031723 - San Diego Edition

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

by Frances 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

Bystander intervention workshops to combat hate held in NY, SF

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

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

U.S. soldiers and 5,000 Filipino troops. Australia will send about a hundred soldiers, while likeminded countries 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

Marcos wants government anti-human trafficking efforts strengthened, harmonized

by alexis roMero Philstar.com

MANILA — President Marcos 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

Overseas voters can soon register in

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

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2012, according to Balikatan spokesperson Col. Michael Logico.

He said it would be conducted by the two countries 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

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 twothree years during the pre-pandemic years which discouraged some nurses from applying for work in the USA,” Geslani disclosed recently.

Quoting prominent Fil-American 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 u PAGE 3

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 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

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group sets record store expansion in 2023

by Miguel r caMus Inquirer.net

JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC), the global fastfood conglomerate of billionaire Tony Tan Caktiong, is preparing its biggest store expansion push in 2023 after last year’s record openings helped fuel earnings past the prepandemic level.

JFC said in a stock exchange filing on Thursday, March 16 it was opening 550 to 600 new branches this year to sustain growth.

It launched 542 stores in 2022 — the company’s highest ever in its 45-year

Attorney General Rob Bonta, the first Filipino American to hold the office, delivers remarks during the community inauguration ceremony on March 5 in Los Angeles. AJPress photo

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

AJPress

by

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 social justice missionaries, moved the family to the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. He shared his

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. ManilaTimes.net file photo

Ceremonial swearing-in held...

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.”

The ceremony, which was hosted by media personality Van Jones, included testimonies of the attorney general’s work

by the desire to protect and defend every day people who have been harmed, mistreated or abused,” the attorney general said. n

Jollibee group sets record...

history. This comes as the operator of some of the country’s biggest restaurant names such as Jollibee, Mang Inasal and Chowking as well as Coffee Bean & Teal Leaf and Smashburger deepens its global and domestic presence.

On Thursday, JFC announced that net income last year jumped 26.4 percent to Php7.56 billion. This was 19.4 percent above its prepandemic net income of Php6.33 billion.

JFC, which ended 2022 with 6,480 stores, increased profitability amid a boom in restaurant sales after harsh pandemic restrictions were lifted and despite cost pressures and global supply chain disruptions that led to product shortages.

“Looking ahead, while we expect macroeconomic challenges to persist in 2023, we are confident that the JFC Group is resilient and well-positioned to drive near-term growth,” company CEO Ernest Tanmantiong said in a statement on Thursday.

“We have clear priorities on profitability while we continue to invest strategically to deliver longterm growth and value for our shareholders,” he added.

In 2022, systemwide sales surged 40.2 percent to Php296.82 billion while revenues expanded

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

commander of the Philippine Navy, told the Inquirer

(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 airdefense exercise in the country as part of a coastal defense livefire exercise, Logico added.

States.

by 38 percent to Php211.9 billion. Same store sale last year also grew 27 percent.

“Dine-in sales improved significantly driven by increased mobility due to easing of restrictions in markets where we operate,” the company said.

“Off-premise channels, particularly delivery showed continued resilience and we expect sustained robust growth as we improve further our digital touchpoints,” it added.

Jollibee’s operating income last year grew 58.4 percent to Php9.9 billion. Margins also improved to 4.7 percent from 4.1 percent.

“Despite industry-wide headwinds, margins for the fourth quarter remained resilient due to pricing actions and cost management initiatives,” said JFC chief financial officer Richard Shin.

The company is expecting to sustain growth in 2023 with an added boost coming from the gradual reopening of China, where it maintains a significant presence.

It said on Thursday full-year systemwide sales this year would grow 15-20 percent while same store sales growth was projected to increase by 7-10 percent.

JFC said operating income in 2023 would also expand by 20-25 percent.

For the full-year, it was allocating a capital spending budget of Php17 billion to Php19 billion, the company said. n

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 70km 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

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

About 3,000 soldiers from the Philippine Army and the US 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

Marcos wants government...

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 modern-day slavery. That’s why Filipinos should be careful. We should have a checklist before we want to go abroad,” he told reporters. – Neil Jayson Servallos n

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 courtesy of the LA Mayor’s Office and character from Rep. Robert Garcia, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and Assemblymember Bonta. “This

justice…I’m driven

Photo from 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks in this undated photo. Office of the Press Secretary

Seeking employment in...

visa by the USCIS automatically becomes 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 U.S. 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) n

Pandemic stress, gangs, and utter fear fueled a rise in teen shootings

by Liz Szabo Kaiser Health News

DIEGO never imagined he’d carry a gun.

Not as a child, when shots were fired outside his Chicagoarea home. Not at age 12, when one of his friends was gunned down.

Diego’s mind changed at 14, when he and his friends were getting ready to walk to midnight Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. But instead of hymns, Diego heard gunfire, and then screaming. A gang member shot two people, including one of Diego’s friends, who was hit nine times.

“My friend was bleeding out,” said Diego, who asked KHN not to use his last name to protect his safety and privacy. As his friend lay on the ground, “he was choking on his own blood.”

The attack left Diego’s friend paralyzed from the waist down. And it left Diego, one of a growing number of teens who witness gun violence, traumatized and afraid to go outside without a gun.

Research shows that adolescents exposed to gun violence are twice as likely as others to perpetrate a serious violent crime within two years, perpetuating a cycle that can be hard to interrupt.

Filipina in Daly City...

