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DATELINE USA

AAPI community leaders seek solutions following recent shootings in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay

CALIFORNIA’S vast Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has been wrought with multiple tragedies: the Lunar New Year party massacre on Jan. 21 that killed 11 people and injured others and the Jan. 23 Half Moon Bay shooting that killed seven people.

Most of the victims of these two murderous rampages were Asian Americans and

MANILA — United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III is in the country for talks about deploying U.S. forces and weapons

in more Philippine military camps to ramp up deterrence against China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.

Austin flew to Manila Tuesday night, January 31 from South Korea, where he had said that

the U.S. would increase its deployment of advanced weapons such as fighter jets and bombers to the Korean Peninsula to bolster joint training with South Korean forces in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear

GoFundMe created for Fil-Am

man killed in Monterey park shooting

THE family of a Filipino American man killed during a Lunar New Year shooting in Monterey Park, California has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs.

Valentino Alvero, 68, was one of 11 individuals killed during the mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Saturday night, Jan. 21 as the Asian American

Pres. Marcos urges diplomatic community to back

GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong”

Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, January 31 urged members of the diplomatic community to work with his administration in achieving its Philippine Development Plan (PDP)

2023-2028.

This, he said, would serve as the country’s blueprint for its economic and social transformation in the next six years.

“I urge our friends in the Diplomatic Community to work with us in achieving our development goals

by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the implementation of the ValueAdded Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 in an effort to boost tourist arrivals in the country, Malacañang said on Sunday, January 29.

The program is among the “Quick Wins” recommendations presented by the tourism cluster of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) in a meeting with Mr. Marcos last Thursday, January 26.

PSAC is composed of business leaders and industry experts providing technical

COLORS OF LOVE. Bouquets of dried flowers are sold from P95 to P1,500 at a mall in Davao City on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

than two weeks before Valentine’s Day, the vendors said the prices of these products would not increase even as the occasion is approaching.

descent, was among

Consul General Senen Mangalile

World Bank to lend PH $600M for pandemic recovery, climate financing

MANILA — The World Bank awarded a fresh loan program to the Philippines to support the domestic economy’s recovery from the pandemic and improve the resilience of the financial sector.

In a statement on Tuesday, January 31, the Washingtonbased lender granted the country a $600-million loan. Aside from supporting the Philippine economy’s recovery from the pandemic, this new loan financing is aimed at supporting three policy reform areas: the stability of the financial sector, improving financial inclusion for Filipinos and businesses, and climate and disaster risk finance.

“Policy actions that strengthen the stability of the financial sector – including banks and insurance companies –will help Filipino families, businesses, and investors withstand financial shocks and enhance their resilience by ensuring that problems in these financial institutions are detected at an early stage without severe disruptions to the economy,” said

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

The Philippine economy took a hit at the onset of the pandemic. The economy sank to lows unseen since World War II as the Duterte administration imposed mobility restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Catastrophe insurance

As it is, the World Bank noted that the new loan program will aid the development of the country’s catastrophe insurance market.

This relatively-new financial instrument could prevent the public from sliding into poverty if natural disasters strike. As it is, catastrophe insurance products are designed to protect households, assets, and businesses against natural disasters.

The Southeast Asian archipelago sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which leaves the Philippines vulnerable to a host of natural disasters annually. Likewise, the developing

President Marcos okays tax...

nation is at the receiving end of the climate crisis, as its wildly vulnerable to the effects of a warming planet.

Diop noted that catastrophe insurance will enable the national government to use its limited resources to support communities and Filipinos who need it most.

On the other hand, the development policy loan will also expand financing access for the public and businesses through digital technologies.

The World Bank indicated that development policy loans are sources of quickdisbursing assistance to countries pursuing reforms. As it is, this type of loan supports policy and institutional changes to foster an environment for equitable growth within a country’s development priorities.

That said, the World Bank stood as the country’s thirdlargest source of official development assistance in 2021 according to data from the National Economic and Development Authority. (Philstar.com)

advice to the President on the government’s economic objectives in six key sectors — agriculture, digital infrastructure, health care, infrastructure, jobs generation, and tourism.

According to the Palace, the president will soon issue an executive order on the tax refund, which other countries are also implementing as an enticement to tourists.

This would allow foreign tourists to get a refund on the VAT they have paid for their purchases here which they would bring back to their home countries.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collects a 12-percent VAT on goods sold in the country.

Travel tax, e-visas

The Department of Tourism (DOT) recorded 2.65 million visitors from February to December last year—much higher than the 163,879 in 2021, but still significantly lower than the prepandemic level of 8.26 million.

According to the department, the 2.65 million international arrivals translated to P208.96 billion or $3.68 billion in tourism revenues. Of the total arrivals, 2.02 million were foreign tourists while 628,445 were Filipinos based abroad.

The DOT said it aims to draw 4.8 million tourists to the country this year.

While he granted the tax refund for purchases by foreign tourists, Mr. Marcos also approved the automatic inclusion of the travel tax in all airline tickets. Passengers currently have the option to pay the tax in advance with their ticket purchase, online before their flight, or at the airport during the day of their flight.

Taxable individuals may be charged the full travel tax of P2,700 for firstclass flights and P1,620 for economy-class flights. The standard reduced travel tax for minors 2 to 12 years old, journalists whose travel is in pursuit of an assignment, and authorized individuals by the President of the Philippines is P1,350 for first class and P810 for economy class.

The privileged reduced travel tax for legitimate spouses of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), unmarried children of OFWs below 21 years old, and children of OFWs with disabilities even above 21 years old are P400 for first class and P300 for economy class.

The president also gave his go-ahead on the rollout of e-visas this year.

Furthermore, he scrapped the One Health Pass (OHP), which was the lone requirement for monitoring health, immigration, and customs concerns, as well as the practice of loud-speaker announcements in the country’s airports.

PSAC noted at the meeting that these proposals are aimed at improving airport infrastructure and operations

and promoting tourism investments, among other objectives.

Marcos and the council also agreed to prioritize China and India in terms of trade and other relations.

New app

PSAC then informed the president that it is working on an app called e-Travel, which integrates all information on immigration, customs, and health and quarantine measures.

The app, which could be introduced to the public by February, is being modified to allow easy data input for families and other groups, they said, adding that the database will include tourist destinations, information on available transportation and hotels, and traffic monitoring.

Tourists can complete the form through the app before boarding or while onboard their plane.

Marcos highlighted to the group the importance of digitalization, which he said would allow tourists to easily fill out forms while traveling and enable authorities to ensure security at the borders. g

TOURISM IS BACK. Tourists return to Boracay as COVID restrictions are eased. Inquirer.net file photo

ENOUGH SUPPLY. Trays of eggs await delivery or pickup  on Blumentritt Road in Manila on Monday, Jan. 30. The Department of Agriculture will meet with egg producers and traders to address  increasing  prices despite normal supply.

PNA

photo by Ben Briones

Community welcomes...

role of the media as partners in disseminating information and promoting events of the Philippine Consulate. He said he is looking forward to engaging with the FilipinoAmerican communities in the U.S. Northeast.

Before New York, Mangalile served as Minister at the Embassy of the Philippines in Berne, Switzerland, and as Chargé d’affaires, ad interim at the Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara, Turkey. He holds the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II at the Department of Foreign Affairs which he joined in 1997.

“I am standing on the shoulders of giants who were assigned here in New York, all accomplished diplomats,” he said. “I am very honored to have been assigned here by our Secretary of Foreign Affairs and I am looking at the accomplishments of my predecessors, most of whom I have worked with in various stages.”

The Consul General added that he plans to continue many of the programs including “Kumusta Kabayan” where the consulate invites Cabinet members and senior officials to talk about the developments in the Philippines that may affect Filipinos abroad.

He also emphasized the call of the President to strengthen economic linkages between the Philippines and the United States of America, while continuing all efforts to serve kababayans abroad.

“We have very clear directives coming from the very top that at this point in time, we have to emphasize economic diplomacy so a lot of our efforts should help attract investments, should open doors for Filipino products to enter here, and also for increased trade relations between the states that we liaise with,” Mangalile added.

At the DFA, Consul General Mangalile served as Senior Special Assistant to the

Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs, concurrent Director of the U.S. and Canada Divisions of the Office of American Affairs, Director for Ceremonials at the Office of Protocol, and Principal Assistant at the Office of ASEAN Affairs. He was also detailed to the Office of Presidential Protocol at Malacañang Palace.

