The Filipino Press: May 26 - June 1, 2023

PBBM pushes for resumption of EU-PH free trade deal talks

MANILA -- President Ferdinand

R. Marcos on Thursday called for the resumption of talks between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

During a gala dinner hosted by the EU - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Marcos said it is now the right time to resume the negotiations for an FTA which will facilitate a freer flow of goods between the Philippines and the EU.

Marcos said pursuing a free trade pact would be a "win-win strategy” for both the Philippines and the EU.

"With this conducive business atmosphere that we are fostering, I believe that we can all agree that the timing and conditions are now quite ripe for us to solidify the long-standing and historically beneficial trade relations through a bilateral Philippine-EU free trade agreement," he said in a speech delivered at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

"It promises to achieve mutually beneficial economic goals while maintaining consistency with the EU’s core ideals of sustainable development and environment protection, as well as with EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy," he added.

The Philippines and the EU

launched exploratory talks on bilateral FTA in 2013. There were two negotiations held in Brussels in 2016 and in Cebu in

2017, but talks have been on hiatus for six years now. Marcos urged the EU-ABC and the ECCP to "actively" advocate

for the resumption of talks for a free trade deal, stressing that their "credible voices" can help facilitate the “favorable conclusion” of

By Donna Durckel, county of San Diego communicationS office

negotiations.

"And if and when that happens, it could very well be the capstone of all efforts to strengthen PH-EU

relations over the course of the next decades," he said.

'Healthy signs' of economic recovery Marcos stressed that the Philippines is showing "healthy signs of recovery” from the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic.

He noted that the Philippines registered a 7.6-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in 2022, an indication that there is a "very strong economic activity in the country."

"All these bode well for a stronger and more productive relationship between the Philippines and the EU," Marcos said, citing his administration's transformative plans for the country, which include the creation of an enabling environment that will facilitate the attainment of tangible socioeconomic goals.

The enabling environment, Marcos said, covers vital areas and concerns, including infrastructure, strategic investments, peace, security and justice, good governance, regulatory efficiency, financial stability and climate resilience.

"Overall, these enhanced the features of the Philippines as an attractive trade and investment destination," he said.

to Housing Production

Opisyal na sinabi ng Board ng mga Superbisor noong Martes at tinawag na espesyal na primaryang eleksyon ang Ika-15 ng Agosto para sa Ikaapat na Supervisorial na Distrito. Ang mga botante sa Distrito 4 ang magpupunan ng supervisorial na puwesto na naging bakante nang magbitiw ang dating superbisor noong Ika-15 ng Mayo.

Halos 400,000 na mga botante na naninirahan sa Distrito 4 ang makakatanggap ng balota sa koreo sa linggo ng Ika-16 ng Hunyo para sa eleksyon. Ang opisyal na pakete ng balota ay maglalaman din ng isang “Bumoto Ako” na sticker, mga instruksyon sa pagboto, at iba pang mahahalagang impormasyon

tungkol sa eleksyon. Ang taong ibinoto ay siyang uupo sa bakanteng puwesto ng Distrito 4 para sa natitirang kasalukuyang termino na magtatapos sa Enero 2027. Kung walang kandidato ang makakatanggap ng mayoryang boto sa Ika-15 ng Agosto na eleksyon, kasunod ay gaganapin ang isang espesyal na eleksyon sa Ika-7 ng Nobyembre, 2023. Tanging ang mga nakatira lamang sa loob ng distrito ang maaaring bumoto sa eleksyon.

Kasama sa distrito ang mga komunidad ng Lemon Grove, La Mesa, North Clairemont, Hillcrest, Balboa Park, North Park, Bankers Hill, Old Town, Mission Hills, Normal Heights, University Heights,

Oak Park, Webster, Valencia Park, Encanto, Bay Terraces, Paradise Hills, Skyline, Kearny Mesa, Clairemont Mesa, Linda Vista, Birdland, Serra Mesa, Civita, portions of Grantville, City Heights, Rolando, Azalea Park, Chollas Creek, Rolando Park, KensingtonTalmadge, Mid-City, Montezuma Mesa, SDSU Mission Valley, CrestDehesa, Spring Valley, Casa de Oro, Mt. Helix, at Rancho San Diego.

Kung hindi kayo sigurado kung nakatira kayo sa Distrito 4, maaari ninyo itong tingnan sa sdvote.com.

Ang maagang pagboto ay magsisimula sa Lunes, Ika-17 ng Hulyo sa opisina ng Tagapagrehistro ng mga Botante sa Kearny Mesa. Ang mga oras ng operasyon ay mula ika-8 ng umaga hanggang ika5 ng hapon mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes. Subalit, hinihikayat ng Tagapagrehistro ang mga botante na gamiting mabuti ang benepisyo ng kaginhawaan ng pagboto sa pamamagitan ng koreo.

Maaari kayong bumoto mula sa ginhawa ng inyong tahanan at ibalik ang inyong binotohang balota sa pamamagitan ng koreo –hindi kinakailangan ng selyo – o sa alinmang opisyal na ballot drop box ng Tagapagrehistro sa buong distrito simula Martes, Ika-18 ng Hulyo hanggang sa Araw ng Eleksyon.

Tandaan na pirmahan at petsahan ang inyong sobreng pagbabalikan ng balota. Kailangan ninyong pirmahan ang sobreng pagbabalikan ng balota upang ang inyong boto ay mabilang. Ang mga botante na magbabalik

Today was a productive day for housing in the County’s unincorporated area as the San Diego County Board of Supervisors adopted 22 promising actions designed to ultimately help renters and home buyers affected by our region’s housing crisis.

The changes approved today are designed to deliver different types of housing faster and easier. They reduce and guarantee review times for housing plans and permits, encourage innovation and technology, provide extra customer support and include financial incentives. The Board committed $14.5M in funding to carry out these efforts.

The actions will help builders save time and provide certainty in the development process – both identified as highly valuable for both market-rate developments as well as affordable housing projects. Others involve information technology changes that aid project tracking, transparency, and increased communication, as well as customer education, guidance tools and support.

“Today’s Board actions reinforce the County’s commitment to improve housing opportunities in our area. We look forward to offering faster review times, greater efficiencies, and more support to our housing applicants so they can build the homes we desperately need in our community,” said Planning & Development Services Director Dahvia Lynch.

Government-funded affordable housing, emergency shelters,

workforce and infill housing stand to benefit from today’s actions.

For example, it will be easier to get a building permit if you have a previously approved home design.

If a housing project fits within the existing rules of the County General Plan, fewer approvals/ permits will be needed.

There also will be extra professionals to make sure applications are complete and correct when submitted to save time going back and forth on corrections. In addition, projects needing septic tank approvals will have dedicated assistance to conduct safety reviews more efficiently.

The County will also be offering pre-approved plans for single family homes and accept tiny homes on wheels as an approved housing option.

The recommendations were generated by a multi-department County working group and shaped by stakeholder input. The working group included Planning & Development Services, Public Works, Environmental Health &

Quality, County Counsel, County Fire, Housing & Community Development Services, Purchasing & Contracting, General Services, and the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs.

