Marcos wants to deepen PH-Singapore bilateral ties

MANILA -- President Ferdinand

R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized the importance of deepening the Philippines' strong ties with Singapore, especially in the areas of trade and investment, defense and security, education, and cultural exchanges.

Marcos made the remark when he received the credentials of Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See Sin Yuan at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday.

He said the Philippines and Singapore share a “deep-rooted history of collaboration and cooperation” in various areas of mutual interest.

“Our bilateral relations have flourished over the past five decades, encompassing trade and investment, defense and security, education, and cultural exchanges,” he told Yuan.

“As we go through this transition period where we have to adjust to the new global economy, we still look at Singapore to be our very strong partner,” he added.

Marcos also recognized the two nations' robust economic ties, noting that Singapore remains "one of the Philippines’ most important trade and investment partners."

"In 2022, our total bilateral trade reached USD13 billion. In addition, Singapore was our largest source of approved investments amounting to USD 2.4 billion in 2022,” he said.

Marcos also emphasized the further strengthening of the Philippines’ engagements with Singapore in combating terrorism and national crimes. He noted that under his administration, the agreement for the Philippines' participation in

Singapore-led Regional CounterTerrorism Information Facility (CTIF) and the deal on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief have been signed.

He also cited that the “active" bilateral ties have been further bolstered by the successful state visit of Singaporean President Halimah Yacob to the Philippines in 2019 for the golden jubilee celebration of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

“Such high-level visits of our government officials attest to our flourishing ties and our high regard for Singapore as a bilateral and regional partner,” Marcos said, also citing his successful visit to Singapore last year.

“Our increasing people-topeople ties continue to strengthen our bridges of understanding and friendship through cultural exchanges and capacity-building programs,” he added.

Yuan agreed that the state visits by the two nations’ leaders were key to strengthening their relations.

“I think the state visit gave a lot of momentum to our cooperation, including in the emerging areas like fintech (financial technology), sustainability and energy as well. So, we're keen to move forward on all these,” she said.

Yuan also shared her plans to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation.

“Our future in this region depends on our response to these opportunities and challenges together. We are confident that under your leadership, the Philippines and Singapore will continue its close cooperation and our bilateral relations will continue

SAN DIEGO, CA -- The Philippine Medical Association of San Diego Inc. inducted its President, Dr. Maria Flora G. Trimor-Tamoria on December 10, 2022 at Naval Island Catering Center, Coronado and completed the rest of induction of its officers on April 20, 2023 at University Club downtown San Diego, Atop Symphony Towers. The event was made possible through the generosity and sponsorship of Dr. Homan Siman, owner, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Primary Care Associates.

Dr. Trimor-Tamoria gave a warm welcome address to everyone and outlined her projects for her term with great enthusiasm. She emphasized on charitable works and enhancement of moral and spiritual values by promoting kindness, compassion, stewardship and accountability. Dr. Renato Dela Rosa supported her welcome address by a slide presentation of the organization’s initial proposed project, “Live Healthy: Feed the Hungry Program” in Tondo, Manila, providing food to about 600 indigents, the poorest of the poor population in Tondo Manila in cooperation with Dr. Carmelita Uy and Manny Uy.

The occasion was graced by guest speaker, our beloved Honorable Mayor Richard Morrison, known for his proven unrelenting service to the Filipino community, and had been very supportive through the years to them including his previous terms.

This was followed by words of wisdom from Dr. Benjamin Camacho, known philantrophist and long time leader of the organization comprised of Filipino and FilipinoAmerican doctors. Through Dr. Camacho’s leadership efforts for more than a decade, including the leadership of the founding fathers, the organization prides itself in being recognized and acknowledged in the community as a charitable organization ready to lend a helping hand to underprivileged and underserved population in National City and outlying areas and abroad.

Dr. Camacho was awarded the “lock” of National City by Hon. Mayor Richard Morrison during the event, a great achievement for which the organization is truly proud of.

It was also attended by Dr. Renato Masilungan and Dr. Marianito Sevilla who both had made significant contributions to its progressive growth and development through the years, since the history of its inception.

The following are the current officers:

President: Dr. Maria Flora

G. Trimor-Tamoria

Immediate Past President:

Dr. Gelen Del Rosario

President Elect:

COntriuted By Marissa Banez

How did I get here?

From an early childhood in the 1960s spent in a small house literally built by my grandfather in Baguio City, to the immigrant neighborhoods of downtown Los Angeles, to the idyllic rarefied setting of Princeton University, to the highly-charged environment of a large international law firm as a litigator, and, finally, to being an award-winning children’s author currently developing a children’s musical based on my book in my “golden years”. . . as I reach my 65th year, I laugh, shake my head, give thanks, and repeatedly ask myself, “how did I get here?”

