Day was celebrated throughout the country. The day was to honor those who served in the military and never made it back. People around the United States had stories to tell about the ultimate sacrifices made by their parents, grandparents, siblings who fought in American wars overseas. “That’s who we are” talks about national identity not in terms of having a social security number or

driver’s license, a naturalization paper or passport that identifies one as an American; Biden’s idea of these words was deeper. He admitted that the aspirations of the country’s founding have not been fully realized but averred that every generation has a duty to continue to aspire towards that end.

Thinking about these words made me reflect on what has happened to the Philippines and its current state of affairs, and as a nation leading to this year’s celebration of Independence Day. The impact of foreign domination to the Filipino people clearly runs deeper than has altered the national soul. “All are created equal in the image of God.” Three hundred years as a Spanish colony where the supermajority of its citizens became Roman Catholics and nearly 90% of the population are Christians, why is there such inequality in the land?

Over a century later under American influence, where is the promise of democracy that “all are entitled to be treated with decency, dignity, and respect?” This is clearly for another generation to solve, find its identity as a nation,

Xyza Macutay-Malloch, attended the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey last 6 May 2023. They joined more than 2,200 distinguished guests from across the world, including some 100 heads of state, celebrities, politicians and community champions.

“We underscore the thriving relationship between the Philippines

and the United Kingdom, which has been promising in increasing trade, investment, and cultural exchanges for the Filipino people,” Mr. Marcos wrote on Twitter after taking part in the royal reception at Buckingham Palace.

On coronation day, the President posted this message: “I join the community of nations in congratulating His Majesty King

“The historical and momentousness of the occasion didn’t really sink in until we all chanted ‘God save King Charles’ and I felt goosebumps,” she declared.

Meantime, His Excellency

Teodoro L. Locsin Jr presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Court of St. James’s to His Majesty, King Charles III, at Buckingham

“Through this country branding campaign, we want to uplift the spirit of our overseas Filipinos, and honor them particularly for their values that make Filipinos known to do their best at what ever chosen field, whenever they go and whatever it is they do. They truly deserve this,” Soriano wrote in a statement posted by the Presidential Communications Office last Saturday, 13 May 2023.

Soriano, a noted commercial and film director, heads the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications, which introduced the new “We Give the World Our Best” country branding.

See JESSE REYES on 10

Independence Day 2023 Series: National Identity and Modern Nationalism

if the past is prologue to the future, as the Shakespearean line alluded to. This and future generations will have to discern the true meaning of nationalism in the modern context.

So, there is a perceived tension between the good and evil that precipitates such a battle for the soul of the nation. To understand such tension, one must define such battle in the context of Filipinos’ aspirations for national identity and truly achieving freedom, as they define it.

National identity and modern nationalism are two separate concepts that contextually go hand and hand but are difficult to grasp. Even philosophers and empiricists of knowledge from much earlier centuries disagreed based on their perception of self, human nature, and the state of nature. And so, to understand the meaning of a transcendent event (like the Declaration of Inpendence), one must delve deeper into such minutia to comprehend their varying views on such matters. How does a nation retain the knowledge of its past identities through the centuries without understanding personal identities?

Personal identities evolve overtime, or does it? Philosophers have debated the concept of personal identities of individual selves from day one to the next, of what constitutes who we are or were, and

what happens when we die. This kind of analysis of personal identity provides a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for the identity of the person over time.

Consider this. Before the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, locals already worshipped their Bathala much like the Jews who believed in their God of Israel.

Along with their Eurocentric attitude that their God and their religious beliefs were supreme to that of the locals, they Christianized them in the name of the Triune God and were told that their anitos or devotional images had to be ditched because the statues of Peter, Paul, and Mary that they brought along with them, were far superior and miraculous.

Philippine revolutionaries rose to the occasion and fought hard with attendant divisiveness.

When General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, he introduced two symbols to inspire nationalism: Julian Felipe’s Marcha Filipino Magdalo (renamed later to Marcha National Filipina) and unfurled the first Philippine Flag.

