041223 - Southern California Midweek Edition

Legislation introduced to protect victims of crime from deportation

ASSEMBLY Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) joined Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), Thai Community Development Center and Chinatown Service Center (CSC) to announce the “Immigrant Rights Act” which is legislation that will help protect immigrant victims of crime. AB 1261 (Santiago, 2023) will help encourage undocumented Californians who are survivors and witnesses of crimes to come forward by protecting them from deportation. The crimes include (but are not limited to) stalking, extortion, and domestic violence. In order to fight antiimmigrant hate, California must reassure

AT a health-screening event in Sarasota, Florida, people gathered in a parking lot and waited their turn for blood pressure or diabetes checks. The event was held in Sarasota’s Newtown neighborhood, a historically Black community. Local Tracy Green, 54, joined the line outside a pink-andwhite bus that offered free mammograms.

“It’s a blessing because some people, like me, are not fortunate, and so this is what I needed,” she said. Green wanted the exam because cancer runs in her family. And she shared another health worry: Her large breasts cause her severe back pain. A doctor once recommended she get reduction surgery, but she’s uninsured and said she can’t afford the procedure.

In a 2022 Gallup Poll, 38% of American

US,

officials meet in Washington for talks amid new tension with China

by BERNADETTE

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the growing military ties with the Philippines on Tuesday, April 11 before heading to Vietnam and Japan days after a new flare-up of tensions with China over Taiwan.

The Philippines, Vietnam and Japan all have longstanding territorial disputes with China that have grown more intense in recent years as Beijing flexes its muscle.

Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet jointly in Washington with their Philippine counterparts in the first such joint talks in seven years

between the United States and its former colony. Last week, the Philippines announced four more military bases that U.S. forces will be able to use, including one on the northern Luzon island, just 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Taiwan -- a stark shift from a previous push by Manila to improve ties with  PAGE 2

by HELEN FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA — The four new sites within Philippine military bases made accessible to US forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) will not be used for offensive operations, President Marcos said on Monday, April 10.

The President made the remarks when asked to comment on China’s recent pronouncement that the designation of new EDCA locations would provoke tensions in the region.

“Now, China’s reaction perhaps was not surprising because they are worried. But we will not – we will not use, we will not allow, the Philippines, we will not allow our bases to be used for any offensive action. This is only to help the Philippines when the Philippines needs help,” Marcos told reporters partly in Filipino after leading the 81st Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Pilar, Bataan.

“So, if no one is attacking us, they don’t have to worry because we will not launch an offensive. What we do is we continue to strengthen the defense of our territory, the defense of the Republic,” he said.

JAPAN, the Philippines and the United States have become "trusting partners" working closely to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko said on Monday, April 10 during the 81st commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.

Also at the event were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Cabinet secretaries, senators, Bataan Gov. Jose Garcia, U.S. embassy

officials, and World War 2 Filipino veterans.

Japan and the U.S. were bitter enemies during that war, with Philippine troops fighting alongside American soldiers.

Japan has since become one of the U.S.' closest allies in Asia.

Koshikawa voiced hope that relations between the three countries achieve "greater heights," as he noted Marcos' earlier remarks that Japan is "a most reliable partner in times of crises and of prosperity."

He also conveyed his condolences to the victims of the "fierce battle" that took place in Bataan during WW 2 and offered

by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Marcos urged Filipinos on Sunday, April 9 to work toward a more progressive and humane society, oppose discrimination and help the needy as the country commemorated Araw ng Kagitingan, or Day of Valor.

In his message for the occasion, Marcos said Filipinos have been

defined by their feats rather than their trials and have emerged as “a nation that stands tall and proud, guided by the principles of justice, truth, and democracy.”

“From the battles fought in the trenches of World War II, to the struggles against insurgent forces, the Philippines has faced numerous challenges that tested our faith yet showed the world the indomitable spirit of every

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday, April 10 officially ended the COVID national health emergency that for more than three years underpinned extraordinary efforts to provide care for a country where more than a million people died from the disease.

The White House said Biden signed a law passed earlier by Congress "which terminates the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic."

This closes lavish funding streams for COVID tests, free vaccines and other emergency measures thrown together — starting in January 2020 — to try and free the world's biggest economy from the grip of the global pandemic.

Less clear is the impact the end of the emergency will have on the already tense southern border with Mexico, where US authorities have long struggled to manage the flow of undocumented immigrants and large numbers of asylum seekers.

A rule known as Title 42 was used during the official health emergency to impose stringent restrictions on acceptance of undocumented arrivals. That is set to end, forcing the administration to adopt a different legal mechanism if it wants to avoid the politically damaging potential of new influxes.

A senior official in the White House told AFP that the use of Title 42 "is expected to expire on May 11th."

 PAGE 4

U.S. President Joe Biden

Photo from Twitter/@POTUS

EDCA sites not for offensive actions...

This developed as the biggest ever iteration of the Balikatan exercises involving some 17,600 Filipino and American soldiers officially begins today. This year’s activities will include live fire exercises at sea until April 28. The Chinese embassy in Manila earlier warned the expansion of US access to military bases in the Philippines would seriously endanger Philippine interests as well as overall regional stability.

Malacañang announced on April 3 the four new locations deemed “suitable and mutually beneficial” EDCA sites in the country.

These are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lallo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and Balabac Island in Palawan.

Marcos said the new EDCA locations were selected due to their susceptibility to natural disasters.

“These are existing bases. The only difference with what we did here is that with the EDCA, we give an opportunity to our only treaty partner, which is

the United States, we give them a chance to be able to come and help us in any way, especially –that really started with helping with disaster relief,” he said.

“Now, what we choose is what we see most often… hit by storms, by disasters,” the Chief Executive added.

Signed in 2014, EDCA allows US access to Philippine bases for joint training, prepositioning of equipment and building of facilities such as runways, fuel storage and military housing. Permanent basing is prohibited.

To date, the U.S. has allocated over $82 million for projects at the five existing EDCA locations – Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

The announcement of the new EDCA sites came amid growing concern over Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and its saberrattling directed at Taiwan.

Meanwhile, some 12,000 US troops will join this year’s joint training exercises in

various sites in Northern Luzon, Palawan and Antique.

Top Philippine and U.S. military officials lead the opening ceremonies today at Camp Aguinaldo.

“Preparations are going on for the formal opening of Balikatan Exercise 2023,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said.

He said American soldiers would be arriving in batches based on the scheduled activities that they would be joining.

“Arrival of U.S. forces is time-phased depending on the schedule of their participation in the assigned events,” Aguilar explained.

Over a hundred participants from the Australian Defense Force will also be joining some of the events for the first time, while representatives from Japan will take part as observers.

For the first time, there will be joint littoral live fire exercises at sea – involving rockets and artillery – particularly in the waters of Zambales. The AFP will also be using its newly acquired assets, including FA-50 fighter jets. (Michael Punongbayan/Philstar.com)

China warns Philippine-US base deal...

his respects to the war veterans who contributed to the peace and security being enjoyed by Filipinos today.

Koshikawa "expressed the deep remorse felt by the Japanese people due to the country's past actions and concurrently affirmed their best wishes for everlasting peace and determination in upholding a law-based global order," the Japanese embassy said in a statement.

He also stressed that Japan seeks to "prevent a repeat of the tragedies of war for the sake of future generations, amid the increasingly tense international security environment."

Koshikawa said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas during the President's official visit to Japan in February.

Proof of that commitment is the fifth meeting of the Japan–Philippines Maritime Dialogue (JPMD) held last March 29 in Tokyo and attended by Japan's National Security Secretariat, the National Ocean Policy Secretariat, the Ministry of Defense, and the Japan Coast Guard and their Filipino counterparts.

The Japanese side was headed by Hayashi Makoto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy director general of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department.

The Philippine side was headed by Maria Angela Ponce, assistant secretary of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The two sides discussed the latest developments in the seas surrounding their countries, and ways to strengthen cooperation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and the Luzon Strait, the embassy said.

US, PH officials meet in...

Japan has been locked in a dispute with China over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has been protesting the incursions of Chinese naval ships in Philippine-controlled islets in the South China Sea.

The Japanese embassy said Tokyo and Manila both affirm the "importance of rules-based, free and open maritime order," and continue to work together toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific, it said.

The Japan-Philippines Maritime Dialogue was formalized in light of the JapanPhilippines joint statement of June 2009, the embassy said.

The first meeting was held in Tokyo on Sept. 9, 2011, the second in Manila on Feb. 22, 2013, the third in Tokyo on June 11, 2019, and the fourth in a teleconference format on Oct. 22, 2021. g

China. After condemnation from Beijing, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said that Manila would not take "any offensive actions" from the four bases, as well from five others agreed to with Washington in a 2014 agreement. "If no one is attacking us, they need not worry because we will not fight them," Marcos told reporters Monday, April 10.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is a "key pillar" of the alliance between the Philippines and the US as they aim to "reforge" their relations.

Manalo made the remark on Monday in Washington, DC during a forum organized by the Center for Strategic International Studies) ahead of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between top foreign affairs and defense officials of both countries.

