051923 - New York & New Jersey Edition

DATELINE USA

California launches anti-hate crime hotline

SACRAMENTO – California officially launched CA vs. Hate, a new multilingual statewide hotline and website that provides a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate acts. making it the first state to formally declare its strong and active opposition against hate.

In time for Asian and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, CA vs Hate is a direct response to the rise in reported hate crimes in California, which reached their highest levels since 2001 –jumping almost 33% from 2020 to 2021. Asian communities are among the most victimized by hate incidents and crimes.

Comelec approves online voting for overseas Filipinos

by zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, May 17 approved internet voting for registered overseas voters in the 2025 national and local elections.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said the online voting for overseas voters was approved in an effort to increase voter turnout.

“Higher overseas voter turnout. Spending P411 million resulting [in] a dismal 39 percent turnout (although highest in history) is not

value for money so to speak,” Garcia said. “Why are not so many overseas [F]ilipinos voting personally or by mail (presently the mode of voting for them)? Maybe they need another mode,” he added.

Garcia bared that the poll body is now in

But ex-president Duterte says these were ‘never intended’

by catherine S. valente ManilaTimes.net

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte agreed with the recent remarks of his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., that abuses were committed during his administration’s war on illegal drugs but insisted that “those were never intended.”

During his program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” aired on SMNI News, Duterte was asked to comment on Marcos’ reply to a question on the alleged abuses during a forum in

THERE is no need to impose strict travel restrictions in the country amid rising cases of Covid-19, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said on Tuesday, May 16.

Frasco issued the statement after the country recorded a total of 12,414 new coronavirus cases from May 8 to May 14, 2023.

“Tapos na po yung pandemiya sabi po yan ng WHO (The WHO [World Health Organization] said the pandemic is over) Kaya naman po (That’s why) while we continue to support the Department of

by Daphne Galvez Inquirer.net

MANILA — “It’s more fun in the Philippines” no more?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to launch an “enhanced tourism slogan” in the next few weeks, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said on Tuesday, May 16.

“The DOT has not yet

come out with an enhanced tourism slogan as a country brand, but I assure you you’ll love it,” she said in a Palace briefing.

“There will be [a preview] in the next few weeks. But we will make sure to engage in consultation with our

Ex-President Duterte on De Lima’s acquittal: Verdict ‘should be accepted’

by Faith arGoSino Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday, May 13 that the court’s decision on the drug case of his nemesis Leila de Lima “should be accepted.”

In a statement released through Atty. Salvador Panelo, the exchief executive maintained he has “nothing to do with the case” and “never interfered with the judicial

process.”

“The judgment of the court should be accepted. Frankly, I’m not interested in the outcome of the case as I have nothing to do with it. I have never interfered with the judicial process. I always say let the law take its course,” Duterte said.

Panelo, who was Duterte’s chief legal counsel and spokesperson at one point, also shared his take on the court’s decision, saying “the

MINI MALAMPAYA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) receives a miniature Malampaya Power Plant from Enrique Razon Jr. (right) of Prime Infrastructure Capital after the signing of the renewal of the Malampaya Service Contract No. 38 (SC 38) at the Malacañang Presidents Hall on Monday, May 15. The 25-year production contract, which expires on Feb. 22, 2024, has been renewed for a final 15 years or until Feb. 22, 2039. PNA photo by Rey Baniquet

No need to impose travel restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases

‘Marcos right on drug war abuses’

DOT launching ‘enhanced tourism slogan’ soon

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

Photo by Rene H. Dilan

California launches...

Governor Gavin Newsom, along with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), is spearheading the campaign, sending an unequivocal message that hate will not be tolerated in the Golden State. Newsom and the legislature earlier allocated $110 million to anti-hate programs.

“We stand firm for a California for All and it is important that we hold perpetrators accountable for their actions and provide resources for those individuals victimized by hate crimes,” stressed Newsom.

“Now, Californians have another tool to ensure that not only justice is served, but that individuals have access to additional resources to help deal with the lingering wounds that remain after such a horrendous crime occurs,” Newsom added.

First partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom underscored that “all should create a California where all our dreams are possible, where we all belong and Californians will feel safe and heard. There is no room here for bigotry and hatefueled violence.”

For his part, State Attorney General Rob Bonta in an email sent a stated that he is proud of this effort to help California’s diverse communities report hate incidents and connect them to resources.”

“Hate is not welcome in California, and now more than ever we must stand united against hate and extremism,” Bonta stated in an email. “By utilizing every resource possible, we

will raise awareness around the staggering rise in hate crimes and proactively prevent future extremism from occurring.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) started the push for a state hate crime reporting hotline in 2021.“The pandemic of hate was not only targeting Asians so many other communities here in California. Thus, the launch of this state initiative versus hate to track data on hate incidents, provide support for victims, and make all of our communities safer,” Muratsuchi said.

Hotline services are confidential and provided for free, regardless of immigration status. These services are offered in a culturally competent manner and will help people identify options and next steps after a hate incident or hate crime has occurred. Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline.

CA vs Hate Resource Line and Network is a nonemergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time.

For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, should call 911. For more information on CA vs Hate, visit CAvsHate.org.

(Jun Nucum/Inquirer.net) n

Ex-President Duterte on...

acquittal is flawed” and that “the evidence extant supports a judgment of conviction.”

“As a lawyer, it is my position that final judgment of a competent court must be accepted no matter how one disagrees with it,” he noted.

“In this particular De Lima case, the acquittal is flawed. The evidence extant supports a judgement of conviction,” he also said.

According to Panelo, the court was mistaken when it took former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge (OIC) Rafael Ragos’ recantation of his testimony as justification to doubt the guilt of de Lima.

Ragos recanted his testimony against de Lima in November 2022, telling the court that he was coerced into signing prepared affidavits on three occasions in 2016 and 2017 to say that de Lima has been receiving bribe money from drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). n

Comelec approves online voting for overseas...

the process of creating a roadmap for electronic voting for overseas Filipinos.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Comelec said that the the conduct of electronic overseas voting was approved based on the following laws:

• Section 16.11, Republic Act (RA) No. 9189 which allows Comelec to “study the use of electronic mail, internet, or other secured networks in the casting of votes of qualified overseas Filipino voters”

• Section 28, RA No. 10590: “explore other more efficient, reliable and secure modes or systems, ensuring the secrecy

DOT launching...

PAGE 1

tourism stakeholders first as their opinions matter very much to us,” Frasco added.

Asked if the Philippines’ marketing strategy will also change, Frasco said the “main change” would be the shift in focus of the DOT to “highlight the heart and soul of the Filipino.”

She said the

transformation is evident in the country’s culture, festivals, food and products.

“Everything that makes us diverse and unique and a proud Filipino people that gives us pride of place. We are putting forth the best of the best of the Philippines to the world because it cannot be denied that we do give the world our best,” she said. n

and sanctity of the entire process, whether paper-based, electronic-based or internet-based technology or such other latest technology available, for onsite and remote registration and elections”; and

• Section 23, RA No. 10590: “determine other alternative modes of voting, thereby allowing the Commission to promulgate, without further legislation from Congress, its own rules and regulations for appropriate implementation of such voting system duly determined by the Commission.”

In 2022, Garcia called on Congress to consider allowing “internet voting,” after some overseas Filipino voters struggled to vote in person during the 2022 national elections. n

‘Marcos right on drug war abuses’...

PAGE 1

Washington last week.

“Yes, that was allegedly attributed to the president. I am not sure if he was quoted in the complete context of the statement. I am sure that it was not intended to criticize me because he knows how hard it is to be president, especially with the serious problem right now,” Duterte said.

“You know what I am supposed to do. I cannot be libertarian; I can only be a stoic human being dedicated to enforce the law because you are the implementers, you are the enforcers,” he said.

The former chief executive said that Marcos was correct when he made the statement.

“Tama siya na (He is correct that) along the way, in the enforcement of the law, [there is] a rigid attitude toward the enforcement of the law, abuses will be committed. Now, I’ll go further; not only abuses, sometimes killing, unnecessarily, or even an innocent person,” Duterte said.

“Along the way, [there is] collateral damage, marami ‘yan (there are many). But those were never intended, I am sure, by the law enforcement agency,” he added.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. TMT File photo

At a forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Marcos last week said there had been abuses committed during the “previous administration” in the war on illegal drugs, which focused too much on law enforcement.

“In my view what had happened in the previous administration is that we focused very much on enforcement. And because of that, it could be said that there are abuses by certain elements in the government and that has caused some concern with many, in many quarters about the human rights situation in the Philippines,” Marcos said.

“Well, I cannot speak to what my predecessor had in mind and what his idea was. But what I can speak to is the policy that we have undertaken and that I said the drug war continues to

be at the source of many — much criminality in the Philippines,” he added.

The president also said that even after the antidrug campaign waged during Duterte’s time, “the syndicates have grown stronger, wealthier and more influential, worryingly so.”

“But instead of going after everyone,” Marcos said, his administration tried “to identify the key areas that we have to tackle ... so that we can see a diminution of the activity of the drug syndicates.”