Mangalile served as Assistant Secretary of the DFA’s Office of Consular Affairs, Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in London, and Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka. He was the first consul from an ASEAN country to be elected by his peers as president of the Consular Corps of London, the oldest consular corps in the world, having been established in 1902.

During the one-hour faceto-face, Mangalile took the opportunity to assure the community of his willingness to listen to their concerns, explaining that there is a need for the consulate and the community to work in synergy.

He hopes to spark new collaborations among various organizations and individuals for the promotion of Philippine culture, protection of the rights of Filipino migrants, strengthening economic linkages, and celebrating the contributions of FilipinoAmericans to the fabric of American society.

Consul General Mangalile holds the degrees Master of Science (with Distinction) in Diplomacy, Statecraft, and Foreign Policy from Loughborough University, United Kingdom, and Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy from Immaculate Conception Major Seminary, Philippines. He attended the Master of Arts, Major in Philosophy program of the Ateneo de Manila University from 1990 to 1992 and entered the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. g

Austin to tackle larger US military presence in...

threat.

In the Philippines, Washington’s oldest treaty ally in Asia and a key front in the U.S. battle against terrorism, Austin visited Zamboanga City on Wednesday, February 1 as the most senior American defense official to set foot in Mindanao since U.S. troops were deployed to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its war against terrorism in 2002.

Aboard a U.S. plane with tail number 1003 that landed at the Edwin Andrews Air Base at 11:30 a.m., Austin’s party motored to the regional Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) under tight security and was welcomed by Gen. Andres Centino, AFP chief of staff.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Wesmincom chief, confirmed that Austin met with Filipino generals and a small contingent of US counterterrorism forces based in a local military camp.

The more than 100 U.S. military personnel mentioned have provided intelligence and combat advice for years to Filipino troops battling a decadeslong Muslim insurgency, which has considerably eased but remains a key threat in the South.

Austin’s visit to the Westmincom was his first engagement with the AFP since he arrived, opening an opportunity for him to personally find out the security situation in Mindanao, where local forces are still battling remnants of terror groups.

Austin also held a closed-door meeting with Centino, Galido and Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., Philippine Navy chief and long-time Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander.

No official statements were released about Austin’s discussion with the AFP officials, said Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan, Westmincom spokesman.

More recently, U.S. forces have intensified and broadened joint training, focusing on combat readiness and disaster response with Filipino troops in the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast, which faces the South China Sea, and in its northern Luzon region across the sea from the Taiwan Strait.

American forces have been granted access to five Philippine military camps, where they could rotate indefinitely under a 2014 defense pact called the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

In October, the U.S. sought access for a larger number of its forces and weapons in an additional five military camps, mostly in the north. That request would be high on the agenda in Austin’s meetings.

Defense ties

“The visit of Secretary Austin definitely, obviously will have to do with many of the ongoing discussions on the EDCA sites,” Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez said at a news briefing.

On Thursday, February 2, Austin was scheduled to hold talks with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Romualdez said.

Austin and Galvez are expected to have a meeting in the morning and a short press briefing in the afternoon at the DND building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Expected to be discussed are matters involving U.S.-Philippine military relations and exercises, including the EDCA.

Austin will separately call on President

Marcos, who has taken steps to boost relations with Washington since June.

The U.S. defense chief is the latest American senior official to visit the Philippines after Vice President Kamala Harris in November in a sign of warming ties after a strained period under Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Austin last visited the Philippines in August 2021 and met with then defense chief Delfin Lorenzana.

At the time, he reassured that America’s “ironclad” commitment to its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines “extends to the South China Sea.”

Recently, Romualdez said that the Philippines needs to cooperate with Washington to deter any escalation of tensions between China and self-ruled Taiwan, not only because of the treaty alliance but to help prevent a major conflict.

“We’re in a Catch-22 situation. If China makes a move on Taiwan militarily, we’ll be affected – and all ASEAN region, but mostly us, Japan and South Korea,” Romualdez told The Associated Press, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the 10-member regional bloc that includes the Philippines. – Roel Pareño, Pia Lee-Brago g

GoFundMe created for Fil-Am man killed in...

PAGE 1

community celebrated Lunar New Year festivities nearby.

“We want to honor his memory the way he would want, with a big funeral Mass and party,” the fundraiser page created by Alvero’s daughter Kristenne Reidy, reads.

Previously, his family confirmed in a statement that he was among the victims and remembered 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.”

“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 statement continued.

“He loved ballroom dancing, he loved his community, and was the life of any party.”

Alvero was a hospitality worker who was planning to retire in his home country of the Philippines, according to his son Val Anthony Alvero’s interview with CNN.

Alvero’s GoFundMe can be found at: www. gofundme.com/f/valentinomarcos-alvero.

The identities of the remaining victims, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office are: My My Nhan, 65; Xiujuan Yu, 57; Lilian Li, 63; Ming Wei Ma, 72; Diana Tom, 70; Chia Yau, 77; Yu Kao, 72; Hongying Jian, 62; Muoi Ung, 68; Wen Yu, 64.

GoFundMe has a centralized page with verified fundraisers for the victims and their families affected by the shooting.

In addition to the

individual campaigns for the victims, a GoFundMe campaign named the “Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund” has been organized by community groups, spearheaded by legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California. It seeks to provide financial support to families who have experienced loss as well as those who have been physically harmed by the shooting. The page has raised over $916,000 of its $1 million goal, as of Friday, Jan. 27. (AJPress)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a joint press conference with the South Korean Defence Minister after their meeting at the Defence Ministry in Seoul on January 31, 2023. Photo by Jeon Heon-

Consul General Senen Mangalile encourages the Filipino American community in Northeast USA to participate in the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour, a joint project of the Department of Tourism and Department of Foreign Affairs.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

FEATURES OPINION

Not academically pro cient

THE problems besetting the various aspects of Philippine education were enumerated on Monday, January 30. Attending the release Monday of the Basic Education Report or BER 2023 prepared by the Department of Education, President Marcos committed to boost education infrastructure as well as upskilling programs for teachers. He made the commitment as Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said “Filipino learners are not academically proficient” and many of them “may fail to meet the standards of the demanding and competitive world.”

The Vice President, who delivered the education report, identified inadequate school infrastructure and resources “to support the ideal teaching process” as the most pressing problem. Duterte also noted the “weak teaching methods… in addressing 21st century skills.”

Basic education learners, meanwhile, cannot understand mathematics problems or comprehend text of moderate length. The Vice President said there are also learners who suffer from emotional abuse, exhaustion and psychological fatigue.

Duterte also cited “cracks” in DepEd procurement processes including the lack of transparency and accountability – problems that hounded the procurement of laptops for teachers’ use during the COVID pandemic

lockdowns.

The curriculum under the K-12 program, meanwhile, will be tweaked as it has failed to deliver on its promise of producing students who are employable upon finishing basic education, she said. BER 2023 showed that the majority of senior high school graduates still find it necessary to pursue higher education to obtain gainful employment.

The lack of classrooms has been a problem for many decades. Despite a continuing program to build more schools and classrooms, the infrastructure expansion cannot keep up with the booming student population.

Even before the pandemic, international studies have also shown that Filipino 10-yearold students rate poorly in mathematics and

reading comprehension. The basic education curriculum has been revised in the past years to put more emphasis on the teaching of the sciences, mathematics and English proficiency. Yet the BER 2023 shows that more must be done.

The exodus of teachers slowed down as pay and benefits were improved, and there has been a continuing government program to hire more educators. But the country continues to suffer from a lack of qualified

teachers. The hybrid learning mode employed during the pandemic lockdowns highlighted the inadequacies of teaching skills especially in the use of digital technology for education. With the problems identified, they must now be confronted with greater commitment, effort and resources. Education is supposed to narrow social inequities and open opportunities for advancement in life across income classes. This can still be achieved. (Philstar.com)

US, PH mull potential restoration of bases

by the Obama administration) – the United States appears to be angling to use Subic Bay once more as its naval base in this part of the world.

INVOKING the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty – acknowledging and repeatedly stressing its applicability in the West Philippine Sea (a Philippine proposition earlier rejected

After the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to reject the continued presence of American bases, Subic is now a freeport, with a 300-hectare shipyard that was built in 2006 by the South Korean

firm Hanjin. Considered in 2015 as one among the top 10 shipbuilders in the world, Hanjin was sold to U.S.-based Cerberus Capital Management in 2020 in the wake of the Korean company’s financial troubles.

