The Filipino Press: October 7-13, 2022

Marcos on first 100 days:

found best, brightest in gov't

MANILA -- Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that his administration has managed to find the “best and brightest” officials to help and serve in the government during his first 100 days as president.

Marcos was asked during the President’s Night organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on what he considered as his accomplishments and things that he could have done differently as he marks his 100th day in office in two days.

The President said he remembered the first time this was asked during the campaign period.

“And I said, well the first 100 days will be finding the best and the brightest to help and serve in government, I think we have managed to do that. I think we have. I am always very grateful to ...our economic managers, to those experts who have come and decided to join the government because we know that they are very successful and this is a sacrifice for them,” Marcos said.

“It is really all about the service on their part. We're always grateful for their talent. And to have them in place already I think gives us distinct advantage as we try to transform our economy for the next few years,” he added.

Marcos said that his administration has also put together a government which is “functional”

and has a “very good” idea in targeting economic targets.

He also said that they make their officials understand that they are here to govern and to help the country recover amid COVID-19 pandemic.

“Make all our officials understand that as a government we

are here to govern, we have been put here to try our best to pull us out of this terrible crisis that we have just been suffering for the last two years, I think we have achieved that,” he said.

“It is that sense of urgency, it is that unity that we bring people together and we are bringing people

for a reason and the reason is not for ourselves, not our families but for our community, country, and our people,” he added.

Leading peace efforts Marcos said he hoped that the Philippines will be one of the nations that will lead peace efforts, adding that he intends to propose

some actions to address conflicts in the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference this November.

“There will be leaders, there will be followers and we hope to be part of leading — the ones that are leading the effort for peace that we concentrate in the past. In

my discussions with the different leaders, we spoke very much of course of the situation here in the Southeast Asia, in Asia in regard to the intensifying non-violent conflict but push and pull between China and the United States over Taiwan,” he said.

“In fact, in the upcoming ASEAN conferences that are coming up in November, I intend to propose several actions that ASEAN can take specific to the different conflicts that we are seeing in our region. And if the Philippines can play a part, then that would certainly be a good thing,” he added.

He said that the country raised concern on the issue of Myanmar and the Rohingya situation, adding that it is time to put forward concrete proposals.

“I think we should continue to try and push our member neighbors to present that united front and to move that united front forward so that we can say that ASEAN as a political — geopolitical aggrupation, economic aggrupation, has certainly shown that it has a function to do in the normal scheme of the geopolitics,” he added.

Strengthening partnerships Marcos also reiterated the importance of strengthening partnerships and forging alliances across the world, saying that “unity” remains one of the primary driving forces in pursuing economic

San Diego’s Largest Filipino Festival Takes Over Waterfront Park

CHULA VISTA, CA -- Mark Thursday, October 27, 2022 as an important deadline if you are a small business or a nonprofit organization that serves the City of Chula Vista.

The City of Chula Vista and the San Diego Foundation have partnered up to create the Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund, through the funding and support from the American Rescue Plan of the Federal Government and local funding from the San Diego Foundation. $3.6 million is being allocated towards small businesses and nonprofits as an effort to offer resources and relief to those who may have been impacted during COVID-19.

“The City of Chula Vista is proud to partner with the San Diego Foundation and the Small Business Development Center to once again offer grant funding to those small businesses affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19,” said Kevin Pointer, Principal Economic Development Specialist for the City of Chula Vista. “We are also fortunate that through this partnership, we can cast a wider net by making funding available to more small businesses, as well as expand the program to nonprofits. Chula Vista is here to support the backbone of our community— small businesses and nonprofits.”

Program details include:

Oct. 27 at 5 p.m.

* Eligible small businesses can receive up to $10,000 and eligible

non-profits can receive up to $100,000.

* The grants are not first-come, first-served; applicants should focus on accuracy and completeness over submitting early.

* Small businesses must be located in the City of Chula Vista. If a nonprofit, must be located in or serve the City of Chula Vista.

* Small businesses must have been in business prior to April 1, 2020.

* Applicants can be selfemployed workers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, homebased businesses, and corporations with no more than 100 employees.

* To be eligible, small businesses must have net profits under $150,000 or gross revenue under $250,000 (as reported for 2019).

Visit https://sdivsbdc.org/cvstimulus/ for more information on

how to apply and further details on eligibility. In addition to their informative website, SBDC holds workshops, on-demand training, office hours, and more resources for businesses and nonprofit orgs who are in need of help for no cost.

“The SBDC is excited to partner with the City of Chula Vista and the San Diego Foundation on the Chula Vista Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund,” said Danny Fitzgerald, Regional Director of San Diego’s Imperial Small Business Development Center. “The SBDC is providing support with outreach, assistance in completing the applications, and support in managing the application process.

The SBDC and the San Diego Foundation continue to partner

SAN DIEGO, CA -- One day festival celebrating Filipino arts and culture returns for second year.

So Sarap! Philippine Festival is a unique one-day family friendly destination event that reflects the diversity and hospitality of the Philippines and our Filipino American community in San Diego. This year’s event will take place during Filipino American History Month on Saturday, October 15 from 10:00AM to 9:00PM at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego CA 92101.

So Sarap!, translated to “So Delicious,” will offer an array of experiences showcasing Philippine and Filipino American arts, culture, history, and food. Presented by PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company, audiences will be entertained by individuals and groups exhibiting traditional and contemporary dance and performances. Additionally, twentyfour contestants will compete in a live 1V1 Open Style Dance Battle on the main stage with world renowned guest judges Beast, Bgirl Mel, and Jr Boogaloo.

So Sarap! Philippine Festival is the place to immerse in a diversity of Philippine and Filipino American cultural experiences from music and dance performances to food and games. Patrons will have multiple opportunities to indulge their tastebuds in authentic, mouth-watering foods such as Adobo, Pancit, Lumpia, Ube flavored sweets, a Halo-Halo bar, and more. This destination festival is also the place to experience one-of-a-kind Filipino inspired liquor at the So Sarap! Beer & Spirits Garden.

But that’s not all. A Filipino village will be one of the key attractions of the day, featuring a life size Bahay Kubo (country house), Jeepney, Tricycle, and one-of-a-kind Philippine-inspired art, apparel, jewelry, and other merchandise.

So Sarap! Philippine Festival is a free family friendly event: SoSarapFestival. com

For event information, vendor booth or sponsorship info contact So Sarap! Philippine Festival at info@ sosarapfestival.com

So Sarap! Philippine Festival is hosted by PASACAT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About PASACAT PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company is San Diego’s premiere and first Philippine Dance Company having had the distinct honor of performing at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company. Since 1970, PASACAT continues to contribute to the cultural enrichment of San Diego. PASACAT is funded in part by the California Arts Council, County of San Diego and City of San Diego.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the President’s Night organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City. (MNS photo)

Pampered Pinay: Privilege

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

…and maybe that’s the next stage in these conversations…

By Francine Maigue

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

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

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

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

Criticisms were published that attacked the aims of delegates from a program that immersed young, Filipino American leaders in communities in the Philippines. The claim: Fil-Ams returning to the Philippines to assist communities in need are reminiscent of colonization.

