The Filipino Press: October 27 - November 2, 2023

PAMPERED PINAY:

ADDRESSING ADVERSITY Sharing Coping Skills

InternationaL cuisines

ENROLLING NOW FREE CLASSES

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ONLINE AND IN PERSON

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EMPOWERMENT | P2

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San Diego’s No. 1 Source of News & Information for the Filipino Community • An Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1986 October 27, 2023 - November 2, 2023

www.thefilipinopress.com • (619) 434-1720

How AAPI Caregivers Empower Their Communities

By Selen Ozturk/EMS

Supportive Care Requires Supporting Caregivers SAN FRANCISCO, CA-- Kalani Tukuafu, Pasifika arts director of Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR), said a recent survey from her Utah-based cultural nonprofit found “50% of survey participants have been caregiving for over five years, with 67% of the pool having no formal training, and only 26% surveyed have the support that they need.”

This discrepancy signals the fact that supportive caregiving requires supporting caregivers themselves, she said.

Much of the need for this support, added PIK2AR board member Carolynn Williams, is created by the xenophobia that many Pacific Islanders in her community face.

To counter this, the nonprofit has been conducting interviews with caregiving community members for a portrait series that will be displayed throughout social media and an inperson art exhibit.

Through this process, Tukuafu added, PIK2AR will also mentor Pacific Islander artists to share their own experiences with caregiving, andto “give the general public a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what it means to be and care for a Pacific Islander living in the diaspora.”

Being a caregiver isn’t limited to aiding individuals but also giving voice to the communities in which they live, AAPI activists and artists shared at an Oct. 20 EMS briefing.

Caregivers see “community as value” Neeta Patel, Interim Executive Director of Asian Americans United said because strong caregiving depends upon supporting caregivers,

the most valuable care happens at the collective level.

Her Philadelphia-based organization is currently focused upon preserving and caring for the elderly members of her community’s

Chinatown against “corrupt government officials serving the interests of the super wealthy.”

“Three billionaire real estate developers announced plans to build an arena in our backyard, 150-year-

old cultural treasure — one of the oldest historical Chinatowns in the country,” Patel explained. “We’ve built an intergenerational coalition to show how small, low-income, non-English-speaking community

members can band together … to defend our culture and push back on the displacing, for-profit model impacting communities all over the country and the world. Our community’s very existence is at stake. It’s survived for 150 years because we have fought for it.”

“This is about the commodification of our lives by a development model that puts profits over people — that extracts value, but doesn’t see community as value,” she added.

“That is the narrative we are trying to change. It’s our place of living, thriving, worshiping, coming together, and we are fighting for its existence, by telling our stories … we give it life, we create memories, we create a value that is beyond money.”

Changing the narrative of caregiving Benny Lai, Executive Manager of Communications and Events at the Seattle-based National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), said crucial to a more holistic understanding of how to best provide care to community members — particularly seniors, whose voices often go unheard — is letting them voice their own care experiences and needs.

Toward this narrative change, he said NAPCA has been working with Risa Morimoto — a film and TV director and producer, and an expert See AAPI on 5

San Diego's Premier Asian American Food ANG TAGAPAGREHISTRO AY NAGPAPAALALA SA MGA BOTANTE NA BUMOTO NANG MAAGA PARA SA Event Returns to Celebrate Culinary Storytelling SAN DIEGO, CA -- Pacific Arts This year's event promises an of Contemporary Art San Diego's ESPESYAL NA ELEKSYON SA IKA-7 NG NOBYEMBRE Movement (Pac Arts) presents the exquisite culinary experience, latest exhibition, "FORMATIONS"

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Kung kayo ay isang rehistradong botante na nakatira sa Ikaapat na Supervisorial na Distrito, Lungsod ng Chula Vista, Distrito ng Fallbrook Public Utility o Munisipal na Distrito ng Tubig ng Rainbow, malapit na kayong makatanggap ng paalala mula sa opisina ng Tagapagrehistro na mayroon na lamang kayong mahigit isang linggo upang bumoto para sa espesyal na eleksyon sa Ika-7 ng Nobyembre.

Ang Tagapagrehistro ay nagpadala ng halos 550,000 mga postcard na paalala sa mga rehistradong botante na hindi pa bumoboto noong Ika-18 ng Oktubre.

Tanging ang mga botanteng nakatira sa mga nabanggit na Distrito lamang ang maaaring bumoto sa kanilang mga eleksyon. Kung hindi kayo sigurado kung kayo ay nakatira sa isa sa mga distrito, maaari niyo itong tingnan sa sdvote.com.

Ang espesyal na runoff na eleksyon para sa Ikaapat na Supervisorial na Distrito ay magpupuno ng bakanteng puwesto para sa natitirang termino na magtatapos sa Enero 2027.

Ang espesyal na Eleksyon para sa Lungsod ng Chula Vista ay magpupuno ng bakanteng puwesto para sa Abogado ng Lungsod para sa natitirang termino na magtatapos sa Disyembre 2026.

Ang mga botanteng nakatira sa Distrito ng Fallbrook Public Utility at Munisipal na Distrito ng Tubig ng Rainbow ay boboto sa isang panukala sa balota.

Huwag magpahuli! Maaari kayong bumoto mula sa tahanan at ibalik ang inyong balota sa pamamagitan ng koreo – hindi kinakailangan ng postage. Tandaan na pirmahan

at petsahan ang inyong sobreng pagbabalikan ng balota. Kailangan ninyong pirmahan ang sobreng pagbabalikan ng balota upang mabilang ang inyong boto.

Mayroon din kayong opsyon na gamitin ang isa sa opisyal na mga ballot drop box ng Tagapagrehistro.

Ang mga secure na stand-alone na kahon ay may logo ng Tagapagrehistro kasama ang selyo ng County at may label na “Official Ballot Drop Box. Hanapin ang isa malapit sa inyo gamit ang online locator tool ng Tagapagrehistro o nasa loob ng inyong pamphlet ng impormasyon ng botante.

Tingnan ang oras ng operasyon bago pumunta sa alinman sa mga lokasyon sa sdvote.com.

Kung mas maaga matatanggap ng opisina ng Tagapagrehistro ang inyong balota, mas maaga itong mapoproseso para sa unang paglabas ng resulta sa gabi ng eleksyon.