(It is now known as the Agila Subic Shipyard.)

Cerberus appears to have entered the picture to foil a

move by Chinese investors to buy the facility, according to a report last year citing an unnamed “security official.”

It was “very opportune that the (U.S.) came into the picture,” Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez candidly admitted in a forum early this month. “We would like to have more economic activity between the

Philippines and China, being a neighbor, but we were also quite disturbed by the fact that they came in very strongly wanting to take over that project.”

The shipyard could soon see the presence of U.S. Navy ships because an American defense contractor, Vectrus Inc., has set up shop there. Earlier, in May last year, the

Philippine Navy had leased the shipyard’s northern part to set up a naval operations base.

Security cooperation and “issues related to the South China Sea” were the core issues tackled at a four-day meeting held in Manila last week, billed as the 10th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue.

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Vergeire ‘ready’ to lead

DOH

if Marcos appoints her DOJ investigating scheme to delay deportation of foreign detainees

by Kristine Joy Patag Philstar.com

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration is again under the magnifying glass, this time for a supposed scheme  to prevent foreigners from being deported to their homeland.

This has apparently kept a detained Japanese national believed to be behind a spate of robberies in Japan on Philippine soil.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, in a streamed press conference Tuesday, January 31, said that the Japanese Embassy has asked the department to deport four Japanese fugitives detained at the Bureau of Immigration.

While the Philippine government promises to hasten the deportation

proceedings of the Japanese fugitives — one of whom is believed to be “Luffy”,  the leader of a robbery group operating in Japan — Remulla explained that they cannot deport foreigners  with pending cases or investigations in the country.

Three of the four detainees mentioned by the Japanese Embassy have pending cases — some are at prosecutor level while some are already in courts in different parts of the country.

“Most of the cases — if not all — involve Violence against Women and Children, but we are of the impression that these cases were invented or not real cases, [these are] contrived cases filed against them just to keep them in the

Philippines,”  he continued.

“There are lawyers who specialize in these cases and many of them will lose their license if they continue doing this. We will file cases — even against the lawyers if they will insist on filing cases which are contrived — but that is the way it works.”

Remulla said they learned about this scheme when they deported two Chinese nationals last week. The fugitives also had cases, but these were later dismissed after authorities looked into them.

“It’s a part of the corruption ring that operates within the Bureau of Immigration.  All these legal services offered by law offices do not stop at tactics which are not supposed to be used in cases like this,”

PAGE 10

by red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

HEALTH Officer-inCharge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that she is “ready” if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decides to appoint her as full-time secretary of health.

Asked during a television interview on Tuesday, January 31 whether she wanted to be health secretary, Vergeire said that based on the six months she has helmed the department, she was ready because Filipinos might need her.

In a later media briefing, Vergeire clarified that she will only accept the offer of Health secretary if Marcos has decided to appoint her full-time.

“Hindi niya kailangan akong lapitan para maging

Secretary of Health ako, ako po ang magsasabi at makikipagusap sa kanya

(The president does not need to approach me to be the

health secretary, I will be the one to discuss it to him if he decides on it),” Vergeire said.

What changed her mind, according to Vergeire, was her visits to different communities in the past six months of her tenure as officer-in-charge, talking to different communities and experiencing first-hand the coronavirus situation in the country.

“Sa tingin ko ngayon, with all of these things happening and sa trabaho na we need to improve the healthcare system, sa tingin ko it is the appropriate time for me to help the country (I think with all the things that are happening and the work that we should be doing to improve the healthcare system of the country, I think this is the appropriate time for me to help the country),” Vergeire said. g

Health Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire ManilaTimes.net photo

Traffic solution eludes Metro

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

AS the Philippine economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic congestion has returned to hound Metro Manila motorists and commuters.

“Traffic is, counterintuitively, a sign of progress. Any progressive city will start facing congestion. The issue is how quickly can infrastructure come up with solutions to be able to resolve that?” said George Royeca, CEO of the motorcycle hailing company Angkas on “Business and Politics,” a weekly program on SMNI hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and

CEO Dante “Klink” Ang 2nd. Royeca said “people should realize by now that it really takes a whole of society approach” to prevent the metropolis’ main streets from clogging up.”

“To effectively solve the traffic issue, there should be a combination of the private sector and government efforts,” he said. “And at the end of the day, we all would like mass transportation. That is really the most effective way to fix the traffic issue.”

But the government acting alone “takes a lot of precious time” in finding ways to end traffic congestion, he said.

“The private sector needs to step in to come up with innovative solutions and hopefully we’re one cog in this massive transport machine that keeps the wheel turning,” he said.

Royeca considers the EDSA Busway a “good development,” and added that there were also efforts to push other types of traffic-easing schemes.

“But I think it is just a continuing thing. In the meantime, what we want to be is that ‘feeder service’ into the mass transport,” he said.

Angkas helps the people beat the traffic by offering ride-hailing, delivery or purchase services, Royeca

said.

Right now, Angkas is largely used as a “pointto-point” service to move people.

“We could have done more in the infrastructure side. I think there are deficiencies in our transport sector, but eventually, what you’d like in a very mature and established metropolitan is that you have feeder systems coming from your home to the mass transport backbone,” Royeca said.

He cited a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showing that P3.5 billion is lost every day due to traffic

PAGE 10

AAPI community leaders seek solutions...

members of the Hispanic community, but there continues to be little to no clear explanations for what led to these tragedies.

With the proximity of these attacks and the widely celebrated Lunar New Year, the Asian American community is on high alert, especially as it tries to move on from wrongly being placed in the crosshairs of racist violence and harassment during the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gloria Pan, Senior Vice President, National Member Engagement, Campaign Innovations & Gun Control at MomsRising, said in a national press briefing, “This was a horrific intrusion on one of our most cherished holidays” and that following the string of anti-Asian attacks, the Asian American community is “feeling more unsafe than ever.”

The many families of these victims are still healing and reeling from the sudden deaths of their loved ones, most of whom were in the coveted twilight years of their lives. Seeking solutions or pondering what could have been done to prevent these tragedies won’t bring back their loved ones, but it’s crucial to prevent these kinds of attacks from happening, Pan said.

It’s important to point out that it is unclear if the motivations behind these murders were related to any hate crime, as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, in the way that the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings were.

Investigators of the Monterey Park massacre have yet to confirm a motive for the shootings; the shooter killed himself the following day.

A Half Moon Bay prosecutor told reporters that the shooter may have snapped after he was forced to pay $100 to repair a forklift he damaged at work and alleged bullying from his coworkers and long working hours.

Regardless of the motive, Asian American leaders across the country recognize the presence of militarygrade firearms in both events, sparking eerily familiar conversations about the

Pres. Marcos...

PAGE 1

gun epidemic in the United States.

According to Gun Violence Archive, there have been 40 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2023: more than there have been days in the year so far. (The organization categorizes a mass shooting as an event where three or more people are shot.)

Statistically, the United States dominates the world in the number of gun-related deaths and homicides. In 2020, those in the U.S. were responsible for 79% of gun-related killings; that same year, Canada was responsible for 37%, Australia for 13%, and the United Kington for 4%, according to data from the U.S. CDC, UK House of Commons, Statistics Canada, and the Australian Institute of Criminology.

Gun ownership is also significantly higher in the U.S. than in any other country, with an estimated 120.5 firearms per 100 residents — this is up from 88 per 100 in 2011, according to a Small Arms Survey.

“Only in America do we see this kind of carnage, this kind of chaos, this kind of disruption of communities and lives,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said last week.

According to AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore, 70% of Asian Americans support stronger gun control legislation but noted that interest in gun ownership among AAPIs, along with the U.S. population in general, has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like the many mass shootings that reach national and international attention, urgency toward stronger legislation that makes it harder for the wrong people to get guns occurred almost immediately in the aftermath of the Monterey Park shooting.

“No one policy will solve this issue, but an assault weapons ban will dramatically reduce these mass shootings,” said Po Murray, co-founder and chairwoman of gun control group Newtown Action Alliance and Newtown Action Alliance Foundation.

Murray also stressed the importance of stronger restrictions and practices

in purchasing firearms in general. Currently, lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are pushing for safer storage solutions for firearms and permit requirements to purchase guns.

In addition to gun control legislation, Asian American community leaders also believe that mental health should a priority and that counseling services for Asian immigrants should be more accessible.