Today’s actions and other endeavors are part of the County’s ongoing response to the region’s housing affordability crisis. Efforts also are underway at the County to create a roadmap, or Housing Blueprint, to guide our ongoing response. Community input remains vital to the County’s efforts to address the crisis to date.

People are encouraged to review the Housing Blueprint to help inform final recommendations for its goals and objectives before it is presented later this year to the Board of Supervisors. In recognition of efforts to date, the County has received a Prohousing designation from the State. This is awarded to cities and counties that implement zoning and land use policies that favor development,

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday calls on the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) to push for the resumption of the negotiations for a bilateral Philippine-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Speaking during the

Annual General Meeting Gala Dinner in Makati City, President Marcos said that since he assumed office, his administration has fostered a

More Bang for Your Buck

By FRANCINE m AIgu E

Average cost of a full hour

massage...$60

Average cost of a mani|pedi...$40

Average cost of a quality

haircut...$50

Though pampering yourself can be essential, budgeting for such expenses can feel a lot like a financial chess game. We should all feel zero resentment after treating ourselves to a well-earned pampering session.

Finding multiple uses for products and produce around our homes can come in handy when balancing pampering and pennypinching. This week I'm sharing some of the ways I get more bang for my buck. After all, every little bit helps!

PRODUCTS...

1. Dust with your used dryer sheets

Don't you hate the way feather dusters simply scatter dust? Watch the fuzz cling to your used dryer sheets! Dryer sheets also easily get into challenging crevices when cleaning different furniture pieces. I also recommend using the sheets to wipe down fragile decorative items, television/computer screens, and

**Make sure to check for products that are highly flammable, and use good judgment when using certain products around heat. Also, do not use such products on surfaces where food will be served or prepared.

4. Clean windows and mirrors with newspaper (just not the pages of The Pampered Pinay!)

Yup! Believe it or not, newspapers are even more effective than brand name paper towels when cleaning windows and mirrors. The pages are durable, yet soft enough when wet to do a great job at putting the shine back in your glass surfaces. Simply use crumpled pages with your favorite liquid glass cleaner.

5. Hide dings on your hardwood floors and furniture with markers

Dig into the kids' box of markers, and your scratches will be our little secret. (I promise!) Sure, there is an array of "varnish pens" out on the market, but you may find that Crayola and Sharpie may be two of the best names for keeping your hardwood surfaces looking like new. Use light strokes, and blend as necessary. Sometimes combining black with brown gives the best effect.

PRODUCE...

1. Zest your citrus fruits

soups, sandwiches, and more!

4. Feed your roses banana peels

Your roses will enjoy the natural nutrients of potassium-rich banana peels much in the way your body enjoys the fruit. An added bonus of adding banana peels to your soil is that they will keep aphids away.

5. Add papaya peels to your beauty regimen

Papaya peels are great to soften and even out skin texture. Simply rub the peels on rough skin and callouses for a frugal and sweet-smelling athome spa session. Check back every week for ways to pamper yourself and those you love. Why? The answer is simple: YOU DESERVE IT!

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

Do you want to send a love note at The Filipino Press ? Email us at filpressads@aol.com

We love to hear from you our dear readers!

hope you find my tips for this week to be helpful in your respective households, my pampered friends. May the money you save be used to bring some extra pampering to you and your

SWS: PH joblessness down but yet to return to

MANILA -- A national survey of Social Weather Stations found that 19% of the adult labor force or an estimated 8.7 million Filipinos are unemployed.

While the figure is lower than the 21.3% or 9.6 million Filipinos reported without jobs in December 2022, it is still higher compared to the 17.5% in December 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey was conducted from March 26 to 29, 2023 using faceto-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The sampling error margins are ±2.8% for national percentages, ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The survey was non-commissioned.

According to SWS, the decline in joblessness was due to the decrease in unemployment in all areas of the country except in Mindanao.

“As of March 2023, adult joblessness was highest in Balance Luzon at 21.7%, followed by Mindanao at 19.0%, Metro Manila at 17.5%, and the Visayas at 13.5%,” it said. “Compared to December 2022, the quarterly joblessness fell from 24.8% in Metro Manila, 23.1% in Balance Luzon, and 18.6% in the Visayas. However, it hardly moved from 18.1% in Mindanao,” it added.

Those jobless are those who voluntarily left their old jobs, are seeking jobs for the first time, and lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control.

Joblessness peaked at 45.5% in July 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It went on a generally downward trend from September 2020 to December 2022, reaching as low as 18.6% in October 2022.

In the same survey, SWS also said the country’s Labor Force Participation Rate is at 62.4%, or around 45.9 million — slightly higher than the 62.6%, or an estimated 45.2 million, reported in December 2022.

SWS defines the labor force as adults (18 years and above) presently with a job plus those looking for a job.

The Labor Force Participation Rate is the proportion of adults in the labor force.

Solons seek discount for indigent drivers applying for license

Three members of the House of Representatives have filed a measure granting an across-the-board 20 percent discount to indigent public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers on the payment of fees and other requirements in securing a professional driver’s license.

In filing House Bill (HB) 8070, Davao City (1st District) Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap said the discount applies to, among others, examination fees, certificates, clearances and enrolment in accredited driving schools.

On top of the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program, Duterte said the numerous requirements imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in applying for a professional driver’s license would add to the financial woes of PUV drivers, especially those living in poverty.

Under LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2284, applying for a professional driver’s license would require an applicant to be at least 18 years old, a non-professional driver’s license holder for at least one year, and able to pass a written exam and practical

pre-pandemic level

driving test.

The applicant must also submit a medical certificate, secure a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) and complete a minimum of eight-hour practical driving lessons from any driving school accredited by the LTO or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“While the intention of the memorandum is to promote road safety and proper motorist behavior, such requirements would add to the burden of the PUV drivers who are now even tasked to buy modernized and climate-friendly vehicles under the PUV Modernization Program," the bill’s authors said.

Data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) revealed that some 430,000 PUV drivers would be affected by the new requirements set by the LTO for getting a professional driver’s license.

Through HB 8070, Duterte and his fellow authors proposed that indigent PUV drivers applying for professional driver’s licenses be given a 20 percent discount on the payment of the following: 1) certified true copy of the birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); 2) medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician;

3) NBI clearance; 4) PNP clearance;

5) enrollment fees for the theoretical and practical driving courses given by LTO- and TESDA-accredited driving schools; 6) examination fees; and 7) other government-issued documents and fees required by the LTO.

Without the discount, estimates place the total cost of these requirements between PHP4,000 to PHP7,000.

Indigent PUV driver-applicants will also receive a fixed daily allowance for expenses that they will incur in commuting to and from their chosen driving schools as provided in the measure.

The bill also states that the LTO “shall reduce the requirement that Professional Driver’s License applicants should be holders of valid non-professional driver’s License for one year before application down to three months” only for indigent PUV drivers.

Under the measure, indigent PUV drivers are also given priority in enrolling in accredited driving schools where the courses are free of charge.

Public officers or employees refusing to provide the benefits granted under the measure will be subject to fines ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP20,000.

