CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom laid out his vision for California at a March 22 press briefing with ethnic media, and pledged to permanently eradicate homelessness.
Fresh off his four day “state of the state” tour, his alternative to the traditional annual address to the state Legislature, Newsom announced the release of $1 billion in Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 4 funding, which
MANILA — A bill that aims to suspend security assistance to the Philippines until perpetrators of human rights abuses in the ranks of the police and military are held accountable has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (Pennsylvania, 7th District) again filed the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA) before the U.S. House earlier this month in commemoration of the second anniversary of the "Bloody Sunday Massacre" where raids across the Calabarzon region in 2021 left nine activists dead.
The PHRA would suspend Washington’s security assistance to the Philippines until the government fully investigates and prosecutes any military or police personnel engaged in human rights abuses. Should the the bill pass into law, Washington will require Manila to comply
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos
28 said the Philippine
International Criminal Court (ICC) after it rejected the government’s appeal to suspend its probe into “drug war” killings.
Marcos said the Philippines would no longer appeal the ICC’s decision, and the government is “essentially disengaging from any contact and
THE Biden administration’s decision to end the COVID -19 public health emergency in May will institute sweeping changes across the health care system that go far beyond many people having to pay more for COVID tests.
In response to the pandemic, the federal government in 2020 suspended many of its rules on how care is delivered. That transformed essentially every corner of American health care — from hospitals and nursing homes to public health and treatment for people recovering from addiction.
Now, as the government prepares to reverse some of those steps, here’s a glimpse at ways patients will be affected: Training rules for nursing home staff get stricter The end of the emergency means nursing homes will have to meet higher standards for training workers. Advocates for nursing home residents are eager to see the old, tougher training requirements reinstated, but the industry says that move could worsen staffing shortages plaguing facilities nationwide. In the early days of the pandemic, to help nursing homes function under the
by RHODINA VILLANUEVA Philstar.com
MANILA — For the medical community, the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has come to an end.
In an interview on Friday, March 24 with “The Chiefs” on One News, Dr. Maricar Limpin, immediate past president of the Philippine College of Physicians, said, “As far as we are concerned, I think it has ended because on the ground, we are not seeing too many (COVID-19) cases anymore.”
“In fact,” Limpin added, “the
patients we are seeing right now are all non-COVID cases.”
“The medical community has been active in the non-COVID scenario so there are just a few remaining cases for COVID,” said Limpin.
The medical expert likewise said, “We are just waiting for the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare (COVID endemic)… Actually, we have long been waiting for WHO to make such a declaration.”
Limpin added, “I think the WHO is just waiting for the result of their surveillance that right
communication” with the ICC.
“So, at this point, we essentially are disengaging from any contact, from any communication with the ICC,” Marcos added.
The president reiterated that the Philippine PAGE 2 by
MANILA — The Philippines failed to convince the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court to suspend the investigation of the tribunal’s prosecutor into the alleged crimes against humanity committed in the course of the “war on drugs.”
In an eight-page decision issued Monday, March 27 at The Hague in The Netherlands, the Appeals Chamber said it “rejects the request of the Republic of the Philippines for suspensive effect” of the PreTrial Chamber’s decision.”
Manila, through the appeal filed by the Office of the Solicitor General, has asked the ICC’s Appeals Chamber to reverse the authorization its Pre-Trial Chamber granted to its prosecutors to resume investigation into the “war on drugs” of the Duterte administration. The Philippines also sought for the suspension of the investigation pending resolution of their request, and for the Appeals Chamber to determine that ICC’s prosecutors are not authorized to resume their probe.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra explained
by MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com
MANILA — Senior Defense
Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. defended the Marcos administration on Monday, March 27 against those criticizing the government for allegedly being too pro-U.S.
“Hindi naman (not really),” he told reporters, stressing that the Philippines and the United States have a Mutual Defense Treaty that shows the long-standing friendship and commitment between the two nations.
Galvez explained that just like other countries, the Philippines honors its agreements with its allies such as the U.S.
“At the same time, we can see the U.S. government is
Senior Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Philstar.com photo really supporting us in terms of our modernizing,” he said, referring to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.
PAGE 4
The governor also lays out ambitious plans to manufacture insulin, control substance abuse, and shut down private prisons
government will not cooperate with the ICC probe, citing “very serious questions” on the court’s jurisdiction, interference, and “attacks on the sovereignty of the Republic.”
said. “So that’s pretty much it; we have no longer any recourse when it comes to the ICC,” the president added.
The ICC Appeals Chamber has rejected the Philippine government’s request to suspend its investigation into the killings committed under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs.
The decision came just two weeks after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) asked the ICC Appeals Chamber to suspend and reverse the ruling that authorized the reopening of the investigation by the ICC prosecutor.
To recall, the ICC PreTrial Chamber on January 26 authorized ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to proceed with the preliminary investigation, prompting the OSG to submit a notice of appeal on February 3 to reverse this decision. g
PAGE 1
in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Balitaan that the Philippine government’s appeal itself has not been rejected and would take months or even years to be resolved. But the Appeals chamber had rejected their move to suspend the proceedings pending the resolution of their appeal.
The ICC’s Appeals Chamber said the Philippines failed to provide persuasive reasons for it to suspend Prosecutor Karim Khan’s investigation while it tackles Manila’s request to scrap the probe entirely.
“In the absence of persuasive reasons in support of ordering suspensive effect, the Appeals Chamber rejects the request. This is without prejudice to its eventual decision on the merits of the Philippines’ appeal against the Impugned Decision,” it said in the decision signed by Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.
The Impugned Decision refers to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision allowing Khan’s investigation into the situation in the Philippines, particularly the alleged crimes committed between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019 in the context of
the “war on drugs” campaign.
The ICC Appeals Chamber said the Philippines failed to explain how its claim of lack of jurisdiction over the country or the absence of legal basis for the resumption of Khan’s investigation would “defeat its very purpose and create an irreversible situation that could not be corrected.”
It said the Philippines also did not specify what the “far-reaching and inimical consequences” Khan’s probe will have on suspects, witnesses and victims and did not say how these “would be very difficult to correct and may be irreversible.”
It also said that the Philippines can continue its own investigations on the “war on drugs” regardless of the ongoing proceedings before the ICC.
“For the foregoing reasons, the Appeals Chamber is not persuaded that the implementation of the Impugned Decision would cause consequences that ‘would be very difficult to correct’ or that ‘may be irreversible,’ or ‘could potentially defeat the purpose of the appeal,’” it said.
In allowing resumption of
probe into Philippines, the PreTrial Chamber said domestic proceedings in the Philippines “do not sufficiently mirror the expected scope of the Court’s investigation, since they only address the physical, lowranking perpetrators and at present do not extend to any high-ranking officials.”
Government figures peg the number of people who have died in anti-drug operations from July 2016 to May 2022 at 6,252, but human rights organizations say around 30,000 have been killed, some in summary executions.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. adopted the stance of his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on rejecting cooperation with the ICC and has called its investigation into the “drug war” a “threat to Philippine sovereignty.” Duterte, along with his former police chief now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, were the top minds behind the “drug war,” locally known as Oplan Tokhang
The former president maintained that he will never cooperate in the ICC’s investigation, Dela Rosa said his participation will depend on the Marcos administration. g
“We cannot cooperate with the ICC considering the very serious questions about their jurisdiction and about what we consider to be interference and practically attacks on the sovereignty of the Republic,” hePresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo SUMMER DELIGHT. A roadside stall along Moriones Street in Tondo, Manila sells halo-halo, a popular summer treat, on Tuesday, March 28. Halo-halo and cold drinks are popular among those who want to beat the heat during the summer months. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
with a set of "basic human rights standards" before it can receive military aid.
"Those standards include the effective protection of labor leaders and activists, journalists, religious and faith leaders, and dissidents; a functioning judiciary capable
of prosecuting members of police and military units; and the withdrawal of military forces from domestic policing activities, in accordance with the constitution of the Philippines," U.S. Rep. Wild wrote in an opinion piece published on The Hill on March 10.