A Stanford University panel in 2022 stated that in one study, less than 9% of Asian Americans sought mental health services or intervention over one year compared to 18% of the entire U.S. population.

It’s unconfirmed whether either the Monterey Park or Half Moon Bay shooter was diagnosed with a mental disorder, but mental health is a usual suspect in mass shooting investigations.

Dr. Brett Sevilla, a Filipino American medical director at the Los Angelesbased Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers (APCTC), told Ethnic Media Services that elderly Asian immigrants are not as likely to prioritize mental health counseling as a solution.

“Plenty of elderly Asian immigrants have unserved psycho-social support needs, but there is an intense stigma related to mental illness,” Sevilla said, noting that the collectivist thinking of many AAPI families can make one person’s struggle a reflection of the entire family. “Most families will try to contain it within the family or may reach out to clergy. A psychiatrist is very low down the list.”

According to Dr. Sheila Wu, director of APCTC, it’s common for elderly Asians, especially men, to portray themselves as strong and silent, which often belies what’s really going on mentally.

“In our culture, a man in his 60s is a father figure, who does not become vulnerable, share his feelings, or say he needs things. He would feel a lot of shame if he did,” Wu said.

The investigations into both shootings are ongoing. (By Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

as laid out in the plan through partnerships and cooperation with your respective governments and also your business sectors,” he said in his toast remarks during the Vin d’Honneur in Malacañang, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

“Let us discuss opportunities where our countries can participate,” Marcos added.

The president said postCOVID realities demand recalibrating strategies and focusing on urgent concerns that would really matter to the people – food security, job generation, poverty reduction, and managing inflation.

These strategies, he said, would entail “new thinking” in doing things under a bureaucracy that puts a premium on operational efficiency, sound fiscal management, and good governance.

According to Marcos, a big part of this strategy is drawing investments in key economic sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure, and ensuring that opportunities and investment leads and pledges translate into actual projects.

He also expressed high hopes for the Philippines’ continued positive economic showing, which, he said, would cushion the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

He touted the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which stood at 7.7% in the third quarter of 2022, which is way better than the 5.7% growth in the same

period in 2021.

The full-year GDP growth for 2022 was at 7.6% — the highest in 46 years.

“Our growth assumptions remain reasonably ambitious. We are looking to the same growth rate– that of 2022 and between 6 to 7 percent for this year,” Marcos said. Tax collections and investments figures are also moving upwards, he said.

“With the current growth momentum, the Philippines is poised to reach upper middle-income status very soon,” he noted.

Aside from addressing domestic issues, Marcos said his administration would continue to attach great importance to the nation’s external relations, with its foreign policy geared towards actively pursuing international engagements while maintaining the country’s national interest.

He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continues to be a cornerstone of Philippine foreign policy, adding that his administration’s aim is to elevate relations with the country’s bilateral and multilateral partners.

The Philippines, Marcos said, will continue to work with its partners in building a stronger United Nations as it is a staunch champion of multilateralism.

The Vin d’Honneur is an official reception hosted by the president of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace, traditionally on New Year’s Day.

The Vin d’Honneur” — literally, “wine of honor” — follows a French practice that takes place at the end of inaugurations, speeches, and ceremonies. g

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

of Pinoys see life improving this year – SWS

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — Forty-nine percent of Filipinos believe their quality of life will improve this year, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The survey, conducted from Dec. 10 to 14, 2022,

also found 37 percent of respondents saying life would stay the same while five percent predicted it would worsen in the next 12 months. The remaining eight percent did not give an answer.

The resulting “net personal optimism” (percentage of optimists minus pessimists)

of 44 percent is four points higher than the 40 percent in October 2022 and the highest since the pre-pandemic score of 44 percent in December 2019, the polling firm said.

The survey question on the respondents’ prediction of their quality of life change over the next 12 months has been fielded 147 times since

April 1984.

Out of the 147 surveys, the net personal optimism score was negative only 11 times, reaching a historic low of -19 in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

It has since trended back upwards to pre-pandemic levels. g

Bill lowering optional retirement age to benefit 1-M gov’t workers

MANILA – More than 1 million workers in the bureaucracy would soon be given a choice to retire early with the passage of a bill lowering the optional retirement age for government employees from 60 to 56 on final reading, Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday, January 31.

Romualdez said many employees would benefit from this proposed law, noting that retiring early would enhance their well-

being.

“They can opt to quit working, receive their benefits, do other activities and enjoy life in retirement with their loved ones even before they become senior citizens,” Romualdez said. “It’s surely more fun to live life without work-related stress.”

During Tuesday’s plenary session, the House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading House Bill 206 with 268 affirmative votes,

one negative vote and one abstention.

The bill seeks to amend Section 13-A of Republic Act 8291, otherwise known as the “Government Service Insurance (GSIS) Act of 1997”.

It states that a government worker-GSIS member would be entitled to retirement benefits if he is at least 56 years of age at the time of retirement, has rendered service for at least 15 years and he is not receiving a monthly

pension for permanent total disability.

Retirement is compulsory at 65 years.

The proposed law would put the rest of government workers at par with members of the military and the police, whose mandatory retirement age is 56.

ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro, principal author of the bill, said rigorous work and the physical and

DOJ investigating scheme...

Remulla said, adding they are ready to file disbarment cases against lawyers who use tactics to delay deportation proceedings.

Remulla clarified that he is not speaking on whether specific  cases are made up or not but that, based on experience and logic, there have been schemes like this.

“We know that this is a modus operandi — a ruse [by] lawyers to stave off deportation ... we will file case against lawyers who [make up] cases to prevent ends of justice from being met,” he said.

Criminal ring run from detention?

The DOJ chief also said authorities confiscated cellphones from foreign nationals detained at the BI facility. One Japanese detainee had six phones, he said. “This is the subject of investigation within BI because these cannot be tolerated, this

reeks of corruption,”  Remulla said, adding it is “very possible” that criminal activities were run from the detention centers through the contraband phones.

“Luffy” is believed to be directing robberies in  Japan from his detention cell in the Philippines.

He said BI personnel who allowed mobile phones into the detenction center  will be dealt with severely for a “very serious breach of discipline” in the bureau.

Still, Remulla stressed that the government intends to deport the fugitives to Japan as soon as possible and even before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. flies there  in early February.

“We expect all of these cases to be solved in the next few weeks and we will see how many we can deport before the state visit, he said.

Traffic solution eludes...

congestion in Metro Manila.

Royeca said this underlines the need for new and modern infrastructure.

“There are really productivity issues just on that [traffic] congestion from EDSA, but what it does not tell us is how it curtails our quality of life,” he said.

He said it took a foreigner to point out to him that traffic congestion is “really an attack on the quality of life.” Royeca said when his wife, who is a Singaporean, moved to the Philippines, the first thing she noticed was that Filipinos spent hours on the road commuting.

“In Singapore, everything is just 30 minutes away maximum and on average about 15 minutes. As a Filipino, I was so de-

sensitized on this issue that I thought it was just commonplace,” he said.

Royeca said because of the choking traffic, people become overseas workers in their own city, having to spend hours just to travel to and from their workplace, depriving them of spending quality time with their loved ones.

“It is tragic that this is really happening. Traffic shackles your freedom. For some people, it is just mere congestion, but for most of us, what we do not realize is that it affects all your big and small decision in life; small decisions being how many meetings will I take today, where will I go to be more efficient in my time, big decisions like the social circle you keep. It affects

US, PH mull potential restoration of...

where you choose to work, or send your children to school because you have to suffer from that daily trek,” he said.

Royeca said it was trying to find more efficient ways of getting around the city that gave birth to Angkas.

“That is really where we realized how important an alternative form of transportation is [to] be able to move around the city more effectively and more efficiently,” he said.

“We really need to take back our freedom. When we did Angkas in the beginning, we thought we were helping solve traffic, but we were actually bringing back freedom to the people. That is what resonated to so many commuters,” Royeca said. g

Bill lowering optional retirement age to benefit 1-M gov’t...

psychological burdens it causes applies to all those working in government, particularly public school teachers.

Castro said earlier retirement is one of the demands voiced during consultations with public school teachers, noting that retiring at a late stage would not allow them to fully enjoy their retirement years with the hazards and level of stress accompanying their duties.

“Teachers usually leave the profession not with satisfied smiles but assaulted by various illnesses; whatever

retirement benefits they receive will be spent not for their rest or their own businesses but solely for medical bills,” Castro said.