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. n

Overseas voters can soon...

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

Diego asked his friends for help finding a handgun and — in a country supersaturated with firearms — they had no trouble procuring one, which they gave him free.

“I felt safer with the gun,” said Diego, now 21. “I hoped I wouldn’t use it.”

For two years, Diego kept the gun only as a deterrent. When he finally pulled the trigger, it changed his life forever.

Disturbing trends

The news media focuses heavily on mass shootings and the mental state of the people who commit them. But there is a far larger epidemic of gun violence — particularly among Black, Hispanic, and Native American youth — ensnaring some kids not even old enough to get a driver’s license.

Research shows that chronic exposure to trauma can change the way a child’s brain develops. Trauma also can play a central role in explaining why some

young people look to guns for protection and wind up using them against their peers.

The number of children under 18 who killed someone with a firearm jumped from 836 in 2019 to 1,150 in 2020.

In New York City, the number of young people who killed someone with a gun more than doubled, rising from 48 juvenile offenders in 2019 to 124 in 2022, according to data from the city’s police department.

Youth gun violence increased more modestly in other cities; in many places, the number of teen gun homicides rose in 2020 but has since fallen closer to prepandemic levels.

Researchers who analyze crime statistics stress that teens are not driving the overall rise in gun violence, which has increased across all ages. In 2020, 7.5% of homicide arrests involved children under 18, a slightly smaller share than in previous years.

Local leaders have struggled with the best way to respond to teen shootings.

A handful of communities — including Pittsburgh; Fulton County, Georgia; and Prince George’s County, Maryland — have debated or implemented youth curfews to curb teen violence. What’s not in dispute: More people ages 1 to 19 die by gun violence than by any other cause. A l ifetime of limits

The devastating toll of gun violence shows up in emergency rooms every day.

At the UChicago Medicine trauma center, the number of gunshot wounds in children under 16 has doubled in the past six years, said Dr. Selwyn Rogers, the center’s founding director. The youngest victim was 2. “You hear the mother wail, or the brother say, ‘It’s not true,’” said Rogers, who works with local youth as the hospital’s executive vice president for community health engagement. “You have to be present in that moment, but then walk out the door and deal with it all over again.”

In recent years, the justice system has struggled to balance the need for public safety with compassion for kids, based on research that shows a young person’s brain doesn’t fully

mature until age 25. Most young offenders “age out” of criminal or violent behavior around the same time, as they develop more self-control and long-range thinking skills.

Yet teens accused of shootings are often charged as adults, which means they face harsher punishments than kids charged as juveniles, said Josh Rovner, director of youth justice at the Sentencing Project, which advocates for justice system reform.

About 53,000 juveniles in 2019 were charged as adults, which can have serious health repercussions. These teens are more likely to be victimized while incarcerated, Rovner said, and to be arrested again after release.

Young people can spend much of their lives in a povertyimposed lockdown, never venturing far beyond their neighborhoods, learning little about opportunities that exist in the wider world, Rogers said. Millions of American children — particularly Black, Hispanic, and Native American kids — live in environments plagued by poverty, violence, and drug use. The covid-19 pandemic amplified all those problems, from unemployment to food and housing insecurity.

Although no one can say with certainty what spurred the surge in shootings in 2020, research has long linked hopelessness and lack of trust in police — which increased after the murder of George Floyd that year — to an increased risk of community violence. Gun sales soared 64% from 2019 to 2020, while many violence prevention programs shut down.

One of the most serious losses children faced during the pandemic was the closure of schools — institutions that might provide the only stabilizing force in their young lives — for a year or more in many places.

“The pandemic just turned up the fire under the pot,” said Elise White, deputy director of research at the nonprofit Center for Justice Innovation, which works with communities and justice systems. “Looking back, it’s easy to underplay now just how uncertain that time [during the pandemic] felt. The more that people feel uncertain, the

more they feel there’s no safety around them, the more likely they are to carry weapons.”

Of course, most children who experience hardship never break the law. Multiple studies have found that most gun violence is perpetrated by a relatively small number of people.

The presence of even one supportive adult can protect children from becoming involved with crime, said Dr. Abdullah Pratt, a UChicago Medicine emergency physician who lost his brother to gun violence.

Pratt also lost four friends to gun violence during the pandemic. All four died in his emergency room; one was the son of a hospital nurse.

Although Pratt grew up in a part of Chicago where street gangs were common, he benefited from the support of loving parents and strong role models, such as teachers and football coaches. Pratt was also protected by his older brother, who looked out for him and made sure gangs left the future doctor alone.

“Everything I’ve been able to accomplish,” Pratt said, “is because someone helped me.” Growing up in a ‘war zone’ Diego had no adults at home to help him feel safe. His parents were often violent. Once, in a drunken rage, Diego’s father grabbed him by the leg and swung him around the room, Diego said, and his mother once threw a toaster at his father.

At age 12, Diego’s efforts to help the family pay overdue bills — by selling marijuana and stealing from unlocked cars and apartments — led his father to throw him out of the house.

At 13, Diego joined a gang made up of neighborhood kids. Gang members — who recounted similar stories about leaving the house to escape abuse — gave him food and a place to stay. “We were like a family,” Diego said. When the kids were hungry, and there was no food at home, “we’d go to a gas station together to steal some breakfast.”

