012723 - San Diego Edition

Staying safe through California’s storms

WHILE California is known for its sunny days, it is hard not to notice the recent storms that have flooded the state.

As the Filipino community is very much a large presence within California and with family as a core center of culture, the storms and their impact have left many of us wondering what’s next, especially for our loved ones.

A webinar, recently held on January 17, informed California residents on how to stay safe and alert throughout the storms that have severely impacted the state. The news briefing was hosted by Listos California, a program from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). In partnership with Ethnic Media Services (EMS) and California Black Media (CBM), more briefings will be held similar to this one in the future. These briefings will focus on sharing important information, especially resources, for those who have been heavily impacted by the storms.

California’s preparation and readiness

Diana Crofts-Pelayo, assistant deputy director of

crisis communications and media

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

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

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 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.

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

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

US-based Filipinos encouraged to visit PH during upcoming tour

by donnabelle Gatdula-arevalo AJPress

LOS ANGELES — Filipinos living in the United States are invited to travel back to the Philippines this summer.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles officially launched the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour 2023 with special packages and affordable rates for a nine-day travel itinerary to Manila-Iloilo-Boracay.

In his opening remarks during the launching ceremony, Deputy Consul General Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III said they are looking forward to this tourism event as this is a major comeback activity of the Philippine consulates in the United States after the COVID pandemic.

“We are so excited as this is one of the activities that u PAGE 3

Ambassador

Romualdez:

US ‘finds’ PH ‘refreshing’ under Bongbong Marcos

by daniza Fernandez Inquirer.net

MANILA — The United States is seeing the Philippines as “refreshing” under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In an ANC Headstart interview on Thursday, January 24, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez was asked how the U.S. is seeing the Philippines now that Marcos is at the helm.

“They find it refreshing, to say the least. They’ve obviously seen him when they came here to the Philippines, and they were very pleased to hear the things that the president has articulated, especially with regard to our relationship [with] the United States,”

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

u PAGE 4

answered Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos.

He also thought that the President has established to the U.S. that the Philippines wants good bilateral ties while having an independent foreign policy.

“So, I think that overall, President Marcos has communicated to the United States that we’re here, we are friends, and we want to have good relationships with you,” Romualdez said.

“But, at the same time, we have our own policy which is in every way we can, be independent of any influence coming from any country. It’s more of what is best for our national interest,” he continued.

Reaping fruits of Duterte’s foreign policy Romualdez likewise expressed his belief that Marcos is reaping the fruits of former

u PAGE 4

Marcos to travel abroad less, but APEC in November still a priority

by Kaycee valMonte Philstar.com

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, January 23, Marcos Jr. said he wanted to travel and attend conferences first because he was the “new kid on the block.”

Bongbong Marcos on staying on as agri chief: ‘They cannot say no’

by JeroMe aninG, Jordeene b laGare, Marlon raMos Inquirer.net

MANILA — President

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 23 defended his decision to keep his concurrent position as agriculture secretary amid deepening challenges in the farming sector, saying he was in a better position to pursue reforms since stakeholders “cannot say no” to him as the chief executive.

As head of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which has resorted to importation to deal with supply chain issues and the high prices of onions and other

produce, Marcos said he hoped to carry out his duties without having to issue “entreaties” to anyone, as a regular secretary might.

“For me, in the DA, there really are things that I can do that it would take [a permanent secretary] a long time,” he said in an interview with selected members of the press, later aired on state television.

“The president, they cannot say no to. And if they don’t fulfill my order, I can chastise them,”

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 Joey O. Razon

IMPORT POLICY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he’s the best person to lead the Department of Agriculture so he can introduce reforms more quickly. But Sen. Cynthia Villar cautions the DA not to rely on imports in fixing supply issues, such as augmenting the supply of onions, including this new shipment being unloaded in Divisoria in Manila. Inquirer file photo by Grig C. Montegrande

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

Bongbong Marcos on staying on as agri...

he said in reply to a question about calls made by some lawmakers for a full-time agriculture secretary.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, said she believed it would be better for the DA to have a secretary who could fully delve into the problems hounding the sector.

She was quick to clarify, however, that she’d rather let Marcos decide.

“I don’t want to preempt the president. It’s his decision. But the agriculture sector is facing many problems,” Villar said at a press briefing.

“For me, it’s better to have a DA secretary. But be sure that the secretary loves the small farmers because if not, then we cannot ensure the delivery of service [to farmers],” she added.

The DA, she said, should also shed its reputation as the “Department of Importation” for looking at imports as the cure to short-term supply issues.

“I don’t believe in that. Importation is just temporary. We should focus on [agriculture] development to help our farmers compete,” she said.

Since taking office on June 30 last year, the President has yet to appoint an agriculture secretary, opting to take on the role himself.

On Monday, Marcos said he was inclined to maintain the DA portfolio as his presidential powers allowed him to accomplish things faster.

‘These must be obeyed’

According to him, a permanent secretary can get things done but “with entreaties,” whereas he can simply issue commands.

“So that’s what I bring to the position: [It] is that when I make a decision, I say this is what we need to do; this is the plan; everyone of you follow this plan; you do this, you will do that; we will assign tasks; these

must be obeyed,” he said. And if his orders aren’t followed?

“Then I can chastise them; I can move them aside, push them into other positions, etc., etc., etc.,” Marcos said.

“But generally speaking, if the president asked you to do something, [you] would do it. If there’s somebody else to do it, they may do it — they probably do it but they may not.

So we want to take that wiggle room out of that system,” he added. If he were to appoint a secretary, Marcos said he would pick someone who would be able to coordinate plans regarding food production, non-importation, rising prices of food products, food supply chains, new farming technologies, and climate change.

“Once I know that the value chain has already been put together… what needs to be done in each part of that value chain— and we have the means and we have a plan — then we will have a secretary who will then take my place and will implement that plan. He must understand what we’re doing,” he said.

Reorganization needed

Marcos acknowledged that “some reorganization” might be needed in the DA “for the simple reason that we are doing different things from what we were doing before, and so you have to restructure the bureaucracy in like fashion.”

Last week, during his trip in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, Marcos said he planned to appoint a permanent agriculture secretary who was an expert in the field and who understood the complex issues in that sector.

He said he dreamed of attaining sustainable livelihood for farmers, having affordable food for all, and food security.

In the pursuit of such objectives, Marcos promised at the start of his administration to prioritize local production. But besides

the implementation of existing programs, the president has yet to spell out any new reforms to boost farmers’ yield.

Importation policy

Instead, the DA has resorted to importation to arrest the skyrocketing prices of agricultural commodities—such as sugar and onion — and to stabilize domestic supply.

Just this month, the DA allowed the importation of 21,060 metric tons (MT) of onions, of which 7,100 MT were red onions and 3,960 MT were yellow onions.

Traders were given until Jan. 27 to have all their shipments delivered to the country.

As of Tuesday, January 24, some 12,000 MT of onions has entered the country, with about half cleared for distribution to markets or institutional buyers, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Prior to this, the president directed the DA to expedite the entry of 64,050 MT of refined sugar via the minimum access volume mechanism in response to supply chain issues involving the commodity.

Marcos also vowed to maintain a two-month buffer of sugar to lower the sweetener’s retail price and prevent a future shortage.

In addition, as local farmers struggled against the deluge of cheaper produce from abroad, the president has retained lower tariffs on vital imports under Executive Order No. 10 and EO No. 13.