Citing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, she said the Philippines ranked among the countries with the most dismal statistics descriptive of teachers’ working conditions, with average pupil-teacher ratios from 31 (primary level) to 45 students to each teacher (secondary level), and average class size of 42.4 (primary) and 43.7 (secondary).

Castro said teachers in the Philippines retire five

In a joint statement, the Philippine and U.S. foreign affairs and defense panels highlighted Subic Bay as “priority site” for “high quality, private sector-led infrastructure investment as a means of supporting Philippine economic growth and enhancing connectivity in the Philippines.”

But the visits by U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson last November and, last week, by Lindsay Ford, the U.S. defense deputy assistant secretary for South and Southeast Asia, showed their specific interest in the shipyard. Notably, Ford was joined by Maj. Gen. Chris McPhillips, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s director of strategic planning and policy directorate. That move aroused more curiosity over the U.S. military’s plans on how to maximize use of the shipyard.

Besides the Subic project, the U.S. is hurrying up the completion of building facilities inside five selected Philippine military bases: three in Luzon, one in the Visayas and one in Mindanao. Purpose: to enable, as soon as possible, the U.S. armed forces to store war equipment and other materials in these facilities.

The five sites, however, seem not enough for the U.S., as it presses for hastening the verification of “additional agreed locations” for the same purpose.

On this point, DFA Undersecretary Teresita Lazaro clarified that “we agreed to finalize the procedures for the additional agreed locations. In fact, it is a work in progress.”

Lazaro co-headed the Philippine panel with Defense Undersecretary Angelito de Leon.

for a 21st Century United States-Philippines Partnership,” which Ambassador Romualdez said “outlined several areas of cooperation aimed at boosting security and economic ties” in the face of “current realities and challenges.”

Besides the above-cited moves, at the 10th BSD, the two panels agreed on the following:

• The U.S. will host a “maritime dialogue” this year to identify potential points of maritime activities;

• The Philippines will take steps to “streamline technology transfer” and develop a “road map for defenses mobilization;”

• Aside from the BSD, defense and foreign affairs ministers of both countries will hold their “two-plus-two ministerial dialogue” –the third since 2012 and 2016 – and stage a “policy-centric tabletop exercise” by the third quarter of 2023. Supposedly intended to ensure “more coordinated responses to potential flashpoints,” no further details were provided.

• Set a year-end target for the conclusion of their General Security of Military Information Agreement to help simplify technological transfers of their respective defense units; and

years later than those in most countries, noting that the retirement age is 60 in most North American, European and Asian countries.

“Respect and humane consideration demand that a person of 55 years -- a few years shy of being a senior citizen -- should not be required to perform the arduous functions expected of a public-school teacher in the Philippines. At such stage of their lives, public school teachers should at least be given the choice if they wish to rest from the profession and enjoy better and healthy years ahead,” Castro said. (PNA)

The U.S. panel was co-headed by Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Ford representing the defense department.

One can easily see that, in effect, the U.S. facilities would be mini-military bases within Philippine bases, wherein U.S. and not Philippine jurisdiction would prevail.

Note that under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), such facilities would be strictly controlled by American forces and off-limits to Filipinos. EDCA is the executive agreement that implements the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA, which allowed the rotational stay of U.S. troops – numbering 600 per batch – in the country throughout a year.

Last week’s 10th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue was intended to “facilitate focused and sustained inter-agency coordination, planning and implementation of action plans on priority areas.” The 9th BSD, held in Washington DC, came out with a “Joint Vision

• Reconvene the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement meetings that apparently have been temporarily sidelined. Ambassador Romualdez has also disclosed that in the past few months, “we have been discussing with the White House a possible visit by President Marcos to Washington.” The objective, he wrote, is “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.”

Last Thursday, January 26, in a television interview, Romualdez couldn’t help turning up the volume on the trumpets and drums that the current administration has been deploying to promote its initiatives.

Certain U.S. officials are impressed by Marcos Jr., according to him. “They find it refreshing, to say the least. They’ve obviously seen him when they came here… and they were very pleased to hear the things that the president has articulated, especially with regard to our relationship with the U.S..” (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.

Email: satur.ocampo@gmail.com

KING OF FRUITS. A woman smells a durian from the Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative stall at the Department of Agriculture Kadiwa store on Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The delicious fruit known for its potent stench will soon be all over  Chinese markets under a P2-billion deal between the Department of Agriculture and China General Administration of Customs.

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas on Citizen Pinoy

IN this brand-new episode, leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and the Citizen Pinoy team went to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa, a skincare clinic co-founded by the husband-and-wife team of Frances Calayan-Cuento and Mariel “Muyie” Cuento, to answer immigration questions from Kapamilya in Vegas.

Jeff wants to know if he can petition his brothers, and how much time will it take him before his siblings can join him in the U.S.

While Rudy can petition his stepson, it will take at least 11 years for the priority date to be current. He asks if there are other, faster options for his stepson to come to the U.S.

Richard’s friend came to the U.S. as a student and overstayed. Can his friend adjust her status in the U.S. if she marries her boyfriend who is a U.S. citizen?

And after answering questions from Kapamilya, Atty. Gurfinkel sits down with Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa co-founder Muyie Cuento, who shares “beauty secrets” and their impact on the community they serve.

Tune in to Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Las Vegas, PAGE 12

YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN LAS VEGAS. Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya at the Radiant Spa in Las Vegas in “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Among the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Richard (top left): My friend came to the U.S. as a student and overstayed. Can she adjust her status by marrying her U.S. citizen boyfriend?; From Jeff (top right): My parents refuse to be petitioned by me. How long would it take if I petition my brothers, instead?; From Girlie and Rudy (bottom): If Rudy’s petition for his stepson will take 11 years, are there other, faster options to have his stepson to come to the U.S.? Watch Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” at the Radiant Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 5 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

MYTHS abouts food, other matters, fake news, and other mis- and disinformation abound in social media. What a waste of a wonderful, valuable technological advance in communication! In this column today, we shall debunk 12 common myths about food and diet.

1. Eating out is healthier

Unless you are a lousy cook or have poor choice of food items, home cooked food items could certainly be a lot healthier than restaurant food. The quality and quantity of ingredients are under your total control.

2. Fasting is good

Occasional fasting, within reason, is fine, but eating small, portioned quantity more than the usual 3 times a day, even up to 8 times a day, can be healthier as far as having a more even keel in blood glucose level (less fluctuation), so long as you eat within your normal total calories a day. Dividing the total calorie intake into several times a day is healthier than fasting or missing a meal or two a day. The less blood glucose fluctuation the better.

3. Eating healthy is costly

This is false. If one eats less red meat, which is healthier (it even lowers your risk of getting cardiovascular disease and cancer), the grocery bills would be leaner. Some frozen food items are cheaper than fresh ones. Eating fish and vegetables, combined with regular physical exercise could even make one look and feel younger, and improve longevity.

4. Fat-free and low-fat are healthy

Low-fat and fat-free diets were popular in the 80s and 90s, but fat protects our organs, absorbs essential vitamins, supports our cell membrane and promotes growth and development. Not all fats are the same.

Saturated and trans fats in fatty red meats and high-fat dairy products are unhealthy.

Unsaturated fats from olive and canola oil, avocados and nuts provide healthy fats.

5. All big fishes are safe to consume

Big fishes, like albacore tuna, shark, orange roughy, southern bluefin tuna, ray, swordfish, barrasmundi, marlin, king mackerel and gemfish have high mercury content. Regular mackerel,

food myths

salmon, canned yellowfin and regular small tuna, are safe. Unlike eating red meat that increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases and cancer, consuming fish five or more times a week helps boost the immune system, improves brain health, prevents blood clots, and reduces the risk for heart attack, stroke and cancer.

6. Unrefined sugars are healthier

A popular myth is that unrefined sugar, like raw sugar, maple syrup, coconut sugar and honey, provides lesser calories. All sugars, except artificial sweeteners, are sugars and carbohydrates, with high calories and fattening. The calories from consuming unrefined sugars should be counted accordingly, especially among diabetics or those trying to lose weight.

7. Processed foods are safe

While it is commonplace to see people all around us eat processed foods like hot dogs, bacon, ham, salami, sausages, processed veggies, etc., they increase the risk for the development of cancers, especially of the gastrointestinal tract, including pancreas and the colon. The risk is greater with meats grilled at high temperature, with burnt edges or surfaces. Eat fresh –it is healthier.