Kung gusto ninyong bumoto

nang personal at iwasan ang mga pila, piling mga vote center ang nagaalok ng maagang pagboto simula sa Sabado, Ika-28 ng Oktubre. Ang mga vote center ay magbubukas arawaraw mula ika-8 ng umaga hanggang ika-5 ng hapon hanggang sa huling araw ng pagboto sa Martes, Ika-7 ng Nobyembre, kung saan lahat ng mga vote center ay magbubukas mula ika-7 ng umaga hanggang ika-8 ng gabi.

Ang maagang pagboto ay isinasagawa na sa opisina ng Tagaparehistro mula ika-8 ng umaga hanggang ika-5 ng hapon Lunes hanggang Biyernes.

Maaari kayong makahanap ng opisyal na ballot drop box o vote center na malapit sa inyo sa loob ng inyong pamphlet ng impormasyon ng botante, o maaari ninyong hanapin ito online sa sdvote.com. Maaari rin kayong makipag-ugnayan sa Tagaparehistro ng mga Botante sa (858) 565-5800 o toll free sa (800) 696-0136.

24th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) from November 2 - 11, 2023, the largest showcase of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. As a delightful addition to this year's festival, Pac Arts presents "CHEW THE SCENE," San Diego's premier Asian American food event, which will take place on November 10th at the newly renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. This culinary extravaganza will feature tastings from over a dozen of San Diego's top AAPI chefs, restaurants, and vendors, all showcasing their unique takes on Asian American cuisine. The event will follow the San Diego Asian Film Festival's awards presentation, where we will be honoring the festival's top films.

The culinary celebration immediately follows the San Diego Asian Film Festival's filmmaker awards. An independent jury selects winners in categories like Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, and more. The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award is given to a first-time feature filmmaker who embodies the spirit of George C. Lin, former Program Director of the San Diego Asian Film Festival who passed away in 2008. Additional awards at the festival include the Digital Pioneer Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Audience Award for new feature films.

These honors celebrate excellence in filmmaking and pay tribute to influential figures in the industry.

Culinary Delights from the Finest AAPI Chefs, Restaurants, and Vendors

featuring tastings from over a dozen of San Diego's top Asian and Asian American chefs, restaurants, and vendors. These established maestros and rising stars will present their unique interpretations of Asian American cuisine and personal food journeys through culinary storytelling.

Participating Restaurants Some of the finest establishments in San Diego's culinary scene will be joining us for this spectacular evening, including: Crab Hut Crazy Duck Fan-Fan Kingfisher Kusina Lia's Lumpia Malahat Spirits Snoice Sovereign Modern Thai Cuisine Taste of Hunan Zen A Modern Asian Bistro And more exciting participants to be announced!

Exclusive Access to "FORMATIONS" by Kelly Akashi As an added bonus, event attendees will enjoy free admission to the Museum

by Japanese American artistKelly Akashi. Akashi's art is a captivating exploration of form and material, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary perspectives.

FORMATIONS promises to immerse visitors in a world of unique sensory experiences and provoke thoughtprovoking conversations about the intersection of art, culture, and the human experience.

Empowering Young Storytellers through Reel Voices Proceeds of the Chew The Scene gala provides crucial support for Pac Art's Reel Voices high school documentary filmmaking program, which centers on youth storytelling.

Attending this extraordinary event not only treats your palate to unforgettable flavors but also contributes to the empowerment of the next generation of storytellers.

Pac Art’s keystone educational program, Reel Voices is a high school documentary filmmaking initiative that focuses on empowering young filmmakers to tell their stories. This program provides opportunities for See STORYTELLING on

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2 • October 27, 2023 - November 2, 2023

Filipino Press

THE PAMPERED PINAY: Addressing Adversity

By FRANCINE maigue

My friends, the issue of racism has been at the forefront of many conversations lately. (Thank God.) Our country’s civil unrest is not without significant value because lives are invaluable. And before anyone in our community pretends that this conversation doesn’t include us, I implore you to view any of the many viral videos that have emerged, showing audacious, disgusting acts of racism against our people. (And do a deep dive into some Filipino American history while you’re at it.) Audacious, disgusting acts of racism against any people must not be tolerated.

When racists are comfortable with thoughts that condescend, those thoughts become hateful words, which too often become life-threatening actions. When others become so comfortable that they are numb to racists’ thoughts, words and actions, the danger grows exponentially. Think you’re invincible? Ask your loved ones if they’ve ever experienced racism in any form – a bad joke where your grandma’s accent is the punchline, a pay raise opportunity for which your mom is not considered, an “easier to pronounce” version of the last name your father bravely wore on his uniform. Injustice and fear look like a lot of things, including “thick skin” – callouses developed over years of social survival and the longing to belong.

When I was younger, my mother was driving me to a rehearsal. My twoyear old godsister, Krystine, was in her carseat in the back row. After dropping me off, Mom and Krystine planned to go to the zoo. But I wouldn’t make it to rehearsal that day, and they wouldn’t make it to the zoo.

We sang Disney songs at the top of our lungs and laughed so hard that we cried joyous tears. At a stoplight, I took pause just long enough to reach for my apple juice. The arrow turned green, and we turned left. Just as we completed our turn, I looked to my right to see a car coming straight at me.

I was bleeding…a lot. Krystine was crying, but now out of fear. My mother managed to get our car safely out of the

intersection. The man who hit us was yelling. A red car slowed down to help us…or so I thought.

The driver of the red car rolled down his window. The comforting words of a good Samaritan would help take some of the shock away I thought, as I continued to wipe blood from my face and tried to make sense of the car door crushed towards me. But once his window was open enough for him to lean his head out, the red car man didn’t ask us how we were. He didn’t offer to call 9-1-1. He didn’t rush to my mother’s side and help get us two young kids out of the wrecked car. After a mere glance our way, his attention turned right to the man who hit us, still angrily yelling as if he clearly hadn’t done something wrong. I’ll never forget as red car man, stopped his car just long enough to encourage the man who hit us saying, “That’s right. You tell ‘er,” before driving away.

In college, I was in a serious relationship. My best friend-turnedboyfriend was well woven into my family. My niece and nephew adored him. My father asked that he call him “Dad” instead of Mr. Maigue. We talked about the future, even marriage and kids, in a very real, deliberate way.

He embraced all cultures as I did, and us being in a mixed-race relationship wasn’t anything but a beautiful fact.

We loved each other, and that was that.

Unfortunately, not all members of his family saw our mixed-race relationship the same way. “Francine is perfect. If only she were white.”