Online voting eyed for overseas voters in 2025 polls -- Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday it plans to introduce Internet voting for overseas voters in the May 2025 polls.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, in an interview, said the poll body has been "deeply exploring" the details of the plan and is preparing for the allocation of a budget for the measure as a matter of policy direction.

Garcia said this seeks to increase the overseas voter turnout, which only saw 34 percent in the 2022 polls, slightly higher than 31 percent in the 2019 polls.

However, he said postal and personal modes for absentee voting would still be available in the 2025 elections.

"If after the 2025 elections, we see that overseas voters patronized Internet voting and less have availed of the personal and postal voting, it

is highly possible that the other two modes of voting will be phased out. If we can successfully implement Internet voting in the 2025 elections, it may eventually be the mode that will be left available," Garcia said.

He noted that Internet voting would also require fewer expenses for the government.

"As we go on, overseas voting will likely require less budget," Garcia said.

Earlier, the Comelec said it is looking to use the Internet mode of voting in the next national elections, to encourage more Filipinos abroad to participate in the polls.

Section 28 of Republic Act 10590 states that the Commission "may explore other more efficient, reliable, and secure modes or systems, ensuring the secrecy and sanctity of the entire process, whether paperbased, electronic-based, or Internetbased technology or such other latest technology available."

Aside from voting in embassies and consular offices, Filipinos abroad may also avail of postal voting to be able to participate in the country’s electoral exercises.

Absentee voters elect only national positions, such as president, vice president, senators, and party-list groups.

NPC confirms GCash incident caused by phishing attacks

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Wednesday concluded that the unauthorized transactions involving several GCash accounts were caused by phishing attacks and not security vulnerabilities with the mobile wallet provider.

In a statement, Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga said “unknown threat actors” took advantage of GCash users through online gambling websites such as “Philwin” and “tapwin1.com.”

“Upon our thorough investigation, we have determined that the unauthorized transactions in GCash accounts were a result of a meticulous phishing scheme,” Naga said.

The investigation was initiated by the NPC’s Complaints and Investigation Division (CID) on May 9 to find out whether there were compromised personal data and other potential data privacy-related violations.

The NPC held a clarificatory meeting with G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI) where the former raised its concerns, and the latter provided additional information and proof for the conduct of an independent assessment.

GXI submitted its compliance with the orders issued by the NPC last Friday (May 19).

“We have ordered GXI to intensify its education and awareness campaign to its clients to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Naga said.

He assured that the NPC is committed to promoting a safe and secure digital environment and urged the public to remain vigilant against phishing attacks that would compromise personal information.

“We will employ the full extent of our powers under the law to penalize those who violate the Data Privacy Act of 2012,” he said.

On May 9, GCash announced a temporary “downtime” of their service after several users experienced unauthorized deductions in their accounts. Government agencies, including the NPC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, have since initiated their own investigation into the incidents. (MNS)

DBM OKs release of P25.16B for health insurance of 8.4M poor Filipinos

MANILA -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday said it approved the release of P25.16 billion to cover the health insurance premiums of poor Filipinos.

In a statement, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P25,157,547,000 to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on May 23, 2023.

The funds released will cover the one-year health insurance premiums of 8,385,849 qualified Filipino indigents enrolled at PhilHealth.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. mandated his cabinet to ensure that Filipinos are provided with affordable health care,” said Pangandaman.

Indigent persons are those who have no visible means of income, or whose income is insufficient for family subsistence, as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), based on specific criteria.

The DBM said the fund will be sourced from authorized allotments in the Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In April, the Budget Department also approved the release of a total of P42,931,355,000 to cover one-year health insurance premiums of over 8.5 million senior citizens nationwide.

Sara says DepEd's P895B budget 'not enough’ to achieve goals of MATATAG agenda

Despite receiving the highest budget allocation from the government, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Thursday that the nearly P900 billion budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) for this year is not enough to achieve its "MATATAG Agenda".

“In the 2023 General Appropriations Act, the education sector received the highest budget with PHP895.2 billion. Out of this, the Department of Education received PHP678.3 billion for basic education,” Duterte said during the DepEd Partners Convergence held at the National Museum of Natural History.

“However, these national budget allocations for basic education are not enough to cover all the requirements needed in achieving our MATATAG Agenda,” she added.

In January, DepEd launched its MATATAG Agenda, which highlights the agency’s two-track approach— complementing the traditional solutions of hiring more teachers and building more classrooms with more innovative solutions of tapping modern technology to bridge the gaps in basic education.

The agenda includes building disaster-resilient schools, strengthening literacy and numeracy programs, and reviewing the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education.

It also aims to provide technical assistance to improve the procurement processes of DepEd through continuous capacity-building and digitalization.

Duterte thus called on education partners and stakeholders to commit to help transform the 28 million Filipino learners to become better citizens.

“As Matatag Partners, we recognize that education is not just about academic achievement, but it is also about personal growth, building character, and developing life skills.

And, ultimately, to be a Matatag Partner means to be part of something greater than ourselves,” Duterte said.

“To be part of a movement that has the power to transform lives and communities. It means collaborating, learning, and growing together toward our shared goal of creating a better world through education,” she continued.

PBBM eyes pre-shipping inspection of agri commodities

resident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to study the proposal to conduct pre-shipping inspections of agricultural goods in a bid to curb smuggling, Malacañang said Thursday.

The President gave the directive following his meeting with Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) Vice President George Bottomley and Managing Director Cresenciano Maramot in Malacañan Palace.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the SGS executives recommended to Marcos the preshipping inspections of agricultural commodities.

"The President has directed the DOF and the DA to study the proposal and come out with a mechanism to implement it," she said.

In a video uploaded by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on its official Facebook page, Marcos welcomed the proposal, acknowledging that it would minimize smuggling.

"It will be essentially preinspection, pre-shipping inspection,” Marcos said after his meeting with SGS officials.

“Ibig sabihin, bago pa isakay ‘yung produkto sa barko doon sa pinanggagalingan, inspeksyunin na nila para sasabihin nila, 'Totoo ito. Tama ang timbang. Tama ang quality. Tama ang nasa record na pinanggalingan.' all of these items. Para hindi na natin kailangan gawin dito sa Pilipinas (It means that the products would be inspected before shipment to make sure that the cargo's weight, quality, and place of origin are correct. This will no longer require us to do that here in the Philippines)," he said. Marcos said he is eyeing the expansion of the proposal to cover agricultural invoices so that shipments would be already be paid prior to the arrival in the country.

Under the arrangement, SGS will create a digital invoice in a standardized format prescribed by authorities on an online government platform for registered or authenticated agricultural exporter, seller or supplier, Garafil said.

"The invoices would be available in real time to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Bureau of Customs (BOC), which, according to SGS, would deter importers from manipulating or falsifying invoices and, instead, increase tax compliance, and enable cross-agency trade data reconciliation," she said.

"The system will likewise ensure that all agricultural importations are recorded and accounted for to prevent hoarding and price manipulation," Garafil added.

Apart from addressing smuggling, the proposal would also help contain the spread of diseases such as African

swine fever and Avian flu, Garafil said, citing the SGS executives' remarks.