Six months later, a 23-year-old Filipino soldier named Jose Palma wrote a Spanish poem “Filipinas” that would later become the lyrics for the march. Three hundred some years later, the Americans came, trampled thy sacred shores and

said the same thing that in terms of religious beliefs, the locals acted like pagans because they believed in Roman Catholicism that they practice idolatry at every turn.

Filipinos were suppressed from singing the anthem with its defiant tone but eventually, the Americans allowed it when the country was already pacified and translated the anthem to English with a new name – “Land of the Morning.” The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and hunted the Americans in the Pacific, found them in the Philippines and occupied the country.

Americans and Filipinos fought alongside to hold-off the Japanese invasion but to naught. An American general surrendered along with tens of thousands of Filipinos in the Fall of Bataan and the subsequent Death March that resulted in many deaths among the marchers. The top American/Filipino leadership escaped to Australia with a promise to return.

American General Douglas MacArthur made the Leyte liberation landing with his signature Ray Ban glasses. The special friendship and relationship were forged under such pretense, made the Philippine war veterans apply for recognition and benefits, and all sins were forgiven – but were they forgotten? The Philippine elites collaborated during the Japanese occupation, and with the Americans

to build a Commonwealth then a republic. Philippine democracy was born on paper.

The HUKBALAHAP who fought independently from the Americans during World War II against the Japanese, however, wanted total freedom from the clutches of the American Eagle and began their own revolution against the new conquering power. They, however, encountered another enemy who fronted for the Americans – Filipinos who thought, spoke, and acted like their masters.

The Huks became the Hukbong Magpapalaya ng Bayan (People Liberation Army) and their rebellion spanned three presidents (Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino and Ramon Magsaysay.) President Roxas branded the Huks as Communists, and that label stuck to this day to the present crop of Filipino freedom fighters – the New People’s Army. Just like that. One day, being a Huk was a badge of honor only to find that their ideals no longer dovetailed with rich, elitist Filipino politicians in power.

They were rebranded as antigovernment forces, hunted down by the military and the Philippine Constabulary, many were killed in action or captured, imprisoned and subjected to heavy tactics torture or treatment. They are now the enemies of democracy, and the people. (To be continued)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr speaks with King Charles III during the royal reception at Buckingham Palace

Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin and Mrs. Lourdes Locsin were taken to and from Buckingham Palace by a horsedrawn carriage

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa radiated sheer Filipina elegance as they made their debut on the illustrious red carpet of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival

Help Wanted / For Rent / For Sale

Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center Hosts

Annual Seedling Soirée on Saturday, June 3rd -Seedling Soirée 2023 will celebrate another year of food and environmental education, access, and advocacy programming for families throughout San Diego County-

San Diego, CA -- Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center is thrilled to announce its upcoming fundraising event, Seedling Soirée 2023. The event will be on Saturday, June 3rd, on Olivewood’s historic 7.85-acre property in the heart of National City. Taking place in the gardens, the farm-to-table feast under the stars will feature San Diego’s best brewers, chefs, distillers, and vintners with a one-of-a-kind menu consisting of local, organic ingredients and produce. Proceeds from the Seedling Soirée will directly benefit the numerous Olivewood programs that serve the National City community and greater San Diego area.

‘Olivewood is excited to celebrate another year of deep impact, community partnerships, and growth through our annual Seedling Soirée. This oneof-a-kind event brings together our commitment to community-centrism, authentic relationships, good food, and the outdoors - while building community and raising support for our health equity, environmental, and food justice programs’ - Jen Nation, Executive Director Olivewood Gardens

& Learning Center will kick off the evening with a roaming Forage & Feast throughout the beautiful gardens featuring food, drink, and activity stations from 5-7:45 p.m., followed by a Seated Dessert and program from 7:459 p.m. The night will be filled with live music, garden-inspired cocktails and appetizers, a plated dessert, silent and live auctions, and more.

