022224 - Las Vegas Edition

What’s safer for domestic violence survivors: Home or the streets?

AT a Friday, February 16 Ethnic Media Services briefing, domestic violence prevention advocates and a formerly unhoused survivor discussed how domestic violence often leads to homelessness and shared firsthand experiences of homelessness as a result of IPV.

The impact of domestic violence on homelessness Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), involves “violence, abuse or aggression committed by a former or current intimate partner,” said Dr. Anita Hargrave, Assistant Adjunct Professor at UCSF.

Last month, to better understand the experiences of IPV survivors currently experiencing homelessness, the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative released Toward Safety, a report analyzing IPV data from June 2023 in the California State-

‘Epidemic of loneliness’ affects Fil-Ams

SAN FRANCISCO – Experts confirm that immigrants – long coping with social and economic challenges – have been struggling with loneliness, a condition often hidden and dismissed as a passing emotion.

In fact, says Dr. Jei Africa, director of the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services division at the San Mateo Health System, loneliness if unaddressed may lead to serious adverse physical health outcomes or worse.

“According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, the mortality impact of loneliness has a similar effect as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is associated with greater risks of dementia, stroke, anxiety and premature death,” Africa said at the Feb. 12 meeting of the Daly

ILIGAN CITY— Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” whose influence and wealth once made him a sought-after endorser or “spiritual adviser” of some politicians, admitted to be in hiding and made some explosive claims on Wednesday, February 21. The controversial televangelist, who faces charges in the United States as well as congressional inquiries in the Philippines, spoke of a supposed plot hatched by the American government and aided

Quiboloy will eventually face the charges filed against him in the U.S.

In a statement on Wednesday, February 21 the United States Embassy in the Philippines said Quiboloy will face justice for his “heinous crimes.”

This comes after the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Founder accused the United States government of plotting to “eliminate” him with the help of the Philippine government — accusations he spouted after being summoned by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Earlier this week, Quiboloy was slapped with a subpoena

by President Marcos to have him killed.

In a 36-minute voice recording uploaded on YouTube, Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect based in Davao City, projected himself as a persecuted man standing up to foreign oppressors.

Citing “reliable sources in the State Department,” he said the United States was orchestrating a plot to assassinate him.

The Senate earlier issued a subpoena for Quiboloy to appear on March 5 before the committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality. The

panel, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, is looking into allegations that he sexually abused female members of the sect.

The House of Representatives is also requiring his presence on March 12 before the committee on legislative franchises, which is investigating the KOJC-owned Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) for alleged violations of the terms of its franchise.

Quiboloy, a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, did not say whether he would honor or ignore the subpoenas, but denounced the proceedings for being

Biden’s trade team to visit PH

by JaVier Joe isMael ManilaTimes.net

UNITED States Ambassador to the Philippines

MaryKay Carlson said on Friday, February 16 that President Joe Biden would send a delegation to Manila to advance trade relations between the two countries.

The delegation, led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, would arrive in Manila in early March for the Presidential Trade and Investment Mission from March 11 to 12.

“President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had announced that he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines to enhance U.S. companies’ contributions to the Philippines’ innovation economy, u PAGE 3

DTI says Marcos’ overseas trips starting to ‘yield results’ amid growing foreign investments

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pitches to world leaders during his overseas trips have started to bear fruit, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

In a statement, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual cited the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which said foreign direct investments (FDI) inflows in November 2023 rebounded by 27.8% amounting to $1 billion, bringing the 11-month net FDI inflows to $7.6 billion.

“Indeed, we are making it happen in the Philippines. The pipeline of projects initiated during President Marcos Jr.'s presidential visits, along with the goodwill fostered, is starting to yield tangible results, as shown by the latest FDI report from BSP. From January to November last year, we observed a substantial rise in FDIs in manufacturing and

a significant surge in FDIs originating from Germany,” Pascual said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported last week that investment pledges from foreign sources surged 127.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to P394.45 billion.

The president earlier justified his overseas trips as an opportunity to attract investments to the country.

"My primary interest is to try and make our country an investment-friendly place," Marcos said in an earlier statement.

Meanwhile, ING senior economist Nicholas Mapa said the recent laws passed by the Congress that ease foreign restrictions in investing in various sectors in the country has helped in bringing in more foreign investors u PAGE 4

intended to “demonize me and destroy my reputation.”

He explained that because of the threat to his life, he had chosen not to appear in public.

In his message, he said he was “in our compound here in Tamayong,” a rural village in Davao City. Instead of having him arrested, U.S. authorities were allegedly planning to “enter my compound and they will have me kidnapped … or they will have me murdered.”

He also accused President Marcos of u PAGE 4

Pacquiao too old for Olympics – IOC

by Niel Victor c. Masoy ManilaTimes.net

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied the bid of eight-division boxing world champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to compete in the Paris Olympics.

In response to the Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) appeal to allow Pacquiao to fight in the Games in July, the IOC stressed that he is five years above the 40-year-old age

limit.

“Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris,” said POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. James McLeod, IOC director for National Olympic Committee Relations, wrote the response to the POC request.

“The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris

against

of buildup for his

Buakaw Banchamek on April 20, 2024, in

Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao

Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao works out in General Santos City as part

upcoming exhibition match

Thailand’s

Bangkok.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines

MaryKay Carlson ManilaTimes.net file photo

‘Epidemic of loneliness’ affects...

City Council where San Mateo County’s second largest city voted unanimously to pass a resolution declaring loneliness a public health crisis.

“It is this reason why we should pay attention to it and find ways to increase social connection among individuals, families and communities,” stressed Africa, a Filipino American and San Mateo County’s foremost authority on mental health. “Loneliness is a complex issue. When we say it’s a public health crisis, (we add that) it will also take a public health solution of us working as a community toward prevention and early intervention.”

Africa was referring to the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned about in an urgent advisory last year.

Last month the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors became the first county leadership in the nation to declare loneliness a public health crisis per proposal of Supervisor David Canepa, who represents District 5, encompassing Colma, Brisbane, parts of South San Francisco and South San Francisco, and all of Daly City.

Daly City, home of the highest concentration of Filipinos on the U.S. mainland, followed suit, becoming one of if not the first U.S. city to adopt the measure. The Feb. 12 resolution directs the city’s leaders to find solutions to the national concern.

Staggering statistics

“We cannot ignore the statistics – loneliness exists in our city. Declaring loneliness a public health crisis brings awareness and opens up new opportunities to collaborate and partner with the County, as well as local non-profit organizations,” Mayor Juslyn Manalo said in introducing the resolution.

Over half of Daly City’s residents are foreign born and almost 20 percent are 65 years or older, Leilani Ramos, assistant to the City Manager, said in a presentation preceding the resolution vote, to highlight the impact of loneliness on her city’s population. The pandemic exacerbated the

situation, she said, with older immigrants saying they had never felt lonely, she said, until the height of the worldwide calamity. Older immigrants from foreign countries are “particularly susceptible to loneliness, attributed in part to shifts in language, cultural norms, social networks and experiences of racism and/or discrimination,” she cited “national research” results.

San Mateo County statistics reflect the same, said Africa.

“In our 2022 Quality of Life survey we found that about 45 percent experienced some sort of isolation,” said the doctor of psychology who earned his undergraduate degree in UP Manila. He and his team noted the “staggering increase of 16 percent” of residents who said they had no one to turn to in the past month” despite having been in a “crowd of people earlier but at the end of the day” find themselves alone or lonely.

“That’s really concerning for us,” he emphasized. Africa, who headed the County of Marin BHRS prior to taking his current post, said “men, adults with lower socioeconomic-economic status, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, LGBTQ+ folks and people living in North County often reported that they don’t have any social connection or any network.”

Presenter Dr. Hakan Ozcelikh, professor of management for the College of Business at Sacramento State University defined loneliness as “an unpleasant emotional condition that creates psychological, physiological, physical, and sociological effects, causing people to behave in ways that are self-defeating.”

It is “a social phenomenon that needs immediate attention,” he concluded.

Spurring social connections

Exercising cultural humility, Africa said his team is in the very early but vigorous stage “in this work to embed and integrate what Murthy has shared about the 6 pillars” or strategies to combat loneliness and isolation.

The county is already in the

midst of collaborative projects involving BHRS, Aging & Adult Services (AAS) and Public Health & Policy to address the issue, said Africa.

Ongoing is a project to “connect people digitally, give access to technology – especially older adults – so they can be connected” to their peers even if they’re geographically separated or distant.

AAS provides trainings on technology in Tagalog, Spanish, Cantonese and English to “decrease the digital divide.”

Another connectivity channel is the “friendship line” run by the Institute of Aging that Africa said received 1,000 calls from July through December 2023 and made calls to the same number the same period.

Recognizing the high susceptibility of older adults to loneliness, BHRS conducts a suicide prevention program to “raise awareness of folks about the science of mental health,” and as an added benefit “give opportunities to come together, relate to each other, especially those affected or interested.”

“We fund peer counseling services provided by Peninsula Family Service,” said Africa, who shared a program that trains Fil-Ams to become counselors for isolated Fil-Ams, as it does for Chinese, LGBTQ+ and English-speaking people, in groups or as individuals.

“We can invest in policies and infrastructures that bring people together, create events and opportunities that foster connections, but we can also start individually in our own lives, with our own personal relationships,” he told Inquirer.net USA after the council meeting.

