031723 - Northern California Edition

Ceremonial swearing-in held in LA for Attorney General Rob Bonta

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta, the first Filipino American to hold the office, had a ceremonial swearing-in during a recent community event in Los Angeles.

LA Mayor Karen Bass administered the oath of office during the ceremony held at the Japanese American National Museum on Sunday, March 5 as Bonta’s wife, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), held the Bible.

Bonta, previously a state assemblymember, was first appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as attorney general in March 2021, before being elected to a full term last November 2022. He was sworn in and delivered his inaugural address in Sacramento last January 6.

The attorney general declared that it was “important…to celebrate this special moment in Los Angeles because my story in this country began right here.”

Born in the Philippines, Bonta was two months old when his parents, who were

Damaging storms and power outages: California prepares for more severe weather

THE Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is asking all residents across the state to prepare for another round of severe weather systems and potential power outages this week.

In a public information campaign driven by Listos California, a program of Cal OES, safety checklists and other resources are being shared with all Californians.

Diana Crofts-Pelayo, Cal OES Assistant Director of Crisis Communication and Public Affairs said during a March 13 briefing that the state is offering “lifesaving resources” and providing an update on the states’ “comprehensive effort to protect California communities during these rounds of storms.”

“Gov. Gavin Newsom has activated the State’s Operation Center, which is

A ‘Balikatan’ first: PH-US drills to sink boat in WPS

by FRAncis mAngosing Inquirer.net

MANILA — Filipino and American troops will sink a target vessel near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea when the two allies carry out next month their largest joint military exercise to date, a military official told the Inquirer on Tuesday, March 14.

The Philippines and the United States have ramped up defense cooperation under President Marcos in

the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and its potential invasion of Taiwan and will put on their biggest exercise in history with the participation of 17,000 troops from both sides. This is nearly twice the 8,900 soldiers who joined last year. The annual joint military exercises — called “Balikatan” or “shoulder-to-shoulder” that will run from April 11 to 28 — will feature some 12,000 US soldiers and 5,000 Filipino troops. Australia will send about a hundred soldiers, while like-minded countries

Pres. Marcos wants government anti-human trafficking efforts strengthened, harmonized

by Alexis RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. has ordered agencies to strengthen and harmonize the anti-human trafficking efforts of the government and private sector, noting that pandemic-induced livelihood losses make people vulnerable to the crime.

Marcos issued the directive during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)

and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Monday, March 13 in Malacañang.

“The IACAT and the PAOCC must take the lead in harmonizing government initiatives, public-private partnerships to thwart the business of human trafficking in its multifarious operations on the ground and now becoming more and more important online,” Marcos said.

According to Marcos, human trafficking is an ongoing problem for many

Seeking employment in US now easier for Filipino nurses

by mAyen JAymAlin

Philstar.com

SEEKING employment in the United States is now easier and faster for Filipino registered nurses and caregivers.

Migration consultant Manny Geslani said processing of immigrant visa for registered nurses and caregivers now takes less than a year.

“Gone are the long and tedious wait for two-three years during the pre-pandemic years which discouraged some nurses from applying for work in the USA,” Geslani disclosed over the weekend.

Quoting prominent FilAmerican immigration lawyer

Salvador Tuy, Geslani said that Filipino nurses and caregivers can depart faster for the U.S. “as long as the required documents are submitted electronically to the hospital or caregiving facility who had requested for the immigrant visa for her.”

According to Tuy, the pathway for Filipino nurses to enter the healthcare industry in the U.S. has become easier and faster through the electronic processing system implemented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

He said a foreign nurse who is issued an immigrant visa by the USCIS automatically becomes

will join as observers.

The activities will be held across Northern Luzon and the provinces of Palawan and Antique.

The anticipated sinking exercise of an old fishing vessel will be held some 22 kilometers (12 nautical miles) off Zambales, or about 185 km (100 nautical miles) from Panatag Shoal which China seized from the Philippines in 2012, according to Balikatan spokesperson Col. Michael Logico.

He said it would be conducted by the two countries u PAGE 2

Frances Kendra Lucer with her two children. Contributed photo

Filipina in Daly City shot dead by partner in front of her two kids

A FILIPINO American woman was killed in front of her two children by her partner in Daly City, California on Monday, March 6.

Frances Kendra Lucero, 27, was shot and killed by her partner, Romier Narag, also 27, in front of her two children, aged 3 and 4.

Police said the two had argued on their way home from a family dinner. Narag allegedly shot Lucero with a 9 millimeter handgun four times as she tried to run to their house.

Narag has been charged with murder and child endangerment and was booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

The two children are now in the care of Lucero’s family as they undergo social work evaluation, A GoFundMe page has been set up for Frances Lucero. (Inqurer.net)

Overseas voters can soon register in PH

by BeRnAdette e tAmAyo ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Overseas Voting Secretariat (OVS) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have entered into an agreement to establish local field registration centers (LFRCs) for overseas voters.

DFA Undersecretary Jesus

Domingo and Comelec

Chairman George Erwin Garcia signed on March 2 a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the establishment of LFRCs.

The registration centers will be located at the DFA consular offices in Aseana, the DFA said on Twitter on Thursday, March 9.

It will offer the opportunity for Filipinos who are about to go abroad to register as overseas voters (OVs) to be able to vote in their countries of destination during the 2025 national elections, the DFA said.

The continuing registration for overseas voting for the 2025 elections began on Dec. 9, 2022, and will end on Sept. 30, 2024.

Domingo expressed hope that there will be more registrants through the establishment of LFRCs.

Garcia affirmed the poll body's assistance to the DFA as he enumerated the various ways to increase the number of OV registrants and, eventually, the voter turnout. n

file photo by Michael Varcas

Pres. Marcos wants government anti-human...

countries as the global economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. People without work and source of livelihood make them more vulnerable to human traffickers and it’s time for government to intervene, he added.

“I think the room for improvement here is that we can work together more and coordinate together more and where – that puts meat on the bones of what we have come to call the whole-of-government approach and bring everything to bear to the problems that we are facing,” the president said.

Marcos instructed agencies to halt the operation of human traffickers who exploit the physical and economic weaknesses of vulnerable people, especially women and children. He also cited the need for the country to keep its status in the tier system.

“I remember (Migrant Workers) Secretary (Susan)

Toots (Ople) and I started on this campaign to remove us from Tier 2. We were in danger coming down to Tier 3 at the time. So we managed to take us back up to Tier 1. And let’s just make sure that the Tier 1 categorization or status of the Philippines is not put in any danger,” the president noted, referring to the annual assessment of the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Office. The chief executive also tasked the Presidential

Communications Office to help the IACAT by launching a communication campaign to educate the public about the danger posed by human trafficking syndicates.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has ordered the IACAT to alert all its agencies to take action against the “alarming” number of Filipino human trafficking victims, which has reached nearly 2,000 just in the first two months of year.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the IACAT would be mobilizing all its member agencies to address the “very alarming” human trafficking situation in the country. He said Filipino victims were mostly trafficked or attempted to be transported to Southeast Asian countries.

“This is what we call modernday slavery. That’s why Filipinos should be careful. We should have a checklist before we want to go abroad,” he told reporters. (with reports from Neil Jayson Servallos)

A‘Balikatan’ first: US-PH drills...

PAGE 1

for the first time as the forthcoming drills focus on “maritime defense, coastal defense and maritime domain awareness.”

“We will be sinking a target vessel using a combination of artillery naval gunfire and aviation weapons… We will be firing HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), our artillery … a combination of Philippine Air Force and U.S. Air Force rockets and bombs, and our frigates,” Logico said of the sinking exercise.

The U.S. Army will also hold its first Patriot missile air-defense exercise in the country as part of a coastal defense live-fire exercise, Logico added.

Last year, the United States deployed the Patriot, which stands for “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target,” as part of a mobilization exercise for the Balikatan drills. It was not used for live-fire training then.

Such a weapon system, touted as one of the world’s most advanced air defense systems, was provided by the United States to Ukraine to counter Russian missile and drone attacks. It can track and shoot down incoming missiles and aircraft with a minimum flight time of less than nine seconds and can travel up to 70 km to a target.

“This Balikatan seems to be

designed to test operational concepts to enhance strategic deterrence posture of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea,” Rommel Jude Ong, a former vice commander of the Philippine Navy, told the Inquirer.

He said the large-scale deployment of American troops was a logistics exercise “to assess how it can rapidly deploy a large number of troops and equipment in theater.”

The sinking exercise would likewise test the Philippine Navy’s sea denial strategy, he said.

“It is premised on the idea that a land-based anti-ship missile can defend the country’s waters from any adversary’s naval shipping, even from a distance,” he pointed out.

Prelude to Balikatan

The use of the Patriot, meanwhile, would allow the AFP to understand “the need for an anti-air defense system which can protect our land and critical infrastructures from conventional ballistic threats,” Ong said.

When asked if the upcoming joint exercise could stir up China, Logico said: “We have the absolute, inalienable right to defend our territory. We are here to show that we are combatready.”

The defense of the Philippine archipelago from potential foreign

aggressors is also the focus of the ongoing joint drills between the armies of the Philippines and the United States.