Featured chefs include Andy Weiss & Kevin Templeton of The Smoking Gun, Spill the Beans, and barleymash, Ángel Enrique López and Juan Ángel

Ibarra of Casa de los Cirios and Muma

Paxil, Jiomar Diaz of Chaya Global Fusion Cuisine, Logan Mitchell of The Cellar Door, Lulu Briseño & Aureny Aranda of Au Gourmet, Marcus Twilegar of Adobo House, Olivewood Kitchenistas, Maria López Peña of The Guild Hotel, Adrián Villareal of Tahona Bar, Olivewood Garden 2 Kitchen & Nutrition Interns, and Shannon Davis of Life's Investments. Beverages will be provided by Bivouac Ciderworks, Brew Bar, Caffe Calabria, Chareau, Mike Hess Brewing, Old Harbor Distilling, Raging Cider, Rejon Tequila, and Stay Classy

Selections.

Tickets for the Seedling Soirée 2023 fundraiser are available for purchase on Olivewood Gardens' website, https:// www.olivewoodgardens.org/seedlingsoiree-2023/. The organization also welcomes donations from those who are unable to attend the event but wish to support the cause.

Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023

Time: 5 – 9 p.m.

Location: Olivewood Gardens

Property – 2525 N Avenue, National City, CA 91950

About Olivewood Gardens: Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is a garden and nutrition education center dedicated to providing handson nutrition and urban agriculture education, nutritious cooking programs, food access, leadership and job skills development, community building, and more for individuals of all ages.

Since its founding in 2010, Olivewood has served thousands of children and adults - connecting with the environment, celebrating culture through food, and strengthening community.

The crucial role of parents

I was thumbing through a Christian hymn book and my attention was caught by an item which I found worth sharing to parents, The Parents’ Creed.

Parenthood is a gift from God and parents have a sacred responsibility of raising their children and training them in the way they should go. However, with the parents’ desire to give their children a good education and a comfortable life, they work so hard, often times neglecting their responsibilities as parents.

When my children were growing up, I was so engrossed in my work, leading my eldest daughter to tell me in a belligerent tone, “Mama, in your search for money, you may lose the things that money cannot buy.”

At the height of the drug abuse epidemic in Manila (1972-1980), I had this poster printed and distributed to parents. “Parent’s take care of your children. Give them love and attention. Keep them away from dangerous drugs.”

My daughter (now a graduate of Psychology) asked me, “For who are those posters?” “For parents”, I answered nonchalantly. Her follow-up question hit me hard, hard enough to see my psychiatrist – friend for advice. “Are you not a parent and do we not deserve the love and attention you expect other parents to give to their children?”

This shook my world as a parent and as a career woman. I have

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera

My Personal Testimony

to re-set my priorities and scale down my activities as the Chief of Prevention Education and Community Information Division of the Dangerous Drugs Board. I learned to become a parent. I would like to share the Parents Creed written by Robert H. Schuller “I believe that my children are a gift of God – the hope of a new tomorrow. I believe that immeasurable possibilities are slumbering in each son and daughter.

I believe that God has planned a perfect plan for their future, and that His love will always surround them; and so I believe that they shall grow up – first creeping, then toddling, then standing, stretching skyward for a decade and a half until they reach full stature – a man and a woman.

I believe that they can and will be molded and shaped between infancy and adulthood – as a tree

Spiritual Life Blessing on my knees

A friend had quadruple bypass surgery and his first hospital stay. Instead of parking in the ministers' reserved area and visiting the sick, he lay in an airy hospital gown and received visitors. Later, his sweet wife listed the kindnesses extended from hospital staff, family, and friends because many rallied to "bless" this godly couple. Their helpers bowed their knees to them, not in worship but in service.

When God called Abram, one of the promises he made was to "bless" him. The primary root for "bless" means "to kneel" or "to bow the knee": [God said to Abram,] "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:2-3).

The idea of blessing may come from several factors including that of bending the knees to give or to receive. Both elements of giving and receiving are present in God's call to Abram.