But Diego, who was smaller than most of the others, lived in fear. At 16, Diego weighed only 100 pounds. Bigger boys bullied and beat him up. And his successful hustle — selling u PAGE 4

Migration consultant Manny Geslani said processing of immigrant visa for registered nurses and caregivers now takes less than a year. Philstar.com file photo by Michael Varcas

Bystander intervention workshops to...

Northeast. Before New York, Mangalile served as Minister at the Embassy of the Philippines in Berne, Switzerland, and as Chargé d’affaires, ad interim at the Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara, Turkey. He holds the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II at the Department of Foreign Affairs which he joined in 1997.

“I am standing on the shoulders of giants who were assigned here in New York, all accomplished diplomats,” he said. “I am very honored to have been assigned here by our Secretary of Foreign Affairs and I am looking at the accomplishments of my predecessors, most of whom I have worked with in various stages.”

The Consul General added that he plans to continue many of the programs including “Kumusta Kabayan” where the consulate invites Cabinet members and senior officials to talk about the developments in the Philippines that may affect Filipinos abroad. He also emphasized the call of the President to strengthen economic linkages between the Philippines and the United States of America, while continuing all efforts to serve kababayans abroad.

“We have very clear directives coming from the very top that at this point in time, we have to emphasize economic diplomacy so a lot of our efforts should help attract investments, should open doors for Filipino

products to enter here, and also for increased trade relations between the states that we liaise with,” Mangalile added.

At the DFA, Consul General

Mangalile served as Senior Special Assistant to the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs, concurrent Director of the U.S. and Canada Divisions of the Office of American Affairs, Director for Ceremonials at the Office of Protocol, and Principal Assistant at the Office of ASEAN Affairs. He was also detailed to the Office of Presidential Protocol at Malacañang Palace.

Mangalile served as Assistant Secretary of the DFA’s Office of Consular Affairs, Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in

London, and Consul at the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka. He was the first consul from an ASEAN country to be elected by his peers as president of the Consular Corps of London, the oldest consular corps in the world, having been established in 1902.

During the one-hour faceto-face, Mangalile took the opportunity to assure the community of his willingness to listen to their concerns, explaining that there is a need for the consulate and the community to work in synergy. He hopes to spark new collaborations among various organizations and individuals for the promotion of Philippine culture, protection of the rights of

City of San Diego offers spring cleaning events to

urge San Diegans to properly dispose of bulky items

Several opportunities for residents to get rid of large items and help beautify their neighborhoods

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego’s Think Blue program has teamed up with Project Clean Water and Caltrans to promote the responsible disposal of bulky items like mattresses, chairs, tires, appliances and more, along with several opportunities for San Diegans to help beautify the region.

Spring cleaning events coincide with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Clean California Community Days – a $1.2 billion multi-year investment led by Caltrans to remove trash, create jobs and transform public spaces – with events taking place statewide from March 17-27.

Events in the San Diego region include a free dump day on March 18 with multiple locations, opportunities for San Diegans to get free supplies to host their own neighborhood cleanups, and the closure of a portion of Interstate 15 for a Bike, Walk, Beautify event on March 25.

Filipino migrants, strengthening economic linkages, and celebrating the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the fabric of American society.

Consul General Mangalile holds the degrees Master of Science (with Distinction) in Diplomacy, Statecraft, and Foreign Policy from Loughborough University, United Kingdom, and Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy from Immaculate Conception Major Seminary, Philippines. He attended the Master of Arts, Major in Philosophy program of the Ateneo de Manila University from 1990 to 1992 and entered the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. (By Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n

“San Diego is defined by the natural beauty of our beaches, and we all have to do our part to preserve that by keeping waterways that lead to the ocean clean and free of trash and debris,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This spring, we’re encouraging San Diegans to properly dispose of unwanted items by going to one of our free dump sites and also to consider hosting a cleanup in their neighborhood with friends and neighbors. Let’s keep our communities clean and beautiful!”

While most people do the right thing by choosing proper disposal options for unwanted items, dumping is still a major problem in our region. There are more than 34,500 reports of illegal dumping, littering, scavenging and waste-related violations in the City of San Diego annually. Think Blue and Project Clean Water encourage everyone to help alleviate this issue by donating usable items to a charity, taking waste items to a licensed drop-off zone, arranging for a pickup and reporting illegal dumping when you see it.

How to get involved

• Host A Cleanup – March 17-27 – San Diegans can register at Clean California to host their own neighborhood cleanups and get free cleanup supplies.

• Free Dump Day Events – Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. – San Diegans can dispose of household waste safely and properly for free at various Caltrans maintenance yards. The following items will not be accepted: hazardous waste (batteries, paint, oils, flammables, etc.), construction debris (concrete, dirt, asphalt, asbestos), compressed gas, aerosols, treated wood waste, refrigerators and freezers. Four mattresses and four tires separated from the rims per household will be accepted.

– Kearny Mesa: 7181 Opportunity Road, San Diego, CA 92111.

– Escondido: 1780 W Mission Road, Escondido, CA 92029.

– Chula Vista: 570 C St., Chula Vista, CA 91910.

– Santee: 8502 Railroad Ave., Santee, CA 92071.

• Bike, Walk, Beautify Event – Saturday, March 25, 10:30 a.m.–

1 p.m. – Caltrans is closing traffic on northbound Interstate 15 between 32nd Street and State Route 94. While crews perform routine scheduled maintenance, members of the public can walk and bike the highway while helping to clean it up. This familyfriendly event includes games, activities and art projects.

For more information about properly disposing of unwanted items, visit projectcleanwater.org/dude.

