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FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 Volume 17 - No.19 • 16 Pages

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New House resolution seen to DATELINE USA clear ‘doubts’ on Cha-cha intent FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

The powerful constraints on medical care in Catholic hospitals across America

NURSE midwife Beverly Maldonado recalls a pregnant woman arriving at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Maryland after her water broke. It was weeks before the baby would have any chance of survival, and the patient’s wishes were clear, she recalled: “Why am I staying pregnant then? What’s the point?” the patient pleaded.

But the doctors couldn’t intervene, she said.

The fetus still had a heartbeat and it was a Catholic hospital, subject to the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” that prohibit or limit procedures like abortion that the church deems “immoral” or “intrinsically evil,” according to its interpretation of the Bible.

“I remember asking the doctors. And they were like, ‘Well, the baby still has a heartbeat.

We can’t do anything,’” said Maldonado, now working as a nurse midwife in California, who asked them: “What do you mean we can’t do anything? This baby’s not going to survive.”

The woman was hospitalized for days before going into labor, Maldonado said, and the baby died.

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by JeAnette AndrAde Inquirer.net

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday, February 19 received an identical bill to the Senate’s Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 that seeks to amend three economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

RBH 7, titled “A Resolution of Both Houses

of Congress Proposing Amendments to Certain Economic Provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Particularly on Articles XII, XIV, and XVI,” was filed by House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Deputy Speaker David Suarez.

It was deliberately patterned after RBH 6,

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PH, US conduct joint air patrol

by FrAncisco tuyAy ManilaTimes.net

‘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.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

DTI says Marcos’ overseas trips starting to ‘yield results’ amid US Embassy ‘confident’ Quiboloy will growing foreign investments ‘face justice for heinous crimes’ 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

crafted by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara and filed last Jan. 15, to show that House lawmakers had no other agenda to seek Charter change (Cha-cha) and was not intended to hasten the passage of the measure to amend the Constitution.

by chArie AbArcA Inquirer.net

MANILA — The United States Embassy in the Philippines said on Wednesday, February 21 that they are confident that religious leader Apollo Quiboloy will face justice for his “heinous crimes.”

Despite repeated denial from Quiboloy himself, the embassy maintained that Quiboloy has engaged in rights abuses, including rape of girls.

“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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted List,” said U.S. Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay in a statement.

“We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes,” he added.

The embassy’s statement was issued after Quiboloy claimed that the U.S. was conspiring with the Philippine government to have him eliminated.

In a separate audio statement released

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PHILIPPINE jet fighters and U.S. bomber planes held a joint patrol on Monday, February 19, 2024 as part of the Maritime Cooperative Activity.

Philippine Air Force Spokesman Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said the patrol covered areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang Island in Mindoro.

Two U.S. B52H bomber planes and three Philippine FA-50 jet fighters conducted a fly-by within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“This cooperative activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the

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Cardinal Tagle inducted to French Legion of Honor

by Jerome Aning Inquirer.net

CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle, the highest-ranking Filipino prelate serving in the Vatican, has been inducted to the French Legion of Honor, the highest recognition France bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals.

In ceremonies held in Rome on Thursday, February 15, Tagle was cited for his

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Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle CBCP photo

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FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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New House resolution seen to...

PAGE 1

Dalipe said that RBH 7 took after RBH 6, so there would “no longer be concerns, no more doubts” as to the intentions of the House lawmakers in seeking constitutional amendments.

“Our RBH proposals are in toto to the Senate RBH. They’re exactly the same,” Gonzales stressed at a press conference on Monday, February 19.

Gonzales likewise quoted Speaker Martin Romualdez as saying, “At the risk of being persistent, we have been saying that we do not advocate any political amendment. The President made it clear that these provisions hinder the entry of foreign investments and the potential for faster and inclusive economic growth, which in turn could translate into a better life [for] every Filipino.”

Marathon hearings Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine MeehanSingson pointed out, “We are still optimistic the Senate will

pass RBH 6,” emphasizing that RBH 7 was meant to show the House’s aim at amending only the economic provisions of the Charter. “[This is] to show that this is what we want [to be] amended—the economic provisions mentioned in RBH 6 and RBH 7,” she said.