The bill is supported by multiple groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, the Malaya Movement, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines - U.S., Migrante USA, among others. Wild also introduced the bill in 2020 and 2021. (Kaycee Valmonte/Philstar.com)
Galvez added that like other states, the Philippines wants to have a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The statement of the Department of National Defense officer-in-charge came in light of those criticizing the national government’s decision to allow American troops access to four more sites in the country under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Last week, retired officials of the AFP expressed their full support for the proposal to allow U.S. forces access to more military locations in the Philippines.
The Association of General and Flag Officers said allowing American troops access will further boost defense capabilities in areas including the West Philippine Sea.
“This 2014 agreement allows the rotation, not permanent stay, of U.S. troops in mutually agreed locations where our ally could use temporary facilities,” their statement read.
Current EDCA sites in the country are Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, MactanBenito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro.
U.S. bucks sea intimidation
The United States underscored that no member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms of the sea that is guaranteed to all.
“The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability and prosperity,” the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet said in a statement after Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer USS Milius asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands.
The U.S. Defense Department said this freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international
law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam and also by challenging Beijing’s claim to straight baselines enclosing the Paracel Islands.
“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations,” it said.
The U.S. challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant.
“The United States upholds freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. As long as some countries continue to claim and assert limits on rights that exceed their authority under international law, the United States will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of the sea guaranteed to all,” it added. g
now, only a few deaths from COVID are being recorded and there are less severe infections being transmitted. That is what they are looking at now.”
“But Ithink we are already there. Even among the health experts, even among the (medical) practitioners, we are not that wary anymore about COVID-19,” said Limpin.
“If you look at the Philippines and comparing the Philippines with other countries, I think we are in a better position because our positivity rate and the number of people being infected and dying from COVID-19 is far lower compared to even developed countries like the US and European countries,” the health expert said. She pointed out, “I think the primary reason why we are doing better is because many of our people are still wearing masks.”
However, Limpin said, “Our main concern is the transmission of the disease to the vulnerable population. These are the elderly, those with lowered immune system because among
this vulnerable population, there are still those dying from COVID-19,” she noted. She aded, “Many of them did not have any vaccination or if they had vaccination, maybe just the primary series. They didn’t receive boosters. That is the problem so I think we need to step up as far as vaccination is concerned.”
“There was so many misinformation that circulated so the government has to step up with the vaccination program. We are not just talking about COVID vaccination here because in reality, uptake for all kinds of vaccination, even expanded immunization across all different infections, is low primarily because of the vaccine hesitancy brought about by misinformation of the [anti-vaxxers],” stressed Limpin.
She also cited the possibility of another emerging infection threatening the country’s health care system.
Asked if the country is prepared for this, Limpin said, “It depends because we need the proper infrastructure for that. We need
to strengthen our health system. I’m hoping that the government will be able to put up all the necessary infrastructure for us to be able to prevent another emerging infection.” She added, “It will then depend on how fast the government will respond because it will respond according to the budget. There are restrictions and limitations as far as the government is concerned, but we also need to get data and conduct a study on this.”
Earlier, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 93 percent of adult Filipinos are hopeful the worst of the COVID-19 crisis in the country is over.
The Department of Health also reported that local government units in Metro Manila recorded decreasing COVID cases, with OCTA Research Fellow Guido David noting that the positivity rate, or the percentage of people found positive for SARS-CoV-2 among the total number of individuals tested in the National Capital Region, remained below five percent. g
virus’s onslaught, the federal government relaxed training requirements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services instituted a national policy saying nursing homes needn’t follow regulations requiring nurse aides to undergo at least 75 hours of state-approved training.
Normally, a nursing home couldn’t employ aides for more than four months unless they met those requirements.
Last year, CMS decided the relaxed training rules would no longer apply nationwide, but states and facilities could ask for permission to be held to the lower standards. As of March, 17 states had such exemptions, according to CMS — Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington — as did 356 individual nursing homes in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
Nurse aides often provide the most direct and labor-intensive care for residents, including bathing and other hygiene-related tasks, feeding, monitoring vital signs, and keeping rooms clean. Research has shown that nursing homes with staffing instability maintain a lower quality of care.
Advocates for nursing home residents are pleased the training exceptions will end but fear that the quality of care could nevertheless deteriorate. That’s because CMS has signaled that, after the looser standards expire, some of the hours that nurse aides logged during the pandemic could count toward their 75 hours of required training. Onthe-job experience, however, is not necessarily a sound substitute for the training workers missed, advocates argue.
Adequate training of aides is crucial so “they know what they’re doing before they provide care, for their own good as well as for the residents,” said Toby Edelman, a senior policy attorney for the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
The American Health Care Association, the largest nursing home lobbying group, released a December survey finding that roughly 4 in 5 facilities were dealing with moderate to high levels of staff shortages.
Treatment threatened for people recovering from addiction
A looming rollback of broader access to buprenorphine, an important medication for people in recovery from opioid addiction, is alarming patients and doctors.
During the public health emergency, the Drug Enforcement Administration said providers could prescribe certain controlled substances virtually or over the phone without first conducting an in-person medical evaluation. One of those drugs, buprenorphine, is an opioid that can prevent debilitating withdrawal symptoms for people trying to recover from addiction to other opioids. Research has shown using it more than halves the risk of overdose.
Amid a national epidemic of opioid addiction, if the expanded policy for buprenorphine ends, “thousands of people are going to die,” said Ryan Hampton, an activist who is in recovery.
The DEA in late February proposed regulations that would partly roll back the prescribing of controlled substances through telemedicine. A clinician could use telemedicine to order an initial 30-day supply of medications such as buprenorphine, Ambien, Valium, and Xanax, but patients would need an in-person evaluation to get a refill.
For another group of drugs, including Adderall, Ritalin, and oxycodone, the DEA proposal would institute tighter controls. Patients seeking those medications would need to see a doctor in person for an initial
prescription.
David Herzberg, a historian of drugs at the University at Buffalo, said the DEA’s approach reflects a fundamental challenge in developing drug policy: meeting the needs of people who rely on a drug that can be abused without making that drug too readily available to others.
The DEA, he added, is “clearly seriously wrestling with this problem.”
Hospitals return to normal, somewhat
During the pandemic, CMS has tried to limit problems that could arise if there weren’t enough health care workers to treat patients — especially before there were covid vaccines when workers were at greater risk of getting sick.
For example, CMS allowed hospitals to make broader use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants when caring for Medicare patients. And new physicians not yet credentialed to work at a particular hospital — for example, because governing bodies lacked time to conduct their reviews — could nonetheless practice there. Other changes during the public health emergency were meant to shore up hospital capacity. Critical access hospitals, small hospitals located in rural areas, didn’t have to comply with federal rules for Medicare stating they were limited to 25 inpatient beds and patients’ stays could not exceed 96 hours, on average.
Once the emergency ends, those exceptions will disappear. Hospitals are trying to persuade federal officials to maintain multiple COVID-era policies beyond the emergency or work with Congress to change the law.
Surveillance of infectious diseases splinters
The way state and local public health departments monitor the spread of disease will change after the emergency ends, because the Department of Health and Human Services won’t be able to require labs to report COVID testing data. Without a uniform, federal requirement, how states and counties track the spread of the coronavirus will vary. In addition, though hospitals will still provide COVID data to the federal government, they may do so less frequently.
Public health departments are still getting their arms around the scope of the changes, said Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
In some ways, the end of the emergency provides public health officials an opportunity to rethink COVID surveillance.
Compared with the pandemic’s early days, when at-home tests were unavailable and people relied heavily on labs to determine whether they were infected, testing data from labs now reveals less about how the virus is spreading.
Public health officials don’t think “getting all test results from all lab tests is potentially the right strategy anymore,” Hamilton said. Flu surveillance provides a potential alternative model: For influenza, public health departments seek test results from a sampling of labs.
“We’re still trying to work out what’s the best, consistent strategy. And I don’t think we have that yet,” Hamilton said.
(This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
will be doled out to cities and counties attempting to reduce their unhoused populations. The $1 billion in grants is part of a multi-year $15.3 billion effort by the state to address the crisis of homelessness.
Funds will go to entities that are “ambitious” in their goals, with improved metrics and coordination. “We rejected many plans that were unambitious,” said Newsom, adding: “no plan, no money.”
Bonuses of up to 16% will be attached for cities and counties who meet their target metrics.
An additional $750 million has been allocated to clean up homeless encampments.
