011924 - New York & New Jersey Edition

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!

JANUARY 19-25, 2024 Volume 17 - No.15 • 16 Pages

133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • Tel. (212) 655-5426

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

Biden to send first trade mission to the PH DATELINE USA

by CATHERINE VALENTE

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

LA residents can now report ‘hate incidents’ to police online THE Los Angeles Police Department is expanding its Community Online Reporting Service system on Friday, January 12 to include the category of “hate incidents” in an effort to combat the “under-reporting of bias-motivated incidents” that fall short of being considered crimes.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced the expansion to the CORS program at a news conference at police headquarters on Thursday, January 11.

The CORS system was launched in 2016, and allowed community members to file reports on incidents such as traffic collisions and a limited category of crime reports online, Moore said.

During the year of its launch, 1,300 reports were submitted through CORS, Moore said.

Since then, CORS has expanded to include nearly two dozen types of reports that community members can file online.

In 2023, community members submitted more than 131,000 such reports online, Moore said.

On Jan. 1, an addition to the CORS

 PAGE 4

ManilaTimes.net

UNITED States President Joe Biden is set to send his first trade and investment mission to the Philippines, the White House announced on Friday, January 12, as part of the two countries’ commitment to advance economic ties.

In a statement, White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said the delegation would be led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and

will be in Manila until March 11 and 12, 2024, to engage with Filipino stakeholders.

“President Joseph R. Biden Jr. today announced he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines, March 11-12, 2024, to enhance U.S. companies’ contributions to the Philippines’ innovation economy, connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people,” she said.

The visit, she added, would reinforce the Philippines as a “key hub for regional supply

chains and high-quality investment.”

Watson said this trade mission follows on Biden’s commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and internationally recognized labor rights.

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez told the Philippine News Agency that a representative of the U.S. International Development Financial Corp.

(DFC) would also be part of the mission.

The envoy had previously disclosed

 PAGE 2

Marcos greeting to new Taiwan leader irks China

by DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN, JULIE M. AURELIO, REUTERS Inquirer.net

FEAST OF STO. NIÑO. Devotees bring their Sto. Niño images for blessing at the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague in Matina, Davao City on Monday, Jan. 15. The Sto. Niño feast is celebrated every third Sunday of January to mark the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

MANILA — A congratulatory message by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te has sparked a fierce backlash from China, as Beijing summoned the ambassador from Manila on Tuesday, January 16 and warned the country “not to play with fire.”

“The relevant remarks of President Marcos constitute a serious violation of the One China principle and … a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs,” a Chinese foreign

 PAGE 2

PH bans poultry imports ICC yet to confirm presence in PH Angara, not Padilla, to preside when from California, Ohio MANILA —The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday, January 17 it has banned imports of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat and eggs, from California and Ohio in the United States because of several outbreaks there of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

According to Memorandum Order No. 03 signed on Jan. 15, the temporary importation ban covers domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen.

The DA immediately suspended the processing, evaluation of the application

 PAGE 3

by FRANCO JOSE BAROÑA ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday, January 15 that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has yet to confirm if indeed its investigators are already in the country to probe the previous administration’s “drug war.”

DOJ spokesman Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said they expect the ICC would “reach out and not avoid detection.”

“Here in the Philippines,

we conduct a very transparent preliminary investigation. The prosecution asks for evidence from both the complainant and the respondent. It will not rely solely on what one side is saying,” Clavano said.

If ICC investigators are indeed in the country, as earlier reported, and they are not coordinating with the government, “how can we be sure that their investigation will be fair,” the DOJ spokesman said at a public briefing on Monday.

“How can we be sure

 PAGE 4

Senate tackles Charter change

by MARLON RAMOS Inquirer.net

MANILA — Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara on Tuesday, January 16 confirmed that he would head a Senate subcommittee to tackle the chamber’s proposed resolution amending specific economic provisions of the Constitution.

He takes over the role of Sen. Robinhood Padilla, the Senate’s persistent Charter change (Cha-cha) advocate. He has also been pushing

for longer terms for the president and other elected officials.

Angara said most senators agreed that a lawyer like him should lead the proceedings since the matter to be tackled under Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 is revising the country’s basic law.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed the resolution on Monday, which Angara and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda co-authored.

 PAGE 3

2

JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

Marcos greeting to new... Biden to send first trade mission to...

PAGE 1 ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference on Tuesday, January 16.

China was “strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposes these remarks,” spokesperson Mao Ning said, referring to Mr. Marcos congratulating Lai on Monday for winning Taiwan’s election and referring to him as its next president.“ “China has lodged a strong protest with the Philippines at the earliest opportunity,” and summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz “to give China a responsible explanation,” Mao said, adding: “We suggest that President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions.”

There was no immediate comment from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Beijing’s move.

Under the “One China” policy, the Philippines

recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the “sole legal government of China,” with Taiwan as “an integral part of Chinese territory.”

The policy was laid down in a communique signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the President’s late father and namesake, on behalf of the Philippine government on June 9, 1975.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night, the President congratulated Lai on his electoral victory.

“On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next President,” Mr. Marcos said.

The President added: “We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”

On Tuesday morning, the DFA clarified that there was no change in the Philippines’ position on Taiwan.

“The Philippines and Taiwan share mutual interests which include the welfare of nearly 200,000 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Taiwan,” it said.

“The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process,” it added.

“Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy,” the DFA stressed.

Asked for comment, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy VelicariaGarafil said: “Please refer to the DFA statement released early today (Tuesday).”

In a statement released on Sunday, the DFA reaffirmed the principles in the 1975 joint communique between the Philippines and China, which established diplomatic relations between the two nations.

“The Philippines is PAGE 4

PAGE 1 that the U.S. had offered assistance for the stalled Mindanao Railway Project, with financing expected to come from the DFC. ‘First-of-its-kind’ This Biden-curated trade mission also comes on the heels of the 123 Agreement signing, which will pave the way for nuclear power projects between the Philippines and American providers.

The 123 Agreement, signed in November 2023, allows the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the two states.

Biden had described the endeavor as a “first-of-itskind” mission when he met Marcos in Washington, D.C., in May 2023.

“And this is, in fact, a new feature as there has never been a presidential high-level delegation to any country before, and that is again because of our continuing strong partnership with the United States,” Marcos said, following his six-day visit to the U.S. in November last year.

The president said the group’s visit to the Philippines was upon the request of his administration for U.S. businesses to explore opportunities for investments, particularly in key sectors identified during their meetings in the U.S. The visit of the U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission in Manila coincides with the Philippines’ hosting of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF), described as the U.S.’s “marquee commercial event in the region.”

The IPBF is the U.S. government’s annual commercial event in the

region, gathering top leaders from the public and private sectors to review policy developments, disclose new investments, and explore partnerships.

The U.S. co-hosted with Japan the 5th Indo-Pacific Business Forum last Jan. 12, 2023, welcoming senior government officials, industry executives and other stakeholders.

Malacañang said Marcos’ business engagements in the U.S. and Japan, among others, have obtained P4.019 trillion ($72.178 billion) worth of investments as of December 21.

The total investment value consists of 148 projects based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) latest monitoring of consolidated and processed investments.

The DTI had described the investments as business investment promotion agency (IPA) registered with operations worth P11.4 billion, business/IPA registered (P54.75 billion), and IPA registration in progress operations (P282.8 billion).

Meanwhile, investments that already have a signed agreement were valued at P544.152 billion, while those with a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) or Letter of Intent (LoI) were valued at P1.588 trillion.

Finally, those confirmed but not covered by MoUs/ LoIs and still in the planning stage are pegged at P1.522 trillion.

“These investments — realized and in the pipeline — are mostly in the sectors of manufacturing, IT-BPM, renewable energy, data centers, and telecommunications,” the DTI has said.

In its December 14 update, the DTI said Marcos’ visit to the U.S. for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in November was added to its monitoring, adding P37.2 billion to the total value and six to the total project.

These include a P2.2billion investment in telecommunications, P110 million in artificial intelligence, P13 billion in manufacturing, P1.1 billion in health sciences/ pharma manufacturing/ health services, P16 million in energy, and an undisclosed amount for another investment in health sciences/pharma manufacturing or health services.

These projects comprise signed agreements with clear financial values and MoUs/LoIs. There had been criticisms of the president’s frequent foreign travels since the start of his administration, but Marcos defended his trips, saying that his participation and attendance in these events abroad would help other countries to “think” about the Philippines.

The president also said the public should look at the return on investments (ROIs) of his previous trips.

“In terms of the cost, the way I see it, you have to look at it as ROI: do we bring something back or do we not? If you say, as I say, I don’t, the exact figures of the cost and everything...

But for example, we came from China with pledges of $22 billion, let’s say we get actual out of that $1 billion, we’ve more than made up for the eight trips,” the president said in English and Filipino. (With reports from PNA)

MAXIMUM TOLERANCE. Police officers keep order along España Boulevard, Manila on Tuesday, Jan. 16 during a protest caravan against the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. Some 5,000 cops and 175 mobility assets were deployed to assist commuters who might be affected by the protest.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

PH bans poultry imports Angara, not Padilla, to preside when Senate... from California...

