030323 - New York & New Jersey Edition

Marcos, Anwar talk peace in South China Sea

by Helen FloRes Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines and Malaysia agreed to bolster their political and security cooperation even as they emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the South China Sea.

President Marcos and Malaysia Prime

California explores private insurance for immigrants lacking legal status. But is it affordable?

A DOCTOR found cysts in Lilia Becerril’s right breast five years ago, but the 51-yearold lacks health insurance. She said she can’t afford the imaging to find out if they’re cancerous.

Becerril earns about $52,000 a year at a nonprofit in California’s Central Valley, putting her and her husband, Armando, at more than double the limit to qualify for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for

World Bank, ADB as investment partners to boost Maharlika attractiveness

TAKING in the investment arms of multilateral lenders such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank as strategic partners will likely boost the attractiveness of the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla. Medalla said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News TV that senators were

Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed developments in the South China Sea during their bilateral meeting at Malacañang on Wednesday, March 1.

Marcos said the two countries, as immediate neighbors, recognize the importance of maintaining peace and security in the region.

“As such, we agreed to continue our cooperation on political and security matters,

rekindling the Joint Commission Meetings and joint initiatives to combat transnational crime and terrorism,” Marcos said at a joint press conference at the President’s Hall in Malacañang.

Anwar, for his part, said he shared Marcos’ position to take up the matter at a multilateral level among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Marcos calls for ‘unity, reconciliation’ on his first EDSA anniversary as president

by James Relativo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sent his “warmest greetings” to all Filipinos here and abroad who solemnly recall the 37th EDSA People Power Anniversary, a popular uprising which ousted his father from power in 1986. Late Thursday, February

23, Marcos moved the February 25 regular holiday to Friday, February 24 as a special non-working holiday, with the Department of Labor and Employment calling Saturday, February 25 just an “ordinary working day.”

“As we look back at this moment in our country’s history, we remind ourselves

“We did discuss the South China Sea issue and I shared President Marcos Jr.’s concern that due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, we should try and engage and take the position at a multilateral level between ASEAN so that we have a comprehensive approach and achieve an amicable resolution

by KRixia subingsubing Inquirer.net

MANILA — Families who lost loved ones in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs have invoked the right to object formally to the Philippine government’s effort to stop the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) from investigating the thousands killed during the crackdown.

A Feb. 17 submission made public on Friday, Feb. 24 and filed on behalf of some 90 family members asked the ICC for the opportunity to “present views and concerns in the appeal by submitting a response to the appeal brief” to be submitted by the Philippine government this month.

It cited Article 68 (3) of the Rome Statute,

Reopened flights from Clark to boost tourism, decongest NAIA

by RalpH edwin villanueva Philstar.com

THE resumption of flights from the Clark International Airport will boost the country’s tourism industry and decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The DOT made this statement following the

SPECIAL GUEST. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrives at The Manila Hotel for the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit on Tuesday, February 28, accompanied by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (left). The summit tackled the Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028, which has two core objectives: ensure the development and expansion of the Philippine merchant fleet and ensure the advancement of a future-ready maritime human capital. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

The DOT made this statement following the move of Cebu Pacific to boost the Clark hub with a combined

domestic and international routes. Philstar.com file photo

Philippine inflation yet to peak; Feb high pegged at 9.3%

by Ronnel W. Domingo Inquirer.net

MANILA — Inflation in the Philippines may have accelerated yet again in February, with the month’s average expected to range between 8.5 percent and 9.3 percent, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), exceeding January’s fresh 14-year high of 8.7 percent.

With the rate of increase in prices of goods and services not yet peaking, the government’s fight against high inflation is seen dragging on to 2024, with the rate of change in prices of goods and services expected to go back to within the preferred range no earlier than late in 2023.

In a statement, the BSP said upward price pressures for February were expected to have come from higher LPG prices as well as higher prices of key food items like pork, fish, egg, and sugar.

On the other hand, lower prices for domestic petroleum, fruits and vegetables, chicken, and beef, along with the peso appreciation, might help push down the monthly average inflation in February.

Price pressures

“The BSP will continue to adjust its monetary policy stance as necessary to prevent the further broadening of price pressures as well as the emergence of additional second order effects,” the regulator reiterated, also suggesting continued increases in its policy rate.

At a hearing conducted by the House committee on appropriations on Feb. 28, BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said inflation would start to normalize or recede back to the government’s target range of between 2 percent and 4 percent “later this year or early next year.”

In the same hearing, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman told lawmakers that P646 billion of this year’s national budget that is earmarked for major social services is intended to help alleviate the impact of inflation on low-income households.

Pangandaman also said that next year’s budget will continue to provide for the near-term and longterm interventions for the same purpose, to help the vulnerable sectors.

“We have already sent out a budget call (to prepare the national expenditures plan) for 2024 and we are waiting for the data that the line agencies will submit,” she said.

Pangandaman said that, most notably, the 2023 General Appropriations Act allocates P3 billion for the Fuel Subsidy Program — 20 percent larger compared with the 2022 funding — which is aimed at cushioning the impact of high oil prices on thousands of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

Also, P1.29 billion was earmarked for the continuation of the Libreng Sakay program, particularly for commuters that use Edsa.

Further, P1 billion was set aside for fuel assistance to farmers and fisherfolks, which is double the 2022 funding. This year’s allocation provides P3,000 for each of 312,000 beneficiaries, meant to ensure unimpeded agricultural production and fishing operations.

In addition, there is P102.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, covering conditional cash grants for 4.4 million indigent households.

There is also P25.3 billion for their social pension of 4.09 million indigent senior citizens, and P36.82 billion for Protective Services, meant for 3 million “individuals and families in difficult circumstances.”.

“On top of these, there’s a Targeted Cash Transfer program to provide a two-month subsidy to poor households amidst the rising prices of commodities,” Pangandaman said.

“Details of this will be announced by the President once we finalize” the source of the funds. n

Drug war victims’ kin tell ICC...

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ICC’s founding document, which stipulates that the court should permit victims’ views and concerns to enter into the records at stages of the proceedings, in a manner not prejudicial to the rights of the accused.

The 90 applicants represent one of several groups that have filed communiques before the court since 2016 accusing then President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials of crimes against humanity by authorizing thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

‘Trauma, loss of income’

They argued that the Philippine appeal to suspend the ICC investigation would have an “immediate and direct effect on the personal interests of the applicants as they have not been able to obtain justice and remedies for the crimes committed against their family members.”

Some of the applicants, they said, “experienced torture at the hands of the police in relation to the drug war.”

“As a result of the killings of their family members or the torture they were subjected to, the applicants

have suffered physical, psychological and socio- economic harm, including physical pain, injuries, anxiety, loss of sleep, trauma, feeling of fear, depression, loss of income, and economic hardship,” they said.

Obscured death toll

Government data put the death toll of the drug war during Duterte’s term from July 2016 to May 2022 at 6,252 individuals, but human rights groups contend that the actual number could be three times that, as a consequence of sloppy investigation, and in a number of documented cases, falsified death certificates.

The Philippine government is expected to file its appeal brief before the March deadline, after the ICC PreTrial Chamber I, in a Jan. 26 decision, authorized ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to proceed with the preliminary investigation.

In a Feb. 3 petition, the government, through Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who served as Duterte’s justice secretary, sought the reversal of the ICC chamber’s decision.

Under ICC processes, the government is to submit its arguments in a more detailed appeal brief, with the prosecutor

given the chance to respond afterward.

The Marcos administration has supported its predecessor in the ICC case, arguing that the court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines after the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute took effect in 2019, and that the government is already investigating the same drug war-related crimes under scrutiny.

In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that withdrawing from the Rome Statute “does not discharge a state party from the obligations it has incurred as a member.”

Back in Geneva

On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will again seek to convince the international community that the Philippines is pursuing human rights reforms, as he addresses the 52nd Regular Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Remulla will speak on the “progress in the government’s justice sector programs under the Marcos administration’s larger human rights and development agenda,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement.

He will also discuss the importance of upholding sovereignty and harnessing international solidarity in the promotion and protection of human rights, the DOJ said.

Remulla is scheduled to meet with HRC President Vaclav Balek, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, Australian Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts, and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Director General Majid Al Suwaldi.

On Tuesday, he was expected to join a panel discussion to share what the government had done to strengthen the criminal justice system, particularly in decongesting jails and prisons, reducing case backlogs, and improving the poor’s access to the system.

—with a report from Tina G. Santos n

California explores private insurance...

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people with low incomes and disabilities. Private insurance would cost $1,230 a month in premiums, money needed for their mortgage.

“We’ve been resorting to home remedies to get through the pain,” Becerril said through a Spanish translator. Her husband has needed hernia surgery for 20 years. “It’s frustrating because we pay our taxes, but we can’t reap any of the benefits of where our taxes are going,” she added.

While many Californians who earn too much to be eligible for Medi-Cal can get subsidized coverage through Covered California, an estimated 460,000 residents aren’t allowed to

buy insurance through staterun insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act because they lack legal status. One Democratic lawmaker says it’s a small but glaring gap and is crafting a bill that could test Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s commitment to reach universal health care.

“We’re going to need to figure out how to provide universal coverage for all who call this state home,” said the bill’s author, Assembly member Joaquin Arambula. “It’s an area our state has not leaned into enough, to provide coverage for those who are undocumented.”

Arambula’s bill would direct the state to ask the federal government to allow immigrants living in the state

without authorization to get insurance through Covered California. Arambula sees the move as the critical first step to expand coverage.

If approved, the Fresno lawmaker intends to push for state subsidies to help pay for insurance.

Both elements are essential for immigrants lacking legal status, said Jose Torres Casillas, a policy and legislative advocate with Health Access California, a consumer health group working with Arambula’s office on the measure.

“Access is one thing, but affordability is another,” Torres Casillas said.

Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has approved expanding Medi-Cal to all

qualified residents regardless of immigration status. In doing so, the politician continuously rumored to be preparing for a presidential bid described the state as moving “one step closer” toward universal health care.

But in January, Newsom announced a $22.5 billion state deficit and made no mention of new proposals for the state’s estimated 3 million uninsured residents.

Newsom’s health secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, acknowledged the pressure to go further but he would not commit to a timeline.

“Up until now we’ve had so many other things to focus on,” Ghaly said. “This will become, frankly speaking,

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO / Jerome Cristobal

Marcos, Anwar talk peace in South...

to this outstanding problem,” he said.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which is believed to hold large reserves of oil and natural gas.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims in the South China Sea.

ASEAN failed anew to put up a Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea with Beijing during its summit in Cambodia in November last year.

ASEAN and China have been negotiating for a binding COC in the past few years to manage tensions amid competing claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Economic ties

Meanwhile, the two countries also agreed to boost trade and investment exchanges.

The two leaders agreed to “reinvigorate trade and investment exchanges, with a special focus on the halal industry, agriculture and food security and the digital economy.”

”Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and I had a cordial and productive discussion on Philippines-Malaysia bilateral cooperation, reaffirming our two countries’ desire to revitalize relations as we traverse past the pandemic then through the years towards a new normal,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the two countries’ shared historic roots are deep, and the Philippines and Malaysia’s cultures enjoy natural affinity.

“As such, we spoke of further deepening our people-to-people ties through continued cultural exchanges and tourism,” Marcos

Marcos calls for ‘unity, reconciliation’...

PAGE 1

that despite the polarizing and divisive nature of our politics, it is our capacity for peace, unity and reconciliation that made us great and worthy of global acclaim as a people,” Marcos said in a statement released by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

“To obtain our aspirations moving forward, we must compose ourselves and appropriate our actions towards settling our differences and identifying collaborative ways to nurture our society.”

“better for all.”

While touting diversity in Marcos’ message, his father was infamous in persecuting political dissidents which lead to the arrests of 70,000, torture of 34,000 and deaths of 3,200 others during the Martial Law-era of 1972 to 1981, according to Amnesty International.

Marcos earlier questioned this data when asked about the abuses of his father’s military rule.

said, recognizing the role of the Filipino diaspora in Malaysia and their contribution to both economies.

The two leaders also committed to continue supporting and enhancing cooperation with the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), including hosting the Brunei-IndonesiaMalaysia-Philippines Facilitation Center.

The Philippines and Malaysia are among the founding members of the ASEAN and the BIMP-EAGA.

“We have thus resolved to support development and peace-building initiatives within this group, including the importance of achieving a resolution to the situation in Myanmar,” the President said. – Pia LeeBrago, Janvic Mateo, Cecille Suerte Felipe n

Marcos said that by accepting diversity, Filipinos deepen interpersonal relationships and discover how to make things work

The president said that at the heart of democracy is the need to resign from individualism for the sake of the common good and “embrace our infinite love for humanity.”

“Let us keep in mind that the world matures and ages

in fortitude when people are free to speak their minds and challenge the realities that shake their convictions and beliefs,” Marcos said.

“If we truly stand for democracy, let us face the future by making our sense of community and patriotism the defining cornerstones of our society and the overarching goals of all our efforts in nation-building. I wish everyone a meaningful commemoration,” he added.

The Social Weather Stations on Thursday reported that 62% of Filipino adults feel that the spirit of EDSA People Power is still alive, even after Marcos’ 2022 win and the widespead misinformation that supported his candidacy.n

World Bank, ADB as investment...

PAGE 1

amenable to taking in the International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank and the investment arm of ADB as strategic partners instead of doing an initial public offering (IPO).

“In particular, let’s say if the fund gets to attract strategic partners like the IFC of the World Bank and the investment arm of the ADB, then the fund may actually be superior,” Medalla said.

Furthermore, he pointed out that inviting multilateral lenders as partners and stakeholders of the fund would address the governance concerns of the proposed MIF.

“If you bring in partners

like the IFC, it will be built in. So it really matters who your partners are,” Medalla added.

According to the BSP chief, the proposed MIF would

be better than the National Development Co., which is the investment arm of the Philippine government. Medalla said key concerns

Reopened flights from Clark...

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move of Cebu Pacific to boost the Clark hub with a combined 13 domestic and international routes.

The airline company has said three of its aircraft would be based in Clark.

Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines has also announced that it would commence flights from Clark to Caticlan on April 1 and Clark to Busuanga on April 2.

The newly reopened routes will surely boost the country’s domestic and international tourism as they will provide added connectivity to the country’s in-demand destinations, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

“After months of our

continuous discussions with relevant aviation agencies and stakeholders such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, we welcome these additional flights as they serve the Marcos administration’s efforts to vastly improve tourism connectivity and spread economic opportunity nationwide,” Frasco said.

“These flights will further invigorate the growing interest in our destinations among both domestic and international tourists, and further add to livelihood and employment opportunities for our tourism stakeholders and frontliners,” she added.

The tourism chief

also highlighted that the reopening of the flights are “very timely” for the coming Holy Week.

“The DOT has been working with the DOTr in pushing for the maximization of the Clark International Airport with the goal of establishing it as a viable alternate airport, so it will be utilized to its full potential,” Frasco said.

“With the additional flights, we meet a number of objectives: the decongestion of the NAIA and minimizing crowding in other airports, as well as the further development of the region and attraction of more tourism activities and businesses in the area,” she added. n

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hold a joint press statement at Malacañang on March 1, 2023. PPA Pool / Yummie Dingding

Medalla said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News TV that senators were amenable to taking in the International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank and the investment arm of ADB as strategic partners instead of doing an initial public offering. Philstar.com file photo

Features OpiniOn Developing the maritime industry

With 7,641 islands and one of the world’s most extensive coastlines, the Philippines should have a robust maritime industry. Instead the country has an abundance of deadly maritime accidents even in fine weather and a domestic shipbuilding industry that is so underdeveloped it cannot even produce enough vessels for the coast guard and navy.

The Philippines is the world’s largest source of commercial seafarers, but their jobs are currently threatened by the failure of local maritime schools to meet international standards on training and accreditation.

Editorial

On Tuesday, February 28 President Marcos vowed to make the maritime industry “once again a top priority.” But the industry has never really enjoyed top priority in any administration. And the ills plaguing the industry are symptomatic of the problems hobbling national development.

Philippine education in general is in crisis. Developing a robust domestic shipbuilding, repair and maintenance industry requires strong competencies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM, which are the weakest areas for the average Filipino student. The country also lacks the

Commentary

Moira G. GallaGa

THE recent incident at sea between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Chinese Coast Guard, when the latter used military grade lasers against the PCG and its crew amid reports of continued harassment of Filipino fishermen within

innovation ecosystem that is indispensable in designing ships for both commercial and defense purposes.

A strong maritime patrol capability could have enabled the country to uphold its sovereignty – as affirmed by an international arbitration court – over disputed areas in the South China Sea. Instead the country continues to rely on allies for protecting its maritime entitlements and has yet to fully achieve credible defense capability.

Addressing the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit 2023 on Tuesday, February 28, President Marcos committed to support aspirations for developing a domestic maritime industry “that will be looked upon with admiration by the region and the rest of the world.”

This includes full support for the Maritime Industry Development Plan 2028, which

covers priority programs to expand and promote an environmentally sustainable industry, adopt an efficient system of maritime governance, enhance maritime transport security, innovate and digitalize the industry, promote a competitive

workforce and develop shipbuilding and repair.

Those are ambitious goals, but with political will and full government support, they should not prove impossible to achieve within six years. (Philstar.com)

Protecting PH sovereignty and territory

our territorial waters, once again highlights the threat posed by China to Philippine interest, sovereignty, and territory in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

While the incident involving lasers may be a first, the harassment and shadowing of Filipino fishermen and the PCG are a constant reality. While our country pursues constructive engagement with China in other areas of

bilateral relations such as in trade and investment, the dispute in the WPS will be a constant thorn and a major issue in Philippine national security interest.

Meanwhile, the decision of the Marcos administration to provide the United States expanded access to our military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), and explore a possible Visiting

Forces Agreement with Japan to include some form of trilateral defense arrangement with the US, is being criticized and characterized as a mendicant foreign policy. The critics note that the mindset behind this idea is outdated, and that focus should be on independently building our defense posture. Others claim it will drag the Philippines into a war with China over

Taiwan if the Americans get involved.

I acknowledge the risk posed by a possible war over Taiwan that involves the Americans, but as I noted in my previous article in this publication on Feb. 9 titled “Expanded Edca: Benefit or Liability?” the pros outweigh the cons. Essentially, the ultimate objective of the overarching strategy, in which Edca is just a part of a broader network of alliances

being established, is not to facilitate a military victory, but rather to deter China from using armed force, not to mention prevent a war from breaking out at all. It is, of course, no guarantee that China would be deterred from its aim to reintegrate Taiwan through military means, but the lack of a credible deterrent is also likely to encourage China to use armed force, as the cost

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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Dateline PhiliPPines

PH has only 300 oncologists for cancer patients – expert

MANILA — The number of oncologists that can attend to the needs of cancer patients nationwide is only 300, according to a cancer expert.

“We are about 100-plus million Filipinos and the number of oncologists around the Philippines is only 300 and, admittedly, majority are here in Metro Manila,” University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Medical Oncology fellow Dr. Kenneth Samala said at the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel media forum held last Monday, February 27.

Samala stressed the need to develop more cancer experts and “get trainees who, after being trained, can go back to their communities and serve.”

“Actually, there are local government units and municipalities that are OK with this and send their scholars (to our institution). We train them and they go back to their communities after that,” he said, as he noted that treating cancer is multifactorial.

“You need manpower. You need oncologists, nurses, surgeons. You need equipment to be used for diagnosis. Of course, you need medicines, so it is

House approves hybrid Con-con on 2nd reading

somehow challenging,” he added.

Meanwhile, for Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. vice president Aileen Antolin, there is a need to train more experts, like oncologists and pathologists, to attend to the needs of cancer patients.

“What I have observed is that the funding is usually being used to build infrastructure, although what should be highlighted also is the need for manpower or experts,” Antolin said.

“There is a cancer center, but there are no oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologic technologists and mammography technologists. What happens is we just build structures, we acquire machines, but we lack experts to use the facility and equipment,” she added.

If the country has medical and technical experts in these facilities, then the care that can be given to patients becomes complete, according to Antolin.

At the same time, she expressed hope that the country’s young students or scholars will have interest in the field of cancer, so that “we can have more experts who will take care of the needs of our cancer patients.” (Philstar.com) n

by Delon Porcalla Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives approved on second reading a resolution allowing Charter amendments through the creation of a hybrid constitutional convention.

Through voice vote, most of the members of the supermajority coalition approved the measure when presiding officer Rep. Raymond Mendoza of TUCP party-list asked for their votes.

The approval on third and final reading of Resolution of Both Houses 6 will only be a formality.

A separate bill was filed and is now pending in the House appropriations committee for tax purposes since Concon delegates will receive remuneration for their skills.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who sits as president of the opposition Liberal Party, initially called for the suspension of the plenary proceedings.

But he was opposed by his

collagues, mostly from the administration bloc. Rep. Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo also introduced amendments to the measure, removing the name of lawyer

Through voice vote, most of the members of the supermajority coalition approved the measure when presiding officer Rep. Raymond Mendoza of TUCP party-list asked for their votes. File photo

Maharlika to have 6 to 11% yield in 10 years

by Louise Maureen siMeon, PaoLo roMero Philstar.com

MANILA — The Senate committee on banks and financial institutions wrapped up on Monday, February 27 its hearings on the proposal to put up a Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) that economic managers said can have an average yield of anywhere between six percent and 11 percent in 10 years.

Committee chairman Sen. Mark Villar said the panel will convene its technical working group to consolidate all inputs received in the three hearings even as senators indicated the Senate version of the MIF bill will have marked differences from the counterpart measure passed by the House of Representatives last December.

Upon questioning by senators, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon gave initial estimates on the possible returns from the MIF, which is proposed to secure its seed fund from the Land Bank of the Philippines at P50 billion, P25 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), P17 billion from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and still undetermined contributions from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., royalties and special assessments on natural resources and privatization.

She said the MIF may be placed in private equity infrastructure or in the capital markets or both. If the fund –estimated to be initially at P150 billion to P200 billion – were invested in the capital market, it would have a 10-year

average return of 6.51 percent.

“So that is of course higher than the important target inflation of two to four percent and even higher than our 10-year average GS (government securities) yield of 4.7 percent, indicating that it is a better return than the traditional conservative investment option,” De Leon said.

If placed in other sectors like power, real estate, infrastructure and logistics, the 10-year average return would be a 10.78 percent, she said.

“Of course, we’d like to diversify the portfolio… this would be a more realistic allocation strategy and on a 50-50 allocation between the major sub funds, 8.64 percent per year on average, which is also double the four percent upper bound of the long-term inflation target and more than two percent above the most recent yield,” she said.

Not unique

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor Ejercito said investments allowed under MIF are the same as those allowed for government financial institutions.

Such investments are in cash, foreign currencies, metals and other favorable commodities, fixed income instruments issued by a sovereign, quasi-sovereign and super-national and in joint venture or co-investments.

the GFIs?” Ejercito said.

Undersecretary Zeno Ronald Abenoja, chief economic counselor of the Department of Finance, said the purpose of the MIF is to focus government investments on strategic destinations, but with commercial rate or even higher than market returns.

Villar sought the opinion of the National Development Co. on how the creation of the MIF would affect their operations. Some senators earlier said the NDC could be the one handling the MIF instead of the MIC.

“I just want to get a comment from the NDC and clarify what is your stand on the Maharlika Fund and the creation of Maharlika Investment Corporation,” Villar asked.

NDC general manager Antonilo Mauricio said the NDC does not have a position on the creation of the MIF since the agency has not been involved from the start in the conceptualization of the proposed sovereign wealth fund.

Mauricio, however, suggested to senators “to give emphasis on NDC as an investment arm.”

Asked by Sen. Nancy Binay whether the MIC would be a competitor to the NDC, Mauricio replied the corporation is focused on smaller deals and investment gaps that national government agencies might have overlooked.

Rogelio Quevedo, of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, explained that while the NDC would be focusing its investments on local

“What makes it (MIF) unique, because these are also being done by PAGE 10

California explores private insurance...

one of the most important next issues that we take on.”

California needs permission from the federal government to open Covered California to immigrants without legal residency because it is currently closed to them, and Arambula said he is in talks with Newsom administration officials about how to structure the bill.

Once the federal government opens Covered California up to all migrants, the state could set aside funding for subsidies. About 90% of enrollees in Covered California qualify for financial assistance, which is paid for with both state and federal funds. Since 2020, the state has spent $20 million a year on those subsidies, a fraction of the cost, because Congress has given states an infusion of money during the pandemic.

Previously, lawmakers had allocated roughly $300 million to lower insurance premiums for Covered California enrollees. Any financial assistance to people

World Bank, ADB as...

of the central bank such as tapping into the country’s foreign exchange buffer or gross international reserves (GIR) as possible source of funds for the MIF have been addressed.

He said the term “wealth” in the original name of the fund has been dropped.

“That was the basic objection to the term W (wealth) because the government is a net borrower, the country is a net borrower. So in other words, to invest, we must borrow,” Medalla said.

He added that the proposed fund should be made to make strategic investments such as buying back the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) as well as greenhouse gases to attract foreign investors.

“For instance, I think the privatization of transmission might have been a bad move. It’s too strategic and then of course selling it to the Chinese, from a security standpoint. Maybe it’s a good use for this fund to buy it back,” Medalla said.

Another concern of the BSP that has been addressed is the use of the funds of pension fund managers Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“I think those issues are gone. So really the issues now are how we can improve the ability of this fund to increase investments in strategic areas and possibly, as in the case of Indonesia, attract foreign money,” Medalla added.

Based on legislative measures, the MIF will secure seed fund from state-run government financial institutions including Land Bank of the Philippines with P50 billion and Development Bank of the Philippines with P25 billion.

The BSP is expected to chip in P17 billion in the form of dividends, while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., royalties and special assessments on natural resources and privatization are also seen to contribute an undetermined amount.

Medalla also said the Marcos administration is seriously looking for a highly competent individual to lead the management of the proposed fund.

Privatization

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said privatization would be a “more logical” way of raising capital for the MIF, as it would be “less controversial” than drawing funds from key financial instituions.

living in the state without authorization would likely have to come from state funds, and the costs could vary widely.

For instance, Colorado enrolled 10,000 such immigrants into a new insurance program designed solely for them at a cost of $57.8 million in state funds, said Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. The program covered the full cost of insurance for enrollees.

In Washington state, immigrants who lack legal status can take advantage of a state fund next year to help all income-eligible state residents pay for insurance, said Michael Marchand, chief marketing officer for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. State lawmakers have added $5 million to the fund for immigrants without legal authorization.

“It would serve as an incentive for additional undocumented immigration into our country,” said Sally Pipes, president and CEO of

the Pacific Research Institute, a think tank that advocated against Medi-Cal expansion to immigrants without legal standing. “And put taxpayers on the hook for additional government health care costs and the inevitable higher tax bills to pay for them.”

California officials have previously considered allowing all immigrants to buy insurance from its state-run program before, submitting a request to the federal government in 2016. But the state rescinded its application after President Donald Trump took office, given his anti-immigration rhetoric and policies.

The Biden administration in December approved an exception to federal law for Washington state — a game changer in the eyes of immigration advocates, said Rachel Linn Gish, a spokesperson for Health Access.

“Seeing what other states have done and the waivers that are happening under Biden, it makes a huge difference in our approach,”

she said.

But even if lawmakers pass a plan to open California’s insurance marketplace to all immigrants regardless of status, advocates said the state will have to wait until Jan. 1, 2024, to ask the federal government for permission, and it could take half a year or longer to get a response.

That means it could be years before Becerril can get coverage. Instead, she’s preparing for the worst.

“I’m paying for funeral coverage,” she said. “It’s more economical than paying the health coverage premium.” (Rachel Bluth/ Kaiser Health News)

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

“Privatization seems to be less controversial and more logical because the assets being sold now can be enjoyed by future generations by investing in infrastructure and other things. We must put that on the table for the body to study,” Gatchalian said at hearing of the Senate committee on banks and financial institutions on the MIF Bill on Monday, February 27.

The senator made the statement after Bankers Association of the Philippines president Antonio Moncupa Jr. explained that generating MIF capital from sources that contribute to government coffers could become problematic.

Gatchalian noted that the top three assets that the government was looking to privatize could yield up to P130 billion in capital for the MIF.

These assets are the government’s mining rights estimated at P100 billion, a land parcel at the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) in Taguig worth around P22 billion and the government’s Mile Long property in Makati estimated at P8 billion. (by Lawrence Agcaoili with reports from Paolo Romero/Philstar.com) n

Motorists take advantage of the oil price rollback at a gas station in Camarin, Caloocan City on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Gasoline prices decreased by PHP0.70 per liter and diesel prices by PHP1.30 per liter after the improving crude oil supply in the United States pushed global prices down this week. PNA photo by Ben Briones

Comelec needs P3.8B more for con-con

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will need an additional P3.827 billion to hold an election for constitutional convention (con-con) delegates, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The election of delegates is planned to be held simultaneously with the barangay and youth council polls on October 30.

Garcia told the House Committee on Appropriations the additional budget will fund the bigger honoraria being proposed for teachers who will be doing poll duty.

He also said that 67 million ballots have to be printed for the election of con-con delegates.

Last week, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved a Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) calling for a con-con to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution.

If the House adopts the RBH, it must also be approved by the Senate.

Under a bill approved by the House constitutional amendments committee during a meeting on Monday,

Feb. 27 one delegate per legislative district shall be elected to the con-con.

Sectoral representatives, who will make up 20 percent of the convention delegates, would be jointly appointed by the Senate president and the House speaker.

A con-con delegate must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 25 years old on election day, a college degree holder, a registered voter in the concerned district, and a resident there for at least a year immediately preceding election day.

A sectoral delegate must be a natural-born Filipino citizen

and at least 25 years old on the day of his appointment. The bill requires the concon to have as delegates at least three retired members of the judiciary, two economists, two from the labor sector, two from the farmers and fisherfolk, two from indigenous cultural communities, and two from the senior citizens and persons with disabilities, among others.

During the constitutional amendments committee’s meeting on Monday, Cagayan de Oro Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the PAGE 9

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia ManilaTimes.net file photo

LOCAL FAVORITES. Flordelis Nebrao arranges caimito (star apples) on her sidewalk stall along Katipunan Avenue in Balara, Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 28. She sources the fruits rich in anti-oxidants from the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and sells them for PHP100 per kg.

PNA

photo by Ben Briones

House approves hybrid Con-con...

Alex Lacson from a group following his non-membership and moved for the insertion of an important provision.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who chairs the House committee on constitutional amendments and sponsor of the measure, accepted Defensor’s insertion of economic amendments to the Constitution.

“That is our purpose: to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the Charter,” Rodriguez said.

Comelec needs P3.8B...

PAGE 8

committee chairman, said “what is envisioned here is that there will be nominations from different sectors and then the nominations will be submitted to the speaker and submitted also to the Senate president, so that then each one of them will consider the nominations and then they will have to meet and be able to have” a joint approval “on whom both of them will appoint.”

The delegates will serve from Nov. 21, 2023, to June

30, 2024.

The convention will be held in the House session hall. It must submit its report to Congress and the Comelec within 30 days from completion of the consolidated amendments, or July 30, 2024.

The amendments to the Constitution proposed by the convention must be ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be held within 90 days after the submission of the convention report. (ManilaTimes.net) n

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said attempts to amend the Constitution would only distract the country from addressing urgent problems such as poverty and corruption.

“We should do away with this longstanding tale of make-believe that Charter change will solve all our problems. That is not needed now,” Hontiveros said partly in Filipino.

She said the government and the people must face the reality that inflation, poverty and corruption are the pressing issues that need to be addressed with aggressive political will and focus.

The senator asked why there appears to be “a sense of urgency on Charter change when it is not among the issues felt by the people.”

“Filipinos are experiencing hardship, but Cha-cha is being prioritized when it cannot be eaten,” Hontiveros said.

“Putting Cha-cha front and center is just another major distraction and will

only sideline urgent issues. The economy is worsening and the agricultural sector is laden with so much scandal. Redirecting large amounts of our limited resources to Charter change at this time will just do more damage,” she added.

She said she was glad that President Marcos has explicitly stated that amending the Constitution was not his priority.

The President’s allies in Congress should take heed, Hontiveros said.

Sen. Nancy Binay said she respects the prerogative of Sen. Robinhood Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, to push for Cha-cha.

Binay said if Padilla favors the easing of the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution, the landmark amendments to the Public Service Act, Foreign Investment Act and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act are sufficient to attract investments.

She said more effort should be put into improving and releasing the implementing rules and regulations of these laws instead “in the face of the many crises confronting us.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said Filipinos are “too preoccupied with daily living struggles” to give a thought to Cha-cha.

“Although we need constitutional changes to improve our system of government, this can wait as we should address first the basic daily living

problems: where to get food to feed the family, the continued increase in prices, where to get a job, corruption, the high cost of living and even of dying, and many more basic problems,” Pimentel said.

Sen. Sonny Angara said he was open to amending the Constitution, but he was concerned over the proposal of the House of Representatives to do it through constitutional convention (concon), whose members are to be elected. He said the con-con is the most expensive and the most tedious mode of Charter change, adding the proposed P10,000 per day pay of each delegate was excessive.

Padilla said while he is heartened over the efforts in the House to amend the Constitution, he appealed anew to them to prioritize amending the economic provisions.

Several groups in the House of Representatives, led by the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., have rejected Padilla’s call to abolish the party-list system.

Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers acknowledged flaws in the Party-List System Law, but said the marginalized sector still needs representation.

“The party-list system should not be abolished. The law should be amended to ensure that only party-list groups from the marginalized sector are the ones who get registered and elected,” Castro said. (With reports from Paolo Romero) n

MAJOR PLANS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) graces the Philippine Maritime Industry Summit, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, at The Manila Hotel on Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2023). He said the government will harness the knowledge and make use of the experience of Filipino seafarers to build an even stronger maritime industry.

PNA photo by Alfred Frias

Protecting PH sovereignty...

of an invasion would not be so high.

The bottom line is, no matter our position, a war breaking out in Taiwan is not in our country’s interest, and that preventing one from happening by being part of an alliance to deter China from starting one would be. Taking this a step further, has there been any consideration about our security position if Taiwan were to fall under the complete control of China? Such scenario would mean China’s land border would only be around 400 kilometers from Batanes instead of 3,000 km away as it is now.So aside from the WPS, we now have to closely monitor and patrol our northeast and eastern maritime domain, which includes the Benham Rise. Recall that a few years back, Chinese ships were surveying the area, which could be another flashpoint in Philippine-China relations. Therefore, if we are to talk about protecting our country’s sovereignty and territory, both on land and at sea, we need to take all possible scenarios and factors into account, and act according to our country and people’s best interest.

Speaking of our country’s and people’s

best interest, would the status quo of regular harassment of our fishermen and the Coast Guard, and the normalization of these violations of the 2016 arbitral ruling in our favor, be acceptable?

Independently building our defense posture is ideal, but how many generations will it take for us to achieve military parity with China, if that is even possible? In the meantime, we have to use all means necessary to protect our sovereignty and territory. Of course, doing so comes with risks, but sticking our head in the sand and hoping we’d be left alone would be worse. By the time we stick our head out of the ground, we’d realize we have already lost control of part of our territory.

* * *

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

* * *

Moira G. Gallaga served three Philippine presidents as presidential protocol officer, and was posted as a diplomat at the Philippine consulate general in Los Angeles, and the Philippine Embassy in Washington.

Maharlika to have 6 to 11% yield...

development projects, the MIC would invest in treasury bonds, equities and government securities.

Cap on foreign funds

National Treasurer De Leon also said there should be a limit to the resources foreign entities may pour into MIF to ensure their participation in decisionmaking is restricted.

She said both the Senate and House versions of the MIF bill don’t provide for such restriction.

“We are thinking of putting a cap in terms of the limit on how much offshore investments can participate in the corporation,” De Leon said.

“There should be a cap on how much you can invest. We can put it in the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) or put it in the law already, if needed,” she said.

The rationale behind such a proposal, according to De Leon, is to keep foreign investors from becoming part of the board of directors of the MIC. This means they will have no seat or voting rights in the MIC.

In the proposed measure’s current form, the corporation is represented by the founding members including the secretary of the Department of Finance, heads of the Landbank and DBP, as well as an advisory board.

There will also be independent directors

Sustain fight vs human trafficking - ex-DoJ official

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

FORMER

justice

undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar on Tuesday, Feb. 28 urged the government to keep the fight against human trafficking “at all costs” as he welcomed the Senate investigation on the reported human trafficking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a speech last February 15, Poe claimed that police and airport authorities failed to stop the departure of a Dubai-bound flight that carried 10 foreigners, but only seven were declared before immigration officials.

and Communications Technology, said.

whose seats are reserved for nominees of the Landbank and DBP, given the size of their capital contribution.

“Since the sizable amount will be from Landbank and DBP, it would be pro rata to their contribution,” De Leon said.

Even as the private sector will be encouraged to invest in the fund, she stressed the MIC would have no private sector representatives –at least in the board of directors.

But Binay and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian questioned such restriction, saying it would make the MIF less appealing.

“Foreign investors are very particular on representation, primarily to protect their investment,” Gatchalian said.

De Leon explained that putting a cap on foreign investments would ensure the government remains the majority holder of the institution.

“For you to be on the board, then you would have to have more than 25 percent shares of the corporation,” she said. “But then the limits will prevent them from getting that much. Majority will still be the government.”

De Leon clarified that the only time that a foreign entity can sit in the board is when the MIC enters into a deal with another company and forms a joint venture.

Binay suggested that the law should make it clear that no foreign entity can be part of the board regardless of the size of its investments. n

He was referring to the Senate blue ribbon committee (BRC) probe on the alleged “new high-end” human trafficking scheme at the country’s premier gateway.

Salazar was once at the forefront of the country’s fight against human smuggling as head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

The Senate probe was an offshoot of Sen. Mary Grace Poe’s expose on what she said could be another grand design of a “human trafficking” scheme at NAIA involving a private aircraft and foreign nationals.

The senator said that “the Manila International Airport Authority, Bureau of Immigration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Group and the Globan Aviation will have a lot of explaining to do.”

“I believe there is more to this kind of a high-end modus that concerned government officials must look into the soonest possible time,” said Salazar. “The Senate’s move is a step in the right direction to unearth the identities of perpetrators at the soonest possible time.”

The “modus operandi” was exposed when the PNP Aviation Security Group received an “anonymous tip” about a human trafficking activity involving an aircraft that is set to depart for Dubai at about 10 p.m. on the same day at the NAIA.

It said that only six passengers were declared but 14 passengers will board the aircraft.

“We say that there could be more to this that might have been perfected a long time ago and every time with cargoes as well in such instances.

If human trafficking can take place, how much more with illegal drugs,” Salazar, who also served as undersecretary of the Department of Information

“This is a very serious matter because if human trafficking can take place using private planes, how much more with illegal drugs that might only be considered as mere cargoes,” he added.

“As I said, the recent accidental discovery of the latest illegal activity could only be the tip of the iceberg. Thus, a Senate inquiry into this is a very welcome step,” he said.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed apprehension over the reported human trafficking scheme at the NAIA since it might involve national security.

“This is very disturbing and we condemn this new case of human trafficking using private jets,” Go said in Filipino and English during a chance interview in Quezon City on February 17.

“It appeared on the report that there are foreign passengers on board,” he said. Go voiced concern that some groups “use our airports as transit or exit point for smuggled people.”

“This should be stopped. This should be looked into thoroughly because there could be ‘national security dimension’ in this case,” he said. n

BILATERAL COOPERATION. Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Zhang Wenxian (3rd and 4th from left), senior adviser of the Jinjiang Municipal People’s Government of China, pose for photos after their meeting at the Arcadia Events Center on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Zhang led a 38-man delegation composed of government officials and business representatives for the signing of agreements for the Jinjiang-Davao Economic Trade Development, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., and Xiamen Airlines, as well as Avidsports Phils, Inc. and Shopping Center Management Corp. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Committee chairman Sen. Mark Villar said the panel will convene its technical working group to consolidate all inputs received in the three hearings even as senators indicated the Senate version of the MIF bill will have marked differences from the counterpart measure passed by the House of Representatives last December. STAR / Mong Pintolo

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas in part 2 of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’

LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel continues to answer immigration questions from Pinoys who made the trek to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa in Las Vegas. It can be said that the place where one goes to get clearer skin also became

Cherry

By Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN LAS VEGAS PART 2. Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya at the Radiant Spa in Las Vegas in the second installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Among the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Rowena (top left): What are the requirements and how long will it take to petition a housekeeper from the Philippines?; From Cora (top right): I am a green card holder. Is it better if I become a U.S. citizen first before I petition my six siblings in the Philippines?; From Roland (bottom right): Can my wife petition her half-brother?; From Jessica (bottom left center): My siblings are already Documentarily Qualified, and we are just waiting for an interview date at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Why is it taking so long? Watch Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” at the Radiant Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 5 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM Eastern Time) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

‘Love you, ‘day!’: Richard Gomez proud of Juliana’s first UAAP gold medal

by Jan Milo Severo

MANILA — Actor Richard Gomez is one proud father to his daughter Juliana after she clinched the gold medal for the University of the Philippines (UP) during the recent University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 fencing tournament.

In his Instagram account, Richard posted the video of Juliana’s winning moment.

“I am so proud of you @ gomezjuliana! You are now uaap champion!!! Hard work and understanding of the game has set in. I love you ‘day!” Richard captioned the post.

Juliana commented to Richard’s post with “Thank you for everything dad! Love you.”

The daughter of Lucy Torres and Richard said that she’s just getting started to win medals. “2 years in the making.. i’m just getting started. It’s a

privilege to fight for UP,” she wrote on Instagram.

Juliana also recently won gold at the West Java Fencing Challenge 2022 in Bogor, Indonesia. n

the venue to get clearer answers to their immigration concerns for that day.

• Roland wants to know if his wife can petition her half-brother.

• Rowena wants to petition a housekeeper

Cherry Pie Picache of online/ verbal bashing that she said inevitably comes with playing lead in controversial movies, like Joel Lamangan’s “Oras de Peligro.”

The historical drama, which begins its commercial screenings nationwide today, is in a head-on battle at the box office with another

Richard Gomez with daughter Juliana

Photo by Richard Gomez via Instagram

Philstar.com

I’M not saying I don’t feel hurt, I just know that it’s part of the job,” declared actress

Pie on ‘Oras de Peligro’s’ campaign vs fake news, disinformation

Wuhan lab leak

Health@Heart

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

IN spite of the radical leftist media, especially social platforms, widely tearing down and mocking everyone who had suggested that the COVID-19 originated from a leak in the Wuhan laboratory, and all covered up by China, epidemiologists and political leaders remained convinced, and now the U.S. Department of Energy and the FBI have concluded that the origin was, in fact, a lab leak caused by human error or accident in the Wuhan lab. Since there is still no evidence of zoonotic carrier (bats, snakes, pangolin, etc.) from December 2019 to the present, it is obvious that a lab leak in Wuhan caused the COVID-19 pandemic. Plain common sense.

As of Tuesday, February 28, 2023, there were 679,912,028 COVID cases, with 6,799,783 deaths worldwide; 105,266,332 cases, with 1,145,415 deaths in the United States; and 4,076,307, with 66,111 deaths in the Philippines.

Had Communist China locked down the entire Wuhan City, after its discovery of the first case of the novel corona virus infection on December 19, 2019, the infection could have been limited to Wuhan and not even spread to the rest of China, much less around the world, saving at least 668 million lives globally.

Why the Biden administration is not willing to accept this strong consensus in the scientific community and among political leaders, and not blaming and holding China responsible for this preventable global catastrophe, is, indeed, very puzzling.

COVID and diabetes

New studies reveal that among the unvaccinated, the incidence of developing a new-onset diabetes mellitus was significantly higher following COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccines appear to offer some protection for those who received the vaccines from developing new-onset diabetes.

“In a cohort of nearly 24,000 adults at a large California health system, adjusted models showed

that having a history of a treated COVID infection was tied with a 58% higher likelihood of developing newonset diabetes compared with a new diagnosis of a benchmark condition,” reported

‘I didn’t even choose the name Liza’:

This rinses out the sinuses of any irritants, viruses, bacteria, etc., that cause runny nose and sneezing. Do not do nasal rinses if you do not have any rhinitis.

Mediterranean diet

Liza Soberano shares story of ‘growth, gratitude, taking control’ in new vlog

By Kathleen a. llemit Philstar.com

Alan

Kwan, MD, MSc, of Cedars-Sinai Health

System in

Los Angeles

JAMA Network.

and colleagues in

He added, “This risk appeared to be mostly driven by unvaccinated individuals; unvaccinated individuals saw a 78% increased chance of developing diabetes within 90 days of infection, while no significant association was observed in vaccinated individuals.” The COVID-19 vaccines obviously protected them.

Allergic and Non-Allergic

Contrary to the common belief that only allergies can cause runny nose, and sneezing, nasal congestion (not due to a cold), especially during the spring season, there is a non-allergy condition that can cause the same rhinitis (nasal inflammatory) symptoms.

As a reaction to an environmental irritant (cat/ dog dander, mold, grass, ragweed, pollen), histamine is released in the body, which is the usual form of allergic rhinitis. This condition responds to antihistamine treatment. If the rhinitis does not respond to antihistamine, it may not be allergies at all; it is the non-allergy form of rhinitis, which is caused by polluted air, tobacco smoke, perfume, cologne, cleaning agents, or flu or cold. Antihistamine does not work for any of these since they do not result in histamine release in the body.

About 65 percent of people misdiagnose their rhinitis and buy over-the-counter antihistamine, only to find out it does not work for their (non-allergic) runny nose, sneezing, etc. Even physicians could be confused, so they resort to specific IgE blood testing to be sure in questionable cases.

Nasal rinse

One of the most practical and useful DIY home remedy for rhinitis (allergic or nonallergic) is nasal rinse with one part baking soda and 3 parts non-iodized salt (one teaspoon) in 8 ounces of lukewarm distilled or boiled water that is cooled down to lukewarm in squeezable bottle with a nozzle (like in the NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit). The solution is flushed into each nostril once or twice a day.

There are more than a dozen of diets around but the one that has a proven record of greater benefit to our body and our microbiome is the Mediterranean diet, the top diet the past five years. This way of eating is inspired by the centuriesold traditional cuisines of Italy, France, Greece, Israel, Spain, among others around the same region. It is rich in produce, greenest greens, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats (fatty fish, avocados), nuts, seeds, some fruits, various spices, and aromatic herbs. There is a moderate amount of eggs, dairy products, and poultry. Red meat is included by a minimal amount, like beef and lamb, goat. Alcohol (specifically red wine) is included in moderation (1-2 glasses). This diet focuses on food quality and more so on a way of life and a way of eating. As always, moderation is the key.

Avoiding self-abuse with illicit drugs, tobacco, and undisciplined alcohol intake, together with physical exercise and stress management are essential supplements to this diet. All this provide a profound impact on mental health and mood of the partakers and foster a deep appreciation for the pleasures of healthy eating – nutritional food, the enjoyable company of family and friends, and achieving maximal longevity possible. Some of the excellent food items include mushrooms (Shiitake, portabella, cremini, not the large white mushrooms), the greenest vegetables, arugula, bitten melons, Bok choy, etc., which are all excellent antioxidants that also maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Food we consume is metabolized into various chemical ingredients, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, hormones, etc., the effects of which on our brain, other vital organs and important glands, are like the effects of medications we take. This diet also lessens depression, boosts our immunity, and maintains a healthy balance of our body’s “yin and yang,” achieving wellness.

[WARNING: Eat food as

MANILA — After her social media accounts were “wiped out,” Liza Soberano uploaded a new YouTube vlog today where she poured her

heart out on her decades-long career, leaving her previous management and treading new ground that she is excited to explore.

The 14-minute vlog is divided into two. The first half was a recap of what

she has been doing for the past year since deciding to leave the care of Star Magic and manager Ogie Diaz. The second half features her talking to the camera and giving updates on her

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration...

PAGE 11

from the Philippines. She needs to know what the requirements are and how

long the process will take.

• Cora, who is a green card holder, would like to petition her six siblings. She wants to

know if it is better for her to become a U.S. citizen first.

• Jessica, who came to the Q and A session with her mother, Marosa, wants to know why it is taking so long for her siblings to get an interview date at the U.S. Embassy in Manila even if they are already Documentarily Qualified.

Tune in to Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Las Vegas, Nevada on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 5 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM Eastern Time 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)

medicine today to avoid having to eat medicine as food tomorrow.]

* * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a

substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * *

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

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas,

Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. 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.

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers the questions of (clockwise, from top right) Roland, Rowena, and Cora.

Jessice (center) and her mother, Marosa, (left) asked Atty. Gurfinkel (right) about a delay in her siblings’ Embassy interview.

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga joins Broadway cast and producing team of ‘Here Lies Love’

For limited guest engagement July 11 – August 13, 2023

THE producers of Here Lies Love, the groundbreaking musical from the minds of Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony Award® winner David Byrne (concept, music and lyrics) and Grammy Award® winner Fatboy Slim (music), announced that Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga, a global Filipina legend, will join the show’s Broadway cast for a special guest engagement this summer.

Salonga, who is also joining the producing team of Here Lies Love, will appear in the show for five weeks from Tuesday, July 11 through Sunday, August 13. She will perform “Just Ask The Flowers,” sung by the character of Aurora Aquino – mother of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, whose assassination ignited the People Power Revolution that ousted Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos from power. After her five-week run, guest stars from the Philippines will take over the role, showcasing the abundance of talent from her native country. This production marks the first time Salonga will serve as a producer on a Broadway show; Here Lies Love also marks the first time Salonga will play a Filipino role on the Broadway stage.

Salonga returns to the Broadway Theatre with Here Lies Love after making her Broadway debut there in 1991, winning the Tony Award for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon at age 20.

Here Lies Love, which tells the story of former Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos’ rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution, will begin performances Saturday, June 17 ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, July 20.

Lea Salonga said, “I’m so excited to be joining Here Lies Love as both a performer and producer! As an audience member that stood on the dance floor at the National Theatre in London where Here Lies Love ran in 2014, I knew I wanted to be part of it if and when it ever came to Broadway. Now here we are, and at the theater in which I made my Broadway debut! I’m thrilled to be part of this show, as well as part of

a company comprised of an abundance of Filipino talent, a first in Broadway history! We’re showing the world what we’re capable of!”

Director Alex Timbers said, “Having Lea join the Here Lies Love family is a pinch-me moment for all of us. I can’t wait to get in the rehearsal room with her and the other talented artists working on this show.”

Producer and costume designer Clint Ramos said, “Lea Salonga has singularly secured a place for Filipinos on the Broadway stage. That she joins us as both performer and producer, where she creates a pipeline for Filipina actresses, is profoundly historic. Lea continues to be a beacon of light and source of pride for the Philippines. We are thrilled to welcome

club where the audience is immersed in the story.

Ticketing information

As the official card sponsor of Here Lies Love, American Express® Card Members have Early Access to exclusive presale tickets before the general public from Friday, March 10 at 10am EST through Monday, March 20 at 9:59am EST at Telecharge.com.

Presale tickets for Here Lies Love are available exclusively to Audience Rewards® members from Monday, March 20 at 10:00am ET through Wednesday, March 22 at 9:59am ET. It’s free and fast to join at www. AudienceRewards.com.

Cherry Pie on ‘Oras de...

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locally produced film related to the same subject matter, Darryl Yap’s “Martyr or Murderer.” Supporters of both projects are actively engaged in an online tussle as to which film deserves to be seen by local moviegoers and whether producers intentionally set their film’s screening date to March 1 to ensure a face-off between the two productions.

her to Here Lies Love.”

As previously announced, the cast of Here Lies Love will also include Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) and Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away with Murder,” The King and I, Soft Power –Grammy nominations). An international casting search is underway for the remaining company of 20+ actors.

Developed & directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, with choreography by Olivier Award nominee Annie-B Parson and additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, the show’s home at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street) will be transformed into a dance

Audience Rewards is the Official Rewards Program of Broadway, providing membership benefits and rewards for more than 2.7 million members and representing more than a quarter of all Broadway tickets purchased through Ticketmaster and Telecharge. Free and easy to join, Audience Rewards allows buyers to earn Show Points on every ticket purchase, to be redeemed for free tickets, theater collectibles, unique experiences, and more. Founded in 2008 by a unique coalition of prominent theater owners, including Nederlander, Shubert, and Jujamcyn, major national presenters, and key performing arts centers from across the country, Audience Rewards has offered members first access presales to more than 100 Broadway shows and 200 VIP experiences and events, which have included a meet and greet with Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge, a walk-on role in Rock of Ages, a cooking class with Gavin Creel & Celia Keenan-Bolger, celebrity Q&As, backstage tours and much more.

Tickets are on sale to the general public beginning Monday, March 27 at 10:00am EST online at Telecharge.com or by phone at 212-239-6200.

For information on groups of 10+, contact Broadway Inbound at broadwayinbound.com or call 866-302-0995.

More information about

“They’ve always been there,” said Picache as a way to describe her bashers. “I won’t say I don’t feel hurt, especially when they get really personal and talk about my late mother because they don’t know a thing about what happened to her. It’s just that I’ve come to accept that bashers will never go away. Those who know me are aware that I always stand for what I believe in and I don’t mince words. It’s just that if it’s a matter that doesn’t help me improve my life, I choose to ignore it. It’s that simple—block, delete and move on.”

Film within a film

“Oras de Peligro” attempts to present the events that happened on the four days leading to the Edsa Revolution in 1986 that eventually overthrew the government of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Picache is Beatriz, whose husband Dario (Allen Dizon) is murdered by a corrupt and abusive policeman. Because of the incident, her family turns from passive victims of social injustice into active participants in the final hours of the uprising.

“It’s a film within a film. You will see real footage of incidents during the Edsa revolt. Beatriz’s family is only one of the many who experienced hard times. According to Direk Joel, they are composite characters of different people we know,” Picache told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent Zoom interview. Even Picache has personal experiences to share of how involved she was as a teenager at the time. “I was just 16 then. My family went to Edsa. We were all situated along Annapolis in Greenhills. We answered the call of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin for everyone to go out and march to Edsa. I witnessed the time when people were giving rosaries and bread to soldiers,” she recalled.

When asked why she felt this particular film is important and worth all the trouble she’s getting from bashers, Picache explained: “It’s very timely. It reflects the things I really believe in. It’s a campaign against disinformation and fake news. I said, nagtugma ang lahat. Although, to be honest, I still had to think if it was really OK before saying ‘yes,’ especially since I was very active during the 2022 presidential campaign.”

Also, Picache said Beatriz is very different from the mother roles she did for TV. “What’s good about her is that, while she is also a mother, this is not the highlight of the movie. I also got to read the script by Boni Ilagan and Eric Ramos and found it to be very beautiful. That’s actually my first consideration. I also missed working with Direk Joel. I haven’t done a film in a long time since most projects offered to me lately were mother roles, something that I’m already doing for TV.”

“

Oras de Peligro” is by Bagong Siklab Productions. Role in ‘Batang Quiapo’

Speaking of TV work, Picache plays Marites, the mother of Tanggol, the character Coco Martin plays in the new action-drama series, “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”“She is a loving mom, but at the same time, she would do everything for her husband Rigor (John Estrada). There are so many things that the audience will have to look forward to about Marites

Tony and Oliver Award winner Lea Salonga will join “Here Lies Love” for a special guest engagement this summer 2023.

Cherry Pie Picache

Meet Fil-Am Zoe Jensen: Broadway ’s latest queen is living the dream

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

LANA Zoe Jensen is having the time of her life.

The Filipino-American performer officially made her Broadway debut in late 2022 as a principal cast of Six, a British musical that tells the story of the six wives of King Henry VIII, but with a contemporary twist. Jensen plays the role of Katherine Howard, the fifth wife.

“Not to be corny, but it’s literally a dream. Not to say that there aren’t hard things or things that aren’t perfect, but to get to wake up here,” she said. “And then walking to work is incredible. I walk through Times Square and I’m like, ’What am I doing here?’ It’s crazy.”

Two months in and the 25-year-old thespian looks back at her journey so far.

Jensen was born in San Diego, California to an American dad and a Filipina mom and lived there for a few years. Their family also lived in China for a few years due to her dad’s work before finally settling in Rockford, Illinois where she grew up.

She went to school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale majoring in musical theater and a minor in journalism. After graduating, she worked briefly in Cincinnati at the Children’s Theater where she met mentors who would introduce her to people who would help manage her career.

She moved to New York when she was around 20 years and booked her first New York gig, an offBroadway show called We Are The Tigers. Zoe then joined the cast of Dear Evan Hansen and became a standby for the roles of Zoey and Alana. On her first week of work there, she found out that she booked Hamilton.

From September 2019 to October 2022, with the

During the summer of 2022, she got an email to come into a final callback session for Six, and a few weeks later, she found out that I got in. Last October, she officially made her Broadway debut as a principal cast member of Six.

“It’s incredible, it’s so much fun because it’s such a fun show,” Jensen told the Asian Journal as she described the past few months of her stint with the show.

Six has developed a cult following, something that Zoe has seen personally. She told us the fans call themselves “queendom” and are among the most loyal in the theater world.

“Walking into the theater and hearing people outside already waiting for the show and singing along, it’s an incredible feeling. And then I get to be a part of a show that has confetti at the end and I get to see everyone’s smiling. I know that we’re making people happy,” she said.

“Let me say first off that when I was a kid, my favorite thing to do - I was an only child. - my favorite thing to do would be in front of the mirror in my room, lipsynch songs with a hairbrush as a microphone,” she recalled, mimicking those moments.

“I love karaoke, I mean I’m Filipino. So we love karaoke. I used to always do karaoke so to get to do that, for my first Broadway show, it’s like incredible.”

Hamilton and Six are both groundbreaking musicals

based on historical figures and yet so different from each other in many ways and Jensen is thankful for being given the opportunity to shine on both.

“Six is pretty short, it’s a complete 180 from Hamilton,” she explained. “Obviously there is a responsibility on you as a principal in something like Hamilton but with Six it feels like it is the six of us, you need to be on you’re A-game because if you’re not like they can tell.”

“Some people might think that Six is harder vocally and it might be, but for me, I think that Six is a little easier because I’m in my happy place, that poprock kind of thing where you can kind of add some expression. Hamilton is so beautiful. I felt like Eliza

Zoe Jensen jumped from being Eliza Schuyler Hamilton on tour to become one of the queens of Six on Broadway.

Photo by Broadway Press

Zoe Jensen (Katherine Howard, center) with (l-r) Hailee Kaleem Wright (Catherine of Aragon), Nasia Thomas (Anna of Cleves), & Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Anne Boleyn).

Photo by Joan Marcus

THROUGH THE YEARS. Zoe and her mom Lani, a registered nurse born and raised in Bataan in the Philippines. “My family has always been so supportive and they’ve always been there,” Zoe shared.

pandemic in between, she essayed the role of Eliza Hamilton in the musical’s North American tour.

Meet Fil-Am Zoe... ‘I didn’t even choose the name Liza’: Liza Soberano...

had to be a little refined a little bit of that classicalness to it, which I think is a little harder.”

Both musicals have also cast Filipinos in principal roles: Rachel Ann Go and Christine Allado as Schuyler sisters in Hamilton and Andrea Macasaet as the original Anne Boleyn on Six. Jensen remembers bonding well with Hamilton’s Angelica tour cast including fellow Filipino Americans Alaina Vi Maderal and Jon Viktor Corpuz. She fondly recalled the day she left the company since they celebrated in a Filipino restaurant in Columbus, Ohio.

“That was one of the best parts about being in Hamilton. Growing up I definitely had some Filipino people in my life, but I was surrounded by predominantly white people,” Jensen shared.

“There were so many of us. We called ourselves the HamilAsians. I’ve always wanted so desperately to get to connect with other Filipino people.”

“Obviously, I have my mom, but I feel like when she came here, she felt like she

needed to assimilate. So I’ve always just been searching for people to connect with culturally on those things,” she said.

Zoe’s mother – Lani Lumanog Jensen is a registered nurse. She was born in Bataan. Her eldest brother was in the navy and he was able to sponsor the entire family to come to the U.S.

Her mother taught her how to cook Filipino classics, which comes in handy when sudden cravings arise.

“To this day, like every week I’ll either cook adobo or sinigang or pancit. I always like to have something Filipino at home, a little bit of comfort,” she quipped.

Zoe Jensen didn’t expect the chance to be on Six to come at this point in her life. After all, she has done more than 650 shows in Hamilton and she was looking forward to more.

“It always surprises you when it comes. I really thought that I was going to be with Hamilton for a while but yeah, Six honestly exceeded my expectations in a lot of ways and the main reason is just getting to do it with my group of six and our alternates,” she said. n

Tony Award winner...

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the wide variety of standing and seating options available throughout the theater’s reconstructed space will be announced soon. Sign up now at HereLiesLoveBroadway. com for early access to tickets.

From its world premiere at The Public Theater in 2013, Here Lies Love has enjoyed popular and critical acclaim. The show returned to The Public in 2014-2015, debuted at London’s Royal National Theatre in 2014, and most recently opened at Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017.

The creative team for Here Lies Love on Broadway includes three-time Tony Award® nominee David Korins (scenic design), Tony Award® winner Clint Ramos (costume design), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting design), M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer (sound design), and three-time Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (projection design), with casting by Tara Rubin CSA, Xavier Rubiano CSA, Gail Quintos and general management by Foresight Theatrical. Additional creative team members include ATW Jonathan Larson Grant recipient J. Oconer Navarro (music director), Billy Bustamante (assistant director), Renée Albulario (assistant choreographer), Bobby Garcia (casting consultant/Philippines), Gregory T. Livoti (production stage manager), and Ryan Gohsman and Sheryl Polancos (assistant stage managers). Giselle “G” Töngi is the show’s Cultural and Community Liaison.

Here Lies Love is produced by Hal Luftig, Patrick Catullo, Diana DiMenna and Plate Spinner Productions, Clint Ramos, and Jose Antonio Vargas, with Aaron Lustbader serving as Executive Producer.

They are joined by Lea Salonga, Bobby Garcia, Giselle “G” Töngi, Celia Kaleialoha Kenney, Girlie Rodis, Miranda Gohh, Rob Laqui, Georgina Pazcoguin, Don Michael H. Mendoza, Adam Hyndman, Yasuhiro Kawana, Triptyk Studios, Shira Friedman, Kevin Connor, and Hunter Arnold/ TBD Theatricals. n

upcoming projects. It also reveals her innermost feelings about her showbiz career.

“The pandemic was the first time in my life where I was allowed to stop and be still. This forced me think: I didn’t have a childhood nor did I have the chance to grow and become an adult on my own terms,” Liza began.

She said that she has been working for 13 years starting when she was only 12 years old.

“I had always been told what to do, what to wear, what to say and what not to say. I know this was for my own good. It was to protect me and my career, but it was a career that I had no say in. A career that in many ways wasn’t mine. I didn’t even choose the name Liza. It was chosen for me,” the actress said.

Liza started out as a pretty up-and-coming teen actress who played the third wheel to stars, such as Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo’s movies. She eventually found her own footing by starring in her own shows with Enrique Gil, thus, forming the famous LizQuen love team. They went on to star in several movies and shows, such as the teleseryes “Forevermore” and “Dolce Amore” and the movies “Everyday I Love You” and “Alone Together.”

No bitterness

The actress stressed that she is not telling a story of bitterness or regret. She had her realizations during the pandemic, where she found herself at the crossroads of her life.

It was then that she was approached by James Reid, a fellow actor who was also once managed by Star Magic after appearing in one of the editions of “Pinoy Big Brother.” He currently heads his own music and talent label, Careless.

“This not a story of bitterness or regret. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s a story about growth and gratitude. At 24 years old, I was finally given the choice to decide my

She said her curiosity made her meet James and his team of young people. It was life-changing for the actress as she was impressed with their passion and ambition.

They helped her open her spa, Hope Wellness, but they had to close it down. Their collaboration, however, did not end with her brief business venture.

“I love the way they respected my vision and intelligence as I did theirs,” she said, adding that they were supportive and didn’t ask for anything in return.

She took a break in El Nido, Palawan with family and friends where she figured in a motorcycle accident that left her with “gnarly” scars. She took a month to recuperate and train herself through yoga, meditation and journaling.

When she felt that she was ready to be active again, she sat with them and her talk with the team sealed the deal for Liza.

“I asked them what the plan was for me and they said I don’t know. You tell us. We’re here to support whatever your dreams are. That’s when I knew I had found my team.

“I had been approached by so many different management companies before, and it was the first time any of them had asked me what I wanted, what made me happy,” Liza revealed.

She acknowledged the surprise of people when

my input, my thoughts, my ideas,” she said.

Liza said that these days she is seeing herself exploring more than what she has known in the last decade by trying out writing and producing. Her current stay in the country is related to an upcoming project which will be revealed tomorrow, February 27.

The actress said she has also started to cut down on all her endorsements, adding that now that she is older, she wants to be “more intentional” with the brands she associates herself with.

she signed up with a startup company but Liza said she chose a team that supports her vision, rather than “lay one out for me.”

Grown so much

The actress said she’s the type who is hesitant to share her most personal experiences and thoughts on social media.

After the “wipe out,” she’s now back on Instagram with a reel and series of photos from a self-produced shoot with popular photographer Shaira Luna.

“I’ve always been scared to talk about very personal things and after the pandemic, even became scared of talking about my career and explaining myself,” she said.

The shoot played around the concept of her being jealous of flowers and dives deeper into the meaning of her poems.

“It was me expressing my hopes and dreams and frustrations. I’m 25 years old now and I think people forget that I’ve been working for 13 years now since I was 12 years old.

“I’ve been in six feature films, over 500 episodes of teleseryes and have only really dabbled into three main genres: romance, comedy and drama. And since I was 16, I had only really worked side by side with one main co-star, with the same production company, rotating around the same three directors and during all those years, I was never really asked for

Liza said she is grateful for all the opportunities that came with her past work that enabled her to take care of her family and live a comfortable life.

She is aware of the backlash she has been receiving but appealed for understanding from the fans and viewers alike.

“I obviously know it would be much easier to just stick to what has been working for me, to stay forever the same. And I know and I understand that it’s unfair to all the Liza Soberano, LizQuen fans, but I hope you understand that by doing so, by giving in to the pressure of doing what everybody else wants for me, I’m being unfair to myself, Hope Soberano.

“I’ve sacrificed my childhood. I’ve sacrificed my freedom and I’ve sacrificed my happiness to present Liza Soberano to the world and I think I’ve earned the right to finally be me, to finally be able to do things for me as Hope Soberano,” Liza said.

In the end she thanked the fans who finished watching her vlog and hoped for the best to come.

“I’ve embarked on a fresh new chapter and I’m finally taking control of my life, pursuing dreams that I’ve always had to hold off on and it’s exciting, it’s terrifying. It’s anxiety-filled and confusing, but what I know for sure is that, for the first time, I’m finally living my life for me,” Liza ended. n

Cherry Pie on ‘Oras de Peligro’s’ campaign vs fake...

in terms of her relationship with the people around her,” Picache said.

“There’s her relationship with her own mother, Tindeng (Charo SantosConcio), as well as with Rigor, and more importantly, with Tanggol. It’s already revealed in the series that she got pregnant with Tanggol after Ramon

(Christopher de Leon) raped her. People should watch out for that connection, too,” she declared. Her character is closely connected to the protagonist of the series. Is she prepared to work on the show for many years if ever the program would air as long as its predecessor, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano”?

“I’m prepared to stay for 10 years,”

Picache said, laughing. “It would be nice if our show indeed runs that long. I just hope that the people who showed love and support to ‘Ang Probinsyano’ will also do the same for our program.

‘Batang Quiapo’ is rich with stories that reflect not only the lives of those who live in Quiapo or in Manila, but also of the Filipino culture.” n

Liza Soberano uploads a heartfelt vlog days after her social media accounts were wiped out. Photo from Liza Soberano via Instagram own path,” Liza said.