011323 - New York & New Jersey Edition

DATELINE USA

Rob Bonta sworn in as California attorney general

Bonta shares plans for 2023

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta was sworn in as the state’s top prosecutor at the California Museum in Sacramento, marking the start of a full four-year term.

In his inaugural address on Friday, Jan. 6, Bonta — the first Filipino American to hold the position — honored the diverse leaders of California, including the Filipino and Latino pioneers of the 20th-century labor movement.

“Everyone was there because of the mission. We all saw injustice in the world,

Thousands of NYC nurses stage strike for fair contract, safe staffing

by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress

THE nurses strike in New York City continued for the third day on Wednesday, Jan. 11 as hundreds of nurses gathered outside

Mount Sinai Main and Montefiore Bronx, with no contract agreement yet between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and the two hospitals.

More than 7,000 nurses at the two major hospitals walked off the job Monday, Jan. 9

saying that immense staffing shortages are causing widespread burnout and hindering their ability to properly care for their patients.

The nurses add they are working long hours in unsafe conditions without enough

Marcos vows more big infra projects

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

The President said there are “better days ahead,” as his administration will continue to implement big-ticket infrastructure projects to spur economic development and create employment opportunities.

He gave assurances that projects planned and started by the previous administration will be continued and finished.

“We will continue to invest and improve on our transportation systems as well as pursue more projects in the years to come, so that Filipinos can gain greater access to places of

by JULIE M.

MANILA — The Philippine National Police will be focusing on cybercrimes in 2023, Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., PNP chief, said on Monday, January 9 as he called them among “the greatest threats” that Filipinos face.

Azurin made the announcement after releasing crime data collected from July 2022 to Jan. 7, 2023, or the period since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took office.

Inquirer.net

MANILA — The activities for this year’s Black Nazarene celebration drew 1.2 million devotees, lesser than the authorities’ initial projection of five million faithful.

The management of Quiapo Church said one of the reasons for the lower attendance count is the

cancellation of Traslacion

The total number of people who attended the religious activities from January 6-10 reached 1,268,435.

Most of the devotees flocked to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or the Quiapo Church which drew

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 9 pledged to further improve the country’s transport system as he led the launch of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) tunnel boring machine in Valenzuela City.

FROM

Also

Elected officials like NY State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Steven Raga joined the nurses strike at Mount Sinai on Wednesday, Jan. 11. “It is time for the hospitals to negotiate in good faith, put patients over profit, and give our city’s frontline heroes the dignity and respect that they deserve,” Assemblymember Raga said.

Photo by JL Bahia/Office of Assemblymember Steven

In this photo from the Bureau of Immigration Facebook page, an immigration officer inspects a traveler’s passport. Bureau of Immigration

California Attorney General Rob Bonta was sworn in by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, Jan. 6 at the California Museum in Sacramento. Bonta, the first Filipino American to hold this post, was joined by his family during the ceremony.  Photo from Instagram/@robbonta

PH gov’t starts probe of New Year shutdown at NAIA

by Julie M. Aurelio, MArlon rAMos Inquirer.net

MANILA — Top national security, transportation, and airport officials have been summoned separately by the Senate and House of Representatives which are conducting their respective inquiries into the power outage that caused vital air traffic navigation system to go offline and shut down the country’s airspace on Jan. 1.

On Tuesday, January 10, officials of the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and other concerned government agencies will brief House transportation panel members on the airport fiasco that stranded around 65,000 passengers and grounded over 300 flights in and out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, who will preside over the 10 a.m. briefing, earlier filed a resolution for his panel to conduct an investigation into the incident while San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes, House good government and accountability committee chair, submitted a similar measure.

The Senate will hold its own hearing on Jan. 12 under Sen. Grace Poe’s public services committee. On Monday, January 9, Poe said the possibility that the New Year’s Day incident was an act of sabotage or a cyberattack should not be ruled out since CAAP had yet to explain the power outage that downed its communications,

navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) system.

Poe said that aside from airport and transportation officials, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos and representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Security Council had been invited to the hearing as well.

Representatives of Sumitomo-Thales, the joint venture that provided the CNS/ATM system, were also set to attend.

Numerous

theories

“There are many theories (why the incident happened). That’s why we would like to hear it straight from them,” Poe said in a television interview.

“We want to know what really happened. I was talking to (individuals)… connected with one of those that supply the maintenance. They were saying, ‘Don’t rule out a cyberattack for this or sabotage.’ Because until now there’s really no categorical answer to what caused the power outage,” she added.

She said it was “unfortunate” that the government had failed to pursue a project that would have unified the country’s military and commercial air navigation system.

“When we were supposed to upgrade the system for the air traffic control, there was supposed to be one system that would merge both our national security and defense, as well as our commercial

Thousands of NYC nurses stage strike for...

pay and that they are after a fair and just contract. The union representing the nurses said an offer of 19% pay hikes isn’t enough to solve staffing shortages.

The nurses and their supporters carried placards that said “Fair Contract for Patients & Nurses,” “On Strike for Better Patient Care,” and “More Nurses, Less Millionaire Execs”. They were joined on the picket lines by community members and local elected leaders who are united in saying that there should be enough nurses at the bedside to safely care for patients.

“Neither Mount Sinai nor Montefiore have agreed to nurses’ proposals to enforce safe staffing levels, even though nurses have been sounding the alarm about the crisis of understaffing that harms patient care. At Montefiore, one nurse in the Emergency Department often has to care for up to 20 patients; One NICU nurse at Mt. Sinai will often be responsible for 3 or 4 very sick babies at once,” a New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)

statement read.

Talks and discussions with Mount Sinai hospital on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and at three locations of the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx have failed so far.

“After bargaining late into the night at Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital yesterday, no tentative agreements were reached. Today, more than 7,000 nurses at two hospitals are on strike for fair contracts that improve patient care,” the NYSNA said in a statement Monday, Jan. 9.

Early this week, Mayor Eric Adams said that the city’s system “will be prepared to meet the challenges” and encouraged all New Yorkers “to call 911 only for emergencies, and be prepared to seek an alternate facility in case their preferred hospital is impacted.”

Assembly member Steven Raga joined the NYSNA nurses who were striking and picketing on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Mount Sinai.

“I fully support and stand in solidarity with the New York State Nurses Association and over 7,000 frontline heroes

on strike, fighting for the best contract possible, better wages, and safe staffing,” Raga told the Asian Journal “It is time that the hospitals to negotiate in good faith, put patients over profit, and give our nurses the dignity and respect that they deserve. Safe staffing saves lives.”

As negotiations were still ongoing early this week, Raga already expressed his full support and solidarity with the NYSNA and the over 7,000 nurses going on strike throughout New York City.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our frontline heroes risked their lives saving the lives of patients. We’ve seen our nurses suffer from long COVID, deal with the exhaustion of being understaffed, and unfortunately, watched some lose their lives in the fight against COVID-19.

Instead of rewarding our “essential” workers, hospital management chooses to fight against COVID-19 nurse heroes and not support and work with them for a fair contract that will attract and keep nurses at the bedside,” Assemblymember Raga added. g

CHEAPER ONIONS. People buy white and red onions at a Kadiwa stall at the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan.10. The Department of Agriculture has set the suggested retail price of red onions at P250 per kilo from Dec. 30, 2022 to the first week of January 2023 while Kadiwa stores sell them for as low as P170 a kilo.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Assemblymember Steven Raga joined the nurses strike at Mount Sinai on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Photo by JL Bahia/Office of Assemblymember Steven

Cybercrime among...

“This year, the PNP shall focus on cybercrimes since [these are] now the fastestgrowing transnational organized crimes which affect hundreds of victims not only in the Philippines, but in other parts of the world,” he said.

The police AntiCybercrime Group has been issuing advisories to warn the public against threats like malware and ransomware. In late 2022, it also launched operations against an unauthorized online lending agency that also subjected borrowers to public humiliation and harassment for unpaid loans as well as scammers who defrauded buyers over online purchases.

Several Filipinos have also been reported to have been illegally recruited and trafficked through fraudulent job listings on Facebook. Promised jobs at call centers and data encoders, the migrant Filipinos ended up in cyberscam operations in Myanmar.

Mobile phone users also received a barrage of scam text messages in 2022, which led to the swift passage of the SIM Card Registration Act. Mandatory SIM card registration has been touted as a way to curb the scams but has also raised concerns on privacy rights and possible surveillance.

