012723 - New York & New Jersey Edition

DATELINE USA

The long, overlooked history of Lunar New Year in the US

AROUND the world, Lunar New Year is celebrated in many unique ways: as Spring Festival in China, Tet Nguyên Đán in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea, Losar in Tibet, Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia, not to mention diaspora communities across the globe.

While ancient traditions are frequently discussed, the more recent history of these celebrations is less well-known. In the U.S., Asian Americans developed their own Lunar New Year traditions that were inflected by immigration, international relations, orientalism, and complicated relations with mainstream American society.

Steven Raga sworn in as New York’s first Filipino American State Assemblymember

by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress

FILIPINO American community leader Steven Raga officially took his oath of office as State Assemblymember representing New York’s 30th Assembly District as administered by United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday, Jan. 15 in Queens.

Raga became the first-ever Filipino American to be elected to any public office in the state of New York and in the 245 years of the New York State Legislature. Before his inauguration on Sunday, the official State Assembly swearing-in at the New York State Capitol in Albany a week earlier.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the Queens Museum with over 300

community leaders, elected officials, and organizations attending, many of whom wore their respective traditional and cultural attires in celebration of the historic moment and diversity of the Borough of Queens and Assembly District 30, which includes the neighborhoods of Woodside, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Maspeth, and Middle Village.

Filipino American family mourns the loss of 68-year-old Monterey Park shooting victim

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

FOLLOWING the tragic mass shooting that took place in Monterey Park on Saturday, Jan. 21, a Filipino family has confirmed that one of their relatives was among the 11 confirmed victims who were killed.

The family of 68-year-old Valentino Alvero first mourned the loss of their loved one along

by KAYCEE VALMONTE Philstar.com

MANILA —  The Philippines and the United States vowed Friday, January 20 to “invigorate” defense cooperation to address shared security concerns including disputes over the South China Sea.

Manila hosted a high-level security dialogue with its top defense ally as part

MANILA — After going on eight official foreign trips in the first seven months as chief executive, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he plans to cut down on travels this year to implement the agreements made in those trips.

In an almost hour-long

pre-recorded interview with news anchors and aired on state television on Monday evening, Marcos Jr. said he wanted to travel and attend conferences first because he was the “new kid on the block.”

He added that the visibility

by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress

AFTER an almost three-year hiatus brought about by the pandemic, the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour is back.

Consul General Senen Mangalile, in one of his first public events as the

new consul general, welcomed the media and travel industry leaders at the New York launch of the VIP Tour 2023 held at the Philippine Center on Monday, Jan. 23.

Formerly known as the Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors (ACGDT)

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

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer administers the oath of office of New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga, joined onstage by Filipino American community leaders led by Loida Nicolas Lewis. Photo by Jonathan Rampagoa

Monterey Park massacre shortly followed by Half Moon Bay shooting — the second California mass shooting in recent days

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City on September 22, 2022.

Malacañang file photo

Marcos to travel abroad less... Filipino American family mourns...

of the Philippines in the international arena would also be helpful in securing potential investors.

“We’re cutting our travels for the rest of the year now because we want to take inventory of what we started with while attending the ASEAN Summit, APEC, even the work we did with the EU in Brussels, as well as the trip to Davos,” Marcos Jr. said in Filipino.

“We need to take into account what we had agreed upon and take stock of the discussions and decide which ones to prioritize, none of which we’ve done yet because we keep going out of the country.”

Despite this, he said they have already confirmed the Philippine delegation’s attendance to this year’s APEC, which will be held in the United States in November. Marcos Jr. did not say if his planned  state visit to the US  this year would push through.

Marcos Jr., the jet-setter

Since he assumed office in June last year, Marcos had gone on eight official travels —  a mix of state visits and official trips to international conferences. He was in Indonesia and Singapore for state visits in the first week of September, before flying to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The chief executive also went on a weekend trip to Singapore for the Formula One Grand Prix  in October. In the face of criticism for being abroad while a typhoon was battering parts of the country, Marcos Jr. said the trip was “the best way to drum up business.”

In November, he went to Cambodia for the ASEAN Summit and then attended the Asia-

Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting held in Thailand.

He ended 2022 with a trip to Belgium for the ASEAN-European Union Commemorative Summit and started the year with a state visit to China.

Just last week, Marcos Jr. came back from a trip to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. He was criticized after the Philippine delegation reportedly had 70 members, prompting the public to ask – who foots the bill for these trips?

‘Return of investment’

“I don’t have the figures,” Marcos Jr. said when asked about the cost of his trips and the number of individuals in the official and the unofficial entourages.

Citing investment pledges, most of which have yet to come to fruition, Marcos Jr. just emphasized that the official travels are important because of the business he brings back.

“[In] terms of the cost, the way I see it, you have to look at it in terms of [return of investment]. Do we bring something back or do we not?” Marcos said.

He also added that apart from his Cabinet secretaries and their respective staff members and security, the Philippine delegation is also formed by members of the private sector – most of whom, he says, spend their own money during their travels.

“There’s accountability and transparency in everything that we do,” Marcos Jr. said.

“The critics will have their say but those who are actually contemplating putting good money into the Philippines have other issues and accountability and transparency is not an issue,”  he adds. g

with the other victims in an official statement posted by Alvero’s grand-niece Karmel Kwan on Monday, Jan. 23.

“Overnight, we became unwilling members of a community who has to mourn the loss of our loved ones due to gun violence. We are left frustrated, stuck with this vicious cycle,” the family said.

The family also shared what Alvero was like, describing him as “a loving father, a dedicated son and brother, a grandfather who loved his three granddaughters fiercely, an uncle who loved his nieces and nephews like his own.”

The family noted his love for dancing and community, describing Alvero as “the life of any party”; the shooting had taken place during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio.

“Most importantly, please remember that Valentino is more than just a headline or a news story,” the family affirmed. “He loved people and hearing about their lives and in return, he shared his own stories with so much gusto and enthusiasm that you couldn’t help but listen and laugh along with him.”

The family added that Alvero was a devout Catholic and asked fellow Catholics to pray for him by his baptismal name, Valentino Marcos Alvero. Stated in Kwan’s post, Alvero “was a faithful servant of God and we know he would want the world to lift his family in prayer more than anything.”

Following the events in Monterey Park and the confirmation of a Filipino victim, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles said in an official statement that it is ready to help out in whatever way they can in the aftermath of the tragedy.

“Our prayers go out to the families of the victims and we mourn with them during this lunar new year festival, which is supposed to be a time of gathering and celebration,” the consulate’s office said on Tuesday.

They added, “The Consulate General understands his family’s desire for privacy and space during this time of unimaginable difficulty. Nevertheless, we are ready

to assist them in whatever possible way should they reach out for any help we could give.”

In addition to Alvero, the LA coroner’s office confirmed the identities of three other Star Ballroom victims: 65-year-old My Nhan, 63-year-old Lilian Li, and 57-year-old Xiujuan Yu. These three were three of the six women who were killed.

Nhan’s family said in a statement that Nhan was an enthusiastic dancer whose kindness radiated.

“Unfairly, Saturday was her last dance. We are starting the Lunar New Year broken. We never imagined her life would end so suddenly,” Nhan’s family shared.

The LA Coroner’s Office released the identities of the remaining victims: Lilian Li, 63; Diana Tom, 70; Chia Yau, 77; Yu Kao, 72; Hong Jian, 62; Muoi Ung, 68; Wen Yu, 64.

The investigation into “why” ensues

As of Tuesday, Los Angeles County officials are working alongside local police departments in the investigation of the shooting, which authorities confirmed was carried out by a lone 72-year-old Asian man named Huu Can Tran.

Like Alvero, all the victims who passed away were over 50 years old.

“What drove a madman to do this? We don’t know, but we intend to find out,” said LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press briefing. After the massacre, Tran had driven to neighboring Alhambra, to another dance hall where he reportedly planned a second shooting.

But at the second location, an employee named Brandon Tsay wrestled with the shooter

and was able to take Tran’s modified 9 mm submachine gun-style semi-automatic weapon away from him before Tran fled the scene, officials said.

On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with Tsay, whose grandparents founded the dance hall.

