020323 - Northern California Edition

Millions to lose coverage during the ‘unwinding’

STARTING in April millions of families could see their health coverage disappear as the government unwinds pandemic-era policies.

During 12 months after April 1, 2023, between 15-18 million Americans will lose health coverage provided during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

“Through COVID legislation, states have mostly kept people covered through Medicaid without interruption in exchange for an increase in their Medicaid federal matching funds,” says Farah Erzouki, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). She spoke to reporters during an Ethnic Media Services briefing cosponsored by CBPP last week.

When that program ends, so will the continuous coverage requirement, and all 89 million Medicaid enrollees will have to

FDA experts are still puzzled over who should get which COVID shots and when

AT a meeting to simplify the nation’s covid vaccination policy, the FDA’s panel of experts could agree on only one thing: Information is woefully lacking about how often different groups of Americans need to be vaccinated. That data gap has contributed to widespread skepticism, undervaccination, and ultimately unnecessary deaths from COVID-19.

The committee voted unanimously on Thursday, January 26 to support the FDA’s proposal for all vaccine-makers to adopt the same strain of the virus when making changes in their vaccines, and suggested they might meet in May or June to select a strain for the vaccines that would be rolled out this fall.

However, the panel members disagreed with the FDA’s proposal that everyone get at least one shot a year, saying more information was needed to make such a declaration.

plans to address new threats

“modernizing” the alliance to address  new threats, such as maritime issues, during his visit to Manila.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

Austin will be in South Korea and the Philippines this week as Washington seeks to strengthen its presence via alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

“We anticipate that 2023 is going to be a very

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

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 Washington-based 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,  PAGE 4

PH chief executive urges diplomatic community to back growth plan

by DAPHNE 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 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 post-COVID 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.

 PAGE 4

exciting year for the alliance. Right now, I think we’re seeing a very positive upswing in the trajectory of the relationship,”  a senior defense official speaking on background was quoted saying in a department article.   PAGE 2

MENTAL HEALTH OR GUN CONTROL OR BOTH?

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

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

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 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

Pres. Marcos okays tax refund for foreign tourists

by JEROME ANING Inquirer.net

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 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,  PAGE 2

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Malacañang photo

US defense chief’s Manila visit...

While in Manila, Austin will be hosted by his counterpart, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Austin will also meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Andres Centino, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Amid the changing security environment, the U.S. Department of Defense aims to “bolster regional alliances and partnerships”  to maintain regional stability. The trip comes amid regional tensions between China and Taiwan, on top of long-standing issues in the South China Sea —  including the part of it that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

“We see the investments that we’re making to advance

our allies as grounded in the recognition that they are real force multipliers in our efforts to sustain a free and open IndoPacific,”  the official said.

Officials from Washington and Manila have previously said there are plans to expedite the completion of existing EDCA projects and adding new sites. Through the agreement, U.S. military may use facilities in Philippine military bases and camps on top of allowing U.S. troops to rotate in the country.

“We have been very clear about which is that our treaty commitments do apply in the South China Sea and that an armed attack on Philippine forces or vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea would be relevant to the defense treaty commitments that we have.”

“We’ll be actively talking about what we can do together to address what has been a pretty notable period of harassment and coercion recently in the South China Sea.”

The U.S. has repeatedly emphasized its support for the Philippines as the country tries to assert  sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea in the face of China’s sweeping claims over a large part of the South China Sea.

Earlier this month, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel drove away a Filipino fishing boat while in the Ayungin Shoal. The Department of Foreign Affairs maintained that Filipino fishermen have the right to “take whatever they are due”  in the area as it is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. g

Pres. Marcos okays tax refund for foreign...

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 first-class 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),

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

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 goahead 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.

AAPI community leaders seek solutions...

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.”

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

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 military-grade firearms in both events, sparking eerily familiar conversations about the 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 u PAGE 4

LET THE CONSTRUCTION BEGIN. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) lowers the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino housing project in Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Also in photo are (from left)

House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Acuzar. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

World Bank to lend PH $600M for pandemic...

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 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 quick-disbursing 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)

AAPI community leaders seek solutions...

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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 Angeles-based 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. g

Millions to lose coverage during...

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reapply to renew their eligibility.

Erzouki says enrollment in Medicaid grew to 89 million-plus people since February of 2020, an increase of 30%. It was the biggest experiment in universal health care since the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010.

“Access to coverage and healthcare services has been critical during this time of increased hardship. At the same time, this continuous coverage policy has meant that most Medicaid enrollees probably have not had contact with their

Medicaid agencies in three years, and in some cases, even longer,” she said.

Erzouki said that people would have to do the paperwork in order to keep their medical coverage.

People have moved during the pandemic or may not receive their renewal notice in the mail.

Erzouki said in the coming months Medicaid agencies are going to be overwhelmed processing cases and documents. She estimated seven million people could lose their coverage due to paperwork issues although they are still eligible.

“They need to make sure that their Medicaid agency has updated contact information for them,” said Laura Guerra-Cardus, CBPP’s Director of State Medicaid Strategy.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have dubbed the end of expanded health coverage an “Unwinding.”

The Biden Administration could extend the date of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another 90 days and the continuous coverage requirement would remain for another three months. However, at some point it would end.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that some 8.2 million Medicaid recipients who reapply will no longer qualify and will have to transition to another source of coverage. Another 6.8 million will lose Medicaid coverage despite still being eligible.

“Check your mail,” says Guerra-Cardus. People could receive letters at some point from either Medicaid or CHIP and they should complete the renewal forms if they get one, she says. If they don’t qualify, they may be able to get affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace and can learn more by visiting www.healthcare.gov

“However, people are given a pretty limited time after they lose Medicaid coverage to transition to the ACA. So the concern there is that people won’t have enough time to enroll in the marketplace after they lose Medicaid coverage without experiencing some sort of gap in coverage,” she said. Eligibility and income requirements vary widely by state. So contacting non-profit groups can help you fill out state-specific applications forms. For local help filling out an application go to: https://widget. getcoveredamerica.org

Children (5.3 million) and young adults (4.7 million) will lose CHIP/Medicaid coverage. Nearly

one-third of those predicted to lose coverage are Latino (4.6 million) and 15% (2.2 million) are Black, according to CMS. Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, covers 15 million people regardless of immigration status.

“One third of our population use this as insurance for children. Over half of all California children have coverage through MediCal,” says Kristen Testa, Health Director at The Children’s Partnership.

“So this unwinding will have a tremendous effect on all those families. Every one of them is going to have to renew,” she said. Calling this period “an all hands on deck situation,” Testa noted there are community-based organizations all over California that are trained and given grants to help with enrollment.

“There’s also the California Health Department website that has listings across the state,” she said.

California passed a continuous coverage law last year for young children that won’t go into effect until 2025, so some kids are going to lose coverage in the interim.

“So the important thing is for everybody to know and help our community renew their coverage and know where to go,” she said.

Not so lucky are people in 11 states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA or the American Rescue Plan.

CMS estimated 383,000 individuals, who will lose eligibility for Medicaid, would fall in the coverage gap in the remaining 11 non-expansion states – with incomes too high for Medicaid, but too low to receive Marketplace tax credits.

CMS noted that state adoption of Medicaid expansion in these states would mitigate potential coverage loss at the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Those states are Wyoming, Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

“This is a moment where we’re going to really feel the stark differences across our country. In the eleven remaining nonexpansion states, eight of which are in the south, there is already too little access to healthcare coverage for people, including communities of color,” GuerraCardus said.

After being able to take care of their healthcare needs for several years, she said that some people suddenly will lose coverage and not have any other option for affordable coverage.

(Peter White/ Ethnic Media Services)

PH chief executive urges...

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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 middleincome 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

DEADLINE BEATERS. Cops keep order during the final day of voter registration at Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The Commission on Elections said an extension is unlikely, except in areas where calamities halted the sign-up. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

FDA experts are still puzzled over who should...

Several panelists noted that in recent studies, only about a third of people hospitalized with a positive covid test actually were there because of covid illness.

That’s because everyone entering a hospital is tested for covid, so deaths of patients with incidental infections are counted as covid deaths even when it isn’t the cause.

The experts questioned the rationale for annual shots for everyone, given that current vaccines do not seem to protect against infection for more than a few months. Yet even a single booster seems to prevent death and hospitalization in most people, except for the very old and people with certain medical conditions.

“We need the CDC to tell us exactly who is getting hospitalized and dying of this virus — the ages, vulnerability, the type of immune compromise, and whether they were treated with antivirals. And we need immunological data to indicate who’s at risk,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Only then can we decide who gets vaccinated with what and when.”

Offit and others have expressed frustration over the lack of clear government messaging on what the public can expect from covid vaccines. While regular boosters might be important for keeping the elderly and medically frail out of the hospital, he said, the annual boosters suggested by the FDA and the drug companies may not be necessary for everyone.

“The goal is to keep people out of the hospital,” he said. “For the vulnerable, it would be important for vaccines to keep up with circulating strains. But for the general population, we already have a vaccine that prevents hospitalization.”

Other panelists said the government needs to push research harder to get better vaccines. Pamela McGinnis, a retired official of the National Institutes of Health, said she had trouble explaining to her two young-adult sons why they promptly got sick after venturing out to bars one night only weeks after getting their bivalent booster.

“‘Think how sick you would have gotten if you weren’t fully vaccinated’ is not a great message,” she said. “I’m not sure ‘You would have landed in the

hospital’ resonates with recipients of the disease.”

Members of the FDA’s advisory committee have been irked in recent months, saying the agency didn’t present them with all the data it had on the bivalent vaccine before it was released in September. And some critics have said the FDA should have instructed drug companies to include only the newer strains of the virus in the shot.

Asked about that Thursday, Jerry Weir, a senior FDA vaccine officer, said his “gut feeling” was that a vaccine matched to a single omicron strain would have performed better than the bivalent shot, which also contains the original covid strain. “But the real question is where we’re headed,” he said, “and I don’t know the answer.”

Perhaps the most important presentation Thursday was from Heather Scobie, who keeps tabs on covid at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She reported that fewer than half of Americans 65 and older had gotten the latest booster, and that only two-thirds of that age group had gotten even a single booster. Yet evidence continues to mount that it’s mostly the elderly who are at serious risk from covid.

Death rates from the disease have declined in every age group except those over 75 since April, despite the uptick in new strains.

Except for the very old, the death rate has hovered around 1 in 100,000 since April. Earlier in 2022, babies 6 months old and younger were hospitalized and died at relatively high rates. Vaccination levels in the 4-andunder group hover at about 10%.

While acknowledging the FDA’s desire to regularize its

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.

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."

covid vaccine policy, panel members said it’s still too early to know for sure whether covid will surge only in the winter, like flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory infections.

“For the next few years we may not know how often we need to make a strain change in the vaccine,” said Dr. Steven Pergam, medical director of infection prevention at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Or even if people who are not in poor health or elderly need additional boosters.

One vaccine-maker represented at the meeting, Novavax, said it would need to know by the end of March which strain to include in its vaccine for fall. Companies with mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna can change their formulas faster, but their products aren’t clearly better than Novavax’s.

All three of those vaccinemakers revealed at the meeting that they are developing singledose vials or prefilled syringes.

Up to now, they’ve delivered their vaccines in multidose vials, but since the government has run out of money to buy vaccines, individual pediatricians may order them in the future. Since the vaccine must be used quickly once a vial is open, doctors are leery of wasting vaccine and losing money. (Arthur Allen/Kaiser Health News)

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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

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,"  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. g

Bantag loses appeal to bar DOJ prosecutors from murder probe

MANILA – Prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation into the murder case against cashiered Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag on said Tuesday, January 31 they have denied a motion for reconsideration for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to back off and refer the case to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit confirmed to the media that the prosecution panel has “issued an order denying the motion for reconsideration filed by Bantag.”

Bantag and other respondents, including persons deprived of liberty, have until Feb. 8 to formally dispute the charges arising from the death of broadcaster Percival “Ka Percy Lapid” Mabasa and inmate Jun Villamor in October last year.

Villamor was the supposed middleman in the alleged murder-for-hire contract.

Guhit said if the defense side fails to file counter-affidavits, the prosecution may opt to submit the case for resolution “given the limited period for the conduct of preliminary investigation.“

Rocky Balisong, Bantag’s

counsel, filed the appeal for reconsideration following the Jan. 17 order of the DOJ to turn down the plea for inhibition. “No room for inhibition can be had in these cases,” the DOJ said in rejecting the motion filed by Bantag’s camp. “Apparently, for the panel to inhibit the entire DOJ is beyond its authority because such action will also include the proceedings applicable to petitions for review under the DOJ. Otherwise stated, to rule on the inhibition of the entire DOJ would be contrary to existing laws and rules of procedure.”

(PNA)

An FDA committee voted unanimously to support the agency's proposal for all covid vaccinemakers to adopt the same strain of the virus when making changes in their vaccines. KHN.org photo

Not academically pro cient

THE problems besetting the various aspects of Philippine education were enumerated on Monday, January 30. Attending the release on 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.

Editorial

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,

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

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

Glimpses

THERE are so many times in our lives when it is easy to drop the high road for an easier, safer, and more profitable one. Yet, despite making choices much lower, even opposite the high road, we still look for it. There is an inherent attraction to the high road; it has logic, lots of logic, but beyond that, like a siren, it sings to the soul.

If the high road were not indelibly etched in our soul, if it is purely a matter of personal choice without an inborn, inner nudging, there would vastly be more of humanity unable to attain it. That there is a universal voice encouraging us to seek and move towards the high road is a deep message about its primacy in the totality of human creation.

I believe that religions resonate with humanity, that even before religions had their intellectual packaging, primitive man already looked to the sky

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

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 fourday meeting held in Manila last week, billed as the 10th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue. In a joint statement, the Philippine and U.S. foreign affairs and defense panels highlighted Subic Bay as “priority site” for “high quality, private sectorled 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

and the heavens, feared yet revered the sun, resonated with the moon, was awed by the stars. It was not from teachings; rather, the sense of the supernatural was an impulse that man simply followed.

It appears, too, that while the history and development of man did have their very primitive stages, there was an unerring thrust toward the high road. In human time, it may seem like forever from one century to another, from one millennium to another. But in that context of seeming forever, the pattern of seeking the light, of moving to refinement, of expressing artistry – in other words, the high road – jumps out.

Every society, no matter how crude, crass, or violent, will profess they are acting so because they are pursuing elements of the high road.

Many times, their leaders will be mouthing the high road but acting the opposite. Dictators and tyrants align themselves and their rhetoric to the high road in order to justify their cruelty to their enemies. Even in utter

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

Why

hypocrisy, the worst will use the words of the high road.

There are many among us who feel deep frustration and even the beginnings of despair. They have been trying so hard to stay within the high road, struggling to resist compromise and corruption. Yet, they say that things are worse than ever, that many societal leaders have totally sold out their pride and principles for money and power. Sad, but with ample basis.

The very instincts of man may recognize the attraction of the high road but there are baser instincts that demand urgency over others. The need for survival will too often overwhelm the subtle voice of nobility, of heroism. When hunger dominates the lives of people, subtlety is temporarily muted, drowned in the noise of grumbling stomachs. No matter how divinely ordained the high road may be, it cannot just subvert the primal needs of man.

Those among us who may insist on the high road, risking everything including life itself, can do so because he or she has

Undersecretary Angelito de Leon. The U.S. panel was coheaded 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 for a 21st Century United States-Philippines Partnership,” which Ambassador Romualdez said “outlined several areas of

tasted the sweetness of purity, nobility, and altruism. We can give up the lower for the higher because we have known enough the flavor of the supernatural, enough for our courage to make a painful exchange. But those who have been left behind are not expected to know what a few have known, and will not sacrifice their survival for what they cannot understand.

The high road, then, demands of those who adhere to it a kind of advocacy beyond the conviction. Knowing the difficult path to the high road, the temptations that overcame us before we overcame them, those who have managed to attain to the next level or levels of life and understanding, can discern quite quickly that many remain in the grip of survival. Their decisions, then, will be to ensure survival. Survival is at the foundation of the totem pole – which means it must be served first before the journey upwards. From dictatorial rule, which humanity has been used to from the start, to freedom and democracy, is a journey 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 “policycentric 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

• Reconvene the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement meetings that apparently have been temporarily sidelined. Ambassador Romualdez has

lifetimes. If dictation had been the experience of mankind for millennia, it needs enough counterforce to reverse it and then move forward to the high road. But since the beginning of humanity to the present time is almost too much to measure not only in time and influence, shedding it from habit and culture for the refined will surely demand a great effort.

Thank goodness that several societies and countries have gone ahead of us in the political journey of man. They may have been most brutal and violent in their early stages but they did eventually learn from the pain of savagery. Their lessons drove them to try new ways. We have seen totalitarianism slowly gave way to shared power, even the beginnings of democracy. Their paths inspire us to follow, not necessarily them, but the universal journey to the high road. It does not mean that they have fully transcended their old patterns; but the high road has become competitive and will fight to go even higher.

I do not believe that patience

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

alone can contain the painful frustrations that afflict those who see and know the ethical decay eating away at the Filipino collective soul. There has to be courage to accompany convictions. Short of that, it is despair that will set in and anger that will erupt. Yet, either or both will simply be distractions in an already arduous journey we know as the high road. It becomes even more grating when those who sell themselves to greed and lust for power at any cost seem to get away with anything, with everything. And, around us, are whispers from their secret agents trying to tell us, “If you cannot beat them, join them.” Devils come in many disguises. There is nothing easy about the high road or the effort to come closer to it. But look at it this way. If we do not want to fall back, what else is there for us?

(Inquirer.net)

* * * 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.

142 million SIM cards still not registered

MANILA — Three months before the deadline set under the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM Card Registration Act, only 16 percent of all mobile numbers have been registered.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said only 26.64 million or 16 percent of the 168.98 million SIM cards nationwide had been registered as of Jan. 28.

Smart Communications Inc. has registered 20 percent or 13.63 million of its subscriber base of 68 million.

Dito Telecommunity Corp. and Globe Telecom Inc. have signed up 16 percent and 12 percent, respectively, of their user bases.

If this pace is sustained, the NTC said only about 60 percent could be registered until the deadline on April 26.

Under Republic Act (RA) 11934, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) may opt to extend SIM registration by 120 days.

However, the DICT and NTC hope that telecommunication providers can enlist all their customers within the deadline.

Globe announced on Monday, January 30 that it would launch SIM registration through the GlobeOne app  in February to increase the number of channels that its customers can access.

“We are committed to meeting the deadline and continuing our efforts to protect our customers from scammers and fraudsters,”

Globe head of consumer mobile business Darius Delgado said.

Smart chief information security officer Angel Redoble said the mobile firm tightened its cybersecurity measures to protect the data privacy of its SIM registrants.

“Our cybersecurity culture has led us to implement the toughest cyber defenses when it comes to data privacy and protection. Our goal has always been zero breach,” Redoble said.

“We assure our customers that we follow a legal procedure when there’s a valid request for information,” he added.

Under the implementing rules

and regulations of RA 11934, subscribers should register their SIM cards within 180 days from the date of the effectivity of the law.

“We are committed to meeting the deadline and continuing our efforts to protect our customers from scammers and fraudsters,” Globe head of consumer mobile business Darius Delgado said.

Smart chief information security officer Angel Redoble said the mobile firm tightened its cybersecurity measures to protect the data privacy of its SIM registrants.

“Our cybersecurity culture has led us to implement the toughest cyber defenses when it comes to data privacy and protection. Our goal has always been zero breach,” Redoble said.

“We assure our customers that we follow a legal procedure when there’s a valid request for information,” he added. Under the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11934, subscribers should register their SIM cards within 180 days from the date of the effectivity of the law. 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 Party-list

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

49% of Pinoys see life improving this year – SWS

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

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 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)

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 prepandemic 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

Vergeire ‘ready’ to lead DOH if Marcos appoints her

by Red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

HEALTH Officer-in-Charge

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

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

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

Experience exciting promotions at Graton Casino

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‘Awesome ensemble’ behind Janine’s latest TV series

by MARINEL CRUZ Inquirer.net

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THIS is a team effort all the way,” declared Janine Gutierrez, lead star of ABS-CBN’s latest series “Dirty Linen,” adding that she refuses to think that the show’s success relies solely on how effective she portrays her role and would rather attribute this to the fact that she is part of an “awesome ensemble.”

“I refuse to think that I carry the entire weight of the show on my shoulders. The idea will most likely kill me,” Janine said when asked to react to director Onat Diaz’s comment that her character, Alexa Salvacion, “is the driver of the story.”

“One of the things that is special about this show is its awesome ensemble. The stories of these characters are all interesting enough for you to take time to follow them. Each of them has dirty linen in the closet but at the same time, each has goodness to share.”

Janine said she prefers to think that it was Dolly de Leon’s character, Olivia Salvacion, that acted as catalyst for a series of unfortunate events. Dolly plays Alexa’s mother whose death Alexa is determined to avenge.

Keeping with the theme

“For me, she is the reason the story moves in the direction that it is taking. Personally, I rely on the help of my coactors, directors, writers and staff in order to fulfill the task given to me,” Janine insisted.

“In keeping with the theme, I always have to keep that anger deep inside. I’m lucky that I was able to watch the pilot episode, where Alexa’s mother got killed. Whenever I am asked to express that anger within me, I go back to that scene again and again,” Janine pointed out.

The actress also said she was thankful that Zanjoe Marudo was her leading man in this project. Zanjoe is Aidan Fiero, whose father, Carlos, is blamed by Alexa for Olivia’s death.

“Dirty Linen” is Janine and Zanjoe’s first project together. She said they never took any

effort to work on their onscreen chemistry. “The story starts with us not knowing each other, so it helped that we hadn’t had the chance to bond before taping. We tried to get acquainted with each other while we were already on the set. At least, we were able to reflect in real life what our characters are going through in the story,” she explained.

Prior to assuming the role of Alexa, Janine made sure to do her homework. “I started by reading the script again and again. The story of ‘Dirty Linen’ is so multilayered that it gets confusing sometimes. I first needed to find out what is truly in my character’s core. This is not easy because there are a lot of things going on with her and they’re happening all at the same time,” she began.

‘Well-written’ script “I don’t just play Alexa, who is seeking justice. Sometimes, I am also Alexa disguised as the Fieros’ servant Mila, who appears sweet and innocent,” said Janine. “What really helped were the guidelines set by Direk Onat and

Direk Andoy (Ranay, codirector). We all worked on identifying nuances that are Alexa’s and those that are Mila’s.” Janine said it also helped that she was able to watch Erika Clemente play the young Alexa. “She did so well in the scenes where she was with Ms Dolly. As much as possible, I tried to copy her. This also helped me differentiate Alexa from Mila,” she said. “Another thing that you will see Alexa do throughout the series is crack her knuckles. That tells you how wonderfully written the script is. This gesture will serve as the thread that weaves the story.” Toward the end of the interview, Janine said she got to do a lot of things in the series, including her own stunts in some action scenes, but what was “really tricky” for her was playing Alexa disguised as Mila. “I have to make sure I show Alexa’s sinister look when the attention of other characters are not focused on Mila. You really have to watch in order to understand what I’m talking about,” she declared.

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 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 US. 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.

Madrigal became an online fitness coach and got certified to become a pre- and 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 U.S. 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.

Janine Gutierrez

Photo from Instagram/@janinegutierrez

Michelle Madrigal

Photo from Instagram/@mitch_madrigal

California recruiting more than 3,000 students for #CaliforniansForAll College Corps

California Volunteers is recruiting fellows from participating colleges for next academic years’ program, helping thousands of students pay for college by serving their community

SACRAMENTO — On

Wednesday, February 1, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday and California Volunteers, Office of the Governor announced applications are now open for next year’s #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. More than 3,000 students will be selected from partner campuses to participate during the 20232024 academic year. College Corps is a statewide, paid service program, launched during the 2022-2023 academic year, which provides meaningful work to college students in exchange for serving their community. The program helps participants graduate on time and with less debt while gaining valuable work experience. Students will receive up to $10,000 for completing up to 450 hours of community service.

“Giving back to your community through service is at the very heart of what it means to be a Californian – and that’s what College Corps is all about. There’s nothing more valuable than getting hands-on with service projects that make our state a better place for all,” said Governor Gavin Newsom,”

said Governor Gavin Newsom. Through their service, College Corps Fellows contribute to tackling the biggest issues facing our state. Fellows will work in their communities to tutor and mentor low-income students, distribute meals to those facing food insecurity and take climate action.

“In California, if you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college. This is a win-win-win. Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community,” said California Chief Service Officer Fryday.

California has an estimated 75,000 undocumented students who don’t qualify for federal work-study or most job opportunities, and often struggle to make ends meet. However, College Corps is uniquely open to AB 540 CA Dream Act Students, ensuring that at participating campuses, all eligible California college students have a chance to earn money while serving their community.

“As an AB 540 CA Dream

Act student, joining the College Corps program was the best decision I made for my education. I can cover my educational expenses, gain work experience, and make a difference in my community,” said Wendi Lizola, Sacramento State College Corps Fellow.

“Students will no longer feel limited due to their background. College students should definitely apply to the program today!”

In the first four years of this new program, College Corps will engage more than 12,000 California undergraduates to make a positive difference in their communities. This service and career development program will help build a diverse generation of leaders prepared to transform California for the better. Funding was made possible by the efforts of Governor Newsom and lawmakers.

Priority application deadline is March 15, 2023, but the final deadline will vary by campus. Program details, deadlines and applications are available at www.CACollegeCorps.com.

(California Volunteers, Office of the Governor Release)

episode, leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and the Citizen Pinoy team went to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa, a skincare clinic cofounded by the husband-andwife team of Frances CalayanCuento 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

www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov

City of Santa Clara calls for applicants to Salary Setting Commission

THE City of Santa Clara is seeking applicants for the Salary Setting Commission to fill:

• Two (2) partial terms ending December 31,

2024

• One (1) full term ending December 31, 2027.

Applications are due on Monday, February 6, 2023, by 5 p.m.

Submit online or submit in person at the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours.

Apply online at https://lfwebprod.santaclaraca. gov/Forms/SSCA for the Salary Setting Commission. In-person applications can be submitted at 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

Interviews will be conducted on February 13,

2023 at 7 p.m. at the Civil Service Commission meeting.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be a City of Santa Clara resident and a current registered voter

• Must provide two forms of Proof of Residency: a driver’s license, identification, utility bill or similar.

• Signed original post Service Limitation Acknowledgement For more information, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/ Commissions. For questions about the application process, contact the City Clerk's office at clerk@ santaclaraca.gov or call 408-615-2220. (City of Santa Clara Release)

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, 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 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.

* * *

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

* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers...

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, 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. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)