“We can reach out to family, friends, even the ones who are doing well. We can work on destigmatizing loneliness by talking about it and engaging in conversations by acknowledging that many people are lonely and isolated.”

In other words, never underestimate the power of a simple phone call, an email or a text because it can make a difference in the quality of life for someone battling loneliness.

(Cherie M. Querol Moreno/Inquirer.net)

US Embassy ‘confident’ Quiboloy...

PAGE 1

Quiboloy’s 37-minute audio message posted on social media on Wednesday alleged that the Philippine government, including lawmakers, are plotting to kill him and his church leaders.

Quiboloy also alleged that a “rendition” would be conducted on him.

The U.S. embassy reiterated

that Quiboloy has been responsible for several rights abuses and is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list.

“For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List,” the U.S. embassy said.

“Questions about legal proceedings should be directed to the U.S. Department of Justice,”

the U.S. Embassy in Manila added. Quiboloy, who was indicted by a California court in 2021 for allegedly conspiring to engage in sex trafficking, has an active arrest warrant in the U.S. issued on Nov. 10, 2021, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s website.

The U.S. Department of Treasury in 2022 blocked Quiboloy’s assets over what it described as “serious human rights abuses” committed by the preacher. (Philstar.com)

Pacquiao too old for Olympics...

PAGE 1

2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022 published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022,” McLeod said in his letter.

“This includes the age limit of 40,” McLeod said. One way that Pacquiao could qualify for the Olympics is under the Universality rule, but that option has also been ruled

out. The Universality rule exception cannot apply to national Olympic committees (NOCs) with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Games.

The Philippines had an average of 16 athletes in the last two Olympiads, having sent 13 to the 2016 Rio Games and 19 to the 2020 Tokyo Games. Only four Filipinos have

qualified for the Paris Games. World No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena was the first qualifier, followed by gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxer Eumir Marcial.

Marcial made the Olympics for being a finalist in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, finishing with a silver. The Hangzhou Asiad served as a qualifying event for the Paris Games. n

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

PUBLIC NOTICE

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8)

Pre-application for the Project Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) Housing Choice Voucher Program will accept pre-applications for PBV Properties, Decatur Commons and Hafen Village. The waitlist will open on Tuesday, February 29, 2024 at 8 a.m. through Monday, March 13, 2024 5 p.m. (PST)

TO PARTICIPATE YOU MUST BE:

• 18 years of age or older or legally emancipated: and

• A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease under the state and local law

Hafen Village Apartments

850 Hafen Lane, Mesquite, NV 89027 - is one hour and twenty minutes from Las Vegas.

1,2, and 3-bedroom apartments.

Decatur Commons Senior Apartments

5151 Meadows Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89107

Head of household must be 55 or older

1,2, and 3-bedroom apartments.

Please Note: You must have an email address to apply

How to submit a pre-application:

All pre-applications must be submitted online at the following link

https://onlineportal.snvrha.org using any smart device or computer.

As a reasonable accommodation, SNRHA has computer access and staff available on the following dates and location to assist with the pre-application processes.

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, Commissioners Chamber

340 N 11th. St Las Vegas, NV 89101 Monday – Friday 1pm – 5pm

For additional information, please call (702) 477-3100 or our hearing-impaired number (TDD) at (702) 387-1898.

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or familial status.

released to raise awareness on the

of environmental conservation and preservation.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Cortez Masto celebrates Year of the Dragon in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — U.S. Senator

Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)

recently joined Nevada community members at the Year of the Dragon Celebration hosted by the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Chamber of Commerce of Southern Nevada. At the event, Cortez Masto recognized the George Lin, the owner of Chinatown Plaza, and Vida Lin, President & Founder of the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC), for their contributions to the community in Nevada. The celebration welcomed thousands of attendees throughout the day— the first and largest Lunar New Year celebration in Southwest Las Vegas, which is home to 40% of our AAPI community.

“I was thrilled to join Nevada’s vibrant AAPI community to welcome the Year of the Dragon and celebrate my friend Vida Lin, who has done important work empowering and advocating for AAPI Nevadans and businesses throughout our state,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m wishing everyone a Happy Lunar New Year, and I’ll keep working in the Senate to support our AAPI families and entrepreneurs.”

“We thank Senator Cortez Masto for joining us at the Year of The Dragon festival at the Chinatown Plaza today and meeting with local vendors, small business owners, and community members,” said Catherine Francisco, President & CEO of the AAPI Chamber. “As

a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the AAPI Chamber will continue collaborating with our partners to improve policy making, program development, and outreach efforts to address barriers impacting AA and NHPI entrepreneurs and small businesses and to promote meaningful public, private and community partnerships.”

The AAPI population is the fastest growing demographic in Nevada, making up about 12% of Nevada’s population. Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong advocate for Nevada’s diverse business community in the Senate and has introduced legislation to make it easier to start and grow a new business in Nevada. She has also introduced legislation to protect small businesses from expensive data breaches and cyber-attacks and to help small businesses compete in the 21st century economy. She has also secured multiple grants for Minority Business Development Centers in Las Vegas to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Her legislation to make the Minority Business Development Agency permanent was passed into law in 2021. n

Renovated Doolittle Active Adult Center to reopen

WARD 5 Councilman Cedric Crear will celebrate the newly renovated Doolittle Active Adult Center with a ribbon-cutting and tours for the public Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. The center, located at 1930 N. J St., will officially reopen with programming Monday, Feb. 26.

The center closed in September

Biden’s trade team to visit...

connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people,” White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

The visit, she added, would reinforce the Philippines’ position as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment. Watson said the trade mission

was part of Biden’s commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and labor rights. Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said that a representative of the U.S. International Development Financial Corp. (DFC) would be part of the mission.

The U.S., Romualdez said, has offered assistance for the stalled Mindanao Railway Project with

years, and our residents deserve an upgraded and renovated facility,” Councilman Crear said. “I am excited to open a new and improved center for our active adults.” Rafael Construction is the contractor for the $1.5 million project, funded by the city of Las Vegas. n

possible financing from the DFC.

Biden’s trade mission comes after the signing of the 123 Agreement that would pave the way for nuclear power collaborations between the Philippines and American firms.

The 123 Agreement, signed in November 2023, allows the direct transfer of nuclear information, material, equipment, and components between the two countries. n

‘KALESA’. Newly refurbished “kalesas” or “karitelas” (horse-drawn carriages) wait for local and foreign tourists along Plaza Roma in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The “kalesa” was a mode of transportation during the Spanish colonial period.

What’s safer for domestic violence survivors...

PAGE 1

wide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH) — the largest representative study of homelessness since the mid1990s.

This new report found that

40% of participants reporting IPV in the six months before homelessness reported violence as a reason for leaving their last housing, while 20% said it was the primary reason.

IPV “is particularly dangerous for those at the economic margins,” said Hargrave. “Many survivors reported that relatively modest amounts of financial support could have helped them avoid homelessness — which left them even more vulnerable to increased violence, as 42% of IPV survivors prior to homelessness experienced it unhoused as well.”

73% of those who reported

IPV before homelessness believed that a $300 to $500 monthly subsidy would have kept them housed for at least two years, while 83% believed that a onetime $5,000 to $10,000 lump sum would have, and 92% believed that a housing voucher limiting rental contributions to 30% of their income would have.

95% of all survivors said high housing costs were a barrier to regaining housing. In short, “Many IPV survivors are forced to choose between a rock and a hard place: endur-

ing violence at home or risking homelessness,” said Hargrave.

“You can’t address the link between IPV and homelessness without addressing the need for permanent affordable housing.”

Rising IPV and homelessness in New York City

Domestic violence has particularly been on the rise in New York City, where 40% of women and children in homeless shelters are there because of IPV.

“Despite New York City making progress in reducing other forms of homicides, domestic violence homicides persist, and continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic women,” said Jennifer White-Reid, Chief of Staff at Urban Resource Institute (URINYC), which provides transitional housing for thousands of domestic violence survivors and homeless families.

Between 2021 and 2022, IPV homicides increased 29% citywide, 225% in Brooklyn and 57% in the Bronx.

Key to stopping this cycle is education including “violence prevention and healthy relationship education programs for youth, and trauma-informed behavioral intervention accountability programs for individuals who have caused harm,” said White-Reid.

In February 2023, URINYC advocated for the passage of a state bill redefining domestic violence under the New York City Human Rights Law to include economic

abuse, which includes coerced debt and gives victims expanded protections.

Just as crucial is economic investment, including housing support and IPV-related debt prevention, she explained: “Economic abuse, experienced by 98% of survivors, often serves as a primary reason they stay or return to an abusive partner.”

URINYC also offers workforce development, employment assistance and affordable housing services including People and Animals Living Safely (PALS).

“We learned that 50% of survivors would not leave a dangerous situation if they could not take their pets with them,” said White-Reid. “PALS is the only dedicated program in New York City, and among a few nationally, allowing domestic violence survivors to live and heal together with their pets as they work to achieve economic stability.”

A firsthand experience

Without resources like these,

“I chose homelessness over returning to abuse,” said Desiree Martinez, who was unhoused for five years in Fresno, California until 2016 due to IPV.