Azurin said cybercrimes are one of the “greatest threats to [millions of] users on cyberspace who have entrusted their personal data online.”

He said the PNP will “further enhance anticriminality capacity” and use “secure mobile artificial intelligence-driven real time

technology” against online criminals. The police will also employ a “strategic approach that incorporates more science into police operations by leveraging innovative applications or analysis and technology and evidence-based practices” in carrying out its duties, he said.

Index crimes down by 8.03%

In the same briefing, Azurin said incidences of crime went down to 105,568 from July 2022 to January 7, 2023 against 112,746 in the comparable period in 2021. Index crimes — those against persons, such as murder, homicide, physical injury and rape and against property, like theft and cattle rustling — have also gone down by 8.03% to 19,484 in the same period, the PNP chief said.

Despite the lower numbers, theft (6,682), rape (3,762) , and physical injury (2,608) were the most frequently reported crimes in the recording period.

Non-index crimes were also down 5.98% to 86,089 although the PNP noted a 9.05% increase in those in the Visayas at 17,199 incidents against 15,771 in the comparable period.

Crime clearance — when at least one suspect has been identified and charged either at the prosecutor’s office or in court — efficiency was relatively unchanged at 97.19% against 97.93%.

Crime solution — when a suspect has been identified and charged and has been taken into custody — efficiency was meanwhile at 81.78% against 80.51% in the comparable period.

(Jonathan de Santos/Philstar. com)

Nazareno 2023 draws 1.2 million...

PAGE 1

925,782 attendees.

Quirino Grandstand, where the sacred image was displayed for “Pagbibigaypugay” (giving tribute), received 254,653 devotees. This was the alternative to the traditional “Pahalik.”

The first-ever “Walk of Faith” also drew 88,000 devotees.

The “Walk of Faith” procession, from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, was much less crowded and more orderly than the traditional “Traslacion,” where crowds swarm around the life-size statue of the Black Nazarene.

Traslacion has been canceled for the third time — first in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country.

The annual procession is a reenactment of the 1787 Traslacion — literally means “solemn transfer” — of the image from its original shrine in Bagumbayan, the present Rizal Park, to the Quiapo Church.

Traslacion not the sole reason for low turnout Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Earl Valdez said while the cancellation of Traslacion could be one of the factors for the low attendance, that is not the sole reason.

“Probably,” Valdez told INQUIRER.net when asked if the cancellation of Traslacion

led to the low attendance, “but we can’t say that that’s the only reason.”

Valdez said the pilgrimage of the replica images in nearby provinces and cities of Luzon could be why fewer devotees flocked the church and the grandstand this time.

The priest also presented a half-glass full perspective on the situation.

“At the very least there are people who are eager to practice their faith and devotion since it is the first celebration of the Feast with minimal restrictions in terms of mobility and crowd control,” he also said.

More trash

Meanwhile, the Manila Public Information Office said the total garbage collected in Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand has also increased compared to previous years.

“As per [Department of Public Services], for this year total volume is 265 metric tons from January 6-10 equivalent to 99 truck loads,” Manila public information officer Princess Abante said on Tuesday.

Previously, the local government collected 88, 57, and 34 truckloads of trash in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, according to Abante.

“We collected more trash compared to previous years due to the pandemic setup,” she said. g

Rob Bonta sworn in as California...

PAGE 1

and we wanted to fix it. It’s why I decided to become a public attorney — to fight for those who’ve been wronged. And it’s that fight for justice — for all Californians — that motivates me today,” Bonta said.

Previously, Bonta was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in April 2021 after former Attorney General Xavier Becerra left the post to serve as the United States secretary of Health and Human Services.

Bonta was previously a California state assemblymember from 2012 to 2021, and he was the first Filipino American to be elected into the state Legislature.

As assemblymember, he served the Alameda area that encompasses California State Assembly District 18, which is now helmed by his wife, Mia Bonta.

Bonta’s historic appointment marked the first time a Filipino American had ever been chosen to serve as California attorney general.

As the child of a Filipino mother,

Bonta said that his identity plays a significant role in his post, honoring his parents for fostering his desire for public office.

In November 2022, Bonta would win the general election for attorney general of California with 57.2% of the vote.

“A few generations ago, as an Asian American, the law would have denied me the ability to freely testify in court, to access public accommodations like hotels and restaurants, to marry Mia, the person I love,” Bonta stated.

He continued, “This role is a privilege, a duty, and a sacred obligation. I will not squander it. I will use the full authority of my office — the full force of the law — to help as many people as possible and do as much good as I can.”

Since his initial 2021 appointment, Bonta has increased the role of attorney general by tackling everything “from the housing crisis to disparities in our healthcare, education, and criminal justice systems,” he said.

Among Bonta’s achievements so far as attorney general include enacting several measures to “[protect]

reproductive freedom,” reinforcing housing rights for people with disabilities and issuing warnings against illegal evictions, cracking down on human trafficking rings, and protecting healthcare rights for California’s elders and Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Bonta also reavowed his mission to promote gun control laws and public safety, despite his office’s failed online dashboard that was designed to promote transparency regarding data on firearm ownership but accidentally allowed the unauthorized breach of personal information in 2022.

Last month, Bonta joined 18 other states in support of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) “ghost gun” rule that would crack down on unserialized weapons that allow unauthorized manufacturers to circumvent state gun laws to make firearms untraceable.

In addition to Bonta’s inaugural address on Friday, Newsom was also sworn into his second term as California governor. (By Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

How ‘powerful’ is the Philippine passport? Not...

PAGE 1

Mongolia and Morocco on the index, which lists the United Arab Emirates passport as the most “powerful” with visa-free entry to 122 countries and territories and visa-on-arrival in 59.

UAE passport holders can visit 91% of the world, against 39% that the Philippine passport gives its bearer access to, according to the Passport Index. Holders of Philippine passports need to apply for visas in advance in 121

countries and territories.

Tied for second place among the most powerful passports are those of Sweden, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and South Korea.

At third place are Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, Poland, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States.

With a passport power rank of 66, the Philippines placed slightly lower than in

SOUVENIRS. Calendars bearing the image of the Black Nazarene are among the items for sale in Quiapo, Manila on Monday, Jan. 9. Since the weekend, thousands of devotees have flocked to the district to join the activities of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Hundreds of devotees gather in front of the Quiapo Church to join the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo, Manila Monday, Jan. 9. The Traslacion (transfer) was canceled for the third straight year but their devotion to the Black Nazarene never wavered. PNA photo by

FEATURES OPINION

CAAP brain drain

GOVERNMENT officials are reassuring the public that they are fixing the technical problem that shut down Philippine airspace on the first day of the year. New cooling fans, circuit breakers and uninterrupted power supply systems are reportedly being procured to prevent a repeat of the national embarrassment that occurred at the at Ninoy

Apart from technical issues, however, manpower problems are emerging again at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, which is in charge of air traf-fic management.

On Monday, January 9, CAAP director general Manuel Antonio Tamayo sought a pay increase for air traffic controllers to prevent them from seeking greener pastures overseas mostly in the Middle East. Tamayo noted that the pay in certain countries can be six times higher than what the Philippines offers to its air traffic controllers.

This problem was first raised way back in 2014, when CAAP personnel sought the help of then senator Bam Aquino following the departure of five air traffic controllers for abroad. Documents submitted to Aquino by CAAP personnel at the time showed

Babe’s Eye View

ANALYSTS, experts and think tanks especially here in Washington, D.C. are carefully watching the developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region particularly because these have created a ripple effect impacting the future of the rest of the world. Undoubtedly, the far-

that apart from low pay, contractual schemes also bedeviled the air traffic officers. Of some 500 air traffic controllers recruited by CAAP from the Civil Aviation Training Center, Aquino said 195 were on job-order status. He noted that since the CAAP’s creation in 2008 through Republic Act 9497, no graduate of the CATC had become a regular employee.

CAAP officials said air traffic controllers undergo at least 18 months of training before being deployed to an air traffic management facility anywhere in the country for apprenticeship and capability rating. Upon completion of these requirements, however, the new air traffic controllers are drawn to jobs overseas with much higher pay.