About 3,000 soldiers from the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army are taking part in the annual “Salaknib” (shield in Ilocano) Exercise, which was first held in 2014.

The Army, the Philippine military’s largest service branch, is shifting its focus to territorial defense from insurgency amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

“We will now be training on scenarios that would require us to work together to face adversaries from out of the country,” Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Monday, March 13 on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of Salaknib at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province.

“We will focus on defense operations such as air defense and defense from the shorelines,” he added.

This year’s Salaknib, considered a prelude to the Balikatan exercises, is being conducted in two phases across northern Luzon, including Fort Magsaysay, one of the first five agreed locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a deal that gives the U.S. access to Philippine bases for joint training and prepositioning of equipment. n

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

FINALISTS. The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) headed by Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo (3rd row, in grey suit) and their partners for the 6th imake.wemake competition present the 20 top school finalists and their coaches in a press conference at the Sequioa Hotel-Manila Bay, Aseana City Business Park in Parañaque City on Monday, March 13. The DOST-SEI takes pride in its continuous promotion of innovation through the imake.wemake competition fostering their goal to unleash the creativity of young Filipinos in innovation using accessible technologies to address problems in society and improve social conditions. PNA photo by Ben Briones

SF Mayor Breed proposes permitting improvements to speed housing construction

Housing for All effort would streamline the site permit process to significantly reduce permitting times for new developments and major renovations

SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor London Breed, City Administrator Carmen Chu, the Department of Building Inspection, and the Planning Department on Tuesday, March 14 announced an effort to improve San Francisco’s Site Permit approval process that is expected to dramatically reduce development timelines by months and even years. The change will require legislation which is currently being drafted and will be introduced in the coming weeks after an April public forum and outreach to further inform the policy. This reform is part of the Mayor’s Housing for All initiative, which sets the goals and policies to allow for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next 8 years.

This proposal would streamline the city’s process for issuing a key project approval known as a “Site Permit,” which will reduce permitting times for new developments and major renovations. Analysis of past projects show this change could have saved up to 65% on some projects. The time savings comes from moving intake, administration and approval of the design, environmental review, and zoning entitlements from the Department of Building Inspection to the Planning Department. This shift will

allow for concurrent review by multiple City departments, help resolve high-level design issues earlier in the process, and clarify a project’s post-entitlement process. “To build the housing we need for our residents and for the future of San Francisco, we must produce faster, more transparent and less costly housing construction,” said Mayor Breed. “A centerpiece of my Housing for All plan is shedding barriers and burdens that are counter-productive to meeting our housing goals. Streamlining this approval process is a good start in our work to untangle the complicated bureaucracy that has unnecessarily slowed housing development for decades.”

On February 7, Mayor Breed issued her Housing for All Executive Directive to fundamentally change how the City approves and builds housing. As part of the executive directive, the Department of Building Inspection and Planning Department are required to assess permitting timelines, identify opportunities to reduce review times, and implement process improvements to speed housing delivery in San Francisco. How the site permit process

Ceremonial swearing-in held in LA for...

works now

San Francisco currently offers developers the option of securing their design approval, environmental clearance, and zoning entitlements through a Site Permit for projects that do not otherwise need Planning Commission approval. The Department of Building Inspection administers the clerical aspects of the site permit process, while the Planning Department manages the design review, environmental review and zoning entitlements. The Site Permit can be requested from the Department

social justice missionaries, moved the family to the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. He shared his family’s story of then moving to the Central Valley to work with farmworkers, including Filipino American figures Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, and how those experiences shaped his future in public service.

“As attorney general, I now have the great honor of representing all Californians — those who have called this state home for generations and those who are just putting down roots,” Bonta told the audience of elected officials, community leaders and supporters.

Since taking office in 2021, Bonta has tackled issues from firearm ownership to housing laws to reproductive rights.

“It's been a busy two years because now more than ever, we need leaders of government and law enforcement to build and rebuild bridges with our communities,” he added. “Today, you have my commitment to do just that. I’m here to protect and serve our community because I’m a proud son of California.”

courtesy of

LA Mayor’s Office

The ceremony, which was hosted by media personality Van Jones, included testimonies of the attorney general’s work and character from Rep. Robert Garcia, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and Assemblymember Bonta.

“This is a new day for justice… I’m driven by the desire to protect and defend every day people who have been harmed, mistreated or abused,” the attorney general said. n

Damaging storms and power outages: California prepares...

essentially the full weight of the State,” Crofts-Pelayo said. “The state has to be able to have tightly coordinated responses and rapidly deploy resources to protect impacted communities.”

Cal OES is reporting that so far this year California has experienced multiple large and damaging storms in the form of snow, gusty winds, lightning and torrential rain. It is warning that storms continue to be dynamic and pose a threat to communities throughout the state.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to bring state support to county-led emergency response efforts and coordinate mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions.

To elevate the state’s response, Newsom has declared a state of emergency in 40 counties: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yuba, Calaveras, Del Norte, Glenn, Kings, San Benito and San Joaquin counties have been warned that disaster may occur. According to Crofts-Pelayo, the impact of the “extreme weather has been significant.”

There are 33 shelters opened in 14 counties, about 15,800 people are under evacuation

and 6,800 people in 16 counties are without power.

“Our climate is changing and at the end of the day the hots are getting hotter, the wets are wetter, and the dry dryer,” Crofts-Pelayo said. “So, with that we are having to rapidly evolve our response and preparedness messaging to really fit a whole host of different communities. I think that we never really went away from the January storms.”

On March 13, President Joe Biden approved the Governor’s emergency declaration request and has authorized federal assistance to support the storm response effort in California.

Listos California has provided “Preparedness Tips” that the office says will play a critical role in keeping communities safe. Californians residing in affected counties are encouraged to sign up for their local community’s warning system at CalAlerts.gov. Use Television, radio, and county emergency services social media channels to get the information to be safe, authorities say.

If asked to evacuate, do so immediately and know that personnel at emergency evacuation centers cannot ask for identification. Everyone is welcome at emergency evacuation centers.

Never drive around barricades and never drive into flooded areas. Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.

Visit Listos California for information on the range of resources to help Californians in need. (Antonio Ray Harvey/ California Black Media)

Seeking employment in US now...

a green card holder and has permanent resident status in the U.S.

Tuy said that there is a current shortage of 190,000 nurses in the U.S. Nurses there receive an average monthly salary of $6,900 or higher depending on the specialty and professional experience.

Based on records, about 18,617 Filipino nurses took the latest National Council Licensure Examination – a 90 percent jump compared to the previous year.

“This indicates the strong interest of the nurses to work for better employment opportunities and for their future in America,” Geslani pointed out.

It is expected that more than one-half of those who took the

exams will pursue their desire to work in the US with the passing rate of 80 percent set up by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

The demand for Filipino nurses for employment to U.S. Hospitals continues to rise with the easing of COVID restrictions and huge shortage of health workers to care for the rising population of senior citizens known as “baby boomers.”

Meanwhile other Filipino nurses who could not wait for U.S. jobs opted to work in the UK or Germany to join the National Health Service, or the Triple-Win system of the Department of Migrant Workers/ Philippine Overseas Employment Agency. (with reports from Rudy Santos)

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass administers the oath of office for Attorney General Rob Bonta on March 5 during a community ceremony at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. Bonta was joined on stage by his wife, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda). Photo

Mayor London Breed

Dateline PhiliPPines

‘US driving wedge between China, PH’

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

NIGHTLIFE. The lighted mausoleum of President Manuel L. Quezon serves as mute witness to

City Memorial Circle on Friday, March 10. The three 66-meter pylons, representing

--

SF Mayor Breed proposes permitting...

of Building Inspection before securing all the required Planning Department approvals.

The process is often used for larger projects so that the initial construction can get underway while the remaining construction documents are still being reviewed and revised.

Unfortunately, the current site permit process triggers multiple rounds of project reviews and revisions which require more time, are sometimes redundant and conflicting, and always expensive.

Proposed new streamlined process

The proposal will bifurcate the current Site Permit review process to substantially reduce the overall development timeline by standardizing the process and eliminating redundant stages during project and permit review. The new site permit process will feature fewer administrative steps, consolidate plan review, and reduce the number of times an applicant is asked to revise a plan for code compliance by having all the relevant departments review a project concurrently. With this narrower scope of review and a consistent, streamlined process, the Planning Department will be able to analyze projects faster, saving applicants time and money. Standardization of the

site permit process will also establish greater transparency and a more predictable project review process at the Planning Department and Department of Building Inspection. Permit applicants will receive clear direction from the city about the information and additional permits required for their project.

Potential impacts and time savings

To evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed process, the City Administrator’s Permit Center analyzed previously approved site permit projects and found that they could have achieved substantial time savings from the proposed process and concurrent plan review. For example:

• A large apartment building on Market Street could have reduced its approval timeline from 4.25 years to 2.3 years.

• A condominium development on Tennessee Street could have shaved 1.5 years off the approval process – from 2.5 years to ten months, a 65%-time savings.

• Similarly, a commercial warehouse on Indiana Street could have saved nine months, while a commercial condominium project on Stanyan Street could have saved ten months.

“Improving the site permit process will both speed housing production and create a better, more efficient system for people who want to build

in San Francisco,” said City Administrator Carmen Chu.