EO No. 10 retained tariff rates on fresh, chilled, or frozen meat at 15 percent (inquota) and 25 percent (out-quota); corn at 5 percent (in-quota) and 15 percent (outquota); rice at 35 percent (both in-quota and out-quota) and coal at zero duty until endDecember.

On the other hand, EO No. 10 kept the tariff on mechanically deboned meat of chicken and turkey at 5 percent until 2024. n

Filipino American family...

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, January 24.

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 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 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.” n

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

US-based Filipinos encouraged to visit...

we haven’t done in a while. By doing this, it makes us feel more normal and that the world is actually going back to normal. That is why as the world emerged from the pandemic, we are doing this once again. We are reviving this annual activity, the VIP Tour, formerly Ambassador, Consuls and Tourism Directors’

Tour (ACGTDT). As you know, we want it to be more eccentric and we wanted it to be more about you, so we renamed it, VIP Tour,” Enciso said.

Marcos to travel...

He added that the visibility 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 U.S. 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 AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation meeting held in Thailand.

He ended 2022 with a trip to Belgium for the ASEANEuropean 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. n

The nine-day VIP Tour 2023 with the theme “See, Taste and Feel” will be held on July 14 to 24, 2023. Eco-adventures, cultural excursion and gastronomic treats in Manila, Iloilo and Boracay await the VIP guests whether they be Filipinos (balikbayans) or foreigners who have never gone to the Philippines.

In a video message shown during the launch, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez urged the Filipino American community to join the VIP Tour.

“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. Join the VIP Tour 2023 and experience [what] Manila, Iloilo, Boracay have to offer,” Romualdez said.

Rajah Tours Philippines Inc. (RTPI) president Jose Clemente III, on the other hand, said the company, along with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), spent more than six months to come up with a uniquely packaged tour and very affordable prices for this year’s program.

Clemente said this year’s participants deserve to enjoy anew the Philippines’ natural beauty, rich culture and sumptuous cuisine after being restricted from traveling to their home country for a long time.

Rajah Tours has been a pioneer partner of the Philippine government in this tourism initiative since it was first launched in 2005.

One unique feature of this tour, Clemente said, is that it runs longer than usual. The itinerary also incorporates activities that would be appealing to both participants of all ages.

“What made this special is that we lengthen the tour from the previous four days to nine days. It gives us an opportunity to show more to our kababayans who have not been home for years due to COVID and the Filipino Americans from younger generation to 3rd to 4th generation, the beauty of the Philippines so they could all enjoy this tour to the fullest,” Clemente said.

Tourism attaché Richmond Jimenez echoed Clemente’s enthusiasm, pointing out the efforts that the government has put in place to make sure that these travel destinations included in the VIP Tour for this year will measure up to the expectations of the participants.

“We are really keen on our sustainability efforts. We are not here just to bring some people in. We want to offer quality. We want to make sure that the things that you enjoy about the Philippines are something that the future generations will also enjoy. Rest assured that

DOT and Rajah Tours are always looking for exciting destinations and things you can enjoy once you get to the Philippines,” Jimenez said.

According to Jimenez, another exciting highlight of the VIP Tour is the meet and greet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He said most of those who have signified keen interest in joining the VIP Tour 2023 are looking forward to seeing and mingling with President Marcos. “In Honolulu alone, they might get all the slots. They are excited that they get to see the president. It’s a come on, too, for them to have a lunch or a meal with the president, which is really a once-ina-lifetime experience,” the DOT official said.

Jimenez noted that the tour and airline rates are exclusive only to those who would avail of the VIP Tour program.

Philippine Airlines’ Los Angeles area manager Michelle Narvaez said the allin prices, which include airfare, land arrangements, taxes, travel insurance with COVID coverage, being offered under the VIP Tour are affordable.

“Participants could also bring two 50 pounds luggage even in domestic trips so you don’t have to worry if you want to go on a shopping spree,” Narvaez said.

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 to tour in 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 Tigbuan, the location of one of Panay’s most beautiful churches; and then to Miag-ao town, the site of the UNESCO Heritage Church, Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva. In Iloilo City, travelers will visit Museo Iloilo, Nelly 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 — try Iloilo’s famous Batchoy and Puto at a local restaurant and visit a Barquillos Factory and then snack on Molo Soup and Tablea Chocolate Drink. Lunch and cooking demonstrations will take place at an ancestral home. There is also an adventure tour at Damires Hills Tierra Verde Leisure Farm where they can hike around a lush “instagrammable” tropical forest and admire the beautiful landscape of Northern Iloilo. Activities include zipline, canopy walk, fruit picking and swimming in any of their three pools. Another option is to go on Isla de Gigantes Day Tour from Iloilo. They 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 relaxing escapade with seafood feast. Take a scenic island-hopping boat ride around the island and surrounding islet of Isla de Gigantes. This tour is known for the freshly harvested scallops which you can bountifully eat 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 City. 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 the Tibiao Eco-adventure Antique Tour where they could plunge into the cool waters of the 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 do their own whims, such as island hopping, water sports, or playing golf. On Day 8, guests will be back in Manila for a farewell dinner and get ready for the trip back to the U.S. on Day 9.

It was targeted that the 2023 VIP Tour, which will be on a first-come first-served basis, will be able to gather some 300-400 participants in the whole of the United States. The proponents of the VIP Tour have already launched the program in San Francisco and Hawaii. The launching in Los Angeles was simulcasted in San Diego and Dallas. The New York launch will be held soon. Aside from the United States, the VIP Tour is going to be held for Canadian travelers in January 2024 with the theme “Winter Escapade.” Other territories being tapped as potential markets for the VIP Tour program are: Latin America, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and some European countries. It was also held on a one-time basis for Australia and New Zealand participants. For online registration and more information on the VIP Tour 2023 can be found at http:// viptourphilippines2023.com. n

BACK TO BASICS. Addressing hunger and food insecurity is the main thrust of the “Halinat Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay” (Let’s Plant Fruits and Vegetables or HAPAG) which was launched in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (center, front row) checks the cabbage plantation as the project aims to strengthen the capacity of communities and household toward sustainable agricultural initiatives. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Steven Raga sworn in as New York’s first...

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.

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 Gonzales-Rojas, and City Councilmember Julie Won.

Ambassador Romualdez...

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 singlemother 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

President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign policy.

“I think that what President Duterte’s foreign policy, whatever style that he used in communicating to major countries like China and the United States, that is now the fruit that is actually being harvested by President Marcos,” the ambassador said.

“What happened during the time of Duterte was that he just made it clear to the United States that we are a sovereign country and you cannot take us for granted. I think that the United States has accepted that,” he added.

Marcos, said Romualdez, is “now being able to articulate even better” that the Philippines and U.S. should not take each

other for granted. Last year, Marcos said he cannot see the Philippines’ future without the U.S. as an ally. n

The long, overlooked...

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

Meanwhile, many Koreans also came to the U.S. 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 U.S., 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 U.S. 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. n

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez

Photo by Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP

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.

u PAGE 8

Rosy prospects for tourism as Chinese travelers return to PH

MANILA – The Philippines on Tuesday, January 24 welcomed a planeload of Chinese travelers after China finally eases its restriction for outbound travel.

About 190 visitors from Xiamen arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 via Xiamen Airlines flight MF819.

With China contributing to over 1.7 million tourists prior to the pandemic, the arrival signaled renewed hope for the tourism industry’s speedy recovery.