“This remarkable young man who, without hesitation [and] though with moments of fear, took it upon himself to save countless lives — who knows how many lives he saved,” Newsom said of Tsay.

Tsay told reporters that while he’s proud of his actions, he noted that he wanted the focus to be on the victims and their families.

“Some of these people I know personally. They come to our studio. It’s a tight-knit community and I hope they can heal from this tragic event,” Tsay said.

Law enforcement said that the day after the shooting, Tran was found in a Torrance parking lot in a white van, dead from a selfinflicted gunshot.

The legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice of Southern California joined other Asian American advocacy groups in raising funds to support the Monterey Park victims.

The GoFundMe is seeking $750,000 and so far has raised $503,293. The coalition running the fundraiser said that 100% of the funds would be distributed to the victims and their families.

While this fundraiser is legitimate, California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who is Filipino American — warned Californians against fraudulent

Valentino Alvero, a 68-year-old U.S. citizen of Filipino descent, was among 11 killed in a shooting massacre at Monterey Park in California on Saturday, January 21, his family confirmed in a statement. Photo courtesy of Karmel Kwan/Twitter

Steven Raga sworn in as New York’s first

The speakers at the inauguration were among the who’s who in New York politics, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Deputy Majority Leader State Senator Michael Gianaris, State Senator John Liu, Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, and long-time friend and Filipino American community leader, Rachelle Ocampo.

Notable attendees included Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and several colleagues in the New York State Assembly including Assemblymember Ron Kim, Assemblymember Juan Ardila, Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar, Assemblymember Alex Bores, Assemblymember Jessica GonzalesRojas, and City Councilmember Julie Won.

PH, US vow to boost...

of efforts by President Ferdinand Marcos to restore a seven-decade partnership that was unsettled by his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

The allies agreed “to invigorate defense and security cooperation and ensure the alliance adapts effectively to face new and emerging challenges”, a joint statement said.

“I can assure you that during our conversations, the important issues related to the South China Sea were central to our conversations,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink told a news conference.

China and the  Philippines  are at odds over the South China Sea, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over almost the entire area despite an international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

The  Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims to parts of the sea.

“We agreed on several important initiatives that demonstrate our unwavering commitment to our alliance and partnership,” Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro told the news conference.

The two countries, bound by a 1951 mutual defense treaty, agreed to hold talks in mid-2023 that would allow their governments to “plan ahead for and ensure more coordinated responses to potential flashpoints”.

They also agreed to speed up the completion of projects that allow US forces to store equipment at select Philippine military bases, as well as to identify “additional agreed locations” for the purpose.

Washington will host a “maritime dialogue” with Manila this year to identify potential joint maritime activities.

Poorly armed Manila also agreed Friday to take steps to “streamline technology transfer” and develop a “roadmap for defense modernization”.

On Wednesday President Marcos expressed renewed concern over the South China Sea including tense interactions between US and Chinese warships in the area.

“If something goes wrong here we are going to suffer,” Marcos said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

During his 2016-2022 presidency, Duterte repeatedly made public his doubts that the United States would come to the aid of the  Philippines  in the event of armed conflict with China, despite their defense pact.

He worked to build ties with Beijing to bring in trade and investment, while setting aside the territorial dispute.

Kritenbrink reiterated Friday what he called “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of the  Republic of the Philippines”. (Philstar.com with reports from AFP)

Filipino American community leaders led by Loida Nicolas Lewis, Laura Garcia, Dely Po Go, Juliet Payabyab, Caesar and Dulce Barangan, among others also came in full force to support Raga.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke and administered the Ceremonial Oath of Office.

“I know Assemblymember Steven Raga will continue in the fine tradition of Filipino Americans in public service in our nation, as he broke the glass ceiling becoming the first-ever Filipino American to be elected in New York State, and it’s not surprising why voters of all

backgrounds chose Steven to become their next Assemblymember,” Sen. Schumer said.

After being administered the Oath of Office, Assemblymember Raga delivered a speech reflecting upon his recent journey to the office, as well as his early upbringing growing up in an immigrant single-mother household, and thanked supporters and friends.

“Today, I am humbled by the outpour of support, filled with gratitude for the duty that you have entrusted upon me, and excited about the possibilities for collaboration, and working together towards a better Assembly District 30, and New York State,” said Assemblymember Raga.

“This is a historic day,” said State Senator John Liu. “The Filipino American community has done so much for New York, our city, our state, and indeed our nation. The community continues to grow by leaps, by bounds, and I am honored and look forward to serving our respective communities, and representing the Asian American community in the chambers of Albany, alongside the first-ever Filipino American to be elected in New York State.”

“I’m proud to have encouraged Steven to seek this position and serve our borough in elective office,” Congresswoman Grace Meng shared. “I congratulate him for this historic feat for the Asian American community and for Queens. I am more than confident that Assemblymember Raga will deliver, advocate, and fight for his constituents in the 30th Assembly District and I look forward to working with him to deliver support for the families of Queens, and our shared constituencies.”

Cultural performances from performers within the district followed, including the reciting of the poem  Maspeth Marches On by renowned poet and Maspeth native, Vincent Tomeo, the  Sinulog  by Filipino American dance group, CEBU Inc. Tribu Cebuano,  Ecuadorian Traditions and Customs  by local Ecuadorian dance group, Yachak Kallary directed by Javier Chanla, and the closing performance,  Bayan Ko , performed by Miguel Braganza II and Krizia Daya. Anna Lucente Sterling, Filipino American reporter and video journalist based in New York City was the event’s master of ceremonies. g

FESTIVE ARRIVAL. Dragon dance performers welcome tourists from China at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Around 200 Chinese nationals arrived as travel restrictions ease nearly three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. PNA photo by

Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected in New York State, poses with Filipino American community leaders and supporters who came in full force at his inauguration ceremony.

Assemblymember Steven Raga sitting alongside U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

Assemblymember Steven Raga alongside members of the Nepali American Community.

Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Carl Heastie, pins the Official New York State Assembly Pin on Assemblymember Steven Raga after taking the Oath of Office, and speaking. Photos by Jonathan Rampagoa

FEATURES OPINION

The maintenance work at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport lasted only for nearly two hours, but it still delayed at least 47 flights as Philippine airspace was shut down anew early Sunday morning, January 21.

It was a continuation of the problem that crippled air travel in and out of the country on New Year’s Day. As initial investigation showed, a cooling fan broke down on Jan. 1, making the uninterrupted power supply for the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance for Air Traffic Management system break down. The standby UPS, however, failed to kick in. When the CNS / ATM was connected to the NAIA’s commercial power line, a circuit breaker failed to work and the system was fried, grounding flights across the country. The probe is not yet complete. Sunday’s shutdown was for the replacement of the blowing or cooling fan for the second UPS, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, which operates the CNS / ATM. But the shutdown still delayed at least nine flights at the NAIA taxiway and another

Babe’s Eye View

Philippines.

THE four-day 10th  Bilateral Strategic Dialogue held in Manila hosted by our Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense was very successful and productive, with discussions centering on various issues that are of mutual interest between the United States and the

38 flights that were awaiting clearance.

This time, at least, airlines received notice on Saturday about the maintenance work scheduled to begin at 4:20 a.m. on Sunday. It was supposed to last for only an hour, but the notice to airmen was lifted only at 6:19 a.m. Last Jan. 1, the shutdown delayed or diverted around 300 flights, affecting an estimated 56,000 travelers both in the country and abroad. Many of those stranded at the NAIA were overseas Filipino workers waiting for their flights to their host countries after the holiday break.

President Marcos later apologized for the New Year shutdown and said emergency procurements were being made for circuit breakers and cooling fans. Probers are still trying to establish conclusively if the technical problems were not caused by sabotage.

Aside from DFA Undersecretary Teresita Lazaro, with us in the Philippine delegation were DFA Assistant Secretary JV Chan-Gonzaga, DND Undersecretary Angelito de Leon and Assistant Secretary Henry Robinson. Leading the delegation from the U.S. for the BSD was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink along with delegation co-chair

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Lindsey Ford and of course our dear friend, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.

In November 2021, the 9th  BSD hosted in Washington, DC was held with a very small delegation from both sides due to COVID-19. But despite that, the discussions were very substantial, with both delegations coming out with a  “Joint Vision for a 21st  Century United States-

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista has said that depending on the outcome of the probes being conducted by several agencies including Congress, heads could roll.

