Lewelyn Dixon, 64, was detained while returning home to Seattle from a trip to the PH 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,” 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
Alex Eala falls short in semifinals to end Cinderella run in Miami
mANILA – the clock has struck midnight on Alex eala’s Cinderella run in the 2025 miami Open. But it happened not without the 19-yearold filipina wonder putting up a fight. the filipina tennis sensation has bowed out of the WtA 1000 tournament after absorbing a 6(3)-7, 7-5, 3-6 loss against World No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the miami open semifinals.
Playing in her first third set of the year, eala was able to hold her own against the American. She was able to tie things up at 3-3, but Pegula’s mastery was in full display as she moved within a game of the finals, 3-5. eala showed resilience in the ninth game, going up 30-0. But Pegula would not be denied, digging her out of the hole.
A winner and an attack error by eala gave Pegula the victory.
eala had a strong advantage in the first set, going up 5-2 as she dictated the flow.
But Pegula dug deep and eventually tied things up at 5-5 after winning three consecutive games. eala got the upper hand, but Pegula
the evening marked several historic firsts for Cerritos:
• First-ever female majority on the Cerritos City Council
• First time with three Filipino American councilmembers
Undocumented Filipinos in US urged to legalize status amid deportations
by Gavin Martinez Inquirer.net
WIth deportations on the rise, Philippine Ambassador to the United states Jose manuel romualdez is urging undocumented filipinos in the U.s. to take 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
mANILA — United states
Defense secretary Pete hegseth on friday, march 28 said that the U.s. administration is committed to continue its “ironclad” alliance with the Philippines. this is what hegseth told President ferdinand marcos Jr. during the former’s courtesy call at the malacañang Palace as part of his Indo-Pacific tour. During the meeting, hegseth said that U.s. President Donald
trump “thinks very fondly of this great country” and “is very committed to the alliance that we have.”
he and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the mutual defense treaty and to the partnership, economically, militarily, which our staffs have worked on diligently for weeks and weeks and months,” hegseth added.
marcos also expressed his optimism that hegseth’s visit in the country “will be extremely u PAGE A4
mANILA — President ferdinand marcos Jr. has no rift with his sister, sen. Imee marcos, malacañang said thursday, march 27, a day after she officially announced her withdrawal from her brother's the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate. speaking to reporters, Palace Press officer Claire Castro said it was not the president's personality to dwell on such matters.
"As we can see from the statements of sen. Imee marcos, it seems like there is. But on the part of the president, we cannot say that there's a rift between the relationship ... in the relationship of the two siblings," Castro said during a Palace press briefing. so, let's just wait for the president to speak about it. But based on the president's personality, he never dwells on that, he has never thin-skinned," she added.
PH won’t cooperate with ICC...
so, it means that if we will not cooperate with the ICC, even that prayer or even that manifestation of the ICC, we will not recognize that," Castro said during a press conference.
Castro also said that all issues, including a possible freeze order on Duterte's assets, would be
raised if the interim release for the former president was discussed. "though it's hypothetical, but as we speak now, we do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines. so, that's it," she added. ICC spokesman fadi el Abdallah said the Philippine government must first accept "technical measures and conditions" before its judges consider any application for the interim release of Duterte. Duterte is detained at the hague while waiting for his trial for alleged crimes against humanity filed by relatives of the victims on his brutal drug campaign. n
Undocumented Filipinos in US urged...
immigration enforcement efforts.
In a recent interview with super radyo dzBB, romualdez stressed the importance of seeking legal counsel, warning that those 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, nagtatrabaho sila, nagbabayad sila ng taxes, pero ‘yung status nila ay hindi klaro, pwede silang pumunta sa immigration 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 re-entry. 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
Cerritos makes history with swearing-in of...
showcased her veteran smarts and ran away in the tie-break, 7-6(3).
In the early parts of the second set, eala injured her ankle as Pegula went ahead, 3-1, continuing her dominance.
eala, however, powered through and won the next three games, 4-3, before Pegula took the next two to move on the cusp of the finals, 5-4. still, the Asian Games bronze medalist and rafa Nadal Academy graduate showed resilience, winning the next three games to force the deciding set. eala committed 59 unforced errors compared to 46 for Pegula.
the American won 66 service points compared to the filipina’s 58, while she had six service aces to her opponent’s two.
While this is the end of the road for the eala, her miami campaign has been nothing short of spectacular.
“I mean she’s really good. A really good tennis player… she proved that tonight, and she’s really tough,” Pegula said of eala after their match.
Through the tournament, the 19-year-old, who came in as the World No. 140 tennister, scored massive upsets over World No. 73 Katie Volynets, World No. 25 Jelena ostapenko, World No. 5 madison Keys and World No. 2 Iga swiatek. she had only two WtA main draw victories to her name before arriving in miami.
The lowest-ranked semifinalist in the tournament's history, eala seriously threatened to go one step further with another accomplished and effervescent display. Pegula, for her part, will thus take on No. 1-ranked Aryna sabalenka in the finals. (ralph Edwin Villanueva /Philstar.com with a report from AFP)
• First all-Asian City Council in the city’s history following the march 5 municipal election, newly elected councilmembers mark e. Pulido, Jennifer hong, and sophia tse were sworn in, joining returning members frank Aurelio Yokoyama and Lynda P. Johnson. together, they make up a five-member body reflective of the city’s diverse population and civic maturity.
Frank Yokoyama named mayor Councilmember frank Aurelio Yokoyama was selected by his peers to serve as mayor of Cerritos. A longtime resident of Japanese and filipino heritage, Yokoyama brings a deep commitment to public service. first elected to the council in 2017 and re-elected in 2022, he holds degrees from UC Berkeley and harvard Law school, and balances his civic duties with work as an attorney, real estate broker, and small business owner.
A former Planning Commissioner and youth sports coach, Yokoyama emphasized public safety, fiscal stewardship, and community enrichment as key priorities for his mayoral term. His leadership reflects both professional experience and a longstanding dedication to Cerritos’ continued success.
Lynda P. Johnson appointed Mayor Pro Tem Lynda P. Johnson, who made history in 2022 as the first filipina American elected to the Cerritos City Council, was appointed mayor Pro tem. With a background in law enforcement
as a former field deputy with the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Department, and prior service on the ABC Unified school District Board, Johnson brings a grounded, community-first perspective to the council. her priorities include youth engagement, small business development, and public safety. New faces, deep roots the council welcomed:
• Jennifer Hong, a 39-year Cerritos resident and small business owner with a long record of civic involvement through local commissions and nonprofit organizations.
• Sophia Tse, a healthcare professional and former ABC Unified school District Board member, who brings nearly two decades of experience in education and public service.
• Mark E. Pulido, a returning councilmember first elected in 2011 as the city’s first filipino American councilmember. A two-time former mayor, Pulido returns after a brief hiatus with renewed dedication to education,
community empowerment, and civic progress.
Reflecting a changing Cerritos this historic council makeup— all five members of Asian descent, with three of filipino heritage— symbolizes a city embracing its multicultural identity. more than a symbolic victory, the election outcome reflects years of civic engagement, generational leadership, and community trust. Incorporated in 1956, Cerritos operates under a councilmanager form of government with five at-large councilmembers elected to staggered four-year terms. the mayor and mayor pro tem are selected annually by the council from among its members. the city now holds its municipal elections in evennumbered years, aligning with statewide elections to encourage voter participation.
Located in southeast Los Angeles County, Cerritos is celebrated for its master-planned neighborhoods, award-winning library and schools, and robust parks and recreation system. once an agricultural hub, the city has grown into a model suburban community, known for its civic stability, prudent fiscal management, and active community involvement. An evening of significance
Adding to the evening’s historic weight, California Attorney General rob Bonta — the state’s first filipino American to hold the office — administered the oath of office to Councilmember Pulido. Bonta commended Cerritos’ progress and spoke of the shared responsibility of public service, particularly within the filipino American community. the ceremony concluded with a celebratory reception where residents, city staff, and local leaders gathered to honor the city’s new leadership. As the city looks to the future, the newly installed council has pledged to work collaboratively to address everyday challenges, foster civic pride, and shape a more inclusive and forward-looking Cerritos.
HISTORY IN SESSION. The City of Cerritos’ first all-Asian City Council poses after the 2025 swearing-in ceremony. From left to right: Jennifer Hong, Lynda P. Johnson (Mayor Pro Tem), Frank Aurelio Yokoyama (Mayor), Mark E. Pulido, and Sophia Tse. Photos courtesy of Cerritos Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Johnson
Alex Eala Photo from Instagram/@alex.eala
California Attorney General Rob Bonta delivers remarks during the Cerritos City Council swearing-in ceremony, celebrating a historic night of leadership and representation.
History in Session — The newly seated all-Asian Cerritos City Council convenes during the Mayoral Transition ceremony on March 26, 2025, at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, marking a new era of inclusive leadership.
Alex Eala falls short in semifinals to...