Tiny homes
Newsom also announced a “small homes” initiative, tiny units which would house 2 to 6 people. 1200 small homes will be placed this year in Los Angeles, San Diego County, San Jose and Sacramento. People living in homeless encampments will be first priority for housing in the tiny homes, as the first step to transitioning into permanent housing.
Newsom said he hopes to launch the initiative in other cities next year. The homes are offered free, and ready to move in to.
Through these initiatives, the state is expected to reduce its homeless population by 15% by 2025. The Public Policy Institute of California notes that the state has the largest number of unhoused people in the country: more than 131,000 people are unsheltered, according to the 2022 annual Point In Time survey, in which volunteers go
Project homeKey
Los Angeles is home to 38% of the state’s homeless residents. San Jose, one of the wealthiest regions in California, is home to 5.8% of the state’s unhoused people, while Oakland is home to 5.7%. San Francisco has 4.5% of the state’s unhoused individuals, according to PPIC data.
Amid the pandemic, Newsom had launched Project HomeKey, an ambitious project to buy up hotels, motels, and other properties to be repurposed as housing for homeless people, with support services to address substance abuse, mental illness, and economic distress. In response to a question from Ethnic Media Services, the governor said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the program, especially with our rural partners who have developed some really innovative solutions with Project HomeKey funding.”
Newsom noted that Project HomeKey bought 6,000 units at a cost of $3.75 billion. Critics of the program noted it cost an average of $55,000 to house an individual, and did not address the underlying issues leading to chronic homelessness.
‘Crisis of housing’
In response to a question from California Black Media, Newsom said he was tightening up the permitting process for Accessory Dwelling Units to increase the supply of affordable housing, with $100 million having been allocated to homeowners to apply for grants to build ADUs on their property.
“In California, we are using
every tool in our toolbox –including the largest-ever deployment of small homes in the state – to move people off the streets and into housing. The crisis of homelessness will never be solved without first solving the crisis of housing – the two issues are inextricably linked,” said Newsom.
Insulin manufacturing
The governor also announced that the state would be producing its own insulin to be distributed at $30 per vial, greatly reducing the cost of a drug that is needed daily by 3 million of the state’s residents.
Diabetes disproportionately affects people of color, along with low-income individuals, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California Health and Human Services. “We know the cost of insulin is forcing families to make hard choices,” he said at the March 22 briefing.
The state has partnered with Utah-based Civica to manufacture insulin. Newsom said he hopes to begin manufacturing insulin in California by 2025.
Opioid crisis
The governor is also shoring up his response to the state’s mental health and opioid crises. He announced a 2024 ballot initiative, which would provide $1 billion annually to increase the supply of beds for mentally ill people, especially veterans.
Earlier in the week, Newsom released his administration’s “Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis,” which would step up efforts to seize fentanyl, support overdose prevention efforts, hold the opioid pharmaceutical industry accountable, crack down on drug trafficking, and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids.
Newsom also discussed the state’s shutdown of four private prisons. “It is absolutely perverse that we have profit motives for incarcerating our citizens,” he stated. The state’s prison population has dropped dramatically, from a high of almost 200,000 prisoners during the Schwarzenegger era, to about 93,000 currently.
San Quentin is also being repurposed as a rehabilitation facility to allow prisoners to more successfully integrate into society once released, thereby reducing the state’s rate of recidivism. (Sunita Sohrabji/ Ethnic Media Services)
SAN FRANCISCO – The
Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco assembled a powerhouse panel of Filipino American women government leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area, for a hybrid forum in celebration of National Women’s Month in the Philippines and Women’s History Month in America.
The Consulate hosted “Women in Government: A Forum with Filipina American Leaders in the Bay Area” — held in partnership with the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, and the Friends of the Filipino American Community — on Wednesday, March 22 at Dynamico Space, Philippine Center in San Francisco.
Moderated by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, the forum shone a spotlight on Filipino American women who have taken up the reins of government of one of the most dynamic and progressive metropolitan areas in the United States. The event follows the sector-based events that the Consulate has organized for National Women’s Month, namely the “Women in Tech” virtual forum in 2021 and the “Women in Health” online forum in 2022.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer opened the online event by paying tribute to trailblazing Filipino American women government leaders in California and the United States.
“Here in Northern California, former Davis Mayor Ruth Uy Asmundson holds the distinction of being the first Filipino American woman to become leader of a NorCal city, while returning Colma Mayor Joanne del Rosario is the first Filipina American to become Chief Executive of a Bay Area city or town,” said Consul General Ferrer.
“Statewide, former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil Sakauye is the first American of Filipino descent to lead the state’s highest court. Let us not forget that beyond California’s borders, the firstever Filipino American legislator in the United States was a woman,
Thelma Garcia Buchholdt, who was elected to Alaska’s House of Representatives in 1974,” Consul General Ferrer further said.
In the “Women in Government” forum, the invited Filipino American women leaders shared their stories and experiences in running their communities, their views on local and national issues, and their thoughts about the influence of their Filipino ancestry and heritage in their role as government officials and public servants.
Daly City Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo, who has previously served as mayor of the Bay Area’s “Pinoy Capital” in 2017 and 2020, shared that she is thankful that she began her journey in public service at a young age.
“When I was in college, the issue that really touched my heart was the Filipino World War II veterans. Through my advocacy for them, I had my first experience doing legislative visits. Learning about their plight, which was really long for these elders to endure, that was what stemmed my service to the community,” Vice Mayor Manalo said.
Berryessa Union School District Board Trustee Jaria Jaug, the only Generation Z member in the panel, also shared her motivation in running for public office at a young age.
“When I was researching, I learned that there has not actually been a Filipino American woman congressmember. I thought to myself: How could that be? How is it that we give so much to our u PAGE 7
GOVERNMENT lawyers lament that the International Criminal Court is rushing the Philippines in its probe of thousands of deaths in the campaign against illegal drugs waged by Rodrigo Duterte when he was president and before that, mayor of Davao City.
On Tuesday, March 28 the ICC announced its rejection of the Philippine appeal to suspend its probe pending a final ruling on the request of its chief prosecutor to proceed with a full-blown investigation of the deaths in Duterte’s so-called war on drugs. The ICC stressed that the rejection of the suspension must not be construed as a ruling on the merits of the chief prosecutor’s request.
drug war believe, and must show that justice is possible for other suspected victims of extrajudicial killings. Critics also lament that accountability has been limited to minor players in the anti-drug campaign.
Nevertheless, with the rejection of the Philippines’ appeal, President Marcos said the country has no more moves left and is “disengaging” from the ICC, as he deplored its “interference and, practically, attacks on the sovereignty of the republic.”
If the ICC proceeds with its formal probe, the Philippines cannot stop it, but the government can refuse to cooperate. The government, however, cannot stop private individuals from providing information to the ICC or participating in the probe.
Rejecting ICC jurisdiction and refusing to cooperate should not mean stopping the country’s efforts to unearth the truth about possible abuses in the war on drugs, and to give justice to victims. Several former police anti-narcotics operatives have been convicted and sent to prison for the execution of teenage drug suspects.
The government must dispel perceptions that these cases were no mere tokens, as critics of the
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra has said that the government is still trying to put together a broader picture of what happened, to determine if there is basis for allegations that drug suspects were summarily executed in a state-sanctioned systematic campaign that might constitute a crime against humanity. Guevarra has not ruled out the possible accountability of higher officials. He has expressed openness to the creation of an independent fact-finding or truth commission, but only if the members and the appointing power will be Filipinos.
The conviction of the former policemen for the execution of the teenage drug suspects showed that abuses were indeed committed in carrying out what the government insists were legitimate law enforcement operations. The country’s “disengagement” from the ICC need not lead to a stalemate in the pursuit of justice. The wheels of Philippine justice can and must continue to turn, preferably at a quicker pace and with greater resolve to unearth the truth. (Philstar.com)
HOLDING that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was pursuant to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the United States and the Philippines, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of EDCA, maintaining that it was not EDCA that allowed foreign troops into the country but the Visiting Forces Agreement. This too was the subject of constitutional litigation, and the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality. The VFA case was itself interesting because it squarely dealt with the issue that while for the Philippines, it was a treaty, for the U.S., it was an executive agreement. The Supreme Court, relying largely on the representation of the U.S. government that it
conducted most of its foreign affairs in executive agreements, ruled that for as long as the agreement "had the effect of a treaty" on the U.S., the requirements of the Philippine Constitution were met.
It ruled that the EDCA was an executive agreement entered into by the president in implementation of existing treaties and statutes — and was therefore properly the subject of an executive agreement that called for no Senate concurrence.
Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared that he favors the implementation of the agreement, the next issue is deciding on where the military exercises take place and where the American troops are to temporarily make camp. Some local government officials have voiced misgivings, claiming that their constituents do not want to be caught between warring factions. Of course, there is no war, neither is there an imminent threat of one. China, it should not be surprising, is vehemently against EDCA and
has warned the Philippines against engaging in military exercises with the Americans, but it would be as detrimental to our sovereignty as a nation to buckle down because China has bared its fangs.
In fact, it has done so many times in the past, and for all the rhetoric and the bombast from our end following incursions of China into maritime zones in the West Philippine Sea over which the Philippines has sovereign rights, we have done very little to put China in its place. Perhaps we have decided that we cannot do it, and that is probably right — strategically. But that is the reason that aside from strategic action, there is normatively regulated action: action that arises from norms and is sanctioned by them. If the only kind of action there was strategic, then certainly it would be foolhardy for the Philippines to even attempt to stand in the way of a giant like China. But the moment we adopt this posture, then small, weak, powerless nations do not stand a chance against the bullying of
the huge and the mighty — and that is certainly no world order that is a welcome proposition to any state, or to anyone, for that matter!
That is what I have always insisted about the arbitral decision in the case between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China. It transposes the exchange from the level of strategy to the level of normativity. It asks about the norms of conduct by which both parties must regulate their actions — and the pronouncement of the tribunal leaves no doubt that the rights are on our side, and that China has been — and remains — in violation of law. In blatant transgression of the tribunal's judgment, it has converted features into military bastions and taken its firepower closer to the Philippines. Now, it tells us that we should not allow Americans to challenge her dominance over the troubled waters on our western seaboard? By what logic? By what law? And by what inanity should we, Filipinos, insist that
China means well, and that it would not be in our interest to provoke her by joining with Americans in military exercises.
No, America is not the lilywhite hegemon with motives pure and intentions immutably fair. It has had its own share of shenanigans and doubledealing. But its sins are not the issue here. The point is whether it makes sense to desist from alliances with the United States in respect to this very limited field of defense preparedness and readiness at China's bidding, the very country that has thumbed its nose at international law and our rights? Some local officials have reportedly profited from deals made with Chinese corporations over resources of the country within their respective constituencies. If so, then their opposition to EDCA and to military exercises in their localities is as unprincipled as their shady deals.
It is not a question of canonizing one hegemon as good and the other as evil. No one is engaged in such
childish characterizations. What we have to do with rather is the stark reality that China has fired water cannons at our fishing boats, shooed our fishermen away from the Scarborough Shoal, cordoned off reefs and features well within our exclusive economic zone and simply shoved aside a legally rendered judgment of a competent tribunal that had adjudicated on our rights over this section of the sea. And then there is the useful point made by Foucault that after the Treaty of Westphalia, balance of power has become a crucial consideration, and the painful, hurtful and disappointing events of late in this part of the world have warned us quite clearly I think about the deleteriousness of a lack of balance! (ManilaTimes.net)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph
THE distinction between an American party and a Filipino party, according to friends and relatives who have been at both types of parties, is that in Filipino celebrations, the center is the food offerings. Guests are encouraged to eat more and are even offered to take home some of the food that is served.
According to the doyenne of Philippine cuisine, the late Doreen Gamboa Fernandez, in Metro Manila and large urban centers, parties serve traditional Filipino offerings and other cuisine like Chinese style noodles, Spanish paella, American burgers and steaks, Japanese sushi and sashimi, Korean barbecue, British fish and chips and other cuisines native to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Italy, Middle East, Mexico and other nationalities. The food selections in the upper class Metro Manila household may be considered as eclectic. But Fernandez has observed that even decades ago, away from major urban
centers, it is still mostly native cuisine in all its regional variations that are the daily fare. However, in the last decade or so, it has been observed that Filipino cuisine has increased in stature and has even begun to be internationally recognized. Several decades ago, Filipino cuisine was considered as food for daily consumption. Today, we have television shows that focus on Filipino cuisine with its different variations.
My favorite show is “Chasing Flavors” hosted by Claude Tayag, the well-known Filipino and Kapampangan food gourmet. His show centers on his travels to various regions where he goes out of his way to look for distinctive regional variations. There are now more authors that have written about our native cuisine. There are even authors that have explained and written narratives on Philippine culture as defined by the food that is indigenous to the culture. Some of these authors are Felice P. Sta. Maria and Fernando N. Zialcita.
However, the pioneer in Filipino culinary history is Doreen Gamboa Fernandez. Among her books are Tikim
(Taste), a collection of essays on Filipino book and culture written before her death on June 24, 2002. This was revised and updated in 2020. It is amazing that the essays in the book have remained relevant to the Filipino culinary scene as of this date.
Alfred Yuson wrote in the introduction to the book:
“Throughout this collection of food essays, features and formal papers culled from a quarter century of authoritative writing, the author repeatedly stresses that what we eat has history behind it, is premised on setting and has a meaning beyond its taste and flavor.”
Fernandez, in her book, also quoted from cultural icons like E. Aguilar Cruz and Martin Tinio. Among her most quotable quotes are from her co-author for several books, cultural researcher and food expert, the late Edilberto Alegre, who said, “… that if Ilocanos favor the bitter (as in pinakbet and the famous pinapaitan, a goat dish with the bile sauce), the Tagalogs the sour (katamtamang asim in sinigang) and many Bicolanos the hot (Bicol express is a dish of sautéed chili peppers),
the Ilonggos have their own predilection. For them, no large dominant flavor but layers and nuances prized over predominance of flavor.”
In this collection of essays, Fernandez dedicates it to her parents, Dr. Alicia Lucero Gamboa of Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and Aguinaldo S. Gamboa of Silay, Negros Occidental. The essays are divided into four categories, namely Food and Flavors; People and Places; Books and other Feasts and Food in Philippine History.
The first essay is seemingly timeless and one of the most interesting. The title is “Balut to Barbecue: Philippine Street Food.” She writes: “Street food in the Philippines is not only a convenience for those without time to cook or an economic phenomenon that flourishes during hard times. It is a convenience.”
She categorizes Philippine street food from the points of view from place and manner of vending. The first category is the Walking Street Food. Among the examples she gives are the peanut vendors selling in street corners, the taho vendors who sell in residential areas and the vendor on a
bicycle moving from place to place.
The second category includes the Sitting Vendors offering baskets or trays of products like rice cakes, syrup-coated bananas or banana cues, pork barbecue and quail eggs.
Next are the Market and Church Yard Food whose food wares depend on the time of the day. It begins with breakfast, then are replaced by snacks and then lunchtime fare, primarily noodles, fish and meat dishes. It ends with snack foods.
The next are School Street Food, which are found outside every elementary, high school and college. Their offerings range from boiled corn, “dirty” ice cream, fish balls and cheap lunches with plenty of rice.
The next category is Food at Office and Factory sites. These are jeepneys or small vans from the back of which one can buy a variety of fare, ranging from sandwiches to lunch dishes.
Today, office workers refer to these as Jollijeeps.
Among the other interesting essays are the Flavors of Negros, the Filipino Kitchen, the Restaurant of Yesteryears and Mother Cuisine.
From a historical point of view, Fernandez also wrote a lengthy essay on Philippine foodways answering the question, what is Filipino food? Among the most typical and widespread examples of Filipino cuisine, she cites two. The first is the sinigang, which is meat, fish or seafood stewed in sour broth with vegetables. The second is kinilaw which has uncooked fish marinated in vinegar or lime juice.
At the end, Fernandez states that Filipino cuisine persists despite efforts by colonization and neo-colonization, unchanged in its traditional ways or slightly changed with its contact with other cultures. She says: “Its vigor augurs well and offers much hope for the folklore, the folkways, the folk art and the folk culture which many have feared are too fragile to survive modernity and global tides.” (Philstar. com)
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* The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
Email: elfrencruz@gmail.com
MANILA — The Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) exercises this year between the Philippines and United States will be showing the “whole-of-alliance” approach in exploring combat and defense practices, analysts said.
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, March 28 released an
Administrative Order creating a special Inter-Agency Task Force to ensure the unhampered preparations of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' (SBP) for the country's hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August.
Signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 27, AO
No. 5 states that the Task Force shall be chaired by the Philippine Sports Commission chairman with the heads or designated representatives of
the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Health, Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways, Tourism, Transportation, Customs and Immigration as well as the Philippine National Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority as members. The Task Force will streamline, integrate, harmonize and coordinate all government efforts with the plans and programs of the SBP for the "effective preparation and successful participation of all delegates in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023."
All heads of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, and state universities and colleges were ordered to extend full support and assistance to the PSC and SBP.
"The successful organization and hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 requires the involvement, coordination, and support of all concerned government agencies, local government units, and the private sector," the order said.
The order takes effect immediately. g
MANILA — Nine out of 10 Filipinos approve the voluntary use of masks, but most of them continue to wear face coverings outdoors, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations showed.
Results of a December 10 to 14 survey released late Monday, March 27 found that 91% of the 1,200 adults polled nationwide approve the order making the wearing of face masks indoors and outdoors voluntary.
Of those, 64% said they “strongly approve” and 27% said they “somewhat approve.”
Only 3% of Filipinos said they somewhat disapprove” and only 1% said they “strongly disapprove.”
The survey also found that 54% of the respondents said they always wear a face mask
when leaving the house. Twentytwo percent answered “most of the time” and 15% answered “sometimes.”
Only eight percent said they “rarely” wear a mask when leaving their homes, and one percent answered “never.”
Filipinos are still required to wear masks in public transportation and in medical settings.
The Philippines has so far confirmed more than four million COVID-19 cases, including over 66,000 deaths, since the health crisis began in early 2020. There are currently 8,626 active cases in the country.
Masks for kids
Ninety-one percent of the household heads in the country agree with the voluntary wearing
of masks for children in faceto-face classes, the survey also showed.
Of those, 65% said they “strongly agree”, 26% said they “somewhat agree”, 3% said they “somewhat disagree” and 2% said they “strongly disagree.”
Eighty-one percent of the household heads said they will always make their child wear a face mask when going to school. Eleven percent answered “most of the time” and 5% said “sometimes.”
Only 3% percent said they will “rarely” make their kid wear a mask in school, and 0.5% answered “never.”
The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews.
The sampling error margin is ±2.8% nationwide. (Philstar.com)
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are "partners" in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos (OFs), Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said. Manalo made the remark when he met with Migrant Workers Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople to discuss the turnover of the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) duties from the DFA to the DMW.
The DFA on Twitter said Manalo assured Ople that the two departments "are partners in the third pillar of the Philippine foreign policy," which is the protection of OFWs.
Manalo on Tuesday, March 28 hosted a working lunch for Ople and other DMW officials to strengthen capabilities for
providing ATN to distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The government's ATN program started in 1995.
In the past 27 years, the Philippines has "achieved recognition from other countries in taking action to assist distressed overseas Filipinos, majority of them OFWs," the DFA said.
Under Republic Act (RA) 11641 creating the DMW, the DFA will continue to provide ATN services to overseas Filipinos who are not OFWs.
It will also continue its ATN services for OFWs in jurisdictions where there are no resident migrants workers Offices (MWOs) formerly Philippine overseas labor offices (POLOs).
Manalo and Ople tackled the transition of ATN functions to DMW, including the training of
This year’s exercises will see the participation of 17,680 military personnel — 12,000 from the U.S., 5,000 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and 111 from the Australian forces. This is nearly twice as many as last year’s 9,000 troops who participated in drills across Luzon. And with “whole-of-alliance” approach in this year’s exercises, the combat and defense practices will make use of not only the Philippine facilities, which the United States have access to, but also share tactics with each other as troops emphasize interoperability.
Chester Cabalza, founder and president of International Development and Security Cooperation, noted the use of the Philippine rotational sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and the simulation of naval warfare.
“It can be construed as a wholeof-alliance approach and stronger strategic partnership since likeminded nations are expected to share combat experiences and defense best practices mainly due to geopolitical circumstances and not on ideological issues,” Cabalza told Philstar.com.
This means going beyond issues with or involving China. With new exercises such as a simulation of naval warfare exercises and highlighting the AFP’s role in territorial defense, Cabalza said this year’s Balikatan will help troops familiarize themselves with possible strategies to defend the country’s seas.
U.S. President Joe Biden has said he wants to establish stronger ties with the Philippines under the new administration following “rocky times” in the Duterte years. Since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took office, multiple high-ranking officials, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, have
visited the Philippines to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to its treaty partner and former colony.
Warmer ties with U.S.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “independent foreign policy” saw warmer ties with China and a declared “separation from the United States both in the military…not social, but economics also.” Duterte also threatened to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows the joint exercises in the Philippines. He later rescinded the order to terminate the agreement, citing U.S. assistance during the pandemic.
With the large contingent joining this year’s exercises, this could provide a learning opportunity for all countries observing the Balikatan. Aside from Australia, representatives from Japan and the United Kingdom will be observers at the joint military drills.
“We can consider this as another manifestation of an ‘accommodationist’ Philippine foreign policy towards the U.S. –a label that can be used for our China policy under Duterte,” WR Numero Research CEO Robin Michael Garcia told Philstar.com in a text message.
“We are shifting more towards the U.S. under the presidency of Bongbong Marcos.”
Important military exercise
Analysts noted that the exercise comes at a time of
rapid geopolitical changes in the region, taking note of developments in the South China Sea as well as the entire Indo-Pacific region as well as the possibility of Chinese action along the Taiwan Strait.
Cabalza noted that China is becoming a “major military threat” in the South China Sea. China has repeatedly said that is not seeking hegemony in the region but that it will take steps to defend its interests.
The Asia Power Index by Australia-based think tank The Lowy Institute previously noted that while China continues to gain power over its neighboring countries in the region, the United States remains the most influential country in Asia. The institute further explained that while China is gaining influential momentum, other countries do not trust Beijing as much.
However, Cabalza pointed out that the exercises go beyond China’s perceived threats in the region.
“It is not centered on containing China per se, but it will be a military exercise on familiarity on the ground and leveraging on technological defense equipment,” Cabalza said, noting that it is the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ chance to show its “biggest venture of transformation from internal security operations to territorial defense.” g
PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA
PLANONG AKSIYON NG CDBG SA FY 2023-24
DMW personnel, exchange of information on ATN processes and organization development.
They also discussed close cooperation between Philippine embassies, consulates, and MROs.
The DMW chief has also confirmed that the Aksyon Fund was already being utilized.
The Aksyon (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan) Fund was created under RA 11641 for the DMW's ATN services for OFWs.
In anti-trafficking efforts, effective cooperation among all the member agencies of the Interagency Council Against Trafficking resulted in the Philippines achieving and maintaining Tier 1 status in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report from 2017 to 2022, the DFA said. (ManilaTimes. net)
communities and to our country, and yet we are not represented at the table? That’s what really struck me that [the government] is an area where I can bring my voice to the table,” Board
Trustee Jaug said.
Former New Haven Unified School District Board Trustee Linda Canlas said that one of her priorities during her time in the Alameda County-based school board is pushing for more inclusion in the education curriculum.
“Some people who would see themselves in the textbooks, their pictures and their colors, get interested more when they see themselves in the books… Everybody who came [in America] played a role in being a part of this history. Once students understand that they are part of history, student achievement increases… Safety increases when the students in our classrooms are happy and are focused on whatever they are doing,” former Board
Trustee Canlas explained.
Berryessa Union School District Board Trustee Thelma Boac is confident that women
and women of color can break glass and bamboo ceilings, and can overcome the challenges that come their way.
“I never listened to people telling me what I can and what I cannot do... If you want to go higher, you have to be comfortable in your own skin. My mother taught me: ‘Never be ashamed because you didn’t steal anything, you’ve never been to jail. Why in the world should you be ashamed?’” Board Trustee Boac said.
Vallejo Vice Mayor Rozzana Verder-Aliga, the first elected Filipina American leader in Solano County, shared how her Filipino ancestry and heritage influenced her decisions and actions as a government official and public servant.