“Lacking insurance after a mental breakdown, I was desperate for assistance at a local mental health office but ended up being confined as they deemed me at-risk,” continued Martinez, who is now Executive Director of

PNA photo by Ben Briones

U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (center) with AAPI community members at a Year of the Dragon celebration. Photo courtesy of the Office of Senator Cortez Masto

Emma Malabuyo gains Olympic qualifying points with gymnastics silver

by June navarro Inquirer.net

OBSESSED with an inclusion in the Paris Olympics, Emma Malabuyo carried herself a step closer to that goal at the 2024 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series.

The 21-year-old floor exercise specialist from California displayed the flair and resilience needed to impress the judges in bagging the silver medal at the world apparatus meet in Cairo, Egypt.

Malabuyo tallied 12.670 behind gold medalist Mana Okamura of Japan (13.070) but wound up better than

the 12.630 bronze routine of Spain’s Laura Casabuena.

Aside from the glittering silver medal, Malabuyo earned her first 25 Olympic qualifying points for Paris.

“If she continues getting medals in the other legs of the World Cup, Emma could gain that spot in the Olympics,’’ said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

The four-leg series is a qualifier for the Paris Summer Games in July and Malabuyo should maintain her pace in succeeding stops to be held in Cottbus, Germany (Feb. 22-25), Baku, Azerbaijan (March 7-10)

and Doha, Qatar (April 17-20).

Only the top two athletes for each apparatus in the World Cup series will secure spots in the French capital as stipulated in the Olympic Qualification World Cup Ranking.

Malabuyo, a former member of the United States national team for five years before joining the Philippine squad last year, also claimed a silver medal in the floor at the 2023 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Singapore. She was an alternate in the U.S. team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) standout is eager to accompany fellow gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in Paris after both qualified through the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium last year.

“We already have two (in Paris) with Carlos and Aleah. We’re hoping that Emma could join them,’’ said Carrion.

Malabuyo finished seventh in the qualification round of the floor in Cairo before vaulting herself to the podium.

Joining Malabuyo at the Cottbus phase of the series are men’s artistic gymnasts Miguel Besana (vault) and Ivan Cruz (floor exercise). n

Health care workers push for their own confidential mental health treatment

by Katheryn houghton KFF Health News

STATES are redefining when medical professionals can get mental health treatment without risking notifying the boards that regulate their licenses.

Too often, health care workers wait to seek counseling or addiction treatment, causing their work and patient care to suffer, said Jean Branscum, CEO of the Montana Medical Association, an industry group representing doctors.

“They’ve invested so much time in their career,” Branscum said. “To have anything jeopardize that is a big worry on their mind.”

Montana, like other states, has a recovery program for health professionals who have a substance use disorder or mental illness. However, medical associations say such programs often come with invasive monitoring, even for voluntary care. And gray areas about when a mental illness should become public breeds fear that seeking care jeopardizes a medical career.

Montana is among the states looking to boost confidential care for health professionals as long as they’re not deemed a danger to themselves or patients.

In recent years, at least a dozen states have considered or created confidential wellness programs to offer clinicians help early on for career burnout or mental health issues. States have also reworked medical licensing questions to avoid scrutiny for providers who need mental health treatment.

The changes are modeled after Virginia legislation from 2020.

During a legislative committee meeting last month, advocates for Montana medical professionals asked state lawmakers to follow Virginia’s lead. They say the goal is twofold: to get clinicians treatment before patients are at risk and to curtail the workforce burnout that’s partly fueled by untreated stress.

Montana’s existing medical monitoring program, the Montana Recovery Program, is run by the global company Maximus. Montana’s professional advocates had backed another nonprofit to run Montana’s program, which didn’t win the state contract.

The Montana Recovery Program declined a request for an interview, instead referring KFF Health News to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, which oversees the state’s medical licensing boards. Department staffers didn’t comment by deadline.

In a Medscape survey released this year, 20% of physicians said they felt depressed, with job burnout as a leading factor. The majority said confiding in other doctors wasn’t practical. Some said they might not tell anyone about their depression out of fear people would doubt their abilities, or that their employer or medical board could find out. Health professionals are leaving their jobs. They’re retiring early, reducing work hours, or switching careers. That further dwindles patients’ care options when there already aren’t enough providers to go around. The federal government estimates 74 million people live in an area without enough primary care services due to a workforce shortage.

Aiming to ensure patient safety, state medical boards can suspend or revoke clinicians’ rights to practice medicine if substance use or psychological disorders impair their work. Those cases are rare. One study found roughly 4,400 actions against the licenses of U.S. physicians for either substance use or psychological impairment from 2004 to 2020. Nonetheless, workforce advocates say disclosure requirements cause some health professionals to dodge questions about mental health histories on licensing and insurance forms or forgo care altogether. They’re worried divulging any weakness will signal they shouldn’t practice medicine.

The mental health questions health workers are asked vary by state and profession. For example, nurses in Montana renewing their license are asked if they have any psychological condition or substance use that limited their ability to practice “with reasonable skill and safety” in the previous six months. Along with being asked about substance use on the job, doctors are required to say whether they’ve experienced a mental condition that “might adversely affect any aspect of your ability to perform.”

“When I see that question on my renewal, do I have to report that I was depressed because I was going through a really tough divorce?” Branscum cited as an example of workers’ uncertainty. “You know, my life is turned upside down now. Am I obligated to report that?”

A “yes” wouldn’t immediately result in licensing problems. Those who do report mental health troubles would be flagged by state workers as a potential concern. They could end up before the board’s same screening panel that recommends whether to revoke a license, or be referred to long-term monitoring with regular screening.

Additionally, health professionals are required to report when other clinicians show unprofessionalism or have potential issues that affect performance. Branscum said medical professionals worry that what they say in a counseling session could be flagged for licensing boards, or that a co-worker may make a report if they seem depressed at work.

Bob Sise, a Montana addiction psychiatrist and co-founder of the nonprofit 406 Recovery, told state lawmakers that job stressors are playing into workers’ mental health challenges, such as long shifts and heavy patient loads. And with the rising cost of health care, physicians feel they’re sacrificing their commitment to healing as they routinely substitute optimal treatment for lesser care that patients can afford. Sise said his practice now has roughly 20 health professionals as patients. “They were able to access care before it was too late,” Sise said. “But they’re the exception.”

In Virginia, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and students can join the state’s SafeHaven program. Melina Davis, CEO of the Medical Society of Virginia, said the service offers counseling and peer coaching with staffers available to answer a call 24/7.

“If you only have a moment at 2 a.m., or that’s when you had the chance to first process the death

Meet the young basketball athlete geared up to

play

in Manila with Fil-Am team

In mid-March, she’ll be playing in the Manila Live tournament competing against 32 international teams

by Mary villegas Inquirer.net

BASKETBALL is as illustrious as adobo and lumpia are in the Philippines. Filipinos have these intrinsic skills on the court whether at home or abroad and Fil-Am basketball player Alayna Petalber is here to prove not just her roots but also her talents. From Fil-Am science achievers to basketball prodigies, Filipinos abroad sure know how to herald greatness in their chosen fields. Petalber, a senior from Boylan isn’t just sunk in her books — she’s also hitting shots and dreaming big.

Her after-school schedule?

Gearing up to represent the Filipino American team in a tournament in Manila. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” said Petalber, sharing her excitement. Playing internationally isn’t something she had imagined.

“Not a lot of people from a small town in Rockford get this opportunity. It’s nice I can combine both basketball and my family together,” added Petalber. Joining forces with the Fil-Nation Select team for the Manila Live tournament in mid-March, she will make a statement as the team gears up for the competition featuring 32 teams worldwide.

How this Fil-Am basketball player started as a sharpshooter

She’s also got her defenses all up when she’s on the court.

“When the ball is in my hands, the pressure is always on the defense,” shared Petalber.

From being a competitive gymnast to a basketball sensation, her journey is nothing short of phenomenal. She was first spotted at an AAU tournament in Chicago then a coach eventually invited her to a global summit in Texas before playing in Mexico for Fil-Am Select.

to her Filipino roots, she came back undeterred — and thanks to her Filipino parents who are both physical therapists. She healed in no time and returned to court.

Now, prepping to visit the Philippines for the first time in four years, it will be more than just a game to her — a homecoming with a chance to reconnect to her heritage and show her basketball prowess.

of a patient, then you can talk to somebody,” Davis said.

Those in the program are assured that those conversations are privileged and can’t be used in lawsuits. This year, the state is considering adding medical diagnoses under the program’s confidential protections.

States that have followed suit have slight variations, but most create a “safe haven” with two types of wellness and reporting systems. Those who seek out care before they’re impaired at work have broad privacy protections. The other defines a disciplinary track and monitoring system for those who pose a risk to themselves or others. Indiana and South Dakota followed Virginia’s lead in 2021. States are also narrowing the time frame that licensing boards can ask about mental illness history. The American Medical Association has encouraged states to require health care workers to disclose current physical or mental health conditions, not past diagnoses.

Last year, Georgia updated its license renewal form to ask doctors if any current condition “for which you are not being appropriately treated” affects their ability to practice medicine. That update replaces a request for seven years of mental health history.

Even outside the “safe haven” framework, some states are grappling with how to grant doctors privacy while guaranteeing patient safety.

The Medical Board of California is creating a program to treat and monitor doctors with alcohol and drug illnesses. But patients’ advocates have argued too much privacy, even for voluntary treatment, could risk consumers’ well-being. They told the state medical board that patients have a right to know if their doctor has an addiction.