Both proposed resolutions seek amendments to the Constitution’s provisions on foreign ownership limitations: Article XII Section 11 on the franchise, which provides 60-40 percentage sharing in favor of Filipinos; Article XIV Section 4 on education, 60-40; and Article XVI Section 11 on the advertising industry, 7030.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. denied that in filing RBH 7, the House was getting impatient with the Senate, saying, “The proper word is our action now is in line with the Senate’s. They’ve started public hearings, and as a coequal partner in Congress, we are doing this so we can already start here in the House

From the Front Page

hearings or discussions on this matter.”

Middle ground Tingog Sinirangan party list Rep. Jude Acidre also noted that the House and the Senate have found a middle ground for future actions of Congress on what to amend in the 1987 Constitution, citing the similar content of the resolutions filed in both chambers.

Deliberations on RBH 7 would entail the House of Representatives constituting itself into a committee of the whole, which Dalipe said would “work double time.”

The resolution would also entail Congress to constitute a constituent assembly to introduce amendments to the Constitution.

Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano stressed that the House had already passed at least 54 of the administration’s priority measures and would have all the time to conduct marathon hearings for RBH 7 with the House plenary sitting as a committee on the whole. g

MANILA’S FINEST. Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan (center) joins Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (left) and Manila Police District (MPD) chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay (right) in a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the unit’s 123rd anniversary in Ermita, Manila on Monday, Feb. 19. The MPD, which was formerly named as the Metropolitan Police Force in 1901, is the Philippines’ oldest police district.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

US Embassy ‘confident’ Quiboloy will ‘face...

PAGE 1 Wednesday, Quiboloy alleged that the Central Intelligence Agency, FBI, U.S. embassy, and U.S. Department of State are working with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos to conduct a “rendition on him.”

Rendition, according to Quiboloy, means that at any time arresting officials can “enter [his] compound and kidnap [him].” But Quiboloy

said it’s “not only rendition, but also elimination.” He even claimed that if possible, arresting officials would “assassinate” him.

However, Gangopadhyay declined to engage with Quiboloy’s allegations.

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

The uproar on Quiboloy’s alleged crimes came after the

Senate began its probe on the religious leader.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the chamber’s committee on women tackling Quiboloy’s “crimes,” disclosed that a fresh subpoena has been issued against the religious leader.

If Quiboloy fails to attend the chamber’s hearing on March 5, Hontiveros said she has no choice but to cite him for contempt and have him arrested. g

Cardinal Tagle inducted to French Legion...

PAGE 1 “remarkable career as a man of the Church at the service of the common good,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Radio Veritas said in their respective news sites.

The Filipino prelate is proprefect of the dicastery for evangelization, one of several administrative institutions under the Roman Curia, or central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church.

Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor is conferred on individuals for making significant contributions in their fields.

Radio Veritas quoted Tagle as saying: “I interpret this not so much as a recognition of my personal work, but as an affirmation of the mission of the whole Church called evangelization.”

“This recognition impels us to consistently and joyfully share Jesus and His gospel to all peoples through word, prayer, and the service of charity and human development,” he added.

“I accept this recognition in the name of the countless men and women who have served and continue to serve the evangelizing mission of the Church,” Tagle said.

“They are legion! In a special way I thank the priests, religious men and women, societies of apostolic life, mission societies from courageous lay people from France who have gone to the ends of the Earth to proclaim the Gospel,” he said.

‘Soul and heart’ French Ambassador to the Holy See Florence Mangin gave Tagle, 66, his insignia for the rank of officer of the Legion.

Present during the ceremony were Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Myla Grace Macahilig, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel Imperial, Tagle’s brother Manuel, and Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the Italian college for Filipino diocesan priests.

Mangin cited Tagle’s “journey marked by concern for the poorest people and … his multiple efforts to help vulnerable children in Manila,” where he served as archbishop.

“It is this journey, these commitments of yours, these qualities of soul and heart that the French Republic wishes to salute and honor by elevating you to the rank of Officer of the Legion of

Honor,” she said.