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

When one is sent back to our homeland to help—one helps.

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

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

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

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

Is an award a privilege? Sure…

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

I welcome our passionate, innovative leaders, activists, and volunteers to engage in discussions that are important in our community. It will be a privilege, an opportunity, a blessing to engage in these conversations, as we work to develop the necessary changes that empower ALL members of our community to achieve.

Check back every week for ways to pamper yourself and those you love.

Why? The answer is simple: YOU DESERVE IT! thepamperedpinay.com.

By Popular Demand! Come Fall in Love Extended thru Oct.

2022

Inaugural Festival of Journalism slated for October 15 at SDSU

SAN DIEGO, CA - The inaugural Festival of Journalism will be held at the Tula Community Center at SDSU on Oct. 15. The Festival provides an opportunity to get to know the people reporting on the biggest stories in San Diego. The event is presented by The San Diego Union Tribune in cooperation with SDSU's School of Journalism, Media Studies, KPBS and Voice of San Diego.

The keynote topics and speakers are as follows:

A dangerous job: Journalism in a time of violent rhetoric and the legacy of slain reporter Jeff German

Steve Sebelius - Politics and government editor, Las Vegas ReviewJournal

Steve Sebelius, longtime politics editor and columnist, talks about the dangers facing journalists as they pursue the truth in the wake of the murder of his friend and colleague investigative reporter Jeff German.

Capturing the collapse of a country

Marcus Yam - Foreign correspondent and staff photographer, Los Angeles Times

Marcus Yam, one of the last western journalists to leave Afghanistan after the country fell to the Taliban, shares his account of being on the frontlines of conflict and examples of his Pulitzer Prize-winning work.

You might go to prison, even though you're innocent

Justin Brooks - Director and cofounder, The California Innocence Project

Justin Brooks, who has exonerated more than 30 innocent people, including former NFL player Brian Banks, discusses how biases and misinformation can cost people their freedom and, in some cases, their lives.

In addition to the keynotes, attendees can expect the following:

Panels sessions on how reporters exposed the Ash Street deal that put

millions into the pocket of a City Hall insider and cost taxpayers a fortune, the high mortality rate in San Diego jails, firsthand accounts from journalists who work in one of the world's most dangerous environments for local news and more.

The premiere of ‘Journalism at Risk,’ a U-T Studio Productions

Photo gallery showcasing the work of our photojournalists

Invited panelists to discuss Importance of Community Journalism include Susan delos Santos of the Filipino Press, Cora Oriel of Asian Journal , Cheryl Morrow of San Diego Monitor News and Fanny Miller of El Latino Newspaper. The session will be moderated by Lilia O'Hara, editorial director of the Sd Union Tribune in Espanol.

The event is Free, but registration is required. For the event schedule, please go to FestivalOfJournalism.com.

Attend and be in the know.

Save Sierra Madre for food sustainability amid climate change

MANILA -- With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s pronouncement that addressing climate change is on top of his agenda, agriculture stakeholders have called for the protection of Sierra Madre mountain range as "protector" of the environment.

They cited Super Typhoon Karding's (international name Noru) expected onslaught was shielded by the mountain range, minimizing the damage to crops and livestock, and saved 17 million brood stock in Central Luzon.

“About 17 million brood stock would’ve been lost if not for Sierra Madre. Luzon is number one in aquaculture production, and Central Luzon or Region 3 produces 16 percent by value. By volume malaki rin (it is also huge),” said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 3 (BFAR-3) Director Wilfredo Cruz in a statement on Wednesday.

Brood stock are mature fish used in aquaculture for breeding purposes.

A week after Karding hit the country on Sept. 25, farmers, fisherfolk, youth, indigenous people, and other food producers continue to thank the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, as well as the Caraballo and Cordillera Mountains, for diminishing the impact of the Category 4 typhoon.

Norberto Chingcuanco, vice president for corporate planning of Feedmix Specialist Inc., said Sierra Madre’s importance during Karding shows that nature is vital to ensuring a sustainable livelihood.

“We need nature for our livelihood. Aquaculture depends on clean water to survive and thrive. It is in our best interest to preserve the environment so we can keep on producing fish,” Chingcuanco said.

Former BFAR national director Asis Perez said the six regions affected by Karding -- the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region -- are connected through the three mountain ranges.

“The impact of Karding to everyone in the agricultural community might have been worse had it not been for Sierra Madre. The mountains both protect us from danger and ensure that we are able to produce food,” he said.

Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines.

Spanning over 540 kilometers and runs from the province of Cagayan down to the province of Quezon, forming a north-south direction on the eastern portion of Luzon.

Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) is the largest protected area of the Philippines covering the northern range of the Sierra Madre Mountains of eastern Luzon. The park is located in the eastern part of the province of Isabela in Cagayan Valley consisting of a total area of 359,486 hectares, broken down to 287,861 hectares of land area and 71,652 hectares of coastline water area.

Reports from the Department of Agriculture, agricultural damage and losses due to Karding is PHP2.02 billion, affecting nearly 150,700 hectares of farm lands, along with more than 91,900 farmers and fisherfolk.

“While we are grateful that the

government has allotted PHP709 million worth of assistance to Karding-affected fishers and farmers, the same level of support should also be given to our environment, from ridge to reef. This is not just to ensure protection and conservation but as well as food security for the generations to come,” the group said.

President Marcos, in his speech at the 2022 multi-stakeholder forum organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), emphasized the importance of utilizing and developing the country's natural wealth and resources.

He said the fight against climate change would only be successful if everyone is committed and determined to "steer our practices and systems towards a greener direction."

House OKs P77.5-B institutional amendments in 2023 GAB

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said institutional amendments amounting to PHP77.5 billion were included by the House of Representatives in the approved version of the 2023 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to augment the budget for health, education, transportation, and other critical social services.

During the period of amendments preceding ratification of the 2023 GAB, Romualdez said the House augmented the budget of frontline agencies tasked to address the current economic, health, energy and environmental crises that burden millions of Filipinos.

These include PHP20.25 billion for various programs of the Department of Health such as Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (PHP13 billion); allowances for healthcare and non-healthcare workers and front-liners (PHP5 billion); additional funding for the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute and Philippine Children’s Medical Center Health (PHP500 million each); 10 dialysis assistance centers throughout the Philippines (PHP27 million each); and Cancer Assistance Program (PHP250million);

PHP500 million for UP-PGH; PHP10 billion for the Department of Education’s school building/ classroom construction and PHP581 million for special education programs; PHP10 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways to construct water systems in underserved upland barangays; PHP12.5 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (PHP5 billion), upgrading the senior citizens’ pension through the National Commission of Senior Citizens, and for Sustainable Livelihood Program (PHP2.5 billion);

PHP5.5 billion for Department of Transportation programs to address the rising cost of fuel like the fuel subsidy program, Libreng Sakay and bike lane construction; PHP5 billion for the training and scholarship programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; PHP5 billion for the Commission on Higher Education’s Tulong Dunong Program; PHP5 billion for the livelihood and

emergency employment programs of the Department of Labor and Employment;

PHP1.5 billion for the national broadband project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology; PHP500 million for the Commission on Elections new building; PHP300 million for the Philippine National Police to train law enforcement officers to be conducted by the Department of Justice and National Prosecution Service; PHP250 million for the Department of Trade and Industry to assist the creative industry pursuant to Republic Act 11904; PHP150 million for the Energy Regulatory Commission; PHP147 million for the Office of the Solicitor General; and PHP50-million for the National Electrification Administration’s barangay and sitio electrification program.

