022423 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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Volume 16 - No.18 • 16 Pages

DATELINE USA

Marcos rejects ICC probe on Duterte

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND BELLA CARIASO ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, February 18 rejected a move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to resume its investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, saying the ICC has no jurisdiction and insisting that the

Disabled Fil-Am mother of 3 dies in San Francisco house explosion and re

SAN FRANCISCO – A horrific explosion and fire that demolished a San Francisco home killed a disabled Filipino American mother of three young children and left her caregiver hospitalized.

The body of Rita Evelyn Lopez Price, 51, was found amid the charred rubble of her family’s house in the city’s Sunset District.

The family’s two-story home in San Francisco’s Sunset District exploded Feb. 9, irreparably damaging two other adjacent homes.

Price had been disabled by a stroke and was wheelchair-bound. Her caregiver, Lisa,

MANILA — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has renewed his stern warning against suspected hoarders of onion and garlic and hailed the efforts of various law enforcement agencies in cracking down on the rampant practice.

Romualdez issued the warning after an inter-agency task force led by the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National

country has a “good” justice system.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy’s alumni homecoming in Baguio City, the President maintained that the Philippines would not cooperate with the ICC investigation which, he said, would be an “intrusion into our internal matters” and “a threat to our sovereignty.”

Consulate welcomes Fil-Am community at General Assembly

THE Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted its 9th Filipino-American Community General Assembly on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

The General Assembly

is an annual event where leaders of the FilipinoAmerican community organizations in the U.S. Northeast are invited to the Consulate for a report on the activities of the previous year and the calendar of activities

“My position has not changed. I have stated it often, even before I took office as president, that there are many questions about (ICC’s) jurisdiction and what we in the Philippines regard as an intrusion into our internal matters and a threat to our sovereignty,” the President said.

Marcos, a known Duterte ally, said he

DFA chief: China harassment a ‘daily situation’ for PH

by FRANCES MANGOSING, TINA G. SANTOS Inquirer.net

MANILA — Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo brought up the Philippines’ maritime tensions with China at a high-level security conference in Germany on Saturday, February 18 saying that China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen and the country’s coast guard was the “daily situation that we face.”

This was earlier confirmed by fishermen who appeared at a forum in Manila last week, as they recounted that on the day a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship aimed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, Chinese ships also drove them away from their traditional fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea.

Ukraine was the predominant discussion at the Munich Security Conference, with the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy,

PH, US set to hold biggest Balikatan

Annual joint exercises to include maritime, territorial defense

by MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Filipino and American troops are set to hold their biggest joint military exercises in April under Balikatan 2023 amid China’s growing brazenness in asserting its claim over waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., in an interview with “The Chiefs” on

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (extreme right) acknowledges a question from the audience of the 9th Filipino-American Community General Assembly on Saturday, February 18 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The consul general shared the achievements of the past year and the plans for the current year. He was joined onstage by (from left): Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal, Trade Attaché Benedict Uy, Vice Consul Paolo Mapula, Vice Consul Tanya Ramiro, Consul Ricarte Abejuela, and Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz. AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

Romualdez warns ‘evil’ onion, garlic hoarders: ‘We are breathing down your necks’

Authorities believe the explosion and ensuing fire came from an illegal drug lab being operated in some part of the house. Rita’s husband, Darron Price.

Philippine Marines with the Joint Rapid Reaction Force conduct an amphibious landing utilizing logistical navy ships to seize a scenario-based objective as part of the Balikatan joint exercises in this 2016 photo. Philstar.com photo

would not allow “former imperialists,” such as the ICC, to control the Philippines, unless it could be proven that the international court has jurisdiction over the country.

“So, that is not something that we consider to be a legitimate judgment. So, until those questions of jurisdiction and the effects on the sovereignty of the Republic are sufficiently answered, we cannot cooperate with them,” he said.

Blanket of protection

Former Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares on Saturday, Feb. 18 said that the “unequivocal defense” of Duterte by the House of Representatives only emphasized the need for an ICC investigation.

Colmenares, who serves as legal counsel for the victims, added that the resolution of former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo providing a “blanket protection” to Duterte “only points that there can be no fair, comprehensive, and objective inquiry into the thousands of deaths resulting from Duterte’s war on drugs in the Philippines.”

Arroyo has filed House Resolution 780 urging lawmakers to support Duterte.

“This reiterates that our government is unwilling and unable to investigate, and that the executive and legislative branches of government verily make justice inaccessible. In fact, it reminds us that there is no domestic investigation into acts and omissions of key officials, underway today, at all,” Colmenares added.

Colmenares noted that there is no trial or named accused before the ICC.

“The defense is suspiciously premature. The politicization of judicial processes, marked by an assiduous resistance to fact-finding, eerily harks back to Arroyo’s own time as a president when cases of extrajudicial killings, desaparecidos and torture also heavily occurred. In choosing to ignore grave rights violations and abuses — acts incompatible with our very humanity — politicians enable and empower violators and abusers. This is how impunity perpetuates,” he said.

According to Colmenares, the resolution of the lower chamber is a mere posturing and will not be a hindrance to the ICC investigation.

“The resolution carries a mishmash of arguments that seem to claim that ‘the end justifies the means.’ In the course of its work, the ICC could also well find value in interrogating the basis of this resolution,” Colmenares stressed.

In May 2021, the ICC prosecutor at that time, Fatou Bensouda, requested the court’s authorization to launch a preliminary investigation into the extrajudicial killings conducted during Duterte’s war on drugs.

Under the Rome Statute, the ICC can investigate and prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimated in a 2020 report that at least 8,000 people were killed during the campaign on drugs implemented under Duterte.

In November 2021, the Philippine government requested the ICC to defer the investigation, saying that it had begun its own inquiry into the killings.

In June last year, the court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, requested the resumption of the investigation, saying the Philippine government had not substantiated its request for deferral.

Last January 26, a pre-trial panel of the ICC authorized the prosecutor to resume its inquiry.

The Philippines withdrew its membership from the ICC in 2019 but the court ruled that the country remained under its jurisdiction.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on January 26 appealed to the ICC to let the Philippines carry out its own investigation and respect the country’s sovereignty and judicial systems.

The DOJ also told the ICC that the country has a “working” and “organized” justice system compared to some African nations that the international court had investigated.

Marcos expressed confidence in the Philippines’ police and judicial branch and that no external player is needed to resolve its issues.

“I do not see what (its) jurisdiction is. I feel that we have in our police and our judiciary a good system. We do not need assistance from any outside entity,” he said. g

of the current year.

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile welcomed the participants who were physically present as well as those who joined virtually via Zoom. He spoke on the theme of the 9th annual General Assembly, “Strengthening Linkages Through Collaboration and Partnership”, and identified the efficient delivery of consular services and the conduct of activities that are more inclusive and representative of the diaspora’s identity as his priorities.

“We will continue to give

you the quality of service that you deserve as well as a set of events that are inclusive and representative of our community,” Consul General Mangalile said.

The General Assembly also featured presentations by consular officers and representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Tourism, and Social Security System. The presentations were met with enthusiasm and keen interest by more than 140 attendees, including an additional 20 online participants who viewed the activity via Zoom. g

DFA chief: China harassment a ‘daily’...

appealing anew for military aid against Russia’s invasion, while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called on world leaders to “double down” their support for the besieged country.

Japan and its neighbor South Korea met at the sidelines to discuss issues of mutual interest, while U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out against China’s “deepened” ties with Russia amid its war on Ukraine.

Meanwhile at a panel discussion, a recorded video of which was released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Manalo reported China’s “cases of harassment” in the West Philippine Sea.

“[T]here are daily incidents, at least as far as we see it, of cases of harassment or land reclamation, which in many cases have been depriving the Philippines of the use of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he said.

“It is these challenges which the Philippines and other countries in our region

face, especially those with claims also in the South China Sea. [T]hat is more or less the daily situation that we face,” he added.

Manalo also met on the sidelines with Ambassador Fu Ying, vice chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.

He tweeted about that “broad and candid exchange,” saying that “We talked about the latest incidents around Ayungin

Shoal and how to further strengthen relations while managing our maritime differences and regional security challenges in IndoPacific.”

UN action

At the discussion he attended, Manalo said the United Nations could further help create greater awareness on the importance of a rulesbased maritime order, and its Security Council could initiate an open debate on

“rule and order to prevail in the maritime domain and the South China Sea.”

“I think discussions like that would help create greater awareness of the importance of Unclos (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) and also maintaining a rules-based order so that any disputes or conflicts are settled through the rule of law and through peaceful means and not through coercive measures

Disabled Fil-Am mother of 3 dies in...

a Thai immigrant, was able to escape from the fire but is hospitalized with burns on her head and torso.

Price’s two children were in school at the time and a third child was staying with an aunt.

Authorities believe the explosion and ensuing fire came from an illegal drug lab being operated in some part of the house by Rita’s husband, Darron Price, 53, is suspected of manufacturing hash oil and/or phencyclidine known as PCP.

Investigators reportedly found “butane tanks, ovens, and other materials consistent with processing hash oil with volatile solvents at the scene,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Darron Price turned himself in and was charged with involuntary manslaughter, manufacturing a controlled substance, four counts of reckless burning, two counts of child endangerment, and one count of elder abuse. (Inquirer.net)

VEILED THREAT. The China Coast Guard ship with bow No. 5304 shadows one of two Philippine Navy boats on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on June 21, 2022, later radioing troops on the rusting warship that they face consequences if they “insist on making trouble.” File photo by Marianne Bermudez /

ARAW NG DABAW. Vendors selling indigenous accessories begin to thrive along San Pedro St. as Davao City prepares for its Araw ng Dabaw (Davao Day) celebration next month. Araw ng Davao is a month-long celebration with various activities held every March highlighted by the city’s Charter Day on March 16.

Photo courtesy of Robinson Niñal Jr.

The body of Rita Evelyn Lopez Price, 51, was found amid the charred rubble of her family’s house in the city’s Sunset District. GOFUNDME

Romualdez warns ‘evil’ onion...

Police confiscated 300 tons of imported onion and garlic in separate raids of warehouses in Manila and Malabon.

“I reiterate my warning to these evil hoarders and unscrupulous businessmen. We are breathing down your necks. Tuldukan na ninyo ang mga gawain na nagpapahirap sa ating mga kababayan (Put an end to these activities of yours that are only plaguing the Filipino people),” he said in a statement on Wednesday, February 22.

Romualdez pointed out that hoarding produces and added burden to the people who have to bear with rising prices amid a rising inflation rate.

“Inaasahan natin na magtutuloy-tuloy ang kampanyang ito laban sa mapagsamantala (We expect that the campaign against these abusive hoarders will be sustained),” he added.

Romualdez earlier ordered the House committee on agriculture and food to probe the spike in prices of onion and garlic due to “unscrupulous traders who are hoarding such products to create an artificial supply shortage.”

Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo had filed House Resolution No. 681, which seeks an investigation into the alleged cartel and anticompetitive practices in the onion industry amid the still-rising prices of onions in the local market.

Quimbo pointed out that allegations of onion cartels controlling supply and the possibility of hoarding white onions were flagged by citizens and policymakers as early as August 2022.

Not yet time to invoke PH-US treaty over WPS incidents – Marcos

by Nestor Corrales Inquirer.net

BAGUIO CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, February 18 said he was not yet inclined to invoke the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States over incidents in the West Philippine Sea because it would only escalate rather than cool down tensions.

Speaking to reporters here after joining the annual alumni homecoming of the

Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort del Pilar, the president said activating the MDT at this time would only be “counterproductive.”

“It is because if we activate that, what we are doing is escalating, intensifying the tensions in the area,” Marcos said, adding that the Philippine government is in “constant contact with our treaty partners,” such as the United States and other countries in the Asian region.

“And that I think is the

Based on the latest price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture, concurrently headed by Romuladez’s cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., local red onions are being sold in markets at around P120 to P200 per kilogram, while local white onions fetch P90 to P160 per kilo.

While it has no available data on the price of local garlic, DA noted that imported garlic is pegged at P90 to P130. (By Beatrice Pinlac/ Inquirer.net)

better recourse rather than to go directly to the Mutual Defense Treaty which again, I am very concerned would provoke the tensions rather than cool the tensions down,” he said. The MDT, signed in 1951, is an agreement between the Philippines and the United States to defend each other in case of an armed attack on a public vessel, troops or an airship.

Serious concern Marcos has summoned PAGE 8

PH, US set to hold biggest...

PAGE 1

One News Monday night, February 20, said Palawan would be among the areas where the exercises would be held.

Several of the land features in the West Philippine Sea occupied by the Chinese are off Palawan.

Last week, a Chinese coast guard ship beamed powerful lasers on Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Malapascua that was helping deliver provisions to a military outpost on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group.

The military-grade lasers briefly blinded some crewmembers of Malapascua.

The Chinese claimed the laser beams were meant merely to check the speed and distance of the PCG vessel and was not harmful.

“We are now bringing in more components into the training exercise. There are now many new capabilities that we have to develop jointly. So we are including this in the exercises this year,” Brawner said.

“Aside from that, we are saying this is the biggest so far because the United States is bringing in more troops compared to the previous years,” he added.

Brawner said Balikatan 2023 would definitely include “aspects of maritime and territorial defense” along with other combat and non-combat components like counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).

He did not give details regarding the size of this year’s maneuver, but based

on a US embassy statement last year, the previous exercises involved 9,000 Philippine and US troops, 50 aircraft, four ships and 10 amphibious craft.

“This is not the first time that we are doing that,” he said, adding that the Balikatan in April would be the 38th iteration of such drills which included beach landings by Philippine and US Marine personnel.

Brawner said Balikatan 2023 would involve both combat and non-combat drills like field training exercises as well as subject matter exchanges among experts in classroom set-up.

Asked if electronic warfare would be part of this year’s exercises, Brawner said it would be included but stressed this year’s event was not meant to provoke any country.

“We’ve been doing this for a long time and it’s really no provocation because in our planning, we are very careful, we consider that. We also consider the effects on our neighbors, even our ASEAN neighbors,” he explained.

“We are really very careful when we select for instance the scenario that we are going to exercise, but as I said, this isn’t focused only on combat,” he pointed out.

Brawner said China or any other neighboring country is not informed of the specifics of the Balikatan as it is public knowledge anyway and is regularly announced by the military.

“It’s really not a secret that we hold this Balikatan exercise but we also have an observer program which is injected into the Balikatan exercise where we allow

our partners to observe the exercises,” he said, referring to partner nations like Japan, South Korea, Australia and ASEAN neighbors.

Meanwhile, PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu on Tuesday, February 21 called on his men to remain steadfast in their task of protecting the country’s territorial waters.

“We carry the weight of great expectations from both the Filipino people and the global community. It is our solemn duty to uphold the best interests of our country and our people and to never falter in our commitment to this cause,” Abu said in a speech after giving awards to crewmembers of Malapascua and BRP Teresa Magbanua in recognition of their efforts to protect Filipino fishermen.

“As we continually muster our courage, may I remind all the coast guardians to never lose sight of the aspirations that we all set forth at the beginning of my term for us to collectively accomplish,” he added.

He praised PCG officers and men “who have displayed exceptional courage and stern determination to defend” the Philippines and its territory.

He reminded the PCG personnel of the delicate situation in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in areas around Palawan.

“While we may not have the advantage of having larger and more sophisticated vessels, our unwavering determination and strong will to uphold our dignity as one solid independent nation and assert our sovereign rights will undoubtedly make a significant difference,” he said. g

The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Bureau of Customs recently seized around 300 tons in raids conducted in warehouses in Manila and Malabon. Inquirer.net photo

Weak maritime patrol capability

THE Philippines, with 7,641 islands, ranks fifth among states with the most extensive coastlines, according to The World Factbook of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency covering 198 countries and 55 territories. That coastline totals approximately 36,289 kilometers, which must be properly policed to keep out intruders, protect the environment and catch pirates, smugglers, drug dealers and other lawbreakers.

Guarding the western seaboard of the archipelago is particularly challenging as foreign vessels led by Chinese militia ships escorting massive swarms of their fishing vessels operate within Philippine territorial and sovereign waters. For such missions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard says it has all of three offshore patrol vessels. The PCG says it needs at least 30 ships to effectively patrol the WPS alone.

This acute lack of capability is surely among the factors emboldening Chinese coast guard vessels, which are under military supervision, to enter the WPS at will, shoo Filipino fishermen away from the Philippines’ maritime exclusive economic zone and challenge the operations of the

PCG and Philippine Navy. Apart from Chinese militia incursions into Philippine waters, smugglers appear to operate with ease around the archipelago, especially if protected by local political kingpins, bringing in through porous coasts a wide range of contraband including shabu, guns and even motorcycles. Large containers of prohibited drugs are unloaded from ships in the high seas and plucked out of the water by smaller boats, and then freely brought in through poorly policed coastal areas.

The PCG is under the Department of Transportation. The Navy has its patrol vessels, but their numbers and capability are also limited, especially when ranged against the coast guard and naval assets of China. This is despite the modernization boost for

the Armed Forces of the Philippines that was carried out by the Duterte administration.

The country will have to turn to allies and other friends to boost Philippine maritime patrol capabilities, including electronic surveillance of the waters around the

archipelago. With the Philippines buried in P13.42 trillion debt as of the end of 2022, any coast guard modernization can be expected to be modest. It is an investment in national security, however, that cannot be put off. (Philstar.com)

Filipino patience running out over China’s latest incursion

when CCG vessel 5205 sailed dangerously close to a boat delivering food, noche buena packages and other supplies to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

temporary blindness for some Philippine crew – is causing more and more Filipinos to become increasingly angry at the way the Chinese have been encroaching into our territory.

when in fact, Ayungin Shoal is located about 105 nautical miles off Palawan and is therefore clearly well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

OVER the years, there have been numerous incidents of harassment and intimidation by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels, like last Dec. 17

This latest incident at Ayungin Shoal where this same Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5205 shadowed and pointed a military-grade laser at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol vessel BRP Malapascua – resulting in

What is worse is that the Chinese are now claiming the area as theirs, with the China Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying it was the PCG vessel that did not have permission and “intruded” into the waters

As Congressman Rufus Rodriguez said, “How can we intrude into our own territory?”

Members of the international community have also expressed their

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

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China Coast Guard Vessel No. 5205 is shown directing a laser beam at the BRP Malapascua in the West Philippine Sea in this photo taken on Feb. 6, 2023.

Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard

Dateline PhiliPPines

Missing Pinay, 3 kids died in Turkey quake – embassy

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — A Filipina and her three children, previously reported missing, died in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, according to the Philippine embassy in Ankara.

“It is with deepest regret that the embassy must confirm the passing of a Filipina and her three children, previously reported to be missing under the rubble in Antakya,” the embassy said in a statement.

The Filipina and her children were laid to rest by her Turkish husband in accordance with Turkish tradition.

“The embassy and the entire Department of Foreign

Affairs family express their deepest condolences for this tragedy,” the embassy said.

More than 20 families are at the Philippine embassy’s

shelter.

The embassy has met more than 70 Filipinos who have decided to remain in the

IPU renews call for de Lima’s release as her detention nears its sixth

by Kaycee VaLmonte Philstar.com

MANILA — The Inter-Parliamentary Union has renewed its call for the release of former Sen. Leila de Lima and to have all charges against her dropped already, as her detention nears its sixth year mark next week.

The decision was made during its 170th session held in Geneva from January 21 to February 2 this year. The Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians “is ever more convinced that the steps taken against Ms. de Lima came in response to her vocal opposition in the way in which the then President Duterrte was waging a war on drugs.”

Should cases against de Lima continue, the IPU requests that one of their trial observers be present to monitor the conduct of her cases before branches 205 and 256 at the Regional Trial Court in Muntinlupa City.

The IPU expressed “grave concern” that de Lima “continues to languish” behind bars even after a key witness already retracted his statement against her.

The parliamentarians’ group also pointed out that de Lima had to go through criminal

year

proceedings “with no clear end in sight,” noting that some official proceedings “maligned her as a woman and injured her dignity as a human being” with some of the sessions bringing to light her alleged sexual conduct.

Last year, star witness Rafael Ragos recanted his allegations of receiving money from New Bilibid Prison inmates involved in illegal drug trading and handed it to de lima’s aide. Ragos is the former National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director and former Bureau of Corrections Officer-in-Charge.

“In his retraction, Mr. Ragos said that he had been forced to testify against her by the then Secretary of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II, who led the witch hunt against Ms. de Lima in the Philippines’ House of Representatives Justice Committee’s hearings in 2016,” the IPU noted.

Following Ragos’ recantation, the Department of Justice however said they will leave it up to the courts to decide on the matter.

Ragos has already finished his testimony before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204, which is handling one of the

People walk on destroyed buildings in the Antakia historical city in Hatay on February 11, 2023, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s southeast. The death toll from a massive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria climbed to more than 20,000 on February 9, 2023, as hopes faded of finding survivors stuck under rubble in freezing weather.

Bill legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes pushed

MANILA – Two members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 21 pushed for the passage of a bill legalizing marijuana or cannabis for medicinal purposes.

During a public hearing, Surigao Del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert “Ace” Barbers, House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chairperson, said that while cannabis may be legalized for medicinal use, House Bill (HB) 6783 does not allow its recreational use.

“Recently, more and more countries are easing regulations on the said drug for medicinal purposes. Other countries have already allowed its recreational use. For our purposes, we will limit it for medicinal purposes only,” Barbers said.

Former House Speaker and now Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez authored HB 6783 seeking to remove cannabis from the list of illegal drugs and substances.

Alvarez said the classification of cannabis and its derivatives, as a dangerous drug, “makes no sense at all.” “And we must correct this absurdity,” he said.

Barbers said there is evidence that cannabis oil and other derivatives are helping seriously ill patients.

“It is just a matter of time before

we are deluged with calls to open our eyes and minds to the latest scientific developments now benefiting humanity,” he said. “If our chemical heavy pharma couldn’t find the cure to these illnesses, why would we stand in the way and deprive the afflicted of relief and enjoyment of their lives.”

He said it is about time that authorities should look at the positive side of the substance of cannabis.

“If there is a good side to it, then by all means we should consider it. Look at the substance amphetamine, a major component of shabu. It is a critical component or ingredient of many medicines now being consumed worldwide,” Barbers said.

In defending his bill, Alvarez pointed out that many acts of violence, crime and fatal accidents are attributable to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, lung cancer to cigarette smoking and diabetes to sweets and soft drinks consumption, and yet the government allows the production and sale of these products.

“Something is definitely not right,” Alvarez said.

Despite the injuries that alcohol, cigarettes and soft drinks bring, the government still allows their production and sale simply because of tax revenues,

he said.

“If this is the ultimate saving grace that justifies allowing said products to be produced and sold to the public, then with more reason cannabis should be allowed. It is a potential source of billions worth of revenues. The experience of other countries and states that rolled back senseless prohibition against this substance is clear proof,” he added.

Alvarez cited the State of Colorado, which was able to collect over USD1 billion in cannabis tax revenues since legalizing it in 2014. In 2021, Colorado collected USD423 million from cannabis tax revenues, up almost 10 percent from the prior year.

According to a study by the RCG Economics and Marijuana Policy Group, should the State of Nevada legalize recreational cannabis, the move will support over 41,000 jobs by 2024 and generate over USD1.7 billion in labor income, he added.

“Let us give cannabis a second chance. Let us make this happen by giving our all-out support for HB 6783, otherwise known as An Act Removing Cannabis and any Form of Derivative Thereof from the List of Dangerous Drugs and Substances Under Existing Laws’,” he said. (PNA)

Marcos OKs 19 projects to boost PH innovation

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand

“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved 19 projects as part of his administration’s efforts to promote and advance the culture of innovation in the country, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan announced Tuesday.

Marcos, who heads the National Innovation Council (NIC), gave the nod for the projects during a meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday, February 21.

“The Council has approved 19 projects or project proposals amounting to P115 million under the Innovation Grants—majority of which sought to address the pre-commercialization and commercialization

BBM names special envoy to China for trade, investment, tourism

MANILA – President

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has picked businessman Benito Techico as his special envoy to China for trade, investments and tourism.

Marcos administered the oath of office to Techico in a ceremony held at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday, February 21, based on a video uploaded by state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) on its official Facebook page.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administers the oath of office to Mr. Benito Techico as the Special Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Trade, Investment and Tourism in a ceremony at the Study Room in Malacañan Palace on Feb. 21, 2023,” RTVM said.

several photos of the oathtaking ceremony.

The Office of the President (OP) said Marcos is optimistic that with Techico’s appointment, the two countries’ ties would improve.

“During the ceremony, the President emphasized the importance of Mr. Techico’s appointment, expressing his hope that it would bring forth new opportunities for economic development, growth and most importantly, peace and stability between the Philippines and China,” the OP said.

Malacañang has yet to release Techico’s appointment paper.

requirements of innovative products or services, the enhancement of innovation facilities and services, and the conduct of capacitybuilding activities,” Balisacan said during a Palace press briefing.

“The Marcos administration is committed to promoting and advancing the culture of innovation in the country through increased collaborations with the private sector, especially as we prioritize the development of infrastructure, pursue digital transformation, and work towards creating a more attractive and enabling business environment and investment climate in this term,” he added.

Balisacan pointed out that innovation “plays a critical role in our pursuit for sustained and accelerated

economic growth and development, as it serves as a catalyst for raising overall productivity and elevating the quality of our goods and services.”

“Only through a collective national effort can we truly pursue and attain these goals for our future,” said Balisacan, who also serves as head of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“The Marcos administration reaffirms its commitment and determination to turn these visions and plans into a reality, and build a strong economic foundation for the future generations of Filipinos. What we desire is to not only improve the way we do things today, but also to make us better-prepared for whatever outcomes the future may bring,” he

added.

During the meeting, Balisacan said the Council, which serves as the government’s main coordinating body for innovation policies, has also approved six Executive Members for 2023 to 2026, with the seventh slot to be filled by a climate change expert.

These members, he said, come from the ranks of businesses, entrepreneurs, academe, and the scientific community.

Balisacan said the Councils also presented to the President salient features of the Republic Act 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act, as well as updates on the formulation of the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document.

PAGE 10

IPU renews call...

PAGE 6

two remaining drug cases of the former senator where the former is key witness. De Lima’s team has said they will seek provisional liberty for the former lawmaker again, through a supplemental for bail.

The Geneva-based IPU, composed of elected national legislative bodies from across the world, was established in 1889. It “works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.”

(with reports from Kristine Joy Patag)

As Marcos’ special envoy to China, Techico is tasked to coordinate with government officials, business leaders and other important stakeholders to promote and improve economic cooperation between the Philippines and China, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in another Facebook post.

The PCO also shared

Prior to his new position in the government, Techico served as chief executive officer and president of Philippine Blue Cross Biotech Corp.

Marcos’ foreign trips have so far generated a total of 116 investment projects worth PHP3.48 trillion (USD62.926 billion), with China yielding the highest investments amounting to USD24.239 billion, based on a report from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (PNA)

Missing Pinay, 3...

PAGE 6

provinces. It is accelerating the repatriation of Filipino citizens who want to return to the Philippines.

More than 46,400 people have died across Syria and Turkey since the earthquakes struck nearly two weeks ago. Homeward bound

Meanwhile, members of the 82-man Philippine interagency contingent sent by the government to help victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey are now preparing to return home.

Office of Civil Defense spokesman Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the search and rescue team is now on stand-by.

While waiting for instructions from local authorities if they will be tasked to conduct more search, rescue and retrieval operations, members of the team are helping the medical team in serving patients.

At the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, February 20, Alejandro said the search and rescue personnel have cleared 38 buildings since arriving in Adiyaman in Turkey.

The medical team, on the other hand, has so far provided ambulatory medical care to at least 603 patients through a field hospital.

Alejandro said the entire contingent would leave Turkey on Feb. 24 and hopefully will be back in the country by March 1.

“Our medical team operates the field hospital every day. Members of the search and rescue team no longer has search assignment, so they are helping the medical team,” he added.

The Philippine government is also preparing to send help either by means of cash or non-food items to Syria, which was also affected by the strong earthquake. g

Former Sen. Leila De Lima arrives at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 on Friday, September 30, to attend the resumption of the hearing into the drug case filed against her. Office of Leila De Lima / release

Not yet time to invoke PH-US...

Chinese Ambassador Huang

Xilian to Malacañang to express “serious concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of actions” by the Chinese against the Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fisherfolk.

“I said that the laserpointing incident was only a part of what we are seeing as intensifying or escalating of the actions of the militia, marine militia of China, the coast guard of China, and the

navy of China,” he said.

“So we are hoping that we can find a better way rather than these incursions into our maritime territory and the rather aggressive acts that we have been seeing in the past few weeks and months,” he added.

The president said he reminded Huang that Beijing’s incursions in the South China Sea were not consistent with what he and Xi discussed in Beijing in January when

they agreed to establish a direct communication line to prevent “miscommunication and miscalculation” in the disputed sea.

In his bilateral meeting with Marcos in Beijing in January, Xi promised to “find a compromise and find a solution” that will allow Filipinos to fish again in their “natural” fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea without Chinese interference.

Despite the increasing Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos said in his speech before PMA alumni and top security officials of the government that his administration would continue to uphold the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the Constitution and with international law.

“This country has seen heightened geopolitical tensions that do not conform to our ideals of peace and threaten the security and stability of the country, of the region, and of the world,” he said. But he added: “This country will not lose one inch of its territory.” g

SIM card registration slows down – DICT

by Jose Rodel Clapano Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reminded people on Monday, February 20 that they have until April 26 to register their SIM cards.

DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo issued the reminder, noting the low turnout of SIM card registrants over the past weeks.

“We are almost halfway into the SIM card registration and we have observed a slowdown in the number of registrants. Although we anticipated this lull, we are compelled to do more,” Lamentillo said.

She said unregistered SIM cards would be deactivated after the deadline.

Under the SIM Card Registration Act, public telecommunication entities are mandated to establish their respective registration

platforms to onboard users who present valid identification cards.

President Marcos signed the SIM card registration into law in October last year.

DICT data showed that 32,062,265 SIM cards had been registered as of Feb. 12. The figure represents 18.97 percent of the 168.977 million SIM cards across the country.

“While telecommunication companies are working double time, the DICT and National Telecommunications Commission are also reinforcing our support for the telcos,” Lamentillo said. “Those who have yet to register their SIM cards, do so already. Please do not wait for the deadline,” she added. g

DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo issued the reminder, noting the low turnout of SIM card registrants over the past weeks. Philstar.com

PBBM AT PMA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his speech during the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming 2023 at the PMA Grandstand in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on Saturday, Feb. 18. During the event, President Marcos also officiated the oath-taking of the PMA Alumni Association, Inc. Board of Directors and new officers. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

DFA chief: China harassment a ‘daily’...

or aggressive moves,” he said.

He noted the Philippines’ “resoundingly victorious 2016 arbitral award against China, [which] basically provides a mooring, at least as far as we’re concerned, for the maritime regime in the South China Sea, especially because it’s based on the Unclos.”

But while he asserted the country’s rights over its maritime territory, Manalo also said that “it’s a very complex situation [we face since] the Philippines and other countries in the region have very strong links with China on the economic and cultural front.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to respond to the Inquirer’s request for comment on Manalo’s remarks.

Marcos OKs 19...

“This document outlines the country’s ten-year vision and long-term goals for innovation and thus, serves as a detailed roadmap towards improving innovation governance,” he said.

To recall, the National Innovation Council is a 25-member body tasked to develop the country’s

innovation goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy.

The president serves as the Council’s chairman, with the secretary of the NEDA as vice chairman. They are joined by sixteen ex-officio members along with seven executive members from the private sector who were nominated during the meeting. g

‘They’re really driving us away’

Earlier last week, fishermen facing China’s harassment in the West Philippine Sea took part in a seminar on fishing rights led by the Peoples Development Institute.

In an interview with the Inquirer on the sidelines of that event last Thursday, February 16, they also shared videos documenting their recent experiences near Panatag (Scarborough Shoal).

On Feb. 6, when a Chinese ship aimed a laser at a PCG vessel near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, the fishermen said they were also harassed by the CCG, which deployed its personnel on

two rubber boats to chase one of them out of Panatag Shoal.

“They shouted and honked at him. ‘No fishing inside! Go outside!’”

fisherman Christopher de Vera, who witnessed the incident, said, adding that Chinese maritime militia vessels also surrounded their boats that day.

“Those are six Chinese militias… They’re just there,” he was recorded as saying in one of the videos.

“Two rubber boats are now chasing away one fisherman in a fishing boat inside [the lagoon] of Scarborough Shoal. They’re really driving us away, they don’t want us inside,” he said in another footage on the same incident.

“There have been so many [of these instances] that I could no longer keep track of them. We want to fish inside the lagoon, too. There’s more catch and we can seek shelter there during bad weather,” De Vera said.

He recalled that as early as 2016, the CCG was already directing a laser at them at Panatag Shoal.

“They first used a searchlight when we approached near the shoal at night. They later used a laser so we ducked for cover as our eyes went burning. The light was overwhelming and we went blind for a few minutes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero said on Sunday, February 19 that the government should not have cold feet in dealing with China’s actions even as he opposed calls to remove the PCG as

an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Coast Guard transfer

“We shouldn’t be doing something out of fear that it might anger or be misinterpreted by China, which is trying to seize part of our territory,” he said.

“If you remove the (PCG) from the DOTr and transfer it to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), the first question is, what’s their difference with the Philippine Navy?” Escudero asked.

“Secondly, if we consider [PCG] as a military (unit), then we could no longer deny that the Philippine military will be up against China’s military in the West Philippine Sea. And the next step will be a declaration of war, which, I believe, nobody wants to happen,” he added.

The AFP also said on Sunday that its “troops are resolute in ensuring that the interests of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea are protected,” a day after President Marcos said the Philippines “will not lose one inch” of territory amid a fresh territorial spat between Manila and Beijing.

“Guided by the President’s vision, which he emphasized in his message yesterday, our troops will always be ready to provide a safer, more peaceful and progressive country,” it said in a statement.

—with reports from Marlon Ramos and Reuters g

SPROUTING ONIONS. Amid reports of massive hoarding of red onions, a man prepares to sell sprouted onions for only P50 per kilo in Davao City on Monday, Feb. 20. The retail price of onions skyrocketed to as much as P700 per kilogram in December last year due to a shortage of supply that was traced to hoarding. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Filipino patience running...

concern in light of this in-your-face kind of aggression and intimidation being demonstrated by China, among them the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark, calling out China for its dangerous and provocative actions.

Canada described China’s actions as “coercive” and a “violation of international law and contrary to the maintenance of regional peace and stability, and the rulesbased international order,” while both Germany and Denmark also called on China to abide by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which is “legal and binding.”

A friend from the diplomatic corps told me that China’s actions are “getting more and more unconscionable and provocative,” even preposterously accusing the U.S. of orchestrating the arbitral case. Absolutely not true – it was China’s aggression that precipitated our decision to file the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims, including its ridiculous nine-dashline with absolutely no basis whatsoever in international law.

Filipinos were extremely pleased when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned the Chinese ambassador over this latest incident involving a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. From what I am told, the President was cordial, but at the same time was very firm and clear in expressing his serious concern over the “increasing frequency of action by China against the Philippine Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen in their bancas.”

Filipino fishermen have long been suffering from the intimidation and restrictive actions employed by Chinese vessels which are depriving them of their livelihood, with reports that they were being threatened or their fishing gear confiscated. Numerous protests have also been filed over the illegal fishing activities of Chinese vessels in disputed territories in the South China Sea, with other claimant nations like Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia complaining about Chinese fishing fleets encroaching on their maritime territories.

In fact, there are calls for the European Union to impose sanctions on Chinese fishing vessels over alleged illegal fishing activities. An independent study commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries (PECH) last December on the “Role and impact of China on world fisheries and aquaculture” showed that the large number

Government focused on helping ‘poor, vulnerable’ amid rising inflation

MANILA – The Marcos administration is putting a premium on individuals belonging to the poor and vulnerable sectors who are bearing the brunt of increasing prices of basic commodities, one of the country’s economic managers said on Tuesday, February 21.

of Chinese distant water fleets that go dark by using techniques like turning off their identification system, increase the possibility of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing infractions.

According to the study, “One of the most important environmental consequences of the Chinese fishing fleet on the EU’s distantwater fishing activities is the depletion of fisheries stocks, which is associated with environmental degradation and results in reduced resource availability for all actors involved.”

During the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to the fishing community of Tagburos in Palawan last November, she spoke about the risk that fishing communities face “when foreign vessels enter Philippine waters and illegally deplete the fishing stock; when they harass and intimidate local fishers; when they pollute the ocean and destroy the marine ecosystem.”

If one can recall, over 200 Chinese fishing vessels were seen at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) in March 2021 with reports that they have been anchored in the area since December 2020, raising fears of “possible overfishing and destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safety of navigation” in the West Philippine Sea.

Given these numerous incidents in the past, no one can really blame Filipinos for the continued and increasing anger at and distrust of China. This latest incident has also prompted many enlightened legislators to consider working together with other countries aside from the United States to maintain maritime peace and security in the region.

Certainly, we cannot and must not “drop the ball” on this one like what happened in 2012 when we “lost” the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

I have often said – Filipinos are a patient people, and while everybody wants a peaceful resolution to all these incidents that have been repeatedly happening over the years, it is clear to all of us that “what is ours is ours,” period. We are not claiming anything outside of what is clearly within our territorial waters.

As President Marcos had said: “We have no conflict with China; the issue we have is that China is claiming territory that belongs to us.”

(Philstar.com)

In a Palace press briefing, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government is doing its best to help the indigent Filipinos badly affected by the soaring inflation.

“For those naman na talagang affected adversely, lalo na ‘yung mga very poor at vulnerable groups, ‘yun talaga ang pagbuhusan natin ng assistance (For those who are really affected adversely, especially the very poor and vulnerable groups, they will get the needed assistance from us),” Balisacan said.

He issued the statement, when quizzed if the executive department is considering adopting the move of the Senate to provide onetime PHP50,000 inflation assistance to its 3,000 rankand-file employees.

On Monday, February 20, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced that the Senate would raise the one-time inflationary allowance to PHP50,000 from PHP12,000 to shield its

staff from the rising cost of essential commodities.

Being an “independent body,” Congress can decide “on their own spending,” Balisacan said.

Balisacan said granting one-time inflationary assistance to employees of the executive branch is “not feasible.”

“As you know, our fiscal space is very, very limited,” he said.

“Doon sa mga vulnerable talaga tayo naka-focus ngayon kaya dinadalian namin ‘yung mga issues constraining ‘yung digitalization natin kasi ‘yun ang makakatulong sa pag-ensure na ‘yung limited assistance natin ay makakarating talaga sa mga dapat matulungan (We are prioritizing the vulnerable sectors. That’s why we are addressing the issues constraining digitalization efforts to ensure the delivery of limited assistance to those in need),” Balisacan added.

Balisacan, nevertheless, noted that the Marcos administration is considering another round of annual salary increases for government employees.

However, talks about the planned salary hike are “still premature,” he said.

He said the government is also optimistic that inflation will ease “in the coming months.”

“Tayo ay naapektuhan differently doon sa inflation (We are affected differently by inflation). On one hand, we’re trying to work out na ‘yung inflation na iyan ay bababa in the coming months,” Balisacan said. “We’re hoping that we see a plateau already of that inflation.”

The country’s headline inflation rate in January 2023 ticked up to 8.7 percent from 8.1 percent in December 2022, according to the recent Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report.

Based on the PSA report, the January 2023 inflation was mainly driven by increases in housing rentals, electricity and water rates, as well as in the prices of vegetables, milk, eggs, fruits and nuts.

On Feb. 7, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hoped that the drop in the prices of fuel and imported agricultural products would help tame inflation.

Balisacan earlier said the government has identified measures to keep food price movements, consistent with the government’s inflation and food security objectives, with higher agricultural productivity, food supply augmentation and energy security seen as priorities to temper upward price pressures. (PNA)

7 out of 10 Filipino Catholics pray at least once daily - SWS

MANILA – The new survey results by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) suggest that seven out of 10 Filipino Catholics pray at least once daily.

According to the Fourth Quarter 2022 SWS survey conducted from Dec. 10 to 14, 2022, around 69 percent of Filipino Catholics pray every day — with 35 percent praying several times a day and 34 percent praying once a day.

The survey also revealed that around 10 percent of Filipino Catholics pray several times a week; 6 percent pray every week; 4 percent pray 2 to 3 times a

week; 4 percent pray about once a month; 2 percent pray nearly every week; 1 percent pray several times a year; 1 percent pray about 1 to 2 times a year; 1 percent pray less than once a year; and 1 percent never pray.

On the attendance in religious services, 38 percent said they attend religious services once a week or more than once a week.

Twenty-four percent said they attend religious services two or more times a month; 20 percent once a month; 9 percent about two to 11 times a year; 7 percent once a year; and

only 3 percent said they never attended religious services.

As for the mode of attending religious services, 93 percent personally go to the place of worship in the past three months; 3 percent watched religious services online or on television (TV); 2 percent attended both in-person and online or TV; and only 1 percent did not attend any religious services.

The December 2022 survey had 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above nationwide with a sampling error margin of ± 2.8 percent. (PNA)

SUMMER-READY. A man arranges colorful inflatable floaters at a stall beside the Commonwealth Market along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 21. These items, sold from P100 to P300, are popular during the summer months.

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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

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

Cuento, to answer immigration questions from Kapamilya in Vegas.

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

Eugene Domingo’s love story gives hope to singles over 40

by Nathalie M. toMada Philstar.com

EUGENE Domingo’s love story gives hope to singles in their 40s and beyond who are still looking for “The One.”

The Ten Little Mistresses star thought she’d be single forever until she met her now-significant other, Italian movie critic Danilo Bottoni.

The topic of Eugene’s relationship cropped up during The STAR’s oneon-one interview with her regarding Ten Little Mistresses, the first Filipino Amazon Original Movie, which is still No. 1 on Prime Video Philippines a week after its streaming premiere.

Incidentally, the murdermystery comedy is directed by The IdeaFirst Company’s Jun Robles Lana, the same director of Barber’s Tales, the drama that paved the way for Eugene to find love.

In 2014, the film competed at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, where it won the Third Place-Audience Award. But the “biggest reward” there was meeting Danilo.

“When Danilo and I first met, walang ayos ang buhok ko, dry na dry. Malungkot…I was just there, parang lost, but (I was thinking) anyway, I’m here, so might as well enjoy. That was my state when he found me,” the 51-year-old actresscomedienne said.

No sparks flew on that first meeting though. Admittedly,

she was then at a point in her life where she thought she would be “single forever”.

“Hindi talaga nag-click yung first niyang sinabi for the reason that personally, give up na ako nun. Parang

I was already accepting the fact that I would be single forever and maybe I would just go to a convent,”

Eugene further shared with The STAR.

“Promise yun talaga ang plano ko, pumasok sa convent! May dala-dala akong isang sako ng pera, ibibigay ko (sa kanila). But, by the way ha, convent sa Italy hahaha!

“Parang, ‘This is my cash, please take care of me, I’m single, I’ll pray with you… and be singing with you.’

Yun ang nasa isip ko, forever single na ako.”

But contrary to her “plans,” someone unexpected came along. At the Udine

filmfest, Danilo approached her because he had seen her previous comedy hit films, from Kimmy Dora to Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank. In fact, they were already friends on Facebook.

Eugene recalled, “He was there and he said, ‘We’re friends on Facebook, can I invite you to have pizza with me?’ That’s it. Parang nahilo na ako hahaha! I said no.

“Because whenever I’m in a festival, medyo sineset aside ko yung ‘hashtag landian’ because I have work and I have a responsibility.

But as soon as hawak ko na yung trophy (for Barber’s Tales), ready na ako makipag-landian. Pero ‘di ko na siya nakita.”

That wasn’t going to be the end of the story though.

Eugene was quick to add, “After nun, I chased him.”

The couple has been

YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN LAS VEGAS, PART 1. Atty.

Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya at the Radiant Spa in Las Vegas in “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Among the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Richard (top left): My friend came to the U.S. as a student and overstayed. Can she adjust her status by marrying her U.S. citizen boyfriend?; From Jeff (top right): My parents refuse to be petitioned by me. How long would it take if I petition my brothers, instead?; From Girlie and Rudy (bottom): If Rudy’s petition for his stepson will take 11 years, are there other, faster options to have his stepson to come to the U.S.? Watch Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” at the Radiant Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada on an encore of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 26 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

The couple seated together at the Manila premiere of Ten Little Mistresses, now streaming on Prime Video Photo from Instagram/@eugenedomingo_official

Growing old is a privilege

Health@Heart

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

QUITE often, people complain about growing old. They say they hate getting up there in age and living with wrinkles all over, deformed fingers, with the aches and pain of arthritis, diminished agility and dexterity, a limited mobility, and varying degrees of impairment of vision, hearing, and memory.

The picture portrayed above is, in general, and invariably, a description of what all of us, sooner or later, will face as we get nearer midlife, and more so as we sail through the sunset of our life. As a cardiac surgeon, I feel that as long as one does not have a serious heart ailment, severely complicated illnesses, or cancer, the changes our body and mind undergo as we grow older are as natural and “normal’ as life itself. The cycle from birth to death is a predestination none of us can escape from. In between those years, depending on our genes, and more so on our lifestyle and discipline, on how we behave, our health and longevity will vary accordingly.

In 1950-1955, global life expectancy at birth was estimated to be 46. This had risen to 65 in 20002005, and is 79.11 in 2023, a 0.08 percent increase from 2022. In well-developed countries, this rise in longevity is predicted to increase to 82 years by midcentury, while among less developed nations where life expectancy is under 50 years today, the projection is 66 by 2045-2050.

In the United States, there are about 56 million who are 65 and older. By 2050, it will be about 87 million. One in 10,000 people lives to be 100. In 2022, in the U.S., there were about an average of 97,914 centenarians, and this is expected to go up to 274,000 in 2025.

The life expectancy today of various races in the U.S. are as follows: AsianAmerican, 84.9; North Americans, 79; Middle America, 77.9; Low-income whites in Appalachia, Mississippi Valley, 75; Black Middle Americans, 72.9; Western American Indians,

72.7; Southern low-income rural Blacks, 71.2; and, high-risk urban Blacks, 71.1 years. By State, Hawaii leads the nation with the longest life expectancy at 80, and Hawaiian women at 83.2. Minnesota follows at 78.8 and Utah at 78.7.

In Tomigusuku City, Japan, a report shows that in year 2000, women lived to 89.2 years and men, to about 82, and in Wara Village of Gifu Prefecture, men lived up to 80.6 years. Besides genetic as a factor, our diet, exercise, and lifestyle as a whole most significantly determine our health and longevity.

With old age comes the signs and symptoms of normal wear and tear of any machine, and the human body is one machine that is no exception. As such, the immense tribulation that is inherent with growing old poses great limitations on the person, physically, psychologically, and socially. How the individual copes with all these difficulties depends on the lifestyle he/she has lived, his/her philosophy, discipline, and attitude in life. At 92, my mother was still watching her diet and at 97, had replaced her decades-old regimented walking with her daily home videoguided (Leslie Sansone’s Walk by the Pound) mild exercises. She passed away a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, at age 101.

Alphonse Karr put it eloquently when he wrote “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”

Seeing only the hole in a donut, missing the ring of bread around it, or a glass as half-full and not as halfempty, defines a person’s point of view and outlook in life. I personally believe that not taking any risk at all is the greatest risk in life and that success comes only to those who have the courage to fail. The natural infirmities and difficulties that accompany old age are the risks we should all gladly accept as we face the sunset of our life with gratitude and dignity.

However challenging and often times frustrating growing older might be, the blessing of a long and fairly healthy life is a privilege.

While getting old is a problem, growing old is a solution, in spite of all the

aches and pains that come with the package. Life is tough, and more especially so for the seniors. Growing old is, indeed, not for sissies or the faint of heart.

But let’s be realistic and face it, we’ve got only one other option. That option is to stop aging. And the only way to achieve that alternative is to die young. Not a palatable nor a more attractive alternative, indeed. Sadly, many are denied the privilege of growing old. Since we cannot control and direct the winds in our voyage through this sometimes harsh ocean of life, we can at least, to quote a wise man, “adjust our sails,” and find happiness and peace during our journey and wherever fate takes us.

Living to the fullest with all our faculties and abilities to help ourselves and others, and be able to continue enjoying, laughing and sharing our wisdom with, and helping guide our children, grandchildren, great grandkids, and friends, making a positive difference in our society, smelling the flowers along the way, and savoring this magnificently wonderful world of ours (in spite of all man-induced imperfections and calamities), are, indeed, a sacred privilege. It is a blessing we should all look forward to with an upbeat frame of mind, and one to be truly grateful for. After all, not everyone is granted and blessed with this privilege.

So, as we enjoy the youth of our life, let’s lead a healthy lifestyle, show compassion for our less privileged fellowmen, and set good examples for our children to emulate. As years fly by, let us relish each day to the hilt, as if each day would be our last, and at the same time, let us pray for a life of good health, love, happiness, peace, and the privilege of growing old to enjoy them.

COVID-19 updates

As of 8 a.m. (EST), Tuesday, February 21, the worldwide total was 678,868,239 cases of COVID-19, with 6,792,200 deaths; USA – 104,996,288 cases, with 1,142,704 deaths; and the Philippines, 4,075,611 cases and 66,039 deaths. The average daily number of cases in the United States is still more than 39,000 (per day!) with around 430 deaths a day on average. Vaccination

Coco admits having ‘one longtime girlfriend,’ but insists on keeping personal life private

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

COCO Martin might be known for being strictly tight-lipped about his private life, but he appeared to have confirmed that he’s in a relationship with a mysterious longtime girlfriend.

In an interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila, the “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” star made the brief revelation about his private life on her Youtube channel, which was uploaded on Thursday, Feb. 16.

“You’re a very private person, at pasensya ka na (and I’m sorry). Kailangan

ko ‘tong tanungin, ganoon ang buhay (I have to ask this question, this is life). So, you have one longtime girlfriend?” Davila asked Martin.

“Sakto lang (It’s okay),” Martin answered, before bursting into laughter.

Davila, while laughing, persuaded the actor to answer if he’s in a relationship with someone at the moment.

“Opo (Yes),” Martin replied, although he did not disclose her identity. When asked by the broadcast journalist on whether their relationship is going to end up in marriage, he said, “Dapat po, dapat (It should

be).”

During the interview, Davila also asked the 41-yearold actor if he sees himself having children in the future. While he sees himself being a father “anytime,” he stressed that he wants to keep his personal life away from the spotlight.

“Sa akin kasi, gusto ko panatilihing pribado ‘yung buhay ko. Kasi mahirap po pag in-all out mo, lahat pakikialaman. Diba parang sa isang magkasintahan, pag nagliligawan kayo, pag nagde-date pa lang kayo, gusto ng lahat magkatuluyan. Pag kayo na, ang daming

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration...

PAGE 11

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

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

And after answering questions from Kapamilya, Atty. Gurfinkel sits down with Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa co-founder

Muyie Cuento, who shares “beauty secrets” and their impact on the community they serve.

Tune in to Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Las Vegas, Nevada on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 26 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

rate is around 82 percent; only about 34 percent have received the booster shot. The unvaccinated individuals are more likely to get infected and 4 times more likely to die from COVID-19. The XBB.1.5 is the dominant variant at 74 percent of all cases nationwide. Fully vaccinated people could still get infected, for various personal reasons, so let’s be vigilant and careful. Arrogance could kill. *

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

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. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) with Radiant Med-Spa co-owner Muyie Cuento (left) at the clinic on 8650 W Tropicana Ave., Suite 113, Las Vegas, NV 89147.

Ruffa advises Willie: ‘Don’t be so sensitive’

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTRESS Ruffa

Gutierrez believed that TV host Willie Revillame will be fine after the controversies he faced recently.

In a recent press conference for her upcoming movie “Martyr or Murderer,” Ruffa compared Willie to a cat.

“You know si Kuya Wils, I think he’s like a cat, he has nine lives. Nawala na siya, bumalik, nawala, bumalik, he’ll never go anywhere. I think he’ll be fine, I don’t think he will suffer a lot,” Ruffa said.

She also gave Willie some advice.

“I think ang advice ko lang kay Kuya Wils, enjoy life. He’s super successful already, enjoy time with his family, wag nang pansinin ‘yung mga bashers,” she said.

“ Nandiyan lang ‘yan, importante happy siya sa pamilya niya. Sa tingin ko narating na rin niya ang tuktok ng tagumpay and I believe Kuya Wils has a good heart,” she added.

She also asked the controversial TV host not to be sensitive.

“‘ Yung mga natulungan niya nandiyan lang ‘yan, patuloy siyang pinagdarasal. So chin up, Kuya Wils! Don’t be so sensitive,” she said. g

Eugene Domingo’s love story gives...

together for some seven years now. While there have been marriage speculations, further fanned after Eugene shared “copper wedding rings,” as per GMA News, on Instagram back in 2020, these have not been addressed in interviews. But it’s clear that they’re inseparable.

Eugene confirmed that she brings him with her to film shoots here and premieres. Such as the one hosted by Prime Video for Ten Little Mistresses, where she readily acknowledged him in the audience and said: “Luckily, I have found ‘The One.’ Thank you, Babe.”

“Even if I say, you don’t need a man to be happy, in my case… our souls connected and I found peace because of his love,” she further told this paper.

Asked for more pieces of advice to singles in their 40s and above, and still hoping to find a life partner, Eugene shared: “You don’t really have to suffer or exert too much effort. It will come to you, if it’s for you and if you are ready, if you prayed hard for it, and if you just surrendered, ‘Lord, You know what my heart is looking for, it’s up to You.’ Surrender, don’t exert too much effort, don’t tire yourself. Just be there, just be present, it will be in front of you.”

Meanwhile, The STAR asked Eugene if she was open to do a romantic-comedy about — for a change — people at a certain age, who have accumulated more life experiences and a more adult perspective on love.

“If there’s a very good material, ay naku siempre naman. There’s a lot of us. And I’m very sure, yung rom-com naman wala namang age limit yan eh. It’s essential. I would really love to do something like that. I-manifest natin. A rom-com for people like us, with an interesting age, na pwede pa ma-in love. Alam mo, parang ano yun — ang tender. Because you would think, this could be your last na,” she said.

Eugene would also love to do a full-length musical on screen. “Sana maalala ko ni direk Jun (Lana) ‘pag natupad na yung project niya na musical. I will really study, take up voice lessons and learn basic dancing steps. Ang sarap kasi maging parte ng isang musical and also on stage, I hope I get to do something more lengthy.

PNAA members return to the Philippines for the first time since pandemic

THE Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) and the Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation (PNAAF) returned to the Philippines for the first time since the pandemic for their 6th International Collaborative Conference in Vigan, Ilocos Sur last January 21 and 22.

With the theme, “2023: Moving Forward with Innovations, Opportunities, and Successes,” global nurse leaders, local nurses and nursing students exchanged their inspirational stories and experiences during the conference.

Promoting resilience, compassion, and nursing excellence, the symposium covered diverse topics in healthcare, leadership, nursing practice, competency, education, and entrepreneurship with the aim of maintaining the high morale of aspiring professionals despite the predicaments brought about by the pandemic.

PNAAF President Nancy Hoff expressed her enthusiasm for the success of the event.

“In All Out Sundays (on GMA), we do comedy skits, musical din yun, and I really enjoy it. And so I hope I get to do a lengthy musical, na medyo legit ganun. I really want to do something like Gypsy Rose. It will require a lot of training, I know. But ‘di naman masama mangarap because you ask.”

However, Eugene is not that willing to take on another drama a la Barber’s Tales.

“To be honest, hindi! Hahaha! Ayoko na mag-drama, ang hirap-hirap. I can do it because I’m an actor but if you ask me now, and you let me choose between comedy, musical and drama, and then ‘pag drama, kasama mo yung the best dramatic actors in the country, dun nalang ako comedy and sa musical. Ang hirap talaga mag-drama,” she honestly said.

But, Eugene reiterated, “I’m glad I made it — Barber’s Tales. And I’m very thankful for it. If not for Barber’s Tales, I would not have met Danilo. Exactly yun talaga ang pinakareward dun.” g

“Our sincerest gratitude to Governor Singson who provided the conference venue and hosted the cultural night dinner; our deepest appreciation for the hard work of the planning leaders of UNP CON, PNA Ilocos Sur, the PNAA Foundation, and their team members whose strength and collaborative efforts made it happen. The excellence and passion of the speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences were well received by the engaged conference participants. Thank you, GMA for capturing all these

in photos and videos, and for many to see,” she said.

The collaborative efforts of the involved institutions were also commended by PNAAF Public Relations Committee Chair Colonel (Retired) Bob Gahol.

“The collaboration between the PNAA Foundation, the University of Northern Philippines, and the PNA Ilocos Sur exemplified the true meaning of the “Bayanihan spirit. Many thanks to GMA for sharing this event with the entire Philippines and the world,” he said.

Aside from the

conference, The Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC also successfully turned over Health Hub and 10 toilets and baths to the Aetas of Castillejos, Zambales through their Healthy Aetas Community project.

The turnover ceremony was attended by more than 300 Aetas, representatives of the National Commission on Indigenous People, tribal leaders, catechists, and other guests. The Health Hub is a response to address the lack of sanitary human waste disposal in the community.

PNAA and PNAAF officers also had the chance to visit GMA Network and was welcomed by GMA International First Vice President and Head of Operations Joseph T. Francia and GMA International Marketing Director Beth C. De Guzman.

“We continue to honor the invaluable role Global Pinoy nurses play in American society.  We are pleased to refresh our partnership with the PNAA in support of their meaningful projects for their members and for their target beneficiaries in the US and in the Philippines,” Francia said. (GMA Pinoy TV) g

PNAA and PNAAF officers and memb3rs at the conference in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

PNA of Metropolitan DC turned over a Health Hub and 10 toilets and baths to the Aetas in Castillejos, Zambales during their most recent visit to the Philippines.

PNAA and PNAAF officers with First Vice President and Head of Operations Joseph Francia and GMA International Marketing Director Beth De Guzman at the GMA Network offices.

Eugene Domingo on significant other Danilo Bottoni: I found peace because of his love.

Photo from Instagram/@eugenedomingo_

Beauty queen-actress Ruffa

Gutierrez Photo from Instagram/@

Vice Ganda remains ‘home’ in ABS-CBN

VICE Ganda — dubbed as “The Unkabogable Star” — reaffirmed his loyalty in ABS-CBN as he officially renewed his contract with the company he calls home.

At the contract signing nicknamed “The Unkabogable Day” held Wednesday, February 15 Vice also thanked Madlang Pipol for the success of his recent film “Partners In Crime.”

Co-starring Ivana Alawi, the movie served as his comeback in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and was listed as one of the top-grossing movies in last year’s MMFF.

With his back-to-back achievements, Vice could not help but look back on his decades-old career with much gratitude.

“The journey has been quite long na rin. There were difficult times, but there were a lot of fun times. It was colorful pero kung susumahin mo, it’s a winning journey,” Vice said.

Looking ahead, Vice said he will continue his loyalty to the network that made him a household name.

Vice started as a standup comedian and singer in the late 90s. Soon, he was scouted to play bit roles and eventually supporting characters on television and film. But his biggest break came in 2009 when ABS-CBN asked him to join “It’s Showtime.” The audience loved his brand of comedy and soon fans would fill movie houses and live events venues to enjoy his work.

As such, Vice made sure to thank the

bosses and to promise that he will stay a Kapamilya.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa patuloy na pagtitiwala, pagbibigay ng trabaho, oportunidad, pagkakataon... I am so grateful.

“Nakapirma na talaga yung puso ko rito. ‘Yung paa ko nakabaon na dito sa bahay na ‘to. Ayoko na lumabas... I’d rather be here inside my home. This is the safest place for me,” Vice shared.

Several Kapamilya artists, colleagues, friends, and loved ones

also gave their heartfelt tributes for the Unkabogable Star.

“Thank you for your Unkabogable loyalty and love for ABS-CBN and for all of us. With or without a contract, you stood by us even in our most difficult times. Binigyan mo ng lakas ang lahat ng ating mga Kapamilya sa gitna ng lahat ng ating pagsubok,” said ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes.

Among the ABS-CBN executives present at the contract signing were chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABSCBN Group CFO Rick Tan, Star Magic and Entertainment Production head Laurenti Dyogi, and ABS-CBN head of Non-scripted Format Louie Andrada.

Over the years, Vice received various awards as a Kapamilya star. In 2021, he was named as the Best Entertainment Program Host at the Asian Academy Creative Awards and Most Trusted Entertainment/Variety Presenter at the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards.

Recently, Vice was voted by the De La Salle Araneta University community as Most Outstanding Twitter Influencer, Most Outstanding Social Media Personality, Most Influential Multimedia Filipino Celebrity, and Most Outstanding Entertainment Show Host at the 5th Gawad Lasallianeta.

Vice also won Best Variety Show Host at the 2023 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards of Trinity University of Asia. (ManilaTimes.net)

Miles Ocampo’s moment has come

By ANNE PASAJOL Inquirer.net

FROM child star to teeny bopper to a young actress who has successfully pulled through a mature role, it seemed that Miles Ocampo’s moment has indeed come. Often she would be seen playing around doing comedies here and there, but it was her recent portrayal as Marites Dimaguiba, a rape victim facing an unwanted pregnancy in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” that shone a spotlight on her acting prowess. The hostcomedienne’s naturally sweet demeanor contributed to her wholesome image,

thereby making it easy for some to take for granted her potential to carry a more mature role. But in case one is living under a rock lately, Ocampo actually was able to flip that image and show that she is still capable of taking on a wider range of roles.

Once the camera started rolling, she was no longer the girl in baggy shorts and unkempt hair trying to make us laugh on “Eat Bulaga”; she is now that actress who has long waited for this break to come, hungry for an opportunity to show her versatility in acting. And Ocampo did not disappoint in that pilot episode of

Filipino

gets rst-ever platinum ticket from ‘American Idol’

by EVANGELINE VALDERRAMA Inquirer.net

FILIPINO Canadian teen Tyson Venegas won the firstever platinum ticket of the American Idol’s 21st season with his soulful rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” all while playing the piano.

now. I inspired him back then, he just inspired us today. Let me tell you, that performance was spot-on professional,” said Richie.

“You sang notes and runs that I haven’t felt in my body in a long time, and I felt so connected, I feel so alive,” said Perry.

“Batang Quiapo”; her acting was well applauded, that one would say her years in the industry have honed her into a fine actress much deserving of cheers.

But wait. There’s still a lot more we do not know about this 25-year-old actress.

She’s a “Goin’ Bulilit” alum

Ocampo had been a mainstay of the nowdefunct kiddie comedy show “Goin’ Bulilit” from 2005 to 2009, alongside her batchmates and fellow actresses Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Jane Oineza and Trina Legaspi, among

Venegas, who was one of the contestants in Season 2 of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Teens, wowed Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan as he confidently hit each riffs and runs, his voice curling and doing slow vibrato.

The performance of this 17-year old native of Vancouver, Canada was so powerful that Richie quipped that he needed to validate if he was indeed just a teenager as he said.

Richie asked Venegas’ mom, Iris, to verify his age. “He’s claiming to be 17-years-old, but he’s performing like a 45-yearold.”

Venegas’ mom told him that one of her son’s first concerts was Richie’s. “He was inspired by you, and that’s when he learned to sing from his heart.”

“We’ve flipped the switch

Bryan, for his part, told Venegas: “You are exactly what we look for, what we pray for.”

Platinum ticket

Because of Venegas’ impeccable performance, he was awarded the first ever platinum ticket, which Richie said would mean that he could “coast through one whole week of Hollywood week.”

The exclusive platinum ticket, introduced only last year by American Idol, will be given through the audition round. This is expectedly higher than the golden ticket that is usually given to contestants who are able to advance to the next round after an impressive performance.

For Venegas, this means that he need not join the first round of performances during the Hollywood week and be able to watch from the sidelines.

Canadian teen

Tyson Venegas Photo from Instsgram/@tysonvenegas

Miles Ocampo

Photo from Instagram/@milesocampo

‘The Unkabogable Star’ Vice Ganda Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin ABS-CBN

Coco admits having...

opinyon hanggang sa magkasira kayo. Bakit ko hahayaan? Ito nga lang sa ginagalawan ko [sa showbiz], ang gulo-gulo na eh. Papapasukin ko pa sila sa personal na buhay ko?” he explained.

(For me, I want to keep my personal life private. It’s hard to be all-out about my life because a lot of people want to pry. For example, for partners who are currently in a relationship, when you’re in the courting and dating stage, people want you to get together. But when you finally decide to date, there are a lot of opinions about your relationship which might end up ruining what you have. So, why would I allow it to happen? It’s messy to be in showbiz, so why would I want others to be involved with my personal life?)

Martin also noted that he doesn’t talk about showbiz once the cameras are off, saying that he prefers to focus on everyday problems at home.

“Sa bahay po namin pag umuuwi ka, ni-isang beses, hindi ako tinanong about sa trabaho kasi ayokong pinag-uusapan ‘yung showbiz. Kunwari, maganda ba si ganyan? Mabait ba si ganyan? Hindi nga namin pinag-uusapan ‘yung project na ginagawa ko,” he said.

“Normal lang [pinag-uusapan namin]. Problema sa bahay, kung anong dapat ayusin. Kasi mga kapatid ko, nasa akin din. May mga pamangkin ako, ako ‘yung tatay eh. Meron akong lola pero ako ‘yung head of the family ngayon,” the actor added.

(When I come home from work, we never talk about showbiz. Not even once. We never talk about if a certain celebrity is beautiful or kind. We don’t even talk about the projects that I’m doing at the moment. We talk about normal things. Just problems at home, and what needs to be fixed. It’s because my siblings are with me, my nephews and nieces see me as their father. I may have a grandmother but I’m the head of the family now.)

The “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” star was also asked how he manages to resist temptation in the industry, where he mentioned that his hard work is a reminder to not be involved in entertaining certain desires.

“Mahirap nga po. Ako naman sabi ko nga ang lahat naman ng tao, lalo na bilang lalaki, dadaan at dadaan diyan. Pero sa akin kasi, kapag nag-mature na, makikita mo rin ‘yung magiging kapalit, lalo na ngayon. Pag ikaw, gumawa ka ng isang pagkakamali, lahat ng pwedeng pinaghirapan mo, lahat ‘yun malulusaw lang,” he said.

(It’s hard. For me, everyone has a stage where they’re faced with temptation, especially as a man. But for me, when you mature, you eventually realize the fruit of your actions. When you do something wrong, everything that you worked hard for will be gone.)

Martin has long been involved with Julia Montes, who starred as his leading lady in the 2012 soap opera “Walang Hanggan” and his childhood friend-turned-wife in “Ikaw Lamang” in 2014.

While the rumored sweethearts have yet to confirm or deny romance speculations, they have been spotted together in various encounters including visiting the grave of the late Fernando Poe Jr. on his 83rd birthday in August of last year.

The “Doble Kara” star was also surprised by Martin on the set of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” on her birthday in March 2022, and were seen together going through voter registration in September 2021. g

Troy emotional after daughter diagnosed with autism speaks a sentence for first time

ACTOR Troy Montero turned emotional upon seeing his daughter with actress Aubrey Miles, Rocket, spoke a sentence for the first time.

In his Instagram account, Troy posted a video where Rocket sings the birthday song.

“Overflowing Happy Tears!! Rocket’s OT teacher shared this video with me today during our session summary and oh my gosh, I almost cried on the spot (I waited till I got to the car LOL) then I sent this to Rocket’s mommy and it totally made her day!” Troy captioned the post.

“Tears of happiness, hearing four words coming from our non-verbal little girl, ugh. She can say letters and a few select words but until today nothing put

together like this,” he added.

Rocket was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She’s turning four years old next week.

“We’ve probably

watched this video 30-40 times already and for sure we’ll hit 100 by tomorrow. She’ll be turning 4 next week and hopefully she’ll sing along as we wish her a

Happy Birthday,” Troy said.

“Great job my (Rocket) we love you so much! We are so proud of you!” he added.

(By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar. com)

Miles Ocampo’s moment has come...

PAGE 14

others. Then eight-year-old Ocampo was paired up with Igi Boy Flores with whom she mostly played couple roles in skits.

Ocampo regarded “Goin’ Bulilit” as a big factor of her childhood and her showbiz career. Ocampo was among the sixth batch of graduates who bid farewell to the show in October 2009.

She pursues a Creative Writing degree at University of the Philippines – Diliman

Ocampo’s dream to write a script for a film inspired her to take up a Creative Writing course at UP Diliman. The actress initially took up Theater Arts and was already in her third year in college when she shifted courses in 2018.

She also revealed lining up and getting accepted to a scriptwriting workshop by veteran scriptwriter and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee in 2017, an experience which further influenced her to pursue Creative Writing.

Ocampo noted that her decision to change courses made her very happy as she got to learn and enjoy the process of making scripts, as per a 2019 interview.

She’s in a relationship with ‘Gameboys’ actor Elijah Canlas

Ocampo and Canlas’ relationship was confirmed to the public by the latter in an interview with comedian Ogie Diaz last year. The “Gameboys” actor revealed that they started dating in 2021 but they opted to keep their relationship private.

Ocampo and Canlas worked together in the TV5 drama series “Paano Ang Pangako?” in 2020, then appeared in the music video of Over October’s “Sandali Lang” in 2021.

The couple first sparked dating speculations after they released photos taken from Ocampo’s birthday celebration, with Canlas calling the actress his “favorite person.”

Canlas was the first celebrity Ocampo went into a public relationship with. In a 2017 interview in the morning talk show “Magandang Buhay,” the actress revealed that she was “NBSB” (no boyfriend since birth) at the time because she was at a phase where she was enjoying having her “me time.”

She starred in over 20 films, TV shows

Ocampo has grown into a promising young actress whose acting career spanned from supporting to lead roles across different genres. She was just seven years old when she starred in her first ever television series, “Mangarap Ka” (2004), alongside veteran actor Piolo Pascual. The following year, Ocampo was given a lead role in the drama series “Mga Anghel na Walang Langit.”

As a “Goin’ Bulilit” alum, Ocampo is also known for her projects at the comedy department including the youth-oriented show “Luv U” and the sitcom “Home Sweetie Home.”

Through the years, she delved more into heavy acting, delivering notable performances in TV series “And I Love You So” (2015), “Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko” (2018) and in her frequent guestings in the drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” She was also part of the hit romanticcomedy film trilogy “A Very Special Love,” “You Changed My Life,” and “It Takes a Man and a Woman” where she played the character of Rose Magtalas, the younger sister of Sarah Geronimo’s Laida Magtalas.

In 2019, Ocampo topbilled the

romantic-comedy film “Write About Love” which bagged six awards in the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Most recently, Ocampo portrayed a special role in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” which she considered an opportunity for her to “grow and explore” as an actress. She said that she was looking forward to taking on roles that are far from her usual comedic characters — a milestone she was able to realize in the TV series.

She’s managed by Maja Salvador’s talent agency

Ocampo had been with Star Magic for 18 years before she transferred to Salvador’s talent agency, Crown Artist Management, in 2022. She described this big move as a “new chapter” in her life, adding that she can now finally speak for herself and express her emotions freely.

A few months after, Ocampo then appeared in GMA’s long-running noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga” where she had her first ever birthday production in her 19 years in show business.

She and Salvador then became one of the hosts of the show, but Ocampo was later removed from it after apparently losing in the segment “Bida Ex.” “Bida Ex” was a spinoff of the show’s “Bida Next” segment wherein instead of contestants, hosts are competing for their stint in the program.

During an “Eat Bulaga” episode last August, an apparently emotional Ocampo asked the mainstay hosts to give her another chance to return to the show. The actress, who even applied to be part of the technical support staff, was eventually welcomed back to the “EB” stage and has since been hosting the variety show. g

Coco Martin Photo from Instagram/@dreamscapeph

Celebrity couple Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero with daughter Rocket Photo from Instagram/@troymontero