PAGE 1 and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for poultry imports originating from California and Ohio.

However, the order excludes shipments that are in transit, loaded or accepted unto port as long as these were slaughtered or produced 14 days before California’s first avian flu outbreak on Nov. 20, 2023 and Ohio’s first outbreak on Nov. 21, 2023.

“Poultry and poultry products imported to the country from the states of California and Ohio after Nov 14, 2023 and Nov 21, 2023, respectively, shall be seized and destroyed by the DA, or returned to the country of origin,” DA said.

The agency made the issuance as American authorities informed the World Organization for Animal Health of several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 affecting domestic birds.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. explained that imposing import restrictions on poultry products from the two states is necessary to prevent the virus from entering the Philippines.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, HPAI may cause severe disease and high mortality in infected poultry.

Domesticated and wild birds in California and Ohio have been diagnosed with the H5N1 strain of the HPAI, which is highly contagious and dangerous for poultry.

The DA clarified that the Philippines can still import poultry and poultry products from other states in the US. The US is the second biggest supplier of imported poultry and poultry products to the Philippines, accounting for about 40 percent of total poultry meat arrivals (426,620 metric tons). —Jordeene B. Lagare, Zeus Legaspi with a report from Reuters g

PAGE 1 Padilla’s proposal However, according to Angara, the subcommittee would still have to enlist the support of Padilla since he heads the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and code revision.

“The report of the subcommittee will have to be approved by [Padilla] as committee chair,” Angara said.

He said the subcommittee, upon its formation, would meet with Padilla to discuss Resolution of Both Houses No. 5 – Padilla’s proposed measure to extend the term limits of elected officials.

Angara, however, maintained that the Senate’s push for charter change would be limited to three constitutional provisions.

These are Section 11 of Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony), which requires 60-percent Filipino ownership of public utilities; Section 4 (2) of Article XIV (Education), which requires 60-percent Filipino ownership of

SOUVENIR FROM EARLIER CHA-CHA. The ceremonial mace used in the Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) held from 1971 to 1972 is formally handed over to the National Museum of the Philippines on Tuesday, January 16. Among the dignitaries present at the turnover was former Sen. Richard Gordon, who chairs the Con-Con’s 50th anniversary observance.

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

educational institutions; and Section 11 (2) of Article XVI (General Provisions), which requires 70-percent Filipino ownership of any enterprise in the advertising industry.

In a radio interview, Angara said: “We will have to talk about his (Padilla’s) proposal [on political reforms] because most of our colleagues in the majority only favor the change in the economic provisions.”

He added that “matters on the system of government or term extension” are not on the table.

Initially opposed Padilla, still abroad, issued a statement expressing support for RBH 6, saying the Senate-led cha-cha is “good news for the nation.”

“Our economy will be revitalized, and this will lead to progress in the lives of Filipinos,” said the former action movie star.

3

Padilla said his committee came up with a report early last year following consultations with different sectors in the country.

He said the report recommended amendments to seven economic provisions in the Constitution, including the three that are now the subject of RBH 6.

He claimed, however, that none of the senators supported the recommendations then, even those seeking to ease restrictions on foreign ownership in business.

Zubiri said on Monday that he, too, had been opposed to charter change in general.

But he sought an audience with President Marcos on Jan. 9, as the controversy over the people’s initiative campaign to amend the Constitution became “too divisive.”

That campaign “could have led to a constitutional crisis, destabilizing our bicameralism and upsetting the system of checks and PAGE 7

4

JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

LA residents can now report ‘hate incidents’ to...

PAGE 1 system took effect, and now, community members have the option of filing reports of “hate incidents” online, Moore said.

Moore noted that the type of incident would be an action “not amounting to a crime” in which a person in the community is targeted in a way that could include an epithet or a gesture related to a victim’s sexual orientation, race, religion or ethnicity.

The Los Angeles Police Department is expanding its Community Online Reporting Service system Friday to include the category of “hate incidents” in an effort to combat the “underreporting of bias-motivated incidents” that fall short of being considered crimes.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced the expansion to the CORS program at a news conference at police headquarters on Thursday morning.

The CORS system was launched in 2016, and allowed community members to file reports on incidents such as traffic collisions and a limited category of crime reports online, Moore said.

During the year of its launch, 1,300 reports were submitted through CORS, Moore said. Since then, CORS has expanded to include nearly two dozen types of reports that community members can file online.

In 2023, community members submitted more than 131,000 such reports online, Moore said.

On Jan. 1, an addition to the CORS system took effect, and now, community members have the option of filing reports of “hate incidents” online, Moore said.

Moore noted that the type of incident would be an action “not amounting to a crime” in which a person in the community is targeted in a way that could include an epithet or a gesture related to a victim’s sexual orientation, race, religion or ethnicity.

“It is a matter that we want to know about,” Moore said. “The challenge is, that with the lengthening response time, that people attempting to report a non-crime — but a significant matter that concerns them, creates fear and apprehension in those communities — (it) was taking, at times, hours for us

to reach (them) because of the limited resources, because of more pressing matters, meaning crimes of violence that were in progress, or various crimes that had just occurred.”

To file a report or to see a list of the types of reports that can be filed through CORS, go to www.lapdonline.org/file-apolice-report/.

Authorities stressed that if a crime is in progress, people should call 911.

According to the LAPD, the type of “hate incident” that would be appropriate to report under the expanded online program would be defined as follows: “Hate Incident: A hate incident is any non-criminal act, including words, directed against a person(s) based on that person’s actual or perceived protected characteristics. Hate incidents do not violate criminal law statutes. Hate incidents are generally protected free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”

The following types of police reports had been previously included in the online reporting program: Harassing Phone Calls: Any person who repeatedly, with the intent to annoy, telephones or makes contact by means of an electronic communication. For example, immediate hang-ups, obscene language, emails, text messages with no known suspects.

Lost Property: Personal property that was unintentionally left by its true owner.

For example, property left behind at an unknown location or left behind with no attempt to retrieve it.

Vandalism: Any person who maliciously damages, destroys or defaces the property of another person.

For example, knocking over a mailbox, spray- painting a wall, or throwing a rock through a window.

Theft: Personal property taken from a publicly accessible location. For example, a package is taken from your porch; or, you left your wallet behind in a restaurant, but when you attempted to go back to retrieve it, the wallet was no longer there.

Theft from Vehicle: Theft from an unlocked or locked vehicle.

Minor Traffic Collisions: Minor

injuries and you have exchanged information.

Hit and Run: Damage caused by another vehicle in which the driver should have left information or fled the scene without stopping to provide information.

Vice Tips: Tips may be reported, and filer may remain anonymous.

Narcotics Tips: Tips may be reported, and the filer may remain anonymous.

Identity Theft.

The incidents must meet the following criteria in order to report them online: • The incident is not an emergency.

• The incident occurred within the City of Los Angeles.

• The person filing must be at least 18 years old.

• No one was injured as a result of this incident.

• There are no known suspects.

• The incident did not occur on the state highway.

• No firearms were involved in the incident.

• The person filing must have internet access and an email address.

Once a report has been submitted report, the filer will immediately receive a temporary report number and be able to print a copy of the report just made.

All incidents reported using the Community Online Reporting Service will be reviewed, on average once every 24 hours — possibly longer on weekends and holidays — and upon approval will become an official police report.

If further investigation of the reported incident is needed, the filer will be contacted by email or telephone.

Once the report has been approved, an LAPD report number will be issued and a copy of the final report will be emailed back to the filer.

The LAPD cautioned people that providing a false police report is a crime.

“Anyone filing a false police report may be prosecuted under California Penal Code section 148.5 PC. Filing a false police report is punishable by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding 6 months, or by fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both,” police said in a statement. (Inquirer.net)

ICC yet to confirm presence in...

PAGE 1 that they will only rely on the statements of activists or civil society groups that are left-leaning? We have to make sure that the process is fair and transparent as it would have been if done by the Philippine government itself. So we do hope that if ever they are here that they can reach out to us so we can have a constructive dialogue,” Clavano added.

“We still do not want our justice system to be taken over. We have a working justice system, we have courts, we have prosecutors, we have our law enforcement agencies,” he said.

In September 2021, the ICC approved the conduct of a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the leadership of former president Rodrigo Duterte during the campaign against illegal drugs. It suspended its probe in November 2021 upon the capital Manila’s request, saying that it was carrying out its own investigations.

But in January 2023, the ICC said it was “not satisfied that the Philippines is undertaking relevant investigations,” and its prosecutors resumed their

If ICC investigators are indeed in the country, as earlier reported, and they are not coordinating with the government, “how can we be sure that their investigation will be fair,” DOJ spokesman Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said at a public briefing.

ManilaTimes.net file photo

inquiry.

However, the Philippine government has maintained its position that the state has no legal duty to cooperate with ICC investigators.