Davis said states should debate how to balance physicians’ privacy and patients’ safety.

“We in medical professions are supposed to be saving lives,” she said. “Where’s the line where that starts to fall off, where their personal situation could affect that? And how does the system know?”

According to the Montana Recovery Program website, it’s not a program of discipline but instead one “of support, monitoring, and accountability.” Participants may self-refer to the program or be referred by their licensing board.

Branscum, with the Montana Medical Association, said the state’s monitoring program is needed for cases in which an illness impairs a clinician’s work. But she wants that form of treatment to become the exception.

Vicky Byrd, CEO of the Montana Nurses Association, said nurses don’t tend to join the program until they’re forced to in order to keep their license. That leaves many nurses struggling in silence until untreated illness shows up in their work, she said.

“Let’s get them taken care of before it has to go on their license,” Byrd said. Because after that point, she said, it’s hard to recover.

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 source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

In 2022, Petalber was already redefining her playbook in the basketball scene averaging 12.3 points per game combined with her killer moves and as Boylan’s 3-point shooter.

But for every good plot, there’s a plot twist (and sometimes setbacks) — she broke her ankle from playing kickball before the playoffs in Mexico. “I was completely heartbroken,” confessed Petalber. But with her resilience, owing

Looking forward to representing not just her roots but also Boylan and the Midwest, she mused, “It will be nice to go back there, see my parents’ home, relax, and play basketball.”

As this Fil-Am basketball player suits up for the international stage, the world better be ready for another basketball prodigy. n

Quiboloy claims slay plot in anti-US...

PAGE 1

having “connived” with the Americans to carry out the plot.

“You have given me to the hands of the Americans,” he said of Mr. Marcos. “They are just waiting for the right opportunity to kidnap me, or kill me, or assassinate me.”

Quiboloy is facing a string of criminal charges in the United States. In 2022, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a poster marking him as a “wanted” man for alleged participation in “a labor trafficking scheme that brought (his) church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

According to the FBI, Quiboloy was also charged with conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

On Wednesday, Quiboloy said he had waited for the U.S. government’s request to have him extradited so he could challenge the accusations before its own justice system.

But U.S. authorities changed their strategy, he said. He said he would “not allow myself to be arrested,” but later added that should authorities enter any of the KOJC’s 11 compounds, “we will resist but not (turn) violent.”

He lamented that Mr. Marcos had supposedly allowed the Ameri-

cans to conduct operations against him even after he supported his presidential bid in 2022.

“I will not honor you, I will not respect you because you did not honor me, you did not respect me,” Quiboloy said, addressing the president. He went on to describe the current national leadership as “an evil and unrighteous administration.”

“Let us unite and remove this evil administration used by the bad spirits to spread darkness throughout the Philippines,” he said.

Speaker responds

“I will lead so that we can once again have freedom… I will stand and I will lead this country for justice and fear of God, [and] to bring back our freedom and security from the hands of foreigners [just like] how Rizal and Bonifacio sacrificed their lives,” Quiboloy said. He called on Mr. Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, to resign “because my voice will not be silence[d] until you are gone from power.” In a statement, Romualdez denied Quiboloy’s claims that he and Mr. Marcos were privy to an assassination plot against him.

The House leader stressed that while he was aware of the “gravity of the accusations” against Quiboloy, “the Philippine government and its officials, including myself and [President Marcos], operate within the bounds of our Constitution and laws.”

He also denied the televangelist’s claims that they were working with the FBI to have him killed, saying these were “unfounded and

divert attention from the serious legal matters at hand.”

Romualdez urged Quiboloy to address the issues against him “through the proper legal channels and respect the legal processes in place,” referring to the subpoenas issued by both the Senate and the House.

At the Senate, Hontiveros on Wednesday threatened to not only cite Quiboloy in contempt but also order his arrest if he would continue to ignore the upper chamber’s latest subpoena.

"Our next hearing is on March 5 and if Mr. Quiboloy does not show up, I will cite him in contempt and have him arrested,” said Hontiveros. “All that is being asked of you is to face the legal process, including the process of Senate investigation.”

Facing justice

Sought for comment on Quiboloy’s accusations, the U.S. Embassy in Manila would not confirm whether the U.S. government had asked for Quiboloy’s arrest or extradition, referring questions about “legal proceedings” to the U.S. Department of Justice.

But the embassy said it was “confident” that Quiboloy would be brought to justice for “serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old,” for more than a decade.

“He is currently on the FBI’s

Most Wanted List. We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes,” U.S. Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said in a statement on Wednesday.

DTI says Marcos’ overseas trips starting to ‘yield...

into the country. Meanwhile, ING senior economist Nicholas Mapa said that recent legislative measures, aimed at relaxing foreign restrictions in various sectors, have played a role in attracting increased foreign investment into the country.

“The Philippines just has a

“Certainly, the presidential visits have been impactful for the Philippine economy, signaling to both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors alike the government's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for economic prosperity. The Philippines has become a premier investment destination for foreign businesses in Asia,” he added.

The DTI chief earlier said that Marcos targets the Philippines to be the second top destination of FDIs in Southeast Asia by the end of his term in 2028. “We will keep our momentum to make more investments hap-

was a lot of sex trafficking, a lot of drugs. You stay up all night in order not to be raped. You have nowhere to change, no shower, no heat. You don’t feel like a female. You’re scared constantly and all you want is shelter — no wonder a lot of people choose to go back home.”

among them.

“It’s especially dangerous for women to survive the streets,” she said. “In Fresno County there

“The shelter’s gender restrictions left me exposed to the streets once again, surviving on a fixed disability income while facing steep rents,” Martinez explained. “If it wasn’t for a 30% income affordable housing voucher, I would still probably be on the streets, and who knows

pen in the Philippines by turning investment pledges from presidential visits into reality. Each presidential visit is important and sets a foundation for us to build a pipeline of investment opportunities that will translate to job generation for our countrymen,” Pascual said. While Congress is still debating whether to amend the Constitution to further relax economic restrictions, the economist said addressing other challenges in doing business in the country can also drive the country’s attractiveness as destination for foreign investments. (Philstar.com)

what would have happened to me. Yet, I’m nervous every year because the rent continues to increase, but the voucher does not.”

“You flee an abusive relationship because you want safety, but being unhoused makes you vulnerable to thousands of strangers. For a time, I’d ended up going back because I’d rather be abused by one I knew,” she added. “We need to educate people about what’s happening to us in the streets — that we’re good people too who just want a permanent home.” (Selen Ozturk/ Ethnic Media Services)

PAGE 1

Emma Malabuyo, Japan’s Mana Okamura and Spain’s Laura Casabuena.

Photo by Coach Clifford Parks

Alayna Petalber

Photo from Instagram/@alayna.petalber

CHR to launch alert system for journalists under attack

by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) is set to formally launch a platform for journalists to report threats and attacks in a bid to ensure the safety of media workers in the country.

In a statement, the CHR said that “Alisto! Alert Mechanism” seeks to “provide a concrete platform where it may directly respond to attacks and threats against media workers.”

According to the commission, the initiative aligns with its commitment to implement the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists, a roadmap to promote the protection of media workers and safeguard press freedom in the country.

“In a time where it is now apparent that the defenders

of truth also need defending, the conversation on fostering a safe working environment for journalists should also be making headlines on our screens as we scroll through the news and commentaries,” the CHR said. The Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with fatal attacks frequently targeting those outside the capital region. Since 1986, 199 journalists have been killed in the country, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Government agencies like the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) further endanger journalists by falsely accusing them of supporting or being involved in the communist armed struggle, exposing them to both physical and online attacks.

NUJP chairperson Jonathan de Santos called the alert system “a good first response to threats” that may serve as a deterrent to further attacks and harassment.

“We hope that engagement with the CHR and government agencies will lead to a safer environment for media workers, and, just as importantly, an end to the culture of impunity on attacks against journalists,” De Santos told Philstar.com.

The CHR urged other government agencies to address the challenges faced by journalists and implement adequate mechanisms that guarantee a safe work environment.

Early this month, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan said that some initiatives of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) were “not enough.” n

‘Eddie Garcia’ bill gets Senate OK on final reading

by Charie abarCa Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Senate on Monday, February 19 approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to protect movie and television workers from unfair treatment and poor working conditions.

Senate Bill No. 2505, otherwise known as the Eddie Garcia bill, received 22 affirmative, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions during Monday’s plenary session.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chairperson of the chamber’s committee on labor and sponsor of the measure, said the bill would guarantee industry workers opportunities for gainful employment and decent incomes, as well as protection from abuse, extended working hours, harassment, hazardous conditions, and economic exploitation.

“A product of your Senate’s commitment to put forward the welfare of workers, this is our meaningful acknowledgment to them whose work [is] often overshadowed by the main content and star power of the main cast. We simply owe it to them,” Estrada said.

With some members from the Philippine entertainment industry present during the session, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to protect movie and television workers from unfair treatment and poor working conditions. Photo from Facebook/@SenatePH

“This measure is the Senate’s recognition of the immense talent, dedication, and contribution not just of Filipino artists, but also those behind the camera who put their heart and soul to come up with material for the movie and television industry,” he added.

Estrada explained that the bill specifically seeks to push for the strict implementation of working hours, wages and other wage-related benefits, and social security

to industry workers.

Once signed into law, the government will also be mandated to establish a Movie and Television Tripartite Council composed of representatives from the government, employers, and workers in the movie and TV industry.

Garcia died in 2019. The veteran actor suffered a neck injury after tripping and falling while shooting for an upcoming “teleserye.” n

Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps

by ClaiRe MondaRes ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) issued personalized stamps and commemorative cover for former Senate president and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile (JPE).

In celebration of his 100th birthday on February 14, the stamp was unveiled at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang during a lunch party hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. During his stint as acting head

of the Insurance Commission, he was instrumental in introducing amendments to the rules and regulations that are still included in the current Insurance Code of the Philippines. He likewise served as acting Customs commissioner, acting finance secretary, chairman of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines, and defense secretary under Marcos Sr.

JPE spent four terms in the Senate and became the 21st Senate president during the 15th Congress from 2008 to 2013.

He also served one term in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995 as a representative of Cagayan's first district.

In 2022, at the age of 98, Enrile returned to government service as the chief presidential legal counsel.

PHLPost said the basis for the issuance of the personalized stamps to Filipino centenarians is Republic Act 10868, or the "Centenarian Act of 2016," which honors and grants additional benefits and privileges to Filipinos who reach the age of 100. n

59% of Filipinos back PH rejoining ICC - OCTA

by Red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

NEARLY six out of 10 Filipinos are in favor of rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) and are urging the government to cooperate in the tribunal's investigation of former president Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs, an OCTA Research survey released on Sunday showed.

In the "Tugon ng Masa" survey held from Dec. 10 to 14, 2023, 59 percent of the respondents said they were in favor of the Philippines rejoining the ICC, while 41 percent were not.

OCTA said the respondents were provided an explanatory

card with the basic definition of the International Criminal Court and its functions to inform all of its respondents regarding the question.

Respondents in Luzon were the "most in favor" (65 percent) of the Philippines returning to the ICC, followed by Mindanao, 51 percent. Conversely, 49 percent of Mindanao respondents said they were not in favor of the Philippines returning to the ICC, followed by 35 percent in Balance Luzon. Socioeconomic class ABC support for the Philippines' return to ICC was at 67 percent, while support from those belonging to Class D was at 42 percent.

Divided by region, Northern Mindanao respondents had the highest support at 92 percent, while the Davao Region had the lowest at 10 percent.

On the question of whether the government should cooperate with the ICC in the investigation of the drug war, 55 percent said they were in favor, while 45 percent said they did not want the government to cooperate.

Balance Luzon respondents had the highest support for cooperation at 65 percent, while Mindanao had the lowest at 42 percent.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. n

Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps

ManilaTimes.net photo

Finally, a world-class airport?

THE Philippines was one of the first countries in Asia to have a modern airport. Since the 1960s, however, the country has fallen in its standing in the region, from being the second most progressive economy after Japan to being a laggard. These days the country trails the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in terms of many economic and human development indicators.

The deterioration is reflected in the principal gateway to the Philippines, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. While the country’s neighbors competed to have the best airport in the world, travelers listed the NAIA among the worst. The reputation improved with the opening of the more spacious NAIA-3, but 2023 opened with a massive power outage that crippled the airport.

Editorial

Logistics Inc. and RLW Aviation Development Inc., won the bid by offering the highest revenue share for the government, at 82.1 percent. This was more than double the 33.3 and 25.9 percent proposed by rival bidders GMR Airports Consortium and the Manila International Airport Consortium of companies owned by the country’s top tycoons, respectively.

So people are keeping their fingers crossed that privatization will be the answer to airport woes.

On Friday, February 16, the Manila International Airport Authority or MIAA announced a winner in the bidding for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the NAIA: San Miguel Corp. SAP & Co. Consortium, which includes South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp.

Korea’s Incheon airport has been consistently ranked among the world’s best international gateways by the global aviation industry. Skytrax ranked Incheon fourth in the 2024 list, after Singapore’s Changi, Hamad in Qatar and Japan’s Tokyo-Haneda.

SMC SAP & Co., which also includes RMM Asian

a speech before a joint session of Congress, he highlighted the trilateral cooperation between the United States, the Philippines and Japan to protect the freedom of the South China Sea.

“In order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, multi-layered cooperation among allies and like-minded countries is crucial,” Prime Minister Kishida underscored, outlining efforts to “protect the maritime order, which is governed by laws and rules, not by force.”

In the most recent briefing paper issued by a good friend of mine and our embassy, director of the Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Greg Poling with research associate Japhet Quitzon titled “Sustaining

Public Lives

R

THIRTY-EIGHT years have passed since we Filipinos stumbled upon a peaceful way of toppling down an entrenched dictatorship.

We called it “people power,” a massive protest gathering of people in a public place in sheer defiance of the coercive power of established authority.

The world hailed it not just as a model for getting rid of dictators but as an alternative to bloody revolutions and the unending cycles of violence they typically unleash.

To say that EDSA was a miracle is just a shorthand way of accounting for the idealism, the faith, and the courage that animated the mammoth crowd at its peak. No doubt, not a few went to EDSA merely out of curiosity.

But their being in the crowd— discussing the significance of rapidly unfolding events and wondering how all these will affect the nation as a

Questions have been raised on the feasibility of the 82.1 percent revenue-sharing scheme offered by the winning bidder. Unless the award of the contract is challenged, however, the concession agreement is expected to be signed on March 15, with the winner taking over NAIA management by September this year. The SMC-led consortium must pay P30 billion upfront and P2 billion annually. The contract for the project runs for 15 years, which may be extended by 10 years. There are also questions on the extent of the authority of the private consortium to reorganize personnel at the airport, which will remain under government ownership. In August last year, the Office of the Ombudsman fired Cesar Chiong as MIAA chief and assistant general manager Irene

Montalbo on the strength of complaints filed by MIAA employees, hundreds of whom Chiong had reassigned. For the public, the main concern is whether the

private consortium can deliver on its promise of turning NAIA into a world-class airport. Filipinos are sick of having the country’s main gateway classified as one of the world’s worst. (Philstar.com)

the U.S.-Philippines-Japan Triad,” China’s “aggression in the South China Sea and increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan” was highlighted as it continues to “pose a threat to the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The brief delved on how the triad can better coordinate on a range of issues that include “Beijing’s illegal behavior in the East and South China Seas and possible Taiwan contingencies.” Exhorting the U.S., Japan and the Philippines to “urgently strengthen their partnerships with each other, reinforce the importance of cooperation and assess the role their alliances can play in ensuring regional security,” the brief provided a keen and clear-sighted assessment of the shared challenges, areas of cooperation as well as vulnerabilities that have to be addressed not only in terms of defense and security but economic as well.

“In the face of shared challenges, Japan has become an important security partner to the Philippines,” the document noted, giving attention to a “reciprocal access agreement” (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had described as “extremely

significant,” saying it will bring “greater capacity to maintain peace in the South China Sea” and will also provide “greater capability in terms not only of security, but also in terms of disaster preparedness.”

According to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Japan and the Philippines are fast-tracking the RAA (which is similar to the Visiting forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States) that will lay the groundwork for bigger military exercises between Japanese and Philippine troops and would also allow Japanese military personnel access to the Philippines for training and support.

“Crucially, the three partners should also have economic plans in place, including supportive measures to help sustain the triad’s economies, especially the Philippines’ shock-sensitive economy,” the brief said, noting that as an archipelagic state, “the Philippines is exceedingly vulnerable to external shocks –any disruptions in the country’s energy and supply chains would not only complicate everyday function within the country but impact the ability of both the Philippines and the United States to conduct security

operations from the country.”

Considering the vulnerability of the Philippines to energy and supply chain shocks, Greg says the U.S. and its allies should ensure that the Philippine economy remains robust. The U.S. should deepen its economic relationship with the Philippines and “do more to encourage U.S. investors to take a serious look at the increasingly open Philippine economy, including by lifting travel advisories to Davao and other safe areas of Mindanao, and encourage the development of local manufacturers and industries, supporting the Philippines’ domestic ability to pursue its national security aims,” the recommendation went.

Our economic team at the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC has been actively engaging with key U.S. officials and various business groups to explore areas of economic cooperation and bring focus to key sectors such as agriculture and clean energy, among many others. In Washington, we regularly interact with the Japanese ambassador.

Aside from aiding the Philippines in exploring more reliable energy options, the U.S. and Japan are providing

support to the Philippines in modernizing our armed forces.

“Though military aid is crucial, the United States and Japan should also assist the Philippines in growing homegrown defense industries, aiming to provide jobs and increase the country’s capacity for homegrown self-defense. The Philippines currently has very few domestic defense manufacturers,” the briefing paper underscored. Another key finding highlighted in the brief are disinformation and misinformation operations that are proving to be among the greatest challenges facing allied cooperation in the region. Particularly worrying are the “disinformation and proChina narratives circulating on Philippine airwaves and cyberspace” that “exacerbate the issue and threaten to disrupt a national effort to prepare the country against a contingency in the South China Sea. These information operations promoting pro-China content are rampant throughout cyberspace, downplaying aggressive Chinese behavior and placing the blame instead on the United States or even the Philippine Coast Guard.” To counter such

disinformation, the triad should create “a unified front through harmonized messaging and coordinated anti-disinformation campaigns,” the paper pointed out, as this “limits China’s ability to wedge the triad apart. Countering Chinese disinformation in all three countries with credible, accessible and fact-based reporting will help delegitimize Chinese narratives aimed at dividing public opinion.”

Like others in our government, I have been occasionally targeted by a smear campaign through fake memos, spurious emails and absurd messages from bogus senders, obviously in an attempt to picture me as a U.S. paid hand.

I have only one message to these agents of disinformation: The relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines has never been better, and I will vigorously continue working to help ensure that our alliance remains solid, strong and stable. (Philstar.com)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

EDSA people power and the United States

whole—gave them a sense that they were in the middle of something historic.

When they found themselves standing their ground against the tanks that Marcos had sent to disperse the crowd, they surely must have felt that they were not merely witnessing history; they were actually making it. This was a transformative experience.

But so complex was the mix of forces and motives that formed and propelled people power that it was impossible to predict where it was headed. A lot initially depended on the readiness of those who came early to defend the protest space they occupied. Their expectation was that the longer they stayed, the greater would be the likelihood that many would come and join them. Even as they steeled themselves for the assault that was to come, they also hoped that those who were ordered to disperse them would hesitate to attack unarmed and defenseless citizens. As naïve as these hopes may have been, they were not

entirely off the mark. The people knew that, through the eyes of the foreign correspondents who had descended upon EDSA, the world was watching. In particular, America was watching. The question was whether then United States President Ronald Reagan, who was known to be a close personal friend of the Marcoses, would countenance the use of state violence to suppress the swelling antiMarcos crowd.

The sentiment at EDSA at that time was that if Reagan had his way, he would not hesitate to publicly support the Marcos regime’s claim to legitimacy.

But one thing was also clear: American public sentiment, as seen in the mainstream U.S. media and in the views of some outspoken members of the U.S. Congress, had turned resolutely against Marcos.

The manifest venality of the dictatorship so outweighed longstanding worries about a communist takeover if Marcos fell from power that the U.S. felt it necessary to nudge

Marcos to change if he wanted to survive.

I don’t think anyone knew at that point how the impasse was going to be resolved. As the EDSA crowd grew in size, the energy that animated people power reverberated in major capitals around the country as well as in Philippine embassies abroad.

At the same time, the motley group of renegade soldiers that had gathered around Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile was gaining support with the defection of sections of the country’s armed forces. These parallel developments brought up the question of whether what was happening was a military coup or a civilian uprising.

It was probably both at the beginning—two agendas racing against one another— but in the end the duality was resolved in favor of a purely civilian political order.

The resolution, however, did not come immediately with the departure of Marcos or the swearing in of Cory Aquino. It came only at the

end of a protracted political process punctuated by several coup attempts and Cabinet reshuffles. Because America had played an outsize role in our nation’s history, it was natural for people on both the right and left to believe that the EDSA events were being orchestrated in accordance with an American script. That belief not only underestimates ordinary people’s capacity for heroism and patriotism but it also exaggerates the monolithic nature of U.S. power.

Nowhere perhaps is the ambivalent character of American foreign policy more evident than in the divergent opinions that attended the crafting of a suitable approach to the crisis brought about by the standoff at EDSA in the aftermath of the snap election of February 1986. The most complete reference for this period is former U.S. secretary of state George P. Shultz’s memoir, titled “Turmoil and Triumph,” published in 1993. Chapter 31 is all about people power in

the Philippines and the critical days that led to the departure of the Marcos family from Malacañang and their exile to Hawaii.

Uppermost in the minds of America’s top officials was how to prevent the real possibility that the crisis in the Philippines would lead to civil war. They feared that in such a war, the fledgling democratic movement that had grown around Aquino would at once be sidelined by the more organized armed communist movement. America’s military bases in the Philippines would be imperiled. There was no choice but to get Marcos to agree to a peaceful democratic transition, but getting there was far from easy. The breakthrough came on Feb. 24, when Marcos telephoned Sen. Paul Laxalt to say he was “willing to bargain.” Laxalt told him that “power brokering won’t work,” and advised him that he should “cut and cut clean.” (Inquirer. net) * * * public.lives@gmail.com

Dave Bautista: Unleashing beast mode on and off the screen

path in Hollywood with an unapologetic embrace of his Filipino-Greek heritage.

The wrestler-turned-actor is set to reprise his role as Glossu “Beast” Rabban Harkonnen in “Dune: Part Two,” joining returning stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, and Javier Bardem with new additions to the cast that include Florence Pugh and Austin Butler. The highly anticipated film is scheduled to hit theaters on March 1, 2024. In an interview with the Asian Journal, Bautista reflects on his journey, diversity in the industry, and the joy of playing the bad guy. Inspiring diversity and inclusion Bautista, considered a role model for aspiring actors with diverse backgrounds, emphasizes the importance of inclusion and diversity.

“Diverse is my love language,” he told us, reflecting on his own struggles to find role models growing up. His journey, shaped by being a person of mixed race raised by a lesbian single mother, fuels his commitment to breaking barriers in the entertainment industry.

“I know a lot of my life I never really knew where I fit in. It was hard for me to feel like I fit in because I didn’t have those role models,” he shares. Bautista believes that focusing on inclusion and representation is not just a social responsibility but a personal one, resonating with his own

experiences.

In an interview with GQ, Bautista, whose mom is Greek and dad is Filipino, shared his pride in three tattoos. One on his upper left arm are the flags of the Philippines and Greece placed side-by-side. On his left elbow, he has three yellow stars and the sun from the Philippine flag. The black-colored Philippine sun surrounds an Eye of Providence on his chest.

From hero to villain: Embracing the dark side

Having portrayed both heroes and villains, Bautista finds playing the antagonist more fun and challenging as a performer. He draws parallels between his wrestling career, where he embraced the role of the “bad guy” to enhance the hero’s narrative, and his love for portraying villains on the big screen.

“I think, you know, the root of me. I’m a good person, I’m a nice person. I’m a kind person, and I take pride in that. But it’s fun playing the bad guy,” he shares. Bautista’s journey in Hollywood showcases his versatility and willingness to explore different facets of his craft.

Dune: A Timeless Tale with Timely Themes

Discussing his role in “Dune Part Two,” Bautista emphasizes writer and director Denis Villeneuve’s dedication to staying true to Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel and the fan base. He encourages audiences to appreciate the storytelling and visual representation while acknowledging that political interpretations are inevitable.

“People shouldn’t lose sight of

the entertainment value of this and look at this as just beautiful storytelling,” he urges. Bautista credits Villeneuve’s commitment to the source material, creating a cinematic experience that aligns with the novel’s essence.

“Dave is excellent. We spend more time with Beast Rabban— let’s just say, he does not have a good time in ‘Part Two!’” Villeneuve said. “He’s humiliated, he’s struggling with the Fremen, and we see this is a character who is reaching his limit, panicking and losing control of Arrakis.”

Collaborating with Austin Butler and Filipino Martial Arts

Austin Butler, a new addition to the cast said, “I had a blast playing villainous characters with Stellan Skarsgård and Dave Bautista, they are both such sweet and funny guys and they welcomed me with open arms.”

Bautista on the other hand describes the experience of working with Butler as a blessing. He praises the younger actor’s talent and genuine nature, emphasizing the importance of feeling at ease with co-stars. Viewers will experience an adrenaline-fueled cinematic showdown as Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides confronts Butler’s treacherous and bloodthirsty Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in an epic duel, a highlight that’s more than worth the price of admission. The intensity builds the moment the actors utter the words, “May thy knife chip and shatter.” This nail-biting scene isn’t just a spectacle; it’s a heart-pounding experience that elevates the entire movie as the choreography unfolds like a mesmerizing dance, capturing the intricacy and intensity that makes this duel truly unforgettable.

“It was really about trying to find Feyd’s fighting style, and if Paul has training in the Atreides and Fremen way of fighting, how does Feyd’s differ? And I trained vocally as well. And once I saw myself in the mirror and I didn’t have any hair, and I had the black teeth... You start to see the transformation, and that just becomes a blast, because then you can lose yourself in it,” Butler said.

“I knew the fight scenes were going to be really taxing, and I wanted them to feel powerful, so we trained a lot. We did a lot of Kali, which is Filipino stick fighting, and a lot of knife work,” he added.

Reflecting on Butler’s training in Kali, Bautista expressed his love for it, highlighting its presence in Hollywood for decades.

“I love it. Now people are actually recognizing it for what it is,”

Bautista noted, emphasizing that Filipino Martial Arts have been contributing to cinematic fight scenes for years. His personal favorite is Kali, appreciating its versatility with empty hand or knife techniques.

Notes from Denis: A validation of trust

Receiving notes from his director is a source of immense joy and genuine excitement, making Bautista feel validated in his career choices. This validation is particularly significant, considering the challenges he faced

in earning the trust and belief of others in the industry.

Reflecting on their collaborative journey, he acknowledges the initial challenge of earning Denis’s approval for a character in their first film together. Despite Denis not seeing him for the role initially, Bautista persevered, earning the trust and subsequently gaining robust support from the acclaimed director.

“To feel like I’m collaborating with him, we’re investing, we’re talking about a character, it just feels like… I feel validated,” Bau-

tista shared. As Dave Bautista steps back into the shadowy realms of villains in “Dune Part Two,” he carries with him more than just the weight of Beast’s ferocity. He’s a beacon for aspiring actors, an advocate for diversity, and a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. With his unapologetic approach to life and craft, he continues to leave an indelible mark on Hollywood embracing challenges and bringing authenticity to every role he undertakes.

could be considered “local”) in Polillo with some also established across the Polillo Straight in Infanta, Quezon. Sabas Foliente was a former gobernadorcillo” of the Polillo municipality during the latter phase of the Spanish rule (the title and scope of responsibilities and authority of the gobernadorcillo have similarity to the role of mayor today**).

**From Wikipedia https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gobernadorcillo The gobernadorcillo (literally “little governor”) was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined charges or responsibilities of leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The gobernadorcillo was the leader of a town or pueblo (people or population). In a coastal town, the gobernadorcillo

parts of Metro Manila in

First cousins who used to be playmates as kids were reunited in Manila: Engie del Rama (LA), Greg Foliente (Melbourne) and Majela Foliente Lai (SF Bay Area).

Dave as “Beast” Rabban Harkonnen in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “Dune: Part Two,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

(L-R) Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “Dune: Part Two,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Photos by Niko Tavernise

Dave Bautista

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

A FILIPINO-AMERICAN local

resident, retired Clark County School District teacher (CCSD)

Minerva MP Honkala is launching and signing her two latest books on March 2, 2024 (Sat) 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the West Charleston Library located in 6301 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146. WORDS SPEAK WISDOM

(236 pages), is an enjoyable and encouraging collection of uplifting poetry. BOOST ME UP (396 pages), a 365-day devotional book, “ is a wonderful and positive day-boosting helper for everyone who wants to plant seeds of hope in their lives,” as described by Book Reviewer Karen.

The public is invited to celebrate with her this momentous event of love, peace and hope. Creating wonders is an invitation to all whose hearts are weary and wanting to make a positive change in these trying times that we live in today.

Look, listen and learn better thinking and doing habits by discovering, developing and drawing upon the hidden creativity within your inner selves. These two books have received several positive reviews thus far.

Book reviews BOOST ME UP: Walk in Faith with God’s Words Karen De Shazer, DTM

Retired Reference Department Head Librarian Las Vegas Clark County Library District “I was so surprised when I picked up this book. I expected many stanzas and verses of poetry, similar to the author’s

Minerva MP Honkala Contributed photo previous book entitled, WORDS SPEAK WISDOM. It’s such, I thought it would take me a few minutes of reading to adjust to its rhythm. Instead, opening it to a random page was an instant treat. I was immediately engaged on a personal level with the author and her thoughts. This book is a wonderful and positive day-boosting helper for everyone who wants to plant seeds of hope in their lives. There are 365 entries, each composed of a M-Morale boosting message, a text expanding and explaining the morale booster and a biblical verse. In case you're not Christian, the common sense and positivity in the rest of each day’s reading allows readers to skip over religiosity and still reap uplifting benefits. If you are Christian, the biblical quotes have wonderful synchronicity with the M-Morale boosters and the author’s narrative. Everywhere,

the narrative and reflections tie in other aspects of previous and future day’s messages. Your internet may not always be working. You never know when you might need an emotional boost during your days and nights. Don’t just depend upon an e-book for this offering by Ms. Honkala. Grab the printed book and stick it in your car or travel bag. It really is an insurance for a random rainy day in your soul.”

WORDS SPEAK WISDOM:

M-Morale Verse Boosters Prose and Poetry that Teach, Inspire, Motivate “Who reads poetry anymore? The thought of poetry conjures up required high school and college courses, sometimes not seemingly relevant to our lives. Poetry must speak to you. It must touch your life in some manner. The thoughts, statements and pictures Minerva Honkala uses in her book, WORDS SPEAK WISDOM shout that out. Her thoughts expressed in stanzas are not quiet and docile. They are bravely enunciated. You might not always agree with the overall sentiment expressed in each poem, but you surely have a jumping-off point for a lively discussion. The pictures sprinkled throughout are not solely of the author encountering life but of the beauty of nature that surrounds us all, whether we are there or not. Her book doesn’t preach to us, but invites us to involve ourselves in all aspects of life. We are not solitary reactions. Life though hard, she illustrates, pays off in our hearts and in universal wellbeing.”

How to spot a scam

NOW is the perfect time to protect yourself from scams that can damage your finances and reputation. We can work together to keep your personal information safe!

Stay informed of the latest scam trends Fraudsters continue to change their tactics. Make sure you understand the latest scam trends at www.ssa.gov/scam. Stay informed by: Following reliable news sources. Subscribing to scam alert newsletters. Staying connected with your local law enforcement agencies.

PAGE 10

FINANCIAL education helps people learn about savings, credit, and loans. It also helps them prepare for life changes and the unexpected. When planning for retirement financial knowledge is essential.

So, how prepared are adults in the United States for their retirement? The National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) conducts polls on how retirement savings affect people’s financial well-being.

Here’s what we have learned:

In a financial well-being poll conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, 85% of respondents confirmed that some aspect of their personal finances was causing them stress. For 31% of respondents, that concern was “having enough saved for retirement.”

In that same poll, 70% said they made financial adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that group, 27% increased contributions to their emergency savings, retirement savings, or other savings or investments. In comparison, 21% tapped into emergency savings—or borrowed against retirement savings.

In a poll about financial education mandates, 80% of adults said they wish they were required to complete a semester- or year-long course focused on personal finance education during high school. Also, 88% think their state should require a semester- or year-long course for high school graduation.

In that same poll, 84% of those approaching retirement age said “spending and budgeting” should be taught in schools.

Lifetime financial education is helpful when it comes to retirement preparation. This includes understanding Social Security retirement benefits and making the most of retirement income. You can learn more on our Retirement webpage at www.ssa. gov/retirement.

A personal my Social Security account should be a part of your financial plan. With an account, you can verify your earnings history, get personalized retirement benefit estimates, and more. If you don’t have an account, you can easily create one at www. ssa.gov/myaccount.

To learn more about NEFE, visit their website at www.nefe.org. Please share this information with friends and family.

DUBAI-based Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco called out Filipino celebrities and influencers who ask fellow local designers for free outfits.

In several posts on his Instagram Stories, Cinco went into a rant about Filipino fashion designers needing better recognition and appreciation.

Cinco began by noting several Filipino celebrities and influencers appear to spend a lot of money for expensive European designer clothes "to keep up with the latest fashion trends" but juxtaposed it with creations by Filipino designers.

"It's quite ironic how these celebrities proudly wear these designer clothes, but when it comes to Filipino designers, they suddenly want everything custom-made for them for FREE," Cinco said.

"It's a sad reality that many talented and hardworking

FILIPINO DESIGNERS have to face," he continued. "They pour their hearts and souls into

their creations, but are often undervalued and underpaid." The designer called for the need to start recognizing local talents as they "have the potential to create beautiful and unique creations that can rival any European brand," breaking the cycle and uplifting local fashion.

Cinco ended his rant by sharing his response to any individual who asks him for a wedding gown or red carpet dress for free or as a collaboration.

"WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE... BEAUTIFUL THINGS in this world are not FREE... In other words... MAGBAYAD KA!!!" Cinco concluded.

Since establishing his fashion line two decades ago, Cinco has designed for global celebrities, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Aishwarya Rai. (Philstar.com)

Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco Philstar.com

MY wife, Farida, and I have just been on a river cruise on the Vikings to historic Rouen, Omaha Beach, Normandy, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Paris, where the Faculty of Medicine at the University in Paris-Cite conducted valuable research on the effects on the brain of snoring with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) (prolonged breath-holding while asleep), with the following findings:

• “Those who snore can be aging their brains by years and hurting their brain health by depriving themselves of oxygen and getting deep sleep. Loud snoring and obstructed breathing, often caused by sleep apnea, can lead to higher chances of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or overall cognitive decline:

• Deep sleep is one of the best indicators of sleep quality and the study found that for every 10% decrease in deep sleep, the white matter hyperintensities increased, equivalent to the brain aging 2.3 years.

• The same 10% reduction of deep sleep was also associated with reducing the integrity of axons, and that decrease was similar to the effect of the brain appearing 3 years older.”

These findings were published in Neurology on May 10, 2023.

CPAP versus Inspire

The gold standard in the management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, using a CPAP machine to force air into the airway (inflating the throat area) to keep it open (unobstructed by a flimsy soft palate, uvula, and the tongue), allowing the person to breathe normally, getting enough oxygen into their lungs.

The dangerous breath-holding could occur dozens, or even more than a hundred, each night.

CPAP induces good restful sleep, reduces tiredness, accidents due to sleepiness, and lowers the risk for heart attack, stroke, dementia from insufficient oxygenation.

The principle of CPAP was introduced in 1912, using positive pressure during lung surgery. It only became popular in 1965, since Obstructive Sleep Apnea was first recognized as a disease entity. There are about 936 million adults in the world with OSA. It is now used by at least 33 million people in the USA, including President Biden, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Shaquille O’Neal, William Shatner, Toni Robins, Randy Jackson, Regis Philbin, etc.

In 2014, The U.S.-FDA approved a surgically implanted device called Inspire. It works by electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve (tongue) to keep it from falling back and blocking the airway, which is also accomplished by CPAP with inflation using positive pressure air, without surgery.

Inspire is used only as an option for those who cannot tolerate CPAP because of the original full facemask used, but today there are comfortable nasal pillows and nasal masks that do not cover the whole face. CPAP is more consistent in its performance, compared to Inspire’s 70-80 percent success rate.

