041024 - Southern California Midweek Edition

‘Love is with me’ – 2nd gen Asian Americans share challenges of care giving for elderly immigrant parents

THE tradition of caring for one’s aging parents is embedded in Asian culture. But 2nd generation AAPIs face multiple challenges in caring for their immigrant parents, including a lack of support, finances, and just plain time.

In its 2020 report: “Asian Americans 65 and Older,” the Administration for Community Living — an agency within the federal Department of Health and Human Services — notes that the Asian American population age 65 and older was 2,492,874 in 2019 and is projected to grow to 7.9 million by 2060. Older AAPIs largely live in three states: California, Texas, and New York, noted the report. More than 9% of the elderly AAPI population lives in poverty, with an average annual income of $30,788, and just $19,561 for older Asian American women. About 25% of Asian American seniors live with their adult children. ‘We Care’ The National Asian Pacific Center

First-ever Listas campaign helps women prepare for emergencies

WOMEN are among the leading groups primed for disaster preparation, according to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).

As a result, CalOES is launching Listas, a first-of-its-kind campaign to empower women with emergency resilience knowledge in the face of disasters ranging from extreme heat to winter storms to wildfires.

At a Thursday, April 4 briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media, a CalOES leader, a state assemblymember and a mother of two who works as a teacher discussed the Listas campaign and how it can empower women as resilience leaders in ethnic communities.

Preparing women for emergencies

The campaign, launched in March during Women’s History Month, builds off of research that identified two key groups of women who would most benefit from disaster preparation resources: “the

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, April 9 said the Philippines will stand against oppression amid "unacceptable" and "unjust" threats to the country's sovereign rights that "have already caused physical harm to our people."

In his speech during the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites in Pilar, Bataan, Marcos called on the Filipinos to never allow oppressors in the country's "own backyard," much like how their forebears fought bravely for freedom and independence.

"Eighty-two years on, our nation remains confronted with novel challenges, in varying forms and degrees, but with the same existential impact. Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights and, in fact, have already caused physical harm to our people," Marcos said.

"These are unacceptable. They are unreasonable and unjust, especially at a time when countries are peacefully working with each other," he added.

The president expressed hope that the bravery of Filipinos who fought in World War II inspires the youth and the next generations to stand up for the country.

MANILA — The Philippines will continue its diplomatic engagement with China so as not to heat up tensions in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday, April 8 as he noted the success of the joint military drills with the U.S., Japan and Australia in Philippine waters over the weekend. Marcos said his administration is exhausting all options to reach out to China’s leadership to prevent further escalation of tension in the West Philippine Sea. “We are trying everything. We still continue to talk at a ministerial level, at a sub-ministerial level, at a people-to-people level,” the president told reporters after attending an event in Bacolod City.

VP Sara still mum on future political plans, says 2028 is still too far ahead

“What we’re doing now, and what we all need to do, is to work first and contribute to nation-building,” she added.

Most preferred

In a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia, Senator Raffy Tulfo and Duterte emerged as the most preferred presidential candidates in 2028. Tulfo garnered a 35 percent preference share among the respondents, while Duterte almost tied at 34 percent.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Leni took the third spot with 11 percent. Earlier this year, Duterte sparked questions about her political plans after declaring that  PAGE 2

“We’re doing everything we can to talk to the Chinese leadership, to Beijing, to tell them not to escalate tensions, to prevent these incidents of ramming vessels and water cannoning,” he said in Filipino. Marcos also hopes the joint military drills held Sunday by the naval forces of the Philippines, U.S., Australia and Japan, dubbed Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, would help lessen tensions in the region.

According to the president, the drills were aimed at strengthening interoperability. “So, I was told it went well,” Marcos said, referring to the MCA.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Australian Defense Force and Japan Self-Defense Forces conducted the first Multilateral

"Just like what our ancestors did, we should not be subjugated and oppressed, especially within our own backyard," Marcos said.

The president also said the nation must leverage the lessons from the past "if we are to safeguard the future of our Republic." He added that the sacrifices of the nation's heroes "must galvanize us, and strengthen our national consciousness and our patriotic spirit."

"Ours is a complicated world today, but we must not yield. We must not back down from any and all challenges that seek to threaten our peace, our  PAGE 2

conducted by the OCTA Research Group.

Results of the March 11 to 14 survey released on Monday, April 8 showed that about 31 percent of the respondents said they support President Ferdind Marcos Jr. and his administration, while 20 percent said they support the Duterte family and their political allies.

Only four percent of the respondents said they support the opposition, while 29 percent said they neither support the Marcos administration, the Duterte family nor the opposition.

Another 15 percent said they do not know or refused to answer the question.

The survey was conducted amid the public disagreements between Marcos and his allies and some members of the Duterte family.

Earlier this year, former President Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA — In hiding after being ordered arrested by a Davao City court for abuse of minors, pastor Apollo Quiboloy “is in no position” to demand conditions “or any kind of guarantee” for his surrender, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday, April 8. “Quiboloy cannot impose any conditions. He must surrender, not according to his terms but according to the terms of the law. The law applies to all, without exception,” Remulla said in a statement.

“We are all equal in the eyes of the law. With all our rights, we also share the burden of responsibility,” he said in a separate statement sent through text to The STAR What the government can guarantee, according to Remulla, is Quiboloy’s safety. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said Quiboloy was wagging the dog with his conditions, and that the government could only promise the pastor fair proceedings. Quiboloy outlined the conditions for his surrender in a 30-minute recorded statement on the YouTube channel of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which he reportedly owns. In his message, Quiboloy said he would not

MANILA — A majority of Filipinos identify themselves either as pro-Marcos administration or pro-Duterte family, with most of them saying they support the current president more than his predecessor, according to a survey on political preference

VP Sara still mum on future political...

she will run for office “in the next elections” in a speech in Davao. But Duterte later claimed that

there was merely a “confusion” in her speech and that the public interpreted her statement in a way they wished to comprehend it.

To date, Duterte has yet to explicitly state her political plans after her term as vice president. g

More Pinoys identify with Marcos than...

publicly criticized his successor over the current administration’s push for Charter change. Duterte even accused Marcos of drug use, although he later denied doing so.

The former president’s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, has called for Marcos’ resignation.

The Department of Justice under the current administration also pursued criminal charges against Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte’s spiritual adviser.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte – who maintains that she remains in good terms with the president – was reported to have had a falling out with Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin and close ally of Marcos.

The vice president also has publicly opposed Charter change, which is primarily being pushed by Romualdez and his allies in Congress.

Across areas, support for the Marcos administration was highest among those in Metro Manila at 43 percent, followed by those in the Visayas at 38 percent, the rest of Luzon at 32 percent and Mindanao at 17 percent.

More than half of the number of respondents from Mindanao – 53 percent – said they support the Duterte family, followed by those in the Visayas at 18 percent, Metro Manila at 14 percent and the rest of Luzon at seven percent.

Support for the “opposition” ranged from three to five percent across areas, while those who were ambivalent were highest among those in the Visayas (35 percent) and the rest of Luzon (33 percent).

In terms of socio-economic class, the Marcos administration obtained its highest support from among those in class D (32 percent), followed by those in class E (30 percent) and class ABC (27 percent).

Support for the Duterte family was highest among class E (30 percent), followed by those in

class D (19 percent) and class ABC (14 percent).

Based on the survey, support for the Marcos administration was highest among middle-aged Filipinos (39 percent for the 55-64 age group and 35 percent for the 45-54 age group), as well as who reached high school (37 percent) or took vocational programs (34 percent).

The Duterte family obtained their highest support from among age groups 25-34 (27 percent) and 65-74 (26 percent), as well as those with no formal education or reached elementary (32 percent).

OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent for national percentages and plus/minus six percent for each of the geographic areas.

Sara: 2028 still a long way down

In a related development, the vice president on Monday shot down talks of running for president in 2028 following a recent preelectoral survey that showed she was statistically tied with Sen. Raffy Tulfo as the current most popular potential candidate to succeed President Marcos. Duterte told reporters that 2028 “is still a long way down for us to talk about it. What we need to do is to continue doing our jobs and working together in nationbuilding.”

The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 6 to 10 showed

Tulfo leading in popularity, with 35 percent of the respondents indicating support for the lawmaker and about 34 percent preferring Duterte.

Pulse Asia said the results are from “rider questions” included in its March 2024 Ulat ng Bayan survey.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent at the 95-percent confidence level.

The vice president’s political plans have been the subject of widespread speculation amid the soured ties between her family and Marcos.

Despite refusing to comment on the recent surveys, Duterte thanked her supporters for their trust in the face of controversies surrounding her and her offices.

Meanwhile, sought for comment on the continued Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the vice president still refused to give remarks and deferred to the statement of her brother Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, where he said questions relating to China should be addressed by concerned government agencies.

“No comment. I think Congressman Paolo’s statement is already comprehensive. That should be answered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the secretary of national defense,” the vice president said.  (With reports from Neil Jayson Servallos)

honor, and our very existence," he added.

While the president did not specify any incident, the speech came a month after the China Coast Guard injured Filipino crew members in a water cannon attack in Ayungin Shoal, a maritime feature within the West Philippine Sea. His speech came two days after the Philippines completed a joint maritime drill with Japan, the United States and Australia. The four countries deployed ships and aircraft in Manila's exclusive economic zone in the first "Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity." The exercise was staged in response to Beijing's aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

On Sunday, April 7, China held its own naval and air patrol in the disputed waters. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the exclusive economic zone of Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines.

Later this week, Marcos will join U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss issues, including the recent incidents in the South China Sea. Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea have increased since Marcos assumed the presidency.

The president has repeatedly declared that the Philippines would not yield a single inch of its territory.

In a Day of Valor message earlier released by Malacañang, the president urged Filipinos to "stand by our cherished freedoms and principles" amid "foul forces" threatening the country.

He said that while this day signifies a loss for the country when Bataan fell to Japanese troops during World War II, it also demonstrates how the Philippines could rise again. "Foul forces continue to threaten us outside and within, endangering the hard-fought gains we made for our country. There are times when our struggles seem too complex or too daunting," the president said.

"Still, it is precisely during those moments that we must stand by our cherished freedoms and principles, perform our tasks with utmost dedication and diligence, and fight fiercely for a better life and a brighter future," he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos said his administration is "doubling" its efforts to enhance their operational capability.

"We must, therefore, also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment," the president said. Marcos also tasked the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces

of the Philippines to "assess" and "submit a report" on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment.

"These measures aim to show our unwavering support to our soldiers as they face new and growing challenges," he added.

The president also ordered a study on the prevailing benefits for soldiers permanently disabled in the line of duty to ensure that they are "commensurate to their sacrifices."

"The present-day Armed Forces continue this noble duty of safeguarding our nation's security and our sovereignty," Marcos said.

"And in recognition of their bravery and sacrifices, I am directing the Defense, Budget, and Finance departments to study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty to see if these are commensurate to the sacrifices they have made and submit their recommendation while taking stock of the national government's position," he added.

Demilitarization

Meanwhile, a leftist partylist lawmaker warned that tensions between China and the Philippines would escalate following the recent joint maritime drills.

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. France Castro said in a recorded video interview with The Manila Times that the province of Batanes would be a "target" of China if the tension between the United States and China escalates over Taiwan.

She said she was concerned about the impact the Balikatan exercises would have on the environment and the peace in the community, saying the country was being drawn into the rivalry between the U.S. and China. Castro also pointed out that the province is not even a site of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington.

The Makabayan bloc lawmaker

reiterated the call for the demilitarization of the WPS.

Also on Tuesday, Sen. Imee Marcos, sister of the president, said the Philippines cannot wage a war empty-handed.

"We cannot even ensure the integrity of our weapons and ammunition production lines, yet some of us are engaged in warmongering," she said.

Senator Marcos said a Commission on Audit report showed that the Government Arsenal (GA), a bureau under the Department of National Defense, failed to produce enough small arms and ammunition despite spending almost P455 million from its 2023 budget compared to only P87.4 million in 2022.

"This is sad news about basic weapons for our soldiers and policemen. Money is being wasted. Will the lives of our men in uniform be wasted as well?" the senator asked.

"And again, on this important day when we pay tribute to the valor of our soldiers in Bataan, I am pressing on with the need for us to revive the self-reliant defense posture program, which has long been overdue," she said.

"Filipinos do not suffer from a lack of talent, skills or expertise to produce our own defensive weapons, but suffer from gross government neglect and a lack of appreciation for the importance of and wisdom in relying on ourselves for our defense," Senator Marcos added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on Filipinos, especially her fellow public servants, to "stand with those who bear the brunt of China's tyranny" in the West Philippine Sea.

"At a time when water cannons routinely attack and injure our uniformed personnel, there must be no room for ambiguity," she said in her Araw ng Kagitingan message.

She said the brave Filipinos who defend the country's sovereignty and protect the WPS "honor the lives of those before us who suffered and sacrificed in the name of our sovereignty."

(With reports from Aric John Sy Chua and Bernadette Tamayo)

Marcos: PH continues to talk...

Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday.

The joint military drills came days before the scheduled trilateral summit of President Marcos, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington D.C. this week.

The three leaders are expected to discuss recent incidents in the South China Sea, particularly the Chinese coast guard’s use of water cannons to block Filipino resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. During Sunday’s, April 7 joint naval drills, two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were spotted off Busuanga some six nautical miles away from the

MCA area, although they did not appear to be holding “combat patrol” as announced by the Chinese military, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. “We were able to achieve all the objectives that we have set forth, including the antisubmarine warfare exercise that we conducted,” Brawner told reporters. “While they were doing the exercise we noticed the presence of two PLA navy ships in the distance but they did nothing to block or disrupt our exercises. So our maritime cooperative activity was successful,” Brawner said. The Chinese kept their distance, unlike during their operations to block resupply missions to the Sierra Madre, he said. Brawner stressed that the MCA was not a “show of force” and not directed against any country. In the aftermath of last Sunday’s joint drills, Japan vowed to “seize every opportunity to strengthen its partnership with the Philippines, U.S. and Australia in ensuring regional peace and stability.” “The JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self Defense Force) will also continue to operate and exercise freedom of navigation in realizing a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’,” Japan’s Ministry of Defense said on Monday in a statement. Japanese destroyer Akebono took part in the drill. g

End of internet subsidies for low-income households threatens telehealth access

by Sarah

monthly subsidies for internet bills or $75 discounts in tribal and high-cost areas. But the program is expected to run out of money in April or May, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

In January, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked Congress to allocate $6 billion to keep the program running until the end of 2024. She said

the subsidy gives Americans the “internet service they need to fully participate in modern life.” The importance of high-speed internet was seared into the American psyche by scenes of children sitting in parking lots and outside fast-food restaurants to attend school online during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that same period, health care providers and patients like Westman say, being connected also became a vital part of today’s health care delivery system. Westman said her internet connection has become so important to her access to health care she would sell “anything that I own” to stay connected. Westman, 43, lives in the small town of Eureka, Illinois, and has been diagnosed with genetic and immune system disorders. Her 12-year-old daughter has cerebral palsy and autism. She steered the $30 saved on her internet toward taking care of her daughter, paying for things such as driving 30 minutes west to Peoria, Illinois, for two physical therapy appointments each week. And with an internet connection, Westman can access online

medical records, and whenever possible she uses telehealth appointments to avoid the hourplus drive to specialty care.

“It’s essential for me to keep the internet going no matter what,” Westman said.

Expanding telehealth is a common reason health care providers around the U.S. — in states such as Massachusetts and Arkansas — joined efforts to sign their patients up for the federal discount program.

“This is an issue that has real impacts on health outcomes,” said Alister Martin, an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Martin realized at the height of the pandemic that patients with means were using telehealth to access COVID care. But those seeking inperson care during his ER shifts tended to be lower-income, and often people of color.

“They have no other choice,” Martin said. “But they probably don’t need to be in the ER action.” Martin became a White House fellow and later created a nonprofit that he said has helped 1,154 patients at health centers in Boston and Houston enroll in the discount program.

At the University of Arkansas

wagging the dog

President Marcos, Quiboloy may be trying to “wag the dog” by demanding conditions for his surrender. “It seems to me a little bit, tail wagging the dog,” the president told reporters after attending a National Grid Corp. of the Philippines event in Bacolod City. “So, I mean, we will exercise all the compassion. To Pastor Quiboloy, we’ve known him for a very long time. What I can promise him is all the proceedings will be fair,” the president said. Marcos also shrugged off Quiboloy’s fears that the U.S. government would interfere in his cases in the Philippines.

“Now, as to the involvement of the United States… That’s going to take years, yet. So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about, quite frankly,” the president said.

“Well, he is wagging the dog,” Ferdinand Topacio, one of Quiboloy’s lawyers said, referring to Marcos. “The dog seems to be wagging now. Because no less than the president of the Philippines is making comments,” Topacio said.

He said he last saw his client before his Singapore trip on March 22 “in a state of meditation and contemplation at a prayer mountain,” the exact location of which he declined to reveal.

While acknowledging that Quiboloy’s case before a Davao court is bailable, Topacio said it is the “general unfairness” of the situation that dissuades the pastor from surrendering.

“It is very difficult to believe that there is due process, that there is fairness. If you would look at the flow of events, it cannot be a mere coincidence,” Topacio said in an interview over One News’ “Storycon.”

A Davao City court earlier issued warrants of arrest against Quiboloy and five of his followers for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. Quiboloy is also wanted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for child sex trafficking.

