mANILA — the United states Congressional Delegation (CoDeL) has reaffirmed its commitment and support to the Philippines-U.s. alliance, according to foreign Affairs secretary enrique manalo. manalo said the CoDeL — composed of U.s senators John Peter ricketts, Christopher Coons, and theodore Paul Budd — expressed their commitment during a meeting in manila on April 14.
According to the Department of foreign Affairs, “the CoDeL’s visit, the first under the new trump administration, and its meeting with [manalo] highlights the strength of the Ph-U.s. treaty alliance.”
“secretary [manalo] and CoDeL discussed opportunities to reinforce
defense and security cooperation, the importance of building economic security and resilience, and exchanged views in addressing regional
Clark County approves Filipino Town cultural district in Las Vegas
IN a landmark move recognizing the vibrant filipino community in southern Nevada, the Clark County Commission unanimously approved to officially establish a “filipino town” cultural district in Las Vegas.
the newly designated cultural corridor, which was approved by the Commission on tuesday, April 15, will span a 1.2-mile stretch, along maryland Parkway, between flamingo road and Desert Inn road.
the area, already a thriving hub of filipino culture and commerce, is anchored by the popular seafood City supermarket and several filipino-owned businesses at the Boulevard mall.
With the new designation, it will now serve as a formal center for filipino American life in Las Vegas — encompassing food, business, community services, and celebrations.
the establishment of this Cultural District will help preserve and celebrate the culture, commerce, food, celebrations, and religion of filipino people who have made Clark County their home,” the official resolution stated. this marks the second cultural district
China: Asean trade can offset US tariffs
with allies."
but
regional integration could
of America's pivot to protectionism. speaking at a closed-door press briefing with select members of the Philippine media held at the Chinese Chancery in south forbes Park, makati,
huang Xilian cited recent survey data showing that 75 percent of filipino respondents anticipate negative repercussions from U.s. tariffs on the country's oil and trade sectors. such measures, he cautioned, could exacerbate economic instability, triggering cascading effects across vital — from agriculture to outsourcing. these are not just abstract numbers — these are livelihoods at stake," huang said. "rice farmers, garment workers and BPo (business process outsourcing) employees are bracing for higher costs and shrinking demand. history shows the U.s. is uncompromising — not only with rivals but even
Malacañang to online overseas voters: ‘Vote from the heart’
by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net
mANILA — filipino voters abroad should choose candidates who are patriotic and will not sell out the Philippines in any form, a Palace official said on monday, April 14. this advice came as the Commission on elections began its monthlong internet voting for overseas filipinos on sunday, April 13. In a briefing in malacañang, Palace
Press officer Claire Castro said that voting is the way filipinos abroad can voice their opinions, even if they are not physically in the country. our message from the Palace is, “fulfill your duty as a filipino. Vote wisely. Vote from the heart,” she told the voters abroad.
“Do not vote just because of influence or because you were paid, but vote for those who truly deserve it—those we can rely on, leaders who will not sell out
FIFA World Cup 26: Filipino American creatives take the spotlight
by MoMar G. Visaya AJPress
As the world gears up for the largest and most inclusive fIfA World Cup in history, a trio of filipino American artists are making their mark on the global stage — infusing the world’s biggest sporting event with powerful expressions of identity, heritage, and creative vision. set to unite 48 teams, 16 cities, and billions of fans across three host
Citing a february 2025 report by the house of representatives' Congressional Policy and Budget research Department, huang noted that the Philippines risks losing up to $1.89 billion in exports due to U.s. protectionist policies. the report highlighted vulnerabilities in key export sectors — from coconut oil to electronics and auto parts — as Washington's trade stance grows increasingly unpredictable.
Unlike regional competitors such as Vietnam and malaysia, which adapted during earlier phases u PAGE A2
PresIDeNt ferdinand marcos Jr. suffered a double-digit decline in his approval and trust ratings, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey which also showed a notable rise in public support for Vice President sara Duterte.
In the survey conducted from march 23 to 29 among 2,400 respondents, marcos' approval ratings saw a steep decline, dropping from 42 percent in february to just 25 percent in march, with 53 percent disapproving and 22 percent remaining neutral. on the other hand, Duterte's approval ratings climbed from 52 percent in february to 59 percent, with 16 percent disapproving and 25 percent neutral. Aside from the two top officials, the approval ratings for other officials also dipped over the same period. senate President francis escudero's approval rating fell from 47 percent to 39 percent, with 18 percent disapproving and 39 percent neutral. house speaker martin romualdez saw his rating drop from 17 percent to 14 percent, with 54 percent
mANILA — senator Imee marcos on tuesday, April 15 dismissed speculations that the endorsement of Vice President sara Duterte was a “reward” for probing the arrest of her father, former President rodrigo Duterte. marcos initiated the probe as head of the senate committee on foreign affairs. “reward? that never crossed my mind, and it never crossed hers either,” she said, speaking
advertisement
or Inday trusts Imee marcos. inday is VP Duterte’s nickname. Black, according to their political ad, is the current color of the country as it is mourning over hunger and criminality and is starving for justice.
‘Idea of the vice president’ According to marcos, the black theme was the idea of the vice president.
China: Asean trade can offset...
of the U.s.-China trade war, the Philippines' structural trade limitations leave it more exposed to shocks, the report found.
"the trade war has no winners," huang said. "the U.s., once a global advocate for free trade, is now dismantling the very system it helped build." his remarks come as moody's Analytics, Nomura and the Asian Development Bank have all downgraded growth forecasts for the Philippines, citing global instability partly fueled by U.s. tariff hikes as a major concern.
"the Philippine economy is deeply trade-dependent," huang said. "restrictions, especially on services like BPos or overseas filipino workers, will have profound and lasting consequences."
Asked how Beijing plans to navigate turbulent trade conditions, huang pointed to China's commitment to "longterm, regional partnerships" anchored in open trade and mutual benefit.
"China has driven over 60 percent of global growth in recent years," he said. "our approach is not about dominance — it's about shared prosperity. We urge nations, including the Philippines, to adopt forwardlooking policies."
he pointed out China's position as the largest trading partner of the Association of southeast Asian Nations (Asean), noting that the China-Asean free trade Area 3.0 upgrade will further strengthen economic ties despite global headwinds.
huang also referenced a recent Asean economic ministers' statement, in which southeast Asian nations voiced "deep concern" over U.s. tariffs — some as high as 49 percent — warning of trade distortions and
widespread economic harm.
"this isn't just about economics — it's about people's futures," he said.
huang said he expects the Asean to safeguard regional free trade order and work together to mitigate the impact of the tariffs that the United states imposed on its trading partners.
In contrast to the U.s. current protectionist policy, huang highlighted China's steadfast support for multilateralism, saying that Asean-China collaboration has endured global volatility through shared principles and integrated frameworks.
"Protectionism doesn't strengthen sovereignty — it erodes it," he said. the ambassador called for regional solidarity, urging adherence to frameworks like the regional Comprehensive economic Partnership (rCeP) and the World trade organization.
Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, south Korea, Laos, malaysia, myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, singapore, thailand and Vietnam are part of the rCeP.
"China and the Philippines are both rCeP members. We must uphold our shared responsibility to safeguard regional stability — now is the time for unity, not division," he said.
huang reaffirmed Beijing's readiness for high-level Asean talks to mitigate tariff shocks and bolster economic cooperation.
"We are already fulfilling our rCeP commitments. Now, we must deepen — not weaken — our partnerships," he said.
China continues to host major import expos, where filipino firms secured over $1 billion in export deals last year alone.
"If trade imbalances exist, the solution isn't less trade — it's more. Let's expand opportunities,
not restrictions," he said.
huang appealed to Philippine policymakers to embrace independent, multilateral strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions.
"Global solidarity has never been more crucial. We must reject protectionism and work toward a fair, rules-based economy," he said.
reiterating China's commitment to collaboration under rCeP and Asean-China frameworks, huang framed the current moment as one of both risk and historic opportunity.
this is a pivotal juncture for regional progress — one we cannot afford to waste."
the Asean has said it would reach out to the U.s. to discuss the tariffs it imposed on its trade partners as part of its economic policy under the trump administration.
malaysian Ambassador to manila malik melvin Castelino said the issue on tariffs would likely be discussed during the Asean-U.s. dialogue in may in Kuala Lumpur as malaysia chairs this year's Asean summit. there will definitely be a reach out to the U.s. I hope to have a positive outcome of it. We speak together as a regional body with the U.s.,” Castelino said in an interview last week.
U.s. President Donald trump earlier announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries except China, whose tariffs he raised to 125 percent.
Asean members, including the Philippines, faced a 10-percent tariff. the regional block, with a combined $3.8-trillion gross domestic product, is an important trading partner of the U.s trump said that countries that had not retaliated against U.s tariffs would receive a reprieve — and only face a blanket U.s. tariff of 10 percent — until July. n
Malacañang to online overseas...
the country in any way, and leaders who are patriotic,” Castro continued. overseas online voting pushed through on April 13 as the supreme Court had not yet acted on the petition for a temporary restraining order filed against it. this is the first time that filipinos abroad are voting online. Previously, they could only vote through personal appearance at designated Philippine legations or by mailing their ballots. n
Marcos ratings plunge while VP...
disapproving and 31 percent neutral.
trust ratings followed a similar trend, mirroring the decline in approval ratings — except for Duterte, who was "the only top official with an improvement in trust ratings," Pulse Asia said.
marcos' trust rating fell from 42 percent in february to 25 percent in march, while his distrust rating rose from 32 percent to 54 percent.
In contrast, Duterte's trust rating rose by 8 percentage points from 53 percent in february to 61 percent in march.
meanwhile, escudero's trust rating slipped to 38 percent from 47 percent, while his distrust
Clark County approves Filipino Town cultural...
in Clark County, following the designation of Little ethiopia in 2023 near Decatur Boulevard. the campaign to designate filipino town was led by community leader and longtime Las Vegas resident rozita Lee, a nationally recognized advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. originally from hawaii, Lee moved to Las Vegas in 1979 and has spent decades organizing around filipino civic engagement, cultural pride, and representation. everybody is so joyful, so joyful for this day,” Lee said during the Commission meeting on tuesday. “the filipinos make a complete and wonderful contribution to this state … and we will continue to work together to make this filipino town, to
make Clark County the best ever in the nation.” home to an estimated 250,000 filipinos — the largest Asian American ethnic group in southern Nevada — the creation of filipino town marks a historic milestone. the district is expected to host cultural festivals, public art installations, and small business initiatives that reflect the rich traditions and economic impact of the filipino community in the region.
With the unanimous vote, Clark County joins a growing number of cities across the U.s that have established cultural districts to honor and uplift filipino American communities. the creation of filipino town in Las Vegas joins a growing list of formalized filipino enclaves across the United states. historic
filipinotown in Los Angeles was officially designated in 2002, and has since become a nationally recognized center of filipino history.
more recently, san francisco’s somA Pilipinas Cultural District was created in 2016 to preserve filipino history in the south of market neighborhood, while Jersey City’s Little manila in New Jersey celebrates the east Coast’s largest filipino community.
But what sets Las Vegas apart, community leaders say, is the scale of filipino presence and the deep integration of filipino culture into the city’s economy. from health care professionals and hospitality workers to small business owners and educators, filipinos have played a central role in building the Las Vegas valley. (AJPress)
US congressional delegation reaffirms...
peace and security challenges,” it added.
“the meeting ended with the U.s. Congressional Delegation reaffirming its commitment and
support to the Ph-U.s. Alliance,” manalo tweeted on tuesday, April 15. earlier, President ferdinand marcos Jr. expressed optimism that the “strong and lasting”
Philippine-American alliance would continue as he greeted U.s. President Donald trump in time for the latter’s inauguration last January. (charie Abarca/ inquirer.net)
VP Sara endorsement not a reward...
“Yes, she was the one saying she wasn’t in the mood— that everything felt dark and mournful, just like what many others were feeling too,” she said.
“As for me, I said, how could that be turned into a political ad? Would that even appeal to people? Isn’t it just sad? And when you really think about it, it’s true—it doesn’t feel right to be dancing or riding around on a motorcycle. It’s out of place, especially at a time when the people are going through such hardship,” the senator added.
marcos pointed out that she and Duterte remain friends despite the things they said to
each other in the past. on the other hand, she hopes her brother, President ferdinand marcos Jr., would not take Duterte’s endorsement against her. the senator left her brother’s senatorial slate after starting the probe on the former president’s arrest.
‘Maintain my independence’ In a statement on march 26, she pointed out the actions taken by the government which she said “run counter to my ideals and principles.”
“thus, I cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa,”she said then. “ As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence.” In the Zoom interview, the senator noted the has already been conducting investigations on many issues confronting the country, and not just the arrest of Duterte. former President Duterte is now under the custody of the International Criminal Court in the hague, Netherlands waiting trial fo his alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s war on drugs. so this isn’t something new, and I hope people can understand that I believe the administration is no longer on the right path— and that saddens me. for me, this is a great tragedy for all of us,” sen. marcos
LENTEN
Christ on Maundy
April 17, The Holy Week tradition allows Filipinos to strengthen their Catholic heritage while for some, it is a form of sacrifice.
filipinos in march (57 percent) — increasing by 15 percentage points from 42 percent in february. n
Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/@
SCOTUS to hear arguments over
by Klarize Medenilla AJPress
the U.s supreme Court announced on thursday, April 17, that it will hear oral arguments regarding President Donald trump’s plan to end automatic birthright citizenship—one of the current administration’s latest efforts to crack down on immigration. the announcement followed the trump administration’s attempt to challenge three injunctions, wherein federal judges in Washington state, massachusetts and maryland attempted to override the president’s order for federal agencies to overlook the citizenship status of those with birthright citizenship.
In response to sCotUs’s plan to hear arguments, trump told reporters that he is “so happy” and, “I think the case has been so misunderstood.”
Birthright citizenship allows anyone born in the U.s. to automatically become a U.s citizen, a mandate that applies to children of undocumented immigrants, tourists or those
with temporary visas. the practice has been in place for decades. on sunday, April 13, trump told the hosts of “meet the Press” that he “absolutely” wants to end birthright citizenship altogether “because it’s ridiculous.” opponents of birthright citizenship argue that birthright citizenship encourages “birth tourism,” which involves pregnant women entering the U.s. illegally to give birth to U.s citizens.
trump signed the order on his first day in office, and it was to take effect starting feb. 19, but multiple federal judges have blocked the order.
Back in January, 22 state attorneys general—as well as dozens of immigrant rights groups—argued that the order to end birthright citizenship violates the fourteenth Amendment in the U.s. Constitution, which states that all “persons born or naturalized in the United states, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United states and of the state wherein they reside.”
It also stated, “No state shall
make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United states.” the trump administration argues that the amendment—ratified in 1868 after the Civil War and assured citizenship to all regardless of race—didn’t apply to everyone. however, the 22 state attorneys general filed lawsuits against the administration, including California Attorney General rob Bonta, who in a statement in January referenced the 1898 case of Wong Kim Ark, a Chinese American born in California who was denied re-entry into the country after a trip abroad.
the president’s executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and quite frankly, un-American,” said Bonta, who is of filipino American descent. “As home of Wong Kim Ark, a san francisco native who fought–successfully–to have his U.s. citizenship recognized, California condemns the President’s attempts to erase history and ignore 125 years of supreme Court precedent.” n
FIFA World Cup 26: Filipino American creatives...
World Cup 26 NYNJ official Poster, is a first-generation filipino American creative force whose work embodies the
vibrant, multicultural energy of the New York-New Jersey region. raised in New Jersey and now based in Brooklyn, tu is an award-winning designer and artist whose career spans leadership roles at Nike, mtV entertainment Group, and Jones Knowles ritchie. rich’s official World Cup poster is a love letter to both his roots and his community, blending iconic symbols from NY and NJ — like the statue of Liberty’s torch, the Big Apple, and Atlantic City’s dice — with universal motifs of global football fandom. he said he was inspired by the two states which he calls home. his thoughtful color palette and intricate linework (including nods to the Philippines through the sampaguita flower) turn the poster into more than just a visual — it’s a personal narrative. from times square to Jersey City, the launch of rich’s work marks a powerful kickoff for fIfA 26™ in a region that u PAGE A4
by Marisse g abelgas Inquirer.net
Los ANGeLes – overheard in November 2024, in the condiment aisle of a filipino grocery store: oh my God! how do they expect me to live without bagoong?!”
the distraught shopper – a woman in her 60s and a typical “tita” (auntie) – was stocking up on traditional filipino staples: rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, salted eggs, canned sardines, instant Pancit Canton packs and the ever-essential bottle of fermented shrimp paste known as bagoong alamang
With its potent scent and indescribably funky, salty, sweet flavor, bagoong is a vital ingredient used in filipino cuisine and a mainstay of filipino and southeast Asian kitchens across the United states.
Whether used as dipping sauce for green mangoes, a base for stews like kare-kare, or flavor enhancer for vegetable dishes such as pinakbet, bagoong embodies the richness and complexity of filipino cuisine.
Its appeal goes beyond taste or aroma, especially for filipinos who have migrated to other countries. It connects them to their roots, evoking memories of family,
culture and home-cooked meals.
But since late 2024, this popular condiment has been conspicuously absent from Asian and filipino grocery store shelves.
FDA ban on bagoong
In october 2024, the U.s food and Drug Administration (fDA) issued Import Alert 99-45, effectively banning the entry of several popular filipino sauces and condiments, including bagoong alamang, Mang tomas lechon sauce and Jufran banana ketchup. the
fDA cited concerns over the use of “unsafe food additives,” such as sodium benzoate, tBhQ and potassium iodate. the ban sent shockwaves through food manufacturers, restaurateurs and filipino families alike.
“this isn’t new,” said mary Anne Cabrera, a filipino American food safety and Quality (fsQ) manager at a major California-based food manufacturing
RITUAL. Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula washes the feet of 12 individuals during a Mass at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Maundy Thursday, April 17. According to the Archdiocese of Manila, the ritual is rooted in the example set by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper and serves as a profound reminder of humility, service, and the call to love one another.
PNA photo by Avito Dalan
What to know about FDA’s ‘bagoong’ ban...
company and fsQ consultant for others in the industry. “Back in the early ’80s, the fDA banned a type of anchovy bagoong due to contamination issues – filth, e coli, and coliform (bacteria).”
But this time, Cabrera explains, it wasn’t about contamination. “there were no food safety issues with the bagoong prior to the ban. the red flag was potassium iodate.”
Potassium iodate, she says, is often found in iodized salt – a common ingredient in shrimp paste. While high doses can affect thyroid function, the tiny amounts used in condiments are unlikely to pose health risks, especially given how sparingly bagoong is typically consumed, Cabrera said.
Cabrera points out that bagoong is made by fermenting shrimp with salt for a certain period of time, which can range from several days to several months. the fermentation process breaks down the proteins and develops complex flavors, resulting in the pungent, very salty, savory paste called bagoong alamang It is then preserved through bottling or canning – creating a shelf-stable product. the fDA ban is not permanent. Products can be removed from the alert list once companies address the fDA’s concerns. “there are safer additives already approved by the fDA that manufacturers can use instead,” Cabrera added.
“It’s just a matter of adapting.”
Nonetheless, the fDA’s ban on bagoong raises concerns about the future of traditional foods in
highly regulated markets. As a filipino American mom who regularly cooks filipino meals for her household, Cabrera worries that while food safety is very important, overly stringent regulations can nevertheless make it difficult for culturally significant products to survive, especially when these are made using traditional methods that don’t match modern standards. for now, filipino households across the U.s. are caught between craving and compliance. some are hoarding the remaining jars of bagoong they can find. others are waiting – and hoping – for brands to reformulate and return. According to Cabrera, that could take anywhere from six months to a year. “But it’s doable. filipino manufacturers are resilient. they’ve done it before.” some filipino manufacturers seem to have already found ways to meet safety standards and adapt to these new regulations.
Bagoong is back two weeks ago, the familiar brand Barrio fiesta Bagoong (spicy flavor) reappeared on the refrigerated shelves of Island Pacific, a filipino-owned grocery store.
the bottled product now bears a new name and redesigned packaging: “Bagoong Hipon” instead of “Bagoong Alamang.” much to customers’ relief, mama sita’s Lechon sauce and Jufran Banana Ketchup also made a comeback. “We’re only stocking the brands that passed inspection,” a cashier explained. “Mang tomas didn’t make it.” she paused, then joked,
“Customers are saying Mang tomas is probably dead.” the Philippine-made fermented shrimp paste, banana ketchup and lechon sauce remain unavailable at other large filipino grocery chains in LA County, like seafood City and American ranch.
A statement from Nutriasia, the manufacturer of Mang tomas, Jufran and UfC, addresses customers’ concerns and anxiety over the long-term unavailability of their favorite condiments: “Nutriasia has already reformulated its U.s.-bound products (Mang tomas, Jufran and UfC) since september last year. We have already filed a petition to have our products removed from the list and we are just waiting for a reply from the U.s fDA. We hope to have our products on the shelves soon.”
As importers and retailers seek more compliant alternatives and as fil-Ams try to cope with the absence of their favorite condiments, a larger question arises: What is the future of traditional foods in an increasingly regulated market?
Cabrera notes, “In order to protect these foods, manufacturers need to begin modifying their methods while regulators should find thoughtful ways to include cultural practices in their rules. We need regulations – absolutely. But we also need space for traditional foods—foods with centuries of cultural significance. Without this balance, and in the push for uniform safety, filipinos may eventually have to adapt to life without Mang tomas, Jufran or the once-ubiquitous bagoong alamang.” n
FIFA World Cup 26: Filipino American creatives...
truly lives and breathes diversity, energy, and sport.
rich expressed his sentiments about the project on his social media and called a recent Good Day New York guesting as “peak life moment,” saying that he is grateful for the incredible opportunity.
he shared memories of him as a kid growing up in south orange and his family would take trips to Atlantic City every summer. this is why a dice made it to the poster, a nod to AC’s casinos. he also left some easter eggs like the apple for New York, the florals for New Jersey, pizza, orange as a reference to his hometown and teal as a direct reference to the statue of Liberty. Additionally, football/ soccer elements like a cleat and a net pattern are also embedded within the image.
“some of my signature linework that’s a callback to earlier pieces which celebrate the sampaguita flower, which is the national flower of the Philippines serve as connecting elements between all the pieces,” he shared.
LeRoid David: Bridging cultures through art for Bay Area artist Leroid David, being selected as the official designer for the fIfA World Cup 26 sf Bay Area host City Poster is both a personal achievement and a milestone for the local filipino American community. the Bay Area host Committee (BAhC) conducted a region-wide search for an artist whose work could encapsulate the spirit of the Bay Area while celebrating the world’s biggest sporting event. Leroid’s vibrant and layered design was ultimately chosen, capturing the essence of the region through iconic imagery such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and Levi’s stadium, which will host six World Cup matches.
“this piece is all about connection — bridging cultures, cities, and the world through football,” said David. “I wanted to represent the Bay Area as a hub of innovation, art, and sport, where fans from all over the world will come together to celebrate.”
A second-generation filipino American, Leroid has built an impressive career as a visual storyteller. A graduate of san francisco state University, his work has been featured by major Bay Area sports teams, including the Golden state Warriors, san francisco Giants, and san francisco 49ers. his artistic journey began with illustrations for filipino American films such as Lumpia and Lumpia with a Vengeance, as well as designing graphics for NBC sports Bay Area. through his work, he continues to amplify filipino American representation in the art and design world.
Chris “DJ Flict” Aparri: Giving Los Angeles a soundtrack on the other side of California, Grammy-nominated multi-platinum producer and songwriter Chris “DJ flict” Aparri is bringing his musical expertise to fIfA World Cup 26 as the creator of the official Los Angeles sonic ID. this audio signature captures the dynamic energy of Los Angeles, blending mariachi trumpets with West Coast hip-hop to produce a sound that represents the city’s multicultural vibrancy.
“Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and style. my challenge in creating the Los
a
World Cup
that
resonate with Angelenos and people around the world. I want everyone to feel included when they hear it,” said DJ flict. “my goal was to create a universal voice to bring everyone together. I used a bold mariachi style trumpet mixed with a touch of west coast hip hop to accomplish that LA sound I wanted.” Born in Quezon City, Philippines, DJ flict moved to the United states at a young age and eventually settled in southern California. With a background in both music and sports, he developed his craft by working with artists spanning multiple genres, from Lauryn hill and Wiz Khalifa to pop icons meghan trainor and fifth harmony. his ability to seamlessly blend cultural influences has made him a
sought-after producer, and now, his fIfA World Cup project cements his status as a defining musical voice in the Los Angeles sports and entertainment scene. A historic moment for representation the selection of tu, David and DJ flict for these highprofile projects underscores the growing visibility and influence of filipino Americans in the creative industries. through their work, they are not only representing their cities but also their heritage, bringing filipino American artistry to a global audience. As fIfA World Cup 26 prepares to unite fans from all over the world, the contributions of these three artists will stand as lasting reminders of the rich cultural diversity that defines New York and New Jersey, the Bay Area and Los Angeles. With their designs and music set to reach millions, tu, David and DJ flict are making history, proving that filipino American artists have a powerful voice in the world’s biggest sporting event. NY and NJ joining forces the New York New Jersey (NYNJ) region will host the fIfA World Cup 26 final, along with seven other matches, at New York New Jersey stadium (metLife stadium) in east rutherford, New Jersey. this cements NYNJ’s place on the global stage as a premier destination for major international sporting events.
EXODUS. The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange is packed with travelers on Holy Wednesday, April 16. It was the last working day of the week for most and the peak travel day of the Holy Week.
PNA photos by Avito Dalan
The FIFA World Cup 26 NYNJ official poster designed by Fil-Am artist Rich Tu.
Photo courtesy of FIFA World Cup™ NYNJ
Bay Area artist LeRoid David ’s design captures the essence of the region through iconic imagery
such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and Levi’s Stadium. Photo courtesy of LeRoid David
Grammy-nominated multi-platinum producer and songwriter Chris "DJ Flict" Aparri is bringing his musical expertise to FIFA World Cup 26 as the creator of the Official Los Angeles Sonic ID. Photo courtesy of @djflict Angeles sonic ID was producing
fIfA
anthem
would
mANILA — senate President
Chiz escudero called on filipinos to take the holy Week as an opportunity to put aside disagreements, political differences and other divisions that “often drive people apart.” “ito ang panahon upang isantabi muna ang anumang hidwaan, panggagamit, panlalamang, pagkakaiba ng pananaw, at ang politika na madalas naghahati sa atin,” he said in a social media post on friday, April 18. escudero also cautioned the public against listening to “prophets of darkness” who portray the future as grim instead of hopeful.
“huwag tayo magpadala sa mga propeta ng kadiliman na nagsasabing itim at hindi makulay at maliwanag ang bukas,” he said.
(Let us not be swayed by prophets of darkness who say that the future is black, not bright or full of color.)
the senate president added that the holy Week invites Christians to examine how they
Dateline PhiliPPines
live and how they uphold their responsibilities as citizens. he called it a time for forgiveness and unity, urging filipinos to come together as one people and to put others first before themselves.
“hindi naaayon sa kuaresma ang makipag-away at magkipagbangayan para isulong ang pansariling mga hangarin at layunin,” escudero added.
(it is not in keeping with the spirit of Lent to quarrel and argue just to push for personal interests and goals.)
Despite the country’s struggles, escudero said holy Week should inspire change and strengthen the vision of a hopeful tomorrow, undeterred by those who seek to take it from the people.
“Ang liwanag at pag-asa ang mensahe ng muling pagkabuhay at huwag nating payagan at hayaan ang sino man na nakawin at bawiin ito sa atin,” escudero added.
(Light and hope are the messages of the resurrection —
and we must not allow anyone to steal or take these away from us.) sen. Imee marcos, recently campaigning with the color black, or “itim,” which she believes symbolizes the suffering of filipinos under her brother’s administration, shared a Bible verse on facebook about Jesus Christ bearing the sins of the people.
Also seeking reelection, sen. Bong Go shared a Good friday message on social media, urging Catholics to reflect on Christ’s love and sacrifice. he expressed his hope that the country would find peace despite today’s challenges.
other senators who also posted a message on friday include sens. Jinggoy estrada, Nancy Binay, JV ejercito, Win Gatchalian, risa hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Grace Poe, Bong revilla, Cynthia Villar and migz Zubiri.
the holy Week culminates on easter sunday, April 20, when Christians commemorate Christ’s resurrection. (Dominique Nicole Flores/Philstar.com)
US approves sale of training choppers to PH
mANILA — After approving the sale of 20 f-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, the U.s. Department of state has approved the sale of an unspecified number of training helicopters to manila worth $120 million, which could be an added boost to the military’s assets in the face of growing tensions in the region.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 16, the U.s. Defense security Cooperation Agency (DsCA) said the approval came after the Philippines requested to buy from the U.s th-73A training helicopters.
the DsCA and manila have not disclosed how many helicopters the Armed forces of the Philippines wanted to acquire.
A U.s. state department officer informed the inquirer in an email that the government is considering buying “up to six” training helicopters. manila’s envoy to Washington, Ambassador Jose manuel romualdez, told the inquirer that the plan was to procure “at least 10” of them.
the AfP had also requested to purchase aircraft simulators, spare engines, pack-up kits, fuel tanks, aircraft hoists and lifts, commercial avionics, and commercial flight management systems.
the DsCA said Congress had been notified of the approval of the possible foreign military sales (fms) of training helicopters to the Philippines, the United states’ oldest treaty and military ally in the region.
Funding options Under the U.s fms, a country “may purchase or receive U.s.made defense articles and services either with their own funds or with funds provided through U.s government-sponsored assistance programs.”
In certain cases, defense equipment may be obtained through grants or leases, according to the DsCA.
It said that the principal contractor of the training helicopters would be the AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation in Philadelphia (Leonardo).
the proposed sale followed two weeks after the U.s. approved the sale of f-16 aircraft to the Philippines for an estimated cost
of $5.58 billion (or P319 billion).
It also came after U.s secretary of Defense Pete hegseth visit to the Philippines on march 28, where he renewed Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to manila’s defense. the DsCA said the proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security of the United states by “helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in southeast Asia.”
Beijing, which has a longstanding maritime dispute with manila over the West Philippine sea, has warned the Philippines against threatening “regional peace” after the United states approved the sale of f-16 fighter jets.
Procurement plan the Philippines’ defense and security cooperation with other countries should not target any third party or harm the interests of a third party. Nor should it threaten regional peace and security or exacerbate regional tensions,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said earlier this month.
earlier, AfP chief Gen. romeo Brawner Jr. said the military would procure more assets for the military, including missile systems, warships, and multi-role fighter jets, “to build a strong and reliable deterrent force.”
In 2024, President marcos approved the military’s revised wish list for its “re-horizon 3,” the last stage in the AfP modernization program. the new procurement plan would have a timeline of 10 years and is expected to cost about P2 trillion. But under
the 2025 budget, the AfP received only P35 billion from Congress for its revised modernization program, which is P15 billion lower than the P50 billion initially sought by the marcos administration. n
LENTEN TRADITION. Catholic devotees pray the Stations of the Cross at St. Peter Parish along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Maundy Thursday, April 17. The Stations of the Cross depicts the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is one of several traditions Catholics observe during the Holy Week. PNA photo by Ben Briones
OPiniOn Features
Remittance slowdown
The government is adopting a sanguine approach to the reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Apart from noting that the Philippines has been slapped with the second lowest tariff in Southeast Asia, administration officials have also pointed out that the economy is not heavily reliant on exports.
What powers the Philippine economy is consumption, and much of the wherewithal for this comes from the remittances of the country’s massive army of overseas filipino workers. And ofW jobs are vulnerable to a global economic slowdown that now looms due to trump’s unilateral imposition of punishing tariffs. trump has paused the effectivity of most of the tariffs for 90 days, and seems to keep changing his mind on the issue from day to day depending on his mood. Analysts, however, say that the consequent uncertainty and damage to the global economic order will persist and will take time to reverse, even if sanity returns to the White house and U.s. policies become more predictable.
Editorial
A month before trump announced his tariffs on what he dubbed as “Liberation Day” for America, ofW remittances had already slowed down. Bangko sentral ng Pilipinas data showed that ofWs remitted a total of $3.02 billion in february – the lowest monthly inflow in nine months, since the $2.88 billion in may 2024. Analysts described it as a post-holiday slowdown after the traditional Christmas consumption spike, but also cited external headwinds including
the topic of “tariffs” has been the main subject of conversation in almost every single corner of the world ever since President Donald trump announced early in march that he would be imposing heftier tariffs on Canada and mexico. on April 2, when the U.s. president delivered his “Liberation Day” speech at the White house rose Garden, “tariffs” became the trending buzz word worldwide as he declared America’s “economic independence” and announced wide-ranging reciprocal tariffs on almost every country.
In a stunning dramatic announcement, the U.s president declared a 90-day pause for many countries because they apparently reached out and signified willingness to discuss the issues – except for China that was slapped with a 125 percent tariff for its goods. Analysts and experts have been giving their differing perspectives regarding the impact of President trump’s
DoNALD trump’s rise in American politics has rested largely on his image as a savvy businessman who claims to know how to make America great again. that vision continues to strike a deep chord with many Americans who lived through the collapse of American manufacturing. But the America they long for — the one of humming factories and working-class abundance — is gone. It cannot be revived. It is, in the literal sense of the word, utopia: a longed-for place that no longer exists. I caught a glimpse of that promised land on my first visit to the United states in 1971. traveling from england, where I was a graduate student, I stayed with hardworking Kapampangans who had migrated to New York and Los Angeles. many worked two jobs to afford the commodity-laden American lifestyle. Before returning to manila, I had two items on my list: a pair of Levi’s jeans and pigskin hush
slower growth in major economies as well as currency volatility. these factors are likely to worsen as trump’s protectionist “make America great again” policies upend global trade, investments and job opportunities. the U.s. economy itself is expected to take a hit as experts warn of a possible global recession arising from a bitter trade war. Crude oil has been among the first to feel the impact of the trade war fears, plummeting to 2021 pandemic levels, although the consequent drop in fuel prices at the pumps is welcomed by consumers. the oil-producing countries of the middle east are among the biggest employers of ofWs. meanwhile, the U.s. until recently accounted for the highest growth in ofW remittances, which could be affected by his tough anti-immigration policies. As other governments have pointed out, there is no room for complacency in the looming global trade wars. the Philippine government must brace for the worst and prepare to assist ofWs who might be displaced, even as it works to pursue what it sees as a silver lining in trump’s policies. (Philstar.com)
decisions on the global economy and implications concerning trade relations.
But what exactly is the history of tariffs, and how did the term come about? several articles have since been written about this topic, including one from npr.org that traces it to the Arabic “ta’rif” that means “notification” or “inventory.” According to an article in shapiro (a supply chain logistics company specializing in international freight forwarding and other services), tariffs is “a concept as old as the silk road and as dynamic as today’s global trade networks. tariffs have long been the tools of choice for nations wanting to sway trade dynamics, defend domestic industries or even engage in the occasional economic skirmish.” saying tariffs are beyond just another line item on imported goods, shapiro explains that these customs duties are “financial instruments with the power to sculpt economic landscapes” and that by imposing such, countries can “protect their local industries from overseas competition,” among other things. the article discusses the
The history of tariffs
concept of tariffs from the time of ancient Greece and rome as a fixed fee that had to be paid before foreign goods were allowed entry into local markets, down to the Industrial revolution and the 20th Century, with tariffs evolving as nations tried to shield their faltering economies, at times resulting in “deeper economic woes.”
“the creation of the General Agreement on tariffs and trade (GAtt) in 1947 marked a turning point, as countries rallied to reduce trade barriers and promote global commerce. GAtt paved the way for the World trade organization (Wto), heralding a new era of multilateral trade agreements,” the shapiro article explains. one of the more well-known in U.s. history is the smoot-hawley tariff Act, or more formally known as the United states tariff Act of 1930 that President herbert hoover signed during the start of the Great Depression. Intended to help American farmers, the imposition of already punitive import duties on a wide range of agricultural and industrial goods from other countries by 20 percent saw about two dozen
countries that included Canada, france and spain retaliating with higher tariffs within two years of the smoot-hawley tariff Act’s passage – leading to a sharp decrease in global trade.
from 1932 to 1938, Britain and Ireland engaged in a skirmish known as the Anglo-Irish trade War that was triggered when the British government led by Neville Chamberlain imposed high tariffs on Irish cattle and other agricultural products. Chamberlain’s move was prompted by the refusal of the Irish free state to pay land annuities to British landowners. In retaliation, the Irish imposed reciprocal tariffs on British goods such as coal and steel. the trade war lasted for six years before relations were restored through a settlement in 1938.
Going through the history of tariffs, some may find it amusing that “tariff wars” have been waged not only over steel, chips or automotives but also over bananas, corn and chicken.
In 1815, Britian enacted the “Corn Laws” that banned the importation of cheap corn by imposing steep import duties in
The American utopia
Puppies shoes. they weren’t cheap — but they were “made in the UsA.” that label seemed to capture the essence of America then: authentic, durable, and self-sufficient. fast-forward 40 years. A visitor to Costco or any outlet mall would have a hard time finding Levi’s or hush Puppies not made in China or Vietnam. the same holds true for nearly all the iconic American brands— Nike, Converse, Calvin Klein, Gap, Vans, Under Armour, North face. these companies may still be headquartered in the U.s., but their production lines have long since moved overseas. most of these firms remain American-owned, though many now operate as subsidiaries of larger publicly traded conglomerates. Vf Corp., for instance, owns Vans, the North face, and timberland. Nike Inc. owns both Nike and Converse. this is the terrain of global capitalism—one that China entered decisively when it opened its doors to foreign investments. today, it is no longer just the world’s factory. It is a formidable player producing its own brands alongside those it manufactures for others.
China’s rise as a manufacturing powerhouse did not happen overnight. Nor was it hidden. American corporations were among the first to rush in, lured by China’s vast labor pool and low production costs. Profits soared. Consumers, too, welcomed the influx of affordable goods— especially as Chinese-made products improved in quality. the downside, of course, was the shuttering of American factories and the dislocation of workers. But this was shrugged off as part of globalization’s inescapable churn. At the level of U.s policymakers, China’s integration into the global economy was seen as an ideological triumph for America and the West. A liberalized Chinese economy, they believed, would eventually usher in political reform. And anyway, a post-mao China would take a century or more to catch up — too long to pose a real threat to American dominance. that assumption now seems hopelessly naive. rather than liberalize, the Chinese Communist Party consolidated its rule. It purged corrupt officials from its highest organs,
kept a firm grip on the state, and launched an ambitious program of long-term strategic development. rather than reinvent the wheel, China sent its best students to study in the world’s top universities — mostly in America — and required them to return when their country called. they built roads, ports, bridges, airports, and power grids. they upgraded their schools, polytechnic institutes, and universities. they encouraged private enterprises while strengthening stateowned firms. they adopted advanced technologies from abroad, modernized agriculture to achieve food security, and locked in long-term access to critical raw materials— especially rare-earth metals essential to emerging industries. trump’s nostalgia for American industrial greatness is misplaced. manufacturing— on the scale and profitability once seen in the U.s. — is no longer America’s comparative advantage. Its strengths now lie elsewhere: in services such as higher education, medicine, digital technologies, design, and innovation. Ironically,
an attempt to protect its local agriculture industry. But while landowners benefited from the legislation, it made life difficult for the working class because it raised the price of food and negatively impacted the growth of other sectors. the 1960s saw the eruption of the “Chicken War” between the U.s. and the european economic Community. It started when cheap poultry from the U.s began flooding the european markets that had apparently developed a taste for American chicken – prompting european farmers to lobby for higher tariffs on their U.s. competitors. the eCC’s imposition of higher tariffs on American frozen chicken triggered retaliatory tariffs from the U.s. on european products, sparking a bigger trade war.
In the early 1990s, trade between the U.s. and the european Union went bananas because the latter imposed more favorable tariffs on bananas coming from former european colonies in the Caribbean and Africa over bananas from U.s companies in Latin America.
Despite a Wto ruling enjoining the eU to change its preferential
policy, the european Union refused to comply – prompting the U.s. to impose tariffs on popular european products such as cheese, cashmere sweaters, chocolates and others. the dispute went on for almost two decades, only ending in 2012. the disputes today, in particular the section 301 tariffs on China, serve as “a prime example of tariffs in action, aimed at correcting trade imbalances and addressing intellectual property disputes,” goes the shapiro article, concluding that despite the uncertainty, tariffs will “continue to be pivotal in shaping international trade, their application evolving alongside the global economic landscape.” for many countries like ours, we are hopeful that sooner rather than later, we will be able to quote the Bard of Avon himself and say in the end that “all’s well that ends well.” (Philstar.com) * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
reinvestment in the
(inquirer.net)
these are the very sectors being eroded by trumpian policies — through budget cuts, antiscience rhetoric, and a politics of grievance that shrinks the national imagination. the American utopia that trump longs to restore does not exist anymore. What remains is a vastly changed world economy — one in which greatness will not be reclaimed through tariffs or populist slogans, but
Donald Trump’s rise in American politics has rested largely on his image as a savvy businessman who claims to know how to make America great again. Pexels.com photo by Impact Dog Crates
ManilaTimes.net photo
Babe’s Eye View
BaBe Romualdez
Pinoys back ICC trial but also Duterte allies
by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net
eV e N though three in five f ilipinos support having former President r odrigo Duterte face trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), some polls show his allies gaining momentum in the run-up to the m ay 12 midterm elections.
In an interview on monday, April 14, Prof. Aries Arugay, chairman of the University of the Philippines Department of Political science, said many filipino voters seem to compartmentalize their views — wanting Duterte to be held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, while still supporting the senate bids of his closest allies. the filipino public might not connect the two,” said Arugay. “they may want Duterte to face trial at the hague, but also vote based on name recall, loyalty, or patronage. our voting behavior isn’t always issue-based.”
Arugay highlighted the historical weight of regional and ethnolinguistic loyalty in shaping electoral decisions. In the 2022 elections, support for Duterte and geographic identity were the two strongest influences on voting patterns. these factors, he believes, remain “sticky” in the current political climate.
recent polls show a significant climb in the numbers of Duterte-backed candidates. sen. Bong Go, known for championing the malasakit Centers, has overtaken erwin tulfo to clinch the top spot. sen. ronald Dela rosa, one of Duterte’s staunchest defenders, jumped from the lower ranks to the top 5, riding on daily media exposure centered around defending the former president. even Philip salvador, a movie actor with no political background, has landed within the 11–17 range of viable contenders.
Arugay admitted that Duterte’s so-called “magic” remains a potent force in Philippine politics.
“this is the fourth electoral cycle where Duterte’s influence is reshaping the field,” he said. In contrast, sen. Imee marcos is slipping in the rankings, barely holding on to a spot within the top 16.
Arugay attributed this to her failed strategy of courting both Duterte and marcos loyalists. she tried to hedge, but in a highly polarized environment, unifying figures tend to be punished,” Arugay said. Candidates associated with the opposition, like Bam Aquino, appear to have reached a ceiling. their numbers reflect a stagnation among voters aligned with former Vice President Leni robredo. they need to start winning
over soft marcos supporters if they hope to break into the magic 12,” said Arugay.
this election cycle has also highlighted an enduring trend: the dominance of celebrities in the senate.
tulfo, salvador and Willie revillame — all with entertainment or media backgrounds — are proving more viable than some legislators with proven policy track records.
“the institutional quality of the senate may suffer. When media popularity becomes the main qualification, it impacts legislative performance and the ability to check executive power,” Arugay said as he expressed concern over this shift.
With Vice President sara Duterte reportedly endorsing rep. Camille Villar, daughter of outgoing sen. Cynthia Villar, analysts are watching whether this will be enough to push her into the winning circle.
Unlike senator marcos, Villar has maintained a consistent pro-Duterte alignment, which could prove decisive.
As the elections near, the battle for the senate grows more competitive.
Arugay warned that the margins between those who make it and those who don’t could come down to mere thousands of votes.
“We’ll likely see a different magic 12 each week leading up to the election. It’s that volatile,” he said. n
‘VP’s return signals she’s ready for trial’
by Jose rodel ClapaNo Philstar.com
mANILA — for one lawmaker, Vice President sara Duterte’s return to the country means she is willing to face the charges against her during the impeachment trial.
According to Batangas 2nd district rep. Gerville Luistro, one of the 11-member house prosecution panel, the impeachment trial is the perfect place for Duterte to explain her side. since we have due process, I hope she will take advantage of this opportunity to present their defense unlike in the investigation of the good government committee,” Luistro said in an interview with ANC.
Despite sara’s return, Luistro urged senate President francis escudero to resolve the house prosecution panel’s request to issue a writ of summons against the vice president.
“I am not certain if there is an official response from senate President francis escudero or was it only by way of his pronouncements before the media… if there is no official response then I wish to believe that we have reason to continue hoping that having the vice president back in the country, around already, the senate president might consider resolving the motion of prosecutors to issue a writ
of summons considering the presence of the vice president,” the lawmaker said. the writ of summons will get the ball rolling for sara’s impeachment trial and will enable her to answer the Articles of Impeachment filed against her. In media interviews, escudero has said that he cannot grant the house prosecutors’ request as the senate is still in recess. the vice president was impeached by a vote of 215 congressmen out of 306 members of the house of representatives on feb. 5, for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and other high crimes. Based on the Constitution, the senate has the power to either convict or acquit Duterte. n
Vice President Sara Duterte Philstar.com file photo
Recent polls show a significant climb in the numbers of Duterte-backed candidates. Sen. Bong Go, known for championing the Malasakit Centers, has overtaken Erwin Tulfo to clinch the top spot.
Photo from Facebook/@senatorbonggo
ATONEMENT. A penitent carries a wooden cross as he leaves the premises of San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City on Maundy Thursday, April 17. The Catholic Church neither endorses nor encourages imitating Jesus Christ’s sacrifices leading to His death, but would rather that the faithful repent and turn away from sins.
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
LOS ANGELES
Success story: A life was saved on Citizen Pinoy, this Sunday
A FILIPINA frontliner from Florida, Janice, was diagnosed with myelofibrosis – bone marrow cancer. She had already been receiving several treatments, including blood transfusions and medications, but none of these had worked. She was in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Her sister, Jerrimee, who lives in the Philippines, is a perfect match. Being a blood relative donor also meant that the chances for success would be greater.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy denied Jerrimee’s application for a medical visa.
Time was of the essence, and desperate to find help, Janice’s family posted their appeal on social media.
Their story was brought to the attention of Citizen Pinoy head writer, Mouse Munoz, who in turn referred the situation to leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Atty. Gurfinkel filed for Humanitarian Parole and requested for expedited processing since the situation is a matter of life and death. After persistent and numerous followups, Jerrimee’s humanitarian parole visa was approved, and
Nora Aunor: ‘I’m a human being’
by Rogelio Constantino Medina AJPress
“TAO lang ako, Diyos ko (I’m a human being, my God),” said National Artist Nora Aunor, or Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in real life, to me some years ago outside a studio somewhere in Quezon City. She candidly admitted to me that, “Ang dami kong kasalanan. Salbahe ako. Siguro naman kung titimbangin mo ang kabutihan at kamalian, lumalamang naman ang kabutihan. Malinis pa rin kahit papaano (I’ve many sins. I’m bad. Perhaps if you weigh the good and bad deeds I’ve done in my life, good deeds overcome the bad ones. I still try to remain clean).” It was alright for Aunor to hear that her popularity had lessened. “Sabihin nilang laos na ako pero napakapalad ko pa rin kahit na down na down ako, bumabalik pa rin ang swerte. Batid kong may Diyos na Siyang nagpapatnubay sa atin. Ang mga pighati at kahirapan ay nakabubuti rin sa bandang huli. Ginagawa kang maging matatag na harapin ang (It’s okay if they say I’m no longer popular. But I’m fortunate that even if I’m really down, luck comes back. I know there’s God who guides us. Sorrows and hardships can be a blessing in disguise in the end. These things make you strong to face the) harsh realities of life.”
In the past, the Philippines’ multi-awarded “Superstar” had been directed by Gerardo de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, Mario O’Hara, Maryo J. de los Reyes, Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka, Gil Portes, Elwood Perez, Joel Lamangan, and Brillante Mendoza. It was Lupita AquinoKashiwahara who taught her to use her eyes in acting in the film Minsa’y May Isang Gamugamo. There is one line in the said movie that Nora could never forget: “Gamu-gamo lang kung ikukumpara sa kanila, pero may isang gamu-gamo na hindi natakot sa lawin (I’m just a moth as compared to them, but there is one moth who is not afraid of the hawk).” In Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, directed by Mario O’Hara, Nora’s acting was harnessed and she won her first best actress award in the FAMAS in 1976. However, it was the late director Lino Brocka who improved her forte in acting. In 1990, she captured the FAMAS’
best actress award for her excellent portrayal in the film Andrea, Paano Ba Maging Isang Ina, directed by Gil Portes and written by noted scriptwriter Ricky Lee (now National Artist) who trained me in one of his early original batches of scriptwriting workshops. In the aforementioned film, the story was based on the trueto-life story of Mrs. Lolita R. Angustia, whose husband was a member of the New People’s Army. In fact, I got to know Lolita and her son more after the tragic death of director Brocka. She even visited our house and joined with me and my good friends, entrepreneur Grace Ibuna and comedienne Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel during a PETA presentation at Fort Santiago that Grace Ibuna actively supported for a good cause.
In the 19th Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt in 1995, Aunor won best actress award for the film The Flor Contemplacion Story, directed by Joel Lamangan, also a noted stage actor. In 2004, she won best actress award at Brussels Festival of Independent Films in Belgium for her superb portrayal in the film Naglalayag Interestingly, Nora one time disclosed to me her dreams in a separate interview. “Madalas akong managinip noon. Ang isa kong panaginip na masaya ay iyong nasa kabundukan ako at ang lahat ng nakapaligid sa akin ay punumpuno ng kagandahan at katahimikan. Pagkatapos, biglang may bumabang isang anghel. Lumapit at tumabi sa akin (I used to dream oftentimes. One happy dream that I had was I was in the mountain and everything that surrounded me was filled with beauty and tranquility. Then, an angel came down who approached me and was beside me),” she narrated at length.
She also saw in her dream a man who holds a crown of thorns.
She continued, “ Ang humahawak ay nasa langit... Mahaba ang kanyang balbas (The one holding is in heaven... He has a long beard).” Nora came from a religious family in Bicol. At 6 p.m., they prayed the rosary as a whole family. Her father was the one leading the rosary, then her mother would be the next one the following night. “Ako ang pinakabata noon. Hindi pa ipinapanganak si Eddie
FRIDAY, JUNE 6 / 8PM / TICKETS
Nora Aunor (center) with Rosita Constantino Medina (left) and Remedios Santiago Isip (right).
Governor Newsom files lawsuit to end President Trump’s tariffs
SACRAMENTO – Governor
Gavin Newsom and California
Attorney General Rob Bonta
on Wednesday, April 16 filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Trump’s use of emergency powers to enact broad-sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses. The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, creating immediate and irreparable harm to California, the largest economy, manufacturing, and agriculture state in the nation. These tariffs have disrupted supply chains, inflated costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world.
“President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy — driving up prices and threatening jobs. We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement released by his office.
“The president’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal. As the fifth largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game. Californians are bracing for fallout from the impact of the president’s choices — from farmers in the Central Valley, to small businesses in Sacramento, and worried families at the kitchen table — this game the president is playing has very real consequences for Californians across our state. I am proud to go to bat alongside Governor Newsom to fight for California’s vibrant economy, businesses, and residents,” said California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta, in the same release distributed by the Governor’s press office.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, requests the court to declare the tariffs imposed by President Trump void and enjoin their implementation.
The president lacks authority to enact unilateral tariffs
The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada or create an across-theboard 10% tariff. The president’s use of the International Economic Emergency Powers
Act (IEEPA) to enact tariffs is unlawful and unprecedented.
The IEEPA gives the president authority to take certain actions if he declares a national emergency in response to a foreign national security, foreign policy, or economic threat. The law, which was enacted by Congress in 1977, specifies many different actions the president can take, but tariffs aren’t one of them.
In fact, this is the first time a president has attempted to rely on this law to impose tariffs.
Supreme Court precedent The lawsuit invokes the U.S. Supreme Court’s major questions doctrine, which holds that in novel matters of vast economic and political significance, federal agencies and the executive branch must have clear and specific authorization from Congress. In recent years, the court has applied this standard to strike down major initiatives, including President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, ruling that novel executive actions with broad impacts on the national economy cannot rest on vague statutory authority.
It is difficult to imagine a more economically significant set of actions than the one Trump is taking on tariffs, which have inflicted hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses on a whim, using a statute that doesn’t mention tariffs. The court, applying this doctrine even-handedly, will find that such expansive action absent congressional approval is a clear violation of the law. California is the backbone of the nation’s economy California’s gross domestic product was $3.9 trillion in 2023, making it 50% bigger than the GDP of the nation’s next-largest state, Texas. The state drives national economic growth and also sends over $83 billion more to the federal government than
it receives in federal funding. California is the leading agricultural producer in the country and is also the center for manufacturing output in the United States, with over 36,000 manufacturing firms employing over 1.1 million Californians. The Golden State’s manufacturing firms have created new industries and supplied the world with manufactured goods spanning aerospace, computers and electronics, and, most recently, zero-emission vehicles. The Golden State is global leader in two-way trade California engaged in nearly $675 billion in two-way trade in 2024, supporting millions of jobs throughout the state. California’s economy and workers rely heavily on this trade activity, particularly with Mexico, Canada, and China –it’s top 3 trade partners. Over 40% of California imports come from these countries, totaling $203 billion of the more than $491 billion in goods imported by California in 2024. These countries are also our top three export destinations, buying nearly $67 billion in California exports, which was over one-third of the state’s $183 billion in exported goods in 2024. Tariffs irreparably harm California businesses and consumers
As the largest economy in the nation, the largest agriculture state in the nation, and the largest U.S. trading partner, the harm of the tariffs on the state of California is immense. President Trump’s policies have already inflicted hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses.
Tariffs have an outsized impact on California businesses, including its more than 60,000 small business exporters. Standing up for California families and businesses
Governor Newsom has responded quickly to help reduce negative impacts from the Trump tariffs on California’s economy and maintain California’s strong partnerships worldwide. Today’s lawsuit follows the governor’s recent announcement of California’s goal to create new strategic trade relationships with international partners aimed at strengthening shared economic resilience and protecting California’s manufacturers, workers, farmers, businesses, and supply chains. The governor has also announced a new international campaign to help maintain the strong tourism partnership between California and Canada.
(CA Governor’s Office Release)
Emergency interview and an expedited visa...
she was able to enter the U.S., underwent tests, and donated her bone marrow to her sister. Janice’s cancer is now in remission, and her doctors expect her blood levels to be back to normal within the year. A life has been saved.
Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, April 20 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
Pilita Corrales, PH music icon, 85
by Pam Pastor Inquirer.net
SINGER, TV personality and actress Pilita Corrales, who died on Saturday, April 12 at the age of 85, is not only an icon among her fellow singers in the music industry but a pioneer who conquered the world stage as a Filipino artist, showing her versatility in interpreting various songs in different languages.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mami and mamita, Pilita Corrales,” her granddaughter, actress Janine Gutierrez, said on Instagram. “Pilita touched the lives of many, not only with her songs but also with her kindness and generosity. She will be remembered for her contributions to the entertainment industry, but most of all for her love of life and family.”
Born Pilar Garrido Corrales on Aug. 22, 1939, in Lahug, Cebu City, Corrales studied in Cebu and Spain and returned to the Philippines when her father, José Corrales de Zaragoza, died of a heart attack.
“My mom (María Garrido Manzano) moved the family to Manila because there were too many sad memories in Cebu,” she told the Inquirer in an interview.
Stardom in Australia
In 1959, Corrales was aboard the yacht Sea Fox with Hollywood actor-magician John Calvert and a chimpanzee named Jimmy when the boat got lost in the Timor Sea.
According to The Canberra Times, the Navy came to the rescue, towing the yacht to Elcho Island.
That incident made the headlines. But soon, Corrales was making headlines of her own, not because of the shipwreck but because of her talent.
She became a regular on Australian television and was
Victoria.
Distinctive backbend
She returned to the Philippines and from 1964 to 1972, starred in the variety show “Your Evening with Pilita.”
Her long career on television also includes cohosting the talent show “Ang Bagong Kampeon” with Bert Marcelo, being a judge on “The X-Factor Philippines” and guest judge on “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” She starred in a number of movies as well and at one point was a radio DJ for an all-Spanish show.
It was during her radio work that radio personality Eddie Ilarde and stage performer Bayani Casimiro persuaded her to sing at the Manila Grand Opera House, as Corrales recalled in an interview with the Inquirer. She recorded many albums — in Australia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan — throughout a stellar career that lasted over six decades.
the first female artist to top the Australian pop music charts with a local recording—the song “Come Closer to Me,” a cover of “Acércate Más,” which was produced by Astor Records in Australia.
She would record two albums in Australia, where the newspapers and magazines called her “The Soul of the Philippines” and “a singing sensation,” and further described her as “sultry,” “bewitching,” “polished,” “ultraphotogenic” and “the girl who sings love songs straight from the heart.”
One article read, “Pilita has individuality and charm. Her voice is cool and even, with a pleasantly caressing quality all too rare these days. She has a warm personality, together with engaging vitality and never strains for obvious effects.”
She became so big in Australia that a street was named after her — Pilita Street in Forest Hill,
“Ay, ’susmarya, I’ve recorded around 135 albums!” she told the Inquirer.
Her many hits include “A Million Thanks to You,” “Kapantay ay Langit,” “Matud Nila,” “Ang Pipit” and “Dahil Sa’yo.” She was praised for her beautiful voice—sweet, smooth, with a soft controlled vibrato—and her ability to switch genres and sing in multiple languages: English, Spanish, Cebuano and Filipino. Corrales was a consummate performer — known for her distinctive backbend or that liyad” move she does during the climactic parts of the songs she’s performing.
She said to the Inquirer: “I can’t just stand still while singing. Bending helps me hit high notes. It helps my lungs expand.”
‘International caliber’
Nora Aunor: ‘I’m a human being’...
Boy (I was the youngest then. Eddie Boy was not yet born),” she said, adding that, “Nakasanayan ko nang magrosaryo noong ako’y bata pa dahil kapag wala sina Itay at Inay, basta kung sino ang nasa bahay ay iyon ang dapat mamuno sa pagrorosaryo (I was accustomed to pray the rosary when I was a child because whenever my father and mother were not at home, whoever was in the house should be the one to lead the rosary).” When Nora left for Manila to try her luck there, she little by little forgot to do her religious obligation, especially when she entered the showbiz-dom.
Nora joined then a singing competition in a TV show, hosted by German Moreno and Ike Lozada, on Channel 11 along Dewey (now Roxas) Boulevard. “Ewan kung maaalala pa ni Kuya Germs (or German Moreno) na siya ang unang tumanggi sa akin. Kakanta na sana ako pero nang makita niya ako, isinantabi muna ako (I don’t know if Kuya Germs would still recall that he was the first one
who rejected me. I was about to sing then but when he saw me, I was put aside for the moment),” said Nora who was told to come back in another day. She cried but she never lost determination to showcase her God-given talent. She never thought that Kuya Germs and she would be best friends through thick and thin.
Nora told me she was an avid fan of actress Amalia Fuentes, who did not notice her when they saw each other at Tower Productions. It was actress Susan Roces who took note of her.
“There was one Christmas that I did not expect that Susan Roces sent me a gift. Iyon ang talagang tinandaan ko. Napakabait ni Susan at hindi ko akalain na naalala niya ako. Sino ba ako? Hindi ko akalain na magiging artista ako (That was what I really remember. Susan was kind and I didn’t expect she would remember me. Who was I then? I didn’t expect to be an actress),” vividly narrated Nora who was first introduced to me by my American mother, Rosita
Constantino Medina, a relative of the late LVN director Felicing Constantino, and my late sister, Aurora Medina-Kumano, a member of the Vicor Dancers (and later with the Solid Gold Dancers) who was in the Superstar show on RPN 9. Nora said to me that even though she did not pray the rosary daily, she performed a meditative activity to release tension and lessen problems. She wrapped up, “Matigas talaga ang ulo ko. Marami na akong dapat natutunan (I was really hard-headed or stubborn. I should have learned many things in life). I realized lately what happened to me before. Maganda pala ang ginawa Niya sa akin (God did good things to me). I didn’t expect that I would become an actress. What I wanted then was a simple job to help my family. Sobra-sobra pa ang ibinigay Niya sa akin. Sa palagay ko’y wala na akong dapat pang hilingin, lalo
sa (God has given me so much good things in life. I won’t wish anything more, especially in my) career.”
PAGE B3
Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) was able to acquire a Humanitarian Parole visa for Jerrimee (3rd from left) so she can donate her bone marrow to her sister, Janice. Janice,
California Governor Gavin Newsom File photo/www.gov.ca.gov
KABATAANG BARANGAY ALUMNI CALL ON PH CONSULATE. Consul General Neil Ferrer and Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Cortes received the U.S.-based alumni of the Kabataang Barangay (Village Youth) during their courtesy call at the Philippine Center in San Francisco on March 18, 2025. Among the callers were: Rowena Acosta-Mercado, Francisco Alagbate, John Atilano, Edward Balanag, Chona Edralin, Jonathan Edralin, Mels Nosyal, Teresita Nubla, Don Orozco, and Yoliesil Pontino. The Kabataang Barangay was the village-level youth council that existed in the Philippines from 1975 to 1991. Text and photo by San Francisco PCG
MELODIC FROM ANY ANGLE. Known for her distinctive backbend when hitting climactic parts of the song, Pilita Corrales was a prolific artist in recording, television, radio and the movies, and continued to do exhausting concert tours until very late in her career, performing with a diversity of singers, from classic popular music to K-Pop. Pilita
Fil-Am Hailee Steinfeld recalls 1st meeting with ‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler
By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
MANILA — FilipinoAmerican actress Hailee Steinfeld credited the success of her latest film “Sinners” to filmmaker Ryan Coogler who directed, wrote, and coproduced the movie.
“Sinners” stars Michael B. Jordan, a frequent collaborator of Coogler, as twin brothers returning to their hometown where “an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.”
Co-starring with Jordan and Steinfeld, who plays Mary in the film, are Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, and Delroy Lindo. Steinfeld admitted in an interview that she had never played a role like Mary, recalling her first conversation with Coogler that made the character compelling to her.
“Mary has this fierce confidence and power that she knows is there, but she’s also simultaneously discovering it in real time and using it in a way that is so smart. And I got to lean into the part of this
role that feels very mature and adult,” she said. “I’ve waited a long time to be this moved by a role and when I read it for the first time, it was a really fun process.”
The Oscar nominee added her conversations with Coogler and Jordan helped her fall deeper in love with Mary, the story of “Sinners,” and where Mary fits in it.
“It’s a very complex and intricate story, and this character is one that challenged me in ways that I haven’t been challenged before, and that was very exciting,” Steinfeld shared.
Going back to the first time she met Coogler, Steinfeld admitted initially being nervous but eventually at ease at the filmmaker’s presence.
“I think that was one of the most special parts — looking back and thinking about this experience as a whole — that every single person felt that their presence was important and needed and necessary,” the actress said.
It took until their first conversation for Steinfeld to fully realize the script and
Coogler’s grand ideas because she had yet to read anything.
“It’s a wild, wild movie, yet somehow it is so easy to break down and understand when you really allow yourself to get lost in it,” Steinfeld ended. “This is a movie that you’re gonna have to see multiple times, because every time, you’re gonna take something else away from it.”
Steinfeld received an Oscar nomination in her breakthrough film “True Grit.” She went on to star in “The Edge of Seventeen,” “Bumblebee,” “Dickinson,” “Hawkeye,” and the “Pitch Perfect” sequels. She lent her voice to Gwen Stacy in the “Spider-Verse” movies and Vi in the “Arcane” series.
Coogler previously directed “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed,” and the two “Black Panther” movies, the latter all starring Jordan. Coogler produced “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” and the third “Creed” film. “Sinners” premieres in Philippine cinemas on April 19, Black Saturday.
Daisy Ridley on filming movie in PH: ‘Beautiful views everywhere you look’
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
“STAR Wars” veteran Daisy Ridley appeared captivated by the beauty of the Philippines, as she gave a glimpse of her experience in the country while shooting for the Hollywood movie “The Last Resort.”
Ridley, who has been in Palawan for two weeks now, posted pictures of herself enjoying her time on the island and the scenic views she experienced while filming.
“The Philippines so far [features] paradise, monitor lizards, commuting to work by boat, sunsets, and beautiful views everywhere you look. Two weeks into The Last Resort!!!” she wrote.
In the comments section, Filipino fans were delighted to see the Hollywood actress enjoying the beauty the Philippines has to offer.
“Love that you are enjoying the country that many of my family and I call home. I couldn’t be happier knowing that one of my favorite actresses, who played one
of my favorite Jedi, is enjoying the Philippines. I hope you get to see and enjoy more of the country.
Sending love from a Filipino American friend,” wrote one fan.
Ridley is teaming up with another “Star Wars” alum, Alden Ehrenreich, for “The Last Resort.”
The romantic-comedy follows hotel heiress Brooke (Ridley) as she travels to the Philippines to scout for a new resort, where she meets Ben (Ehrenreich), an expatriate charter pilot who helps her discover not only the beauty
of the island, but the wonders of falling in love.
Donald Petrie, who directed “Miss Congeniality” and “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days,” will direct the film, with a script from Karen McCullah, known for her work in “Legally
and
of Han Solo in the franchise.
Pilita Corrales, PH music icon...
In 1966, she was one of the Filipino artists who opened for the Beatles in Manila.
She was the first Filipino to perform at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and she did it on the main stage with Sammy Davis Jr., singing two shows a night for three weeks.
“Pilita is a dynamite and I would like to state that Las Vegas has a new star,” Davis had said.
She performed with the other great singers — among them, Ray Charles and Julio Iglesias — and earned their admiration.
“Pilita is very, very good. She has that international caliber,” said English singer Matt Monro.
English-born American comedian and actor Bob Hope said, “Pilita is one of the best voices I heard in show business.”
She also performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center.
Age didn’t stop the consummate performer. Corrales even went on concert tours.
In 2022, she performed alongside K-pop acts at the benefit concert “Be You 2.”
The accolades kept coming even very late in her career. Last
year, she was the first recipient of the Billboard Philippines Women in Music Icon Award.
Actress Jackie Lou Blanco, one of Corrales’ two children (the other being Ramon Christopher Gutierrez), accepted the award for her, saying, “We’re very proud because my mom has paved the way for so many of our performers … opened the doors for many Filipinos to make it here and abroad.”
Tributes With the news of her death, tributes poured in from the many people whose lives Corrales touched, including some of the country’s best singers.
Zsa Zsa Padilla wrote: “Dearest Tita Pilita, It’s hard to imagine a world without you. I can still vividly hear your voice, see your beautiful face, and feel your warmth, charm, and unmatched humor. You were truly one of a kind … You were always so candid, so funny, so full of life … Thank you for your greatness. Thank you for your songs, which will forever live in my heart.”
Singer Martin Nievera shared a short video of what he described as his last duet with Corrales and wrote: “Thank you
for giving me my first pair of wings. Because of you I could fly into my dreams. Now I ask the entire showbiz industry to bend the ‘Pilita bend’ with me in honor of a legend, an icon … A million thanks to you, Tita Mamita.”
Singer Dulce wrote, “This precious woman paved the way for Cebuano performing artists like me, and blazed the trail for me to follow. I love you Inday Pilits… I will treasure everything you taught me and gave me and all the things you are to me. A million thanks is never enough … Rest in paradise … I’ll see you when I get there.”
Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama (“Sunday Beauty Queen”) has been working on a documentary about Corrales’ life, with Janine Gutierrez as producer. In an Instagram post last year about the documentary, Gutierrez said: “I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to help preserve Mamita’s amazing legacy and I hope this project becomes another way for younger generations to learn about her story—not just as a legendary performer but as a woman who defied expectations and truly paved the way.”
Daisy Ridley enjoys her time in Palawan.
Photo from Instagram/@daisyridley
Hailee Steinfeld in ‘Sinners’ Warner Bros.
Blonde”
“10 Things I Hate About You.” Ridley rose to fame for her portrayal of Jedi Rey Skywalker in the “Star Wars” universe while Ehrenreich gained prominence for playing a younger version
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “…. all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” Family Code §760. This becomes a problem if you are the spouse that has the substantially higher income or the one who accumulates the majority of the assets during the marriage. You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.” The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse” gets a half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name alone or it was accumulated solely due to your sweat and hard work. The out spouse, who stayed at home most of the marriage, gets a one half interest on all the accumulations during the marriage under California community property law. For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash away 25% of your earnings during the marriage while your spouse blows away his/her salary during the marriage, your spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account. Another example would be if you purchase a piece of real property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for a half interest in your real property. Another example would be if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, the business grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in the business.
Signing a premarital
agreement may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets 1) already owned by each and 2) to property and income to be acquired or earned during their marriage. Marriage of Dawley (1976) 17 C3d 342, 349, 131 CR 3, 7; Marriage of Grinius (1985) 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807 Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other party. Marriage of Dawley, supra, 17 C3d at 350, 131 CR at 8; Cheney v. City & County of San Francisco Employees Retirement System (1936) 7 C2d 565, 569, 61 P2d 754, 756. Premarital agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for his or her heirs, free of the other party’s inheritance claims. Estate of Wamack (1955) 137 CA2d 112, 115, 289 P2d 871, 872. Pursuant to Family Code §1612(c), “Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to all of the following:(1)
The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located. (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property.(3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.(4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement. (5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.(6)
The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement. (7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty. However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code §1612(b).
Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable. Fam.C. § 1612(c); Marriage of Pendleton & Fireman (2000) 24 C4th 39, 53–54, 99 CR2d 278, 288–289; Marriage of Facter (2013) 212 CA4th 967, 981, 152 CR3d 79, 90. Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. § 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code. § 1615(c)
(1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or, after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. The advisement to seek independent legal counsel shall be made at least seven calendar days before the final agreement is signed.
(2) One of the following:
(A) For an agreement executed between January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(B) For an agreement executed on or after January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement
Health @Heart
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
FOOD we eat can lift our mood and support our mental health. Eating chocolates or our favorite sweets induces the secretion of happy hormones in us. Those hormones include endorphins, serotonins, dopamine, and oxytocin. Even reminiscing on happy memories could elicit joy and smile or laughter in us, and sad events, tears, sorrow, depression.
According to GainsNutritionUK, some of the food items that elevate our mood are:
• Desserts, avocados (a top mood booster, rich in folate which lowers depression by 68 percent) and other favorite fruits.
• Wild-caught fatty fish like salmon, sardines and yellow fin tuna that are loaded with omega-3 foods which benefits our cardiovascular and brain health. This substance lowers the risk of depression by 30 percent, when eaten at least 2 servings a week.
• Nuts and seeds with salad or as snacks (a handful a day) provides tryptophan, selenium, and magnesium, substances that regulate serotonin and calm us down. They decrease the risk of
Here at Incarnation Church, we welcome you with loving kindness and open arms. We want you to feel that you belong here, that you matter, and that you are seen as a brother, a sister, and a child of God— equally endowed with dignity, just like everyone else. We strive to create an environment where you feel safe and cherished as an individual, and where our parish views all things through the lens of love. In a world filled with conflicts and deep divisions, we are a community that intentionally fosters a sense of “cherished belonging”—an ideal that Fr. Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries envisions for every community.
Mood-changing food
depression by 22 percent.
• Fermented foods, like traditional Filipino bagoong (fermented fish or shrimp paste), buro (fermented rice dishes), Korean kim-chi, yogurt, sauerkraut, etc., are probiotics that induce gut (microbiome) health, where serotonin is made. Today, the triple (pro-pre- and post-biotic) gut microbiome “balancers” have been found to be more beneficial than probiotic alone. They also lessen anxiety.
Eating sequence
It has been shown that eating proteins and fats first, and carbohydrates last, minimizes blood sugar spikes, maintaining more soft waves in the glucose level in our blood. This was shown by a study of people eating exactly the same food items but with a different sequence. Eating carbs first leads to spikes in the blood sugar level. Experts also found that apple cider vinegar before meals (or even the vinegar in oil and vinegar dressing) can flatten blood glucose spikes.
Cosmetic injections
Facial cosmetic injections, like dermal fillers and Botox, which is very popular for beauty enhancement, carry various risks from bruising and swelling, allergic reaction, infection, and rarely, loss of vision, or facial tissue death, with permanent facial scarring.
Fillers could migrate to other areas of the face causing deformity.
Hyaluronic acid component in the fillers could potentially block the lymphatic channels and harm the immune system. Botox injections last for only 3-4 months, and fillers, 6 months to 2 years. People considering facial cosmetic injections should seriously evaluate the various risks because once they sign the surgical consent, the responsibility is totally theirs.
Gums and microplastics
Chewing gum, known for its healthy effects on oral/dental hygiene, has now been found to be a source of microplastic (MP) contamination in our blood.
Studies on 10 types of chewing gums (5 natural and 5 synthetic) revealed saliva samples, analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared microscopy, have these results: “Each gram of chewing gum could release up to 637 microplastic particles, with 94% released within the first 8 minutes of chewing. Synthetic and natural plant-based gums released similar amounts of microplastics. Four main plastic polymers were found in saliva, with polyolefins being the most frequently detected. These findings suggest that chewing gum may lead to the direct ingestion of microplastics, potentially posing health risks.” The greatest amount
Joyous and Hopeful Easter to All!
As we celebrate Easter, we hope to grow further in this commitment to being a community of loving kindness and cherished belonging. We recognize that we fulfill this vision, as Pope Francis expresses in his Jubilee Year Message, which refers to us as “Pilgrims of Hope.” He reminds us that salvation in God’s eternal and infinite love “has already been given to us.” This love and salvation flavor our lives and serve as the hinge on which the world remains standing, despite the wickedness caused by our sins. To hope, then, is to welcome this gift that God offers us every day—to savor the wonder of being loved, sought, and desired by a God who has not shut Himself away in His impenetrable heavens, but has made Himself flesh and blood to share in our lives. It is this gift of love through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection that propels us to
flourish in loving kindness as a community. Indeed, it is the lens through which we perceive all things. I invite you to join us in promoting this vision of a loving and kind community— not only here in our parish but everywhere we go. This defines us as authentic Christians, called to love and care as Jesus did—welcoming and treating everyone consciously and willfully as a child of God, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Have a grace-filled Easter to you and loved ones! Your loving pastor, Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas * * * 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. * * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
Mood-changing food...
B4
has been found in the brain. The health effects of MP in our body are still being investigated.
MP in bottled water
Since bottled water (in plastic) is in contact with its container from the manufacturing plants and stored and shelved for sometimes in its bottle made of plastic, leaching of microplastic into the water occurs. A liter of bottled water contains an average of 240,000 microplastic fragments, 90 percent of them nano-plastics. Plastic containers, liners, wraps (clings), cook wares, cups, etc. are also sources of microplastics we ingest. Glass, porcelain, and silicone wares do not leach. The atmosphere (air we breathe in) is the highest source of microplastics. Today, there are countertop 7-stage reversed osmosis water filtration machines with UV disinfecting light built-in, like the Sim Pure Y10C unit on amazon, which also filters out microplastics, according to Sim Pure. Most of the harmful chemical contaminants in water is filtered out by this 7-stage reversed osmosis filtration system. Its UV light kills viruses, bacteria, and protozoans. There are also under-sink and stand-alone water filter devices available. Research them well before purchasing. I have stopped drinking bottled water at home and use filtered water from my Sim Pure Y10C unit. For scientific details: service@
simpurelife.com. New test for Alzheimer’s There are about 55 million people around the world who have Alzheimer’s dementia, in various stages of the disease. While there some tests that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s, like the blood test for proteins amyloid-beta and tau, there was no way to determine the stage or severity of this dementia. Since this type of dementia is not always diagnosed at the beginning stage of the disease, it would be helpful to the clinician to know what stage (degree) it is. Researchers at the WashU Medicine in St. Louis, MO, have invented a blood test that can aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s and at the same time provide information on how far the dementia has progressed. This enables the physician to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy. (from Nature Medicine) Calcium and cancer
A long running cohort study revealed that higher calcium intake from dietary sources and supplement was consistently associated with a lowered risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), according to JAMA Network Open. The clinical study involved 471,396 individuals followed up for twenty years. The conclusion states: “Overall, for each additional 300 mg/d in total, dietary, and supplemental calcium intake, there was an 8%, 10%, and 5% decrease in CRC risk, respectively. In Black individuals,
there was a 32%, 36%, and 19% decrease in CRC risk, respectively. Eating healthy, to include foods rich in calcium, may be linked to lower risk for colorectal cancer.”
* *
*
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
*
* * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Do I need a premarital agreement...
is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and the time the agreement was signed, regardless of whether the party is represented by legal counsel. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations the party was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that the party received the information required by this paragraph and
indicating who provided that information.
(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.
(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant. A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement. Family Code § 1612(c). If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a
BTS’ J-Hope, Niana Guerrero finally meet, make dance collab
by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
J-Hope of K-pop supergroup BTS met with Filipino content creator Niana Guerrero during his recent Manila visit, treating Filipino fans to the pair’s muchawaited dance collaboration. Guerrero attended the second night of the “Hope on the Stage” Manila concert on Sunday, April 13. She then met the K-pop star after the show, as seen on her Instagram Stories. Their photo was reposted on Instagram by J-Hope who seemed ecstatic as he added the caption, “Ay! Niana here! Finally we met!”
The BTS member also shared via his TikTok page on Monday, April 14, a video of him and Guerrero dancing to his song “Mona Lisa.”
“Thanks for coming!” he wrote in the caption, adding the TikTok handle of the content creator. This is not the first time J-Hope and Guerrerro interacted. The
two dancers have already been TikTok mutuals since February after the K-pop star followed her back on the platform.
J-Hope also praised the Filipino content creator for her earlier solo dance cover of “Mona Lisa,” even resposting the video on his Instagram Stories.
Eugene Rex L. Jalao, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Program of the University of the Philippines on March 21, 2025 at the Philippine Center.
During the courtesy call, Dr. Jalao informed the Consulate that the AI research center is currently based at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and led
Niana Guerrero and BTS’ J-Hope
Photo from Instagram/@uarmyhope Meanwhile, J-Hope’s recent visit to the Philippines marked his return to the country after eight long years.