To his credit, he chose me. He combatted untruths, showed how much he loved my family, tried to find a balance in time and attention in the best way he could. But words and actions of some of his relatives put a definite, painful strain on us. When thinking about our future together, I imagined us having smart, beautiful, sweet kids and having them looked upon as “less than” by some of those meant to love and care for them unconditionally. I imagined holidays with a husband who was a little torn, missing his family while loving and protecting the family he made. We wanted the best and the most for one

another. On a precipice overlooking the next chapter in our lives, we ended our relationship. We said goodbye to a lot of things that day—each other, the familiarity and comfort of a life we built together, a version of our future.

When asked, “What happened,” he’d tell people that there were just some “fundamental things about us” that we couldn’t change. Our friendship – so special that it grew into much more – would never be the same.

Maybe we should’ve stuck it out.

Maybe we could’ve fought harder.

Maybe it wasn’t just our race that made us so different after all. We’ll never really know. But I know that our love was real. I know that my family and community weren’t the cultural caricature that they made us out to be. I know that my future children deserved more.

So, my friends, I share all of this to say, “Let’s do better.”

Let’s be strong enough to address adversity instead of simply withstanding it or distancing ourselves from it. Let’s be humble enough to accept that our own life experiences may have blinded us to privilege and prejudice. Let’s be compassionate enough to recognize when others have been hurt. Let’s be cognizant of the fact that us working hard isn’t enough to protect ourselves and those we love from the dangerous thoughts-turned words-turned violent actions of others. Let’s understand that silence is complicity. Let’s be careful of who we raise on a pedestal. Let’s build a future and quality of life in which we can all truly thrive and enjoy. And let’s build it together. Kaya natin ‘to!

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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STUDY IN THE PHILIPPINES: A REMARKABLE BOOMING NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS MAKE IT #1 IN THE ASEAN REGION SAN DIEGO, CA -- Great news!

Do you folks know that our beloved old homeland – the Philippines – is now the No. 1 and most popular country of choice for international students in all of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region?

Yes, indeed! And it is also now No. 3 in all of Asia for destination preference of international students – only India (2nd) and China (1st) are ahead of us.

A newly industrialized country and emerging market in Asia, the Philippines – has welcomed an increasing number of international students in recent years (as of 2022, the total number was 35,000), and at the same time is also a popular tourist destination, too.

Not only is the Philippines a beautiful country, it also has one of the best higher education systems in Asia, ranked 46th in the first edition of global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Higher Education System Strength Rankings. Offering the opportunity to study in English at an affordable cost, the Philippines attracts over five thousand international students a year from across the globe, with most coming from other countries in East Asia.

There are about 2,300 higher education institutions in the Philippines, the majority of which are private. Many universities are affiliated with Roman Catholicism, which reflects the country’s colonial past. Of the public institution funded by the government, the national university, University of the Philippines receives the most funding.

Four top universities in the Philippines are ranked among the world’s best in the QS World University Rankings 2021, with a further three featured in the QS Asia University Rankings 2021.

The top four are: UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES: Ranked just 396th in the World University Rankings 2021 and 72nd in Asia, the University of the Philippines (UP) is actually a public university system made up of seven constituent universities and a total of 15 campuses across the country. Its flagship campus

and administrational seat is the University of the Philippines Diliman, which is located in Quezon City and teaches around 22,765 students. UP was founded by the American colonial government in 1908 and has since gained a strong reputation, consistently referred to as the top university in the country.

It currently ranks among the top 150 universities in the world for English language and literature and in the top 250 faculties around the world for social science and management.

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY: The Ateneo de Manila University is a private research university which ranks 601-650 in the world rankings and joint 124th in Asia. Its four campuses are located in the Metro Manila region, with the main campus in Quezon City. Founded in 1859 by the Society of Jesus, it’s one of the country’s oldest universities. Ateneo ranks as one of the top 200 universities in the world for English language and literature and the arts and humanities faculty is ranked one of the top 350 in the world.

DE LA SALLE UNIVERITY: Next among the top universities in the Philippines, De La Salle University (DLSU) is ranked 8011000 in the world and 156th in the latest edition of the QS Asia University Rankings. DLSU is a private, Roman Catholic research university, which was founded in 1911 by the brothers of the Christian Schools and was originally a boy’s school. It teaches around 18,500 students and has a main campus in the heart of Manila. Like the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines, DLSU ranks with the top 200 universities in the world for English language and literature.

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS: The University of Santo Tomas (UST, also known as Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, or the Catholic University of the Philippines) is ranked 801-1000 in the world rankings and 179th in Asia. UST is a private, Roman Catholic research university located in Manila, and has the distinction of being the oldest university in both to Philippines

Jesse T. Reyes

Filipino Potpourri

University of the Philippines

De La Salle University and Asia, having been established in 1611. It’s also one of the largest Catholic universities in the world, with over 42,000 students. UST has been rated four out of five stars in the QS Stars benchmarking system, and was recognized as having the most accredited programs in the country in 2013.

Why study in the Philippines?

It’s very affordable to live and study in our old country. You won’t need to break the bank in

ASK NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC ON AGING Flu season is coming, and newly updated COVID-19 vaccine came out following last year. We want to share some information about COVID-19 vaccinations in this month’s column.

If you have additional questions on Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach us today: Call our Senior Assistance Center at: (English)1-800-336-2722, (Korean) 1-800-582-4259, (Chinese Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427, (Cantonese)1-800-582-4218, (Vietnamese) 1-800-582-4336 <Q1> I have already received the Updated Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine when it came out last year.

Do I still need to get vaccinated for COVID-19?

Like Flu virus, the virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. The bivalent vaccine which was available since September 2022 isn’t well matched to the currently circulating strains of COVID. A new vaccine has been developed and was approved by the FDA on Sep 11, 2023. The new vaccine provides better protection against the currently prevalent COVID-19 variant and is available for administration starting from late September, 2023. <Q2> Does everyone need to get the new COVID-19 vaccine?

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter.

Getting vaccinated every year is the best way to prevent serious illness requiring hospitalization. The people most at risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 are over age 65 or have health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease. The risk of hospitalization is pretty low for those under 18-year-olds. But if you are 65-

74 that risk is 36 times higher. The older you are, the higher your risk is. So, if you are over age 65 or have underlying condition, it is especially important to get the most updated vaccine. Note that young people should be considered to get vaccinated not only for themselves but also to protect the older adults who live with them. <Q3> If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19. You may consider delaying your vaccine by at least 3 months from when your symptoms started or, if you had no symptoms, when you recovered a positive test. People who already had COVID-19 and don’t get vaccinated after their recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get vaccinated after their recovery. <Q4> Do I need to wait after getting a Flu vaccine or another vaccine before getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

There is no recommendation waiting period between getting a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines.

