US Secretary Rubio set for PH trip to boost Indo-Pacific alliance
UNITED States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning to visit the Philippines next month to reaffirm the importance of the Philippines-U.S. alliance in the Trump administration.
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said there is no exact date for the visit as of yet but “probably by April” after the trip of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Manila next week.
“Again, the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is one that is extremely important for both our countries,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Tuesday, March, 25.
“We’re at the forefront of the situation that we face in the in the Indo-Pacific region and our alliance— I would assume that Secretary Rubio’s mission in the Indo-Pacific region is also similar to what Secretary Hegseth is going to do,” he added.
After these high-level visits, Romualdez said the two governments would already likely be able to firm up the “exact timing” of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s visit to the US.
Hegseth is embarking on a landmark trip to Manila on March 28, marking the first time that a Pentagon chief has included a stop in
u PAGE 2
Undocumented Filipinos in US urged to legalize status amid deportations
by gavin Martinez Inquirer.net
immediate steps to legalize their status.
This comes in the wake of the U.S. government’s move to revoke the temporary protected status (TPS) of 530,000 nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela – a policy set to take effect on April 24 this year. As the crackdown intensifies, Romualdez warned that Filipinos without proper documentation could be swept up in broader immigration enforcement efforts. In a recent interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Romualdez stressed the importance of seeking legal counsel, warning that those
WITH deportations on the rise, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez is urging undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. to take Marcos
ICE detains Filipino green card holder who has lived in US for 50 years
Lewelyn Dixon, 64, was detained while returning home to Seattle from a trip to the Philippines
LOS ANGELES – Lewelyn Dixon, a 64-yearold Filipino green card holder who has been a permanent U.S. resident for 50 years, was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while returning home to Seattle, Washington, from a trip to the Philippines.
“She was (in the Philippines) for like a couple of weeks. And then she returned on Feb. 28. And she was stuck in customs,”
by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
MANILA — The Palace said on Tuesday, March 25, that there are no plans for the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court, despite the government handing former president Rodrigo Duterte over to the tribunal. In a media briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said
that when she spoke to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. about the matter, he simply smiled.
“We have not yet discussed any plan of rejoining the ICC. Iyong huli po nating nakausap ang pangulo, tinanong po natin iyan nang personal at siya’y ngumiti lamang at sasabihin ko daw dapat na wala pa talagang napaguusapan patungkol doon,” Castro
‘Quite a number’ of undocumented Filipinos in US detained – envoy
by Charie abarCa Inquirer.net
MANILA — “Quite a number” of undocumented Filipinos in the United States (U.S.) have been detained and processed for deportation, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said on Tuesday, March 25. Romualdez noted that there
is no definite count of detained and deported Filipinos, as authorities are trying to “keep it confidential.”
“Obviously, we don’t want it to be something that we would like to put out and these are the number[s],” said Romualdez in an interview with ANC.
“But quite a number have already been detained and have been processed for
MANILA — President Marcos may be invited to Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the first half of the year, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Monday, March 24.
In an interview with TeleRadyo, Romualdez said the meeting would likely take place after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits the Philippines this month.
The U.S. Department of Defense earlier announced that Hegseth “will travel to the Philippines to advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with U.S. and Philippine forces.” (Jane Bautista/ Inquirer.net) u PAGE 2
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
‘PABASA’. Residents of Herbosa Street in Tondo, Manila participate in the traditional Filipino Catholic devotional practice “Pabasa ng Pasyon” (Reading of the Passion) on Tuesday, March 25. Devotees continuously chant or sing the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
F rom the F ront P age
Undocumented Filipinos in US...
with unclear residency –such as individuals working and paying taxes without proper documentation –face a high risk of removal.
With this, he advised them to consult with immigration lawyers as soon as possible to explore potential pathways to legalization.
“ Lagi kong sinasabi na ‘yung mga Pilipino na medyo ang status ay neither here or there, meaning to say, nagta-trabaho sila, nagbabayad sila ng taxes, pero ‘yung status nila ay hindi klaro , pwede silang pumunta sa immigration
‘Quite
lawyer at ngayon pa lang, ayusin na nila at meron silang chance na maging legal ang status nila ,” the ambassador emphasized in the interview.
This policy change will end the parole entry program introduced by former U.S. President Joe Biden, which allowed nationals from these countries to enter with the support of U.S.-based sponsors.
Although the program directly affects specific nationalities, Romualdez warned that undocumented Filipinos could also be targeted under broader
immigration crackdowns.
He cautioned that individuals deported from the U.S. may face permanent bans on reentry.
With thousands of Filipinos residing in the U.S. under uncertain circumstances, the ambassador’s appeal highlights the urgency of securing legal status before immigration enforcement efforts intensify.
Romualdez encouraged affected individuals to act quickly and seek legal assistance to avoid the potential consequences of forced removal. n
a number’ of undocumented...
deportation. The last one we reported was about 30 of them and I think there are quite a number that have already been put in detention in many parts of the United States that had already been considered to be undocumented and ready for deportation,” he added.
Even before he was reelected, U.S. President Donald Trump had already promised to carry out an unprecedented mass deportation of
undocumented foreigners in the country.
In response, Romualdez had said that it would be better for undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. to leave voluntarily rather than face deportation.
“If there is absolutely no chance for you to legally stay, it is best that you just simply voluntarily leave. Why? Because then you’ll have the chance to be able to come back and you don’t go through that harrowing experience of being in a detention center,” said
Romualdez then.
In 2023, a report by the Migration Policy Institute in Washington D.C. showed that the Philippines is the sixth top source of undocumented (unauthorized) immigrants in the U.S. with a population estimated at 309,000 in 2021.
The estimated unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S. was 11.2 million in 2021, up from 11.0 million in 2019, with a larger annual growth rate seen since 2015. n
ICE detains Filipino green card holder...
Dixon’s niece, Emily Cristobal, told Hawaii News Now.
“We got the news, I think it was March 2, that she got taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and then detained in the Northwestern detainment facility.”
“We haven’t officially been told why she’s being held. They just keep saying that they’re waiting for documents,” added Cristobal, who works as the office manager for Hawaii State Rep. Tina Grandinetti.
Grandinetti, a critic of Pres. Donald Trump’s immigration policies, has supported a bill to provide legal representation for immigrants in Hawaii.
She recently shared Dixon’s story on the House floor and denounced her detention, describing it as
“part of a broader attack on immigrants – an attack on our families, our friends, and our community as a whole.”
Grandinetti pushed for the passage of SB816, a bill that would provide statefunded legal representation for people going through immigration proceedings.
“SB816 is a step toward protecting our community, and I’m so grateful to the Filipino Caucus for championing this important legislation. Let’s get it passed,” she said.
“The targeting of our immigrant community is not just something happening on our phones and TV screens,” she said on the House floor. “This is a reality that’s impacting our staff, our friends, our families and our loved ones.”
The Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC),
where Dixon is detained, is privately owned by the GEO Group and holds over 1,500 detainees, according to Newsweek.
Newsweek reported that it was able to confirm that Dixon was being detained at the ICE site.
Dixon “has a single conviction from 2001 that has triggered the issue,” her lawyer, Benjamin Osorio, told Newsweek.
Osorio said Dixon has been convicted for embezzlement “for which she received 30 days in a halfway house and a $6,400 fine. She was never ordered to serve any active time in a jail or prison. It was the travel that triggered the issue and if she had not traveled, she would not be removable from the United States.”
Dixon’s scheduled hearing is set for July 17, said Cristobal. (Inquirer.net)
US Secretary Rubio set for PH trip to boost...