In 2021, the U.S. Justice Department charged Quiboloy with sex trafficking of girls and women aged 12 to 25 to

work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” who were allegedly required to have sex with him. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on Nov. 10, 2021.

The Senate earlier also ordered his arrest for contempt after he snubbed committee hearings on his alleged sexual abuses committed against members of his sect.

Representatives of the Senate Office of Sergeant-at-Arms on Monday met with the joint team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation to hand over the transmittal order of arrest of Quiboloy.

Shameless audacity

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee investigating Quiboloy’s alleged abuses, said the fugitive pastor should face the Senate and tell the stories he had told bloggers. “Pastor Quiboloy, come out of your cave. Anyway, you were getting interviewed by vloggers, so let us in the Senate interview you,” she said.

“Those audio files were unable to hide your fear as the stinking truth came out… You don’t have a shred of evidence against our brave witnesses, and you have no right to discredit the institution of the Senate and its mandate,” Hontiveros added.

“If you are really brave, repeat everything you said about the Senate, here in the Senate. Make your words on record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” Hontiveros said.

She stressed her committee will continue hearing the allegations of abuse against Quiboloy even in his absence.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, for his part, said the chamber can file charges of disobedience against Quiboloy for disregarding a Senate order.

“If you are referring to the Senate (arrest order against Quiboloy), this is Article 150 of the revised penal code, the Senate can file an appropriate case with RTC (regional trial court) maybe in Pasay that will also have a hearing, a warrant of arrest can be issued because of that defiance,” Tolentino, a lawyer, told reporters.

“The two warrants of arrest that we are talking about are the Senate warrant and the RTC warrant. One in the regional trial court, post bail if you don’t want to post bail, have the warrant quashed. If you don’t want to follow the Senate’s warrant, wait for the Supreme Court’s decision,” he explained.

Gun permits

Meanwhile, Quiboloy may lose his license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) as well as the permits for his collection of guns.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP chief information officer, said that based on the Firearms and

Explosives Office’s guidelines, gun owners who used their firearms for illegal activities could lose their firearms license after a review.

The situation is different in Quiboloy’s case because his alleged offenses did not involve the use of guns.

“We’re checking with the FEO if the child abuse case against Quiboloy will be sufficient ground for the possible revocation and cancellation of his LTOPF,” she said at a news briefing in Camp Crame.

Quiboloy has 19 assorted firearms based on the FEO’s record. The license for one of the guns expired last March while the licenses for the other weapons are still valid.

Even if the fugitive televangelist has a cache of firearms, Fajardo said they do not consider yet Quiboloy armed and dangerous as there is no indication so far that the leader of the religious sect has resorted to violence.

“We’ve not monitored any indications so far that he’s maintaining a private armed group,” she said. On Quiboloy’s setting conditions for his surrender, Fajardo reminded him that the issuance of warrants is part of the judicial powers of courts that should be respected.

Instead of evading arrest, Fajardo urged Quiboloy to surrender and face the charges against him in court where he can present evidence to prove his innocence.

Fajardo also said the PNP is unaware of any U.S. plot to have Quiboloy either kidnapped or assassinated. She assured the televangelist of his safety should he opt to surrender to the police. “We will provide the necessary security to Pastor Quiboloy,” she said, adding there is no indication that Quiboloy has left the country.

Vice President Sara Duterte, whose family considers Quiboloy a close friend and spiritual adviser, said the filing of charges against the controversial pastor was a “good development” as the allegations against him would now be tried in a proper forum.

Asked if she would be willing to put on her lawyer’s hat to help facilitate Quiboloy’s surrender to authorities, Duterte said, “I no longer work as a lawyer and the fact that there’s a case in the right venue – within a court – is a good development.”

“Whatever Pastor Quiboloy decides to do from here on out is his personal decision and I’m sure that would be something he thought about,” she added. Duterte earlier came to the defense of Quiboloy against his accusers in Congress, saying he was being persecuted.  (With reports from Helen Flores, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Neil Jayson Servallos, Emmanuel Tupas, Diana Lhyd Suelto)

First-ever Listas campaign helps women...

head of the household and the messenger,” said Diana CroftsPelayo, Assistant Director of Crisis Communication & Public Affairs at CalOES.

“These heads are women who bear the weight of responsibility making ends meet while taking care of children or elderly parents, while the messengers are first- or second-generation women helping support their families within the unit,” she explained. “We saw that women over the age of 18, mostly in Latino, AAPI and black communities, are the ones that would listen to our message, pass it on and actually use it during an emergency.”

CalOES is providing Californians with videos and actionable disaster safety tips, as well as local county emergency alert signups, through over 73 community organization outreach grantees. These organizations have worked alongside a larger statewide partnership network to make over 400,000 calls to California women since March asking them to sign up for alerts and sharing preparedness information.

Local phone, text and email alerts in multiple languages for disasters like flooding, earthquakes and wildfires are available for Californians in each county through listoscalifornia. org/alerts.

Women across communities

“My grandma never learned English. My mom was born in Mexico, and she was always seen as the leader within our family here and back in Mexico,” said Crofts-Pelayo. “Women are the ones that push their families to do things. It’s not necessarily the man of the household anymore. At the end of the day, they’re the ones that are most likely to be looking after elderly parents, or

engaging with their community through schools and local associations.” “What we want is for women to have that knowledge and talk about it with their partners, family, friends and children,” she continued. “Emergencies are not fun; it’s not if but when the next one happens. The more that a family can talk about it, the more you demystify responding to it.”

“The most important thing we saw in our research is that people need to see an emergency to truly believe it,” Crofts-Pelayo added. “We got anecdotes from people that said ‘I might not evacuate my home until I see the water rising on my street corner,’ or ‘unless I see the flames down the street.’ There are still many communities that have never experienced a natural disaster, and our aim is showing people that this is real, this happens every day … All disasters are local, which is why communitybased preparedness is so important.”

“It’s the women who are taking care of parents, grandparents, children, doing the shopping, taking care of the house, preparing for tomorrow,” said District 10 Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen. “For emergency situations, it’s key that women not only hear these messages but deliver them.”

“When disaster comes, it affects everybody across communities, and seeing different women talk from their cultures about having go-bags ready, batteries charged, water for washing and drinking — women across communities can think, ‘If she’s doing this, I should be doing this in my home as well,’” she added.

A teacher’s perspective

“Thinking about the safety and wellbeing of my family and

TALKING about Filipino representation in the National Hockey League (NHL), the spotlight shines on two Filipino American brothers ready to make their playoff appearances in their respective hockey teams. Jason and Nicholas Robertson are primed to make their mark in this year’s NHL playoffs. Jason, a player for the Dallas Stars, clinched their playoff berth in a thrilling match against the Vancouver Canucks on Maundy Thursday, April 4. His performance throughout the season, tallying an impressive 77 points in 76 regular-season games, has

played a role in propelling the Stars towards postseason contention, making them the first team in the Western Conference to achieve this feat after triumphing over the Canucks the day prior.

Meanwhile, Nicholas “Nick” Robertson, the younger sibling, has also been making noise with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Despite facing a formidable opponent in the Tampa Bay Lightning and enduring a tough 4-1 loss, the Leafs secured their playoff spot thanks to a string of favorable outcomes in other games: the Carolina Hurricanes vanquishing the Washington Capitals 4-2, the Buffalo Sabres prevailing over the Philadelphia Flyers with the same scoreline and the New York Rangers

narrowly defeating the Detroit Red Wings with a 4-3 victory.

Notably, both teams clinched their playoff spots on days when they weren’t even playing, marking the Leafs eighth consecutive NHL playoff appearance.

Nicholas, showcasing his prowess with 24 points in 51 regular-season games, is poised to showcase his talents in the playoffs starting April 20, adding to the excitement of Filipino American representation on the ice.

Further adding to this Filipino moment is defenseman Matt Dumba, a Filipino Canadian athlete, who will also be vying for victory in the playoffs as part of the Tampa Bay Lightning roster. g

students, knowing that I have the knowledge and the tools to protect them, is always a top priority for me, and thinking about emergency preparedness goes hand in hand with that,” said Shayla Happi AmenraWarmsley, a Sacramento-based mother of two and second grade teacher.

“I’ve started implementing these tools both in my personal family and within my classroom — from creating emergency kits, to developing family communication plans and emergency contact systems, this campaign definitely helped bring many ‘what-ifs’ into the practical reality of what I would do in the case of an earthquake, fire, flood, or a power outage, which did happen to my home a month ago,” she continued, adding that Listas enabled her to respond to it. “In times of crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, especially for young people,” Amenra-Warmsley said. “Having a plan just as important as practicing it, so a lot of what I do at home and with my students alongside teaching the tools we need to be prepared — like shelter-in-place plans, memorizing emergency phone contacts, planning evacuation routes and having snack bags — is teaching the tools we need for mental resilience, whether that’s morning yoga or emotional regulation exercises.”

“There are changing elements to what it means to be prepared, it means being both flexible and adaptable in the face of adversity,” she added. “As a teacher, I not only educate my students academically but also teach them lifelong skills of resiliency, emerging from any storm as a stronger version of themselves. Learning how to prepare for emergencies is at the heart of that.” (Selen Ozturk/ Ethnic Media Services)

on Aging is one of five organizations involved with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC’s Narrative Change and Caregiving Project. The initiative is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For the project, NAPCA created four videos of  families discussing the myriad of challenges involved in caregiving. The filmmakers brought together a deeply-moving range of narratives. One film tells the story of two Indian American daughters caring for their mother, formerly a physician, who can now only communicate by blinking as her disease progresses. Another film focuses on a Filipino American man trying to balance the twin challenges of a full time job and being the sole care giver for his 91 year old mother. In a sweet moment, the two chat about old times as they make egg rolls together. A young Hawaiian Chinese woman lives with her elderly mother, who suffers from multiple illnesses. They are forced to talk about end of life expectations as a close family member is moved to hospice

care. And in another film, a Thai American woman, whose elderly parents still work at their restaurant despite health challenges, says: “I feel like I’m the parent of two really stubborn children.” The series is titled: “We Care.”

Patience and Love “Every story is different, the expectations are different,” Benny Lai, a spokesman for NAPCA, told Ethnic Media Services. “But the mindset is the same. You have to have a lot of patience and love. Otherwise you cannot be a caregiver.”

“Asian folks are more willing and common to be caregivers. Back in our home countries, it’s very common that the second generation are living with their parents,” said Lai. “And when they are in the States, living in bigger homes, getting married, moving out of their parents’ homes, they find it easier to hire a couple of domestic helpers at maybe $3,000 to $4,000 a month per person, or put them in elderly houses for $4,000 a month. But not a whole lot of people can afford them,” he said, noting that by default, adult children become their parent’s caregivers.

Denyse Woo Ockerman, who lives with her mother Irma in Hemet, California, characterizes her mom as “my best friend.”

Ohana “We were meant to be together,” she says in her film. “Caregiving is imprinted in our culture. It is ohana,” says Woo Ockerman, using her culture’s word for a deeply-tied family.

“Love is With Me,” are the words that echoed through Manisha and Nayana Shahane’s mother’s journal, which she began to write shortly after being diagnosed with Multiple Symptom Atrophy. The family’s long term care insurance ran out: Manisha and Nayana had to step up round-the-clock care, often at expense to their own well-being.

The loss of time for self care was a theme that echoed through all four videos. But each caregiver also spoke about the deep satisfaction they had gained from caring for a vulnerable human being.

All four films will be featured at various film festivals around the U.S. beginning in May. They can be viewed on NAPCA’s YouTube channel next month. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)

End of internet subsidies for low-income...

for Medical Sciences, a federal grant was used to conduct dozens of outreach events and help patients enroll, said Joseph Sanford, an anesthesiologist and the director of the system’s Institute for Digital Health & Innovation.

“We believe that telehealth is the great democratization to access to care,” Sanford said. New enrollment in the discount program halted nationwide last month.

Leading up to the enrollment halt, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led a bipartisan effort to introduce the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act in January. The group requested $7 billion — more than the FCC’s ask — to keep the program funded. “Affordability is everything,” Welch said.

In December, federal regulators surveyed program recipients and found that 22% reported no internet service before, and 72% said they used their ACP-subsidized internet to “schedule or attend healthcare appointments.” Estimates of how many lowincome U.S. households qualify for the program vary, but experts agree that only about half of the roughly 50 million eligible households have signed on.

“A big barrier for this program generally was people

don’t know about it,” said Brian Whitacre, a professor and the Neustadt chair in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University. Whitacre and others said rural households should be signing up at even higher rates than urban ones because a higher percentage of them are eligible. Yet, people found signing up for the program laborious. Enrollment was a two-step process. Applicants were required to get approved by the federal government then work with an internet service provider that would apply the discount. The government application was online — hard to get to if you didn’t yet have internet service — though applicants could try to find a way to download a version, print it, and submit the application by mail.

When Frances Goli, the broadband project manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho, began enrolling tribal and community members at the Fort Hall Reservation last year, she found that many residents did not know about the program — even though it had been approved more than a year earlier.

Goli and Amber Hastings, an AmeriCorps member with the University of Idaho Extension Digital Economy Program,

spent hours helping residents through the arduous process of finding the proper tribal documentation required to receive the larger $75 discount for those living on tribal lands.

“That was one of the biggest hurdles,” Goli said. “They’re getting denied and saying, come back with a better document.

And that is just frustrating for our community members.”

Of the more than 200 households Goli and Hastings aided, about 40% had not had internet before.

In the tribal lands of Oklahoma, said Sachin Gupta, director of government business and economic development at internet service provider Centranet, years ago the funding may not have mattered.

“But then COVID hit,” Gupta said. “The stories I have heard.” Elders, he said, reportedly “died of entirely preventable causes” such as high blood pressure and diabetes because they feared COVID in the clinics.

“It’s really important to establish connectivity,” Gupta said. The end of the discounts will “take a toll.” KFF Health News is a

Valor in the WPS

THE Philippines marked Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor on Tuesday, April 9 in the shadow of continuing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. The special day is meant to honor all those who fought foreign colonizers and invaders, particularly those who repelled Japanese forces in Bataan for four months until April 9, 1942. Following the fall of Bataan, the Filipino and American soldiers who survived the siege were made to walk to Tarlac in the infamous Death March.

Both during World War II and in the revolution against Spanish colonial rule, Filipinos have shown courage in their readiness to fight a superior military force and die for their country. Today, that valor is again being tested as the country faces a challenge to its sovereignty and maritime economic entitlements, which have been officially recognized by an international arbitration court based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Editorial

the tension appears to be escalating, as Beijing insists that Manila had promised to remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin. Beijing has shown no proof of this promise or identified the Filipino who supposedly made the commitment.

There are conflicting versions of whether Rodrigo Duterte during his presidency had a “gentleman’s agreement” with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for a status quo in the WPS that would effectively make the Sierra Madre disintegrate from disrepair into the sea.

In the past months, Filipino Navy and Coast Guard personnel along with fishermen and civilian boat crew have been injured by water cannon blasts from China Coast Guard ships preventing Philippine vessels from undertaking resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship serving as a naval outpost on Ayungin Shoal. The Chinese also shoo away Filipino fishers from Panatag Shoal. President Marcos has said his administration continues to talk with China to ease tension in the West Philippine Sea. Instead of easing, however,

WHEN presented by opinion polls with the top choices for senators at next year’s midterm elections, middle-class educated Filipinos typically react with a mixture of disbelief and despair. They rue the fact that from the same list are names of politicians who may someday be perceived as “presidentiable.”

In the current election cycle, the ones that consistently stand out in the top 12 are individuals who appear to have mainly made a mark in the mass media for the roles they have played as heroes, protectors of the poor, and dispensers of quick justice. It is easy to scoff at these choices as nothing more than vessels of illusory empowerment, the outcome of voter immaturity and ignorance. But if they are, then nothing much has changed in our

NOWADAYS, it’s a fad to brandish patriotic credentials via strong posturing on the West Philippine Sea disputes. Countless government officials compete to criticize China’s latest bullying acts in our waters. This is in stark contrast to the six years of the Rodrigo Duterte presidency when we had to endure either defeatist rhetoric by no less than the commander in chief and/ or sift through the myriad of contradictory statements by top Cabinet members. But now, even senior allies of the former president have joined the patriotic chorus.

Think of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who couldn’t resist trolling the Chinese national team with his couture West Philippine Sea shirt during last year’s Fiba World Cup tournament. Just weeks earlier, his colleague and fellow Duterte loyalist, Sen. Christopher Go, expressed his “deepest resentment and condemnation” of China’s bullying of Philippine coast guard vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

Even more interesting is the

In the absence of a valid confirmation of this supposed agreement, Philippine Navy and Coast Guard personnel backed by civilians continue to brave Chinese harassment within the Philippines’ maritime exclusive economic zone to regularly bring supplies to Filipinos stationed on the Sierra Madre. The observance of Araw ng Kagitingan today is a tribute to their valor, along with those of earlier generations who were not deterred by a superior force in defending their country (Philstar.com)

political life. From the very moment of our founding as a nation, Filipinos have searched for political figures who embody a form of redemptive hope, a break from the systemic oppression and inequality in which the country has historically been mired. Many such leaders have failed to deliver on their promises or satisfy their people’s expectations. Yet, Filipinos do not tire of voting for the same type of politicians, never giving up hope, preferring to invest their trust in elections rather than in revolutions. Nation-building, however, demands more than personal charisma. It requires a vision that includes the painstaking creation of a professional civil service, the formation of an educated citizenry, the development of a productive economy, and the establishment of a capable government under a functioning rule of law. These are collective undertakings

case of Duterte’s former political adviser and reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino, who has gone so far as to take credit for the gradual crystallization of quadrilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Australia, the U.S. , and China. “Last year February 2023, modesty aside, I suggested the ‘quad’ with USA, Australia, and Japan—finally the joint maritime patrol will happen today, April 7, 2024!” Tolentino claimed in a recent social media post.

The problem, however, is that well before he began speaking tough on the West Philippine Sea issue, countless experts have been raising this issue in major capitals and influential policy circles for the past decade. The main reason the “Quad” didn’t come to fruition earlier is Tolentino’s former boss, Duterte, who actively sabotaged our traditional alliances to please his patrons in Zhongnanhai. Thanks to President Marcos’ sound approach to the West Philippine Sea disputes, all sorts of long-delayed initiatives are taking off with vengeance. The recently concluded quadrilateral patrols with our three key allies are likely just the beginning of a new era of Philippine foreign policy.

This week, Mr. Marcos will

Overcoming political despair

that, by their long-term nature, have to be sustained beyond the tenure of any charismatic leader. As essential as they are to nation-building, there is usually nothing romantic about them. The civil servants who quietly work on these tasks are rarely seen as heroes. But more than that, because they are unelected, these unsung civil servants are expected to defer to those who wield political power by virtue of their election to public office. This is probably the hardest part of nationbuilding—how to establish a professional bureaucracy that can competently administer the day-to-day affairs of government, especially during the most difficult political transitions. A well-trained nonpartisan career administrative service that is immune to the vagaries of political contestation is the prime achievement of all mature democracies. Such political systems can tolerate the most eccentric and disruptive of all

return to the White House for a historic trilateral summit with US President Joseph Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The aim is to create a new security grouping in the mold of the Australia-UK-U.S. (AUKUS) and U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral groupings.

With multilateral organizations, namely the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, refusing to call out China’s hegemonic ambitions, the U.S. is leveraging its large network of partners through “minilateralism”—ad-hoc, flexible, and issue-specific cooperation with like-minded powers.

For Tokyo, the emerging Japan-Philippine-U.S. (JAPHUS) trilateral grouping is also a major step in solidifying its emergence as a key security provider in the Indo-Pacific region. Shortly after the JAPHUS trilateral meeting this week, Mr. Marcos and Kishida are expected to sign a Visiting Forces Agreement-style pact that could transform regional affairs for the foreseeable future. There are, however, reasons to curb our geopolitical enthusiasm. Mr. Marcos must make sure that the new trilateral grouping will not mean just more American (and, potentially, even

politicians because of their strong institutions. But there is often a downside to these modern public institutions—and this is best summed up by the term “bureaucratic” in all its negative connotations. This happens when officials become so fixated on the rules and procedures that they lose sight of the larger mandate of their agencies. Instead of dispensing public service, they become empires of petty authority. Such organizations become so calcified that they turn into fetters impeding change and reinvention.

The German sociologist Max Weber saw this as the unexpected outcome of rationalization, a disease in modernity that can only be cured by the restoration of value rationality through politics. This necessary interruption is the role he assigns to charismatic leaders who have a vocation for politics. He did not mean the

Japanese) boots and bases in the Philippines. In particular, the JAPHUS alliance should serve as a springboard for comprehensive strategic cooperation, including the expansion of quality investments as well as high-end defense aid to the Philippines.

It’s quite astonishing that communist Vietnam, a former U.S. enemy, has a trade surplus with the U.S. that is 10 times our total exports to our sole treaty ally. The current levels of American economic footprint in the Philippines are, frankly, pathetic compared to their investments in neighboring countries, most of which are increasingly more aligned to and/or dependent on China. And will the U.S. offer a bilateral free trade deal to the Philippines, as the Japanese did almost 20 years ago? Not to mention, when will the Philippines finally receive modern fighter jets and warships from either the U.S. or Japan?

Moreover, tighter security cooperation with our traditional allies should not limit our room for maneuver. We should avoid getting locked into a permanent anti-China alliance, but instead leverage our security partnerships for our national interest. In particular, we should make sure that we won’t

narcissists and demagogues who habitually promise to rescue the masses from the dysfunctions of a corrupt and uncaring bureaucracy. He was referring, rather, to redemptive figures who exemplify a practicable vision of political renewal.

The political philosopher Wendy Brown, in her recent book, “Nihilistic Times: Thinking with Max Weber,” writes: “Charisma, with its capacity to incite and excite, inspire and mobilize, and above all lead beyond business as usual, is an indisputably potent element of political life.” It is a tragedy that the ones who have been adept at appropriating it are the political egotists who—beyond their antics on stage—are incapable of offering a new vision of “who we are” and “what we should do.”

On the other hand, we have a lot of young progressive political leaders who have a clear notion of what lies ahead for the

country and what needs to be done but, lacking the passionate and visceral language in which to articulate this, fail to capture the imagination of the masses. Brown describes their accustomed political style as “free of rhetorical power, prevailing only on the basis of their evidentiary and logical soundness.” In short, bland. What is needed is the reenchantment of political life—which, in recent years, has been the monopoly of rude, intimidating, and angry demagogues—by charismatic leaders who can mesmerize crowds with visions and actions that remind them of their power to change the world. (Inquirer. net)

get involved in any U.S.-led contingency plan over Taiwan absent proper assessment of the big picture of what is best for the Philippines’ long-term security. We should guard against overcorrecting Duterte’s follies, too. (Inquirer.net)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Joseph Biden Malacañang file photos

Viber message sent to INQUIRER.net, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia acknowledged that there it is still far from reaching the target. “It’s still a long way to go. We will still double our efforts and we have to reach the furthest places and bring our service to the communities,” Garcia said.

“Our efforts are more focused on the vulnerable sectors and the youth,” he added.

Dateline PhiliPPines

Comelec receives 1.9 million new voter registrations out of 3 million target Speaker urges PH to appreciate

The voter registration for the 2025 elections started last February 12 and will last until September 30. Eligible voters only need to visit the office of the election officer (OEO) or satellite registration sites

in their areas from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registrants may access the application form via OEO and the Comelec website.

Applicants need to bring one of the following government-issued identification cards (ID) with their signature:

• National ID under the Philippine Identification System

• Postal ID card

• PWD ID card

• Student’s ID card or library card signed by the school authority

• Senior citizen’s ID card

• Land Transportation Office Driver’s License/ Student Permit

• National Bureau of Investigation clearance

• Philippine Passport

• Social Security System/Government Service Insurance System or other unified multi-purpose ID card

• Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID card

• License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)

• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in case of members of ICCs or IPs

• Barangay Identification/Certification with photo

• Any other government-issued valid ID. g

Senate to prioritize ROTC bill upon resumption of session

Act, as soon as session resumes by the end of the month. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri made the assurance in a press briefing on Monday, April 8 after being donned with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Philippine Army Reserve Force at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Zubiri said he has already talked to Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, that the ROTC bill will be discussed in May. "Sabi ko nga kung meron akong mga kasamahan na hindi sangayon sa ROTC, magboto na lang po sila. Ibigay na lang po nila ang boto nila kasi sa tingin ko mas marami po ang gusto ng ROTC dun sa Senado

(As I’ve said, if we have colleagues who do not agree with ROTC, they can just vote, because I think more senators want ROTC). So, let’s give the bill a chance. We'll vote on it. Whether it passes or not but we

will prioritize it this coming May before the sine die break," he said. Congress resumes session on April 29, and will have 12 plenary session days before adjourning sine die on May 24. Zubiri said a Pulse Asia survey he commissioned last December showed that 77 percent of the respondents saying yes to the revival of the ROTC, while less than 10 percent said no.

Zubiri, who was a ROTC cadet during his college days in the University of the Philippines, said there are existing laws to safeguard students from hazing. He also clarified that the ROTC this time, if revived, will not only focus on marching and training how to use firearms, but also to tap the students' inherent skills.

"The AFP has decided to come up with other divisions in the ROTC program. If you are computer experts, so you are in the anti-cyberhacking division of the reservist force. Engineering students will be tapped to assist in engineering programs of the AFP, and nursing students in the medical corps," Zubiri said.

"So, it will enhance your skills. It will be in tune with the times and I think we should be ready for any eventualities, especially with the tensions that we are feeling around the external areas of the Philippines. We must be ready at all times to defend our motherland, our beloved country, the Philippines," he added.

The bill, which already reached the Senate plenary last month, shall only include students from higher educational and technical-vocational institutions who will be required to undergo basic military and police training to motivate, train, organize, and use them for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations, and law enforcement.