“I’m pleased that the Houseapproved version of the General Appropriations Bill responds to the most urgent needs of Filipinos. We need to ensure that social services are sufficient for the greater good of our countrymen, especially those in dire need of basic social services to survive,” Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, HouseAppropriations Committee chair Elizaldy Co said the bulk of additional allocation for institutional amendments introduced by the House in the 2023 GAB came from the deduction in programs and projects "whose budget may be allocated in succeeding fiscal years."

While the fiscal space is limited, he said his committee endeavored to free up appropriations from agencies whose funds are unlikely to be fully utilized within 2023, based on historical performance or specific circumstances of their spending program.

These include the PHP50 billion deducted from the Department of Transportation’s proposed budget for the Metro Manila Subway Project and North-South Railway Commuter for the year 2023.

“Hindi madali ang desisyong ito, ngunit ‘di rin makatwirang matulog ang pondo habang napakaraming pangangailangan ang milyunmilyong pamilyang Pilipino habang bumabangon ang bansa mula sa pandemya (This was not an easy decision to make, but it is also unreasonable for funds to remain idle while millions of Filipino families have so many needs while recovering from the pandemic),” Co said.

“The idea is to allocate more budget for pro-people programs and projects without the need of imposing new taxes. One thing is sure: all major infrastructure projects will proceed as scheduled based on a timetable that is implementable for 2023,” he said.

Climate change mitigation, adaptation top PBBM admin’s agenda

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday guaranteed that the Philippines' resiliency and adaptation to the "new normals" of climate change are on top of his administration's national agenda.

Marcos gave the assurance in a speech delivered during the 2022 multi-stakeholder forum organized by the Department of Environment

September inflation jumps to 6.9%

MANILA -- The consumer price index (CPI) for September this year rose 6.9 percent, which is mainly driven by faster food inflation, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Wednesday.

In a press conference, PSA head and national statistician Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said the headline inflation last month was higher than the 6.3-percent rate in August 2022 and the 4.2-percent CPI in September 2021.

Last month’s figure brought the average inflation rate from January to September this year to 5.1 percent.

Mapa said nine out of 13 commodity groups recorded higher inflation rate last month. Top contributors to the faster pace in price increases were food and nonalcoholic beverages; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; and transport.

He said food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation climbed to 7.4 percent in September from 6.3 percent in August 2022.

The price increases in the food basket contributed 40.8 percent to the total inflation last month.

Amid the sugar woes in the previous months, the pace of price increase of sugar, confectionery, and desserts stood at 30.2 percent in September from 26 percent in August.

Inflation rate of fish and other seafood also rose to 9.1 percent in September from 7.2 percent in August, while increase in prices of vegetables, tubers and the likes recorded an inflation of 3.5 percent in September from a contraction of 2.7-percent in August.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels sub-group is the second highest contributors to September inflation, with a share to the uptrend of around 22.8 percent.

Inflation rate of this sub-group last month increased to 7.3 percent from 6.8 percent in August, with power rates increases rising to 21.4 percent in September from 19.1 percent in August.

The third major contributor to higher inflation in September was transport cost, with an inflation rate of 14.5 percent, contributing 19.1 percent to the faster rate of price increases.

Other commodity groups which had higher inflation rate in the previous month include alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 9.8 percent; clothing and footwear at 2.9 percent; furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance at 3.5 percent; information and communication at 0.5 percent; recreation, sport, and culture at 2.7 percent; restaurants and accommodation services at 4.6 percent; and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 3.4 percent.

Faster price increase outside NCR

While the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded a 6.5-percent national inflation rate last month, the pace of price increments in areas outside NCR (AONCR) was higher than NCR and national level at 7 percent.

Fifteen regions AONCR recorded higher inflation rate in September, with fastest price increases reported in Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao Region both at 9.6 percent.

It was noted that while inflation for rice in NCR decelerated to 0.2 percent in September from a 0.8-percent increment in August, rice inflation in AONCR went up to 2.8 percent last month from 2.4 percent in August.

Risks of higher inflation remain

Mapa said risks of faster increase in prices of goods and services remain throughout the year amid the impacts of Super Typhoon Karding that destroyed agricultural products, the approved fare hike in public transportation, the effect of peso depreciation to pump prices that has spillover impact to food and transport costs, and the expected higher demand during the ‘ber’ months.

“Risk of future inflation will really come from the food group,” he said. “Reducing inflation would really mean reducing food inflation.”

He added that although the trend is moving up, there are also factors that could contribute to taming the inflation in the coming months.

Mapa said it was in 2009 that the country hit an inflation rate of 7.2 percent.

During the global financial crisis, the national CPI peaked at 10.5 percent in August 2008, he said.

PBBM sincere with his intention to bring PH to new heights -- ES President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is "very sincere" with his intent to bring the Philippines "to greater heights," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday.

Speaking to select Palace reporters, Bersamin said he is "impressed" with Marcos' work performance, noting that the Chief Executive keeps reminding his Cabinet to work harder for the betterment of the country.

"He (Marcos) is very, very sincere and he wants us to do more," Bersamin, who assumed his post as Executive Secretary on Sept. 27, said.

"A lot of things need to be done yet. Every Cabinet meeting, he always presses all Cabinet members to move forward and achieve more to bring the country to greater heights," he added.

Bersamin said while he was only able to attend two Cabinet meetings since he took oath of office as Executive Secretary on Sept. 27, he always got "impressed about [Marcos'] sincerity."

Major accomplishments

He even saw Marcos' first three months in office "very inspiring," given the administration's accomplishments.

Despite being an "outsider for a long time," Bersamin said he was already aware of the "many" achievements of the Marcos administration.

"It's my only impression. Marami (There are many [accomplishments])," he said, citing Marcos' recent participation in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States.

While the current administration has already accomplished so many things, Marcos has no plan to highlight his achievements on his first 100 days, Bersamin said.

"It seems that he's not that kind na mage-emphasize siya sa 100 days (of person to emphasize his achievements on his first 100 days)," he said.

"Si Presidente is always ambivalent about that term 100. Bakit 100? Bakit hindi 50? (He's asking why [do we have to report on the first 100 days and not on the first 50 days). Are we bound to give a report on 100 days, sabi niyang ganiyan (he asked)," Bersamin added.

Signing of bills Bersamin also noted that there is a "very distinct" possibility for Marcos to sign legislative measures that are awaiting his signature, including the bills on SIM registration and postponement of the 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

This, after Congress officially transmitted to Marcos' office the enrolled copies of the two bills.

Bersamin said it is "very seldom" for a president to veto a measure.