Tamayo warned that the brain drain could

mean the lack of personnel with sufficient skills to prevent a repeat of the airspace shutdown. The Governance Commission for GOCCs or GovernmentOwned and Controlled Corporations has said it is studying the CAAP’s request for higher salaries for air traffic con-trollers.

For many years now, brain drain has been a problem not only in aviation but also in

public health care, education and many industries. The Philippines has lost even weather forecasters to other countries. At this point, the country cannot hope to match salaries and benefits offered in places such as Dubai. The long-term solution is to raise the level of economic development so that Filipinos need not go abroad for meaningful employment. (Philstar.com)

2023: The world as we see it today

reaching consequences of the Ukraine war are of major concern, especially coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is absolutely no doubt that the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is at the top of the list of global threats in 2023, an assessment that analysts, risk consultancy groups and the like collectively agree upon.

According to Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer,

one of the top 10 global risks of 2023 is the possibility of Russia turning into “the world’s most dangerous rogue state” if cornered –thereby posing a threat to global security. Bremmer points to an escalation in Vladimir Putin’s nuclear saber rattling and also warns against “Kremlin-affiliated hackers” who could mount increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks on Western firms, governments and infrastructure – inflicting

untold damage not only to Europe and the U.S., but beyond.

New York-based The Arkin Group also flagged geopolitical developments that leaders should watch out for in navigating this “new and evolving world order.”

While Putin will persist in his assault, Ukraine will not back down and will continue to prevail (as seen in the major offensive launched at the start of the year that resulted in the death of an estimated

400 Russian soldiers).

Ironically, what Putin must have envisioned to be his crowning glory could turn out to be his undoing. The shockand-awe tactic at the start of the invasion in February last year was bogged down by the fact that Russian soldiers initially deployed were underequipped and undertrained, and proved to be no match for Ukrainians who were not only ready to defend their country to the death, but also had strategically

prepositioned anti-aircraft gunners. Another significant factor would be the antiaircraft missiles and drones from countries supportive of Ukraine like the U.S.

The International Monetary Fund has also sounded the alarm over the Ukraine conflict’s “severe economic repercussion in Europe, with higher energy prices, weaker consumer confidence and slower momentum in manufacturing resulting

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an a greement to continue publication.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com With

New York and New Jersey: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858

in Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Las Vegas, San Diego, Philippines

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

ROGER

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

MOMAR G. VISAYA

and Editor-in-Chief New York/New Jersey Asian Journal

BABE ROMUALDEZ

Dateline PhiliPPines

Supreme Court: PH’s 2005 joint exploration deal with China, Vietnam unconstitutional

by TeTCh Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

MANILA – The Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 10 declared the country’s 2005 Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) with China and Vietnam unconstitutional.

Voting 12-2-1, which took 14 years, the SC said the JSMU violated the Constitution for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to explore the country’s natural resources without observing the safeguards provided in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution.

The JMSU was signed in 2005 between China’s National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Vietnam’s Oil and

Gas Corporation (PETROVIETNAM), and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).

Under the undertaking, joint explorations will be conducted in the South China Sea, covering 142,886 square kilometers. The agreement covers six islands claimed and occupied by the Philippines in Spratly, such as Pag-Asa Island, Likas Island, Lawak Island, Kota Island, Patag Island, and Panata Island.

But, up to 80 percent of the JMSU site is within the Philippines’ 200mile exclusive economic zone, prompting the filing of petitions seeking to declare the agreement unconstitutional.

Respondents, however,

argued that Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution was inapplicable because it contemplates the exploration, development, and utilization (EDU) of natural resources while the JMSU only involves pre-exploration activities.

The SC, through Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, said that the term “exploration” pertained to a search or discovery of something in both its ordinary or technical sense and ruled that the JMSU involves the exploration of the country”s natural resources, particularly petroleum.

Citing the text of the fifth whereas clause of the JMSU, which states the Parties” “expressed desire to engage in a joint research of petroleum resource

Marcos approves onion importation

by Bella Cariaso ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons of onions, 940 MT less than the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) of 22,000 MT.

In a radio interview, DA deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the President wants the imported bulbs to arrive on or before Jan. 27, 2023.

“President Marcos and Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban already talked, and the President approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons,” Estoperez said.

He said the volume of the importation was reduced because of concerns from farmers that the imported onions will flood the market.

The

agreed on the allocation of the imported bulbs — 50 percent or 10,530 MT will go to Luzon and 25 percent or 5,265 MT each will be allocated to the Visayas and Mindanao.

“We will make sure to be more strict in the entry of the imported onions,” Estoperez said.

Based on monitoring by the DA, he added, the farmgate prices of onions ranged from P280 to P300 per kilo.

A memorandum on the onion importation was signed on Jan. 6, 2023, but was only made public on Jan. 10, 2023.

In his memorandum, Panganiban defended the importation, saying it is necessary to stabilize retail prices in the market.

of the imported onions,” he said.

Based on the memorandum, of the total 21,060 MT of onion import, 3,960 MT will be white onions and 17,100 MT will be red onions.

Panganiban said the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPIC) will only be until Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

“The imported, fresh onions should only be stored in an accredited cold storage facility as indicated in the approved SPIC. No transfer to a new cold storage warehouse should be allowed,” he added.

“Fresh yellow (white) onion and fresh red onion should be properly sorted in separate rooms,” Panganiban said.

Chief Executive

“Prices should be substantially lower than the SRP (suggested retail price) set by the DA after the arrival

In an interview with The Manila Times on Monday, January 9, farmers group

How ‘powerful’ is the Philippine passport? Not...

PAGE 4

the 2022 index, when it was at 64th.

On the separate Henley Passport Index, the Philippine passport is at 78th place with Uganda. According to that index, the Philippines has visa-free access to 67 countries and territories. The ranking, which is based on data

from the International Air Transport Association, is an imporvement from 80th place in a previous index in 2022.

Henley offers services in citizenship by investment, which would allow the wealthy to acquire second or new citizenships.

Visa applications

Countries may require

foreign nationals to obtain a visa, an entry document needed to ensure that one is authorized to enter the destination country in the first place. There are also different kinds of nonimmigrant visas issued depending on the purpose of travel.

Visa application requirements would often

include proof of employment, bank statements and other proof of financial means, a detailed itinerary of the trip including a proof of accommodation, and an interview with an officer at the embassy or consulate.

This is on top of a visa application fee that could reach thousands of pesos. (Philstar.com)

Marcos approves onion importation...

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura

President Rosendo So opposed the government’s decision to import onions, saying the DA should be blamed for the spike in prices after it did not approve a proposal of Sinag to import onions in November 2022, when traders would have been unable to take advantage of the bulb shortage.

So said only the traders will now benefit from the importation of onions.

“It is still the traders who will handle the importation. What they will do is to hoard their stocks at cold storage facilities. If the purpose of the DA is to bring down the farmgate prices, the losers here are the farmers,” he added.

Based on DA monitoring on Tuesday, January 10, the retail prices of onions in the various markets in Metro Manila were between P420 and P600 per kilo.

The prices of the bulbs ranged from P420 to P500 per kilo at Muñoz Market in Quezon City, but were sold at as high as P600 per kilo at the New Las Piñas City Public Market in Las Piñas City.

Other prevailing prices of the bulbs were P500 to P550 per kilo at Guadalupe Public Market in Makati City, San Andres Market in Manila, Pasay City Market in Pasay City and Malabon Central Market in Malabon City.

At Pritil Market also in Manila, the prevailing price was P500 per kilo; Marikina Public Market in Marikina City, P500 to P600 per kilo; Pasig City Mega Market in Pasig City, P480 to P500 per kilo; Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, P480 to P580 per kilo; and Mega Q-Market also in Quezon City, P450 to P500 per kilo.

The President also on Tuesday ordered the phytosanitary inspection of smuggled onions seized in various operations to ensure their safety before releasing them to the market.

Marcos, who also sits as the country’s Agriculture chief, issued the directive during his first Cabinet meeting this year in Malacañang.

“The problem with the onions we’ve been trying... since kasi ang dami nating nahahanap na smuggled onions, pinipilit kong ilabas diyan sa market (we find a lot of smuggled onions, I’m trying to get them out there in the market) [and] unfortunately, we do not know the source of these onions. So they all have to be inspected. Hindi puwedeng random (It can’t be random),” he told his Cabinet officials.

The President raised the need to tap third-party inspectors to conduct the

phytosanitary inspection to check for transboundary diseases.