Manalo and Defense department Officer-in-Charge Carlito Galvez Jr. will WITH Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin. The Philippines and the U.S.,

he continued, are also conducting this month "the biggest joint [Balikatan] exercise in EDCA history" with over 17,600 troops and observers from Japan and Australia.

"The EDCA is a 'key pillar' of our alliance, and the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises, for the first time, builds on our interoperability in the context of external defense," Manalo said in a speech.

He noted that the 2+2 Dialogue "highlights the positive trajectory of our bilateral relations, which is happening now at all levels, and the shared intention of Manila and Washington to sustain this momentum".

"This 'reforging' of our alliance is taking place on the heels of the 75th anniversary of our formal diplomatic relations and the 70th year of the conclusion of the Mutual Defense Treaty," Manalo said.

He, however, declined to provide more information when asked whether US weaponry such as artillery and missile systems be allowed on Edca sites for possible defense of Taiwan against Chinese invasion.

"I think at this stage we basically

identified the sites. There will have to be, as in the case of the other sites, discussions on terms of reference, the type of activities, and I think these all have to be agreed on," Manalo said.

"So at this stage it's really very difficult to respond to questions like that. It will all depend on how discussions go on the type of activities and the terms of reference of those activities within any of those sites," he added.

Months earlier, the United States reached a separate agreement with Japan, a fellow ally on the other side of Taiwan, to disperse U.S. forces across the southern island of Okinawa, another move seen as preparing for a potential Chinese move on Taiwan.

Beijing on Monday completed three days of military exercises said to simulate sealing Taiwan, a self-governing democracy it considers part of its territory.

The show of force came after Taiwanese President Tsai Ingwen met in California with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who is second in line to the U.S. presidency, in defiance of Beijing's warnings. (With reports from Agence France-Presse)

For uninsured people with cancer, securing care can be like spinning a roulette wheel

by Charlotte huff Kaiser Health News

EIGHTEEN months after April Adcox learned she had skin cancer, she finally returned to Charleston’s Medical University of South Carolina last May to seek treatment.

By then, the reddish area along her hairline had grown from a 2-inch circle to cover nearly her entire forehead. It oozed fluid and was painful.

“Honestly, I was just waiting on it to kill me, because I thought that’s what was going to have to happen,” said the 41-year-old mother of three, who lives in Easley, South Carolina.

Adcox had first met with physicians at the academic medical center in late 2020, after a biopsy diagnosed basal cell carcinoma. The operation to remove the cancer would require several physicians, she was told, including a neurosurgeon, because of how close it was to her brain.

But Adcox was uninsured. She had lost her automotive plant job in the early days of the pandemic, and at the time of her diagnosis was equally panicked about the complex surgery and the prospect of a hefty bill. Instead of proceeding with treatment, she attempted to camouflage the expanding cancerous area for more than a year with hats and long bangs.

If Adcox had developed breast or cervical cancer, she likely would have qualified for insurance coverage under a federal law that extends Medicaid eligibility to lower-income patients diagnosed with those two malignancies. For female patients with other types of cancer, as well as pretty much all male patients, the options are scant, especially in South Carolina and the 11 other states that haven’t yet implemented Medicaid expansion, according to cancer physicians and health policy experts who study access to care.

In the face of potentially daunting bills, uninsured adults sometimes delay care, which can result in worse survival outcomes, research shows. The odds of patients getting insurance to help cover the cost of treatment play out a bit like a game of roulette, depending upon where they live and what type of cancer they

have.

“It is very random — that’s, I think, the heartbreaking part about it,” said Dr. Evan Graboyes, a head and neck surgeon and one of Adcox’s physicians. “Whether you live or die from cancer shouldn’t really be related to what state you live in.”

The Affordable Care Act gave states the option to expand Medicaid eligibility and cover more people. Shortly after the law passed, just 2.6% of adults ages 18 to 64 with a new cancer diagnosis lacked insurance in Medicaid expansion states versus 7.8% in nonexpansion states, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology in 2018. Researchers at the American Cancer Society, who conducted the analysis, estimate that about 30,000 uninsured people are diagnosed with cancer each year.

But in all states, lower-income uninsured patients with breast or cervical cancer may have another route for coverage, even if they don’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid. Adults with cancer detected through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program can enroll in Medicaid for the duration of their cancer treatment, as a result of advocacy efforts and federal legislation that started more than three decades ago.

In 2019, 43,549 breast and cervical cancer patients were enrolled, according to a Government Accountability Office report published in 2020.

“If you’re lucky to be diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, you’re good,” said Dr. Fumiko Chino, a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, who studies cancer treatment access and affordability. “But otherwise, you may have some significant obstacles.”

The total amount billed to the insurer during the year following a cancer diagnosis can be steep. For instance, costs in 2016 averaged $168,730 for lung cancer and $137,663 for colorectal cancer, according to a 2022 study that calculated insurance claims for several common malignancies diagnosed in privately insured patients.

Since uninsured adults can struggle to afford preventive care, their cancer may not be identified

until it’s more advanced, making it costlier for the patient and the health system, said Robin Yabroff, an author of the study in JAMA Oncology and a scientific vice president at the American Cancer Society.

Patients who can’t get financial assistance through a safetynet facility sometimes rack up medical debt, use credit cards, or launch fundraising efforts though online sites, Yabroff said.

“We hear stories of people who mortgage their homes to pay for cancer treatment.”

Cancer patients can purchase insurance through the ACA health insurance marketplace. But they often must wait until the regular enrollment period near the end of the year, and those health plans don’t become effective until the start of the next calendar year.

That’s because the federal law was designed to encourage people to sign up when they are healthy, which helps control costs, said MaryBeth Musumeci, an associate teaching professor of health policy and management at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. If a new diagnosis were a qualifying event for new coverage, she said, “then it would incentivize people to stay uninsured while they were healthy and they didn’t think they really were going to need coverage.”

Meanwhile, the on-ramp to Medicaid coverage for lowerincome patients with breast and cervical cancer is a story of successful advocacy, dating to a 1990 law that created the national breast and cervical screening program. Mammography started to be widely recommended in the 1980s, and advocacy groups pushed to reach more underserved individuals, said Katie McMahon, a policy principal at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the organization’s advocacy arm. But research showed that some uninsured adults struggled to get care for those cancers detected through the screening program, McMahon said. A 2000 law allowed states to extend Medicaid to them, and by 2008 all 50 states and the District of Columbia had done so, according to the 2020 GAO report. For other cancer patients, one of the remaining avenues to

Marcos urges Filipinos to speak up vs...

Filipino,” the President said.

“We have staunchly proven time and again that we are never the same after each adversity for we always rise to meet every challenge head-on with grit, grace, and determination,” he added.

Marcos also called on Filipinos to make “wise and sound decisions” to address the country’s pressing problems with compassion and concern for others.

“As the legacy of our heroes and heroines came at a great and hefty cost, may we also reexamine our values and honor their lives by speaking up against discrimination, extending help to those in need, and working towards a better future,” he added.

Noting that their forebears sacrificed and fought long and hard to defend the nation’s freedom, Marcos reminded Filipinos that their actions today determine the future of the Philippines, including the next generations.

“Together, let us strive towards developing a more humane, fair, and progressive society that allows our citizenry to relish their liberty and achieve their individual and collective aspirations,” the Chief Executive said.

Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the Fall of Bataan in 1942, when Filipino and American soldiers bravely resisted huge numbers of Japanese invaders. The event is celebrated every April 9, but since it fell on a Sunday this year, the holiday will be observed today, in line with the holiday economics adopted by the Marcos administration.

Ceremonies commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan was held on Monday, April 10 at the Mt.

Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan. Marcos led the event, which were attended by war veterans, dignitaries from Japan and the U.S. and officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the local government of Bataan.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Pundasyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (Veterans’ Heroism, Foundation of United Filipinos).”

Never forget Speaker Martin Romualdez reminded the nation never to forget the sacrifices made by the generation of Filipinos who made it through or were martyred during the Fall of Bataan in the name of regaining the country’s freedom.

“We suffered, we fought, and we prevailed,” said the Leyte congressman who heads the 312-member House of Representatives. “We honor and recognize our heroes, who willingly laid down their lives so that we can enjoy the blessings of freedom today.”

“As we look back into that dark day, we must never forget the sacrifices of Filipino resistance fighters who stood up against the might of foreign invaders in World War II, which gave the rest of our nation the inspiration and strength to fight on,” Romualdez, an administration stalwart and cousin of the President, said.

He said the event is a “historic reminder that Filipinos will always fight on, move forward and prevail with unity,” which reflect the same fortitude that carried the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let this day remind us that we are strong as a nation, that faced even with seemingly

insurmountable odds, we will always prevail as long as we are united, and as long as we continue to draw our strength from the virtues of our heroes,” Romualdez said. “We do not give up, we press forward, and we overcome.”