The CBCP said the diplomat noted Tagle’s social projects and advocacies in the Philippines, such as his programs for victims of violence and drug addiction as well as his commitment to migrants and victims of natural disasters.

Foundation Gaston was quoted by Radio Veritas as saying that the French government particularly noted Tagle’s support for the Anak-Tulay ng Kabataan (Anak-TnK) Foundation, which helps homeless and impoverished children and their families in Metro Manila. \With an international network of volunteers, AnakTnK was founded in 1998

by French Jesuit priest Jean-Francois Thomas. It is currently led by Fr. Matthieu Dauchez.

The Legion of Honor citation also gives recognition to Tagle’s leading role in the Church’s mission of evangelization assigned to him by Pope Francis in 2019, Gaston added.

Tagle served as Bishop of Imus, Cavite, from 2001 to 2011. He was the Archbishop of Manila in 2019 when appointed to the Roman Curia. g

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The powerful constraints on medical care in Catholic hospitals...

PAGE 1 Ascension declined to comment for this article.

The Catholic Church’s directives are often at odds with accepted medical standards, especially in areas of reproductive health, according to physicians and other medical practitioners.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ clinical guidelines for managing prelabor rupture of membranes, in which a patient’s water breaks before labor begins, state that women should be offered options, including ending the pregnancy.

Maldonado felt her patient made her wishes clear.

“Under the ideal medical practice, that patient should be helped to obtain an appropriate method of terminating the pregnancy,” said Christian Pettker, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine, who helped author the guidelines.

He said, “It would be perfectly medically appropriate to do a termination of pregnancy before the

cessation of cardiac activity, to avoid the health risks to the pregnant person.”

“Patients are being turned away from necessary care,” said Jennifer Chin, an OB-GYN at UW Medicine in Seattle, because of the “emphasis on these ethical and religious directives.”

They can be a powerful constraint on the care that patients receive at Catholic hospitals, whether emergency treatment when a woman’s health is at risk, or access to birth control and abortions.

More and more women are running into barriers to obtaining care as Catholic health systems have aggressively acquired secular hospitals in much of the country. Four of the 10 largest U.S. hospital chains by number of beds are Catholic, according to federal data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. There are just over 600 Catholic general hospitals nationally and roughly 100 more managed by Catholic chains that place some religious limits on care, a KFF Health News investigation reveals.

Maldonado’s experience

in Maryland came just months before the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, a decision that compounded the impact of Catholic health care restrictions. In its wake, roughly a third of states have banned or severely limited access to abortion, creating a one-two punch for women seeking to prevent pregnancy or to end one. Ironically, some states where Catholic hospitals dominate — such as Washington, Oregon, and Colorado — are now considered medical havens for women in nearby states that have banned abortion.

KFF Health News analyzed state-level birth data to discover that more than half a million babies are born each year in the U.S. in Catholicrun hospitals, including those owned by CommonSpirit Health, Ascension, Trinity Health, and Providence St. Joseph Health. That’s 16% of all hospital births each year, with rates in 10 states exceeding 30%. In Washington, half of all babies are born at such hospitals, the highest share in the country.

“We had many instances

where people would have to get in their car to drive to us while they were bleeding, or patients who had had their water bags broken for up to five days or even up to a week,” said Chin, who has treated patients turned away

by Catholic hospitals.

Physicians who turned away patients like that “were going against evidence-based care and going against what they had been taught in medical school and residency,” she said, “but felt that they had to provide a certain type of care — or lack of care — just because of the strength of the ethical and religious directives.”

Following religious mandates can be dangerous, Chin and other clinicians said.

When a patient has chosen to end a pregnancy after the amniotic sac — or water — has broken, Pettker said, “any delay that might be added to a procedure that is inevitably going to happen places that person at risk of serious, lifethreatening complications,” including sepsis and organ infection.

Reporters analyzed American Hospital Association

data as of August and used Catholic Health Association directories, news reports, government documents, and hospital websites and other materials to determine which hospitals are Catholic or part of Catholic systems, and gathered birth data from state health departments and hospital associations. They interviewed patients, medical providers, academic experts, advocacy organizations, and attorneys, and reviewed hundreds of pages of court and government records and guidance from Catholic health institutions and authorities to understand how the directives affect patient care.

Nationally, nearly 800,000 people have only Catholic or Catholic-affiliated birth hospitals within an hour’s drive, according to KFF Health News’ analysis. For example, that’s true of 1 in 10 North Dakotans. In South Dakota, it’s 1 in 20. When care is more than an hour away, academic researchers often define the area as a hospital desert.

Pregnant women who must drive farther to a delivery facility are at higher risk of harm to themselves or their fetus, research shows.

Many Americans don’t have a choice — non-Catholic

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hospitals are too far to reach in an emergency or aren’t in their insurance networks.

Ambulances may take patients to a Catholic facility without giving them a say. Women often don’t know that hospitals are affiliated with the Catholic Church or that they restrict reproductive care, academic research suggests.

And, in most of the country, state laws shield at least some hospitals from lawsuits for not performing procedures they object to on religious grounds, leaving little recourse for patients who were harmed because care was withheld.

Thirty-five states prevent patients from suing hospitals for not providing abortions, including 25 states where abortion remains broadly legal. About half of those laws don’t include exceptions for emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, or miscarriages.

Sixteen states prohibit lawsuits against hospitals for refusing to perform sterilization procedures.

“It’s hard for the ordinary citizen to understand, ‘Well, what difference does it make if my hospital is bought by this other big health system, as long as it stays open?

That’s all I care about,’” said

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‘Epidemic of loneliness’ affects Fil-Ams PH, US conduct joint air...

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 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

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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 Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH) — the largest representative study of homelessness since the mid-1990s.

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 one-time $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: enduring 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 homelessness advocacy nonprofit We Are NOT Invisible.

“National hotlines directed me to county resources, yet there was limited local support. After not meeting the criteria for a bed at a domestic violence shelter, I found myself at a homeless shelter sleeping on the floor amongst others,” added Martinez, who suggested that shelters reserve beds for domestic violence survivors, given the high prevalence of homelessness among them.

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

“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 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

Philippines and their U.S. counterparts, thereby enhancing interoperability between its Air Forces,” Castillo said.

She said the activity demonstrated both nations’ commitment to a free Indo-Pacific.

“With this activity, the PAF underscores its commitment and readiness to support efforts in safeguarding the national territory and sovereign rights, and upholding regional peace and security,” Castillo said.

Last February 9, U.S. and Philippine ships sailed in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), marking the third successful maritime activity by both nations this year.

The U.S. Navy’s USS Gabrielle Giffords, an independenceclass littoral combat ship and the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar navigated the WPS undeterred. g

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Vietnam earlier this month to invite Vietnamese businesses to consider the Philippines as an investment destination for their expansion plans covering various areas.

Malacañang photo

DTI says Marcos’ overseas...

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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 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 good story to tell in terms of growth outlook. The government should work ways to lower inefficiencies, infrastructure, lower power costs. I think all those will go hand-in-hand in bringing or increasing our attractiveness as an FDI destination,” Mapa said.

“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 happen 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)

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OpiniOn

Features

Finally, a world-class airport?

5

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.

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 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.

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,

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

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 worldclass airport. Filipinos are sick of having the country’s main gateway classified as one of the world’s worst. (Philstar.com)

US-PH-Japan trilateral security cooperation essential

Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez DURING the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines last November where he delivered 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 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, PAGE 9

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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.” g

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

Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps

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. g

ManilaTimes.net photo

HATCHLINGS FREED. American tourists release to the sea 91 sea turtle hatchlings at Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, Punta Dumalag, Davao City on Monday, Feb. 19. Since the park’s launch in 2014, some 8,945 pawikan hatchlings have already been released to raise awareness on the importance of environmental conservation and preservation.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

‘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 de-

cent 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.

“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 ma-

terial 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.” g

59% of Filipinos back PH rejoining ICC

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. g

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US-PH-Japan trilateral security...

PAGE 5

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-

SAVING A LIFE. Jun Villanueva (center), training specialist at the Philippine Heart Center, demonstrates the proper way to save lives through cardiopulmonary resuscitation during a mass training at the hospital in East Avenue, Quezon City on Monday, Feb. 19. Sixty participants from different communities were equipped with the skills and knowledge to confidently handle emergencies during the free workshop.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

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 antidisinformation 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

10 FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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The powerful constraints on medical care in Catholic hospitals... ‘Epidemic of loneliness...

PAGE 3 Erin Fuse Brown, who is the director of the Center for Law, Health & Society at Georgia State University and an expert in health care consolidation.

Catholic directives also ban medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients.

People “may not realize that they’re losing access to important services, like reproductive health [and] endof-life care,” she said.

‘Our faith-based health care ministry’ After the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion in June 2022, Michigan resident Kalaina Sullivan wanted surgery to permanently prevent pregnancy.

Michigan voters in November that year enshrined the right to abortion under the state constitution, but the state’s concentration of Catholic hospitals means people like Sullivan sometimes still struggle to obtain reproductive health care.

Because her doctor worked for the Catholic chain Trinity Health, the nation’s fourthlargest hospital system, she had the surgery with a different doctor at North Ottawa Community Health System, an independent hospital near the shores of Lake Michigan.

Less than two months later, that, too, became a Catholic hospital, newly acquired by Trinity.

To mark the transition, Cory Mitchell, who at the time was the mission leader of Trinity Health Muskegon, stood before his new colleagues and offered a blessing.

“The work of your hands is what makes our faith-based health care ministry possible,” he said, according to a video of the ceremony Trinity Health provided to KFF Health News. “May these hands continue to bring compassion, compassion and healing, to all those they touch.”

Trinity Health declined to answer detailed questions about its merger with North Ottawa Community Health System and the ethical and religious directives. “Our commitment to high-quality, compassionate care means informing our patients of all appropriate care options, and trusting and supporting our physicians to make difficult and medically necessary decisions in the best interest of their patients’ health and safety,” spokesperson Jennifer Amundson said in an emailed statement. “High-quality, safe care is critical for the women in our communities and in cases

where a non-critical service is not available at our facility, the physician will transfer care as appropriate.”

Leaders in Catholic-based health systems have hammered home the importance of the church’s directives, which are issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, all men, and were first drafted in 1948.

The essential view on abortion is as it was in 1948. The last revision, in 2018, added several directives addressing Catholic health institution acquisitions or mergers with non-Catholic ones, including that “whatever comes under control of the Catholic institution — whether by acquisition, governance, or management — must be operated in full accord with the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.”

“While many of the faithful in the local church may not be aware of these requirements for Catholic health care, the local bishop certainly is,” wrote Sister Doris Gottemoeller, a former board member of the Bon Secours Mercy Health system, in a 2023 Catholic Health Association journal article. “In fact, the bishop should be briefed on a regular basis about the hospital’s activities and strategies.”

Now, for care at a nonCatholic hospital, Sullivan would need to travel nearly 30 miles.

Risks come with religion Nathaniel Hibner, senior director of ethics at the Catholic Health Association, said the ethical and religious directives allow clinicians to provide medically necessary treatments in emergencies.

In a pregnancy crisis when a person’s life is at risk, “I do not believe that the ERDs should restrict the physician in acting in the way that they see medically indicated.”

The directives permit care to cure “a proportionately serious pathological condition of a pregnant woman” even if it would “result in the death of the unborn child.” Hibner demurred when asked who defines what that means and when such care is provided, saying, “for the most part, the physician and the patients are the ones that are having a conversation and dialogue with what is supposed to be medically appropriate.”

It is common for practitioners at any hospital to consult an ethics board about difficult cases — such as whether a teenager with cancer can decline treatment.

At Catholic hospitals, providers must ask a board for permission to perform

procedures restricted by the religious directives, clinicians and researchers say. For example, could an abortion be performed if a pregnancy threatened the mother’s life?

How and when an ethics consultation occurs depends on the hospital, Hibner said.

“That ethics consultation can be initiated by anyone involved in the direct care of that situation — the patient, the surrogate of that patient, the physician, the nurse, the social worker all have the ability to request a consultation,” he said. When asked whether a consultation with an ethics board can occur without a request, he said “sometimes it could.”

How strictly directives are followed can depend on the hospital and the views of the local bishop.

“If the hospital has made a difficult decision about a critical pregnancy or an end-of-life care situation, the bishop should be the first to know about it,” Gottemoeller wrote.

In an interview, Gottemoeller said that even when pregnancy termination decisions are made on sound ethical grounds, not informing the bishop puts him in a bad position and hurts the church.

“If there’s a possibility of it being misunderstood, or misinterpreted, or criticized,” Gottemoeller said, the bishop should understand what happened and why “before the newspapers call him and ask him for an opinion.”

Katherine Parker Bryden, a nurse midwife in Iowa who works for MercyOne, said she regularly tells pregnant patients that the hospital cannot perform tubal sterilization surgery, to prevent future pregnancies, or refer patients to other hospitals that do. MercyOne is one of the largest health systems in Iowa. Nearly half of general hospitals in the state are Catholic or Catholicaffiliated — the highest share among all states.

The National Catholic Bioethics Center, an ethics authority for Catholic health institutions, has said that referrals for care that go against church teaching would be “immoral.”

In response to questions, MercyOne spokesperson Eve Lederhouse said in an email that its providers “offer care and services that are consistent with the guidelines of a Catholic health system.”

Maria Rodriguez, an OBGYN professor at Oregon Health & Science University,

said that as a resident in the early 2000s at a Catholic hospital she was able to secure permission — what she calls a “pope note” — to sterilize some patients with conditions such as gestational diabetes.

Annie Iriye, a retired OBGYN in Washington state, said that more than a decade ago she sought permission to administer medication to hasten labor for a patient experiencing a secondtrimester miscarriage at a Catholic hospital. She said she was told no because the fetus had a heartbeat. The patient took 10 hours to deliver — time that would have been cut by half, Iriye said, had she been able to follow her own medical training and expertise. During that time, she said, the patient developed an infection.

Iriye and Chin were part of an effort by reproductive rights groups and medical organizations that pushed for a state law to protect physicians if they act against Catholic hospital restrictions.

The bill, which Washington enacted in 2021, was opposed by the Washington State Hospital Association, whose membership includes multiple large Catholic health systems.

State lawmakers in Oregon in 2021 enacted legislation that beefed up powers to reject health care mergers if they would reduce access to the types of care constrained

by Catholic directives. The hospital lobby has sued to block the statute. Washington state lawmakers introduced similar legislation last year, which the hospital association opposes.

Hibner said Catholic hospitals are committed to instituting systemic changes that improve maternal and child health, including access to primary, prenatal, and postpartum care. “Those are the things that I think rural communities really need support and advocacy for,” he said.

Maldonado, the nurse midwife, still thinks of her patient who was forced to stay pregnant with a baby who could not survive. “To feel like she was going to have to fight to have an abortion of a baby that she wanted?” Maldonado said. “It was just horrible.”

(Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht/KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

PAGE 4

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.

Africa, who headed the County of Marin BHRS prior to taking his current post, said “men, adults with lower socioeconomiceconomic 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.”

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)

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

11

California State Assembly candidate Jessica Caloza sits down for a one-on-one interview with Attorney Michael Gurfinkel on a brand-new, special episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

WOMEN’S rights advocate, daughter of working-class parents, and proud Filipino immigrant, Jessica Caloza, is running for California State Assembly, and on Sunday, February 25, she sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Caloza served as an education policy advisor to President Barack Obama, was L.A. Public Works Commissioner, and is currently PAGE 12

JESSICA CALOZA IS ATTY. GURFINKEL SPECIAL GUEST ON CITIZEN PINOY. Citizen Pinoy host, Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right), features as his special guest, dedicated public servant Jessica Caloza (left), who is currently running for the California State Assembly. They will discuss vital issues, including Caloza’s stand on immigration, among other things. Watch this enlightening and encouraging episode featuring proud Filipino immigrant Jessica Caloza, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, February 25 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS 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

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OSA & elixir of life

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.