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Pandemic stress...

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stolen merchandise on the street for cash — got the attention of rival gang members, who threatened to rob him.

Children who experience chronic violence can develop a “war zone mentality,” becoming hypervigilant to threats, sometimes sensing danger where it doesn’t exist, said James Garbarino, an emeritus professor of psychology at Cornell University and Loyola University-Chicago. Kids who live with constant fear are more likely to look to firearms or gangs for protection. They can be triggered to take preemptive action — such as firing a gun without thinking — against a perceived threat.

“Their bodies are constantly ready for a fight,” said Gianna Tran, deputy executive director of the East Bay Asian Youth Center in Oakland, California, which works with young people living in poverty, trauma, and neglect.

Unlike mass shooters, who buy guns and ammunition because they’re intent on murder, most teen violence is not premeditated, Garbarino said.

In surveys, most young people who carry guns — including gang members — say they do so out of fear or to deter attacks, rather than perpetrate them. But fear of community violence, both from rivals and the police, can stoke an urban arms race, in which kids feel that only the foolish walk around without a weapon.

“Fundamentally, violence is a contagious disease,” said Dr. Gary Slutkin, founder of Cure Violence Global, which works to prevent community violence.

Although a small number of teens become hardened and remorseless, Pratt said, he sees far more shootings caused by “poor conflict resolution” and teenage impulsivity rather than a desire to kill.

Indeed, firearms and an immature teenage brain are a dangerous mix, Garbarino said. Alcohol and drugs can magnify the risk. When confronted with a potentially life-or-death situation, kids may act without thinking.

When Diego was 16, he was walking a girl to school and they were approached by three boys, including a gang member who, using obscene and threatening language, asked if Diego was also in a gang. Diego said he tried to walk past the boys, one of whom appeared to have a gun.

“I didn’t know how to fire a gun,” Diego said. “I just wanted them to get away.”

In news accounts of the shooting, witnesses said they heard five gunshots. “The only thing I remember is the sound of the shots,” Diego said.

“Everything else was going in slow motion.”

Diego had shot two of the boys in the legs. The girl ran one way, and he ran another. Police arrested Diego at home a few hours later. He was tried as an adult, convicted of two counts of attempted homicide, and sentenced to 12 years.

A Second Chance

In the past two decades, the justice system has made major changes in the way it treats children.

Youth arrests for violent crime plummeted 67% from 2006 to 2020, and 40 states have made it harder to charge minors as adults. States also are adopting alternatives to incarceration, such as group homes that allow teens to remain in their communities, while providing treatment to help them change their behavior.

Because Diego was 17 when he was sentenced, he was sent to a juvenile facility, where he received therapy for the first time.

Diego finished high school while behind bars and went on to earn an associate’s degree from a community college. He and other young inmates went on field trips to theaters and the aquarium — places he had never been. The detention center director asked Diego to accompany her to events about juvenile justice reform, where he was invited to tell his story.

Those were eye-opening experiences for Diego, who realized he had seen very little of Chicago, even though he had spent his life there.

“Growing up, the only thing you see is your community,” said Diego, who was released after four years in detention, when the governor commuted his sentence. “You assume that is what the whole world is like.”

KHN data editor Holly K. Hacker and researcher Megan Kalata contributed to this report.

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

Emily May, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Right To Be (extreme left) responds to a question by host, NBC News / MSNBC anchor Richard Lui (extreme right, standing) at the panel discussion with community leaders on bias-motivated harassment. Among the panelists were (from left) Kimberly Bertz, Wells Fargo Head of Diversity Equity & Inclusion Strategy and Employee Affairs; Marita Etcubañez, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Asians Advancing Justice - AAJC and Rabbi Becky Jaye, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.

Dateline PhiliPPines

BAP: Philippines’ banking system not exposed to US fallout

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 US-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.

‘US driving wedge between China, PH’

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

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

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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

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for:

NORMAL HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IRRIGATION CONVERSION

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023, in front of the main office of Normal Heights Elementary School, 3750 Ward Rd, San Diego, CA 92116. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on APRIL 6, 2023 Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC23-0878-39-00-00 Normal Heights Elementary School Irrigation Conversion. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration”. The project estimate is between $105,000 and $125,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-27 or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CC23-0878-39-00-00

SVB’s collapse on 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 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. — Ramon Royandoyan (Philstar.com) n

City of San Diego offers spring cleaning...

PAGE 4

The mission of Think Blue San Diego – the public education and outreach program for the City of San Diego’s Stormwater Department –is to raise awareness of the need for significant investments in the City’s aging stormwater system to ensure clean water and clean beaches for all San Diegans. For more information: thinkblue.

org.

Project Clean Water is a county-wide initiative dedicated to protecting water quality in San Diego County. The initiative fosters greater awareness of everyday actions people can take to reduce runoff and stormwater pollution. Project Clean Water is made up of 21 agencies that offer a centralized point-of-access for water quality information, resources, and water management plans. Project

Clean Water encompasses all 11 of the regional watersheds. The goal is to support the region’s water quality on behalf of healthy ecosystems and communities. For more information: projectcleanwater.org.