With largest-ever Medicaid cuts, 79 million Americans face health care loss
by Selen Ozturk American Community Media
WIth the house proposing the largest medicaid cuts in the program’s history, the health care of 79.3 million enrollees is at stake. the budget resolution to slash at least $880 billion through 2034 in health care and nutrition programs was proposed to the U.s house of representatives energy and Commerce Committee in late february, and the house is poised to vote on the measure in late April. of the nearly one in four Americans enrolled in the medicaid and Children’s health Insurance Program (ChIP) — including low-income people, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities — the measure would feasibly eliminate coverage for 15.9 million.
“the magnitude of the cuts is extraordinary. Nothing in American history has been remotely this size,” said stan Dorn, director of the health Policy Project at UnidosUs, at a friday, march 21 ethnic media services briefing about the medicaid measures. the closest previous cuts, under the reagan administration
in 1981 and 1982, were a $3.9 billion dollar slash that dropped enrollment 13%; in today’s terms, this would translate to $12.4 billion and 9 million people. In 2023, total medicaid spending was about $860 million; were the cuts to be implemented, each congressional district nationwide would lose an average $2 billion in federal funds over nine years. the April measure “passed by a single, party-line vote,” said Dorn. “every republican but one voted for it, every Democrat voted against it. most bills now have to get 60 votes in the senate to pass, which means you need Democratic and republican support, but budget reconciliation has a ‘fast-track’ procedure where bills can pass entirely by republican votes alone.”
“there’s no way you can cut huge amounts like this from medicaid without hurting millions of people, he continued. “the reason republicans are doing this is because the trump 2017 tax cuts that primarily benefited large corporations in the wealthy will expire after this year, unless they can pay the nearly $5 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget office, to continue it … this is the exact opposite of what
was promised to the American people … Leaving people subject to medical bills without the protection of insurance means costs go up, not down.”
house speaker mike Johnson has said the plan is to vote on a budget bill on the House floor by easter, April 20 and have it on the president’s desk by memorial Day, may 26.
Cut implementation strategies discussed by house members include ending or limiting states’ ability to raise their share of medicaid funds by taxing insurance companies and hospitals; capping the total amount of federal money that a state may get per enrollee; and terminating medicaid for enrollees who don’t meet work requirements. medicaid is the largest source of federal funds coming into states,” said Joan Alker, executive director of the Center for Children and families and research and professor at the Georgetown mcCourt school of Public Policy foundation. “even a state that wanted to will not be able to raise taxes enough to make up for these large federal cuts … this will have ripple effects on all areas of state budgets, not just medicaid.”
US Secretary Rubio set for Philippines 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 s tates is one that is extremely important for both our countries,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on tuesday, m arch 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 U.s 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 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)
US Defense chief to Marcos: US committed...
productive” and important in navigating the future
“considering how complicated geopolitics has become.”
“Your visit to the region, and especially the fact that you have come to the Philippines as your first stop, is a very strong indication and sends a very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue
to work together, to maintain the peace in the Indo-Pacific Region within the south China sea,” marcos told hegseth.
hegseth also met with Defense secretary Gilberto teodoro, and U.s. Ambassador maryKay Carlson.
the U.s embassy in manila announced the arrival of hegseth in the Philippines on thursday night, march 27.
the embassy in an earlier statement said that hegseth’s visit to the country aims to “advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with U.s. and Philippine forces.”
hegseth is also scheduled to visit the Armed forces of the Philippines headquarters at Camp General emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on friday. n
President Marcos has no rift with sister...
Castro also said it might be better for sen. Imee to leave the administration's ticket if she did not believe the slate's advocacies and platforms.
"If she doesn't believe in
Alyansa's programs, there really won't be a good relationship," she said.
sen. marcos on Wednesday, march 26 announced that she was officially leaving the administration's senatorial slate,
citing differences over the arrest of her close friend and ally former President rodrigo Duterte. meanwhile, Navotas City rep. toby tiangco, Alyansa's campaign manager, said they respected the senator's decision. n
ICE detains Filipino green card holder who...
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 state-funded 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)
LA approves more protections for undocumented immigrants
Council members authorize staff to begin work on a ‘Know Your Rights Campaign’
Los ANGeLes the Los Angeles City Council has approved a package of motions aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles amid a federal crackdown on illegal immigration and threats to socalled sanctuary cities.
In a 10-0 vote, council members – including filipino American Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado – instructed staff to report back on policies that would require businesses to notify the city of all Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICe) activity and inform workers of their rights ahead of potential raids.
Council members referred a motion calling for $540,000 to maintain immigration legal services — which would cover a gap created when the trump administration froze such funding — to the budget committee for further discussion.
the City Council approved two other motions on a 12-0 vote. those motions required separate action after council members Jurado and monica rodriguez introduced amendments.
Council members authorized staff to begin work on a citywide “Know Your rights Campaign,” which is expected to inform LA immigrants about nondiscrimination protections, the city’s sanctuary policy, and other resources available to them. there are an estimated 951,000 undocumented immigrants –including 48,000 filipinos – in LA County, according to the migration Policy Institute.
In her amendment, rodriguez requested that the Los Angeles Police Department report on its process for handling U-Visas. the visas are available to immigrants who are victims of crimes such as domestic violence and sexual assault, among others. the LAPD is expected to address how many of the visas have been issued since 2017, as well as any barriers victims face in securing them.
Council members also requested a report on ways to review compliance with the city’s “sanctuary” policy, which prohibits the use of city resources and personnel for federal immigration enforcement.
Jurado’s amendment requested an analysis of the California
Values Act. specifically, she said she hopes it will provide guidance to the LAPD — in response to reports that officers provided traffic control during ICe raids in the Pico Union area. mayor Karen Bass’ office and LAPD Chief Jim mcDonnell said the operation in question involved federal officers serving a criminal warrant in a human trafficking investigation.
mcDonnell also repeated his stance that the LAPD does not participate in immigration enforcement, a policy that has been in place in 1979.
As part of the actions Wednesday, the council also approved a resolution declaring the city’s position in favor of California increasing funding for deportation defense for immigrants.
following Wednesday’s meeting, Councilman hugo Soto-Martinez — who authored the motions alongside several of his colleagues — thanked city departments and immigration advocates who helped craft the proposals.
“these motions are important because we have to use every single tool to fight back because we cannot normalize these human rights issues,” Sotomartinez said. the councilman criticized the trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration and lambasted some recent federal actions, including sending illegal immigrants to prisons in el salvador and Guantanamo Bay without hearings and taking away legal representation for undocumented children.
this whole rhetoric about this being about criminals is simply not true,” Soto-Martinez said. “this is about families and children. We cannot play nice with this administration trying to appeal to their better angels. they simply do not exist.”
Angelica salas, executive director of the Coalition for humane Immigrant rights, hailed the city’s actions.
“It is important for the city of Los Angeles to stand up for our community and send a clear and resounding message that immigrants belong in this city, this county and this country,” she said.
Bamby salcedo, Ceo of the
transLatin@ Coalition, said in a statement she was grateful to live in a city that understands “their responsibility and stands with the beautiful and diverse community that makes our city.” the council’s trade, travel and tourism Committee on tuesday approved a separate motion to provide nonprofit legal services at Los Angeles International Airport in preparation for a potential travel ban. It will be voted on by the full council at a future date.
roxanne hoge, chair of the republican Party of Los Angeles County, criticized the council’s actions.
“the obsession of California Democrats with using Californians’ taxes to assist those who chose to not follow immigration laws would be amusing if it weren’t so devastating,” hoge said in an email to City News service.
she stated the city should instead focus on helping victims of the Palisades fire and fund more police to stop retail theft and home invasion robberies.
“Los Angeles’ sanctuary policies preventing the deportation of wanted criminal migrants arrested for other crimes threaten to put more federal funding at risk and worsen the city’s already bleak financial predicament, as well as ensuring that other migrants become collateral damage,” hoge said.
In November 2024, the City Council and mayor Karen Bass formally established Los Angeles as a “sanctuary city.”
While the city already had certain policies in place to prevent departments from working with ICe, the designation formally created a policy that no city staff or resources can be used to collaborate with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant.
In his first week in office, President Donald trump issued several executive orders targeting illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities such as LA, Chicago and other Democrat-led jurisdictions, authorizing ICe enforcement in schools and churches, among other places. the president has threatened to cut federal funds for sanctuary cities if they do not aid in ICe enforcement. (inquirer.net with cNS report)
With largest-ever Medicaid cuts...
states will be faced with pitting very, very vulnerable populations against one another — an aging population who needs longterm care, children, people with disabilities, low-income families,” she continued.
Approximately 72.1 million Americans are currently enrolled in medicaid and 7.2 million in ChIP — including over 37 million children (roughly half of all children in the U.s.), 20 million Latinos, 13 million Black people, 4.8 million Asian Americans and 700,000 Native Americans.