“There is no single magic solution, instead, every painstaking day we shave off the development process is a day sooner a person can be living in a new home in the city.”

“Changing the site permit process just makes good sense,” said Rich Hillis, Director of the Planning Department. “The process was well intentioned, but it is past time for a reinvention. This new system will allow city departments to focus on what each of us does best and to serve our customers better.”

“This is a major improvement in how we review and approve major construction projects in San Francisco,” said Patrick O’Riordan, Director of the Department of Building Inspection. “It’s a smarter way of doing business that is going to produce housing in less time, for less money and using a more rational process. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The Mayor’s Office and the departments involved are now soliciting input and drafting legislation to codify these changes. The city plans to host a public forum for community input on April 19 and then have the proposal considered at a joint Building Inspection Commission and Planning Commission meeting on May 18.

(SF Mayor’s Office Release)

THE Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Sunday, March 12 said it sees “no problem” with the Philippines over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, but accused the United States of using the issue to drive a wedge between Manila and Beijing. The embassy issued the statement in reaction to the remarks of U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson in a television interview on the South China Sea dispute and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the U.S. Carlson had said U.S.Philippine joint patrols in the waterways are important to ensure that it remains free and open to international navigation.

“On the South China Sea issue, there is ‘no problem’ of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” the embassy said.

“When talking about free and open waterways, what the U.S. has in its mind is actually the ‘freedom of rampage’ of its warships in the South China Sea,” it said. The U.S. has been sending its warships on “freedom of navigation” sorties in the South China Sea, which China claims is part of its territory. The embassy pointed out that the U.S. military “has been coming all the way from the other side of

the Pacific to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and ganging up with its allies from other parts of the world to flex muscle in the South China Sea.”

“By doing these, the U.S. has not only heightened tension, driven a wedge between China and the Philippines, but also has disturbed and upset the joint effort of countries in this region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the embassy said.

Now that China and the Philippines are at a critical juncture of post-COVID-19 recovery, “we should keep to the right track of maintaining good-neighborliness and attaining mutual benefit rather than getting distracted by forces who are fanning the flame and driving a wedge between us, even less inviting a bully into our community,” it added.

“We need to focus on cooperation and development, and truly safeguard, promote and build peace, stability, prosperity of our region and bring more tangible benefits to people of our two countries,” the embassy said.

Carlson said the EDCA sites, where the U.S. can store arms and equipment, would not only help the provincial and local authorities to enhance their ability to defend themselves, but to grow their economy.

The governors from Cagayan and Isabela expressed apprehension about having their provinces used as EDCA

sites, fearing that the sites could become military targets if the conflict between China and Taiwan escalates further.

The Chinese embassy noted that “intense debates” have been going on recently in the Philippines about the four additional EDCA sites. “The governors of Cagayan and Isabela are not the only ones who publicly expressed reservation to having their provinces used as EDCA sites,” it said.

Peace and development, the embassy said, remain the theme of this era and the call of peoples around the world.

It accused the U.S. of “keeping on upgrading” military cooperation with the Philippines by adding EDCA bases and military deployment in the country “to secure its hegemony and selfish geopolitical interests and out of the cold-war mentality.”

“Whereas the U.S. claims that such cooperation is intended to help the disaster relief efforts of the Philippines and some Americans even tout the EDCA sites as driver of local economy, it is plain and simple that those moves are part of the U.S. efforts to encircle and contain China through its military alliance with this country,” the embassy said.

“To bundle the Philippines into the chariots of geopolitical strife will seriously harm Philippine national interests and endanger regional peace and stability,” it said. n

AIR POWER F-18 Hornets and other air assets are seen on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan, which is docked in Manila Bay on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. The aircraft carrier, in the country for a port visit, was opened to the media on the same day. US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, who was on board the vessel, said the USS Ronald Reagan’s visit strengthens the ties between the Philippines and the US, especially now that the Indo-Pacific waters are a ‘challenging environment to navigate.’ Philstar.com photo by J. Gerard Seguia

park visitors spending quiet time at the Quezon

Quezon’s

age

when

he died, stand

for the country’s three

major islands

Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

HIV among teens

IN their teens, there are Filipinos who are getting infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, the Department of Health has reported. In its latest HIV/ AIDS registry, the DOH reported this week that 79 Filipinos aged 10 to 19 years and seven children below age 10 were diagnosed with HIV in January alone.

Of the 86 cases, 78 got HIV through sexual contact, according to the DOH. The department reported that 65 of the infections acquired HIV through male-to-male sex, eight through sex with both male and female, and five through heterosexual contact, with most of the sexual contact unprotected or unsafe. Of the cases, 18 were 18 to 19 years old, 20 were aged 15 to 17 while two were between ages 10 and 14.

The problem raises the need to heighten awareness of safe sex and reproductive health among adolescents. Some sectors have expressed concern that sex education can encourage sexual promiscuity among the youth. Proponents of sex education, on the other hand, argue that adolescents will explore their sexuality anyway, so it is better to provide them with proper information on safe sex, reproductive health and the risks of HIV infection and teenage pregnancy.

Before the COVID pandemic, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS had reported that the number of new HIV infections in the Philippines had more than doubled between 2010

From My Point of View

SINCE taxation is part and parcel of our existence, let’s continue to dwell on this subject matter. We are in the tax season mode, so we’ll provide some insights to navigate this important aspect of our lives whether we like or not.

Child and dependent care credit

For instance, Child and Dependent Care Credit is again a deductible tax credit. I have a client from Fresno, California who was given a $2,000 credit for his two-year-old baby and then some. Because the breadwinner of the house, a nurse, received a refund of more than $10,000.

He got excited that at last he can now have some cash to pay for his down payment for his first house.

If you have for more than

and 2016, from 4,300 infections to approximately 10,500. The country has recorded the fastest growth rate in HIV infection in Asia and the Pacific, becoming one of eight countries that account for over 85 percent of new infections in the region, according to UNAIDS.

Last year, the DOH recorded a 21 percent increase in new HIV infections compared to 2021. In January this year, 1,454 new cases were recorded nationwide, or a daily average of 46 new infections. HIV cases in the country have shifted from female sex workers to men having sex with men.

A growing concern for health experts is the increase in HIV infections among teenagers. While new generation treatments have become available for HIV, the infection is still debilitating and can lead to death if it progresses to fullblown AIDS. Health experts are calling for a multisectoral response to the problem, from the home to schools, communities, civil society and concerned government agencies, all moving to save youths from infection. (Philstar.com)

Child and dependent care credits and then some

one qualifying individual child, you will get more tax credits. The percentage of the eligible child care expenses is based on the Taxpayer’s Adjusted Gross Income.

If you are the Head of the Household even you are a single taxpayer, you can claim your parents who are out of works but reside in your house or siblings who are below 17 years of age, who live with you and provide their support.

E-filing early is the better option

In my experience as a tax preparer, e-filing early is the better option. If you expect a tax refund, you’ll receive your refunds from the Internal Revenue in one week especially if it’s deposited directly to your bank account. It’s safe and prompt. Thereafter, the State’s Franchise Tax Board will issue the refund a few days or a week after. Mailing your tax returns is not advisable unless there’s a compelling reason to do so.

Refunds will take a while.

And if you owe back taxes previously, the IRS will automatically deduct whatever tax liabilities are unpaid if you happen to have refunds in your in this 2023 tax year.

Rebates for middle class from FTB

Just in case you received Antiinflation Rebate for middle class lately from the State Franchise Tax Board, it’s a non-taxable. The amount given is $700 for married filing jointly (MFJ) or $350 for an individual or married filing separately. The recipients of this manna from the State depends on their income bracket. For some reason, not everyone receives this rebate.

We must be lucky or well pampered because some taxpayers had received this cash. Others did not. In other States, taxpayers didn’t have this benefit. California must be awash with surplus. That’s how generous our State is, although we feel that its taxpayers are

Progress delayed is progress denied

bus operators are caught flatfooted again, not having consolidated. With their franchises in threat of non-renewal, another transport strike was organized to pressure the LTFRB. It is the proverbial gun that they put to the public’s head. Again, LTFRB relented and extended the deadline to Dec. 31, 2023.

ON the back of the nationwide strike planned by transport groups, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that it would extend, yet again, the deadline for PUV operators to comply with the first phase of the PUV modernization program. The extension takes effect from June 30 and expires on Dec. 31, 2023.

It will be recalled that the PUV modernization program was championed by former DOTr secretary Art Tugade. Ratified in 2017, jeepney and bus operators were given three years, or until 2020, to comply with the first phase of the program. This first phase requires PUV operators to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations to achieve economies of scale – doing so will enable them to professionalize their operations.

The year 2020 came and went and the greater majority of jeepney and bus operators failed to comply. Transport groups asked for an extension and threatened to mount a nationwide strike if they did not get their way.

The LTFRB relented and granted an extension until June 20, 2023, or another three years.

As the new deadline approaches, many jeepney and

The LTFRB should show some backbone. If they cave every time transport groups threaten a strike, this PUV modernization program will never come to fruition.

The PUV modernization program will make the country’s public transport system more efficient and environmentally friendly. The program calls for the phase-out of jeepneys, buses and other public utility vehicles that are 15 years old or older. These will be replaced by safer, more comfortable and environmentallyfriendly alternatives over the next three years. Currently, there are 220,000 jeepney units operating throughout the country.

