052023 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

IT was a regrettable mistake. But Kim Sylvester thought she was doing the right thing at the time. Her 80-year-old mother, Harriet Burkel, had fallen at her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, fractured her pelvis, and gone to a rehabilitation center to recover. It was only days after the death of Burkel’s 82-year-old husband, who’d moved into a memory care facility three years before.

With growing distress, Sylvester had watched her mother, who had emphysema and peripheral artery disease, become increasingly frail and isolated. “I would say, ‘Can I help you?’ And my mother would say, ‘No, I can do this myself. I don’t need anything. I can handle it,’” Sylvester told me.

Now, Sylvester had a chance to get some more information. She let herself into her mother’s home and went through all the paperwork she could find. “It was a shambles — completely disorganized, bills everywhere,” she said. “It was clear things were out of control.”

Sylvester sprang into action, terminating her mother’s orders for anti-aging

The invisibility of Asians in America

STANFORD — The Asian American community is one of the oldest in the U.S., yet still are viewed as “foreigners” by many Americans.

“Discrimination has always shaped us. We have always been the yellow peril, or the dusky peril who threatens the very existence of America. There’s a myth out there that we will always be foreign,” said Dr. Russell Jeung, co-founder of the web portal Stop AAPI Hate and a professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University.

Jeung spoke at a May 16 panel discussion here on Asian American identity. KPIX news anchor Ryan Yamamoto moderated the discussion, which included speakers Neil Ruiz, Pew Research Center’s Head of New Research Initiatives; Dr. Malathi Srinivasan, Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University; and Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician who served in the California

sites not US bases – envoy

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson clarified on Wednesday, May 17 that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, which grant American troops greater access, are not U.S. military bases.

“These are not U.S. bases,” Carlson said in an interview on ANC as she explained that the EDCA sites are Philippine military bases where the U.S.

provides financial support and contributes capital for necessary improvements. She emphasized that all activities conducted by the U.S. in the country are done at the invitation of the Philippine government, including the use of EDCA sites.

“It’s important to note that these are not our sites. We have no rights to these sites. It’s not as simple as snapping a finger and suddenly having access to everything,” she said.

Earlier, President Marcos gave assurance that the new EDCA sites will not be utilized for offensive operations. However, China has criticized the establishment of these sites, claiming that they pose a threat to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, particularly targeting Beijing.

The Pentagon addressed these concerns by affirming that the U.S. is not seeking permanent bases in the Philippines through the new EDCA sites. It emphasized that activities carried out would  PAGE A2

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 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

by GABRIEL PABICO LALU Inquirer.net

MANILA

— Former President and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo broke her silence on her replacement as a senior deputy speaker, saying that her actions may have been misconstrued leading to claims that she was staging a coup.

Arroyo, in a statement, refuted the allegation, saying that it is no longer her goal to be elected as speaker of the House of

Representatives.

“When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a ‘coup’ against Speaker Romualdez, I decided I must speak out to clarify my political position. Indeed, some of my actions may have been misconstrued, such as my recent trip with a delegation of congressmen to Korea for some official meetings,” she said.

“To be clear, my political objectives are three: First, to represent the 2nd district of Pampanga. Second, to support the legislative

with murder

CRIMINAL complaints were filed on Wednesday, May 17 against Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. for the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4. Teves has been tagged as one of the masterminds in the killing of Degamo. Teves and his brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, have denied involvement in the killing.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that Teves

was charged with multiple counts of murder, multiple counts of frustrated murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.

Murder is a non-bailable offense.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed the complaints before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

"I was told by Director de Lemos (NBI Director Medardo de Lemos) that they were coming to file the complaint, and I think the panel of prosecutors

 PAGE A2

VICE President Sara Duterte on Friday, May 19 announced her resignation as a member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

In her statement, Duterte did not state the reason for quitting the party, but said she was grateful to the party's members for their support.

She said she will remain committed to serving the people and the country under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

As running mates under Lakas' banner, Marcos and Duterte won the 2022 presidential and vice presidential elections convincingly.

"Trust that my word, my commitment will be immutable," the vice president said. She said she was elected because of the trust given by the people to serve in the country, and this should not be "poisoned by political toxicity or undermined by execrable political powerplay."

Her resignation comes days after Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was demoted from the House of Representatives' senior deputy speaker to deputy speaker. Arroyo, a former president, was replaced by fellow Pampanga Rep. Aurelio  PAGE A2

SHOW OF FORCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. watches the demonstration of the Philippine Navy’s anti-air warfare capabilities from the BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales on

older parents resist help or advice, use these tips

EDCA sites not US bases...

be responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities.

“We provide funding and insert capital to make improvements that are to the benefit of both the Philippine military and also be helpful to the U.S. military in the event that any threat against either one of the two members of this mutual defense treaty alliance,” Carlson said.

During the recent U.S.Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington, top diplomatic and defense officials from both countries issued a joint statement affirming their support for the swift operationalization of the new sites as military bases under the EDCA.

The U.S. also pledged financial assistance to facilitate this process. With this, Carlson stressed that Washington’s commitment to the Philippines “stands on its own” and is not about China.

“The Mutual Defense Treaty dates back to 1951. Our commitment to the Philippines stands on its own,” she said. “(It) extends to Philippine armed forces, aircraft and public vessels, including those of its Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.”

Carlson added: “There’s so much that we’re working together. It’s not about China. It’s certainly not about China alone. It’s about what we do together and it dates back decades.”

She said that the Indo-Pacific region is a critical regional trade hub, noting that a large percentage of that passes through the West Philippine and South China Seas.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) will continue to make its presence felt in the disputed West Philippine Sea, but will not initiate any escalation of tensions.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosia Ezpeleta stressed that the PN will continue to take direction from the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea.

“We will continue to protect our territory. The Philippine Navy will continue to upgrade. We maintain to be the vanguards of our territory,” Ezpeleta said.

The government has allocated

P10 billion for the modernization of the Navy, with two high-tech ships scheduled to be delivered annually from next year until 2028.

“We are entering the capability stage. Compared to two years back, we are operating with dilapidated vessels. We are very capable now compared to ten years ago in terms of number of ships, trainings and all,” said Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Fleet deputy commander.

The Navy is also working to strengthen its recruitment program to attract more technical personnel with backgrounds in engineering, IT and computers.

Ezpeleta took pride in a Filipino scientist who had invented a remote-controlled gun named “Buhawi” which they now use in smaller ships. “We have many engineers and scientists developing our arms. We are also training the capacity of our personnel,” he said.

Moreover, the Navy has procured nine advanced ships from Israel, and personnel have undergone comprehensive training on ship operations and maintenance.

Collaboration with nongovernmental organizations is also underway to support the Navy’s modernization goals. Ezpeleta revealed ongoing negotiations for the allocation of 10 hectares of reclaimed land along Roxas Boulevard for Philippine Navy use.

On Wednesday, Gen. Andres Centino, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was in Balabac, Palawan to urge the fast-tracking of military infrastructure projects on the island.

Centino was particularly interested in the completion of the Balabac military runway, one of four additional EDCA sites that can receive assistance from the U.S. for base development.

Balabac’s strategic location as a municipality on an island chain in the West Philippine Sea, through which vessels from international waters pass, is crucial for detecting and identifying foreign intrusions.

The Balabac military runway, which will be a joint-use air facility for the Philippine Air Force and the local government unit, is part of a larger project for further development of the facility under the EDCA partnership with the U.S..

The AFP also aims to develop the Narciso del Rosario Naval Station in Onok Island into a full naval base that can receive EDCA base development assistance.

Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong underscored on Wednesday the arbitral ruling that Australia supports for a stable and prosperous region where norms apply.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Wong said Australia’s national interests are aligned with the Philippines’. 

Comelec approves online voting for...

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 and sanctity of the entire pro-

cess, 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

Sara quits Lakas...

Gonzales Jr. of Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Rumors abound that Arroyo was plotting to unseat Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who is the party president, as speaker. Arroyo, the Lakas-CMD president emerita, is said to be instrumental in convincing Sara Duterte to run as vice president under the party.

She was named chairman of Lakas-CMD in December 2021 by Romualdez and party cochairman Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. during the wedding of one of Revilla's daughters.

Later, Duterte substituted for a certain Lyle Uy, who filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president in the 2022 elections.

It is not known if Sara would remain as chairman of her indigenous party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which coalesced with Lakas-CMD in the run-up to the elections.

In Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, President Marcos on Friday said Duterte left Lakas-CMD because she "has too much work to do."

"It's exactly as she says. Alam mo naman si Inday Sara (You know Inday Sara), she's very plain-spoken. Kung ano yung sinabi niya, 'yun ang ibig sabihin n'ya (She means what she says). She has too much work to do. She cannot be involved in any of this, she cannot allow herself to be distracted, that's the way I read it," Marcos told reporters after attending the inauguration of a wind farm in Pagudpud.

He said the vice president must "concentrate" on her duties as Education secretary and co-vice

chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac).

"Kung titingnan mo kung ano 'yung mga hinaharap niya, talagang marami talaga at hindi siya pwede to be (If you will see what she has to deal with, she has a lot of work to do and she cannot be) involved in whatever it is that's going on, she has to concentrate on her job," the president said.

In a statement issued Friday, Lakas-CMD said that it "respected" Duterte's decision to leave the party and supported her call to its members to continue supporting President Marcos.

The statement was issued through Lakas-CMD SecretaryGeneral Jose Aquino 2nd.

"As we respect her decision, we understand her reason for leaving the political party," Lakas said.

Duterte was the mayor of Davao City when she joined Lakas-CMD barely hours after leaving Hugpong ng Pagbabago on Nov. 11, 2021.

Lakas-CMD has 71 members in the House, making it part of the supermajority coalition led by Romualdez.

Revilla said Lakas-CMD continues to be united and supportive of the leadership of President Marcos under the stewardship of Romualdez.

Romualdez is a first cousin of Marcos and a close ally of Arroyo.

Revilla also said Lakas-CMD continues to be the country's dominant party.

"Our decades-long solidarity has witnessed and endured

Teves charged with...

was convened to receive the complaints. What I know is Teves is the only respondent in the complaint that was filed because the investigation is still ongoing for other cases and other suspects and other roles and crimes," Remulla said. Summons was issued to Teves' last known address.

"He has to come home or they will file the case in court and a warrant will be issued in absentia (in his absence)," Remulla said, noting Teves will become a fugitive if he refused to surrender after the issuance of an arrest warrant.

"He will lose a lot of things if he becomes a fugitive. Cancellation of passport is one. So, he will have a hard time moving around," he added.

Remulla said Teves' assets will be frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Council once he is categorized as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

He stood firm on the reliability of his source that said Teves will return to the Philippines on Wednesday, May 17, which did not happen.

"What we know is Teves secured tickets. We have sources who tell us his movements," Remulla said.

Teves mocked Remulla's informants, dismissing the Justice secretary's announcement as "fake news."

"You want a more reliable source? Who is the more reliable

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. 

many trials which only strengthened our bond that is founded on our shared passion to serve our nation. Through the darkest of storms and greatest of tribulations, we have proven time and again that our unity will never be torn down," he said in a statement.