"Conducting pre-shipment inspection and conformity assessment procedures would ensure that the quantity and other specifications of the goods conform with sanitary and phytosanitary import permits and test the presence of diseases, among others," Garafil said.

Garafil said the exporter would shoulder the inspection and testing fees, as well as the costs of registration or authentication and operation of the platform.

"There is also the need to conduct cost analysis first to make sure that no added burden will be imposed on consumers," she said.

SGS is a testing, inspection, and certification company established in 1878 with an aim of ensuring the quality and safety of products based on health, safety and regulatory standards. It has 2,650 offices and laboratories and employs 97,000 personnel in 140 countries.

The Philippines contracted the SGS from 1986 to 2000 for the verification of the quality, quantity, and price of imported goods prior to shipment to the country.

DFA seeks another dialogue as Kuwait keeps entry ban

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is seeking to hold another dialogue with the Kuwaiti government after the latter maintained its entry ban and suspension of visa issuance to Filipino nationals.

In an interview, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Paul Raymund Cortes said Manila respects the Gulf state’s laws and regulations and that the DFA would reach out to Kuwait to convene another meeting over the issue. “Kuwait is a sovereign country, they have their own laws, they have their own regulations, we respect them and we also want to make sure that when we're in another country, we abide by their lines and not cross it,” he said.

“Regrettably, may mga (there were) actions that were construed as violations, but we will continue working with the Kuwaitis on ensuring na ‘yong tinging natin (on what we consider) when it comes to taking care of the well-being of our Filipinos are within the bounds of their laws,” he added.

Cortes said Manila is grateful that Kuwait continues to welcome the over 200,000 Filipinos living and working there. “We will continue that dialogue so hopefully in the future, magkaroon ng (there would be) better understanding on what constitutes as assisting our nationals within the bounds of their law,” he said.

State-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday said the Ministry of Interior has reaffirmed the suspension of issuance of all visas to Philippine passport holders after Manila “rejected” Kuwait’s request for it to recognize the alleged violations of the Philippine Embassy there.

Citing the Kuwait Public Authority of Manpower, KUNA said one of Manila’s “violations” was lodging Filipinos in “shelters and camps” run by the embassy.

Following this development, the Kuwait Ministry of Interior said it will “outsource the

skills and expertise needed for its labor market through contracts with other countries.” (MNS)

LASTING PEACE. Vice President Sara Z. Duterte (center), along with several ex-communist rebels, and local and military officials, flash the peace sign to commemorate the first anniversary of the declaration of Davao City as insurgency-free on Wednesday (May 24, 2023). Duterte thanked the men in uniform, local officials, and other stakeholders who contributed to achieve an insurgency-free status. (MNS photo)

UP IN SMOKE. Court documents, letters and parcels are among the items charred and rendered useless after a fire destroyed the historic Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio before midnight Sunday (May 21, 2023). The Bureau of Fire Protection said Tuesday (May 23) that the gutted part of the neoclassical building was made of antique hardwood while the estimated cost of damage was between PHP300 million and PHP500 million. (MNS photo)

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – G‘day, mate!

Filipino Australians are one of the largest groups within the global Filipino diaspora. At the 2021 census, 408,836 people stated that they had Filipino ancestry (whether alone or in combination with another lineage), representing 1.6% of the Australian population.

The history of Filipino-Australians show Filipinos have worked as divers in Broome and Thursday Island’s pearling industry in the late 1800s period. By the early 1900s, about 700 Philippineborn people lived in Australia. But at the 1947 census, it had dropped to 141 due to the White Australia Policy. The easing of immigration restrictions from the mid-1900s saw the rapid growth of the community with students, spouses, and skilled migrants making the move.

No doubts about it, Filipinos are a big part of Australia’s successful migration story. “We’ve very much been invisible as quiet achievers, contributing in our own way to the social, economic, and cultural prosperity of Australia,” said one of the youngest and the first Australian-born Filipino to be appointed as president of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia.

“Although we have great food and great cultural performances, there’s actually a lot that Filipinos contribute economically to grow this country, just as they have back to the pearl farmers, and I just think it’s a story that’s quite untold,” the Filipino-Australian noted as well.

So, begging for the $64,000 Question - Which country is Australia’s most important defense partner in Southeast Asia today?

Well, for now…let me digress a bit here first.

Military forces from the Philippines and Australia kicked off their joint drills in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal back in our beloved old homeland, the Philippines – as part of “Exercise Kasangga” 2023 last Monday, May 15, 2023.

According to a report on Philippine television news broadcasting show “24 Oras,” at least 43 members of the Australian Army are set to teach more than 100 troops from the Philippine Army 2nd Infantry Division techniques on urban warfare, counter-terrorism, and closed-quarter combat training.

Also part of the lesson is the longrange marksmanship technique.

“Lumalawak kasi ang pag-unawa mo - Lumalawak ang kaisipan mo, halimbawa kahit nasaan ang kalaban mauunahan mo siya,” declared Corporal Jessie Zulueta, 21 DRC (‘Division Reconnaissance Company’), 2nd ID (Infantry Division). (Your understanding and your mind broaden. You can now anticipate where your enemies are.)

As party of the “AUKUS” (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) Defense Agreement, Australia also rallies for the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which China previously denounced.

“These are only trainings that will enhance the capabilities of our armies. So it was mentioned by the commander-in-chief that these are only

for defensive posture if our country will be attacked by any threat groups in the future,” Brigadier General Jose Agusto Villareal, Assistant Division Commander of 2nd ID, stated.

“The 9th Kasangga or partnership is absolutely appropriate. It is a bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Australia and it is about our interoperability and keeping our region safe,” announced Australian Attache Colonel Paul Joseph Barta.

A second batch of Australian troops is set to arrive in the country next month for the continuation of the training in Tanay, the report added.

Going back to the outset question above…I’m guessing not many of you – my dear readers – would put our beloved old homeland – the Philippines – at the top of their lists. The correct answer, of course, is ‘It depends.’ Yet, for some of the most demanding military scenarios that may confront the Australian Defense Force (ADF) in the decade ahead, such as a war over Taiwan or in the South China Sea, the Philippines could be an indispensable partner simply because of its location and potential willingness, as a fellow treaty ally of the United States, to grant access and logistical support to Australian forces. Although low profile, the AustraliaPhilippines defense relationship has surprising depth and possibilities, meriting a closer look.

Australia’s deepest defense ties in Southeast Asia are with Malaysia and Singapore, through the ‘Five Power Defense Arrangements’ (FPDA) and as bilateral partners in their own right. Singapore’s military capabilities are the most advanced in Southeast Asia. But the utility of the FPDA in a South China Sea contingency is questionable because its remit is limited to West Malaysia and Singapore. The probability of these countries extending basing access to Australian forces for operations to defend Taiwan is almost certainly lower.

Australia’s defense relationship with Indonesia attracts a political premium for Canberra, but it lacks strategic underpinnings and Jakarta is unlikely to offer to access for the ADF beyond transit through the archipelago. Vietnam holds out more promise of a like-minded approach to pushing back against China’s expansionism in the South China Sea. But Hanoi keeps its distance from the U.S. and its allies in the military domain. Australia has expanded its defense alliance with Brunei since 2020, but like most Southeast Asian countries the small sultanate would tread very carefully in any crisis or conflict involving China unless it is directly threatened.