Trash has plagued California’s streets and highways for decades. Clean California makes significant investments in litter collection, community engagement and education to ultimately transform unsightly roadsides into spaces of pride for all Californians. This is truly a statewide effort with potential projects in all 58 counties and with nearly a third of the funds going directly to cities, counties, tribes and transit agencies to clean local streets and public spaces. For more information: cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov. (City of San Diego Release) n

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

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

SD#0214

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

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

Philippines had more than doubled between 2010 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 full-blown 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

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

Progress delayed is progress denied

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 bus operators are caught flatfooted again, not having consolidated. With their franchises in threat of nonrenewal, 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. 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 environmentally-friendly 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 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 20162019. 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

Dalan 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

Luis Teodoro, Philippine journalism’s champion and critic, dies at 81

MANILA — Luis V. Teodoro — a veteran columnist, media critic and champion of the alternative press — has died at 81.

Teodoro, who had a long-running column in BusinessWorld, was deputy director of media monitor Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, where he helped push for higher standards for the profession through training and through constant reminders on media ethics.

“A pillar of Philippine journalism, Teodoro’s combined careers as an academic and journalist is unparalleled,” CMFR said in a statement.

“His place as an esteemed colleague and friend is unique. CMFR will forever uphold his contribution to the work of building of a free and independent press and its role in Philippine democracy.”

The Alternative Media Network (Altermidya), of which he was founding chairperson, called Teodoro a pillar of Philippine journalism who advanced “the ideals of pro-people journalism both as a respected member of the academe and through the alternative media that he helped organize in the Philippines.”

Teodoro’s family has confirmed his passing but has yet to issue a statement.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, which remembered Teodoro as a defender of press freedom, also called him “the staunchest advocate for the best in the profession and the most savage critic of its worst practices” who would continue to be a guide for the profession even after his passing.

“The current and the future generations of journalists have been gifted with Dean Teodoro’s lessons on journalism. We pledge to continue his legacy of wielding the pen in the service of the people,” the union also said.

Alternative news website Bulatlat, where Teodoro sat on the board, said that he had “many of today’s finest journalists in the country, having provided them with tools for analysis they need to better cover stories of marginalized communities and in holding the powerful to account.”

The website, in its statement, said Teodoro “was a constant

reminder that it is imperative for today’s journalists to defend human rights, uphold the highest ethical practice of journalism, and to do their best in bringing about change.”

Academic excellence, upholding integrity

Teodoro was a journalism professor at the UP College of Mass Communication, where he was dean for two terms from 1994 to 2000, according to the UP Open University, where he gave a lecture on the political economy of the mass media.

“It was during his deanship that two departments of UPCMC — the Department of Journalism and the Department of Communication Research — were first named Commission on Higher Education Centers of Excellence,” UPOU also said.

“He held a number of professional chairs before his retirement from UP as a full professor of journalism. He conceptualized and raised the initial funds for the construction of the College of Mass Communication Media Center, the cornerstone of which was laid during his deanship of the college.”

In a Facebook post, UP CMC said it was “[joining] friends and colleagues in communication and media in mourning [his] passing.”

“As educator, editor, and journalist, Dean Teodoro was pivotal in fostering academic excellence in our discipline, upholding integrity in the practice of media, and defending our freedoms of the press, speech, and assembly,” it also said.

According to CMFR, Teodoro kept teaching at UP CMC — online during the pandemic and in the classroom when restrictions on face-to-face

classes were eased.

Colleagues to carry on his work Among the remaining journalists from the Martial Law era, and one who was a political prisoner,Teodoro wrote in a BusinessWorld column on the anniversary of People Power that while it was a momentous incident for the nation, it was “hardly” a revolution.

“It did not dismantle or even truly reform the feudal system. The land tenancy anomaly in fact survived it and even emerged stronger than ever. Inviting foreign investments into the country is still the main development strategy of the successors of Marcos, Sr. as it has been since 1946; and industrialization has never been seriously contemplated as economic policy,” he wrote on BusinessWorld. “That ‘revolution’ was no social upheaval either. It did not end the vast inequality, the social injustice, and the poverty that still afflict millions of Filipinos. And the most that it did politically was to replace one wing of the ruling elite with another. It did not replace the dynasties that have monopolized political power in this country for decades, and in fact eventually allowed the representatives of their most backward, bureaucrat-capitalist faction to eventually regain and keep power indefinitely,” he also wrote.

As a generation of Martial Law journalists passes and with the structural problems that Teodoro lamented in one of his last columns still in place, the Altermidya network that Teodoro helped found promised on Tuesday, March 14 to “carry on his work and principles” in producing journalism for the people. (Philstar.com) n

In this file photo from 2017, veteran columnist and journalism professor Luis V. Teodoro attends a press conference against impunity. Philstar.com file photo

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00007652-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Amandeep Kaur filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a.

EMPLOYMENT / LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00007895-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner Kenneth Roberson filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Kenneth Roberson to Kenneth Dwayne Robinson. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described

date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1126

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003967

Sweet Mirror Counseling located at 4075 Park Blvd. Suite 102-343, San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Sweet Mirror Family Counseling Inc, 4075 Park Blvd. Suite 102343, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/07/2023.

Signature: Yang Jiang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/22/2023. AJ 1121 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023. AJSD 1121

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004196

PNC Solution USA located at 4781 49th Street, San Diego, CA 92115.

Registrant: Sicha Yoon, 4781 49th Street, San Diego, CA 92115.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2023.

Signature: Sicha Yoon.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/24/2023. AJ 1132 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023. AJSD 1132

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004145

Active Protection Services located at 4540 Kearny Villa Road, Ste 212, San Diego, CA 92123.

Registrant: Active Pro Inc, 4540 Kearny Villa Road, Ste 212, San Diego, CA 92123.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/012023.