Marcos said some of the confiscated onions were not fit for human consumption based on previous inspections, as he pointed out that the cost of inspection is 5,000 per kilo, which is much higher than the value of the onion.

“So ‘yun lang ang quandary natin (that’s our quandary). We are trying to negotiate with third parties to do the inspection. But right now we are still reviewing all of that,” the President said.

In an earlier interview, Marcos said the government is finding ways to release the seized onions to the market so that the supply would increase and prices would go down.

“We will stick firmly to the recommended price. The DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) will continue to monitor,” Marcos had said.

The price of the agricultural commodity skyrocketed to over P700 per kilo, with authorities blaming unscrupulous traders and hoarders for the high prices.

Setback Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also on Tuesday said he is opposed to the importation of onions, adding it will mean a major setback to Filipino farmers.

“The move could negatively affect the income and business of local farmers who are about to harvest locallyproduced onions,” Pimentel also said in a statement.

The DA, he added, should no longer import onions.

“There is no need to import onions since it’s harvest season already. There is always a time lag. If we authorize the importation now, the actual importation will happen maybe weeks or months later. That will coincide with the availability of locally produced onions,” Pimentel noted.

“It looks like we allowed the hoarders, the illegal importers, and the price fixers to profit from the peak season of Christmas,” he said.

“Now, we will bite into the trap and if we now agree with the importation of onions, we will now be affecting the local farmers.”

Pimentel questioned why it took DA so long to decide to import when it could have done it during the off-season to manage the prices of onions.

The senator urged the government and the private sector to go after those

behind hoarding and price-fixing.

“If we could boycott the purchase of these imported onions or minimize our consumption, let’s do it,” Pimentel said.

He urged the DA to go after hoarders and price fixers to prevent market manipulation of agricultural products.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also on Tuesday called for the creation of a task force that would zero in on stopping rampant smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products.

The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the task force should be headed by the DA and should involve the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Obviously, there is a shortfall in supply of onions, but prices continue to climb even with the entry of additional supply in the market,” Gatchalian also noted.

He surmised that certain groups or individuals may be hoarding supply and manipulating prices to push onion prices even higher.

The senator said he recently bought a half kilo of onions for almost P500.

“Not only the households are the victims here, [but] it has also affected the small businesses. There is a need to probe the issue of smuggling in the country and file charges of economic sabotage against the smugglers,” he added.

Gatchalian said smugglers are likely to continue with their illegal activities unless the government tracks down big-time smugglers and appropriate charges are filed against them.

“Their data shows that the conviction rate is very low, and this is one of the issues that the Committee on Ways and Means will look into. We will look into the products that are being imported and how much tax is being paid, and how many cases were filed. We will also look into the problem of the BoC because if there is no conviction, the smugglers will continue with their illegal activities,” he added.

Republic Act 10845 or “An Act Declaring Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage,” was enacted into law in 2016.

Smuggled agricultural products, however, continue to enter the country unabated.

Aside from onions, other agricultural products being smuggled into the country include sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, carrots, fish and vegetables, according to the Agriculture department. g

work, commerce, recreation and other vital areas,” Marcos said.

“Having an effective and efficient transportation system will have multiplier effects on employment, the economy and our society; it will also bring comfort, convenience and an easier life for all,” he added.

The MMSP was one of the ambitious undertakings greenlighted by former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose Contract Package 101 is a joint venture between the Philippine government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The tunnel boring machine, Marcos noted, highlights Japan’s expertise in technology and trailblazing contributions in the modern world. “They will help us shape our railway infrastructure and keep them at par with the highest international standards,” he said.

He also acknowledged the joint venture of Filipino and Japanese companies for working with the Philippine government on the MMSP’s CP 101.

“I hope that both you and the DoTr (Transportation department) will not waver on your commitments to finish the contract package by the end of 2027 to ensure that Filipinos will get to enjoy the project at the soonest possible time,” Marcos said.

Once completed, it will have 17 stations connecting Valenzuela City to Pasay City. It is expected to serve over 519,000 passengers daily once it becomes operational.

Based on the project overview, CP 101 is located at the north end, with the package consisting of a depot and three stations: Quirino Highway station, Tandang Sora station and North Avenue station with six tunnels between them.

The East Valenzuela station will be constructed in the depot area located in Mindanao Avenue with a total range of 6.9 kilometers.

Pre-construction work is ongoing in Quirino Highway and Tandang Sora stations. Work at the North Avenue station started in August 2021. g

Supreme Court...

PAGE 6

potential of a certain area of the South China Sea as a pre-exploration activity,” the Court said that it is clear that the JMSU was executed to determine if petroleum exists in the Agreement Area.

Named respondents in the petition were then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, her Foreign

and Energy secretaries, the PNOC and the Philippine National Oil CompanyExploration Corporation.

Concurring with Justice Gaerlan include Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and ten other justices. Meanwhile, Associate Justices Amy Lazaro-Javier and Rodil Zalameda dissented while Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando was on leave. g

CRUNCHY SNACKS. Tasty pork cracklings or commonly called chicharon are displayed at a stall near the border checkpoint in Sirawan Toril, Davao City. The price of a pack of cracklings ranges from P50 to P300. PNA photo by

PH gov’t starts probe of...

PAGE 2

airspace. But unfortunately, that was not done,” Poe lamented.

“Our military [has its] own system to determine if there’s a violation of our airspace, but it’s not connected with the CAAP system,” she said.

Asked whether Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista should quit his post over the incident, Poe said: “Absolutely not.”

“First of all, Bautista was just sworn into office and this is a long-standing situation,” she noted.

“This didn’t just happen overnight,” she added. “Obviously, it stems from many years of transactions, maintenance, and upgrades.”

Poe said her committee had also invited former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who earlier denied allegations that he had diverted a P13billion allotment for the upgrading of the CNS/ATM system to NAIA beautification projects.

“(We’re) not just singling out Secretary Tugade. This is a chance for him also to correct the impression that it was during his time that all these things may have been neglected,” she said.

Wake-up call

For Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, the airport fiasco should be a “wake-up call” for the government to strengthen CAAP and improve the country’s air traffic navigation system.

He said he had filed Senate Bill No.

1003 as “part of the efforts to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of air transport in our country.”

Under the measure, the secretaries of the Department of Tourism and the Department of National Defense would become members of the CAAP governing board.

“The technical glitch… was a wake-up call for all of us about the need to address the gaps in our air transport systems and the CAAP is front and center in all of this,” Angara said.

After the Jan. 1 incident, CAAP Director General Manuel Tamayo acknowledged that the agency’s CNS/ ATM system, which was completed in 2019, was already outdated, adding that they had made some recommendations for its improvement to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The system suddenly went offline on the morning of Jan. 1 due to a power supply problem. Two uninterruptible power supply units also failed to work, leaving the air navigation system unable to tap into commercial or standby power.

After conducting some troubleshooting, CAAP technicians were able to restore partial operations around 4 p.m. with the CNS/ATM system returning to normal mode almost two hours later. But by then, over 300 flights to and from Manila had either been canceled, delayed, or diverted, affecting around 65,000 passengers flying to their destinations after the holidays. g

Palace announces more appointments

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, January 10 announced more appointments to key positions in the Executive Branch and state-owned financial institutions.

The new appointees include:

1. Antonio Paolo Serrano Lim, Assistant Secretary Office of the Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Office of the President

2. Peter Anthony Joseph Felarca Felix, Assistant Secretary Office of the Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Office of the President

3. Manuel Lahoz Argel Jr., Acting Member, Representing the Employers’ Group Social Security Commission Social Security System

4. Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano, Commissioner Philippine Competition Commission

5. Michael De Jesus, Acting President and

Chief Executive Officer, and Member, Board of Directors Development Bank of the Philippines

6. Emmeline Calderon David, Acting Member, Board of Directors Development Bank of the Philippines

7. Maria Lourdes Arcena, Acting Member, Board of Directors Development Bank of the Philippines

8. Jaime Zita Paz, Acting Member, Board of Directors Development Bank of the Philippines

Meanwhile, lawyer Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil earlier in the day was sworn in by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), four months after serving as its officerin-charge. (by Kristina Maralit/ManilaTimes. net)

DEVOTION. A replica of Jesus Christ nailed on the cross stands out outside Quiapo Church in Manila as most devotees brought their Black Nazarene statues in different sizes on Monday. Jan. 9. The Traslacion (transfer) procession was canceled for the third consecutive year but thousands of devotees still joined other activities of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

SC voids PH oil exploration deal with China, Vietnam

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

THE Supreme Court en banc on Tuesday, January 10 declared as unconstitutional and void the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) entered into by Philippine, Vietnamese, and Chinese oil firms in 2005.

Voting 12-2-1, the Supreme Court invalidated the Tripartite JMSU by and among China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PETROVIETNAM), and Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) involving an area in the South China Sea covering 142,886 square kilometers.

The Court ruled that the JSMU is unconstitutional for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to participate in the exploration of the country’s natural resources without observing the safeguards provided in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution.

The case stemmed from the original action for certiorari and prohibition assailing the constitutionality of the JMSU filed by petitioners

Bayan Muna Party-List Representatives Satur C. Ocampo and Teodoro A. Casiño, et al.

The constitutionality of the JMSU, which was signed on March 14, 2005, was assailed on the ground that it violated Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution which mandates that the exploration, development, and utilization (EDU) of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.

Petitioners argued that the JMSU was illegal as it allowed foreign corporations whollyowned by China and Vietnam to undertake large- scale exploration of the country’s petroleum resources, in violation of the constitutional provision which reserves the EDU of natural resources to Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least 60 percent of whose capital is owned by such citizens.

Respondents maintained that Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution was inapplicable as the said provision contemplates EDU of natural resources, whereas the JMSU only involves preexploration activities.

The Court, noting that the

term “exploration” pertains to a search or discovery of something in both its ordinary or technical sense, ruled that the JMSU involves the exploration of the country’s natural resources, particularly petroleum.

Citing the text of the fifth whereas clause of the JMSU, which states the Parties’ “expressed desire to engage in a joint research of petroleum resource potential of a certain area of the South China Sea as a pre-exploration activity,” the Court said that it is clear that the JMSU was executed for the purpose of determining if petroleum exists in the Agreement Area.

“That the Parties designated the joint research as a ‘pre- exploration activity’ is of no moment,” said the Court. “Such designation does not detract from the fact that the intent and aim of the agreement is to discover petroleum which is tantamount to ‘exploration.’”

The Court further held that as the JMSU involves the exploration of the country’s petroleum resources, it falls within the ambit of Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution. g

Ex-DOJ official on Remulla drug trial: Nothing strange

MANILA — The swift resolution of the drug possession case filed against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s son is nothing “strange” considering the continuous trial system in criminal cases being implemented since 2017, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) official said on Monday, January 9.

“There’s nothing strange about that. There’s that continuous trial rule. Many criminal cases faced shortcuts,” former DOJ undersecretary Jose Justiniano said in an interview on ANC.

Following a three-year pilot test in Metro Manila, the Supreme Court (SC) started implementing the continuous trial system in criminal cases in trial courts nationwide in 2017.

Initiated by then chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and supported by the United States Agency for International Development, the project aims to protect and advance the constitu-tional right of litigants to speedy disposition of criminal cases.

The continuous trial is designed to cut the hearings of criminal cases from the usual three to five years to just around three months.

Under the system, the trial should be held from Monday to Thursday and courts must call the cases at exactly 8:30 a.m. for morning

hearings and 2 p.m. for afternoon hearings. While such may be the case, Justiniano said “there is really a rule on continuous trial, but the only problem is that it is often violated than applied.”

A group of human rights lawyers raised questions as to why the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court took less than 100 days to resolve the drug possession case filed against Juanito Jose Remulla III.

Former SC spokesman Theodore Te noted that the “brevity of the proceedings in the case is a standard to aspire for, but the question needs to be asked: was the name of the accused a factor?”

The younger Remulla was released from detention on Friday, January 6 after Judge Ricardo Moldez III acquitted him of drug charges.

In rendering an acquittal, Moldez said there was no clear evidence that Remulla had “freely, consciously and with full knowledge possessed the seized illegal drugs.”

Remulla was arrested in October last year at BF Resort Village in Las Piñas by antinarcotics agents during a controlled delivery operation that yielded at least 900 grams of kush or high-grade marijuana valued at P1.3 million. (By Neil Jayson Servallos/Philstar. com)

2023: The world as we see...

from persistent supply chain and rising disruption costs,” at the same time warning that about half of the European Union will be in recession in 2023.

Saying the world took a dangerous turn in 2022, the Council on Foreign Relations lists several Tier 1 (high priority) risks or potential conflicts to watch this 2023, based on the results of the 15th annual Preventive Priorities Survey conducted by its Center for Preventive Action.

An escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine resulting from the employment of unconventional weapons, the spill-over into neighboring countries (including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and/or the direct involvement of NATO members) has become a real danger, warned CFR. It also points to the continuing tensions between the U.S. and China – describing the relations between these two majors as plummeting – because of their differences over Taiwan.

“As if Taiwan and Ukraine were not enough to worry about, several disputes in other parts of the world also became more menacing in 2022, notably those involving Iran and North Korea,” CFR also noted, its assessment echoed by other think tanks that have expressed concern over the probability of Iran becoming a nuclear weapons state, as well as North Korea’s relentless missile launches with Kim Jong Un ordering the “exponential” expansion of their nuclear arsenal.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies was to hold its annual forecasting conference on Thurdsay, January 12 regarding policy challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region. Growing tensions in the region is a major cause of concern, especially with the intense strategic competition between the U.S. and China. I was asked to deliver a keynote speech for the event where a CSIS team of experts will be conducting panel discussions on the political and economic developments on the region. Immediately after that event,

I will proceed to the International Institute for Strategic Studies where I was invited to its Americas Ambassadors Forum to share our foreign policy thrusts and priorities as well as my perspectives on the geopolitical and economic challenges that impact the Philippines and the region.

Given the continuing challenges that nations face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, a key priority for nations would be economic recovery more than pursuing military might. As many experts have noted, a nation’s military supremacy has its foundations on superior economic development. Put another way, the main driving force for most countries is still the economy, and this to a large extent determines their relationship with other nations.

Taken in that light, the U.S. has to step up to the plate and up its game because China and even Russia are using economic interests to influence the foreign policy decisions of nations.

Take India, for instance, that has become the biggest buyer of Russian oil after European countries have stopped buying as part of the sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. For India, it’s really simple: they need oil, Russia is selling at very cheap prices and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

While the threat of global recession looms, there is optimism that the Southeast Asian region will fare better with solid growth expected due to the resilient performance of ASEAN economies. As I’ve pointed out, opportunities are there if we play our cards right – let’s just not drop the ball this time around. (Philstar.com)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * *

TUNNEL BORING MACHINE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially launches the tunnel boring machine to start the construction of the Metro Manila Subway tunnels in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City on Monday, Jan. 9. President Marcos marked the day as the beginning of underground works for the nation’s “Project of the Century”. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

A success story for crewmen: Overstayed crew member obtains immigrant visa in Manila through Obama-era provisional waiver

regulation,

on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

JULIE came to the U.S. as a crew member in 2004 and overstayed, leaving her eight-year-old daughter, Jolina, back in the Philippines. The years of separation broke Julie’s heart, but she believed her sacrifice would help build a better future for her daughter.

Julie had been watching “Citizen Pinoy” and she knew that the “Attorneyof-Last-Hope” Michael J. Gurfinkel might be able to help her. She had been consulting with him in January 2008, August 2013, and January 2016 before the priority date on her mother’s petition became current.

A change in the law that Julie had been praying for happened when then President Barack Obama issued the Provisional Waiver regulation in 2016, enabling Julie to avoid the 10-year bar if she left the U.S. for her visa.

When her mother’s petition became current, she was able to file for and get her provisional waiver approved. Despite several hurdles, including the delays due to the pandemic, the embassy interview was finally set.

Although the U.S. Embassy gave her a challenging time with multiple interviews and additional requirements, Julie was still able to get her visa

“ATTORNEY-OF-LAST-HOPE” MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL HELPED OVERSTAYED CREW MEMBER GET A VISA ON A BRAND-NEW SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! When Julie (left) completed her contract as a crew member in 2004, she planned on returning to the Philippines to her eight-year-old daughter. However, she unknowingly overstayed while visiting family, and then could not leave due to the 10-year ban. She consulted with Atty. Gurfinkel (right) on several occasions, until President Obama created the Provisional Waiver program. This was an answer to Julie’s prayer, as she was to return to Manila for her immigrant visa on an approved provisional waiver, and immediately return to the U.S. as a green card holder. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 15 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Coffee: Benefits and risk

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

COFFEE, the waker-upper for 75 percent of adults in America, has been shown to have health benefits and also a risk among those who have severe hypertension for those who drink more than one cup (180cc) a day. It is a popular drink around the globe. Finland is the world’s highest consumer of coffee; Finns drink an average of nearly 4 cups (720 cc) a day.

With all health factors adjusted, studies have shown that drinking coffee could decrease mortality and possibly offer lower risk for the development of heart attack and stroke, diabetes type 2, livers disease (including cancer) and Parkinson’s, states a report from the Mayo Clinic.

A recent Japanese study among 18,000 men and women for a period of 20 years found that among those with severe hypertension, drinking one cup of coffee a day was safe but 2 or more per day was associated with increased mortality. Severe hypertension is defined as those with a systolic blood pressure of 180 and a diastolic pressure of 120. The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Among normotensives and those with moderate high blood pressure (talking medications), which were not part of this study, drinking 2 cups or 3 a day could be safe, as suggested by data from other studies.

Those susceptible to the effect caffeine could develop cardiac arrythmias (rapid or irregular heartbeat), jitters, nausea, and impaired sleep. Discuss any issues with your family physician, who is familiar with your detailed medical history and could advise you accordingly.

Without any doubt, drinking a cup or two of coffee is safer that consuming any type or variety of soft drinks – cola or uncola, with or without artificial sweetener, and are toxic to the body of everyone, especially to children. Soft drinks increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. Coffee does not.

Dominant virus

While the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants (started in India mid-August and arrived in the U.S. in November 2022) of Omicron COVID-19 virus is highest (around 40%) in California, the challenger currently taking over is the XBB.1.5 (found in early 2023) following the holiday crowds of unmasked people around the country, many still unvaccinated. This has raised concerns about a new wave in the United States. China is facing is various severe waves.

As of last Friday (January 6), there were 40% of confirmed cases of XBB.1.5, up 20% from a week ago. Seventy-five percent of cases in the Northeast are confirmed XBB.1.5 cases. The replication and mutation to other variants and subvariants will continue until everyone has been vaccinated or has been infected. Then, we shall have herd immunity (protection) in the country. In the meantime, let us all get vaccinated fully and continue to wear a mask although vaccinated, since new strains of the virus could still infect us.

Until a truly universal COVID-19 vaccine is developed for all strains and future strains of the virus, even those fully vaccinated today could still be infected by new variants tomorrow.

As I have tried to simplify the issue before, I suggested each COVID-19 subvariant infection should be considered a “different” disease, and that the immunity conferred by the vaccines we received before for those past sub-strains may not protect us from the newer variants. To prevent confusion, just remember: a different strain “creates” a different disease, and a different vaccine is needed.

Masks, quarantine?

Is there still a need for masking, distancing, and quarantine during this new wave of COVID-19?

Yes, during this new wave of coronavirus infection, with new sub-strains invading us, where the daily average death rate recently is still around 200 to 480 a day, it is medically prudent for everyone, especially those vulnerable seniors and the immunocompromised, to continue wearing a mask in public, do social distancing, avoid crowds, and if infected, undergo self-quarantine at home for

at least 10 from the onset of the first symptom. (To confirm if infected after a suspected exposure or if symptoms like cough develops, do a rapid antigen (home kit) test, which Medicare provides for free at stores like Walmart, etc.) If in doubt, consult your physician.

Hospitals across the United States, “are overwhelmed by cases of COVID, RSC, and Flu, reported the Washington Post.

Potatoes, beans, diabetes

It is a common notion that potatoes and beans are carbohydrates that are bad for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Consumption of carbs are, in general, not healthy for diabetics, and for that matter, for all of us, especially those who are overweight.

Contrary to conventional thinking, a recent study shows data that “low-energy bean and potato-based diets “may be effective in helping reduce insulin resistance and promoting weight loss,” as published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. Sweet potatoes and yams and their skin also “provide a lot of fiber, which contribute to satiety and blood sugar management.” While the blood sugar did not drop, weight loss and reduced insulin resistance were found with the potatobean based diet, which will help in the management of T2disbetes.

Larger-scale independent global research is needed to confirm this valuable studies.

Food as medicine Clinical studies investigated “the link between protein consumption and caloric intake.” Amazingly, they found that people who ate less protein intake, consumed more fats and carbohydrates, resulting in higher obesity risk.

Obesity and its associated health issues are known as the leading cause of preventable and premature deaths, including T2 diabetes, cardiac diseases, stroke, and cancer. In the year between 1999 and 2020, the rate of obesity in the United States soared from 30.5 percent to 41.9 percent.

The Protein Leverage Hypothesis (PLH) was initially proposed in 2005 as a theory of obesity, postulating that if the body’s protein

Jo Koy spends the holidays around the Philippines with family

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

FILIPINO American comedian Jo Koy is surely enjoying the holidays being back in the Philippines, going around the country with his family.

The comedian has been in the Philippines the past couple of days, which he summarized as “the most beautiful family vacation we have ever taken.”

“We’re in the Philippines, and I’ve got my whole family with me!” he added in the caption of his Instagram reel.

The video was a drone shot, which expanded further to show Jo Koy’s entire family cheering at the camera outside a hilltop.

Jo Koy had visited Baguio City, his maternal relatives in La Union, and was most recently in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.

While in Bacolod, the comedian attended an unveiling and ribbon-cutting courtesy of the Jo Koy Foundation, the charity organization he founded.

The actor-comedian even went on a motorcycle ride with his son and namesake Joseph, and spotted a sari-sari store with the name “JokJok Store” but coined it as

“JoKoy Store.”

Jo Koy had a very productive 2022 having done several comedy shows, including one in the Philippines, and starred in the Filipino family-inspired film “Easter Sunday.”

“I just want to tell eveyone out there that [the Philippines] is the most beautiful place on the planet. God, I love the Philippines!” Jo Koy proudly exclaimed. g

A success story for crewmen...

PAGE 11

issued in September 2022 without being charged with fraud or requiring a fraud waiver. She was also able to bring her now 26-year-old daughter, Jolina, to the U.S. with her under the Child Status Protection Act.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 15 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

needs are not met, fats and carbohydrate consumption goes up, “dampening the satiety signals from the brain, increasing food intake.”

A separate study noted that those who consumed more processed food items tended to eat more fats and carbohydrates, leading to weight gain. The “lower protein intake at the first meal of the day led to the higher overall food intake throughout the day,” according to this study published in the Obesity journal.

Culinary medicine

Culinary medicine is “a new evidence-based field in medicine that blends the art

of food and cooking with the science of medicine. It uses a high-quality tailored diet to prevent and treat disease and maintain well-being.”

Indeed, let’s eat food as medicine today, so we do not eat medicine as food tomorrow!

* * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who

knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1996, whose other awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, Mohammad Ali and David Letterman. Websites: FUN8888. com and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to get a visa for his client, Julie (left) and her daughter, on a brand-new episode of

Filipino American comedian Jo Koy

Photo from Instagram/@jokoy

Precious Paula Nicole pays homage to her Filipino roots at ‘DragCon’ UK

By lora reyeS Inquirer.net

COME through, world, because Precious Paula Nicole’s reign begins now!

Drag Race Philippines’ first-ever drag superstar Precious Paula Nicole continued to bring Filipino drag excellency to the international stage as she sashayed her way to the United Kingdom for this year’s three-day RuPaul’s DragCon, an annual convention that brings the fans and RuPaul’s Drag Race queens together.

During the 3-day expo, which started on January 6 to 8, Precious strutted down the pink runway and proudly represented the Philippines through her sickening looks.

On the expo’s first day, Precious wore a red and yellow indigenous-inspired ensemble, complete with a beaded necklace and headpiece.

The next day, Precious paid homage to the most celebrated Filipino shero, Darna, by wearing an outfit made by Filipino fashion designer Mara Chua that is heavily inspired by Darna’s attire.

For the last day of DragCon UK, Precious served the audience with another sickening look inspired by another Filipino comic character, ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, where she was clad in a red and pink bodysuit made by Chua, paired with a headpiece and vibrant red hair.

Aside from her looks, Precious’ booth at DragCon UK also screamed Filipino as it was designed as

a traditional Filipino cafeteria. On display were logos of Filipino brands where she replaced the text with her name, photos of the Golden Gays, a poster of Divine Divas, fiesta banners, and a big sign that says, “PR3CIOU5 STORE.”

The Filipino drag superstar also took the UK stage by storm with performances of Gloc 9’s “Sirena” and Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala” during the After Hours All-Winners show, a segment where all the winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race perform.

What a way to proudly present the Philippines!

Precious isn’t the only Filipino drag superstar who got to showcase her Pinoy charisma, uniqueness,

nerve, and talent. The expo was also attended by Drag Race Philippines’ Prince and Corazon, Canada’s Drag Race season 2’s Stephanie Prince, and Canada’s Drag Race season 3’s Kimmy Couture. Now, talk about Filipino representations!

Precious was named the first Filipino drag superstar after competing alongside fellow 11 drag artists to win the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines.

Drag Race Philippines is one of the latest international editions of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premiered on August 17, 2022. The show was hosted by Paolo Ballesteros, with KaladKaren and Drag Race alum Jiggly Caliente as permanent judges. g

will look beyond the sash’: Pinay skin expert Olivia Quido vows to be a fair Miss Universe judge

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — Filipina businesswoman and beauty specialist Olivia Quido, one of the judges of Miss Universe 2022 pageant, vowed to be fair in the upcoming coronation night happening on Saturday, January 14 in New Orleans.

In a virtual press conference earlier, Quido said she will look beyond the sash for her to chose the rightful Miss Universe 2022.

“I treat this as a job interview. As a judge, kinausap na kami kung ano ang mga criteria na hinahanap namin. Speaking for myself, I’m gonna be

a fair judge. I will look beyond the sash,” she said.

“Titignan natin ‘yung personality kung magaling ba magsalita, magaling ba ang stage presence, ang communication skills, okay din bang magsalita and how she carries herself. So again, I’ll be a fair judge,” she added.

Jerald, Kim reveal breaking up several times before

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

CELEBRITY couple Jerald Napoles and Kim Molina revealed that they have broken up many times before, but still chose to be with each other.

During the press conference of their upcoming film “Girlfriend Na Pwede Na” on Friday, January 6, Jerald said they haven’t had an extreme fight, but there were times that they needed space away from each other.

Kim added that their relationship is not perfect but they talk to each other to make it work.

“Marami rin kaming ayaw sa isa’t isa, but we always make it a point that when we clash, we talk about it and we eventually realize that we still have a lot of things to be grateful for about each other. And so, we’re still together,” Kim said.

“And pareho rin kaming mag-isip, e. We have the same goals in life. You can consider me as babaeng Jerald and he, lalaking Kim, so talagang may connect,” she added.

The couple, also known as KimJe, will

headline the first offering of Viva Films this year. Directed by Benedict Mique, “Girlfriend Na Pwede Na” is showing in cinemas starting January 18. g

‘I

Precious Paula Nicole was named the first Filipino drag superstar after competing alongside fellow 11 drag artists to win the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines. Photo from

Celebrity couple Jerald Napoles and Kim Molina Photo from Instagram/@

people events arts culture entertainment

Dolly featured in British Vogue’s ‘30 World’s Most Famous Stars 2023’ list

By HANNAH MALLORCA Inquirer.net

DOLLY de Leon proved that she’s on the top of her game in the entertainment industry after being featured in British Vogue’s 2023 Hollywood portfolio alongside awardwinning actors Cate Blanchett, Eddie Redmayne, and Hugh Jackman.

The U.K. basedpublication’s 2023 Hollywood portfolio features 30 of the “World’s Most Famous Stars” who gained widespread recognition for performances that “speak to the very core of what it means to be human.” The actors were dolled up in glamorous outfits inspired by the Roaring Twenties, and were captured by entertainment photographer Greg Williams.

In the feature, De Leon donned a cream feather boa, sparkly gray dress, and matching gray high-heeled

shoes, and was posing on a column at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, in the U.S.

Incidentally, the actress is now in Hollywood for the 80th Golden Globes Awards, where she is nominated for the Best Supporting Actress category.

De Leon told British Vogue

that Bette Davis is her favorite Old Hollywood icon, while Meryl Streep is the actor she admires the most.

She also opened up about the “best piece of advice” she received, noting that her work as an actress “can never be taken away.”

“Always remember that the work can never be taken away from you. Maybe I’ll do

another project after this or this will never happen again, but the work will never go away,” she added.

The actress also delved into peculiar moments of her acting career, saying that rolling in the mud and putting on “fake blood” are some of the moments that make her “feel physically dirty.”

Also included in British Vogue’s feature are “Triangle of Sadness” star Harris Dickinson, and “Everything Everywhere All At Once” stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things” and Emma Corin of “The Crown” were also featured in the report.

De Leon made history for being the first Filipino actress to be nominated in the Golden Globes for her work in the Canneswinning film “Triangle of Sadness.” 

‘I will look beyond the sash’: Pinay skin expert Olivia...

Quido also shared a Miss Universe book containing the detals of each candidate.

“Meron ditong mga fun facts, personal accomplishments nila. We have the same questions here but different answers so sinusulat namin dito ‘yung mga notes namin about the girls. Things we need to highlight about them so bawal ito mawala. Malaking problema raw kapag nawala ko ito,” she said.

Quido will be joined by Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, rapper Big Freedia, model Mara Martin, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, sports journalist Emily Austin, TV host Myrka Dellanos, Roku executive Sweta Patel, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan,

and ImpactWayv executive Kathleen Ventrella in the selection committee.

Quido is the founder of O Skin Med Spa and Olivia Quido Clinical Skincare. As a master esthetician, she has devoted almost 20 years to making people feel and look radiant.

Her business is again the global pageant’s skincare sponsor for its 71st edition this year.

The Olivia Quido Clinical Skincare first got on board the Miss Universe pageant in 2019. It has taken care of the delegates’ skin and complexion since then, and will continue to do so for this year’s edition, its fourth year as the official skincare sponsor.

Filipino-Italian model and realtor Celeste Cortesi will

represent the Philippines in this year’s edition of the Miss Universe pageant, and will try to exceed her predecessor Beatrice Luigi Gomez’s Top 5 finish last year.

Four Filipino women have been crowned Miss Universe — Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018). 

Celeste Cortesi vows to be authentic in Miss Universe 2022

by JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

MANILA — Philippines’ bet 2022 Celeste Cortesi vowed to be authentic in the Miss Universe 2022 competition happening this Sunday, January 15 in New Orleans.

In a video posted on her Instagram story, Celeste said she wanted to be herself and share her story to the universe.

“So this journey in Miss Universe is so amazing, so much fun. I’ve been preparing a lot for this,” she said.

“It’s my honor to represent the Philippines and I really wanted to step in this competition wanting to be authentic, wanting to be myself, share my story to others,” she added.

She also said that she’s happy to finally meet the judges in the competition through the interview.

“And you know, I’ve been really preparing a lot especially now in the

interview. And I’m just very happy that it was the first time to meet the judges and they really want to get to know us,” she said.

Filipina businesswoman and beauty specialist Olivia Quido is one of the judges in the competition.

Quido will be joined by Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, rapper Big Freedia, model Mara Martin, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, sports journalist Emily Austin, TV host Myrka Dellanos, Roku executive Sweta Patel, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan, and ImpactWayv executive Kathleen Ventrella in the selection committee.

Cortesi will represent the Philippines in this year’s edition of the Miss Universe pageant, and will try to exceed her predecessor Beatrice Luigi Gomez’s Top 5 finish last year. 

Dolly de Leon

Photos from Instagram/@dollyedeleon

Miss Universe delegate Celeste Cortesi of the Philippines in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Photo from Instagram/celeste_cortesi

Filipina businesswoman and beauty specialist Olivia Quido

Photo from Olivia Quido via Instagram

Barbie on falling in love with a politician

KAPAMILYA actress

Barbie Imperial revealed that she’s open to falling in love with a politician.

In an interview with the media after the press conference announcing Star Magic and Mavx Productions’ partnership, Barbie said most of her business partners are businessmen.