The U.S. is likely to confront similar ambivalence cross Southeast Asia, including from its ally Thailand. Laos and Myanmar would remain neutral, at best, while Cambodia is in an invidious position as the prospective host for Chinese naval and possibly air force assets.

Intriguingly, the Philippines have been portrayed as an unreliable ally of the U.S. with some justification.

The 2014 Philippines-U.S. Enhanced Defenses Cooperation Agreement

Philippine and Australian Army troops stand in formation while their officers discuss as the 2nd Army-to-Army bilateral maneuver between the two countries, dubbed "Exercise Kasangga" kicked-off last Monday, May 15,2023 at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal in the Philipines. The Australian Army will train with the Philippine Army on urban warfare, counter terrorism and jungle survival and tactics.

failed to progress significantly under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s dyspeptic presidency. The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) was nearly terminated. But association relations have stabilized since 2020. Beijing’s relentless pressure tactics in what Filipinos call the West Philippine Sea have darkened perceptions of China in the Philippines. The government under President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. though still new and by no means anti-China, appears to recognize the irreplaceable value of the U.S. alliance for discouraging further aggression by China, despite Washington’s mixed record of deterrence in the South China Sea.

In Philippine military circles there’s a sense of realism that proximity to Taiwan would make it extremely difficult for Manila to stay on the sidelines during a major conflict there.

In the worst case, China could occupy Philippine islands in the Bashi Channel (a waterway between Y’Ami Island of the Philippines and Orchid Island of Taiwan) or even parts of northern Luzon, to deny the use of adjacent territory to the U.S. or its utilization as a safe haven for Taiwan’s armed forces. Fighting could spread to the South China Sea proper, including China’s artificial island bases, one of which – Mischief Reef – sits within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Jesse T. Reyes

Filipino Potpourri

was a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreed in 1995. That opened the door for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to receive education and training in Australia. Around 100 AFP, coastguard and civilian defense personnel do so every year. ADF mobile training teams also deliver courses in the Philippines. Terrorism was the main focus of security cooperation with the Philippines for almost two decades after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the U.S. The culmination of that effort was Operation Augury – Philippines, which provided training to more than 10,000 AFP personnel during and after the siege of Marawi City, from October 2017 until December 2019, when the operation transitioned to become the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program. Since then, the emphasis has shifted towards assisting the AFP’s modernization and external defense plans.

The fraught prospect of a highintensity maritime conflict between China and the U.S. shines an uncommon intense light on defense ties between Canberra and Manila. Fortunately, Australia and the Philippines, which have been comprehensive strategic partners since 2015, have already established a notably broad-based and durable bilateral defense relationship. It has deeper historical roots than widely assumed. In World War II, Australian forces made an active contribution to the liberation of the Philippines, incurring significant losses at Lingayen Gulf. The then newly independent Philippines and Australia fought side by side in the Korean War (often referred to as the “Forgotten War’.).

And if I may add, too – both Australia and the Philippines sent and contributed combat troops and support teams during the protracted Vietnam War. In fact, each Vietnam Veterans Day, we recall the service of the four Filipino-Australians who fought during the war. One of the 18 Australian military servicemen killedin-action during the Battle of Long Tran was the Filipino-Australian Private Douglas Javing Salveron (1945-1966) – a rifleman with 6 Section,11 Platoon of ‘D’ Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

In more recent times, the basis for cooperative defense activities

Defense capacity-building delivered to the Philippines has focused on maritime security and domain awareness, as well as the lingering threat from terrorism and pandemic healthcare more recently. In July 2015, Australia donated two landing craft to the Philippine Navy. A further three were acquired in March of 2016.

And if anyone of you out there is still not aware of it yet, Australia is the only country apart from the U.S. with which the Philippines has a reciprocal visiting forces accord, signed in 2007. It entered into force in September 2012, fortuitously facilitating the ADF’s delivery of disaster relief assistance to the Philippines in the wake of super typhoon Haiyan in 2013. In August 2021, the two governments concluded a mutual logistics support agreement, proving a second pillar to sustain the deployment of ADF assets and personnel to the Philippines. It would be too crude to suggest that Australia provides capacity to the AFP and receives access for the ADP in return, though that is not a basis for reciprocity in the defense relationship. Underpinning the association at a human level are close interpersonal connections across the armed services and defense bureaucracies.

Like most militaries in Southeast Asia, the AFP is army dominated, despite the Philippines’ archipelagic geography, but there are also bilateral links between the Australian and Philippine navies and air forces. The Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta and corvette BRP Apolinario Mabini exercised together in the Celebes Sea in September 2020, and Australian navy patrol boats have previously been deployed to the Philippines. In

September 2022 the Philippine Air Force participated in Exercise Pitch Black in northern Australia. Earlier this year, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) delivered a combat air control simulator to the Philippine Air Force ‘to support training.’ Since at least 2017, the RAAF has periodically conducted surveillance flights over the South China Sea from the Philippines. In May, one of a pair of RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft operating from Clark Air Base, north of Manila, was unsafely intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter reportedly near the Paracel Islands. Australia’s ability to fly P-8A missions out of the Philippines demonstrates the strategic potential of the relationship. One obvious deficiency in security relations is the absence of an industrial level partnership. The recent failure of Australian shipbuilder Austal’s bid to supply six new offshore patrol vessels to the Philippines was a missed opportunity in this regard, if I may say so. One reason Australia’s defense profile in the Philippines doesn’t receive more attention is because the U.S. alliance still tends to overshadow Manila’s primary defense policymaking. Australia’s defense offer to the Philippines is on a modest scale compared with the American programs. Nonetheless, Australia benefits from operating in a complementary fashion without the political drag that sometimes attaches to U.S. activities in the Philippines because of historical baggage.

U.S. military exercises with the AFP actually provide opportunities to the ADF to train alongside Americans and Filipinos. In the 2022 iteration of Exercise “Balikatan,” for example, Australian commandos took part in a helicopter raid on the island of Corregidor together with U.S. and Philippine marines. With Australian participation, the Philippines and United States forces also successfully concluded last month the largest “Balikatan” wargames between Manila and Washington. However, Australia’s population is around a quarter of that of the Philippines and there are just over 90,000 ADF personnel in uniform. Canberra therefore needs to manage Manila’s expectations of what Australia can realistically deliver, short of a formal alliance.

For whatever its worth, Australia’s defense partnership with the Philippines is repaying the dividend of past investments at a time when the limits to more traditional relationship in Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly apparent.

No doubt about it, the Aussies are indeed coming to the Philippines! Good on ya, mate! Mabuhay!!

Independence Day 2023 Series: National Identity and Modern Nationalism

of Aguinaldo. Katipunan Supremo/ Presidente Bonifacio declared the proceedings null and void.

Year after year in the past century and a quarter, the themes for Independence Day celebrations varied slightly from freedom, healing, strong bonds, thanksgiving, national identity, nationalism and about the future. These themes can probably be summed up with the word “aspirations.” Webster defines the word as “a strong desire to achieve something high or great.”