"'Yung mga ganyang signing (With regard to the signing [of the bills], you must presume the good faith of the two houses of legislature and when they submit to the President for his signature any piece of legislation na pagdaanan na nila (they already passed), the probability is high that the president will agree with them," he said. In a Facebook post, Marcos said he and his Cabinet discussed ways to monitor and address the prices of basic commodities and ensure the stability of food supply in the country.

“Sa ating pulong ngayong araw kasama ang gabinete, pinagtibay natin ang mga susunod na hakbang upang mabantayan ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Sisiguruhin po natin na maisasaayos ang suplay ng pagkain upang maging sapat at abot-kaya para sa mamamayang Pilipino (During my meeting with the Cabinet, we step up measures to monitor the prices of goods. We will make sure that we have sufficient and affordable food),” he said.

Jose Calida resigns as COA chief Commission on Audit (COA) chairperson Jose Calida has resigned from his post, Malacañang announced on Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed Calida’s resignation in an interview with select Palace reporters.

"He (Calida) tendered his resignation for many reasons," Bersamin said.

Bersamin also commended Calida for his short stint as COA chair.

It was in June when Marcos nominated Calida as head of the COA, a constitutional commission.

Calida also served as Solicitor General under the leadership of former President Rodrigo Duterte and as Justice Secretary during the watch of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The announcement about Calida’s resignation came the same day when Marcos led the mass oath-taking of 10 reappointed Cabinet members.

Secretaries Benjamin Diokno (Finance), Arsenio Baliscan (Socioeconomic Planning), Manuel Bonoan (Public Works), Alfredo Pascual (Trade), Erwin Tulfo (Social Welfare), Jaime Bautista (Transportation), Renato Solidum Jr. (Science and Technology), Raphael Lotilla (Energy), Susan Ople (Migrant Workers), and Jose Rizalino Acuzar (Human Settlements) took their oath of office before Marcos at a ceremony on Tuesday morning at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

The 10 reappointed officials were among the 12 Cabinet secretaries whose ad interim appointments were earlier bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) because of lack of time.

The two other bypassed Cabinet officials were Technology Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Secretary Ivan John Uy.

Cruz-Angeles on Tuesday also announced her resignation “due to health reasons.”

Marcos has yet to name his new appointees replacing Calida and Cruz-Angeles.

Malacañang, on the other hand, has yet to issue a statement on Uy’s current status.

Rodriguez no longer part of

MONDAY SHOWERS. Students use umbrellas to shield themselves from drizzle on Scout Ybardolaza Street, Quezon City on Monday morning (Oct. 3, 2022). Metro Manila and the rest of the country, particularly the southern portion of Mindanao, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and the intertropical convergence zone. (MNS photo)

PREVAILING OVER IN THE PRESTIGIOUS MISS USA 2022 PAGEANT, MISS TEXAS R’BONNEY GABRIEL PROVIDES PRIME PRESENT FOR PROUD FILIPINO-AMERICANS

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Cheers!

And salutations and great joy to you all, my dear fellow “kababayans” on this historic occasion.

R’Bonney Gabriel had everyone’s attention on last Monday night, Oct. 3, when she was crowned the 2022 Miss USA during the live broadcast of the popular pageant. The 28-yearold beauty, who represented Texas, looked gorgeous in a sparkly gold gown and dangling earrings as she accepted the top honor with a crown and bouquet of flowers. She looked shocked and thrilled as she walked down the runway of the show and waved and blew kisses to the excited crowd.

Yes, indeed…Ellie Smith passed down the Miss USA crown to Miss Texas USA, R’Bonney Gabriel at the 71st Miss USA pageant competition. The proud FilipinoAmerican will represent USA in the Miss Universe 2022 pageant at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, competing against 73 countries.

As a fashion designer, R’Bonney Gabriel is known for making ecofriendly dresses from recycled materials.

So, just who is R’Bonney Gabriel and how did she work her way to the iconic role of Miss USA?

Here’s a few things to know about 2022’s Miss USA winner: R’Bonney Gabriel is a Houston-based FilipinoAmerican and a professional fashion designer and model. She is 5 foot 7 inches tall and runs her fashion label called R’Bonney Nola. Gabriel is also associated with the Magpies & Peacocks, through which she runs her sewing classes. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in fashion and apparel design and a minor in fibers.

R’Bonney’s mother is from Texas, while her father is from the Philippines. Her father immigrated to the USA when he was 19 and received a doctorate in psychology from the University of Houston.

R’Bonney is the first Asian American woman to represent Miss Texas USA. She made history when she stepped out on the stage the night of the Miss USA pageant and now that she’s won, she will go on to make history at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant.

She participated in the Miss Texas pageant twice, ultimately winning the second one. She was the first runner-up to Victoria Hinojosa in 2021. Speaking of the same, R-Bonney said, “I had to make sure I was strong in every category. I worked really hard every day the past eight months. I wanted to outwork the competition and go in feeling confident.”

R’Bonney represented Friendswood at the Miss Texas competition in July 2022 among 88 candidates. She wore a Rian Fernandez custom dress and became the first Miss Texas USA of Filipino descent. She sported a Patrick Isorena label dress for the state costume show in 2022 and won the round against 50 candidates.

R’Bonney looked incredible in a bright blue bodysuit with silver sequins that honored the Texas bluebonnet. She also wore matching boots and a headpiece with the look, and took to Instagram to share several photos and video of the epic costume. “I was so excited to find out Miss USA had a state costume portion! I knew I wanted to be the Texas state flower, a bluebonnet, but with glamour twist. Thank you @patrick_isorena for bringing the vision to life,” she wrote in the caption.

The talented gal often shares video clips of herself helping to create what she’s going to wear in front of national audiences, and there’s always special meaning into what she comes up with and the fabric she uses. In July, she posted a video of her Miss Texas opening dress being made and revealed she loves to “re-use old pieces” of clothing to help avoid the pollution that the fashion industry can cause.

When asked how she will address climate change, “I am a fashion designer, I actually made the outfit I’m wearing in, I upcycle pieces and recycle different clothing to be more sustainable in my industry because I feel it’s like my duty,,,,,,” she answered. “So I think that’s something you can look for ways in our certain industries or in our homes to be sustainable as well.”

Due to her Filipino descent, R’Bonney said she feels a “big responsibility” to share her background and encourage others to do the same. “My dad moved to America from the Philippines on a college scholarship with about $20 in his pocket,” she told ABC News’ local affiliate in Houston. “He wanted to pave a new life for himself. He met my mom in Texas, who is a country woman from Beaumont. I’m a very proud Filipina Texan.”

The new Miss USA winner teaches sewing at the Magpies and Peacocks fashion house in Houston, Texas. In the classes, she shows students how to make different pieces using fabrics and textiles from remnants. The classes are part of the nonprofit’s MAKR Collective program, which offers different life skills to trauma victims, including domestic violence survivors with the hopes that they can learn a new skill.

Fans took to twitter to congratulate

R’Bonney Gabriel on becoming the first Filipino American Miss USA in history. “Congratulations to @ MissTXUSA. The first Filipino American ever to win @MissUSA. History has been made. #MissUSA #missusa2022” wrote an American fan named Clarence David Cooper.