“Pwede naman. Hindi kasi po siguro kasi halos kaibigan ko, mga business partners ko, mga politician kaya po siguro nali-link,” she said.

She also added that she’s now ready to fall in love again.

“I’m ready, matagal na ‘yung last din and nag-heal naman na, so, yeah ready. But ang main focus syempre parang medyo hindi naman nawala pero medyo nawalan ng inspirasyon before parang medyo tinamad and I think that’s normal naman. Tayo naman ‘di ba napapagod, nagpapahinga. But now ‘yung focus ko talaga parang career talaga,” she said.

Barbie said she has already moved on from her ex-boyfriend Diego Loyzaga.

“Wala po kaming communication kumbaga happy po kami sa kanya-

kanya naming mga buhay,” she said.

She revealed that they were supposed to have a movie under Viva, but it did not push through.

“Dapat meron kami. Dapat iso-shoot namin nung December, under Viva ata ‘yun. Hindi ko lang sure kung bakit hindi na-push,” she said.

Barbie stars in the film “I Love Lizzy” with Carlo Aquino, to be shown in cinemas on January 18. (By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar. com)

Gerald on secret marriage with Julia

By Jan mIlo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor Gerald Anderson denied that he and girlfriend Julia Barretto are now married.

In an interview with the media after the press conference announcing the partnership between Star Magic and Mavx Productions,

Gerald said he and Julia will never tie the knot secretly.

“Oh! Secret!? No, no, come on guys hindi ko gagawin sa inyo iyan. Kapag dumating tayo diyan, there’s nothing to hide,” he said.

“At saka hindi na ako sa edad na iyan. Wala na dapat ganyan. So, no, it’s not true!” he added.

Gerald, however, said that Julia is the one he wants to spend his life with.

“Is she the person? Yeah, she’s the person. But you know, knowing me, kapag nangyari ‘yun, I want to start a family right away,” he said.

“

Gusto ko tuloy-tuloy na. So, before that comes, kailangan ano na tayo, I’m in a position na I know na kahit anong mangyari, magiging set ‘yung family ko,” he added.

Gerald and Kapuso actress Kylie Padilla star in the film “Unravel,” directed by RC delos Reyes. g

Luis, Jessy welcome first child

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

CELEBRITY couple Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola are officially parents as they introduce their first child to the world.

In their respective Instagram posts Saturday, January 7 the first-time parents showed a glimpse of their daughter they named Isabelle Rose Tawile Manzano or Rosie.

“I never knew I could love like this. My little Rosie. Isabelle Rose Tawile Manzano,” Mendiola captioned.

She also shared a mirror shot of her a few minutes later saying, “Missing my baby’s kicks in my womb. Almost

two weeks postpartum.”

Meanwhile, Manzano posted a photo of him holding their newborn and said, “Hi Peanut.”

Celebrity friends

have poured out their congratulations to the family.

Gary Valenciano commented, “So so so so happy Luis!! Wow!!”

“Can’t wait to meet you!”

posted Anne Curtis.

“Congratulations, Jessy! So excited to meet Rosie,” shared Iza Calzado.

Angeline Quinto wrote, “Awwwww. Congratulations Jessy and Kuya. Hello Peanut!”

“So so precious!!! Congratulations Lu and Jessy,” Bianca Manalo said. Mendiola, 30 and Manzano, 41, first announced they were expecting in August 2022 through a vlog and a photoshoot taken in Benguet. Later on, they threw a gender reveal party and revealed that they are having a baby girl.

After five years of dating, the couple finally tied the knot in Batangas in February 2022. g

Elisse on ‘battle scars,’ motherhood & McCoy

By CharmIe Joy Pagulong Philstar.com

FANS were shocked and sad over the “breakup” of McLisse early this week. But prior to McCoy de Leon’s confirmation that he and partner Elisse Joson have gone on separate ways, the latter said that she felt that McCoy was the right guy for her and that she has envisioned herself in a simple wedding with the former.

During the contract signing event with the Cathy Valencia Advanced Skin Clinic at its BGC branch last Dec. 10 where Elisse is one of the endorsers, she was asked by select press members about their plans of tying the knot. She replied, “That is the goal, but of course, realistically we want to be more prepared. Kasi siyempre with the baby honestly, (we’re) not prepared.”

“So  ngayon para mas maayos ang maging steps  sa future. We have to prepare for something big like that. But that’s really where it will lead  naman. Parang no pressure lang din to anybody,” she added.

When furthered if she saw McCoy as the right guy for her, she answered, “I don’t see anybody else.”

The Kapamilya actress’ supposed dream wedding with McCoy was a simple ceremony. “Hindi na ako nangangarap ng something  bongga I think what matters is the two of you. The people that love you are there to support. Family is there to support.  Yun lang parang simple wedding also is more meaningful nowadays,” she shared.

In a Dec. 19 Instagram post, McCoy uploaded a photo of him and his oneyear-old daughter Felize with a caption that read, “Lagi mong tatandaan na mahal kita. Ikaw lang ang nakakaalam. Ikaw lang ang makakaintindi sa akin. Ikaw lang ang maaasahan ko. Ikaw lang ang rason kaya ako nabubuhay. Ikaw lang ang lahat lahat ko.

“Sana ‘pag tanda mo ‘wag magbago tingin kay daddy  ha. Pasensya na kung

hindi lang talaga nakaya ni daddy.  Sana maikwento ko sayo pagtanda mo.  Don’t worry masasaya naman ikukwento ko na may konting problema hehe para naman maintindihan mo si daddy,” the post said. “Basta ha lagi kang nasa isip ni daddy pasensya na rin kung dito ko nailagay message ko. Hindi ko na alam paano kita makakausap eh,” he continued.

He concluded the post with, “’Wag bibigyan ng sakit sa ulo si  mommy  ha i-love  mo siya. Last na… anak ‘wag mo silang pansinin ok? Mahal na mahal kita anak ko. Miss  na miss  na kita sobra….*hug na mahigpit*.” The penned message has been edited afterwards.

On the other hand, in nowdeleted Instagram stories posted on Wednesday, January 4 the Deleter actor issued an apology and refuted a rumor circulating that a third party caused their split. McCoy was linked to a social media influencer amid the reported breakup. While not giving details on what caused the separation, he said, “Wala po involve (d)  na ibang tao (sa) pinakarason kung

bakit kami naghiwalay. Sana po maniwala po kayo. Hindi ko po intensyon manakit ng tao o manloko. Sadyang dumating lang po sa point na sobrang bigat lang ng problema kaya po ako sumuko.” Whatever led to the breakup, Elisse’s explanation about a Dec. 3 post now seems to be getting new meaning. She posted a photo of herself clad in a bikini showing her stretch marks and post-pregnancy figure, with the caption “Battle scars,” on Instagram. She said during the contract-signing event that it was not only about the physical scars brought about by pregnancy but also about what she was going through internally.

“Actually, they think siyempre yun yung battle scars  talaga is yung pinagdaanan sa pagbubuntis,” she said. “But what I was thinking of when I was posting it is the battle scars internally. There’s a lot going on for me. You know personal life, work life,  yung sabaysabay so parang sabi ko ‘pag mom na pala talaga andaming kailangang pagdaanan, andaming challenges, so battle scars are not just yung physical, it’s inside.”

On what she discovered about herself when she became a mom, Elisse stated, “Akala ko dati na matapang na ko in facing different challenges, but now that I am a mom,  parang ngayon talaga mas na-te-test  talaga na  you don’t decide for yourself anymore. Not just for myself anymore, but every decision  talaga kailangan pag-isipan  and now I see how strong mothers are, not just me but like all the mothers in general, hands down talaga.”

When queried how has things changed for her and McCoy since becoming parents, she noted, “First, I think  yung mga simple arguments and  away hindi na pwede. Nakita mo na may negative trait yung partner  mo, you can’t just say I don’t like that about him and leave. You really have to work on it.  Kasi ngayon we’re still growing eh, individually. So what we’re trying to do now is, of course, grow together so yun yung nakita ko sa kanya yun.” g

Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola Photo from Instagram/@jessymendiola

Actress Barbie Imperial Photo from Instagram/@msbarbieimperial

Elisse Joson: As a mom, you don’t decide for yourself anymore. Photo from Instagram/@elissejoson

Gerald Anderson with girlfriend Julia Barretto Photo from