"Pinagtibay at pinagbigkis ang samahang ito ng pagsasama at pag-uunawaang hinubog at pinanday ng panahon. Sinubok pero hindi nawasak, bagkus ay palakas pa ng palakas (The party was organized by a time-tested unity and understanding. It was challenged, but it was never torn down. It became stronger and stronger)," Revilla said.

Liberal Party President and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said that even before the 2025 midterm elections, the positioning and competition for the 2028 presidential elections had begun.

"The stripping of Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of her Senior Deputy Speaker position and the subsequent resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from the ruling Lakas-CMD party are obviously related," Lagman said.

He said Arroyo and Duterte "were the principal conspirators in the ouster of then-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the ascendancy of Arroyo as Speaker in 2018."

"The power play and intramurals in Lakas may result in further resignations by Arroyo and Duterte loyalists. These political developments will have repercussions in the revamp of the Marcos cabinet," Lagman said. 

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. File photo

source, their source or me?" he said in a radio interview.

"[That is] fake news. They should have asked me before they start talking about my decisions, isn't it?" he added.

Teves' legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said that using the ATC against a nonterrorist individual for a purpose other than its intended use, would warp the law and compromise justice.

Topacio added that an individual's passport can only be canceled if the holder is a fugitive from justice, convicted by final judgment, or if the passport was tampered with or

fraudulently obtained, noting none of these apply to Teves.

He warned that causing undue injury to any person under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act is considered graft, and it is an all-encompassing law.

"They would be in violation of the law, and we may have recourse to the courts to annul the action and Ombudsman because that would be a case of graft," Topacio said.

Meanwhile, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges will hold a discussion on May 23 concerning Teves' 60-day suspension that will end on May 22. 

PAGE A1

PAGE A1

FREE HIV TEST. The Olympus Society of Davao conducts free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening tests and gave out free lubricants and condoms at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Friday, May 19. The group will also hold the annual candle-lighting ceremony to remember people who died from HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

PAGE A1

MaryKay Carlson, the United States’ new envoy to the Philippines Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

Arroyo breaks silence...

agenda of Speaker Romualdez and President Marcos. Third, to use whatever experience I have as a former president to help out when I am called upon to do so,” she added.

Arroyo admitted that when Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos was elected president last year, she wanted to aspire for the speakership, but realized the wisdom in having Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as the speaker instead.

"When President Marcos won, I wanted to aspire for the Speakership of the House. But it soon became apparent that he was most comfortable with then Congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker. I quickly realized the wisdom embedded in that sentiment,” she said.

“In the Philippines, the House leadership has traditionally been closely associated with the sitting president, and this relationship of deep trust between speaker and president has been beneficial in smoothly enacting the legislative agenda of the president. I think this is acceptable, because in the

Philippines, the check and balance needed in any democracy has traditionally been well-provided by the Senate,” she added.

During Wednesday’s session, May 17, the House approved changes in the leadership, with Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. being elected as the senior deputy speaker.

Arroyo then replaced Gonzales as deputy speaker.

In separate statements on Thursday, May 18, several lawmakers congratulated

Gonzales after the latter was elected.

PDP-Laban — which Gonzales is a part of — meanwhile said that the move to elevate Gonzales is a recognition of their party-mates’ contribution to the legislative body.

Initially, Arroyo said that the move was the prerogative of the House of Representatives.

“It’s the prerogative of the House,” Arroyo said in a short statement sent by her office to reporters. 

A COVID test Medicare scam may be a trial run for further fraud

by SUSAN JAFFE California Healthline

MEDICARE coverage for athome COVID-19 tests ended last week, but the scams spawned by the temporary pandemic benefit could have lingering consequences for seniors.

Medicare advocates around the country who track fraud noticed an eleventh-hour rise in complaints from beneficiaries who received tests — sometimes by the dozen — that they never requested. It’s a signal that someone may have been using, and could continue to use, seniors’ Medicare information to improperly bill the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General has received complaints from around the country about unsolicited tests being billed to Medicare, said a top investigator. Earlier this year, the office posted a fraud warning on its website, urging consumers to report this and other COVID-

related scams.

“Unfortunately, most of these schemes are the result of bad actors receiving stolen Medicare beneficiary information,” Scott Lampert, assistant inspector general for investigations, told KFF Health News.

Being targeted once can mean a person is vulnerable to future scams. A stolen Medicare number can be used repeatedly to get payment for all kinds of things or sold to other fraudsters, said María Alvarez, who oversees New York state’s Senior Medicare Patrol. The organization helps identify and educate beneficiaries about Medicare fraud throughout the country.

“If you have someone’s Medicare number, you can bill Medicare for procedures, tests, drugs, services, and durable medical equipment,” Alvarez said. “On the dark web, Medicare numbers are more valuable than credit card or Social Security numbers.”

One beneficiary in Indiana suspected something was amiss

after receiving 32 unrequested tests over a 10-day period, said Nancy Moore, the Senior Medicare Patrol program director for Indiana. None of the people who submitted a complaint recalled giving out their Medicare number, she said. In another variation of the problem, Medicare paid for tests for some Ohio beneficiaries who never received them, said Lisa Dalga, project manager for the state’s Senior Medicare Patrol.

“Information is the commodity of the 21st century,” said Moore, who said she urges beneficiaries to guard their Medicare numbers. It is possible that some unwanted packages were a mistake, after pharmacies or other suppliers turned a one-time request into a continuing monthly order, a switch allowed under the program’s rules that beneficiaries were responsible for correcting.

Along

 PAGE A5

When older parents resist help or advice...

supplements, canceling two car warranty insurance policies (Burkel wasn’t driving at that point), ending a yearlong contract for knee injections with a chiropractor, and throwing out donation requests from dozens of organizations. When her mother found out, she was furious.

“I was trying to save my mother, but I became someone she couldn’t trust — the enemy. I really messed up,” Sylvester said.

Dealing with an older parent who stubbornly resists offers of help isn’t easy. But the solution isn’t to make an older person feel like you’re steamrolling them and taking over their affairs. What’s needed instead are respect, empathy, and appreciation of the older person’s autonomy.

“It’s hard when you see an older person making poor choices and decisions. But if that person is cognitively intact, you can’t force them to do what you think they should do,” said Anne Sansevero, president of the board of directors of the Aging Life Care Association, a national organization of care managers who work with older adults and their families. “They have a right to make choices for themselves.” That doesn’t mean adult children concerned about an older parent should step aside or agree to everything the parent proposes. Rather, a different set of skills is needed.

Cheryl Woodson, an author and retired physician based in the Chicago area, learned this firsthand when her mother — whom Woodson described as a “very powerful” woman — developed mild cognitive impairment. She started getting lost while driving and would buy things she didn’t need then give them away.

Chastising her mother wasn’t going to work. “You can’t push people like my mother or try to take control,” Woodson told me.

“You don’t tell them, ‘No, you’re wrong,’ because they changed your diapers and they’ll always be your mom.”

Instead, Woodson learned to appeal to her mother’s pride in being the family matriarch.

“Whenever she got upset, I’d ask her, ‘Mother, what year was it that Aunt Terri got married?’ or ‘Mother, I don’t remember how to make macaroni. How much cheese do you put in?’ And she’d forget what she was worked up about and we’d just go on from there.”

Woodson, author of “To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, a Doctor’s Advice,” also learned to apply a “does it really matter

to safety or health?” standard to her mother’s behavior. It helped Woodson let go of her sometimes unreasonable expectations. One example she related: “My mother used to shake hot sauce on pancakes. It would drive my brother nuts, but she was eating, and that was good.”

“You don’t want to rub their nose into their incapacity,” said Woodson, whose mother died in 2003.

Barry Jacobs, a clinical psychologist and family therapist, sounded similar themes in describing a psychiatrist in his late 70s who didn’t like to bend to authority. After his wife died, the older man stopped shaving and changing his clothes regularly. Though he had diabetes, he didn’t want to see a physician and instead prescribed medicine for himself. Even after several strokes compromised his vision, he insisted on driving.

Jacobs’ take: “You don’t want to go toe-to-toe with someone like this, because you will lose. They’re almost daring you to tell them what to do so they can show you they won’t follow your advice.”

What’s the alternative? “I would employ empathy and appeal to this person’s pride as a basis for handling adversity or change,” Jacobs said. “I might say something along the lines of, ‘I know you don’t want to stop driving and that this will be very painful for you. But I know you have faced difficult, painful changes before and you’ll find your way through this.’”

“You’re appealing to their ideal self rather than treating them as if they don’t have the right to make their own decisions anymore,” he explained. In the older psychiatrist’s case, conflict with his four children was constant, but he eventually stopped driving.

Another strategy that can be useful: “Show up, but do it in a way that’s face-saving,” Jacobs said. Instead of asking your father if you can check in on him, “Go to his house and say, ‘The kids really wanted to see you. I hope you don’t mind.’ Or, ‘We made too much food. I hope you don’t mind my bringing it over.’ Or, ‘I wanted to stop by. I hope you can give me some advice about this issue that’s on my mind.’”

This psychiatrist didn’t have any cognitive problems, though he wasn’t as sharp as he used to be. But encroaching cognitive impairment often colors difficult family interactions.

If you think this might be a factor with your parent, instead of trying to persuade them to accept more help at home, try to get them medically evaluated,

said Leslie Kernisan, author of “When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-byStep Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, and More.”

“Decreased brain function can affect an older adult’s insight and judgment and ability to understand the risks of certain actions or situations, while also making people suspicious and defensive,” she noted.

This doesn’t mean you should give up on talking to an older parent with mild cognitive impairment or earlystage dementia, however. “You always want to give the older adult a chance to weigh in and talk about what’s important to them and their feelings and concerns,” Kernisan said.

“If you frame your suggestions as a way of helping your parent achieve a goal they’ve said was important, they tend to be much more receptive to it,” she said.

A turning point for Sylvester and her mother came when the older woman, who developed dementia, went to a nursing home at the end of 2021. Her mother, who at first didn’t realize the move was permanent, was furious, and Sylvester waited two months before visiting. When she finally walked into Burkel’s room, bearing a Valentine’s Day wreath, Burkel hugged her and said, “I’m so glad to see you,” before pulling away. “But I’m so mad at my other daughter.” Sylvester, who doesn’t have a sister, responded, “I know, Mom. She meant well, but she didn’t handle things properly.” She learned the value of what she calls a “therapeutic fiblet” from Kernisan, who ran a family caregiver group Sylvester attended between 2019 and 2021.

After that visit, Sylvester saw her mother often, and all was well between the two women up until Burkel’s death. “If something was upsetting my mother, I would just go, ‘Interesting,’ or, ‘That’s a thought.’ You have to give yourself time to remember this is not the person you used to know and create the person you need to be your parent, who’s changed so much.”

(Judith Graham/KFF Health News)

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

We’re eager to hear from readers about questions you’d like answered, problems you’ve been having with your care, and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit kffhealthnews.org/columnists to submit your requests or tips.

with those from New York, Indiana, and Ohio, Senior Medicare Patrol directors in Tennessee, Texas, and Utah told

INCLUSIVITY SUMMIT. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (center) takes the stage during the Language and Inclusion Summit at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Friday, May 19, along with Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Loren Legarda, United States Agency for International Development deputy mission director Rebekah Eubanks (3rd, 5th and 6th from left) and other Department of Education officials. Duterte promised to push for initiatives that would provide Filipino learners with equitable access to quality and inclusive education to address the so-called culture of “othering” or the pattern of exclusion and marginalization, considering differences in identities from the dominant group. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Former president and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Inquirer.net file photo

The invisibility of Asians in...

state Senate for seven years.