Since Duterte took office in 2016, more than 6,000 were killed in sting operations, based on government figures. But rights groups estimated that the number of drug-war killings could be as high as 30,000.

During the SMNI interview, Duterte again justified the use of lethal force in police

operations, saying the officers had to “overcome the resistance” of the suspects being arrested.

“So what’s the point in empowering somebody if you do not give him enough leeway?” the former president said.

“[There is] collateral damage in a shootout inside the house of a suspect; sometimes the innocent members of the family get it. But abuses, there are many, because of the high-handed manner of enforcement,” he added.

The bloody drug war of Duterte caught the attention not just of the foreign media and criticism from different organizations, but also the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In January, the ICC authorized the resumption of its investigation into the drug war and the Davao Death Squad killings in the Philippines.

Duterte, who initiated the drug war, pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019, a year after The Hague-based tribunal began a preliminary investigation into the crackdown.

Marcos has, so far, ruled out reversing Duterte’s decision to pull the Philippines out of the ICC. n

Diving with a green sea turtle is one of the main attractions on Apo Island off Dauin, Negros Oriental. These turtles breed along the beaches of the island and feed in its waters. DOT photo

AI may be on its way to your doctor’s office, but it’s not ready to see patients

by Darius Tahir KFF Health News

WHAT use could health care have for someone who makes things up, can’t keep a secret, doesn’t really know anything, and, when speaking, simply fills in the next word based on what’s come before? Lots, if that individual is the newest form of artificial intelligence, according to some of the biggest companies out there.

Companies pushing the latest AI technology — known as “generative AI” — are piling on: Google and Microsoft want to bring types of so-called large language models to health care. Big firms that are familiar to folks in white coats — but maybe less so to your average Joe and Jane — are equally enthusiastic: Electronic medical records giants Epic and Oracle Cerner aren’t far behind. The space is crowded with startups, too.

The companies want their AI to take notes for physicians

and give them second opinions — assuming they can keep the intelligence from “hallucinating” or, for that matter, divulging patients’ private information.

“There’s something afoot that’s pretty exciting,” said Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego. “Its capabilities will ultimately have a big impact.” Topol, like many other observers, wonders how many problems it might cause — like leaking patient data — and how often. “We’re going to find out.”

The specter of such problems inspired more than 1,000 technology leaders to sign an open letter in March urging that companies pause development on advanced AI systems until “we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable.” Even so, some of them are sinking more money into AI ventures.

The underlying technology relies on synthesizing huge

chunks of text or other data — for example, some medical models rely on 2 million intensive care unit notes from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston — to predict text that would follow a given query. The idea has been around for years, but the gold rush, and the marketing and media mania surrounding it, are more recent.

The frenzy was kicked off in December 2022 by Microsoft-backed OpenAI and its flagship product, ChatGPT, which answers questions with authority and style. It can explain genetics in a sonnet, for example.

OpenAI, started as a research venture seeded by Silicon Valley elites like Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Reid Hoffman, has ridden the enthusiasm to investors’ pockets. The venture has a complex, hybrid for- and nonprofit structure. But a new $10 billion round of funding from Microsoft has

State lawmakers eye forced treatment to address overlap in homelessness and mental illness

by april Dembosky, kQeD anD amelia TempleTon, oregon public broaDcasTing anD carrie Feibel KFF Health News

MANY of the unhoused people in Portland, Oregon, live in tents pitched on sidewalks or in aging campers parked in small convoys behind grocery stores.

Mental illness can be part of the story of how a person ends up homeless — or part of the price of survival on the streets, where sleep and safety are scarce. Homeless people in Multnomah County, which includes Portland, die about 30 years earlier than the average American. These grim realities have ratcheted up the pressure on politicians to do something.

High housing costs and financial adversity are among the root causes of the burgeoning population on the streets.

About 1 in 3 people who are homeless in Portland report having a mental illness or a substance use disorder, and the combination of homelessness and substance use or untreated mental illness has led to very public tragedies.

People with schizophrenia, for example, have died of hypothermia on the city’s streets. One resident gave birth in a snowstorm to a stillborn infant. Methamphetamine, cheaper and more potent than it used to be, is creating a heightened risk of overdose and psychosis.

In Oregon, some politicians, including Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, have proposed changing the civil commitment law so doctors have more leeway in compelling treatment for patients too sick to know they need care. Without such changes, they argue, people with untreated addictions or mental illnesses are stuck cycling between the streets, county jails, and state psychiatric hospitals.

“I think we can do better by people than allowing them to flounder,” said Janelle Bynum, a state legislator who represents suburbs southeast of Portland.

Bynum, a Democrat, signed on to a pair of bills, introduced by Republicans this year, that would expand the criteria for involuntary commitment in Oregon.

“My intention was to signal how cruel I think our current system is,” she said.

Half of the country’s unsheltered people live in California, and though only about a quarter to a third of homeless people are estimated to have a serious mental illness, they are the ones other residents are likely to encounter in California’s cities. Mayors from San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego have all expressed frustration that the threshold for psychiatric intervention is so high.

‘Why Aren’t You Doing Something?’

“When I’m often asked, ‘Mayor, why aren’t you doing something about this person who

is screaming at the top of their lungs on the street corner?’ and I said, ‘Well, they’re not a threat to themselves or to others,’ that rings hollow,” said Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego. Now, state lawmakers in Sacramento, backed by mayors, have introduced laws and bills that would help bring more people into treatment, even against their will.

Last year, legislators approved a new approach to mental health care — called CARE Court — that allows judges to issue treatment plans for people with certain diagnoses. That program begins on a pilot basis this fall in seven counties, including San Diego and San Francisco counties, with the rest of the state expected to join next year.

This year, a bill moving through the legislature would expand who qualifies for a conservatorship or involuntary psychiatric hold.

The bill is gathering support and sponsors are optimistic that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will sign it if it passes. But it’s been controversial: Opponents fear a return to bygone policies of locking people up just for being sick.

Half a century ago, California policymakers shuttered state psychiatric institutions, denouncing them as inhumane. Involuntary commitment was deemphasized, and state laws ensured that it was used only as a last resort. The thinking was that the patient should have autonomy and participate in their care.

But politicians across California are now reconsidering involuntary commitments. They argue that not helping people who are seriously ill and living in squalor on the streets is inhumane. Psychiatrists who support the bill say it would constitute a modest update to a 56-year-old law.

The shift is dividing liberals over the very meaning of compassion and which rights should take precedence: civil rights like freedom of movement and medical consent, or the right to appropriate medical care in a crisis?

“The status quo has forced too many of our loved ones to die with their rights on,” said Teresa Pasquini, an activist with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Her son has schizophrenia and has spent the past 20 years being “failed, jailed, treated, and streeted” by what she called a broken public health system.

“We are doctors who have to watch these people die,” said psychiatrist Emily Wood, chair of the government affairs committee of the California State Association of

Frasco: No need to impose travel...

Health’s measure, as well as ensuring the health and safety of our fellow Filipinos, the direction of the Philippines is forward and that is to ensure that we continue to open

up the country to travel and tourism as is the direction set by our President,” Frasco told reporters during a Palace press briefing.

“Of course all the minimum

Back to masking

In densely populated Manila, masking is again mandatory at city hall, which also houses the prosecutors’ offices and several judicial courtrooms. Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, a physician, may yet push through with her plan to include crowded public areas such as Divisoria among the places where masking will again be mandatory.

Editorial

the positivity rate for testing, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said recently that it saw no need to reimpose mandatory masking.

In Baguio City, masking is again required in commercial establishments and crowded outdoor areas. Mayor Benjamin Magalong said this is a precautionary measure amid the expected surge in visitors this month. While he did not mention it, the upcoming graduation ceremonies and related activities at the Philippine Military Academy traditionally make the month of May a peak period for tourism in Baguio.

Certain quarters have expressed concern that restoring mask mandates could scare away travelers, harming the tourism industry, which is just starting to recover from the COVID restrictions. Amid the continuing increase in COVID infections and

Weeks before this meeting, the government had restored mask mandates in the light railway services in Metro Manila, the region where the highest cases and positivity rates have been recorded.

Opponents of mandatory masking have said it is better for people to decide if they want to keep themselves safe from infection through masking and other basic COVID health safety protocols such as hand hygiene. Those protocols, however, are not just for self-protection, but also to prevent the infected from spreading their virus to others.

Health experts have warned that both vaccine and natural immunity to COVID are waning, allowing Omicron, its subvariant Arcturus and other highly transmissible strains of the original Wuhan virus to penetrate the defenses.

The health experts are warning that vulnerable sectors such as the weak elderly and persons with comorbidities can still suffer repeat bouts with COVID and land in the hospital intensive care unit. Apart from the fact that COVID can still kill, the experts warn of the possibility of developing long COVID, whose complications are unpredictable and whose treatment is uncertain.