8. Detox pills are necessary

False! These pills or bowel cleaners (irrigation, enemas) could be dangerous to health. The best detox items are foods like vegetables, fish, nuts and fruits, which are all antioxidants and detoxifying agents via our liver, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys, which are our natural detoxifying organs, day in and day out, 24/7, cleansing our body of toxins and poisons. Eat a healthy diet, avoid processed foods and minimize fast food, drink a lot of water (not poisonous soft drinks) and exercise daily to rejuvenate yourself.

9. Drinking water after 8 PM is good

Not for seniors or anyone who do not want to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Even those in their 80s and 90s could avoid or minimize getting up at 2 or 3 AM to empty their bladder if they refrain from drinking after 8 p.m. During the daytime, it is a good idea to drink a lot of water, at least eight glasses

a day, to flush our kidneys, keep these “filters” healthy, and get rid of toxic waste through urination.

10. Soft drinks are better than water

Although soft drinks may contain some minerals, they are all (cola or uncola, diet or regular, caffeine-free or not) toxic to the body of adults, and more so to children. The phosphoric acid in them is only one scary chemical, which many use to clean car carburetors or flush a blocked toilet or kitchen drain. All soft drinks increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. They are indeed poison.

11. TV food ads are vetted

Not true. There is no government oversight that screens the ads on TV or other media. There are many claims about products that are not true. Unfortunately, manufacturers and vendors get away with them and ignorant consumers are the victims, and the perpetrators get richer in this trillion-dollar food industry. Caveat emptor (buyers beware)!

12. All veggies are good

In general, yes, they are super-foods, but not for people with arthritis, who should stay away from nightshade vegetables (Solanaceae), which include eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, bell and cayenne peppers, paprika, etc. They contain toxic alkaloids that aggravate arthritis (neck, spine, hips, knees, etc.) Broccoli, kale, celery, asparagus, green beans, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, turnips, beets and bell peppers are the choice veggies for the general population.

Evidence-based scientific data show that eating red meat more than once a week is associated with higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and a shorter longevity. * * *

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

The show goes on for APO’s Jim and Boboy

by Nathalie M. toMada Philstar.com

JIM Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo looked back on their favorite memories with the late Danny Javier, and how the “fun and friendship” from 50 years ago led to them becoming the iconic trio APO Hiking Society.

“Too many but since we’re in front of Ateneo, we met Danny in the counselor’s room, he was a new student, we were from Ateneo High School, and Basil Valdez was there. We would just sing spontaneously. It was a great memory,” Jim told The STAR during an interview held at a restaurant fronting Ateneo de Manila University, where it all began for them back in 1969. “Initially, Danny was attracted to Basil kasi pareho yung choice of songs nila. Tapos, biglang nag-gravitate si Danny towards us.”

Boboy shared, “We didn’t know Danny was older than us. He was ahead by four years… Ang nakakatuwa kay Danny talaga, when we started, we were playing the guitar, but nung humawak na siya ng gitara, sobrang mas magaling pa siya sa amin. You know, Danny even played the banjo. We thought to ourselves, ‘Who’s this person? Mukhang magaling ‘to.’ So, he became our barkada.”

“He was also able to

arrange a party between our class and the girls in the international school so we became very popular,” Jim recalled. “So, our song Saan Na Nga Ba’ng Barkada, (with the lyrics), ‘Nagsimula ang lahat sa iskwela…’ that was really it. That’s how we started.”

Jim and Boboy hinted at plans for a tribute show to Danny this 2023, which happens to be the 50th year since APO performed professionally.

In October 2022, Danny died from “complications due to prolonged illnesses,” his family’s statement said. He was 75.

Jim and Boboy are aware that people expected them to do a tribute of sorts last December when they

mounted an intimate yet fullhouse show at 19 East. Boboy said, “19 East was planned way, way before. Then Danny got seriously sick and he passed,” adding that it was “too small of a show to be a tribute to Danny.”

They also avoided interviews afterwards because “we didn’t want to talk about it,” Boboy admitted. “Because even if I’m in showbiz… ayokong gamitin yung pagkamatay ng isang kaibigan mo para magpromote ng something.”

According to Jim, “For us, the death of Danny wasn’t a surprise. For the people out there, it was a shock because they had no idea he was sick… Even during PAGE 13

89147.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration...

PAGE 11

Nevada on a brand-new episode of

on

PM

(9:30

Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation

right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising

Jeff (left) asks Atty. Gurfinkel (right) how long it will take him to petition his brothers.

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) with Radiant Med-Spa co-owner Muyie Cuento (left) at the clinic on 8650 W Tropicana Ave., Suite 113, Las Vegas, NV

Apo Hiking Society’s Jim Paredesand Boboy Garrovillo Philstar.com photo

past awardees include President

Truman,

George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

The show goes on for...

the campaign, people were expecting Danny was going to show up, but it was impossible. I mean, you can’t make him wait in a dressing room the way he was, and stand up and sing there like, ‘I’m okay,’ and everything.’ Hindi talaga pwede, so we were just avoiding it.

“But even if we expected it, masakit pa rin. We’re kind of very depressed.

Maria Luisa Varela wins

Miss Planet International 2023

By Kathleen a. llemit Philstar.com

MARIA Luisa Varela has been crowned Miss Planet International 2023 in Cambodia, drawing a reaction from vlogger and pageant director Wilbert Tolentino.

Varela competed at the coronation night held Sunday, January 29, in  Koh Pich Theater, Phnom Penh City.

Zimbabwe’s Jemima Mandemwa and Japan’s Aya Ono are 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.

Other winners include Tiffany Ha (3rd Runner Up - Vietnam), Katarina Juselius (4th Runner Up - Finland), Alina Safronova (5th Runner Up - Latvia) and Pok Srevleak (6th Runner Up - Cambodia).

The Miss Planet International (MPI) was mired with controversy late last year when Binibining Pilipinas 2022 1st runnerup Herlene Nicole Budol, together with her manager and MPI national director Wilbert Tolentino, had to back out due to several mishaps prior to landing and while joining the pre-pageant activities in Uganda, where it was supposed to be held.

With Varela’s win, Tolentino aired his scathing remarks on his Instagram on Monday, January 30.

He claimed that the competition was rigged, and that the Philippine contestant was already aware of the finals question.

“FYI lang po guys, bayad po ang Korona ang na panalunan ng Miss Planet Philippines at alam na nya final Question. Bago cya lumipad ng #Cambodia para sumabak ng MPI.

“

Ate Girl (Maria Luisa) lumaban ka ng patas kawawa din mga co candidate mo at nag eeffort din cla para sa Pageant sinalihan nila at mag travel pa sila patungong #Cambodia,” Tolentino wrote.

He had also called out a certain Miki Antonio, with whom he has been figuring out in the issue regarding the national directorship of Miss Planet International Philippines.

“Kaya kht balik baliktarin natin ang dokumento ako parin ang NATIONAL DIRECTOR ng MISS PLANET PHILIPPINES. Klaro po tayo?” he wrote.

He added: “Nag reach out ako sa iyo at ikinwento ko pa sayo na mahigit kami 60plus Countries na indi mag Susupporta sa MPI. Dala sa karansan ng trauma at takot lahat sa #Uganda. As National Director for Ms Planent in the Philippines, I would like to clarify that no replacement has been made. The Philippines will not send any representative to Ms. Planet competition this year.” g

New year, new boyfriend and job for Michelle in America

By Dolly Dy-Zulueta Philstar.com

FORMER celebrity turned vlogger and fitness trainer Michelle Madrigal  is now a real estate agent with U.S.-based EXP Realty.

In her vlog and Instagram page, Madrigal shared  her first day at work and actively offered  her assistance in finding their future homes in Austin, Texas.

“You know that saying, ‘Throw me to the wolves and I’d come back leading

“But I remember, when we were thinking of a title, we knew Danny had a sense of humor. So crazy time, we’re catching up like that… ‘APO Minus One,’ I said, Danny would appreciate this, but not our audience, they’re still mourning, so ‘wag muna.’”

Nevertheless, a tribute may happen, not yet in their next show as headliners of the Valentine’s concert All Heart, on Feb. 14, 8:30 p.m., at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), but still this year.

“People are expecting some time that we are going to have something, that we will have a little tribute for a loved one. So, this year, we will probably come up with something like that,” Boboy hinted.

Boboy and Jim began performing together about two years after APO “officially retired” in 2010. It all started with an invitation to sing at Ateneo, followed by requests to perform at weddings.

“It was difficult to start with. Jim and I were even asking, ‘Who’s going to do the lead voice of Danny?’ Danny’s voice is one of a kind. So effort kami ngayon. We’re thankful that we’re still healthy enough that we can still project our voice na lumabas naman na tunog APO pa rin ,” Boboy said.

the pack,’ that’s me, I’m the lady in the wild. It feels like, you can throw me anywhere, any situation and I’ll come back stronger, leading,” said Madrigal.

Back in 2016, Michelle left her showbiz career to pursue culinary in the U.S. She got engaged to a former football player in 2017 and married her first husband in 2019. They had a daughter named Anika Austin and their marriage lasted for two years.  PAGE 15

I’m just alone, the moment a song starts, it’s sing-along already because people know our stuff,” he said.

“It’s our song that carries us now. When you have a new recording, you carry the song because people know you. ‘This is an APO song, let’s listen to this.’ When the song gets popular, even if there’s only one APO or two APO singing it, the song has a life of its own.

“We are thankful we have many songs like that. That’s why we’re still around.”

Just like what happened at 19 East. Jim said that while they knew they had fans, the “worst moment I imagined (because) we’re not on the radar, we’re not being played on radio, we’re not on TV.”

“When I went there, I thought, buti nalang small (venue) ito. If we don’t do well, it’s alright. But the reception was so amazing. Every song was a singalong,” he shared.

Expect the same at their All Heart show since they’ve selected their best and “sweetest” love songs for their repertoire.

The STAR had to ask Boboy and Jim to name three of their favorite love songs.

In response, Jim mentioned When I Met You, which took months to finish. “There was a flow the moment I wrote the song, ‘There I was… You gave me a reason for my being… And it all began when I met you…’ Stop. I didn’t continue. Seven months later, when I played it, pumasok yung… ‘You taught me how to love.’ Dun ko lang natapos (because) you can’t dictate inspiration. You just have to catch it.”

Boboy, on the other hand, shared the story behind Paano. When he wrote the song, people asked him why he came up with it when he was already married.

me and told me his wife had left him,” Jim shared.

“He said, ‘I can’t fake it anymore. There’s nothing left.’ I wrote that in Tagalog, ‘Kahit anong gawin ‘di mo na mapilit at madaya. Aminin sa sarili mo na wala ka ng mabubuga.’

“So, I thought every group should have a great heartbreak song. That’s why I wrote that.”

APO’s hits, now classics, from over 25 albums continue to weave their OPM magic, even revived and reworked by younger artists.

“We didn’t try to be whatever artists of the Philippines. We wanted to write the theme songs of the love lives of ordinary Filipinos. I think that caught on because that’s real,” Jim reflected.

“For me, in this world, you either set the trend or you chase it. When you chase a trend and the trend is at an end, you’re at an end. In our case, parang we just wrote what we felt. The feeling was organic. When it’s organic, it’s real. Mas kakapit sa tao because you are not trying to get stylized. You are not being pretentious or anything like that. That’s one element, I think.”

“(It’s like) you’re a traveler and others ask you what direction you’re going, you point to the mountain. Sundan mo lang ‘yung bundok. In our case, without us planning it, kami ‘yung naging bundok. We’re lucky.”

Meanwhile, when asked by The STAR about any plans of re-releasing or re-recording old songs, they shared that they hoped to showcase their “non-hits” in a concert.

But since it’s impossible to render their songs as a “duo,” they’ve been getting backup singers to guarantee the signature APO sound. “It’s unfair if ‘di naman lumabas ang tunog na APO, which is really the harmony. We’ve worked on that. The two voices will always be there, but we always need a third,” said Boboy.

Jim is grateful that even if there are only two of them onstage, their songs can carry them throughout a show.

“We’re very grateful to say this that even if it is just the two of us onstage or even if

He explained, “May nakilala kasi ako na babae na nasaktan talaga at naghiwalay sa love niya. She was so angry with men she didn’t want to fall in love again.”

“I was thinking, that must really hurt, kawawa naman. If I were to court someone like that girl, it would be difficult, right? Hurt na hurt, tapos kailangan mong kausap… That’s why there’s a line there, ‘Subukan mong magmahal o giliw ko.’”

Jim is also proud of the group’s heartbreak songs such as Tuyo ng Damdamin.

“A friend of mine called

“To be honest, marami kaming songs na hindi naging hit. We’ve talked about doing a show where we will do our ‘never-heard’ songs. Yung mga songs namin na baka na-mintis niyo lang and this time, when you hear it, ‘Ay o nga. Bakit hindi nag-hit ‘ yan?’,” Boboy said.

“Jim calls those songs our ‘misses.’ Not our misis (wives), but our misses — songs that got away. There’s one song that Danny did, wrote and recorded but we never actually sang it. It’s a very jazzy number and it tells everything about the person that’s Danny. That song is Care.

“In time, I’m sure Jim and I will find a way of bringing up these old songs that you missed and we will give them back to you.” g

Michelle Madrigal Photo from Instagram/@mitch_

Maria Luisa Varela of the Philippines is crowned Miss Planet International 2023 on January 29 at the Koh Pich Theater, Phnom Penh City.  Photos from Pageantry News

AAP(I belong): How Vilma and Liz Kari transformed a personal tragedy into a platform of truth and love

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

AAP(I belong) is one of those, created as an aftermath of a vile hate attack that almost broke the spirit of a devout Catholic, Vilma Pardo Kari. Today, it is a safe space to share stories of racism, hate, and belonging.

It was probably one of the most viral and brutal antiAsian hate attacks in 2021, as the security video was shared by millions and became headline news across the world. Vilma was the victim who was reluctant to come out in the open out of hiya, the Filipino word for shame. She did not want her name to be associated with the story. She did not want the humiliation and the stigma of being a victim, she did not want her friends and relatives across the diaspora to know that it was her.

“I was ashamed of myself. I did not want my name to be out there, to be associated with that shame,” Vilma recalled. “Then I finally came to the realization that all shame are not equal, that being a victim is not to be

ashamed of.”

“Many nights I would wake up in the middle of the night crying, asking God, ‘Why me?’. I questioned my faith and asked Him ‘What did I do to deserve this? What have I done to You?’,” she shared. “The outpouring of love from complete strangers, friends, and family emboldened me. The messages of hope, prayers, well wishes, and support gave me the courage to be strong

and do something.”

Liz was instrumental in convincing her mother Vilma to change her mindset and take back control of the narrative. She also told her that it was important for them to come out and express thanks to the countless people who have been sending messages of love, including financial support, through GoFundMe.

During the first few days after the attack, Liz established the account to raise funds for her mother’s healing and recovery. She did not realize that it would become her source of strength as friends, relatives, and even complete strangers began sending heartfelt messages of support. What she realized was that it has become larger than the attack, that there was an opportunity to do something good out of this.

“Lying on that hospital bed, I pondered my mortality. I did not know the extent of my injuries, I just felt excruciating pain in my body and legs and

I thought I was going to die,” she recalled. “Was I ready to die? I did not want to leave the world like this so I said a little prayer and begged God to save my life.”

The organization’s name is a response to Vilma’s attacker who screamed “F*ck you, you don’t belong here, you Asian!” before hitting her multiple times.

“Creating AAP(I belong) was a dream in itself,” Liz told the Asian Journal. “I have been working a corporate job for many years and was beginning to feel the need to find a bigger purpose in life – then my mom’s attack happened. AAP(I belong) manifested itself from the raw kindness and genuine care from the community.”

The organization’s immediate goal has been to create greater awareness of AAPI issues through open dialogue or self-reflection as a result of viewing the anonymous stories posted on their website. AAP(I belong),

Vilma Kari with prominent American civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton who also attended the White House United We Stand Summit.

Vilma and Liz Kari at the White House United We Stand Summit last year.

Photos courtesy of Liz Kari

Vilma and Liz Kari at AAP(I belong)’s first fundraiser and silent auction.

Vilma Kari, Asian Hate Crime Survivor & Co-Founder AAP(I belong)® and daughter, Elizabeth Kari, President & Co-Founder AAP(I belong)®, ring the Opening Bell at Nasdaq last month. AAP(I belong)® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) awareness. Photography courtesy of Nasdaq, Inc

President Joe Biden with Vilma and Liz Kari at the White House United We Stand Summit which took place on September 15, 2022. Photos courtesy of Liz Kari

The event was the second time that Vilma talked in public about the terrible experience that happened to her.

Vilma Kari and cousin Jing Mascarenas AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

MOST organizations take painstaking years to create while others are born out of personal horrible and heinous experiences.

AAP(I belong): How...

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inspired by the powerful words that were shared with them on the GoFundMe account is now a platform where people continue to share anonymous stories of encounters with antiAsian fear, hate, and ignorance.

“We hope that one day AAP(I belong) exhibitions will be held throughout the nation. As we plan and improve for future exhibitions, we also work to find new ways to connect with our community and encourage the story submission process,” she added. “The more stories we continue to collect, the more exhibitions we can build out for the future.”

The organization staged its first fundraising event in midtown Manhattan last week. Since it is a relatively new nonprofit organization, Liz and her team hoped that this event would help them collect the funds to support plans for future pop-up exhibitions and grow the team’s infrastructure.

The event was also an opportunity to create greater awareness for the organization, although, for something that is very new, it has achieved a couple of feats that larger and older organizations haven’t.

Last year, the White House invited Vilma to be a part of the White House United We Stand Summit which took place on September 15th, 2022.

As President Biden and his administration are calling for an end to hate-fueled violence in our country, they invited Vilma to join a panel to share her story as a survivor and her thoughts on how we can overcome hate. That was the first time where Vilma publicly talked about the vicious and brutal attack on her that morning of March 29, 2021.

Vilma and Liz rang the bell at the NASDAQ on Wall Street on Thursday morning, Jan. 19, raising the organization’s visibility higher.

Liz says she feels humbled that she, her mom, and their team were able to transform something repulsive into a project that is full of hope and promise.

“I pray that our work is the rainbow following the storm of hatred. Each hateful attack and experience, while incredibly difficult to bear, can be a step forward to change,” she said. “My mom and I hope that by continuing to expose our story, we can encourage others to not let their story end with hate.”

Liz is also proud to have been able to create AAP(I belong) as a tribute to her mom and the brutal attack that she endured -- forging a path to ensure that she will be known for more than just a “victim.”

“There tends to be a stigma that comes along with being the target of a hateful word or action. Our platform encourages the exposure of these stories so that viewers can realize that they are joined to a larger community and feel more comfortable to share their experience,” Liz explained.

“The anonymity of the platform is intentional and allows for a safe place for someone to take a first step to share part of themselves that they wouldn’t have shared openly. During our exhibitions I would often hear, “That happened to me too,” or, “Wow, I totally forgot about that,” --- recalling suppressed memories,” she added.

In the end, what Vilma and Liz Kari envision is a platform where everyone belongs as they slowly transform the hurtful words yelled by Vilma’s attacker into a platform where people from all walks of life learn from each other.

“Hate is hate -- many stories are adaptable to other cultures by simply changing a derogatory term or cultural cuisine,” Liz said. “We are hoping to create a community based on a sense of belonging through humanity, empathy, and compassion for our fellow man, no matter what they look like.” g

Cebu model Lukresia slays Paris Fashion Week 2023 catwalk

By Kathleen a. llemit Philstar.com

IT’S not only actress-style maven Heart Evangelista who is representing the Philippines in Paris.

Cebu-based model Lukresia made the queer community and Filipinos proud when she walked the runway for French fashion house Mugler at the recently concluded Paris Fashion Week.

Lukresia donned a tight-fitting leather pants and tasseled silver top with her long-black hair looking sleek in a ponytail. She strutted the runaway and shimmied at one point, with the silver tassels creating waves as she walked toward the audience.

The Cebu-based model walked for the returning French fashion house’s Fall/Winter 2022-2023 collection. It is the first time since pre-pandemic that Mugler has shown at the fashion week, with its creative director Casey Cadwallader.

Lukresia has created a name for herself in the fashion scene. Otherwise known as thirdworldbb, the model said in an interview that she goes by the moniker to reclaim the word “bayot,” which is a Bisaya word for gay, but has been used a pejorative or slur toward  her kind.

The other B stands for “boang,” which is crazy in Bisaya. Lukresia said she chose this word because she describes herself as one. g

Bea’s revelation on Gerald: ‘He wasn’t telling the truth’

By Vhenna marie mantilla Inquirer.net

IT has been more than three years since their split, and actress Bea Alonzo is still upfront about saying that she can ‘never’ be friends with exboyfriend Gerald Anderson.

After being asked by TV host Boy Abunda during the latter’s show, if there’s a chance of becoming friends with Anderson again in the future, Alonzo addressed this straightly, saying that she did not want to have a connection with someone whom she could not trust.

“Hindi. I can never be friends with somebody I cannot trust, and somebody who doesn’t take responsibility for his actions so siguro hindi,” she said.

(No. I can never be friends with somebody I cannot trust, and somebody who doesn’t take responsibility for his actions so, maybe, no.)

The TV host also mentioned about the issue of ‘ghosting’ which Anderson denied during his interview with the latter last 2021. The actor [Anderson] said that the relationship was becoming

‘toxic’ and there was no ‘ghosting’ that happened.

“Siguro ‘yung pinakamalaking pagsisinungaling niya was that he never ghosted me, because he did,” Alonzo recalling how she cried over their break up with the actor in the past.

(Maybe his biggest lie was that he ‘never’ ghosted me, because he did.)

After witnessing the actor’s exclusive interview with the TV host, Alonzo confessed that she had been affected, and explained that she was also just a human being that experienced pain. She also admitted that this had caused her to breakdown in tears.

“Siyempre, tao lang din ako. So kung sino man ang i-interviewhin siya at that time, it would hurt especially if half the time, he wasn’t

telling the truth,” the actress said.

(Of course, I’m only just [a] human too. So whoever interviewed him at that time, it would hurt especially if half the time, he wasn’t telling the truth.)

When the actress shared many cryptic messages hinting about betrayal and hurt, rumors that the celebrity couple had split up began to circulate. Fans at the time then inferred that actress Julia Barretto, was to blame for the breakup who is now the current girlfriend of her exboyfriend Gerald Anderson.

The actress claimed that despite their painful split, it is now all part of the past.

Alonzo now says that she has moved on and is happy with her current relationship, Dominic Roque, with their relationship being made public in 2021. g

New year, new boyfriend and job for...

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Madrigal became an online fitness coach and got certified to become a preand postnatal specialist after having a successful transformation in her own postpartum journey. In 2021, Madrigal joined the global fitness competition, Ms. Health & Fitness, and made it to the Top 5. In 2022, she revealed her new job as a broker in Texas, where she is now based for the past six years.

“We are delighted to work with talents like Michelle Madrigal who is a lifelong learner. At Gushcloud Studios, we focus on developing our talents and enabling them through different solutions and capabilities that we offer. We are very excited for Michelle’s new career journey and we hope that it will open more opportunities for her,” said

Em Cruz, Gushcloud Philippines Head of Studios, in a press statement.

In her recent vlogs on YouTube channel, Madrigal announced her relationship with her new boyfriend, Kyle. The new couple visited the Philippines and Thailand during the last holidays. During their short visit, they shared their love story with their fans in a “His and Her Perspective” video. Madrigal also got reunited with her sister, Ehra, and revealed secrets in their “Never Have I Ever”  video. Both videos were produced in partnership with Gushcloud Philippines.

“Michelle, who was born and raised in the Philippines, is now currently based in the USA. During her short visit here, we were able to work with her and capture her story that entertains, sparks

love and showcases a reunion. But most of all, we collaborated in creating content that matters to her, her loved ones and her followers. That is the beauty of a borderless organization like Gushcloud International, we operate in 11 offices globally, and no matter where our talent is, we are able to ensure that the Gushcloud family can provide the support that they need. This truly is a testament to our mission of creating tomorrow’s positive influence,” said Jamie Paraso, Country Director of Gushcloud Philippines.

Madrigal has amassed over 150K YouTube subscribers and 770K Instagram followers. Her popular videos consist of her migration in the U.S. — from her first job, first apartment, to her U.S. citizenship journey. g

Liz Kari receives a hug from a guest at the AAP(I belong) fundraiser.

Photo by Emma

Cebu-based model Lukresia at the Mugler Fall/Winter 2022-2023 at the Paris Fashion Week.

Photo from Instagram/@thirdworldbb

Bea Alonzo

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo