021024 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

FEBRUARY 10-13, 2024 Volume 34 - No. 12 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

‘Doomed to fail’: Marcos appeals to DATELINE USA LA County begins recovery stop calls for Mindanao secession process after heavy storms FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by IAN LAQUI Philstar.com

LOS ANGELES – Following powerful MANILA — The calls for an independent downpours that stormed through the LA region, the initial activities to support residents with Mindanao separate from the Philippines is a their individual recovery efforts are set to begin, “constitutional travesty” that is “anchored on a false county officials announced.

The first step in the process is for individuals and businesses to complete a survey to answer preliminary questions regarding any damage that was sustained from the recent storms. The county’s Office of Emergency Management will work directly with the county’s 88 cities to analyze this information and validate what is reported.

This survey is intended for information gathering purposes and will be used to determine if the county is eligible for various disaster assistance programs based on the total amount of damages reported countywide.

Disaster assistance programs are not guaranteed, so residents and businesses are encouraged to continue working with their insurance carriers while this information is

premise,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, February 8.

In a speech at “Constitution Day” event in Makati, Marcos said that the calls for Mindanao secession are “doomed to fail” as the Bangsamoro government does not support this call.

Enter the Dragon: Lunar New Year seen to bring positivity

by DOREEN YU Philstar.com

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Halfway through ‘unwinding,’ Medicaid enrollment is down about 10 million

“The new call for a separate Mindanao is doomed to fail…The current leadership of BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) itself has repudiated this preposterous proposal and so did the other political leaders of  PAGE A2

CHINESE NEW YEAR’S EVE. Local tourists flock to Binondo in Manila on Friday, Feb. 9 on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Malacañang had

MANILA — From the children’s song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” to the Bruce Lee classic “Enter the Dragon,” this mythical creature has captured our imagination through the ages.

This fascination is sure to heighten as we welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon on Saturday, February 10.

The dragon is the fifth of the 12 signs in the Chinese zodiac, and wood is one of the five elements (the others are fire, earth, metal and water). The other zodiac signs, in order of the animals’ appearance before the Jade Emperor, are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

The dragon, the only mythical creature in the zodiac, is the most auspicious and significant among the animal signs, considered the symbol of the emperor and imbued with power, nobility, wealth and success.

Dragon years are generally positive, offering a  PAGE A2

earlier declared Feb. 9 and 10 as non-working days to allow Filipinos to celebrate longer the Chinese New Year weekend.

HALFWAY through what will be the biggest PNA photo by Yancy Lim purge of Medicaid beneficiaries in a oneyear span, enrollment in the government-run health insurance program is on track to return to roughly pre-pandemic levels.

Medicaid, which covers low-income and disabled people, and the related Children’s Health Insurance Program grew to a record 94 million enrollees as a result of a rule that

by DONNABELLE GATDULA prohibited states from terminating coverage AJPress during the nation’s public health emergency.

LOS ANGELES — Community leader Jessica Caloza But since last April, states have removed is vying to make history as the first Filipino American more than 16 million people from the programs woman elected to the California state Legislature. in a process known as the “unwinding,” If elected to represent California's 52nd Assembly according to KFF estimates compiled from district, this wouldn't be the first time Caloza has made state-level data. history: she has served at the highest levels of government While many beneficiaries no longer qualify at the federal, state, and local level. Currently, she works because their incomes rose, millions of for Rob Bonta, the first Filipino American to serve as the people have been dropped from the rolls for California Attorney General. She previously worked for procedural reasons like failing to respond to U.S. President Barack Obama and also served as the first notices or return paperwork. But at the same Filipina on the powerful LA Board of Public Works. time, millions have been reenrolled or signed On stage during the unveiling ceremony (from left): Col. Arthur M. Romanillos Jr., Philippine In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal, Caloza Army Attache; Dr. Cynthia Romero, Chairman of the Council of United Filipino Organizations of up for the first time.

Jessica Caloza, candidate to represent Tidewater; Consul General Arribas, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Virginia Representative The net result: Enrollment has fallen by California’s 52nd Assembly district.  PAGE A4 Photo courtesy of Jessica Caloza’s campaign  PAGE A2 Bobby Scott, and Max Frias of the Philippine American National Historical Society-Hampton

Fil-Am leader Jessica Caloza aims to make history, champion community in bid for CA Assembly

Roads Chapter.

Photo courtesy of PH Embassy

Go: No ICC warrant for Duterte’s arrest Rare historic document unveiled:

by JAVIER JOE ISMAEL Philstar.com

Former President Rodrigo Duterte

Malacañang file photo

SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go has dismissed rumors that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.

Go said he had not heard or seen any official confirmation of the warrant, stressing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

The country withdrew its membership from the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2019 after the court announced it would conduct a preliminary investigation of the extrajudicial killings that took

place during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

The ICC reminded the Duterte administration that “withdrawal from the court will not change the Philippines’ obligations to cooperate in a proceeding which had already begun.”

Duterte’s “war on drugs” led to more than 20,000 deaths, and according to the UN Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines, about 8,663 of the deaths could be categorized as extrajudicial killings.

Go said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already declared numerous times that the government would not cooperate  PAGE A3

1899 Declaration of Philippine Independence from the US

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a poignant ceremony marking the convergence of two nations’ histories, the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum unveiled an original document declaring the independence of the Philippines from the United States. Signed by President Emilio Aguinaldo, the declaration was made immediately before the Philippine-American War, which commenced 125 years ago.

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas, in his opening remarks, underscored the significance of the occasion, stating, “This document symbolizes the courage and resilience of the Filipino people in our quest for self-determination. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of independence that continues to define both our nations. We are honored that the MacArthur Memorial Museum will preserve and showcase this invaluable  PAGE A3

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

‘Doomed to fail’: Marcos appeals... Fil-Am leader Jessica Caloza aims to...

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PAGE A1 Mindanao,” Marcos said in his speech “This is a grave violation of the Constitution,” he added.

This is Marcos’ first statement on the call of former President Rodrigo Duterte about Mindanao separating from the rest of the Philippines, which government agencies and Bangsamoro leaders opposed.

Duterte mulled the idea of

Mindanao separating from the Philippines through a People’s Initiative (PI), a day after he accused Marcos of being behind the campaign for Charter change.

The former president’s idea, according to Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Partylist), might be only a scapegoat for Duterte to dodge a possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

"In fact, the Dutertes just want

to turn Mindanao into an escape bunker at a time when they are being hunted by the ICC when the investigation progresses and they are convicted of their crimes against the Filipino people,” Manuel said on February 1.

Philstar.com asked Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra if the former president may be charged due to his pronouncements, but he declined to answer unless "matters are brought to court." 

Enter the Dragon: Lunar New Year seen to...

PAGE A1 lot of opportunities as well as changes and challenges. This year is no different, and could be a good time to make changes in your life. While the dragon is seen to be powerful and swift, the element wood tempers this, making Wood Dragons more introspective, less assertive.

The new year celebration spans 15 days, usually starting with a big family dinner on Friday, February 9. On Saturday, the new moon, is the first day of the new year. Festivities officially end on the 15th day (Feb. 24), the first full moon of the year, which is celebrated as the Lantern Festival when, traditionally, homes and streets and temples are festooned with lanterns – usually red – and families gather to partake of tangyuan, sweet glutinous rice balls filled with crushed peanuts or sesame paste.

The streets of Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, as well as malls all over the metro and in major cities across the country will be alive with the raucous drumbeats of lion and dragon dances ushering in the new year. While these are often performed together, there are marked differences between the two.

The lion dance is two-person endeavor – one at the head and the other at the tail. Usually performing in pairs, lion dances are very acrobatic, with spirited choreography that often has the head dancer jumping on to the shoulders of the tail dancer, followed by fancy dismounts.

The dragon, on the other hand, is long and sinewy, extending many meters and

Dragon years are generally positive, offering a lot of opportunities as well as changes and challenges. This year is no different, and could be a good time to make changes in your life.

While the dragon is seen to be powerful and swift, the element wood tempers this, making Wood Dragons more introspective, less assertive. Unsplash.com photo by Scottsdale Mint

involving multiple dancers who hold up and manipulate the body of the dragon with poles. Legend has the origins of the dragon dance in the Han dynasty (202 BCE to 220 CE) as an entreaty for rain for the crops. In Chinese mythology, the dragon has great powers and can control the wind and rain, rivers and even the sea.

It was thus greatly valued and revered by the largely agricultural population.

Lion and dragon dances are highlights of the new year celebration all over the world, not just to add to the noisy, festive air but to help drive away evil spirits and bring in prosperity and good fortune.

Dragon and lion dances

opened up about her journey running for office, the issues she cares most about, and her call to action for the Fil-Am community.

“The Filipino American voice matters and our vote counts.

Everyone has the power to do something to really make a difference in our community. If you care about your family and quality of life issues like education, healthcare, housing, cost of living, then vote. It’s our time to be heard and be represented in Sacramento," said Caloza, when asked about her message to her fellow Filipinos in her district.

The 52nd Assembly District includes Glendale, parts of East LA and neighborhoods of LA, such as East Hollywood, Los Feliz, Virgil Village, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Elysian Valley, Echo Park, Eagle Rock and Highland Park.

There are about 13,000 Filipino American registered voters in this district.

“It’s a district that has never been represented by an Asian American. And in the Assembly, we have never elected a Filipino woman ever. So if I make it, I would be the first,” said Caloza, who is shaped by her background as a women’s rights advocate, an immigrant, and a daughter of working-class parents.

Caloza says Filipino Americans have an opportunity to make a mark in U.S. politics.

“In Los Angeles County, we have the largest population of Filipinos outside of the Philippines. There’s nearly half a million Filipinos in L.A. County, but we have never elected anyone to the state level. Why? Because

we’re not voting. That is a huge loss for our community, because it means that we don’t have a voice at the table for positions like the Assembly," she explained, adding that the state assemblymembers decide where taxpayer dollars are allocated and champion bills that become law.

All registered voters in California received their mail-in ballot in early February and can vote until the Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 5th.

“Voting is one of the most powerful things Filipinos can do because so many people fought for our right to vote. It’s really a call to action this election cycle to all Filipinos to really get involved, get engaged, and vote," added the state Assembly candidate.

With the state facing a huge budget deficit, Caloza pointed out that it is crucial to elect somebody who can represent the district in securing much-needed funds for the community’s programs and projects.

“I want to make sure to promote policies that protect working families, especially immigrants.

Filipinos play a huge role in that. We have to make sure that we protect the programs that are really important around education, small businesses, housing affordability, women’s rights and that’s really important because we have a budget deficit of over $30 billion and so what does that mean? That means my job will be to make sure to protect resources for our district,” she added.

Caloza says the Fil-Am community can contribute to making this historic position happen.

“The most important thing

have even invaded the Vatican, with a special performance a few days ago at the Apostolic Palace. Pope Francis, who did the dotting of the eye ceremony for both the dragon and the lion, admonished the performers to become “acrobats of peace and prosperity.”

Perhaps the best example of a Dragon would be Bruce Lee, born in San Francisco in 1940, a Metal Dragon. Named Jun-fan by his father, he took the stage name Lee Xiao Loong, meaning Little Dragon. Other notable Dragons are Vladimir Putin (Xi Jinping, by the way, is a Snake, a year younger), Deng Xiaoping, Jack Ma of Alibaba and locally, Gary V, Sarah Geronimo and Before joining Mayor Eric Garcetti’s administration in LA, Caloza worked for President Obama helping underfunded public schools get more resources.

Vice Ganda. 

Caloza received an endorsement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whom she served as his deputy chief of staff.

Photos courtesy of Jessica Caloza’s campaign

is to spread the word. This is so important for us because we’re trying to do something that we’ve never done before, which is to elect somebody from the community,” she noted.

If elected, Caloza believes that she can also push for crucial policies that will create more opportunities and promote affordability for her constituents.

“The biggest need is really affordability. We’ve been going door-to-door, talking to people since October and the top issue is that people can’t afford to live in their neighborhood anymore,” said Caloza, who is a renter and lives in Eagle Rock.

Her family immigrated from Quezon City, Philippines when she was very young.

“We are in a housing crisis and have to build more affordable and low-income housing. We also have to protect renters,” she added.

Aside from increasing affordable housing, Caloza also underscores the need to push for more policies that will help sustain small businesses in the district.

“If we have to make it affordable for people to live here, we need to make it affordable for businesses to survive here, too, and more than to survive but to actually thrive. We also need to make sure that workers have the benefits they need to succeed,” she said.

Caloza said she will also fight to ensure clean air and water for our neighborhoods and invest in public schools to give every child a shot at success.

Being vocal with her advocacies, Caloza has been able to gather wide-ranging support from classroom teachers, nurses, construction workers, and  PAGE A4

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Go: No ICC warrant for Duterte’s...

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with the ICC, which meant that local law enforcement agencies would not recognize or assist the ICC in its investigation.

“How can they arrest without coordination with local authorities?

Is it possible? As former President Duterte has said, look for him in Davao (City). How can you arrest him there without the cooperation of law enforcement agencies?” Go said in Filipino.

The senator maintained that Duterte was unfazed by the ICC warrant. He reiterated his belief and trust in President Marcos’ statement that the Philippine government would not recognize the ICC. Go also denied allegations that he was involved in any illegal

activities with Duterte, particularly extrajudicial killings. He said the accusations were old and fabricated issues, and that he never received any illegal order from Duterte.

He stressed that he would never follow any order from anyone if it was illegal.

Go also reflected on the principles advocated by Duterte regarding national development. “I would also like to mention to all of you that during the time of (former) President Duterte, he always reminded us that everything must be fair and equal. Even if we are from Mindanao, all the projects must be fair. Projects must be fairly distributed to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and no one should be left behind as we are all Filipinos,” he said.

DATELINE USA

He said he met with Duterte last weekend in Davao City after he attended a Senate hearing on the alleged buying of signatures for people’s initiative (PI), a campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Go said Duterte opposed the PI, which he believed was rushed and flawed.

Duterte was also invited by a religious group led by Greco Belgica, a former commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and his father, Butch Belgica, a former Manila councilor and pastor, to a prayer rally or gathering for unification, Go said.

He said Duterte was open to the idea but did not know if he would attend. 

LA County begins recovery process after....

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collected, according to the OEM. “As we begin the recovery process, Los Angeles County is here to support the renters, homeowners and businesses impacted by the storm,” Lindsey Horvath, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement. “No one is alone in navigating this process, and the county is here to help ensure our communities are connected to the resources they need.”

She added, “We came together to stay safe, and we’ll do the same through our recovery process.”

The public can access the Damage Collection Survey here.

The county’s recovery page for the 2024 storms will serve as a resource library for all postdisaster information. Residents are encouraged to visit the website regularly for the most up-to-date information regarding recovery activities. For assistance, in completing the survey, residents can call 2-1-1.

In the city of L.A., the office of Mayor Karen Bass encouraged residents to review and complete the damage collection survey.

Bass’ office also provided a midday update on recovery efforts.

Over the course of the storm, firefighters assisted approximately 50 motorists stranded in water to safety and L.A. Fire Department’s Swift Water Teams performed five rescues.

Since 8 a.m. Thursday, the bureaus with the Department of Public Works responded to hundreds of calls for service

regarding 553 fallen trees and branches, 592 mudslides, 1,180 reports of potholes and 1,511 catch basins and stormwater conveyance systems cleared.

City officials continued to advise residents to avoid driving on canyon roads, and noted that 16 buildings were red-tagged and 33 buildings were yellowtagged, meaning no-entry, and that residents could return for collecting their possessions, respectively.

Department of Transportation traffic officers have been deployed to multiple closures and continue to direct drivers away from impacted areas.

There are significant mudslides and washouts near the 86008700 block of Mulholland Drive between Bowmont Drive and Skyline, which has been closed.

Coldwater Canyon Boulevard on the southbound lane is closed to traffic at Mulholland.

Building and safety inspectors are assessing homes near the affected areas, and the Bureau of Engineering team has assessed the need for restoration of slope stability, and has begun to reconstruct the affected hillsides.

Additionally, during the course of the storms, firefighters assisted residents, whose home was near the impacts of a mudslide on the 8600 block of Edwin Drive.

Firefighters ensure their safety, and verified that there was no immediate risk to residents.

The Sepulveda Basin is in the process of reopening, and it is expected to be fully reopen by the end of Thursday, however

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2024 A3

impacted streets include Burbank Boulevard between the 405 Freeway and Balboa Boulevard, Woodley Avenue between Burbank and Victory boulevards, and Hayvenhurst Avenue and Burbank Boulevard.

The 5 Freeway to the 110 South Interchange remains closed due to flooding or debris.

Officials with the Department of Water and Power reported that, as of 9 a.m. Thursday, approximately 1,456 customers remain without power, and about 100,397 customers have had their power restored in the city.

Communities that remain without power are portions of Mid-Wilshire and Westwood in the metro area, and portions of Reseda, Lake Balboa, Granada Hills, Canoga Park and Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley.

Several of the outages occurred last night that could be the result of water intrusion into underground electricity or other issues related to the rainstorm, DWP noted.

The city, county and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority activated six additional shelters for people experiencing homelessness, in addition to its seven seasonal winter shelters.

Mayor Bass directed the use of some recreation and parks shelters in different areas of the city, adding more beds for unhoused Angelenos. These six sites have begun demobilization, and will be returned for youth, family and senior programming.

(Inquirer.net)

City of Los Angeles Renters 4% RENT INCREASE ALLOWED

For Rent Controlled Properties

EFFECTIVE FEB. 1, 2024 Things you should know: Rent increase effective Feb. 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024.

Landlords can add an extra 1% per utility, up to 6%, if they pay the entire gas and electric bill.

Check if your unit is rent controlled at zimas.lacity.org File illegal rent increase complaints at housing.lacity.org

Be informed. Be protected.

Be at home. housing.lacity.org

VITAL MISSION. Mission scientists and flight crew give the press a tour of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) DC-8 flying laboratory and Gill aircraft at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Thursday, Feb. 8. The aircraft, which will be used for the international collaborative research Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ), is set to have four flights between Feb. 5 and 14 and will fly at a safe, low altitude over the Manila urban area to investigate the atmosphere of Metro Manila and its surrounding regions.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Rare historic document unveiled: 1899 Declaration...

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piece of Philippine history.”

Amanda Williams, Director of the MacArthur Memorial Museum, emphasized the document’s role in education and reflection. “The Declaration of Philippine Independence, housed within the museum’s esteemed collection, will serve as a focal point for deepening understanding of the complex historical narratives that connect the Philippines and the United States,” she remarked.

Following the unveiling, a symposium on the PhilippineAmerican War, organized by the museum in partnership with the Filipino American National Historical Society- Hampton Roads Chapter, provided further insight into this shared history.

The event, attended by dignitaries such as Virginia Congressman Robert Scott and Norfolk City Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander, along with historians and leaders from the Filipino community in Hampton Roads, served as a meaningful reminder of the enduring bonds between the Philippines and the United States.

The MacArthur Memorial has also released a new multi-media guide that provides a look at some of the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War items in the museum collection. It can be viewed by visiting https://www.

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas delivering a message on behalf of the Philippine Embassy Washington D.C. and Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. Photos courtesy of PH Embassy

Amanda Williams, Director of the MacArthur Memorial Museum, and Consul General Iric Arribas with the Philippine Declaration of Independence on display.

flipsnack.com/FE7AC7BBDC9/ war-and-phil-am-war-collectionmacarthur-memorial-span-am- guide##. (PH Embassy Release)

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DATELINE USA

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Halfway through ‘unwinding,’ Medicaid...

LA appoints first Asian American police chief

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Police Commission appointed Assistant Chief Dominic Choi interim chief of the city’s police department on Wednesday, February 7, a position he’ll assume at the beginning of March following the retirement of Chief Michel Moore at the end of February.

The vote was unanimous. Choi will be the LAPD‘s first Asian American chief.

“Assistant Chief Choi’s vast experience during his 28-year career with the department has prepared him to act as the department’s interim chief of police.

He is a well-respected leader within the department and the community, known for his vast knowledge and measured decision making,” the Board of Police Commission said in a statement.

“The police commission is confident he is uniquely qualified to steward the department into its next chapter and will lead the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department until a permanent chief of police is selected,” the statement continued.

The commissioners were joined Mayor Karen Bass at a City Hall news conference after Wednesday’s special board meeting to discuss the appointment.

“I look forward to working with Interim Chief Choi in the coming months as he provides steady and stable leadership for our police department,” Bass said. “Interim Chief Choi’s more than 28 years of service to this city as a member of the police department put him in a unique position to not only lead, but to grow and improve our department.”

The commissioners spent weeks discussing who would step in as interim chief since Moore announced his plans for retirement in early January. They’re also in the process of identifying the top three candidates for Moore’s permanent replacement as chief in a nationwide search. Bass is then expected to make a decision for the final appointment, although she has the ability to ask for other candidates.

The next chief will also need confirmation by the full City Council.

Bass has said her office will conduct an extensive outreach process to gather input from LAPD officers, as well as residents of the city.

The son of Korean immigrants, Choi was raised locally and began his career with the LAPD in 1995 after earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting from USC. He was promoted to detective at the LAPD’s Harbor Division in 2001, to sergeant in the 77th Street area in 2002, lieutenant in 2009 and captain in 2014. In December 2017, he was promoted to commander and assigned to the Operations-Central

handle the surge. About 29% of beneficiaries in Alabama who’ve had eligibility reviews were disenrolled for procedural reasons, KFF found.

“Things are even keel in Alabama,” she said, noting that about 66% of enrollees have been renewed.

State officials have told the legislature that about a quarter of people disenrolled during the unwinding were reenrolled within 90 days, she said.

One of a handful of states that have refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, Alabama had about 920,000 enrollees in Medicaid and CHIP in January 2020. That number rose to about 1.2 million in April 2023.

More than halfway into the unwinding, the state is on track for enrollment to return to prepandemic levels, Harris said.

Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said she remains worried the drop in Medicaid enrollment among children is steeper than typical.

That’s particularly bothersome because children usually qualify for Medicaid at higher household income levels than their parents or other adults.

During the unwinding 3.8 million children have lost Medicaid coverage, according to the center’s latest data. “Many more kids are falling off now than prior to the pandemic,” Alker said.

And when they’re dropped, many families struggle to get them back on, she said. “The whole system is backlogged and the ability of people to get back on in a timely fashion is more limited,” she said.

The big question, Levitt said, is how many of the millions of people dropped from Medicaid are now uninsured.

The only state to survey those disenrolled — Utah — discovered about 30% were uninsured.

Many of the rest found employer health coverage or signed up for subsidized coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

What’s happened nationwide remains unclear. (Phil Galewitz/ KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent About two-thirds of the 48 million beneficiaries who have had their eligibility reviewed so source of health policy research, far got their coverage renewed. About one-third lost it. Pexels.com photo by Antoni Shkraba polling, and journalism. about 9.5 million people from the record high reached last April, according to KFF. That puts Medicaid and CHIP enrollment on track to look, by the end of the unwinding later this year, a lot like it did at the start of the coronavirus pandemic: about 71 million people.

“What we are seeing is not dissimilar to what we saw before the pandemic — it is just happening on a bigger scale and more quickly,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF. Enrollment churn has long been a feature of Medicaid.

Before the pandemic, about 1 million to 1.5 million people nationwide fell off the Medicaid rolls each month — including many who still qualified but failed to renew their coverage, Levitt said.

During the unwinding, many people have been disenrolled in a shorter time. In some ways — and in some states — it’s been worse than expected.

The Biden administration predicted about 15 million people would lose coverage under Medicaid or CHIP during the unwinding period, nearly half due to procedural issues. Both predictions have proven low.

Based on data reported so far, disenrollments are likely to exceed 17 million, according to KFF — 70% due to procedural reasons.

But about two-thirds of the 48 million beneficiaries who have had their eligibility reviewed so far got their coverage renewed.

About one-third lost it.

The federal government

has given most states 12 months to complete their unwinding, starting with the first disenrollments between last April and October.

Timothy McBride, a health economist at Washington University in St. Louis, said the nation’s historically low unemployment rate means people who lose Medicaid coverage are more likely to find job-based coverage or be better able to afford plans on Obamacare marketplaces. “That is one reason why the drop in Medicaid is not a lot worse,” he said.

There are big differences between states. Oregon, for example, has disenrolled just 12% of its beneficiaries.

Seventy-five percent have been renewed, according to KFF. The rest are pending.

At the other end of the spectrum, Oklahoma has dumped 43% of its beneficiaries in the unwinding, renewing coverage for just 34%. About 24% are pending.

States have varying eligibility rules, and some make it easier to stay enrolled. For instance, Oregon allows children to stay on Medicaid until age 6 without having to reapply. All other enrollees get up to two years of coverage regardless of changes in income.

Jennifer Harris, senior health policy advocate for Alabama Arise, an advocacy group, said her state’s Medicaid agency and other nonprofit organizations communicated well to enrollees about the need to reapply for coverage and that the state also hired more people to

Dominic Choi will be the LAPD’s first Asian American chief Photo from Instagram/@knarfsilos

Bureau. He was also appointed as the Department’s homeless coordinator and remained in that position until July 2019.

He became deputy chief in August 2019 and assist chief in July 2021.

In January, Choi was appointed director of the Office of Operations, responsible for South Bureau Homicide Division, LAX Field Services Division, the Department Homeless Coordinator, OperationsCentral Bureau, Operations-South Bureau, Operations-West Bureau and Operations-Valley Bureau.

Choi is married with three children. Moore was appointed last year to serve a second five-year term leading the agency.

He had not intended to serve the entirety of that term, saying the LAPD should have fresh leadership ahead of the city hosting major events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Moore joined the LAPD in 1981 and was promoted to captain in 1998. His assignments included assuming command of the Rampart Division after a police corruption scandal and serving in a top command capacity at the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

He has served as LAPD chief since 2018, when he was appointed by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti. Bass said Moore will remain contracted with the city following his retirement to help with the transition to a new chief. (Inquirer.net)

Fil-Am leader Jessica Caloza aims to...

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housing and civil rights advocates in the district.

Caloza, a graduate of the University of California-San Diego, had worked for President Obama helping underfunded public schools get more resources.

In 2019, Caloza held a prominent position as the first Filipina American to serve on the LA. Board of Public Works, overseeing more than 5,500 employees. As a commissioner, she expanded good-paying union jobs, raised wages for workers

and required equal pay for women while increasing transparency and accountability. Among her projects also included the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway — the largest monument dedicated to the Fil-Am community in the United States — and the 6th Street Bridge in Downtown LA. As California Attorney General Rob Bonta's deputy chief of staff, Caloza assisted Bonta in his bid to reduce crime and gun violence, take bold action to protect the environment, and help victims of sexual assault receive justice.

In addition to support from Bonta, Caloza also earned highpowered endorsements from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council, and over 20 current and former State Senators and Assemblymembers. Just recently, she got endorsed by the LA Chamber of Commerce Jobs PAC and a number of small business owners.

The Primary Election is on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 and all registered voters have received a mail-in ballot. 

DATELINE PPHHILIPPINES pushed to reject vape, e-cigarettes in int’l meet LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2024 A5

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US, PH conduct 3rd joint patrol in West PH Sea

by JOHN ERIC MENDOZA Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States conducted their third joint patrol in the West Philippines Sea on Friday, February 9 according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Joining the joint maritime cooperative activity (MCA) were Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and AW109 Helicopter, together with the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s USS Gabrielle Giffords embarked with an MH-60S SeaHawk helicopter.

The two ships sailed together and participated in advanced planning and maritime communication operations within the western section of Manila’s exclusive economic

zone.

“The MCA has become a routine activity for both Filipino and U.S. militaries to continuously enhance interoperability through the conduct of maritime security and maritime domain awareness operations,” the AFP said in a statement.

The second MCA of Manila and Washington was conducted last month, while the firstever joint patrol was held in November 2023.

These patrols were formed amid tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. The regular rotation and resupply (Rore) mission of the country to the BRP Sierra Madre — a Navy ship grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999 — became the flashpoint of tension

between Manila and Beijing.

In 2023 alone, the China Coast Guard (CCG) resorted to the usage of military-grade lasers once and water cannon at least four times against Philippine vessels doing resupply missions to the Navy outpost.

The CCG also routinely blocked and conducted what the Philippine government deemed to be “dangerous maneuvers” against its vessels.

Several incidents between Filipino vessels and CCG have also occurred in Scarborough Shoal.

Beijing’s actions are based on its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the WPS, but an international tribunal ruling in 2016 effectively dismissed this while ruling heavily in favor of Manila. 

‘Gov’t eyeing economic Cha-cha, nothing more’

by DELON PORCALLA,

ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — The administration is not pushing for political amendments to the Constitution, with President Marcos reassuring the public that the proposed reforms in the Charter would be limited to economic provisions.

Amid speculations on the motives behind efforts to amend the Charter, Marcos said his administration is just after the provisions that hinder the entry of investments.

“Allow me to make it clear: this administration’s position in introducing reforms for the Constitution extends to economic matters alone... For those… strategically aimed at boosting our economy.

Nothing more,” Marcos said during the commemoration of Constitution Day in Makati on Thursday, February 8.

He said the presence of restrictive economic provisions was the reason why no less than 300 measures pushing for economic Charter change have been filed since the 8th Congress.

As the House of Representatives and the Senate engage in a word war over Charter change, Marcos vowed to allow the debates on the issue to continue.

“We must allow this healthy and democratic debate to wage on... especially that the social economic development of our country is directly involved,” the president said.

In a recent interview with GMA News, Marcos said he was open to amending some political provisions of the Charter but expressed belief that it is not yet time to do so.

“We really have to think about that… we can have these discussions later on. But for the present day, my concern is the economic provisions.”

Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the statement of the president on the need and urgency for amending the Constitution’s “restrictive” economic provisions.

“The president made it clear that these provisions hinder the entry of foreign investments and the potential for faster and inclusive economic growth, which in turn could translate to a better life for every Filipino,” he said.

“We are happy that he also took note of our consistent advocacy in the House of Representatives for changing those restrictive provisions for more than three decades since the 8th Congress, or since 36-37 years ago,” Romualdez, the leader of

the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, said.

Romualdez also lauded the president’s assurance that his support for reform, to quote him, “extends to economic matters only…nothing more.”

No plans The House of Representatives never planned to abolish the Senate, as there were no political revisions in the 1987 Constitution that had been pushed under resolutions approved by the House in the 19th Congress, according to Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

“Again, I’d like to emphasize that we really did not discuss anything about political revisions, and the Speaker has made that very clear in all his pronouncements, in all his statements.

That’s why those who doubt us should no longer have doubts on our proposal,” Barbers said.

Abolishing the Senate is farthest from the minds of officials and members of the House of Representatives, Barbers reiterated, noting that senators even have their own state-of-the-art building in Bonifacio Global City worth P8.6 billion.

The new Senate building is inside Navy Village, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City where senators are expected to transfer before 2024  PAGE A7

by ALDEN M. MONZON,

DEXTER CABALZA Inquirer.net

MANILA — Eleven former senior officials of the health and education departments appealed to the Philippine delegation to the ongoing high-level talks on tobacco control to stand against electronic cigarettes and vape products, citing the alarming increase in their use among Filipino youth.

“We call on the Philippine delegation to the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Panama to affirm our commitments under the FCTC and take the lead in pushing for supporting, and promoting policies preventing the uptake of all recreational tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, to protect present and future generations from the devastating harms of tobacco use and nicotine addiction,” said their joint statement dated Feb. 3.

It was signed by former Health Secretaries Jaime Galvez Tan, Carmencita Reodica, Manuel Dayrit, Esperanza Cabral, Paulyn Rosell Ubial and Francisco Duque III; Health Undersecretaries Alexander Padilla, Susan Mercado and Madeleine Valera, as well as by former education chief Armin Luistro and undersecretary Alberto Muyot.

“The facts and science on e-cigarettes are clear. They are ineffective for quitting tobacco use at the population level, and they are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts among Filipino youth,” they stressed.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that impairs human brain development.

DTI clampdown on stores “Essentially, e-cigarettes are just as dangerous and addictive as smoking cigarettes. To say otherwise is to deceive the public, and most especially our youth, the sector most prone to such deception,” the former health and education officials pointed out.

There is no latest data on the prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette use in the country, particularly after the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900 or

the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act in July 2022.

The law regulates the importation, sale, packaging, distribution, use and communication of vaporized and non-nicotine products and “novel tobacco products,” such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was given the authority to certify the devices while regulating the consumables will be a joint responsibility with the Food and Drug Administration.

On Tuesday, February 9, the DTI said it had heightened its efforts against illegal vape sellers.

As of January, the DTI had issued notices of violations (NOVs) and show cause orders (SCOs) to 269 physical stores.

The government agency’s online monitoring team has inspected more than 66,000 online vape stores, finding violations in 61,000.

“The DTI focuses on retailers that fail to ensure no minor is allowed to purchase vape. The DTI has issued NOVs and SCOs to retailers for failing to verify the age of buyers and for selling vape products that are packaged, labeled, presented, or marketed with flavor descriptors that unduly appeal to minors,” the DTI said in a statement.

The DTI also said it had confiscated over 18,000 noncompliant vape products valued at P5.5 million.

Penalties for establishments and retailers selling to minors range from P10,000 to as much as P400,000, as well as jail time that could be as long as six years.

Vape users double in PH The DOH and health advocates opposed the passage of the vaping law as it made e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products more accessible to the youth by lowering the age of access from 21 to 18 years old.

According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 14 percent or 1 in every 7 Filipino youth aged 13 to 15 was already using e-cigarettes, translating to almost a million young users in the country.

Health authorities were worried about the sharp increase— from 11.7 percent to 24.5 per-

cent—of adolescents who are now using vape products even if they have never smoked or used vape before.

The findings of the research done by the Johns Hopkins Institute for Global Tobacco Control also revealed that vapes were flagrantly and widely sold and advertised within 100 meters in 78 percent of schools in the Philippines, despite the prohibition under RA 11900.

“We warned of the grave consequences during the congressional deliberations [on RA 11900] may have on public health. The warnings we raised on the relaxation of policies on e-cigarettes have become a tragic reality in the country,” the former officials noted. 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS108960(2) – Annual Financial and Compliance Audits of Metro and its Component Units for FY2024-2029 at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time on March 18, 2024. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened.

Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS108960(2).

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Antonio Monreal at monrealan@metro.net.

2/10/24 CNS-3781578# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

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FEATURES

OPINION Miracle

THERE was good news on the eve of the Lunar New Year: a baby boy and an older girl were pulled out of the rubble buried under mud on Friday, February 9 in the landslide-hit Barangay Masara in the town of Maco, Davao de Oro. At least 15 deaths have been confirmed in the landslide, with over 30 people injured and at least 110 still missing after heavy rainfall loosened the soil on the slopes and brought tons of mud crashing into the village on Tuesday night, February 6. Rain continued to fall on Friday as teams clawed through the mud with bare hands in hopes of finding more survivors.

An official of a disaster agency said the landslidehit area had been declared a “no build zone” following landslides in 2007 and 2008. Residents were provided resettlement areas, the official said, but people who relied on mining activities refused to leave, or returned soon after leaving.

The first casualties in the latest landslide were passengers on three buses, most of them employees of Apex Mining Co. Inc., which operates the Maco gold mine. Apex has stressed that the site of the landslide was outside its mining area. It said the company, however, is on limited operation because it is focusing on supporting the rescue effort and assisting its affected workers.

An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said its initial assessment

confirmed the story of Apex. The DENR is allowing the company to continue operating until a full picture of the disaster can be pieced together.

As the disaster management official pointed out, the vulnerability of the area to landslides had been pointed out nearly two decades ago.

Deforestation has long turned many mountainous areas across the country into danger zones. The risk is highest in areas with mining operations.

Masara is not the only barangay with areas classified as no-build zones. And it is not the only village where such classifications have been ignored.

The “miracle” recovery of the two children on Friday is good news, but with over 100 people still missing under all that mud after three days, the death toll is likely to rise significantly. Local government units must work closely with disaster management officials and mining companies to ensure that places declared as danger zones that are off-limits to habitation are strictly observed.

More than miracles, preventive measures are needed to save lives. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

BBM, Duterte threats and sleep deprivation

Virtual Reality TONY LOPEZ IN December 2023, President Marcos Jr. scored an approval rating of 71 percent, up six points from 65 percent in October 2023, according to OCTA Research Group which polled 1,200 respondents during Dec. 10-14. Error margin was three percentage points, quite high, if you ask statisticians.

OCTA is new in the survey game so I assume they do things right to gain credibility and currency.

Astonishingly, only nine percent are not satisfied with the president’s performance. BBM sleeps well at night.

Vice President Sara Duterte enjoyed a higher approval rating, 75 percent, up from October 2023’s 70 percent.

That’s mainly because Mindanao skewed results of the national total. Astonishingly, Sara had 97 percent approval from Mindanao; in Luzon, she got only 61 percent.

Sara’s awesome popularity in Mindanao might have prompted her dad, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, while praying, to hurl four kinds of threat against PBBM – coup, insurrection,

assassination and separatism.

Fortunately, people took the threats as a joke, not a fervent prayer.

But somebody could not sleep. Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque claimed the former president confided information that he might be arrested amid the International Criminal Court’s probe of drug killings while Digong was Davao mayor.

Roque admitted he could not sleep after that.

In the south, people never heard or don’t mind Sara’s penchant with confidential and intelligence funds (CIF), the hundreds of millions of tax money their recipient can spend with gay abandon, without accountability. No need for receipts. Government auditors do not dare to question you. Such an act could be misinterpreted as lack of intelligence (hindi nakakaintindi).

For 2024, Sara asked Congress for P500 million of CIF. The Philippine Coast Guard, which is fighting Chinese intruders in the West Philippine Sea, was originally allowed a measly P10 million. Happily, Sara’s P500million gambit was denied.

BBM’s approval rating in Mindanao is just 57 percent. His approval rating in areas outside Metro Manila (balance of Luzon which includes Ilocandia) is 77

percent, the highest among the regions.

Speaker Martin Romualdez enjoyed an approval rating of 65 percent, quite high for the leader of the 310-member House.

If things seem brighter, better and more buoyant these days for millions of Filipinos, they have Marcos Jr. and the current 19th Congress mainly to thank.

In just 18 months (July 25, 2022 to the present), the most far-ranging and highest impact pieces of social and economic legislation passed through the 19th Congress.

This makes the House of Representatives led by Speaker Romualdez the most productive and visionary Congress in the 117-year history of an elected Philippine legislature. Of course, no bill becomes law without Senate consent.

Legislative-led social and economic reforms covered a mind-boggling range, including measures to raise badly needed capital for modernization (the Maharlika Investment Fund), help achieve fiscal balance (the budgets of 2023 and 2024), curb corruption, emancipate farmers and promote economic dynamism, national digitalization (SIM Card Law and Internet Transactions Act), disaster resilience, consumer protection, military pension reform, military

modernization, health care and tax reforms such as the estate tax amnesty, ease of payment of taxes and CREATE. The annual budget, which is focused on economic transformation, must originate only from the House.

In 2022, economic growth was the highest since 1976, surpassing all forecasts and outperforming even the government’s growth range target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent for 2022. In 2023, GDP growth was 5.6 percent. The country missed its target of 6-7 percent. Still, 5.6 is the highest in ASEAN. To boost infra spending and economic dynamism, there is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code.

Marcos Jr. signed into law the PPP Code of the Philippines on Dec. 5, 2023.

PPP reinforces the country’s investment ecosystem and creates a more stable and predictable policy environment for collaboration in high-impact infrastructure projects.

The PPP Code furthers the president’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of enabling high-quality job creation and inclusive growth by promoting investments in critical physical and social infrastructure.

“The PPP Code will enable much-needed development

across various sectors and accelerate the delivery of public services necessary for economic growth and socioeconomic transformation.

With its implementation, the government can harness PPPs to finance priority programs such as the Marcos administration’s Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) and even social infrastructure in the education and health sectors.

The law encourages leveraging private-sector expertise in process innovation, resource mobilization and high-quality service delivery,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Among the measures authored by the Cornell-educated Leyte Congressman Martin during the first and second regular sessions of the 19th Congress which convened on July 25, 2022 and will adjourn on June 6, 2025: 1. RA No. 11934 – Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act 2. RA No. 11936 – General Appropriations Act of 2023 3. RA No. 11937 – An Act Granting Philippine Citizenship to Justin Donta Brownlee 4. RA No. 11953 – New Agrarian Emancipation Act 5. RA No. 11954 – Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023 6. RA No. 11939 – An Act Further Strengthening

Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Amending for the Purpose RA No. 11709 7. RA No. 11956 – An Act Further Amending RA No. 11213, otherwise known as the Tax Amnesty Act, as amended by RA No. 11569, by Extending the Period of Availment of the Estate Tax Amnesty Until June 14, 2025 and for Other Purposes 8. RA No. 11959 – An Act Establishing Specialty Centers in Department of Health Hospitals in Every Region and in Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation Specialty Hospitals and Appropriating Funds Therefor 9. RA No. 11965 – Caregivers Welfare Act 10. RA No. 11966 – PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines 11. RA No. 11967 – Internet Transactions Act of 2023 12. RA No. 11975 – General Appropriations Act of 2024.

(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: biznewsasia@gmail.com

Dutertes feel the heat from ICC, ruling party

Gotcha

JARIUS BONDOC “THEY won’t get me alive for trial outside the Philippines.”

That, said allies, is ex-President Rody Duterte’s stance on “impending arrest” by the International Criminal Court.

The ICC has investigated crimes against humanity in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, complainant ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes revealed. Indictment at The Hague is next.

President Bongbong Marcos Jr. has directed appointees to ignore the ICC. But in disbelief, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque enumerated “telltale signs” that the admin will turn over his boss: Justice Sec. Crispin Remulla supposedly cooperated with ICC probers. Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner has disbanded the 500-strong Davao Task Force in Duterte’s bailiwick city. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año vowed to use state force against Duterte’s call for Mindanao secession.

Weeks earlier authorities

shut down the TV station where Duterte cusses the Marcos Jr. admin. That limited his public projections. Roque told Duterte supporters to make a stand if and when the ICC nabs their hero.

Daughter VP Sara Duterte too is under pressure. Turning ICC witness, confessed Davao Death Squad head Arturo Lascañas linked her to enforced disappearances of drug suspects.

DDS henchman Edgar Matobato attested that ex-mayor Sara put them in city hall’s payroll.

Ex-cop Lascañas’ initial ICC deposition detailed Sara’s issuances of hit lists. Last week he said he supplemented that with Sara’s order to summarily execute instead of arresting pushers. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, as then-Davao City police chief, implemented Sara’s order, Lascañas swore.

Calling Lascañas’ resurfacing politically motivated, Sara said: “[Foes] have a new script.”

Doors are being slammed on VP Sara’s 2028 presidential plan.

Congress deleted her P650-million confidential-intelligence funds for 2024 as VP and education chief, lest she use it for preparations. Yet it had granted

her that same amount in 2023, when she was still cozy with the ruling party. Malacañang gave her an unprogrammed P221 million for 2022’s second half.

Last October, Commission on Audit reports on Sara’s confidential funds as Davao City mayor were released to the press. It started with P144 million in 2016, P294 million in 2017 and P420 million in 2018. Then, P460 million a year from 2019 to 2022.

Former finance undersecretary and UP economics professor Cielo Magno reviewed the amounts.

Her conclusion: Sara’s confidential funds dwarfed those for basic services like education, nutrition, health, labor and employment, housing and community development, social services and welfare or culture and sports.

Congress raked up COA’s 2012 findings: Mayor Sara had paid P678 million to 11,000 contractual workers without requisite accomplishment reports.

Ghost employees, critics howled.

Lascañas said he got P68,000 a month at that time by collecting on behalf of ten to 12 false identities.

Rody’s son Rep. Paolo Duterte is also taking a drubbing. He had accused majority colleagues

of rushing a people’s initiative to shift from presidential to unitary parliamentary form. A one-chamber parliament would foil papa Rody’s plan to become senator in 2025. As well, sister Sara’s 2028 presidential run.