“Oh, my God, it’s an honor,” Gabriel told lifestyle news Houston Life following her win. “I’m getting messages on Instagram and just social media of Filipina girls and women telling me they’re so excited, they’re so happy.”

“They’re crying tears of joy because they are inspired to go after pageantry or something,” she added. “Like I’m paving the way for them to just go after whatever they want no matter what it is. So it’s an honor.”

I say we have a winner!

That Monday night at the Miss USA competition, 16 women were chosen out of 51 states to take part based on online votes. The participants were from the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Tennessee, Vermont, California, and along-with West Virginia.

Due to a new twist, the judges eliminated four women (from California, the District of Columbia, MIssouri and West Virginia) based on their first impression walk. The top 12 contestants were asked

to participate in a swimsuit and evening gown round.

The pageant program description reads, “Are your sights set on the stars? Can you see yourself living in Hollywood, catching another lens on the red carpet? Well get ready for more than you could ever dream of, all wrapped up in the life-changing experience that is Miss USA 2022.”

It also states, “Step onto the stage that can pave the way for the rest of your life as we bring together 51 women from across the nation to vie for the ultimate title of Miss USA.

This is the coveted crown globally that inspires young women to claim their beauty and voice!”

After the sequences, five women were selected based on their performances, including Morgan Romano, Sir’Quora Carroll, Angel Reyes, R’Bonney Gabriel, and Natalie Pieper. Morgan ended up as the first runner-up while R’Bonney won the title and crown of Miss USA 2022.

(FYI: The Miss Universe competition will take place in the USA in January 2023, where Indian model, actress and pageant titleholder Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu will crown her successor. Interestingly, the Filipino-American R’Bonney Gabriel will go up against FilipinoItalian beauty queen Celeste Cortesi, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 in a ceremony at

Jesse T. Reyes Filipino Potpourri

the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila last April. Cortesi, 24, a representative for Pasay City, was born December 15, 1997, to Filipino mother and Italian father and was raised in Italy before moving to the Philippines five years ago to pursue a career in pageantry. The professional model, who is training to become a property agent, also won the Miss Philippines Earth title in 2018. She represented the country at Miss Earth where she placed in the top eight finalists.

Cortesi is the third Filipina to win two major national crowns, joining Carlene Aguilar, who was named Miss Philippines Earth 2002 and Miss World Philippines 2005, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who was also Miss World Philippines 2016).

Evidently, Miss USA 2022 nailed the entire round where she obviously stood out among the most beautiful women crowd here in the USA.

Wow! Isn’t that incredible?

Definitely, a genuine winner, indeed!!

Our beloved old homeland, the Philippines, a nation obsessed with beauty pageants, just celebrated R’Bonney’s win, sparking a national wave of pride and support online.

And if I may add, too – I would say that beauty pageants are absolutely a very big deal in our old mother country. Families crowd around the televisions to watch.

Chat groups are set up to provide a running commentary on costumes and stage blunders.

A friend of mine actually described the country’s obsession with them like this: “If Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao’s fights clear busy streets of traffic, then beauty pageants break the internet.”

Ha-ha-ha-ha!

There is no doubt about it that the Philippines inherited its passion for beauty contests from former colonizers Spain and America, but it was during the rule of President Ferdinand Marcos and his glamorous wife Imelda in the 1970s and 80s when they really took off.

In 1974, the first Miss Universe pageant to ever be held in the Philippines, and in extension, Southeast Asia -- and the success of the show further cemented our old homelands’ place on the world’s

beauty stage and inspired future generations to successfully compete – and win!

And now, at Miss USA 2022, the spotlight was once more on the Filipina (or Filipina American, for that matter) as the ideal ambassador for Philippine culture and design –and R’Bonney Gabriel certainly sure made the most of it!

Right on!!

From the moment she went on stage during the coronation night last March, it was crystal clear that she wasn’t just out to get the Miss USA crown – she wanted to represent the Filipinos in a very real way through her outstanding outfits.

I would phrase in all honesty that newly crowned Miss USA 2022 was always considered a shoo-in for the queen ship last Monday, Oct 3rd. And it was history in the making, too – at the same time!

For years, Filipino women has proved to the world, or the universe rather, why their nation is known as a beauty pageant powerhouse.

Statistically in terms of being the country with the most crowned beauty queens, the Philippines finished second on the list. Venezuela, home of 23 crowned beauty queens ranked first. The Philippines, along with the United States reigned in second place with a total of 15 crowns each.

Besides their stunning good looks and remarkable grace and poise, the Filipino American women as exemplified by 2022’s Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel certainly claim the title of USA’s most beautiful women for essentially reinstating the perception of the physical paragon as a force for good. With but a single line, even the most unyielding critics of pageantry paid attention to this perfect quintessential Filipina American beauty who declared to all the world, “I’m a very proud Filipina Texan.”

So I say –we should all be celebrating!

Let all of your friends and family knows of the good news via social media, email, text, calls, etc. Let it be a legacy to be remembered in years to come – and be that FilipinoAmerican! Way to go, “kababayan!” Mabuhay!!!

Call for synodality part of a bigger strategy, Part 1 of 2

door for female candidates (nuns). To wit, Francis has recommended three women to the Dicastery for Bishops who will be recommending names of new bishops. The Roman Curia is a large administrative unit of the Vatican that serves the pope following a monarchical model where the pope is king.

jurisdictions were to submit a report that bishops can discuss during the Synod of Synod convocation in 2023. The reports will provide the impetus to further reform the image of the Church and how it is run.

Pope Francis launched “Synod of Synod 2021-2023” in October 2021 for the faithful to walk together and participate in a two-year process that would lead towards a synodal Church. The overarching goal of the Synod is to “develop a spirituality for synodality.” Hence, a synodal Church is an inspiration for every Catholic to make spiritual synodality as a way of life while fusing the three key elements of communion, participation, and mission.

The power struggle taking place within the Catholic Church is a continuing evolution with preconciliar roots. It pits traditionalists or conservatives against the liberalists. In a nutshell, it was St. Peter versus St. James the Just in the beginning of Christianity and has carried over to the present day.

The fact that the Catholic Church today has two popes with Pope Francis representing liberal ideas in consonance with the Acts of Apostles; and Pope (Emeritus) Benedict invoking traditions and conservative dogmas.

The current Liturgical War is really a continuing fight between two ideological forces vying for power

to influence the current directions of the Church. Pope Francis’ call for synodality can be viewed as a cry for help for Catholics to rally behind the synodality goals and liberalization started by Vatican II stirring away from the divisive edicts of the Council of Trent. However, the synodality call can be viewed as part of a bigger strategy to revitalize the Roman Catholic institution and its hold in the business of saving souls.

From the beginning of his papacy, Francis embarked on a personal mission to transform the conservative, albeit damaged image of the Catholic Church as a result of clerical sex abuses, scandals and financial mismanagement. He has used Vatican II as the springboard to reform the church governance.

Francis has learned that the synod of bishops that Pope Paul VI established in 1965 was rendered ineffective because of the “Red Hats” that lorded over the Roman Curia. Hence, reforming the Curia was a priority.