“We are hearing a lot about cutting fraud. But if you want to address fraud, and you look at where fraud occurs, people who are enrolled in medicaid are the victims, not the perpetrators,” Alker explained. “Proposals that limit people’s access are not addressing fraud. Proposals to address fraud would include hiring more prosecutors at the Department of Justice and beefing up medicaid fraud Control Units. these are not proposals to address fraud, they are proposals to cut medicaid.” the impact of these cuts will especially be felt by community health centers, which serve 32.5 million people — often, the medicaid enrollees and uninsured patients who already struggle to access care the most.
“With cuts, you’ll probably see health centers forced to reduce operating hours, cut key
programs, not hire new staff,” said Joanne Preece, director of government and external affairs at the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, representing 66 health center organizations and two million patients countywide. medicaid is the largest source of funding for health centers nationwide, accounting for 43% of a total $46.7 billion in revenue. roughly half of health center patients are on medicaid. meanwhile, medicaid expansion “has a dramatic impact on our patients’ ability to access care,” Preece explained. “In a little over a decade since the Affordable Care Act and further expansions we’ve done in California, health center patients in Los Angeles County went from majority uninsured to majority insured.”
In 2011, 58% of LA County health center patients were uninsured; in 2023, 14% were.
Preece added that “our ‘threelegged stool’ medicaid cuts will harm the health of patients through the entire system. When patients are uninsured, they’re more likely to minimize or delay care, they have fears related to costs, and this leads to worse health outcomes in the long run. It leads to folks relying on emergency rooms for care, which isn’t good for anyone.”
A recent Kff poll suggests that two-thirds of adult Americans “say that someone close to them has received help from medicaid
at some point, including over half (53%) who say either they themselves or a member of their family has been covered by the program.”
the same poll found that “very favorable” or “somewhat favorable” views of medicaid were held by majorities of Democrat (88%), republican (64%) and Independent (81%) respondents.
“Last November, people voted with their wallets, seeking greater affordability, including for health care, but the cuts proposed would shred our safety net, forcing families to lose coverage and access to health care and shifting costs onto people who are already struggling with costs for everything else,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of families UsA.
“All of this, to fund a tax cut geared toward the wealthiest corporations, is a cut to the health care system that serves all of us,” he continued, “whether it’s your local hospital forced to shut down its er or add hours to its wait times or scale back services, or community clinics and long-term facilities that already may not be able to keep their doors open.” these medicaid cuts will be felt by people in every state and every congressional district in the nation, regardless of our race, ethnicity, party, health provider or how we get covered,” he added. n
PAGE A3
U.S. State Secretary Hegseth also met with PH Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson. Malacañang photo
DAteline PhiliPPines
Supporters rally as Duterte marks 80th birthday in detention
by edith reGaladO Philstar.com
DAVAo CItY— With lighted
candles in hand, thousands of Davao residents flocked at the break of dawn to the Duterte residence to give birthday greetings to former President rodrigo Duterte, who is currently in the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s detention facility in the hague.
Around 600 drones performed last night in this city, lighting up the sky to show how people value and love the former president. But it was not only in his hometown that people prayed that he be brought home through an ICC ruling.
filipino communities in key cities around the world also held peace rallies and protest marches seeking Duterte’s liberty. over 150 venues had registered to be part of the 80th birthday celebration for Duterte.
filipinos gathered in New York, Vancouver and toronto in Canada, Bahrain, hong Kong, tokyo and other cities to call for Duterte’s freedom.
At the hague, overseas filipinos supporting the former president, some coming all the way from the U.s., gathered for a birthday picnic outside the ICC detention center.
meanwhile, Vice President sara Duterte, who is still in the hague, said the former president asked for nothing but Coke Zero. sara even told her father he should write a book while inside
the ICC facility. to which the former president reportedly quipped, “And the title would be ‘WhAt the hAUGe!’ and the first chapter would be ‘Coke Zero.’ ”
‘We will overcome this’
In a message, Duterte’s former executive secretary salvador medialdea said, “mayor rody, happy 80th birthday. While we are not together, the entire Philippines and the whole world are behind you,” medialdea said.
“Please be strong for our country,” he added. “We will overcome this.”
Vice President Duterte has called on filipinos to pray for the immediate return to the country of the former president.
“As he celebrates his 80th birthday, let us not forget to pray to God to give him good health and long life,” the vice president said in a video message.
“Let us also pray to God for president Duterte’s immediate return to the Philippines,” she added. for his part, Davao City mayor sebastian Duterte asked their supporters to continue the fight until his father is brought home.
“It is important that we fight. We should not allow ourselves to be defeated,” he said.
Davao City first District rep. Paolo Duterte thanked his father’s supporters all over the world for celebrating his birthday. “We all know that president Duterte is in a difficult situation because of his age. Please continue to pray for his health,” he said.
Duterte’s youngest daughter
Veronica also greeted her father on his 80th birthday, saying that “even in his sunset days, he poses the biggest threat.”
“A man of very few words, but the most actions. my father has always been a force to be reckoned with. even in his sunset days, he poses the biggest threat because of his bold heroism and patriotism. he is indeed a man, a father of the people. his love goes beyond his commitment and devotion to the people,”
Veronica posted on Instagram on friday, march 28.
“happy birthday to our dada… the one thing you never fail to do is show up. It’s so funny how the only way to get you out of bed is to tell you I called. If we are your weaknesses, you are our strength. 80 never looked this good.”
PCO sings ‘happy birthday’
Presidential Communications office Undersecretary Claire Castro on friday dedicated a happy Birthday” chant for the former president during the morning media briefing.
During the press conference, Castro was asked if President marcos had anything to say about Duterte’s 80th birthday, to which she joyfully responded by inviting all present at the malacañang press conference room to join her in a “happy Birthday” sing-along. (With reports from Bella cariaso, Jose rodel clapano, Diana Lhyd Suelto, EJ Macababbad, Elizabeth Marcelo, Silvia Massa)
Honeylet, Kitty fail to see Duterte in The
by Bella CariaSO Philstar.com
mANILA — on the eve of former
President rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday, his common-law wife honeylet Avanceña and their daughter Veronica arrived in the hague on thursday, march 27 to pay him a visit in his cell, but were turned away.
Avanceña and Veronica, nicknamed Kitty, arrived at 12 p.m. (the hague time) and left at 1:55 p.m. after they were not allowed to enter the scheveningen Prison, the detention center of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where the former president is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.
the two ignored reporters waiting outside the prison complex, but gave an interview to one from the smNI News owned by detained suspected child abuser and human trafficker Apollo Quiboloy.
“to all the filipino communities around europe, around the world, thank you very much for the support for me and my family… We are grateful to you. We hope you will not stop until former president Duterte will be able to return home,” Kitty said in the interview.
she also wished her father “good health” on his 80th birthday today. “hopefully he eats the food inside (the ICC detention center) and he will be more obedient,” Kitty said.
Barred from entering the detention facility, honeylet and Kitty mingled with overseas filipino workers and Duterte supporters waiting outside the scheveningen Prison.
Vice President sara Duterte, who is also in the hague, said it was agreed upon by the family that the former president would spend his 80th birthday with honeylet and Kitty.
she explained that honeylet’s time is limited because she needs to attend to her businesses while Veronica can’t be absent for long from her classes in the Philippines. their time’s limited so all the time that they can have, they have been given,” the vice president said.
“I gave all the schedules to (honeylet) and Veronica. We already talked about it and we all agreed to give all the time to them while they are here as they have
limited time as compared to us,” the vice president pointed out. she added the former president is only allowed two visits per day, one from a lawyer and one from a family member. “I don’t have any scheduled visits with him this friday, march 28” she added. she also said that while she and her siblings were in good terms, it was a different case for honeylet and the former president’s legal wife elizabeth Zimmerman.
“We don’t have any problems. We, siblings, have no problems. things may be different for our mothers, but for us siblings… you should see our group chat. It’s funny,” the vice president added, without giving details. she said her mother is
Hague
scheduled to arrive in the hague on march 28 or march 29. the former president is expected to appear before the tribunal on sept. 23 for the confirmation of charges against him for crimes against humanity. meanwhile, at least 2,337 police officers would be deployed for security and public safety in some urban centers particularly in Davao City anticipation of rallies and other mass actions today by supporters of the former president. the Philippine National Police has estimated that a crowd of over 122,000 will flock to different venues in Davao region, the bailiwick of the former president. PNP spokesperson
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) Paunawa ng Pampublikong Pagdinig: Pagpapatupad ng Pagbabago sa Schedule sa Oktubre 2024
Ang southern California regional rail Authority (sCrrA), na kilala rin bilang metrolink, ay magsasagawa ng pampublikong pagdinig sa Pulong ng Lupon ng mga Direktor sa Biyernes, Abril 25, 2025, upang suriin ang pagpapatupad ng pagbabago sa schedule ngayong oktubre. Ang pagbabago sa schedule ngayong oktubre ay idinisenyo upang magbigay ng mas mahusay na mga opsyon sa pampasaherong transportasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagdaragdag ng serbisyo ng tren sa mga oras na hindi ito abala.