The replacement vehicles are required to utilize Euro-4 compliant or electric engines to comply with the Clean Air Act. PUVs must also be rigged with CCTV cameras, an automated fare collection system, speed limiters and a GPS system. The DOTr specifies no preference as far as manufacturers of new generation PUVs are concerned.

For as long as they pass the Philippine National Standards and are aligned with the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines of the LTFRB, operators will have no problem renewing their

franchises.

Government has made it easy for PUV operators to replace their decrepit vehicles. A subsidy of P160,000 has been granted to cover the down-payment, chattel mortgage and insurance of a brand new vehicle. A concessionary interest rate of six percent will be applied over an amortization term of seven years. This allows the PUV operators to obtain a brand new PUV with practically zero cash outlay whilst paying affordable monthly installments. The cost of a new vehicle can range from P900,000 to P2.5 million, depending on its load capacity and engine.

Some PUV drivers and/or operators may find it difficult to understand how the financial model works. For guidance, they can refer to the LTFRB or enroll in the Driver Scholar Program of TESDA. Adjunct with the modernization of buses and jeepneys will be the rationalization of routes. New routes will be created while appropriate number of PUVs will be deployed per route.

The benefits of the program are numerous. For the riding public, they will enjoy more efficient and connected routes, shorter waiting times, a safer and more comfortable journey, predictable travel times, more disciplined drivers (due to the elimination of the boundary system) and reduced traffic. For the drivers, they will benefit by way of fixed base salaries plus benefits (which they are presently deprived of), higher incomes by virtue of

overtaxed in property tax, sales tax, income tax and other utility taxes.

In other state like Florida, individual or married tax filers don’t file their state income tax return unless you file your business income. They don’t receive tax refunds in that state.

Itemized vs. standard deductions

In my years of experience, I received several questions whether an itemized deduction is better than standard deductions.

My answer is: ‘It depends.’ If you have more than enough deductions to offer and exceeds the standard deduction, it is better to go for itemized.

Examples of these are:

1. High residential property taxes, mortgage interests, church and charitable donations, medical expenses, drug prescriptions, doctor’s visits, child care expenses, among others. It also depends on the withholding tax you paid on your W-2s.

But if you don’t have enough

exemptions or deductibles, the tax software will choose standard deductions chart. For instance, if you are single, the deductions is from $14,700 to $16,450 depending on your income.

For Married filing jointly, the deduction is from $27,300 to $31,500; for Qualifying surviving spouse, it’s from $27,300 to $28,700; for Head of household, it’s from $21,150 to $22,900; for Married filing separately, it’s from $14,350 to $18,550. The amount of deduction depends on a taxpayer’s Adjusted Gross Income.

Prescription and holistic drugs and therapies

I also learned that not only prescription drugs are tax deductible but also holistic medications or also known as natural medicine, alternative and complementary medicine

If you are parents taking care of mentally challenged young kids or adult kids who you claim as dependents, you are qualified to claim these unconventional

medications even without prescriptions.

Plug-in electric vehicles

If you bought electric vehicles last year including SUVs, you are eligible for tax credits of up to $7,500 under the new vehicle classification. Through 2022, taxpayers will claim the credit on Form 8936 under the rules in effect before the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act. There’s a provision though. It must meet the requirement that the vehicle was assembled in North America to be eligible for the credit. It will be considered a refundable credit and the advance payment of the credit will be reconciled on the tax return. The Clean Vehicle Credit will expire December 31, 2032.

* * *

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.

* * * denino1951@gmail.com

vehicles with higher passenger capacities, faster turn around times due to rationalized routes, less working hours, less traffic, less work stress and less franchise costs. It is a win-win situation for all.

There are other reasons why the PUV modernization program needs to be implemented with no more delay. According to the DENR, 80 percent of the pollution in Metro Manila and key cities is attributed to motor vehicle pollution, particularly from old diesel-run PUVs. In terms of motorists’ safety, some 40,133 accidents were recorded involving PUVs between 2016-2019. The extraordinarily high accident rate of PUVs is due to the lack of maintenance of vehicles and failure to replace tires, break pads, headlights and tail lights. The sad reality is that independent PUV operators function from hand to

mouth. They simply do not have the financial elbow room to invest in maintenance. Hence, the need to organize into cooperatives or corporations.

And then there is the outdated boundary system – an arrangement that brings out the worst in PUV drivers. The need to earn the boundary compels drivers to race like mad men to secure as many passengers as possible, even if it means breaking traffic rules. Drivers have no choice but to work 12 to 14 hours per day just to earn a decent take-home pay, after boundary. Many have resorted to taking illegal drugs to meet the physical demands of the job.

The PUV modernization program will eliminate the boundary system in exchange for fixed salaries plus SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig benefits for the driver. Working hours will

be rationalized and safer driving conditions secured. Drivers will now be accorded the dignity they deserve.

The PUV modernization program is long overdue. Citizens, commuters and drivers have waited six long years for this badly needed program to be implemented. We must not let those who resist change and those who failed to prepare get in the way of progress. Let this be the last time the LTFRB gives in to pressure. At the end of the day, progress delayed is progress denied. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * * Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan

BUSINESS AS USUAL. There was no sign of a transport strike along Gil Puyat Avenue near Taft Avenue in Pasay City on Monday, March 6. More drivers preferred to ply their routes than join the protest of groups opposing some provisions of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

12,000 troops to join largest PH-US Balikatan

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — Some 12,000 American soldiers will be arriving in the country in the next few weeks to participate in the 2023 Balikatan Exercises, which will be the biggest joint training event between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military. This year’s activities will also, for the first time with U.S. troops, involve live-fire exercises, specifically in the waters of Zambales.

Col. Michael Logico, director of the Joint and Combined Training Center under the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command and spokesman for Balikatan 2023, said around 17,600 Filipino and U.S. soldiers are set to join this year’s joint training exercises.

Around 12,000 of the soldiers will come from the U.S. military while the rest will be from the AFP, along with about 100 from the Australian Defense Force who will be joining some of the events for the first time.

There will also be observers from the Japan Self Defense Force.

Logico told reporters Balikatan 2023 will run from April 11 to 28 with events in various locations in Northern Luzon, Palawan and Antique.

“Yes, this is officially the largest Balikatan Exercise,” he said, noting that the event would be “an interoperability exercise to test our concepts for maritime defense, for coastal defense and maritime domain awareness.”

He added that this year’s

iteration of the joint military training between Filipino and American soldiers would also include cyber defense exercise. Events would also be held “outside our traditional training areas,” Logico said.

“Part of it is we’re going to be doing live fire exercises into the water. So it’s practically, we’re exercising in key locations where we are able to utilize all our service components,” he said.

Only the Air Force and the Army were participants in previous exercises, he said.

Asked if this year’s Balikatan Exercises would factor in the West Philippine Sea problem with China, Logico said “every country has the absolute and inalienable right to exercise within our territory, we have the absolute, inalienable right to defend our territory.”

But he stressed the joint exercises were not meant as preparation for hostilities with China.

“We are here to practice, we are here to show that we are combat ready,” he pointed out.

Logico said the U.S. military would be bringing in military assets including ships and aircraft.

Training facility

Australia, meanwhile, has donated a new training facility for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Capas, Tarlac.

Acting Defense Undersecretary Angelito de Leon led the official acceptance of the Close Air Support Part Task Trainer, Classroom and Debriefing Facility on Monday, March 13 .

The facility will be assigned to the Air Force’s 710th Special

Operations Wing (SPOW).

“On behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense (DND), I thank the Australian government, represented here by Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu, PSM, Australian ambassador to the Philippines, for donating this classroom and debriefing facility to the Philippine Air Force,” De Leon said, quoting the speech of DND officer-in-charge, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Australian ambassador Yu officially handed the transfer documents to De Leon.

The donation was made possible through the PhilippinesAustralia Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program (EDCP), signed in December 2019.

“With this facility, the PAF will be able to address the technical training gaps of its personnel who will be given more time and training opportunities such as the use of simulator and actual flight events,” De Leon said.

“To reciprocate this goodwill and support, we must collectively ensure that the Philippines will be able to fulfill its roles as a responsible nation-state and a reliable regional security partner,” De Leon said.

The Australian ambassador, in a post on Twitter, said her country is “grateful for the Philippines’ support as Australia seeks to become a more capable defense partner in the region.”

“Australia is investing in capabilities to meet the challenges of our strategic circumstances and ensure the Indo-Pacific remains stable, secure and prosperous,” she said. (with Pia Lee-Brago)

BAP: PH banking system not exposed to US contagion

MANILA — The Bankers Association of the Philippines assured on Tuesday, March 14 that the country’s banking system is not exposed to the contagion from the collapse of U.S.-based banks.

In a statement, the BAP explained the fallout from the closures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank will not have any “material impact” on Philippine banks.

“Banks have diversified deposit bases that include all sectors of the Philippine economy, allowing them to continuously provide the liquidity needs of their clients,” the statement read.

SVB’s collapse last Friday, March 10 was precipitated by a bank run, essentially the bank did not have any cash to pay back its depositors. The bank was considered one of the largest lenders to the tech sector.