Pope Francis has opened many Vatican offices to lay people including heads of departments (now called dicasteries) opening the

Francis has now turned the curial administrative staff into civil servants supporting not only the pope, but bishops as well. If the pope is no longer king, then the cardinals and bishops are no longer the elitist bunch they were before acting like princes and other titles of nobility. The pope, however, retains absolute power of the papacy to “exercise his supreme, full and immediate authority over the universal Church,” and to hire and fire employees of the various departments according to the apostolic constitution Francis recently issued (Praedicate Evangelium).

Pope Francis’ new awesome power was in full display when he dealt in a public way (as they made the news) of bishops and cardinals implicated and prosecuted for predatory criminal acts, financial scandal of the Vatican Bank among others. But, he was careful not to punish dissenters.

The call for synodality was an effort to get the laity involved in the governance of the Church through their involvement in the “listening” consultations by synodal teams. Each of the major episcopal

The papacy is a political entity patterned from civil governments and monarchies. It has its own central government, the Holy See with the legal personality to involve in diplomatic matters like ambassadorial postings, treaties, issue passports, and receive “coequal” heads of states. It is a monarchy in which the king (pope) exercises executive, legislative, and judicial power over Vatican City and the Holy See.

The reforms that Pope Francis has done and continues to do can be viewed as an effort to preserve his legacy in furtherance of a more moderate, albeit liberal Church envisioned by the apostles and Vatican II. With his advanced age and health problems, it is inevitable that the pope will step down eventually (or die) before his lifetime term is over.

The recent consistory at the Vatican naming 20 new cardinals (16 qualified as electors) brings to 83, the total number of cardinals that Pope Francis has appointed. This is the magic number needed out of 123 total electors or two thirds needed to elect the new pope. Notable was his choices for the new “red hats” where the pope has chosen two Africans and six Asians (two from

India, first cardinal from TimorLeste, Mongolia, South Korea and Singapore), eight from Europe, four from Central and Latin America, and one from North America (San Diego, CA).

The priority of evangelization and the role of the laity are clearly linked to his choices of new cardinals. In 2020, the Vatican released statistics showing the world’s population of Catholics increased by 16 million and now at 1.36 billion (17.7%). Stated differently, 82.3% of the world population is not Catholic. Of the total, 48% are in the Americas, 20% in Africa, 12% Asia, and the rest elsewhere.

Christianity today is well-rooted in six Asian countries: the Philippines, East Timor-Leste, Cyprus, Russia, Armenia, and Georgia. Russia has the most number of Christians (142 million), followed by the Philippines (90 million), Georgia (4.1 million), Armenia (3.2 million), and East Timor (1.1 million). East Timor is a classic example of the power of evangelization.

Formerly a Portuguese colony, the number of Catholics grew from 20% of the population when Portugal granted it independence in 1975.

Today, 97% of East Timorese are Catholics – a 77% conversion rate!

Thanks to Indonesian colonization of nearly 25 years, brutality and starvation pushed more Timorese to seek religious succor.

Their success belied the often notion that Catholicism was a

European invention and therefore, a foreign acquisition of “ideological colonialism.” Pope Francis clearly noted the powerful imagery of Catholicism forming the unity (or synodality) of a modern state as it shapes the future unity of the universal church.

Clearly, Francis is laying out a path for the Church to have more diverse voices in matters of the Church. More importantly, his selections point to ensuring that the path laid by Vatican II continues. Guided by the pronouncement of the Asian Synod in 1998 that the “Church in Asia,” will only advance if it is Asian in spirit and life;” thus, the need to commune (ecumenism) with other faiths such as Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism versus forcing Christianity on them. To be continued…

ensure the grant programs are equitable, ensuring those most in need receive the funding.”

In addition, SBDC is providing multilingual assistance for those who are interested in applying.

are available in several languages such as Spanish, Farsi, Mandarin, and more. The Filipino Press’ Editor in Chief, Susan delos Santos and Van Le from the Asian Business Association San Diego and SBDC have collaborated

in making the relief grant more accessible for those who understand Tagalog better.

“This is the second grant

Help Wanted / For Rent / For Sale

Spiritual Life

The drive to get the Filipino American vote

The political season is upon us. It is the season to elect our public officials at the city, state, congressional and national level. It is also the season to vote on propositions that will affect our lives.

A vote is your voice. For your voice to be heard, you must register to vote. It is your right and responsibility to participate in making decisions on who will represent you in the city council, in the state assembly, and in the Congress of the United States and other decision making bodies. Elected officials play a very significant role in defining the quality of our lives. They formulate policies and make decisions on issues that makes a difference in our individual and community life, such as economic stability, quality of education, immigration reform, access to health and social services, care of the environment, public safety and more.

According to the San Diego Registrar of Voters, there are 45,429 Filipino registered voters in the County of San Diego as of October 3, 2022. Of this number 30% voted in the past primary election. Higher numbers are expected in upcoming November 8 elections.

Politicians know the potentials of the Filipino American vote, hence they try their best to identify influential Filipino leaders who can help ensure their election to office or they gain membership in Filipino American associations in order to get the support of more Filipinos. Definitely, candidates for public office believe that the Filipino American vote can make a difference in their election campaign.

The Filipino Press is coming up with this special issue to make its readers, particularly the Filipino

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera

My Personal Testimony

American voter, aware of the most important responsibility of a U.S. citizen: to register and vote. The Registrar of Voters of the County of San Diego has established a Filipino Language Service program in order to increase the participation of those with limited English proficiency, spending thousands of money for Filipino language translation of election materials and increasing the number of Filipino poll workers.

The presence of a Filipino as a staff in the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters in the person of Juanito Amor, Jr. underscores the desire of the State to implement the Voters’ Rights Act and to reach out to every qualified Filipino American law abiding citizen to register and vote.

Several Filipino American Organizations need continue to work together to intensify the drive to get out the vote, regardless of party affiliation. Register and Vote has become a battle cry of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) nation-wide. Efforts to create change through the political process to increase the number of Filipino American voters and to raise the visibility of the Filipino community in the political arena are what Filipino leaders aspire for our community.

A new movement towards

community empowerment has emerged after the districting process. The goal for the Filipino American community is to develop a network of individuals and organizations collaborating as a nonpartisan united front to empower the community through civic education and policy advocacy and leadership in public service.

Filipinos represent the largest group of Asians in San Diego. There is a need for the Filipino community to develop a leadership role in civic and nonpartisan public policy issues in San Diego County. Important work with the Filipino American community to increase civic and political participation of Filipino Americans; to identify nonpartisan policy issues important to the community; to educate and promote leadership skills for civic and public engagement, to identify common issues to collaborate with other API community members and to foster collaboration with non API allies and supporters are hallmarks for representation. Hopefully, all these efforts directed towards the empowerment of the Filipino American community, will bear fruit in the long term and our young people would expand their horizon and include involvement in civic and political affairs in their personal agenda.

Truth never changes

You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.

(Joshua 7:13b)

The first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After they spied out the enemy camp, they determined they needed only a few thousand men to gain victory.