‘Defend Phl sovereignty’

In its own message, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) urged the citizenry to continue fighting for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“As the Filipino nation pays tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of our veterans, the FFW also honors the sacrifices of our soldiers who continue to defend our nation’s sovereignty and protect our people. Let us stand together as a nation in upholding our rights and freedom,” FFW president Sonny Matula said in a statement.

Victoria Bellosillo, FFW Women Network president, also expressed support and gratitude to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stationed in the disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea.

“As they serve and defend our territorial integrity, we also remind our armed forces that it is their solemn duty to defend the dignity and human rights of our people,“ Bellosillo said.

While the labor group supports all peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve the country’s territorial disputes with China, it called on the government to prepare able citizens as reserve forces on a voluntary basis to support the AFP in case of any eventuality.

The FFW stressed the need to ensure that the country is always ready to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. g

Pres. Marcos led the Araw ng Kagitingan celebration in Bataan, which were attended by war veterans, dignitaries from Japan and the U.S. and officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the local government of Bataan. Malacañang photo

Biden ends US COVID emergency...

Although the U.S. is now formally turning its back on the worldwide pandemic, the Biden administration is already working on a next generation vaccine and other measures to combat any future variant

of the virus, the White House said.

"Project NextGen will accelerate and streamline the rapid development of next generation of vaccines and treatments through publicprivate collaborations," a

senior administration official told AFP. A fund of at least $5 billion is available to "help catalyze scientific advancement" and "stay ahead of the rapidly evolving virus that causes COVID-19." (Philstar.com)

High inflation and housing costs force many...

adults surveyed said they had put off medical treatment within the previous year due to cost, up from 26% in 2021. The new figure is the highest since Gallup started tracking the issue in 2001. In a survey by KFF released last summer, 43% of respondents said they or a family member delayed or put off health care because of costs. It found people were most likely to delay dental care, followed by vision services and doctor’s office visits. Many didn’t take medications as prescribed.

The Newtown screening event — organized by the nonprofit Multicultural Health Institute in partnership with a local hospital and other health care providers — is part of an effort to fill the coverage gap for low-income people.

Green explained that her teeth are in bad shape but dental care will also have to wait. She lacks health insurance and a stable job. When she can, she finds occasional work as a day laborer through a local temp office.

“I only make like $60 or $70-something a day. You know that ain’t making no money,” said Green. “And some days you go in and they don’t have work.”

If she lived in another state, Green might be able to enroll in Medicaid. But Florida is one of 10 states that haven’t expanded the federal-state health insurance program to cover more workingage adults. With rent and other bills to pay, Green said, her health is taking a back seat.

“I don’t have money to go to the dentist, nothing,” she said. “It’s so expensive. Now, to get one extraction, one tooth pulled, it’s like $200-$300 that you don’t have. So I don’t know what to do. It’s like fighting a losing battle right now.”

In the KFF poll, 85% of uninsured adults under age 65 said they found it difficult to pay for health care. Nearly half of their insured counterparts said they struggled with affordability as well.

The U.S. inflation rate hit a four-decade peak last year, and parts of Florida, including the Tampa metro area, often fared even worse.

“We see an increasing desperation,” said Dr. Lisa Merritt, executive director of the Multicultural Health Institute.

The nonprofit, which helps people access low-cost care, is based in Newtown, where, inland from Sarasota’s lavish beach communities, many residents live below the poverty line, lack insurance, and face other barriers to consistent and affordable care.

“It’s very difficult for people to be concerned about abstract things like getting screenings, getting regular health maintenance, when they’re contending with the challenges of basic survival: food, shelter, transportation often,” Merritt said.

Merritt and her team of volunteers work to build trust with residents who may not be aware that support is available. They help people apply for low-cost insurance coverage, free medication programs, and other resources that can reduce treatment costs. Volunteer Bonnie Hardy said the people she serves have many financial worries, but one thing tops the list.

“Right now? A place to stay,” said Hardy. “Housing is horrible.”

High housing costs have started to ease in recent months, but data shows rent in Sarasota has risen nearly 47% since the pandemic began in 2020. Hardy helps people find housing and connects them with programs that cover costs like utilities and security deposits. The goal is to stabilize their lives, and she said that can improve health.

“Because they’re more comfortable now,” she said. “They feel like, hey, the rent is paid, I can let my guard down, maybe I can go get the medical attention I need.”

Research shows putting off

health care can lead to bigger problems. The Gallup Poll found 27% of respondents delayed treatment due to costs even for “very or somewhat serious” conditions.

Some people may be holding off on treating medical issues because of health care debt. An investigation from NPR and KHN found about 100 million people in America had medical debt. About 1 in 8 of them owe more than $10,000, according to a KFF poll.

Treating cancer or chronic conditions like diabetes early can save lives and be less expensive than treating advanced-stage illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Doctors at the health screening event in Newtown said it’s critical to help residents obtain preventive care. At the health fair, substitute teacher Crystal Clyburn, 51, got a mammogram on the mammography bus and had her blood pressure checked.

Clyburn doesn’t have health insurance and said she relies on free events to stay on top of her health.

“I just try to take advantage of whatever that’s out there, whatever that’s free,” she said. “You have to take care of yourself because you can look healthy and not even know you’re sick.”

After the cuff came off, a doctor told Clyburn her blood pressure was a little high but not high enough that she needed to take medication. Clyburn smiled, thanked him, and left relieved to know that the cost of prescription drugs was one expense she wouldn’t have to worry about.

(Stephanie Colombini/Kaiser Health News)

This article is from a partnership that includes WUSF, NPR, and KHN. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Legislation introduced to protect victims of crime...

victims and witnesses that their livelihoods will not be threatened by coming forward to report a crime. Our collective public safety depends on all Californians feeling safe when they participate in our legal system.

“Californians should not lose their livelihoods simply because they came forward to report a crime,” said Assembly Member Santiago. “With AB 1261, we not only have a chance to reduce crime but also protect some of our most vulnerable community members. All Californians regardless of immigration status deserve to feel safe when participating in our legal system.”

“Far too often undocumented victims of crime and witnesses to crime are afraid to come forward because they are afraid of deportation. Your immigration status should never be a barrier to safety,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said. “Public safety for everyone and equal access to the justice system is possible if we protect those that are most vulnerable.

I am proud to sponsor this important piece of legislation. I will always advocate for policies and processes that increase access to justice for the undocumented members of our community while ensuring that people who cause harm are held accountable.”

“Justice, just like the American Dream, should be attainable for all, including our undocumented community members. Unfortunately, they are more likely to be victims and survivors of crime than their citizen counterparts. AB 1261 is a true test of our State’s commitment to justice for all,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First

District.

"As an organization that provides legal services to the AAPI community, AJSOCAL encounters undocumented victims seeking help every day. We help victims of domestic violence obtain U Visas and victims of human trafficking obtain T visas, which can be thwarted or unduly delayed if the victim does not get a certification from a law enforcement agency.

AB1261 removes hurdles for undocumented victims of crime who need these certifications and empowers them to come forward for help without the fear of deportation,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL).

"KYCC commends Assemblymember Miguel Santiago on AB 1261 to uplift the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Steve Kang, Director of External Relations for KYCC. “As a leading organization focused on providing free tax prep services for low-income families, we continue to witness the positive contributions of undocumented workers in the growth of our economy. It is time that we provide assistance to our undocumented neighbors who are victims of violence to help facilitate visa applications to ensure justice for all."

"We are happy to see AB 1261, authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and sponsored by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, going into committee,” said Peter Ng, CEO of Chinatown Service Center. “This is good news and beneficial for the community and especially the API community. The "Immigrant Rights Act" protects undocumented immigrant victims from crimes of domestic violence, and

human trafficking. With this bill, victims who help with the investigation can apply for a VISA for them and their family to remain in the country. If you are a victim of such hideous crimes, please do not be afraid to report it, this law can protect you." Often times, undocumented crime victims and witnesses are hesitant to seek assistance from law enforcement for fear of detection. Approximately 83% of the time undocumented folks are victims of a crime, they do not report them. Fears of detection, deportation, and dismissal prevent many undocumented victims to receive justice for the harm they have endured.

AB 1261 would promote California’s goal of protecting our most vulnerable residents by codifying the procedures for S visas and clarifying the procedures for U and T visas.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization. He represents the 54th District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Through direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building, AJSOCAL focuses on the most vulnerable members of AANHPI communities while building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. More info is at AJSOCAL.org. g

For uninsured people with cancer...

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coverage, according to Chino, is to qualify for disability through the Social Security Administration, after which they can apply for Medicaid. The federal agency has a lengthy list of criteria for cancer patients. It also has a Compassionate Allowances program, which offers faster reviews for patients with certain serious medical conditions, including advanced or aggressive cancers.

Although the rules vary, many patients don’t qualify until their disease has spread or the cancer requires at least a year of intense treatment, Chino said. That presents an inherent catch-22 for people who are uninsured but have curable types of cancer, she said.

“To qualify for Medicaid, I have to wait for my cancer to be incurable,” she said, “which is very depressing.”