The House of Reps released a comparative table of Paolo’s huge Davao City 1st district allotments.

Figures indicated power and influence in his first term, 20202022.

Malacañang’s National Expenditure Programs (NEP) for the three years totaled P24.345 billion for Paolo’s district. The General Appropriations Acts (GAA) that Congress approved and Rody Duterte signed for those years gave Paolo more than double, P51.83 billion (see table).

“Unprecedented, sobra-sobra,” noted House appropriations committee chairman Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol party) in a TV interview. “Average allocation per district is P500 million to P4 billion, depending on size.”

Rep. Paolo made no comment.

(This column’s requests for his side were unanswered till press time.)

“New congressmen complained that it was unfair,” Co

added. “So under the Marcos Jr. admin we told the Dept. of Public Works and Highways to equalize project budgets.”

The House publicized the figures right when heavy rains were deluging the Davao region.

Duterte critics said P51.8 billion could’ve built anti-flood sewers, roads and bridges in the district.

During the questioned three years, the appropriations committee head was neophyte Rep. Eric Yap, Paolo’s close friend. Firsttermer Paolo headed the equally powerful committee on accounts.

In 2017-2019 the appropriations head was Rep. Carlo Nograles, also of Davao City’s 1st district. He got P15.2 billion.

(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.

*** Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m., dwIZ (882-AM).

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Scrapping jail time for libel Marcos prays for King Charles’ swift, full recovery cases vs journalists proposed

by IAN LAQUI Philstar.com

MANILA — A senator proposed replacing imprisonment with fines as the penalty for libel cases involving journalists.

In Senate Bill No. 2521, submitted by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on January 22, the lawmaker expressed concern that the existing legal framework, which poses the threat of imprisonment for journalists while they carry out their duties, is counterproductive and does not provide assistance during times when journalists are under attack.

“It is the duty of the State to afford ample protection to journalists, which, in turn, translates into adherence to a larger cause: the promotion of the Constitutionally-protected right to expression,” Estrada said in his explanatory note.

The senator cited the 2022 Global Impunity Index which ranked the Philippines as the seventh country in the world with 14 unsolved journalist murders.

He also mentioned the findings of the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, where the country’s rank climbed to 132 from 147.

"The 1987 Constitution guarantees freedom of the press but, in practice, Philippine law does not protect the free exercise of Journalism," Estrada’s explanatory note read.

Instead of imprisonment, Estrada suggested a fine of P5,000 to P15,000 on any reporter, editor, or manager of a newspaper, daily, or magazine who publishes information related to someone’s private life that is offensive to their honor, virtue and reputation.

The legislation also includes community journalists, who work within specific regions, as well as publications or broadcasting outlets.

Libel, which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), is defined as “public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any

act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit or contempt of a natural or juridical person or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.”

If found guilty, an individual may be imprisoned from six years to six months or a fine ranging from P200 to P6,000 pesos, according to the RPC. This penalty is separate from the civil damages an individual may file against an accused.

However, if libel is committed in cyber space, a case can be lodged under the Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which stipulates that the penalty for libel will be one degree higher.

Estrada’s proposed bill, meanwhile, recommended a fine of P10,000 to P30,000 replacing the fines mentioned in the RPC. He also proposed the shortening of the prescription period of libel from one year to six months.

In October last year, the Supreme Court (SC) issued Administrative Circular No. 082008, which set the guidelines for a “preference” of imposing a fine as a penalty for libel instead of imprisonment.

Often abused The lawmaker also mentioned the RPC provision concerning the venue where the libel case is committed has been abused by individuals.

“This system is often abused by subjects of news articles, causing unnecessary harassment and inconvenience to journalists and media organizations. They file suits in distant locations, leading to unjust imprisonment or bail, even if the cases are later dropped, resolved, or dismissed,” Estrada said.

He suggested that cases should be lodged in the regional trial court of the province or city where the principal office or business premises are situated.

Estrada referred to the provision of the RPC where a public officer can file a libel case in a “court of first instance” in

‘Gov’t eyeing economic Cha-cha...

PAGE A5 ends. The new Senate building has four towers with 11 floors each, and three basements for parking.

“How can we abolish the Senate, when in fact we were informed that the design of the new Senate building has, I think, 64 rooms for senators, when there are only 24 of them. That’s why I told Deputy Speaker Jayjay Suarez, we might be the ones facing abolition,” Barbers joked to journalists.

“We would be the ones to be abolished, and not them apparently,” Suarez retorted, with a smile.

Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit, who heads the Nationalist People’s Coalition power bloc in the chamber, also said they will not allow five of their NPC partymates in the Senate to be jobless.

“And if we are not going to remove our five senators, then the other 19 senators can be assured,” Duavit added.

The five senators belonging to the NPC are Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Lito Lapid, Sherwin Gatchalian and JV Ejercito.

Rep. LRay Villafuerte reminded senators that what the House wants is the “restoration of dignified discourse and a recommitment to the principles of inter-chamber respect and courtesy” in the 19th Congress (2022-2025).”

Meanwhile, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co shot back at Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva for looking down on House lawmakers, saying senators are far more superior than congressmen.

Villanueva earlier told Senate reporters “who is he?” referring to his House counterpart, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, who issued a challenge to senators to lay their cards on the table and declare openly whether they are for or against amending economic provisions of the Constitution.

“First of all, Sen. Joel is a former party-list lawmaker himself.

The senator seems a bit arrogant, we all know who he is,” Co said in a radio interview, citing the senator’s involvement in the multibillion-pork barrel scam of Janet Lim-Napoles.

“He was formerly perpetually disqualified in a decision of the ombudsman but it looks like he appealed. But we know that he was linked to Janet Napoles,” Co added.

“That is what we know. He just got lucky that he was best friend of PNoy (late President Noynoy Aquino) and we don’t know how he won,” he said.

In 2016, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the dismissal of Villanueva from the Senate for allegedly channeling P10 million of his

Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation as CIBAC party-list congressman to a bogus non-government organization.

Villanueva was found by Morales guilty of “grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service,” but held on to his Senate post on the argument his identity was stolen to abet the anomalous use of funds.

Bullying With the continued “attacks” of some House members over the controversial issue of people’s initiative that was meant to amend the Constitution, Sen. Sonny Angara asserted that it seems “the House is bullying the Senate.”

During the Kapihan sa Senado media briefing on Thursday, Angara said he is puzzled why some congressmen continue to hold press conferences just to criticize senators when the Senate has started discussing Resolution of Both Houses 6, the outcome of which Speaker Romualdez promised to adopt as recommended by President Marcos.

When asked whether the House is bullying the Senate, Angara replied: “It seems like that… that’s how it appears to be. Imagine, they have press con every single day. Doesn’t that sound like a bully? You go to the comfort room, oh there’s the bully, go to the cafeteria to buy a soft drink, oh there they are again. It’s like we are hit every day.”

“I think it (not to take it personally and rise above the issue) will help going forward. But when we are attacked, we cannot (but) respond. It’s self-defense, that is inherent in every individual to defend (himself). You’re being bullied, you won’t answer?” Angara told reporters.

Sen. Francis Escudero on Wednesday dared Dalipe, as well as the other congressmen, to finally admit in public that the House of Representatives was behind the “fake” people’s initiative signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“Why don’t they come out in the open, be accountable and admit to the public that they are truly the ones behind this fake people’s initiative instead of doing a striptease?” Escudero asked.

He pointed out that at first, congressmen denied having anything to do with the initiative but they later admitted acting as facilitator but not orchestrator “and now, they have the nerve to say we (congressmen) will stop PI when they (senators) pass RBH6.”

“It would bode well for them to heed their own Speaker’s words when he quoted the saying ‘People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,’” Escudero added. 

Manila if their office is located in Manila and the provision where private individuals can file a libel case where they discovered the libelous claims.

Since 2004, during his initial term as a senator, Estrada has consistently pushed for the decriminalization of libel and reintroduced the bill in the subsequent 14th, 15th, and 16th Congresses.

Both libel and the provision of the Anti-Cybercrime law penalizing libel were also flagged by the United Nations Special Rapporteur for freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan as it gives a “chilling effect” to journalists.

She also said that the Philippines is still a dangerous country for journalists as the killings of media workers persist.

Since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines logged at least 109 incidents of attacks and threats against media workers.

Media watchdog Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, meanwhile, said in May 2023 that 10 cases of libel and cyber libel have been recorded since the start of the Marcos administration.

On December 5, a petition before the SC was filed by former vice presidential aspirant Walden Bello, asking the high court to declare libel being a criminal offense as unconstitutional. 

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, February 8 expressed the Philippines’ solidarity with the United Kingdom in praying for the fast recovery of King Charles III who was diagnosed with cancer.

“Sending my heartfelt best wishes to King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Philippines is with the United Kingdom in praying for the King's swift and full recovery,” Marcos said in an

X post.

Buckingham Palace announced the 75-year-old monarch’s cancer diagnosis on Monday.

The King’s cancer was detected during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The type of cancer has not been disclosed.

The King will postpone his public duties during his regular treatments but will continue to undertake state business and

official paperwork “as usual,” the Buckingham Palace said.

It added the monarch “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”

Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were among those who were invited to attend the coronation of King Charles III in May last year.

(PNA)

by JANVIC MATEO

decreased from 24 percent to 21 percent. Those who were undecided decreased from 31 percent to 26 percent.

The survey results were presented by SWS vice president Gerardo Sandoval during the 2024 SWS Survey Review held at the Asian Institute of Management on Thursday, February 8.

The latest survey also found that 57 percent of the respondents agree that the government should allow the ICC investigation regarding the drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.

It was up nine points from just 48 percent in the March survey.

Nineteen percent said the government should not allow the ICC investigation, down from 20 percent, while 25 percent were undecided, down from 31 percent.

Asked about their knowledge regarding the ICC investigation, 14 percent said it was “extensive,” while 30 percent said it was “partial but sufficient.”

It was up from 10 percent and

24 percent who said they had “extensive” and “partial but sufficient” knowledge, respectively, of the ICC investigation.

Those who had little or almost nothing to no knowledge about the ICC investigation dropped from 67 percent to 57 percent.

Some 29 percent of the respondents said they had “much trust” that the ICC will be able to conduct an impartial investigation into the drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.

It was up from 22 percent obtained in the March 2023 survey.

Based on the survey, a majority or 55 percent were still unsure whether the ICC would be able to conduct an impartial investigation (almost similar to 56 percent in the previous survey), while those who had little trust decreased from 22 percent to 16 percent.

The SWS fourth quarter survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent. 

Public approval of ICC drug war probe growing Philstar.com

MANILA — More Filipinos are now supporting the ongoing investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

An SWS survey conducted from Dec. 8 to 11 found that 53 percent of the respondents support the statement: “The ICC should investigate drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.”

It was composed of 25 percent who “strongly approve” and 28 percent who “somewhat approve” of the ICC investigation.

Support for the ICC probe increased from the 45 percent (20 percent “strongly approve” and 25 percent “somewhat approve”) obtained in a similar survey conducted by SWS in March 2023.