Layunin ng metrolink na lumikha ng mga pagkakataon para sa pagsasama at pakikilahok ng komunidad sa pamamagitan ng paganyaya sa publiko na suriin at magbigay ng mga puna sa bagong mungkahing serbisyo.
Ang pampublikong pagdinig ay isasama sa agenda ng Pulong ng Lupon ng mga Direktor ng sCrrA sa: Biyernes, Abril 25, 2025, 10:00 Am https://metrolinktrains.com/about/board-meetings/agendasdocuments/ Ang impormasyon tungkol sa programang ito ay maaaring makita ng publiko sa website ng metrolink sa www.metrolinktrains.com o sa lobby ng gusali ng sCrrA headquarters office na matatagpuan sa 900 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017, mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes, 8:00 Am hanggang 4:00 Pm Ang mga komento at mungkahi ay maaaring ipahayag nang pasalita o nakasulat sa pampublikong pagdinig, o ipadala bago ang pagdinig sa pamamagitan ng pagpili ng "eComment" upang magsumite ng elektronikong komento sa www.metrolinktrains.com/ ecomments. maaari rin itong ipadala sa pamamagitan ng koreo sa Metrolink Fares sa opisina ng SCRRA headquarters o i-fax sa (213) 452-0421 bago ang pagdinig. Lahat ng pampublikong komento, anuman ang paraan ng pagsusumite, ay dapat matanggap nang hindi lalampas sa Abril 15, 2025. Ang usaping ito ay maaaring ipagpatuloy sa ibang petsa o oras ayon sa pagpapasya ng Lupon. 3/29/25 CNS-3906056# AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
Philstar.com file photo
OPiniOn FeAtures
Probe VP funds’ dubious recipients
While the country appears focused on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and turnover to the international Criminal Court (iCC), another issue of accountability — this time over the questionable use of hundreds of millions in public funds — deserves as much discussion and state action beyond the amusing headlines of recent days.
Levity aside, government should look into the list of recipients of Vice President sara Duterte’s intelligence and confidential funds (ICf) that makes a mockery of accepted procedures in accounting for the use of taxpayer money. the VP’s ICf was the subject of repeated house hearings last year that the official had snubbed. the funds’ confidential nature precludes disclosure on their use, Duterte had insisted when asked how she had gone through P125 million in just 11 days. A house probe found that the office of the Vice President (oVP) and the education department (Deped), which Duterte used to head, had submitted about 4,500 acknowledgment receipts to the Commission on Audit (CoA) to explain how the P612.5 million in ICf for the two offices had been used.
Suspicious silence from mary Grace Piattos to Jay Kamote, erwin ewan, and Joug De Asim, the names on the ICf recipient list seem to be based on a drunken dare among office personnel on how far they could get away with gaming CoA rules. the names, according to house Deputy majority Leader Paolo ortega V, have no records at the Philippine statistics Authority and were likely fabricated. the vice president further muddled their legitimacy by saying that she’s not sure that the list of improbable names was the same list that her staff had submitted to CoA. such vague answer and her staff’s suspicious silence on the issue only firm up speculations of plunder, one of the grounds cited in the house’s impeachment of the vice president on feb. 5.
While the Philippine Constitution provides that “trial by the senate shall forthwith proceed” once a verified complaint of impeachment is filed, senate President francis escudero chose to postpone the trial to July 30, after the president’s state of the Nation Address. there’s simply no time as the senate is on recess and won’t be holding any sessions, he said, though this was conveniently set aside when the senate held a hearing last week on the elder Duterte’s arrest.
Incriminating testimony
former President rodrigo Duterte was symbolically brought to the senate by his allies last thursday, march 27. the intention was to expose the abuses committed against Duterte, rebuke the invited representatives of the government, and force them to admit that the former president was kidnapped and illegally flown to the hague. In an embarrassing turn of events, however, what the Duterte allies managed to facilitate is the figurative infliction of fatal shots on Duterte that has worsened his chances of ever getting freed by the International Criminal Court (ICC). the senate committee hearing was called by sen. Imee marcos,
Sketches
It’s a debate that has raged worldwide since the dawn of social media: how do you strike a balance between freedom of expression and regulation of the willful spread of disinformation and malicious content online?
Public attention has been drawn to the issue following the explosion of fake news online since the arrest of rodrigo Duterte and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) through the Interpol.
Last month, 17 vloggers asked the supreme Court to stop a tri-committee of the House of representatives from compelling their attendance at a hearing of the panel on fake news and disinformation.
But following Duterte’s arrest, an eruption of vitriol online against President marcos, his government and his allies prompted the tri-committee to threaten with contempt and detention 11 vloggers and social media personalities who are
Citing the same reason, escudero rejected the house’s recent request for the senate to issue a writ of summons to the VP and direct her to answer the impeachment complaint. “It cannot legally be done because the senate is not in session,” he said. the house’s prosecutors should be more prudent and adhere to the law, he chided.
With the senate leadership appearing to abdicate its role in exacting accountability over the flagrant misuse of public funds, should taxpayers wait four more months for some satisfactory response to the issue? for sure, no categorical answer is forthcoming from the VP, given her prevarication and repeated excuse of helping her father prepare for his ICC trial in the hague for crimes against humanity.
But why can’t the Justice department and the ombudsman, which seems to balk at probing the corruption allegations against the VP, take a more active role on this issue? the documentary evidence from the CoA and the incriminating testimony of personnel from the oVP and the Deped should provide fertile ground for seeding a plunder
The Dutertes’ enemies Editorial
who has an enormous axe to grind against his brother, the first lady, the house speaker, and just about every filipino voter who refuses to succumb to her election campaign entreaties. she was joined by senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Jinggoy estrada, both unabashedly proud Duterte supporters like her. senator marcos went in guns blazing in an attempt to bamboozle government officials led by Justice secretary Jesus Crispin remulla. remulla fired back with two explosive revelations that completely turned the tables on the senators. It was a monumental fiasco, and Duterte-allied senators may have sealed the certainty of criminal conviction of the former president for crimes against humanity. first, remulla revealed that “(w)hen we look(ed) at the records of the wrongful death situations” during the Duterte
administration, obviously referring to the drug war killings, “there were really no police reports, maybe 95 percent had no police reports.” Boom! It was a massive exposé, revealing the existence of very strong evidence that the extrajudicial killings were employed as a state policy in solving the problem of illegal drugs during the Duterte administration. If the killings were legitimate police operations or merely ordinary killings, there would have been police reports documenting them. But “no police reports” pivotally show that there was a state intention to systematically hide and cover up the evidence of virtually all the killings during the drug war.
second, remulla released another bombshell by declaring that the drug war killings could not be investigated because prosecutors were threatened by the police during the Duterte
Stopping fake news
based in the Philippines, if they continued snubbing the house hearing.
When the 11 finally faced the tri-comm last week, some of them were compelled to apologize for spreading what they admitted to be unverified and false news as well as for describing lawmakers as stupid. Among the fake news was the alleged mass resignation in the Armed forces in protest over Duterte’s arrest. the proliferation of unfiltered information on social media is one of the reasons why people should rely on mainstream media – where stories go through several layers of vetting and fact-checking before public dissemination – for news and information on current affairs.
this is what separates journalists from social media influencers and vloggers. But even journalists find it disturbing to see vloggers being compelled to apologize for calling public officials stupid. All rights come with responsibilities, and the exercise of civil liberties must be balanced with the rights of others. Chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce enrile weighed in with the
investigation. Just as damning are the statements of witnesses summoned at the house hearing, who spoke of bribery and the firing of personnel when they insisted on following established rules on bidding for government contracts. 125 million reasons
Instead of just waiting out the senate’s timeline, the house can meanwhile ask for the identity of the signatories and those who prepared the official list of recipients of the oVP’s confidential funds.
With the VP waffling on the authenticity of the list, would it be rocket science to haul to house hearings the staff who had prepared the list and ask them to provide documents on the alleged recipients to prove them qualified—and real? for sure, most legislators are distracted by the Duterte arrest and its impact on the looming
administration. Boom! this constitutes added explosive evidence that the drug war killings were pursuant to a state policy. In addition to there being no police reports, there were no prosecutorial investigations because the police prevented prosecutors from conducting investigations, by subjecting the latter to threats and intimidation. the ICC case against Duterte is already bad enough for him because of his many selfincriminating declarations, such as when he owned up to masterminding the killings and when he publicly encouraged police officers to kill with promises of rewards, promotions, and protection. Now comes remulla, revealing that the government has mountains of evidence showing that the police and prosecutors were compromised to hide the bloodied hands of the state, as then ruled by mr. Duterte, in all those killings. the singular criminal charge against Duterte that was sustained by the ICC pre-trial
powers over content in films and tV.
view that “truthful information” underpins the exercise of freedom of expression.
“[this is] so that our people can make the right decisions on matters that affect them, instead of being manipulated to serve the interest of others,” enrile said in a facebook post.
even this view, however, has raised concern among civil libertarians – perhaps partly because enrile, the architect and enforcer of martial law under dictator ferdinand marcos, is not one to champion human rights. In the case of print media, truth is not a defense in libel, which is a criminal offense in our country. malice is the culprit; the absence of malice is the defense in the publication even of erroneous information.