Signature: Rafi Azam. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/23/2023. AJ 1127 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004197 AB Tour located at 4781 49th Street, San Diego, CA 92115.

Registrant: Sicha Yoon, 4781 49th Street, San Diego, CA 92115. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004397

Mendoza Truckline located at 450 Flower St. Apt A, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Robert Mendoza, 450 Flower St. Apt A, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/27/2023.

Signature: Robert Mendoza. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/27/2023. AJ 1130 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004666 Elite Hospice located at 7484 University Avenue, Suite 250, La Mesa, CA 91942.

Registrant: ANC Corporation DBA Elite Health Care Systems, 7484 University Avenue, Suite 250, La Mesa, CA 91942. This business is conducted by Corporation.

FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT

UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004356

Downz Studios located at 1177 3rd Ave Suite #2, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Mike Robles, 470 E H St., Apt 411, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Mike Robles. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/27/2023.

AJ 1131 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023. AJSD 1131

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9005681

Eaton Electric located at 3436 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Wired Zone LLC, 3436 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/18/2023.

Signature: Thomas Eaton. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/14/2023. AJ 1136 03/17, 03/24, 03/31, and 04/07/2023. AJSD 1136

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003977

David Hoang DBA Fishing

Poles Rental located at 4500 Ocean Blvd, Pacific Beach, CA 92109.

Registrant: David Hoang, 8912 Nelson Way, Escondido, CA 92026.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Kathline David Hoang.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/22/2023.

AJ 1137 03/10, 03/17, 03/24, and 03/31/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9005139

a. The Mirror Finish located at 3182 Idlewild Way, San Diego, CA 92117.

b. The Mirror Finish Wash & Detail located at 3182 Idlewild Way, San Diego, CA 92117.

Registrant: Nestor Ismael Perez, 3182 Idlewild Way, San Diego, CA 92117.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2023.

Signature: Nestor Ismael

Perez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/07/2023.

AJ 1138 03/17, 03/24, 03/31, 04/07/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9002272

a. DMV DUI SHOP located at 836 Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

b. MAY DUI MOM located at 836 Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Ha Nguyen, 836 Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/31/2023.

Signature: Ha Nguyen. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/31/2023. AJ 1139 03/17, 03/24, 03/31, 04/07/2023. AJSD 1139

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9005529

Townsgate Constructions located at 10620 Treena Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA, 92131.

Registrant: Townsgate Constructions, 10620 Treena Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA, 92131.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Emil Bundang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/10/2023. AJ 1140 03/17, 03/24, 03/31, and 04/07/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9005304 Hers Pet Shop located at 1747 Sweetwater Road #105, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Wang, 1929 Santa Maya, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/06/2023.

Signature: Yuan Wang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/08/2023. AJ 1141 03/17, 03/24, 03/31, and 04/07/2023. AJSD 1141

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.

‘Walang dapat baguhin’: Tito Sotto says on ‘Eat Bulaga’ amid rumored revamp

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. n

“‘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

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

u PAGE 11

Elijah Canlas aspires

for filmography like Eddie Garcia’s

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-year-old 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.” n

Elijah Canlas Inquirer.net photo

Bianca Gonzales Photo from Instangram/@iamsuperbianca “no longer tough on myself about

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

Sushi & Sake keep festival season in full swing this spring at Pechanga Resort Casino

3rd Annual Pechanga Sushi & Sake Festival back by demand, benefits Habitat For Humanity Inland Valley

FESTIVAL season stays on a roll this spring at Pechanga Resort Casino. The Annual Pechanga Sushi & Sake Festival serves up the freshest catches and smooth sake inside the Summit Events Center on Saturday, April 8. The popular one-day event includes an afternoon filled with premium Japanese sake, house-made sushi by master Pechanga chefs, a silent auction and live music. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the Pechanga Box Office, by calling (877) 711-2946 or online at Pechanga.com. Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

Four ticket levels are available: • VIP – $160 and includes early entry at 11 a.m., sampling delectable sushi and several dessert items, more than 40 varieties of sake, eight types of beer and talk with sake makers, chefs and bid on silent auction items before general admission attendees.

• Designated Driver VIP –$75 and allows early entry at 11 a.m., sampling just-sliced sushi, dessert items, bidding on silent auction items before general admission attendees, and enjoyment of live music.

• General Admission – $120 and includes entry at 1 p.m., sampling delectable sushi and several dessert items, more than 40 varieties of sake, eight types of beer, sampling the freshest sushi prepared by master Pechanga chefs, live music and bidding on silent auction items.

• Designated Driver – $75 and includes trying the freshest sushi prepared by master Pechanga chefs, enjoying dessert items, plus live music and bidding on silent auction items.

With one ticket, guests can taste more than 40 premium sakes (daiginjo, ginjo, junmai and sparkling) including many award-winning brands and styles from all over Japan and around the world.

Pechanga chefs get rolled up in the festival as they prepare thousands of fresh sushi pieces to pair with the sake selections. Chefs Kiyo Ikeda, head chef of Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar, Kok Che, executive sous chef of Pechanga’s Asian restaurants, and Andre Pinto, Pechanga Executive Chef, will be on hand to meet with guests, present them with fresh, made-on-site sushi, and share their expert suggestions for matching sushi with sake.

A traditional Japanese Taiko drummer, a Japanese guitarist and a “Koto” (Japanese harpist) will set the mood of the festival’s musical interludes for the festival. A silent auction also features sought after gifts such as art, vacation packages and more.