First, God bowed his knees and served Abram so Abram could accomplish God's will for his life. Eventually through Abram's lineage, God gifted the entire earth with Jesus Christ. Abram believed God's promises, used God's provisions, and bowed his knee in service to his family and foreigners.

I easily imagine Abram bowing his knee to serve God and his contemporaries. However, I have difficulty when I picture God on his knees, serving Abram, not in worship but through the keeping of his promises to bless Abram.

While the picture of God kneeling to serve might be difficult to visualize, testimonies of God's gracious service appear all through scripture. From the earliest days, God has served his creation and expressed his all-out love through provisions and justice. The Creator seeded the earth and set up an atmosphere to support plant life and humans. He didn't let Cain get away with murder. For thousands of years, God has nurtured humanity, yet we as humans have continued to ignore or bite the hand that feeds us.

is shaped by a gardener, and the clay vessel in the potter’s hand, or the shoreline of the sea under the watery hand of the mighty waves, by home and church; by school and street, through sights and sounds and the touch of my hand on their hand and Christ’s spirit on their heart!

So I believe that they will mature as only people can – through laughter and tears, through trial and error, by reward and punishment, through affection and discipline, until they stretch their wings and leave their nest to fly!

O God – I believe in my children. Help me so to live that they may always believe in me and so in Thee.”

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart; then you will find favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

After celebrating the seasons of Lent and Easter, and the feasts of the Ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit, we are back to the ordinary season of the liturgical year. You would have noticed that the readings of the gospel during those seasons and feasts gave us many fundamental teachings about our faith. I would like to recall that the forty days of lent, which began with Ash Wednesday and culminated at the Mass of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, allowed us to worthily prepare for a worthy celebration of the paschal triduum through acts of piety, penance and charity. Easter and the Sundays following it together with the daily masses provided each one of us the opportunity to know and realize that by dying with Jesus through our baptism, we will also share in his promised resurrection from the dead because of our faith. We celebrated these mysteries for forty days so that we could understand that the return of Jesus to the Father on the feast of the Ascension reaffirmed three important truths of our faith, namely, the divinity of Jesus, the role of the Holy Spirit and our incorporation into the Mystical body of Christ as well as our rights and responsibilities in collaborating actively in his mission of salvation.

All these mysteries of the faith could only become less incomprehensible with he descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost whose indwelling in our lives would inspire, encourage and enlighten to know and live according the truths as revealed by the abovementioned mysteries. This happened during Pentecost day, fifty days after Easter when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles gathered around Mary. Jesus mentioned this even when he said “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.”

(John 12, 13)

Today we are celebrating the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, the mystery of our faith in One God in

Three Divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Like any mystery, the mystery of the reality that our God is one and triune is one that transcends pure human comprehension but reveals the nature and existence of God, and his presence in our midst and in the world. Not even St. Augustine, one of the greatest Catholic thinkers in history, could explain in simple terms the meaning of this reality. However with the eyes of faith that penetrates all mysteries we can only believe in the existence of God who is love and because of his great love himself his nature could least be surmised from the divine actions in history, namely his creative, salvific and animating activities in the universe and towards the whole human race. As recorded in Sacred Scriptures he revealed himself as the creator of everything, as the savior of the human race and the soul that has given life the community of disciples that today is known as the Church. As a creator is the Father, as the Savior he is the Son sent by the Father out of love for sinful humanity and as the life of the Church he is known as the Holy Spirit. The bible reveals this mystery in the actions of God in the life of man as he exists in the world. Reflecting more deeply into this mystery we may come to realize that the unity of God is based on love from which the Son is generated by the Father and in loving response to the love of the Father, proceeds the Holy Spirit who unites the Father and the Son in a unity of life and love. Each person of the Blessed Trinity is equal with each other in nature and dignity, but their distinction may be seen in how they act in the world and in relation

to humanity.

Attempts at explain this wonderful mystery have been done in history, but in my personal reflections I consider the human family that consists of the father, mother and their children is one human institution that concretizes, although very imperfectly, the nature and mission of the Most Holy Trinity. The identity of both parents is clearly distinguished in their nature, their distinction spelled out in their role as partners and parents of their children. Their union and fidelity can only be sealed by their love and care for each other and also their concern for the welfare of their children. The children remain different from them, but become part of a community of love and life through their response in obedience and respect to them as the example of God’s own love from humanity and humanity love in response to God. This paradigm could help us better understand the nature and mission the Holy Trinity should we know put into life concretely the teachings of Jesus himself, particularly the new commandment of love as He loves us unconditionally.

I believe it is for this reason that many strong forces are moving around the world to destroy by all means the traditional concept and reality of marriage as one that consists in the unity between two human beings of different genders, namely man and woman. In a similar way, advocacy for marriages without procreation has also been made more acceptable not only morally but even legally in many countries of the world. On this feast day of the Holy Trinity, we Catholics should unite in prayer and sacrifices to uphold the perennial doctrine of the Church about marriage and family which concretely mirrors the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, the nature of God and the mission of salvation that He reveals in history. Let us pray that our families be united in love and life so that we all can be real witnesses in the world that has been blinded by self-love, secularism, materialism, relativism and non regard for the existence of God in the world.

In addition, God planned a complete demonstration of his love through Jesus Christ - a demonstration of love that would impact us like nothing before or since.

Ultimately, God let us view his servant heart through his Son Jesus, and his three year ministry held countless revelations of God's truth and grace (John 1:14-18). On the evening before his crucifixion, Jesus assured his disciples, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).

Earlier that night, Jesus had demonstrated God-as-servant, showing his disciples the "full extent of his love" (John 13:1). When the Master Teacher had gathered to dine with his disciples in the upper room, street grime had come along on their feet. That's when the God of Abram, "found in appearance as a man" (Philippians 2:8), got up from the meal, took off his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After pouring water into a basin, the God of Abram knelt, and one at a time he would lift and clean 24 dirty feet. Wash and dry. Wash and dry. Wash and dry. Thomas.

John. Thaddeus. Andrew. James.

Bartholomew. Peter. Judas.

The cleansing wasn't brief: The meal stopped. It took time. Minutes and more minutes ticked by as Jesus, found in appearance as a man, made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:6-8). Servant God knelt. Moved from man to man, foot to foot, and physically touched each disciple.

Dipping water from a basin, scrubbing toes, toweling ankles, Jesus humbled himself one more time before he "became obedient unto death-even death on a cross!"

(Philippians 2:8).

When Jesus reached the reluctant Peter, we find these words in John's

story of Jesus: He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me" (John 13:6-8). Later ... the disciples comprehended. They remembered the night Jesus made himself of no reputation and took upon the form of a servant - the night he declared most of them were clean and set in motion a perpetual cleansing. They learned from God "found in appearance as a man" that protocol couldn't hinder lavish love.

When Abram received his call, Servant God eventually furnished everything Abram needed to carry out the divine path for his life. Abram believed God and his belief equaled righteousness in God's court (Genesis 15:6).

I find it easy to picture looking up into the heavens and praying to God. I can even clearly picture God at my side walking in a garden as we talk about life. However, the image blurs when I look down into the eyes of the God of Abram fashioned as a man washing my feet.

I am ready for a new portrait. I am praying that God will place in my mind and heart the knowledge of a towel-draped Savior at my feet who will equip me to bless - bow my knees to others.

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

<(((><

Sa pangaraw-araw nating kabuhayan May mga katotohanan na dapat nating maliwanagan Ang Kalayaan ay ninanais ng karamihan Subalit alam ba natin ang tunay na kahulugan?

Bahagi ng ating pagkatao ay ang biyaya ng Kalayaan Malaya tayong magdesisyon bago kumilos at ikasatuparan Kung papaano natin gamitin ang ating Kalayaan Maging alipin o malaya ang kahihinatnan.