The revolutionaries who revolted against Spain aspired for a free Philippines, for a national identity that the rest of the world would recognize. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and company thought that they have achieved precisely that, thus the Malolos Declaration of Independence. The question though is whether the Philippines was truly free at the time and if

such independence was recognized by the world? The short answer is “no” because the Spaniards literally were still in control of Las Islas Filipinas until the United States intervened. Perhaps Aguinaldo’s declaration was a call for Filipinos to rise up against the invaders and seek freedom for themselves.

A short timeline will make sense. The Philippine Revolution began in August 1896. Jose Rizal was shot by a firing squad on December 30, 1896. Andres

Bonifacio (Magdiwang) and Emilio Aguinaldo (Magdalo) had a falling out. The Tejeros Convention in March 22, 1897 was an attempt to unite these factions, but it turned out to be a pissing contest and an election marked by vote shaving (dagdag-bawas) in favor

Still, Aguinaldo declared himself president the next day and took his oath of office before a Catholic priest who was under the authority of the Vatican in Rome. Bonifacio accused Aguinaldo and company of treasonous acts by conniving with the enemy. While at a meeting in Cavite, Aguinaldo interrupted Bonifacio’s meeting and asked Bonifacio to support his government but the latter refused.

By April 1897, Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government was well in place. He had Bonifacio and his brother ordered arrested, tried for treason and executed the following month. Bonifacio’s wife was raped by a fellow Tagalog who betrayed him. Bonifacio lost in the power struggle, but karma is a bitch. In a few months, Aguinaldo surrendered to the Spanish authorities.

The Pact of Biak-na-Bato was a testament that the Filipinos were badly losing to the Spaniards. The 1897 pact contained the terms of

surrender that Aguinaldo himself negotiated for P800,000 Mexican pesos and exile to Hongkong. While in exile in Hongkong, Aguinaldo established a Junta with him as the rebellion leader in absentia and officially established relations with Australia, Germany and the United States.

Meanwhile, the United States officially declared war with Spain in April 1898 upon the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Bay, Cuba. The Americans accused Spain’s Navy of sinking it. Spain denied it and that the American ship had trouble and sank on its own. American president William McKinley authorized deployment of the USS Olympia under the command of Admiral George Dewey along with its fleet of newer ships to the Philippines to destroy the aging battleships of the Spanish Armada.

According to Aguinaldo’s memoirs, a US Navy lieutenant approached him in Hongkong and offered to work together against the Spaniards in return for Philippine

liberation. Aguinaldo’s account indicated that a promise was made to grant independence to the Philippines after his collaboration to defeat the Spaniards. Aguinaldo then boarded the USS McCulloch bound for Manila.

Adm. Dewey sank the Spanish armada in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1st but could not engage the enemy forces in Manila. Upon arrival in the Philippines on May 19, 1898, Aguinaldo declared a Dictatorial Government with him as the dictator. He then made the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898, at his house in Kawit, Cavite and over a week later, issued a decree replacing the form of government to revolutionary. Again, he made himself the revolutionary president.

German and British ships sailed near Manila (in case they have to evacuate their citizens from the Philippines). While Adm. Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet, they, however, could not dock in Manila because the United States did not have boots on the

ground for months and could not invade Manila. The U.S. troops finally arrived, joined forces with Aguinaldo’s revolutionaries attacked and captured Manila on August 13, 1898.

By December, the Treaty of Paris was signed officially ending the Spanish-American War and paved the way for Cuba’s independence. Guam and Puerto Rico were trophies of the war that the U.S. won from Spain. There was a little complication in the Philippines’ situation because Manila surrendered after the armistice was already declared and therefore, could not be claimed by the U.S. as part of the conquest. This is an important point. Had Spain stuck to their argument, the next step would have been the granting of independence to the Philippines much like Cuba. For $20 million, however, Spain relented and sold the Philippines to the United States. Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government was

“THE AUSSIES ARE COMING! THE AUSSIES ARE COMING! “: THE PHILIPPINES COULD WELL BE AUSTRALIA’S MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSE PARTNER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

NO CAPTION FOR THIS PICTURE, PLEASE. The flags shown are self-explanatory itself.

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Spiritual Life

Overcoming the feeling of inferiority

I was reading my inspirational booklet when my attention was caught by this statement, “The words we speak to and about each other – whether true or false, loving or hateful – have an impact on how we perceive our self-worth, and the effects can linger. For better or worse, they tend to last a lifetime.

It’s no surprise then, that Scripture warns us repeatedly of the tongue’s power.”

I agree with this statement, having been a victim of unkind tongues during my childhood. I was basically shy and insecure. I had a very low self esteem and poor selfimage. I tried to dig into the reasons behind my feelings and behavior and I realized that the negative comments I received from others made a dent on the image I had of myself. I was often told that I was an ugly duckling and the ugliest among the Soriano women. I was dark-skinned and strangers coming to our house often asked the help, “Whose daughter is she?”, pointing to me. Often times I was verbally bullied by playmates who often times say that I was dark and ugly because I was picked up from the trash bin, when I was a baby. These words were hurtful and I think it was the cause of my inferiority complex early in life.

These words written by Dr. Charles F. Stanley reminded me of how I was able to overcome that feeling of inferiority. At an early age Dr. Stanley also suffered from

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera My

Personal Testimony

inferiority complex and I nod in agreement over what he wrote.

“An unstable childhood deposited layers of inferiority in my thinking and behavior which left me discouraged for many years. Quite honestly, I did not know how to deal with this until my mid-forties, when I began to understand that the truth of God really does set men and women free from emotional baggage, as well as from sin.

First, I realized that inferiority is just a feeling. What others say or do or how the past affects us may cause us to feel that we don’t measure up; but God doesn’t measure by worldly standards. From His perspective, we are fully adequate, competent and worthy. He loves unconditionally – without referencing our performanceand declares that we are “His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10)

Shifting our mental focus from feelings to the truth of the Scripture

is a sure way to overcome the emotional punishment of inferiority. When feelings of worthlessness surface, silence them with truth. God says we are His children. We have His Spirit within us; we have His help for every challenge, His forgivebess for every blunder, and His hope for our future.

When we have a right view of ourselves and live in harmony with God, our circumstances become irrelevant. When we believe what God declares anout us, feelings of inferiority diminish. Read the Scriptures today, and listen to what God is saying. It works –you’ll experience peace that chases away darkness. The Lord has an important plan for you because you are somebody very special to Him.”

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10, (NIV)

What does God want to achieve through your life?

'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' (Matthew 4:19)

Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom.

First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences.

You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian.

Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 30 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.

Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require

this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was the garden of Gethsemane. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.

Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This day has traditionally been known as the birthday of the Church, the beginning of the awakening of the consciousness of the first disciples of Jesus, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, were incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ, thereby sharing the life and mission of Jesus for their own salvation and that of all humanity. The celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit can be better understood if we relatea it to the feast of the Ascension of Jesus. In my reflections last Sunday I mentioned to you the three fundamental truths contained in the significance of the feast of the Ascension. These three, among other fundamental truths, integrate the reaffirmation of the divinity of Jesus in the life and love of the Trinitarian community of the Father and the Holy Spirit or, the very important role of the Spirit in our knowledge of the saving events that Jesus brought to the world through his life, his death, his resurrection, and finally, the reality that through the sacrament of baptism, all the faithful have the right and responsibility to be active witnesses of Jesus in today's world.