The discussion — organized by the Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education in partnership with the Stanford Asian Staff Forum and Asian American Journalists Association, San Francisco — was presented on the heels of a multi-year survey of Asian Americans, released by the Pew Research Center May 8.

Who belongs here?

Another report released May 4 by The Asian American Foundation found that 4 out of 5 Asian Americans feel as though they don’t belong. More than half say they feel unsafe, especially on the streets. “It is startling to see that more than one in four of Americans still think Asian Americans are more loyal to their country of origin. These unfortunate and enduring misperceptions erode our sense of belonging and safety as AAPIs,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF, in an introduction to the report.

In the early 1900s, Asians were associated with bringing smallpox, malaria, and leprosy to the U.S., which led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924. Asians were barred from entering the U.S., and the population already here was barred from buying land, similar to three bills currently pending in the Texas state Legislature.

De-coupling China and Chinese Americans

“History is repeating itself. We knew as Covid was coming that Asian Americans would be blamed,” said Jeung, who founded Stop AAPI Hate in April 2020, with co-founders Manjusha Kulkarni and Cynthia Choi. Since its inception, the portal has logged more than 11,000 acts of hate violence against AAPIs.

Responding to a question from EMS, Jeung said that people who believe that China is the greatest threat to the U.S. also believe that Chinese Americans are a threat. “It is okay to criticize China policy, but we have to de-couple China from Chinese Americans,” said Jeung.

Pew study findings

Ruiz laid out the findings of the Pew study, the largest-ever survey of AAPIs. Questionnaires were sent out to more than 268,000 people, and 7,006

interviews were completed. Some key findings with regards to self-identity:

• About half (52%) of Asian adults say they describe themselves most often by their ethnic origin, either alone (26%) such as Japanese or Korean or in combination with American (25%) such as Vietnamese American.

• 28% describe themselves as Asians, either alone (12%) or as Asian American (16%).

• Just 10% describe themselves as Americans.

• 41% of Indians use only their ethnic identity, without adding American. Japanese Americans are the least likely to identify by ethnicity alone.

• Almost 1/3 of 3rd generation Asian Americans identify simply as Americans.

• More than half of Asian Americans say the majority of their friends are from their same ethnic group. But that changes over time. About 38% of second generation AAPIs have only friends of their ethnicity.

• 86% of Asian Americans say they are comfortable with interracial marriages and marrying outside their race.

• One in 5 Asian American adults have hidden some portion of their identity from nonAsians.

Disaggregated health data

Srinivasan discussed the need for disaggregated health data for Asian Americans, noting that genetic differences, income and lifestyle disparities play a huge role in determining health outcomes. South Asians, for example, are more prone to diabetes and heart issues than the Asian American population at large, while Chinese Americans have a greater rate of cancer than the overall population.

Vietnamese Americans have the highest prevalence of Hepatitis B. But such information is largely anecdotal, without data to support it, said Srinivasan, noting that the process by which to disaggregate AAPI health data is complex and must balance with privacy laws.

Less than 0.15% of National Institutes of Health funding is allocated to researchers working on studies specific to the AAPI community, noted Srinivasan.

Relatedly, many immigrants face huge barriers to getting appropriate medical care — from even understanding how

the American healthcare system works and describing their medical issues. “We need to train our doctors better, and also empower our patients on how to ask for or demand better healthcare,” said Srinivasan.

‘Where are the Asian Americans?’

Pan echoed Srinivasan’s remarks, noting that only about 3% of papers published in scientific journals have outcomes for AAPIs. “Where are the Asian Americans? And why aren’t you reporting it?” he often asks his colleagues, who say the numbers are too small to be significant.

“We have to stand up to the NIH and to researchers to report outcomes for AAPIs. If we are not mentioned, we cannot make change,” said Pan.

The pediatrician noted that Asian Americans are overrepresented at the lower levels of healthcare, but rarely are the decision makers or in leadership roles. “As you go up, we disappear,” he said. “We are not in the board room. And that has to change.”

‘Change that accent’ Both Pan and Yamamoto spoke about language discrimination they personally faced. When Pan was growing up, his parents spoke primarily Mandarin at home; he was put in special education because of his poor English skills. “So from then on, I refused to speak Mandarin,” he said.

Yamamoto — whose family spent time in internment camps — said that his career as a newsman has taken him across the U.S. “At times, I was the only person who looked like me in the newsroom, but viewers accepted it.”

“But one editor pulled me aside one day and said: ‘Ryan, you’re going to have a great career in journalism, but you need to work on that accent.’”

The American-born Yamamoto said he was greatly upset by the incident. “I don’t speak Japanese. My parents don’t speak Japanese. The Japanese language was lost for many Americans after World War II.”

“My grandmother used to tell my father never to speak Japanese because of what could happen if we were heard uttering a single word. So we don’t speak Japanese,” he said. (Sunita

Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)

A COVID test Medicare scam may be a...

KFF Health News they noted a rise in complaints about the unwanted tests as the benefit’s cutoff date approached.

Alvarez said lately test suppliers had “gotten more aggressive,” calling and emailing seniors — something legitimate Medicare representatives do not do — as well as running misleading internet ads.

When the COVID-19 public health emergency ended on May 11, Medicare stopped paying for over-the-counter tests, though it continues to cover those provided in a clinic, doctor’s office, or other health care setting and processed by a laboratory. Some private Medicare Advantage plans may continue paying for the at-home tests. Medicare spent $900.8 billion providing health coverage to 64 million beneficiaries in 2021. But the program loses as much as $90 billion a year to fraudulent claims. Some of the more wellknown scams have involved medical equipment like power wheelchairs.

Sara Lonardo, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, confirmed Medicare received complaints about unwanted tests but said they came from only “a small portion” of Medicare beneficiaries who received tests.

Last year, President Joe Biden’s administration offered all households a limited number of at-home tests for free, increasing access to testing as part of its effort to combat COVID-19.

A few months later, in April 2022, CMS decided to pay for eight tests per month for those with Medicare Part B outpatient coverage, including tens of millions of seniors, one of the groups most susceptible to severe illness and death from the virus. It was the first time the agency agreed to cover non-prescription, over-the-counter products at no cost to beneficiaries.

In a statement last month, federal law enforcement officials said “wrongdoers allegedly sought to exploit the program by repeatedly supplying patients or, in some instances, deceased patients, with dozens of COVID-19 tests that they did not want or need.”

So far, prosecutors at the Department of Justice have confirmed only one case involving the testing scam. A doctor in Florida and a test supplier in

Georgia face charges after they were accused of illegally paying an unnamed Virginia marketing company approximately $85,000 to obtain beneficiary numbers “for thousands of Medicare beneficiaries throughout the United States,” according to an indictment filed by the Department of Justice last month and obtained by KFF Health News.

The indictment said the pair submitted more than $8.4 million in fraudulent claims for COVID tests “regardless of whether the Medicare beneficiaries had requested or needed the tests.”

Lampert declined to say how many complaints the OIG had received, adding, “There may or may not be some other ongoing investigations that we just cannot discuss yet.”

The details of several Medicare Summary Notices — quarterly statements of services beneficiaries received — obtained by KFF Health News show Medicare paid suppliers $94.08 for at-home COVID testing using a billing code for “a single test.” Most retail pharmacies sell a two-pack of tests for about $24.

Lonardo said Medicare paid up to $12 for one test and that the number of covered tests was limited to reduce “the risk of abusive billing.” She declined to explain why the Medicare Summary Notices indicated a payment of $94.08.

Beneficiaries may be the best fraud detectives for preventing medical identity theft. Senior Medicare Patrol programs encourage them to look for any items on their benefits statements — like back braces and lab tests — that Medicare paid for but that they never received.

If Medicare has paid for an item once, beneficiaries may not be able to get it when they really need it — regardless of whether they actually received it.

Diane Borton, a 72-year-old from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has thrown out some of the expired tests she received but never asked for, yet she still has 25 tests. She said she called the 1-800-MEDICARE helpline twice about the unwanted packages but was told nothing could be done to stop them.

Borton didn’t pay for her supply, but that’s not why she’s concerned. “I don’t want my government paying for something that I’m not going to use and I

didn’t ask for,” she said. “I feel like it is such a waste of money.”

People with Medicare or private Medicare Advantage plans who receive medical supplies they didn’t order can contact the Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center at 1-877-808-2468.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Southern California Regional Rail Authority

PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG FY2023-24 TAUNANG BUDGET

Ang Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) na nagpapatakbo ng Metrolink commuter rail system ay magsasagawa ng isang Pampublikong Pagdinig tungkol sa pagpapatibay ng iminungkahing Taunang Budget nito para sa Taon ng Pananalapi FY202324. Ang pagdinig na ito ay nasa agenda ng SCRRA Board Meeting sa: Hunyo 23, 2023 sa ika-10:00 a.m. sa Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Room na matatagpuan sa: One Gateway Plaza, 3rd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012 Ang mga kopya ng iminungkahing FY2023-24 na Taunang Badyet ay makukuha para sa pampublikong inspeksyon Lunes hanggang Biyernes, mula 8:00 a.m. hanggang 5:00 p.m. sa opisina ng SCRRA, 900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Hunyo 5 hanggang Hunyo 22, 2023, at sa elektronikong pormat sa aming website sa www.metrolinktrains.com

5/20/23 CNS-3697758#

Undue haste

LAST year, within a record 17 days from filing to final approval on third reading, the House of Representatives rubberstamped the Malacañang-certified bill creating the Maharlika Investment Fund. The passage in mid-December was rushed apparently so that President Marcos and his economic team could have something to tout while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland weeks later in January.

On the way to the Senate, the MIF proposal morphed into something unrecognizable, from its nature to its funding sources to its management. The original proponents retreated from their plan to tap state and private pension funds – but this plan could still be restored. Even investment bankers are still seeking clarity on the proposal.

Editorial

the proposal have also pointed out that if the MIF becomes an investment fund, it could merely duplicate the functions of the DBP and Landbank, but at substantial additional costs paid to the fund managers.

Critics have said the country does not have surplus assets to set up a sovereign wealth fund. Instead what the country has is P13.86 trillion in national debt as of end-March, with about P1 trillion added to that debt pile by the new administration in its first nine months alone.

There is resistance to the continuing push for the inclusion of funds from the Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, with fears raised that it would compromise the independence of the BSP. Opponents of

Given the scandals in this country, warnings have been raised that the fund could turn out like the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad sovereign wealth fund, whose abuse and mismanagement sent former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak to prison for corruption, with his wife Rosmah Mansor also landing behind bars for bribery offenses. Critics have also stressed that this is a bad time to set up a sovereign wealth fund or state investment fund amid the global financial turmoil. All these concerns make the push to railroad the MIF bill through Congress mystifying. The economic team reportedly wants the Senate version passed on third and final reading

before Congress adjourns on June 2, so that President Marcos can sign it into law before his second State of the Nation Address on

July 24. Such undue haste involving billions in public funds guarantee a bad start for the MIF. (Philstar.com)

No way to rebrand the Philippines: A dissent

A LITTLE hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole. It's an innocent form of exaggeration — and a very effective form of promotion.