Tayo ay pinagkalooban ng Panginoon ng Kalayaan Subalit ito ay hindi nagbibigay ng Karapatan na gawin ang hindi tama Kaya ngat mayroon tayong batas ng Diyos at ng Lipunan Huwag gawin ang labag sa Karapatan ng iba

Ang taong malaya ay ang taong sumusunod sa kautusan Anong Kalayaan mayroon ang taong nalulong sa

bisyo at kasalanan Katunayan siya ay isang Alipin ng kanyang hangarin Mapagbigyan ang pagnanais na nakakasama sa Ispiritu at katawan.

Bakit nga ba binigyan tayo ng Diyos ng Kalayaan Sapagkat ayaw ng Diyos na tayo sunod-sunoran Ang maayos na pakikitungo sa Diyos ay di sapilitan Ang pagmamahal sa Kanya ay kusa na galling sa ating kalooban.

Ang tamang gamit ng Kalayaan ay pinagaaralan at pinaghahandaan Wala tayong karapatang gawin ang mga bagay na hindi natin sapat na alam at naiintindihan Kaya ngat ang bata ay tinuturuan at sinusubaybayan Ginagabayan hanggang sa magkaroon ng sapat ng isip, handa ng gamitin ang sariling Kalayaan.

Ano naman ang Kalayaan na tinatamasa ng isang

bansang malaya Na ang mga taong bayan ay malayang pumili ng kung sino ang mamumuno sa kanila Kalayaang sambahin ang Diyos ayon sa kanilang paniniwala Kalayaang kumilos at gawin anumang bagay na ikakabuti ng iba.

Nakaukit na sa puso ng tao ang Kalayaan Isang biyaya na sa Diyos ang pinagmulan Ating gamitin ang Kalayaan sa tamang paraan Upang sa buhay natin tagumpay at kaligayahan ay makamtan.

Danny Hernaez

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic

Salvador S. Idos

"Not all readers are leaders, But ALL Leaders are Readers"

Marcos added.

The proposed MIF is an independent fund that adheres to the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability and shall be sourced from the investible funds of select government financial institutions, from contributions of the national government, declared dividends of the BSP and other fund sources.

Under the scheme, the MIF shall be used to invest in strategic and commercial activities in a manner designed to promote fiscal stability for economic development and strengthen the top-performing GFIs through additional investment platforms that will help attain the national government’s priority plans.

Maeda said the JBIC wants to know more details about the Philippines' potential and targeted projects, including those in the pipeline, so it could make "more tangible, specific" proposals to upgrade the value of Tokyo and Manila's strategic cooperation.

The JBIC is a policy-based financial institution wholly-owned by the Japanese government that conducts lending, investment and guarantee operations. It is also a leading public financial institution in the international financial market.

The bank’s main operational principle is to supplement the financial transactions implemented by private financial institutions.

The JBIC has supported projects all over the world such as infrastructure, natural resources and renewable energy, with the primary mission of contributing to the sound development of Japan, the international economy and society.

Indonesian billionaire pledges support to PBBM admin’s social welfare and healthcare

Indonesian businessman Dato’ Sri Tahir made a commitment on Tuesday to assist the Marcos administration in improving the lives of the Filipino people through social

work and the provision of low-cost housing. Tahir met President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang and handed over SGD1 million, or Php41.6 million, to the chief executive.

The Indonesian businessman told President Marcos that he was eager to see and congratulate him after winning the elections last year. Tahir earlier met the Marcos family in Hawaii when they were in exile.

“So maybe I use this opportunity. I like to see, explore, we can work together in social work,” Tahir said. “We have been working in the region. So, I hope that, with your permission, with your support, let me arrange to explore.”

Marcos briefed Tahir on the current government social welfare programs for children, the elderly, as well as the ongoing initiatives for housing.

“We have a program that we are going to start for the street children. Unfortunately, we still have people who are homeless. So, we are trying to look after them,” said the President, adding the government program for senior citizens to help them financially and medically.