I would now like to share my reflections on this feast in the context of the fundamental truths mentioned earlier. The first point concerns the reality that Jesus is truly God. This reality has been revealed by Jesus during his life through his own words, his actions and his resurrection, after going through an inhuman suffering that led him to the cross. His words and deeds and the paschal mystery itself, which is narrated in the four Gospels of Saints Mark, Matthew, Luke and John, are the definitive revelation of this mystery which, however, through human understanding cannot be truly and fully understood. For this

reason, even in His final moments with His disciples, Jesus mentions several times that the return to His Father was so necessary for Him to send the Holy Spirit. "And I will ask my Father, and He will give you another Advocate, the Spirit, or Holy Person, whom the Father will send you in my name – he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said and taught you" (John 14:26).

By making the Holy Spirit dwell in us, we will have the ability to be open to his inspiration that will allow us to understand the mysteries that the human mind could not fully assimilate, but only by faith could we begin to accept and understand them. In fact, this is the second truth I spoke to you in my homily last Sunday, the importance of the Holy Spirit's role in making us grow in faith in our lives as disciples of Jesus. Faith is a particular gift bestowed by God himself which can only be developed to maturity, through constancy in prayer, constant study and continuous practice of actions of charity and justice, especially towards the poor and most needy in the world. No one can reach that maturity of faith unless he opens himself so that the Holy Spirit may make a dwelling place and lead him to the search for truth, to live the truth and to share it with acts of love and justice such as the new commandment of love that Jesus left to his disciples. to fulfill them

in today's world. A true believer is always ready to express his faith with joy and gladness when he is filled with the Holy Spirit, seeking to fulfill the demands of faith, despite the difficulties of the environment, persecution, and even in the face of threats to our lives and happiness.

And this leads us to the third truth that we mentioned in last Sunday's homily, which consists in the reality that through baptism we have been incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ. Christ is the Head and we are His members. Consequently, we come to identify with Jesus himself and essentially share the mission that Jesus has carried out in filial love and obedience to his Father. This is what Jesus wanted us to understand before his ascension into heaven, as he says, "You are my witnesses of all these things." Witnesses of the paschal mystery, of the saving facts of his life, death on the cross and of the resurrection of Jesus; and this is not an easy responsibility for everyone who follows Jesus, but it is an urgency in the face of a world that has come to sink so much in the material, the secular and in the relative of things.

Despite all these, there have been men and women in history who have given courageous testimony, and in fact, have transformed many lives of men and women, and have changed the course of history. These are the holy men and women who gave themselves with love and dedication, and allowed themselves to be inspired and strengthened by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Jesus. We, too, will be able to witness for Jesus in our own lifestyles, beginning with our homes, our community, and including our workplaces. And this can be accomplished with the inspiration, direction, and strengthening of the Holy Spirit, whom we will seek and invoke with humility and hope now and forever.

Our journey in life involves a search for meaning to events as they unfold in our daily life. I am a Senior and I am very much aware of my own mortality as I live what could be the twilight years of my life. I am aware and have fully accepted the suffering the infirmities which comes with the advancing years.

Our main goal in life is TO ATTAIN HOLINESS, to become Christ-like by having an intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus.

Suffering at any stage in our life especially at an old age is a path to Holiness because it draws us closer to God. It is a humbling reminder that we are weak and vulnerable and that we need the strength of God to help us pull through. Suffering could lead to a complete surrender to God’s will. If we allow God to take full

control of our lives it could lead us to the road of Holiness thus giving meaning to the Mystery of suffering.

The Catholic church holds that

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship but still imperfectly purified undergo a process of purification which the Church calls “Purgatory” so as to achieve Holiness necessary to enter the Joy of Heaven.” All of us have our own cross to bear. If we embrace our suffering with Love, it could transform us into a much better person. Suffering on earth and going through Purgatory after life are both soul cleansing leading to Holiness. There can be no Easter without Good Friday. We unite our suffering with the suffering of our Lord on the Cross so that we too with His Mercy could share in the Glory of His Resurrection.

them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the leader of the Church. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.

What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.

Speak Lord, Your servant is listening <(((><

not recognized by the Americans as legit and installed its own government officials instead. The Americans became the next colonizer, to Aguinaldo’s consternation.

The Americans wanted the Philippines for many military and economic reasons. So, it came up with unbelievable justifications to start its empire building: to “Christianize” the Filipinos (as in Protestants) although most of them were already Christians having been baptized Roman Catholics, and that the Philippines were not ready to self-govern and needed to be educated in the American image. The Americans were aware of the factionalism between Bonifacio

and Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo was clearly not happy and led his revolutionaries once more, to war. This time, with the Americans. The war lasted for three years from 1899 to 1901 when Aguinaldo was captured by the Americans and into the spring of 1902. No foreign power came to support Aguinaldo’s government. It was a brutal war that cost nearly half-a-million Filipinos but what followed resulted in the Filipino identity being completely modified.

The American teachers arrived in 1904, held first Philippine elected assembly, granted commonwealth status in 1935, was invaded by Japan in 1941, Filipinos joined forces with the Americans to defeat the Japanese in 1944. It was granted full Independence on July 4, 1946, but American influence in the country stayed for another 50

years and to this day.

The American bases in the Philippines were shuttered in 1991, despite then President Corazon Aquino’s plea to keep the bases, when the Philippine Senate voted not to renew the bases agreement. Her son President Benigno Aquino III in 2010 and welcomed the American troops back through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in 2014.

In a nutshell, Filipinos are still working on having its own identify and to be truly free. Thus, the yearly Independence Day is part and parcel, a continuing effort to achieve unity through modern nationalism. It seems the aspirations of the revolutionaries in the 19th century have dissipated primarily due to the American conversion of Filipinos into its image. (To be continued)

To date, the Philippines is benefitting from the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as more than 6,000 goods were slapped with zero tariff upon entering the EU market.

Marcos expressed optimism that the GSP+ will lead to the growth of exportation in the EU, as well as to the development of the Philippines' micro, small and medium enterprises and manufacturing sectors. (MNS)

EU businesses see PH as attractive investment destination, says Romualdez

The Philippines is the most attractive investment destination alongside other Southeast Asian countries as far as European businesses are concerned, Speaker Martin Romualdez said Wednesday.

Romualdez said representatives from the European Union-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) informed him of the European’s high regard for the Philippines during the House leaders’ meeting with them on Tuesday afternoon.

The EU-ABC is composed of a total of 70 delegates from 36 European multinational companies.

Romualdez quoted Noel Clehane, Global Head of Regulatory & Public Policy for BDO and Board Member of EU-ABC, as telling them that the council has been highlighting to European businesses that ASEAN, particularly the Philippines, "is the most attractive in the world for European businesses."

"The EU-ABC expressed their interest to expand EU business and trade relations with the Philippines, as they spoke glowingly about the country’s strong economic performance. We’re here to see how we can help. We’d like to be aware of the challenges so we could address them together," Romualdez said.