For example, the Compassionate Allowances program doesn’t list basal cell carcinoma, and it covers

head and neck cancer only if it has spread elsewhere in the body or can’t be removed surgically.

Adcox said that before her 12-hour operation last June, her financial assistance application with the Medical University of South Carolina was still pending.

Someone from the hospital, she recalled, estimated the bill would be $176,000 and asked how much Adcox could put down. She cobbled together $700 with the help of loved ones.

But she did qualify for financial assistance and hasn’t received any bills, except from an outside lab services provider. “It’s over,” Adcox said. She’s since undergone radiation and will have more reconstructive surgeries.

But she’s cancer-free. “It didn’t kill me. It didn’t kill me.”

Still, not everyone finds a safety net.

Brian Becker, of El Paso, Texas, was uninsured and not working when he learned he had chronic myelogenous leukemia in summer 2021, said Stephanie

Gamboa, his ex-wife and the mother of their young daughter. His cancer physician required an upfront payment, she said, and it took several months to borrow enough money. He started chemotherapy the following year, and over months lost weight and became weaker, returning to the emergency room with infections and worsening kidney function, Gamboa said. The last time their daughter saw her father, “he couldn’t get out of bed. He was literally skin and bones,” Gamboa said. Becker started the process to request disability benefits. The text he sent Gamboa, which she shared with KHN, stated that review of his application began in June 2022 and was expected to take six months.

The denial letter, dated Feb. 4, 2023, arrived more than a month after Becker’s death in December at age 32. It read in part: “Based on a review of your medical conditions, you do not qualify for benefits on this claim.” g

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) joined Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), Thai Community Development Center and Chinatown Service Center (CSC) to announce the “Immigrant Rights Act” which is legislation that will help protect immigrant victims of crime.

PH, US open biggest joint military exercises

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines and the United States formally opened the biggest iteration of the Balikatan exercise on Tuesday, April 11 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

With over 17,500 combined troops from the AFP and the US Indo-Pacific Command, the 38th iteration of the annual joint military drills will highlight four major events: Command Post Exercise, Cyber Defense Exercise, Field Training Exercise, and Humanitarian Civic Assistance.

Present in the opening ceremony were US Chargé d'affaires Heather Variava, US Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Loss Carlson; AFP

Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino; US Exercise Director Representative Major General Eric Austin of the US Marine Corps; and Philippine Exercise Director Major General Marvin Licudine of the Philippine Army.

In his remarks, General Centino said for the AFP in particular, this year's Balikatan exercise is "most timely" as the Philippine military fast-tracks the enhancement of its capabilities

for maritime security and domain awareness, as well as the employment concept of newly acquired equipment and weapon systems under its modernization program and application of newly developed doctrines "with the end-in-view of projecting a credible defense posture."

Variava stressed that this year's joint military activities will be the biggest ever which, she said, is "an indication of the growth of our alliance and how it continues to evolve to meet our shared goals."

On the 38th iteration of the Balikatan, the participating forces will enhance their joint and combined capabilities in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire exercise, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Major General Austin said Balikatan signifies a more robust security relationship between the Philippines and the US, which are longtime allies.

"Balikatan is an important opportunity to train shoulderto-shoulder and build trust and confidence that enable our forces to respond to crises and contingencies as a team," shared.

Meanwhile, Major General

Licudine emphasized the importance of the Balikatan to both forces.

"It builds interoperability, enhances capabilities, and demonstrates mutual defense of the Philippine sovereign territory," he said. Exercise Balikatan, to this day, remains one of the best training opportunities to improve both countries' military arms. In this historic event, the CSAFP urged the participants to embody professionalism, excellence, and the spirit of camaraderie.

"I am confident that both our Armed Forces shall reap invaluable benefits from this Balikatan Exercise as we continue to pursue our shared goals of regional peace, security, and stability," Centino said.

The opening salvo of the Balikatan was held in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Monday as Filipino and American soldiers trained side by side in knock-out bunker and room clearing operations.

At the same time, partner nation Australia will also participate in some events, and officials from Japan are expected to observe some.

Furthermore, different assets and weapon systems will be utilized for various activities. g

PH keeps tight watch over growing Taiwan Strait tensions

MANILA – The Philippines continues to monitor developments over growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait as China caps its three-day war games around Taiwan, the country’s top diplomat said Tuesday.

In a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said a conflict would spell disaster, specifically to the Philippines given its close proximity to the island.

The top diplomat reiterated that any kind of escalation of tensions, more so a military conflict, puts at risk the over 100,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan.

“[A]ny kind of escalation of tensions or, even worse, some kind of a conflict, military conflict, would have really adverse repercussions on the

Philippines,” he said. Manalo then reiterated his call for all parties to engage in a dialogue.

Over the weekend, Beijing sent warships and fighter jets around Taiwan for military drills following Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit to the United States.

TheChinese Foreign Ministry said the war games is meant to serve as a “stern warning to the provocative activities of Taiwan independence secessionist forces and their collusion with external forces.”

China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, firmly opposes any form of official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan.

The Philippines, like the US, adheres to the one-China principle and recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the

Marcos admin urged to prepare for El Niño, go beyond monitoring dam water

MANILA — Lawmakers have urged the Marcos administration to plan ahead of the possible El Niño-induced water shortages this year to prevent widescale production losses in the agricultural sector.

Recto also said that "assuring statements" issued by government agencies should not be limited to "dipstick readings on big water dams near Manila, because the country is big and sources are diverse."

addressing the shortage of water supply.

government of China. While the U.S. has no diplomatic ties with Taipei, it maintains a “robust unofficial relationship” with the island and makes available “defense articles and services necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.”

Washington, DC, according to the State Department, also maintains its “capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of Taiwan.”

At the CSIS forum, Manalo deferred when asked about restrictions and if U.S. weaponry could be stored in the newly identified Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites.

He said all activities within any of the sites have to be discussed and permitted by U.S. and Philippine sides. (PNA)

Warning that the administration should brace itself for the impact of another dry spell this year, Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto (Batangas, 6th District) called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to move to update the Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Nino (RAIN) — the government framework for addressing El Niño concerns.

"We just need to dust it off and brush it up, so it will be attuned to the unique characteristics of the 2023 version of El Niño," Recto said.

RAIN was created during the administration of then-President Benigno Aquino III in 2015 ahead of forecasts of a severe El Niño. The weather phenomenon, which caused a dry spell and killed farmers' crops, would go on to last for 18 months, affecting a third of the country and leading to $327 million in agricultural production losses, according to a 2019 World Bank study.

The lawmaker also said Marcos could be "motivated" to create a comprehensive response on El Niño as it "will hit a sector which is under his jurisdiction –agriculture."

The country’s weather bureau announced that El Niño could follow after the neutral weather conditions forecasted from March to June this year. It also forecasted that the country could experience below-normal rainfall levels in the coming months.

A representative from the Department of Agriculture said that it is considering a number of measures in light of the advisory, primarily a change of calendar in planting. "Second, the water management," the official said.

Marcos said during the 6th Water Philippines Conference and Exposition in March that he has signed an executive order to create an office of water resource management to help the government streamline policies

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said on Monday that El Nino is a "predictable phenomenon," effects of which – such as dry taps parched soil, and dwindling dam levels – could be prevented by early government intervention.

"By this time, we expect the Water Resources Management Office to get its feet wet amid the water shortage being felt by households, businesses and the agriculture sector," Poe said.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have pending bills seeking to create a department to manage water resources – one of the items in Marcos’ priority measures announced during his first State of the Nation address. At least 11 million Filipino families still lack access to clean water, according to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) in March.

Due to El Niño, there might be a decrease in rainfall not only in Metro Manila but in different parts of the country, affecting the water supply, especially in farms, a representative of NWRB said. (Cristina Chi/Philstar.com)

PLAYGROUND. This boy has the Bustos Dam Eco Park in Bulacan all to himself on Tuesday, April 11. Located in Barangay Tibagan and served by Angat River, the rubber dam irrigates the farmlands of Bulacan and Pampanga provinces. PNA photo by Joan

Easter recovery

Masks are still worn outdoors even if this is no longer mandatory, but throughout this Holy Week, people freely gathered again – for masses and processions, for rituals to remember the passion and death of Christ, to chant in prayer and visit different churches for the Stations of the Cross. In Central Luzon, bloody self-flagellation and live crucifixions, although not sanctioned by the Church, were fully back, with no more restrictions such as those imposed last year by some of the local government units.

Editorial

are based. Still, vaccines and infections have created sufficient immunity for people to resume many prepandemic activities. Those who suffered grievous loss are picking up the pieces of their lives and moving into a postpandemic normal.

The lifting of mobility restrictions has allowed the reopening of the economy and recovery of livelihoods. This long Holy Week break has been a boon for travel and tourism and the downstream industries, which were among the worst hit during the lockdowns.