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a Flu vaccine, at the same visit. Possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccines. <Q5> Does my health insurance cover the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines? What if I don’t have health insurance?

Yes, Medicare Part B and most state Medicaid cover Flu and COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. All Health Insurance Marketplace plans and most other private insurance plans cover these vaccines without charging outof-pocket cost when provided by an innetwork provider.

University of Santo Tomas

Ateneo de Manila University

People who don’t have health insurance or with health plans that do not cover the cost can get a free vaccine from their local health centers; state, local, tribal, or territorial health department; and pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. Your state health department can tell you where to go for free and low-cost vaccines, including community centers, schools, and religious centers.

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages.

Email: askNAPCA@napca.org Mail: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101

ATTENTION READERS,

order to study in the Philippines.

The country has very low tuition fees when compared to other popular study destinations, like the US or the UK. Cost of living are also affordable, which means you can invest more in travelling and exploring the islands.

English is a national language.

Not speaking the local dialect can quickly become a problem when studying abroad, especially when English isn’t widely spoken.

AAPI

Continued from p­­­­­age

1

on aging — to shoot 15-minute episodes featuring AAPI caregiver families across the country.

One of the biggest takeaways of this project is the “time-consuming attention to sacrifice … We see — love for parents, of course, but there is also a lot of frustration to being a major caregiver. Sometimes they have mobility issues, mood swings, they may throw tantrums. It’s not an easy job. If any of us decide to be a caregiver, we need to be prepared” by telling ground-level stories about what it means to give and receive care, said Lai. Making an empowering space for care Dianara Rivera, Director of Narrative Strategy at the Bostonbased Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) , said “particularly in this time of political attacks” on AAPI community members, “it’s imperative that we create healing spaces for care that also builds power.”

“Collective care is inherently political” when the communities

Luckily, you won’t have this headache in the Philippines. The archipelagic country uses English as the default instruction language in education institutions, all the way from kindergarten to universities.

And English is also a national language, alongside Filipino. This means you can easily strike a conversation with locals, ask for directions, or order anything you want on a night out.

The Philippines is a tropical paradise. With over 7,000 islands, pristine beaches and vivid coral reefs, students can enjoy a welldeserved break after their classes.

The sunny weather and tropical climate will take all your worries away. If you don’t enjoy the seaside, explore other national treasures such as rain forests, mountains and gorgeous waterfalls.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the U.S.-based education system.

That’s right! In the Philippines, you get the same American college system, the same benefits and solid structure, but without the dreaded student debt and huge tuition fees.

In case it’s not already obvious,

studying in the Philippines will feel a lot like being on a holiday, indeed.

Classes and exams still demand your attention and effort, but feel free to enjoy yourself in your spare time.

You won’t be the only international student there, too – by the way – as young people from other Asian countries and Russia or Brazil also enroll at Philippine universities.

Here’s some fun facts: The top six foreign countries with its nationals studying in the Philippines include South Korea (17,583), India (16,013), Nigeria (4,763), Japan (4,610), China (4,462), and Iran with 3,583 of its people. Among Western nations the United States is tops with 1,592 students in the Philippines followed by France (409), Germany (165), Canada (117), the United Kingdom (108), Australia (81) and Spain (71).

There is no doubt about it that studying in the Philippines is a smart choice for international students who want to pursue their higher education in a budgetfriendly manner without sacrificing quality.

Mabuhay!

receiving it are marginalized, she added. Toward this end, AARW has been conducting workshops for AAPI community leaders, members and artists “to collect the stories of how we care for each other.”

Many of these stories “have to do with not asking for help,” Rivera said. “We see how those narratives are political and connected to collective care when we ask what the barriers are to us asking for help, how those barriers relate to how we grew up, and what the antidotes are to those barriers, when we feel a fear of rejection. In a lot of Asian immigrant families, you feel you can’t talk about these problems,” and empowering those who receive care “requires shifting away from transactional expectations.”

Preserving stories as a form of care Jessica Eckerstorfer, CoExecutive Director of The Southeast Asian Diaspora (SEAD) Project, said a recent collection of stories released by the Minneapolis-based organization — “Knowing Our Joy” — focuses on “stories of joy with our elders, as collecting and preserving their stories allows us caring for them

to connect to our homelands, preserve our traditions, learn from our past and keep the voices of our people alive for generations to come.”

For the project, 17 young adult storytellers and 20 illustrators “brought their elders to story collection dinners and workshops,” she said. Building trust through intergenerational collaboration was crucial, “as many elders weren’t comfortable in these spaces — they may not have the experience or language for story collection or the publication process.”

Through this story-collecting process, Eckerstorfer continued, many participants noted that elders were opening up about things that they had never heard of before, joyful aspects of their childhood” beyond, for example, wartime trauma in the case of Vietnamese elders.

To do storytelling is “to think and feel through the different memories” of those whose stories you preserve, she said. Despite the fact that “Healing spaces beyond medical professionalism are very rare,” it’s crucial for caregivers to witness what creates “moments of joy and happiness” in those they care for.

Tickets and Information Don't miss this opportunity to savor the finest Asian American cuisine and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of our communities. Tickets are available now at sdaff.org. Get ready for a night of culinary discovery, cultural celebration, and cinematic excellence.

Additional Information: Event: CHEW THE SCENE Gala Date/Time: Friday, November 10 at 6:00 pm Location: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla Tickets: https://sdaff.org/2023/ special_events/chew-the-scene

Celebrating Asian and Asian American culture through culinary storytelling Enjoy culinary tastings from over a dozen of San Diego’s top AAPI chefs, restaurants, and vendors, showcasing their takes on Asian American cuisine.

The event immediately follows the San Diego Asian Film Festival’s awards presentation.

Interviews available: For interviews with chefs, filmmakers, actors, or festival staff and a list of available screeners, please fill out a media accreditation form and contact media@ sdaff.org.

Link to use in your story: sdaff.org

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Spiritual Life

The Book of Psalms – the source of prayer and inspiration Do you read the Holy Bible? For devout Christians, the Holy Bible is their daily bread, their source of wisdom and knowledge about God, and the bases of their faith in God. It is in itself a library which contains so many books written by men inspired by God. Some Bible readers have their own favorite books and verses which guides them in their daily life. Some read the Bible to strengthen their faith in God and to nurture their belief that God answers their prayers through the conscientious reading of the Bible.