– Donald Trump

First word

Donald Trump suddenly came to mind as I read with much interest the report that the government will roll out soon a rebranding of the country's tourism campaign following the approval by President Marcos of a five-year plan to promote and transform the Philippines into a "tourism powerhouse."

At a Palace briefing on Tuesday, May 16, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco announced that the administration will unveil the country's "enhanced" tourism slogan in the coming weeks, which will showcase the "heart and soul" of the Filipino people.

"But we will engage in consultation with our tourism stakeholders first, as their opinions matter to us," Frasco told the Malacañang press. "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, and while the DoT (Department of Tourism) has not yet come out with an enhanced tourism slogan of that as a country brand, I assure you, you'll love it."

Earlier this month, Frasco said the DoT would come up with a tourism brand that would enhance the country's present slogan, "It's more fun in the Philippines," which was conceptualized during the time of the late President Benigno Aquino III.

The rebranding campaign, which was rolled out by the office of President Marcos Jr.'s creative communications adviser Paul Soriano late last year, was used in an advertisement on London buses that came out during the coronation of King Charles III.

The advertisement, "We give the world our best. The Philippines," featured May Parsons, the Filipino British nurse who administered the first Covid jab.

Critics have questioned the connection between vaccination and tourism, but Soriano has clarified that the ad was not meant to promote the country' tourist destinations.

Former Tourism secretary Richard Gordon weighed in on the controversial advertisement promoting the Philippines in London, saying the advertisement should have used the tagline "Women of Wonder: May Parsons" or "WOW" (echoing his own stint as Tourism secretary).

Matec Villanueva, a marketing professor, pointed out that the advertisement was not well conceived and lacked clarity from a marketing communications point of view.

Asked if there would be a change in the country's marketing strategy, Frasco replied: "The main change, first of all, is that the focus of the DoT will be to

highlight the heart and soul of the Filipino that is evident in our culture, our festivals, our food, the local products of our small and medium enterprises, our living cultural heritage, everything that makes us diverse and unique and a proud Filipino people that gives us pride of place."

Frasco said the proposed national tourism development plan for 2023 to 2028 is the result of consultations among the Tourism Coordinating Council and stakeholders from various regions in the country.

"We are grateful to the president for articulating early on in his administration his priority for tourism development. This has resulted in a convergence among government agencies as far as giving full support to the development of the industry, recognizing the losses that have ensued as a result of the pandemic and various calamities," she said.

The plan contains seven objectives that focus on essential pillars of development to give the Philippines a "fighting chance at becoming a tourism powerhouse," she said.

She said the objectives involve not just promoting the Philippines but also addressing the essential issues of tourism development, including the development of infrastructure, connectivity, digitalization, equalization of tourism and promotion, enhancement of overall tourist experience, and strengthening of tourism governance.

"We are excited to launch in a few weeks the Philippine experience, which gives our people an opportunity to experience not just our

De Lima unbound

FORMER senator Leila de Lima's acquittal in two of the three cases that had kept her under police detention for most of her past six years as a senator has been widely cheered across the nation. But it has not been unanimous. Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has been cited as the reason behind de Lima's extended incarceration, has weighed in to say her acquittal was flawed for a number of reasons.

Whether or not he's correct, I hope his remarks would have no significant effect on the judicial disposition of her third and last remaining case. I would like to see de Lima out of jail.

Some administration supporters surmise that if de Lima were acquitted of everything today, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr (BBM) could claim credit for it, even though he has absolutely nothing to do with it. He would be like Cory Aquino basking in the limelight after releasing all of Ferdinand Marcos' communist detainees from military prison in 1986. Yet if de Lima walked out of jail and started talking about reviving the cases against Duterte concerning human rights, she could make things a little difficult for BBM, as far as Duterte is concerned. As Duterte does not welcome de Lima, his political followers, who constitute a big part of BBM's supporters, will certainly not welcome her.

The issues Duterte has raised, through his lawyer Sal Panelo, are now academic; they have

no way of undoing the ruling of the court. But one large issue raised by other sources is not legal but political: it has to do with what de Lima intends to do after her political ordeal is over. Will she try to reconstitute her political career for a possible Senate rerun in the next election, or will she reengage Duterte in their unfinished drug conflict which the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague is also trying to investigate? Since BBM is committed to protect Duterte from the ICC, where the Philippines has renounced its membership to evade the court's jurisdiction, would he try to persuade de Lima not to revive her interest in Duterte's past cases? Or would BBM simply keep his hands off?

How would it look if BBM tried but failed to stop de Lima from reviving drug-related

destinations but also re-introduce them to the heart and soul of the Filipinos through our food and the like," Frasco said. It seemed reasonable at first to just encourage this talk. But having worked by turns in advertising, public relations, journalism, management consultancy and public policy research, I know how tricky and challenging the work of transforming a country's brand and image is. "Best of the best" sounded too much like a Trump hyperbole. I became skeptical and quizzical over the rhapsodic descriptions of the Philippine rebranding project because I discovered to my astonishment that many country rebranding campaigns did not actually succeed, despite all the media notices.

In a highly informative and illuminating book, "National Image and Competitive Advantage," by Eugene D. Jaffe and Israel Nebenzahl (Copenhagen Business School Press, Copenhagen, 2001), the authors discussed the theory of product, brand and country image, and the process and practice of country rebranding.

Jaffe and Nebenzahl wrote: "In practice, can a nation be branded like a company? If so, such a national brand would be the image by which the country's products and services would be identified in the minds of consumers. They listed three essentials necessary to build a national brand or country image:

1. The brand would have to be used consistently over many products and services.

2. Companies using the brand

charges against the former president? Wouldn't Duterte's followers blame BBM, and perhaps accuse him of having put de Lima up to it? Already, one regional online platform, the Asia Sentinel, has suggested that some Marcos elements may have intervened to facilitate de Lima's acquittal. Some have also suggested that certain personalities in the European Union were responsible for it. This seems a bit far-fetched, but some facts tend to support it. Members of parliament (MPs) from all over the world, during their regular international meetings, normally take up the case of "Members of parliament in prison." When I was in the Senate from 1992 to 2001, I used to speak to this issue at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meetings in various parts of the world; de Lima might have benefited from this friendly parliamentary intervention.

Until now, de Lima has been

must have corporate values consonant with those determined by the organizer of the brand campaign.

3. Participating companies will have to agree to the brand agenda.

Examples of country branding

The authors then discussed case examples of country branding or rebranding. Surprisingly, many campaigns that I had long regarded as successes turned out in fact to be wanting.

In 1997, the UK launched a branding campaign supported by British industry entitled "Cool Britannia" during the prime ministership of Tony Blair. The idea behind the campaign was to give Britain an image that was hip and trendy.

In Blair's view, it was time to rebrand Britain as one of the world's pioneers rather than one of its museums. "I'm proud of my country's past, but I don't want to live in it."

The country's logo was changed from "Rule Britannia" to "Cool Britannia."

The Cool Britannia campaign failed to brand Britain successfully. The campaign lacked substance and was underfinanced.

In 1999, ZDF, the German television network approached identity consultant Wolff Olins to create a national brand for Germany. The campaign's main objective was to change consumer perceptions of Germany from a nation of mechanical perfection to one of creativity and dynamism, one that was exciting and surprising.

Research undertaken by the

described as an international "prisoner of conscience." She did not have to break any bones for it; but this cannot be a full-time job, she will have to consider doing something useful once she is out of prison. Her political life is far from over; she might want to return to the Senate and contribute what she can to its work on the floor, while she keeps her eye on the foreseeable future. Given our poverty-stricken political landscape that offers rather lackluster possibilities outside of the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties, she might begin to consider the only logical possibilities after her Senate rerun. She might want to reenergize her human rights campaign and renew her fight with the former president as the springboard of any of her future plans.

As a former secretary of justice and former chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, de Lima had tried to go after

New Zealand Trade Development Board showed that while the country was generally regarded as distant and friendly, having a strong and lean association leads to a vague understanding.

The "New Zealand Way" national brand represented by a fern symbol was launched in 1993. The country's top 10 foreign currency firms financed the campaign.

The New Zealand and UK campaigns showed the importance of cooperation among stakeholders and across industries.

If we review the current efforts at rebranding the Philippines by the Department of Tourism against the insights and recommendations about national image, we have to conclude that its chief local promoters have barely scratched the surface of the challenge.

Boasting about offering the best of the best and being the best is acutely embarrassing for most Filipinos. We do not like bragging.

Alas, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. started this epidemic of boasting, when he flattered Filipino communities abroad during his recent travels with the quip that "Filipinos are the best people in the world."

They cheered ecstatically, of course, but they also did not believe him. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

* * * yenobserver@gmail.com

Duterte for his ICC-punishable crimes. This cost her everything after Duterte countered with serious criminal charges that put her in jail. But adversity might have taught her a lesson or two that could help her in a possible rematch. Duterte is now handicapped by the ICC charges, and he is no longer the big man with the big stick. De Lima could easily win the final round, and take Duterte all the way to the ICC for her slice of justice from the international court. Or she could win even bigger by offering Duterte a conciliatory hand and ending a prolonged season of political adversity and strife at her own terms. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

* * * fstatad@gmail.com

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

7.5 million Filipinos

to receive in ation ‘ayuda’ worth P500 each

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, May 19 announced it would release inflation ‘ayuda’ (aid) to 7.5 million Filipinos, with each beneficiary receiving a P500 cash transfer.

This comes after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved a special allotment release order of P7.6 billion for the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program.

"DSWD is now ready to facilitate the [P500 cash] transfers to assist around 7.5 million beneficiaries in coping with the continuing effects of high inflation,” the department

said in a statement. DSWD had previously said it was targeting around 9.3 million Filipinos, hoping to distribute P500 aid per month. The number of beneficiaries announced on Friday (7.5 million) is 1.8 million less than the 9.3 million the department had targeted. When asked about this, DSWD spokesperson Romel Lopez said there was still a chance to cover the remaining target. “As long as may available budget po, may chance pa macover pa yung [1.8 million]. Regarding funding, the DBM and [Department of Finance] are in a better position to answer that. We are just an implementing body,” he said in

a message.

(As long as there is an available budget, there is a chance to cover the 1.8 million. Regarding the funding, the DBM and the Department of Finance are in a better position to answer that. We are just an implementing body.) When asked if there are remaining funds available for the TCT, the DBM said the funds have all been released.

“We have recomputed the TCT fund requirements based on the recalibrated number of targeted beneficiaries for the two-month period amounting to P7,684,844,351.07,” the DBM said. Asked who recalibrated the target beneficiaries, the DBM said it was the implementing agency. 

Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes beats Manny Pacquiao in 10-ball exhibition match

by JONAS TERRADO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Efren “Bata”

Reyes outclassed Manny Pacquiao, 9-4, in a 10ball exhibition match held Thursday night, May 18 at Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge in Makati City.