Meanwhile, those who disapprove of the ICC investigation

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Saturday, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

Asian Journal

WKND

LIFESTYLE CO N S U M E R G U I D E COMMUNIT Y MARKETPLACE

Success story: Aged-out daughter obtains immigrant visa through CSPA, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday MARIVIC, a U.S. citizen, filed a petition for her daughter, Alyssa, in May 2019.

However, in January 2021, after filing all paperwork and fees, Marivic was notified by

the U.S. Embassy that her daughter’s interview was cancelled since the latter aged-out when she turned 21 in August 2019.

Marivic was desperate and

wanted to explore other ways of bringing Alyssa to the U.S. and consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel to see if PAGE B2

Zeinab shares biggest priorities this year

by Nathalie tomada

‘ATTORNEY-OF-LAST-HOPE’ MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (RIGHT) CONVINCED THE U.S. EMBASSY AGED-OUT CHILD WAS ELIGIBLE FOR VISA UNDER THE CHILD STATUS PROTECTION ACT, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! The U.S. Embassy cancelled the interview for Alyssa, the daughter of U.S. citizen Marivic, after Alyssa aged-out in August 2019. Desperate to find a way to bring her daughter to the U.S., Marivic wanted to explore other options like a student visa or a work visa, but Atty. Gurfinkel was able to convince the U.S. Embassy that Alyssa was eligible for an immigrant visa under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 11 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

Philstar.com

THE past year marked Zeinab Harake’s crossover from the digital space to the big screen, offering something different to her 14 million followers on YouTube.

Her management team, Aguila Entertainment, told The STAR: “Zeinab really wants to do more movies. She will return to doing workshops soon at galing din abroad si Ms. Ana Feleo, her coach,” adding that “we’re waiting for the pitches of those inquiring. If the right project comes along, then she’ll dive into acting again.”

In a separate media interview, the 25-year-old Fil-Lebanese content creator stated her main reason for dipping her hands into movie acting for the first time via the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 entry Kampon (with Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay).

“The reason I entered showbiz is because I wanted people to see something new from me. I wanted them to watch

This 2024, Zeinab looks forward to prioritizing her ‘mental health, health (in general) and how to become a more understanding mom’ to her two kids — Lucas and Bia. Photo from Instagram/@zeinab_harake

something different from me,” she said.

She got herself an acting coach, Ana Feleo, because she didn’t want to become an embarrassment on screen. True enough, she showed a lot of promise for her performance in the feature debut, particularly the opening scene where her character got possessed while giving birth to what turned out to be a malevolent child who’d wreak havoc later on in the story.

“I enjoyed it,” she said of filming. “I had a lot of learnings from taping kasi grabe ang production.”

She added that not everyone on the set has the same job and when she observed the others, theirs were tougher so she couldn’t afford to get tired. This became her motivation to do her part better.

“Siempre ayoko naman ibaraibara yun that’s why I’m thankful PAGE B3

Jessy Mendiola on posting sexy photos, marrying Luis Manzano anew by mariNel Cruz Inquirer.net

“I’M a bride-chilla,” declared Jessy Mendiola, who also announced that she and TV host Luis Manzano will have their church wedding “very soon.”

The couple revealed in a vlog post that they were married in civil rites in Batangas in April 2021. This time around, Jessy said it would be a church wedding, “and that daughter Rosie will be the little bride.”

“Bride-chilla is the opposite of bride-zilla,” said Jessy as a way to explain that she is not a bride who is obsessive or intolerably demanding.

“Whatever my wedding organizer thinks is good, I give her the freedom to decide. I’m just happy that everything is coming together slowly.”

She continued: “I’m really excited. This will happen very soon. Finally, I’ll have a wedding where my side of the family will Jessy Mendiola PAGE B6 Photo from Instagram/@jessymendiola

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Carla has some words of wisdom for colleagues going through breakups

By MJ Marfori Philstar.com

BEFORE there were the KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), BeaDom (Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque) and KimXi (Kim Chiu and Xian Lim) breakups, the TomCar (Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana) breakup happened first.

It was one of the top stories of showbiz in 2022 that the Philippine entertainment fans could not get over since prior to that year, Tom and Carla just got married after being in a relationship for seven years.

That breakup was a painful ordeal that happened between the two that, sadly, was open for everyone to witness.

Fast forward to today, it was a pleasant surprise to see Carla out and about in her beautiful deep purple gown walking towards a super club in Taguig ready to party the night away

Carla Abellana Photo from Instagram/@carlaangeline

for Mega magazine’s 32nd anniversary and relaunch.

We asked her if it would be a more frequent occurrence for us to see her around in these

types of socials. Carla, who is a known introvert, suddenly had this to say, “Every chance I get invited in such events such as this one, why not? For a change and bihira kang maka-mingle ng ganito.”

No one even had to force her to get up and get dressed nowadays but it is a big help that she is in her best disposition now.

“Maganda iyong umpisa ng taon. Kaka-renew ko pa lang ng contract sa GMA. Kakalipat ko lang din sa bago kong house.

To me, that’s a very big, mga milestones. Hindi lang sa career but also sa personal life,” she said.

She added that her upscale condominium, which was supposed to be up for sale, is still with her because she also managed to get a tenant to occupy the space. It’s more income, more fun for the beautiful, single lady.

PAGE B3

A view of Pechanga Resort Casino’s hotel towers, the Cove pool complex and a portion of The Journey at Pechanga golf course.

Photos courtesy of Pechanga/iGraphix

Pechanga Resort Casino ushers in two major awards within one week Pechanga wins #1 best casino from Newsweek & presents the ‘Athlete on Another Level’ award at star-studded Unforgettable Gala

WHEN you consider there are approximately 2,000 casinos across the United States, including those in Las Vegas and New Jersey, the competition stacks up high.

Pechanga Resort Casino, located just outside of Temecula, Calif. was just named the #1 casino outside of Las Vegas by the readers of Newsweek magazine. The national publication asked readers to rank their top 10 non-Vegas casino in an online poll. The competition included gaming venues in established areas such as Reno, Nev., the South, Southeast, Pacific Northwest and others in Southern California. At the end of the month-long voting period, Pechanga came out the decisive winner.

Guests say they love coming to Pechanga Resort Casino for a whole host of reasons including its completely nonsmoking casino/resort, the approachable luxury they find in the hotel rooms, the quality of the food at Pechanga’s 12 restaurants, the excitement of the 24-hour casino, and the many amenities to enjoy such as The Cove pool oasis, Journey at Pechanga golf course, Spa Pechanga and more.

“Awards such as Newsweek’s prove a testament to the quality and service our team at Pechanga Resort Casino strives to deliver to our guests every day,” said Ken Perez, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “We’re grateful to everyone who voted and showed their support for us.”

Readers of the Orange County Register also voted Pechanga Resort Casino as their favorite casino during a readers’ poll held during the late summer 2023.

Ahead of winning the #1 Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas Award, Pechanga Resort Casino sponsored the growing and star-studded Unforgettable Gala held at the Beverly Hilton in mid-December. Pechanga has been the exclusive gaming sponsor for the Unforgettable Gala since 2013. Presented by Character Media, the awards event is attended by more than 700 API professionals and

LPGA golfer Alison Lee gives a speech after being announced as the winner of the Athlete On Another Level award presented by Pechanga Resort Casino.

Former LPGA professional golfer Michelle Wie West and Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim announces the winner of the Athlete On Another Level award presented by Pechanga Resort Casino.

high-profile personalities.

Pechanga has been presenting the Athlete On Another Level Award to exceptional athletes within the Asian and Pacific Islander community since 2018.

Athletes who show outstanding performance in sports fields and arenas while overcoming adversities receive nominations and ultimately one is chosen to win the prestigious award.

This year, Alison Lee, a professional LPGA golfer, was awarded the Pechanga Athlete On Another Level Award.

Chloe Kim, an Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding and the recipient of the award in 2022, and Michelle Wie West, a former LPGA Tour Player, presented the award to Alison.

The athletes who have received the award in the past include Naomi Osaka, Kevin Na, and Shohei Ohtani.

Pechanga Resort Casino

offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the country. Voted the best casino in the West by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property

by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,500 of the hottest slots, 152 table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features an unparalleled in California. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com.

Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

(Advertising Supplement)

Heart tears up as she declares she’s ready to have baby again by anne PasaJol Inquirer.net

HEART Evangelista turned emotional as she opened up about her readiness to bear a child again, noting how the experiences she had gone through “make sense now.”

The actress-fashion personality, who lost her twins in 2018 due to a miscarriage, spoke about this during a brand event for a mobile payment services company on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

The topic was brought up during Evangelista’s interview with TV host Boy Abunda, who

asked the former to complete the sentence: “I would throw a lavish party for…”

“If I had a baby,” Evangelista responded.

“Naiiyak ako (I’m about to cry),” she admitted, which led Abunda to ask why she became emotional over the topic.

Apparently looking back on her miscarriage, she said, “Because I used to question a lot before why I couldn’t [have a baby], and it’s so hard.”

“When you question yourself, a lot of people say things, but when I look back at my life— Heart Evangelista Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte PAGE B4

Success story: Aged-out daughter...

PAGE B1 her daughter could apply for a work or a student visa.

Atty. Gurfinkel saw that Alyssa was eligible for her visa under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) and demonstrated her eligibility to the U.S. Embassy.

Alyssa was rescheduled for her interview, and obtained her immigrant visa and green card.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 11 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 Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to get a visa for Alyssa (left) through her mother, Marivic’s (middle) petition, despite aging out, on a brand-new may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

episode of Citizen Pinoy.

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Carla has some words of wisdom for...

PAGE B2 Our conversation also went on to discuss about dating and her openness to it, to which she replied, “Dating? My goodness! I won’t say naman that I am not but ayoko pa siya masyado isipin.”

When it comes to suitors, she said, “Mayroon naman nagpaparamdam noon but now I don’t know where they are maybe because of taping.”

Speaking of taping, Carla is set to start Widows’ War soon on GMA alongside Bea. Now that Bea is the top story because of the alleged breakup issue, Carla said she does not want to pry on her co-stars’ personal lives but she does wish her well.

“Ako ay katrabaho lang naman niya, but of course, I pray for her. I only wish she’s okay,”

said the actress, who could just imagine how difficult it must be for Bea right now with what she is going through, especially that she has been down that road before.

But for all the high-profile personalities going through a breakup, here is what Carla had to share about her personal experience.

“Honestly, hindi mo ma-picture iyong bukas.

You don’t know where you’ll be, what you’ll be doing but I’m just grateful na nandito na ako today. Kaya ko na humarap sa mundo,” said Carla.

There will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Kahit sino naman kaya! It may seem impossible now or difficult, pero kailangan pagdaanan yon,” she concluded. g

Zeinab shares biggest priorities this...

PAGE B1 to my coach (Ana Feleo), to my management. I didn’t want to experiment. I took it seriously.”

She’s open to taking on more acting projects. But she plans on taking it one step at a time and she’s just being extra cautious because she doesn’t want to disadvantage anyone despite being a newbie. She’s already discussing with her management what her next career move will be.

As for roles she wants to play, Zeinab said, “Ayokong makikita ko sarili ko… malayo yung kwento kung ano ako, kung ano si Zeinab, tatanggapin ko. Kahit magmukha akong ano man pero unti-unti. Ayokong gamitin agad yung… ginamit niyo lang kasi vlogger siya. So, I also want to give it justice.”

