050622 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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MAY 6-12, 2022 Volume 15 - No.26 • 16 Pages

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PH Consulate allows in-person voting on May 7 for voters who have not received their ballots

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

OVERSEAS voters registered with the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York who have been sent postal voting

DATELINE

packets but have not received their ballots may personally visit the Consulate on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to cast their votes.

This was announced by the consulate on Monday, May 2 through its social media

accounts, citing a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Letter No. OFOV-2022-0942 dated 29 April 2022.

Registered voters must provide some documents to be able to vote in person, including a duly accomplished notarized

USA

New call center launched to answer COVID-19 questions from Fil-Am community’s most vulnerable members

by DANIZA

FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

FULL SWING. A boom lift carries a worker of the Metro Rail Transit-7 (MRT-7) while another man measures the water pipe placement along North Fairview, Quezon City on Monday, May 2. Eyed for partial operations late this year, the 22.8-kilometer elevated railway will have 14 stations from North Avenue, Quezon City to the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

 PAGE 2

Fil-Am group launches ‘troll Locsin to represent PH exposer’ website to combat at US-Asean summit disinformation ahead of May 9 polls MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. will represent Manila in a leaders’ summit between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) next week, Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed.

The envoy said the top diplomat would attend on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte, who opted not to attend as the summit falls on a date when the country

 PAGE 2

 PAGE 4

Duterte vows orderly, clean, honest elections on May 9

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

LOS ANGELES — In an expansion of its COVID-19 resources, the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), through its Tayo project, announces the launch of a call center to assist community members with their pressing pandemic-related questions.

Beginning as a virtual help desk in the fall of 2020, Tayo has since continuously

affidavit/undertaking and the Overseas Voting Form, along with a copy of Philippine passport or Philippine citizenship reacquisition documents and a copy of proof of change address or current address (e.g.,

MANILA — With the May 9 polls drawing closer, a group of dual citizens of the Philippines and the United States has launched a website “exposing trolls” at the forefront of widespread disinformation heavily influencing the elections.

In a statement sent to reporters, the US Filipinos

for Good Governance on Monday, May 2 launched TrollExposer.com, a website dedicated to exposing troll pages, accounts, and groups on Facebook.

Through its website, the group said that it “exposed” a hundred Marcos trolls, who have coordinated with

 PAGE 3

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 3 assured the public of an “orderly, clean, and honest elections” on May 9.

In his taped public address, Duterte said he urges the government to be “conscious” of this goal and work at it “towards the end.”

“I urge the government to be conscious of this because everybody will be working towards the end. I would emphasize that the military and the police focus on this event because we want an honest election,” he said.

“Sinasabi ko lang as President, I guarantee that we will do everything to ensure that the election is free from violence and the people are not intimidated in any way to exercise their

 PAGE 2

Iglesia ni Cristo endorses Marcos for president MANILA — Leadership of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo has announced its decision to formally endorse the presidential candidacy of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Their official announcement came Tuesday afternoon over Net25, owned by Eagle Broadcasting Corp. whose primary stakeholders hold key positions within the

 PAGE 2

Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos Philstar.com photo

2

MAY 6-12, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Locsin to represent PH at US-Asean... Pacquiao overtakes Isko in latest Pulse Asia survey PAGE 1 would have already named its president-elect.

“It is unfortunate that the summit is scheduled for May 12 shortly after our elections, that is why I totally understand why President Duterte cannot attend it. As the President pointed out, we will definitely

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Inquirer.net file photo

have a president-elect by then, so he was being prudent, opting not to attend out of delicadeza, and avoid making decisions or commitments at the summit that might not be aligned with the policies of our next president,” Romualdez wrote in a Labor Day column on Philstar.

“Secretary Teddy Locsin will represent the President,” he added.

The envoy said Manila’s participation in this special summit is important because the discussions are expected to center on a wide range of areas of mutual interest and concern.

Among them are defense and security, future pandemic response, climate change, maritime cooperation, economic engagement, energy, digital technology and strengthening people-to-people ties, among others.

The special summit, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, will run from May 12 and 13 in Washington, DC. According to the State Department, the meeting would demonstrate the United States’ commitment to serving as a “strong, reliable partner” in Southeast Asia and advancing an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, secure, connected, and resilient. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA)

Duterte vows orderly, clean, honest...

PAGE 1 right to vote and choose their whoever,” he added.

Duterte earlier said his administration will enforce the law and not allow terrorism

during the May 9 polls.

This is why he chose not to endorse any presidential candidate so that he could remain “neutral.”

Duterte said he will not

endorse any presidential candidate “now until December” and he requested his Cabinet members also to not openly endorse any candidate. g

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — Sen. Manny Pacquiao placed third in the latest Pulse Asia survey released Monday, May 2, overtaking Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

In a survey published just one week before the May 9 polls, Pacquiao ranked third, with a voter support of 7%.

The boxer-turned-politician gained one point from his rating in March.

Moreno dropped to fourth place after suffering a fourpoint loss.

UP Political Science professor Jean Franco told Philstar.com that Pacquiao’s sincerity and consistency during the campaign could have contributed to this development.

“The presscon of Isko also turned people off,” Franco added.

‘Disastrous’ Easter presser The survey period from April 16 to 21 covered the Easter Sunday press conference at the Peninsula Manila Hotel, where the Manila mayor called on Vice President Leni Robredo to withdraw her candidacy as

Manny Pacquiao, Philippine boxing legend and presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign stop ahead of the May 9 presidential election. Philstar.com

he criticized attempts to get other aspirants quit the highstakes presidential race.

Pacquiao was supposed to participate in the press conference also attended by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and former Arroyo Cabinet member Norberto Gonzales, but he missed it due to flight delays.

Some volunteer groups that backed Domagoso recently announced their support for Robredo.

Pacquiao’s latest numbers in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Visayas were unchanged, but he gained

three points in Mindanao.

Domagoso dropped by two points in the capital region and in Balance Luzon, by five points in Visayas, and by six points in Mindanao.

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio remained the top pick for president and vice president of many Filipinos.

Marcos maintained a voter support of 56%, while his rival Robredo dropped by one point to 23%.

Lacson still placed fifth with only voter support of 2%. g

Iglesia ni Cristo endorses...

PAGE 1 powerful church group.

The religious group also announced its Senate slate, which includes: • Former PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar • Actor Robin Padilla • Former DPWH secretary Mark Villar • Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano • Antique Rep. Loren Legarda • Former senator JV Ejercito • Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero • Former senator and plunder convict Jinggoy Estrada • Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian • Sen. Joel Villanueva • Sen. Migz Zubiri The INC has an estimated 3 million members in the Philippines and in over 150 countries and territories overseas. It was founded by Felix Manalo who served as the first Executive Minister of INC. The religious group has historically announced its choice of candidates to support a few days before election day. Its support for Marcos was long rumored among pundits but was only explicitly confirmed Tuesday.

To recall, Marcos’ proclamation rally in February was held at the Philippine Arena, which is legally owned by the religious group. Marcos’ camp at the time denied that

they obtained endorsement from INC. The religion is known for its practice of “bloc voting” during elections, where its members are encouraged to vote for whoever their leadership will support.

Other presidential bets, including Manila City mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko Moreno have expressed hope that they would get the religious group’s endorsement.

In a statement later Tuesday evening, Marcos said his camp was “very happy and wholeheartedly grateful” for the endorsement.

“We will strive that the trust granted by the Iglesia Ni Cristo fraternity will result in the true unity of Filipinos who love the Philippines and will undoubtedly face the challenges that will come together in preparing for a better tomorrow for our youth,” he said.

Marcos Jr. is gunning for the country’s highest seat in the land, marking his family’s second attempt to return to Malacañang after the ouster of the clan patriarch.

The two-decade rule of the clan patriarch was marked by outright abuse of human rights and massive plunder of state coffers.

Rights group Amnesty International estimated that 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured and 3,240 were killed during Martial Law. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

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Fil-Am group launches ‘troll exposer’...

PAGE 1 each other through fake accounts, to spread fake news in sustained malicious attacks against the leading opposition presidential candidate, incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Our country has become extremely polarized through vigorous troll activity... We hope it is not too late to detoxify the minds and hearts of our people,” said Eric Lachica, USFGG Washington DC Coordinator.

“Trolls have found fertile ground in weakly regulated social media to saturate the public with disinformation.

These lies have been allowed to spread through Facebook for years. Having the presidency decided based on lies that re-write history and hide the fact that much of this troll activity is state-sponsored would be a tragedy.”

Why does this matter?

Academics have labeled the Philippines as the “patient zero” for digital disinformation, pointing to the disproportionate growth of disinformation operations in the Philippines in recent.