PAGE 1
the country during his first visit to the region.
Romualdez said his visit comes at an opportune time just as Manila is also looking to further “bring forward” the new relationship that it has with the Trump administration.
The envoy said Hegseth and his Filipino counterpart Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. are expected to discuss “what it is that we will be needing for our armed forces to bring it up to speed on exactly what we want to achieve”.
“Basically, the United States under President Trump has always said that we have to
have a strong deterrence to be able to avert any kind of conflict in the future,” he said.
“That is exactly what Secretary Hegseth is going
to talk about with Secretary Teodoro and also perhaps a meeting with President Marcos the next day,” he added. (PNA)
No plans to rejoin ICC even after Duterte’s...
PAGE 1
said in a Palace briefing.
(We have not yet discussed any plan of rejoining the ICC. In our last conversation with the president, we also personally asked that and he merely smiled and told me to say that there are no talks yet on the matter.)
Castro also said that the Philippine government has not made any commitment regarding the potential issuance of a freeze order on Duterte’s assets in the country by the ICC.
In a previous briefing, the Palace said that the issue of freezing Duterte’s assets
would be decided by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
While the Palace remains silent on whether or not the Philippines will rejoin the ICC, the arrest of Duterte and his turnover to the tribunal have shown that the administration can change its stance based on developments. No less than Justice Secretary Boying Remulla admitted that the administration can change its position over time.
In a Senate inquiry into Duterte’s arrest, Sen. Imee Marcos, the sister of
President Bongbong Marcos and a staunch ally of the Duterte clan, presented Remulla with old comments from the president about how the Philippines would not join the ICC.
Imee questioned why that position had changed, though she later admitted that she had not spoken directly to her brother about the matter..
"Our minds can change," Remulla simply said, albeit speaking in general terms. Whether the president will change his stance on the country’s membership in the ICC remains to be seen. n
PREVENTION. The Metro Manila Center for Health Development intensifies its measles catch-up immunization program through “Bakunahan sa Purok ni Juan” in Binondo, Manila on Tuesday, March 25. The program highlights the importance of vaccination and emphasizes the commitment of health leaders to protect communities and vulnerable population from vaccine-preventable diseases.
PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Undated photo shows facade of the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands STAR / File
Alex Eala: Philippines’ smash hit on path toward tennis stardom
by alden M. Monzon Inquirer.net
ALEX Eala is once again making headlines for the Philippines as she writes another Cinderella story in the world of tennis.
The homegrown Filipino tennis star has been turning heads in Miami after taking down two highly-ranked female tennis players in a row for her first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 quarterfinal appearance.
Currently ranked 140 in the world, Eala is the youngest player in the 2025 Miami Open’s elite eight, which features Grand Slam winners and Olympic champions.
Before earning the attention of the world, she has been a source of pride for the Philippines for the past seven years since she started to carry the flag on the international stage.
At age 12, Alex Eala created a name for herself after ruling the 2018 Les Petit As. The following year, she moved to Mallorca, Spain, to start her training at Rafael Nadal Academy.
In her recent interview, Eala admitted that starting her tennis journey hasn’t been easy. She had to train exclusively abroad to get access to top-notch programs and tournaments that are not readily available in the basketball-crazy Philippines.
“Growing up, it was tough,” an emotional Eala said. “You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way. Of course, you had many people to look up to around the world, but I think—I hope this takes Filipino tennis to the next step.”
Eala has been backed by ever-supportive family every step of the way in her overseas journey.
The Filipino tennis prodigy is the daughter of Mike and former national swimming team star Rizza Maniego-Eala, who won a 1985 Southeast Asian Games bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke.
Her brother Miko is also a tennis athlete and played for Pennsylvania State University.
Known as a familyoriented athlete, Eala offered her recent Miami
Open victory to her family and gave a shoutout to her parents in the on-court victory.
Philippines’ first Grand Slam winner
While she’s now trying to make a name in the women’s division, Alex Eala made her mark in the girls division by being the first Filipino to rule a singles Grand Slam tournament.
Eala ruled the 2022 U.S. Open girls after beating No.2 seed Lucie Havlickova in the final at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
She was a former No.2 in the junior rankings after reaching the semifinals of the 2020 French Open.
Eala is also a twotime Grand Slam doubles champion after winning the 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles with Priska Nugroho of Indonesia and the 2021 French Open with Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia.
Eala said that her ultimate goal is to win a grand slam title as a pro, and her recent run in Miami is proof that she can hang with the big names in women’s tennis.
“I think every single player here has envisioned themself as a successful tennis player. This is the goal to do well on the WTA tour and the end goal is to win slams, to get the rankings, and I think this is a good step towards where I want to be,” said Eala during her interview after upsetting World No.5 Madison Keys.
“It’s a big thing to take in and I feel it’s important for
Top US film equipment company invests $100M in PH
by alden M. Monzon Inquirer.net
MANILA – American film equipment firm Birns & Sawyer Inc. is investing an initial $100 million in a local movie production venture that will be launched in June.
In an online interview on Tuesday, March 25, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said Birns & Sawyer would set up a studio and a production company in Clark, referring to New Clark City in the province of Tarlac.
“Their focus will be on attracting foreign firms,” Roque said.
“We’ve given them incentives so they are actually very excited,” she added.
me to take it in step by step. I’m super proud of what I’m able to accomplish but it definitely fuels me more.”
Alex Eala’s national team stints
While Alex Eala may already be representing the country through her stints in the WTA and International Tennis Federation tours, but wearing the Philippine team colors remain an ultimate honor for her.
She made her Southeast Asian Games debut in the 31st edition in Vietnam two years ago where she racked up three bronze medals.
Eala, as a 16-year-old, settled for bronze in the singles division, another bronze in the mixed doubles with Treat Huey and one as part of the women’s team event.
In the 2023 Asian Games, Eala also suited up for the Philippines and brought home two bronze medals.
She delivered the country’s first Asian Games medal since 2006 despite falling to Zheng Qinwen of China in the semifinal.
Eala also earned a podium finish in the mixed doubles with Francis Alcantara.
Jumping into the pro circuit
Alex Eala decided to turn pro four years ago and has now won five ITF singles and three doubles title since her leap.
The young Filipino netter won her first ITF singles title in the 2021 W15 Manacor in Spain followed by another one in the 2022 W25 Chiang
‘Expanding the Bridge’ Earlier this month, Roque told reporters in a chance interview that the government is offering grants of up to $180,000 (P10 million) to attract Hollywood filmmakers to shoot in the Philippines.
These incentives are part of the “Expanding the Bridge” initiative, a government-led
effort designed to position the Philippines as a prime destination for major film and television productions.
The program aims to attract international projects and highlight the country’s diverse landscapes, skilled local talent and rich cultural heritage in global cinema.
Roque also said that the DTI alone has a budget of
P300 million to give out as incentives for the local film industry.
She said that they intend to double the budget this year and to partner with the private sector to raise funding.
Beyond the financial grant, the initiative also provides additional benefits to filmmakers such as rebates. n
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque Inquirer.net file photo
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque
Inquirer.net file photo
Trump signs executive order requiring proof of citizenship for federal elections
by AJPress
WASHINGTON, D.C. –
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring voters to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register for federal elections.
The order, signed Tuesday, March 25, directs states to verify the citizenship status of all new voter registrants using official documents such as birth certificates, passports, or naturalization papers.
It also mandates that all ballots be received by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted, eliminating the use of postmark-based deadlines in states that currently allow them.
Additionally, the order instructs federal agencies to assist states by providing access to citizenship data, prosecuting election-related offenses, and potentially withholding federal funds from states that fail to comply.
It further directs the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to prioritize paper-based voting systems in a push for greater transparency and security.
Historical context and rationale
The order marks a continuation of Trump’s longstanding focus on voter fraud, particularly his repeated—though widely disputed—claims that noncitizens have been casting ballots in U.S. elections.
These concerns have been central to Trump’s political messaging since his 2016 campaign.
During his first term, Trump attempted to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census and created a commission to investigate voter fraud, both of which were ultimately dismantled or blocked in court.
Earlier this year, he signed Executive Order 14160 to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, which was swiftly halted by legal challenges.
The current order builds on those efforts by targeting the voter registration process.
Supporters argue the order is a necessary safeguard to ensure only eligible American citizens participate in federal elections. House
Speaker Mike Johnson (RLA), a longtime advocate for stricter voting laws, introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in 2024, proposing similar proof-ofcitizenship requirements.
Criticism and legal challenges ahead Voting rights advocates argue the order seeks to solve a problem that virtually doesn’t exist.
Multiple studies— including from the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice—have found that noncitizen voting is extremely rare. A 2017 study identified only 30 suspected cases of noncitizen voting among 23.5 million ballots cast, a rate of 0.0001%.
Critics also warn that the order could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly those without immediate access to documents such as passports or birth certificates.
The Brennan Center estimates that roughly 9% of voting-age citizens may fall into this category, with lowincome individuals, elderly voters, and natural-born citizens among the most affected.
Legal experts predict the order will face swift constitutional challenges.
While federal elections fall under federal purview, the U.S. Constitution grants states primary authority over election administration.
The potential for withholding federal funds adds another layer of complexity that courts are expected to examine closely.
Setting the stage for the 2026 midterm elections
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Trump’s executive order has become a lightning rod in the broader debate over voting rights and election integrity.
With control of Congress at stake and voter turnout expected to play a decisive role, the executive order may influence both the accessibility of the ballot and the political messaging of candidates.
Legal battles, public response, and the degree of state-level resistance or compliance will all shape whether and how the order impacts the midterms.
Beyond 2026, the order could set a far-reaching precedent—testing the boundaries of federal authority over elections and redefining how the nation balances citizenship verification, access to the ballot, and democratic security. n
Workers prep to meet ICE officials at the health clinic door
by Jackie Fortiér KFF Health News
A POLICY change by the Trump administration allows federal immigration officials to make arrests at or near sensitive locations, including health care facilities. To respond, some health providers are scrambling to give their staff legal training.
In a memo to health
care providers, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown advises health workers that they need not record a patient’s immigration status unless it relates to insurance coverage and that they should ask for credentials if someone claiming to be an ICE official shows up. He also said providers should not interfere with an investigation.
KFF Health News reporting fellow Jackie Fortiér appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” on March 19. The segment included voices from Nicole Lamoureux, president of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, and Matt Lopas, director of state advocacy for the National Immigration Law Center. n
Alex Eala: Philippines’ smash hit
PAGE 3
Rai in Thailand.
In 2023, Eala won a pair of ITF championships in W25 Yecla in Spain and W25 Roehampton in the United Kingdom. Her latest ITF singles’ run was in W100 Open Araba en Femenino in Spain last year.
The doubles ITF titles may have been elusive in her early years, but in 2024, Eala won three: W50 Pune in India, W75 Open de Seineet-Marne in France, and W100 in Spain.
But An appearance in the main draw of the women’s Grand Slams tournaments remain elusive for Eala.
Eala appeared in several Australian Open qualifiers in the past three years but has yet to overcome the first round of qualifiers.
In last year’s Wimbledon, U.S. Open, and French Open qualifiers, she came within a game away from reaching the main draw, but fell short.
Eala has a career-high ranking in the WTA at World No.138, which she is expected to surpass after this dream run in the Miami Open.
Alex Eala’s dream Miami Open run
Alex Eala turns emotional after stunning 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko to advance to the Miami Open Round of 32.–Photo from the Tennis Channel
Alex made her WTA 1000 debut in the Miami Open in 2021, losing to Viktoria Kuzmova as a wildcard entry.
Now, her career has come full circle at 19, becoming the first Filipino to take down a top 10 player since the WTA Tour rankings for women’s tennis were published in 1975.
Eala opened her Miami Open tilt with her first main draw win after taking down World No.73 Katie Voleynets, 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the
Round of 128.
She stunned World No. 25 and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia with a 7-6 (2), 7-5 triumph to continue her dream run.
And pulled off her biggest win yet with an upset of the WTA No. 5 Madison Keys in the Round of 32.
She is now set to play the biggest match of her life as she battles five-time Grand Slam champion and World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the 2025 Miami Open quarterfinal.
Swiatek was a guest of honor during Eala’s graduation ceremony at Rafa Nadal Academy two years ago.
Eala is among the youngest of the players in the Elite Eight, which also features Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, Jasmine Paolini, Magda Linette, Emma Raducanu and Jessica Pegula. (Lance Agcaoili/ Inquirer.net)
The executive order directs the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to prioritize paper-based voting systems in a push for greater transparency and security.
photo by Sora Shimazaki
ILLEGAL POSTS. Political campaign posters hang from electric posts at the corner of Dapitan and Ma. Cristina Streets in Sampaloc, Manila on Monday, March 24. As the campaign period for local candidates starts March 28, the Commission on Elections reminded anew of the rules on common poster areas to avoid infractions. PNA photo by Ben Briones
FeAtures OPiniOn
Digital literacy
THE proliferation of fake news and disinformation is deeply concerning, and the injection of politics into the issue is complicating efforts to address the problem. Studies have shown that many Filipinos can’t tell fake from accurate news.
One way of addressing the problem without dragging politics into the response is through an intensified promotion of digital literacy.
Editorial
This can be incorporated into the regular curriculum beginning in grade school.
At what grade the subject will be introduced can be left to the jurisdiction of school administrators, since the capacity to understand the subject could depend on the availability of digital gadgets and connectivity. In this aspect, children from underserved communities are obviously at a disadvantage. Many of them may even be living in areas with no internet access.
In more developed communities, the typical child is a digital native. Many play with adult cell phones or tablets as soon as their fingers are strong and nimble enough
It was the early morning of Nov. 23, 1963 when my mother – a conservative closed Catholic or “cerrada Catolica” as they say in Spanish – woke me up saying with fervent urgency: “reza tu para el presidente de America” (pray for the president of the United States
JFK was a Catholic himself – in fact, the first
to manipulate gadget screens or keyboards. In such communities, digital literacy can be introduced early in elementary school.
Digital literacy includes understanding the ways of mainstream media and journalism. Public trust underpins the viability of print and broadcast media, which adhere to journalistic ethics and have firewalls against the dissemination of fake news, disinformation and malicious commentary. Unlike posts on social media, news and commentary on mainstream media must go through layers of filters for accuracy and adherence to those ethics.
One problem in making digital literacy part of the regular curriculum is whether there are enough educators who can teach the subject. As part of its upskilling
program, the Department of Education can get experts from various sectors to provide training to a core group of teachers, who can then cascade what they have learned to their peers across the country.
JFK files: Reopening of old wounds
Catholic president of the United States – perhaps the reason why it is not surprising many Filipinos continue to remember JFK to this day. For many reasons, the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963 has always been etched in my mind, even if I was only in my teens when it happened.
When I visited an aunt in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 1972, she brought me to the late president’s gravesite at the Arlington National
Cemetery in Virginia. After I became ambassador to the United States in 2017, we opened our new Philippine consulate in Houston, Texas. I then had the chance to pass by Dallas and visit the Dealey Plaza Museum (formerly the Texas School Book Depository). I went up to the sixth floor and peered from the southeast corner window where the sniper fired shots at the open presidential limousine slowly traversing Elm Street with JFK, his wife Jackie and Texas Governor John
Connally.
It was really poignant to see the exact spot on Elm Street – marked by an “X” – where an assassin’s bullet ended the life of the president whose term in office was retrospectively referred to as the “Camelot era,” marked by the youthful idealism and high hopes associated with the Kennedy administration.
During an official call in 2019 to JFK’s grandnephew, then-Congressman Joseph “Joe” Kennedy III at his office in Newton,
Massachusetts, I visited the JFK Presidential Library and Museum. While watching a documentary narrated by JFK himself, I was surprised to hear a lady seated beside me sobbing the entire time – clearly still mourning the death of the charismatic president.
I could only relate to what the lady was feeling because every time I get invited to the White House and happen to pass by the East Room where president Kennedy was laid to rest, there is that heavy
10
feeling of deep sadness –remembering passages from a book I read describing the private moment shared by JFK’s widow Jackie and his brother Bobby as they gazed at the slain leader’s remains – the one and only time, according to the book, that Mrs. Kennedy allowed the casket to be opened.
“Why, God? Why?” repeatedly murmured Bobby, inconsolably weeping for almost 35 minutes.
The scene was so heart
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Babe’s Eye View
BaBe Romualdez
DAteline PhiliPPines
AFP on reports US sent another Typhon missile: ‘The more the merrier’
by Faith argosino Philstar.com
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) has welcomed reports saying that another MidRange Capability (MRC)
Typhon missile from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) is already on its way to the country.
According to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, this would help their personnel train more effectively.
“This is a welcome development for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We can say that the more the merrier. So the more
press briefing on Tuesday, March 25.
“We welcome events like this because this would help our personnel train faster. So we welcome if it will arrive,” Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
Defense News, a leading global publication specializing in defense journalism, reported last week that the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multidomain Task Force unit is readying its Typhon battery for deployment in
It has stayed in the country since and was last spotted in Ilocos Norte, a coastal province facing Taiwan, deemed by China as a renegade province subject to reunification.
AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said he wanted the Typhon missile to stay in the country “forever” and that he hoped the Philippine government could acquire its own.
In February this year, the Philippine Army conducted the next phase of its
Duterte kin press habeas
petition, cite OSG recusal DepEd warns: No political activities during graduation
by Jane Bautista Inquirer.net
MANILA — The three children of former President Rodrigo Duterte are pressing the Supreme Court to grant their habeas corpus petitions for his immediate release from the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), with Veronica Duterte citing the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) recusal as proof that his “abduction” and transfer to The Hague were “illegal and indefensible.”
In separate traverses, or pleadings denying the facts alleged by the opposing party, siblings Veronica, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte reiterated on Monday, March 24 that their father’s arrest was illegal, that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines following its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, and that the government violated the Constitution by enforcing the ICC warrant without judicial review and due process.
The traverses, made public by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, respond to the consolidated compliance of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which assumed the role of state lawyer after the OSG recused itself from the case.
Duterte was flown to the ICC headquarters in The Hague past 11 p.m. on March 11 after the government assisted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in serving the arrest warrant.
A day after their father was turned over to the ICC, Duterte’s children asked the Supreme Court to compel the government to bring him back to the Philippines.
On March 13, the high court issued a showcause order directing the government to explain why the petitions for a writ of habeas corpus separately filed by Veronica (G.R. No. 278768), Sebastian (G.R. No. 278763) and Paolo (G.R. No. 278798) should not be granted.
In a manifestation and motion filed on March 17, the OSG asked the Supreme Court to take note of and/
or favorably consider its recusal, emphasizing that it had long maintained that the Philippines’ case was inadmissible before the ICC and that the tribunal failed to exercise its jurisdiction promptly.
The DOJ, representing government officials named as respondents in the petitions—including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III—argued that the habeas corpus petitions should be dismissed as moot since Duterte is already in ICC custody in the Netherlands and no longer within Philippine jurisdiction.
Citing Section 2, Rule 102 of the Rules of Court, the DOJ stressed that a writ of habeas corpus is enforceable only within the country and does not apply when a valid arrest warrant has been issued.
The DOJ also invoked Republic Act No. 9851, which allows the Philippines to defer to an international tribunal and surrender suspects under extradition laws and treaties.
Remulla’s UN speech
In her response, Veronica noted that Justice Secretary Remulla had said in a 2023 speech before the United Nations Human Rights Council that the ICC had no jurisdiction since the Philippines had a “working justice system.”
She said it was “unsurprising” that the OSG, which is legally mandated to serve as legal counsel for the
by Mayen JayMalin, neil Jayson servallos Philstar.com
MANILA — Public schools are not allowed to engage in partisan political activities nor campaign for candidates during graduation and moving-up ceremonies, the Department of Education warned.
exposure to intense sunlight.
“Schools shall avoid scheduling their end-ofschool-year rites during the time of the day when temperatures are at their highest,” the agency said.
Fake vote manipulators
who fail to remove their unauthorized campaign materials within three days, he noted.
Garcia said local elections are seen to be more violent than national elections.
Philippine government and represent the country in pretrial proceedings before the ICC, recused itself from representing the respondent government officials, who, she argued, had “suddenly” adopted an “irreconcilable view on the ICC’s jurisdiction.”
“The OSG’s recusal is therefore clear indication that [Duterte’s] abduction and transfer to The Hague pursuant to the ICC warrant of arrest is illegal and indefensible,” Veronica said.
Paolo’s reply tackled how the former president’s arrest was carried out through a diffusion by Interpol of the ICC-issued arrest warrant rather than through a formal notice.
Citing Interpol’s Rules on the Processing of Data, Paolo explained that Interpol notices are international alerts or cooperation requests issued at the request of a National Central Bureau (NCB) or an international entity, or initiated by Interpol’s General Secretariat.
A red notice, he pointed out, is specifically issued for arrest purposes and must undergo a legal review by Interpol’s General Secretariat to ensure compliance with its constitution and rules.
A diffusion, on the other hand, is a direct request sent from an NCB or an international entity to selected recipients without requiring General Secretariat review. Diffusions share intelligence or request assistance in criminal investigations but do not mandate legal scrutiny, he noted.
DepEd officials said teaching and nonteaching personnel are prohibited from engaging in electioneering or partisan political activity amid the upcoming midterm polls in May, per Memorandum 27 signed on March 21 by Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
Violators could face penalties, the agency said.
Excessive spending, extravagant attires or renting extraordinary venues should be avoided in conducting the rites, the DepEd said.
Expenses for graduation and moving-up rites should be charged to schools’ operating expenses and no contributions or fees must be collected, the agency noted.
End-of-school-year rites have been scheduled on April 14 to 15 for kindergarten, Grade 6, 10 and 12 students, as well as those in the Alternative Learning System.
In anticipation of intense heat waves, the DepEd reminded schools to hold rites in indoor venues with proper ventilation to avoid
Fraudsters offering victories to candidates in the May midterm polls have resurfaced, according to the Commission on Elections.
“These illegal activities stopped momentarily, but we are expecting their resurgence by April,”
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
Four persons claiming they can manipulate election results were arrested in February, he recalled.
The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have been asked to stop such illegal operations, Garcia said.
Candidates should not deal with unscrupulous people, Garcia said, giving assurance that the automated election system cannot be tampered with.
Local Oplan Baklas set
Meanwhile, the poll body will mount on Friday, March 28 a nationwide “Oplan Baklas” at the start of the local campaign.
Illegal campaign materials will be removed and notices will be sent to candidates for the removal of their illegal posters, billboards and tarpaulins, Garcia said.
Criminal charges will be filed against candidates
He urged candidates to abide by campaign regulations to avoid penalties and prevent violence.
“On March 28, may it be national or local, we will have the power to remove illegal campaign materials,” Garcia said.
Candidates should train their people to set up campaign materials in designated areas, he said.
As for increasing complaints of red-tagging and other discrimination against candidates, Garcia said the Comelec’s Task Force Safe will look into it.
Complainants should submit evidence that they are being discriminated against by their opponents or local government units, Garcia noted.
Meanwhile, poll workers should be paid a net honorarium of P15,000, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) told the Comelec and Department of Budget and Management.
A bill exempting from income taxation the honoraria, allowances and other financial benefits of election service workers should also be certified as urgent by the Marcos administration, the group said. (With reports from Cecille Suerte Felipe)
Former President Rodrigo Duterte Screengrab from ICC
DepEd officials said teaching and non-teaching personnel are prohibited from
Paolo Duterte tells House he’ll
go to 16 countries in 2 months
by Krixia subingsubing Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Office of the House Secretary General on Tuesday, March 25, confirmed that Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, sought clearance to travel to at least 16 countries in under two months.
A copy of the travel clearance signed by Speaker Martin Romualdez granted the younger Duterte’s permission to travel from March 20 to May 10 supposedly to go to Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Singapore.
In an interview with the Inquirer, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco explained that lawmakers normally did not have to explain their reasons for travel as long as they used their own money.
Velasco also said that this type of request to visit multiple countries was not unprecedented, noting members of the House of Representatives can manifest only their intention to travel to these countries, but not necessarily go there.
Amendment “Ours is merely a ministerial duty. As long as they do not use government funds, such requests are normally approved,” Velasco said. “This request is an amendment of [Paolo Duterte’s] earlier travel request [submitted March 12] where he asked for clearance to travel to the Netherlands and Japan.”
Representative Duterte first sought clearance to leave the country after his father on March 11 was handed by the government to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which was implementing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands.
Former President Duterte was flown to The Hague that same day and
has since been detained there to face a charge of crime against humanity for murder in relation the bloody drug war that he waged during his term as mayor of Davao City and president of the Philippines from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019.
Representative Duterte, unlike his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, has yet to be seen in The Hague to visit their father.
The Vice President earlier said that family members had to identify several countries in their travel requests because they were unsure where the elder Duterte would be taken upon his arrest.
Sara’s own travel authority, issued by the Office of the President, covered trips to Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands from March 11 to April 30.
During the former president’s arrest, there was speculation that the older Duterte could be presented to a court in Japan or South Korea—the closest ICC member states to the Philippines—before he would be flown to The Hague.
The Inquirer sought Representative Duterte’s office for comment, but a member of his staff, Jojo Gamboa, said the Davao lawmaker could not be reached via Viber as he was forced to deactivate it following a hacking attempt.
Gamboa was referring to Representative Duterte’s March 17 statement, where he flagged a new Viber account activated using his personal number and warned against engaging
Duterte kin press habeas
“Hence, the legality of the warrant of arrest issued by the ICC was not subjected to the legal review of the General Secretariat of Interpol, thus resulting in its procedural infirmity,” he said.
‘Personal interest’
In his reply, Sebastian similarly questioned the execution of the arrest, arguing that it was based on a “less formal and nonbinding mechanism of international police cooperation.”
The Davao mayor cited a Senate hearing on March 14, where Philippine Center
with the account “as the same was clearly made in an attempt to misrepresent myself.”
With his travel documents approved, Representative Duterte will be out of the country for almost the entire duration of the local campaign period, which starts on March 28, for the May 12 elections. He is running for reelection for a third and final term as Davao City representative against Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Rep. Margarita Nograles, daughter of the late former Speaker Prospero Nograles.
Margarita’s brother, former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, is facing former President Duterte in the mayoral race in Davao City.
In the past several years, Rep. Duterte became controversial due to his alleged links to the illegal drug trade, an allegation that had been investigated by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In December 2024, Rep. Duterte expressed willingness to face a more comprehensive investigation from an “impartial and credible body,” as long as it would not be based on hearsay testimony.
“I welcome any investigation to be conducted by an impartial and credible body, as I have nothing to hide. I remain committed to clearing our name and confident that the truth will expose the baseless nature of these accusations,” Duterte said in a statement then. (With reports from Inquirer Research)
for Transnational Crime Executive Director Anthony Alcantara confirmed that Interpol had issued only a diffusion, not a red notice, on the day of Duterte’s arrest.
“If it was a Philippine law enforcement agency that diffused the ICC’s request, this strongly suggests that the Philippine government, under the color of Interpol cooperation, executed and arranged the rendition itself,” Sebastian said.
“In such a case, the diffusion was merely a pretext—a procedural facade to conceal what was, in essence, a unilateral and
political surrender of a Filipino citizen to a foreign tribunal, outside the scope of law,” he added.
He claimed that the Philippine government “orchestrated” the arrest out of “personal interest” rather than genuine Interpol cooperation.
The enforcement of the arrest warrant without prior court approval, he said, suggested a “possibility of politically motivated action, which could constitute illegal detention or, even more concerning, state-sponsored kidnapping, all under the guise of international cooperation.” n
JFK files: Reopening of old wounds...
PAGE 6
wrenching that even the honor guard from the Army’s Special Forces could not hold back their tears. One can only imagine the grief and sorrow that must have enveloped the East Room at that moment.
To this day, the brutal murder of the very popular U.S. president continues to be the subject of conspiracy theories, with many believing that Lee Harvey Oswald was not acting alone when he shot JFK during a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Among the conspiracy theories include the involvement of the Mafia and the Soviet Union, fueled by the fact that Oswald, a former marine, defected to the USSR in 1959 and eventually married Marina Nikolayevna, living there for two years and a half before returning to the U.S.
Every year, countless documentaries, special features and books are produced during JFK’s death anniversary. Which is why President Trump’s order to release over 80,000 pages of declassified records related to the assassination – a fulfillment of the promise he made during his campaign – has earned praise from experts and historians who see it as an encouraging step
towards transparency. The redacted documents had been a source of confusion as well as frustration.
The release was announced by President Trump himself on Monday, March 17 during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. In her post on X, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard said “President Trump is ushering in a new era of maximum transparency.”
According to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration that posted the files on its website, the release would include “all records previously withheld for classification,” but some groups claim that the released documents are only one third of the promised files and did not include around 2,400 new records discovered by the FBI. There are supposedly still up to 3,500 files that have yet to be released in whole or in part.
Although some experts opine that the release will not likely change the official conclusion that Oswald acted on his own, the sheer volume of records is not a deterrent to the serious and the curious who believe the availability of over six million pages of handwritten and
typewritten notes, memos, reports, photographs, audio recordings, motion pictures and artifacts will eventually provide more clues on the JFK assassination.
Time magazine’s online report says, “Historians are hoping for details fleshing out Oswald’s activities before the assassination and what the CIA and FBI knew about him beforehand,” including a trip made by Oswald to Mexico City in September 1963 with an intention to contact the Soviet embassy there.
As President Trump remarked, “We have a tremendous amount of paper. You’ve got a lot of reading.”
Although the release of the JFK files can also be likened to reopening of old wounds, perhaps it can also help Americans and many others who have long been engrossed by the life – and death – of the 35th U.S. president come to terms with their grief and finally dry the tears that have long been shed. (Philstar.com)
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Digital literacy...
For adults especially in underprivileged communities, the government can also provide
literacy sessions to go hand-in-hand with ayuda programs.
Getting accurate information is critical in many aspects of life, from health care to job hunting and making choices in elections. Promoting digital and media literacy must be treated with urgency by all stakeholders. (Philstar.com)
Paolo Duterte
Photo by Lyn Rillon/Inquirer photo
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’ takes over Ling Nam Restaurant for a special immigration Q&A
THIS Sunday, Citizen Pinoy presents a special “Your Tanong, My Sagot” episode, filmed at the iconic Ling Nam Restaurant in the Bay Area. A beloved Filipino Chinese institution founded by Tony Lim in 1990, Ling Nam is known for its homestyle dishes and strong ties to the community, having supported Citizen Pinoy since its early years. Now, it sets the stage for an insightful Q&A, where customers got the chance to ask leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel their PAGE 12
CITIZEN PINOY PRESENTS A SPECIAL ‘YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT’ EPISODE AT LING NAM RESTAURANT IN DALY CITY, CA. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (top photo, left) provides crucial information and answers to immigration questions from guests at Ling Nam Restaurant in this special “Your Tanong, My Sagot” episode of Citizen Pinoy. Guests raised important questions, including Vivian’s (top photo, right) inquiry about visa availability for Filipino nurses under President Trump and whether permanent residents may be asked to surrender green cards upon re-entry. Ludy (bottom photo, right) asked if she could still bring over her brother’s children after his passing, while Valerie (bottom photo, left) sought guidance on helping her aging parents and relatives in the Philippines. With real questions from real people, Atty. Gurfinkel provides crucial insights on these issues, offering clarity and legal guidance for Filipinos navigating the U.S. immigration system. Don’t miss Part 1 of this timely and informative episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, March 30 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) is shown here with Ling Nam Founder Tony Lim (right).
Stem cell scam
Health@Heart
PhiliP S. Chua, md, FaCS, FPCS
HEALTH and Human
Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly considering reducing regulations on stem cell therapy, which experts fear would lead to “potential flourishing of questionable stem cell clinics that could harm patients.” In 2023, the stem cell “business” was a $14.15 billion industry.
At this time, March 2025, the only medically proven justification and genuine indication for stem cell therapy is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), also known as bone marrow transplantation (BMT), for treating blood cancers and certain blood disorders… and for NOTHING ELSE! BMT has saved more than a million of children and adults with blood disorders worldwide.
The false claims that stem cell therapy is effective for rejuvenation, for heart and other organ tissue regrowth, for repair of arthritisdamaged joints, to improve male sexual prowess, etc., are all false! They are all a scam! Autologous stem cell therapy has about a 5 percent mortality rate within the first year.
Currently, stem cell therapy is still being studied for all those conditions above and others. There are encouraging preliminary reports so far, but the final word, the verdict, to make stem cell therapy the standard care for all other conditions besides blood disorders is still out there.
There are no sciencebased clinical studies to support all those other claims except for treatment for blood dyscracias, where HSCT is very effective. The abuse of stem cell therapy is dangerous, a malpractice, illegal, and immoral. It is totally against the Oath of Hippocrates we took as physicians: Primum non nocere (first do no harm).
Unfortunately and shamefully, many of the scammers are physicians! These are obviously moneyhungry “unprofessionals,” who ought to be investigated and held legally accountable and liable for malpractice.
Deaths have been reported as a complication of stem cell therapy.
Cognitive decline
New studies have identified various potential risk factors that cause cognitive decline, which sometimes signals the eventual onset of dementia. One of these factors is brain inflammation.
Many clinical studies have shown a link between Alzheimer’s and herpes viruses, especially one that causes cold sores.
Other studies have shown the following to lower the risk for dementia: vaccines, antibiotics, over-thecounter (non-steroidal) anti-inflammatories, like aspirin and ibuprofen. All of these reduce/prevent brain inflammation.
A plausible trigger for inflammation that affect the brain is viral infections of any type, a major reason why the CDC recommends timely vaccinations for viral infections we all face every year (and for COVID-19).
Besides Alzheimer’s, other neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s Multiple Sclerosis, could have been triggered by brain inflammation from viral infections, obvious or subclinical.
As a general precaution, it is best to avoid any type of inflammation, even skin sores, dental carries, gingivitis, etc. A healthy lifestyle (obviously including personal hygiene) is essential in disease prevention.
Macular degeneration
For people ages 50 and older, AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) is the leading cause of vision loss, whose incidence increases as people get older. By the time we reach 80, more than 40 percent of us have some form of AMD.
AMD blurs or even wipes out central vision when cells break down in the macula, the central part of the retina (tissue in the back of the eye that turns light into signals the brain reads as images).
The dry version of AMD accounts for about 90 percent of cases, affecting about 20 million adult Americans and hundreds of millions worldwide. Sadly, there is nothing we can do about it, especially when it gets to a later stage.
However, new clinical evidence (among 1,200 subjects in two large clinical studies) suggests the AREDS2 pill supplement
might be a ray of hope. This tablet slows down the progression of the thinning of the retina at the center of the macula and also modulates vision loss, according to an article in the January 2025 issue of Ophthalmology.
Hotel – Sleep QPR?
Which country provides the best sleep quality/price ratio (QPR) among its top hotels?
A 2025 study conducted by OneBed compared 7 randomly selected 4- and 5-star hotels in 45 countries, and measured how much sleep quality travelers can expect relative to the cost of their stay to calculate the QPR. Here are the ratings and ranking:
• “Egypt is the top destination where hotels have the best value for sleep quality, offering the most affordable stays at $93 per night.
• “With the highest number of luxury hotels among 45 countries – 17,684 in total – China ranks second second among countries where hotel sleep quality meets the best value.
• “New Zealand is the third country offering the best value for sleep quality, with 58% of customer reviews indicating good sleep quality in luxury hotels there, followed by Romania, Indonesia, Thailand, Poland (#7), Columbia #9 and Qatar #10.”
• The Philippines is number 8 for best sleep quality rating at $145.96 a night, 58.7 percent value per dollar compared to Egypt’s 99.4. Arguably, many hotels in the Philippines whose rate is between $60 to $90 could rank the Philippines as Number 1 for QPR, placing Egypt one lower.
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by
14
Sofronio Vasquez collaborates with David Foster, Katharine McPhee
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
SOFRONIO Vasquez is feeling “blessed” to have the opportunity to work with acclaimed music producer David Foster and his wife, singer Katharine McPhee.
Vasquez took to Instagram to share his photo with the couple as he thanked his former “The Voice USA” coach Michael Bublé for his help in the collaboration.
“Blessed to be working for the first time with the [@davidfoster] and the ever beautiful [@ katharinefoster]. Thank you [@michaelbuble] for always doing extra things just to rally my
dreams in Music [red heart emoji],” wrote the Filipino singing sensation.
Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your
PAGE 11 most pressing immigration questions.
Vivian, one of the guests, expressed concern about job opportunities for healthcare professionals, asking, "Do you think visa availability for Filipino nurses will improve under President Trump?"
Another hot topic involved stricter re-entry policies, as she followed up with, "Is it true that immigration might ask permanent residents to surrender their green cards upon re-entry?"
Ludy, another guest, faced a heartbreaking situation. She had petitioned her brother for immigration, but just before his medical exam and interview, he sadly passed away. She asked, "Can I still bring over his children?"
Valerie, concerned about her aging parents, inquired, "My father has Parkinson's, and my mom is in her 70s. I'm a U.S. citizen. What can I do to help them and my
In a separate
Tanong, My Sagot’...
relatives in the Philippines?"
With real questions from real people, this episode offers valuable insights that may help other Filipinos facing similar challenges.
Atty. Gurfinkel provides critical insights on these pressing concerns, explaining how immigration laws handle unfortunate circumstances, potential policy changes affecting Filipinos seeking work and residency, and possible
legal relief to keep petitions moving forward.
Be sure to watch this informative and engaging
“Your Tanong, My Sagot” episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, March 30 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
Sofronio Vasquez with David Foster and Katharine McPhee
Photo from Instagram/@sofroniovasquez
Valerie (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Vivian (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel Ludy (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
post, “The Voice USA” Season
Lea Salonga takes on a guest role in The Cleaning Lady; returns to Broadway with Old Friends
by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress
LEA Salonga is stepping into a new role that audiences may not expect. While the Broadway icon is currently preparing for her latest stage endeavor, Old Friends , Salonga also revealed details about her upcoming guest appearance on the FOX TV series The Cleaning Lady "I get to play someone who isn’t very nice," she told the Asian Journal in a recent interview, sharing insights into her character, Rose Alonto, a woman whose polished exterior hides a cutting demeanor. "She seems nice enough when you meet her, but as the episode keeps going, you see that she really isn’t. Her niceness is put on."
Rose Alonto is the executive director of the Filipino Center and a
former acquaintance of Fiona, played by Martha Millan. Now married into wealth, Rose takes every opportunity to flaunt her status under the guise of generosity. In one scene, she casually mentions heading to a dinner with the mayor— "some charity thing for the underprivileged"— before handing Fiona cash for cleaning services, quipping, "I’m assuming that cash is preferred, no paper trail for the TNT." When she learns that the cleaning business is legitimate, she scoffs, "The rich get rich because they hire good, cheap labor."
The Cleaning Lady returns for its fourth season and continues its exploration of the experience of undocumented immigrants
and the hurdles they face in this country. The series tells their stories of resourcefulness in the face of institutional adversity and the sacrifices they must make to achieve their American Dream.
Salonga noted that Rose’s character is an alltoo-familiar figure in the Filipino diaspora. "People like her exist in the real world," she said. "Filipinos abroad have definitely met someone like Rose, for darn sure." Her episode will air next Tuesday, April 1 on FOX at 8-9 PM ET/PT.
Beyond television, Salonga is also making her return to Broadway through Old Friends , which began its previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater on March 25 (and opening on April 8). The show
features more than three dozen songs from some of Sondheim’s biggest musicals, including “West Side Story,” “Gypsy,” “A Little Night Music” and “Into the Woods,” weaving together highlights from his vast repertoire. "There are songs where it’s just one from a show, or two verses from another, but then there are full sections where we do multiple songs from one particular musical. It’s a hybrid of doing a musical and a concert, and I love traversing both of those worlds," she explained.
Salonga, who recently wrapped a four-week run in Los Angeles, will be performing for another 12 weeks on Broadway. "By the time it’s all said and done, the run will be 16 weeks in total," she said.
Looking ahead, her schedule remains packed. "After Old Friends, I start working on Into the Woods in Manila. Then I come back to the U.S. for a tour, where I finally get to premiere the show I performed in the UK and Manila, Stages: Everything in Between . I have a very busy last third of 2025," she said. "But I can’t complain. This is exactly what I wished for."
While her packed schedule keeps her moving, Salonga still finds joy in the small moments, including a recent viral singing video she filmed in a New York kitchen with Anthony Gargiula and Jonathan Tilkin. "It was just fun," she said. "I wasn’t overthinking it. We just wanted to enjoy singing and have a good time." n
Lea Salonga
(People, Events,Places)
ConStantino medina
MARCH is the Women’s Month. I will feature women from all walks of life. I asked female respondents (1st batch): What is the significant role of women in our society? Their replies are as follows: Singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino, Philippines’ Pop Rock Royalty and one of the biggest hitmakers in the Philippine music industry: “Women in music bring so much more than just our talent – we bring diverse perspectives, emotion and creativity. Women have been instrumental in shaping genres and pushing boundaries. We’ve brought unique experiences to our work, enriching the music world with our diverse voices.”
Noted writer-editor Margie T. Logarta: “Like in our homes, they make excellent managers and provide a listening ear even when facing challenges of their own.”
Oregon-based Megan Acelar, an alumna of Washington State University, who loves her mother Paula Powers, the strongest, kindest and biggest person who will ever be in your corner: “Our roles are diverse, essential, and necessary for all communities worldwide.”
Vallejo City-based nurse Anna Toribio Isip, a product of Western Governors University in Utah: “Women by nature have a nurturing, caring, compassionate, protective,
Singer Yeng Constantino’s view of women in music
prayerful and supportive character. Mothers, wives, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and girlfriends are the backbone of a family unit. Women play a very significant role in society. When there is no father or men in the family unit, women step up to the plate and take on two roles, a father and mother, dual role.
I salute all women!”
Quezon City resident Regina Benitez, a University of the Philippines Diliman alumna: “Women are the catalysts in our society.”
Former Solid Gold Dancers member Ma. Bella Bonito Bautista: “The role of women is to obey God’s direction, to rear children with fear and obedience to all God’s order to be a good person.”
Vallejo City-based April Joy Samantha Ayson, a UP alumna: “As a newly born-again Christian, my relationship with the Lord has helped me realize the true role of women in society. As a mother to a toddler, I now understand that being a ‘good mother’ isn’t just about ensuring my child excels in school. It is about teaching them morals, guiding them toward righteousness, and, most importantly, helping them build a personal relationship with Jesus. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ When we raise children with strong values, we help build a better society — one that is guided by honesty, compassion, and responsibility. Women play a crucial role in shaping society
through their faith, love, and commitment to raising godly children. By nurturing and guiding the next generation, women contribute to a strong moral foundation that benefits everyone. Our role is not just to care for children but to prepare them to be positive influences in the world, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.”
Former overseas Filipino worker Teresita Santos, who was married to Reynaldo Santos (a relative of the late Las Pinas City Mayor Filemon Aguilar): “Women have many roles in our society that men could not be able to do. One of these roles is being a mother to give what the children and husband need. Women are flexible especially during these hard times because we can do tasks or professional works that they say are only for men. We need to earn an income for our family.”
* * *
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump said during the Be Best Roundtable on A. I. and Deepfakes: “I am here with you today with a common goal – to protect our youth from online harm. The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families, and communities.”
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
Sofronio Vasquez collaborates...
12
26 champion shared another photo with Foster and McPhee where they attended the gala of the Gateway for Cancer Research Vino con Stelle. The trio were seat mates at the event and also graced the stage alongside other VIP guests to jam to the tune of Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”
In a Facebook post, Vasquez posted his performance of “Impossible Dream” with Foster.
“I was privileged to perform “Impossible Dream” alongside the phenomenal David Foster at Vino Con Stelle, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Arizona,
and it was genuinely lifechanging,” he wrote.
The “ Tawag ng Tanghalan ” finalist also performed Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love” with the Grammy-award winning composer and McPhee.
“Such an amazing moment for me, to all who are gathered for a very beautiful cause.
Congratulations Everyone,” he captioned the post. Vasquez didn’t disclose if the collaboration was only for the charity event or if they are also working for another music project.
In the comments section, celebrity friends expressed their happiness for the Filipino singer for his
recent “milestone.”
“Now you know you have made it my friend!” wrote Martin Nieverra.
“Man, I am excited for you and your journey… [red heart emoji] You did it!!!” commented singer Jaya.
Vasquez, who rose to fame as the first Filipino to win “The Voice USA,” as well as its first male Asian winner, is also gearing up for his debut concert in Dubai on May 24.
Meanwhile, Foster and McPhee met on “American Idol” in 2006 when the latter was a contestant and the former was a guest mentor. The pair has been married since 2019 and share one son, Rennie David.
Stem cell scam...
PAGE 12
the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to
be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the
United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Rogelio
Singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino Photos compiled by Rogelio Medina
Writer-editor Margie T. Logarta
Former OFW Teresita Santos with her favorite pet.
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump (3rd from left) during the recent Be Best Roundtable on A. I. and Deepfakes.
Megan Acelar (right) with her mom Paula Powers.
Regina Benitez with her brother Atty. Bienvenido Benitez, administrator of Parole and Probation Administration.
Former Solid Gold Dancers member Ma. Bella Benito Bautista Nurse Anna Toribio-Isip
April Joy Samantha Ayson with her family.
Anne Curtis explores beauty of Siquijor: ‘Island of healing’
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
ANNE Curtis captivated onlookers during her recent trip in Siquijor, where her beauty seemed to perfectly mirror the nature around her.
Curtis gave a glimpse of her trip to the island through her Instagram page, where she sported a multicolored two-piece bikini, effortlessly blending with the island’s lush tropical and turquoise waters at the base of a waterfall.
“Magical,” she captioned the post.
In a separate post, the “It’s Showtime” host gave a peek of the activities she did on the trip including visiting a centuries-old banyan tree and experiencing “tuob,” a traditional herbal steam believed to keep off negative energy.
“Isla del Fuego & the island of healing,” she wrote alongside the photos.
Curtis also amazed with her strength after trying the largest rope swings at Cambugahay Falls. In the clip, the actress effortlessly swayed around the waters with just one hand on the rope.
In the comments section, netizens and fellow celebrities
praised the “BuyBust” actress for her core stability.
“She can walk on water!!!” said host Tim Yap. “Grace and strength,” added broadcast journalist Karen Davila.
As of writing, the actress’ video accumulated 106 million views and almost 2 million likes on Facebook.
Kaila Estrada honors ‘strong’ mom Janice de Belen this Women’s Month
KAILA Estrada defines an empowered woman as “someone who is confident, resilient, stands firm on her families, knows her worth and faces challenges with grace.”
In keeping with the celebration of Women’s Month this March, the actress-model offered a piece of advice for young girls.
Curtis is in the middle of filming her new series “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” which is shot in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, an island close to Siquijor.
The 40-year-old actress stars alongside Joshua Garcia and Carlo Aquino in the Philippine adaptation of the said drama.
Arci Muñoz recalls relationship with Brunei prince
by Jan milo severo Philstar.com
ACTRESS Arci Muñoz
revealed that she once had a relationship with a Brunei prince.
In her interview with Boy Abunda, Arci said she had the time of her life with the prince.
“He is such a great guy. I had the best time of my life. It’s simple yet luxurious at the same time because this person is so simple. Yet with his estado niya sa life, he doesn’t really use that," Arci said.
"He’s so down to earth. He makes me feel like a queen. He’s a nice guy. He’s so humble. Like sometimes he runs away from the bantay (body guard). Kasi he wants his privacy also and freedom. And he’s very cool,” she added.
Though she and the prince no longer communicate, Arci said that she learned a lot from the relationship.
“You just can’t love somebody that much. Kasi parang we had this really deep connection and he set the standards so high. Natutunan ko tuloy ang hirap na magboyfriend ngayon," she said. "But I’m so happy for him.
If I see him, which has never happened yet, I wanna tell him how happy I am for him. ‘Coz our relationship, kahit na we didn’t end up together, I admit na talagang, it’s just solid, it’s fun, unforgettable. We had a great time,” she added.
“I guess another piece of advice that I recently heard as well, which stuck with me was don’t shy away from claiming your seat at the table. And if you don’t feel like you have a seat at the table, bring your own chair. So, I feel like that no matter how you interpret that or no matter how that fits your current situation, or in life, that’s definitely something that stuck with me,” she shared at the press event of local skincare brand Barefaced where she was introduced as the brand ambassador.
The STAR asked Kaila of her message to her mom Janice de Belen in observance of Women’s Month. And she expressed, “I wanna say thank you for being the best mom I could ever ask for, for being a strong example of a strong woman in my eyes. I owe my mom a lot for the person that I am today. I love you, Ma.”
Kaila turned 29 last March 16. Among the long list of birthday wishes she has for this year are more showbiz projects, good health and opportunities to spend more time with her family.
“Good health is something that I really want to focus on. Spending time with my loved ones (also). Time is so valuable and I feel like sometimes when we’re busy, we tend to neglect them and that’s something that I really want to focus on — spend time with my family as much as possible.”
Kaila was grateful to be tapped as the endorser of Barefaced, a brand that was founded in October 2022 by Arriane Reyes-Recella and Eleanor Casao-Roma. They presented new skincare musthaves during the launching event, such as, Sunkissed Tinted Light Sunscreen and the Melt Away Facial Cleanser.
“It’s such an honor to be part of a brand that is headed by beautiful, strong empowered women who are not only business owners but also mothers. At the same
time, they take care of their family. I think that resonates closely to me because I also have a strong, empowered, independent mom,” Kaila told the attendees.
Growing up, she admitted she had certain skin insecurities but she was able to overcome them, citing how the beauty standards have evolved over the years.
“When I was growing through puberty siyempre that’s the time na grabe yung pimples,” she recalled. “And also my sisters have amazing skin. They’ve always had amazing skin so, of course, I did feel a lot of insecurities in my teenage years.
“And also kasi sa amin ng sisters ko, ako yung morena Although when I look at somebody, gandang-ganda ako sa kanila and for some reason, when I look at myself parang hindi ako masaya That’s why I’m so happy now that the beauty standards have evolved so much.
“Now, a lot more people, a lot more Filipinas are proud to be morena and I’m one of them. I’m really, really happy about that. And I feel like it definitely shapes and just changes the mentality of young girls now.”
Meanwhile, Kaila welcomed the positive reviews of her role as the hacker and cyber ops specialist Max Alvero in the action-drama series “Incognito.”
“I feel like there is beauty in turning pain into power,” Kaila on her character as Max, who’s dealing with grief following the demise of her
fiancé. “Grief is a very difficult thing to go through whether it be loss of a loved one or a heartbreak, in general. We all experience grief in life. And I feel like there is beauty in using it to empower yourself.
“I feel that it’s possible and I feel like that shows resilience also. That’s a great way to make use of it and to grow from it. And also to heal, to find power in that and to use it for good.”
Can the viewers expect healing for Max as well?
“Without saying too much, I feel like slowly, gradually mapapansin niyo kay Max, yung healing journey niya,” replied Kaila.
“As of right now, she is still experiencing grief. You can still see her grieving at this point of the story. But gradually, you will be able to see how she copes with it.”
She hoped that the viewers who could relate to Max could see her heal and get inspired by her.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Kaila Estrada thanks her mom, Janice de Belen, for being a strong example of a strong woman.’ The actress-model was recently launched as the celebrity endorser of local skincare brand Barefaced.
Kaila Estrada portrays Max Alvero in the action-drama series ‘Incognito.’ Photos from Instagram/@kailaestrada
Arci Muñoz
Photo from Instagram/@ramonathornes
by charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com
Anne Curtis Photo from Instagram/@annecustissmith