The ROTC bill is among the priority measures of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

During the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting last March 19, Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez committed to pass all the administration’s priority measures, including the ROTC bill, by June this year. (PNA)

Rejoice in deeper spiritual meaning

HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has urged Filipinos to celebrate and appreciate the contribution of Muslim brothers and sisters to nation-building, as the Islamic world celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Romualdez in his statement for Eid’l Fitr on Tuesday, April 9, the Philippines has benefitted from the contributions of the Muslim community which has enriched the country’s culture.

“As we join in the celebrations of Eid’l Fitr, let us also recognize the diversity that enriches our nation. The Philippines is home to a vibrant Muslim community whose contributions have greatly enriched our great nation,” Romualdez said. “Let us embrace the spirit of inclusivity and understanding, fostering unity and respect for all faiths and beliefs,” he added. At the same time, the Speaker also urged Filipino Muslims to remember the deeper meaning behind the sacrifices for Ramadan—which is to embody patience, empathy, and selfdiscipline.

“On the occasion of Eid’l Fitr, let us come together to celebrate the culmination of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and reflection for our Muslim brothers and sisters. As we gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, let us not only rejoice in the abundance of food and blessings but also in the deeper spiritual meaning behind this sacred time,” Romualdez said.

“Ramadan teaches us the values of patience, empathy and self-discipline. It is a time for introspection, where individuals strive for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment,” he added. “Through fasting and acts of charity, Muslims demonstrate their commitment to compassion and generosity, reaching out to those in need and fostering solidarity within their communities.”

On Tuesday, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta confirmed that Eid alFitr, which marks the conclusion of the sacred month of Ramadan, will fall on Wednesday, April 10. Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani made the announcement after the crescent

moon was sighted on Tuesday evening, which signifies that the feast of breaking the fast would commence on the next day.

Last April 4, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared April 10 as a regular holiday to celebrate Eid’l Fitr through Proclamation No. 514.

“May this Eid bring not only joy but also renewed hope and optimism for our shared future. Let us carry forward the values of compassion, generosity and unity that define this occasion, extending kindness and goodwill to all,” Romualdez said. g

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez Inquirer.net file photo

MANILA — The Senate will prioritize Senate Bill (SB) No. 2034, or the proposed Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE

Wednesday APRIL 10, 2024

Darren Espanto sets record straight on real relationship with Cassy Legaspi

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

report

and Cassy are just best friends.

said.

Why Alden Richards is at a career crossroads

By ronnie CarraSCo ManilaTimes.net

IN an early December interview, Alden Richards gave the entertainment press a staggering impression that he found his career at a snail’s pace at one point last year.

It is for this reason that depression consumed him, and he even questioned his selfworth.

Speaking in the vernacular, Alden expressed: “Pakiramdam ko, wala akong silbi (I felt useless)!”

He was then able to trace the root cause of it all: it was his woebegone life.

It was a crisis that involved every aspect of his being: three months of no job offers, a string of business undertakings not doing well, plus “personal demons” he had to deal with.

If our timeline proves accurate, this period was shortly after he wrapped up work in GMA Network’s Filipino adaptation of “Start-Up,” which paired him with Bea Alonzo. It took GMA, however, to make him realize he was wrong — short of saying it was all in the mind. “Maybe, I was just being ungrateful,” he sighed. Alden’s case of depression — he admitted — nearly spiraled out of control, “But not to the point that I thought of doing drugs!”

All that he needed to invalidate his feeling of worthlessness was simply a job, one after another.

It was when he began shooting for the film, “Five Romances and A Breakup” with Julia Montes did Alden acknowledge something was amiss with his life perspective.

It literally didn’t take five romances and a breakup before his next project came along — that with Sharon Cuneta for last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Instantly, Alden was able to break free from the shackles of depression.

It is also intriguing to note that Alden’s episodes of depression coincided with talks

some media outlet out there was poised to pursue the actor no matter what. Reportedly, it was to the observation of a representative from the anonymous media entity (or, to be blunt about it, a TV network) that Alden was “being shortchanged” in terms of projects.

In the words of a reliable Vignettes tipster: “Nasasayangan sila sa talent ni Alden (the media outlet felt Alden’s talent was being wasted) considering he’s a homegrown artist at that. Spanning his 13 years with GMA, there’s much to be desired.”

Did such words, supposedly coming from the unknown mercenary, contribute to what Alden had aptly termed as depression?

Did the actor in any way bargain with the media rep — that if he still gets thrown into a tailspin — career-wise — this 2024, then out he goes?

By KriStofer Purnell Philstar.com

SINGER-HOST Regine Velasquez admitted she was flattered by calls from Filipinos to name her a National Artist, although she believes others are currently more qualified to receive the recognition.

Calls to consider Regine a National Artist erupted after she was honored with the Powerhouse award for her 37 years of making Original Pilipino Music at the inaugural Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards last month. Meanwhile, she then responded to the prospect of becoming a National Artist when she attended a surprise birthday party for her Magandang Buhay” co-host Melai Cantiveros-Francisco last week and was interviewed by entertainment reporter MJ Felipe. Parang nahihiya ako, parang there are artists who are more qualified,” Regine admitted. “I don’t think I’m qualified yet.” Some of the artists she wanted to see given the recognition instead were Pilita Corrales and Jose Mari Chan, reiterating that it is not her time Regine Velasquez on calls to name her National Artist

By Boy aBunda Philstar.com

DONITA Rose has received a beautiful assurance of God’s love. This, she revealed when she began talking about her fervent prayer, among others, that her next life partner would be a virgin. The actress-turned-chef narrated that she had a long list of the characteristics she was looking for in a guy, and she was amazed at how God answered her prayer.

“I have a prayer list, (it’s) very specific. I said (the guy) should be a pastor, a worship leader, a Pinoy, or at least half. (He) must be handsome, he should be taller than me, he should be a breadwinner because I’ve been through a lot. He should be funny,” said Donita of her “requirements” in a guy.

“I even joked with the Lord which I didn’t expect (to be granted). I said, ‘Lord, I wish my husband would be a virgin.’ It came true,” gushed Donita who exchanged “I do’s” with U.S.-based Filipino singer Felson Palad in September 2022 in California.

She learned that her prayers were granted when Felson confessed to her that he was a virgin during one of their dates. “When I met him and we started talking as friends, eventually we started dating. He said, ‘I have a confession to make. I am still a virgin.’

“I didn’t answer him. He said, ‘Why, did it turn you off?’ I said, ‘That’s my prayer to the Lord which I don’t think He would fulfill; that He can answer even the small things,’” she continued.

“I felt like I was dreaming. I couldn’t believe that I’ve got a husband again because I went through a lot before I reached this moment. I went through depression. But now, I have no regrets about what I’ve been through.”

Donita declared feeling “complete” as a person. “Parang ngayon ako naging buo. Now I know who I am. My identity is not in another person because there was a time when my husband (her first, Eric Villarama) and I separated I was like, ‘Who am I now?’ Iniwan ako, and people judged me na parang, ‘Tumaba kasi, hindi na siya maganda.’

“There were a lot of internal struggles. But I came back to my first love, Jesus Christ. I was reminded of my identity in Christ.”

She also made clear that she was already complete before Felson came into her life. “But the fact that I met a guy who loves God as much as I do, that’s where the dream is. I can’t believe it. This is not a dream because we’re serving God together and we’re loving God together. There’s nothing better.”

To recall, Donita and Felson got engaged in May 2022 and the two got married four months later. Her divorce with ex-husband Eric was finalized in 2016. She and Eric have a son named Joshua Paul.

Meanwhile, Donita has not completely turned her back to acting as she topbills “Malice in Manila,” streaming on Amazon Prime. Viewers can also expect to see her husband Felson taking on a role in the said independent film.

“I play the role of a mailorder bride. Felson portrays my ex-husband so siya ang contravida ng film. What happened was when I was being interviewed for the film, I was with Felson because he drove me there. Then when the director found out that they’re both from Cavite, he said, ‘Bakit hindi na lang ikaw?’ I couldn’t stop laughing for like a week because I couldn’t believe na ang kalaban ko sa pelikula is my husband in real life,” Donita amusingly said.

She, too, would love to do a TV series or movie in the Philippines if and when there is an offer but what she is not sure though is to leave her husband in the US for a long time for acting stints in the country.

“Hindi kasi importante sa akin maging sikat or successful sa mata ng buong mundo. I’m happy even if I don’t work (as an actress). My husband said that there is no need for me to work anymore because he will be the one in-charge.

“So, I don’t have to worry about finances anymore but I’m not expecting a lot. Hindi naman mayaman ang asawa ko pero mayaman kami sa mga experiences in life. We’re just enjoying and savoring every moment. He works hard. He’s a singer in Orange County retirement homes.”

What does she pray for every day?

“That my son would love the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength.”