Earlier reports said ICC investigators have already entered the Philippines to conduct its investigation on Rodrigo Duterte’s “drug war.” g

STILL ON THE GRIND. Despite a protest caravan against the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, passenger jeepneys ply their routes as usual along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Jeepney drivers and operators who failed to apply for consolidation into a cooperation or corporation as part of the mandatory franchise consolidation will be considered “colorum” and apprehended starting Feb. 1. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Marcos greeting...

PAGE 2 committed to its One China Policy,” said the DFA, noting that under the communique, “the two governments agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means… without resorting to the use or threat of force.”

Marcos’ tweet came following the election of Lai, 64, who won 40 percent of the votes in a three-way race with rivals from the Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party.

Lai’s victory allowed the governing Democratic Progressive Party to remain in control for another term.

His victory came despite China’s efforts to warn voters against the Democratic Progressive Party. China has consistently claimed Taiwan as part of its territory despite its self-governance.

Unofficial relations Although the Philippines does not recognize Taiwan diplomatically, the two engage in unofficial relations through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.

Taiwan, China, and the Philippines are among the claimants of the vast South China Sea, parts of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, or the waters within its 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands, voided China’s sweeping claims that cut into the EEZ of other claimant countries in the sea and recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights to fish and explore resources within its waters.

Beijing does not recognize the ruling.

Also on Tuesday, the Liberal Party (LP), considered the country’s top opposition party, also congratulated Lai and Vice Presidentelect Bi-khim Hsiao on their landslide victory in the Jan.

15 presidential election.

‘Vibrant, independent future’ In a statement, the party’s chair, former Sen. Francis Pangilinan, praised the Taiwanese people for their “unwavering commitment to democracy, freedom, and the pursuit of a vibrant, independent future.”

“President-elect Lai’s triumph is a testament to his steadfast dedication to public service, his strong leadership, and his unyielding commitment to the values we hold dear — values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law,” Pangilinan said.

“Vice President-elect Bi-khim’s distinguished background as a successful diplomat and legislator, known for her championing of liberal democracy, further enhances the dynamic leadership that Taiwan will experience in the coming years,” he added.

Pangilinan also expressed his admiration for Taiwan’s “democratic journey” and his solidarity with the selfgoverning island.

“In the Philippines, we have long admired the democratic journey of our Taiwanese friends. We share a common history of the struggle for freedom and a deep appreciation for the precious gift of democracy.

As fellow Asian nations, we are bound by shared values and a collective desire for a peaceful and prosperous region,” he said.

He expressed his confidence that Taiwan will continue to be a “beacon of democracy and a thriving economic powerhouse” under the new administration.

LP, which has 10 seats in the House of Representatives, is a member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, a regional network of democratic parties in Asia.

—with a report from Russel P. Loreto g

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

OPINION

FEATURES

Worst traffic congestion

5

Here’s another dubious distinction for the Philippines: Metro Manila had the worst traffic congestion among all metropolitan areas worldwide in 2023. This was according to Dutch multinational transport data provider TomTom Traffic.

TomTom found that it took an average of 25 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers in Metro Manila in 2023, making the city dislodge Bogota, Colombia, which had the worst ranking in the previous year. The travel time in Metro Manila was worse than its average of 24 minutes and 40 seconds in 2022, when it ranked second worldwide.

Within city centers, TomTom’s 2023 Traffic Index also ranked Manila as the third most congested city in Asia and the ninth worldwide. On average, it took 27 minutes and 20 seconds to travel 10 kilometers within Manila’s city center – slower by 20 seconds in 2022, TomTom posted on its website on Jan. 10.

The worst day and time for travel in Metro Manila, according to the 2023 index, was 5 to 6 p.m. on Fridays, when it took an average of 35 minutes and 30 seconds to negotiate 10 kilometers at a speed of just 19 km per hour.

Other Southeast Asian metro areas clocked less than 20 minutes: Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and citystate Singapore.

TomTom based the rankings on data from 600 million devices in cars and smartphones in 387 metro areas worldwide, which collectively traveled 551 billion km. Based on its data, Filipinos wasted 117 hours, or nearly five days, stuck in traffic in 2023. Behind Metro Manila were Lima, Peru; Bengaluru, India; Sapporo, Japan, and Bogota.

People may think the situation in Metro Manila is worse than presented in the traffic index. Studies have shown that traffic congestion has cost the economy billions in lost productivity annually. And people have been waiting for many years now for an improvement in the situation.

While the obvious reason is the inadequacy of mass transport, which has led to an

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

ever-increasing vehicle volume with no corresponding expansion in the road network, other factors aggravate the problem. These include uncoordinated diggings, construction and repair along roads, no cohesion in traffic policies within Metro Manila, and traffic mismanagement in general. An ill-conceived no-contact traffic apprehension scheme focused mainly on unconscionable revenue-

raising that fattened one private company at the expense of already harried motorists instead of better traffic management.

As the TomTom index has shown, other countries are dealing with their traffic problems, which pushed Metro Manila to the worst No. 1 spot. This should push the country to do better in traffic management.

(Philstar.com)

PBBM – our super top diplomat

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ PROFESSOR Richard Heydarian, a widely read and respected columnist, wrote an opinion piece that in essence articulated some of the many things I had wanted to write about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and how he has performed in the one-anda-half year that he has been

in office. It’s just as well that Professor Heydarian wrote about the topic because if it had been me, my objectivity would have been questioned by the usual suspects, clearly because I’m related to the president.

In the very straightforward, exclusive online piece for Journal of Democracy titled “The Son Also Rises,” Richard expressed the surprise, and perhaps even consternation, that critics

and skeptics must be feeling and experiencing because President Marcos is proving that their preconceived notions as well as their “fears” about him are turning out to be unfounded.

When Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took on the presidency on June 30, 2022, Professor Heydarian admitted that he had warned (like what others must have wanted to do) that “Marcos Jr. could turn out to be not just a debonair career

underachiever but [also] an insidious threat.”

But in reality, those who were against Bongbong Marcos sitting as president are now finding him “palatable” – to say the least – because “the new President has emerged as an unlikely ‘reformer’ of Philippine politics as well as a tough defender of Philippine sovereign rights in the South China Sea,” Richard put it, additionally noting that the

president has “advanced a radical reorientation of his country’s domestic politics as well as foreign policy.

If it seems a stretch to call him a conscious champion of liberal democracy, it may not be unreasonable to note the unexpected set of more democracyfavorable conditions that his administration has ushered in.”

It’s no secret that among the issues that were thrown

against President BBM during the campaign period for the May 2022 elections was that he might undermine democracy and rule in an autocratic manner. Yet the past year saw the president’s tenure coinciding with legal victories of key civil society figures such as Maria Ressa and former senator Leila de Lima in cases filed during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte, PAGE 10

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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

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

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

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief New York/New Jersey Asian Journal

Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

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.

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

6

JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

Dateline PhiliPPines

7

DOT eyes exceeding P1.5 trillion in 6 UN experts sound alarm domestic visitor receipts for 2024 over Philippine government’s

by Kristine Daguno-Bersamina Philstar.com

MANILA — Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that the Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to outperform the previous domestic visitor receipts, citing last year’s strong performance.

“We hope to be able to surpass the P1.5 trillion pesos domestic visitors receipt na

napunta sa ating ekonomiya noong 2022 (We hope to be able to surpass the P1.5 trillion pesos domestic visitors receipt recorded in 2022),” Franco said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB. According to Frasco, tourism-related employment had created 5 million jobs across the country.

Following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directives, the focus of the

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco

DOT photo

DOT is to enhance the overall tourist experience in 2024.

Frasco said that the DOT is planning to construct 18 tourist rest areas equipped with clean public restrooms to address practical concerns raised by tourists.

The DOT official also expressed her confidence in the 2024 outlook for the country’s tourism industry, citing positive numbers from both international and domestic tourists.

She shared plans to promote and develop emerging destinations under the Philippine Experience Program, extending beyond the well-known spots such as Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, Siargao, Metro Manila and Batangas.

Last year, the country surpassed its anticipated visitor arrivals, welcoming over five million tourists and generating tourism receipts exceeding P480 billion. g

Angara, not Padilla, to preside...

PAGE 3 balances,” the Senate leader said.

Legal experts define a constitutional crisis as a breakdown among institutions established by a given constitution because of a major political dispute.

Zubiri noted, “in any conflict, it is always the people who stand to suffer the most.”

He said the President himself “asked the Senate to instead take the lead” in Charter change.

‘Stop already’ This time, senators expressed support for Charter change, but within the scope of RBH 6.

“The Supreme Court had invalidated the joint exploration agreement that the Philippines entered into with Vietnam and China. [So] for me, we need foreign investments for us to explore, exploit, develop and extract our natural resources in the West Philippine Sea,” Sen. Francis Tolentino said in a news briefing on Tuesday.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said: “I have taken the position for the longest time to support discussions on amending certain provisions of the Constitution that would lead us to fully realize the economic potential of the country.”

“PI should stop already,” he also said, referring to the signature drive of the People’s Initiative campaign. But Sen. Imee Marcos said she was still skeptical about RBH 6.