This 2024, what she looks forward to is prioritizing “my mental health, health (in general) and how to become a more understanding mom.”

She explained, “Kasi talaga yung age nung dalawang anak ko, nakaka-stress talaga but lagi kong sinasabi kailangan kong intindihin, kailangan kong galingan para makita nila kung paano sila lumaki ng tama.”

Zeinab is a young mom of two: She adopted Lucas when she was only 18 years old and gave birth to Zebbiana in May 2021.

Being a mom has taught her to be more responsible in life.

“Mas naging seryosong tao ako.

I realized hindi habang buhay nasa teenage life tayo. There are a lot of things that I have to prioritize, especially the future.

That’s really what I’m thinking about more lately — future of

my kids, my future, how I can provide a good life for them.

(I experience) yung mga daily struggle, nag-sku-school na yung anak ko, minsan may mga kulit na rin. I need to focus on work, my kids, my family, on my content…”

Though her followers often find her posting about luxury items she got or received, she maintained that “fake news na fake news po talaga tingin ng tao sa akin na shopaholic ako.”

“Sabihin na po natin na kumikita po ako. But now, I’ve realized na sobrang dami pong tao na ‘di ko basta-bastang iwanan, pabayaan. And I also realize ang pera ang dali lang po talaga, yung isang libo, isang daan naging barya nalang, sobrang mahal po talaga ng bibilihin…

“As a 25-year-old, it can be tiring but at the same time, I’m really still very blessed. I really thank God because every day, binibigyan niyo ako ng blessing to be able to provide.”

She said that when it comes to finances, it’s her sole responsibility as a single mom.

Contrary to what others think, she also doesn’t seek, accept or rely on her current partner, cager Bobby Ray Parks Jr., because she explained they’re practically just new in their relationship.

“Actually, wala po talaga akong katulong sa pag-gagastos, wala po akong parents na-nagsu-support sa akin. I have a partner but hindi ko po talaga kayang tumanggap ng pera kay Daddy Ray. Although he wants to, like kung ano responsibilidad ko, gusto niya rin angkinin but

hindi pa po muna sa ngayon lalo na po maaga pa po kami. Gusto ko po dahan-dahan lang.

“But we’re very OK, happy, even if we’re far from each other (the cager is currently in Japan playing for a B.League team), we’d video call (anytime) 24/7. If not me, the kids. They call him Daddy Ray, I didn’t tell them to, sila lang.”

So for this 2024, she hopes they will continue to show each other understanding and support.

“Ayoko yung sa simula lang, nakakatakot ‘diba? Minsan naaano tayo kasi sa simula lang pinapakita. But so far, in the months or almost a year that we’ve been together, grabe ang support. Ayoko po mawawala yun, I look forward to us still supporting each other and each other’s careers.”

Meanwhile, her first project of the year, Zeinab wrote on her social media, is for the Hey Pretty beauty brand of which has been an endorser for its aesthetic clinic.

She recently graced the opening of the C5 branch of the company, which is looking to double its aesthetic clinics this year. From 32 in 2023, they aim to open 50 to 100 branches this 2024, according to its young and driven chief executive officer, Anne Barretto, in an interview.

She also credited social media influencers and content creators like Zeinab for helping grow her brand.

With Zeinab, Anne noted that she has mass appeal, especially with the younger market.

“Hinakot niya mga clients. She’s effective,” she added. g

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2024 B3

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Heart tears up as she declares... 1st Manila International Film Festival

PAGE B2 even the people, the experiences I’ve had, all the hardships of being alone—it makes sense now,” she underscored.

The fashion personality then talked about how prepared she is to be pregnant, saying she “would be able to give more” to her child this time.

“And I feel like if there’s any moment that I should be blessed with a baby, it should be now

because I feel like I’m ready as a person and I would be able to give more, because I’ll be able to tell her more and share more wisdom,” she stated.

In a 2023 interview, Evangelista said that while having a baby was not her priority in 2018, she realized “how much [she] wanted it so badly” when she knew she was pregnant.

“It changed me a lot because

I didn’t think I would be a good mom. I didn’t think that I wanted to be a mom,” she said. “But that’s something that I was very thankful for because even for a brief moment, I’ve realized that I can be a better person.”

Evangelista has been married to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero since 2015. The pair, who went through a rough patch in 2022, is set to renew their wedding vows this February. 

celebrates Philippine cinema and bridges Filipino diaspora

FRIDAY, February 2 saw the largest, most-sophisticated and much-lauded event of the year thus far — the 1st-ever Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) — at the Directors Guild of America headquarters in Los Angeles.

Coming off the heels of the highly successful Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which concluded in January, the 1st MIFF was attended by the Who’s Who of the Filipino community — from actors, filmmakers, singers, community leaders, public servants, fashion designers, press and media, social media influencers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, stylists, makeup artists and movie enthusiasts from various industries — from Manila, California, Nevada and other areas of the United States.

On what is the purpose of MIFF According to MIFF President Abrade Udarbe, MIFF aims to bridge the gap between the Philippines, the U.S. and the international stage.

Atty. Don Artes, chairman of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and MMFF, stated that the goal of MIFF is to open the doors for Philippine movies to be shown and to be recognized not just in the Philippines, but all over the world. He believes that there are good storytellers and filmmakers and that there’s a need for a platform to showcase their talent.

He added that the 1st MIFF is just a start.

Supporting MIFF Philippine Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. stated, “We are here not only to promote the best of Philippine movies, but also to invite foreign producers to come and visit the Philippines.

We have very good sites, actors

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

John Arcilla, Supporting actor, Penduko

Actress Pinky De Leon

Some of the actors in attendance included Piolo Pascual (extreme left), Christopher de Leon (4th from left), Dingdong Dantes (5th from left) and Alden Richards (extreme right).

Cast, director and producers of “GomBurZa”

Photos by Tony Garcia and Katie Ortiz

and actresses, and production staff. We want to make sure of the ease of doing business.

That’s why DILG and MMDA are supporting the film industry.”

Stalwart supporters of the local scene in Los Angeles were in attendance. A dedicated supporter of live performances, event sponsor iSkin Med Spa CEO Imee Ong Maghanoy said, “We love to uplift any Filipino business

especially in entertainment. It’s about time for them to cross and be in Hollywood.”

The joy of attending MIFF Members of the Philippine delegation such as actress and MMFF Executive Committee Member, Boots Anson Roa, echoed the excitement of her constituents, “Nakakatuwa po na lumabas po lahat ng mga FilPAGE B7

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

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To be like Christ

Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas “BE imitators of Christ!” This is the theme of this year’s Together in Mission Appeal.

Its aim is not only to appeal for help for the poor parishes and schools of the archdiocese but also to encourage us to emulate Christ: to have His mind and heart, to be loving, generous, and compassionate, especially towards those on the margins of our society.

This Sunday’s (February 11) Readings align with the theme of this campaign as they remind us to reach out to those in need, particularly those who feel estranged from our society. During biblical times, lepers suffered from exclusion, loneliness, and abandonment due to being regarded as unclean and unfit to mingle with the rest of society, especially those who worshipped in the temple. Any close contact with them was

prohibited as it was believed to render others and their surroundings “unclean.” One can only imagine their pain and loneliness.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we encounter an incident involving a leper who knelt before Jesus, begging Him for healing. The leper hesitantly told Jesus, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” His words were not a demand, but rather a hopeful expression that Jesus might desire to heal him. To the astonishment of both him and those around him, Jesus stretched out His hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

The same response is expected from us if we desire to be like Christ. We must give willingly, not begrudgingly, but joyfully and wholeheartedly.

As St. Paul reminds us in this Sunday’s Second Reading, we should do all things for the glory of God. The most effective way to awaken generosity in our hearts is to consider how blessed we are

Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin

and how lovingly gracious God has been to us. Our response to God’s generosity, faithfulness, forgiveness, and providence should be a life filled with care and hope for all people. Love begets love, as the saying goes.

To proclaim God’s goodness to us, we must demonstrate it through our concern, care, and assistance towards people who are in need and marginalized in our society, those who do not enjoy the same privileges.

Thank you for your support of the Together in Mission appeal.

On behalf of the thousands of families and children in poor parishes and schools, may God reward you for your kindness and generosity! *** 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. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Photos from Instagram/@iamsethfedelin

Francine Diaz assures fans ‘FranSeth’ remains as a love team

By Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net

FRANCINE Diaz clarified that her love teamup with Seth Fedelin, collectively known as “FranSeth,” is still alive despite them venturing out on solo projects.

During a health expo event on Sunday, Feb. 4, Diaz said her on-screen partnership with Fedelin is still in the picture amid their solo endeavors.

“May FranSeth pa rin naman po. Siyempre, kami naman po, we also want to explore din ng solo kami. Pero, it doesn’t mean naman na wala na ‘yung love team. Siyempre, iba pa rin naman po ‘yung nakakapag-explore kami at alam namin kung hanggang saan ‘yung kakayanin namin,” she said.

(There’s still Franseth. But we also want to explore solo projects, yet that doesn’t mean the love team is gone. Of course, we also get to explore other things PAGE B6

Do I have a community property interest in a house which my spouse acquired before our marriage?

Barrister’s Corner atty. Kenneth URsUa Reyes GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under family code section 760. How do you characterize real property purchased prior to marriage but with the mortgage principal paid down using community income or funds during the marriage?

The community in this situation acquires a pro tanto interest in the ratio that the payments on the purchase price made with community funds bear to the total payments on the purchase price and any appreciation should be apportioned accordingly.

Marriage of Moore (1980) 28 C3d 366, 371, 373, 168 CR 662, 664, 665.

Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance.

In essence, the real property would accumulate both a separate property and a community property component by the date of separation.

The appropriate remedy in this situation where separate property is subsequently paid with community funds is “apportionment.”

The process of apportioning between the separate and community property component is laid out in the Marriage of Marsden. In that case, the court determined the ratio or percentage in which the mortgage loan principal was reduced during the marriage and applied that percentage to the appreciation of the real property during the marriage. The community property component would

then consist of the reduction in the mortgage loan principal during the marriage plus the portion of appreciation during the marriage applying the ratio discussed above.

In the Marriage of Marsden, the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage.

The original mortgage was $30,000.

By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage. Marriage of Marsden (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910.

During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation.

The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage ($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%.

This percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husband’s separate property.

The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component.

The Marsden apportionment method is also applicable to situations where a community real property is later transmuted into one spouse’s separate property through execution of a quit claim by the other spouse but is subsequently paid using community funds. Marriage of Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, 257 CR 397. In litigation, the community interest in the situations mentioned about

is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA. Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property acquired prior to marriage, one has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own property and you are contemplating of getting married.

There are several ways of avoiding the creation of a community interest on your separate real property.

One, you can sign a prenuptial agreement. Two, the parties can execute a postnuptial agreement if the parties are already married.

Three, the parties can execute a transmutation agreement with a waiver of any family code section 2640 reimbursement claim. If your divorce case involves complex issues of asset distribution, it is best to retain the representation of competent counsel. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com.

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B6 FEBRUARY 10-13, 2024 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Jessy Mendiola on posting sexy photos...