In the meantime, the damaged CNS / ATM system will have to undergo continuing maintenance works, which could mean more delayed flights. This is bad news as people

Signs of the times Rea rming our commitment to PH-US relations

Philippines Partnership” that not only outlined several  areas of cooperation aimed at boosting security and economic ties, but also took into consideration the current realities and challenges that both the Philippines and the United States may face.

During the 9th  BSD, we agreed to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in light of the prevailing geopolitical tensions,

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL

resume traveling after the COVID restrictions. The NAIA, the country’s main gateway, suffers enough from inadequate facilities and years of bad reviews from travelers. Authorities will have to work harder to improve airport services and make arrival and departure in the country a pleasant experience. (Philstar. com)

particularly in the maritime areas of the Philippines.

An annual consultative mechanism that allows both nations to discuss the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S., the BSD helps us envision the path that we want the partnership to take in order to navigate an evolving geopolitical landscape and deal with challenges that have been aggravated by the pandemic

and the situation in Ukraine.

We’re pleased to note that the face-to-face discussions during the 10th  BSD provided a great opportunity for both sides to talk about concrete ways by which the Philippines and the United States can further boost all other aspects of their bilateral relations. Defense matters were naturally discussed, but the dialogue also tackled economic concerns,

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Marcos rejects proposal to use GOCC money for Maharlika fund

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected a proposal to use dividends coming from governmentowned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) for the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund.

Speaking to reporters in Malacañang, Marcos said that it would be illegal to use GOCC funds for the MIF.

“You cannot use funds of the GOCC; pera ng gobyerno ‘yun (that’s government money). What will the government spend? It was a proposal. It’s not something that we have adopted,” he said.

The President said that

the government would have to revise the charters of GOCCs if it were to tap their funds.

“I don’t think that’s a viable proposition, at least not for us. I know that there are other sovereign wealth funds that have been in that way. But it is not appropriate for us,” he added.

Marcos said that the idea of using GOCC money for the MIF was broached in Davos, Switzerland, but that he was “lukewarm” about it after discussing it with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

The House of Representatives passed House Bill 6608 or the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund Act on

its third and final reading on December 15 last year. It was transmitted to the Senate on December 19.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he expects the bill establishing the Maharlika Fund to be passed by the upper chamber on final reading after the Holy Week in March.

Meanwhile, the President allayed fears of possible money laundering, saying while private money will be involved, the funds will be used for specific projects.

“On our end, we will only deploy funds when there is a very specific project to be paid for. So money laundering just won’t come into it,” he said. g

GMA network strengthens enforcement efforts by joining world’s leading anti-piracy coalition, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)

MANILA – Leading broadcast company GMA Network today announced it has strengthened its anti-piracy capabilities by partnering with the Alliance for Creativity & Entertainment (ACE).

Widely regarded as the world’s largest and most effective anti-piracy coalition, ACE currently has over 50 global members, with GMA as its first member from the Philippines.

Attending a partnership signing event held on Thursday, January 19, were GMA Network’s First Vice President and Head of International Operations Mr. Joseph T.

Francia, First Vice President for Legal Affairs Atty. Lynn P. Delfin, and GMA New

Media, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer

(L-R) GMA Network First Vice President for Legal Affairs Atty. Lynn Delfin; ACE Head for Asia Pacific Mr. Neil Gane; GMA Network First Vice President and Head of International Operations Mr. Joseph Francia; GMA New Media, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Dennis Augusto Caharian; and Executive Vice President and Chief of Global Content Protection for the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and Head of ACE Mr. Jan van Voorn (via Zoom).

Officials exhort US-based Filipinos to...

Tour, the VIP tour is a joint project of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Foreign Affairs and a major tourism activity of all Philippine Foreign Service posts in the United States. The program enables Filipino Americans and foreigners to experience Filipino culture and hospitality and to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of various tourist destinations around the Philippines.

“I am pleased to inform you that after a three-year hiatus, the VIP tour is back and will be held from the 16th to the 24th of July this year,” ConGen Mangalile announced.

The consul general also asked the audience to help disseminate the information and promote the project to ensure a big and solid delegation from the northeast states.

Between 2004 to 2019, the tour was staged 13 times, with more than 4,500 tour participants from all over the United States.

The VIP Tour 2023 offers a 9-day package featuring eco-adventures, cultural excursions, and gastronomic treats in Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay.

In a video message shown during the launch, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez urged the Filipino-American community to join the VIP Tour 2023.

“Situated at the heart of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and also one of the fastest growing economies in the region,” Romualdez said. “As the post-pandemic travels beckon, let the 2023 VIP Tour treat you to the warmth of the Filipino hospitality and the natural beauty of the Philippines.”

Among the guests at the launch were Rajah Tours Philippines Inc. (RTPI) president Jose Clemente III and Rajah Tours founder Atty. Dading Clemente. Rajah Tours has been a pioneer partner of the Philippine government in this tourism initiative since it was first launched.

Clemente said it took them more than six months to conceptualize and prepare for this tour, working hand in hand with officials from the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, and the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to come up with a strong package to entice tourists.

This year, the tour runs longer than

usual. They have also created multiple options for participants, including optional post-tours in the country’s lesser-known destinations such as Tacloban and Cagayan de Oro.

“Potentially you can stay for more than the nine days since we are offering these optional tours,” Clemente told the Asian Journal. “So if you decide to join, you’ll be here for about two weeks.”

“One of our advocacies now is to raise the profile of the secondary destinations like Camiguin and Tacloban in preparation to eventually develop them to become primary destinations,” he added.

Clemente mentioned the Sohoton Caves in Leyte which have been promoted before “but for some reason or another, escapes the consciousness of travelers.”

“So now we want to make sure that we’re able to offer that plus there’s also a natural synergy because of the World War Two historical aspect of Leyte. Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin, it’s about diving, the food, the natural attractions, plus we also want to make people know that Mindanao is a safe place to go.”

Tourism attache Francisco Lardizabal assured prospective participants that these travel destinations included in the VIP Tour for this year will measure up to their expectations.

“As you all know, we have already opened our borders since last year. And the tourism industry is rapidly picking up,” Lardizabal said, adding that this year’s VIP tour has something for all kinds of travelers including those who are into history, food, outdoors, or

adventures.

Packed itinerary

Upon arrival in Manila on July 16, VIP Tour participants will be greeted with Filipino hospitality at the airport with a welcome reception hosted by the DOT and Rajah Tours staff.

The next day, VIP Tour guests will start their day at Rizal Park Monument. They also have the option see the Charms of Old Manila in Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and Museum; Chinatown Walking Tour, Walking Tour in Binondo Church, Market and Ongpin Street. They will also have a chance to interact with young Filipino entrepreneurs and visit the gold collection at Ayala Museum.

On Day 3, the tour group will travel from Manila to Iloilo. Upon arrival in Iloilo, the tour will commence and take the group to Oton, the first Spanish settlement on the island. Then to Tigbauan, the location of one of Panay’s most beautiful churches; and then to Miag-ao town, site of the UNESCO Heritage Church, Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva. Seafood lunch at Breakthrough restaurant followed by an Iloilo City tour visiting Museo Iloilo, Nelly’s Garden, Jaro Cathedral and Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, and Balai Ilonggo (Hablon Styles and Hues).

On Day 4, the VIP guests will have the option to choose which excursion they want to take. They could either choose to have a Culinary Tour ( to try Iloilo’s famous Batchoy and Puto at a local restaurant; visit a Barquillos factory and then snack on Molo Soup and Tablea Chocolate drink with lunch and a cooking demonstration at an ancestral home) or opt for an adventure tour at Damires Hills Tierra Verde Leisure Farm where they can hike around a lush tropical forest and admire the beautiful landscape of Northern Iloilo. There are also activities such as Zipline, Canopy walk, fruit picking, and swimming.

Another option is to go on Isla de Gigantes Day Tour from Iloilo. Participants could join this private tour and appreciate the sand, the sun, and the waters as they bounce from island to island at Isla de Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo. This escapade is perfect for beach and island lovers wanting a relaxing escapade with a seafood feast. This tour is known for the freshly harvested scallops which you can bountifully eat

The origins of the term “Lunar New Year”

The English term “Lunar New Year” is actually a misnomer: The holiday is based on a lunarsolar, rather than a strictly lunar, calendar.