“After the very surreptitious and dubious manner that this people’s initiative was initiated, it doesn’t generate any confidence, at least on my part, that there will be a limitation to the mere three provisions,” said the President’s eldest sister.

Pitch in Davos Speaker Martin Romualdez has expressed support for RBH 6 following his meeting with Zubiri two days after the Senate leader met with Marcos.

In Davos, Switzerland, where he led the Philippine delegation to the World Economic Forum, Romualdez made another pitch for Charter change, this time with the Senate’s collaboration, saying this shows the country would soon become more “investor-friendly.”

“We will repeat the message that the Philippines is open for business, we are strong, and we are united,” he said.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said in a statement: “In an extraordinary development for our nation, the Senate has finally seen the light, embracing the House’s long-standing belief in the necessity of constitutional amendments.”

“We are encouraged by the Senate’s acknowledgment of the House’s position and look forward to collaborating closely to ensure the effective passage and implementation of these constitutional amendments,” he added.

—with reports from Jeannette I. Andrade, Krixia Subingsubing, and Inquirer Research g

‘unchecked’ anti-terror powers

by Cristina Chi Philstar.com

MANILA — Six independent United Nations human rights experts have flagged the Philippine government’s “seemingly broad and unchecked” use of the anti-terrorism law to target red-tagged humanitarian workers and church leaders.

United Nations special rapporteurs publicized this month their October 10 letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. detailing cases of red-tagging, judicial harassment and targeted financial sanctions against religious groups and activists “in the name of countering terrorism and terrorist financing.”

The UN experts counted at least 24 alleged victims of rights violations from the government’s counterterrorism efforts from 2019 to 2023 — which covers the second half of the Duterte administration and Marcos’ first year in office.

The letter was publicized last week by the UN experts, led by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights while Countering Terrorism Fionnuala Ni Aoilain, after the Marcos administration reportedly failed to respond to their communications within 60 days.

The UN experts noted an “observable trend” where Philippine authorities would accuse church members engaged in development and humanitarian work of membership with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) — a group that the government has designated as terrorists.

The UN special rapporteurs also raised concerns over the broad range of counter-terrorism powers bestowed upon the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which have been wielded in a “broad and arbitrary manner against non-profit organisations and

This file photo shows militant group Anakpawis holds a protest in front of the Department of Justice.

Philstar.com photo

individuals.”

“We have received information that multiple religious organisations and their members, as well as other direct service nonprofit organisations have been affected by the alleged measures, in turn hindering access to indigenous peoples, internally displaced persons, human rights defenders, and women and children to critical human rights and humanitarian services,” the UN experts wrote.

This, according to the rights experts, goes against the Philippines’ international human rights obligations, which the government has repeatedly and publicly vowed to uphold.

The UN experts also warned against “the significant downstream harms” of imposing financial sanctions against persons accused of terrorism, which can hurt the “future financial and reputational viability of the impacted organizations.”

They said that any process involving the listing of individuals or freezing of assets related to terrorism should adhere to due process, including ensuring a person’s right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, the right to appeal, and a right to effective protection by the courts.

The UN rights experts also flagged the reported raids of the homes of human rights defenders and the offices of church workers

and journalists, some of which were not preceded by the issuance of formal search warrants.

“We are further concerned by the alleged raid targeting members of KARAPATAN, who were seeking refuge from the church, and the consequences of such a raid on the enjoyment of the rights to peaceful assembly and association and the other fundamental freedoms and protections due to human rights defenders,” the letter added.

Even as the government is in the process of restarting peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) — the negotiating arm of the CPP-NPA – the justice department has maintained that it will continue to prosecute acts that will violate the country’s antiterrorism law.

“If they come forward and represent themselves in good faith and yet still continue activities that will fall under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020, then they can also be prosecuted,” Department of Justice Spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a January 11 briefing.

The Marcos administration’s amnesty program for former rebels and the anti-terrorism law are also “two different animals,” said Associate Solicitor James Clifford Santos from the Office of the Solicitor General.

The Supreme Court’s procedural rules for petitions PAGE 9

8

JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

Senate chief sets Cha-cha in motion

by Bernadette e. tamayo and ma. reina Leanne toLentino ManilaTimes.net

SENATE President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday, January 15 filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 seeking to amend economic provisions in the Constitution.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara co-authored RBH 6, proposing amendments to Articles 12, 14 and 16 of the

charter.

The senators said the nation’s economic policy “must be reframed under the demands of this increasingly globalized age, while still protecting the general policy of Filipino-first that guides the economic provisions of the Constitution.”

The resolution cited “a need to institutionalize the reforms laid down in the Public Service Act

to liberalize industries, promote efficient service delivery and foster competition as an enduring policy.”

Article 12 deals with “National Economy and Patrimony,” Article 14 with “Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports” and Article 16 with “General Provisions.”

RBH 6 provides that the amendments will be done by

Filed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri holds a copy of a resolution that seeks to start the discussions on amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Senate photo

inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law.”

For example, Section 11 of the National Patrimony and Economy provision would be amended to read: “No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines, at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens unless provided by law. Unless provided by law, the participation of foreign investors in the governing body of any public utility enterprise shall be limited to their proportionate share in its capital, and all the executive and managing officers of such corporation or association must be citizens of the Philippines.”

“Our children deserve to have access to the best educational institutions, both Filipino and foreign, to ensure that they receive the best training to become PAGE 10

9

REHAB AND DEVELOPMENT. Workers spruce up the Pasig River Esplanade behind the Manila Post Office building on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The beautification efforts are in preparation for the launch of the “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” project through the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development on Jan. 17.

PNA photo by Robert Alfiler

6 UN experts found...

PAGE 7 seeking judicial relief from the Anti-Terrorism Council’s terrorist designation took effect on January 15.

Prior to its passage in 2020, the Anti-Terrorism Act was widely opposed by human rights defenders, civil society and the government’s own human rights commission for its perceived impact on civil liberties and spaces of dissent.

Most critics of the measure flagged the law’s loose definition of terrorism, which raised concerns that lawful expressions of opposition and peaceful dissent could be unjustly labeled as terrorist activities. g

10 JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Senate chief sets... Diokno turns over DOF helm to Recto PAGE 9 globally competitive citizens in the modern world,” Zubiri, Legarda and Angara said.

They said the advertising industry “already has foreign players, and liberalizing the same is a logical and sound policy to attract foreign direct investment in that industry.”

Zubiri said the filing of RBH 6 aims “to avert a constitutional crisis between the House of Representatives and the Senate. And to make it clear that there are no other planned provisions or amendments on any other thing but purely economic in nature.”

During a press briefing, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the Senate to lead the Charter change or Chacha initiative, but it should not include allowing foreign land ownership.

Zubiri said the President is concerned over the reported attempt by some Cha-cha proponents to offer P100 to anyone who would sign the petition pushing for the people’s initiative (PI).

He said he met with the President last January 9, and “we discussed how we can diffuse the situation.”

“In fairness to the President, he was not aware that the people’s initiative language was to diminish the power of the Senate.

After that, he asked me to meet with the Speaker,” Zubiri said.

He said he met with Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday evening, and “we had a lively and vigorous debate on the issue.”

Marcos met with Zubiri and Romualdez on January 11 after the traditional vin d’honneur in Malacañang.

“In that meeting, I defended the position of the Senate that as far as we are concerned their plan is unconstitutional because we are a bicameral system of government,” Zubiri said.

“I would like to thank the President for his comment that the PI is too divisive.

He said, ‘Why doesn’t the Senate take the lead in the discussions of the economic provisions and then you approve your version, which the House can adopt?’ So, that was the position of the President,” he said.

He said the majority of the senators have decided to create a subcommittee under the Committee on Constitutional Amendments,

headed by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, to conduct the hearing on the RBH 6.

Angara was chosen to lead the subpanel.

In a statement Monday, Romualdez said he supports the filing of RBH 6.

“This resolution using the mode of Constituent Assembly is a decisive step towards amending the 1987 Constitution, particularly in terms of relaxing the economic provisions that currently restrict the entry of foreign direct investments into the Philippines,” he said.

“The move to amend the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly underscores our commitment to a democratic and participatory process.

It reflects our collective resolve to address the longstanding barriers that have, to some extent, hindered our nation’s progress,” Romualdez said.

He said “the synergy between the Senate and the House in passing” the resolution “will send a strong signal of unity and purpose.”

Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” Salceda welcomed “any effort by the Senate” to open talks on revising the Constitution.

“Opening up the conversation, rather than immediately closing the window for change, is necessary and urgent,” Salceda said in a statement.

He said he believes an “existential threat of a constitutional crisis” does not exist.

“Both the People’s Initiative underway and previous attempts by the House to establish a Constituent Assembly to amend the Constitution are fully in accord with the process stipulated in the 1987 Constitution.

The regular workings of the legislature and the relationship between the Senate and the House should thus continue without interruption,” Salceda said.