My favorite book in the Bible is the Book of Psalms. It has been my constant source of prayer and inspiration. I could easily relate with the psalmist as he takes his anxieties, loneliness, and discouragement along with his joy, awe, and celebration to God in prayer.

The Book of Psalms contain songs of praise and prayers of lament, hymns celebrating God’s steadfast love and prayers for vindication against enemies.

Reading the Book of Psalms, has given me the opportunity to experience the ups and downs that the psalmist went through in his own spiritual journey.

Scot McKnight’s article, “The Bible Verses Jesus Loved” reveals that Jesus is a master of the Psalms. Whenever he heard them, in the synagogue and in the

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera

My Personal Testimony

temple, he took them to heart, the psalms spilled constantly from his lips. Because of this anyone who follows Jesus into the church to pray will quickly learn that praying with Jesus means using the Psalms.

The Beatitudes pronounced blessings on people with words taken from the Psalms. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” is a virtul quotation from Psalm 17, which reads , “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”

When Jesus was confronted with arguments, he responded by quoting the psalms to his opponent.

When he died on the cross, he quoted directly from Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

When I feel weak and powerless, I read Psalm 28. “To you I call O Lord my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent,

I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy, as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”

There was a time when a man slander and maligned me, and what I did was to turn to Psalm 59, “Deliver me from my enemies, O God, protect me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from evildoers and save me from blood-thirsty men.”

My all-time favorite Psalm which I reflect on when I need to strengthen my faith and my relationship with God, is Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. ….Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The Christian life is a paradox I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24) The goal of the Christian life is death, not success. A popular teaching says that if we follow God, we will prosper materially. God may, in fact, bless His people materially, but few can make this claim among third-world countries. Wealth must never be the goal of a person's life, only a by-product.

A missionary to a MiddleEastern country has shared a motto among their ministry team: "God does not require success, but radical, immediate obedience."

Jesus' obedience gained Him the cross. It did not gain Him popularity among the heathen, the religious or financial success, or a life of pleasure. His obedience resulted in His death on the cross. This is the same goal Christ has for each of us-death of our old nature so that He might live through us. That may not sell well among outcome-based Christian workplace believers, but it will result in an eternal reward that far exceeds any earthly reward.

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12).

The Christian life is a paradox the first will be last, death in return for life, and we are encouraged to offer praise to God to overcome a spirit of heaviness. It requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. Let death work in you a life that only God can raise up.

Luke 24:13-35 New International Version (NIV)

Danny Hernaez

From Whom All Blessings Flow On the Road to Emmaus Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb

and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus."

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. <(((><

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Greetings in the Lord!

For several Sundays we reflected on the how we can participate in the heavenly kingdom of God which was portrayed two Sundays ago as a banquet, filled with abundant food and rich wine, because the King had invited guests to the wedding of his son. The focus on the response to the invitation later to point to the fact that, although inclusive to all, required a demeanor and attire proper to the situation. We mentioned that it was the wedding garment of “righteousness” that each invitee should put on in order to participate in such a great event. Last Sunday our readings, especially the gospel reading, made us aware that this reign of God that is actually made visible in the catholic church must be regarded in view of its realistic relationship with other institutions, particularly the society organized to attain the temporal welfare of the members of the church which has its goal, namely, to satisfy their spiritual welfare. The wise and prudent response of Jesus to the Pharisees’ and Herodians’ question with the regards to the obligation to pay taxes has laid the principal foundation that we must consider in guiding our attitude and norms towards this important social issue: “The repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matt.

22: 21) On this thirtieth Sunday in ordinary time, the church continues to teach us, its members and disciples

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic of Jesus, what is the greatest commandment of Jesus.

This message summarizes the messages of the past several Sundays relative to the ministry in the vineyard of the landowner, the loving response to the invitation to work in the same vineyard, the relationship of the institution to which we belong, as members of the church, and the civil society which safeguards our desire to satisfy our temporal needs.

Silenced earlier with the wise and prudent answer to Jesus, mentioned in the last Sunday gospel, the Pharisees once more asked another current question. This time they are represented by one expert in the law who posed this question: “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest.” (Matt. 22: 35) As a lawyer, this question was based on his knowledge of the commandment of love expressed in the book of Exodus chapter 22 verses20-26. This passage is our first reading that describes the

goodness of God who said “for I am compassionate.” (Ex. 22:26) The wise response of Jesus lays once again the fundamental principle that every disciple, or member of the church, should always consider in looking at himself and also relating with other members of the church or his fellow men and women: “You shall love the Lord your God, with all you heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

(Matt. 22: 39-40) This response lays the foundation of all moral principles in Christian life. Love. This word has meanings that oftentimes are taken by each individual’s conception, worldview and perception of realities. Briefly, and precisely also this the gospel of John narrates the kind of love that Jesus wants his disciples to do, namely, the filial love and devotion He had to His Father whom he obeyed until his death on the cross, and the unconditional self-giving he extended to his disciples: “greater love no one has than to lay down his life for his friends.” This becomes true and real when he expressed this in a new commandment” “love one another as I love you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn. 13:3435

TUKSO

Ni Salvador S. Idos Sa ating paglalakbaysa pansamantala nating buhay Lahat ay makakaranas ng tukso na sa akala natin maganda ang alay Atin usisain at intindihain ang tunay na pakay Maiwasan ang pagsisisi ang tukso ay talikuaran at iwalay.

Ang tukso ay isang pangakit sa kasalanan Nangangako ng kaligayahan sa paraang labag sa katotohanan Mgabagay-bagay namakakamtan handog ng kamunduhan Hindi nasasangayon sa mga Dakilang Kautusan.

Hindi lubos na batid ng magnanakaw na ang kanyang ginagawa ay masama Tanging laman ng isip ay siya ay magkakaroon ng pera Ang babaeng nagpapalaglag ng anak sa sinapupunan Hindi pa tao ang turing,

maari pang alisin at tuloy mawala ang ala-ala ng isang di-magandang pagsasama.

Alam na alam ng Diyablo ang ating kahinaan dahil sa ating pagkatao Pati ang ating Panginoon noong Siya ay nagkatawang tao Siya inalok ng Kayamanan, Kapangyarihan at Kadakilaang dulot ng Kamunduhan Lahat ng mga ito ay Kanyang tinangihan, harinawa tayo din naman.