Lunar calendars have one major flaw: 12 full moon cycles last around 354 days, just short of a solar year. To bridge this gap, many cultures incorporate solar patterns into their calendars.

The calendar used by many countries within China’s sphere of influence is speculated to have originated during the Xia dynasty (2070 – 1600 BCE). Though the new year based on this calendar may have been celebrated during the earlier Shang dynasty, its date was fixed during the Han dynasty, roughly 2000 years ago.

Still, not all cultures that celebrate Lunar New Year use this calendar. For instance, Tibet and Mongolia use their own calendars to determine the dates of Losar and Tsagaan Sar, respectively. These holidays do not always overlap with the dates of Chinese-originated New Year, pointing to the lack of specificity in the term “Lunar New Year” and the even more inaccurate “Chinese New Year.”

So where did the English term “Lunar New Year” originate? One theory dates its beginnings to the 1920s, during the height of Western colonial expansion: Examples include a missionary in China, a travel writer in Frenchoccupied Vietnam, and a train rider in Changsha, China.

The history of U.S. Lunar New Year celebrations

According to the Smithsonian, the first documented Lunar New Year celebration in the U.S. was a “feast” held by a Chinese businessman for American upper class attendees on February 1st, 1851. The first community-driven celebration occurred in the 1860s, when Cantonese immigrants in San Francisco fused traditional New Year practices with a uniquely American format: the parade.

As Chiou-Ling Yeh writes in “Making an American Festival: Chinese New Year in San Francisco’s Chinatown,” early Chinese New Year parades were targets for discrimination. Police, for instance, prohibited New Year firecrackers—despite fireworks being overlooked during Fourth of July

celebrations. Throughout subsequent decades, Chinese New Year celebrations would be subject to xenophobia, police blockades, restrictions on sending money home, and import bans on New Year’s goods.

In 1912, the Republic of China under Sun Yat Sen controversially eliminated the holiday ostensibly to distance itself from the recently defated Qing Dynasty. To show support for the new government, most Chinese Americans stopped observing the holiday. Celebrations, however, were soon revived— though with a different ethos.

In 1931, the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce organized a Chinese New Year Parade. Leaders realized that Orientalist portrayals of Asian culture would attract business to Chinatown. As a result, the event featured new additions specifically aimed at an outsider audience, such as Chinese American women serving guests as “Chinese maids.” This shift, Yeh writes, made festivals less accessible to the Chinese community: Firecrackers were banned again after visiting whites unsafely set them off, and events had limited and costly seating that excluded the local population.

During the Cold War, Chinese Americans were subject to a different kind of scrutiny: the pressure to prove their loyalty to the US. Thus, the 1951 revival of the parade in San Francisco was explicitly anti-Communist, to demonstrate the community’s patriotism. These celebrations continued as the New Year was cancelled again under China’s communist government from 1967 until its reinstatement as the “Spring Festival” in 1980.

The 1970s also marked the arrival of refugees from Vietnam, who who brought celebrations of their new year, Tet. To these refugees, however, Tet was marked by wartime trauma and homesickness, and colored by memories of the Northern Vietnamese coalition’s surprise attack during the 1968 Tet offensive.

At the same time, Tet celebrations promoted intracommunal support and the preservation of cultural identity. A 1977 celebration in New York, for instance, raised money to support other Vietnamese refugees still in Asia. Meanwhile,

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (fourth from right) and Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal (fifth from right) along with project partner Rajah Tours led by Jojo Clemente (fourth from left) officially launched the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour 2023 on Monday, Jan. 23 at the Philippine Center in New York. Joining the event were (from left) DOT’s Luz Alquisola, Consul Paolo Mapula, Marilen Clemente and Mrs. Dading Clemente of Rajah Tours, Laura Garcia, and Consul Ricarte Abejuela.

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile

Officials exhort US-based Filipinos to... The long, overlooked...

PAGE 7

Vietnamese-lead grassroots organizations in Virginia organized a Tet festival for local refugees in 1979.

Meanwhile, many Koreans also came to the US in the 1950s. However, the celebration of their New Year, or Seollal, was impacted by a long history of repression in their home country. Seollal was banned during Japanese occupation in 1907 and continued to be prohibited during Syngman Rhee’s dictatorship. Though the holiday was still informally celebrated, it was only officially reinstated in 1989. This complex past makes it difficult to pinpoint the history of Seollal celebrations in the United States.

Lunar New Year today Focusing exclusively on the ancient roots of Lunar New Year can erase the current history of how celebrations have evolved across the world. After all, the holiday is celebrated worldwide today, including in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Suriname and countless other nations, each featuring foods, events,

and other customs unique to locals.

In the US, the Lunar New Year is popularly recognized and celebrated. California officially recognizes the holiday, with efforts underway to federally recognize it.

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is the largest of its type outside of Asia; Organizations across the country have planned events for Tet, Losar, Seollal, alongside Lunar New Year Fairs. And importantly, this popularity also brings increasing recognition of the diverse communities that observe it: The term “Lunar New Year” has gained important significance as a way to recognize these frequently overlooked celebrations from nonChinese communities.

Ultimately, Lunar New Year in the US is multidimensional: a reflection of the experiences and struggles of Asian American communities, of a diaspora’s shifting relationship with their heritage, and, above all, a time for family, joy, relaxation, and reflection to welcome the new year. g

PAGE 7

along the sandbar of Bantigue Island.

From Iloilo, the group will proceed to Boracay on Day 5 of the tour. They will enjoy the scenic road trip through the charming landscape and have a seafood lunch in Capiz. They will also have a chance to interact with the Indigenous People of the island.

Optional tours are available on Day 6 in Boracay where they could proceed to Tibiao Eco-adventure Antique Tour where they could plunge into the cool waters of Bugtong Bato River. They could also trek to the Bugtong Bato Waterfalls where you can explore three out of seven of its waterfalls. They could also try extreme water tubing and brave the rapids. The group could engage in a unique experience and get “cooked” in a kawa or huge wok. A kawa hot bath is a perfect way to relax.

They also have the option to go on Blue Lagoon & Eco Cold Spring Adventure where they could enjoy the picturesque scenery of the province of Antique on this day trip to Malumpati Cold Spring and Bugang River and experience river tubing in one of the Philippines’ cleanest waters.

Another optional tour is a day to Ibajay and witness the beauty of the Katunggan It Ibajay, a natural mangrove species. It is home to the centuries-old and biggest api-api or bungalon (Avicennia rumphiana) mangrove tree in the Philippines. They would also go on a one-hour trek to reach 50 meters high Nawidwid Falls and another one-hour trek to Mt. Balinsasayaw.

Day 7 in Boracay would allow the VIP Tour guests to be on their own. They could sunbathe, shop, snorkel, and island hop. Optional activities on personal account: Boracay Food Crawl ($45 per person), Sunrise Yoga ($15 per person), Parasailing (15 minutes), $38 per person; Jetski (15 mins), $38 per person; Sunset Paraw Sailing (15 minutes), $20 per person; Helmet Diving (15 mins), $23 per person; Banana Boat (15 mins), $14 per person; Discovery Scuba Diving for those who don’t have a license (3-4 hours), $70 per person; Scuba Diving with PADI (3-4 hours), $50 per person and Golf

(18 holes), $170 per person.

On Day 8, guests will be back in Manila for a farewell dinner and get ready for the trip back to the US on Day 9.

For more inquiries and details about the VIP Tour program, you can visit:

For online registration and more information, visit http:// viptourphilippines2023.com, https://www.facebook.com/ veryimportantpinoytour2023 send an email to acgtdt@ rajahtours.com.ph. g

‘LIGHT A CANDLE FOR PEACE’. Former New People’s Army rebels raise lighted candles after pledging their allegiance to the government at the National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The ex-insurgents used to operate in the Bicol Region. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Mr. Dennis Augusto L. Caharian.

Joining them virtually as well were GMA Network’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Felipe S. Yalong and Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, and President of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes.

Representing ACE during the signing ceremony were Mr. Jan van Voorn, Executive Vice President and Chief of Global Content Protection for the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and Head of ACE, and Mr. Neil Gane, who represents ACE operations for the Asia Pacific region.

“Piracy continues to be one of the biggest problems in the entertainment industry globally,” said GMA Network CEO and Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon. “The duplication and illegal distribution of movies, teleseryes, music, and other materials invalidate the hard work of those behind it. And as such, we are proud to join the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment in its global campaign against digital piracy. GMA Network, through various initiatives on different platforms, is consistently taking the necessary steps to combat the illegal distribution of our shows movies, music, and other materials. And through our partnership with ACE, we look to further strengthen these initiatives to protect our content.”

“We are thrilled to welcome GMA Network to the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment and look forward to working with them to combat piracy and protect content creators – in the Philippines and around the world. ACE is building a strong

global network of media companies and partners who are working together to eradicate the serious threat piracy poses to the creative economy,” shared van Voorn.

As part of its efforts to combat piracy, GMA Network also launched last Thursday its own anti-piracy advocacy campaign dubbed “Stream Responsibly. Fight Piracy.” The campaign aims to encourage people, especially the younger generation, to be aware of what is right and wrong and help raise awareness of the value of creative works. It also aims to protect and educate the public about the potential harms of clicking pirated websites and apps.

Serving as campaign ambassadors are Sparkle stars and the cast of the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of Voltes V: Legacy – Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Matt Lozano, Radson Flores, and Raphael Landicho. Adding more star power to the “Stream Responsibly. Fight Piracy.” campaign are Sparkle star Mikee Quintos and no less than Maria Clara at Ibarra lead star Barbie Forteza.

Fittingly, these initiatives will not only ensure the protection of Filipino content creators but will also ensure the high-quality viewing experience of all Kapuso viewers and subscribers.

In 2023, GMA Network is all set to bring the biggest and grandest roster of shows.  These also include cutting-edge primetime shows such as “Voltes V: Legacy,” “Mga Lihim ni Urduja,” “Luv Is: Caught In His Arms,” “Luv Is: Love at First Read,” “Hearts on Ice,”  “Lady Boxer,” “Love Before Sunrise,” “Royal Blood,” and “Love, Die, Repeat.”g

Filipino American family mourns...

crowdfunding and to remain vigilant while mourning the sudden tragedies.

“Our nation has once again been forced to confront more senseless gun violence. From Monterey Park to Half Moon Bay, our entire state is reeling,” said Bonta, who is Filipino American.

While encouraging Californians to extend helping hands whenever they can, he said, “If you plan on giving, please be wary of scammers and do your research before you donate.”

California mourns “tragedy upon tragedy”

Two days after the horrific massacre in Monterey Park, another shooting that killed seven people took place across two separate scenes in Half Moon Bay up in Northern California on Monday, Jan. 23.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the victims were of Asian descent and Hispanic descent, and the shootings took place at two separate nurseries. At the first

Reaffirming our commitment...

people-to-people ties and other issues that also cut across regional and global levels.

As noted by Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink, the Indo-Pacific is the most dynamic and fastest growing region in the world, and keeping it free and open is vital in ensuring that maritime trade remains peaceful, considering that the region is comprised of 40 economies, many of which are still trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic and the continuing war in Ukraine.

The region contains over 60 percent of the world’s total population and is projected to be the largest contributor to global growth over the next three decades, with 50 percent of the world’s gross domestic product by 2040. I agree with Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink that the future and prosperity of Indo-Pacific nations, including the United States, is “inextricably intertwined with the future of this important region.” In fact, the future of the whole world is also impacted by the Indo-Pacific, which is why it is important to keep it open and free in the decades to come.

location along Highway 92, four victims with gunshot wounds were found dead Monday afternoon.

At the second location along the 2100 block of Cabrillo Highway South, three more victims were found. Local authorities identified the suspect as 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, a Half Moon Bay resident who was taken into custody after he was discovered in the parking lot of a Half Moon Bay sheriff’s office substation.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus believes Zhao acted alone and that the motive is currently unknown.

“This is a devastating tragedy for this community and the families touched by this unspeakable act of violence,” Corpus said.

“This kind of shooting is horrific. It’s a tragedy that we hear about far too often, but today it’s hit home here in San Mateo County.”

During his visit to Monterey Park, Gov. Newsom responded to the Half Moon Bay shooting: “At the hospital meeting

with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy.”

President Joe Biden also extended his condolences to the victims of both massacres while affirming his commitment to gun control and stronger barriers to assault weapons access.

“Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in the latest tragic shooting in Half Moon Bay. For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence,” Biden said in a statement.

He added, “Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the surge of gun violence across America requires stronger action. I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe.” g

I am aware that virtually all eyes – and that is not an exaggeration – are upon the U.S. and the Philippines and the delegation members representing both nations, with critics and supporters alike closely watching and following what we will do together next.

Let me just reiterate that we maintain the great optimism through which we view our current relationship, along with high expectations on the outcome of our next courses of action. Let’s not forget, a great majority of Filipinos continue to see the U.S. as the most trusted nation as underscored by several surveys. Filipinos likewise consider the alliance to be vital in helping maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

There is no doubt that our neighbors in the region, and the wider international community, are also closely watching how the relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. is progressing, and how this could impact peace, security and prosperity

particularly in our part of the world.

I am especially looking forward to convening the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting among our foreign and defense ministers in the spring where we expect to discuss strategies to bolster efforts in maintaining a stable and secure IndoPacific region.

Since day one, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been intent on further exploring more areas of cooperation, especially in terms of trade and investments as underscored during President BBM’s inperson meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in New York last September.

In the past few months, we have been discussing with the White House a possible visit by President Marcos to Washington to further cement the ties between the longtime allies on various areas of mutual concern and interest. We hope to find a suitable schedule for both our leaders to meet

this year.

In the weeks and months ahead, it is incumbent upon the officials and leaders from both nations to really deliver on what they are planning to do and reaffirm the commitment of the Philippines and the United States in solidifying and strengthening this partnership.

There is no doubt that there is a lot more work to be done in order to have concrete deliverables. But make no mistake: we are ready and eager to roll up our sleeves and do what must be done to enhance this relationship, friendship and alliance – ultimately for the benefit and interest of our peoples. (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.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with U.S. President Joe Biden (top photo) and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Malacañang file photos

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya during part 2 of the San Diego leg of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’

In Part

• Salvie, of National City, wants to know if there is a way to speed up the petition process so that his only son’s family

join them in the U.S.

• Fulvio, of Paradise Valley, is asking if his brother-in-law, who was petitioned by his wife in 2011, can have his interview in the U.S. since he is currently in San Diego for vacation.

• John, of Van Nuys, would like to know how he can correct his documents that all contain a fake date of birth.

• Thelma, from Chesapeake, wants to know what options are available for her 35-year-old grandson to join his parents in the U.S.?

YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN SAN DIEGO, PART 2. Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego, in Part 2 of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Some of the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Thelma of Chesapeake: I petitioned my daughter who will soon be coming to the U.S. with her husband. My grandson was supposed to be included in the petition, but he aged out. How can my 35-year-old grandson join his parents in the U.S.?; From John of Van Nuys: My mother used a fake birth certificate for me because she was worried that I might age out. While I did not age out, the fake birth certificate was used in all my documents. I now want to petition my wife and baby but would like to naturalize first. How can I correct my documents for my naturalization?; From Salvie of National City: I petitioned my only son in 2011. Is there a way to speed up the petition process so that his family can join me here in the U.S.? From Fulvio of Paradise Valley: My wife petitioned her brother in 2001, but until now, we have not heard from the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Is it possible to have his interview in the U.S. since he is now in San Diego on vacation? Watch Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego on a encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – this Sunday at 6:30 PM PT (9:30

PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel visited San Diego, where he answered questions of Kapamilya based locally, and even from some coming from out-of-town.

2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” viewers will hear answers to the following immigration concerns:

can

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

SWEETENERS dilemma

Artificial sugars or sweeteners are very popular. Questions about their safety with long-term use still float around. The claim that Saccharin caused cancer years ago was debunked.

From trusted scientific sources: “While sucralose itself and other non-nutritive sweeteners have not been shown to raise blood sugar, maltodextrin, which is found in Splenda and some Stevia blends, can cause spikes in blood sugar in some people. Any spike in blood sugar is particularly dangerous for those with diabetes.”

Studies in mice suggest an association between consuming high dose of sucralose and cancer. The recommendation is “never use Splenda for cooking or baking,” since cooking with sucralose may create potential carcinogens called chloropropanols.

While there are no longterm studies on Stevia, there is no evidence that suggests it increases risk of diseases among consumers. The USDA considers highly purified Stevia as “generally safe.” Both Splenda and Stevia may interfere with the user’s healthy gut bacteria.

Zero-calorie sweeteners have been found to cause people who use it to eat more calories over time, leading to weight gain, and the suggestion that they may also interact with medications for diabetes T2 and high blood pressure, which have not been confirmed.

The consensus is that between Splenda and Stevia, stevia has fewer potential adverse health effects so far, but long-term studies are needed for confirmation. It is prudent to use it in moderation anyway. And for those who use it only for one cup of coffee or tea a day, a teaspoon of brown or raw sugar might be a wiser option.

Fruits and veggies

Adults need seven to 13 cups of produce to obtain the full benefits from vegetables and fruits. Less than 25 percent consume five or more cups a day. One company, the vendor of Balance of Nature, is taking advantage of this. Its claim that six capsules a day would satisfy the minimum daily

requirement is questionable.

There is no healthier and safer way (and a lot cheaper also) to enjoy fruits and vegetables of your choice than to eat them fresh and not in capsules, which are processed powder.

It is most unfortunate that the trillion-dollar food supplement industry is not regulated to protect the public, and all products not vetted, throwing the unsuspecting consumers into the lion’s den, and enriching shrewd and merciless, some dishonest, entrepreneurs.

Caveat emptor, indeed!

Bad for babies

The American Academy of Pediatric strictly recommends no fruit juices for babies, absolutely no fruit juices at all, before age one, and very limited, if at all, for toddlers and older children, according to Farida I. Chua, MD, pediatrician based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas.

This is a major shift from the recommendation of the AAP a couple of decades ago. The academy today even recommends doing away with the beloved sippy cup for children, which is a contributing factor in childhood obesity and T2 diabetes…. There is no evidence of any health benefit of fruit juices in infancy and the high sugar load in them is harmful, stated Dr. Farida.

Dr. Steven Abrams, Chair of Pediatrics at Dell Medical school at the University of Texas, Austin, said “offering babies juice could keep them from getting enough breast milk or formula – and the needed protein, fat and other nutrients they contain…. once babies start eating solid foods, they should have whole fruit that is mashed or pureed, rather than juice.”

It is best for children to develop the habit of eating fruits and vegetables, drinking water and milk at their early ages, instead of sugary fruit juice mixes.

Also, sippy cups (nonrestricted sipping of sugary drinks also leads to high risk of tooth decay) are bad for children; drinking from a cup is what the Academy recommends. If sippy cup is used, it should only be filled with water and or measured milk at a fixed schedule of feeding.

Red meat and longevity

A clinical investigation published in the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) reveals “the more red meat

you eat, the greater your risk is of dying from one of 8 diseases.” The research involved 536,000 men and women, ages between 50 and 71, whose diet and health were tracked for 16 years.

Findings: High red meat consumption increased the rate (by 26 percent) of dying from cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, infections, kidney disease and liver disease, according to BMJ.

The study also pointed out “those who ate the highest proportion of white meat had a 25 percent reduced risk of dying from various causes.”

Which fish is better?

As far as nutrition and health are concerned, there is no argument that eating fish is healthier instead of red meat. Studies showed that any kind of fish consumed at least twice a week reduces various health risks and that eating red meat often, especially processed meats, is associated with higher risk for major illnesses, including cancer and a shorter life span.

The oily darker fleshed fish like herring and salmon are loaded with heart-healthy polyunsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids. Mackerel, anchovies, shad, trout and sardines, and other fish also have these wonderful cardioprotective fatty acids. The giant or large varieties of fish, like king mackerel, shark, swordfish, large albacore tuna, contain more methyl mercury and therefore are NOT recommended for consumption.

But these good fats are not the only reason why fish is better for us. U.S.-FDA dietary guidelines encourage adults to partake at least eight ounces of a variety of fish and seafood every week, about two meals’ worth to benefit from the “total package of nutrients in fish.” This includes lean protein, vitamin Bs, A and D, and minerals like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron.

Several independent studies have shown that individuals who eat fish regularly are less likely to die of a heart attack compared to those who do not eat fish. A Harvard clinical review “concluded that eating one to two servings of fish rich in omega-3s every week cut the risk of dying of a heart attack by one-third (33 percent).”. * * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire

Glaiza weds husband anew in star-studded beach ceremony

by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Glaiza de Castro had a star-studded wedding as she exchanged vows once more with her husband, Irish businessman David Rainey, in a second celebration.

Glaiza and David had their initial “Game of

Thrones”-inspired wedding in Northern Ireland back in October 2021, but opted to have another ceremony in the Philippines so that Glaiza’s friends and family could be in attendance.

In fact last January 8, Glaiza’s close friends held a surprise bridal shower for her in preparation for the ceremony, the first time the

group had been together for a while.

The second wedding held in a beach in Botolan, Zambales was as regal as the first time around, with Glaiza wearing a modern Filipina gown designed by  Jo Rubio paired with shoes by Jefferson Si.

In an Instagram post, PAGE 15

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration...

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in the second installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from San Diego and adjacent areas. Watch this encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 29 at

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

6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3

humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. Other past Sagamore 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;

Salvie (left) and Fulvio (right) ask their questions during the Citizen Pinoy “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego.

John (left) and Thelma (right) get answers to their Immigration questions from Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Calendar girl Ria: Oh, yes she can!

By tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

YES, doll-faced Ria Atayde is White Castle Whisky’s 2023 calendar girl, with all her round and womanly curves captured in all their gorgeous glory.

To be sure, most, if not everyone, has already laid eyes on the tastefully seductive layouts of glamour photographer Dix Perez for the alcohol brand’s decades-long tradition of selecting a face – and body – to represent them for the year. Long part of Filipino pop culture – the White Castle Whisky Lady in a red bikini riding that iconic white horse – Ria actually joins an elite and exclusive group of women who have graced the legendary calendar with the likes of Evangeline Pascual, Lorna Tolentino, Techie Agbayani, Carmi Martin, Maria Isabel Lopez, Cristina Gonzales, Glydel Mercado and Roxanne Guinoo to name a few. She stands out, however, for being the first White Castle Whisky lady who isn’t of a standard waistline, shape or mold and is both honored and mighty proud to be so. Because all the same, Ria dazzles and generates the same impact as the muses before her, albeit in more modest swimwear, body suits and coverups that are just as alluring as the uniform twopiece that until now had been indispensable to all calendar girls.

All this is intentional, of course, as Destileria Limtuaco President and CEO Olivia

Limpe-Aw confirmed this week’s unveiling of Ria’s trio of 2023 calendars.

“As we celebrate 60 years of White Castle, we wish to highlight the fact that physical beauty is not confined to a single mold. We are proud to say that White Castle will continue its diversity in beauty campaign,” said the prominent lady business leader. Distileria has indeed gone against the grain before Ria, launching the very first calendar boy in 2021 (YouTube chef and content creator Ninong Ry), following up the coup via public voting, and duly naming an LGBT celebrity and Tiktok sensation (Sassa Gurl) as 2022 calendar girl.

Now back to spotlighting calendar girls, Ria is just as genius of a choice in diversity and inclusivity, not only for her physique but a good head on her shoulders and her principled and outspoken personality.

“I never thought that I would see myself as a calendar girl, so I was in disbelief [I was chosen]. Talaga ba? So I am very overwhelmed. I was so touched because big girls usually don’t get cast in something like this, and yet here we are, with all that confidence this experience has given me.” The woman of the moment continued, “I am honored to be chosen as a White Castle Whisky Girl as the brand allows and supports me in my advocacy to empower each and every woman to embrace her femininity and celebrate her body.”

Popular for her showbiz career and social media presence, there’s no doubt that Ria will emerge an effective champion of body positivity, which to this day eludes not just her generation of women but women of all ages.