“With or without the success of the People’s Initiative, the House, for its part, will also exhaust all means made available by the Constitution to bring in more investments, create new and better-paying jobs, and create new business and trade opportunities for our people. These things cannot wait.” g

by Louise Maureen siMeon Philstar.com

MANILA — Secretary Ralph Recto started the ball rolling as he formally took over the helm of the Department of Finance, with former DOF chief and now Monetary Board member Benjamin Diokno handing over the agency in a simple ceremony on Monday, January 15.

Recto said following Diokno’s footsteps is both an honor and a challenge as he draws reassurance that he has a skilled team within the DOF, its attached agencies and bureaus.

“I am surrounded by a team of highly talented and competent individuals within the DOF, all equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges we face today and those that await us in the future,” Recto said.

He will meet with the heads of DOF attached agencies over the next days to brief him on current developments.

Recto expressed confidence in surmounting challenges in pursuit of actualizing President Marcos’ vision articulated in the national development

Newly-installed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and his predecessor Benjamin Diokno DOF photo

plan through increased effort, sincere dedication, rethinking the way of doing things and innovating governance.

“I count on everyone’s support and cooperation as we collectively deliver an economy that works for the betterment of every Filipino and the future generations,”

he said.

During the turnover, Diokno reiterated that Recto is a “seasoned policymaker and an undeniable patriot,” highlighting his key economic and tax reforms.

“Ralph is no stranger to the kind of hard work, tough decision-making and consensus-building required

of this post,” Diokno said.

Present during the turnover ceremony were DOF Undersecretaries Catherine Fong, Bayani Agabin, Maria Edita Tan, Zeno Abenoja and Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco.

Also present were Assistant Secretaries Nino Alvina, Dakila Napao, Glenda Rumohr-Figueroa, Juvy Danofrata, Karlo Adriano, Jun Bernabe Jr., Joyce Briones and Jenaira Jalasco.

Heads of DOF attached agencies also attended the ceremony, including Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, national treasurer Sharon Almanza and Bureau of Local Government Finance executive director Consolacion Agcaoili.

Other officials include Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Emilio Aquino, Insurance Commission chief Reynaldo Regalado, Privatization Management Office head Maan Vanessa Doctor, National Tax Research Center executive director Marlene Lucero-Calubag and Central Board of Assessment Appeals chairman Robert Tobia. g

PBBM – our super top diplomat...

PAGE 5 pointed out Professor Heydarian, observing that President Marcos Jr. – whom he described as urbane and soft spoken – eschewed “incendiary and confrontational rhetoric,” often speaking of “reconciliation and national unity, even during the anniversary of the popular revolution that toppled his father.”

One source of admiration for many – with even his staunchest critics grudgingly admitting to it – is that the president is doing extremely well in foreign policy, strengthening alliances with Western countries and like-minded nations – seeking to maintain balance, peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. In fact, PBBM was his usual “charming” best at the Malacañang vin d’honneur he and the First Lady hosted the other night.

Indeed, the president is defying all pre- or, perhaps more accurately, “ill-conceived notions” about him, because on a personal basis, I have seen how he has evolved into the kind of leader that has gained the respect of the international community by demonstrating a keen understanding of the evolving geopolitical situation and showing his willingness to collaborate on global issues that include climate change, among other things.

No question – from where I sit in Washington, DC, the regard for the

Philippines is at its best in the Western world because, in spite of the very challenging situation in the South China Sea, President Marcos is unflinching in asserting Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity while at the same time showing patience in continuing to reach out to China, as well as other claimant nations, to seek a peaceful resolution to maritime disputes.

In his quest to find a peaceful solution, the president is taking the lead to talk with concerned ASEAN membercountries to push for a separate Code of Conduct to resolve conflicting maritime claims that would be mutually beneficial to all claimants without sacrificing our respective interests. During the visit of President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, the discussion specifically touched on developments in the South China Sea and how to find common interests between ASEAN member-nations.

The president will also be going to Vietnam for an official visit within this month, with the discussion expected to include the South China Sea issue and how the two countries can deepen bilateral ties even further.

As it turns out, our President is proving to be our super top diplomat. So many invitations from so many countries inviting him to visit are being sent to us. The fact is, his foreign travels are elevating the profile of the Philippines

not only as a leading investment hub in Asia but as a major player in the Indo-Pacific region. What better news to come out of these foreign trips than the DTI report: Presidential foreign trips have resulted in P294 billion worth of investments.

Last Friday, U.S. President Biden announced that he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila on March 11-12 headed by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to “enhance US companies’ contributions” to key sectors and “reinforce the Philippines as a key hub for regional supply chains and highquality investment.”

Many of those who did not welcome the idea of a Marcos in Malacañang are now seeing PBBM differently. The stars were indeed aligned for him because he has taken on the presidency at the most consequential time – a destiny he has embraced as the Philippines is poised to play a major role in the world today, especially when it comes to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

(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. *** babeseyeview@gmail.com

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

11

Emergency interview and an expedited visa for Don Tagala’s mother on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday DON Tagala, the award-winning reporter on TFC News, desperately wanted his mother, Vinia, to come to the U.S. because his sister, Almira, became critically ill in

ABS-CBN North America News Correspondent Don Tagala (left) welcomes his mother, Vinia (right), at JFK International Airport.

2019. His mother could be there for her children for emotional support and to make crucial life-decisions.

The hospital where Almira was on life support even emailed the U.S. Embassy explaining the circumstance and requesting for a visitor’s visa for Vinia. However, the Embassy instructed the hospital to go through the normal process.

Time was running out, so Don went to leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel to seek his assistance and expert advice. Confident that Vinia would abide by the terms of her visa and return to the Philippines, Atty Gurfinkel immediately sought an emergency visitor visa and expedited interview, so Mommy Vinia could arrive in the U.S. as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, while all preparations were going on, Don’s sister passed away PAGE 12

LEASING FULLY FURNISHED

CALL CENTER OFFICES Inquire Now! Check out our brand new serviced offices in prime locations & book a tour!

LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL EXPEDITES AN EMERGENCY VISITOR’S VISA FOR DON TAGALA’S MOTHER, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Don Tagala (left), ABS-CBN news correspondent for North America, needed a visitor’s visa for his mother so she could come to the U.S. to be with her critically ill daughter. Time was running out, so Don sought the help of Atty. Gurfinkel who was able to secure an emergency interview at the U.S. Embassy.

The earliest appointment had been August 13, but Mommy Vinia was able to be interviewed earlier, and her visa was issued on an expedited basis. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

www.salesrain.com info@salesrain.com +63 917 311 7246 / +1 858 229 9858 MAKATI • BGC • MANDALUYONG • ORTIGAS • BRIDGETOWNE • EASTWOOD

WE UNDERSTAND YOUR BUSINESS

12 JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS MOST of the food products we eat today have healthier alternative items. If we are serious about staying healthy and maximizing our natural longevity, that option is open to us. All we have to do is to educate ourselves, which, today, is not hard to do, thanks to Dr. Google and the world wide web.

Unlike Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon’s quest for that elusive fountain of youth, which, unbeknownst to him was right under his nose, we, in this 21st century, equipped with evidencebased medical data, know that we have in our hands the knowledge and ability to live a healthy lifestyle to boost our immune system, minimize our risk for preventable diseases, and extend our life span to its full potential. Life expectancy in the U.S. in the 1800s was about 35; in the 1900s, around 47; and today, an average of 79.3.

There are some food items in our own pantry at home which make our skin look older and our body age faster. They are a group of food items with compounds called AGEs (Advance Glycation Endproducts) which have aging effect on our skin, our immune system, and body as a whole. Replacing these food items with healthier options could help slow down aging.

AGEs are bad compounds that result from proteins or fats in our system combining with sugars.

Low carbohydrate meals, and minimizing or, even better, eliminating rice from our diet is a healthy option.

Many vegetables and some protein foods also contain some carbohydrates (sugar), so we do not have to add rice to our diet.

The Mediterranean and the South Beach diets are basically offering a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, sea food and low-carbs and less red meats. And then there is the keto diet of high in protein and negligible carbs. All these basically acknowledge the health hazard in sugars and red meat, especially processed meats (bacon, sausages, hot dogs, etc.), toxic items that induce oxidation and inflammation, which also

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Swap for health

increase our risk for cancer.

What are the healthier alternatives?

Sweet potato instead of rice – Rice, even the brown variety or Basmati, has high glycemic index, causing our blood sugar level to spike fast, unlike vegetables, which take longer to bring the blood sugar up and therefore maintaining a healthier, even keel. As such, eating rice leads to being overweight or obesity in most people, and abstinence from it helps reduce weight. Rice is indeed the archenemy of diabetes and obesity.

Sweet potato has a lower glycemic index, even lower than regular potato and unhealthy french fries.

Sweet potato also contains a lot of copper, which counteracts AGEs and helps in collagen production for our skin.

Honey or fruits – For sweetener, honey or fruits are better alternative to white sugar, brown sugar, or even raw sugar. Of course, the less sugar (carbs), the better. Fruits, like berries, grapefruits, mangos, pomegranates, apples, mangosteen, avocados, etc., and quinoa, whole grains (barley, oats, rye, triticale and flaxseed), and nuts are healthy. Diabetics should always comply with their prescribed caloric intake.