This Holy Week, many people are also emerging from the grief of personal loss caused by COVID: the death of loved ones and friends, the loss of jobs and shutdown of businesses. The threat isn’t over; as of Holy Wednesday, the official COVID death toll in the country stood at 66,396, with the 9,120 active cases bringing the total infections since 2020 to 4,082,580. The cases are widely believed to be underreported because people are no longer getting RT-PCR tests on which the official figures

Babe’s Eye View

BABE ROMUALDEZ

THERE’S hardly enough time for Easter break in Washington, DC as we expect a flurry of activity starting with the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on April 11 of Foreign

Affairs Secretary Ricky Manalo and Defense OIC Charlie Galvez with their US counterparts, State Secretary Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The policy-level dialogue is expected to solidify the alliance between the Philippines and the United States even more, with discussions to center on mutual concerns that include energy security, strategic trade and investment cooperation, critical and emerging technologies and infrastructure, supply chains and other areas that would help both nations achieve mutual economic prosperity.

The talks will be a great opportunity for both nations to modernize the alliance which has been in existence for over 70 years, and determine courses of action to effectively counter terrorism and other transnational crimes. The agenda will certainly

The tragedy created by a killer pandemic heightened awareness of the fleeting nature of life and brought many people closer to their Creator.

Contemplation of mortality was heightened during the Lenten season, even as Easter’s message of salvation through the Resurrection of Christ has louder resonance.

It’s a new and better day; there is much to celebrate this Easter Sunday. (Philstar.com)

EASTER Sunday, a special day devoted to the risen Christ, is marked this year with genuine celebration. For the first time since the crippling lockdowns in March 2020 to contain a deadly pandemic, all restrictions on religious rites have been lifted. Two plus two plus six

include regional security, considering that the treaty allies are both keen on fostering a free and open as well as a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region.

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was established in 2012, with the second one held in 2016. However, it took seven years for the third iteration to happen, which is why the dialogue this April will be very significant as it will set the long-term direction of the security and defense alliance between the US and the Philippines, including future engagements.

As explained by our Defense OIC Charlie Galvez, there are “hundreds of activities” that are being lined up until 2028 for American and Filipino troops, among them joint maritime patrols, inter-service training with coast guards and navies and people-to-people engagements.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the 2+2 ministerial dialogue will happen on the opening of the 38th U.S.-Philippines Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between Filipino and American troops with other like-minded nations joining as observers. This will be the biggest iteration

of the exercises with around 12,000 U.S. troops and 5,000 Filipino forces taking part, with a small contingent of Australian forces participating for the first time. Defense OIC Galvez said other allied nations can join in the future, especially in the navyto-navy and air force-to-air force exercises. The Balikatan 2023 exercises are expected to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines develop its external defense capabilities and contribute to international efforts to counter terrorism and other threats in the region.

We have also arranged for Secretary Manalo to be the keynote speaker at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leadership Forum, where he will share his “insights about a new era in the alliance in the context of the Philippines’ pursuit of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its efforts to advance a more peaceful and prosperous region.”

Shortly after the 2+2 ministerial meeting, the Philippine economic team composed of Finance Secretary Ben Diokno,

Did Marcos Jr. get EDCA right?

Malaysia’s territorial rights are nonnegotiable.

Malaysia’s historically acquiescent China policy.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan will be the main presenters for the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) on April 12 which we organized to include our major partners like the US Chamber of Commerce, US-ASEAN Business Council and the US-Philippines Society.

Prior to the PEB, our economic managers will be attending the in-person Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund from April 10 to 16.

Expected to join the economic briefing is Speaker Martin Romualdez. So in basketball parlance, it will be a full court press for us in the economic, diplomatic and security dialogues and initiatives to strengthen our relationship with the US, which can rightly be described as in high gear.

All these meetings have been planned way ahead, especially the economic briefings that we have been regularly organizing to showcase the Philippines as a viable investment destination.

The PEB, which will be attended by American business executives, officials from the US government, think-tanks and other institutions, will tackle the latest developments of the Philippine economy and the socioeconomic agenda of the administration of President Marcos Jr. Our economic managers will also share the government’s spending priorities, fiscal and infrastructure programs and the recent reforms that will further open up the economy of the Philippines for more foreign participation in public services and renewable energy.

Following the presentations from the Philippine economic managers, Ndiame Diop, the country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei of the World Bank, and Sanjaya Panth, the deputy director for Asia and Pacific of the IMF, will give their reactions. This will be followed by a Q&A session that will be moderated by BSP Managing Director Tony Lambino and Budget Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo.

The timing is really opportune because the overall business

outlook for the first quarter is upbeat based on the Business Expectations Survey recently released by the BSP that showed an increase in confidence from entrepreneurs regarding the business situation in the Philippines. Inflation also eased to 7.6 percent in March – a welcome development as noted by Secretary Diokno, who said that they are determined to sustain this downtrend. Hopefully, we can duplicate all these economic and diplomatic initiatives with some other countries who would like to have a good relationship with us. We have not confined these initiatives just to the US alone as the Philippines is open to the idea of having the same kind of relationship with many of our friends and allies – even with those that we have issues with. After all, we really do not have enemies, only issues – we want to be a friend to all. (Philstar.com) * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

PUTRAJAYA —Malaysian

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has found himself in hot water following seemingly overplacatory statements during a recent visit to Beijing. During his meeting with Xi Jinping, he described China’s paramount leader as a “visionary,” who had “not only changed the course of China but also given a ray of hope to the world and mankind…”

What got his critics particularly worked up, however, were his remarks on the South China Sea disputes. Although Anwar took a generally tough stance on the maritime disputes, he suggested an openness to negotiation over energy exploration activities in disputed areas.

Immediately, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin lashed out at his successor, accusing Anwar of making “careless” remarks that “threaten the nation’s sovereignty,” since they concern areas that fall “within Malaysia’s territory and cannot be negotiated over or demanded by China.”

He beseeched Anwar to be “more stern” in defending the country’s sovereign rights. In fairness, Anwar tried to clarify his statements by maintaining that

Dear reader: Let me provide some context so that we can appreciate what’s happening in the broader region, namely how our neighbors are beginning to resist bullying in the South China Sea.

Following the departure of Beijing-friendly Najib Razak in 2018, Malaysian leaders, beginning with Mahathir Mohammad, began taking an increasingly assertive stance in the South China Sea. In a bolt-from-the-blue move in late2019, Malaysia filed an extended continental shelf claim to the United Nations in order to fortify its sovereign rights claims in southwestern portions of the South China Sea basin.

When Beijing complained, then Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah minced no words, dismissing China’s expansive claims as “ridiculous” and, taking inspiration from the Philippines’ arbitration ruling in 2016, even threatened to embark on international arbitration to defend his country’s lawful claims.

Despite constant harassment by Chinese maritime forces, Malaysia’s Petronas, has been conducting energy exploration activities in areas that fall within Beijing’s nine-dash line claims.

The move, which began in 2020, reflected a major shift in

Almost simultaneously, neighboring Indonesia also began to push back against China.

In early-2020, President Joko Widodo visited the energy-rich Natuna islands, which overlap with the southernmost tip of Beijing’s vaguely defined ninedash line, to openly challenge China’s intrusive presence in the area. The Indonesian leader was firm and uncompromising: “We have a district here, a regent, and a governor here. There are no more debates. De facto, de jure, Natuna is Indonesia.” Jakarta also expanded its military presence in the area to make its uncompromising position clear. Similar to the Philippines, which named its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea, Indonesia began to rename energy-rich waters off its northern islands as North Natuna Sea. As for Vietnam, where antiBeijing sentiments are a national pastime, compromise with China was always out of question, at least officially. In fact, the communist nation has not only bolstered its military and coast guard capabilities in adjacent waters, but it has also openly warned of potential “arbitration and litigation measures” against China over expansive disputes from the Paracel to the Spratly Islands.

But just when Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam began to resist China’s expansionism in adjacent waters, the Philippines was under the thumb of Rodrigo Duterte, who openly extolled the virtues of being “meek” in exchange for China’s “mercy.” The ex-mayor undermined the Philippines’ strategic position by constantly belittling the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, our own armed forces’ capabilities, and the value of the Philippine-US military alliance. Against this backdrop, President Marcos’ foreign policy thrust is a

belated correction of Duterte’s misguided policies. But Mr. Marcos has to ensure that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) doesn’t end up deepening our dependence on an external power, reducing us to America’s “deputy sheriff” in Asean.

In short, EDCA should be leveraged to enhance our own defensive capabilities and deter Beijing’s worst instincts, while avoiding overcommitment to America’s broader regional strategy, particularly over Taiwan.

So far, it looks like the current

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of

leadership has not granted Americans access to our most prized bases in the north, namely in Mavulis and Fuga islands, while carefully calibrating Edca to ensure the pact focuses more on the enhancement of our own defensive capabilities vis-à-vis the West Philippine Sea. (Inquirer.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. * * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

'BALIKATAN' BEGINS. Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine, “Balikatan” exercise director for the Philippines (left), and Maj. Gen. Eric Austin, commanding general of the US Marine Corps' 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, lead the unfurling of the flag at the opening of this year's “Balikatan” exercises at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, April 11. This year's exercise is so far the biggest in history, with around 17,000 participating troops. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

NAIA passengers in Q1 increase by 158% – MIAA Video disinformation, laws on social media among digital threats in SEA — report

MANILA — More than 10.8 million passengers traveled through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from January to March, marking a 158% increase in number of travelers in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2022.