Reyes took the last four racks to prevail in a battle between two of the country’s sporting legends, albeit with Pacquiao trading his boxing gloves for a cue stick.

The private event hosted by M88 Mansion was more friendly and casual rather than a duel for pride, almost similar to the previous matches they had done in recent years.

Pacquiao is known for being an ardent pool player and had organized local tournaments in the past.

Reyes and Pacquiao have also played against each other in chess, another sport that is dearest to the two legends

outside of their successful field.

Both split the first four racks before Reyes, who came off a stint in the 3-carom competitions of the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, won

the next three to take a 5-2 lead.

Pacquiao trimmed the gap to 5-4 before Reyes pulled away on his way to victory by showing a glimpse of what he had done so numerous times.

7 Pinoys make it to Forbes’ ‘Under 30’

MANILA — Seven Filipinos made it to the Forbes’ roster of “30 Under 30 Asia 2023,” a list of below 30 trailblazers in the AsiaPacific region.

This year’s list featured 300 young entrepreneurs, leaders and trailblazers across the AsiaPacific region, all under the age of 30, “who are effecting positive change and driving innovation amid global economic uncertainty and a challenging environment.”

The seven Filipinos are part of different industries ranging from finance and venture capital, industry, manufacturing and energy, to the arts, retail and e-commerce.

Aaron Villegas, CEO of Lista, is one of the honorees from the Philippines.

Lista is a finance tracker app that “helps individuals and small businesses in the Philippines manage their finances.”

Forbes said Villegas’ Lista lets users plan spending, track finances and set payment or debt reminders. The company, founded in 2021, has at least 1.6 million downloads.

“Lista has raised $5.8 million from investors, including the $5.1 million in June 2022 led by OpenSpace Ventures with participation from East Ventures, Saison Capital, and 1982 Ventures,” Forbes said.

Expedock co-founders Rui Aguiar, King Alandy Dy, Jeff Tan

and Jig Young are also among the honorees. A startup, Expedock uses AI to read paperwork and invoices, before categorizing and visualizing P&L insights for supply chain businesses.

Isabel Sicat, co-founder of Toqa, is another honoree from the Philippines. Toqa “turns deadstock fabrics into sustainable high fashion, including sheer slip dresses, high-cut metallic swimwear and vibrant island prints,” according to Forbes.

Completing the honorees from the Philippines is David Marquez, co-founder of Manila-based delivery platform Shipmates.

Forbes said: “Marquez cofounded Shipmates in August 2020, when the pandemic increased demand for e-commerce and accompanying courier services. The startup, which aims to usher in ‘nextgeneration’ shipping technology and infrastructure for the Philippines, was selected for Y Combinator’s 2022 summer cohort. It raised $2.2 million in a seed round, with participation from Wavemaker Partners.

Before Shipmates, Marquez cofounded t-shirt printing startup Shirt.ly and supply chain and storage startup Xpanse.”

The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2023 features 30 notable honorees selected for each of the 10 categories, including

The Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink); Entertainment & Sports; Finance & Venture Capital; Media, Marketing & Advertising; Retail & Ecommerce; Enterprise Technology; Industry, Manufacturing & Energy; Healthcare & Science; Social Impact and Consumer Technology.

Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Editor, said: “Despite a challenging year marked by global economic uncertainty and a drop in VC funding, the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia entrepreneurs continued to innovate and thrive across industries.”

Twenty countries and territories were represented across the Asia-Pacific region with India having the highest number of honorees of 75 on this year’s list, followed by China with 34. Japan came in third with 33 honorees, while Singapore has 30 honorees. South Korea has 28 honorees on the list.

Judges include Maria Grace Uy, co-founder and president of Converge ICT Solutions; Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies and trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation; KaiFu Lee, chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures; JP Gan, founding partner at INCE Capital; S.D. Shibulal, Sonny Vu, founder of Alabaster and Nicole Warne, founder of Gary Pepper Girl. (Philstar.com)

Major parties rush to pledge unity, loyalty as drama shakes House

MANILA — Major political parties stressed that they remain supportive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in the face of drama at the lower chamber following the demotion of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga) from the senior deputy speakership.

Leaders of Lakas-CMD, PDPLaban and Nacionalista Party issued statements reaffirming their loyalty to Marcos and Romualdez as rumors swirled that Arroyo was demoted to deputy speaker for allegedly plotting to unseat the incumbent speaker.

Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, chairperson of Lakas-CMD where Arroyo sits as president emerita and Romualdez is president, said their party “continues to be united and supportive” of Marcos.

“Our decades-long solidarity has witnessed and endured many trials which only strengthened our bond that is founded on our shared passion to serve our nation. Through the darkest of storms and greatest of tribulations, we have proven time and again that our unity will never be torn down,” Revilla said in a statement.

Revilla’s statement came ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte's announcement on Friday morning, May 19 that she is resigning from Lakas-CMD. In her announcement, Duterte referenced “political toxicity” and “execrable power play” but did not give details.

The party of the vice president’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, also reiterated their “full support” of the Marcos administration and the leadership of Romualdez.

“We continue to work handin-hand and in close partnership with Speaker Martin Romualdez, who have (sic) mobilized a multipartisan coalition in the House of Representatives to help President Marcos deliver his commitment to our people,” Rep. Jose Alvarez (Palawan), PDP-Laban, said in a statement.

House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar (Las Piñas), spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party headed by her billionaire father, also expressed her party’s “unequivocal support”

for Romualdez and that they are

“fully committed” to the Marcos administration.

The Nationalist People's Coalition on Friday afternoon joined the chorus of praise for Romualdez, adding that it remains "committed to be part of Speaker Romualdez's supermajority coalition...to better the Philippines' standing on poverty alleviation and job generation."

The National Unity Party — originally a party of former Lakas members who had bolted — also reiterated its commitment to the current speaker "to help President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. achieve his vision of peace and prosperity for the nation."

Even the House minority bloc — nominally independent of the majority — expressed its support for Romualdez, whom it praised for "ably steering" the chamber.

"The minority is absolutely committed to our partnership with Speaker Romualdez and the entire House leadership, as we seek common ground to swiftly create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, lift a greater number of households from poverty, and move the country forward," Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4Ps party-list) said in a statement on the House website.

Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay), president of the Liberal Party, meanwhile observed that jockeying for position for the 2028 presidential elections have begun even before the midterm elections scheduled in 2025.

"The stripping of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of her senior deputy speaker position and the subsequent resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from the ruling Lakas-CMD party are obviously related," he said.

"It would be recalled that Arroyo and Duterte were the principal conspirators in the ouster of then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the ascendancy of the Arroyo as Speaker in 2018," he also said.

Lagman added: "The Liberal Party, as the principal opposition party, will be keenly watchful of further developments as they unfold."

Arroyo 'unburdened of heavy load' House Majority Leader

Manuel Jose Dalipe said Arroyo’s demotion was to “unburden [her] of the heavy load required from the position,” even if House rules do not specify additional duties for the senior deputy speaker.

Arroyo remained tight-lipped on her demotion until late Thursday night, May 18 when she acknowledged in a statement that there were rumors that she is plotting a coup against Romualdez although she denied that she is again after the speakership.

Arroyo became House speaker in 2018 after a stunning coup moments before the third State of the Nation Address of President Duterte ousted then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. It is believed that Arroyo mobilized the coup against Alvarez with the help of Sara Duterte and Marcos’ sister, Sen. Imee Marcos. (Philstar.com)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

LACMTA will receive proposals for OP44851-2 - Uniform Rental Services at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. All proposals must be received on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Antonio Monreal. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Antonio Monreal at monrealan@ metro.net.

5/20/23

CNS-3702302#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Efren Bata Reyes and Manny Pacquiao in an exhbition game. Photo courtesy of Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge

Asian Journal WKND

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 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.

One 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-law’s case. In reviewing the case, Atty. Gurfinkel saw that PAGE B2

Living the dream: Jake on role in Paramount+ series

By Rito p asiLo Inquirer.net

THE seven-part suspense drama series “No Escape,” which debuted on Paramount+ in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada last Thursday, May 18 (and in Asia later this year), may have been shot in Thailand and features New Zealand star Jay Ryan (“It Chapter Two’), Scottish Bafta winner Abigail Lawrie (“Tin Star”), Sundance festwinning British actress Rhianne Barreto (“Share”), Australian actors Sean Keenan (“The Power of the Dog”), Susie Porter (“Wentworth”) and Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) and Cameroonian actress Colette Dalal Tchantcho (“Domina”).

But there are elements about this noirish new show that make it instantly appealing, particularly Jake Macapagal as Col. Justin

CONSUMER GUIDE COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

Michelle, Pauline, Krishnah share advice from past queens

By C. Mendez Legaspi Philstar.com

QUEENS supporting queens!

As the country’s newest minted queens, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle

inspiration from their predecessor queens Celeste Cortesi, Alison Black and Annabelle McDonnell, respectively.

Pasay City’s Celeste Cortesi, sadly, stopped the Philippines’ remarkable placements at Miss Universe 2022, won by the halfFilipina R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA.

And,

Las Piñas City’s Alison Black, who won her title as part of the Miss World Philippines 2022 pageant, was among Miss Supranational 2022’s Top 3 of

Miss Talent, Top 10 of Supra Fan-Vote, and Top 15 of Miss Supra Influencer. She placed in the Top 24 in Poland, won by South Africa’s Lalela Mswane, a batchmate of Beatrice Luigi Gomez at Miss Universe 2021. Misamis Oriental’s Annabelle McDonnell, first runner-up at Miss Universe Philippines 2022, was appointed to represent the country at the first Miss Charm pageant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She placed first runner-

Marquez Dee of Makati, Miss Supranational 2023 Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol and Miss Charm 2024 Krishnah Gravidez of Baguio need all the guidance they can get.

VICTORY FOR FLORJAN! 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

Reyes

Photo courtesy of Paramount+

Ricky (left) was the building superintendent at the 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

A CSPA victory after several lawyers...

Florjan was eligible for ageout 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)

Pia debuts on Cannes red carpet, attends new ‘Indiana Jones’ premiere

By KRISTOFER PURNELL Philstar.com

MISS Universe 2015 Pia

Alonzo Wurtzbach made her first public appearance since confirming her marriage to Jeremy Jauncey by making her debut on the red carpet of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

The Jaunceys officially got married last March while in Seychelles, but only publicly confirmed they had wed two months later.

The newly-married Pia hit the Cannes red carpet in a metallic scarlet “snatched-to-the-waist” gown by Mark Bumgarner for the premiere of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Monster,” one of the 21 films in competition at the festival.

The beauty queen complemented the strapless bustier and draped-skirt Bumgarner creation with jewellery from French label APM Monaco, her complete look styled by Perry Tabora.

“Just like the movies. My first time walking the [Cannes] red carpet. Somebody pinch me,” said Pia in one Instagram post showing off the dress, saying in another post she felt like a shining star and did not want to take it off.

On his own Instagram account, Bumgarner shared the scarlet dress was custom-made for Pia

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival

Photos from Instagram/@piawurtzbach who “didn’t come to play. She came to SLAYYY,” even calling the beauty queen “perfection” and “absolutely phenomenal.”