Dalawang bagay lamang ang mangyayari sa tuwing tayo ay tinutukso Kapag ang alok ng tukso ay ating mapaglabanan Lalong tumitibay ang ating buhay sa Pagmamahal, Pagasa at Pananampalataya Kapag naman tayo ay tinalo ng Tukso Dulot ay isang buhay na masalimuot at magulo.

Tayo ay magpakumbaba at taimtim nating hingin sa Panginoon Pagkalooban tayo ng karagdagang lakas at dunong Labanan natin ang anumang tukso na magiging hadlang Sa ating hangarin na makaabot sa Kanyang Kaharian.

Salvador S. Idos

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October 27, 2023 - November 2, 2023 • 9

P49.75B earmarked for DOH’s 68 regional hospitals, health facilities MANILA -- Around PHP49.75 billion would be allotted for the operational costs of some 68 Department of Health (DOH) - run regional hospitals and other health facilities nationwide, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday.

In a statement, the DBM said the budget is included in the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), and is higher by PHP1.31 billion from the PHP48.44 billion allocated in 2023.

The DBM said the increase was mainly due to adjustments made in the Normative Financing of DOH hospitals, including funds needed for expanding Specialty Centers.

It said the proposed budget allocation would be distributed among 68 hospitals across various regions including National Capital Region, and Regions 1 (Ilocos Region) to 13 (Caraga).

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the proposed allocation signifies the government’s commitment to augmenting the capabilities of primary healthcare facilities, securing the well-being of Filipino families and warding off potential future health crises.

“The allocation is part of the government's efforts to strengthen primary healthcare facilities in the country, ensure the health of Filipino families, and to avoid another health crisis,” Pangandaman said.

On Wednesday, the DBM said about PHP22.98 billion would also be included in the 2024 NEP for the improvement of the country’s health facilities and services in 2024.

The amount would be allocated under the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

The PHP22.98 billion budget for HFEP would be used for the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities, rural health units and polyclinics, as well as the purchase of medical equipment and transport vehicles.

The Marcos government is refocusing its health priorities on ensuring reliable and accessible quality public health services for all.

Under the 2024 NEP, the government seeks to expand access to quality health services by subsidizing the health premiums of the vulnerable sector through the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth) with PHP101.51 billion, and by covering the medical assistance of 1.31 million indigent and financially incapacitated patients with PHP22.26 billion.

DBM OKs release of P3.84B for free college education program The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of about PHP3.84 billion to fund the government’s free college education program, benefiting some 141,000 eligible tertiary education students.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the utilization of the PHP3.84 billion as additional funding for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education – Tertiary Education Subsidy (UAQTETES) under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

In a statement, the DBM said the released budget cover CHED’s payables to various private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in municipalities and cities with “No State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and No Local Universities and

Colleges (LUCs)” under the UAQTETES for academic year 2021-2022.

As of Dec. 31, 2022, the CHEDHigher Education Development Fund (HEDF) stood at PHP10.967 billion under Automatic Appropriations.

The DBM also released PHP799.098 million for CHED’s various programs and projects on Feb. 3, 2023 and another PHP1 billion for the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Program on Aug. 29 the same year.

“Thus, the estimated balance after the September 29 release will be at PHP5.33 billion,” it said.

“As coordinated with CHED, the corresponding Notice of Allocation (NCA) may be requested upon obligation, subject to the submission of a Special Budget Request, together with the complete and consistent supporting documents,” the DBM added.

Pangandaman said the release of the funds would help ease the burden of the beneficiaries, especially those who belong to the marginalized sector.

“Creating a progressive change in our society can only be achieved if we start to believe in the capabilities of these young people,” she said.

“Tulad po ng lagi kong sinasabi (Just like what I always say), our youth are the torchbearers of our future. That is why it’s important that we support them by developing their skills and uplifting their spirits. ‘Yan din po ang marching order ng ating Pangulong [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] dahil alam niya ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon (That is also the marching order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. because he knows the importance of education). So, on our part, we will continue to help add access to quality education,” Pangandaman noted.

Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the UAQTE Act promotes universal access to quality tertiary education by providing free tuition and other school fees in SUCs, LUCs, and staterun technical-vocational institutions (TVIs).

The law also establishes the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Student Loan Program, and strengthens the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education.

Under RA 10931, all Filipino students who will enroll in courses leading to a bachelor's degree in any SUCs and LUCs will be exempted from paying tuition and other school fees.

The TES, on the other hand, is a grant-in-aid program of the government that supports the cost of tertiary education of Filipino students who enroll in their first undergraduatepost-secondary program in SUCs, LUCs, private HEIs, and TVIs. DTI vows to upskill MSMEs to improve products, market access The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has committed to helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) widen their opportunities to further improve their products and market access.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual made this assurance in his message read by DTI Undersecretary for Management Services Group Ana Carolina P. Sanchez during the opening ceremony of the 25th Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.

“Let me just reassure our Likha exhibitors that we are with you in your business development journey,” Pascual said.

He noted that a key pillar in MSME

development is improving market access through activities, such as the Likha trade fair.

“Along with market access, DTI will continue to help you improve your products, facilitate access to financial packages, provide training and other services that will upskill, upgrade, and upsize your businesses,” Pascual said.

“By participating in the trade fairs organized by DTI, you are helping mainstream local products in the market, showcasing and sharing with our Metro Manila buyers quality products, and opening opportunities for business matching with institutional buyers.”

He also urged Filipinos to buy local products to contribute not only to job generation and development of local communities but also support “the dreams of all those involved in the business – entrepreneurs, employees, and suppliers.”

The Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair is a collaborative effort between DTI 3 (Central Luzon) and Philexport-3, with the full support of the Regional Development Council and the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc. As one of the country’s longestrunning trade fairs, Likha serves as a platform to showcase the finest local products of the MSMEs in the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

This year’s trade fair features 165 exhibitors, offering 80 food products and 85 non-food items for Metro Manila buyers. (MNS) Quiapo Church launches 2024 Traslacion logo The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Quiapo Church, has unveiled the logo of the 2024 Traslacion.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the basilica said the theme for next year’s feast is “Ibig Kong Makita si Hesus” from John 12:21.

The Quiapo Church said the four people seen in the logo represent the devotees who want to find Jesus and to feel the miracle that brings comfort and peace to everyone's heart.

Also featured in the logo is the collective journey of the devotees of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno where prayers are raised to the Lord together.