* * * Broadcast media have stricter rules on content, which are covered by their franchise. Penalties can be imposed for violations of the franchise regulations, which include prohibitions on pornographic or seditious materials or information. the movie and television review and Classification Board (mtrCB) exercises regulatory
Broadcasters can also face a criminal complaint for slander or oral defamation under the revised Penal Code. the rPC also has provisions against unlawful publication of false news, unjust vexation and inciting to sedition. for online content, we now have laws against cyberlibel. having faced dozens of libel suits, nearly all of which were dismissed (with one or two still crawling along the legal mill), I can say that libel laws are generally skewed in favor of journalists; malice can be difficult to establish. there have been only a handful of convictions for libel in our country. But litigation is tortuous and can be ultra-expensive. more important than avoiding a lawsuit, journalism is a public trust, and the trust is anchored on truthful reporting. Delivering accurate and fair information in a timely and interesting way is our constant mission, and the only way we can ensure the long-term survival of journalism, regardless of the platform. the existence of libel laws is being raised as a reason to clamp down on the willful spread of fake news and disinformation online. the argument is that if individuals
may elections where their posts may be at stake. But it is precisely to educate voters on the perils of choosing candidates based merely on name recall and political connections that legitimate issues reflecting the aspirants’ character, values, and priorities should be publicly dissected. how transparent are they in accounting for funds entrusted them for public use? Are candidates open to disclosing their statement of assets and liabilities to preclude sudden wealth from shady sources? the actual electoral exercise might take but a few minutes inside the polling booth, but as the laughable list of spurious names indicates, there are 125 million reasons for voters to pause and scrutinize candidates for their vaunted commitment to the country’s future. (inquirer.net)
chamber when it issued a warrant of arrest is the crime against humanity of murder. this charge is not final. even the total of 43 murder incidents cited in the warrant of arrest is not final. In the confirmation of charges hearings, which will take place starting on sept. 23, the ICC prosecutor will still have the discretion to have other criminal charges confirmed, as well as apply to add more murder incidents. Between now and september, the ICC prosecutor can also continue to gather more evidence that its team can use during the trial. With what happened in the senate last week, it should not surprise anyone if the government will take the initiative of handing over to the ICC the factual evidence backing up the explosive twin revelations of remulla. the war between the marcos and Duterte dynasties reached a point of no return when the former president was surrendered to the ICC. the marcos government can no longer do anything to bring
can seek legal redress for unfair reporting and commentary, there must be accountability for sowing public confusion and social instability through false information – whether the motivation is political or financial gain.
But what can be done?
* * * one suggestion, apart from tightening cyberlibel laws and promoting digital literacy, is to hit the malicious influencers where it hurts: in their pockets. since they monetize their content, the Bureau of Internal revenue can go after them. this approach is also being eyed in compelling greater cooperation from the social media platforms, although this may be feasible only if they have offices in the Philippines.
Another suggestion is the crafting of a code of conduct for social media, which can then practice self-policing. All I can say is good luck on this.
Tri-comm member Jude Acidre says that among other things, the panel is considering setting up an oversight committee for social media, which can function like the mtrCB.
mindful of community standards on the socmed platforms, the tri-comm is also eyeing civil and
Duterte back to the Philippines. Not even our supreme Court can order that Duterte be brought back to the Philippines. It is only the ICC that can decide on the matter, and it will do so on the basis of law and not on political considerations. It’s baffling how the Duterte dynasty has the gumption to think that it can afford to engage the Marcos dynasty in an all-out war and expect to win when the ruling dynasty holds the key to the closet of skeletons that are all tainted with the bloodied fingerprints of the Duterte patriarch. the marcoses and the ICC are minor enemies of the Dutertes. the Dutertes’ major enemies are their ego and hubris. (inquirer.net)
* * * 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.
* * * Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail. com
criminal liability for the willful spread of fake news that maligns the integrity of individuals and national institutions, foments social instability and compromises national security, Acidre told “storycon” on one News. Another suggestion is to flag fake news and false information as such – although who’s going to do this can be contentious. the National Bureau of Investigation is not waiting for new legislation. It is going after the possible financiers and brains of what it sees as coordinated disinformation over the arrest and turnover of Duterte to the ICC. Acidre told storycon that the tri-comm wants to promote the responsible use of socmed and “create an ecosystem that builds on the strengths of social media.” even civil libertarians are expressing dismay over the flood of disinformation and other malicious content on social media. But we’re entering uncharted territory in trying to curb fake news. Let’s just remember to be careful what we wish for. (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.
Joel Ruiz Butuyan
Flea Market of Ideas
Solons ask Senate to order VP Duterte to answer the impeachment raps
by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net
mANILA — Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President sara Duterte have asked the senate to require her to submit an official answer to the Articles of Impeachment. these documents were sent by the house of representatives to the senate in february.
house minority Leader Marcelino Libanan and 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez went to the senate on monday, march 24 to file a motion seeking to have the vice president respond to the impeachment charges.
the two lawmakers are members of the house prosecution panel.
In the motion, the panel cited rule VII of the rules of Procedure on Impeachment trials dated march 23, 2011.
this rule states that a writ of summons should be issued against the official impeached by the house.
the Prosecution, represented by the members duly appointed by the house of representatives, respectfully presents itself, and most respectfully moves that the honorable Presiding officer, senate President francis Joseph G. escudero, issue summons to respondent Vice President sara Zimmerman Duterte (“Duterte”) directing her to file her Answer
to the Verified Complaint for Impeachment dated 5 february 2025,” the prosecution panel said in the motion signed by Libanan. “In accordance with rule VII of resolution No. 39 dated 23 march 2011 or the rules of Procedure on Impeachment trials, published last 26 march 2011 (rules of Procedure on Impeachment trials), a writ of summons shall be issued to the person impeached which will notify him/her to appear before the honorable Impeachment Court and file his/her Answer to the Articles of Impeachment within a non extendible period of ten (10) days from receipt thereof,” they added. the prosecution team said the impeachment rules are still applicable since there was a provision stating that it will be in force until it is amended or repealed.
“the rules of Procedure on Impeachment trials, which were promulgated pursuant to section 3(8), Article XI of the Constitution on Accountability of Public officers, expressly provides that it ‘shall remain in force until amended or repealed,;” the prosecution said.
Aside from Libanan and Gutierrez, Zambales 1st District rep. Jefferson Khonghun and La Union 1st District rep. Paolo ortega V were also present when the motion was filed before the senate.
Duterte was impeached by the house last february 5 after 215 lawmakers filed and verified a fourth impeachment complaint. the complaint hinged on several issues like the confidential funds, threats to ranking officials including President ferdinand marcos Jr., and conduct unbecoming of a vice president. the Articles of Impeachment were immediately transmitted to the senate.
the 1987 Constitution requires a trial to start forthwith if at least one-thirds of all House members — in this case, 102 out of 306 have signed and endorsed the petition.
however, trial has yet to start as the Articles of Impeachment were not forwarded to the senate plenary before session ended on february 5.
this means that Congress will have to reconvene first after the election season, or through a special session, to discuss the matter.
Previously, escudero said that trial will start by July 30 — with the new set of lawmakers after the 2025 midterm elections sitting as senator-judges.
several house lawmakers — including members of the prosecution team — previously said while they respect the senate stand, they believe that the impeachment trial should start at the soonest possible time. n
by AJPress
the word gigil — a powerful emotional reaction evoked by irresistibly cute or endearing things — has officially made its way into the oxford english Dictionary. this marks the growing recognition of filipino language and culture on the global stage, with gigil joining other culturally significant filipino terms like boondocks, kilig, and barkada in the dictionary’s lexicon.
the oxford definition reads: gigil (noun): A gritting of the teeth or tightening of muscles due to an overwhelming feeling of affection, excitement, or irritation, especially common when confronted with something irresistibly cute or endearing.
While gigil is most commonly associated with an intense emotional reaction to cute babies or animals, its usage has spread far beyond its filipino roots. the word is now seen in viral memes, social media posts, and pop culture references, with global audiences eager to understand how to use it.
Whether it’s a parent’s reaction to their baby’s smile or the feeling of affection towards a beloved pet, gigil captures the essence of universal emotions, transcending cultural boundaries. the inclusion of gigil in the oxford english Dictionary isn’t just about adding another word —
Honeylet, Kitty fail to see...
Jean fajardo said the Police regional office 11, which has jurisdiction over Davao, has finalized plans to ensure peace and order during the rallies which Duterte’s supporters dubbed as a global tribute to the former president.
Based on the information they received, fajardo said supporters of the former chief executive will hold prayer rallies in the cities of taguig, Digos, Davao and other areas. fajardo said police commanders are coordinating with concerned local government units. n
it’s about the growing influence of filipino culture worldwide. for a word to be added to the dictionary, it needs to meet strict criteria: widespread usage, longevity, clear meaning, and integration into english language structures.