With these warnings, the city governments of Manila and Baguio have decided to act to protect public health. Those worried about the impact of mandatory masking on tourism should instead press the government to obtain ASAP the bivalent vaccines for Omicron and its mutations. Those shots will allow people to feel confident enough to ditch their masks. (Philstar.com)

Renewed US-PH economic ties: Our real work begins

WE received a large number of emails and messages expressing their overwhelming satisfaction at the outcome of the official visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Washington,

D.C. – described as “remarkable” and “a standout” by Center for Strategic and International Studies president John Hamre, pointing out the president brought a “new dynamism” to the relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

Aside from engagements with key U.S. Cabinet officials

on the various aspects of our bilateral relations, we also had several discussions centering on economic trade and investment.

Together with our economic team, all of us at the Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. and our friends from the American Chamber of Commerce as well as the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council are all

gearing up for the “follow through,” as instructed by President Marcos, on the many areas of cooperation that have been identified which, in the words of the president, “will help advance our key priorities with respect to agriculture and food security, promoting energy security as we transition to clean energy and boost trade and build resilience

of our supply chains, enhancing connectivity and digitalization, also climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

His meetings with key business organizations as well as top American companies have been very promising and productive, judging from commitments that have been made such as the $1.3 billion worth of

investments that potentially will create approximately 6,700 new jobs for Filipinos. The positive reception from American business executives is undoubtedly an offshoot of his meetings with U.S. business groups during his trip to New York in September last year for the 77th United Nations General Assembly, with his schedule

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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SOME quarters worried about the impact on tourism and certain businesses may not like it, but the city governments of Manila and Baguio have gone ahead and restored limited mask mandates.

Babe’s

Dateline PhiliPPines

Search and rescue operations for missing 5 Filipino sailors underway

MANILA — The Chinese embassy in the Philippines said search and rescue operations are underway for the missing sailors— including five Filipinos— onboard a Chinese fishing vessel that capsized at early Monday morning, May 15.

“The Chinese Embassy also rushed in close coordination with the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Coast Guard, and other concerned agencies regarding the maritime incident,” it said in a statement Wecnesday afternoon, May 17.

“We pray for the safety of all the sailors as we continue with the operations and coordination.”

The DFA, in a separate message to reporters, said it is “closely monitoring the situation.”

Meanwhile, Beijing said it already sent two Chinese vessels in the last known location of Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 (LPY28) that sunk at around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15. Authorities are now looking for 39 sailors, which include 17 each from China and Indonesia.

Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an “emergency mechanism

for consular protection” involving embassies and consulates in Australia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries, according to CCTV.

“We pray for the safety of all the sailors as we continue with the operations and coordination,” the embassy said. — Kaycee Valmote with reports from Agence FrancePresse (Philstar.com) n

President Marcos approves importation of more sugar

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has green-lighted the importation of more sugar ahead of the expected shortage of its local production in the coming months.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos gave the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) approval to procure a maximum of 150,000 metric tons (MT) of the sweetener to add to the country’s stockpile and further lower its market price.

This volume could be lower and the “exact volume will be determined” once the exact amount of sugar supply is determined “which will come at the end of this month.”

“We agreed to additional

importation of sugar to stabilize the prices. The maximum amount will be 150,000 MT but probably less,” the president was quoted as saying following his meeting with SRA officials, headed by Acting

Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and Board Member Ma. Mitzi Mangwang, representing the millers. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile

This photo shows Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028. North Pacific Fisheries Commission website

Vendors at the Paco Market in Manila repack sugar. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the importation of sugar amid a reported shortage in the basic commodity. ManilaTimes.net file photo

PH, Japan, US security partnership still in the works - DFA

MANILA – The Philippine government said on Tuesday, May 16 that talks on the possible trilateral security partnership with Japan and the United States are in the works but still in “very early stages.”

On the sidelines of a policy talk in Tokyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Manila has already conducted “some trilateral activities” with Japan and the US in the Sulu Sea but the detailed scope of the partnership itself is still yet to be established.

“[T]here was an understanding that we should explore the possibility of trilateral arrangements, but at this stage, we still have to discuss the Terms of Reference, what kind of activities, so it’s really very much in the early stages,” he said.

“The important thing is there is an understanding of the principle that it would be useful to have such types of trilateral cooperation activities,” he added.

In a bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, the two officials agreed to steadily

implement all Philippine-Japan cooperation projects, be it bilaterally, multilaterally or trilaterally with the United States.

The two ministers also affirmed to work closely on regional issues, including the South China Sea, economic coercion, the situation in Ukraine, and dealing with North Korea, including nuclear and missile, and abduction issues.

Aside from security, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both diplomats discussed economic cooperation, with Hayashi reiterating Japan’s intention to actively support the Philippines to reach the upper middleincome status.

“In response, Secretary Manalo expressed deep appreciation for the assistance from Japan for the Philippine economic development, and the two ministers concurred on continued cooperation,” the MOFA said.

The meeting followed the official visit of President

AI may be on its way to your doctor’s office, but...

pushed the value of OpenAI to $29 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported. Right now, the company is licensing its technology to companies like Microsoft and selling subscriptions to consumers. Other startups are considering selling AI transcription or other products to hospital systems or directly to patients.

Hyperbolic quotes are everywhere. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers tweeted recently: “It’s going to replace what doctors do — hearing symptoms and making diagnoses — before it changes what nurses do — helping patients get up and handle themselves in the hospital.”

But just weeks after OpenAI took another huge cash infusion, even Altman, its CEO, is wary of the fanfare. “The hype over these systems — even if everything we hope for is right long term — is totally out of control for the short term,” he said for a March article in The New York Times.

Few in health care believe this latest form of AI is about to take their jobs (though some companies are experimenting — controversially — with chatbots that act as therapists or guides to care). Still, those who are bullish on the tech think it’ll make some parts of their work much easier.

Eric Arzubi, a psychiatrist in Billings, Montana, used to manage fellow psychiatrists for a hospital system. Time and again, he’d get a list of providers who hadn’t yet finished their notes — their summaries of a patient’s condition and a plan for treatment.

Writing these notes is one of the big stressors in the health system: In the aggregate, it’s an administrative burden. But it’s necessary to develop a record for future providers and, of course, insurers.

“When people are way behind in documentation, that creates problems,” Arzubi said. “What happens if the patient comes into the hospital and there’s a note that hasn’t been completed and we don’t know what’s been going on?”

The new technology might help lighten those burdens. Arzubi is testing a service, called Nabla Copilot, that sits in on his part of virtual patient visits and

then automatically summarizes them, organizing into a standard note format the complaint, the history of illness, and a treatment plan.

Results are solid after about 50 patients, he said: “It’s 90% of the way there.” Copilot produces serviceable summaries that Arzubi typically edits. The summaries don’t necessarily pick up on nonverbal cues or thoughts Arzubi might not want to vocalize. Still, he said, the gains are significant: He doesn’t have to worry about taking notes and can instead focus on speaking with patients. And he saves time.

“If I have a full patient day, where I might see 15 patients, I would say this saves me a good hour at the end of the day,” he said. (If the technology is adopted widely, he hopes hospitals won’t take advantage of the saved time by simply scheduling more patients.

“That’s not fair,” he said.)

Nabla Copilot isn’t the only such service; Microsoft is trying out the same concept. At April’s conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society — an industry confab where health techies swap ideas, make announcements, and sell their wares — investment analysts from Evercore highlighted reducing administrative burden as a top possibility for the new technologies.

But overall? They heard mixed reviews. And that view is common: Many technologists and doctors are ambivalent.

For example, if you’re stumped about a diagnosis, feeding patient data into one of these programs “can provide a second opinion, no question,” Topol said. “I’m sure clinicians are doing it.” However, that runs into the current limitations of the technology.

Joshua Tamayo-Sarver, a clinician and executive with the startup Inflect Health, fed fictionalized patient scenarios based on his own practice in an emergency department into one system to see how it would perform. It missed life-threatening conditions, he said. “That seems problematic.”

The technology also tends to “hallucinate” — that is, make up information that sounds convincing. Formal studies have found a wide

State lawmakers eye...

Psychiatrists, a sponsor of the conservatorship bill, SB 43. “We have to talk to their families who know that they need that care, and we have to say we don’t have any legal basis to bring them into the hospital right now.”

disorder is not a trigger for conservatorship.

To Wood, treating these people, even when they’re unable to consent, is the compassionate, moral thing to do.

range of performance. One preliminary research paper examining ChatGPT and Google products using open-ended board examination questions from neurosurgery found a hallucination rate of 2%. A study by Stanford researchers, examining the quality of AI responses to 64 clinical scenarios, found fabricated or hallucinated citations 6% of the time, co-author Nigam Shah told KFF Health News. Another preliminary paper found, in complex cardiology cases, ChatGPT agreed with expert opinion half the time.

Privacy is another concern. It’s unclear whether the information fed into this type of AI-based system will stay inside. Enterprising users of ChatGPT, for example, have managed to get the technology to tell them the recipe for napalm, which can be used to make chemical bombs.

In theory, the system has guardrails preventing private information from escaping. For example, when KFF Health News asked ChatGPT its email address, the system refused to divulge that private information. But when told to role-play as a character, and asked about the email address of the author of this article, it happily gave up the information. (It was indeed the author’s correct email address in 2021, when ChatGPT’s archive ends.)