They went up against Ai only to fail miserably. They lost 32 men in a battle that should have been an easy victory, but instead they were forced to retreat. Joshua was devastated. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?" (Joshua 7:7a) In this case, the people fell short because they failed to uphold the standard God had set for them. God had told them not to take any plunder from their first battle. However, Achan hid some forbidden treasures, and God was now judging the entire nation for one man's sin.

Whenever we act without

Danny Hernaez From Whom All Blessings

God's complete blessing on our activity, we can expect God to thwart our plans. God's word to Joshua was that he could not stand against his enemies as long as there was disobedience among his troops.

Whenever we launch a business endeavor, we should make sure there are no unclean things in our dealings that would allow us to be vulnerable to a failed effort: unpaid vendors, disgruntled employees who were not treated fairly, lawsuits, dishonesty. Many of these things can hinder God from blessing our enterprises. These things can remove the shield of protection from our workplace, which God wants to bless, but cannot because

that services are met and delivered."

He is committed to upholding righteousness. His name is blemished when unrighteousness is allowed to permeate our lives. Is the Lord able to bless you today? If not, you may need to go back and clean up a few things before He can do so. Take whatever steps are needed to ensure the blessing of God today.

The disciples thought they suffered their greatest defeat when Jesus died on the cross. However, this defeat became the greatest victory on earth. Christ's death gave liberty. Forgiveness came to all men. New life came forth - new strength for the disciples. Resurrection and new life came as a result of a "defeat."

CLIMATE

and Natural Resources (DENR) at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

"As your President, I assure you that our environment and our country’s resiliency and adaptation to the new normals of climate change are on top of the national agenda. We ensure that the initiatives we will take will enable us to become smarter, more responsible, more sustainable in all that we do," he said during the opening of the DENR's three-day forum.

"The road ahead will be long and it will be tough, but we must stay strong and accept that it will be a battle that we all must wage, and even more importantly, it’s a battle that we must win," he added.

Marcos lauded the DENR for organizing a forum that gathers different stakeholders who are expected to forge collaboration with the agency and other state departments to craft and implement programs towards climate, disaster resilience and sustainable development.

He said he is confident that the forum will serve as a platform for the participants to identify each sector’s "unique and shared" challenges, bolster cooperation, as well as to gather information on priorities for possible inclusion in the DENR’s policy agenda and the multi-year Roadmap for Programs, Activities and Projects.

MARCOS

recovery.

“Because in the uncertain world that we are facing, these partnerships will stabilize our transformation into the post-pandemic new global economy. And it is an uncertain world that we are facing, it is an uncertain future, and that makes those partnerships all the more important. And again the concept of unity applies,” he said.

The President also encouraged Filipinos to help in strengthening the Philippine economy in order to boost the country’s position in the world.

“We want our people to dream, to develop their talents, to explore the beauty of the country and of the world, and most especially, lead meaningful lives, and have in their heart a hope for the future,” he said.

He also reiterated that his administration's priority goals are to secure food sufficiency and spur socio-economic growth.

“I’m proud to share that in the recent working --- the recent visits that we have undertaken abroad, I was able to promote agricultural cooperation and encourage trade investment in key sectors,” Marcos said. “The government is also focusing on its agenda of strengthening public-private partnerships and sustaining the robust infrastructure initiatives of my predecessor with our very own flagship and I think it was described Build Better More Infrastructure Agenda. We need efficient infrastructure systems to serve as the backbone of the economy,” he furthered.

“So we enjoin not only government and industries, but also the public to help in sustaining the positive trajectory of our socioeconomic growth,” he added. (MNS)

PBBM reassures everyone with ‘impressive economic team' -- GMA

"I know it’s only a beginning of a challenging but most important task of protecting the only Earth and home that we know," Marcos said.

"In this collective fight, we are not soldiers; we are stewards. There will be no weapons to use; only behaviors and practices to improve upon."

Maximize use of PH’s natural wealth, resources Marcos also emphasized the importance of utilizing and developing the country's natural wealth and resources.

He expressed optimism that the forum would yield "fruitful" discussions that will harmonize the DENR's policy agenda.

This, as he acknowledged the need to discuss measures to protect, conserve and manage the environment, given the country's vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

"Along with the outcomes of this forum, I expect that we will be able to accelerate the DENR's mission of mobilizing our capacities and resources to preserve, conserve, and manage our environment," Marcos said. "I also expect this forum to lay down a strategic direction to maximize the use of the country's natural wealth and to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth."

The DENR forum aims to enable inclusive dialogues across all the agency's stakeholders; share stakeholders’ experiences of working with different national government

Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Arsenio Balisacan as secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority and former University of the Philippines president Alfredo Pascual as Trade secretary.

“In President Marcos Jr.’s case, in the wake of the pandemic and global tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan, the adverse economic impact of these crises is topmost on most minds. President Marcos reassured everyone by assembling an impressive economic team that has been universally praised,” said Arroyo, who is now a returning congressional representative of the 2nd District of Pampanga.

A day after President Marcos said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) his administration will bring down poverty to 9 percent by the end of his six-year term and bring the Philippines to “uppermiddle income status by 2024,” his economic team unveiled an eightpoint agenda aimed at achieving his administration’s goals, while exercising fiscal discipline.

These are to protect purchasing power and mitigate socioeconomic scarring by ensuring food security, reducing transport and logistics costs, and reduce energy costs to families; reduce vulnerability and mitigate scarring from the Covid-19 pandemic by tackling health, strengthening social protections, and addressing learning losses; ensure sound macroeconomic fundamentals by enhancing bureaucratic efficiency and sound fiscal management and ensuring a resilient and innovative financial sector;

agencies; foster partnership among stakeholders; and identify multistakeholder initiatives that apply science, technology and innovation to achieve unique values across different sectors.

Marcos hoped that the forum would bring about substantial outcomes that will help enrich the country's national wealth and resources.

"More importantly, I wish this event to be an opportunity for the government and private partners to actively collaborate in translating an integrated and multi-stakeholder Resiliency Framework into actions that will sustain the growth of this sector," he said.

Marcos said the fight against climate change would only be successful, if everyone is committed and determined to "steer our practices and systems towards a greener direction."

"Victory will not come by defeating a visible enemy. It will come in certain moments when we can see that we are gradually averting a global crisis that we have attended to the difficulties that our people will face because of the onset of climate change," Marcos said.

"And triumphant will we be when we realize that our children will have clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, and lands and oceans not only to explore but also to responsibly harness for their sake and for the good of all Filipinos and for all humanity," he added. (MNS)

himself well as a calm, thoughtful leader who is true to his promise to promote unity and be a president for all.”

This was highlighted when Marcos kept his SONA “covenant” with agrarian reform beneficiaries and overseas Filipino workers.

During his SONA, the President promised, among other things, to sign an executive order (EO) imposing a yearlong moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interest payments of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and launch a One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC) for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

True to his word, Marcos issued EO 4 on Sept. 13 -- which is also the day he celebrated his 65th birthday -- to unburden ARBs of their debts for agricultural lands distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Marcos Cabinet; Angeles quits Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday said his predecessor, Atty. Victor Rodriguez, is no longer part of the Marcos administration.