What’s the best thing about his husband Felson? Lahat. (And) now I know, for sure, that marriage is pure bliss,” Donita concluded.

“I wanted to work on a good project that’s action-packed and I manifested it,” he told The STAR in a separate one-on-one interview.

“I believe in manifestation and if it’s your destiny it will be. Manifesting is a good way to tell the universe that you want something and it will come to you if you have the good energy to attract it, you know, the law of attraction.

“So I just said it, I declared it… I just say it everytime I pray: I wanna have a good project, I wanna have a good role, I wanna lead one.

“Because I was always the support… supporting, yes, to a love triangle, but I loved that, too. I go through roles.

na si Kiko

Darren Espanto and Cassy Legaspi Photo from Instagram/@darrenespanto

KAPAMILYA singer Darren Espanto set the record straight on his relationship with TV host Cassy Legaspi. In a

by ABS-CBN News, Darren said that he

“Makulit sila! Sabi ko best friends lang kami eh,” Darren

“Best friends talaga. It’s something a lot of people won’t get. Hindi ko alam paano explain pero syempre andun ‘yung pagmamahal namin sa isa’t isa,” he added. When asked if their friendship will evolve into something romantic, Darren said, “No, not right now naman.” Darren said that he’s

glad that he and Jillian were trending after the pilot episode of “It’s Showtime” on GMA. “Nagulat din ako trending din pangalan namin ni Jillian.

May mga ships na. She’s very chill. Nag-uusap na kami, nagiisip ng collaboration in the future saka kung papayagan kung pwedeng tumawid,” Darren said.

Donita and husband Felson with the actresss’ son Joshua Paul during their September 2022 wedding held four months after they got engaged. Photo from Instagram/@dashofdonita

Despite being one of the country’s biggest stars, Alden Richards admits that he has experienced feelings of worthlessness before. Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02

Kiko Estrada ‘destined’...

“And somehow, this good work was offered to me… So, not necessarily manifesting ‘ Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa ’ but manifesting that I want a good role that can show my capabilities as an actor or as a person.”

When it comes to drawing inspiration for his acting, he only has to look at both sides of his parents. Nevertheless, he pointed out that his portrayal is a combination of influences from the source material of direk Carlo J. Caparas, the original lead star, the late Rudy Fernandez, from his uncle Joko Diaz, as well as his father Gary Estrada and his late lolo Paquito Diaz. In terms of preparing for the hardcore action scenes, Kiko studied some martial arts like muay thai as well as grappling. He gamely executed a lot of the stunts himself.

“I rolled my ankle the second day and we still had to do stunts, like there was a big scene, an explosion and we hadn’t done that yet. I rolled my ankle before that but (I told the production) we’re not gonna do this shot with the (body) double. Just make me the rest, I’m gonna take alaxan, wait for two hours and I’m going to do it,” he said of the show’s action sequences.

“By the grace of God, I prayed and we did it. It seemed like nothing happened. But the day after, I tell you, my ankle was swollen and all,” he laughingly shared.

“I would want to do everything but they controlled me to choose, especially after that (incident)... I also hyperextended my elbow in another action scene. But that’s a part of the job and I love my job and those are the sacrifices that you have to make to make a good show.

“It’s nothing to me right now. That’s why I got emotional during the (advance) screening on Sunday, April 7. People don’t understand the journey that I have to go through to finish the episodes.” Kiko couldn’t be any happier with the timing of this project in his life. He’s grateful to the bosses of Viva who handpicked him for the lead role. The show is co-produced

by TV5, Studio Viva and Sari Sari

“It’s the most important thing in my life right now,” said Kiko. “I’m very focused. Like I said in past interviews, this project took a lot out of me in preparing for it... conditioning my everything to become this character who lost everything. Yes, I did and I can relate but not to the extremes that Norman dela Cruz had to go through.”

Speaking more about his character Norman dela Cruz and how it resonated with him, he said, “Norman is a boy who lost everything and is forced to become a man really quick in dealing with the morality of seeking revenge in the wrong way and finally learning what real revenge is. And accepting that fact is really hard for him but it’s part of growing up.”

Saying he had to find similarities between himself and Norman as part of his portrayal, he particularly loved how his character “never gave up.”

“I wanted to give up not just in showbiz, but in the totality of life. I’m sure people have reached the rock bottom... But I always love a good redemption story. I think that’s the essence of being a human being, someone who’s in the ashes and rises like a Phoenix... and blooms. For me, that’s the story of Norman and the story of this show.”

Kiko readily admitted that he’s feeling the pressure of having to lead the show.

“I’m just keeping my head down listening to every good advice,” he said on how he’s coping with the mounting pressure and expectations.

“I’m just lucky that I have good producers, good directors that are guiding me throughout the process and of course, a lovely cast to support me. Yeah, that’s how I deal with it and of course, a loving family to go back to.”

Kiko also shared the short and simple piece of advice that his mom Cheska Diaz gave him. “She just said, ‘Don’t mess this up.’”

Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa ” also stars Sid Lucero, Joko Diaz, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Sarah Lahbati, among others.

Paulo, Kylie and the highs and lows of love and life

By Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

PAULO Avelino and Kylie Verzosa may have starred in the 2018 movie “Kasal,” but working together on the upcoming film “Elevator” felt like a first-time experience for them all over again.

“During ‘Kasal,’ Paulo was like my acting coach because I was a newcomer then. So this time — [when I’m armed with more experience] — felt like the first because I got to really ‘act’ alongside him,” explained the beauty queen-turned-actress at the movie’s media conference.

“I’ve waited so long for a reunion project, and I’m glad we get to do it with great material in ‘Elevator,” Verzosa added.

Avelino agreed, “It felt like the first time because in ‘Kasal,’ she would always share scenes with Derek [Ramsay], but here in ‘Elevator,’ we did almost all the scenes together.”

Since their 2018 starrer, Verzosa and Avelino have carved deeper names in the industry and even reaped prominent acting awards along the way.

Avelino earned Best Actor accolades from prestigious organizations, including the 35th Gawad Urian Awards (“Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”) and the 46th Metro Manila Film Festival (“Fan Girl”). Verzosa, on the other hand, was hailed Best Actress at the 2022 Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (“The Housemaid”). Despite the five-year gap between their two projects, Avelino and Verzosa said it didn’t take much time for them to get back in the zone,

embody their characters and develop the chemistry the ‘Elevator’ demanded.

“It didn’t feel awkward [to be back on the set with Kylie] because before shooting the film, we had several script readings and workshops,” Avelino volunteered.

“I’d like to add that we felt comfortable because we became friends [after we did ‘Kasal,’ which] makes our job easier,” Verzosa echoed. Written and directed by Rein Entertainment’s Philip King [“Nanahimik Ang Gabi,” “Bagman”], “Elevator” follows the story of Jared [Avelino], an elevator attendant at a hotelcasino complex in Singapore. Ambitious and hardworking, Jared develops an innovative app for Filipino migrant workers. He pitches his concept to affluent businessmen he encounters in the elevator, hoping to entice them into investment.

Despite his relentless efforts, he is always rejected

until he meets Byron (veteran Singaporean actor Adrian Pang), a successful businessman who takes an interest in his app.

But before sealing the deal, Byron instructs Jared to ask his secretary, Bettina (Verzosa), who is also Filipino, to help him refine his business proposal.

Bettina is initially illtempered and dismissive towards Jared, but after spending much time working together, the fellow OFWs grow closer. As they share their hopes and dreams with one another, Jared finds himself smitten by Bettina, who warned from the start never to fall in love with her.

Eventually, the two characters must choose whether to be together or keep working toward the better future they seek in Singapore.

Asked why the film is titled “Elevator,” King explained, “We use it as a metaphor. If you want to punch ‘up’ in your life [as you would in an elevator], it means you’re not satisfied or

in an abyss. For me an elevator is like that — it’s not part of a building’s floor, you go up and you go down. But as long as you punch that floor number it means you are fighting, it means you want to be somewhere and Paulo’s character is like that.”

In support, Avelino said that while their film is marketed as a romantic-comedy with all the elements of both genres, he finds it more inspirational.

“It’s more of a feel-good movie and it gives a better glimpse of the lives of our kababayans working abroad. I think at its core, the movie is about hope, not just for migrant workers, not just OFWs, but for everyone. “We all get confused in our lives — what to choose, what to prioritize — and I hope this film will help viewers decide on what they want not just for the betterment of their careers but for their lives as well,” Avelino concluded.

“Elevator” is a landmark project of Viva Films, Studio Viva, Rein Entertainment, and Cineko Productions. The cast and crew filmed for 10 days in Singapore, where 90 percent of the scenes took place.

Its producers, Lino Cayetano and Shugo Praico — who, together with King co-founded Rein Entertainment — shared they also partnered with Singaporean production outfit Dogma Films for the movie. Given this multi-way production, the group told The Manila Times Entertainment in a previous interview that “Elevator” is another realization of the industry’s goal to go international.