“It is the values that I learned from my parents: love for God, family and community. If you subscribe to these three tenets, you got it. You got to do what you need to do to help others, and make our community and this world a better place,” Vice Mayor Verder-Aliga said.
Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano, the Consulate’s highest ranking woman
official, closed the “Women in Government” forum by underscoring that there is still more work to be done in the fight for gender empowerment and equality, citing United Nations data between women and men in terms of education, access to resources, and decision-making roles in government.
“An important aspect of this fight is changing mindsets, of both women and men, to enable us to see and believe with conviction that women are equal to men, in terms of their capacity to contribute towards economic growth and development and in making a positive change in society. Only then shall we be able to take a concerted effort to mainstream women in policy and law, in programs and services, in access to education and resources, and in leadership and governance,” Deputy Consul General Solano said.
The “Women in Government” forum may be viewed in its entirety on the video tab of the Consulate’s official Facebook page: http://www.facebook. com/PHinSF/videos/. (PCGSF Release)
Ang Lungsod ng Alameda (Lungsod) ay isang Lungsod ng Karapatan sa Programang Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (Community Development Block Grant, CDBG) ng Kagawaran ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Kalunsuran (Housing and Urban Development, HUD) ng U.S. Sa ika-2 ng Mayo, 2023, susuriin ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang iminumungkahing Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2023-24. Ang Taunang Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2023-24 ay nagtatatag ng plano ng Lungsod para sa pagtugon sa Mga Pangangailangan ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad kabilang ang paggamit ng mga pondo ng CDBG at Programa sa Mga Pakikipagsosyo sa HUD ng HUD (HOME). Ang mga ispesipikong layunin para sa darating na taon ay tutugunan sa Planong Aksiyon na sasaklaw sa panahon na ika-1 ng Hulyo, 2023 hanggang ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2024. Ang iminumungkahing Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2023-24 ay maglalaan ng humigit-kumulang sa $1,123,711sa Mga Pondo ng Karapatan ng CDBG at tinatantiyang $60,000 na Kita ng Programa ng CDBG at humigit-kumulang $238,909 ng mga pondo ng HOME.
MAKUKUHA PARA SA PAGSUSURI NG PUBLIKO
Simula Marso 31, 2023, ang Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2023-24, kabilang ang mga detalye ng pagpopondo, sa website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa www.alamedaca.gov
PAGKAKATAON NA MARINIG
Ang publiko ay hinihimok at iniimbitahan na lumahok sa Planong Aksiyon na proseso ng pagpopondo ng CDBG/HOME at upang magkomento sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad, nang pabigkas o nakasulat, sa mga sumusunod na nakatakdang Pampublikong Pagdinig:
5/2/2023 7:00 p.m. Pulong ng Konseho ng Lungsod: , Pampublikong pagdinig na nauukol sa FY 2023-24 na Iminumungkahing Planong Aksiyon para sa mga Pederal na pondo ng CDBG at HOME. Para mapanood ang pampublikong pagdinig, bisitahin ang website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa: alameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Puwedeng isumite ang mga komento tungkol sa iminumungkahing sa Plano ng Pagkilos kay Amanda Olson sa (510) 747-6883, o clerk@alamedaca.gov (email). Pakibigay ang mga komento bago ang 4:00 p.m. sa Mayo 2, 2023. Pakikinggan ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at isasaalang-alang nito ang pagpapatibay sa sa Plano ng Pagkilos sa regular na pagpupulong nito nang 7:00 p.m. sa Mayo 2, 2023. Hinihikayat ang publiko na dumalo at makilahok.
MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN
Kung ang sinumang taong interesado sa paglahok sa nabanggit na pederal na programa ay isang taong may kapansanan tulad ng tinutukoy sa Seksyon 504 ng Rehabilitation Act of 1974, at nangangailangan siya ng tulong para makalahok o makialam, puwedeng humiling para sa tulong kay Amanda Olson sa (510) 747-6883, o sa pamamagitan ng email sa aolson@alamedaca. gov. Kasama dapat sa nasabing kahilingan ang paglalarawan ng hinihinging tulong, kasama ang paghahayag ng kapansanang dahilan ng pangangailangan ng tulong. Susuriin ang anumang kahilingan para sa tulong at may sagot na ibibigay sa loob ng limang araw ng negosyo mula sa pagtanggap ng nasabing kahilingan. Agad na ibibigay sa humiling ang abiso ng anumang ibibigay na tulong.
MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG ENGLISH
Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may network ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na puwedeng magsilbing tagapagsalin para sa mga residenteng nanghihingi ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung maaabisuhan nang maaga nang dalawang araw ng negosyo, maghahanda ang Lungsod ng tagapagsalin. Makipag-ugnayan kay Amanda Olson sa (510) 747-6883, o sa pamamagitan ng email sa aolson@alamedaca.gov.
PATAKARAN SA HINDI PANGDIDISKRIMINA
Hindi nandidiskrimina ang Lungsod ng Alameda ng sinumang tao batay sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, pinagmulang bansa, ancestry, biyolohikal na kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, katauhang pangkasarian (gender identity), ikinikilos na kasarian (gender expression), sekswal na oryentasyon (sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, pinagmumulan ng kita, genetic na impormasyon, medikal na kundisyon, kapansanan sa pangangatawan o pag-iisip, o anupamang kategoryang pinoprotektahan ng batas.
Friday, March 31,
BY MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS
cookbook.
FILIPINO American Abi
Balingit’s unlikely journey as a cookbook author began when she posted photos of Lao Gan Ma spicy chili crisp cupcakes that she made. Her now-literary agent reached out and asked if she was interested in writing a
“I wasn’t thinking about writing a cookbook at all but obviously I was like ‘yeah, why not?’ she told the Asian Journal This was a few months into the pandemic, around September 2020, and about a month since
she started her baking blog called The Dusky Kitchen out of her apartment in Brooklyn.
Two-and-a-half years later and Balingit is a newly-minted accidental author with her book ‘Mayumu: Filipino Desserts Remixed”. The book is a nice combination of remixed Filipino American dessert recipes and
essays on her Filipino American experience.
As a pandemic project, her blog became an outlet to share her baking journey and the pasalubong treat boxes she sold to benefit some nonprofit organizations that she supported.
“I used baking as a tool to cope. I’m really glad that baking was there and through the blog, it was also a way to connect with people outside of my apartment and the people I already knew,” she explained.
Balingit has been baking since she was 13. She humbly rated herself a seven when I asked her.
“I was self-taught. I had just learned on YouTube and my mom showed me some things like Filipino recipes,” she said. “There’s so much more for me to still learn even after doing this book and baking is so precise and such a science that I definitely learned a lot while doing research for it.”
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Balingit feels that all her influences have contributed to developing her palate and her taste and those are what she offers in the book.
“Growing up in California and even living in New York, you’re exposed to so many different cultures here and you get to try so much different food. And so I think a lot of the inspiration that I got was from childhood nostalgia and meeting new people and trying other people’s food,” she said. “I do like how certain flavors can play together but still trying to like respect where things come from.”
She cited the sapin-sapin as an example.
“The hardest thing to explain about the book is like, I try really hard to you know, be intentional about where these flavors are coming from and to show sapinsapin I know is like ube, jackfruit, and macapuno I think are the three flavors and that’s usually purple, orange and white, but you know there’s so much more you can do with those different layers.
For her, these layers are a good opening for other people who may not have tried Filipino desserts before. In her book, Balingit made it Strawberry Shortcake Sapin Sapin (Layered Rice Cake) with layers of red strawberry, white vanilla and brown molasses.
With her book, Balingit says she wants to offer options to home bakers so they can use whatever is accessible or familiar to them. Because she created her remixed and reimagined version of some traditional Filipino pastries and desserts, she is ready when she encounters comments with negative connotations such as “Adobo cookies, of course, she’d do that because she’s Fil-Am.”
“I think a lot of the savory combinations that I come up with, it’s like, you know, I don’t want you to taste, to bite into and be like ‘Ugh!” I would never put ratios that are too much, I don’t want you to feel like you’re eating it with rice but that it’s the flavor inspiration,” she said.
‘Bahala ka sa buhay mo’
Balingit learned a lot of life lessons from her parents Arnel and Angelita, which is why she chose Mayumu as the book’s title to honor her parents’ mother tongue – the word means sweet in Kapampangan. She memorialized one of these life lessons in her book, which she dedicated to them. She wrote: ‘To my parents. You told me “Bahala ka sa buhay mo!” So I did.’
A rough translation would be “Do whatever you want with your life” and parents usually deliver this line to their wayward children.
“I think that’s mostly what my parents say when they’re mad at me. It’s always like what are you gonna do, what are you doing, are you going out, are you doing this? I always think about that a lot,” she explained. “They just want you to succeed and you know, it’s not always positive but
Abi Balingitit’s always with good intentions.”
Balingit took that to heart and despite having a business degree, she set forth into the field of baking and it is a journey she’s enjoying to the hilt.
“There are things that your parents would want for you but I think that you’re only happiest when you can do the things that you personally want. And by that point, they’ll be happy for you,” she added. “Baking is a passion but I still do everything to stay stable until I am financially secure.”
She also fondly remembers her mom telling her ‘Do your best and God will do the rest’ while her dad would tell her to just be good to other people a major life lesson that she learned at such a young age through the folk story about the monkey and the turtle that her dad used to tell her as a kid. Her parents inculcated in her to lead her life with kindness and do good for others and that’s what she has been doing with her baking. The joy of doing it is sharing the stuff that she has created with other people and one way to do that is through the book. Another way is that every time she holds a pop-up, she tries her best to donate proceeds to mutual aid organizations.
California homecoming
After a couple of events in New York earlier this month, Balingit is all set to fly to California to do a mini book tour to launch the book.
“In my heart and my feelings, I feel very proud and very excited,” she told us. “My parents have a book already and they’re reading it right now. But it’s really special to come homeI’m the only one here on the East Coast right now and it’s been six years of me living here.”
She knew from the get-go her primary market and she made sure her publishers knew about it.
“I was very upfront and I was like, obviously personally, I want Filipinos… to make the Filipino Americans as the most specific target but I hope that this is also to all bakers out there,” she said.
“I don’t think there’s any reason why anyone should turn an eye and be like, ‘Oh, I’m not Filipino and I have a Filipino cookbook’ because I think there’s genuine curiosity across every type of baker and every different level of baker. So I think this book appeals to hopefully everyone,” she added.
Balingit was on a vacation in Key West, Florida with her
boyfriend as a celebration of their fifth anniversary. Her editor emailed her saying that she has the first copies of the book and it was sent to her by mail.
“I was so excited and I cried,” she said, recalling the moment. “A lot of people compare writing a book to literally having a baby because it’s such a long gestation period.”
“Holding the book for the first time was just surreal. I think it was like a pinch yourself kind of thing because I just didn’t think it’d ever be done, to be honest.”
The sweet test
Balingit admits that as a young kid, she loved everything sweet, from candies and cakes to pastries. As she grew up, her taste matured as well.
“Now my favorite thing to say is like that’s not too sweet, that’s so good and that’s a major compliment, you know. And I think a lot of the times like American desserts are traditionally a bit sweeter,” she shared.
This is the reason why among the 75 recipes included in her book, some have savory influences, like the aforementioned Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookies. Then there’s Miso Caramelized White Chocolate Champorado with Pork Floss, Kare-Kare Cookies, Stamped CalamansiFish Sauce Shortbread, Spicy Bagoong Caramels, and Sampalok Tajin Snickerdoodle, among others.
It was a conscious effort on her part to create these recipes that are not too sweet so she found ways to cut the sweetness by adding salty and savory components to balance things out.
Asked about what’s in store for the future for her, Balingit said she is open to everything. Some people have asked her to open a café to showcase all her treats, and others have suggested a follow-up book.
“I still want to love baking, I think that’s what I want to continue to do,” she said. “But it’s also about finding that delicate balance. I think maybe the right time will come for me to do all these things.”
“It’s interesting how it wasn’t always my intention to write a book, it wasn’t my intention to have this blow up the way that it did. But I’m really grateful for it,” Balingit added. “But it’s more like, I’m letting the tide take me and that’s how I want the future to be so I will never say no to anything.”
PATRICK was petitioned for a green card by his aunt as a cook for her restaurant. Interestingly, not many people are aware that family members can petition
other family members for an employment-based green card, provided it is a real job and the employer is earning enough to pay the worker’s salary.
After establishing that the position at his aunt’s restaurant was a bona fide job, and after the aunt was able to provide PAGE 10
FORMER American Ninja Warrior, Wipeout finalist and rare disease warrior Pamela Price ran 340 grueling miles from the Santa Monica Pier to the Las Vegas sign with Team Unlimited Women for The Speed Project relay race.
Pamela is mixed Filipina American and ran alongside Korean American, Rosa Kwak (winner of Ventura Marathon) and Chloe Ang who also represents the Filipino running community.
In 51 hours, Pamela endured freezing temperatures, high elevation, desert heat and high winds as she and her teammates proved that women can do anything they set their mind to. The Speed Project included 65 teams from 12 countries.
Departing at 4AM from the Santa Monica Pier, Pamela took on relay segments, from fast 1 mile repeats for 24 miles in Death Valley to long 8-mile race segments at sunrise.
A trained dancer, Pamela traded in her pointe shoes for sneakers after discovering her love for distance running.
Diagnosed with Behçet's disease in 2013, a rare autoimmune disorder caused by inflammation of the blood vessels, Pamela lives with permanent nerve damage on her right side.
Scouted for NBC's hit show, American Ninja Warrior, she also starred in TBS' reboot of Wipeout, making it to the finals. Suffering from multiple concussions and a rotator cuff injury, Pamela continues to compete, run the mountains of SoCal and rock climb.
She has finished first place at races such as Valencia Trail Race, Spacerock Trail Race, Spartan Trail and Tougher Mudder. Off the course, she is the senior executive producer
Women
of the Hollywood Beauty Awards, known as the 'Oscars of beauty' and a journalist/Vice President of the daily news site, LATFusa.com.
In 2020, Pamela launched the care package community and rare disease resource program: We Care When
You Flare, operated under WE CARE WHEN Inc. She is an active member of The American Behcet’s Disease Association and activist for the #BehcetsWarrior community, corresponding with women and men living with Behcet’s Disease around the world.
MARCO Gumabao opened up about his rumored romance with Cristine Reyes and said that while the two of them share something “special,” he currently does not want to put any label on it because it “puts a lot of pressure” on a relationship. Gumabao and Reyes sparked dating speculations after they were spotted together in Siargao, and were seen holding hands while out in Makati. The actor was then asked about their relationship status during a press conference of the TV series “Kurdapya” last Thursday, March 23. "Basta you’ll find out when the time is right,” he answered. “Hindi naman sa hindi pa right time [ngayon] pero siguro, we’re just enjoying ‘yung time namin na kami muna, na wala munang nakikiusyoso.” (It’s not like it’s not the right time yet, but maybe we’re just enjoying our time with just the two of us, with no one meddling.)
Gumabao continued that he prefers to keep his love life private because he does not
want other people chiming in on his relationship. Gumabao also described the actress as a “wife material,” adding that there’s nothing wrong with dating a single parent.
“Happy naman kami sa tahimik na buhay,” he stated.
“Hindi naman kami nagde-deny ni Cristine. Of course, napagusapan na rin namin to, we’re not denying anything… Parang mas masarap lang na private at walang nakiki-ano.”
(We are happy with our quiet life. Cristine and I are not denying anything. Of course, we already talked about this. We’re not denying anything. I just feel
like it’s better to keep this private so no one will [meddle in our relationship].)
“What we have now is special, I can say. Ayoko munang magsabi ng mga label-label na ganyan (I do not want to say anything about labels just yet),” he added. “For me, labels put a lot of pressure on your relationship. Basta ako, kaming dalawa, happy kami.” (The two of us are happy.)
Reyes, who shares her daughter Amarah with her exhusband Ali Khatibi, has yet to publicly speak up about her rumored romance with Gumabao as of this writing.
FIRING squad – drug
shortage
“Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed a bill that will allow for executions to be carried out by firing squads, as the nationwide shortage of lethalinjection drugs continues.” (AP)
D3 wonders
Vitamin D 3 supplement has been shown in a study of 12,000 older adults to lower the risk for dementia by 40 percent, compared to people of the same age who did not take the D3 supplement, according to the University of Calgary in Canada and the University Exeter in England and co-authors.