Unique and inspiring for being comfortable and confident in her own skin, The T-Zone had to ask Ria how she’s been able to rise above the pressure of losing weight or pining for a model’s figure amid a business environment and audience that puts too much premium on the old age standards of beauty – tall, thin fair and so on.

Ria’s answer is a knockout: “I can’t deny I was affected by all of that. I’m human naman I still feel that once in a while. But I think it’s a matter of recalibrating my mindset. Like, say if I work out, I work out not because I hate my body, but rather because I want to take care of it and love it.

“And I think that made all the difference for me because before, I used to have body dysmorphia too and sometimes it still hits me. But now it’s just a lot more looking towards it as a positive thing. It’s a matter of turning off all the noise because, at the end of the day, it should only be the opinions of the people that matter to you that should affect you.” Bravo Ria! Bravo!  g

Shaina reveals reason she quit ‘ASAP’

By KatHleen a. lleMit Philstar.com

REGULAR viewers of “ASAP” for the past two decades know that Shaina Magdayao was among the most-sought after dancers with her Ultimate Dance 4 crew Maja Salvador, Rayver Cruz and John Prats until she quit eight years ago.

Last December, she delighted her fans by gracing the “ASAP” stage once again, showing that her dancing

Gladys, Christopher celebrate 30 years of togetherness: ‘My forever love’

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

GLADYS Reyes and Christopher Roxas have reached another milestone in their relationship as they marked 30 years of being together.

Reyes took to her personal Instagram account on Monday, Jan. 23, to share a photo with her husband at a cafe in Baguio City, describing him as her “forever love.”

“30 years of togetherness. My boyfriend [of] 11 years. My husband [of] 19 years. My forever love [heart emoji] #GladysAndChristopher30years,” she said in the caption.

The “Moments” host also shared a glimpse of her favorite moments with Roxas in a separate post, expressing hope for their romance to last longer.

“Cheers to 30 years and more bebe @

christopherroxas,” she wrote.

Roxas, on the other hand, praised the Lord for his relationship with Reyes, saying choosing “happiness” and “abundance” is possible with “God’s grace.”

“God, thank you for the [30 years] we are truly grateful. Bebe, we are not lucky we are truly blessed,” he said. “Our relationship is not perfect but the imperfections make it perfect… [Let’s] dream together and fulfill it. We choose happiness. Let’s chase abundance. In God’s grace all is possible, [love you] sooo much bebe.”

Reyes and Roxas’ romance started in the 1990s, when they were paired as an onscreen love team in the classic teleserye “Mara Clara,” which she topbilled alongside Judy Anne Santos.

The celebrity couple, who have four kids together, tied the knot in 2004 and reaffirmed their wedding vows in 2018. g

Drag Race PH winner Precious Paula Nicole to perform at drag convention in Los Angeles

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

Wonder (WOW) Productions on its official website.

prowess has not waned.

Last week, she sizzled the Sunday show’s dance floor in red dress dancing the flamenco in a production number with notable OPM singers, Gary V and Martin Nievera.

The dancer-actress said that her return to the dance floor is a perfect timing, an apt celebration for her 25 years in showbiz that started with her as the child wonder who easily cries buckets of tears in the 1996 GMA-7

afternoon drama “Lyra.”

“It’s a dream, it’s a side of me, a part of my life na kinailangan kong talikuran because I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was gaining weight and parang to the point na nagkakaroon na ako ng injuries. [Like] Back injury. [‘Yung] Right knee nagka-MCL na ako because of my weight,” Shaina revealed at a recent presscon.

“It was not healthy and,

Precious Paula Nicole, winner of “Drag Race Philippines” season one, was tapped as one of the performers at “RuPaul’s DragCon” which will be held in Los Angeles, California, in the United States on May 12 and 13.

Precious will perform with fellow “Drag Race” franchise winners Jaida Essence Hall (RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12), Kylie Sonique Love (All Stars 6), Danny Beard (Drag Race UK season four), and Spankie Jackzon (Drag Race Down Under season 2) at the event, according to a statement from U.S.-based World of

“Get ready to meet all the winners, baby! Danny Beard, Spankie Jackzon, Precious Paula Nicole, Jaida Essence Hall, and Kylie Sonique Love are all joining the festivities,” WOW was quoted as saying.

The Filipino drag performer represented the Philippines at the “RuPaul’s DragCon” event in London, United Kingdom earlier this month. During the event, she was spotted with “Drag Race” stars Jinkx Monsoon, Trinity the Tuck, and Blu Hydrangea, among others.

Precious also stunned fans with her “Lakambini”inspired costume at the event.

Precious

Christopher Roxas and Gladys Reyes

Photo from Instagram/@iamgladysreyes

‘You don’t have to show more skin to be sexy. You just have to show your confidence,’ says Atayde. Photo from

‘Triangle of Sadness’ nominated for Oscars Best Picture, but Dolly de Leon snubbed

By KRISTOFER PURNELL Philstar.com

FILIPINA actress Dolly de Leon was snubbed in the recently announced nominations for the 2023 Academy Awards, which would have been a historic nod for a Filipino actor.

Despite being wellreceived by critics and audiences for her  portrayal in the 2022 Palme d’Or winner

“Triangle of Sadness” by Swedish director  Ruben Östlund,  De Leon was not nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Nominated instead by members of the Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were  Angela Bassett for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Hong Chau for “The Whale,” Kerry Condon for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once” co-stars  Jaime Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu.

Notably snubbed from the category like De Leon were  Janelle Monáe from “Glass Onion: A Knives Out

Mystery,” Carey Mulligan from “She Said,” Michelle Williams from “The Fabelmans,” and  “Women Talking” co-stars Jessie Buckley and Claire Foy.

De Leon was also previously snubbed at the  2023 Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, often regarded as a major precursor for the Academy Awards  with the Outstanding Cast winner often going  on to win the Oscar for Best Picture and

winning actors replicating their honors.

De Leon, Bassett, Curtis, Condon  and Mulligan  were nominated at the 2023 Golden Globes, with Bassett coming out victorious for her second Golden Globe.

The same five actresses, along with Chau, are vying for the same category at the British Academy Film Awards, where De Leon’s successful  nomination was a first for a Filipina actress.

“Triangle of Sadness” however is one of the 10 films vying for Best Picture, with Östlund also receiving nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

It was ineligible for the Best International Feature Film category as Sweden opted to submit “Boy From Heaven,” which also premiered at Cannes, though it wasn’t nominated but did make the shortlist.

Artists with Filipino heritage that have been nominated at the Oscars include actress Hailee Steinfeld, cinematographer Matthew Libatique, makeup artist Frederic Aspiras, visual effects pioneer Ariel VelascoShaw, and filmmakers Ronnie del Carmen, Pia Clemente, Trevor Jimenez  and Bobby Pontillas.

Winners include singersongwriter H.E.R. and songwriter Robert Lopez in the Best Original Song category (Lopez has won twice), while production designer Paul Denham Austerberry won in 2018 for “The Shape of Water.” 

Andi reveals crying for not bagging ‘Marimar,’ ‘Dyesebel’

By JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

ACTRESS Andi Eigenmann revealed that she cried when she didn’t bag  the “Marimar” role.

In her Instagram story, Andi posted a screenshot of a fan comment on her IG saying she looks like Marimar.

Andi, however, clarified that she didn’t audition.

“FUN FACT: I cried so hard when I didn’t get cast as Marimar (FYI I was so young and I didn’t even audition) (same w/ Dyesebel!!),” she said.

Nonetheless, Andi said that she’s living like  Marimar and Dyesebel now

in real life in Siargao.

“But you get it! LOL! And now here I am living that Marimar and Dyesebel and Marina life in real life!! Manifestation is REAL!” she said.

Since moving to Siargao, Andi and Philmar Alipayo set up Kanaway Surf School and Bar to help instructors whose livelihoods were affected by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021.

The couple have been engaged since December 2020 and have two children together, Lilo and Koa. The actress also has another daughter, Ellie, with Jake Ejercito, while Alipayo has two sons from previous relationships. 

people events arts culture entertainment

‘Unbreak My Heart’ series

by KATHLEEN A. LLEMIT Philstar.com

IN what is seen as an unprecedented move by long-time competitors, ABS-CBN and GMA-7, the two networks together with streaming platform Viu, will produce the reunion series of Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap titled “Unbreak My Heart” to be shot in Switzerland.