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 PAGE 15

Ria Atayde, Zanjoe Marudo engaged

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

CELEBRITY couple Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo delighted fans on Tuesday, February 20 with the announcement of their engagement.

Atayde, 31 and Marudo, 41, took to Instagram to share the good news, sharing a series of travel photos, along with a close-up shot of Atayde’s hand proudly displaying a sparkling diamond ring.

“Forever sounds good [white heart emoji] [ring emoji,]” wrote Atayde in the caption.

To which Marudo sweetly replied, “And tastes even better [white heart emoji].”

The actor then also posted a photo on his Instagram story kissing the actress on the cheek while laying in bed and wrote in the caption, “Hi fiancé [waving hand emoji]” Their joint post garnered congratulatory messages from their family and friends.

“Yaaaay love you guys! [white heart emoji],” Atayde’s sister-in-law Maine Mendoza commented. “[Red heart emohi] love

Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo announce their engagement on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Photo from Instagram/@ria

you two!” actor-Congressman Arjo Atayde also said.

“Congratulations Ri and Z!” shared Joshua Garcia.

“Ayaaaaan na,” wrote Angelica Panganiban.

“Ily both!!! congrats and best wishes z and riri!!!!”

Janine Gutierrez said.

Gary Valenciano also said, “OMG!!!!! My heartfelt congratulations go out to the both of you!!!!! God bless you @ria @onlyzanjoemarudo.”

Also sharing their heartfelt messages were Gela Atayde, Maris Racal, Lovi Poe,

Elisse Joson, Toni Labrusca, Yassi Pressman, Raymond Gutierrez, Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee, among many others.

Atayde and Marudo worked together in the fantasy television series “My Dear Heart” in 2017 and have since become close friends.

Rumors of them dating began in August 2022 when they were spotted at a restaurant in New York with some friends. Atayde’s mother, veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez confirmed their relationship in

Diether Ocampo at 50 still hopes to find Ms. Right

By KrIstofer Purnell Philstar.com

ONCE married, the stillsingle Diether Ocampo dreams of seeing himself with the woman he’ll spend the rest of his life with.

The 50-year-old actor and Philippine Coast Guard auxiliary captain had Kristine

Hermosa for a spouse until 2009. Theirs was a five-year romance.

While their marriage didn’t work out, Diether is confident he’ll be able to find a life partner in no time.

Nah, he’s not giving himself a deadline.

His belief in the sanctity of matrimony has never

wavered although he admits that: “Not all marriages are for everybody.”

Diether cites his family members and friends who proudly share their married life experiences making him to think that “after all, there is such a thing as a long and lasting relationship.”

PAGE 15

California State Assembly candidate...

PAGE 11

California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Deputy Chief of Staff. She will talk about her family’s immigration story and will discuss, in-depth, her stand on immigration and those issues affecting immigrants.

Jessica wants all families to have the same opportunities hers did: to work hard, get good-paying jobs, and build a better life.

According to Caloza, “It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us.”

Watch the inspiring story of Jessica Caloza on a brandnew episode of Citizen Pinoy

on Sunday at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo.

Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 13

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If you just found out that you Manila mini-reunion of the owe the IRS and can’t pay Folientes of Polillo, Quezon Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond 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-tofile 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

PAGE 13

to end your IRS nightmare sooner that you’d like.

The IRS offers several payment 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. ***

I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** 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 1-866471-8272.

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OSA & elixir of...

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 main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more

productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** The 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. *** 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, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. co m , To d a y. S P SAto d ay.co m , and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

AS a pre-taste of a planned grand reunion in early 2025 of the Foliente clan from the island of Polillo in the province of Quezon, family members from the Los Angeles area, San Francisco Bay Area and Melbourne in Australia had a mini-reunion in Manila Bay together with their relatives in the Philippines on January 14, 2024.

The progenitor of the Folientes of Polillo was Sabas Foliente, a businessman and trader originally from the Bicol region who married Felixberta Pinta Pumarada in the latter part of the 1800s.