PAGE B1 all be present, and the Lord, of course. When we had our civil wedding, my family was in Japan, and my dad was in Lebanon, that’s why they were not able to join us,” Jessy recalled.

“Luis was so sweet because he told me, ‘Love, I think you should have the wedding of your dreams.’ For me, this is a ceremony where my family is present. Finally, they will be able to meet my father and mother-

in-law, as well as Tito Ralph,” explained Jessy. Luis is the son of actors Edu Manzano and Vilma Santos, who is now married to Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

“They will also meet Rosie for the first time. That would make me really happy.”

Back to work Since her daughter turned a year old recently, Jessy said she is gradually returning to work.

In fact, she faced reporters for the first time over the weekend

during her launch as ambassador of Health Fusion’s Beauty Bunny food supplement vitamins, which coincided with the Watsons 2024 Health Expo at SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

“I’m happy to see all of you again. I’m grateful that even though I’m not that active in show biz, companies still get me as their endorser. In terms of TV or movie projects, there’s nothing official yet. Although Luis and his family are busy conceptualizing a sitcom with ABS-CBN. We’re all excited about that,” Jessy revealed.

Jessy was also asked to react to Luis’ previous comment on being amenable to his wife doing bed scenes when she eventually returns to acting. To this, the actress replied: “Even I asked him, ‘Are you sure about this?’ He said I should really go for a project that I believe in, and if doing a bed scene can be justified, then I have his full support. It would be really up to me—whether or not I’d be comfortable and proud to do it.”

The right role So far, there hasn’t been any offer to do “anything sexy,” Jessy admitted. “Most of them were romantic comedies. These were all in 2023. I didn’t entertain most of them because our baby was still too young. Maybe if I’d get another offer this time and I feel that it’s the right project, the right role, I’d say ‘yes.’ If ever there would be bed scenes, and I’d see that doing it would make sense, then why not?” the 31-year-old actress said.

During the event, Jessy was also asked to explain why she reacted to a netizen’s comment on a series of pictures she posted on Instagram that, she said, came from her birthday photo shoot.

“The comment said I shouldn’t be posing sexy now that I’m a mom. When you post something on social media, you should already expect that someone will have an opinion different from yours. I felt that was a time to really speak up. Even though I’m already a mom, I still want to look pretty—like today, I really prepared and dressed up for all of you,” Jessy stressed.

“During that birthday shoot, I wanted to celebrate, to give myself time to feel beautiful, confident and proud of my body.

It really just boils down to doing whatever makes you feel happy,” she pointed out. g

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Bankruptcy: When life doesn’t go as planned Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon LIFE happens. Sometimes even the best laid plans can go wrong. How do you respond when this happens to you? Do you easily give up when you’re overwhelmed? Remaining calm can be difficult when things are chaotic and so the usual reaction is panic.

Bankruptcy can be a lifesaver for people who are at the end of their financial rope. Since the pandemic started, a lot of people have been struggling to just keep up with their bills. The pandemic may have caused job instability; for business owners affected by the pandemic, the government did what it could to help mitigate losses by offering financial assistance and loans. People who couldn’t pay their mortgage were allowed forbearances.

Renters who couldn’t pay their landlord were protected with eviction suspension laws.

Unfortunately, all the above are no longer available to most families who are still under a tremendous financial burden.

Real estate values surprisingly shot up during the pandemic but once the Feds started raising interest rates, people who could otherwise refinance their mortgage and squeeze out some of their equity from their home are no longer able to do that because of the high cost of borrowing. Buying has also slowed down and according to a recent article, mortgage applications have plunged to a 28-year low.

People with little credit card debt had no other choice but to borrow, hoping that “when things get better,” they can just

a financial crisis, it may be tempting to just throw in the towel and give up all hope for a better financial future. But let me tell you that instead of getting frustrated and angry about things that you cannot control or change, your energy will be better spent focusing on finding a solution. Stop analyzing everything that happened and quit being too hard on yourself. In life, things will not always go your way but keep your head up and focus on putting the pieces of the puzzle back together. In the meantime, seek legal counsel about your situation especially if important assets or legal rights are at risk.

It’s better to know your options now so you can plan before your situation becomes a financial emergency.

Bankruptcy can be a lifesaver for people who are at the end of their financial rope. pay it all back slowly. Of course, this is nothing more than a temporary solution that could backfire if the additional debt is not paid back. At some point, the credit lines are exhausted, and they are in a deeper financial hole that is hard to get out of. I know this sounds discouraging when you’re clueless about where to turn once you have exhausted your resources. But there is hope.

If you are currently facing

***

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. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-471-8272.

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Francine Diaz assures fans...

PAGE B5 separately and get to know what our capabilities are.)

Diaz’s upcoming song with Korean Superstar Seo In-guk, “My Love,” is just one of the things included in the actress’ solo projects. She shared that Fedelin has already heard the full version of the song.

“Happy siya for me. Proud siya. Actually, narinig na rin niya ‘yung buong kanta and ‘yun nagcongrats naman siya,” she said. (He’s happy for me.

He’s proud. Actually, he already heard the song and extended his congratulations.)

When asked if there’s any possibility that the two of them will join forces for a music project, the “Kadenang Ginto” star said there’s a chance in the future.

“Siguro po in the future, pero kasi, ngayon po, it would be nice din na, you know, have time to shine din sa career niya at ganon din ako. Hindi naman

kami nagko-close ng doors sa mga opportunities in the future kasi hindi naman po malabong mangyari na mag-duet kami or mag-collab sa pagkanta,” declared Diaz.

(Possibly in the future, but right now, it would be nice to have time for him to shine in his career and same with me. We are not closing our doors to that kind of opportunity in the future because it’s not impossible that we will be having a duet or collaboration for a song.)

The actress also expressed her enthusiasm to work with Kathryn Bernardo in the future.

“Of course. Sa Sunsilk lang po na TV shoot po namin. But isa po sa mga pangarap ko na makatrabaho ang isang Kathryn Bernardo and I’m very proud of her,” she said.

(Of course. We got to work on a TV commercial for Sunsilk. But one of my dreams is to get to work with the one and only Kathryn Bernardo, and I’m very proud of her.) g

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1st Manila International Film Festival celebrates Philippine cinema and...

PAGE B4 Am dito para manood ng mga pelikula. I am sure that they were all very, very happy.”

Alden Richards of the film “Family of Two” revealed that he adjusted his schedule and that he couldn’t miss attending the 1st MIFF. The love affair between Hollywood and Philippine Cinema There seems to have been some unfinished business in the world of cinema. Indicating that there has been a past love affair between Hollywood and Filipino filmmakers, “Penduko” actor John Arcilla hopes this event will be the beginning of a much better relationship between filmmakers in Hollywood and in Manila.

Presenting and sharing Filipino stories So much positivity and desire to present our community and our stories to the world filled the massive lobby and theatre of the DGA. Actor Enchong Dee who plays Padre Jacinto Zamora in the historical film “Gomburza,” which bagged three awards — Second Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Audience Choice Award — said that we have a distinct history and a distinct story to tell, and he hopes that we can keep on making movies so that we can shine a light to our own stories as Filipinos as a nation and as individuals.

“Broken Hearts Trip” actor Christian Bables said that MIFF “is a way to represent not just the films, not just our movies, but our countries and what we can offer as Filipino artists.”

Producer of “Becky & Badette,” Percy Intalan, affirmed what

From left: Janet, Ruben and Bianca Nepales

The cast and producers of “Firefly”

“Becky & Badette” lead actress Eugene Domingo (left)

Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas

DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. and Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos

MIFF president Ebradu Ubarde

Piolo Pascual (left) and Dingdong Dantes

Actress Janella Salvador

other filmmakers and storytellers have said about the festival: “It is a chance to show the diversity of the films that are being produced in the Philippines.”

Veteran actor Christopher De Leon of “When We Met in Tokyo” noted how Philippine cinema has had movies that are socially relevant. He added, “We have to adjust to all of these changes especially after the pandemic. We should be showing movies that are socially relevant like all of the movies that

are being shown in MIFF.” One example of this is his film, “When We Met in Tokyo.”

Dingdong Dantes, MIFF Best Actor for “Rewind,” says that his film’s topic is universal and will resonate with Filipinos around the world.

As a juror of MIFF, actor Reggie Lee said that it was such a joy to watch all of the films and to see the different flavors of the films.

Bridging Filipinos around the world

Piolo Pascual, MIFF Best Actor for “Mallari,” hopes that “because of this festival, we’ll be able to create more partnerships with different FIlAm communities, touch base with Fil-Am talents, do some coproductions and open doors for Filipino talents.”

MIFF Juror and CEO of Birns & Sawyer Mari Acevedo declared, “We want to produce content that is shot here in the U.S. with Filipino actors and our stories.

We are assisting them. We are

Photos by Tony Garcia and Katie Ortiz

Actor Alden Richards being interviewed by GMA News.

Singer/actor Iñigo Pascual

giving them access with an instant co-producing package to whoever wins the Best Film.”

“Firefly,” which was awarded the MIFF Best Picture will receive the co-producing package.

Veteran Filipino American actor and a staple in Filipino American films, Abe Pagtama revealed that having a festival like this really opens up a lot of opportunities not only for Filipino films, but also for FilipinoAmericans.

Fil-Am Prince of Pop Garth Garcia stated, “It is very significant for Filipinos in the U.S. to connect to our roots from our motherland through films and other art forms. MIFF is an amazing platform for that. I am very positive that a film made out of Filipino American creatives will make it to the MIFF this year.”

Advice for creatives MIFF Best Actor for “Mallari” Piolo Pascual’s advice for creatives is to “Go for it. If you think you got the talent and the skill, and you really want to do it, manifest it and go for it.”

Actor and singer Inigo Pascual attended and supported his father, Piolo Pascual. His message to fellow creatives is

to “keep on doing what you’re doing. Don’t be afraid. There will always be someone that you will reach with your art.”

On the Filipino being worldclass Janella Salvador, “Mallari” actress said that MIFF is a big opportunity for Philippine cinema to be seen internationally and is hopeful that this event is a good step — a good milestone — for the Philippines.

“Becky & Badette” actress, Eugene Domingo, shared that it’s our dream as Filipinos to be known all over the world, and we are on our way. She added, “the Filipino talent is really world class.”

Actress Pinky De Leon, sister of Christopher De Leon, urged Filipinos, “We should support this event every year. It should not die down. It should be a showcase to Hollywood. Filipinos are world-class and we just need a little push.”

On representation Apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas declared that the event is important for Filipinos around the world to represent our culture, where we come from, our true identity and our talent.

World-renowned fashion designer Kenneth Barlis stressed the importance of being seen and being heard in Hollywood especially our culture and being Filipinos at this time when there is lack of representation. He added, “We should all gather together as Filipinos so we can support every culture, every Filipino and every talent that we have.”

As attendees left the DGA building, there was a resounding cry of joy and appreciation for the Manila International Film Festival in a world where there is a dire need for representation, for connecting and building bridges between diverse communities and for providing platforms for Filipino filmmakers and artists to showcase Filipino ingenuity through their craft.

Visit the Manila International Film Festival website, manilainternationalfilmfest.com, for information about future screenings and events. *** 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. *** micdiazpresents@gmail.com

B8 FEBRUARY 10-13, 2024 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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