Maymay Entrata renews faith as Christian after personal struggle

By Jan Milo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Maymay Entrata revealed that she renewed her faith as a Christian after she underwent personal

struggles.

In a report by ABS-CBN News, Maymay said that she surrendered herself to God. “[Ang] dami pong pagsubok talaga bago ako nagbalik loob sa Panginoon.

‘Yun ‘yung deklarasyon ko kumbaga, na magko-commit ako fully sa Panginoon kasi nasanay po ako na kontrolado ko ‘yung buhay ko, ‘yung plano ko,” Maymay said. “Pero at the end of the day, Continued on Page 11

Paulo Avelino and Kylie Verzosa play characters who must choose whether to be together or keep working toward the better future they seek as OFWs in Singapore. Photo from Instagram/@viva_tv

community Sakay Na! raises funds for jeepney phaseout

Nadine Lustre warns vs fake account, endorsement using her name

By ANNE PASAJOL Inquirer.net

NADINE Lustre informed her fans that a fake account has been using her name, and even her boyfriend Christophe Bariou’s photo, to endorse a product that she is not affiliated with.

Through her verified Facebook page on Monday, April 8, the actress showed a screenshot of the poser’s page as well as its posts promoting a milk that supposedly helps in having a better sleep.

One of the posts even includes Bariou’s photo from when he was battling cancer.

“Please block and report this account. I’m not affiliated with Dreamy Sure,” she stressed. She also reminded those who shared and commented on the post to be cautious of what they consume online. “‘Wag po tayo papaloko!” she added.

The poser account, which had 20 followers, can no longer be accessed as of this writing. Meanwhile, Lustre earlier opened up about the “most challenging” time of her life, which was when her brother Isaiah died in 2017. Lustre

recalled being told to “just keep working” to “forget about it” at the time. “My brother was going through these challenges in his mental health as well. I was still doing a variety show everyday, so can you imagine?” she said in an interview.

“At some point, when I felt I was already crumbling, I’d ask for a break,” she said. “They’d respond with, ‘Just keep working. You’ll forget about it.’ It just goes to show how uneducated and out of touch we are when it comes to mental health issues,” she lamented.

In the Mix

FILIPINO Americans in Los Angeles converged at a corner space in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles for Sakay Na!, a pop-up designed to raise funds for transport workers who are negatively affected by the jeepney phaseout in the Philippines.

The jeepney phaseout is the Philippine government’s plan to phase out traditional jeepneys that are 15 years old or older and replace them with imported surplus vehicles from foreign auto manufacturers.

According to Sakay Na! organizer Sian Balauag of Urban Tropicals, there is an imbalance in the implementation of the jeepney phaseout and the support for the jeepney drivers and their families who are unable to acquire the new vehicles that the Philippine government is issuing and selling to the drivers.

Co-event organizers Kris and Kate Paguinto of Bahala Na Shop affirmed that “there is a need to fundraise, because transport workers are already earning very little money, and

this phaseout is threatening their livelihoods.”

Martin Aranas, owner of Bite Club Sliders expressed, “I think the jeepney is the staple of the Philippines. We Filipinos should support each other. There’s power in numbers.”

Josette Canilao and Don Sayarot of Kanto Pastries mentioned that “We’re here to support, because we know that jeepneys are vital to the transportation in the Philippines and we want to do what we can to help.”

Daniel Nicolas, aka DJ Nics, conveyed, “I want to offer my services to help out my brothers in the Philippines, because growing up I rode the jeepney a lot and that was the only way I could get around. It matters a lot to me that we help out.”

Donations from this event will go to Tanggol Pasada Network, and will support education and information campaigns through flyers, primers and discussions, transport workers and commuters summits, welfare programs for drivers and operators, and mass actions like protests and strikes.

Several local vendors such as Bahala Na Shop, Adeling Shop, Gara Sun, Heather and Plume, Mayumi Goods, Binamade, Lola’s, Sensitive

Antiques and Nanay’s Bahay were present selling clothing, accessories, stationery, prints and home decors reminiscent of life in the Philippines.

On why they established Bahala Na Shop, Kris and Kate added, “Our goal for our business is to represent the Filipino community in a modern and authentic way here in the States. We want to show people that Filipinos can show up in so many different industries and we are ready to be seen! With each collection that we drop, we aim to show a different aspect of Filipino culture and what it means to us. We’re excited to keep creating for our community!”

Plant enthusiasts and collectors alike were delighted to see a variety of plants from Urban Tropicals and Plantman, and floral arrangements by Woman in Stems.

Food vendors such as Boondocks Coffee, Steffi Sweets, Kanto Pastries, Bite Club Sliders and HiFi Kitchen offered an array of burgers, rice bowls, Filipino desserts and Philippine-sourced coffee.

Adding to the fun-filled ambience, a photobooth in an enclosed area of the venue was set up by Syd Studios for attendees to have memories of their time at this event.

Photos by Bahala Na Shop and Mic Diaz

Nadine Lustre

Photo from Instagram/@nadine

MIC DIAZ

Dealing with assets omitted in a divorce case

YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding. This is usually the most difficult period of a person’s life. Finally, time heals all pain. You and your spouse get tired of bickering and being mean to one another that you both decide to compromise each other positions and resolve all issues in your divorce case through settlement. Shortly thereafter, the divorce judgment is finally entered by the Court and you get a sigh of relief. Later you discovery that “Oops!,” your ex-spouse had community asset and/or debt that was left out of the divorce judgment. This may be a pension, retirement account, a hidden bank account, or a piece of real estate property which was not divided in the judgment. What is one to do in this situation? The answer can be found in California Family Code §2556. California Family Code §2556 provides “In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for nullity of marriage, or for legal separation of the parties, the court has continuing jurisdiction to award community estate

assets or community estate liabilities to the parties that have not been previously adjudicated by a judgment in the proceeding.” California Family Code §2556. Even if the parties did not expressly reserve jurisdiction on that piece of asset, the Court retains the power to divide a specific property if there is a community interest in it. The Court’s “continuing jurisdiction” over omitted community estate assets or debts is invoked by filing a post judgment Motion, or Request for Order in the divorce case. Family Code §2556 provides “A party may file a postjudgment motion or request for order in the proceeding in order to obtain adjudication of any community estate asset or liability omitted or not adjudicated by the judgment.” The postjudgment partition of the unadjudicated community estate claims is properly entertained by the court even absent an express reservation of jurisdiction in its prior judgment. Marriage of Moore & Ferrie (1993) 14 CA4th 1472, 1483, 18 CR2d 543, 549, fn. 9. The postjudgment motion is available to any omitted asset or debt not adjudicated by the divorce judgment. However, Family Code §2556 does not extend to division and adjudication of any separate property. Marriage of Klug (2005) 130 CA4th 1389, 1396, 31 CR3d 327, 331–332. If an asset was partially

omitted, the Court can still divide and adjudicate the portion that has been omitted postjudgment under family code §2566. Community Property adjudicated under § 2556 shall be divided equally “unless the court finds upon good cause shown that the interests of justice require an unequal division of the asset or liability.” Family Code §2556.

* * *

note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

Sakay Na! raises funds for...

From Page 10

Filipino American DJs such as DJ Weejay and DJ Nics dished out some OPM Disco, R&B and Hip-Hop tracks catering to a young demographic.

Cynthia San Luis attended the event in support of the jeepney workers, saying that “their livelihood is about to be taken from them. It’s important for Fil-Ams to attend these kinds of events. My parents worked really hard to come here to the States. I want to connect to family back in the Philippines, meet some people from the diaspora and have some Filipino food.”

Marketing and PR Consultant James Te noted, “It is important to uplift one another and it is important to bring awareness to the world.”

Maymay Entrata renews faith...

From Page 9

napapatanong ako, bakit ako napapagod? Kasi ‘yun pala God is in control,” she added.

Maymay’s statement came after she posted a “wrong path” she took on 2021. She, however, clarified that it was not about her ex-boyfriend

Aaron Haskell.

“Hello po sa lahat, gusto ko lang po mag explain ng konti about dun sa last post ko sa IG. ‘I took a wrong path again nung 2021’ it was my past trauma po,” she said.

Maymay asked the public to be kind and not to drag Aaron anymore in her posts.

“I was hurt and so I hurt other people even the people I love. I’m asking lang po sana to be kind especially po from my past relationship (Aaron),” she said.

The Paguintos added, “It’s important for Fil-Ams to participate in events like this, because it allows us to get involved in issues happening back home.”

To support our Filipino brothers and sisters who are affected by the jeepney phaseout, contact Bahala Na Shop or Urban Tropicals on Instagram.

Photos by Bahala Na Shop and Mic Diaz

Actress-singer Maymay Entrata Photo from Instagram/@maymay