“The arrival of Chinese tourists to the Philippines brings a very positive impact for the prospects of the Philippine tourism industry recognizing that China supplies the most number of people for outbound travel,” Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco said in a presser.

“We anticipate even more Chinese tourists to arrive which will greatly help us in our efforts to transform and to recover the tourism industry as our intention is not only to regain our prepandemic numbers but to exceed it knowing how the relationship between the Philippines and China will only further improve in the years to come with the stance of both our governments,” she added.

Frasco said Manila targets to further exceed the 2019 Chinese arrivals to the country as the government ushers in a new period for recovery

it recognizes the travel sector as pillar of economic growth. Manila, she said, would continue to improve its key destinations popular to Chinese tourists, specifically Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, for his part, said the arrival reflects the importance Beijing places in improving relations with Manila, specifically on strengthening tourism cooperation.

“The recent state visit of President (Ferdinand Marcos) to China, both presidents of China and the Philippines have agreed to make people to people exchanges as one of the four

already areas of cooperation and of course during the visits, our tourism cooperation was actually signed so I think that today’s event is also one of the measures to implement the agreement reached by our two leaders,” he said.

“We believe this kind of tourism cooperation and people to people exchanges would further promote the traditional friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” he added.

China identified the Philippines as one of the 20 pilot areas for outbound tourism group tours, which also includes Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia,

relations at CalOES, shared the level of California’s preparedness regarding the recent storms.

The information she provided is valuable to understanding the current situation in the state, as well as what the state and federal government are doing to address the needs of those affected.

“CalOES is a critical hub to direct state emergency activities and harness the expertise of the whole of state government while working with our local, federal, and tribal partners,” Crofts-Pelayo emphasized. “We firmly believe every Californian, regardless of age, ability, income, or language deserves a culturally competent education to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, including flooding,” she said.

Crofts-Pelayo explained that the severe storms have caused destructive flooding that has affected homes, businesses, and communities. Some weather occurrences include rain, snow, levee breaches, mudslides, hurricane-force winds, and even a tornado in one community.

“These storms are among the most deadly natural disasters in the modern history of our state,” she declared, signifying just how severe the weather has been, where 20 deaths have been reported. She, however, reassured webinar attendees that “The full weight of state and federal government has been rapidly deployed to protect impacted communities.”

One such form of aid was requested on January 12 by Governor Gavin Newsom in the form of an expedited Major Disaster Declaration. This was promptly approved by President Biden on January 14. This aid will only be in effect, as of now, for three specific California counties: Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz.

Crofts-Pelayo detailed how this is declared by the president for any natural event that they believe has caused damage of such severity that is beyond something that state and local governments can handle on their own. The program will provide a full range of federal assistance programs for individuals and

infrastructure that has been affected by the storm.

“Cal OES continues to work closely with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to maximize aid and support communities during this storm event,” she continued, noting how the organization has requested for more counties to be added to the declaration after assessing the damage within their communities.

“To add a county as a designation in the major disaster declaration, it’s imperative that emergency response and lifesaving activities still remain a priority and go uninterrupted during storm conditions,” CroftsPelayo stated, emphasizing that CalOES is working with local authorities to quickly assess the damage all the while ensuring that people are safe.

She ended her section with a glimmer of hope. “We received a report this morning from the national weather service and as we look to the coming days, we are seeing clear skies ahead,” where the big storm event that has been affecting California will be over and clear skies would be seen starting Friday, January 20.

However, Crofts-Pelayo also made sure to emphasize that while these storms may be coming to an end, it is not too late to be prepared for the next emergency. “Have those conversations with your family now. Have an emergency kit ready,” she strongly encouraged.

Keeping vulnerable communities safer

The next section of the webinar was led by Vance Taylor, Chief of the Office of Access and Functional needs at CalOES, who spoke on a variety of resources that are being prepared and utilized amidst this storm season, especially for those who are more vulnerable.

“Even though we have a break in the weather, just like anything, that could change,” Taylor, similar to Crofts-Pelayo, emphasized how while the weather is clearing up, it does not hurt to be prepared. “What we recognize is that anytime there are these types of disasters there are individuals who are disproportionately impacted,” he continued, acknowledging that

while there are many affected, there are also those who are severely impacted that may not have the right support or access to things they need to recover.

Taylor listed that these people include older adults, people with disabilities, those who are economically disadvantaged, and people with access or functional needs. “To ensure that our emergency management systems, programs, and services are being rolled out in a way that is equitable and accessible to everyone,” he detailed one of the main priorities that CalOES has.

In reference to the Major Disaster Declaration that was approved on the 14th, Taylor detailed how within approved counties, as well as those they hope to be approved, those who were impacted will be available to apply for federal assistance through FEMA.

Some of these resources include grant money, aid in receiving essential items (such as furniture and durable medical equipment), rental aid, housing provision, assistance in receiving low interest SBA loans, and anything else that will help people recover and financially get back on their feet.

“In order to apply for that disaster assistance, there is a phone number, 800-621-3362, that you can call. You can also use the FEMA mobile app or apply online,” Taylor described how to gain access to these resources, noting that the services are available in multiple languages, including ASL, as well as, the provision of closed captioning.

Furthermore, he detailed how FEMA will be sending out disaster survivor assistance teams to shelters and approved areas in order to help people register. CalOES will also be setting up mobile registration intake centers. This service will be driving to people who do not otherwise have any transportation service available for them.

“We’re essentially trying to get to the community by one-on-one approach and make sure that everyone who has been impacted, that lives in an approved county, is able to register for services,” Taylor declared.

Signs of the times

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 22.

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 38 flights that were awaiting clearance.

This time, at least, airlines received notice on Saturday, January 21 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. Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista has said that depending on the outcome of the probes being conducted by several agencies including Congress, heads could roll.

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

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 Philippines.

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-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

JANUARY is the start of income tax filing once again.

It is due on or before April 15, 2023. However, due to the natural disaster caused by the so-called atmospheric-river storm that battered California, the Internal Revenue Service just announced that your tax filing can be extended to May 15 for counties covered by a federal emergency declaration — to file their income tax returns for 2022. Among the counties included are Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and San Diego and the rest of several beleaguered counties.

But we don’t have to wait if we can do it now to get it out our way. And if you have a tax-exempt

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 resume traveling after the COVID restrictions. The NAIA, the country’s main

Reaffirming our commitment to PH-US relations

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

As noted by Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink, the IndoPacific 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.

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 IndoPacific.

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 Indo-Pacific 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 in-person 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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Income tax updates and non-profit orgs deadlines

non-profit organization, the tax filing for both federal and state agencies is from January to May 15 if you are on a calendar year. If you file on a fiscal year, your entities’ tax return is filed within five months after the end of your fiscal period.

Here are the salient pointers to consider in filing our tax returns. We need the figures of all our income from all sources that are listed in our W-2s, 1099s, IRA/ Pension distributions, social security benefits, capital gains, dividends, interests, unemployment compensations, lotto and gambling winnings, business income, personal property rental income, stock options, among others.

The next important information are our deductions, exemptions, withholding taxes, property taxes, mortgage interest, dependents that you claim like your minor or

qualifying children, parents whom you provide more than half of their support, gifts to charities, etc. And whatever is more beneficial to us, the tax software will choose it for us whether it’s standard or itemized deductions.

Shown below are some of the updates that I want to share with you. And due to some space constraints, I will mention some of them, then continue it in our next issues.