Felixberta was one of eight children from the Pumarada clan, a long-established family (and perhaps 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 functioned as a port captain. They were appointed through an exclusive nomination provided by the Spanish law.

Their term of office lasted for two years.

The position of a gobernadorcillo was honorary and mandatory in order to afford him those valid exemptions signified in the Philippine law. At the end of his biennial term he would enter and form part of the principalía, and was entitled to enjoy the honors and preeminence inherent to this state. This “mayor”, who was at the same time “justice of the peace” and port captain, was directly responsible to the governor of the province

Some of the ladies of the Folientes of Polillo.

Mini-reunion in Manila Bay of the Foliente family members from the Los Angeles area, San Francisco Bay Area, Melbourne (Australia) and various parts of Metro Manila in early 2024.

Collage of the Foliente Family mini-reunion in Manila Bay in January 2024 .

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).

Tomoko Foliente (Melbourne, Australia; originally from Japan) with niece Hannah Foliente (Manila).

in the exercise of his office.

In 1893, the Maura Law was passed with the aim of making the municipal governments in the Philippine Islands more effective and autonomous. One of the changes that this law brought

about was the reorganization of certain structures of town governments, among which was the designation of town head’s title, that is, gobernadorcillo, also as capitan municipal, effective 1895.

14 FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E B R UA RY 23, 2 0 24

14

people events arts culture entertainment

DUNE’S BEAST RETURNS

Dave Bautista: Unleashing beast mode on and off the screen

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

DAVE Bautista, a towering presence both on-screen and in real life, has carved his 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

Dave Bautista

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

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 PAGE 15

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

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Diether Ocampo at 50 still...

PAGE 13

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, Cagayan de Oro councilor George Sio Goking, Limketkai Luxe Hotel GM Jerome dela Fuente, PAL Express president Rabi Ang, PAL tournament executive committee member May Flores, PAL VP for planning Christoph Gaertner, and PAL vice president for security Teddy Quinzon.

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 Tuesday, 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.

Players have their photos taken by a caddie during a practice round for the 75th PAL Interclub golf tournament championships at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Tuesday, February 20.

On the other hand, Diether confesses to being upset, if disoriented, if people around him confide their marital heartbreaks.

“I think that’s the way it is.

Your family gets bigger. The couples are busy doing their thing respectively plus the fact that they have dissenting opinions on just as any subject matter,” he reasons out.

But Diether finds reassuring solace in knowing he’ll be coming home to his wife albeit frazzled from work.

“It would make me happy to be talking with my wife about what my whole day was like, and hers too. Those little things that could lighten the mood,” Diether explains.

He’s honest though to concede to the fact: “The problem is who. Who am I going home to? Ang hirap [it’s difficult], right?”

A solo parent to his 19-year-old son Dream, Diether isn’t about to give up on his quest for Ms. Right as yet.

“I know that one day she will come,” he says armed with optimism.

If waiting for the right girl to come along is on the wings, hasn’t Diether given getting into politics a serious thought?

For many local elections now, the actor is being wooed by some quarters to take a political plunge. Isn’t this the route most celebrities take or are destined to be?

“To be honest, it’s not my forte. Hardly have I imagined myself into it. I don’t want to be elected and end up saying, ‘What am I doing here?’ No, politics is never my thing.”

Meanwhile, Diether’s fans can’t wait to see their idol’s collaboration with fellow former The Hunks members Piolo Pascual and Jerico Rosales.

Of them three, it’s Piolo who’s the brains behind cooking up either a film or a TV series for a reunion project. Fact is, Piolo has already begun tapping into a pool of creatives for a possible

While his first marriage didn’t work out, Diether Ocampo is confident he’ll be able to find a life partner and he is not giving himself a deadline.

ABS-CBN photo

material.

If finally brought to fruition, here’s hoping billing won’t be much of an issue among them, but whose name do you think should be billed first?

Dave Bautista: Unleashing...

PAGE 13 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 heartpounding 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," Bautista 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.

16 FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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