The Manila International Airport Authority, which manages NAIA, said Sunday it recorded 10,855,332 passengers in the first three months of the year. During the same quarter in 2022, 4,200,575 passengers traveled through Manila’s main gateway.

This year’s record is only 6% lower than pre-COVID-19 pandemic number of travelers of 11,587,919 during the same period in 2019, the MIAA added.

Meanwhile, flight movements in the first three months of the year reached 67,781, posting a 77% increase against the record of 38,269 in the same period last year.

This is 4% more than the 65,161 flights recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest monthly flight and passenger totals have

been March 2023's 23,399 flights and January 2023's 3,766,546 passengers,” MIAA said.

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong pointed out that travelers have regained confidence to fly for business and leisure following the reopening of countries’ borders and easing of travel restrictions.

Strong domestic market

From January to March, 6,164,985 passengers went on 42,331 flights, “surpassing the domestic flight and passenger

movement set in the first quarter of 2019” when the agency then logged 5,451,655 traveling on 36,206 flights.

Chiong explained that since domestic borders opened earlier than abroad, airlines have deployed a lot of flights for local destinations.

“As the aviation industry recovers from the effects of the pandemic, passenger numbers are likely to rise further in the coming months and years,” Chiong added. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

Senate to give Teves chance to be heard – Bato

by CeCille Suerte Felipe Philstar.com

MANILA — Suspended

Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be given the chance to be heard if he attends the public hearing of the Senate committee on public order on his alleged involvement in high-profile murder cases in the province, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said on Monday, April 10.

Dela Rosa said Teves was invited as a resource speaker in the public hearing of his committee next week. He clarified that the hearing will not cover the criminal cases against Teves being handled by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Hopefully, Congressman Arnie Teves can join us… even via Zoom if he is still abroad,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with Senate reporters online.

He said the public hearing will cover policy matters involving individuals having bodyguards and private armies as well as gun control.

“The legal aspect is well handled. The DILG and DOJ are on top of it,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the cases filed against the suspended congressman in connection with the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others.

“The main focus of this investigation is more on policy matters. Let us look at having bodyguards, about having private armies, about gun control. All policy matters which could be touched and address policy gaps through legislation, then we can do that,” the senator said.

But he did not rule out gathering additional evidence in the course of the public hearing, which the prosecution might use to make the case against Teves airtight.

The senator said the public hearing might also touch on other related killings in Negros Oriental that were not properly investigated then as few or no witnesses had come forward for fear of reprisals from perpetrators of the killings.

When asked how he intended to prevent other politicians from using the committee hearing for their political advantage, Dela Rosa said that as an experienced and retired police investigator, he is capable of protecting the committee.

“But then again, since this is a public hearing, let us accommodate all those who want to testify. For all we know, justice will prevail in this hearing,” he added.

“Maybe some witnesses have long wanted to come out but are afraid to because they know the suspect as high and mighty and powerful. But now, he’s no longer powerful so they can come out in the open,” he said.

The House of Representatives approved the suspension of Teves after he refused to return to the country and report for work amid allegations of his involvement in high-profile murders, including Degamo’s.

The suspended congressman went on medical leave in the U.S. on Feb. 28, four days before the assassination of Degamo. He is believed to still be in the U.S. g

MANILA — False information to influence public opinion and elections, and the risk of governments trying to restrict social media are among the issues in the digital space that the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia face, digital rights and internet freedom organization DigitalReach said.

In its Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023 report, DigitalReach highlighted how short videos, particularly on TikTok, influenced elections in the Philippines and in Malaysia in 2022.

The organization said short videos, which are harder to fact check because of the need to understand local context and non-verbal cues, "[were] used to spread right-wing narratives that favor views of Muslim conservatives" in Malaysia, and used to gloss over the Martial Law period and attack political rivals in the Philippines.

"In future elections in Southeast Asia, it is highly likely that information disorders via video format will play a significant role similar to that witnessed in the Philippines and Malaysia," it said.

The group noted that TikTok had committed to curb disinformation on its platform through AI and by partnering with the Commission on Elections in the Philippines and with news agency AFP across the region.

"When the information is confirmed to be false or misleading, TikTok states that it would take proactive steps to remove the content according to its Community Guidelines and notify the users accordingly. Additionally, the company has banned political ads globally since 2019," it also said, noting however that TikTok has still been criticized for not doing enough.

"Despite positioning itself as an entertainment platform,it is clear that the platform content extends well beyond the field of entertainment. It is this growth in dangerous content that poses a threat to human rights and democracy, and that requires the urgent action of the platform to manage the situation and to become more accountable," DigitalReach said.

The group also pointed out that governments in the region have been seen to use "cybertroops", or online campaigns, to influence

public opinion on an issue.

DigitalReach also sounded the alarm on attempts by governments in Southeast Asia to restrict freedom of expression on social media through legislation.

It said that Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore have all come out with policies that would let the government have content taken down.

"Removing content without judicial or independent oversights would allow governments to independently decide which content can be removed," DigitalReach said.

"Given the history of human rights in Southeast Asia and that of previously adopted legislation, these laws in 2022 are likely to add weight to the existing legal weaponry used to crack down on freedom of expression," it also said.

Although the Philippines does not have a similar law yet, social media accounts of activists groups as well as their posts and the posts of supporters have been taken down, often without warning.

The National Telecommunications Commission last June also ordered internet service providers in the Philippines to block access to several sites over alleged ties to communist rebels. Among those websites, alternative news site Bulatlat.com, has questioned

the NTC order in a Quezon City court. The petition against the order is still pending.

"How these laws will be enforced and what will happen when the newly adopted and existing laws that were adopted earlier work together, is still a question," DigitalReach said.

"However, what is known is that these laws to tighten control of social media do not have, as their aim, greater social media accountability for human rights and democracy in the region."

Citizens in Southeast Asia are also at risk of surveillance, the group said, pointing to the discovery of the use of Pegasus spyware in Thailand. The spyware allows the collection of information of an infected device and to manipulate the device's microphone and camera remotely.

"This powerful tool is novel to political dissidents in the region who are the most at risk," DigitalReach said.

The group suggested localized approaches to digital security work, designating contact persons with whom targets of digital attacks and surveillance can share their experiences, setting up technical support facilities for activists and advocates, and increasing monitoring efforts against these threats. (Jonathan de Santos/ Philstar.com)

EARLY BIRDS. Filipinos and foreigners wait at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1’s departure area more than four hours ahead of their scheduled flights out of the country. Philstar.com photo

Kris enjoys downtime with son Bimby, Mark Leviste in California

By HannaH MalloRCa Inquirer.net

IT’S been months since Kris Aquino clarified that Batangas vice governor Mark Leviste is just her “best friend,” but the supposed friendzone did not seem to dull their closeness as they spent some time together in California, U.S.

Leviste took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday, April 9 to share photos of himself bonding with the Queen of All Media, her son Bimby, and designer Michael Leyva at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California. The photo, however, has already expired from his account, as of this writing.

Aquino was also spotted leafing through clothes at what appeared to be a shopping mall as the vice governor and Leyva watched over her.

Vanessa Hudgens takes pride in her Pinoy roots

By JeRRy Donato Philstar.com

HER recent and first visit to the Philippines was in stark contrast to the ones made by foreign artists and celebrities. Vanessa Hudgens, a Hollywood star, came not to promote any latest recording or acting endeavor or headline a musical showcase. She was here to understand more her Filipino heritage via starring in an international travel documentary. As you and I know, the project will give viewers a glimpse into her relationship with Filipino mother Gina and sister Stella as well as tackle her tale as a global talent. Vanessa’s

sojourn was personal and familial. She may be born and raised in the U.S., but Vanessa is evidently and proudly Filipino. She is like a cousin based abroad that one warmly welcomes to the family and enthusiastic about knowing bits and pieces of life here. Her social media posts and interviews in local media show her acknowledgement that there’s a forever Filipino in her heart. Even Vanessa’s previous media conversations, let’s say, as a lead star, who promoted an upcoming show, or as a UNICEF supporter, who asked help for Filipinos (that included children) affected by Yolanda, can attest to this.

Vanessa deserves to be named a Global Tourism Ambassador for the Philippines, the latest title that has been added to her being an actress, singer and producer.

“(It) is an honorary title bestowed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to Vanessa Hudgens,” said Joyce Ramirez of PublicityAsia, which was responsible for bringing the Filipino-American star to the country, in collaboration with TEN17P as the production company, in an e-mail chat. The conferment of such title was also in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications.

Continued on Page 10

The Batangas-based politician then shared a photo of himself shopping at a luxury jewelry brand which appeared to be a special gift to Aquino, which Leviste also posted on IG.

Leviste’s post comes a few days after Bimby revealed during a meeting with TV personalitytalent manager Ogie Diaz, that his mother is currently in a stable condition as she currently weighs at 103 pounds.