Interviewed by reporters, Bersamin denied the existence of an Administrative Order No. 1 that supposedly designates Rodriguez as presidential chief of staff.

Rodriguez resigned as executive secretary in September, saying he wants to give time for his family as his work "demands a sense of urgency which essentially requires almost all of a public servant’s time to ensure

Rodriguez, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s spokesperson during the campaign period for the 2022 elections, held the Cabinet post for nearly three months.

When Rodriguez stepped down, the Office of the Press Secretary mentioned that Marcos signed Administrative Order No. 1, which supposedly created the position of Presidential Chief of Staff (PCS).

The OPS said Rodriguez would immediately assume the post of PCS, which will be under the direct supervision of the Chief Executive.

The OPS said the AO states that the PCS will have the "rank and emoluments of a Cabinet Secretary."

Meanwhile, lawyer Trixie CruzAngeles has resigned as Press

Secretary, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday.

Cruz-Angeles submitted her resignation letter on October 4, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra told reporters.

“She has tendered her resignation today so we’re still in the process of helping the office address her resignation today,” he said.

“I have her resignation letter. I think she has progressed certain medical conditions and she has actually stopped addressing that while she was our Press Secretary,” he said.

The Palace has yet to name a new Press Secretary. (MNS)

PBBM reappoints 10 bypassed Cabinet members

In his first 100 days, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has reassured everyone by choosing “an impressive team” to steer the economy through its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic amid continuing global tensions, Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo said on Wednesday.

“I think the President’s first 100 days serves two purposes: first, to give the nation and the world a message to inspire confidence relative to the area of greatest concern; and second, to give the Filipino people an idea of the leadership style of the President,” the former Philippine president said in a statement.

Marcos’ economic team is composed of highly-seasoned and competent economic leaders composed of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Central Bank Governor Felipe Medalla, Budget

Create more jobs by promoting trade and investments, improving infrastructure, and achieving energy security; create quality jobs by increasing employability, encouraging research and development and innovation, enhancing digital economy; create green jobs by pursuing green economy and establishing livable and sustainable communities; uphold public order and safety, peace, and security; and ensure a level playing field by strengthening market competition and reducing barriers to entry and limits to entrepreneurship.

The near-term goal of the agenda seeks to address the immediate challenges confronting the Filipino people like rising prices and scarring from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as ensuring sound macroeconomic fundamentals. For the medium term, the goal is to create more quality jobs and green jobs through higher investments in infrastructure, human development, and digitalization.

His economic team said the 8-point agenda reaffirms the Marcos administration's commitment to build a robust economy for faster, greener, and more inclusive growth that benefits all Filipinos.

As for the second purpose, Arroyo said Marcos “has projected

“Para sa mga kababayan nating naiipit sa kaguluhan, inaabuso, at nanganganib ang buhay, ikinagagalak kong sa ilalim ng aking pamumuno, ay ilulunsad natin ang One Repatriation Command Center o ORCC. Ilalaan natin ang isang social media platform ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at ang hotline upang matulungan agad at mailigtas sila mula sa mas higit na kapahamakan (For our countrymen trapped in conflicts, being abused, and whose lives are in danger, I am happy to say that under my administration, we will launch the ORCC. We will put up a DMW social media platform and a hotline to immediately help and rescue them from greater danger),” Marcos said during his SONA.

True enough, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has launched the One Repatriation Command Center (One-Repat DMW) for distressed OFWs and their families wishing to be “rescued” and repatriated back home.

In fact, the ORCC was launched on July 20, even before Marcos announced it in his SONA.

With the ORCC, all the families of distressed OFWs need to do now is to call the One-Repat DMW hotline 1348, or OFWs can email to repat@dmw.gov.ph. A team of case officers, welfare officers and medical professionals will assist them with their concerns.

The Marcos administration also came out with Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) to guide the crafting of annual budget. It was immediately adopted by both Chambers of Congress.

With the MTFF in mind, the House on Sept. 28 approved on final reading the first budget bill under Marcos, the PHP5.268trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2023.

Once approved in the Senate and ratified by both Chambers of Congress, it will be sent to President Marcos for his signature.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has renewed the ad interim appointments of at least 10 members of his Cabinet who failed to secure the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

Marcos on Tuesday morning administered the oath of office to the reappointed Cabinet officials at Malacañan Palace in Manila, based on a Facebook post by the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

"President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the oath-taking of his reappointed Cabinet members on Tuesday, October 4, in [Malacañan]," the OPS said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

The reappointed officials were

Secretaries Benjamin Diokno (Finance), Arsenio Balisacan (Socioeconomic Planning), Manuel Bonoan (Public Works), Alfredo Pascual (Trade), Erwin Tulfo (Social Welfare), Jaime Bautista (Transportation), Renato Solidum Jr. (Science and Technology), Raphael Lotilla (Energy), Susan Ople (Migrant Workers), and Jose Rizalino Acuzar (Human Settlements).

Newly-appointed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also joined the reappointed Cabinet officials in taking oath of office before Marcos.

Bersamin replaced Victor Rodriguez who resigned from office last week.

The OPS shared several photos of the mass oath-taking of the Cabinet members.

On Sept. 28, the CA bypassed the

ad interim appointments of the around 12 Cabinet secretaries because of lack of time. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy were among the Cabinet members whose ad interim appointments were also bypassed.

Cruz-Angeles and Uy, however, were not included in the roster of reappointed Cabinet secretaries which was released by the OPS.

Malacañang has yet to issue a statement on the fate of Cruz-Angeles and Uy. Marcos, in his official Facebook page, said he presided over the 10th Cabinet meeting at Malacañan Palace.

He, however, did not mention the agenda of the Cabinet meeting. (MNS)

STAy SAFE EvERyONE

Olongapo City National High School Class of 72 (OCNHS) fetes 50th Anniversary Celebration

Olongapo City National

School

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House of the Philippines (HOPI) kicks off Fil-Am History Month celebration in Balboa Park, San Diego

Chaplain Don Diadog Jr, pictured above contributed the top photos and story of this HOPI event. Thank you for your support.

On a cloudless day, hundreds of visitors from around the San Diego County and other counties gathered around the International Houses' Plaza and enjoyed the first day of a month-long celebration of Filipino-American History Month, Saturday October 1, 2022, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. The kick off event was sponsored by the House of the Philippines (HOPI). Dozens of vendors prepared and served delicious Filipino foods. Special information booths shared pertinent information such as the voting registration display from the City of San Diego, travel information to the Philippines courtesy of the Philippine Consulate. Top photo shows the members, supportersand officers of HOPI led by president Rom Sarno and VP Rommel Alberto. Left panel photo shows one of the Cultural dancers who entertained the attendees. The VIPs / Guest speakers' inspirational messages inspired the audience.

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SAVE THE DATE!

Week-end Art Retreat and Pop Up Event October 8-10, 2022 hosted by Ruth Gonzales at Art Space 349 in the Palm Springs, CA area with an Opening Cocktail Nite on October 8th starting at 7pm. Suggested donations $20. For details please PM or cll Ruth at Cell# 760-315-7550. She has a few rooms to host you. We hope to see you there.