Gabbi Garcia and Joshua Garcia will also star in the anticipated show scheduled to air on GMA-7 and stream in 15 territories on VIU this year.

The announcement was made today all over the two network’s social media platforms.

“It’s a first for Philippine TV and I’m sure it’s the audience that will be the winners in this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said

GMA Senior Vice-President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Groups Atty.

Annette Gozon-Valdes at the story conference today.

“This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We never imagined that this was going to happen,” said ABSCBN Chief Operations Officer Cory Vidanes.

It is a welcome development for both stations, which also have their respective talent agencies where the four stars are signed with.

Richard and Gabbi are identified with GMA-7, while Jodi and Joshua are ABSCBN talents.

Prior to his projects in GMA-7, Richard shot to stardom when he became the leading man of Jodi in their 2012 romantic-comedy series “Be Careful With My Heart,” which aired for two years.

It will be the first time for Gabbi and Joshua to star in a series together. 

‘Kapamilya, Kapuso together’: ABS, GMA collaborate to produce Jodi, Richard

GMA-7 and ABS-CBN together with streaming platform VIU will produce “Unbreak My Heart,” a romantic-comedy series to be shot in Switzerland and stars (from left) Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap.

Actress Andi Eigenmann

Photo from Instagram/@andieigengirl

Dolly de Leon as Abigail in the Palme d’Or-winning film “Triangle of Sadness.”

Photo courtesy of Imperative Entertainment

Glaiza weds husband...

Glaiza shared that the beachside wedding was  inspired by the upcoming Flor de Mayo and Santacruzan festivities and wanted to pay homage to their heritages.

Fellow actress Angelica Panganiban was Glaiza’s maidof-honor, while good friends  Alessandra de Rossi, Sheena Halili, Isabel Oli-Prats, Chynna Ortaleza, and Rochelle Pangilinan made up the entourage dressed in beige dresses from Zoo The Label.

Chynna’s plus-one was her husband Kean Cipriano, while Maxene Magalona,  Ketchup Eusebio, Kakai Bautista, and  Gabby Eigenmann and his wife Apples Arizabal-Eigemann were also in attendance.

Glaiza’s “Running Man Philippines” co-stars  Kokoy de Santos, Lexi Gonzales, Angel Guardian, Buboy Villar, Mikael Daez, and Ruru Madrid also  attended  the wedding, the latter two accompanied by their partners Megan Young and Bianca Umali, respectively. g

Atta Boy!

By Ronnie CaRRasCo iii ManilaTimes.net

I’D like to dwell this time on Boy Abunda’s muchvaunted, not necessarily contentious, return to GMA, his original home.

Already a PR consultant for GMA, Kuya Boy, as I fondly address him, was convinced by then-network executive Bobby Bareira to try TV hosting.

It was on the late-night program Show and Tell with co-host Gretchen Barretto where Boy got his proverbial baptism of fire.

It was in October of 1995 that I joined Startalk as one of the pioneer writers (thanks to the late Tita Mina Aragon’s recommendation).

Boy was one of the original hosts alongside Kris Aquino and Lolit Solis.

I remember him telling me that it was the glaring disparity among his colleagues that, surprisingly, if magically, made them strike a peculiar chemistry.

However, their trio didn’t last long enough as Boy left the weekend show in 1999 and moved to ABSCBN via “The Buzz.” leaving Lolit behind (Kris was the first to go).

But while with GMA, Boy seemingly enjoyed the company of those in the production team and vice versa.

Rommel Gacho, then Startalk’s executive producer, is now his director for the entertainmentoriented Fast Talk (FT) with Boy Abunda, which aired its pilot episode yesterday with

guest Marian Rivera. (FT’s guest lineup for the week in this order are Glaiza de Castro and husband David Rainey, Alden Richards, Bea Alonzo and Paolo Contis).

Reylie Manalo, who’s FT’s EP, used to be one of Startalk’s segment producers.

To top it all, GMA’s Vice President for Talk, Janine Piad-Nakar, already held a key position during Startalk’s fledgling years.

In short — as Boy rightfully claims — he’s in familiar territory.

Despite his GMA exit and transfer to the rival network, Boy has never severed his friendly and professional ties with these well-meaning program staff: “I don’t burn bridges.”

In a sense, Boy is reliving his glory days, secure in the thought that he’s surrounded by people worthy of his trust and admiration.

Looking back, Boy then was more than just a host who’d storm into the studio dressed to the nines, slipping into branded stylish outfits without fail every week.

During brainstorming powwows, he fiercely shared his creative, often far-fetched and outrageous, inputs whenever necessary.

Here’s one nononsense host who detests complacency.

The “puwede na ‘yan” line of thinking is absolutely a big no-no to him, an unforgivable lapse in a world where cutthroat competition thrives, more so with the social media and internet onslaught these days.

As I speak now, Boy’s FT is a daily afternoon program. His other show –a public affairs one – is with the Cayetano siblings.

But if he had his way, Boy still dreams of hosting an interview show — after all, this is where his strength mainly lies.

Of course, there’s still his famous “imaginary mirror” where his subject faces, talks to and unleashes his bottled-up emotions upon himself.

I have yet to see his idea be brought to fruition, this via a separate show he already has a working title to “Tell Me Your Story.”

If a good deal is swung in his favor, Boy would like to co-produce this on GTV, GMA’s sister channel.

And why not?

But will the King of Talk be able to muster enough physical energy given his existing shows on GMA, his YouTube channel vlogs and interviews, and other

For sure, he will — just as he was able to finish his master’s (in communication in 2011) and doctorate (in social development) degrees (2016) around the same time when he had his hands full with hosting workload.

Atta boy! ***

Trivia about Boy: Did you know that he has dentophobia or odontophobia, as in he’s scared to see a dentist?

That he and his partner Elmer “Bong” Quintana have been together since 1983?

That even if he has nothing against same-sex marriage, Boy is not keen on getting hitched: “Kasi naiimagine ko na magtatawanan lang kami.”

That he has a different perspective as far as cheating on one’s partner is concerned: “It makes me fall in love with my significant other even more.” g

Shaina reveals reason she quit...

at the same time, I wasn’t fit enough to dance anymore. So I had to let go of that dream,” she added.

She focused on acting, notably her stint in the longest-running primetime show “Ang Probinsyano,” that ended last year after a seven-year run.

During the pandemic, she opened her cloud fashion brand named Organized Chicas, with her good friend Nikki Medina. It is currently doing well as they have expanded to clothes and jewelry.

Precious was crowned the winner of “Drag Race Philippines” season one after lip-syncing to Gloc-9’s hit song “Sirena” against first runner-up Marina

Summers in October 2022. The Philippine franchise of the hit reality show opened a casting call for its upcoming second season, which ran until December 2022. g

“Ngayon na bumalik ako, ngayon ko lang na-realize na, a part of me is alive again. I didn’t feel the loss. Ngayon ko na-feel kung gaano kalaki ng part ng pagkatao ko ang pagiging dancer. So naisip ko, ‘Am I even fit enough to dance again?’” Shaina said.

It’s a leap of faith for the 33-yearold, but as she mused that she has been an actress since she was six, maybe the limelight is where she truly belongs — whether it be on the dance floor or in front of the camera.

“Ang pagsasayaw is para siyang destiny, just like acting. Hindi ako nagworkshop. I didn’t go through formal training. Parang isinubo sa akin ang pagaartista. Kumbaga sa acting, experience was my teacher. ‘Pag dating sa dancing, experience was also my teacher,” Shaina mused.

“So, for someone who’s been trying to run away from showbiz... wala na talaga. Eto na talaga. Wala na akong magagawa. This is my life and my world. I choose to be grateful for the blessing that are still coming my way,” she ended. g

King of Talk Boy Abunda GMA photo

Shaina Magdayao juggles her business, Organized Chicas, and showbiz.

Photo from Instagram/@shaina_

hosting stints on the side?

Composite image of Glaiza de Castro with her husband David Rainey and wedding entourage. Photos from Instagram/@glaizeredux