Two days later, the ensuing panic forced regulators to shut down Signature Bank to soothe equity markets and investors.

Experts reckoned that SVB was the largest bank to fail ever since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

The failure of the two banks sent investors everywhere on edge as the collapse dominated headlines over the weekend.

“Additionally, banks in the

DOJ indicts Bantag, several others over killing of Percy Lapid, inmate Jun Villamor

by Kristine Joy Patag Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Justice has indicted suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and several others over the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

The DOJ panel of prosecutors, in a resolution dated March 9, said it found probable cause to charge Bantag and his supposed right-hand man, SSupt. Ricardo Zulueta over the killings of Lapid — whose real name is Percival Mabasa — and Villamor as “principal by inducement.”

Lapid was known for his hard-hitting commentaries on government officials. He was shot in October last year while he was in his vehicle, near the gate of his private subdivision in the capital region.

“The preliminary investigation established that the murders of [Lapid] and Villamor were attended by conspiracy between and among the respective respondents. The plan of the respondents to kill them both, including its execution, was shown by the evidence for the complainants,” the DOJ said in a statement.

Lapid assassination

On the indictment of Bantag, the DOJ said that “sufficient circumstantial evidence have been presented to establish that he masterminded the assassination of [Lapid].”

Deprived of Liberty “clearly establish his participation in the killing of [Lapid],” specifically citing the BuCor official’s call to inmate Denver Mayores to look for a killer as the start of the assassination plan.

“Moreover, it was respondent Zulueta who provided the amount of P350,000.00 as additional payment to the hitman/killer and told respondent Labra that respondent Bantag is thanking them for the assassination,” the statement quoted the resolution.

Others who will face charges are:

“The phrases ‘nainip na ang itaas’, ‘itaas’ is already getting mad, ‘may utos si tanda’, work coming from ‘taas’ were mentioned in the sinumpaang salaysay of the PDLs. They confirmed that the words ‘itaas’, ‘taas’ or ‘tanda’ refers to respondent Bantag,” the statement further read.

Villamor murder

In the murder of Villamor, Bantag, Zulueta, Labra and Galicia were indicted as principal inducement.

Others indicted for the inmate’s murder, “as principal by direct participation,” are:

PDL Maria Alvarez

Philippines continue to have capital and liquidity ratios that exceed the requirements set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” the BAP added.

Philippines equities reacted to the news glumly. Local shares trended downward at the start of the week.

Much like the BAP, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla assured the public that Philippine banks are not exposed to the fallout.

“The prudential measures implemented by the BSP provide the necessary support that allows the Philippine banking system to withstand economic shocks,” BAP said. (Philstar.com)

It said that several circumstances were shown starting with the call of Villamor to confessed gunman Joel Escorial where the former told the latter not to disclose Bantag’s name when caught. The department also noted the motive for the murder, such as “Lapid Fire” episodes that showed the then-BuCor chief’s house.

“Significantly, the statements of the respondent PDLs corroborate the finding and point to Bantag as the one who ordered the killing,” the DOJ added.

Meanwhile, on the part of Zulueta, the DOJ said prosecution panel held that the statements of the Persons

50 years of reaching further.

We opened our doors in 1973 with a simple mission—to serve Asian Americans who were often overlooked by mainstream banks. 50 years later, we’re one of our nation’s leading financial institutions. We’ve grown by staying true to our roots, building bridges of opportunity that give everyone in our communities the confidence to reach further. eastwestbank.com/50

As principal by direct participation in Lapid killing

Joel Escorial, confessed

gunman

Israel Dimaculangan

Edmon Dimaculangan

alias Orly

As principal by indispensable cooperation in Lapid killing

PDL Denver Mayores

PDL Alvin Labra

PDL Aldrin Galicia

PDL Alfie Peñaredonda

Christopher Bacoto.

The DOJ said that the call started with Zulueta to Mayores, then to Labra who messaged Galicia who, in turn, instructed Villamor to find a gunman. They found Escorial, through Bacoto.

PDL Joseph Georfo

PDL Christian Ramac

PDL Ricky Salgado

PDL Ronnie Dela Cryz

PDL Joel Reyes

“Accordingly, the Panel of Prosecutors respectfully recommends the approval of the two corresponding Informations (charge sheets) in the above-entitled case,” part of the resolution read.

The murder charges will be filed before the courts of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, over the separate incidents of the killing of Lapid and Villamor, respectively.

Bantag meanwhile is also facing criminal raps for alleged torture of Bilibid inmates, and graft and plunder complaints. n

Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag attends the preliminary investigation for the murder case of broadcaster Percy Lapid at the Department of Justice on December 5, 2022. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

Friday, March 17, 2023

‘Walang dapat baguhin’: Tito Sotto says on ‘Eat Bulaga’ amid rumored revamp Elijah Canlas aspires for filmography like Eddie Garcia’s

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

FOR the first time in a long time, "Eat Bulaga" hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon sang the show's theme song live on Saturday, March 4 amid the rumored tensions in the noontime show.

During the finals of the show's "Little Miss Diva" segment, Tito said that Vic composed the song while Joey created the word "Eat Bulaga." Para sa mga kabataan at mas bata pa sa kanila, nililinaw ko lang ha, ang nag-compose ng kantang 'Eat Bulaga,' si Vic Sotto," he said.

Ang nag-imbento ng salitang

Eat Bulaga,' si Joey de Leon!” he added. Joey replied, "Sandali, si Vic

ang nag-compose ng kanta, ako ang nakaisip ng 'Eat Bulaga,' ano ginawa mo?”

Ako manager!" Tito answered.

At the end of the segment, Tito said that the noontime show needs no revamping.

“Congratulations sa production ng 'Eat Bulaga'! Keep it up! Keep up the good work. Walang dapat baguhin sa production ng 'Eat Bulaga',” Tito said.

Akin, ini-extend ko ang invitation sa inyong lahat.

Magkita-kita ulit tayo, after six years to celebrate 'Eat Bulaga’s' 50 years on television," Joey said. Kumbidado kayo! Tuloy

tayo! 50 years of 'Eat Bulaga' on television, mga teenagers na kayo pero ang mga bulilit dito 11

years pa lang to, after six years!” he added.

Recently, it was reported that former Congressman Romy Jalosjos is allegedly seeking to take control of Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) from his business partner Tony Tuviera and the show's original hosts Tito, Vic and Joey.

According to a report by online site Bilyonaryo, Jalosjos plans to kick out Tuviera and TVJ out of the show.

"He just waited to Tito to get out of politics before launching his takeover bid," the source said. Bilyonaryo's source claimed that Jalosjos is reaching out to Willie Revillame to lead "Eat Bulaga" once he regains control of TAPE.

by AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net

WHILE some actors see romance as a distraction, the opposite is true for Elijah Canlas, who believes that his relationship with Miles Ocampo has only made them better actors.

“We may have our own dreams and goals, but we’re in the same industry and we both love what we do. So we just support each other. She helps me study my script, take down notes and memorize my lines. And I do the same for her. We inspire each other,” he told the Inquirer at a recent press conference launching him as the newest contract talent of Cornerstone Entertainment.

Elijah couldn’t be happier for Miles, whose performances in the drama series “Batang Quiapo” often go viral. “I call her ‘veterans.’ She knows the industry better than I do,” he said of his girlfriend, who started out in show biz as a child star.

“And I feel so proud whenever I see her trending because I have seen how hard she works or how stressed she is. And to see her gain success is amazing.”

Explore

Does he mind Miles getting paired with other leading men?

Not at all, said Elijah. In fact, he was the one who actually encouraged Miles to do kissing scenes—something the latter used to be wary of. “Ako pa nga nag-push sa kanya. Before we started dating, we had a chance to work on television (in the TV5 soap ‘Paano ang Pangako’). We were supposed to do a kissing scene, but she didn’t want to do it,” he recalled.

“But now that we’re together, I’m able to tell her that maybe this is a side [of acting] she can finally explore,” the 22-yearold actor said. “I help her get over some of her insecurities … But I can see that the more recognition she gets, the more confidence she gains.”

Asked what attracted her to him at first, Elijah said it was

Miles’ talent and her being an old soul. “I noticed how good she was at acting. Then, I found out that she’s an old soul and loves music and writing letters, like me. It was music that broke the ice for us. I gifted her with a Walkman and cassette tapes,” he related. “Later on, I realized that she’s one of the kindest, most passionate people I have met.”

Numerous awards

Elijah got his first break in 2019, after starring in the acclaimed Jun Lana film “Kalel 15.” His performance as an HIV-positive teenager won him numerous awards, both here and abroad, including best actor trophies at the Asian Film Festival, the Gawad Urian and Famas Awards in 2020. He then rose to prominence amid the height of the pandemic through the hit YouTube boys’ love series, “Gameboys.”

This year, Elijah starred in “About Us But Not About Us”—also by Lana—which is an entry to the first ever summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival in April. He’s also part of the upcoming historical film, “GomBurZa.”

Now that he’s with Cornerstone, Elijah said his goal is to penetrate the mainstream and do bigger projects. “It will be a different kind of challenge to be in a big-scale project with a bigger cast … something that takes more shooting days. As an actor, I think it will be exciting to

be part of something big.”