Pia wore another Bumgarner piece. The second one is a black dress with a customized corset, long train and exaggerated elbow features for the premiere of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”

The film’s star, Harrison Ford, portraying the titular character for a fifth and likely final time, was given an honorary Palme d’Or prior to its screening.

Pia’s Cannes debut comes on the heels of another Filipino beauty queen, Miss International

2016 Kylie Verzosa, also making her first Cannes appearance in a Bumgarner dress when the latter attended the premiere of “Jeanne du Barry,” starring Johnny Depp. Kylie also made a second Cannes appearance in another Bumgarner dress, a sparkling pink evening gown, for the premiere of “Black Flies,” starring Sean Penn. The 2023 Cannes Film Festival runs until May 27. The top prize, the Palme d’Or, was last won by this year’s jury president Ruben Ostlund for his film “Triangle of Sadness,” starring Dolly de Leon. 

Pokwang to those telling her not to be ‘bitter’

by ANNE PASAJOL Inquirer.net

POKWANG appealed to the public to let her speak about her pain over her previous relationship with Lee O’Brian, admitting she gets hurt when fellow women—whom she expects to understand her the most—criticize her for doing such.

The comedian said this after Karen Davila asked how she feels when people tell her not to be “bitter” toward O’Brian, as seen in the broadcaster’s YouTube vlog on Thursday, May 18.

“Wala kasi kayo sa sitwasyon ko. Madaling sabihin na, ‘Mag-move on ka na. Bitter ka,’ kasi hindi kayo ang nakakaranas ngayon ng pain,” she said. “Walang sugat na malalim na takpan mo lang [bandage] ay OK na.”

([They] are not in the same situation as me. It’s easy for them to say, “Move on. You are bitter,” because they are not the one experiencing the pain. A deep wound won’t heal with just a bandage.)

“Ang sugat, naghi-heal ‘yan nang unti-unti. Hayaan niyo na lang muna ako sumigaw kasi mahapdi,” she continued. (Wounds eventually heal. Please let me express [my pain] for now because it still hurts.)

Pokwang lamented how she receives such comments mostly from women, who supposedly painted her as the bad guy because she has

been publicly expressing her sentiments against O’Brian.

“Ang masakit pa [ay] kapwa ko babae ‘yung mga nanggaganyan sa akin—mga nanay. Nanay kayo, babae kayo [pero] hindi niyo ako nagegets?” she stressed. (What’s more painful is the fact that most of those who [criticize] me are women—mothers. You are a mother, a woman, but why don’t you understand me?)

Pokwang then turned emotional when she recounted the moment she realized she had had enough and that she already needed to let go of her relationship with O’Brian.

“[Nung] nakita kong umiyak ang anak ko,”

Michelle, Pauline, Krishnah...

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up to Luma Russo of Brazil. At the sidelines of their factory tour on Sunday, May 14, of Smilee Apparel, the three crowned queens held a mini-presscon for select news media and shared what their predecessors told them as they embark on their own international journeys:

Michelle: “It’s no secret that Celeste and I were the closest friends last year. She was the first person I told that I was planning to join again. And she just said, ‘You know what? Just have fun. Enjoy the moment. You’ve got this as long as you have your heart in the right place.’ That was the best advice that she gave me.”

Pauline: “From Alison, who was also there [at the coronation], she didn’t directly tell me but what she always radiates and the lesson that I get from her – because we train together at Aces & Queens – is that it’s really important to stick to your gut and to always stick to your core, which she has done beautifully. I hope to be able to channel that same energy, to always work on as Michelle said, not being anyone else other than your best self or your better self.”

Krishnah: “Annabelle and I haven’t talked yet directly. But last night [at the separate coronation], she said that for me to represent the Philippines well, I should be authentic. That I should make sure that I will maintain my authenticity when I get there, because being a queen doesn’t mean that just being there just being yourself, you should carry the life stories of your country. And, of course, to do my best.” 

Pechanga Resort Casino shoots hole-in-one with newly named LPGA sponsor, course ambassador Gabriella Then

PECHANGA Resort Casino has officially partnered with professional golfer Gabriella Then to act as their Ambassador to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Bill Anderson, Pechanga Resort Casino’s Chief Marketing Officer, announced the sponsorship at the CM Pro-Am Golf Tournament in April. He remarked about Then’s unique story, citing her perseverance as a source of inspiration to young golfers around the world. The partnership serves to support Then’s tour and her efforts as she promotes the sport to young girls and women everywhere.

A Southern California girl, Gabriella Then has shot up the ranks in the women’s golfing community with an impressive record of achievements. Starting tournament golf at nine years old, Then went on to compete in her first U.S. Women’s Open by the age of 14. She attended the University of Southern California where she played college golf, earning an All-American title before joining the Epson Tour in 2017.

After missing out on advancing to Stage II of LPGA’s Qualifying School in 2019, Then considered giving up the sport entirely to pursue other ventures. She left professional golf for 18 months before reigniting her passion and love for the game. With

a newfound sense of purpose and clarity, Then went on to win three times in four months in the Cactus and Women’s All Pro Tours. Then found her stride again.

Gabriella won the Ladies European Tour (“LET”) QSchool in 2022 earning her status on LET. In the mid-season, Then tested her once again flourishing golf game on the Epson Tour where she earned her first Epson Tour win in her second start of the season. At the end of the

2022 Epson Tour season, Then finished seventh in the points race, earning her status on the LPGA Tour in 2023.

Pechanga Resort Casino is thrilled to welcome Gabriella Then to their team and is excited to support her as she continues to showcase her talent and passion for the game.   Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)

Pokwang Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/Karen Davila

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

Pauline Amelinckx, Michelle Dee, Krishnah Gravidez Philstar.com photo

LPGA player Gabriella Then, newly designated course ambassador, at the Journey at Pechanga championship golf course.

From left: Wade Lai, Pechanga Resort Casino Chief Marketing Officer Bill Anderson, Pechanga’s course and LPGA ambassador Gabriella Then, Pechanga Development Corporation

Vice President John Palinkas, and Pechanga Resort Casino General Manager Tjeerd Brink.

Rob: ‘The Cool Bad Boy’ of Showbiz

By Joseph R. AtilAno Inquirer.net

I HAVE always had a strong belief in the cultivation of talent.

When I think of the names that have become “Regal Babies” in the recent few years, there is one name that stands out above all in terms of having that elusive magical factor and that name is none other than that of the resident cool bad boy of Regal, Rob Gomez.

I still vividly recall the very first time I saw Rob Gomez in action as an actor in an indie film. I got the impression right away that he exuded bravado, swag, and a certain air of awesomeness, which qualities are reminiscent of young actors who were popular in the 1990s. In a nutshell, the man is a throwback to an era that has long since passed, during which period it was not unusual to find someone with his form and presentation. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find someone of Rob Gomez’ representation in today’s local showbiz world.

As times continue to change in

show business and more people are simply after looks (physical appearance) and not personality per se, it does leave the industry in a bit of a vacuum in that, sure, there are a lot of good-looking actors around, but more than half of them just do not have the magical and elusive factor that will carry them through the long run. In addition to that, they

don’t have much of a personality either, to begin with.

Now, this is not meant to be discouraging nor disparaging; rather, the purpose of bringing this up is to bring more awareness to the fact that if the industry is going to continue producing toptier talent, then there must be a proactive effort to find, discover, and develop more actors in the mold of Rob Gomez.

As Rob Gomez has shown, it is much better to be true to yourself even though that might differentiate you from everyone else. To point out, Rob Gomez shows he is certainly aware of who he is. He is comfortable in his own skin. He embraces his own person and has the bravado to just be himself. That is what makes him stand out. Ultimately, this is how he has been distinguished from the throng.

Rob Gomez is someone we should continue to keep an eye out for.

Indeed, Rob Gomez is deserving of the moniker I have given him, which is “The Cool Bad Boy of Showbiz.” g

Sarah breaks silence about alleged rift with G-Force

by JAn Milo seveRo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA singer Sarah Geronimo broke her silence on her alleged rift with G-Force choreographer Georcelle Dapat-Sy.

In an interview with the media, including Philstar.com, at this week’s grand launch of Furniture Republic in Taytay, Rizal, Sarah said that she missed Georcelle and the G-Force during her 20th anniversary concert recently.

Malaking bagay sila ng career ko. It would have been more magical if they were there,” Sarah said.

“I wanted them to be there to celebrate my 20 years with me… Baka maiyak ako,” she added.

Geocelle earlier expressed her admiration to Sarah for directing and performing in her concert.

“It’s also like giving her creative freedom. Sixteen years kaming magkatrabaho, parang love team,” she told ABS-CBN News.

“But we have to grow and experience others. Bottomline is I want her to feel good about that process,” she added.

Geocelle also admitted that their “professional split” with Sarah has been difficult to them.

“Sixteen years ‘yan kasi. Am I hurting? Yes, more than hurting. But my concern now is to uplift and guide them to have a higher vibration because social media is not nice!” she said.

“I know it was a shock to many that I pulled out from Sarah’s concert but people will realize soon enough that I did this to protect our craft and the dance industry. Let us respect the artistry of our dancers!” she added. g

Catriona says wedding with Sam will happen by next year

By hAnnAh MAlloRcA Inquirer.net

MONTHS after confirming her engagement to Sam Milby, Catriona Gray revealed that their wedding will take place sometime by “next year” as they want to enjoy the bliss of being an engaged couple.

Gray spoke about making the most out of her time as an engaged woman during an interview with celebrity doctor Vicki Belo, which was uploaded on the latter’s YouTube channel on Thursday, May 18.

“Oh gosh, mga next year,” she said in response to Belo, who asked her about the exact date of their wedding.

“I just want to enjoy this season. It’s a once in a lifetime season, so we just want to enjoy it and take our time,” she added.

During the interview, the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder admitted that while she and Milby knew each other “for a long time,” she didn’t fall in love with the singer-actor at first sight even if they had a “lot of mutual friends.”

“We had a lot of mutual friends. And when I did [Binibining Pilipinas], my stylist

was also his stylist. So, we had a lot of common friends. But it wasn’t until the end of 2018 where I had gone to Japan with Erickson [Raymundo] who is my mentor, [and] who happens to be Sam’s manager,” she said.

“So, we were like, ‘Oh, have you gone to church?’ ‘Let’s go to church.’ I went with Erickson… and that’s where I met Sam again there. And we just happened to run in similar circles,” Gray continued. She, however, didn’t indicate the moment where they crossed paths for the first time.

God-centered relationship Gray also said that she and Milby share a relationship that is God-centered, where she noted that being with a Christian partner made her realize the importance of “guard[ing] her heart.”

“At first, before I was Christian, I didn’t understand what it means to be Christian. I didn’t understand the rules and boundaries that are meant to be put in place for young Christian couples, but when I grew up, I realized that they’re there to PAGE B6

Rob Gomez Photo from Instagram/@robgomez.23

The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles held its 18th annual Santacruzan May Crowning on May 13 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown Los Angeles. The theme was “Mary, Model and Queen of Peace” with the main celebrant Rev. Fr. Rodel G. Balagtas of the Filipino Ministry and pastor of Incarnation Church. The event included groups carrying images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a presentation of Sagalas and the grand entrance of Our Lady of Penafrancia, the figure image crowned during the Eucharistic celebration.

Singer-actress Sarah Geronimo Photo from Instagram/@

Sam Milby and Catriona Gray

Photo from Instagram/@samuelmilby

The future of anti-aging is here: Behold, exosomes!

Mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs are multi-potent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of  cell types.

Living the dream: Jake on...

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what really happened on The Blue.

AGING backwards? And no, I am not talking about some “Benjamin-Button-case” sort of thing.  Have you come across people, or maybe some famous personality who just look better as they age?  And you wonder, is it plastic surgery or something else, but you can’t quite put your finger on it?

You know, the feeling when you’re gearing up for that mostawaited high school reunion and you are  curious to find out how your friends and classmates look like after all these years? And then there’s  that one batch mate. The One gifted with that ageless beauty, who seem to have a lifetime supply of  youth potion because they still look great like didn’t age at all!

I can very much relate to that, and I am here to uncover one of the most advanced ways to delay  aging. It is the ultimate anti-aging treatment: The use of Exosomes! Buckle up, because you are in for  a ride.

Exosomes, on the other hand are extracellular vesicles secreted by various cells, mainly  composed of lipid bilayers without organelles. The bottomline is, Exosomes that are isolated from  donated human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells and purified using proprietary processing, bring a  wide array of growth factors.

Which is why Exosomes are at the forefront of a regenerative medicine  breakthrough. So, how does all this relate to skinrejuvenation aka making one age like Benjamin  button but of course, without the weird disease?

may help to restore both the youthful contour and shape of the face  as well as provide a marked improvement in skin quality, tightness and color irregularities caused by  the aging process and exposure to the sun and environment.

The result: it boosts your collagen production, a noticeable improvement in conditions like acne  scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, skin texture, pore size, brown spots, stretch marks, and  pigment issues. Sounds like a solid plan with all the great features? Guess, what? That is not even the  best part.

to Filipino and Asian viewers: It isn’t just set on a cruise ship called The Blue in Palawan, it also stars homegrown Filipino theater/film actor Jake Macapagal (“Metro Manila,” HBO Asia’s “Halfworlds”).

Helmed by Hans Herbots and written by Kris Mrksa, the New Pictures/All3Media release has been adapted from Lucy Clarke’s best-selling novel of the same name.

‘Transportive, gripping’

It follows two girlhood friends, Lana (Abigail) and Kitty (Rhianne), who travel to the Philippines seeking refuge from their less-than-ideal lives in the U.K. on The Blue sailing through Southeast Asia. But the tide turns cold and deadly when death creeps quietly on deck.

So, we found it intriguingly fortuitous to talk about “No Escape” when we crossed paths with Jake at Monique Wilson’s recent birthday cruise on a Gallo yacht in Manila Bay. The last time we performed with Jake was for the Singapore and Manila runs of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, “Aspects of Love,” in 2006.

and I saw the name [Captain, later Colonel] Justin Reyes—and I said, ‘Wow! Sino ’to (laughs)?’ But what was it about Colonel Reyes’ story and personality that appealed to Jake?

Family man

Explaining at length, the seasoned actor said, “I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of foreigners making musicals outside the Philippines. But I’ve also had the opportunity to invite my friends who are foreigners to come here and see how they change when they come to Asia—they want to let loose and f*ck up.

The best part is that ISkin and MiSkin MedSpa have a signature protocol combining MSC-derived  Exosomes therapy with PRP treatment.

PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. It begins with centrifuging a patient’s blood so we can  concentrate the growth factors and platelets that are naturally present. PRP however does not  provide any stem cells or Exosomes. Often, patients and sometimes doctors confuse PRP with  concentrated stem cells. While stem cell therapy uses specialized cells to help you heal, PRP  therapy uses your own body’s platelets to repair tissue damage. PRP only involves concentrating the  growth factors and platelets

Mesenchymal stem cells and and Mesenchymal stem cell-derived Exosomes  PAGE B6

Well, over time, the human skin starts to display physical signs of aging, such as wrinkling. This  occurs due to an impaired ability to regenerate vital skin components. Entrer: Exosomes! These  Exosomes may be the talisman to delaying this process as they work on a cellular level to encourage  skin cell regeneration.  In the laboratory, Exosomes have been effectively used to delay the onset of skin aging. They do this  by encouraging the development of fibroblast cells, which are crucial to maintaining skin elasticity  and strength. These components

Will the TV show live up to its promise? Let’s put it this way: When its first-look trailer came out, Ms Clarke was asked what she thought about it. She replied, “It’s been the most incredible experience to see my novel reimagined for the screen.

I’ve loved every moment of the journey—from reading early iterations of the script to visiting the set in Thailand.

“The show is breath-taking, transportive, gripping and thrilling from beginning to end. I can’t wait for viewers to fall in love with it, too!” That’s high praise from the author herself!

As for Jake, the seasoned actor portrays Col. Justin Reyes from the local Filipino police force who’s determined to discover

“It’s interesting because Lucy Clarke’s novel really came into being after a memorable trip to the Philippines—in fact, she wrote a whole book about our country,” Jake told Inquirer Entertainment in a separate interview. “[Producer] Elaine Pyke said that they really wanted to shoot in the Philippines, but that ‘the numbers didn’t add up.’ It simply was easier to get it done in Thailand—from security issues to the tax incentives made available for the team.

“Kris, the head writer, pointed out early on that you can’t go to the Philippines and not have a prominent Filipino character in the story—that’s where my character comes in. So the way I see it, it’s about a brown man cleaning up white folks’ mess.

“I am the one investigating what happened on the yacht, so I follow them to Australia. But that’s easier said than done because it’s out of my jurisdiction.”

The casting feat transported Jake—a “Miss Saigon” alumnus in Germany, among others—back to a less-than-pleasant memory from more than a decade ago.

“At this point in my life, I’m very happy to be included in a series like this because, in 2010, I attended an eight-week acting course in Australia and was told by a teacher that ‘You’re not going to make it here. They’re not going to cast you’—and he said that without knowing anything about my background as a performer.’

Finally ‘in the mix’

“These days, we already have hit series featuring Filipino characters, like ‘The Unusual Suspects.’ But at the time, Filipinos were hardly included ‘in the mix.’ In my case, it took me 11 years to finally be included ‘in the mix.’ In ‘No Escape,’ I’m playing a Filipino, first and foremost—so the role means a lot to me!”

When we asked the actor how he got attached to the project, Jake recalled being at a film festival in LA, where “The Monsters Without,” his sci-fi fantasy film for director Randal Kamradt set in Biliran before the pandemic, was chosen as an entry.

“I was helping promote the movie with Randal at that festival in 2021 when my agent called me. He asked what I was doing from March to September in 2022. I didn’t even know what it was for, but I told him, ‘Yes, for work.’

“I didn’t hear from the casting director about the official offer till the end of that year. He gave me the character breakdown,

“You know, I was the same when I went to Germany (for ‘Miss Saigon,’ etc.). Sometimes, when that happens, you want to ‘police’ them and call them out when they do something they shouldn’t. So, in a way, I could identify with Colonel Reyes’ story and his conviction to right some wrongs and get to the truth.”

Asked what’s fueling his character to go to great lengths to get to the bottom of things, Jake mused: “Reyes’ story will eventually be unraveled, but obviously, the stakes become very high for him because at the heart of this character is his family.

“A later episode with a 10-minute sequence will show how I am as a family man, and this will make viewers understand why I need to go to Australia. You don’t see me in the first three episodes, but once I step in, you’ll see why Reyes needed to do what he did.”

Tribute to Filpino actors

In terms of Filipino representation, the series is significant for the actor because it’s “an accumulation of the great strides” taken by those who came before him.

“I just want to pay tribute to the people who helped open doors and broke glass ceilings for Filipino actors today,” Jake said. “I remember watching Bembol Roco and other Pinoys in ‘The Year of Living Dangerously,’ ‘A Dangerous Life’ and other international projects that were filmed here.

“They were significant because we saw ourselves in those productions. They made us realize that, suddenly, it was possible to aspire for a seat at the table. I want to be represented. So, when I see people like Dolly de Leon or John Arcilla paving the way for others, I also want to pay it forward and honor them for such feats.”

What has Jake taken away from his experience of being in the series?

“My takeaway from this is just how fortunate I am that, at age 56, I can still play in this field internationally. I feel lucky that I’m able to work with people who are talented—that’s my biggest takeaway from this.

“Sometimes, I pinch myself because, with projects like ‘No Escape,’ I’m able to realize my childhood dreams. Now I’m living the dream.” g

What Christ’s ascension means

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend

Rodel G. BalaGtas

“FOR John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit!”

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (From Acts 1:1-11)

A Blessed Ascension Sunday!

Christ’s Ascension is not about saying goodbye but an assurance of His presence in the world and the Church as He now sits at His Father’s right hand. Our First Reading from Acts 1:1-11 proclaims this truth. Jesus is present to us in Spirit. He has never left us orphaned. We feel His Spirit in the Church through the Scriptures, the Sacraments, our prayer life, and our fulfillment of spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

It’s why we must never fall

into despair in our struggles of dealing and battling with the evils in the world. We know that God’s works and goodness would triumph over evil. We must remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-36:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

Hence, we must be faithful to his commandments to love one another and to care for the needs of the poor, the oppressed, and the vulnerable to be on his right and have a place in His Father’s house. Indeed, Christ’s Ascension is also about commissioning us to continue his works of mercy and justice by the power of the Holy Spirit. We fulfill this command by being good-hearted, churchgoing, charitable women and men and acting for justice.

In his book, Wrestling with God: Finding Hope and

Meaning in Our Daily Struggles

To Be Human, Ron Rolheiser reminds us of this two-fold task of charity and justice. He writes:

“Charity is still the ultimate virtue, and sometimes the only positive difference we can make in our world is precisely the one-on-one love and respect that we give to each other. Our own individual goodness is sometimes the only candle that is ours to light. But goodness and light must shine publicly too— namely, in how we vote and in what policies we support and oppose.”

Our celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord becomes more meaningful when we reflect on this mission of love and justice Christ has called us to fulfill.

Blessings to all!

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

* * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Kylie attends Johnny Depp’s Cannes Festival

film premiere

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

MISS International 2016 and actress Kylie Verzosa made a surprise appearance at the opening day of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Kylie was present for the premiere of this year’s opening film “Jeanne du Barry” by Maiwenn, Johnny Depp’s comeback movie where he stars as King Louis XV opposite the director who portrays the titular character.

According to a public relations agency Yugen PR, Kylie was personally invited by the Cannes organizing team to attend the premiere. The same agency said Kylie is reportedly the first Filipino to ever walk a red carpet premiere ceremony at the festival’s opening day.

The actress-model walked the red carpet steps of Cannes in a black couture gown by Mark Bumgarner. The ball

Kylie Verzosa at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival gown had an exaggerated train adorned with black feathers, complemented with silver jewelry from Luna by Drake.

“Dream come true,” Kylie said in an Instagram post with photos

of her on the Cannes steps. “It was so surreal.”

A number of fellow beauty queens expressed their support for Kylie, including Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 1st runnerup Maurren Wroblewitz, and newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee.

Celebrities that commented words of praise too were actresses Anne Curtis and Iza Calzado, hosts Raymond Gutierrez and KaladKaren, photographer BJ Pascual, designer Francis Libiran, and model-content creator LA Aguinaldo.

The 2023 Cannes Film Festival runs until May 27 with 21 movies in competition for the Palme d’Or, which was last won by this year’s jury resident Ruben Ostlund for his film “Triangle of Sadness” starring Dolly de Leon. g

Is unfair termination unlawful?

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

atty. C. Joe sayas, JR

Q: I WORKED in a company for over 10 years. A new supervisor and I do not get  along. Last week, the company terminated me without any explanation. I do not have any  disciplinary record. Can my employer just fire me without a good reason?

A: Yes, an employer may fire an employee without a good reason. Employment in  California is considered to be “at-will.” The employmentat-will doctrine states that either the  employer or the employee may end the employment relationship at any time.

An employee, therefore, can quit his or her job for any reason at any time. Likewise, the  employer may terminate the employment at any time, even if the employee’s job performance has  been excellent. The employer may also terminate employees for unfair reasons such as nepotism or  favoritism. The employer may even terminate the employee for no reason at all.

However, there are limitations to an employer’s freedom to terminate employees at will. One  of these limitations may arise when the employee has a contract with the employer who agrees that  the employee can only be fired for “good cause” or “just cause.” This may be true, for example, in  the collective bargaining agreement of employees who are union members.

A second, and more important, limitation is that an

employer may not terminate employees  for an illegal reason. An illegal “reason” behind the termination will render the termination  “wrongful” or “unlawful.”

A termination is illegal or “wrongful” if it is based on discriminatory intent or is a violation of  public policy. Discriminatory intent pertains to discrimination based on such protected characteristics  as age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, and even  union affiliation.

A termination is illegal or “wrongful” if it is based on discriminatory intent or is a violation of public policy.

A termination is also illegal if it violates public policy. This means that the termination is  likely illegal if the employee was fired because:

1) The employee refused to commit an illegal act;

2) The employee performed a statutory obligation (e.g., the employee was absent in order to  serve in a jury);

3) The employee exercised a statutory right or privilege (e.g., the employee declined to take a polygraph examination); or

4) The employee reported a statutory violation for the public’s benefit (e.g., the employee  reported the employer’s illegal act to a government or law enforcement agency – this is also  known as “whistleblowing”).

A termination may also be wrongful if the employer

was retaliating against the employee for  registering internal complaints regarding the safety of the employer’s products or for refusing to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees  who opposed unlawful practices, filed complaints, testified, assisted, or participated in an  investigation, proceeding, or hearing conducted by a government agency.  Terminations can be difficult situations, particularly where employees see the employer as  unfair. Unfortunately, an employer’s unfair conduct may not necessarily be illegal. But if there is a  discriminatory or retaliatory motive behind the firing, the employee should consult with an  experienced employment attorney to determine available remedies under the law.

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

* * * The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are  confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered  wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top  Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, selected as Super Lawyer by the  Los Angeles Magazine for 11 years, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

Pokwang to those telling...

she recalled, referring to their daughter Malia. “Tuwing gabi kasi nagpe-pray ‘yung bata… Meron siyang isang dasal na, ‘Thank you kay Mama. Si Dada bahala na po kayo sa kanya kung hindi na siya babalik sa amin.’”

(When I saw my child cried… Every night she says a prayer, then she prayed one night, “Thank you for Mama and [please take care] of Dada if he doesn’t come home to us.)

“Napaka-unselfish nung bata, then umiyak siya. Nung nakita kong umiyak ‘yung anak ko, that’s it,” Pokwang said. (The child was so unselfish, then she cried. When I saw her crying, that was it.)

When asked if she wants to take another chance at love, Pokwang said that she leaves everything in God’s hands and that working hard for her children is her priority now. Pokwang has another child, Mae, from a past relationship. g

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

Modifying down child and spousal support obligation after a divorce

Barrister’s Corner

DIVORCED parties are sometimes ordered to pay child support and spousal support in the divorce judgment. The support orders are generally based on the parties’ financial situation and custody arrangements at the time of the settlement or trial. However, what if your income decreases after the divorce or what if your spouse’s income increases after the divorce due to a promotion or a better paying job? Do you have the right to modify your support obligation?

If your income has gone down substantially from the time that the child or spousal support determination, you may be able to file a modification of your support obligation. Losing a job or having less income constitutes a material change of circumstances that would allow the court to modify down your support obligations.

Child support in California is based on guideline formula. One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income. Usually the court would look at several months or

even an average of the last 12 months income. If your average income has decreased, you may be able to modify your child support to a lower amount.

Bear in mind that there are other factors that come in the equation such as the amount of actual timeshare you spend with your child and the income of the other parent. If the other parent’s income has gone down, this may adversely affect your child support obligation.

Spousal support may also be modified unless you stipulated in a divorce judgment that it is non modifiable. However, spousal support are usually calculated differently than guideline. The court will look at other factors in deciding whether to modify this. Those factors are listed in family code section 4320.

If you are unemployed, the other party may be expected to try to impute income on you. However in light of the recent cases in California, they would have to prove that you had the ability and the opportunity to obtain employment.

If your income has gone down or your spouse’s income has increased as a result of a new job, a promotion, or you got laid off or hours cut, it may be possible to modify both your child support and spousal support obligation. Without modifying the order, the current order will continue to be in

effect and the same amount will accrue regardless of whether your income declined or your spouse income increased. It is important to file a post judgment request for order to modify support as soon as your financial situation changes.

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

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW

OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

Writ of Mandamus relief for unreasonable delay in pending immigration filings

filed in the US District Courts to compel the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the USCIS, DHS’s bureau, to act on a petition or application for which adjudication has been unreasonably delayed. The statute allows for an “action to compel an officer of the United States to perform his duty.”

A COMMON question that is asked by a person who has a pending immigration petition or application is “how much longer until USCIS makes a decision?”

The question is understandable, in that an unreasonable delay in the USCIS’ adjudication of a petition or application can have adverse effects, including loss of employment and employment opportunities, possible termination of employment, and difficulties in obtaining student and credit loans.

While an immigration filing is pending, the typical response by USCIS upon inquiry is that further time (usually 90 or 180 days) is needed to make a decision. However, often that 90 or 180 days that USCIS needs to make a decision turns into months and sometimes years. What option does a petitioner or applicant have to compel the USCIS to act on his or her case? Pursuant to the Mandamus and Venue Act of 1962, a Writ of Mandamus action can be

The legal duty for USCIS to promptly act on a pending petition or application can be found in the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”), 8 USC Sec. 1571, and 5 USC Sec. 555(b) These statutes form the basis of Writ of Mandamus relief.

The APA gives the court authority to “compel agency action unlawfully held and unreasonable delayed.”

The policy for processing immigration applications is set forth under 8 USC Sec. 1571, which states that “the processing of an immigration benefit application should be completed no later than 180 days after the initial filing of the application.”

Further, 5 USC Sec. 555(b) states that “within a reasonable time, each agency shall proceed to conclude a matter presented to it.”

A typical case in which Writ of Mandamus relief is a viable option is in a green card application based on marriage.

I have had several inquiries in recent months concerning delays in processing of these cases. Typically, the green card applicant along with his or her US Citizen spouse is interviewed by a USCIS officer and at the end of the interview, the green card applicant is advised that additional time is needed by USCIS to make a decision. The timeframe given to make a decision is 180 days; however, more than 180 days pass and no

decision is made. The applicant then seeks to get updated status of the application via an Infopass appointment, and is advised that the case is still under consideration and more time is needed.

In such a case, a writ of mandamus can be filed in Federal Court to compel the USCIS to act on the application. Often, a decision is made on the case after the Writ of Mandamus is filed in that the unreasonable delay is brought to the attention of the USCIS. A prompt decision is often made by USCIS after filing to avoid the use of government resources in having to defend the meritorious action.

It is important to keep in mind that Writ of Mandamus relief is available to a variety of pending petitions and applications, not just green card applications based on marriage. To determine whether Writ of Mandamus relief is a good option in your pending immigration case, it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney.

* * *

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.

* * * Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com

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The future of...

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that are to be injected into the patient or applied after Microneedling  (another stateof-the art skin-rejuvenation treatment).

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I would love to be part of your “regenerative” journey so I recommend that you come see us to get a  free consultation, so we can get a good evaluation and understanding of your needs and your skin  goals. We would love to have you at the spa.

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you are more than welcome to our iSkin location. And if you happen to be  in the Inland Empire and Orange County, we have MiSkin Spa for you selflove and self-pampering  needs.   For more information you may visit iskinbeverlyhills.com.

Visit iSkin Med Spa and MiSkin MedSpa for a free consultation. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire  Blvd penthouse Beverly Hills, 90211 or call 424382-1002  MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga or call 9099898464. You may also follow us on social media: @iskinmedspa and @miskinmedspa.

* * * Imee Ong-Maghanoy is an established aesthetician, a business owner and CEO of iSkin Beverly Hills, iSkin MedSpa and MiSkin MedSpa. Imee has been in the aesthetics  industry for more than 20 years. She has a degree in Biology and Doctor of Dental Medicine. iSkin MedSpa and MiSkin MedSpa are fast emerging as a top Spa destination in LA. iSkin is located at 8665 Wiltshire Blvd penthouse Beverly Hills. MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. (Advertising Supplement)

Catriona says wedding with Sam will happen...

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protect you and guide you because it really does guard your heart in the most amazing way,” she said.

The former beauty queen admitted that she was “so guarded and apprehensive” when she met Milby for the first time, but it was his “gentle” personality that made her fall in love with him.

“I felt like I was so guarded and apprehensive when I first met Sam. But he is just such a gentle and patient person that he really made me feel safe with him,” she said. “I never felt that he wanted to use who I was. [Since] I’m a [type of] public figure [who is] Miss Universe, there’s this kind of hesitancy if this person likes me for me, or do they just want to be associated with me, but he always made me feel safe.”

Gray also shared that the singer-actor “really made an effort” to know her family and friends during the course of their relationship.

“He never made me feel that he was trying to use [who I am] to his advantage, or anything. And we have such similar values, one being our faith. Two, we’re both super family-oriented that he really made an effort with my family and friends,” she said.

The “Raise Your Flag” singer then revealed that while Milby didn’t win the affections of her parents right away, he eventually won over them completely.

“Right away? Um, they’re a bit more, just wanting to know more about him a bit more, but once they got to know him, they really love him. So with our engagement, they’re really so happy. My dad was tearing up because he’s so happy,” she added.

When asked about having kids in the future, Gray admitted that she wanted to have “maybe two children” but she’s leaning towards having “one boy and one girl” or “two girls” when the time comes.

“Because I’m so close to my mom, and I really love our relationship together. So my heart would just burst when I have a little girl,” she explained.

Gray and Milby confirmed their engagement in February 2023, although they remain tight-lipped about the details of their wedding.

The couple went public with their relationship in May 2020, which happened to fall on the exact date of the singer-actor’s 36th birthday. g