“There have been other sushi festivals around Southern California, but none that have had the staying power that Pechanga’s Sushi & Sake Festival has,” said Kiyo Ikeda, head chef of Umi Sushi & Oyster bar at Pechanga Resort Casino. “The fact our guests can enjoy amazing sushi, sake, have a great time and help charity while they’re doing that, it makes everyone

City of San Diego advances plan for new safe parking lot with live-in-ready camper trailers

SAN DIEGO – Working to create new options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, the Wednesday, March 15 recommendation by the City Council’s Rules Committee moved forward a plan to open a new safe parking lot in the Clairemont neighborhood that will include live-in-ready camper trailers as well as free, safe parking for people who sleep overnight in their vehicles.

“Safe Parking is a tool that can keep people from losing their home of last resort and winding up on our streets.” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This program expansion will put to good use the trailers provided to us by the State and give folks more space to live while they work to find permanent housing.”

The City Council’s Rules Committee voted unanimously on a proposal by the city’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department to amend a contract with Jewish Family Service of San Diego to operate the new lot

Located near the city’s Rose Canyon Operations Yard, the lot will operate 24 hours a day and provide a safe place for unhoused residents needing to sleep overnight in their vehicles, with access to critical services to secure employment, financial stability and more on their path to long-term housing.

In addition to providing 15 spaces for parking, the site includes 12 camper trailers for Safe Parking participants to live in as they work to end their homelessness. The trailers come equipped with beds, showers and bathrooms. The trailers were provided to cities by the State of California as part of its emergency response to the homelessness crisis.

The new Safe Parking lot will be operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego, which runs three other Safe Parking lots under contract with the city.

Combined, the four lots provide space for up to 233 households sleeping overnight in standard vehicles and RVs and now 12

camper trailers. The new lot is anticipated to cost $474,000 through the end of June and approximately $975,000 annually.

The opening of the Rose Canyon site is part of Mayor Gloria’s comprehensive strategy

Climate Action at the center of new SDPL programs

Workshops, camps and storytimes will focus on clean energy, mobility, recycling and more

feel great about the whole event.”

The festival’s idea sprang from the popularity of beer and sake within Southern California, as well as the continued rise of sushi as a mainstay of soughtafter fare in America. The 2nd place win for Pechanga’s Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar in USA Today’s Best Casino Restaurant readers’ poll in 2018 also helped cement the festival’s viability at the Temecula resort/casino.

Proceeds support Habitat For Humanity Inland Valley’s programs that provide housing to deserving individuals and families, and home repairs to senior citizens and those no longer able to do such work themselves.

The festival’s tasting menu and sake selections will be released soon.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino

experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the best casino resort in the west by the readers of USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,400 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)

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

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?

it to the Federal Trade

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego Public Library (SDPL) has launched a series of free, interactive workshops and programs to bring awareness to climate change and empower communities to become more climate resilient. “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” offers programs for all ages and includes sustainability talks, environment-focused camps for kids, nature-themed story strolls and an Earth Day celebration.

The “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” programs are centered around the city’s landmark 2022 Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in August 2022, setting an ambitious goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

In partnership with the City of San Diego Sustainability and Mobility Department, SDPL has developed five workshops that will be held in March and April. Participants who attend all five will earn a certificate and continuing education credit through UC San Diego Extended Studies.

• Climate Action 101: Learn what the city is doing to address the climate emergency and get involved in the efforts.

• Zero Waste San Diego: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Discover ways to send less waste to the landfill.

• Moving Around San Diego: Transforming Transportation:

Learn about ways the city is making it safer and more enjoyable to bike, walk and use transit.

• Green San Diego: Building Resilient Communities: Discuss strategies to make San Diego a climate resilient city, improve the tree canopy and restore natural spaces.

• The Rise of Clean Energy: Why it Matters: Learn what the city is doing to transition to renewable energy and decarbonize buildings.

In addition to the workshops, SDPL is offering several other programs in March, April and May, which are all free of charge and open to the public.

• Spring Camps: Four-day camps for kids and tweens that promote hands-on learning about sustainability. Participants will create a mini garden and take their tastebuds on a trip around the food system.

• Story Strolls: People of all ages are invited to take a stroll and enjoy nature-themed picture books at SDPL locations, parks and community centers.

• Earth Day Celebration:

SDPL is teaming up with its community partners for an Every Day is Earth Day celebration with food, giveaways and more on Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Valencia Park/ Malcolm X library.

SDPL is also working with The Climate Initiative to develop a climate justice task force for teens. The aim is to educate,

empower and activate young people for climate action. The group will be learning how climate change impacts the southeastern San Diego region and will develop a communitybased action project to create a more sustainable San Diego. The teens will be awarded a scholarship for their commitment and time.

For information on the

“Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” programs and how to register, visit the library’s Our Sustainable SD website at https://www. sandiego.gov/public-library/ OurSustainableSD.

The “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” project is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www. sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n

Get in on the ground floor, help shape county’s housing blueprint

COUNTY officials want San Diegans to help turn a house or rather, the County’s draft housing blueprint into a “home” by filling it with their opinions and advice.

San Diegans can take a survey on the County’s Engage San Diego County webpage (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/ engagement/home.html) to help shape the County’s housing blueprint.

The blueprint’s overarching goals were adopted from the San Diego Association of Government’s Housing Acceleration Program Strategy. They aim to curb the region’s housing crisis by finding ways to build more housing and more housing around transit hubs; build and retain affordable housing; reduce housing prices overall; and help people afford to stay in their existing homes. County supervisors approved a draft housing blueprint in December that was created with public input. But the County would like more public engagement as it works toward a completed plan.

The survey on the Engage San Diego County’s

Housing Blueprint site asks people to weigh in on those goals and objectives to help reach them. And to add what they think is missing or should be added to a completed plan.

Home building in San Diego County and many other parts of California haven’t kept up with population growth and housing demand across income levels for decades. That has caused housing costs to skyrocket, making it financially hard, if not impossible, for people to buy, or stay, in homes.

The County has taken numerous actions to add affordable housing in recent years, including announcing a goal last October of working with the City of San Diego to build 10,000 affordable housing units by 2030.

In February, the County secured an additional $24.5 million from the state to boost $29 million already set aside for four affordable housing and related developments that are being planned in National City, San Ysidro and Rancho Bernardo.

In 2022 the County spent millions of dollars and

According to San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, the Safe Parking program expansion “will put to good use the trailers provided to us by the State and give folks more space to live while they work to find permanent housing.” Photos provided by City of San Diego

Photos provided by iGraphix/Pechanga Resort Casino

Successful program provides safe, lawful 24-hour vehicle camping for individuals and families

California expands eligibility for low-income water bill assistance to include relief for current bills

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program expansion increases the number of households eligible for residential water and wastewater bill assistance throughout the state

THE California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) on Wednesday, March 15 announced the expansion of eligibility for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) to include all eligible low-income households, regardless of whether they are current on their bill or have a past due balance. LIHWAP is a limited term, federally-funded program that provides financial assistance to help low-income Californians struggling to pay residential water and wastewater bills.

necessities like power and water,” said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This program can act as a safety net and help relieve the financial pressure some low-income households face by providing critical assistance to help pay their water bills.”

households. CSD administers LIHWAP in partnership with a network of community-based local service providers. To find the local service provider in your area, view income eligibility levels, and learn more about how to apply for assistance, visit https://csd. ca.gov/waterbill.

McDonald’s rolls out Bacon

Ranch McCrispy™ & 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.

Why this is important: Previously, eligibility for one-time water bill assistance under LIHWAP was limited to low-income households with a past due balance on their water or wastewater bill and at risk of disconnection or disconnected from their services due to nonpayment. With this expansion in eligibility, qualified low-income households will be able to receive a LIHWAP benefit even if they are current on their water bill. This expansion in eligibility will help ensure more low-income households have access to this important source of financial assistance for their water bill.

To commemorate this special moment, McDonald’s rolled out two new limited time McCrispy sandwiches on Monday, March 13.

“California recognizes that water and wastewater services are essential for public health and well-being, and the department is committed to assisting lowincome Californians in need of financial support to keep their water flowing,” said CSD Director David Scribner. “This expansion of eligibility to include households with current bills will provide much-needed assistance to Californians impacted by higher costs of living and struggling to pay their water bills.”

“California households struggling to make ends meet are often disproportionately impacted by the cost of basic

Background: LIHWAP was established by Congress in December 2020. California was allocated $116 million in onetime funding for LIHWAP to help reduce the burden of water and wastewater costs for low-income

Eligibility for water and wastewater bill assistance through LIHWAP depends on a variety of factors, including household income, availability of funding, place of residence, and water or wastewater utility provider. Income eligibility for the program is 60 percent of the State Median Income and varies depending on household size. A water utility must be enrolled in LIHWAP to receive direct payment of LIHWAP assistance and in order for a customer to participate in the program. Not all water systems can accept LIHWAP payments for current bills. A list of water systems enrolled in the program, and those capable of accepting payments on current bills, can be found here. Customers can contact their local LIHWAP service provider for questions about eligibility and how to apply.

(CSD Release) n

Bianca Gonzalez flaunts

bare face...

in the comments of her post.

PAGE 9

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

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. n

Get in on the ground floor...

PAGE 10

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 worked with numerous other cities and organizations to build housing to help people with low-incomes, people experiencing homelessness, seniors and veterans. There were affordable housing communities in City Heights, in Carlsbad, Vista and downtown San Diego. In a first of its kind project for the County, it used its own surplus property to begin transforming an empty lot into a site for low-income affordable housing.

Since 2017, the County has leveraged about $1 billion in federal and state funding by investing more than $175 million on 44 affordable housing projects in 24 communities. Many are completed, others are under construction, and more are on the way.

The County’s Engage San Diego County webpage was created to make it easier for the public to be involved in the planning process of County projects and initiatives. People can find information about active and upcoming public projects, forums and links to numerous ways to take part and weigh in on those projects.

(Gig Conaughton/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

McCrispy features cool crinkle cut pickles, while the Bacon Ranch Deluxe McCrispy levels it up with Roma tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

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

City of San Diego advances...

to address homelessness. Last year, the city expanded the Safe Parking Program to 24-hour operation at one of the three existing lots for the first time and opened new shelters for women, seniors and those with chronic behavioral health issues. The Mayor also recently announced plans to open a shelter for families at a former motel in Barrio Logan.

With Wednesday’s recommendation by the Rules Committee, the plan is expected to be considered by the full City Council next week. To learn more about the Safe Parking Program, visit the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions webpage at https://www.sandiego.gov/ homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/ safe-parking-program.

(City of San Diego Release) n