Romualdez said the Europeans’ excitement about business prospects in the Philippines is a result of an annual survey that they have been doing for the past eight years.

Further, Romualdez also informed

the EU-ABC of congressional initiatives aimed at making the Philippines an attractive investment hub in line with the policies of the Marcos administration.

For his part, Managing Director & Regional Head Asia/Pacific for Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg and Vice Chairman of the EU-ABC Jens Ruebber noted the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

“That’s extremely well recognized in the business world,” Ruebbert was quoted as saying.

Romualdez also said that Ruebbert cited the easing inflation, as well as the stability of the Philippine peso opposite other currencies.

Other members of the EU-ABC group who met with Romualdez included Diana Edralin, general manager, Roche Philippines; Dom Lavigne, Yara International director of public affairs and corporate communications - Africa & Asia; Charlie Simpson, Airbus chief representative to the Philippines; and Cyrus Isles of Bayer. (MNS)

PBBM ensures gov’t readiness for Mawar

The government is taking the appropriate steps as the country braces for the possible effects of Super Typhoon Mawar on the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public on Thursday.

In a Facebook post, Marcos said the government continues to monitor the situation and updates on the expected onslaught of Mawar as it moves closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

“Patuloy nating tinututukan ang Super Typhoon Mawar na inaasahang papasok sa Philippine Area of Responsibility bukas ng gabi o Sabado ng umaga (We continue to monitor Super Typhoon Mawar which is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday night or Saturday morning),” he said.

“Pinaghahandaan din natin ang magiging epekto nito hindi lamang sa hilagang bahagi ng bansa, kundi sa lahat ng lugar na posibleng

maapektuhan ng bagyo (We are preparing for its possible effects not only on the northern part of the country but also on areas that might be possibly hit by the typhoon),”

Marcos added.

Marcos noted that in a meeting with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., he was assured that the national government and local government units (LGUs) are ready to provide assistance to areas where Mawar may wreak havoc.

“Siniguro natin na naka preposition ang pondo at food packs, naka-standby ang response teams, at handa na ang mga LGU sa mga lugar na tatamaan ng bagyo (We made sure that funds and food packs have already been prepositioned, response teams are on standby, and LGUs are ready to assist the areas that might be hit by the typhoon),” he said.

Mawar has maintained its strength and its “much closer approach” to the Philippines is possible, according to the 11 a.m. weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Mawar was last spotted 2,065 km east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum winds of up to 185 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

Moving west at 10 kph, Mawar may enter PAR by Friday evening or Saturday morning and will be given the local name Betty.

Mawar is forecast to continue intensifying in the next three days and may reach a peak intensity of 215 kph by Sunday.

PAGASA said the typhoon's rain bands may bring heavy rains over Cagayan Valley between Sunday and Tuesday next week.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal may be hoisted in the coming days, as strong to gale-force conditions may be experienced in most areas of the region, except for BatanesBabuyan Islands area which may have gale to storm-force conditions.

Mawar may also enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains over the western parts of Luzon and Visayas beginning Sunday or Monday. (MNS)

WELCOME TO THE NEW S & S TRAVEL AGENCY OFFICE

In our quest to provide our customers with only the best service possible, S & S TRAVEL AGENCY recently built & constructed an entirely New Wing in their Mira Mesa Office Headquarters. While the previous Right Side Wing remains solely dedicated to serve our ever-loyal Travel Agency Passengers, our Newly Built Left Side Wing is intended to serve our growing Customer base whose needs are geared towards our other main specialty, the Philippine Legal Documents For Notarization And Apostille Services. This is a highly specialized and unique service that S & S has long been known for in San Diego County for more than 30 years now, which they have faithfully served the FilipinoAmerican communities all over the U.S. Some of the most common Philippine Legal Documents we service on a weekly basis are the: Special or General Powers of Attorney; Affidavits; (Advance Directives) Durable Power of Attorney For Finances together with Living Will (commonly referred to by many as their Living Will And Testament in the Philippines & everywhere); For

Philippine Real Estate Transactions:

Deed Of Absolute Sale; Deed Of Donation; Extrajudicial Settlements Of The Estate Of The Deceased; Waiver Of Rights; Common-Law Cohabitation Agreement For Unmarried Partners; Report Of Birth With Delayed Registration; Report Of Marriage; Report Of Death; And Many Other

Customized Legal Documents

For Use In The Philippines. As a public service to all of our FilipinoAmerican clientele, we have a FREE CONSULTATION OF ALL LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO BE USED IN THE PHILIPPINES, AS WELL AS, THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED DURING THE ENTIRE PROCESS IN THE PHILIPPINES. This is part of our NOTARIZATION and APOSTILLE SERVICES, to make sure that everything is done right from the very start up to its completion in

the Philippines. This cuts down the time & the costs involved, because of rejections due to unintentional & unforseen errors & omissions.

Both the S & S MIRA MESA

TRAVEL SERVICES OFFICE on the RIGHT SIDE, as well as, the S & S MIRA MESA

NOTARY SERVICES OFFICE on the LEFT SIDE, offers a 180 degrees panoramic and breathtaking view of Mount. Palomar, Rancho Penasquitos; and Black Mountain Road, wherein its background view changes every morning depending on weather conditions and fog density. The actual photos of these Two Scenic Views speaks well for itself. To have a better view and appreciation of our Two Offices, we would like to invite you to make an appointment and see for yourself what you have been missing all through-out these years. Our MIRA MESA HEADQUARTERS is conveniently located (with ample parking spaces) at 9128 DANUBE LANE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92126. CALL (858) 6890609 FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR NOTARIZATION AND APOSTILLE SERVICES OF ALL YOUR PHILIPPINE LEGAL DOCUMENTS. OPEN MON - FRI 9:00 AM TILL 5:00 PM. SAT 10 AM TILL 2:00 PM ONLY. While our NATIONAL CITY

OFFICE is strategically located at the very heart of National City’s Business District along Plaza Blvd. at The Galleria Shopping Center. This is where you will find Tita’s Kitchennette 1 Restaurant; Valerio’s Bakery; Island Pacific Supermarket, and many more. Our office is located right beside Monte De Piedad Pawnshop with address at 2720 E. PLAZA BLVD. SUITE. Y ROOM B, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950. CALL (61(9) 4753262 FOR TRAVEL BOOKINGS, TICKETING & APPOINTMENTS.

OPEN MON - FRI - 10:30 AM

TILL 3:00 PM. You may also BOOK AND TICKET yourself 24 / 7 by logging-on to snstravel.org S & S TRAVEL AGENCY has been doing the same business since 1992. It is a Family Owned & Operated Business by GEORGE & OSIE SANTOS. GEORGE is a SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY

Graduate, a Most Outstanding Overseas Bedan Awardee In The Field of Business. While OSIE is a UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES B.S. STATISTICS

Graduate with an MBA Degree from DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY.

Both are NOTARIES PUBLIC and have held Major Private & Government Positions Prior To Migrating To The U.S. Needless to say, both have never worked for any other company in America since they migrated.

“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.

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

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

-Harry S. Truman-