Beware of media Ads conveying half-truths. Always do due diligence. Dr. Google is on duty 24/7.

MedWalk and brain health

A healthy diet, in this case, the Mediterranean Diet, and active lifestyle, like walking daily, lowers the risk of dementia (7th leading cause of death) and cognitive impairment. A combined study, called “MedWalk,” that was just completed in 2023, revealed following a MedWalk program diligently could reduce Alzheimer’s dementia and decline in cognition.

These findings are so far as important to the whole world, where there are 55 million cases of Alzheimer’s, about 10 million a year, or one case every 3.2 seconds. The prevalence: Finland has the highest (54.56 cases per 100,000 population), United Kingdom (42.70), the U.S. (33.26, currently 6.7 million cases), and the Philippines (10.6 per 100,000, currently about 1 million cases).

The M-Diet

The diet based on the historic eating habits of people who live around the Mediterranean Sea, which the American Heart Association recommends for cardiovascular health, features the following: High intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and legumes, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry, non-tropical vegetable oils, and nuts; consume limited added sugars, stay away from sugary beverages (soft drinks), high sodium, highly processed deli foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats.

The Harvard School of Public Health emphasized the importance of healthy fats, like olive oil, nuts, avocados, and oily fish (anchovies, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, stripe bass, black cod, blue-fin tuna, cobia, for brain-healthy omega-3). It advises the public to eat red meat only occasionally, and get their protein from fish, seafood (at least two times a week), and small amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy.

How to spot a...

The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to identify and avoid scams.

Think carefully before sharing personal information

Phishing is one of the main ways that scammers attempt to trick people into providing personal information. Pay close attention to emails or messages asking for your username, password, or other personal information.

Scammers pretend to be from familiar organizations to gain your trust. Stay alert when receiving calls that you did not request claiming to be from banks, government agencies, or other well-known companies.

When in doubt, contact the organization directly through official channels to verify that the request is real before sharing any personal information or making payment.

Use strong passwords

Create strong, unique passwords like a phrase with upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Don’t use passwords that are easy to guess like birthdays or names. Consider using a password manager to generate unique passwords and securely store them for each of your online accounts.

Be savvy with QR codes QR codes are increasing in popularity. They’re in restaurants, on parking meters, in emails, and on social media.

Scammers have noticed! They are physically placing fake QR codes on top of official ones or creating fake QR codes on social media advertisements to get access to your personal information.

Never scan random QR codes. If the QR code looks odd or altered, do not scan it. Protect your social media profiles

Take a moment to review the

The main source of liquid should be water, and, as per the traditional Mediterranean Diet, a small glass of red wine, with lunch and dinner is fine. All the above should be paired with daily physical exercises, like brisk walking as the basic, and an overall wholesome lifestyle and behavior; no smoking, no alcohol abuse, or use of illicit drugs.

The M-Diet has been associated with great benefits to cardiovascular and brain health. The 7-country study revealed that dietary patters in the M-Diet, and in Japan in the 1960s, these diet patterns were shown to lower the rates of coronary artery disease and all-cause mortality.

A meta-analysis of several independent studies posted in March 2023, with a pooled sample of more than 70,000 female volunteers, has found that, by adhering closely to a Mediterranean Diet, women reduced their risk of cardiovascular diseases by 24 percent and their risk of death from any cause by 23 percent. Women are more compliant with diet instructions than men, the reason the studies chose women as their subjects.

The fable that the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, who died at age 47 from an Indian poison arrow, was searching for the “elusive” Fountain of Youth for decades around the world in the mid-1500 has been debunked. Anyway, that “phantom rejuvenating spring,” the “elixir of life,” has always been here: Its called “a healthy lifestyle.”

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * *

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

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom and other personalities (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

privacy settings on your social media platforms and limit the amount of personal information you share publicly. Fraudsters may use your social media posts to personalize scams or get access to your accounts without your permission. Regularly check your friends list and remove any unfamiliar or suspicious accounts. This month, let’s make protecting ourselves against scams a top priority. We can significantly reduce the risk of being scammed by staying informed, being alert and careful, and safeguarding our accounts.

We invite you to watch our video at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=cyaUWTFLw3c to learn how to identify the red flags. Please share this information with those who may need it – and post it on social media. (Annie Walters/ Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada)

Minding Your Finances

Bulaon

THE IRS is the worst creditor you can possibly have. It’s always bad news when you find out that you owe taxes, and it’s even worse when you don’t have the money to pay.

Some people erroneously believe that if they can’t pay what they expect to owe when they file their return, that they can just file for an extension and get more time. Wrong. While an extension does provide you some additional time to file your return, it doesn’t extend the deadline to pay what you owe. Let me explain.

First, if you don’t file your tax returns on time, you get hit with failure-to-file penalties. The penalty is 0.5% for each month that the tax is not fully paid. Second, the longer your taxes remain unpaid, interest on the amount will also continue to pile up. Currently, that interest is about 7% per year. So, the sooner that you pay, the less money that you need to fork out to pay your tax bill. Unfortunately, depending on how much you owe, you may require a long repayment plan that lasts for several years. That means a lot of your payments will go to penalties and interest, making it difficult for you to end your IRS nightmare sooner that you’d like.

The IRS offers several payment

If you just found out that you owe the IRS and can’t pay

options. Usually, the IRS will ask you if you can pay within 120 days. If you cannot pay within that period, you can request an installment agreement. Your monthly payment will depend on your income and expenses, and you may need to submit a collection financial statement unless the amount owed is less than $10,000. Once your request is approved, you can always pay it off sooner. But going forward, you need to remain compliant as long as the agreement is in effect. That means you need to file your tax returns in a timely manner and that you can’t have another tax bill going forward that you can’t pay. Otherwise, the IRS will cancel your original agreement and you will need to re-negotiate a new installment agreement.

If you qualify for tax debt forgiveness, you can reduce your tax debt significantly. This is called an “Offer in Compromise” where the IRS, believing that you will never be able to pay the entire amount based on your income and assets, agrees to take what you can afford and cancels the rest of your tax liability. Before applying, the IRS requires that you have filed all your tax returns and so if you have any years where you did not file a return, you need to file those first before the IRS will even talk to you. Some people will sell assets, borrow money, dip into their

retirement plans, etc. just to get their taxes paid off quickly because they don’t want to deal with tax liens, bank levies, or wage garnishments by the IRS. While it is a good idea to get the IRS out of your life as soon as you can, some of these options are not necessarily the best. For example, if you tap into your retirement plans to pay the IRS, you may incur tax penalties for early withdrawal on top of the taxes that will be due next year on the amount you are withdrawing (i.e., pre-tax money). In other words, you are simply robbing Peter to pay Paul by exchanging one tax bill for another.

If you owe the IRS, the State, EDD or State Board of Equalization, my office can help you find the best solution to resolve your tax liability. You will never have to speak with the IRS again. I will review your case and help you make the best decision for yourself and your family.

* * * 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. (Advertising Supplement)

Seniors face challenges at Pueblo, Del Monte

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The fairways are rolling fast in both courses that will be used for the 75th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships but senior participants will find reaching the greens challenging.

“You better use one club stronger in every approach,” said Dan Salvador III of Tagaytay Midlands who sampled the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Monday, February 19. “The winds are heavy.”

Dry conditions make the fairways firm but Pueblo’s greens are unpredictable. Some are receptive and others are not. Players, however, praise the pristine conditions of the greens at Pueblo and at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Groundskeepers at Pueblo did a good job rehabilitating the greens which a few months ago had brown patches.

While the bombers off the tee will have wider fairways to deal with at Pueblo, it is the opposite at the tree-lined old course known for being home to two of the country’s greatest golfers – Frankie Minoza and the late Celestino Tugot.

Dan Cruz said Del Monte favors players who hit their drivers straight.

“I spent a lot of times, punching shots under the trees,” he said during his practice round on Tues-

day, February 20. Julius Bautista, one of Del Monte’s top amateurs who will see action next week, said the greens are hard, advising players to hit it short and let the ball roll into the green. Puwede tirahin ang green kung ang pin nasa likod,” Bautista said.

The city rolled out the red carpet for the event’s diamond anniversary as it hosted a welcome dinner at the Mallberry Hotel on Monday.

Participants were treated to an evening of cultural dances highlighted by the performance of the city’s young dancesport athletes.

The seniors’ competition was scheduled to kick off on Thursday,

February 22 with Luisita defending its title against the souped-up teams of Canlubang and Manila Southwoods, and the dangerous Del Monte squad.

The 75th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by diamond sponsors Mastercard and Asian Journal.

Platinum sponsors include Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Araw Hospitality while gold sponsors are Tanduay and Asia Brewery.

Joining the event as silver sponsors are ABS-CBN Global, Radio Mindanao Network and Philippine National Bank.

VISA is a minor sponsor while Must Glow is joining as a donor.

PAL INTERCLUB CEREMONIAL TEE-OFF. Howard Lance Uyking, Philippine Airlines assistant vice president for brand management, hits the ceremonial ball ushering in the PAL Seniors Interclub golf team championships in Cagayan de Oro City. Others in photo are (from left) PAL vice president for sales Salvador Britanico, Pueblo de Oro general manager Kits Penga, Del Monte golf chairman Robert Wapano,