Drinking coffee black is healthier, sans cream and sugar. Sugars are sweet but a bitter enemy of our health.

Sprouted bread to white bread – Like rice, white bread and pastry made of wheat and white flour, cause inflammatory reaction in the body. They also have high glycemic index, besides containing AGEs. Sprouted bread or those made with whole grains are more anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, which help in flushing out AGEs. Fish and chicken instead of red meat – Fish and chicken (especially chicken breast) is healthier than red meat. Processed meats of any kind (deli meats, bacon, hot dog, sausage, salami, etc.) contain additives and are unhealthy. Eating red meat regularly (more than twice a week), as we have written in the past, is associated with increased risk for colon and pancreatic cancers, etc., especially when grilled over high temperature. Red meat and rice are not essential food

items. We can live healthier and even longer without them.

Dark chocolate instead of sugar-loaded candies – Chocolates, rich in antioxidant flavonoids, especially the dark variety, which aid in counteracting the adverse effects of free radicals and AGEs, reduce the oxidative process that makes us age faster and develop diseases.

Filtered water instead of soft drinks – I have labelled all forms of soft drinks as “liquid candies” in my book on healthy lifestyle and disease prevention, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children” (view at philipSchua. com and amazon.com).

This beverage is toxic to adults and children alike.

It increases the risk for metabolic syndrome, the precursor of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. The safest beverage we have is water which has undergone 8-stage reversed osmosis filtration, which removes harmful chemicals in water, and UV light treatment to eliminate bacteria and viruses.

Virgin olive oil instead of margarine, butter, or other veggie oils – For cooking, it is healthier to use olive oil, preferably the virgin variety, compared to using any vegetable, corn, or canola oil. Olive oil can withstand higher temperature unlike the others, but in either case, the use of very high temperature higher than 300 is not healthy.

Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil, which is good as cosmetic oil for the hair and skin, is not as healthy as virgin olive oil as food.

Brussel sprouts instead of corn – Corn is starchy and induces inflammatory reaction in the body, causing GI problems and obesity for some people. Occasional indulgence in corn is fine.

Fructose induces collagen destruction. Brussel sprouts contain a lot of Lipoic acid, which counteracts this fructose effect to maintain good collagen level in our skin. Not to mention the beneficial antioxidant, antiinflammatory effects of this vegetables plus the fiber in them. They are good sources of Vitamin B1, B6, C and K, and folate, choline, manganese, potassium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids too.

Carrots, celery, broccoli instead of hamburgers

and sweets – For snacks, meats, sweets, desserts and cakes are healthsnatchers.

The better alternatives are carrots, celery, broccoli, and veggies in general, for their antistress, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that boost our immune system, lowering our risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and cancer.

Besides the quality of food items, quantity of our daily caloric intake is most essential to health and longevity. Pushing ourselves away from the table less than full and drinking a lot of water to fill the gap is a healthy and most rewarding discipline.

At any rate, a full and happy life is worth all the effort we put into it. Juan Ponce never found his miracle water of youth. He died in 1521, barely 61. That ephemeral fountain that eluded JP is what we today call healthy lifestyle. *** 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. *** 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. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Emergency interview...

PAGE 11 on June 24. The visitor visa application was updated, asking the Embassy to still expedite the visa to now enable Don’s mother to attend the funeral, instead of the original request to visit Almira at the hospital.

Atty. Gurfinkel was able to secure an emergency interview on June 26 (where the earliest available appointment would have normally been August 13) and an expedited visa was also issued the same day.

On June 28, 2019, Mommy Vinia arrived in New York, four days after her daughter passed on. She was able to attend the funeral and be there for Don. While it was a bittersweet reunion for Don and his mother in the U.S., it is important to know what to do and where to seek help if an emergency arises.

Watch this encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 21 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

Celebrity couple Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones at the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball.

Philstar.com photo

Jericho denies breakup with Kim

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTOR Jericho Rosales denied rumors that he and wife Kim Jones have separated.

In a report by PEP, Jericho said that he didn’t want to talk about his personal life.

“No comment because it’s not the place. I never really talk about my relationships but we’re happy, we’re good,” he said.

“Kim and I, we’re amazing, we’re fantastic,” he added.

When asked how is his love life right now, Jericho said: “Good, great, amazing, fantastic.”

Jericho and Kim shut

down speculations that they broke up after they attended the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball together last September 2023.

Jericho and Kim were more than happy to be attending the long-delayed return of the ball and were excited to rekindle some old friendships.

“It feels so good, we have so many good memories here.

Seeing everyone together again is so much fun. To kiss and hug everyone we haven’t seen since before the pandemic,” Kim told Philstar.com, which Jericho reciprocated by saying, “We’re just excited, we just want to see everyone now.” g

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024 13

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon IN this week’s article, I would like to provide an overview of how installment agreements are often used by the IRS in tax collection.

When you can’t pay the government what you owe all at once, the IRS will allow you to make monthly payments over a reasonable amount of time, usually 60 to 72 months. But it can also be longer as long as the liability can paid over the life of the collection statute (10 years from the date of assessment).

The IRS wants their money as soon as possible.

That’s a given. But for those individuals and businesses who are not able to resolve their tax debt immediately, the IRS may have no choice but to agree to a payment plan based on your surplus income after allowable living expenses are deducted. I say “allowable” because the IRS does not allow all expenses.

The expenses must be in line with the IRS guidelines and that can sometime be tricky or frustrating to taxpayers who are spending more than is acceptable. In some cases, the IRS may allow you one year to adjust your expenses to give you some time to reduce them.

Installment agreements require that you commit future tax refunds towards paying your outstanding balance. If you owe for several years, the IRS will apply your payments to your oldest liabilities first.

Can’t pay your IRS taxes?

If your refunds are not sufficient to pay what you owe, your agreement will simply continue until all the terms are satisfied. If you owe $50,000 or less, you may qualify for a streamlined agreement if you can pay your liability over 5 years. What this means is that you may not be required to submit collection information statements which detail your income and expenses. This applies even if you have sufficient assets to satisfy your tax debt.

Once the installment agreement is in place, you must remain current on your monthly payments. If you run into some problems and have to miss some payments, it is best to call the IRS and let them know.

If you do nothing, you are considered in default.

When that happens, your agreement will be cancelled by the IRS and they will take enforced collection action such as a bank levy, wage garnishment, or a federal tax lien being filed against your home or other real property. In some cases, your U.S. passport can even be revoked, and you will not be able to leave the country until you get current again.

Unfortunately, interest and penalties do not stop with an installment agreement.

So, the longer it takes for you to pay what you owe, the larger your tax liability becomes. For this reason, it is important that a qualified tax professional review

your case thoroughly to see if this is in fact your best option. For example, if you have assets that can be sold to resolve your tax liability much more quickly, this could be a good alternative and less costly for you in the long run, even if it means only being able to pay your taxes partially and reducing the principal balance before you enter into an installment agreement.

If you qualify for tax debt forgiveness (called an “Offer in Compromise”), this may also be a good option if you qualify. With this option, you will be able to significantly reduce what you owe the IRS via a settlement and get the IRS out of your life once and for all.

If you owe the IRS, the State, EDD or State Board of Equalization, my office can help you find the best solution to resolve your tax liability. You will never have to speak with the IRS again. I will review your case and help you make the best decision for yourself and family. ***

I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866471-8272.

(Advertising Supplement)

How Christopher de Leon stays in tip-top shape at 67

By Pat-P Daza Philstar.com

POWER couple Christopher “Boyet” de Leon and beautiful wife Sandy Andolong (who was sporting a new pixie haircut) hosted a casual and fun lunch in Mario’s Tomas Morato last Thursday for Manay Lolit Solis, Boyet’s talent manager of 25-plus years. Present were Leo Espinosa, lifestylist; Salve Asis, Entertainment editor of Pilipino Star Ngayon and Pang-Masa as well as newly elected president of SPEED (Society

of Philippine Entertainment Editors); Gorgy Rula of PEP entertainment; Mr. Fu, radio and TV personality; and Noel Ferrer, talent manager, producer, writer, and Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) spokesperson.

Boyet was seated next to me, and he readily agreed when I asked if I could interview him. I couldn’t get over the fact that at age 67, he still has his boyish charm, movie star good looks, and the body of a man in tip-top shape! And so I began our chat by asking him how he kept his muscles in all the

right places, and why he didn’t have a beer belly. He replied that he has a mistress whose name is “gym,” and that she is the one who keeps him in shape. He works out almost every day and eats anything and everything but pork. (During our lunch, he had a Ceasar salad and spaghetti Bolognese; for dessert, apple pie and coffee.)

Sandy works out as well, but not as much as Boyet so he has to remind her to exercise once in a while.