In an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas, church rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr., called on devotees to continue to practice in the community the true care that Jesus shows to his flock.

"May we continue to show his face, let us continue to experience his love by offering service to the people," he added.

He also said the church's preparation for the feast on Jan. 9, 2024 is in full swing and would see a gradual restoration of traditional activities that were postponed for three years due to the pandemic.

“The basilica continues to communicate with government officials and agencies for a better implementation of Nazareno 2024,” he added.

Sescon said the church is also preparing for the possible influx of devotees in January after the government relaxed the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions.

The last Traslacion, a procession from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the basilica in Quezon Boulevard, was held in January 2019. It drew millions of devotees. (MNS)

'UNDAS' PREPS. With barely a week to go before the observance of All Saints’ Day (Undas), families and relatives clean and repaint the tombs of their dear departed at the Manila South Cemetery on Wednesday. The Manila Cemetery earlier said cleaning, painting, and renovation of tombs would only be allowed until Oct. 25. (MNS photo)

RESPONSIBLE VOTERS. Juliet Pilongo and her husband check their polling precincts at the Commission on Elections office in Davao City on Wednesday (Oct. 25, 2023). The couple said they decided to prepare a few days before the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections for a smoother voting experience. (MNS photo)

5,558 cops on standby as substitute poll workers -- PNP MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) said over 5,000 cops are on standby as possible poll workers in case some teachers withdraw as electoral board members for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Monday.

The PNP said it has trained 5,558 cops in preparation for the upcoming election.

“Maaga pa lamang ay inanticipate na ito ng PNP kaya meron po tayong naka-standby na 5,588 na trained na PNP na puwede pong mag-serve as special board of electoral inspector po,” said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

Recently, some teachers in Cotabato City and Abra have backed out of the task due to fear of violence, according to Fajardo.

Aside from poll workers backing out, the PNP is also looking at the withdrawal of around 250 candidates in Abra.

“With or without iyong reklamo (a complaint), with that number, it is alarming already. So, pinapaimbestigahan na natin (we are having it investigated),” PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said.

On October 18, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it received an initial report that a candidate for the BSKE in Bucay, Abra was shot dead.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the victim was running for barangay councilor.

On Monday night, three people— including two barangay kagawad candidates—were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting incident in Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City, the police reported.

The victims were hanging campaign posters when the suspects fired shots at them. One of the 12 suspects is also a candidate.

So far, Fajardo said a total of eight people have already been killed in 22 confirmed incidents of election-related violence.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,785 individuals have been arrested and 1,393 firearms have been confiscated due to election gun ban violations as of Wednesday, Fajardo said.

Comelec ready for 2025 automated NLE, manual BSKE after SC ruling The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it will push through with the conduct of two major polls in 2025, though one of them - the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) - will be done manually.

At a press briefing, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body recognizes the finality of the Supreme Court's (SC) decision to deny the motion for reconsideration of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), over the constitutionality of the postponement of the December 2025 BSK polls.

"Sa bandang huli po kakayanin namin, iyon nga lang iyong Barangay and SK elections, maaaring hindi namin ma-automate sapagkat wala pong nai-provide sa ating budget. But sure po ang National and Local Elections (NLE) ng Mayo ay automated (In the end,

we will make it happen, although the BSKE, we may not be able to automate it because there's no provided budget, but for sure the May NLE will be automated)," he said.

Garcia mentioned proposing a PHP30 billion budget for the automated NLE in May 2025 alone, but only around PHP22 billion has been initially approved.

As for the upcoming Oct. 30 BSKE, Garcia said the SC's decision also meant the immediate assumption of winning bets.

"Ang dapat start na term of office nung mga dapat nahalal ng December 2022 ay January 1, at iyong mahahalal ngayong October 30 ay January 1. And therefore, ibig sabihin, pagka-elect pala nila ngayong October 30, pagkaproclaim, kinabukasan, dapat magaassume na kaagad (The supposed start of the term of office elected in December 2022 is on January 1, and for those who will be elected on October 30. Therefore, it means upon their election, proclamation, the next day they should immediately assume office)," he added.

Precinct finder operating Garcia, meanwhile, assured that the operation of the precinct finder system is going smoothly since its launch on Tuesday night.

He urged voters encountering errors to counter-check their encoded data such as proper spelling and capitalization.

The needed data includes full name, birth date, and area of registry.

"Hindi po nagda-down iyong aming precinct finder baka po nagkataong mahina lang talaga ang inyo pong signal. Simula po kagabi, tuluy-tuloy, dire-diretso, daang libo na po ang nag-inquire (The precinct finder is not going down, perhaps your [internet] signal may be weak. Since last night, it has been continuously [operating] straight on, hundred thousand have already inquired)," Garcia said.

However, if voters still fail to access their precinct designation despite the right information encoded, they still have three options available on election day.

Voters may look for their precinct numbers in the designated help desks of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in schools; an official list of voters posted outside every precinct or schoolroom; and the book inside the room containing voters' pictures, signature, and fingerprints.

Command center The poll body also vowed to support and provide the needs of teachers who will serve in the BSK polls.

This came following a visit from Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte at the Comelec and Department of Education (DepEd)'s command center.

"She actually requested the Commission na baka pwede maasikaso namin ang mga DepEd personnel na magma-man ng operation center ng DepEd sa bansa (that perhaps we could take care of the DepEd personnel manning the operation center in the country)," Garcia said.

He mentioned disclosing their

monitoring system and procedures from the deployment of election paraphernalia to schools up to ensuring the timely distribution of honoraria to teachers.

Earlier, the Comelec vowed to release teachers honoraria within 10 days after the BSK. This amounts to PHP10,000 and PHP9,000 for electoral chairpersons and board members, respectively, with an additional PHP2,000 for those rendering duty for early voting hours across the board.

The poll body has also prepared PHP500,000 death benefits and PHP200,000 cash assistance in case of injury for serving teachers.

Comelec lists down BSKE bets up for proclamation suspension The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday it has come up with an initial list of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) candidates whose proclamations could be suspended if they win the Oct. 30 polls.

For the first batch, the poll body included 241 BSK bets running in various cities in Metro Manila.

Suspension orders against some candidates in areas in Bukidnon, Cagayan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Isabela, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Samar, Iloilo, Lanao del Norte, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz, Masbate, Nueva Vizcaya, Sorsogon, Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, Biliran, and Agusan del Norte were also being prepared.

At a separate press briefing, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body targets to release the result of disqualification cases before Monday's polls.