Elijah also hopes to dabble in music. “I compose my own music and I’m very much involved in producing it. I’m interested in different genres, like hip-hop and R&B. Now, my dad has introduced me to New Wave. So I have diverse taste in music. Given the chance, perhaps I can pursue music using a different name or with a different persona,” he surmised.

Expectations

While he has already proven his mettle at such a young age, Elijah isn’t about to rest on his laurels. Awards are great to have, but with them come expectations. “I always feel like I have something to prove and learn. So whatever people’s expectations are of me, I will do my best to deliver,” he said. Elijah hopes to protect his filmography as much as he can.

“At the end of the day, that’s what matters most to me—the movies you have done and how meaningful and well-crafted they are. And I’m lucky to have worked with some of the best,” he said, adding that he makes sure to consult, not only his management, but also his family, friends and girlfriend when accepting roles.

“If I feel like I won’t be proud of the project, what’s the point being in it? But now, I can say that every single thing I have done, I’m proud of. And I plan to keep it that way. But I don’t make these decisions on my own. I ask my family for guidance … even Miles,” he said. “We think about how a certain project can help my career. ‘What’s the message? How will people perceive me?’ Those are some of the things we discuss.”

If there’s one actor whose body of work inspires him, it’s the late show biz icon Eddie Garcia, whom he worked with in “Kalel, 15.” “I aspire to have a filmography like Eddie Garcia’s,” he said. “I still have a lot to prove. But I’m more confident now about my talent, about who I am and what I can do.”

Bianca Gonzalez flaunts bare face, morena skin in 40th birthday shoot

by HAnnAH MAllorcA Inquirer.net

BIANCA Gonzalez once again sent fans into complete awe as she showed off her bare face in a photoshoot to mark her 40th birthday. The mom of two flaunted her no-makeup face, eye bags, and morena complexion while donning a set of casual outfits, as seen on her Instagram account on Monday, March 13. The photos were taken by photographer and makeup brand ambassador BJ Pascual. Gonzalez said this is her favorite set of portraits to date.

“‘Beej, I turn 40 this March and I wanna shoot a portrait that’s very raw, no makeup or styling, literally ‘this is me’ ang peg,” I told BJ [Pascual]. He answered, ‘Game!! That would be amazing,’” she began, recalling a past conversation with the photographer prior to the shoot.

While Gonzalez enjoyed modeling since the age of 17, she admitted that she always wanted to have a “raw portrait” of herself, explaining why she enlisted the help of Pascual.

“I’ve been modeling since I was 17 years old and so every professional photo I’ve had has me in full make up, hair, and styling. I loved doing all that, yes! But I’ve long wanted to have a very RAW portrait of me—like those I’d see in Richard Avedon’s work—and I was never really sure if I could pull it off.

Baka mamaya (Maybe later), I’d set up this fancy shoot, only to have photos I’m not happy with,” she said.

The “Pinoy Big Brother” host reaffirmed her pride for her morena skin, scars, and dark knees, as she declared that she’s “no longer tough on myself

about it.”

“I’ve been proud of my morena skin for many years, yes, but it’s only now that I’ve fully embraced and accepted all my body’s flaws and imperfections, peklats (scars), dark knees, and all. I still get conscious about it at times, but I’m no longer tough on myself about it. In this stage of my life, I feel confident to step in front of a lens with no make up on my face. Literally, just me,” she said.

The celebrity mom also thanked Pascual for understanding the “deeper meaning of what I wanted to do” in her 40th birthday shoot, sharing that they didn’t have a makeup artist, hair stylist, and fashion stylist on set.

“BJ understood the deeper meaning of what I wanted to do. With no make up artist, no hairstylist, no stylist on set, we just played around,” she said. “The most chill shoot ever, and one of my favorites to date. Thank you @bjpascual, you are a creative genius and I love you! These are officially my favorite portraits because you captured ME.” The TV host also looked back at a past conversation with makeup artist Lala Flores, where they reflected about the true meaning of happiness.

“I was in @lalaflores16’s makeup chair and she told me something I would never forget. She said, ‘Ang happiness, hindi napho-Photoshop (Happiness is not about being photoshopped).’ That has stuck with me ever since. And I guess now, the reason I want to have these portraits taken is not just because I fit a certain standard of what is “beautiful” in my mind. It’s really because I AM truly, genuinely HAPPY,” she added.

Fellow personalities including Pascual himself, Pia Wurtzbach, Mimiyuuuh, Ayn Bernos, Karen Davila, Dimples Romana, Darren Espanto, Lovi Poe, Hannah Pangilinan, Shaina Magdayao, and Charlene Gonzales were in awe of Gonzales’ beauty, as seen in the comments of her post.

The photographer said, “Truly beautiful inside and out!!!!”

“This is a great idea and @ bjpascual captures the real you! Such a natural beauty B,” Davila wrote.

Bernos said, “I see your daughters in you, we love you our morena queen!!!!”

Days before her 40th birthday, Gonzalez revealed that she had the names of her daughters Carmen and Lucia tattooed on her arms – which, she described, is a “magical” experience.

The host tied the knot with former professional basketball player JC Intal in December 2014. She gave birth to Lucia in October of the following year, and their second child Carmen in 2018.

Apart from Joey, Vic Sotto and his wife, Pauleen Luna, Jose Manalo and Maine Mendoza hosted the Bawal Judgmental, the show’s popular segment featuring Kapuso star Bianca Umali as “judge” for the seven guests that included Dean’s Listers and working students graduating with honors. Philstar.com file photo

Bianca Gonzales

Photo from Instangram/@iamsuperbianca

Elijah Canlas Inquirer.net photo

Success story: A terminated case is reinstated and visa issued, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

JOSEPH was petitioned by his mother in 2007 and waited 12 long years for his Nanay Pilar’s petition to become current.

Unfortunately, Joseph was in

Zurich, Switzerland for work and was unable to attend his embassy interview in April 2019. Despite Joseph’s attempt to contact the National Visa Center

to reschedule his interview date, he received a termination letter, where the Embassy said Joseph failed to contact them within the PAGE 11

ConGen Ferrer meets with USF president

PHILIPPINE Consul General

in San Francisco Neil Ferrer met with the President of the University of San Francisco (USF), Reverend Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J. on Wednesday, March 1 at the USF campus.

During the meeting, ConGen Ferrer and Rev. Fitzgerald exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including education, cultural exchange, and Philippines-U.S. bilateral relations, especially trade and investment. They also discussed opportunities for collaboration between the Consulate and USF.

Consul General Ferrer and the leaders of the USF Center for Business Studies and Innovation in Asia-Pacific (CBSI-AP), led by its director, Dr. Xiaohua Yang, also held a meeting to discuss potential areas of cooperation.

Some faculty members, Filipino students at USF, and officers of USF’s International Student and Scholar Services as well as Marketing Services, joined the meeting.

Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona and Trade Commissioner in

Silicon Valley

joined the meetings.

CBSI-AP is USF’s research center that focuses on international business and a platform for connecting scholars,

practitioners, policymakers, students and alumni.

The USF is a private Jesuit university located in the heart of San Francisco, California. (PCGSF Release)

SOUTH SAN

FRANCISCO

– Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer and South San Francisco City

Mayor Buenaflor Nicolas met with Filipino co-founder of U.S. biotech company InterVenn Aldo Carrascoso at its headquarters in South San Francisco.

InterVenn is a biotech company founded by Carrascoso, Nobel Laureate Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi and distinguished UC Davis professor and scientist Filipino American Dr. Carlito Lebrilla.

Philippine Trade Commissioner in Silicon Valley Celynne Layug and Consul Vanessa BagoLlona also joined the meeting with Carrascoso and InterVenn Biosciences Chief Information and Security Officer, Randy Barr.

The group was given a tour of InterVenn Biosciences. They also discussed possible areas of cooperation and community engagement. Aside from its headquarters in South San Francisco, Intervenn is located in the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, and San Diego in

Southern California.

According to Carrascoso, he is proud of Filipino tech talent and his company employs a number of software engineers, data scientists, and other IT professionals in the Philippines.

InterVenn is a life science company that pioneered a “proprietary, artificial intelligencebased, high-throughput data processing engine unlocking

the value of glycoproteomics.”

Glycoproteomics is a highly complex field of study that can enhance the early detection, treatment and monitoring for various cancers and other diseases.

The company has developed various healthcare solutions, including a liquid-biopsy diagnostic test called GLORI™ for ovarian cancer.

Nicolas, InterVenn Chief Information and Security Officer Mr. Randy Barr, Mr. Aldo Carrascoso, Consul General Neil Ferrer, Trade Commissioner in Silicon Valley Celynne Layug

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer (right) met with the President of the University of San Francisco (USF), Reverend Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J. last March 1.

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer met with the leaders of the Center for Business Studies and Innovation in Asia-Pacific (CBSI-AP), led by its director, Dr. Xiaohua Yang, faculty members, and Filipino international students inside the USF campus.

Celynne Layug

WHAT is depression?

Depression is a state of emotion where the individual has some or all of the following senses, feelings or moods: downhearted, unhappy, anxious, irritable, unable to concentrate, socially withdrawn, empty inside, has inordinate fatigue and reduced interest in activities which used to be fun, hopelessness, indecision, impaired sleep, misery, helplessness, confusion, monosyllabic speech or abnormally quiet.

What is morbid mood?

The morbid mood in depression may be so severe that the patient is unable to cry (tears dry up) or to feel the usual emotions like pleasure, grief or joy. The whole world appears lifeless and colorless to the patient, who could be pre-occupied with a sense of guilt and self-denigrating and destructive ideas.

What is melancholia?

It used to be called endogenous depression. Its features include marked slowness in thinking and activity, agitation, worthlessness, weight loss, restlessness, wringing of the hands, inability to experience pleasure or wellbeing, difficulty falling asleep and has insomnia following arousal from sleep, and diminished or loss of sexual desire. The patient usually has the feeling of guilt that he/she has committed a grave crime, with hallucinations (voices of people accusing the patient of bad deeds, or condemning him/ her to death; others believe that they have incurable diseases like cancer or AIDs). Very rarely, the patient with this psychotic depression kills family members (“to save them from future misfortunes in life”) and kills himself/herself.

How rampant is depression?

In the United States, depression affects about 17 million Americans. In the Philippines, about ten percent of young adults have moderate to severe depression in 2022, about 3.6 million of the population. More than two-thirds to 75% of them do not benefit from proper therapy because of the patient’s inability to seek counseling, misunderstanding of the condition, or misdiagnosis. Most people do not seek professional help because the condition is very common and many of them are mild or subclinical (with no obvious symptoms). Sometimes, even physicians miss making the correct diagnosis in earnest, thinking the patient’s complaints could be due to some medication interaction.

Are you depressed?

Are there screening tests for depression?

Yes, there are. Mental health specialists can administer preliminary tests such as the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory), or the HRS (Hamilton Rating Scale), which is composed of 20 questions to screen the patient.

Today, computerized phone interviews are gaining effectivity as a screening tool. These tests are only a small part of the evaluation process because the specialists have the symptoms of the patient and other criteria to aid them make the correct diagnosis.

Don’t we all get depressed sometimes?

To some degree, when the situations demand it, normal people develop a mild form of depression, which is transient, self-terminating, and not a disease. As long as the resultant symptoms are trivial and temporary, and do not debilitate the person, the condition does not need any medical treatment.

What foods relieve depression?

Foods that are high in tryptophan, an amino acid involve in serotonin production, provide relief to some people with depression. Niacin (Vitamin B3), which is essential in the production of tryptophan, can be found in dried peas, beans, whole grains, dried fortified cereals, and especially in oily fishes like salmon and mackerel. It is reported that Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil may actually reduce depression. PMS Escape, a high carbohydrate drink, claims to increase tryptophan level and may control the depression related to pre-menopausal syndrome for about 3 hours. However, there are impurities in the L-tryptophan diet supplements that are associated with EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome), which increases white blood cells and causes muscle pain.

Does calcium help alleviate depression?

Calcium supplements and Vitamin B-12 have been reported to reduce pre-menstrual depression. Also, some studies showed that among depressed people who drink caffeinated beverages have a lower incidence of suicide, which seems to suggest that coffee or tea reduces depression.

What are the therapy guidelines?

Among adults who suffer from major or chronic depression, a trial of antidepressant drugs is used, together with psychotherapy that is designed for the patient. For those who do not improve with this strategy, ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) has been found to be effective and safe. If this fails, psychosurgery

might be indicated.

How about exercises?

Believe it or not, physical exercises may be as effective as psychotherapy in the management of mild to moderate depression. Prolonged aerobic workouts lead to higher levels of serotonin, adrenalin, endorphins and dopamine in the brain (producing the popular term “runner’s high”). Physical exercises, brisk walking, ballroom dancing, yoga, tai-bo, etc. lead to better emotional health. As an extra bonus from physical exercises, weight loss and improved muscle tone lead to a better sense of well-being and higher self-esteem. Those individuals with strong spiritual faith have a relatively lower predisposition to depression. These people might benefit from meditation, yoga, and other techniques for obtaining spiritual security, inner peace, and happiness.

How about for children?

Children and adolescents with major depression have been found in clinical studies to respond as well to both placebos (sugar pills) and tricyclic antidepressants, especially newer ones like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). For these group of young patients, a trial of psychotherapy (cognitivebehavioral or supportive therapy) is preferred before they are placed on antidepressant drugs.

Do you have depression?

If you suspect you do, do not medicate yourself. It is most prudent to seek medical help. The first thing to do is to consult your primary physician who can help guide you. With early proper medication and/ or advice, depression in most cases can be managed effectively and eliminated faster than one can imagine. Physicians today have invaluable tools in their armamentarium for the diagnosis and treatment of depression. Many individuals with depression, who have sought medical care, are “cured” with simple oral medications – they look, behave, function, and live as normally and happily as anybody else, lost in the sea of anonymity.

* * *

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. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

McDonald’s rolls out Bacon Ranch McCrispy™ and Bacon Ranch Deluxe McCrispy™

CHICAGO – McDonald’s Crispy Chicken

Sandwich quickly became a fan-favorite when it first hit U.S. menus in 2021. And now, this beloved sandwich is joining some of its most iconic menu items – McNuggets®, McMuffin® sandwiches and McFlurry® desserts – with a fresh new name: McCrispy™.

Earning your “Mc” is a true McDonald’s badge of honor. To commemorate this special moment, McDonald’s rolled out two new limited time McCrispy sandwiches on Monday, March 13.

Introducing: the Bacon Ranch McCrispy and Bacon Ranch Deluxe McCrispy. Both sandwiches feature our signature chicken fillet topped with applewood smoked bacon plus a creamy new Ranch Sauce – made with buttermilk, dried herbs and spices – and served on a toasted potato roll. The Bacon Ranch McCrispy features cool crinkle cut pickles, while the Bacon Ranch Deluxe McCrispy levels it up with Roma tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

CA Arts & Culture summit, advocacy day takes place in April 17-18

SACRAMENTO – Join Californians for the Arts and Create CA for the first-ever CA Arts & Culture Summit on Monday, April 17 in Sacramento, CA.

The Summit will take place at the Sofia Theatre during California’s 5th Annual Arts, Culture & Creativity Month.

A Party for the Arts to celebrate a collective vision for expanding arts and cultural opportunities for creative workers, arts educators, and creative industries in the state of California will follow the Summit on the 17th at the Elks Tower. Tickets for the two events are now on sale through March 29th.

On Tuesday, April 18, join arts advocates from around the state for a rally at the capitol for Arts Advocacy Day. Participants will meet with state legislators to build awareness of arts, culture, and creativity as key drivers for California’s economic health and community wellness.

The Summit will unite arts and civic leaders for a day of events filled with knowledge sharing, coalition building, and movement visioning.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, is slated to speak on the importance of arts education and the historic passing of Proposition 28, guaranteeing annual funding for state-mandated art, music, theatre, dance, and media arts in public schools. Favianna Rodriguez, Oakland-based interdisciplinary artist, and social justice activist, will be the keynote speaker for the first-ever event.

Participants will get a deep dive into recent statewide advocacy wins for the arts, such as Prop 28, CA Creative Corps, Cultural Districts, CA Creative Workforce Act, and more. They will also examine policy solutions for centering and supporting artists and cultural workers and developing cultural policy to support pathways to creative careers.

The Summit will bring together arts advocates, cultural policy thought leaders, public and private arts funders, artists, creatives, educators, culture bearers, teaching artists, students, public officials, and creative industry representatives

Oakland-based interdisciplinary artist and social justice activist Favianna Rodriguez will be the keynote speaker at the CA Arts & Culture Summit. from across the state to build our movement to prioritize arts, culture, and creativity as key drivers for California’s economic growth, stability, and community vitality. With the creative industries contributing 225 billion + dollars to the California economy, it is up to the creative sector to ensure policies are in place for the sustainability and growth of its industry and to build public awareness to the intrinsic value of arts, culture, and creativity as not only a public good – transforming communities and individuals, but also its role as a driver of prosperity for the California state economy. For more information, visit https://createca. org.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco delivered a record 56,466 consular services in 2022, registering a 27.84-percent increase from the previous year.

During the Consulate’s Planning Meeting for Consular Services held in January of this year, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer said: “I am very pleased to note that the Consulate significantly exceeded its targets and delivered a record number of consular services in 2022 to our constituents in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. These services include passport and visa issuances, dual citizenship applications, civil registrations, and notarization of documents.” Consul General Ferrer added, “Aside from rendering these consular services, the Consulate

was able to offer continuous availability of appointments for passport and dual citizenship services, reduce the turnaround time for passport releasing and civil registration, conduct a Passport Retooling Seminar for our personnel, and achieve a 95.54 percent satisfaction rating throughout the year.”

He reaffirmed the Consulate’s commitment “to deliver efficient, effective, and timely passport and other consular services to Filipinos in the U.S. Pacific Northwest in 2023, building on the Consulate’s accomplishments in 2022.”

During the planning meeting, Consulate personnel evaluated the accomplishments delivered in 2022, determined areas for improvement, and planned the major programs and activities targeted for implementation in 2023.

In 2022, the Consulate processed 26,093 passports, 12,387 dual citizenship petitions, 3,933 civil registry documents, and 12,902 notarial documents, all of which were record-high numbers. 1,152 other services were also delivered.

In addition, the Consulate successfully conducted eight consular outreach missions in various states in its jurisdictions, including Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. A total of 8,629 services were delivered during these outreach missions. For further details on accessing the Consulate’s services, including how to set appointments, requirements, and the indicative schedule of consular outreach missions in 2023, the public may visit the Consulate’s official website: pcgsanfrancisco.org.

These mouth-watering sandwiches will be available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last.

waitlist. The community includes dishwasher, all electric kitchens, wall-to-wall carpets, and deck/patio. Residential community offers a community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, and fitness room. Pre-applications for the non-Project-Based waitlist will be available and accepted starting Monday, March 27, 2023 at 9AM until Friday, April 14, 2023 at 5PM. To apply, visit San Mateo Housing Portal at: https://smc.housingbayarea.org

The office is located at 630 Baden Avenue in South San Francisco, CA. Office hours are Mon-Fri

at 9AM until Friday, April 14, 2023 at 5PM. To apply, visit San Mateo Housing Portal at: https://smc.housingbayarea.org

The office is located at 750 Oddstad Blvd in Pacifica, CA. Office hours are Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. For more info, call 650-359-7559. Income and other restrictions apply. Section 8 welcome. EHO.

SF#3054

PCGSF delivers record number of consular services in 2022

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer addresses consulate personnel during its Consular Planning Meeting in January 2023. San Francisco PCG photo

‘Serial filers’ — SF businesses still vulnerable to fraudulent ADA lawsuits

Business owners in San Francisco say they remain vulnerable to fraudulent ADA lawsuits which have targeted more than 35,000 businesses statewide.

by Selen Ozturk Ethnic Media Services

LAST April, the San Francisco and Los Angeles District Attorneys sued San Diego law firm Potter Handy, LLC for filing allegedly fraudulent disability lawsuits with over 300 businessowners in SF and over 36,397 businessowners statewide since 2010.

Since SF Superior Court Judge Curtis Karnow dismissed the DA suit last August, however, nothing has changed to protect these businessowners from being fraudulently sued for millions more.

At least 20 businesses in the Inner Richmond neighborhood and over 100 in Chinatown were sued by Potter Handy around mid-2021 to mid-2022. Many of these businesses were not even certified as ADA compliant, or were sued over violations they could not possibly have committed.

For example, Amanda Yan — owner of Hon’s Wun-Tun House on Kearny Street in Chinatown — was sued in April 2021 for serving food at outdoor tables too low for wheelchairs, at a time when she only served takeout.

Targeting immigrant and minority owned businesses

To gain quick settlements of $10,000-$20,000, the law firm particularly pressured businesses owned by immigrants and minorities unable to afford legal defense.

Under the joint DA lawsuit, the firm would have had to pay over $30 million to refund settlements made in the Northern District of California alone, by conservative estimates.

Filed by former SF District Attorney Chesa Boudin and George Gascón of LA, the 58page document stated that over 800 federal cases statewide were filed by Potter Handy plaintiff Orlando Garcia; over 1,700 by Brian Whitaker; and thousands more by other “Serial Filers” — chiefly Scott Johnson, who filed over 4,000 since 2010.

Given that this averages to a case daily for 11 years, the DAs alleged that “it is literally impossible for the Serial Filers to have personally encountered each listed barrier, let alone to intend to return to hundreds of businesses located hundreds of miles away from their homes.”

A Potter Handy attorney accused the DAs of exploiting the situation while they both faced recall threats. In his dismissal, Judge Karnow said that California’s “litigation privilege” covered the firm, “irrespective of the maliciousness or untruthfulness.”

Morgan Mapes — president of the Clement Street Merchants Association; secretary of the citywide Council of District Merchants Associations; and owner of Clement Street vintage shop Golden Hour — had her shop sued by Garcia for $40,000 in November 2021.

Mapes said Garcia “was quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. All pictures and information were scrubbed from the internet. About seven months later we settled for $20,000, maybe $25,000 with lawyer’s fees … We were holding on by a thread already, coming out of the pandemic.”

ADA compliance

No — HHS didn’t reach out about free grant money

The Potter Handy suits were filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects disabled people from discrimination, including prevention of access to publicly open facilities. Passed under George H.W. Bush in 1990, no agency (and no new tax) was created for the act; per Congress, ADA enforcement remained with individuals “acting as private attorneys general” and imposed no financial penalty for violations, only injunctive relief.

However, Potter Handy often paired its federal claims with state claims under California’s 1959 Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits disability-based discrimination and allows plaintiffs to sue for a minimum of $4,000 per violation.

“You can’t have a city with infrastructure built before these civil laws were put into place and expect tenants to bear the weight,” said Mapes. “I think it should be common practice for landlords to take more infrastructural responsibility. If I put in a table that’s too tall or my fitting rooms aren’t up to code, that’s on me, but stairs or an entry ramp on the landlord.”

“The city needs to subsidize some accessibility costs,” she said. “As a queer black woman, it’s a prickly situation rallying against a civil rights issue, but this seems extortive. The vast majority of these businesses are minority-owned.”

‘They’ll keep suing’ Jimmy Hsu, who owns four businesses on Clement Street by Fourth Avenue — The Wishing Well Workshop (with his partner Jake Savas); So Fresh So Clean Laundry; Kinship Salon & Barber (with his wife); and Blue Danube Coffee House — had his salon and cafe sued.

Hsu said “Brian Whitaker complained that the salon’s doorknob was ADA noncompliant. I don’t even have a doorknob, it’s a push door! I split that $10,000 settlement with my landlord since they sued him too. I paid $10,000 myself with the cafe; they said our moveable A-frame sign was blocking the door. I posted handicap inspection signs on my businesses because they tried to sue all four and settle for $4,000 each.”

Another store on his block, Home Hardware True Value, nearly closed when they were sued in 2022 for closely-packed aisles that were impossible to properly widen.

“I had to tell to hire a lawyer,” said Hsu. “It’s the only deterrent you have, otherwise they’ll keep suing. I’m an Asian immigrant too — most of the mom ‘n’ pops here are run by those without the time or resources to defend themselves, so they settle.”

Nor did this pattern begin, for Hsu, with Potter Handy.

In 2005, Patrick Connally — a disabled man who was president of San Rafael-based nonprofit DREES (Disability Rights, Enforcement, Education, Services) and, later, a KUSF radio host — threatened to sue Blue Danube for bathroom violations.

“That building was built in 1934,” said Hsu. “I did all I could with my money and space — door adjustments, handlebars — and paid an attorney to use his letterhead for a reply thanking.”

Hsu said “I think the city,

Success story: A terminated...

allotted one-year period, and his file had now been destroyed.

Joseph consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel to get his case back on track.

After writing to the Embassy, arguing for Joseph’s eligibility, Atty. Gurfinkel convinced the Embassy to reinstate the case. Joseph’s new interview was scheduled in March 2022 and Joseph’s visa was issued, to

state, or federal government should have some oversight body to disbar these firms from making so many fraudulent accusations. If you settle with 100 stores in Chinatown for a low $10,000, you make a clean million. What’s the downside?” While this wave of fraudulent lawsuits remains unresolved, SF small businessowners already face another.

Between last November and February 23, 179 businesses received Department of Building Inspection complaints — particularly minority-owned shops in Chinatown, the Tenderloin, and the Inner Richmond, including Mapes’ Golden Hour — regarding unpermitted awnings or storefront gates. Over that period the previous year, five complaints were filed.

Mayor Breed has been working with the Board of Supervisors to write a law which would deprioritize nonurgent enforcement and create an amnesty program for awning owners who don’t have a permit, which can cost up to $3,000.

Nevertheless, Hsu remains skeptical: “The fault’s with a judicial system that allows this greed, but it’s just part of running a business in San Francisco now, isn’t it?”

DID you get a message from a friend on social media about a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant opportunity? Or from someone saying they were an HHS employee? Well…they weren’t who they said they were. They were scammers. This new twist on the age-old government grant scam often goes like this: someone reaches out to you through social media, email, or a chat app and says you qualify for free grant money from HHS. They’ll direct you to a fake HHS website or online chat that seems legitimate — but it’s not. Then they’ll try to get your payment information or other personal details “to process”

the grant. If you get a message like this:

• Know that HHS (and other government agencies) won’t get in touch out of the blue about grants. They won’t reach out through social media, call, text, or email you about government grants. Real government grants require an application, and they’re always for a specific purpose. Learn more (for free) at grants.gov.

• Don’t pay to get a grant. HHS won’t make you pay to get a grant — or insist that you use cash, a gift card, a wire transfer through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, or cryptocurrency.

• Check for a .gov domain. HHS websites always have

.gov in the URL. If you’re directed to an HHS-looking website with .org, .com, or .us, it’s fake — even if it has the HHS logo on it.

• Never share your financial or personal information with anyone who contacts you. HHS and other government agencies won’t call, text, message you on social media, or email to ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. Only scammers do that. Have you gotten a message or call about a fake HHS grant? Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc. gov. (Kira Brown/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC)

the joy of Nanay Pilar who was finally reunited with her son after such a long time.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 19 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)