Boyet and Sandy have five children: Rafael, 40; PAGE 15

MEDICAL MISSION IN NUEVA ECIJA. Munoz (The Science City) Mayor “Baby” Armi L. Alvarez (seated, 3rd from left, in light blue shirt) poses with the members of the Philippine-American Association of Nevada medical mission team, headed by Daniel C. Fabito, MD, FACS, FPCS, PAAN president (in scrub suit), Luz Micabalo, Philippine-American Charity Foundation President, and Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, (standing, 4th from the left) chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA and Asian Journal columnist. During the 5-day mission in Munoz and Talavera, the missionaries provided consultations and free medications to more than 500 individuals, and performed surgeries, including for various tumors, thyroid and gallbladder surgeries, hernia repair, hysterectomy, and dozens of minor procedures.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Philip Chua

Gerald on possibility of quitting showbiz: I’ll still survive

By Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

ACTOR Gerald Anderson, who said he learned valuable lessons from people’s collective experience during the pandemic lockdowns, has these pointers to share on how to save for the rainy days.

“Always be prepared. Make sure you have emergency funds,” Gerald began. “Try to save up, too. If you don’t really need something, don’t buy it.”

Gerald, who is an auxiliary commander of the K9 Special Support Squadron of the Philippine Coast Guard, was active in helping out people whose livelihoods were affected by the series of lockdowns since 2020.

“I realized that there are only a few things a person needs in order to live comfortably, and that some people spend so much on things that are of no use to them during the crisis.

None of us expected the pandemic to happen, but now that we’re slowly recovering from it, we should all try to pick up some lessons from it,” he pointed out.

A learning process Gerald continued: “It’s still a learning process for me. Although I’m very thankful that I still have lots to do for this industry, I also want to achieve something outside of it.”

This was why Gerald invested in a commercial gym, a private resort and, most recently, a restaurant.

“They are what’s keeping me busy other than my work as an actor. I’m very handson when it comes to my businesses. For me, they’re the manifestation of what I envisioned in my mind. I spent my hard-earned money on them. I can’t expect other people to care for them more than I do,” he stressed.

“That’s why I have high respect for my bosses in ABS-CBN. With all that our company has gone through, they really tried to keep everyone’s livelihood afloat.”

Gerald said that, growing up, he would always hear people telling him to save up because one is never certain about what’s going to happen to his future.

Staying relevant “I also remember that while I was still a contestant on PBB (‘Pinoy Big Brother’),

Gerald Anderson

Photo from Instagram/@andersongeraldjr

people said I would only last for six to eight months in show biz,” he recalled.

“I endured so many criticisms. I still experience them up to now. I’m also aware that, in spite of all that I’ve accomplished as an actor, everything can still be taken away from me. I want to prove to myself that when this happens, I will still be able to survive, that I will be able to take good care of my family. This is not to say I’m ready to leave showbiz, I’m just saying we will all have to face challenges in life, so we have to be ready for them.”

When asked for his advice on how to stay relevant in the industry, Gerald said: “When I left the PBB house, I knew nothing about what this industry was like. I didn’t even know how to be an actor. I also didn’t know what I really wanted to do for myself, but I persevered because I had a lot of help.

“When the day ends, we’re all tired, including the director, cameramen and other staff members, but we should still treat each other with respect. We should care for each other because we’re part of one team. I’m not saying that we should just say ‘yes’ to whatever our superiors are telling us to do.

What we should do is come up with good work and remain respectful at all times.” g

14 JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY JA N UA RY 1 9, 2 0 24

14

people events arts culture entertainment

Meet the Filipina ballerina who played the lead in Atlanta Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Mikaela Santos played Marie in the December 2023 run of Yuri Possokhov’s take on the ballet classic by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Filipino actor Red Concepcion joins ‘Chicago the Musical’ as Amos Hart, marks Broadway debut.

Photo from Instagram/@chicagomusical

Filipino actor Red Concepcion makes Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’

by HANS CARBONILLA Inquirer.net

THE Filipino community in the United States is celebrating a new addition to the Broadway scene as acclaimed actor Red Concepcion officially takes the stage in the Tony Awardwinning “Chicago the Musical,” marking his debut on Broadway.

This milestone unfolds as Concepcion steps into the role of Amos Hart in what is widely regarded as the longest-running American musical currently gracing the Broadway stage.

His engagement will commence on Jan. 15 until Mar. 24.

In an Instagram post, the musical’s page extends a warm welcome to the Filipino theater actor with a caption, “Welcome to CHICAGO, @ red_concepcion! He joins our cast and makes his Broadway debut as Amos Hart beginning Monday, January 15th!”

Concepcion, renowned

for his portrayal of The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” during the U.S. National and UK and Ireland Tours, offered a glimpse behind the scenes with snapshots from rehearsals.

“The only rehearsal pic I’ve taken. What a whirlwind it’s been! Hope to see you all Monday!,” he wrote.

For those unfamiliar with Concepcion’s work, he gained acclaim for his lead role as Alan Strang in the Manila restaging of Peter Shaffer’s psychological drama “Equus.”

In 2014, he clinched the Aliw Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Gawad Buhay Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Musical for his performance as Adam/Felicia in the Manila production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

Concepcion joins Charlotte d’Amboise (Roxie Hart), Max von Essen (Billy Flynn), R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine), Kimberly Marable (Velma Kelly), Lili Thomas as Matron “Mama” Morton. 

MIKAELA Santos, 25, recently made headlines in the U.S after she played the lead female role, Marie, in Atlanta Ballet’s December run of “The Nutcracker.”

Hailing from Taguig, the ballerina joined the Atlanta Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 before becoming a member the following year at only 17. Before her turn in the spotlight, Santos has been playing small roles in the ballet company’s runs of the Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky classic in previous years. She’s done Chinese and Spanish variations, and played in small scenes as a supporting role prior to her announcement as Marie last year.

“I’ve done this version of ‘The Nutcracker’ for six years, and every year it feels like we are transported to a different place,” she said in an interview with an Atlanta-based publication.

And though she was one of four different casts in the total 19 performances of the ballet, Santos is still reeling from this opportunity.

“Every time I step on the stage, it’s like basically showing [that] this is what I love and I’ve been working on it since I was like 11 or 12, you know?” she told a local reporter in a TFC interview. “And I just want to show people that, you know, it’s possible, you can do it if you put in the work.”

Santos began her ballet training as early as three years old, encouraged by her parents. In her teens, she joined the Effie Nañas School of Classical Ballet and in 2014, won second place in the Junior Division at the first Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition. This earned her a spot at the Philippine Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in March 2016.

In the same year, she became a finalist at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida where one of the judges, Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin, noticed her.

“She was a young but determined competitor with strong technical skills that demonstrated great potential to become a professional dancer,” Nedvigin spoke of Santos in an interview.

She was soon offered a scholarship to the Atlanta Ballet Professional Summer Intensive and was subsequently offered a position in the Fellowship Ensemble.

“After joining Atlanta Ballet 2

Meet Mikaela Santos, the 25-year-old Filipino ballerina who played the lead in Atlanta Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Photos courtesy of Atlanta Ballet

(Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education’s highest level of training) and now six years with the company, Mikaela has gained the confidence and artistry needed to perform a lead role. She developed her own style and personality while on stage,” Nedvigin continued.

Santos has since performed in Atlanta Ballet’s John McFall’s “The Nutcracker,” Bruce Wells’ “Snow White,” Marius Petipa’s “Paquita,” Yuri Possokhov’s “Firebird,” David Bintley’s “Carmina Burana,” and Robert Barnett’s “Arenskey,” Marius Petipa, Jean Coralli, and Jules Perrot’s “Giselle,” and Sergio Masero’s “Schubertiada.”

In March 2023, she starred in her first full-length ballet performance as Kitri in Yuri Possokhov’s “Don Quixote.”

The 25-year-old ballerina was also included in Dance Magazine’s “25 To Watch” list in 2023. “It’s her imaginative spark—along with pristine technique and bright musicality—that makes Mikaela Santos one of Atlanta Ballet’s most captivating dancers,” the write-up read.

Santos considers Romanian Alina Cojocaru and Argentinian Marianela Nunes among her ballet idols. “Both dancers are very different, but I love how effortless and strong they make every

step look on stage and off,” she said in another interview.

Looking at how far she’s come, Santos often thinks of why she had to go abroad to pursue her dream of performing arts. She said in one interview, at the time, she didn’t feel like the arts were supported in the country like it is abroad.

Asked if she has any advice for aspiring Filipino dancers who want to pursue a career in dance outside of the Philippines, she said the key is to be patient and open to changes.

“There will be a lot of challenges along the way but take it as a learning experience. Never doubt or look down on yourself because no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, as long as you keep a positive mindset you will eventually reach your goals.”

At 25, Santos still has a lot of dreams she wants to fulfill, like dancing in Europe or maybe even going back to the country and performing at home.

“I really do want to go back and dance there because it’s my home. My family is still there. I would love for them to see me perform now that I’m actually a professional.”

Santos will star in the Atlanta Ballet’s March 2024 production of “Cinderella”

by Bruce Wells. (Inquirer.net)

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Why Mark declined and then accepted job to direct ‘Mr. Streisand’

By Carlo orosa Philstar.com

KNOWN primarily as a pop singer and TV/film/stage actor, Mark Bautista is embracing the challenge of directing a unique concert that features Philippine theater’s best male singers performing Barbra Streisand songs.