"Halos kalahati po ng masususpend namin ay mailalabas na iyong kaso nila whether dismissed or disqualified (Almost half of the [disqualification cases results] of candidates who will be suspended shall be released, whether dismissed or disqualified)," he said.

As of Wednesday, the poll body has filed 186 disqualification petitions against BSK bets allegedly engaged in premature campaigning, with 7,103 orders issued nationwide.

For illegal campaigning, 154 out of the 1,371 candidates who received show cause orders have provided their answers to the Comelec.

Garcia, meanwhile, said the poll body will investigate the reported incident of vote buying at a warehouse in Policarpio St. M. Naval, Brgy. San Jose, Navotas City.

According to the initial report of Navotas City Police Station (CPS), Operation Kontra Bigay was conducted in the area on Wednesday morning.

It led to the discovery of the distribution of envelopes to voters containing an amount ranging from PHP300 to PHP500 each, the report added.

"All were registered voters of Malabon and were conducting Watchers Training at the place of incident, with more or less 200 persons inside the warehouse," it said. Overall, police authorities estimated the total amount intended to be distributed to voters was PHP363,900. (MNS)

10 • October 27, 2023 - November 2, 2023

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“Just war” is another word for “necessary murder”

During his address to the 15-member U.N. Security Council earlier this week, U.N. SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres commented that the Hamas attack on October 7 in which 1,400 people were killed “did not happen in a vacuum.” Guterres then explained why, “The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation” by Israelis.

The U.N. Secretary-General’s comments immediately drew immediate condemnation from the Israeli government calling Guterres “completely disconnected from reality in our region.” Israel’s reality, of course, is different from the Palestinian’s reality. Guterres condemned the Hamas atrocities, but he averred that such appalling attacks do not justify a collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

The U.N. Secretary -General’s is a lonesome voice in a sea of praises and justification for Israel’s “endless war” with Hamas. Israel’s unabated bombing of the City of Gaza is akin to carpet bombing that has killed more than 5,700 people. It is devoid of a true military strategy other than an emotional response to a population reeling from the terrorist attacks. U.S. President Joe Biden said that “America stands with Israel … and understands that Israel must defend itself.”

The West is calling it a just war.

But is it really? The attacks on civilians and crucial infrastructures violate the “just war” moral principles of discrimination (versus indiscriminate bombing) and noncombatant immunity (Palestinians who are now refugees in their own land). Israel might have had a just cause but the resultant war is not. But then again, who is

minding the store? Israel has done this before (Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009) but got away with it.

The hosannas of “justified war” is just another way of saying that the mass killing is necessary to avenge the deaths of 1,400 Israeli civilians.

We’ve heard this before, time and time again whenever Western countries commits the killings, it must be a just war. The 9-11 terrorist attacks in the United States killed nearly 3,000. The resultant Middle East campaigns “War on Terror” in the hunt for the mastermind, Osama bin Laden and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq has resulted directly or indirectly, in the deaths of nearly 5 million mostly civilians and children.

Many organized religions, despite the “thou shalt not kill” commandment, agree and believe that there is such a thing as a “just war” or the euphemism for “necessary killing.” Perhaps the most famous “necessary killing” is that of Jesus Christ. According to Matthew, Jesus predicted his own death which is part of a divine plan and so his death was necessary “to provide salvation to the sinful species of humanity.”

Since Jesus’ death, Christianity was born and over 500 million to one billion people have died because of it. Christians, Muslims, and Jews and even non-believers died because of religion. The Holy Wars in Europe during the Mongol Conquest, the Catholic/Protestant Schism, and the world wars. So, the idea of a just war or necessary killing is already baked in our psyche. Some states would even legally allow killing by electric chair, injection, or firing squad.

But I agree with Pope Francis that there is no morality in a just war. How can killing an innocent

child or other civilians be ever just?

Whether through the devastating effects of nuclear weapons or singly by injection. In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical talks of the humanitarian consequences of a just war. Perhaps, this is what President Biden was alluding to when he said that U.S. made mistakes in trying to prosecute the wars to avenge 9-11.

“Why can’t people give peace a chance,” asked John Lennon.

Lennon’s rhetorical statement is not saying that we must have peace.

Rather, for everyone to give peace a chance. This is in essence what Pope Francis was saying. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration of war was immediate and that he envisioned a “long war.”

It really goes back to what U.N. Secretary-General Guterres said about what brought us to this predicament. The Palestinian territories – West Bank and Gaza, and East Jerusalem are by all intents and purposes, are occupied by Israel.

Netanyahu is not really interested in a two-state solution and the war gives him the needed impetus to write fini to a story that has been decades in the making.

Netanyahu is trying to finish what Joshua couldn’t as related in the Old Testament when the God of Israel ordered the armies of Joshua to invade Canaan and to kill every single Canaanite. Deuteronomy 20 called for the complete destruction of Canaan including man, woman, and child. Deuteronomy 7:1-2 was very clear that God will clear away the seven tribes (nations) ahead of them but the “chosen people” must “conquer and completely destroy them, make no treaties, and show them no mercy.”

The land known as biblical Canaan in the southern Levant encompasses Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon. If the current siege of Gaza expands to Lebanon which has already started with minor skirmishes between Hezbollah militants and the Israeli

Army, the conflagration can spread to the neighboring Arab countries including Iran.

Now we understand why the United States deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups to the Mediterranean Sea. One really doesn’t need this much firepower to rescue 10 American hostages.

It is there to send an unmistakable message that the United States will not just sit it out to give peace a chance. This is ahead of Israel’s plan for a ground invasion.

Pope John Paul II said in the aftermath of 9-11: “peace is essential for development, but true peace is made possible only through forgiveness.” Albert Einstein was blunter, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” The reality of today, however, tells us that we see large expenditures on weapons,

armaments, and nukes as “deterrence of war.” Yet, we see Russia invading Ukraine, China harassing Taiwan and the Philippines, and North Korea constantly striking the drums of war.

One would think that with the adoption of the Rome Statue which established the International Criminal Court, that a world leader would think twice about committing mass killing or genocide. Well, here is one reason why the bigger players are not worried about invading another country. The three world powers: the United States, Russia, and China are not signatories.

Regional powers like Israel, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, India, North Korea, and Iraq are not signatories either.

Maybe President Ronald Reagan was right when he said at the 42nd Session of the General Assembly that only an alien invasion from

the outside world can make people forget about their differences. He added, “What could be more alien than war and the threat of war?”

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