According to the preliminary findings of Tsek.ph, a fact-checking initiative involving the academe and mainstream media, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late ousted dictator, has been the beneficiary of positive but misleading messaging on social media ahead of the 2022 elections.

On the other hand, Philstar.com’s own factchecking initiative has observed that Robredo has been on the receiving end of false claims seeking to discredit her as a candidate.

The USFGG on Monday said that corrupt, powerful, and wealthy politicians have financed troll armies for this upcoming election, “frequently with the help of the Philippines government and foreign state sponsors, such as China.”

While the rampant disinformation clearly favors him, presidential aspirant and son of the former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to deny he has trolls and has even challenged the public to find a single troll of his.

“Fact-checkers and efforts by social media platforms to limit disinformation have not been enough to stop it.

Troll Exposer is a new weapon in the arsenal against disinformation.” said Liz Derr, founder of Troll Exposer.

“Rather than focusing on content, Troll Exposer publicly exposes the social media accounts that are spreading this harmful disinformation so everyone can see who these liars are,” she said.

How does it work?

TrollExposer.com provides analysis of the troll networks and activities, and the direct links to the troll Facebook accounts so that the public can explore the pages of the trolls themselves.

“Now people don’t need to trust sources they might view as biased,” the group’s statement reads.

“People are desperate to understand what news can be trusted, who they can believe, and what can be done to save our democracies from further division.”

The group said this methodology allows readers to do their own research to discover the activities of the trolls, and find out if the content they view online is actually the result of a covert influence operation, rather than authentic narratives from real people.

Accountability from social media owners sought “If we can’t get social media platforms to enforce their own community standards, then we need to act ourselves. It is the right of every person to defend themselves from being manipulated by false information,” said Loida Lewis, US Filipinos for Good Governance National Chair.

“The spread of harmful disinformation, manipulated narratives, and false propaganda needs to stop,” she said.

“We’re calling on Mark Zuckerberg and Meta/ Facebook to immediately take down these fake posts and disable the trolls identified in TrollExposer.com to reduce the disinformation on his platform in the lead up to the May 9th election.”

3

SUMMER TREAT. Children line up for free ice cream during the Eid al-Fitr celebration in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City on Tuesday, May 15. The free treats were courtesy of the city government.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Trolls weaponized to weaken democracies The false narratives and propaganda that get spread by trolls on social media allow dictators and kleptocrats to weaken democracies around the world, USFGG said Monday afternoon.

“We’ve seen how dangerous disinformation and conspiracies can be in the US. In the Philippines, the danger is great and the need for action is urgent,” the group said.

The group went as far as saying that the political

environment resulting from the efforts of trolls opens the possibility of a repeat of the United States Capitol attack in the Philippines.

“The vitriol and divisiveness created by these trolls is making a January 6th-type event in the Philippines more and more probable, regardless of the outcome of the election.

Meta/Facebook must act immediately to help protect our democracy by removing the lies that have divided us.” (Franco Luna/ Philstar. com)

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From the Front Page

New call center... Experts await data on Moderna’s vaccine for kids

PAGE 1 diversified its culturally tailored offerings to connect Filipinos with vital information and services, battle misinformation, and improve the collection of data through initiatives like educational webinars, surveys, public service announcement campaigns, and health clinics.

On May 4, 2022, Tayo will bolster its help desk capabilities by piloting a dedicated hotline to address the needs of Filipinos in the diaspora who may not have adequate access to trustworthy and reliable COVID-related information online.

“Creating this call center is a natural extension of the work and mission of Tayo - to empower our community by meeting them where they are at and providing them with essential information,” said Leezel Tanglao, Tayo project director and president of FYLPRO. “It’s truly going full circle as we leverage our network and resources both here in the United States and in the Philippines to bridge the gap.”

More than ever a resource like this is needed to ensure accurate and culturally tailored information is available to all members of the Filipino community as the pandemic continues to evolve while official guidance can run counter or is often confusing.

FYLPRO was inspired to develop the call center after evaluating insights gleaned from users of Tayo’s web-based platform and determining that seniors in particular felt more comfortable talking to someone on the phone rather than searching through a website for information.

The call center operates from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pacific Daylight Time and is available in English and Tagalog.

Callers can call 1 (800) 899-5090 to reach a representative who can address questions on where to get a booster shot or to find a COVID-19 test.

The call center pilot is made possible by a grant from the Booz Allen Foundation, which also funded the initial launch of the virtual help desk (tayohelp.com).

“We’re proud to have

played a part in supporting FYLPRO’s work to use innovation and technology to make such a positive difference for the Filipino community,” said Christine Hoisington, Executive Director of the Booz Allen Foundation. “We’re impressed with their efforts and impact.”

The call center pilot will run for 3 months.

The call center launch team includes a diverse multidisciplinary team from across the United States: Tayo project director Leezel Tanglao, project manager Brian Tajo, product counsel Mark Calaguas, medical advisor Dr. Melissa Palma, technologist and special project manager Jobel Vecino, fellowship director Krystle Canare, and risk mitigator/creative consultant TJ Simba-Medel.

Operations manager Joselito Alampayan and call representative Dhian Perez are based in the Philippines.

“The insights and learnings from this pilot will help inform how we better serve our community and as we continue to navigate life with COVID-19,” said Tanglao. “This is to ensure no one is left behind just because they don’t have access to technology.”

Tayo, a project of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), is an innovative data hub that empowers Filipinx/a/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable future. g

THE medical community is celebrating drug maker Moderna’s recent announcement that it is seeking FDA approval for its COVID-19 vaccination for younger kids, though experts add they are “anxiously” awaiting further data on its efficacy and safety.

“We have seen that our youngest patients are getting sick and hospitalized with COVID… even previously healthy kids can develop complications,” said Pediatric Pulmonologist Dr. Manisha Newaskar with Stanford Children’s Health during an April 29 press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

“The data still needs full review, but we have to educate our families and encourage them to get their young ones vaccinated,” Newaskar added.

The vaccine will require two doses one month apart and is expected to be authorized by the FDA in June.

Parents have been hesitant about shots for their kids in part due to the risk of myocarditis—an inflammation of the muscles around the heart—though experts note the risk decreases for younger patients.

“Schools may have a role to play in getting the vaccine out there,” said Dr. Ben Neuman, professor of Biology and chief virologist with the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University.

“There are 500 deaths per year from bacterial meningitis, and that is one of the things that schools would normally require vaccination against,” explained Dr. Neuman. “COVID-19 is around 350 deaths in the same age group in roughly the span of a year. This needs to be one of the vaccines to make school work.”

Moderna previously requested FDA

authorization for its vaccine for kids ages 6 to 11 and ages 12 to 17. It expects to submit data on the efficacy of these vaccines by May 9.

The news comes as Moderna also announced progress on a “bivalent” vaccine that would provide immunity to the original Covid-19 strain along with newer variants.

“Each year we update our influenza vaccine and it’s now a quadrivalent vaccine. It has four different antigens in it. So, the thinking among vaccine scientists is to do something quite similar with COVID,” explained Dr. William Schaffner, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

“Expanding the antigens in the vaccines, we get broader coverage against this array of variants going forward,” Schaffner noted.

The speed at which variants of the Covid-19 virus are appearing, along with their relative transmissibility, calls for the development of multivariant vaccines, speakers said. The BA2 Omicron variant, which emerged in late November in the United States, is almost gone but has been replaced by a subvariant that is even more contagious: the BA.2.12.1 “We need to advocate the FDA to update the vaccines more quickly considering that we’re just tweaking the spike protein a little bit,” said Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, co-founder of the World Health Network and chief of the COVID Task Force at the New England Complex Systems Institute. “We should be able to do a phase two (of approval), and then allow these brand-new phases to adapt the vaccines pretty quickly…”

Experts also weighed in on the removal of mask mandates on public transportation which several U.S transit systems, including airlines, have already adopted.

“We don’t just stop wearing helmets, unbuckle our seatbelts, and allow drunk driving because hospital beds are not full.

I think the CDC is forgetting prevention (strategies) in trying to push for a return to normal,” added Dr. Feigl-Ding, who highlighted the fact that even for people who are boosted, the protection against hospitalization and death is 90-95%, but the protection against infection is only about 45%.

“Adults now are going out to gatherings, parties, bars, restaurants, nightclubs… so the likelihood of transmission is higher,” continued Dr. Feigl-Ding, “and someone may have immunocompromised children at home or family members who could actually have a severe outcome (from infection).”

Dr. Schaffner agreed that the ending of the mask mandate might increase the vulnerability of already fragile people and suggested that people consider their personal circumstances when deciding to leave the mask at home. “Are you older? Do you have an underlying illness, heart disease or lung disease?

Are you immune-compromised? Are you a person that’s providing care for someone? Continue to be very careful.”

The speakers emphasized that vaccination is safe and that boosters are essential to strengthen immunity against COVID-19 and its long-term effects such as headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, stomach aches, chest tightness, and loss of appetite among others. (Jenny Manrique/Ethnic Media Services)

PH Consulate allows in-person voting on May 7...

PAGE 1 utility bill, driver’s license).

These voters must accomplish the ballot on the Consulate’s premises and drop the ballot in the

DONATIONS. Quezon City Police District chief, Brig. Gen. Remus Medina (center), leads the turnover of 3 of 10 goats to the Muslim community during the Eid alFitr celebration at Salaam Compound covered court in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City on Tuesday, May 3. The police also gave away 200 packs of dressed chicken during the event that coincided with the signing of a peace covenant for a peaceful election.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

designated drop box on the above-stated date and time.

The affidavit states that the voter should send the election packets back to the consulate when they receive them because the unauthorized keeping of an official ballot constitutes a criminal offense for violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

A previous consulate advisory said that the last batch of election packets was mailed on Saturday, April 23.

“Please also make sure your name is in the certified list of voters and if it is for you to also check the list of voters whose ballots have been sent back to us by USPS,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato. “Both lists can be accessed through the overseas absentee voting button at www.newyorkpcg. org.”

As of Wednesday, May 4, there are still comments left on the consulate’s Facebook page about voters not receiving their election packets yet.

Vote counting machine failure The consulate also announced that ballot feeding operations have resumed in full blast following the successful troubleshooting of two of three Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) that had earlier been rendered inoperable due to technical issues.

“With technical support guidance from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Consulate was able to fix the malfunctions and ran full diagnostics on the two VCMs. As a result, the second Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI)

was able to resume the feeding of ballots from kababayan in the United States northeast,” the advisory read.

To ensure that the votes of Filipinos in the Northeast are counted, the Consulate had been finding ways to address the technical issues involving the VCMs. It had dispatched a member of the consular staff to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday morning, May 3 to borrow a spare unit to allow full ballot feeding operations to resume.

To ensure the timely counting of all ballots, the consulate began conducting daily ballot feeding on Monday, May 2, until Friday, May 6, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The ballot feeding is streamed live on the Consulate’s Facebook page. g

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 6-12, 2022

OPINION

FEATURES

Social problems

5

FILIPINOS must be at least 21 years old to play in a casino. But there are no age restrictions for online gaming and the numerous numbers games such as jueteng and masiao that are illegal but continue to proliferate, because some of the biggest operators are local political So even adolescents, most of whom are familiar with gadgets, can gamble online, with cockfighting among the most popular. Online cockfighting or e-sabong has become a multibillion-peso enterprise, with little state regulation except for the need to secure a franchise and pay taxes.

A good indication of the lucrativeness of the enterprise is the reported involvement of police officers, whether retired or in active duty, in the operations. Government personnel are prohibited from playing in casinos and other gambling establishments, but such rules are vague when it comes to online gaming.

Cops are suspected of involvement in the disappearance of over 30 e-sabong aficionados in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Laguna since last year. Probers suspect that the kidnappings, several of which were caught on surveillance video, could be linked to cockfight game fixing.

Addressing the issue over the weekend, President Duterte expressed suspicion that the missing men had been killed and their remains burned. The President mentioned this as he acknowledged the “social problems” arising from a poorly regulated gambling activity.

He said he had ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to study the matter and come up with recommendations on what to do with e-sabong, which he has refused to stop, saying the government needs the P640 million in annual revenues collected from the games. If the earnings cited by the country’s e-sabong operators are accurate, however, that P640 million is a gross underpayment of what is due the government.

The President had cited the same need to collect taxes for rejecting calls, including requests from Beijing, to stop offshore gaming operated in the Philippines by Chinese firms and catering mostly to overseas Chinese, who

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS “TROLLS? Show me one, they don’t exist,” Bongbong Marcos repeatedly claims.

Well, he is lying and here is very solid concrete evidence that you can see with your own eyes. The FilAm group U.S. Filipinos for Good Governance (USFGG)

Philstar.com photo

are banned in their own country from online gambling.

Some lawmakers have pointed out that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has no authority to issue franchises to online gaming operations. Actual cockfights are

under the supervision of local government units. With every aspect of e-sabong messed up, it should at least be suspended until clear regulations are in place or the President decides to abolish the online games. (Philstar. com)

US Filipinos for Good Governance exposes Duterte-Marcos trolls on new tracker to fight against disinformation ahead of the May 9 elections exposes Duterte-Marcos trolls through the website TrollExposer.com.

According to USFGG, Troll Exposer is a new weapon in the arsenal against disinformation. Rather than focusing on content, Troll Exposer detects and publicly exposes the social media accounts that are spreading

this harmful disinformation so everyone can see who these liars are.

Quoting the website: “Part of this denial may be a misconception that trolls operate in large buildings similar to a call center. While that does happen, trolls are quite capable of doing their work remotely, and some of

the trolls we’ve discovered appear to work remotely and are spread throughout the world. There is also the likelihood that foreign troll ‘farms’ are being used by some candidates, which would make it hard for them to find.”

How to spot a stealthy troll

Sometimes fake accounts and trolls are easy to identify. In some of our other investigations, we were able to quickly spot obvious fake accounts and obvious troll behavior. Spotting BBM trolls is more difficult, and that may explain his confidence in insisting that there aren’t any.

One of the difficulties in finding trolls is that they are hard to distinguish trolls from “super fans.”

There are ardent fans that follow multiple Bongbong Marcos Facebook pages and groups, and share and comment on the posts there. For an authentic user, PAGE 10

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Tulfo, Legarda share top spot in Pulse Asia survey for senator by daniza

FeRnandez Inquirer.net

MANILA — Broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda shared the top spot in the senatorial race in the recent Pulse Asia survey.

The survey — conducted on April 16 to 21, while results were released Monday — showed that more than half of the probable winners in the May 9 polls are former or incumbent legislators.

“Currently sharing the top spot are Mr. Raffy Tulfo (50.4%) and Antique Representative Loren Legarda (49.4%), both of whom have a

statistical ranking of 1st to 2nd places,” Pulse Asia said in a statement.

Actor Robin Padilla is in third to fourth places with a 42.9-percent voter preference while Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano’s 42.3-percent voter preference puts him in third to fifth places.

Former senator and incumbent Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero received 38.6 percent which sets him to a ranking of fourth to eighth.

Reelectionists Sherwin Gatchalian and Juan Miguel Zubiri are settling in the fifth to ninth places, both having 37 percent.

Former Public Works and Highways chief

Mark Villar got a voter preference of 35.9 percent, landing him in the fifth to 12th places.

Backed by 34.3 percent of likely voters, former Senator JV Estrada Ejercito ranked sixth to 12th.

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay, reelectionist Risa Hontiveros, and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada all placed eighth to 12th.

Binay got 32.5 percent while Hontiveros and Estrada both received 32.3 percent.

Pulse Asia noted that 41 percent of the voters have a complete slate for the upcoming elections. It added that 2.8 percent did not support any of the 64 senatorial hopefuls. g

Release De Lima – Robredo

by Ma.

Reina Leanne ToLenTino , FRancis eaRL cueTo ManilaTimes.net

VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo called for the freeing of Sen. Leila De Lima from detention after former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer in charge Rafael Ragos recanted his testimony against the senator.

Ragos was the second individual to disavow his testimony against the senator after selfconfessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

“Patunay lang ito ng katotohanang matagal ko nang iginigiit: Walang kaso laban kay Sen. Leila De Lima. Ang tanging kasalanan niya ay ang magsabi ng totoo at ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng mga kapwa natin Pilipino (This is proof of what I have been asserting all along: There is no case against Sen. Leila De Lima. Her only fault was telling the truth and defending the rights of our fellow Filipinos),” Robredo, a candidate for president in May, said in a statement Monday, May 2.

De Lima has been detained since 2017 on drug-related charges.

Last year, one of the three cases filed against her was dismissed.

Ragos said that he was “forced” to execute affidavits “due to threats of being detained... for the crime of engaging in the illegal drug trade that I did not commit.”

and

JoMaR canLas

Earlier, the Department of Justice said Espinosa’s retraction will not affect the two remaining cases against De Lima. It said that his statements were not used by the prosecution as evidence in any of the cases.

Also on Monday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Bernardo Carlos said he has ordered an inquiry into Espinosa’s claim that he was threatened by police into implicating De Lima.

Carlos said in an interview that the Internal Affairs Service and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management will investigate the matter.

But he said that Espinosa’s statement is not the only basis of the senator’s case.

De Lima was accused of using contributions from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison to fund her 2016 Senate run.

“There are other evidences and affidavits that are part of the proceedings,” Carlos said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that like Espinosa, Ragos could face perjury charges for lying about the “money-making” schemes at the BuCor and the New Bilibid Prison.

PAGE 8

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 6-12, 2022

7

Leni Robredo’s people’s campaign would Journalism under prevail on D-Day despite surveys, says spox digital siege, foreign

by Gabriel

Pabico Inquirer.net

lalu

MANILA — Even if there was little movement in Vice President Leni Robredo’s survey numbers as of April, her spokesperson said on Monday that they are confident that the people’s campaign would emerge victorious come May 9, election day.

In a statement, Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said that despite her losing one percentage point in Pulse Asia’s latest polls, the numbers confirm Robredo’s upward trajectory — adding that the houseto-house campaign has shown how many people are now supporting the Vice President.

“The latest Pulse survey conducted last April further confirms Vice President Leni Robredo’s upward trajectory and momentum […] The remaining weeks of the campaign have seen intensified efforts at houseto-house, person to person campaigning by thousands of

Vice President Leni Robredo during the Tagayan, a ritual sealing the “Quezonduan” between presidential candidate and the people of Quezon on April 28, Thursday at the Quezonduan: Grand People’s Rally in Lucena City, Quezon. Inquirer.net

volunteers, which we believe will translate to support on election day,” Gutierrez said.

“This has truly become a people’s campaign, a grassroots movement of Filipinos from all walks of life and from all over the Philippines. We put our trust that this people’s campaign will win the day on May 9,” he added.

Gutierrez claimed that the survey has not captured the 412,000-strong rally in

Pasay City for Robredo’s 57th birthday last April 23 — as Pulse Asia conducted the study from April 16 to 21.

A lot of the country’s A-list celebrities showed up to endorse Robredo in the Pasay grand rally — among them Maricel Soriano, Vice Ganda, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Gary Valenciano, and John Arcilla all supporting Robredo.

“Her numbers remain encouraging, even if the

survey does not yet capture the series of massive rallies from mid April onwards, including the record breaking 400k+ Pasay Rally on April 23,” he added.

In April, Pulse Asia’s survey showed Robredo still being a far second to frontrunner and former senator Bongbong Marcos. Robredo’s voter share was at 23 percent, while Marcos kept his 56 percent share since last March.

This is not the first time that Robredo’s camp expressed confidence in their chances despite the huge gap between her and Marcos.

Last March 14, when Pulse Asia data showed Robredo only having 15 percent of the votes, Gutierrez said that the survey did not capture the big rallies held by the opposition — including the PasigLaban sortie which drew over 137,000 attendees.

Then, when Robredo’s survey numbers increased, Gutierrez said that the surveys are starting to reflect the massive groundswell already. g

Pacquiao projects ‘come-from-behind’ victory

by Neil JaysoN

servallos Philstar.com

MANILA — Presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao is unfazed by the presidential preference surveys, claiming a “come-from-behind” victory in the May 9 polls like that of President Duterte.

Noting how Duterte was a “poor third-placer” during preferential surveys in 2016, Pacquiao said on Monday he expects to pull the same surprise landslide win.

“I can feel in my heart the reaction of everyone, especially that I’m with you. You witnessed my visits in Northern, Western and Eastern Samar and in Leyte… You saw that I never fetched nor called for participants. I never gave away snacks or water and yet people still waited for me from 3 p.m. even if I was to arrive at 10:30 p.m. They were there,” Pacquiao said during a sortie in Kibawe, Bukidnon.

He issued the statement following a Pulse Asia survey showing he had overtaken Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, but was still behind Vice President Leni Robredo and the late dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Pacquiao said he was confident of getting at least 20 million votes to claim a “historic victory.”

“I believe that their support is with Manny Pacquiao because Manny Pacquiao represents the poor… because that’s where I came from,”

Manny Pacquiao, Philippine boxing legend and presidential candidate, wearing a mask with his own image, listens to the country’s national anthem as he campaigns ahead of the May 9 presidential election.

AFP

he said.

Pacquiao said that because of his strong message of “genuine love for the country and the poor,” a majority of Filipinos would help him secure his victory despite Marcos’ lead in the surveys.

He vowed to increase the annual budget of the judiciary if he is elected president.

“My only appeal is for us to help

the judiciary, which is almost always prevented from doing its mandate in providing justice because of its very limited budget. It has not maximized its functions in terms of punishing the corrupt,” he said.

Pacquiao said the judiciary would get the full support it deserves under a Manny Pacquiao government, wherein he intends to build a mega prison cell for all the crooks in government.

He stressed the importance of giving the courts full financial support and reiterated his appeal for a swift resolution of the drug cases filed against detained Sen. Leila De Lima.

Pacquiao lamented that the sluggish resolution of De Lima’s cases has caught the attention of the international community.

To spare the country from further humiliation due to the delay in the resolution of the cases, Pacquiao said the government must ensure its full support for the judiciary.

The De Lima cases triggered new controversies after key witnesses implicating her in the illegal drug trade recanted their testimonies, among them self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and former Bureau of Corrections director Rafael Ragos.

Both Espinosa and Ragos said they were “coerced” into implicating De Lima in drug charges.

u PAGE 8

envoys warn

by Pia lee-braGo Philstar.com

MANILA — Foreign envoys yesterday expressed concern that journalism is under digital siege, warning about the amplified impact of misinformation and disinformation in the Philippines, in a statement released on World Press Freedom Day. The envoys, composed of Ambassadors Anke Reiffenstuel (Germany), Peter MacArthur (Canada), Laure Beaufils (United Kingdom), Jana Šedivá (Czech Repubic), Grete Sillasen (Denmark), Bjørn Staurset Jahnsen (Norway), Jorge Moragas (Spain), Annika Thunborg (Sweden), Alain Gaschen (Switzerland), Luc Véron (European Union) and Charge d’Affaires Pieter Terpstra (the Netherlands) signed an article reflecting on the importance of press freedom.

The diplomats said that World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3, is a timely opportunity for reflection on the crucial importance of media freedoms and the vital role of journalists in democracies.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, “Journalism under digital siege,” spotlights the multiple ways in which journalism is endangered by surveillance and digitally-mediated attacks on journalists and the consequences of all this on public trust in digital communications.

“The readiness of malign actors, including some states, to suppress media freedom and weaponize misinformation and disinformation, and to use digital tools to influence, harass and suppress citizens should be a source of concern for all,” they said.

The group said a brief survey of the global landscape illustrates the urgency for action, referring to a report from the Committee to Protect Journalists that recorded at least 27 journalists killed over their work in 2021 alone, including two in the Philippines.

“Authoritarian regimes have redoubled efforts to control narratives, as well

as circumvent norms and institutions meant to uphold fundamental liberties,” they said.

“Much of this occurs in the digital domain, where malign actors have leveraged social media tools to flood feeds and inboxes with misinformation and disinformation, to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and to subvert democratic processes,” the diplomats said, noting that the “rights to freedom of opinion and expression too are under pressure.”

The Philippines, according to the diplomats, is “no stranger to the misinformation and disinformation phenomena.”

Since as early as 2010, academics and experts have been tracking its explosive growth in the Philippines.

They said that World Press Freedom Day – celebrated just 6 days before millions of Filipinos will go to the polls – is auspicious and provides opportunity for reflection.

The 2022 elections, the diplomats said, are unprecedented as they take place during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when there is an even greater need to protect and promote the crucial role of independent media.

Despite the challenges, the diplomats highlighted the growing civic awareness and the vibrant and dynamic civil society found across the Philippines offer hope.

Forums like the Media Freedom Coalition, Freedom Online Coalition, the G7 and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance are part of efforts to support media freedom, reinforce democracy and combat misinformation/ disinformation are being pursued, in close partnership with government, media networks, advocacy groups, NGOs, academe and the private sector, the group said.

They stressed that these efforts contribute to improve fact-checking, build civic literacy, build capacity of media and democratic institutions, combat corruption, enhance transparency and ensure accountability. g

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MAY 6-12, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Starfleet Innotech cements US Isko laughs off survey ratings roadmap with series of investor meetings, strategic partnerships

by Marc Jason

cayabyab

Philstar.com

STARFLEET Innotech, Inc. (OTC Pink: SFIO) announced a series of strategic meetings to cement its expansion roadmap in the United States. Over the next two months, representatives of the company will be traveling across the U.S. to meet with strategic partners, fund managers, institutional investors and family offices across Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New York.

Kicking off this leg of their global roadshow, Chief Investor Officer Richard De Lima and General Manager for Communications Santiago Arnaiz will be presenting SFIO at the upcoming Planet MicroCap Showcase. The conference will be taking place between May 3 to 5, 2022 in Las Vegas, bringing

together promising companies and top dealmakers in microcap finance for three days of company presentations, one-on-one meetings, and educational panels.

Meanwhile, Chief Technology Officer Richard Prodigalidad is slated to meet with potential partners in Silicon Valley to expand SFIO’s global network of innovators across tech. Among these is a meeting between San Francisco-based health wearable developer NeuroSky and community health dashboard startup Project Fort.

Stemming from SFIO’s strategy of collaborative innovation, this partnership will see the two companies – both recent additions to the SFIO portfolio – kicking off a co-development

roadmap for the digital health systems that will power SFIO’s wellness township projects in the Philippines, under the Moraya brand.

In addition to this partnership, Prodigalidad will be establishing pathways to connect the increasing demand for tech talent across Silicon Valley with highly-skilled developers and designers based in the Philippines – positioning SFIO as the central hub in a global innovation ecosystem.

Over the next two months, the company’s team will also be engaging in similar talks with New York-based partners towards the end goal of solidifying SFIO’s portfolio businesses, such as Epiphany Cafe, in the United States.

(Advertising Supplement)

MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday laughed off his dismal Pulse Asia ratings and bid himself good luck as he prayed for a miracle in the May 9 elections.

With just days before the end of the campaign period, Moreno returned to his mayoral duties yesterday as he cancelled his sortie in Quezon province to inspect the ongoing renovation of the Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc.

In the Pulse Asia survey conducted from April 16 to 21, Moreno slid to fourth place with four percent, down from eight percent in the March survey, overtaken by fellow presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who garnered seven percent.

“Four percent? Talaga? Good luck to me,” he said.

Moreno registered his lowest placing in the latest survey since he declared his presidential bid last year.

His Pulse Asia ratings had ranged from eight percent to 10 percent from January to March, and his OCTA Research survey from nine to 12 percent in December, February and April surveys.

Moreno acknowledged that he has always had slim chances in surveys, but vowed not back out from the derby.

“Pray for me, I need a miracle,” Moreno told an elderly woman, who comforted him with an embrace.

He downplayed election survey as a form of “mind conditioning,” which creates an impression to the public that the presidential race is a contest between two political factions – that of Vice President Leni Robredo and the late dictator’s son former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. g

Release De Lima...

PAGE 6 Ragos alleged he was coerced by thenJustice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre into giving false testimony against De Lima.

Guevarra said he has not seen Ragos’ statement, but the former BuCor official could be charged with perjury for retracting his testimony.

“When a person willfully declares a false statement under oath, and another statement under oath nullifying the other

sworn statement, one of these statements is obviously untrue and subjects the declarant to a possible charge of perjury,” he said.

Prosecutor General Ben Malcontento has revealed that Espinosa is no longer a state witness after he was dropped from the Witness Protection Program of the Justice department for trying to escape from the National Bureau of Investigation’s holding facility last January.g

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 6-12, 2022

9

Good things to come for eastern entrance to Pahrump By rEaLTor FELy QUITEVIs-baTEMan

DEVELOPMENT continues to take place in Pahrump, a town located some 62 miles west of Las Vegas, and one of the neighboring communities positively impacted by the great things happening in the gambling and entertainment capital in the western United States.

In a recent news development, a company named Adaven Management went before the Nye County Commission to provide an

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman with Nye County Chief Planner Brett Waggoner, who confirmed about the two roundabouts coming on Highway 160.

update on a development agreement that was approved more than two decades ago that, if things go according to plan, will see quite a change to the eastern entrance into the town.

What is planned is a construction of a roundabout on Highway 160 at Manse Road, something that the company has been working with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). According to a company official, the project is currently under review and it is expected to receive the green light to start on the project sometime in

From left: Jenny Truong, Ron Quilang and Alka Products CEO/President Andrew Hoang. Mr. Hoang is behind the proposed glove factory in Pahrump. Phase 1 of the project will reportedly provide 600 jobs in the area.

the near future.

Apart from construction plans for the roundabout, Adaven revealed in a recent Pahrump Valley Times report that it is being required “to provide rights of way necessary for the constuction of the roundabout, as well as to provide construction funds to build the roundabout.” It added that the company would like to start the construction as soon as the NDOT will allow them.

The planned roundabout will provide access to a planned Common Interest Community dubbed “Mountain Falls South.”

The development agreement provides for the company and its associated parties to build around 5,160 residential units in the planned community. The subdivision’s location is on approximately 1,177 acres of land southwest of the intersection of Manse Road and Hafen Ranch Road.

And while it may be a bit of time before homes can be built on the site, other requirements set forth in the development agreement have taken place over the years, including the donation of a 12-acre site for Floyd Elementary School, donation of water rights and necessary sewer connection, as well as coordination with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to help establish a church on Manse Road.

Additionally, there has been paving and curb and gutter work done on Manse Road, and installation of a fiber-optic line, which is in line with stipulations in the development agreement that called for PAGE 10

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right) attended a meeting with three Nye County commissioners who are leaning towards the approval of a glove factory on Mesquite/Avenue of the Stars in Pahump.

One of Realtor Quitevis-Bateman’s investors, Victor Covarubbias (left, seated), also a resident of Tower 2, Turnberry Place, visited Pahrump for a possible site of a Ford dealership. Mr. Covarubbias owns a Ford dealership in California. With Covarubbias in above photo are (from left) Realtor Quitevis-Bateman and another investor, Jennifer Benedict.

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MAY 6-12, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

US Filipinos for Good Governance exposes...

RAISED FIST. Undersecretary Joel Egco of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security addresses participants during the Duterte Legacy Caravan at People Power Monument along Edsa, Quezon City on Labor Day Sunday, May 1. The event brings together government agencies and services closer to the public.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Good things to....

PAGE 5 certain improvements to be made to Manse Road from the highway to Hafen Ranch Road.

Currently, it is estimated that about $17 million has been invested by Adaven on infrastructure; the roundabout is likely to cost another $1.5 million.

This certainly bodes well for the town of Pahrump as it continues on its way to progress.

Originally inhabited by the Southern Paiute and mostly dotted with ranch-style holdings over 400 hectares in size, Pahrump has grown into a town that major retailers and real estate developers are taking a look at due to its proximity to Las Vegas.

In an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, it said that a broader acceleration for areas like Pahrump is seen in order to address the needs of homebuyers as real estate and property developers eye new regions where they can set up potential projects.

That means more housing in the future, and perhaps an exodus of people looking for the right opportunities in newer markets.

Plus, there’s the boon of the continued rise of real estate prices in the town.

Although land prices in Pahrump may not be as low as it was decades ago, it is still an affordable alternative to the rising real estate prices in Las Vegas, which has seen many duking it out for available affordable housing and potential for overbidding.

Real estate in Pahrump has appreciated about 155% over the last ten years alone, according to latest data available, which puts the unincorporated town in the

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

top 10% nationally for areas whose real estate values have appreciated exponentially.

Due to this, many observers see Pahrump as being one of the best long-term investments that people can make in the United States over the past decade and into the future. Despite a downturn in the housing market, Pahrump’s real estate portfolio has continued to appreciate.

The roundabout is just one of the projects planned in Pahrump. Millions of dollars in projects are being infused in infrastructure which will benefit the town in the long run.

While prices are still affordable, now is the time to look for opportunities in Pahrump and neighboring communities. Whether you are looking to settle in a new place, find your own piece of retirement heaven, or just looking to own land or another property as an investment, Pahrump is a great find and I will help look for the best opportunities available in the market.

Many of my clients have reaped the benefits of their investments in land and property – you could be one of the many individuals and families who can grow their real estate portfolio and net worth by looking at what’s on the market.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company serving its clientele since 1992 and you can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

PAGE 5 doing authentic social interaction, that activity would be mixed in with other day-to-day social interactions and interests, and would likely be sporadic, rather than appearing to be a full-time job.

In our analysis, we’ve looked at sharing and commenting behaviors, and whether we can classify trolls as distribution trolls (sharing from a source page to multiple destination pages), commenting trolls (enhancing the perceived popularity of a post by increasing its comments), and fake accounts dedicated to filling their profile posts with 100% pro-Marcos content.

We include anti-opponent content in the same category with pro-Marcos content. Very few accounts specialize in only positive or only negative messaging. The negative messaging usually involves insults to Leni Robredo’s intelligence, minimizing her accomplishments, criticizing the behavior of her supporters, accusing her of corruption, and fear-mongering about election tampering and what the country would be like under a Robredo presidency.

Political cartoons with these themes are commonly shared on pages and accounts that are pro-BBM. We’ve noticed a targeted effort to “red-tag” Leni Robredo as a communist terrorist. This has grown out of a Duterte-era red-tagging effort overseen by the Strategic Communications Cluster of the NTF ELCAC. The entire troll network is dedicated to attacking Leni Robredo and Maria Ressa, founder of the news site Rappler and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. We have issued a separate report on this troll network: state-sponsored red-tagging of Leni Robredo on Facebook.

We recognize that there is a level of this activity that is normal for a Marcos supporter. So, when we identify a troll, we take a wholistic view. We look at the authenticity of the account, any troll-like behaviors of the account, and evidence of coordination with other accounts to spread propaganda.

First, we look for evidence that the account isn’t authentic. If the account is a troll, there is often some evidence that the account is fake, i.e. lack of full facial photos and About information that could be used for identification. Trolls generally want to stay anonymous and so don’t reveal information that could tie the troll activity to the actual person performing it.

“Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior” is prohibited on Facebook. Frequently

this means fake accounts using automation and acting together on posts as soon as they are posted. It is possible for authentic accounts to participate in coordinated inauthentic behavior. For example a volunteer could use their own Facebook account to perform coordinated troll activities.

Secondly, we look for excessive troll behaviors. Sharing a few posts to your page is normal. Sharing them multiple times in a row, sharing a dozen per day, or sharing hundreds is not. Sharing hundreds of posts to other pages without sharing any to your own is also not normal authentic behavior.

Commenting on a post with an authentic opinion expressed in words is normal. Commenting 10 times in a row on the same post is not. Commenting on posts with a propaganda image or a simple phrase like “solid BBM” or only slightly varied, i.e. “SOLID BBM” can be authentic if not done to excess.

Our findings The BBM social media presence is vast and has been created over more than six years (it started before his vice presidential bid in 2016). Our analysis covers a sample of the BBM-dedicated Facebook pages and groups. It cannot be considered complete. We firmly believe that there are more BBM trolls than those we are exposing here.

Our analysis is based on public information. We did not examine or infiltrate private groups or private posts. This limits our ability to detect overt coordination which may be happening in private groups. Still, a troll’s job is to make sure people see the propaganda they are in charge of spreading, so not being able to view private activity does not prevent us from identifying trolls. People can keep all their Facebook activity private if they choose, and those people are not likely to be trolls.

Today we expose 100 BBM trolls.

In our interactive BBM troll network report, we list each of the trolls and provide our analysis on why we identify them as trolls, and a link to their Facebook profile so that you can see for yourself. You don’t need to take our word for it.“ According to USFGG, Marcos’ trolls are sophisticated in comparison to the other trolls we’ve found in this election.

Their accounts very often look and may be authentic.

There are three types of troll activity: distribution, commenting, and filling up profiles and pages with Marcos content. Some trolls shared hundreds of Marcos posts to their own pages, making their user profile posts look similar to a dedicated Marcos page.

Distribution (taking posts from one page and sharing them to multiple other pages) and commenting (frequently with a propaganda image or a short phrase) don’t show on an account’s profile, so spotting a Marcos troll without knowing what they have been doing on other pages is difficult.

Go to: www.TrollExposer.com. Click “explore Bongbong Marcos Trolls” and you can actually track these trolls.

They are named. You see their posts.

One of the many disinformation campaigns using trolls is to red-tag Leni Robredo. This is the President and the National task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) publicly sponsored redtagging that according to the website, has expanded its charter to include a massive effort to brand Leni Robredo as a communist traitor. You see the diagram with circles that reveal the network of trolls, their fake news posts.

And taxpayers’ money is being used for this dirty political tactic to deceive you and dissuade you from voting for Leni. There are more. Check out the website.

REPORT them. They are toxic. They pollute our minds with toxic lies for money! They are traitors just like Marcos and Duterte in doing this.

Report them and ask Facebook to shut down these accounts NOW! FIGHT against disinformation peddled by Marcos and Duterte and their minions.

Soldier on for the Truth. Marcos and Duterte have been robbing us of the TRUTH and our right to important information that is important for us to make informed conscientious decisions.

Our sacred election is the bedrock of our democracy. Protect our democracy, our freedom, our right to have clean, honest, orderly and peaceful election that will reflect the true WILL of the Filipino people. Fight for our right to have “Gobyernong Tapat!” *** 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. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos

Pacquiao projects ‘come-from-behind’...

PAGE 7 Pacquiao said the recantation of Ragos may put his credibility in bad light. He admitted though that he is not yet ready to give his full faith on the recantation of Ragos and

Espinosa.

“As for me they are no longer credible because they have been changing their statements. How can one believe them?” he asked.

Pacquiao said his views on the recent retraction

controversies are not important.

Pacquiao repeatedly promised Filipinos that he would fight for their welfare, especially the poor and the oppressed sector where he came from.

“This is the fight of Manny Pacquiao, and I have always repeated that this will be a revolution where the poor will finally have a voice in our government,” he said during a sortie in Borongan, Eastern Samar. g

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 6-12, 2022

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Filipina Power: Vanessa Hudgens, Olivia Rodrigo bond over ‘High School Musical’ connection at Met Gala 2022

By Marane

a. Plaza

Philstar.com

MANILA — Such a heartwarming moment at the Met Gala transpired between Vanessa Hudgens and Olivia Rodrigo, both Filipina-American actresses who both played Gabriella in the hit Disney show “High School Musical,” as the two gushed over their connection.

“Hello little miss new Gabriella!” Vanessa, who was co-hosting Vogue’s Live Stream alongside La La Anthony and Vogue Editorat-Large Hamish Bowles, told Olivia in a welcoming, warm greeting.

“I always feel like I have such a connection to you,” she added.

Combination photo shows US actress Vanessa Hudgens and Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo attend the 2022 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York. The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The Gala’s 2022 theme is “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”.

“I know, we’re soul sisters!” Olivia told her

“High School predecessor.

Musical”

The Internet went crazy over the super sweet moment between the two Gabriellas, as it was everything, and not just for “High School Musical” fans. Both share the same Filipina roots and amazing singing prowess.

The two stars made headlines earlier in the fashion event as Vanessa looked like a bohemian princess with her black Moschino sheer gown.

Olivia stunned in her wood nymph-inspired Versace ensemble.

Hudgens originated the role of Gabriella Montez in the “High School Musical” in 2006. And then fast forward to 2019, Rodrigo was in Disney+ show “High School PAGE 12

11

Filipino-Italian model wins Miss Universe Philippines crown, hopes to inspire with feat

By CharMie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

CLAD in powder blue evening gown, FilipinoItalian beauty Celeste Cortesi of Pasay City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 on Saturday night, April 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

She will be representing the Philippines on the global stage in December.

The crowd at the venue went wild when her name was called as the new queen and she bested 31 other PAGE 15

Filipina Italian beauty Celeste Cortesi of Pasay City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, April 30.

Photo from Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines

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MAY 6-12, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE World Health Organization and the USCDC reported last week an outbreak of a novel hepatitis in nine children, all under age 10, in a hospital in Alabama, who had severe liver injuries between October 2021 and February.

The symptoms of hepatitis include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pains, yellowish eyes and skin discoloration. None had a compromised immune system, none had COVID-19 infection, and none tested positive for Hepatitis Virus A, B, C, D, E. All the Alabama children survived but 3 had acute liver failure and 2 had liver transplants.

First reported in the UK, it is now in dozen countries, including the United States, Canada, and Japan. In the U.S., North Carolina and Illinois have also reported cases. So far, nearly 200 cases and 17 liver transplants have been reported and one death, besides the death of a child in Wisconsin with this mysterious hepatitis, which is suspected to be linked to the common cold adenovirus. Children having symptoms of hepatitis should be medically evaluated without delay. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are strongly recommended for children.

E. Coli in beef About 120,000 pounds of beef were recalled by the Lakeside Refrigerated Services because of probable E. Coli (fecal) contamination. The ground beef was produced from February 1, 2022 to April 8, 2022, and distributed to various retailers in the U.S. The brand names involved include Thomas Farms, Marketside Butchers, SE Grocers, Tajima, Weis, and Nature’s Reserve. Those who have any of these in their freezer should discard them. Infection with E. coli could be serious, even lifethreatening.

Vax “killed” nurse The nurse (Tiffany Dover, RN) who fainted on live TV following COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 reportedly died and the rumor swirled endlessly on social media.

She actually recovered 20 minutes later and was back on TV, but the false news still continued, courtesy of the anti-vaccine conspiracy

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Mysterious hepatitis perpetrators to scare the public with this fake news and other misinformation.

This discouraged people from getting the vaccines and countless numbers had gotten infected and died.

Disinfo/misinformation, like political correctness, kills.

NBC News, in a podcast, will feature Tiffany and the full story about this conspiracy.

Compared to getting COVID-19, getting the vaccines is a hundredfold safer.

Keto diet and sex There is a claim that the Keto diet improves male sexual prowess by increasing testosterone levels. The Keto diet consists of super-low carbohydrates, a moderate amount of protein, and a high volume of fat. While this could help people lose weight, a 2021 study shows the Keto diet to be associated with heart scarring. As for testosterone levels, studies have been limited and the impact on sex drive inconclusive.

While the three popular Erectile Dysfunction (ED) pills (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) are safely prescribed by physicians, extreme caution should be taken with many advertised “natural/herbal libido” pills and potions for potential adverse reactions and side effects. Consultation with a physician is prudent.

Caution: CBD gummies CBD (Cannabidiol Oil) gummies and other overthe-counter products with cannabinoids from Cannabis plants have been marketed for brain health, as pain reducers, and as a remedy for some common illnesses.

These substances have quality and safety questions, and they could interact with prescribed medications.

They can also cause uncomfortable dry mouth, reduced appetite, nausea, fatigue, and drowsiness (especially dangerous when driving or operating machines). The same goes with recreational marijuana, which could be addictive and has many harmful side effects that could ruin lives.

Talk to your physician before taking this or any other drug or substances.

Avian Flu in humans The first Avian Flu (caused

by AH5 or Bird Flu H5) in a human was detected in a Colorado Poultry Farm in the United States on April 29, 2022, only the second case in the world.

The first was detected last

December on a bird farm in the United Kingdom. The CDC tracked the health of 2,500 individuals exposed to birds infected with H5N1 and found only one case of human infection in Colorado.

This virus usually infects birds and not humans. The first case of H5N1 in birds was discovered in late 2021.

Millions of birds have been culled in the past to control the spread of this avian killer.

COVID-19 updates As of Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the 7-day daily average COVID-19 cases in the United States was 60,953 with 16,495 hospitalization and 391 deaths. The number of cases was 55 percent higher than in the previous 2 weeks. The vaccination is still low, around 66 percent of the entire U.S. population.

Almost 60 percent of people in the United States have been infected with COVID-19.

Worldwide numbers: Total Cases – 514,254,906, deaths – 6,264,024 (39,079,097 active cases); U.S.: 83,170,407 cases, deaths –1,021,089 (1,391,894 active cases); and the Philippines: 3,686,216 cases, deaths – 60,412 (4,125 active cases).

Stats going up.

Vax in RP The National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard of the Department of Health in the Philippines reported on May 1, 2022, that the total doses administered in the country (population 111,461) was 147,935,968 (First dose: 65,719,128; Second dose: 67,971,140; and Booster: 14,245,700. About 61.9 percent of the people have been fully vaccinated and around 12 percent had their first booster shot. The second booster (4th shot) is recommended after 4 months of the last shot for people who are 50 and older, especially those with comorbidities, and those who are immunocompromised.

Still too risky!

As Shanghai is in a lockdown because of severe waves of COVID-19, New York City has entered a new high, about 2500 cases a day. Los Angeles County cases shot up by 40 percent last week, and California, after months of decreasing COVID-19 cases, is now showing a nearly 30 percent increase last week with a small rise in hospitalizations. Experts fear it is headed into new

Bubbles proved wrong someone who said, ‘You can’t become a triathlete’

By Alex

BrosAs Inquirer.net

ACTRESS and triathlete Bubbles Paraiso reflected on her journey to sports, noting how she was not discouraged when someone tried to dissuade her from getting into the world of athletes.

Bubble Paraiso

Paraiso shared some of her little triumphs as a triathlete through her Instagram page on Monday, May 2, posting a collage of videos in the different sports she has competed in.

“Someone once said to me: ‘you can’t become a triathlete. You don’t even know how to swim and you

Photo from Instagram/@bubblesparaiso

hate running. You cried when I made you run,’” she recalled, without naming the person who tried to discourage her.

The comment did not dampen Paraiso’s spirit. She continued to do her best in marathon, swimming and biking, and in time, she was able to accomplish little successes.

“When someone tells you that you can’t do something, do it well, prove them wrong, and take pictures.

Lots of it,” she advised.

“With enough hard work, tenacity and mental fortitude you will exceed even your own limits and expectations of yourself.”

Now, Paraiso is excited for her comeback race. Last March, Paraiso returned to running, as per an Instagram update she shared with fellow sports enthusiasts. “[Of] the three disciplines of tri, running had been my least favorite of them all, having the mindset that it’s ‘just something I need to do (and quick!) to get to the finish line,’” she said.

Paraiso sustained a foot injury which was why running took a backseat. g

Filipina Power: Vanessa...

PAGE 11 Musical: The Musical: The Series”, in which she played Nini Salazar-Roberts, who takes on the role of Gabriella in East High’s stage production of HSM. Vanessa shared that she was “such a fan” of Gabriella 2.0.

“No pressure, but when are we getting waves. They attributed the increase to the loosening of restrictions on masking and distancing mandates and on vaccination verification rules, on top of emerging new subvariants of Omicron.

The top four states with the highest numbers of cases since the pandemic started are California – 8,587,271, with 89,145 deaths; Texas – 6,734,179, with 86,533 deaths; Florida – 5,925,668, with 73,948 deaths; and, New York – 5,127,560, with 68,061 deaths. As long as there is a significant number of unvaccinated (34 percent in the U.S.), and people unmask and let their guard down

some new music? Because I’ve listened to the album multiple times and I’m so excited to see what you do next,” Vanessa told Olivia, pertaining to the latter’s hit album “Sour.”

“You’re very sweet. [I’m] working on it right now and constantly writing, just want to make sure it’s ready, so yeah… excited for a new era,” Olivia revealed. g

prematurely, COVID-19 will continue to linger and kill more people. Getting the vaccines, masking, and social distancing minimize COVID-19 and save lives. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in

our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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Patrick proudly pure Pinoy Jennylyn gives birth; despite Western looks shows tour of baby’s room

By Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

PATRICK Quiroz’s high-bridged nose, fair skin and basketball player height at 5’9” can mislead many into thinking he is biracial.

But make no mistake as the social media star is a full-blooded Filipino, and is proud of it.

The 22-year-old actor-singer named homegrown artist Gary Valenciano as his idol and top musical influence.

Patrick’s music – mellow and soothing – is his priority. This summer, the balladeer is set to release his first single, which he composed himself. Although he’s not revealing the title of his song yet, Patrick made it clear that music is on top of his mind right now, ahead of other stuff like girls or his love life.

When asked what he is looking for in a woman, he simply answered, “I’m not picky,” and went on to say he likes a simple girl who looks beautiful regardless of what she’s wearing.

The popular vlogger doesn’t seem to mind a little competition in the industry, too, especially with more musically trained singers and newbies in the scene these days.

He shared that he plays musical instruments, “a little bit of everything,” like piano and guitar. With his found path and passion for music, he wants other young talents to go for their dream as well, and enter the music

by Marane

a. Plaza

Philstar.com

Patrick Quiroz

Photo from Instagram/@patrickquiroz_

industry with guts and confidence.

“Embrace it. Make music your passion!

Keep going, and do what you love. Laban lang! Good luck!” quipped the actor who has starred in TV series “A Soldier’s Heart (2020)” and movies “Spirits: Reawaken” (2018) and “He’s Into Her: The Movie Cut” (2021).

Last March, Patrick won TV5’s first “Sing Galing! Sing-lebrity Edition.”

As the new brand ambassador for footwear label Crocs, Quiroz is walking the talk and indeed embracing his passion. It’s obvious he doesn’t mind the rough road ahead.

He’s on the right track. g

ACTORS Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo gave a glimpse of their first child together in a vlog, as the actress gave birth last April 25.

On May 1, the couple released a video on YouTube of what was supposed to be a nursery room tour. Then at the latter part of the video, Mercado was seen lying on the hospital bed while Trillo was sitting by her side, with the date “4/25/22” flashed onscreen.

In the vlog, it can be seen that the old staff room was transformed into a cute nursery room with walls painted with pink flamingos.

There’s a sanitizing station before entering the room, then the furniture pieces come in baby pink colors, too, with some with mustard and brown accents. The room also features huge white, spacious closets.

Jennylyn also showed that

they provided a space for baby books, “Merong corner dito na pwede lagyan ng mga shelves. So diyan ko na lang (mga books) sinabit.”

The singer-actress then shared that they were surprised by the turn of events when their room tour turned into a pre-delivery vlog: “Checkup lang dapat kami ngayon e, bigla na lang kaming manganganak na daw. Hindi kami ready.”

Trillo was seen wearing a scrub suit and a head cap in a video, sharing that he’s nervous to go to the birthing room.

The video ended with a black-and-white photo of Jennylyn being surrounded by her doctors while giving birth, with Dennis by her side.

Mercado and Trillo shared initially that they were trying to have a baby through surrogacy, and confirmed they were expecting in October last year. The two later got married in an intimate civil wedding. g

Celebrity couple Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo Photo from Instagram/@mercadojenny

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N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M AY 6 , 2 0 22

people events arts culture entertainment

Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, Bretman Rock and more Filipinos among Gold House’s most impactful APIs list

by KLARIZE

A

MEDENILLA / AJPress

LIGNING with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), the Asian Pacific Islander (API) advocacy group Gold House released its yearly “A100” list, which honors the most impactful APIs in the culture over the past year.

Bella Poarch Photo from Instagram/@bellapoarch

Rappler co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa AJPress file photo

Rachell “Rae” Hofstetter (aka Valkyrae) Photo from Instagram/@valkyrae

Hailee Steinfeld Photo from Instagram/@haileesteinfeld

Jo Koy Photo from Instagram/@jokoy

Bretman Rock Photo from Instagram/@bretmanrock

Gold House, which describes itself as a “changemaker” in the API community that promotes all representatives of the vast API community, released the list on Monday, May 2.

Additionally, the organization announced its first ever Gold Gala, an inaugural in-person to take place on May 21 when the honorees on this year’s A100 list will be celebrated.

Among the esteemed list, this year, 13 Filipinos made the grade, including pop music chart-toppers Olivia Rodrigo and Bruno Mars (honored with Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson.

Paak), both of whom struck gold at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

In addition, comedian and showrunner Jo Koy and Oscar-nominated actor Hailee Steinfeld also made the list, as well as popular internet personalities: influencers Bretman Rock and Bella Poarch and one of the leading video game streamers Rachelle “Rae” Hofstetter, aka Valkyrae.

The list honored Filipinos in professional sports: Olympic gold medalists Lee Kiefer and Justine WongOrantes, Olympian surfer Carissa Kainani Moore, and NBA stars Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green.

Olivia Rodrigo Photo from Instagram/@oliviarodrigo

Lee Kiefer Photo from Instagram/@leetothekiefer

Justine Wong-Orantes Photo from Instagram/@jwongorantes

Silk Sonic

And, to honor her efforts in speaking truth to power in the motherland, Maria Ressa, journalist and founder of Rappler, was also on the list.

In addition to those

Photo from Instagram/@brunomars

on the broader list, Gold House also honored Grammy Award and Oscarwinning musician H.E.R. and businessman Manny Maceda to the organization’s PAGE 15

Carissa Moore Photo from Instagram/@rissmoore10

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 6-12, 2022

Sarah, Matteo in first magazine cover as couple

15

By Anne

PAsAjol Inquirer.net

Jalen Green

Photo from Instagram/@jalen

Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno...

PAGE 14 Hall of Fame.

In a statement released by Gold House, the organization said, “The A100 List honors trailblazers who are at the forefront of this ‘New Gold Age.’ The honorees are selected across industry categories, and each category highlights an A1 who has demonstrated the most impact in their respective industries over the past year.”

The A100 list is voted on through a “rigorous and comprehensive process” conducted by a panel of several of the community’s top tastemakers, including celebrated Filipina singeractor Lea Salonga.

Many might call the current moment an Asian renaissance, a period where Asians across all industries — particularly in entertainment, professional sports, business, science, and art — are thriving and making big moves in

Jordan Clarkson

mainstream culture, and Filipinos are pivotal to that surge.

For the last two years, the API community has undergone several ups and downs, most notably the increase in violence against Asians amid the coronavirus pandemic. Those within the #StopAsianHate movement continue to advocate for better protection for the community, and for many, that starts with making known the positive impact the API community across all industries.

A100 panelist Daniel Dae Kim said in a statement, “Though the news cycle may have moved on, it’s clear to anyone following that the challenges facing the AAPI community remain.

It’s vitally important that we continue to reclaim our narrative by celebrating and honoring the achievements of those of us making a positive impact on our world today.” g

Photo from Instagram/@jordanclarksons

SARAH Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli exuded romance in a nature-themed shoot for lifestyle magazine Tatler Philippines, which marked the couple’s first ever cover together.

Geronimo donned a white off-shoulder dress paired with black boots while riding a horse, as seen on photographer Mark Nicdao’s Instagram page on Monday, May 2. Guidicelli, wearing a green and brown jacket, white pants and black boots, stood beside Geronimo while holding her steed.

“The Guidicellis’ Matt and Sarah on [Tatler Philippines],” Nicdao said.

The couple also sat next to a stony brook, with Guidicelli hugging Geronimo from the back.

The actress was wearing a checkered overall suit while the actor posed in a gray tank top and black

boots.

Guidicelli then thanked the team behind the photo shoot, disclosing that it took them two years before finally shooting the cover, as per his Instagram page, also today.

“To this team that made the TATLER Cover come to life, thank you,” he said.

“Let’s keep loving and protecting our beautiful land!”

Liz Uy, the couple’s stylist during the photo shoot, also showed behindthe-scenes moments of Geronimo and Guidicelli, via Uy’s Instagram Stories, also today.

Geronimo and Guidicelli recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary, with the actor promising that they will be “partners for life.”

Geronimo also earlier marked her 19th year in show business. g

Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli

Photo from Instagram/@markednicdao

Filipino-Italian model wins Miss Universe...

PAGE 11 candidates.

She was an early fan favorite and consistently included in the top picks by various pageant websites.

The 24-year-old stunner is a model who previously represented the Philippines in the Miss Earth 2018 where she finished in the Top 8.

Cortesi also bagged major awards during the coronation night, including Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic.

Prior to this, she received the Miss Havana and Miss Aqua awards at the preliminary competition.

Her predecessor, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, who placed Top 5 at the Miss Universe 2021 finals, passed the crown to her in suit, a first for the national pageant.

One of the hosts, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, asked Cortesi during the question and answer portion, “If you could stop time for a day, how would you spend it?”

“If I could stop time, I would spend it with my family, especially my mother.

It’s been two years since I spent time with my family in Italy and I just came here by myself. So, if I have a chance to spend one day, I would be with my mom and tell her how much I love her and miss her,” she replied.

In a separate statement, Cortesi further shared that while she was on stage, she was only thinking of her parents.

“The strength I got from them is indescribable. I’ve worked so hard for

this, I’ve prepared. And I let God do the rest in knowing that whatever is meant for me will never pass me by.

“I’ve grown so much since I came to the Philippines five years ago and I really promised myself that I would only join a pageant if ready to take the responsibility of a crown, and I am now.

“Yesterday, I received my second chance and I am beyond honored and grateful to be able to represent my country in the Miss Universe stage.

“I hope that with my story I can inspire so many to never give up on their dreams because (through) hard work, perseverance and faith you can achieve anything you want,” she added.

Meanwhile, completing the list of Top 5 winners were: Michelle Dee of Makati City (Miss Universe Philippines - Tourism), Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol (Miss Universe Philippines – Charity), Annabelle Mae McDonnell of Misamis Oriental (first runner-up), and Ma. Katrina Llegado of Taguig (second runner-up).

Ilocos Sur’s Jewel Alexandria Pacat was named Miss Friendship while Haliya –inspired costume worn by Albay’s Julia Calleja Saubier was Best in National Costume.

Also a crowd favorite and the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, Dee snagged the Best in Evening Gown award and got the most special awards during the preliminary competition, including

Miss Kumuniverse, Miss Creamsilk, Face of Essentials by Belo, Miss Jojo Bragais, Miss Savepoint, and Miss The Medical City.

Earlier, Amelinckx was awarded Frontrow Choice Queen and Special MG Miss Extraordinary Award while Llegado received the Miss Philippine Airlines and Miss CAD awards.

On the other hand, here is the list of other special awards during the preliminaries: Ivylou Borbon of Pangasinan (Luxxeslim Fitness Queen); Angelica Lopez of Palawan (Queen Majestic); Danielle Arielle Camcam of San Juan (Miss Coins.PH); Isabel Luche of Mandaue (Miss Jewel8mer); Gillian De Mesa of Nueva Vizcaya (Miss Smile Apparel); Chantal Schmidt of Cebu City (Miss Cavaso); and Lou Piczon of Cebu Province (Miss Okada).

Rounding up the Top 16 were: De Mesa, Lopez, Pacat, Piczon, Saubier, Schmidt, Jona Sweett of Aklan, Vanessa Ann Caro of Iloilo Province, Ghenesis Latugat of Baguio City, Dorothy Gemillan of Iloilo City, and Sonja Jeyn Tanyag of Laguna.

Aside from Wurtzbach, the other hosts were Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere and Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Tebow.

The artists who performed during the coronation night included: Morissette Amon, Jim Bales, Bamboo, Sam Concepcion, Francisco Martin, EZ Mil, and Arthur Nery.

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu was also among the judges. g

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