Earned Income Tax Credit

What is an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? It is a refundable tax credit for low to moderateincome working individuals and couples, particularly those with children. The amount of EITC benefit depends on a recipient’s income and number of children -- to get a tax break. The main requirement is that you must earn money from a job. If you qualify, your refunds might increase or it can eliminate

federal taxes you owe.

The minimum age to collect EITC for a taxpayer without a qualifying child is 25 and below 65 which is the same as pre2021 rules. The maximum amount of EITC to be reimbursed for a single taxpayer without children is $560 in 2022. This is a significantly lower amount than in 2021. The Adjusted Gross Income for a single filer or Head of Household to claim EITC without a qualifying child is $16,480. Taxpayers must use their 2022 earned income to claim the credit.

Taxpayers filing Married Filing Separately that are separated from their spouse and living apart for the last six months of the year may be eligible for EITC if they have a qualifying child that lived with them for at least six months out of the year.

No recovery credit on tax year 2022

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) d an e n ino

The Recovery Rebate Credits or Stimulus Refunds were authorized by Congress to address the Coronavirus pandemic and were issued in 2020 and 2021.

No recovery rebate credit was authorized for 2022 and the taxpayer cannot claim any Recovery Rebate Credit on the 2022 tax return.

Child Tax Credit provisions

What is Child Tax Credit? It is a tax break a tax filer can take for qualifying children to offset the costs of raising kids.

In 2022, the Child Tax Credit is $2,000 for each qualifying child under age 17 that is claimed as a dependent on the tax return. If you are above 17, you are not eligible for the CTC.

The refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit for additional child is up to $1,500 for each qualifying child. The refundable

amount has been increased over the 2020 amount because the refundable portion of the CTC is adjusted based on changes in the US Chained Consumer Price Index.

To receive the Additional Child Tax Credit, the taxpayer must have an earned income. This is the same calculation that existed in 2020.

Child Tax Credit is phased out if the Taxpayer’s Adjusted Gross Income is more than the following:

• $400,000 for Married Filing Jointly. • $200,000 for all other filing statuses

Should you have inquiries, you can reach me at 562-5088099 or email at denino1951@ gmail.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

Staying safe through California’s...

He emphasized that people should continue to be prepared. “Just because it is sunny today, it does not necessarily mean you are out of hazard’s way,” he reiterated, further suggesting that individuals, especially those with access or functional needs, should create an evacuation plan.

Taylor then emphasized another way the public can continue to be alert and that is by staying informed and listening to local authorities. If they say to evacuate, it is essential that one follows their guidance. He spoke on how shelters are accessible and take into consideration the access and functional needs one may need.

“If you don’t know what’s going on, you won’t know what to prepare for or what appropriate action to take,” he encouraged webinar attendees to stay in the know by signing for free emergency alerts. The following website is where one can go to sign up: https://calalerts.org/

Post-flood health tips

Dr. Jason Wilken, who is a CDC Career Epidemiology Field Officer, was next to speak on information regarding the public’s health when returning home after a flood.

“The best thing you can do to protect your health is avoid contact with flood water,” Dr. Wilken said, emphasizing how flood water can contain things that are harmful to one’s health. He detailed some of the following things as toilet waste, bad germs, hazardous chemicals such as gas, heavy or sharp objects that can injure you, as well as live or even dead animals. Contact or consumption of food or water contaminated by flood waters can lead to serious illness like diarrhea and skin infections.

“Children are especially at risk based on their behavior,” Dr. Wilken warned audience members, urging them not to allow their children to play near or in flood water as well as steering them away from toys that may have been contaminated.

If one does need to be in contact with flood water, he encourages them to wear rubber gloves and boots in order to protect their skin from contact.

“Floods can have a substantial impact on your drinking water,” Dr. Wilken continued, highlighting how it is unsafe to drink contaminated water. He also provided suggestions

on what to do if one is unsure of the water source they have.

Regarding tap water, Dr. Wilken emphasized that local authorities would let you know if it is safe to use or has to be boiled. Those with flooded wells also must stay safe by getting in touch with local environmental health or the water department in order to get the water tested and disinfected. Lastly, bottled water, while generally safe due to being sealed, also must be handled with care especially if the outside container has been in contact with flood water.

“Flooding can also contaminate food. Contaminated food is unsafe to eat,” Dr. Wilken added, further suggesting that other than undamaged cans or pouches, one would need to throw out any fresh or packaged food that has been touched by flood water. The sealed containers, while the food is safe, will also need to be disinfected if they have been contaminated on the outside.

This then led into a discussion about how to clean and disinfect surfaces or items that have been contaminated. Dr. Wilken suggests a common cleaner recipe of one tablespoon of bleach mixed into a gallon of water. “Never mix cleaners,” he additionally emphasized. Another safety hazard that can appear due to flood waters, is the presence of mold. Dr. Wilken made sure to point out that drying your home as well as removing items that are damaged by the water, is the best way in preventing mold from growing. “Mold will grow on hard surfaces. You can contact your local health department for guidance on mold remediation,” he described, adding that after 48 hours, one can assume there is mold on an item or surface unless it has been dried.

Dr. Wilken provided the following links for more information on how to safely return home after flood as well as some further details about mold.

Social Safety Net Program

Kim Johnson, Director of the California Department of Social Services, spoke next on a variety of resources that people can turn to for assistance. She first directed people to turn to the following website (https://www. cdss.ca.gov/ ) by the CDSS that acts as a disaster assistance resource center and hub.

“A lot of our safety net service delivery is expanding in real

time,” Johnson described, highlighting one of the resources that people can turn to, CalFresh. During this time, the three approved counties under the Major Disaster Declaration will have disaster CalFresh offerings at local assistance centers, which essentially provides people with resources needed regarding food essentials. If one is already in the program, they can essentially replace the food resources they lost due to the floods within ten days of the loss.

“We find in these events that individuals, families, and households are impacted in ways they aren’t anticipating.

In addition to all the great federal resources that have been mentioned, we do have the most robust safety net array of any other state across the country,” Johnson expressed, noting that there is support provided based on every individual’s need, such as food, cash, and even housing assistance.

While this time is stressful on the physical, Johnson emphasized how the state also acknowledges that this stress can also impact one mentally and emotionally, especially if they are navigating through the changes brought upon by the storms. One program that is in place with hopes to ease these stressful times is called CalHOPE. This program can be reached through the following phone number, 833-317-HOPE, and their website www.calhope. org.

The CalHOPE program also has a separate number that focuses on acting as a “friendship line” for those who are isolated, especially older adults. They can be reached at the following number, 888-670-1360.

“We’re putting out these opportunities and resources for real connections for those impacted and disrupted in their living circumstances and situations,” Johnson emphasized, where the variety of resources that everyone has detailed ranges in how they help those who have been impacted, from their physical needs to being able to talk to someone.

California Department of Insurance

Tony Cignarale, Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Consumer Services & Market Conduct Branch at the California Department of Insurance, spoke on how to handle damages caused by the flood through

insurance.

Cignarale detailed what can and cannot be covered by insurance during winter storms. He emphasized how it is all dependent upon what coverage one has. “In order to get covered for a tree falling on your car or flood damage you would need what’s called comprehensive coverage on your vehicle,” he described, where “for homes, businesses, or renters” it would be covered under standard homeowners, renters, and commercial property insurance policies.

However, even so, the type of damage and the cause is also crucial to every case. “Flood damage, which could include mudflow and debris flow, wouldn’t be covered under the standard policies unless you have separate flood insurance,” Cignarale explained, where rather most flood insurance is based upon the FEMA sponsored flood insurance program, the National Flood Insurance Program. If you don’t have this insurance purchased, flood damages on your home or business will not be covered.

“However, there is one exception. If you’re in an area that had a prior wildfire and

if the cause of the flooding to your property was from the burn scar of the prior fire, then you could have coverage under your home, renters, or commercial policy,” Cignarale described, emphasizing how the person would just have to be able to prove their claim by showing that there was a direct relationship between the fire and flood.

Cignarale ended his section by providing the following link (https://www.insurance.ca.gov/) to access more details on insurance and coverage during these times, as well as a number to call the California Department of Insurance, 800-927-4357.

Final thoughts

The webinar ended with, once again, the emphasis on the safety of the public, where the information provided was encouraged to be spread through media outlets and of course in telling loved ones.

A webinar attendee asked one final question. The speakers were asked to address how we can help protect our loved ones, especially elders, during these times. This is significant for the Filipino community, as our elders are very much central to many of our family lives.

“If you are able to spread this

information, about the right and wrong places to go, I think that will be a huge help,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo answered, showing how we, as community members, can do our part to really help others and spread the word that can possibly change or even save a life.

“I think a lot of it comes down to a support network. That we have to be willing to do a bit of handholding… keep in close contact with the whole community and make sure we support each other on that front,” Vance Taylor added, further encouraging people to use the resources talked about in the webinar and essentially guiding those who may not be able to utilize them on their own.

Therefore, you, as a community or family member, can do your part in spreading the information that was provided above. Help keep your loved ones safe as well as yourself. Be prepared and diligent as we know not what the future will hold. If you, or a loved one, is currently in need of assistance in recovery or if you have been impacted by the recent storms, please visit the following link: https://www. disasterassistance.gov. (Amrylois Ferido/AJPress) n

Rosy prospects for...

Singapore, Laos, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Argentina, Cuba and Fiji.

“We hope that we would come back to the pre-pandemic level in the very near future,” Huang said.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) and the Philippine Airlines (PAL) in a separate briefing also welcomed the return of high-spending Chinese tourists.

“That’s additional income for our country and the Philippines is more than ready to accept tourists whatever nationalities would come in. We are very excited to give them our best services,” PTAA president Michelle Taylan said.

PAL recently resumed flights to Xiamen and Guangzhou, with hopes to open up more flights soon as Covid-19 curbs relax.

“We’re also working with authorities both here in the Philippines and China and into making sure that we of course observe all maximum health protocols,” PAL Assistant Vice President for Passenger Sales Marissa Dimaano said.

China was Manila’s second top source of foreign travelers in 2019 next to South Korea.

Based on the latest DOT data, the country now ranks 10th in terms of arrivals, with 6,673 visitors recorded as of Jan. 24. (PNA) n

LEGAL SERVICES

Steven Raga sworn in as New York’s first...

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

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9027999

HABIBI BOUTIQUE located at 2142 Cuyamaca Ct., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

Registrant: a. Yadira Leonor Rodriguez, 2142 Cuyamaca Ct., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

b. Gildardo Rodriguez, 2142 Cuyamaca Ct., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

This business is conducted by General Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/29/2022.

Signature: Yadira Leonor Rodriguez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/29/2022. AJ 1090 01/06, 01/13, 01/20, and 01/27/2023. AJSD 1090

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000612

GGG Mobile Tire Service located at 25488 HWY 94, Potrero, CA 91963.

Registrant: Juan Gabriel Rivera Jr, 25488 HWY 94, Potrero, CA 91963.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/10/2023.

Signature: Juan Gabriel Rivera Jr.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/10/2023. AJ 1097 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1097

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9028067

Above & Beyond Carpet

Care located at 3617 Bancroft Dr., #1A, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

Registrant: Carpet & Stone Support Inc., 3617 Bancroft Dr., #1A, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/30/2022.

Signature: Alec Haskett. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/30/2022. AJ 1091 01/06, 01/13, 01/20, and 01/27/2023. AJSD 1091

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000752

S.D Excavation located at 1364 Santa Cora Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: John Arnold, 1364 Santa Cora Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/11/2023.

Signature: John Arnold. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/11/2023.

AJ 1098 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1098

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000898 Elite Garage Door Services located at 4630 Border Village Road, Suite N, San Ysidro, CA 92173. Registrant: Jesse Gil, 4630 Border Village Road, Suite N, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT

BEGUN TO TRANSACT

ABOVE.

Signature: Anita Howard. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/09/2023. AJ 1102 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1102

BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Jesse Gil. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/13/2023. AJ 1103 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1103

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9001673 Little Tree House Child Care located at 210 Camino Vista Real, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Silvia Adriana Vasquez Zamora, 210 Camino Vista Real, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/24/2023.

Signature: Silvia Adriana Vasquez Zamora. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/24/2023. AJ 1107 01/27, 02/03, 02/10, and 02/17/2023. AJSD 1107

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. n

LEGAL SERVICES/EMPLOYMENT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9027855 Road Ready Auto Sales located at 4626 Mercury St., Suite 2200, San Diego, CA 92111.

Registrant: Mohamed Sharif Osman, 6758 Rio Plato Ct., San Diego, CA 92114. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Mohamed Sharif Osman. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/27/2022. AJ 1092 01/06, 01/13, 01/20, and 01/27/2023. AJSD 1092

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9027483

Eden New Beginning located at 1237 Graves Ave., Apt #611, El Cajon, CA 92021.

Registrant: David Osnaya, 1237 Graves Ave., Apt #611, El Cajon, CA 92021. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: David Osnaya. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/20/2022.

AJ 1099 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1099

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000064

Kim’s House Desserts And Sandwiches located at 9510 Miramar Rd., San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Tiger Eats LLC, 5189 Caminito Cachorro, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Tiger Nguyen. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2023.

AJ 1104 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1104

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000060

M&R Forklift Service And Repair located at 1842 Via Las Palmas #37, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Dolores Monterrubio, 1842 Via Las Palmas #37, National City, Ca 91950. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/03/2023.

Signature: Dolores Monterrubio. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2023. AJ 1095 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1095

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000774

DAKINE FITNESS OF CALIFORNIA located at 6593 Plaza Ridge Rd., San Diego, CA 92114.

Registrant: Janet Gonzales, 1241 Bodega Bay Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91915.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Janet Gonzales. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/12/2023.

AJ 1100 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1100

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000476

Kinme Omakase located at 2505 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Artisan Bento LLC, 2505 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2023.

Signature: Shihomi Sakai Borillo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/09/2023. AJ 1105 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023.

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000039 Mango Tours Chula Vista located at 285 E. Orange Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Kathline Gayo Coberly, 1539 Sherbrooke St., San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Kathline Gayo Coberly. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2023. AJ 1096 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1096

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000805

RICE IMPORTS LLC located at 3518 Lynch Lane, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

Registrant: RICE IMPORTS LLC, 3518 Lynch Lane, San Ysidro, CA 92173. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/06/2023.

Signature: Andy Saeteurn. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/12/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9001324 Oxeda Smoothie Club located at 560 Greenbrier Dr. Unit 105, Oceanside, CA 92054. Registrant: Oxeda Company LLC, 4122 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Johny Oxeda. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/20/2023. AJ 1106 01/27, 02/03, 02/10, and 02/17/2023.

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

‘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 well-received 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,” 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.”n

Eligible San Diegans urged to join the 540,000 already protected with bivalent COVID-19 booster

MORE than 540,000 San Diegans have protected themselves, their family and friends by getting a bivalent COVID-19 booster since it became available in September 2022. County health officials are urging more to do the same as we start the new year.