Luck? Divine intervention? Coincidences? Absolutely. One example: After taking five years off from work until my daughter started kindergarten, someone suggested I first try working with a placement office to ease my way back into legal practice. The day after I emailed my resume, I was told that a well-regarded firm was looking for an attorney with my exact qualifications. I later learned that while I was typing my resume, the firm’s hiring partner was about to hire someone who didn’t meet all the criteria. Then, for some reason, he felt compelled to make one last effort to get the right person. On the same day that I submitted my resume, he sent in his request to the placement office. The universe did its thing and eighteen years later, I’m still at the firm.

Hard work? Of course.

I took three separate bar exams (California, New Jersey, and New York) and passed each one the first time around.

As a litigator, working until 3 or 4 a.m. and being ready only 4 or 5 hours later to start the next day is not unusual, especially when there is a trial.

As a mom of a little girl, I wrote original stories and created puppet shows for my daughter and her friends. Now, I write my stories, work closely with my illustrator, do a lot of book promotional work, and create dialogue and lyrics for the musical. This labor of love often takes me into the wee hours too.

Connections? Definitely.

A former colleague, fellow author, and friend introduced me to our mutual publisher.

My childhood friend’s talented musician husband wrote a beautiful song about my book.

A colleague who also happens to own a stage theater production company spoke about my book to actors and other associates, all of whom are excited about a children’s musical.

Support from family and friends?

Unquestionably.

Without going into details that would fill volumes, I can categorically say that I am blessed with the best and most supportive family and friends, without whom I couldn’t have accomplished half as much and certainly not with as much fun.

My book, Hope and Fortune, tells of a little girl who has lost her way and encounters 12 multicultural, multiracial, and multigenerational fairies of different shapes and sizes who give her life advice to get her back on her path. Each fairy represents a principle or ideal. The first is the Fortune Fairy of Hope, drawn to look like my late Filipina mother and, by her dress, represents the Filipino culture. Her advice:

“Give yourself permission to cry.

Just know that things will get better as time goes by.” The guidance given by all the fairies constitutes a distillation of principles I have lived by or aspire to live by. I HOPE the book inspires young children and leads them to a path in life filled with good FORTUNE. After all, they are principles that have gotten me here.

Marissa Bañez is Angelica’s mom, a litigator with a large

By FRANCINE m AIgu E

This week, the word “privilege” came up in countless conversations. Topics ranged from education to awards, citizenship to public assistance. Privilege. I heard it used and misused so much that I began to wince each time I heard the word.

Rancid were the layers of judgment that worked to tarnish the best intentions of leaders, volunteers, neighbors—folks fueled by compassion and an understanding of “the bigger picture,” people who work much and sleep very little in the pursuit of progress and equity for our community, people keen to the potential of a domino effect of good.

Can privilege be temporary?

Is privilege subjective? If an opportunity is afforded to many, is it still a privilege?

Here’s just one of the heated topics discussed in our community this week…

Criticisms were published that attacked the aims of delegates from a program that immersed young, Filipino American leaders in communities in the Philippines.

The claim: Fil-Ams returning to the Philippines to assist communities in need are reminiscent of colonization.

Whoa… Colonization is a strong word. I’d hardly call the efforts of these Fil-Ams (many dual citizens) works of colonization. Last I time checked, none of these folks were trying to assert political control over their kababayan. When one is sent back to our homeland to help—one helps.

Privilege

So these Fil-Ams are graduates of “top universities.” So these Fil-Ams are hailed by others as “successful.”

So these Fil-Ams are branded with “honors.” So?

Is the opportunity to study at a great university a privilege? Sure… but it took hard work to get there and hard work to graduate. The very goal of these folks was to learn as much as they could, so they could go out and help others in the most effective ways possible. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Is it a privilege to be seen by others as mentors in your field? Sure…but the very core of mentorship is giving solicited advice. One can’t blame someone for sharing their thoughts, if one asked them what they were thinking.

Is an award a privilege? Sure… but give these folks some credit. If you’ve met them, they are humbled by the opportunities they’ve been given, understand the daunting expectations that come with such accolades, and want to give back as their thank you. The community’s proud of them and wants to celebrate their achievements. We should all want that for our fellow Filipinos! I worry more about the folks that ask, “Why not ME?”

…and maybe that’s the next stage in these conversations… Do people really mean “opportunity” when they mean “privilege”--one certainly connotes a greater sense of entitlement than the other. There are certainly many opportunities out there to make the best for and of one’s self and one’s community here, abroad…online.

This week The National Federation of Filipino American Associations hosts its conference, right here in San Diego. (Come join us at Town & Country in Mission Valley!) I welcome our passionate, innovative leaders, activists, and volunteers from across the US to our hometown. I look forward to the many juicy discussions that are sure to arise in halls and hallways this weekend. It will be a privilege, an opportunity, a blessing to engage in these conversations, as we work to develop the necessary changes that empower ALL members of our community to achieve.

Cheers to rising on and on and on,

*Francine Maigue

“The Pampered Pinay”

Check back every week for ways to pamper yourself and those you love. Why? The answer is simple: YOU DESERVE IT!

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