Gigil has earned its place thanks to its frequent use across social media, where filipino culture, along with its language, has become a visible and influential force. other filipino words like boondocks, kilig, and barkada have also made their way into the global conversation.
Boondocks refers to a remote or rural area, often used in the context of an isolated, hard-toreach place.
• Kilig describes the feeling of excitement or thrill, often associated with romantic moments—such as when someone
experiences butterflies in their stomach.
• Barkada refers to a group of close friends, akin to a tight-knit social circle.
In an era of increasing cultural exchange, the rise of gigil highlights the filipino contribution to global conversation and reminds us of the emotional nuances that different languages can bring to the english lexicon. today, gigil is no longer just a filipino expression — it’s a part of the world’s shared vocabulary. n
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
LACmtA will receive Proposals for PS130464Lightning salesforce tAP Plus at the 9th floor receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract management Department, one Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. All Proposals must be submitted to LACmtA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 12:00 p.m. Pacific time on thursday, April 24, 2025. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. Ps130464. for a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Amy Chi at chia@metro.net. 3/29/25 CNS-3908969# AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
TEAM
LOS ANGELES
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. In a separate post, “The Voice USA” Season 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.
Sofronio Vasquez with David Foster and Katharine McPhee. Photo from Instagram/@sofroniovasquez
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.
mag-boyfriend 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.
Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’...
their 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 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
potential policy changes affecting Filipinos seeking work and residency, and possible legal relief to keep petitions moving forward.
Kaila Estrada honors ‘strong’ mom Janice de Belen this Women’s Month
by charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com
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.
“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
Anne
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 ReyesRecella and Eleanor Casao-Roma. They presented new skincare must-haves 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
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!!!”
Curtis
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. Curtis is in the middle of
Vivian (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Valerie (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) is shown here with Ling Nam Founder Tony Lim (right).
Ludy (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
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.
Arci Muñoz
Photo from Instagram/@ramonathornes
Natutunan ko tuloy ang hirap na
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. Anne
Photo from Instagram/@annecustissmith
Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer
Theilvig
by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
visiting the Philippines
THE reigning Miss Universe
Victoria Kjaer Theilvig from Denmark is visiting the Philippines this March!
The social media pages of the Miss Universe Organization announced that Theilvig would be in the Philippines from March 25 to 30.
“Where warm hearts meet beautiful islands, and memories are made. Philippines, are you ready?,” the posts said, accompanied by an emoji of the Philippine flag.
Victoria will be coming from India where she was for the past week, a month after a homecoming in Denmark and a visit to the Netherlands.
The last three Miss Universe winners before Victoria — Harnaaz Sandhu of India, Filipino-American R’Bonney Gabriel, and Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios — made visits to the Philippines during their reign, with Harnaaz and R’Bonney present at Miss Universe Philippines coronations.
Victoria made history last year as the first-ever Danish woman to win Miss Universe, wearing the “Light of Infinity” crown by Filipino company Jewelmer.
Last year’s competition saw the Philippines’ representative Chelsea Manalo exiting at the
Top 30, but went home with the National Costume award and named the first Miss UniverseAsia. Chelsea will crown her successor at Miss Universe Philippines this May 2, though
it is not sure yet if Victoria will be present for that. What is for certain is the new Philippine representative will vie to succeed Victoria at the 74th Miss Universe to be held in Thailand later this year.
Kaila Estrada honors ‘strong’ mom Janice...
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.
Kathryn Bernardo sizzles at 29th birthday bash
by Jan milo severo Philstar.com
KAPAMILYA star Kathryn Bernardo officially announced the start of the summer season with sizzling photos to celebrate her 29th birthday.
In her Instagram account, Kathryn posted photos of her lying on the bed, wearing white underwear.
“Woke up as a 29-yr-old,” Kathryn captioned the post.
Celebrities such as Ria Atayde, Ivana Alawi, MJ Lastimosa, and Maine Mendoza, to name a few, commented on Kathryn’s post.
“29 is looking great,” Ria commented.
“Happy 29th, Kath!!!” Maine commented.
In another post, Kathryn uploaded photos of her wearing a black sexy lingerie. She only captioned the post with a birthday cake emoji. GRABE,” Ivana commented.
“Holy Guacamole,” Sofia Andres commented.
by Jan milo severo Philstar.com
FILIPINO American influencer
Bretman Rock took a vacation in El Nido, Palawan.
On his TikTok account, Bretman said he was in Lihim Resorts in El Nido to blend work and pleasure.
“I’m actually here with BLK Cosmetics, which is owned by Ms. Anne Curtis-Smith. I love her so much, and I am just happy to be here,” Bretman said.
Along with his excitement, Bretman gushed about his love for Philippine mangoes and the iconic Philippine sunkissed glow, embracing the tropical paradise with his signature charm.
In another video, Bretman showcased a stunning view of El Nido’s paradise — a breathtaking panorama of lush greenery and turquoise waters. The exact spot is in right in front of the Presidential Villa in the resort, where floor-to-ceiling
windows and wrap-around balconies invite guests to wake up to nature’s masterpiece every morning. Lihim Resorts, El Nido offers
Kathryn Bernardo
Photo
Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark Photo courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization
Kaila Estrada portrays Max Alvero in the action-drama series ‘Incognito.’ Photos from Instagram/@kailaestrada
an all-villa accommodation — from Luxury Villas and Seaside Villas to Premium Villas and the Presidential Suite, known as the Araw Villa.
Professor and attorney discuss the importance of eDiscovery
ON Wednesday, March 17th, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Fil-Am alumnus and Associate Professor Bobby Rimas of the American Legal Systems course at California State University, Los Angeles’ Downtown L.A. campus had guest lecturer and attorney Ariel Flores Mena speak with his students regarding the significance of electronic discovery, also known as “eDiscovery,” and how it continues to change the the legal landscape. Mr. Rimas explained that eDiscovery is the electronic evidence, such as emails, texts, memorandums, etc. that legal teams obtain on behalf of their clients that may be submitted to court. Mr. Rimas then introduced guest speaker Ariel Flores Mena, an Associate at the Larson LLP law firm. Mr. Mena went into detail regarding eDiscovery and how important it is to the legal field. More specifically, Mena spoke about how eDiscovery is often utilized in connection with sensitive and confidential information of a legal case. Mena then indicated that eDiscovery can also be utilized for the process of producing documents, evidence, proving various aspects of a case, which varies depending on the specifics of each legal matter. Such a process can be important in litigation because it can assist with proving a defense or lack thereof.
Mena then spoke of various eDiscovery softwares that law firms and corporations utilize that include a cloud-based database which give users the option to do keyword searches to streamline the document search and reviewing process.
Mena emphasized that all legal team members must have a comprehensive understanding of a case to create effective keywords and search terms to ensure document searches are more efficient and manageable. Mena indicated that cost efficiency is always a key consideration in eDiscovery, especially when thousands or millions of documents are hosted within an eDiscovery database. Mena then discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being utilized
in eDiscovery. He went on to state that everyone involved with utilizing AI in eDiscovery must review the work in detail to ensure accuracy within AIassisted processes. Rimas indicated that Mr. Mena’s presentation was “…well received by students who were enthusiastic to hear about his various hands-on approaches, perspectives and significance of eDiscovery.” Ariel graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, School of Law where he focused his studies on criminal law and complex civil litigation matters. During law school, Ariel served as a coeditor-in-chief for the La Raza Law Journal, a board member for La Alianza, and a captain for the Berkeley Law Football Team. Ariel also graduated from the University of Utah where he received an honors degree in Business Management with a minor in Ethnic Studies.
In addition to being an Associate Professor, Bobby Rimas is a Paralegal at the Larson LLP law firm. He is also the Co-Chair for the UCLA Lambda Alumni Association, a Commissioner for the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Stonewall Democratic Club. He is a past president of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association and past Chair of the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association. Rimas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA, a master of legal studies degree, cum laude, with a concentration in compliance and legal risk management from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and a master of arts in education with a concentration in diversity, equity and social justice in education from The University of Texas at El Paso.
Navarrete-Suarez junior titleweight showdown takes place May 10 at Pechanga Arena San Diego
SAN DIEGO — The next chapter in the storied Mexico vs. Philippines boxing rivalry is about to be written.
Mexican three-division king Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete will defend his WBO junior lightweight world championship against undefeated Filipino contender Charly Suarez on Saturday, May 10, at Pechanga Arena San Diego. In the co-feature for the vacant interim IBF lightweight world title, SoCal native Raymond Muratalla will fight Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev.
Navarrete-Suarez and Muratalla-Abdullaev will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets went on sale Friday, March 28 via AXS.com.
“San Diego is an incredible fight town, and we are thrilled to return with Emanuel Navarrete, who will go down as one of the great Mexican champions of his era,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Charly Suarez is a determined, unbeaten contender who will have everyone in the Philippines cheering him on. Raymond Muratalla is an elite lightweight but has a tall task against Abdullaev, who has been on a tremendous run for several years.”
Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) returns to the site of perhaps his greatest professional disappointment. Last May at Pechanga Arena, he moved up five pounds to battle Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight world title. Berinchyk upset Navarrete by split decision, spoiling his dream of becoming a fourweight world champion. In his return to 130 pounds last December, Navarrete was in vintage form, stopping Oscar Valdez in a rematch over six one-sided rounded rounds in Phoenix, Arizona. Navarrete enters his 16th world title bout, a staggering run that began in December 2018 with his upset of Isaac Dogboe for the WBO junior featherweight crown.
Navarrete said, “I’m at a new stage of my career, and I’m fired up for another defense of my world title. This fight motivates me. Suarez is undefeated and dangerous. He’s ranked No. 1 in the world for a reason. He’s exactly the kind of challenge that fuels me. I owe the fans in
San Diego a win, and on May 10, I’ll settle that debt with a dominant victory.”
Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) had several hundred fights as an amateur, representing his homeland at the 2016 Olympics and several World Championships. A six-year pro, he won a pair of regional titles in March 2023 when he scored a come-from-behind 12th-round stoppage over Paul Fleming on hostile turf in Sydney, Australia. The Fleming triumph paved the way for a deal with Top Rank, and Suarez has won three straight fights in America. He knocked out Jorge Castañeda in three rounds last September, which came five months removed from a hard-fought eight-round decision over Louie Coria. The Philippines has two reigning world champions — 105-pound standouts Melvin Jerusalem and Pedro Taduran — and Suarez looks to become lucky number three.
Suarez said, “I am thankful to Top Rank for this opportunity. When I enter the ring on May 10, I will show the world I have what it takes. I won’t waste this opportunity. Navarrete is a monster in the ring, but I know I am better.”
Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs), from Fontana, California, returns to his home state for the first time in over two years. On that March 2023 evening in Fresno, he rose
from a first-round knockdown to knock out Humberto Galindo in nine. Since that brief hiccup, Muratalla has steadily climbed the ranks, including knocking out the big-punching Jeremia Nakathila in two and outlasting former world champion Tevin Farme over 10 rounds en route to a unanimous decision. Last November, he iced Jesus Perez in two rounds to earn this shot at the interim world title.
“I’ve been working toward this my whole life. Every fighter dreams of becoming a world champion, and on May 10, I take a big step toward making that a reality,” Muratalla said. “Zaur Abdullaev is a good fighter. He’s beaten tough opponents, including former world champions, but I’m done waiting. I’m highly ranked and have put in the work. It’s my time now. When I take that interim title, the Raymond Muratalla era begins.”
Abdullaev (20-1, 12 KOs) is unbeaten in more than five years, having won nine straight fights since falling via fourthround TKO to Devin Haney in September 2019. His string of victories includes a 12th-round stoppage of three-weight world champion Jorge Linares, a convincing 12-round decision over one-time WBC lightweight world champion Dejan Zlatičanin, a third-round stoppage of thenunbeaten contender Roman Andreev, and a 10-round decision over Venezuelan former junior lightweight world champion Roger Gutierrez. Last October, Abdullaev battered Argentina’s Juan Javier Carrasco en route to a 12th-round TKO.
“I’m coming to America ready to take this belt,” Abdullaev said. “Muratalla is a top contender, but I have the skills and experience needed to emerge victorious.” The ESPN+-streamed undercard includes some local flavor as welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (33-1, 18 KOs) looks to maintain his momentum against Angel Beltran (18-2-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder. After losing his “0” via TKO last May at Pechanga Arena, “El Gallo De Oro” returned to winning ways in December with a first-round stoppage of Fredrick Lawson. Beltran, from Mexicali, Mexico, is coming off a third-round KO of Jose Quintero Velarde earlier this month.
(Pechanga Arena SD Release)
The prodigious love of God
OUR Gospel readings for Lent convey God’s most eminent attributes: He is the God of mercy and compassion. Last Sunday, we heard the Parable of the Fig Tree, in which Jesus spoke about an owner of an orchard who is upset to find a fig tree that does not bear fruit. He instructed his gardener to cut it down. However, the gardener pleaded with him to leave it for another year, promising that he would nurture it before it could be cut down. The parable likens God to the gardener; He is patient and kind, giving us a second chance to grow. Perhaps the gardener will do his utmost to nurture the fig tree with fertilizer, water, and other nutrients. That’s how God is with us; He does not merely give us a second chance but also provides us with the graces we need to
flourish. I see this truth reflected in the Sacraments of the Church, particularly in the Sacraments of Confession (or Reconciliation) and the Eucharist. On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, we hear the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son. A younger son asks for his inheritance, and his father, with a heavy heart, acquiesces to his son’s wishes. The son then leaves home to go to the city, where he squanders all his inheritance. When he can no longer endure his dire situation and is dying of hunger, he decides to return to his father. Upon seeing him return, his father embraces him, welcomes him back home, and even celebrates a lavish feast in his honor. The parable could also be called the Parable of the Prodigal Father, for His love for the son is “prodigious,” meaning excessive or lavish.
This Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on this remarkable attribute of God—not just to contemplate it, but to “feast” upon it. However, this does not mean we should presume upon His mercy without making an effort to change our lives. We must remember that any changes in behavior or attitude
we undertake this Lent are for our own benefit and the benefit of those around us. Turning or returning to God and embracing His ways brings us true peace, order, and happiness. Let us wish for this change of life for everyone. Let’s rejoice as we witness more people returning to church, especially during this Lent and Easter season. Let us not be quick to judge when we see others struggling with their faith. Instead, let’s support them and make them feel welcome. The elder son in this Sunday’s parable does not exhibit this loving and understanding attitude; rather, he complains to his father and exhibits jealousy. We are all on different paths of faith; let us respect, understand, and pray for one another. In Christ’s love, Fr. Rodel “Odey”
Attorney Ariel Flores Mena (left) and Associate Professor Bobby Rimas, M.L.S., M.A.Ed. (right)
Sr. Mary John Mananzan: ‘Women like men have to be agents of change’
MARCH is Women’s History Month. I will feature women from all walks of life. I asked the female respondents (last batch): What is the significant role of women in our society?
Their replies are as follows: Having served as president of St. Scholastica’s College for six years and dean for 18 years, prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the Manila Priory and national chairperson of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, one of the 100 Most Inspiring Persons in the World at the centennial of International Women’s Day: “Women like men have to be agents of change especially in our Philippine society that is plagued with many social issues like corruption in all levels of society, lack of a sense of common good shown in the concentration of power in family dynasties, weaponization of law, loss of moral fiber, etc. Women should raise their voices against these issues, take active part in the implementation of laws and in raising consciousness not only about women issues but about the social issues mentioned above. Women’s place is not only in the home but in the struggle – for social transformation.”
The late Pres. Cory Aquino’s appointments secretary Margie Penson Juico, a product of St. Theresa’s College: “Gone are the days when women were referred to as the fairer, weaker sex. We have transformed into architects of society, domestic engineers and molders of the hearts and minds of the young. We have championed passionately family causes that threaten the moral fabric of society. We have emerged to occupy the highest positions of power and wielded immense influence in government and governance. And we still continue to propagate our race even as we scatter and make a difference in many parts of the world. We
break ceilings in fields normally occupied by men and make a difference in the lives of a lot of Filipinos. This is what is in the heart of every Filipino woman!”
Sovereign Seal of Business Triumph and Remarkable Achievers awardee Salvie Collado Paparon, CEO of Sheanne Roll Up Door Construction Services: “Women are the pillar of strength of everything. Without woman, a home is empty. Nobody can replace a woman in a family.”
Former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez-Belen: “A woman has many roles in life but for me the most significant is being a mother, to nurture her children to become responsible and caring members of human society.”
Angela Valdez, little Talia’s mom (she’s expecting another child) who has been working for a company for over 12 years: “Women do everything. If a woman chooses to become a wife and mother, she is the essentially the core unit of the family. If she chooses a career path, her possibilities are endless. Many women in our society choose both. Women are often expected to play a certain role in life and are looked down upon if they’re not able to meet those expectations. Most women will persevere and push through these challenges to prove that she can. Women need society’s support so they can help lead the younger generation.”
Rochie Cuevas, assistant laboratory director at the NapaSolano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory in Fairfield: “Women as leaders. Many of the public health laboratories in California are currently led by women. They introduce new technologies at critical times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This incredibly increases the laboratories’ capacities to provide diagnoses when we needed it the most. At the beginning of the pandemic, the laboratories could give out results two weeks after samples have been submitted. But now, testing for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus takes under 2 hours. Aside from introducing new technologies, women leaders in the public health laboratories invest in people. A lot of our time and effort are spent in nurturing the next generation of laboratorians
through mentorship and technical training. I guess this is part of our being mission-oriented. Solano County Public Health’s vision is ‘Healthy People - Healthy Community.’ By continually providing opportunities for microbiologists to practise the profession, we contribute to safeguarding the community from communicable diseases. Women leaders are inclusive. They embrace diversity and use it at an advantage to make public health laboratories great places to work in. Women are effective leaders because they seek work-life balance... A person’s worldview is highly influenced by the teachers that he/she encounters. I think women shape society because they teach children. The mother is often a child’s first teacher. Most schoolteachers I have encountered are women too.”