The COVID-19 virus is still widespread in our neighborhoods and county. County public health officials are specifically urging people 65 years of age and older – the group most at risk from serious complications, including death, of COVID-19 – to get a bivalent booster.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California Department of Public Health a recommend bivalent booster for everyone six months of age and older. Numerous studies have reported that the bivalent booster is more effective in

protecting people from serious complications from COVID-19, including the newest Omicron variants that now make up four of every 10 cases in the U.S.

“It’s very important that San Diegans not let their guards down and continue to protect themselves by getting vaccinated if they haven’t been already,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H.

“The virus is still circulating in the region.

We’re still seeing high percentages of positive COVID-19 tests and detecting high levels of the virus in wastewater. Vaccinations, including bivalent boosters, can help protect you from getting seriously ill or even dying.”

The County Health and Human Services Agency reports 519,371 San Diegans chose

u PAGE 10

Drag Race PH winner

Precious Paula Nicole to perform at drag convention in Los Angeles

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

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 Wonder (WOW) Productions on its official website.

“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 was crowned the winner of “Drag Race Philippines” season one after lip-syncing to Gloc-9’s hit song Sirena” against first runnerup 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. n

Precious Paula Nicole Photo from Instagram/@preciouspaulame

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

Photo courtesy of Imperative Entertainment

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 recently 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 antipiracy 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

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 GozonValdes.

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

Board paves way for taxation of cannabis businesses in the unincorporated area

THE County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday, January 24 to set taxation rates for existing cannabis businesses in the unincorporated area.

Tuesday’s action only applies to the unincorporated area of the county, where five licensed cannabis businesses currently exist.

The new tax will apply to both medical and recreational operations and will be assessed based on the type of cannabis business. Cultivation businesses will be taxed based on square footage of growing area and lighting method, and all other types of cannabis businesses will be taxed based on a percentage of gross income.

Supervisors voted in favor of imposing a 2 percent tax on all retail sales of cannabis products in the unincorporated area.

Tuesday’s Board vote is one of the initial steps the County is taking to implement Measure A, which San Diegans approved during the November 8, 2022 election. The next step is for the Board to finalize approval of the rates during a second hearing scheduled for the end of February. Pending the second hearing, cannabis businesses would implement the new tax at the beginning of April and begin paying the

File photo/www.countynewscenter.com County in July.

The Board is expected to take further action later this summer when Planning and Development Services and the Office of Equity and Racial Justice will introduce additional policy measures and proposed licensing requirements.

(Katie Cadiao/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

Youth transitioning out of foster care to see increased support

ambassadors are Sparkle stars and the cast of the muchanticipated 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.”n

THE San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, January 24 to accept recommendations from Child Welfare Services (CWS) to increase funding to support foster youth for up to three years as they transition out of care. The vote provided $2.7 million in state funding over the next three fiscal years for housing and wraparound services for young adults 18 to 25 years old. The region’s high cost of living was one of the major factors behind the increase. The additional program funding was only made available to 11 California counties with the highest rent. Going forward, each participating youth will receive $3,710 a month, a $900 increase compared to the current rate.

In 2001, the state established the Transitional Housing Program-Plus, which provides affordable housing and wraparound services for foster youth 18 to 21 years old for up to two years.

Other bills extended the opportunity for foster youth to stay in the foster care system until age 21 and added housing assistance services. The Transitional Housing Program provides up to three cumulative years of support for foster youth from 18 to 25 years old.

Data shows the difference this kind of investment can make.

“In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, more than 400 youth were served by the Transitional Housing Program and 93 percent maintained stable housing over the course of the fiscal year,” said Kim Giardina,

director of Child Welfare Services. “This program keeps vulnerable young adults off the streets, in an environment where they can pursue higher education and become successful members of society.”

Nearly all youth enrolled in the program accessed needed medical, dental and mental healthcare, while 97 percent enrolled in an educational or vocational training program and successfully completed the term. Each year about 100 youth leave foster care in San Diego and rely on this program to provide a safe place to sleep, eat and study. CWS partners with nonprofits to ensure the inclusion of youth in underserved communities and those with increased barriers to safe and affordable housing.

(Cassie Klapp/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

Eligible San Diegans urged to...

to get the bivalent booster in the four months from when they were introduced September through the end of 2022. That included 126,772 in September, 178,256 in October, 123,450 in November and 90,893 in December. To date in January, 28,747 have obtained the bivalent booster.

COVID-19 vaccines, including bivalent boosters, and flu vaccines are widely available at local medical providers and pharmacies. The county continues to offer vaccinations throughout the region at its vaccination sites. Check online for the days and hours sites will be open at https:// www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/ programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019nCoV/vaccines.html.

Preventive measures

In addition to vaccination and staying home when ill, San Diegans can take other precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, as well as seasonal illnesses like the flu. These measures include:

• Cleaning hands thoroughly and often.

• Staying away from sick people.

• Wearing a facial covering, especially in crowded indoor settings.

• Regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

• Conducting home testing when exposed or when ill. The federal government is providing free at-home COVID-19 tests available again through the winter for a limited time. Households can order one pack of four free tests through the U.S. Postal Service. For more information about testing, go to the County of San Diego COVID-19 testing webpage at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/ hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/ dc/2019-nCoV/testing.html.

COVID-19 vaccination progress

• More than 2.69 million or 80.5% of San Diegans have received the primary series of one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.

• Bivalent boosters administered: 548,143 or 22.0% of 2,497,222 eligible San Diegans.

• More vaccination information can be found at coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine.

Data updates to the County’s coronavirus-sd.com website will be published Thursdays around 5 p.m., with the exception of holidays. More information about the flu is available on the County’s influenza website.

(Katie Cadiao/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

Leading broadcast company GMA Network recently announced it has strengthened its antipiracy capabilities by partnering with the Alliance for Creativity & Entertainment (ACE).

GMA Network also launched last January 19 its own anti-piracy advocacy campaign dubbed “Stream Responsibly. Fight Piracy.”

Art Hearts Fashion: Celebrating 10 years of changing lives through fashion

THERE is more to fashion than what meets the eyes. At Art Hearts Fashion, Erik Rosete heads the company with a passion that truly allows one to see how much heart and art lie within the realm of fashion.

The Asian Journal had the chance to sit down with Rosete, whose words emphasized the heart he has for the art that is fashion. His company is a result of the good and impact that can come from hard work, dedication, and passion for your craft. Celebrating 10 years this 2023, Art Hearts Fashion continues to grow and expand, where their impact can be seen throughout the world of fashion.

The story of success

The beginning of Art Hearts Fashion is an inspiring story. Erik Rosete, who was and is at the heart of it all, only wanted to make a difference in the lives of those he cares about. This journey started around 12 years ago, where Rosete thought that some of his friends were very beautiful, believing that they could get into modeling and be successful at it.

“I knew nothing about fashion, I was in real estate. I just knew how passionate I was about supporting my friends and trying to do something for them,” Rosete expressed, where this dedication can be seen not only in words but in action. Rosete went to New York and started to pitch his friends to different agencies.

“Being here in Los Angeles, it’s kind of like one of those things where people get sucked into a dream, but they don’t have a lot of direction,” Rosete said, describing how LA can make one feel. This emphasizes how he became the sense of direction and guidance for his friends who were experiencing this.

In New York, he pitched his best friend to the number one agency, IMG, for a career in modeling. It was ultimately a success, however, not just for her but also for Rosete as IMG wanted for him to sign a contract with them.

“You belong in this field. We loved what you did. You brought her in here, you really put up a pitch. We want you to bring in more models and we want you to work with us as a manager,” IMG reportedly told Rosete, seeing not only the potential in his best friend but in him due to his own passion and dedication to help her.

For months Rosete and his best friend stayed in New York to develop this new part of their lives. However, eventually they made their way back to LA and Rosete was left to figure out what he was to do next.

It wasn’t long till he was contacted by another designer who had just started his career. They had heard about what Rosete had been doing in New York for IMG and wanted him to do the same for him. Once again, Rosete led someone to success. As there were not any organized fashion weeks in LA at the time, Rosete ended up taking the designer to New York.

“Within 6 months of managing him, we had his largest show in New York. We had Kendall Jenner and it was her first fashion show ever that she did with us,” Rosete described. Many of the sponsors for this show also included an array of other big names. Just Dance, Alex Morgan, Entertainment Tonight, Kris Jenner, Lance Bass, and so many others were present at this show, establishing Rosete as someone who would only continue to make a mark in the industry.

“All of these doors opened as a result of the doors that had closed while I was trying to help my friend. So, the universe was telling me this is the field you want to get into,” he said, never allowing anything to deter him from moving forward.

During this journey, Rosete had met a lot of different people. From photographers to accessory designers

to artists, and he realized he needed to do something with all that he had learned. The story did not stop at the New York fashion show as back in LA, a venue called 333 Live was calling for him.

The owner of 333 Live wanted Rosete to bring his fashion shows to this venue. At this point in time Rosete was using the name Art Hearts Fashion for his business. “It was the three elements that really got me moving. It was the art of it, the heart of it, because I was investing so much of my own free time into it, and the fashion of it. So, the art, the hearts, and the fashion were the three elements that make up my company,” Rosete revealed.

Shows like this are however costly, therefore new designers could not easily afford it. “So, when we started going into runway shows I invited all of the designers and all of the artists I had worked with that could not afford to be able to do the show,” Rosete emphasized how he wanted to celebrate those who would not otherwise have had this opportunity.

This first fashion show held by Art Hearts Fashion at 333 Live was so successful that the owner of the venue spoke to Rosete with full belief in what he was doing. “You’re a hit. This is something that I’ve seen only one other time in my life, and it was with Prince,” they expressed, continuing to declare how this was a once in a life opportunity for Rosete.

“If you do not do this event again, within a month, I will never let you use my venue again…you don’t want people to forget who you are and what you just did,” they told Rosete, encouraging him to move forward in creating the next big event. Rosete had however already used everyone for the first show and had, at the time, nothing and no designer to use for his second show.

“I have no brand. I have no designers. And I have an event in two weeks,” Rosete explained. However, this slight hurdle resulted in the birth of his own personal fashion brand, Mr. Triple X.

The character of Mr. Triple X is not named after Rosete, but rather a mysterious character that people would inevitably ask questions about. This was reflected in the fact that at the second show Art Hearts Fashion put on, 333 Live was packed with those who “wanted to know who Mr. Triple X was.” His own brand therefore took the show by storm and yet again Rosete produced another success.

Art Hearts Fashion then moved on to the next big thing, being integrated into fashion weeks. Rosete once again called IMG in New York, which at the time owned Mercedes Benz fashion week. This time he told them about how Art Hearts Fashion wanted to bring a charity event that supports a lot of artists to New York Fashion Week. They essentially said they would get back to him, which to Rosete signaled a possible answer of no.

However, contrary to what Rosete had believed, IMG called back to tell him nothing but good news. The company told him that they had one final spot left, right after Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, the finale. As the finale event, Art Hearts Fashion featured Rosete’s brand Mr. Triple X and nine other brands.

“We became the biggest grand finale of Mercedes Benz fashion week in New York,” Rosete detailed, where Art Hearts Fashion’s finale, even while being positioned directly after two of the biggest brands in the world, had the most audience members.

“They (IMG) invited us season after season to do the same,” Rosete recounted how this moment had changed the course of Art Hearts Fashion. They were the grand finale every season until Mercedes Benz stopped doing New York Fashion Week. This did not mean the end of Art Hearts Fashion as the company continued to grow. They started to hold bigger venues, added more days to their events, and even now hold shows at conventions.

Marking their tenth year this year, Rosete described how, “This last year alone, which was our 9th year in business, we added LA Swim Week and Art Week. So, we added two major events already leading into our ten-year anniversary. And these major events were picked by WWD, Daily Front Row, Forbes, and LA Weekly as the hot events that were happening.”

They were not the only ones talking about Art Hearts Fashion as Rosete expressed how, “Forbes Magazine named our Art Week event in Miami, just last month, as one of the Stylish Highlights and places to be. .”

“Out of nowhere, we went from this brand that supported independent designers to now working with Nike, Doc Marten, Saks Fifth Avenue, Vogue,

and all of the biggest partnerships in the world,” he revealed, highlighting Art Hearts Fashion’s place within the world of fashion as one that is prominent and continuously evolving.

Three words: Art, hearts and fashion

The story Rosete told of his beginnings only emphasizes the achievements Art Hearts Fashion has made in the last ten years as well as what will continue to mark their successful future. In understanding the beginning and early successes of Art Hearts Fashion, one can come to see why it is the success that it is today and why it has made such an impact in the fashion world.

The name ‘Art Hearts Fashion’ is itself a bit of a tongue twister. “Is it Arts Hearts?” Rosete spoke on how people often ask how to pronounce the company name. It however helps people remember the company and especially what it stands for.

The name is quite personal to Rosete as each separate word has a meaning. “Art Hearts Fashion is three words, with three meanings. The three different elements that make up each event,” Rosete explained, where the number three itself has become important to the company. An example is the 333 Live venue, which is where the company had its start.

“Art, Hearts, Fashion became the three core values that we hold,” he continued, explaining how these values became the charitable elements, where the people involved and supporting it became the heart of the organization, Rosete included as the person behind it all. These people include the hundreds of make-up artists, hair stylists, photographers, stylists, designers, and models, who Rosete all cites as playing an important role in every event held.

“Those were the people that, combined, were creating and telling this story,” he further emphasized the team effort that goes into every event. Rosete then gave a behind the scenes description of what happens behind the runway, where every single look alone can involve five to six people.

Their involvement with these events is of course rewarded, especially in the ability to gain street credibility for the hard work that they do. Art Hearts Fashion therefore gives them this chance that they would most likely not find anywhere else.

“I may be one person that does a lot, but there are a lot of people that are helping to get it accomplished,” Rosete highlighted how while he may be the father of Art Hearts Fashion, an entire ‘family’, including himself, is involved in making their events a success.

“Art, Hearts, and Fashion are the three elements that make us and it’s also the thousands of people that over the last ten years have helped to support and make dreams come true,” he continued, detailing how Art Hearts Fashion has changed many lives over the years, not just in the lives of those involved but also who the events are held for.

The company, over the course of their ten years, has raised millions of dollars for charity. Their shows also often emphasize the importance of inclusion and diversity. “We were the first to put cancer survivors & children with disabilities on the runway. We debuted the first designer with Down Syndrome and the first double amputee. We granted the Make a Wish Foundation anniversary wish and were featured on the Today show,” Rosete outlined the many firsts that Art Hearts Fashion has had, changing many lives in the process.