“She is now mga 103 [pounds]… For me, kahit 80 pounds si mama , even if she was 80

pounds, she will still be the most beautiful mama ever para sa akin ,” he added, as seen in Diaz’s vlog uploaded last April 4. Aquino’s son also disclosed that the actress-host will always be the “[love] of his universe,” where he added that having a relationship is not a priority at the moment.

Heart develops immunity to below-the-belt comments

By Ronnie CaRRasCo iii ManilaTimes.net

HEART Evangelista is definitely not what less concerned, if cruel netizens believe she should be.

For countless times, local showbiz’s fashion icon/maven has been the easy target of bashers who don’t seem to get tired of asking why she’s still childless by husband Senator Chiz Escudero.

Very much like the bashers, Heart too hasn’t lost her energy answering them back.

She counters: “Who doesn’t like to get pregnant? Well, I was but who doesn’t like to be a mom?”

Apparently miffed by this never-ending inquiry since she married Chiz in 2015, Heart can’t help but empathize with other childless wives hounded by the same pressure-causing, stress-inducing question.

“To wives out there, don’t be pressured. Well, if you are, I get it. But don’t make your whole life depend on it. I believe getting pregnant happens in God’s perfect time,” Heart says. A netizen thinks that the

reason for Heart’s sadness is not having a child as evident in her “malamlam na mata.”

“Dear, mabigat lang ang lashes ko! Ano’ng gusto n’yo, umiyak ako ng dugo? Bubuklatin ko ba uli ang buhay ko?” she tells the netizen, adding that she has developed immunity to all the hurtful comments hurled at her.

“At the end of the day,

you realize all this makes you a stronger person. Just keep in mind that no one will defend you except yourself...and your dog.”

Albeit without a child — and amidst her share of social media bashings — Heart channels her maternal energies to her two pet cats and five dogs.

Of them all, her twotoned cat named Panda is the most spoiled. Take note, the adorable feline is pampered with signature stuff just as Heart is to her vain self.

Her pets mean the world to her that they fill in the vacuum, well, until she becomes a mom herself.

What’s more welcoming a bit of news is that Heart has finally quelled rumors about her marital kinks with Chiz.

Consistently at the start of 2023, Heart has never failed to tag along her husband even to places or occasions he doesn’t feel most comfortable with, one of which is the Paris Fashion Week which happens very often.

Yes, Heart has never been this openly proud of Chiz... again!

Fil-Canadian singer

Tyson Venegas advances to ‘American Idol’ Season 21’s Top 24

By HannaH MalloRCa Inquirer.net

FILIPINO Canadian Tyson Venegas is one step closer to becoming the winner of “American Idol” Season 21 after he advanced to the Top 24.

Venegas, who made waves after winning the first platinum ticket of “American Idol” in February 2023, was confirmed to move

forward to the show’s Top 24, as seen in an announcement on the show’s official Twitter page on Monday, April 10.

Venegas, who made waves after winning the first platinum ticket of “American Idol” in February 2023, was confirmed to move forward to the show’s Top 24, as seen in an announcement on the show’s official Twitter page on Monday, April 10.

The singer also took to his Instagram account to express his excitement about advancing to the next stage of the competition. In the video, he can be seen pumping his fists in excitement about his recent milestone.

It can also be noted that the show hasn’t announced the complete set of contestants who advanced to the next round, as of this writing.

“SO HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE I MADE IT

TO THE TOP 24! I have met so many amazing friends and artists on this journey and I can’t believe it’s not over yet,” he said in the caption.

Prior to entering the Top 24, the FilipinoCanadian singer paired up with fellow Platinum Ticket winner Kaylin Hedges to perform a rendition of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” during the show’s Hollywood Week portion.

The performance appeared to have left Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan in awe as they were spotted cheering during their stage.

Venegas first gained attention after competing in Season 2 of ABS-CBN’s “The Voice Teens” where he was part of Filipino-American rapper APL de AP’s team.

The singer then amazed the Idol judges with his soulful rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” where he showed off his riffs and melismas while playing the piano.

Kris Aquino enjoys downtime with her son Bimby and Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste. Photo from Instagram/@

Tyson Venegas Photo from Instagram/@tysonvenegas

Single or joint bankruptcy filing?

THE debtor is 50. Spouse is 48. They have two children, a son aged 18, and a daughter aged 16. Son is about to go to college out of state. Daughter is about to graduate from high school and applying for college in state. They expect that once son is in college and daughter is in college, they will have additional expenses related to college matters of their children approximately $500 to $700 monthly. They did not anticipate that their children would grow up so fast and already going to college soon. They were married in 2000. That was only 21 years ago. Then son was born followed by daughter. What a delight they were when they were babies, toddlers, and up to 12 years old. Once they entered junior high, they started socializing and going with the wrong crowd became constant problems. This went on until high school. They provided all their love and concern for their children, so despite all the negative forces both their children are now looking forward to college.

America is a meritocracy despite it’s imperfections

America, despite all its imperfections, is actually still a meritocracy. A college education and a profession is a sure way of getting ahead and rising out of mediocrity here. It doesn’t really matter if you don’t have connections. If you have the right qualifications, the right higher education, good income and realization of the American dream of having a house, a nice car, and prosperity is within striking distance. No one can seriously argue against this statement. Race doesn’t come into play. You can be black, brown, red, yellow or white, it doesn’t matter really as long as you have the right educational qualifications, a good future for you is almost assured. All immigrants know this and have lived it as reality.

Immigrants who are professionals get a head start

Immigrants come here and immediately those who are professionals get a head start. Let’s just talk about nurses. If you are a registered nurse when you migrate here and are able to get a local license here as a registered nurse, then you are practically assured of finding a job that will eventually pay you between $80K to $150K a year. There’s a shortage of nurses here so the nursing profession rewards those that are able to get a local license. Without a local license, sorry, you don’t get paid as a registered nurse, even if you are a registered nurse in your place of origin. That’s just the way it works. You can be a doctor in your country of origin but when you arrive here you have to take the medical board exam, pass it, and get a local license to practice medicine. Without the local license to practice medicine here, you’re out of luck. You’re relegated to a peon and will be stuck in a rut of routine lower paying jobs. Doctors here get paid a lot. If a registered nurse is looking at up to $150K a year, medical doctors are looking at $500K a year, and this is not even a ceiling.

Jesus and God the Father guides and support immigrants

The problem of course is that it’s not that easy to pass the medical board exam if you graduated somewhere else other than the USA. I know people who are doctors abroad who can’t pass the medical board exam here who have made many attempts to pass but cannot. They take some other course here to become registered nurses so they can work as such. This is really disappointing for them and it’s sad. But the lure of living here in the USA attracts a lot of adventurous people I know, as I am one of them. Jesus and God the Father has given me all the support and guidance and protection here for my family and I. You have to pray a lot and ask for divine guidance and support.

Joint or single chapter 7 filing?

Back to client: He owes $100K of credit card debt. His income at $96K a year is good. He’s thinking of getting rid of the $100K of credit card debt with a Chapter 7 petition as he

now pays $3K of minimum card payments monthly. His wife owes $30K of credit card debt and she pays $1K of minimum credit card payments monthly. Together, they pay $4K for minimum credit card payments. Certainly, this is a lot of money for credit cards! If they continue with this payment, they won’t be able to squeeze out another $750 monthly for college expenses of their children. So push comes to shove and they have now to seriously consider getting rid of credit card debt. If husband himself files a Chapter 7 by himself and wipes out $100K, then they will save $3K a month. If wife also files with husband, making it a joint Chapter 7 case, then they will save $4K a month.

I suggest both of them together file a joint Chapter 7 case. There’s no advantage in wife keeping her $30K current at $1K a month. Her credit score is not that great either. If both of them file together, both of their credit scores will become over 600 next year and will significantly improve yearly. In 3 years, both of their credit scores will be close to 700. Both of their credit scores now are already below 600. In ten years, there is no record of their Chapter 7 filing and they’re looking at over 800 of credit score assuming they handle new debt well. They can get new credit, but whatever they use, they should pay up in full when due, not minimum payments. If they buy a new car, they have to make sure all payments are timely to boost credit score faster after bankruptcy.

If you have too much debt and need relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

*

* * Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone. Each case is different. There is no absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article.

*

* * Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

Amy Austria still feels ‘blessed’ after winning Best Actress over Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor in 1980

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

MORE than 20 years have passed since Amy Austria bagged the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Actress award over fellow screen veterans Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor, but she remained grateful over this momentous acting milestone.

Austria spoke about her MMFF Best Actress win during the April 5 episode of “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” where host Boy Abunda asked her thoughts about winning over the “two biggest stars” at that time. The seasoned actress was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Monica Real in “Brutal,” alongside Santos (“Langis at Tubig”) and Aunor (“Bona”).

“Ang nanalong Best Actress para sa ‘Brutal’ ay si Ms. Amy Austria. Ano ‘yung pakiramdam na ‘yun, [besting] two of the biggest stars, two of the best stars in the country,” Abunda asked Austria. (Amy Austria

won as Best Actress for her performance in the film “Brutal.” How did it feel to win over two of the biggest and best stars in the country?)