Recalling how he initially declined the opportunity, Mark said, “Project head Stella Sison asked me to direct a particular concert, na hindi rin natuloy and at that time I was hesitant. I felt I was not ready and didn’t see myself yet as a director, so I told her, ‘Pass muna ako.’”

Then, at the Hamilton gala last September, Stella chanced upon Mark and asked him again if he’d be interested directing a concert of Barbra Streisand songs featuring male singers.

He shared, “Akala ko pa nga ako ba kakanta? Kasama ba ako?” Stella replied, “Ikaw ang gusto kong mag-direct, (I) will call it ‘Mr. Streisand.’”

At first, Mark thought Stella was joking. “Akala ko pa it was a joke,” he laughed, “or will this be another project na hindi matutuloy? Weeks after the gala, she called again and asked if I were up to the job directing it. I told her, ‘Give me two more days to think about it.’

Then, I called her and asked questions

Singer-actor Mark Bautista wears the director’s hat for the Stages Sessions’ concert titled Mr. Streisand.

Photo from Instagram/@iammarkbautista

like who’s performing in it? What’s the venue?”

“I gave suggestions, ideas without confirming that I would do it,” he continued. “Still, it took me a week to decide and eventually I said yes. Then, she served me a contract. After that, I said to myself, ‘Oh, no there’s no turning back on this. This is it.”

He admitted to experiencing apprehension at the outset, saying, “May fear sa akin because first time kong mag-direct at hindi lang ‘to isang artist, but anim na batikang performers.

“Iba pa sa kanila nakatrabaho ko na, dinerek na rin ako sa isang musical, naging coach ko pa sa isang musical, sina

Michael Williams and Audie Gemora.

So, dun ako lalong nagkaroon ng fear.”

Despite his fear, Mark viewed it as a chance for artistic and career growth.

He said, “but then, I thought this would be good for my artistry, my career. It will be something new to expand myself and since I’m celebrating my 20th year, I thought it will be something different, instead of doing a concert.”

The singer revealed that he has directed portions of his GMA 7 weekend show All-Out Sundays and collaborated with other directors, but nothing like a concert of this scale.

Mark’s directorial concert debut centers around a group of male friends who come together in a lounge or a green room where they exchange stories and experiences relating to Streisand songs.

Mark expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “It still has to be presented in a theatrical way, and at the end of the concert, I want the audience to say na sila pala talaga ang ‘Mr. Streisand!’”

Presented by Stages Sessions, Mr. Streisand will be staged on Feb. 10, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum. It will feature the country’s Filipino musical theater actors Audie Gemora, Michael Williams, Jett Pangan, Franco Laurel, Arman Ferrer and Michael de Mesa. Musical direction is by Rony Fortich. g

Ogie Alcasid praises SB19, Zack Tabudlo, other young artists

By Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

AMONG those the veteran hitmaker commended are Arthur Nery, Zack Tabudlo and Adie.

“Madami,” he began when asked by The STAR during a roundtable interview if there’s any young artist who has caught his attention.

“Si Arthur Nery, si Zack Tabudlo and si Adie. Si Adie, nakatrabaho ko sa Wish, hinintay ko, nasa likod lang ako, pinapakinggan ko, tilian ang mga babae, galing! Then last New Year, narinig ko si Arthur Nery, I said, ang galing naman ng mga batang nito.

Of course, Zack, who doesn’t know Zack?

“Then I go to their Spotify, eto na yung mga bago… Eto na yung mga pumalit sa amin and it makes me happy that most of them are singersongwriters. Hindi ko naman iniiba yung singers, of course, but yung singer-songwriter kasi, that’s me. I can identify with their journey more.

“Ang hirap talaga ng songwriter to be heard. Ang dami kasing magaling and it’s a very personal thing, kwento mo yun and it takes

Ogie Alcasid wants to write a new song with fellow OPM hitmaker Odette Quesada, whom he’s collaborating with in a two-night Valentine’s concert. Philstar.com photo

courage for you to expose your experiences. So, I tip my hat off to these young guys,” he said.

Ogie, who’s the president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), the country’s largest and longest-standing organization of performing artists, also expressed his admiration for the top P-pop group SB19.

“You know, SB19 for me, is one of those groups that we should be really, really proud of and elevate… and maybe we should also study them,” he noted, referring to reports that a special course on SB19 will be offered at the University of the Philippines.

He noted how SB19 and other young artists are getting noticed by audiences beyond the country.

“Si Zack is already making a mark, sikat siya sa ibang countries na, so is SB19, very popular in other countries.

That’s why I said we should elevate them, we should push them,” he said.

“Kaya lagi akong nagtutweet ‘pag nag-Billboard Top 10. I would (post about that) because as OPM president, pagnakakita ka ng ganun, parang wow, what an honor for a Filipino singing group such as SB19 na ma-elevate ng ganun and I would encourage everyone.”

Meanwhile, Ogie, who’s on his 35th year in the industry, shared that he’s working on some collaborations with younger artists this 2024.

“So, I’m excited for these ventures,” he said.

Even so, he admitted encountering difficulties

when trying to work with a young artist. He didn’t say who, but made it clear it didn’t offend him.

“No. I feel sad sometimes because well, they have their reasons ‘di ba? It’s hard to say kung ano yung reason.

Sometimes, a simple yes or no will suffice. But if you keep waiting and waiting (for a response), it’s hard,” he said.

Besides the new-gen artists, Ogie is also looking to explore the possibility of writing a new song with fellow OPM hitmaker Odette Quesada, whom he’s collaborating with in a twonight Valentine’s concert, Love, Q & A, on Feb. 13 at the NUSTAR Convention Center in Cebu, and on Feb. 14 and 15, 8 p.m., at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay.

Asked what he admires in Odette as a songwriter, he said, “So simple what she says, but Pinoy na Pinoy, alam na alam mo kaagad. Tsaka nung sinusulat niya yung mga kanta niya, teenager palang siya nun or maybe in her early 20s…and to have that kind of sensibility, ‘We used to be young…’ She’s a genius,” he said. g

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024 15

Christopher “Boyet” de Leon

Philstar.com photo

How Christopher...

PAGE 13 Miguel, 38; Gabriel, 35; Mariel, 30; and Mica, 27. All live abroad except for Mica, who still lives with mom and dad but will leave for the US soon and work there. Boyet and Sandy have three grandchildren and will be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary soon. To this day, it is evident that they still dote on one another.

Boyet first saw Sandy when she graced the cover of Express Week, the Sunday magazine of the ‘70s broadsheet, Daily Express. When he saw her photo, he made a mental note to “stalk” her. Fortunately, the late Marichu Maceda tapped Boyet to play Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Sandy Andolong to play Imelda Marcos for the short documentary Sundalong Ilokano. The project was about the life of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. when he was a soldier and was shot entirely in Ilocos Norte. That’s where Boyet met Sandy, though they were both romantically linked to others at the time. However, by the time they co-starred in Mike de Leon’s 1980 comedy satire Kakabakaba Ka Ba (with Charo Santos and Jay Ilagan), they were already dating.

Our chat then veered to Boyet’s latest movie, the MMFF romance When I Met You In Tokyo, which he starred in, cowrote and co-directed together with Vilma Santos. Boyet admitted that Vilma is his favorite leading lady. After all, they have made over 16 movies together and their onscreen chemistry is undeniable.

Speaking of Boyet’s other leading ladies, he revealed that the most challenging to work with is ex-wife Nora Aunor. He would also like to do another movie with Hilda Koronel, and recalled that during the filming of the romantic drama Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising — directed by Mike de Leon and released in 1977 — he was in awe of Hilda’s beauty but could only admire her from a distance since she was the wife of his best friend at the time, (the late) Jay Ilagan.

At this point during our lunch, Noel Ferrer shared that there is a chance Hilda Koronel will be invited to grace the MMFF later this year since December 2024 will be the MMFF’s 50th anniversary. I do hope that MMFF 50 will have a Boyet de Leon-Hilda Koronel movie. I’m sure moviegoers will line up to see it.

Going back to When I Met You in Tokyo, Boyet said that the film was actually supposed to be released in September 2023, but the producer was afraid that the rainy season would keep moviegoers away from theaters. And though the rains did not come, the movie was pushed back and became one of MMFF 2023’s 10 entries.

We then asked Noel why MMFF had 10 entries this year when there had always been eight in previous years. Noel tried to justify the 10 films, but we all agreed that a few of them felt like political concessions.

Noel then shared that the movie landscape has changed drastically. Pre-pandemic, the highest grossing day of the MMFF was always opening day, Dec. 25. This year, the highest grossing days were Jan. 6 and 7, which indicated that people waited to hear feedback or read movie reviews before they spent their money on tickets. The take home realization from MMFF 2023? Filipinos want quality movies and are willing to pay good money to see them. Who can argue with that when this MMFF has already breached the P1 billion target and could even close with a P1.2 billion gross? g

16 JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426