“I would not put patient data in,” said Shah, chief data scientist at Stanford Health Care. “We don’t understand what happens with these data once they hit OpenAI servers.”

Tina Sui, a spokesperson for OpenAI, told KFF Health News that one “should never use our models to provide diagnostic or treatment services for serious medical conditions.” They are “not fine-tuned to provide medical information,” she said.

With the explosion of new research, Topol said, “I don’t think the medical community has a really good clue about what’s about to happen.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. n

Under current California law, a person can be held in the hospital involuntarily if they are a danger to themselves or others or if they are unable to seek food, clothing, or shelter as a result of mental illness or alcoholism. Doctors want to add other substance use disorders to the criteria, as well as an inability to look out for one’s own safety and medical care. (The state law defines what is known as “mental health conservatorship,” which is separate from the probate conservatorship that Britney Spears was under.)

Wood, who practices in Los Angeles, gave two examples of people she and her colleagues have tried, but struggled, to care for under the current rules. One is a man who doesn’t take his diabetes medication because he’s not taking his schizophrenia medication and doesn’t understand the consequences of not managing either condition.

Wood explained that even if he repeatedly ends up in the emergency room with dangerously high blood sugar, no one can compel him to take either medication under current law, because poorly managing one’s health is not a trigger for conservatorship.

Another man Wood described has a developmental disability that went untreated in childhood. He developed an addiction to methamphetamine in his 20s. Wood said the man is now regularly found sleeping in a park and acting inappropriately in public. His family members have begged doctors to treat him, but they can’t, because substance use

“It’s essential that we respect all the rights of our patients, including the right to receive care from us,” she said.

But other advocates, including some of those working for Californians with mental illnesses, see the issue very differently.

Lawyers from the nonprofit Disability Rights California said the proposed expansion of conservatorship and the ongoing rollout of CARE Courts are misguided efforts, focused on depriving people of their liberty and privacy.

Instead, they said, the state should invest in better voluntary mental health services, which help maintain people’s dignity and civil rights. The group filed a petition in January to try to block the implementation of CARE Courts.

These advocates are particularly concerned that people of color, specifically Black residents, who are overrepresented in the homeless population and overdiagnosed with schizophrenia, will now be disproportionately targeted by more forceful measures.

“When people are told that they have to go to court to get what they should be getting voluntarily in the community, and then they get a care plan that subjugates them to services that still do not meet their cultural needs, that is not compassion,” said Keris Myrick, an advocate who has schizophrenia and has experienced homelessness.

More Housing: Another Badly Needed Prescription

Under current state law in Oregon, a person can be held for involuntary treatment if they are a danger to

ONION SUPPLY. Porters push a cart loaded with onions in Binondo, Manila on Tuesday, May 16. The Department of Agriculture is closely monitoring traders for possible hoarding of onions after the recent spike of prices in retail markets, now at PHP150 to PHP 200 per kg. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

State lawmakers eye forced treatment...

themselves or others or are at risk of serious physical harm because they cannot provide for their basic personal needs due to a mental illness.

Oregon, like California, does not include substance use disorders as grounds for commitment.

But its law is slightly broader than California’s, at least in one respect: Legislators amended it in 2015 to give doctors more leeway to step in if a person’s psychosis or other chronic mental illness is putting them at risk of a medical crisis.

Terry Schroeder, a civil commitment coordinator with the Oregon Health Authority, said that, before the change, a person would have to be nearly comatose or within a few days of death to meet the criteria for doctors to forcibly treat them for their own welfare.

The law now allows care providers to intervene earlier in an ongoing medical crisis.

In Oregon and California, the lack of adequate treatment options is frequently invoked in the ongoing debates over forced commitment and conservatorship.

PH, Japan, US security partnership still...

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Tokyo last February where he and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to strengthen the overall security cooperation

between the two states through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, and continuous cooperation on previously-transferred

defense equipment, among others.

According to Manalo, there has been “steady progress” on the two states’ defense equipment transfer project. (PNA) n

“Expanding conservatorships doesn’t solve for those structural issues around the lack of housing and the lack of funding for treatment services,” said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California.

Cabrera’s group also questions the premise that forced treatment works, and there is indeed little evidence that compulsory treatment for substance use disorder is effective, and some evidence that it could even

be harmful.

Critics of involuntary commitment have questioned the California Legislature’s objectives. If the ultimate goal of forced treatment is to reduce homelessness — and ease the moral failing of ill people sleeping on the street or using drugs in the open — then lawmakers are writing the wrong prescription, they said.

“The problem of homelessness is that people don’t have housing,” said primary care physician Margot Kushel, director of the University of California-San Francisco’s Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative.

“If you had all the treatment in the world and you didn’t have the housing, we would still have this problem.”

Supporters of involuntary commitments say both are needed. Many of the California lawmakers backing expanded conservatorship and CARE Courts are also backing efforts to increase the housing supply, including a $3 billion bond measure for the construction of small, neighborhood-oriented residences for people with mental illness.

Nationwide, rents have risen more quickly than people’s incomes in the past 20 years, particularly impacting people who rely on a fixed income, such as monthly disability payments.

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

ARAÑA’T BALUARTE FESTIVAL. People gather seasonal fruits and vegetables and hang them at the bamboo arches in celebration of the Araña’t Baluarte Festival in Gumaca, Quezon on Monday, May 15. The festival honors San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

‘Immigration law needs to be modernized’

by WiLLiam B. DePasuPiL ManilaTimes.net

AFTER four failed tries to have the Immigration Act of 1940 amended, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) continues to operate under a law that is no longer responsive and attuned to present conditions, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tangsingco said on Monday, May 15.

He remains hopeful the new law modernizing the agency which is now pending in Congress, would be enacted into law under the Marcos administration.

Tansingco said the immigration modernization law is among the priority measures that the leadership of the House of Representatives committed to passing.

“The Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) identified

the proposed immigration modernization law as a priority measure,” he added.

“I’m hopeful that the bill will be approved on third and final reading prior to the President’s State of the Nation Address in July.”

Apart from updates on visa types and penalties, the new law also ensures income augmentation for the salaries of BI employees.

Tansingco said the move would greatly benefit employees who are stuck with low salaries, and allow the agency to recruit fresh graduates from reputable schools.

The first attempt to amend the law was during the time of former immigration commissioner and now Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. It was overtaken by the EDSA 2 event that toppled the administration of President Joseph Estrada. n

Cha-cha not Pinoys’ priority – OCTA poll

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — Filipinos do not consider Charter change as urgent and instead want the government to prioritize their most urgent national concerns – access to affordable food, higher wages and controlling inflation, according to the latest OCTA Research survey.

Based on the survey, “controlling the increase in prices of goods and services” (57 percent), “improving/increasing wages or salaries of workers” (45 percent) and “access to affordable food like rice, vegetables and meat” (44 percent) were the three most urgent programs the government should focus on.

“Inflation, access to affordable food and increasing workers’ wages remain the most urgent national concerns of adult Filipinos. The government should prioritize resolving these,” OCTA said.

Most adult Filipinos do

not consider changing the Constitution or Charter change as an urgent national concern, with only one percent of Filipinos noting this was an urgent national concern.

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading in March the bill that operationalizes the constitutional convention that will introduce amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

OCTA said results of the Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey are noncommissioned and focus on adult Filipino’s urgent national and personal concerns.

Conducted from March 24 to 28, 2023, the survey had 1,200 male and female respondents aged 18 years and above.

The National Capital Region (NCR), balance Luzon and Mindanao, with nearly six out of 10 Filipinos, said that controlling the increase of prices of goods and services should be the

government’s top priority.

OCTA said the survey showed that Filipinos who reside in the Visayas region were less concerned about controlling the increase in the prices of goods and services, with only 46 percent of them saying that this is an urgent personal concern.

Visayas residents, however, said they are concerned over access to affordable food like rice, vegetables and meat (56 percent) as compared to those in NCR, Mindanao (both at 38 percent) and balance Luzon (44 percent).

Class E is the most affected by the issue of access to affordable food at 52 percent, followed by those in Class ABC (45 percent) and D (41 percent).

Class D and E also want the government to prioritize controlling price increases, with 57 percent and 60 percent saying that the government should prioritize this. In comparison, only 48 percent of Class ABC

indicated the same concern.

NCR and Mindanao respondents also said the government should be more concerned about improving/increasing wages or salaries of workers, with 50 and 48 percent of them communicating such, as compared to those in balance Luzon (44 percent) and the Visayas (40 percent).

OCTA noted that among the Filipinos’ top personal concerns were “To stay healthy and avoid illness” at 66 percent, “To finish schooling or to be able to provide schooling for our children” at 51 percent and “To have a secure and well-paying job or source of income” at 50 percent.

The survey also showed that “more Filipinos now believe in the power of saving.”

Those concerned about “being able to have savings” increased by six percentage points from 37 percent in October last year to 43 percent this year. n

UN: Philippines maternal deaths on the rise

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) called on Sunday, May 14 for accessible and adequate health care as maternal deaths in the Philippines have increased in recent years.

UNFPA Philippines said 14 percent of pregnant women in the country do not get regular check-ups and the other necessary medical care needed during pregnancy.

In a statement on Mother’s Day (May 16), Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane, country representative of UNFPA Philippines, said the UN agency saw an increase of maternal deaths during the past two years.

In 2019, 1,458 women died of maternal causes. The number of maternal deaths increased to 2,478 in 2021.

“That is around six to seven Filipino women dying daily

due to childbirth. During emergencies, when access to maternal health services is disrupted, more women die during pregnancy and childbirth,” Joudane said.

One in 10 women do not give birth in health facilities or receive assistance from skilled health care personnel during childbirth.

The top five causes of maternal deaths include complications in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia and hemorrhage.

“Many of these deaths are preventable if only there were accessible proper medical interventions and adequate health care systems that are also resilient to emergencies,” Joudane said.

The UN agency also noted that the high cost of health care makes it more inaccessible to poor Filipinos.

A UNFPA study conducted with Burnet Institute showed that globally, every dollar

Remittances grew 3% in March, hit $2.97B

MANILA — Personal remittances sent to the Philippines by Filipinos abroad increased by 3 percent to $2.97 billion in March from $2.89 billion in the same month last year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Preliminary data at the BSP show that March inflows exceeded the previous month’s volume after decreasing for two straight months or since the $3.49 billion recorded in December 2022, which was also the last year’s highest.

The growth rate also picked up again in March

after sliding down for three consecutive months from 5.8 percent last November to 2.4 percent in February. Of the amount received in March, 90 percent represented cash that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sent through banks.

This was pegged at $2.67 billion, an increase of 3 percent from $2.59 billion in the same month last year.

Also, the latest cash readout was better than the 2.3-percent growth recorded in March 2022.

The BSP said that transfers from both land-based and sea-based OFWs increased in

March.

Results for March brought the first-quarter inflows to $8.9 billion, which was likewise higher by 3 percent than the $8.65 billion in the same three months last year.

Cash remittances alone also grew by 3 percent to $8 billion in January-March from $7.77 billion in the similar period of 2022.

The BSP said the growth in cash transfers from the United States, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates contributed mainly to the increase in headline numbers in the first quarter of 2023. (ManilaTimes.net) n

invested on family planning services gains $8.

“But for the Philippines, the gains are even higher at $18. This is on top of the hundreds of thousands of mothers’ and children’s lives saved,” Joudane said.

Joudane stressed that preventable maternal mortality, the denial of rights or demographic change can all be addressed by making the world a more gender-equal place.

The UNFPA supports the Philippines’ commitment to achieving universal health coverage and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reducing to zero preventable maternal death.

“This Mother’s Day, let us uphold the right of all people – especially mothers – to reach the highest possible standard of health. Timely health care for pregnant women can make the difference between life and death. No woman should die giving life,” Joudane said. n

Marcos approves importation...

and SRA Board Secretary Rodney Rubrica were also in attendance.

The president further stated that the government is opening the importation of sugar “to all traders.”

According to SRA forecast inventory, the country will have a negative ending stock of 552,835 MT by the end of August 2023, the end of the milling season, and importation of another 100,000 MT to 150,000 MT of sugar is necessary to avert a shortfall.

As of May 7, 2023, the country has sufficient supply of raw sugar with a beginning stock of 160,000 MT. However, an additional 100,000 to 150,000 MT of sugar would still be needed to be imported within the year as the expected local production of 2.4MMT, as well as the 440,000 MT allowed to be imported under Sugar Order 6 and the 64,050 MT under the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) mechanism will not be able to cover the 3.1MMT demand.

Apart from the approved importation of

sugar, Marcos also approved the moving of the start of the milling season from August to September this year as this is deemed “important for the corresponding increase in production by approximately 10 percent.”

Opening the milling season in September will improve raw sugar recovery because it will minimize the milling of young canes.

The president likewise directed the SRA to expedite block farming initiatives -- a system by which small farm lots are consolidated into at least a 30 hectare-block farm -- for more production yield.

Currently, there are 21 block farms in the country averaging at least 40 hectares each.

Once organized into block farms, farmers are entitled to financial and mechanization support for increased production.

“Consolidation is an important part of agro-industrial production. We’re looking at increasing the budget for block farming to accelerate the process of organizing the block farms,” Marcos said. n

Renewed US-PH economic ties: Our...

PAGE 5

arranged in such a way that dinners became business meetings with American executives from various industries and sectors. In fact, his meeting with officials of the New York Stock Exchange and the forum where he was joined by the country’s economic managers became an opportunity to highlight the Philippines as ready for business and a smart investment choice.

There is no doubt the Philippines is poised for an impressive economic growth, with the administration focused on seeing the country achieve upper middle-income status in the next two years. Financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank have projected the country’s economic growth at 6 percent this year.

While there may be “various risks and challenges, the economic outlook for the Philippines in the near and medium term remains solid,” assured NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. Another positive news is the increase in the country’s employment rate to 95.3 percent in March, up from the 94.2 percent recorded in the same period in 2022, according to the latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

With the United States still one of our top trading partners, we are certainly looking forward to more foreign direct investments coming from U.S. investors. We are currently preparing for the first-of-its-kind, largest business delegation that President Joe Biden promised to send to the Philippines to be led by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. We are already working on this with our friends at the White House, targeting the third quarter of this year, with a possible follow-up on developments after the delegation’s visit to Manila following the APEC meetings in San Francisco this November.

One of the top priorities we are working on is the renewal of our participation in the United States GSP – the Generalized System of Preferences – the oldest and largest U.S. trade program that provides nonreciprocal duty-free privileges for more than 3,500 products entering the U.S. market from 119 beneficiary countries that include the Philippines.

The country’s eligibility for the GSP expired in December 2020 but the renewal has been delayed for several reasons, among them

the pandemic and the previous speakership issue in the U.S. Congress, whose approval for the renewal is required. We have already started meeting with several members of the U.S. Congress for the renewal, and are greatly encouraged by the support of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo regarding our bid for reauthorization of the GSP. Both have expressed such support with other partners in the U.S. Congress. As President Marcos noted, both countries have benefited from the GSP, which could be expanded to cover other products.

We will also be continuing our initiatives for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, although I have to admit that this will be quite challenging since the U.S. is pushing for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to have a wider reach on trade agreements, specifically with ASEAN countries. Nonetheless, we are working on sectoral FTAs which could be more plausible.

During the U.S. official visit, PBBM was very specific on key economic challenges that must be addressed, in particular “food, energy, health security, digital connectivity and the cross-cutting issues of climate change and pandemic preparedness.”

Noting that “economic security is national security” with the latter no longer simply about territorial defense, the president encouraged companies to look to the Philippines as they diversify and reconfigure supply chains. He also urged the U.S. government and the private sector to consider investing in the areas of clean energy, decarbonization agriculture, critical green minerals, telecommunications and health care that offer high potential for growth.

As the president profoundly stated, the real victory was not when he won the elections in May 9 last year by an overwhelming number of votes – the real victory will be towards the end of his term in June 2028 when he would have achieved the ultimate goal of economic wellbeing for every Filipino and uplifted their quality of life. (Philsar.com)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

50 GENERALS. The Commission on Appointments confirms the ad interim appointments of 50 generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Senate on Tuesday, May 16. Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian also got the CA’s nod. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

A CSPA victory after several lawyers said the case was hopeless, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

RICKY is the building superintendent for the building where the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel are located in New York City, and he always saw clients coming to Atty. Gurfinkel for immigration advice.

Ricky had his own family immigration matter, where his brother-in-law was refused his visa in Albania because he had

New York City office of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel. He consulted about his brother-in-law’s case with leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael Gurfinkel (right) on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy.

One

Miss Filipina International 2023 welcomes iSkin as a sponsor

“WE are honored to sponsor the Miss Filipina International since its ideals of nurturing women who are beautiful inside and out perfectly align with iSkin’s commitment to build confidence with services that refresh and re-energize,” said Richard Maghanoy and Imee Ong-Maghanoy, owners of iSkin Beverly Hills, in a recent joint statement.

Miss Filipina International (MFI), now owned by Geoffrey Jimenez, chairman of the board of directors of Worldwide Media Entertainment Corporation, lauded the sponsorship of iSkin, which has a penthouse spa in Beverly Hills.

In addition to the previously announced top prize of either a BMW 3 Series car or a $10,000 cash prize, the winner will also receive a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills in the prestigious pageant that will be held on August 5 in The Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom, the venue of the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy nominees

luncheon, Clive Davis’ preGrammy party and other events.

Other prizes include $5,000 cash and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin for the first runner-up, who will be crowned Miss Tourism; and a $2,500 cash prize and a $5,000 gift certificate from iSkin for each of the second,

third and fourth runners-up.

“Having iSkin on board is another big step in our commitment to give the best incentives to Filipinas all over the world to join,” said Jimenez, a Filipino American community leader, arts and culture patron.

MFI also offers the

After the Embassy denied his visa, Atty Gurfinkel (extreme right) proved that Florjan (2nd from left) was eligible under the CSPA! After previously consulting with about three or four other lawyers, who all said that there was no hope for Florjan to come to the U.S. because he had already aged-out, his sister, Florida (3rd from left) had almost given up. Fortunately, Florida’s husband, Ricky (extreme left), was the building superintendent at the New York City office of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel and he asked the leading U.S. immigration attorney to review their case. Atty. Gurfinkel saw that Florjan was eligible under the CSPA and was able to appeal his case and get the visa issued in record time. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

CSPA VICTORY FOR FLORJAN!

Ricky (left) was the building superintendent at the

aged out. Ricky’s wife, Florida, was devastated and was about to lose hope, especially after three lawyers the family had consulted all said there was nothing they could do, since Florjan had already aged out.

day, Ricky was cleaning the air conditioning unit in Atty. Gurfinkel’s office and reached out to the leading U.S. immigration lawyer about his brother-in-

The Miss Filipina International 2023 winner and her court will receive gift certificates from iSkin, including a $10,000 gift certificate to the winner. MFI owner Geoffrey Jimenez, iSkin owners Imee Ong-Maghanoy and Richard Maghanoy with (from left) MFI queens Alicia Buendia, Alyanna Joel, Sarah Nunnink and Arianna Padrid at iSkin’s penthouse spa in Beverly Hills.

Photo by Ken Hugh

A cruise: Like life itself

Health@Heart

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

EXPLORING the world, meeting people in their native countries, learning about their history, heritage, culture, and experiencing their way of living firsthand does wonders to our mind, body, and soul. The journey reveals that we, as a species on this planet, have greater commonality and mutual interests than our selfish individual differences. The wonderful visit to countries eager to please tourists is always refreshing to the spirit. Vacation, a decompressing break from our daily stressful life, is wonderful and healthy for both the visitor and the tourism industry of the target destinations.

Our group of 21 medical colleagues, spouses, and a friend from Las Vegas, Chicago, Indiana, Kentucky, and New York just returned from a 14-day (April 22 to May 8) transatlantic cruise to Malaga, Valencia, and Palma de Mallorca (Spain); Marseilles (France); and Florence and Rome (Italy).

On board the Odyssey of the Seas of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the Windjammer Restaurant on the 14th deck became our meeting place several times a day and “headquarters” during the 14-day cruise.

From Day One, I had informed our group that “according to the cruise’s rule,” we were supposed to eat every two hours. And we almost followed that “rule,” but conscious of our health, practically all of us violated this anyway. But the Lobster Night was irresistible. Our group picture with the Captain of the Ship, Per Kristofferson, showed almost everyone gained a few ounces, if not a pound or two.

The cruise package included an added 2 days of land tours in Rome which provided us the opportunity to meet with the Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle on Saturday, May 5. According to Inside the Vatican, Pope Francis selected Cardinal Tagle to head the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The congregation, which handles evangelization in Africa, Asia, and Oceania, is expected to be combined with the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, which has focused primarily on Europe, as envisioned by the Pope.

On Sunday, May 8, we travelled for more than four hours in three rented driven vans to San Giovanni Rotondo (Fr. Pio Pilgrimage Church), 237.3 miles south of Rome, to view the body of Fr. Pio in a sealed plastic vault designed for public viewing.

Francesco Forgione, OFMCap, popularly known as Padre Pio and as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, celebrated on September 23rd each year. Fr. Pio was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, died on September 23, 1968, and buried in the Sanctuary of Saint Mary of our Lady of Grace. The new Fr. Pio modern-structure pilgrimage church is on the left side of the old church of Saint Mary. The river of devotees from all around the world honoring the mystical saint Fr. Pio seemed unending. The rigorous walk back to our vans, on an uphill climb, was a great challenge to many of us in our mid-70s and mid-80s, with arthritis and other ailments. A self-imposed penance? Maybe. But it gave us an inspiring, uplifting, and a most spiritual feeling with inner peace.

We got back to the Star Hotel of Metropole in Rome at almost 9 p.m., just in time for our “last supper” with the Rev. Fr. Roderick Ignacio (Padre Ricky) at the Antico Ristorante Bar Imperium, a famous restaurant a couple of blocks from our hotel.

Fr. Ricky is Parish Priest of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Paolo Apostolo, and Santa Lucia Trocchio. He is also the Rector of Shrine of our Lady of Piternis, Cervaro Delegato dei Sacerdoti in Diocesi, and del Rappresentante del Consiglio Pastorale. Fr. Ricky is a close friend of Pope Francis.

While on this cruise, we had the privilege of meeting fellow Pinoy cruisers, 31 from Hawaii, and very importantly, countless

fellow Filipinos working on the Odyssey, young and vibrant, very courteous, and willing to please. Proudly a Filipino trait. They all left their loved ones in the Philippines to support their families back home and provide education and a better future for their children. While they were always cheerful, like their fellow workers from other countries, you could witness how hard they work each day, devoid of enough sleep, longing for their spouse and children back home, and practically a slave to their job, with meager salary. Indeed, a great personal sacrifice on their part, all in the name of love of family and survival itself. (A tip for future cruisers: Gratuities helps these noble workers. Let generosity prevail among us who are more blessed to share our loving compassion with them.) Even before the cruise ended, some were already asking when the next one would be. Indeed, life must be enjoyed fully!

A cruise is certainly like life on this good earth. During the journey you discover the nature of men and their individual philosophy, behavior, interests, frailties, strength, personality. The very same qualities and attitude in life become obvious among all of us and our fellow cruisers on our voyage in life itself. Qualities unknown before, shining through, good, bad, or in between. Indeed, life and cruising are almost twins, people traveling in time and space, sometimes on treacherous terrains or rough waters, all unable to change the ocean waves and the wind direction, but with a Godgiven option to adjust the sail to navigate the course and arrive at the target destination. Unfortunately, some try to control the waves and the wind like a god, instead of wisely adjusting, and are destined to be lost at sea. In our life, bringing one’s sunshine and smile to every occasion, with a back-up umbrella just in case but keeping it unopened because of faith, all contribute to a healthy and happy life with soothing inner peace.

The greater the human contacts among various peoples of the world, the greater the chance of understanding, liking, and

A CSPA victory after several...

PAGE 11

law’s case.

In reviewing the case, Atty. Gurfinkel saw that Florjan was eligible for age-out protection under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). He was able to identify where the U.S. Embassy made their mistake in the calculations for eligibility. Within days, the case was reconsidered, and the visa was

issued.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Miss Filipina International 2023...

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exciting incentive that the top three winners will be eligible to compete in Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) next year.

MFI is accepting applications from women who are of at least onefourth Filipino descent from around the world.

respecting one another and cementing lasting friendship with each other, one person and one nation at a time, especially among children whose innocence is devoid of poisonous biases and prejudices. They are our hope for the future, and prayerfully, a chance at achieving world peace. Most unlikely in our generation but hope reigns in my heart. The human species better “cruise” peacefully together now on a global scale with a devotion to world peace before it’s too late, or we are doomed to disintegrate together into cinders and ashes in the galaxy in a colossal nuclear Armageddon turning planet

Candidates range from ages 17 to 28. For more details on how to apply, call (818) 9285449. To apply online: www. MissFilipinaIntl.com.

The Philippines is considered a beauty pageant powerhouse, having produced many winners and top finalists in Miss Universe, Miss World

Earth into a ball of fire and particles of black dust, exposing our stupidity.

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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.

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily

and Miss International, among others. The winner of MFI this August will be a welcome addition to the Philippines’ beauty queens. MFI gala coronation night will be on Saturday, August 5, 2023. For sponsorship inquiries, email: missfilipinainternational@ gmail.com n

reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

(From left) Ricky, Florjan, Florida (Ricky’s wife), with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Comedian JR de Guzman on cracking jokes in a time of cancel culture

By marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

“I’M interested in finding out what cancel culture in the Philippines is about, but there is really no topic that I wouldn’t touch if I could make it funny.”

Thus said standup comedian and musician JR de Guzman, who will be bringing his hit US show “Later That Evening” to Manila this June. The Philippine-born comic who moved to California at an early age often injects stories about his experiences as a Filipino immigrant growing up in America.

“I want to be able to talk about things that I feel are worth performing. I do think that if another comic is performing a topic that is risky and is doing a good job at making it funny, then by all means, do it,” JR said in response to a question on what topics he would not dare touch, especially in this age of cancel culture and “wokeness.”

“That being said, I have done some things that would make people react. Should I stop doing them? I’ve learned that people will always find something to be offended by, so if you cut out every joke that offended your audiences, you wouldn’t have a set. ‘Was I really out of line?’ I ask myself that question every night before I go to sleep. I do think that if you genuinely believe that it’s funny, then you should keep it in your set,” JR told reporters in a recent virtual media gathering organized by MYX Global.

JR has been making a name on the world stage with his extraordinary gift of entertaining live audiences,

while introducing Asian culture and conveying his take on racism in his narratives. He was previously featured in the Netflix special “The Comedy Lineup” and Comedy Central’s “Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City.”

Comics to watch

Named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2022, JR will serenade audiences with his songs and amuse them with hilarious anecdotes in MYX Global’s “Later that Evening” show at The Theatre at Solaire on June 3, at 7 p.m.

Aside from the United States where he is currently touring this particular show

until the end of the year, JR has already performed for Stand-Up Tokyo and ROR Comedy in Japan, the Jokers Ball in Indonesia, the Badaboom Comedy Series in Amsterdam, and many other international shows. He also won in the 2016 “Stand-Up NBC” competition and was named the “New Face” in a festival called “Just for Laughs 2017.”

At the virtual chat, which also featured JR’s opening acts, Red Orello and Ryan Puno, JR was asked how performing in different countries influenced his materials. He also explained how he connects with diverse audiences. “It’s pretty straightforward. I just do things that are more relatable, like family and sex. For me, it’s been helpful to have music as I go internationally because I feel that it’s universal. It’s hard to figure out what’s going to work in a particular country compared to another. I think it’s something I have to find out by doing shows there. I try to think broader and on a human and cultural level when I travel overseas,” JR explained.

Here is an excerpt of the recent hourlong interview with JR:

We remember you telling a story about how you bombed a set that came after Alex Calleja. How do you deal with jokes that don’t run smoothly?

I blame Alex because he was just too good that night. I really wanted to erase that story, but I end up telling it in every one of these press cons. It was a Valentine’s Day show. Alex went before me and just crushed it so hard. I, on the other hand, was still pretty new, probably only two or

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Heart opens up about losing twins, being a mom again

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

HEART Evangelista composed herself before recalling her experience losing her twins with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in 2018.

The actress-artist revealed her most private thoughts and feelings about losing her twins and motherhood yesterday as the guest in “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda.”

Boy asked Heart how she coped with the loss of her twins, who left her just a month apart after she announced that she was carrying them.

She announced her pregnancy in May 2018, but found out that she lost one of them. In less than a month, Heart also lost the remaining twin.

“So having a baby was not really a priority for me because I have always been trained to be a go-getter, hard-working, no vacations. So nung time na iyon takot akong mabuntis even when I was married,” the actress recalled.

She had her realization that she wanted kids while she was actually carrying them.

“But when I got pregnant, I didn’t realize how much I wanted it so badly.

“And it changed me a lot because I didn’t think I would be a good mom. I didn’t think that I wanted to be a mom. But that was something that I was very thankful for because even for a brief…” Heart’s words trailed her.

“Bakit ganun?” she asked after a few seconds and while trying to compose herself.

“Even for a brief moment in my life, I realized that I

can be a better person. Not necessarily that you have to give birth, not necessarily that you have to physically be a mom, but the idea in what my angels made me feel, good enough for me,” Heart shared.

Boy asked if she still wants to be a mother.

“Honestly, I don’t know.

If I’ll be a mom, why not?

“I remember that time pinagdasal ko na, find your way back to me, in any form. And for me, hindi ko pinipilit iyong mga bagay-bagay. I don’t allow myself to be heartbroken dahil may bagay na hindi binigay sa akin ‘cause I’m always grateful,” Heart ended. n

For Gelli, becoming mom and wife is a wish granted

By Boy aBunda Philstar.com

WHILE Gelli de Belen has embraced the freedom that social media provides, she is not one to get involved in any issues knowing how online bashing has become very common on social media. People nowadays have become much freer with their use of harsh words that often result in a lot of troubles.

It’s scary for her to read the inflammatory way of how people state their opinions “because it’s not only me who is going to be affected in case I’ve said or done something (online) but my family would be affected as well. So, I don’t want to be part of it.”

Come to think of it, we are in a world where everybody has an opinion. We are in a world where freedom has actually “killed” the freedom of others to speak up because no matter how good the intention is, there are those who will deliberately put you down, shut you up and hurt you.

“I think the best thing to do is just know when to talk and when to just shut up,” Gelli remarked.

What Gelli is willing to talk about is her life as a wife to her husband Ariel Rivera and as a mother to their children, Joaquin Andres and Julio Alessandro, who are now in their early 20s and are both based in Canada.

Married for 25 years

now, Gelli and Ariel are among the celebrity reallife couples who are the epitome of the line “love is love.” It’s admirable how the couple has shown the importance of keeping the family intact after marriage.

I asked Gelli how they navigated the last 25 years and she said that even other married couples when asked the same question won’t be able to have a specific answer. She added, “Of course, that’s what we hope for (togetherness for life).”

“I just think, and I always say this, it’s mostly because of him. Why? Because women, we always want the relationship to work. That’s intrinsic, natural na sa aming mga babae iyan We will do anything just to make the relationship work kahit mag -tumblingtumbling pa . But with men, if they are not as invested (in the relationship), kahit na anong tumbling mo, walang mangyayari .”

Gelli described Ariel as very generous with his time and whatever that he can give. “He will not only give a little but a lot. I’m so lucky. I thank God for giving me somebody like him.”

In any relationship, communication is important and Gelli couldn’t agree more. She believes that understanding each other is key to a lasting marriage. “That’s why, you really have to communicate and express what you feel.”

Gelli never denied how

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Heart Evangelista

Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte

U.S.-based comedian JR de Guzman Photo from Instagram/@jrdguz

core in terms of kailangang perfect ka, kailangang ganyan ka,” Heart said.

By evangelIne valderrama Inquirer.net

CONTENT creator Slater Young is facing backlash for his remarks that it’s “very normal” for men to fantasize about other women even while in a committed relationship.

The “Pinoy Big Brother” alum was responding to a listener’s story on his podcast last May 9 with wife Kryz Uy. The listener then asked if she was being bad or crazy to think ill of her boyfriend who was fantasizing another woman after she read about it in one of his group chats.

Replying to the query, Slater said that he is in agreement with the guy as he is just “being absolutely honest” about his desires, to which Uy nodded also in conformity. However, he clarified that the guy would be in the wrong if he acted on his fantasies and potentially cheated.

“The guy is being absolutely honest. Kasi siyempre, if I’m going to lie to you, and you ask me if I have boners about other women and if I wanted to lie just to make you comfortable, I’m just gonna say, ‘No, of course not,’” he explained.

His response, however, drew the ire of followers and netizens who said that “fantasizing is different from admiration,” and is not acceptable, as it is tantamount to cheating, especially if one is already committed to a serious relationship. Others claimed that Slater, whose squeaky clean image is known in the local vlogging world, now suddenly became a “red flag” because of his remarks.

Compounding the matter was Kryz’s seeming agreement to his disposition, saying that she trusts Slater not to jeopardize their relationship and would not even interfere with his cellphone to check on his messages. Many criticized this view as they said this would lead to problems later on. n

Meet TJ, ‘Sesame Street’s first Filipino muppet

SESAME Street now has its first Filipino muppet, TJ, created by Filipino American animator Bobby Pontillas in collaboration with puppeteer Louis Mitchell.

TJ, which was inspired by Max and Mateo, the children of Pontillas’ lifelong friends. TJ is played by voice actor and puppeteer Yinan Shentu.

In a recent segment, TJ discusses the word of the day, “confidence,” with fellow muppets Ji-Young and Grover, and actor Kal Penn, who explains, “Confidence is when you believe in yourself and your abilities, or in the abilities of others.”

TJ talks about his growing

confidence while learning Tagalog, the basis for the Philippines’ national

language: “I’m confident because I can always ask my lola [grandmother] for

help when I don’t know a word.”

Rosemary Espina Palacios, Sesame Workshop’s director of talent outreach, inclusion and content development, also posted on Instagram that TJ’s arrival came “just in time for API Heritage Month to show the range in our diaspora.”

She added that she personally felt the topic of confidence could help “unravel the model minority stereotype,” a persistent myth that Asian Americans are monolithically successful, which ignores disparities among Asian ethnic groups and minimizes the role racism plays in the struggles of other minority groups. n

Makati candidate wins Miss Universe Philippines 2023

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

MAKATI City’s very own Michelle Marquez Dee was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 during the pageant’s coronation night held Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Besting 38 other contestants, the 28-year-old stunner takes home a brand-new crown dubbed La Mer en Majesté.

Christine Opiaza of Zambales is the first runner-up while Pampanga’s Angelique Manto landed as second runner-up.

For the first question during the Q&A segment, Marquez was asked, “Income inequality is still high in the Philippines. The gap between the rich and the poor remains. How do we close that gap?”

To which she confidently answered, “I think first we have to recognize what we have and the privileges that we have, such as food, education, and homes. I think the best way to address this is really through education because education holds no status quo, and every Filipino child has the right to an education – but not just any education,

but quality education. Because I believe if the government can provide this to every Filipino child, then we can not only elevate their quality of life, but we can empower them as well.”

Meanwhile, for the final Q&A portion, the Top 5 contestants were asked the same question, “The Department of Tourism has adopted a new branding campaign, ‘We Give the World our Best.’ For you, what is the best that we could offer to the rest of the world? Why do you consider it so?”

Marquez shared her winning answer saying, “The Philippines is home to very beautiful natural resources from the beaches, the mountains but I firmly believe that the best natural resource that the Philippines has is us Filipinos. We are the true heart and soul of the Philippines with the way we are hospitable, with the warm smiles and we are the reason why the world keeps coming back for more.”

“No matter where the universe takes me. I will always be proud to call the Philippines my home. And no matter what happens I will always be proud to call myself Pinoy. Thank you,” she added.

Also an actress herself, Marquez is

Sesame Street’s TJ TJ, was created by Filipino American animator Bobby Pontillas.

Photo screengrabbed from Youtube

Miss Universe 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee

Photo from Instagram/@themissuniverseph

Slater slammed for saying it’s ‘very normal’ to fancy other women while in a relationship

Slater Young with wife Kryz Uy Photo from Instagram/@kryzzzie

How Yllana Aduaa walks the talk on environment

By Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

NEWLY-CROWNED Miss Earth

Philippines 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana started her reign visiting the coastal town of Sulat, Eastern Samar, to join a cleanup drive in celebration of the Month of the Ocean this May.

On the sidelines of the event, the 24-year-old beauty from Siniloan, Laguna shared in a one-on-one with The STAR that more activities like this can be expected from her together with Miss Earth Philippines and her own nonprofit Edukasyon for Every Juan.

She said she intends to maximize “this platform to tell people about the environmental situation that we’re experiencing.”

“That’s what I want to do — to spread awareness because it all starts educating people, that you’re able to inspire them, to discover the power that they have to create something and to utilize that ‘superpower’ within them to help fight issues like climate change.”

After Sulat, Eastern Samar, they plan to do an ocean cleanup drive in Batangas.

On what can be expected from her reign, she shared: “I really know myself to be hardworking so I’m really much committed to everything that I do. What I’m going to do is, of course, to strengthen my advocacy of (environmental) education. I will still continue to do the colloquiums about the 17 sustainable development goals, at the same time, their interconnectedness to nature.

“More than that, I’m planning more environmental projects and initiatives such as the ocean cleanup drives, waste cleanup drives, tree-planting. And now, I feel more strengthened because I’m not doing it alone, I’m doing it with my Elemental Queens. I can also work with my organization and tap other eco-sisters that I have in my batch. We can do all these environmental things together.”

Yllana isn’t just spouting big words about the environment, she’s been walking the talk. Her pageant journey purposely began and will end with Miss Earth Philippines because, as she said, her heart is really with the pageant’s environmental objectives and causes.

“I’m really passionate about the environment. I really take time to study it and read about it so I can also inform others and inject my knowledge (whenever I have the opportunity),” said.

Yllana is a medical laboratory scientist and a certified drug analyst. She also works as a model and she has been running the non-profit organization Edukasyon for Every Juan. She studied at Centro Escolar University, where she was a consistent dean’s lister and a scholar.

“We’re not affluent as a family, but my parents would always tell me that education is the greatest gift that they can give me. So I really took advantage of it,” she said.

“We were really able to rise above many, many challenges because of that.”

people are thinking, I just go about my way, showing them who I really am.

“With my final Q&A, if I may share, some people were telling me that I use high-falutin words all the time… it’s also one of the challenges (I had). Sabi ko, this is really me, something that’s really innate to me, so I asked my bosses do I have to ‘regulate’ it, but they said, that’s you, you don’t have to pretend and lower down whatever you have so that you can please people. Kasi when you do Q&A, you have to be authentic and that’s my authentic self.”

If she’s not busy with Miss Earth Philippines, Yllana said, “I just stay at home and I read more. Sometimes, I watch movies, sometimes I watch Netflix to relax and unwind. I don’t really go out that much. Sometimes, I invite friends over. I’m a home person. I try as much as I can to regain my energy, when I don’t perform my responsibilities. So that when I go about my duties, I’ll be 100-percent energized ulit,” she shared.

“My favorite book now is You Can Save The Earth (by Sean K. Smith). It’s about the environment pa rin. I really love learning about it because I feel like you need to equip yourself with the right tools, for example, the things that you can read, and through exposure to the environment and the community, you will really become more passionate about it.”

She’s also open to showbiz and not shy to admit that her childhood dream is to become an artista

Makati candidate...

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born to celebrity parents, former actor Frederick “Derek” Dee and to actress, author, former supermodel, and Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez.

Dee is a pageant veteran who was crowned Miss World Philippines 2019. During the finals night of the Miss World 2019 competition at the ExCel Stadium in London, England, Dee entered the Top 12 semifinals.

She also joined Miss Universe 2022 where she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022, second to the eventual winner, Celeste Cortesi.

Marquez will represent the country in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant which will be held in El Salvador. Half Filipina and reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States will crown her successor at the end of the event. n

For Gelli, becoming...

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tough it was for her in the beginning that their home became an empty nest after their sons moved abroad.

“It was hard at first na ‘yung gumising kami na wala na sila Julio at Wacky, yun ang mahirap and every time we leave Canada or every time they leave the Philippines after a vacation, it’s drama. There’s really pain in my heart every time it happens. It’s not easy.”

On the same video, Ariel asked his wife, “How do you see us spending our life together for the next 20, 30 years? What is your ultimate goal as we live the next few decades together?”

Gelli blushed some more and answered, “I think I just see us enjoying each other’s company, watching our children grow together, traveling more and just living life to the fullest.”

Yllana didn’t dream of becoming a beauty queen but then the pandemic happened.

“It wasn’t actually my dream. But the pandemic happened and I felt like I was getting stuck at an impasse and I wasn’t really progressing as a person. Parang I told myself, there’s really something more than I can do.

“So, I went back to my core — I have been practicing the zero-waste and sustainable lifestyle ever since I was in high school — so I was scrolling through Facebook one day and I saw the Miss Earth Philippines 2021 poster looking for their queens. Sabi ko, I feel like it’s my sign and I’m going to join this one,” said the second of three kids and the first title-holder in her family.

Though a pageant favorite, she failed in her first bid at the Miss Earth Philippines crown. Same thing happened in her second pageant, Binibining Pilipinas 2022, which landed her in the Top 12.

Last month, she finally won in her third pageant try and second attempt at the Miss Earth Philippines crown.

Asked about the most challenging part throughout her entire pageant experience, Yllana said, “I feel like every beauty queen would agree to this one that the greatest challenge is to really put ourselves out there, the best and perfect version of ourselves. Pero kasi ako, what I do is I always go back to my core values, I don’t mind what other

There have been showbiz offers, but nothing is definite yet. But she has been allowed by Carousel Productions, founder and organizer of Miss Earth and Miss Earth Philippines, to accept projects, if ever, within the duration of her reign. And if given the chance in the future, she wishes to co-host a show that’s similar to Dingdong Dantes’ Amazing Earth because again, it’s in line with her passion.

She also said she’d like to “do romcoms and be paired up (laughs).”

For the meantime, Yllana is preparing for the Miss Earth international competition in Vietnam in December. Immediately after she took home the title last April, she called in her team to help her “strategize” and “come up with a gameplan” alongside Miss Earth Philippines.

“We’re kind of pressured but in a good way. It’s overwhelming, yes, but in a very positive way because we really gave it our all during the Miss Philippines Earth 2023. So we were talking about how we are going to supersede this one, how we are going to bring more to the table since we already did our best.

“So we came up with an amazing game plan. As much as I’d like to talk to you more about it, I have to keep a tight lip on it. So when we compete in Vietnam, people will be surprised.”

“Miss Earth Philippines 2023 is going to be my last Philippine pageant,” Yllana also declared even though her age would still make her qualified for other pageants.

“I’m really going to do my best to hopefully bring back the fifth Miss Earth crown for the Philippines.” n

But knowing that their children are safe and with Ariel’s mom guiding them in Canada, Gelli has nothing to be worried about.

Meanwhile, Gelli was surprised during her guesting on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda a few days ago when her husband appeared in a video message. He expressed on national TV how he loves his wife so much which made Gelli blush.

To have her own family is what she wanted and looked forward to since she was a little girl.

“I wanted to be a mom. I wanted to be a wife. That was clear to me. And it happened, talagang namanifest ko siya.”

“What I am trying to manifest now is for whatever happiness we have right now in the family, to just continue on for the rest of our lives.” n

Comedian JR de...

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three years in. I bombed pretty hard, and the audience was like, ‘Could you bring Alex back on?’ That was the hardest I’ve ever experienced in my life. That being said, if a joke doesn’t work—it’s like boxing—you just have to keep going unless it’s obvious that it was already making the crowd feel awkward.

What do you consider your most memorable show?

I feel that if you remember when you bombed, then you should also remember your best show. Two highlights for me, career-wise, would have to be opening for JoKoy at Madison Square Garden in New York City last year, and the one that took place in my hometown. I performed at a memorial auditorium, again, as an opening act. The tape from that show got me my first Netflix special.

Do you have a favorite joke inspired by your Filipino upbringing? How do foreigners relate to it?

I just talk about how I learned to sing and play music in the church because my grandma took me there twice a day when I was growing up. Talking about that stuff, everyone usually kind of gets it even if they’re not Christian, Catholic or Muslim. I feel that everyone relates to having strict, conservative and religious grandparents, who tell you to pray about every problem you have. Doing it in front of other cultures, I haven’t really had any problem with it. n

Newly-crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2023 Yllana Aduana says she has always been passionate about the environment. Photo from Instagram/@yanaaduana