This sunshine vitamin is also known to boost the immune system, improves brain function, prevent osteoporosis, manage blood pH level, prevents rickets (softening bones), strengthens bones, prevents certain types of cancer, boosts mood, lowers risk for diabetes, aids in weight loss, fights inflammation, helps lowers blood pressure, and might help lower risk for heart disease.
CPAP and SPO2 monitoring
CPAP (Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure) is the gold standard and the only effective way to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Worldwide estimate is about one billion (1/8 of the global population), between ages 30-69, have varying degrees of OSA. In the United States, there are around 18 million people with sleep apnea, 6.2 percent of the US population, or 1 in 15 Americans.
In the Philippines, about 11.3 million, have OSA, 10 million with insomnia, and 46 percent of the population (about 114 million) do not get enough sleep, one of highest sleep-deprived nation in Asia.
A significant number of OSA patients on CPAP therapy have not been monitored around the clock (continuous SPO2+heart rate monitoring also while asleep). SPO2 is the blood level of oxygen (O2 saturation, which is normally between 95 and 100 percent, ideally). Patients on CPAP should undergo continuous SPO2 monitoring because while CPAP will keep the airway open for good ventilation, it does not improve the SPO2 of those with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that results in poor lung function and leads to low oxygen saturation level).
More than 8 million people in the USA are on CPAP therapy and many of them are also using oxygen with their CPAP.
Wellue brand (CheckMe)
Bluetooth pulse oximeter for SPO2+heart rate monitors (work with a cellphone App to record large data) are available
on Amazon. People who are on CPAP therapy should consult their physician about continuous overnight SPO2 monitoring, even if they do not feel short of breath during the daytime. The monitoring will show how many drops in heart rate and oxygen saturation and how low the O2 level goes down to, while one is asleep. Blood oxygen saturation below 90 is unhealthy, and below that even dangerous. All organs, the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) are deprived of enough oxygen if the SPO2 drops below the normal level.
It is worthwhile to do
SPO2+heart rate monitoring while asleep because it is noninvasive; just wear the monitor like a watch and put the detector ring around one of the fingers for one week or so. This is just a precaution to prevent a potentially serious problem during sleep.
Silicone butt injections
To improve the butt and achieve a JLo butt admired by women, silicone could be injected to buttocks to achieve a more attractive, sexy, protuberant derriere.
But hold it, and listen to this warning from a model and TV personality Blac Chyna, who sounded an alarm about the potential risks and sideeffects of silicone butt or breast injections. They include longterm pain, infections, scarring and permanent disfigurement, embolism (blood clots blocking blood vessels), stroke, and even death. These complications were also found after liposuction procedures. To undergo a cosmetic procedure that could be potentially deadly is obviously unwise and a waste of money.
Life and health first before beauty.
Sleep and heart health
A new study on 300,000 people revealed that poor sleep is associated with a shorter lifetime for heart health. It also suggests people with sleep apnea, especially untreated, are at a higher risk for poorer cardiac health. People who slept poorly had two years less of heart health, meaning they developed cardiac disease two sooner than those who were sleeping well, achieving restorative rest. The research was done by the University of Sydney, Australia, and the University of Southern Denmark. A restful sleep is vital to general health. Lack of sleep is like lowbat in devices, with poorer performance and efficiency, and shorter life.
Amazing metformin
A retrospective analysis showed metformin users had a 24 percent reduction in relative risk of developing osteoarthritis. Its versatility as a drug includes improving fertility to increasing lifespan. Metformin is the first drug in the initial treatment of T2 diabetes. It acts to reduce insulin resistance. For our body insulin produced by the beta
cells of our pancreas to work, it must be able to enter (penetrate) the more than 37.2 trillion cells in our body. About 90 percent of T2 diabetics are non-insulin dependent, meaning their body is able to produce insulin, but it is unable to get into the cells (a condition called insulin resistance), so then insulin is unable to be absorbed to do its job in sugar metabolism, resulting in high blood sugar level (known as diabetes T2). Insulin-dependent diabetes is caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin, causing diabetes (about 10 percent of all diabetes). On the other hand, in diabetes due to insulin resistance, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but it is unable to penetrate the cell. Metformin reduces cell resistance, making insulin able to go into the body cells to do its job.
Off-label use of metformin includes weight reduction, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, prevention of pregnancy complications, and obesity. Metformin has also been found to improve executive function skills, learning and memory attention among patients with Alzheimer’s. It is now being tested for the management of inflammation and metabolism conditions.
Those on metformin need Vitamin B-12 supplement. Lactic acidosis, which is rare, should be watched for. Generally, metformin is very safe, the second most common drug prescribed globally (52 percent of all international prescriptions), and taken by more than 120 million people around the world.
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
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additional evidence and documents, the Department of Labor approved the labor certification application, and eventually, the immigrant petition for an alien worker was approved.
Patrick was also able to apply for lawful permanent status and was able get his green card in the U.S. without having to return to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, and his green card was approved without an interview. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, April 2 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
APRIL is Financial Literacy
Month. Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) online tools can help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future. You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount. Your Statement is an easy-to-read summary of the estimated benefits you and your family could receive, including potential retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits. Our Plan for Retirement tool in your personal my Social Security account allows you to check various benefit estimate scenarios. You can compare how different future earnings and retirement benefit startdates might affect your future benefit amount. You, your family and your friends can learn about the
steps you can take to improve your financial knowledge by exploring your own personal my Social Security account. If they don’t have an account, you can easily create one at www.ssa. gov/myaccount.
The SSA also strives to provide the public with accurate and helpful information. In addition to the resources available on our website at www.ssa.gov, we also regularly post useful information on our blog and on social media. We invite you to read our posts and share items of interest with your family and friends.
You can subscribe to our blog. We post articles about programs, policies, current topics, and new online services. Read more and subscribe at blog.ssa.gov.
You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/socialsecurity. You can also share Facebook posts with family and friends. We have many informative
videos on YouTube. Our videos cover online services, applying for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security-related scams, and much more. We also offer some of our videos in Spanish. You can view and easily share our videos at www. youtube.com/SocialSecurity.
You can join our many Twitter followers at www.twitter.com/ socialsecurity. We use Twitter to announce new my Social Security features and other service or program changes.
We’re also on Instagram. We share stories and resources that can help you and your loved ones. Check out our Instagram page at www.instagram.com/ SocialSecurity.
Connect with us on social media to learn helpful information. Follow along and share our pages with a friend, neighbor, or loved one today. Check out all our social media channels at www.ssa.gov/ socialmedia. (Combined SSA Releases)
YOU get your regular shipments of dog food, have your gym membership set to auto-renew each month, and have a free trial subscription to some genealogy site. Helpful, keeps you from having to remember to pay every month, lets you try new stuff for free. But what about when you want to cancel? How is that working for you?
That’s what the FTC is asking as it’s proposing to expand an existing rule to provide people with more protections when they want to cancel a negative option. In non-legal, nonsalesy terms, negative options are the set-it-and-forget-it of the purchasing world: you, Company, will keep sending me
that dog food ‘til I say stop. But when Company decides that, no, they’re still gonna send you dog food, no matter what you say (or until you jump through a million hidden hoops), that’s a problem.
The same goes for that free trial you tried to cancel but Other Company still kept charging you, month after month, for a service you tried and decided it wasn’t for you. These are some types of reports the FTC hears: especially the frustration with not being able to stop the thing you don’t want anymore. And, of course, stop paying for it.
In response, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposes to set requirements that it could enforce to stop more kinds of bad behavior. It also proposes to
tell companies to clearly explain to people what they’re buying, make sure they know what they’re agreeing to, and make it as easy to cancel as it was to sign up.
The rule is still a proposal, and the FTC will soon be taking comments from anybody interested. To comment, check out Regulations.gov and, in the meantime, if you’re stuck in a trial, auto-renewal, or subscription that makes you feel, well, stuck, check out advice from the FTC via https://consumer. ftc.gov/articles/getting-out-freetrials-auto-renewals-negativeoption-subscriptions. And then report it: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (Sam Levine/Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC)