This work that Art Hearts Fashion and Rosete has been doing continued on even through the pandemic. During the pandemic, the company produced fashion films based on their designers stories, and while returning from the pandemic produced a fashion show painting masks for Northwell to raise money for their charity.. “We did a lot more than survive the pandemic, we really excelled during it. We started to focus on the production of fashion films,” Rosete expressed how they wanted to tell stories not just through the runway, which was not possible during the pandemic, but artistically. Essentially, Art Hearts Fashion navigated through the pandemic through the art, hearts, and fashion as they have always done for years.

Fashion moves the world

As we spoke to Rosete, he admitted that 20 or 30 years ago, when he was working in real estate, fashion was something he didn’t care about. “I thought fashion was logos and people being manipulated into spending a lot of money on brands and brand names,” he explained, showing how fashion was not something he put much thought into at the time. It wasn’t until his friends within the industry and people he wanted to work with, showed him the other side of fashion. “The production side of it. The fashion show side of it. The difference between fabrics and structure. All the different elements that you don’t appreciate when you’re not in the fashion industry,” Rosete affirmed the

hard work that he realized truly went into fashion.

“If somebody buys something that makes them feel special, that changes the way they feel,” he conveyed, emphasizing how “something (clothing, accessories, etc.) can make them hate themselves, love themselves, or desire themselves or others.” This sense of feeling is controlled through their fashion sense, Rosete detailed.

“The power that fashion has over someone and how it makes someone feel, is a lot more impactful than people think,” Rosete said. This is something he tries to reflect upon in his own brand Mr. Triple X, “If I create a brand that’s edgy and cool, if that person wears it, are they going to feel edgy and cool?”

“I just love the way fashion looks on people and the way it makes them feel. And I love having my own brand that can make someone feel sexy wearing a complete full conservative outfit,” he expressed, depicting how fashion can provide people with a sense of empowerment. “That’s the power that I learned fashion has. It changes things, changes communities,” Rosete added.

“Art Hearts Fashion is a way to celebrate that power and utilize it for the good,” he declared, where one such way Art Hearts Fashion celebrates this power is through how they connect with other cultures and designers from foreign countries. “With Art Hearts Fashion, we have so much art, so many hearts, and so much fashion that we’re getting cultures from all over the world,” Rosete continued, additionally bringing up how they have been able to work with people from India and Dubai.

“You get to appreciate the person’s culture, their identity, and how they want to feel and look,” he added, where one community and culture Art Hearts Fashion constantly connects with and appreciates is the Filipino community.

Art Hearts Fashion and the Filipino community

“We’ve always been tied with the Philippines since day one. We’ve had the blessing of having the biggest Filipino designers in the world join us,” Rosete proudly told Asian Journal. In their first finale show at Mercedes Benz’s New York Fashion Week, one brand on their runway was curated by designer Furne Amato, who is one of the biggest Filipino designers in the world that Rosete mentioned.

Additionally, Michael Cinco, another big Filipino fashion designer, was just at one of their New York shows. Rosete has also worked with many others, such as Rocky Gathercole, may he rest in peace, Cary Santiago, Joey Galon and Kenneth Barlis. This emphasizes his strong connection and respect for Filipino culture and fashion.

Not only has Rosete worked with designers, but he has had the chance to work with Filipino models as well. “My first show in New York, I had Janine Tugonon as my opening and closing model, and at the time she had just won Miss Universe Philippines. After modeling in my show, she got picked to be the first ever Victoria Secret Filipina model,” Rosete recounted, expressing a sense of pride in getting to work with the Filipina model.

“These types of magical things that were happening were all tied in with community and people and places from all over the world,” he continued, emphasizing how working with others from different communities, backgrounds, and cultures is a part of what Art Hearts Fashion does and how it has been integrated into their programming.

He hopes to continue working with Filipino artists as well as designers from other foreign countries. “If we’re able to have partners in different countries, in places that are tied in with our partnerships, I would absolutely love to do it,” Rosete affirmed, noting that the only thing that has been holding this expansion back is finances.

However, much like the many other obstacles he has faced, finances will not be a hurdle that Art Hearts Fashion cannot overcome. “We should never let finances hold us back from being able to support so many people.” Rosete reassured, noting that if they’re able to bring this support to a country like the Philippines, it would help so many models, make-up artists, photographers, and in general those involved within the industry by giving them an international

platform. Rosete described how there are already many local fashion weeks and events that happen in other countries, however unlike those in London, Milan, and Paris, they don’t reach the U.S. “We (Art Hearts Fashion) have the biggest fashion designers from Australia, Dubai, the Middle East, the Philippines, Latin America, showing with us here in the U.S.,” he explained, showing that Rosete wants for these artists and designers to get the recognition they deserve.

“If we (Art Hearts Fashion) were to go somewhere and take our platform to another country, it would establish them worldwide because of our networks that are worldwide. We would bring that worldwide attention to them with us,” Rosete thoughtfully declared, highlighting how an expansion would not only help Art Hearts Fashion but also those they work with. Plans for the future

As Art Hearts Fashion is in their tenth year, there surely is more to come for both the company and Erik Rosete. “For the future of our personal platform, I foresee us being able to expand as much as we can, responsibly, but also combine stories with what we’re doing, everywhere,” he described, emphasizing how the future of fashion is evolving.

While the company will continue to grow, Rosete wanted to ensure that through this growth no one is left behind, where every designer that works with them will see an impact upon their life and career.

“If we have 33 designers showing at our platform, you better believe that all 33 are going to be on fashion channel. They’re going to be getting published everywhere,” he signified, where the goal for Art Hearts Fashion is “to get as many eyeballs as possible on our designers.” Art Hearts Fashion gives this opportunity for growth and exposure to so many. Rosete also gave advice to those who are still making their way into the industry now.

“Never let anyone tell you no,” he declared, further speaking on the importance time has on one’s growth and career. “Time is the most valuable thing you can have. Investing your time into something is the most important thing that you can do,” Rosete added. While one may have money and power to be able to pursue something, time is what Rosete feels is most important in order to develop something spectacular and successful.

“For me, I did this for my own personal reason. I did it to tell my story within a platform that tells so many stories,” Rosete described, showing the importance of the story behind everything one does.

“Invest your time and your heart into it and make sure you have a story to tell. Every brand should have its own unique DNA,” he continued, marking how Art Hearts Fashion itself is a success due to the fact it truly is a unique company that puts heart into everything they do all the while highlighting the stories behind everyone they work with.

Speaking to Rosete, one can’t help but feel the same passion and heart he expresses for his company and what he does. If you are interested in what Art Hearts Fashion has in store for their tenth year, make sure to visit their website as well as checking out their social media.

If you are an aspiring designer or someone simply looking to get into the world of fashion, Art Hearts Fashion is one of the best ways to go. They have multiple events lined up this year that you shouldn’t miss, such as New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, and Miami Swim Week! With the intention of celebrating their tenth anniversary to the fullest, make sure to keep an eye out for all of these grand events. You surely will see the success and story that Erik Rosete has been able to achieve and tell with Art Hearts Fashion throughout the years.

The following are links to their website, social media handles, as well as a way to contact them directly:

Erik with Jose Forteza Sr. Editor of Vogue Latin America and Camilla Franks Celebrity Fashion Designer from Australia

Erik backstage

Erik Rosete at the New York Fashion Week

Contributed photos Miami Swim Week Grand Finale Mister Triple X with super models Tyson Beckford and Georgina Mazzeo