“So, this is how we view social work in the Philippines. As much as possible, we would like people not to become dependent on the government. And Filipinos, I think, have that attitude. So, that’s a good situation. So, that’s more or less how we are approaching a new way of doing social work,” Marcos told Tahir.

In terms of housing, the President said his administration has been very aggressive in its housing programs because the country has to catch up in this area.

Marcos told Tahir that his government is targeting one million units each year for the next six years, noting the country’s backlog of 6.5 million in terms of housing units for socialized and local housing.

“That is a very important part of our agenda. It causes so many social problems if we don’t have available

housing. It’s very hard for people to be productive if they do not have their own home,” he stressed.

“Even if they are just paying for it, it’s different from being informal settlers, squatters. That’s why it’s a big priority. So, housing is moving well.”

Tahir, for his part, said he is also active in providing healthcare support to countries in crisis situations and has donated about US$40 million to the US government, and assisted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Tahir said he went to Syria and Libya, and also extended support to Afghanistan and Turkey. “Anything regarding humanitarian, I’m interested in that,” he added.

Tahir also said he is interested to build a hospital in the country. “We are running the largest private hospital in Indonesia. So maybe if we can invest also in hospital here,” he said.

The President said he will ask the concerned government agencies to help him put together his proposals when he comes back to the country sometime in July or August.

Tahir founded the Mayapada Group, an Indonesian conglomerate, with businesses in the financial, healthcare, hotel and real estate, specialty retail, media and mining industries.

In 2019, Tahir was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (MNS)

Dear Readers,

“There is a mistaken notion among some that to own a paper is to have a license to clobber one’s enemies and attack people we don’t like. A newspaper is an information tool to reach a large number of people at a given time. A newspaper should inform, educate, entertain and provide viewpoints that could give us the means to make intelligent decisions for ourselves and others.” — Ernie Flores Jr., founding editor and publisher

He commented that video ads featuring stories of successful Filipinos in other countries were also released within the same period.

Soriano added that similar ads are now being planned and intended to be released in other nations, such as the United States and the Middle East.

He also stressed that the project is not solely a tourism campaign, noting that the Department of Tourism will launch its own version of the “best” branding.

Moving on - for the past few decades, Cannes Film Festival has been gaining notoriety as one of the most glamorous events on the calendar. The world watched as supermodels and global stars in elegant gowns and sharp tuxedos strut down Promenade de la Croisette. From Bella Hadid and Angelina Jolie to Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor, this invitationonly event has welcomed the most decorated film and fashion icons on its red carpet.

Yes, in reality, it was that time of the year again (from May 16 to 27) – the Cannes Film Festival begun its 76th iteration. The annual celebration of cinematic excellence previews films from the minds of great directors around the world – and in point of fact, Filipinas are now part of this history.

Filipina beauty queens Pia Wurtzbach and Kylie Verzosa looked exquisite during their debut appearance on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival.

On 16 May 2023 - Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa captivated everyone on the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival, as she walked the red carpet in a jawdropping custom gown designed by Mark Bumgarner.

Kylie confidently showcased her assets in a sophisticated black gown, accentuated by sultry side cutouts. The ensemble boasted a ball skirt with

a majestic long train, adorned with feathers and crystal embellishments. For this red-carpet look, Kylie was styled by Kat Cruz.

Mark revealed on Instagram the incredible feat of creating Kylie’s gown in just two weeks. He wrote, “We had less than 2 weeks to create this look. I wanted it to be simple, classic, with a little bit of drama. This gown is adorned with feathers and crystals, cascading down to the hem that creates a halo like effect. This dress is so special, only Kylie can work it.”

Kylie graced the premier of the highly anticipated opening film Jeanne du Barry, directed by the acclaimed

French actress and filmmaker Maiwenn Le Basco, known simply as Maiwenn. In this movie, Johnny Depp made his much-awaited comeback, portraying King Louis XV, while the director herself portrayed the titular character.

For Kylie, attending the premier was a dream comes true. In an Instagram post on 17 May 2023, she wrote, “Dream comes true (emoji) Such an honor to walk on the 76th Cannes Film Festival opening night, thank you for having me @festivaldecannes It was so surreal (emoji)”

Equally mesmerizing was Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, who attended the premier of the movie Le Retour – Homecoming in a fullysequined red gown also masterfully crafted by Bumgarner. Her ensemble showcased a structured strapless asymmetrical bustier that perfectly complemented the gracefully draped long skirt, creating a truly enchanting red-carpet look. Pia sought the help of interet personality Perry Tabora for her outfit. Yes, Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (she just got married, too!) – The Miss Universe 2015 – has finally walked the red carpet of the esteemed international festival, and she looked stunning while doing so – and may finally add another title under her belt – best dressed at the 76th Cannes film festival.

By the same token, celebrity hairstylist Renz Pangilinan expertly recreated Pia’s winning bun hairstyle at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. Make-up artist Mickey See also worked his amazing magic to enhance Pia’s beauty, giving her a natural yet glamorous movie-star glow that accentuated her bronzy complexion.

Walking on the red carpet at Cannes on Wednesday, 17 May2023, Pia felt she had stepped into a movie, immersing herself in the magical atmosphere of the festival. That day, Pia shared the red carpet with esteemed celebrities, such as Gemma Chan, Viola Davis, and fellow former Miss Universe titleholder Iris Mittenaere

of France. In an Instagram post on Thursday, 18 May 2023, Pia wrote, “Just like the movies (emoji) my first time walking the red carpet @ festivaldecannes. Somebody pinch me (emoji).”

In the world’s limelight, too, Mutya ng Pilipinas Annie Uson was crowned 2023 Miss Chinese World in ceremonies staged in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last month. Uson represented the capital city of Manila on the annual pageant that gathers women of Chinese descent from all over the world. She succeeded last year’s winner, Kao Man Jung from Taipei, Taiwan.

The national pageant organization chose Uson to join the global tilt when the International organization granted them the franchise. Mutya ng Pilipinas President Cory Quirino announced at a media gathering that a national license is allowed to send up to five delegates

The Miss Chinese World pageant is organized by D’Touch International Sdn. Bhd. Foundation, the same team behind the Miss Tourism International

Competition where Mutya ng Pilipinas has a long-standing partnership with.

The Chinese World pageant’s official website shows the contest’s motto is “the beauty of heart, the world of wisdom” and aims to promote tourism, foster friendship and love, and provide experiences on Chinese culture.

Finally, our beloved old homeland – the Philippines – has been one of the most dynamic economies in the East Asia and Pacific region as of to date. With increasing urbanization, a growing middle class, and a large, educated and young population, the Philippines’ economic vibrancy is rooted in strong consumer demand supported by a passionate labor market and robust remittances. The private sector remains buoyant, with positive performances from the services sector including business process outsourcing, wholesale and retail trade, real estate, and tourism.

Poverty rate declined from 23.5 percent in 2015 to 18.1 percent in 2021 despite the shocks endured

through the Covid-19 pandemic and other global headwinds such as the high worldwide commodity prices and tight international financial conditions. The Philippine government pursues larger investments in both human and physical capital to boost growth over the medium and long term.

No doubt about it, our old country has been growing in recent years accelerating from 5.6 percent in 2021 to 7.6 percent in 2022. With continued recovery and reform efforts, the Philippines are getting back on track on its way from a lower middleincome country with a gross national income per capita of US$3,640 in 2021 to an upper middle-income nation (per capita income range of US$4,256US$13,205) in the short term.

Indeed, our “kababayans” are implementing its 8-point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 20232028 to ensure inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth for a prosperous society.

Mabuhay!

within passion your Empowering

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Distinguished Filipino nurses Charito Romano and Xyza MacutayMalloch pose for posterity inside Westminster Abbey