* * *
Vicky Manalastas Toribio, who used to work at Central Bank in the Philippines as technical assistant for 20 years, migrated to the U.S. in 1978 as a professional worker. A product of the Far Eastern University in Manila (she obtained a degree in commerce with a major in financial management), she is now retired. All her children, Amado Jr., Anna, and Raymond are now living in the United States.
She has been actively involved in the Christian community and has been participating in Christian missions in the Philippines, the latest of which was last February this year in a medical mission in Antipolo, Rizal. Her group also went to San Fernando, Pampanga.
* * *
Thanks to Lily Nguyen from Vietnam of Kim’s Salon & Spa and Denise Magana of Great Clips, both located on Business Center Drive in Fairfield, California for our new cut hair. It was a long worthwhile walk passing through several nice houses in villages and a beautiful park before reaching the salons.
* * * 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
Tessie Ang See (left) and Margie Penson Juico (right) stand in front of a framed poster of former President Corazon Aquino.
Sr. Mary John Mananzan Photos compiled by Rogelio C. Medina
Multi-awarded CEO Salvie Collado Paparon
Former Central Bank of the Philippines technical assistant Vicky Manalastas Toribio
Angela Valdez with daughter Talia
Former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez-Belen
AJ columnist Rogelio Medina with his hair stylist Denise Magana
Scientist and former radio show co-host Rochie Cuevas Rosita Medina with her hair stylist Lily Nguyen
Hollywood actress Daisy Ridley arrives in PH to film ‘The Last Resort’
by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net
HOLLYWOOD actress Daisy Ridley, best known for her role as Rey in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy — “The Force Awakens” (2015), “The Last Jedi” (2017), and “The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) — is in the Philippines to begin filming the romantic comedy “The Last Resort.”
News5’s MJ Marfori shared exclusive photos of Ridley at a hangar on Wednesday via Instagram.
“Mula sa isang galaxy far, far away hanggang sa ating paraiso, PILIPINAS! Andito
The Last Resort!” (From a galaxy
Daisy Ridley is here for MVP’s global film offering, The Last Resort), Marfori wrote in the caption.
Business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan serves as the film’s executive producer.
Ridley stars opposite Alden Ehrenreich, known for “Supernatural,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” “Beautiful Creatures,” and “Cocaine Bear.”
“The Last Resort” is directed by Donald Petrie, an Emmy nominee for “L.A. Law” and director of classic romantic comedies such as “Miss Congeniality,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “Mystic Pizza.”
According to Variety, Petrie was born in the Philippines and later grew up in the US. His writing credits include “She’s the Man,” “Ella Enchanted,” “The Ugly Truth,” and “The House Bunny.”
The screenplay is written by Karen McCullah, known for rom-com hits like “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Legally Blonde.”
Variety describes “The Last Resort” as a story about a hotel executive sent to scout a new resort location in the Philippines. She is captivated by the breathtaking scenery and the warmth of its people — along with Ben, a charming expatriate charter pilot.
was
the
for hosting
and
downtime, dipped her toes in the beach and went around San Fernando and San Juan.
“Birthday workcation in La Union. Thank yall for all the birthday love, thank God for another year under the sun,” R’Bonney wrote for her birthday post on Instagram, wearing an upcycled skirt with shells from her own line.
Other dresses R’Bonney wore during La Union evenings were
The former
holder even shared
she wore while going
market, a crocheted
young
Upon her 2022
(held in 2023), R’Bonney became the
American to win Miss
She passed off the crown to Nicaragua’s Sheynnis
who was succeeded by current titleholder Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark. The 74th edition of Miss Universe will be held later this year in Thailand. The last time the competition was held there, the
Hollywood actress Daisy Ridley spotted at a hangar in the Philippines. INSTAGRAM PHOTOS/MJ Marfori Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel in La Union. Photo from Instagram/@rbonneynola
Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel in La Union.
Photo from Instagram/@rbonneynola
Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
a green dress by Jot Losa on the beach and a black dress by Australian designer Toni Maticevski.
Miss Universe
the outfit
to the
dress by
designer Janelle Hung.
coronation
first-ever Filipino-
Universe.
Palacios
Catriona Gray won the Philippines’ fourth crown.
na ang Hollywood star na si Daisy Ridley para sa pelikulang handog ni MVP sa mundo na
far, far away to our paradise, the PHILIPPINES! Hollywood star
Ridley with News5’s MJ Marfori
‘Celebrate YOUniquess’ event is huge success
GLENDALE – “Celebrate YOUniquess” brought the community together recently as more than 800 attendees gathered at the YMCA of Glendale to take part in the annual community event. Now on Its 3rd year, “It gets better and bigger every year… what a huge success the ‘Celebrate YOUniqueness’ Festival 2025 came out to be... it was standing room only and fully packed,” said event co-chairs Edith Fuentes, also a FABAG Board member, and George Saikali, CEO and president
of Glendale YMCA. The free event is a collaboration by the City of Glendale, the YMCA and different ethnic groups –Armenian, Filipino, Korean, Latino, Italian, Irish, etc. Food, songs, music, dances, handicrafts, arts and crafts, and exhibits from the represented ethnic groups highlighted the event. The YOUniqueness committee gave huge thank you to all the special guests, dignitaries, legislative offices and Representatives who attended, including Consul Marie Chieng
and Cultural Officer Edel Valencia from the Los Angeles Philippine Consulate General, Maria Sosyan from Congressmember Friedman’s office, Carlos Arce from Senator Perez’s office, Catherine Del Rosario from Assemblymember Jessica Caloza’s office, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan, Glendale Councilmembers Daniel Brotman and Ardy Ardashes Kassakhian, and representatives from the GUSD and GCC. The committee also extended its thanks to all donors and sponsors, performers, and most of all the many community members who have been attending every year. A big kudos was also extended to the YOUniqueness TEAM: co-chairs George Saikali and Editha Fuentes event, along
with Elizabeth Manasserian, Nora Yacoubian, Marisol Chianello, Renee Rasper, Anita Quinonez Gabrielian, Catherine Yesayan, Arnella Putzel, Beth Crawford, TC Kim and other volunteers. The Filipino American Business Association of Glendale (FABAGGLAC) actively participated with a display table of Philippine arts and crafts; a food station with delicious “pancit” noodles, “lumpia” meat rolls courtesy of Max’s Restaurant, Elvira D Suavillo, House of Grill and Cynthia Lizan; and yummy “puto/kutsinta” sweet rice cakes baked by Aida Rasper. DJ John Solon provided the music for the event. The YOUniqueness committee hopes to see attendees again next year when it holds the next edition of the event in March 2026.
Is it time to update your California revocable trust?
Barrister’s Corner
atty. Kenneth URsUa Reyes
IT is a good idea to review your existing revocable trust if the terms and provisions are still current. A revocable living trust is a cornerstone of a comprehensive estate plan in California. Its flexibility allows you to adjust your wishes through life’s ups and downs. But how do you actually make those changes? This is typically done by amending a revocable trust in California, delving into the process and common areas of modification.
California Probate Code Section 15401 outlines two primary methods for amending a revocable trust:
1. Following the Trust’s Instructions: Many trusts specify their own amendment procedures. Read your trust carefully. If it outlines specific steps, follow them precisely. These may involve signing an amendment form, notifying beneficiaries, or obtaining specific consents.
2. If the trust is silent on amendments, you can follow the general procedure for amending the revocable trust. This is done by drafting an Amendment Documents, Sign and Notarize, and Deliver to the Trustee. The common terms that are updated through an amendment to the revocable trust are:
1. Beneficiaries: Adding, removing, or changing beneficiary designations is a frequent amendment. Ensure new beneficiaries meet any stipulated qualifications and consider tax implications.
2. Distribution Provisions: You can modify how and when assets are distributed, for example, by adding contingencies or creating trusts within the main trust for specific beneficiaries.
3. Trustee Appointment or Removal: Changing trustees due to incapacity, resignation, or your preferences requires careful attention to detail and ensuring a smooth transition.
A revocable trust offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to adapt your estate plan as circumstances change. Understanding the amendment process and commonly modified terms empowers you to make informed decisions about your future. Remember, while some basic amendments may be feasible on your own, seeking professional guidance ensures your wishes are accurately and legally reflected in your trust.
4. Asset Transfers: Adding or removing assets from the trust involves understanding titling procedures and ensuring proper documentation. While amending a trust may seem straightforward, legal technicalities and potential pitfalls lurk beneath the surface. Consulting an experienced California estate planning attorney is highly recommended. They can draft a legally sound amendment document, protecting your intentions, advise you on potential tax consequences of your changes, ensure compliance with all legal requirements and formalities, and navigate complex situations involving incapacitated beneficiaries or disagreements among family members.
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