“I was so blessed na pinagpala ako ng magandang role. Nagkaroon ako ng opportunity na maipakita or magawa, ‘yung pagkagawa kasi ng mga eksena eh. Ang ganda eh,” the actress said in response.

(I was so blessed to be given the opportunity to take a beautiful role. I had the opportunity to show my skills in well-crafted and beautiful scenes.)

The “Halik” star also noted that being nominated for an accolade at prestigious awardgiving bodies revolves around the actor’s ability to take on a role in a certain film instead of their filmography as a whole.

“Sa totoo lang, ‘yung pagiging Best Actress, hindi naman ibig sabihin na mas magaling ka sa mga natalo mo eh. Nagkataon lang na mas maganda ‘yung role mo eh. Mas marami kang

[ma]dramang eksena. Mas naipakita mo ‘yung kaya mong gawin,” she said.

(As a matter of fact, winning Best Actress doesn’t mean that you’re better than your fellow nominees. It just so happens that your role was better. You had the chance to take on more challenging, dramatic scenes. You were able to show what you were capable of.)

“Brutal” tells the story of Monica Cruz (Amy Austria) who was accused of killing her husband and two other men in her apartment. She soon crosses paths with a journalist named Clara Valdez (Charo Santos) who’s determined to find the roots of her case. The MMFF film is said to be the first Filipino film to portray rape as a feminist issue, according to the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) official website. It also received several nominations for Gawad Urian, as well as a Best Supporting Actress win for Gina Alajar.

Nora Aunor, Amy Austria, Vilma Santos

GMA photos

James, Issa spend time in Palawan

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

RUMORED celebrity couple

James Reid and Issa Pressman were spotted celebrating Easter Sunday in Palawan. Photos of the two went viral in different social media sites.

According to reports, James and Issa were in Port Barton in San Vicente, Palawan.

The rumored couple, however, has no posts in their social media accounts regarding their Palawan

vacation.

Last month, Issa posted photos of her and James holding hands, fueling romance rumors. It can be recalled that Issa was allegedly the reason behind James and Nadine Lustre’s breakup. James clarified recently that past rumors alleging that Issa was the reason behind his breakup with Nadine were just that — rumors.

James, however, gave a hint that he’s happy with his relationship with Issa today.

“I’m only gonna say this

Can I qualify for a green card despite the petitioner’s death?

once. The past rumors about Issa are just that, rumors,” James wrote on his Instagram story.

James also said that he’s happiest he’s ever been today.

“I usually NEVER address bashers or get involved in hate culture but I feel the need to speak up now because this is the start of something beautiful. And I’m not gonna let anyone take that from me,” he said.

“All you need to know from me is that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” he added.

Vanessa Hudgens takes...

From Page 8

From the piece of information given to this paper by PublicityAsia, and as what one could gather from the courtesy call made by the actress to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the government, through the title, recognizes “exceptional and outstanding individuals for their contributions to help promote the Philippines as one of the world’s best tourism destinations.”

Thus, the Philippine government looks forward to collaborate with Vanessa in putting across “the message that the Philippines will always strive to give the world our best.”

“Just to be clear, the project is privately funded. The objective is to produce a documentary film that can be shown in an international streaming channel to help promote the country,” said Joyce, who added that it took a few months to get the star on board the project, “as schedules needed to be cleared.” As the past few days showed, everything was written in the stars or the stars had just aligned.

From what we have known so far, Vanessa spent a few days at Pangulasian Island Resort in El Nido, Palawan. The picturesque place will be seen as a backdrop for some parts of the documentary.

According to Joyce, the actress, as she had expressed herself, is looking forward to visit the Philippines more often, but that depends on her schedule. This is true since, as being shared, Vanessa will star in upcoming films such as French Girl and Bad Boys 4.

As for her next visit to the country, places Cebu and Mindanao, where she traces her roots, are on her list, plus making a stop and interaction with indigenous tribes. Vanessa might also head to the North as she wishes to meet the 106-yearold Apo Whang-od, a traditional tattoo artist.

As a celebrity, she is a sight to behold and commands attention when Vanessa enters a room, as shown during her press conference.

It can be attributed to her affable personality, complemented by that genuine smile, a best accessory one can sport.

With her Philippine visit, Vanessa had also a glam team, composed of Steven Doloso, Nante Alingasa and Mimi Qiu Reyes, who were in charge of her makeup, hair and nails, respectively, and Liz Uy as the stylist. Vanessa donned the Atelier Patty Ang formal wear for the Malacañang event and wore the same brand for the press conference.

Again, Vanessa’s visit to the homeland of her mom, who, at the age of 25, went to the US, reminded everyone of the actress’ rise to fame and stardom.

Armed with innate talent in performing and enthusiasm in musical theater, she was Gabriella Montez in the Walt Disney Pictures-produced High School Musical and further established herself by acting in films like Spring Breakers, Gimme Shelter, Bad Boys for Life, and Tick, Tick…Boom!.

She showed her acting and producing prowess in rom-com films such as The Knight Before Christmas and The Princess Switch, with its installments Switched Again and Romancing the Star, all streamed on Netflix.

It’s a delight to see Vanessa taking on diverse characters and telling the latter’s unique and individual stories.

Everyone simply anticipates new projects, which include the documentary, from our kababayan Vanessa, who likes Filipino food such as adobo (vinegar-braised chicken), pansit (noodle dish) and halo-halo (a summer dessert) and shows interest in tinikling folk dance (whose steps imitate the movements of a bird called tikling). Her idea of Filipino Christmas tradition also includes having pansit, lumpia (spring roll), adobo and puto-bumbong (rice cake) on the table.

With that, Vanessa truly embraces and takes pride in her Pinoy heritage.

CONSIDER this common factual situation. You are over 21 years old and your US citizen parent petitions you while you are inside the United States. Since this is a preference category, you have to wait many years for your priority date to be current. As the years go by, your petitioning parent dies which in turn revokes the petition. Can you still apply for your green card when your priority date becomes current?

Under Section 204(l) of the immigration and nationality act, you may apply for a green card despite the death of the petitioner once your priority date becomes current as long as 1) you were in the United States at the time of the Petitioner’s death, and 2) you continuously resided in the United States until the present time when you apply for adjustment of status. This provision does not apply to beneficiaries that are outside the United States. This provision also applies to both approved and pending Petitions. This avenue is available to all family based petitions as outlined in INA section 204(l) (2). This includes 1) immediate relative petitions and 2) preference family petitions such as unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens,

spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lpr, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

Derivative beneficiaries of pending or approved employment- based immigrant visa petitions are also covered by this section. This includes the spouse and unmarried children under age 21 of an individual who was sponsored under the employment-based category.

If you fail to meet the requirements of INA 204(l) because you did not continously reside in the US since the death of the Petitioner, you may still try to reinstate the Petition under 8 CFR Sec. 205.1(a)(3) Humanitarian Reinstatement. The DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) may exercise discretion “for humanitarian reasons” to reinstate the petition and to allow the Affidavit of Support requirements to be satisfied by the qualifying I-864 of a spouse, parent, mother-inlaw, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild or legal guardian of the beneficiary, as long as the petition was “approved” prior to the Petitioner’s death.

DHS discretion does not mean “guaranteed” approval. The case will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Some of the factors that the DHS may consider are 1) disruption of an established family unit;

2) hardship to US citizens or lawful permanent residents; 3) beneficiary is elderly or in poor health; 4) beneficiary has had lengthy residence in the US; 4)

beneficiary has no home to go to; 5)undue delay by USCIS or consular officer in processing petition and visa; 6) and Beneficiary has strong family ties in the United States. The beneficiary must be prepared to show proof of the original I-130 that was filed, proof of I-130 approval if approved, a copy of the Petitioner’s death certificate, proof of substitute sponsor’s relationship to the beneficiary, and meet all the I-864 requirements.

* * *

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.  The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.  This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC.  This article is not a solicitation.

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the Family law section, Estates and Trust, and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Web: kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Amy Austria still feels...

From Page 9

During the interview with Abunda, Austria also clarified that she wasn’t battling drug addiction while filming for “Brutal” at that time. The actress previously opened up about her battle with drug use in the past in a YouTube vlog in April 2022.

The screen veteran also recounted that she was initially nervous about her acting comeback in the GMA series “Hearts on Ice,” which marks her first teleserye after three years. The drama stars Xian Lim and Ashley Ortega as the leads.

“After reading the script, medyo complicated eh. Ako ‘yung tao na ayokong magalit. Sa lahat ng emosyon, ayokong nagagalit or pino-portray ‘yan. And then ‘yung character [kong si Libay Bravo-Martinez], may pinanggagalingan na hugot simula noong bata siya,” she said.

(After reading the script, it was complicated for me. I’m the type of person who doesn’t want to get mad. I don’t like getting angry or portraying anger. And then my character Libay Martinez is that type of person, with a lot of inner demons even when she was still young.)

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT