PH not meddling in Taiwan...

oppose Taiwan independence rather than stoking the fire by offering the U.S. access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 [overseas Filipino workers].”

On Sunday, April 16, Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros demanded that Beijing recall Huang over his “threatening” statements.

Hontiveros said if China has issues with the U.S., he should “not drag the Philippines” into their fight.

Beijing has accused Washington of creating tension in the region by expanding its military presence.

Huang said the Philippines is “stoking the fire by offering the U.S. access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait” referring to the bases designated as EDCA sites.

Two of the four new sites — which will house visiting U.S. troops and their equipment — are in Cagayan province which is near Taiwan.

“These are truly disgraceful statements from Ambassador Huang Xilian. How dare he threaten us,” the senator said.

“Our OFWs in Taiwan will continue to work where they work. End of story. Filipinos will thrive and make a living according to our wishes,” she stressed in a statement.

“The Palace should tell Beijing to recall their representative in Manila as soon as possible,” Hontiveros said.

She said Huang “has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner.”

The Philippines, she said, will never interfere with the issue of Taiwanese independence. “That is exclusively for the people of Taiwan to tackle.”

She said it was China “who has been stoking tensions in the region, claiming territories that aren’t hers.”

“It is China who continues to bully, harass, and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess,” Hontiveros said, Hontiveros said Huang “along with his country’s ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave.”

“We, in the Philippines, respect the right of the Taiwanese people to self-determination, and this right must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China,” she said.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila, in a text to reporters, said it has “no specific response to Ambassador Huang’s comments, other than to say what we have said repeatedly: EDCA sites will support combined training exercises and interoperability between U.S. and Philippine forces to ensure that we’re even better prepared for future crises.”

“EDCA is a key component of the U.S.-Philippne alliance, and is not about any other third country,” the embassy said.

In a statement over the weekend, National Security Council Assistant Director General and spokesman Jonathan Malaya reacted strongly to

Huang’s insinuation that the Philippines is a willing participant in the attempt of the U.S. to push its “anti-China agenda” by adding four more EDCA sites.

“National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año has made our position clear that the increased security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is meant to develop and strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to enable it to protect and defend the territory of the Philippines and is not meant to contain or counter any nation in the region or to interfere in another nation’s affairs,” Malaya said.

He noted that Año even had a meeting with Huang last week to assure the Chinese government that the Marcos administration is for the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and the continued stability of the region.

“The identified EDCA sites are Philippine bases which we want to further develop based on the requirements for strategic basing and development of the AFP. These were not U.S.-dictated but identified by our armed forces,” Malaya said.

“By developing our military and base infrastructure, we are pursuing our national interest and actually contributing to regional peace and stability,” he said.

Malaya also maintained that the country observes the One China policy and subscribes to the principle of the Association of Southeast Nations “of noninterference in approaching regional issues.” n

“As a mother, it is very painful for me to see my daughter in jail when she did nothing wrong,” her mother wrote. “My daughter has suffered for a wrong she has not committed.”

Veloso has been behind bars for over a decade now but hopes for her release sparked after Indonesian President Joko Widodo granted clemency to a woman on death row for similar drug smuggling charges.

“We vow to never stop until Mary Jane is free and reunited with her family. She and her family have already suffered so much,” Joanna Concepcion, chairperson of Migrante International, said in a statement on Thursday, April 20.

“We appeal to the Indonesian Women’s Minister to give attention to the pleas from the global community calling for clemency and Mary Jane’s immediate freedom”

The open letter was signed by the Good Shepherd Sisters, Institute for Interfaith Dialogue in Indonesia, International Migrants Alliance, the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, among others. It was made available in English and Bahasa Indonesia.

13 years in jail

Veloso was arrested in 2010 after officials caught her smuggling heroin sewn into the lining of her luggage upon her arrival in Yogyakarta at the Adisucipto International Airport. She was sentenced to death by firing squad months after her imprisonment.

In April 2015, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III personally appealed to the Indonesian government to grant Veloso clemency after her recruiters — those who tricked her into smuggling illegal drugs – already surrendered.

“Women human trafficking victims like Mary Jane should be protected,” the letter from the groups read. “While the real perpetrators of serious crimes such as illegal recruitment and human trafficking… should be prosecuted and convicted.”

But it has been eight years since her reprieve and Veloso is now spending her 13th year in jail.

The latest attempt to ask the Indonesian government for executive clemency was made during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s state visit there last year.

A mother’s call for help

Prior to the Philippine delegation’s flight to Indonesia in September last year, parents of Veloso personally handed a letter to the Department of Migrant Workers hoping that Marcos Jr. would ask Widodo for executive clemency on their daughter’s behalf.

The government did not announce that it would ask for clemency, with Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Amb. Ma. Teresita Daza said then that “we might preempt the discussions that will happen during his visit to Indonesia.”

The open letter cited the old age of Veloso’s parents, who have since developed health problems. Groups said her parents “are constantly fearful of not living long enough” to see her home.

“[When] her life was spared from execution, we had a little bit of hope but once again the hearing of her case has stalled,” Celia Veloso wrote.

“I hope Mary Jane will be granted clemency because my daughter has experienced and endured a lot of hardships.” n

7% of Filipinos currently...

percent), Kuwait (9 percent), United Arab Emirates (9 percent), Japan (7 percent), Qatar (6 percent), and United States of America (6 percent).

The survey also showed that 7 percent of Filipino households have a family member working overseas.

It said 75 percent of the households with an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) currently abroad claimed they would “often” receive money from their OFW family members, 17 percent said they “sometimes” receive money, 5 percent said “seldom”, and 3 percent said they “never” received remittances.

The poll interviewed 1,200 Filipino adults nationwide with a margin of error of ± 2.8 percent. (PNA) n

ANNOUNCEMENT / LEGAL SERVICES

Advertisement for Bids

ANNOUNCEMENT / LEGAL SERVICES

SD#0226

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to:

Reroof At Einstein Charter Academy

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023, outside the main office of Albert Einstein Charter Academy, 3035 Ash St, San Diego, CA 92102. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on MAY 11, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP23-0929-52-00-00 Reroof at Einstein Charter Academy. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $230,000 and $300,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CP23-0929-52-00-00.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

NO. 2023-9006175

Entrust Oral Surgery located at 950 Boardwalk, Suite 100, San Marcos, CA 92078.

Registrant: Tyler Nelson DDS Corp, 950 Boardwalk, Suite 100, San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/04/2023.

Signature: Tyler Nelson.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/20/2023. AJ 1147 03/31, 04/07, 04/14, and 04/21/2023. AJSD 1147

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007466

Smile Creations Dental

Practice located at 9750 Miramar Road Suite 133, San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Claudine Tsui DDS A Dental Corp, 14241 Meadowrun St, San Diego, CA 92129. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/08/2003.

Signature: Claudine Tsui. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/04/2023. AJ

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008236

The Shellfish Affair located at 778 South Fox Run Place, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Registrant: AXP Logistics LLC, 408 Nutmeg Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Adriana Guevara Gluyas. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/12/2023. AJ 1159 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1159

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007026 a. Ariel Keilani’s Flower Crown located at 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950. b. Dok Keo’s Kids Collection located at 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950. c. AK Phone Home located at 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: The Law LLC, 4824 Bram Avenue, Bonita, CA 91902. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/20/2023.

Signature: Vilayphone Lynnda Ratsachak. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9006937 TEA11 Industries located at 2633 E. 15th St., National City, CA 91950. Registrant: Alfredo Everardo Tovar, 2633 E. 15th St., National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Alfredo Everardo Tovar. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/28/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007041 KinfiaZ located at 8685 Rio San Diego Drive #4103, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Natallia Zemliakova, 8685 Rio San Diego Drive #4103, San Diego, CA 92108.

Advertisement for Bids

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and service for:

CRAWFORD HIGH SCHOOL CONCRETE AND SLOPE REPAIR

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023, in front of the main office of Crawford High School, 4161 Colt Way, San Diego, CA 92115. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on MAY 11, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP23-0933-08-00-00 Crawford High School Concrete and Slope Repair. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration”. The project estimate is between $730,000.00 and $760,000.00. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: A or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CP23-0933-08-00-00.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007058

New Vision High Profile Luggage Tags located at 1308 Battle Creek Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Theresa Lynette Gamlin, 1308 Battle Creek Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/29/2023.

Signature: Theresa L Gamlin. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/29/2023. AJ 1150 03/31,

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9006962

Highway Laundry located at 1555 Palm Ave Suite L, San Diego, CA 92154. Registrant: GC Laundries, 1392 Tavern Rd, Alpine, CA 91901.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9006552

PEPS Solutions located at 1308 Descanso Avenue, San Marcos, CA 92069.

Registrant: Jose L Garces, 1308 Descanso Avenue, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/02/2023.

Signature: Jose L Garces. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/23/2023. AJ

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9006963

St #1, San Diego, CA 92116. This business is conducted by Married Couple. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Alya Raeann Tamanaha. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/28/2023. AJ 1154 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, and 04/28/2023. AJSD 1154

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007981

California Design Group located at 3985 Riviera Dr., A, San Diego, CA 92109.

Registrant: Jerome Sebastian, 3985 Riviera Dr., A, San Diego, CA 92109. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/26/2007.

Signature: Jerome Sebastian. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/10/2023. AJ 1160 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1160

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/29/2023.

Signature: Natallia Zemliakova. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/29/2023. AJ 1155 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, and 04/28/2023. AJSD 1155

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007210 JPM Pro Lights And Sounds located at 1345 E. Madison Ave Spc 18, El Cajon, CA 92021.

Registrant: John Paul Merado, 1345 E. Madison Ave Spc 18, El Cajon, CA 92021. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/30/2023.

Signature: Jerome

Sebastian. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/30/2023. AJ 1161 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1161

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/28/2023.

Signature: William Justin Glad. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/28/2023. AJ 1156 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, and 04/28/2023. AJSD 1156

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008530 Ivy Life Solution LLC located at 6546 Windward Ridge Way, San Diego, CA 92121.

Registrant: Ivy Life Solution LLC, 6546 Windward Ridge Way, San Diego, CA 92121. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/18/2023.

Signature: Huiling Xia. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/18/2023.

AJ 1162 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12/2023. AJSD 1162

The Vault Motor Sales located at 1392 Tavern Rd Unit 2, Alpine, CA 91901. Registrant: William Justin Glad, 1392 Tavern Rd, Alpine, CA 91901. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: William Justin Glad. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/28/2023. AJ 1157 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, and 04/28/2023. AJSD 1157

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007622 b. Quoc Nguyen, 10158 Challenger Circle, Spring Valley, CA 91978.

Gel Touch Nail Spa located at 11948 Bernardo Plaza Dr., San Diego, CA 92128.

Registrant: a. Lee Thai, 5510 Alexandrine Ct., Oceanside, CA 92057.

This business is conducted by Co-Partner.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT

BEGUN TO TRANSACT

BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Lee Thai. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/05/2023. AJ 1163 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, and 05/12/2023. AJSD 1163

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9005402 Grab & Go Subs located at 768 W. Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Elvnholdings Inc. , 768 W. Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Tanya Myers. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/09/2023. AJ 1152 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, and 04/28/2023. AJSD 1152

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008091 Camino Village Laundromat located at 11275 Camino Ruiz, San Diego, CA 92126. Registrant: Pablito Sy, 10353 Gold Coast Pl., San Diego, CA 92126. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/11/2023.

Signature: Pablito Sy. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/11/2023. AJ 1158 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1158

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008039 PL Investments, LP located at 244-A Palomar St., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: PW Inc., 244A Palomar St., Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by Limited Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/14/2018.

Signature: Robert Pennell. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/11/2023. AJ 1164 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12/2023. AJSD 1164

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

CEO.

A multi-hyphenate in the Filipino American community, Lewis is a philanthropist, community leader, activist, shoulder-to-cry-on for some, and to most, she is Tita Loida.

She recently hosted a small gathering in her Fifth Avenue residence overlooking the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park to promote her new book, which is both a prequel and a sequel to her late husband’s book titled

‘Why Should White Guys Have

All the Fun’

Loida talked about how she met Reginald F. Lewis – who would eventually become the first African American billionaire – through a blind date. This was back in 1968 when Loida was in New York as a part of her father’s gift when she graduated in law from the University of the Philippines.

“When I met him, I knew he was unlike anyone else I had ever met,” Loida said.

The two lawyers fell in love, and after one dinner, they strolled back to her hotel. She popped the question, “Darling, do you want a big or a small wedding?’.

“He replied, ‘Small.’ Sumagot! So I asked ‘Where do you think we should have it? He said, ‘NYU, they have a small chapel there’. Then he understood what just happened and said, ‘I have a headache!’,” she shared laughing.

“Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?: An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage,

Motherhood, and Running a Billion-Dollar Empire” is about 80-year-old Loida’s journey so far.

“I insisted on putting Asian American on the title,” she explained. “With the current rise in Asian hate, it was important to showcase that we are just like everyone else, with our own ups and downs, successes and failures so that should be there, front and center”

Loida revealed that she set a goal to write her book before she turned 75, inspired by Katharine Graham who successfully led the Washington Post after her husband’s sudden death.

“As I approached 80, I knew I had to start working on it. By the time I turned 80, I had found a cowriter, Blair Walker, who helped me finish it.,” she shared.

Coping with Grief

Reginald Lewis passed away at the age of 50 after a brief illness. His untimely death left Loida in profound grief.

Loida was disoriented and emotionally inconsolable. “I was totally discombobulated, my mind was not working,” she revealed. She found solace in music but would often cry. After six months, she noticed that the curtains in their bedroom were up, and she felt that it was a sign that she should pick up the pieces and move on.

Reginald’s brother Jean Fugett became chair and CEO but it reached a point where the business had to search for a new CEO. The company spent a fortune to find their new leader but they couldn’t find the right match.

She decided to prioritize a few things: being a mother and father to her two daughters, Leslie and Christina; finishing her husband’s book, and ensuring the success of the company that Reginald built by taking over the company and taking the role of

Reginald’s unexpected passing prevented him from completing his book. Loida approached Blair Walker and asked him to co-authored the book with Reginald. It was an obvious choice to ask Blair to collaborate again three decades later on the companion book.

Taking the reins of the company was an entirely different thing.

To prepare herself, Loida sought the help of a speech coach and learned to dress and act like a CEO. She also learned to approach people differently and tailor her approach to suit their individualities.

“Before I became CEO, my Filipino accent was so thick so we hired a speech coach and I had to work on my pronunciation for words like this, that, and there,” Loida recalled, adding that she had to practice delivering speeches before the board of directors.

At the gathering, she regaled the guests with anecdotes and stories that helped her to grow and become the person she is today. Like her book, her stories focused on various themes such as leadership, communication, and the importance of seeking help when needed.

The book is both an embodiment and a reflection on Loida’s resilience and ability to overcome challenges, both personal and professional. Her determination to take care of her family and the company despite the difficult circumstances is one for the books. n