052723 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

Work on 14 projects at EDCA sites to begin

by MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Work is expected to begin soon on 14 U.S.-funded projects at four new sites where American military personnel would be given access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said spadework on at least seven of the 14 projects is seen to commence this year. For the rest, work is expected to begin next year as actual expenses are still being determined.

“On the new sites, identified na rin yung mga projects to be constructed in those areas. We’re looking at construction of facility and mess hall, rehabilitation of runway, construction of additional billeting facilities, acquisition of generators, electrical, installation of electrical system, construction of pier with water supply,” he told reporters in an interview on Wednesday, May 24.

“We are also looking at an HADR warehouse, meaning humanitarian and disaster response, construction of HADR

New cultural landmark rises in Historic Filipinotown

LOS ANGELES – A longstanding nonprofit serving the Filipino community will inaugurate its new offices, meeting rooms, community kitchen, and event space with a grand opening Friday, June 9, from 3-7 pm.

Since 1972. Search To Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) has been providing programs for youth and families including mental health education, counseling, youth programs, small business support, cultural enrichment, and affordable housing in Historic Filipinotown.

A mixed-use space, with permanent supportive housing, replaces SIPA’s headquarters in its 3200 W. Temple St. location for 30 years. SIPA entered into a partnership with nonprofit Linc Housing in June 2020 to develop the property into community center on the ground floor commercial space.

Fil-Ams continue to have low vaccination rates among Asian groups in LA County

DESPITE having arguably the highest number of health workers per capita in the community, Filipino Americans rank below other Asian populations in terms of vaccination rates.

There are three possible contributing factors that may have led to low vaccination rates among Filipino Americans, including those residing in Los Angeles County.

Among these are: the high exposure to COVID-19 misinformation through social media; historical trauma and distrust toward the government, and doubts on safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Social media dilemma

“It took us a while to get the vaccine. I always watch videos and read items in social media about the vaccine. At first, we didn’t want to get it because we read from the internet that

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hangar and with electrical and water facilities, and of course construction of billeting for our personnel, barracks complete with amenities. We are also establishing command and control fusion system,” Aguilar added.

“So they’re ongoing, the projects have been identified and ready for implementation –maybe depending on the release of the budget,” Aguilar said.

The four new EDCA sites are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo

Board of supervisors proclaims Philippine Independence Day in Los Angeles County

ard of supervisors proclaims Philippine Independence Day in Los Angeles County

by AJPRESS Solis, reads in part, “The Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of this day to Filipino residents in Los Angeles County and the contributions made by Filipino employees who are a vital part of our County workforce and continually dedicate themselves to serving our communities.”

THE Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 12, 2023 as "Philippine Independence Day" in the county.

The motion, authored by Chair of the Board Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda L.

“The histories of Los Angeles County and of the Philippines are inextricably linked, and Filipino immigrants have shaped our region over generations.

We’re honoring those historical ties and also saying to our Filipino community: LA County is celebrating with you,” said Chair of the Board Janice Hahn. “I’m especially thankful for the role that our Filipino employee groups like the LA County Filipino American Employees Association and the Filipino American Employees Association of DPSS play in the life of our County government, and I wish them a very happy celebration of

Philippine independence next month.” Los Angeles County, which has the largest Asian American population of any county in the nation, is home to more than 340,000 Filipino Americans.

“This June 12 will commemorate the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, marking the historic day when the Philippines declared independence from Spain. I am proud to represent a vibrant  PAGE A2

DOT’s

new tourism slogan to feature PH as ‘treasure trove’ of culture, history

by ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday, May 24 said that its new tourism slogan –which will focus more on showcasing the country as a “treasure trove” of culture and history — is still under development.

The campaign will succeed the current “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan, which was launched back in 2012.

“We’re grateful for the gains that have been made by Tourism chief Christina Garcia Frasco

photo

 PAGE A2

by EVELYN MACAIRAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Should Filipinos abroad embrace the concept of internet voting in the 2025 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it might discontinue the use of mail-in and in-person casting of ballots for overseas absentee voting (OAV).

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday, May 24 said they would assess and decide on the implications of introducing internet voting in 2025 for the OAV.

“If after the 2025 elections we see that more Filipinos abroad patronized internet voting… maybe we could do away with the two modes,” said Garcia, referring to postal and in-person voting.

He said one consideration for such a move is that maintaining a third mode of voting for Filipinos abroad would be more expensive.

Marcos: LGUs on alert,

national gov’t

ready to assist in ‘Mawar’ response

MANILA — The national government has been in constant contact with counterparts in the local government units as the Philippines — particularly northern Luzon — prepares for strong winds and rain from super typhoon 'Mawar', President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Friday, May 26. He added the national government has already put personnel and resources on standby for disaster response.

Marcos told media after a program marking the anniversary of the Philippine Navy that local government units have been told to make their own preparations for the super typhoon, which is expected to hit peak strength of 220 kilometer-per-hour winds.

"So, what we are doing is we leave it to the LGUs right now to make the call on their specific steps," Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"But the national government will be

there to assist," he also said. According to the Presidential Communications Office, search, rescue and retrival units of thr Armed Forces of the Philippines are already on alert for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

Around 7,970 military personnel and 4,242 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit militia members and 180 reservists have been designated first responders, PCO also said. The military has also put 2,518 land vehicles, 20 aircraft and 265 boats on standby for disaster response.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also said that response teams and equipment are already on standby.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Cagayan — among the areas expected to be most  PAGE A2

‘Internet voting may end in-person vote overseas’

Work on 14 projects at EDCA...

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Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.

The other EDCA sites are at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan in Cebu.

“Now we are looking at making these facility available especially that we have an upcoming typhoon and we’re looking to serve its purpose and to be able to help our countrymen who would be affected. Hopefully it (typhoon) will not (make) landfall but at least we have facility that we can use for the storage of relief goods,” Aguilar said.

the military’s modernization program and are designed to “strengthen our capabilities because these EDCA sites will facilitate the conduct of training, and this is very important, and if we can have equipment stored there so we can use them if we need to,” he added.

Aguilar stressed that EDCA sites would be used chiefly for emergency purposes – like for disaster response – and in case of foreign attack, which would trigger the implementation of the Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S.

The projects for the first EDCA sites cost $81.95 million. The cost of completing the 14 projects at the four new sites would still have to be determined.

are working on strengthening ties and defense relations with Australia and Sweden.

Australian Army Deputy Chief Maj. Gen. Natasha Fox met with Philippine Army Commanding General Gen. Romeo Brawner at Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday, May 24 to discuss such efforts.

Accompanied by Australian Defense Attaché Col. Paul Joseph Barta, the ranking military official is in the country to attend the 6th Philippine-Australia Staff Talks.

At the meeting, the Philippine Army and the Australian Army key officers mapped out bilateral engagement plans for the next year and did some update on joint activities for the year.

The AFP said the 14 new projects are aligned with

Australia, Sweden defense ties

Meanwhile, the AFP and the Department of National Defense

Board of supervisors proclaims Philippine...

Fox said Australian troops have been learning a lot in jungle warfare from Philippine Army soldiers during joint exercises.  PAGE A1

community of Filipino American residents, from Historic Filipinotown to West Covina.

I am honored to celebrate this historic milestone with them and am so grateful to them for

their part in making our County so special,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District.

After 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, Filipino rebels declared independence on June

Marcos: LGUs on alert, national gov’t...

12, 1898. After its defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, the United States subsequently annexed the Philippines, and governed the archipelago until full independence was granted on July 4, 1946. 

‘Internet voting may end in-person...

When internet voting is introduced in 2025, Garcia said overseas Filipino workers “could still avail of in-person voting and mail-in voting.” But Comelec hopes the new mode of voting would result in a higher voter turnout that would better represent the foreignbased Filipino electorate.

In 2022, the Comelec said the voter turnout for OAV was only 34.88 percent.

Republic Act 10590, the Overseas Voting Act of 2013, gives the commission leeway to consider other modes of voting and if the Comelec sees that internet voting would suffice, then it can decide to scrap the two other modes of casting one’s vote.

Meanwhile, Garcia said that for the 2025 elections, they would be selecting media entities as their debate partners. Amid the controversy surround-

ing the 2022 presidential and vice presidential debates in 2022, wherein the Comelec reportedly chose Impact Hub Manila as its partner, Garcia said that to avoid any problems in future election debates they would be partnering with media entities, which is in accordance with the law.

“We should always follow what is stated in the law. According to Republic Act 9006 (Fair Election Act), it is the media entities that should be holding the debates.

Even if the media entities earn a small profit, the Comelec would just be an observer,” said Garcia. He said he believes the debates should be the same as during the 2016 presidential and vice presidential elections when it was handled by different media entities. That year, they did not encounter any problems, nor were there issues “because the media entities shouldered all the expenses and even required the candidates to attend the debate.” 

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affected by 'Mawar' said in a report on TeleRadyo that coastal communities have been alerted and that preparations are under way. The PDDRMO of Batanes said that similar preparations are being done on the island province.

Metro Manila response units ready to assist regions

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Thursday said that local disaster response units in the capital have

already made preparations, but are also planning for deploying to regions hit by the super typhoon if necessary.

MMDA acting chair Don Artes said then that "what we are really looking at is deploying to help out places outside Metro Manila."

He said that LGUs in the capital region "are already prepared, equipped and trained" and might be needed for operations in areas in the regions that do not have the same resources.

Marcos on Friday said that

the national government is "in constant communication with the local governments to see what is the situation in their place — for when the typhoon has passed and the rains have subsided, we will see (what assistance they will need)." Marcos has said in past disaster response operations that he would rather let LGUs and agencies do their work, adding going to calamity sites himself would distract from ongoing relief work. (Philstar.com)

DOT’s new tourism slogan to feature PH as...

PAGE A1 place of our fellow Filipinos regionally,” she added.

the previous administrations in terms of pushing for the existing slogan,” Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco said in the public forum Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

“But at the same time we would like to give our country an opportunity to reintroduce itself to the world not just as a fun destination, which it will continue to be, but also as a treasure trove of culture, of heritage, of history, of love and warmth and the sheer talent of our artisans, makers, small and medium enterprises, as well as the burning private

“The stories of Filipinos have yet to be told in full, and we intend to do that with an enhanced branding campaign,” Frasco added.

According to Frasco, the DOT is still conducting a “white market study” on the existing tourism campaign and is still in the process of enhancing the campaign — which she stressed would not be launched without consulting stakeholders.

“So this is literally in the works right now,” said Frasco.

However, Frasco clarified that the country’s tourism would not hinge on the DOT’s branding campaign alone, highlighting the importance of product development and improving aspects of the Philippine tourism industry, especially when compared to its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

She also recognized the necessity of tourism investments, reiterating that the country remains open for such, especially after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opened the country to investment and pledges. 

CALL FOR PH-EU FREE TRADE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the delegates and participants of the 2023 European-Philippine Business Dialogue on stage at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City on Thursday, May 25. Marcos said it is now the right time to resume the negotiations for a free trade agreement which will facilitate a freer flow of goods between the Philippines and the European Union. PNA photo by Rey Baniquet

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia

Inquirer.net photo

‘We are hitting a crescendo’ — California commission holds rst public forum on hate crimes

by PETER SCHURMANN Ethnic Media Services

HATE crimes and haterelated incidents are on the rise nationwide and they are growing more violent, though prosecutions remain stubbornly low. That was one of the messages delivered during a public forum Wednesday hosted by the California Commission on the State of Hate.

California is no outlier, with data from the Department of Justice showing a near doubling of hate crimes across the state over the last decade.

“Behind each data point is a person who has been targeted for hate and chosen to share their story,” said Candice Cho, Managing Director of Policy and Counsel with the AAPI Equity Alliance, and co-founder of the group Stop AAPI Hate.

Cho noted that many of the more than 11,000 reports collected by Stop AAPI Hate since its launch in 2020 happened in public to people “just going about their daily lives” walking the streets, on public transit or at work.

SOUTHERN

“He spat on my face as he got off the bus, but I was scared and couldn’t do anything,” read one report submitted to Stop AAPI Hate and shared by Cho. “On the packed bus, no one helped me.” According to Cho, many of the cases her organization has tracked involve noncriminal acts, like verbal abuse, bullying at school or microaggressions in the workplace. But Cho stressed that violent or otherwise, “discrimination is hate,” and that such acts can have severe negative side effects for both the victims and the wider community. Victims often report feeling depression, fear, and losing a sense of belonging in society, at times shifting work, school, or neighborhoods in response.

“Even if they did nothing wrong, they had to make adjustments in their life,” noted Stop AAPI Hate Co-Founder Annie Lee, adding that more than a quarter of respondents said these encounters had negatively impacted their personal relationships, suggesting wider societal impacts of hate and discrimination.

Toughening civil rights laws Lee, Managing Director of Policy with Chinese for Affirmative Action, shared results from a 2022 survey that found half of all Asian American and Pacific Islanders nationwide have experienced discrimination in one form or another but that just 15% reported their encounters.

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A majority (52%) said they felt it would make no difference, while 4 in 10 said they did not know where to go to file a report. More than a third reported fearing unwanted attention, while a quarter said they feared reprisals from their attackers.

Of note, 60% of respondents said they wanted to learn more about what their civil rights are and about available resources, many pointing to social media and the ethnic press as their preferred channels. Two thirds also favored new civil rights legislation.

In 2021 California passed the API Equity Budget, funneling $166.5 million into community

and frontline groups working to stem the rise in ant-Asian hate.

Last year the state passed two bills – AB 1664 and AB 2282 – which aim to better protect religious minorities while toughening penalties for cross burnings or the use of swastikas or nooses as overt hate symbols.

This year Stop AAPI Hate is co-sponsoring the “Public Transit for All” bill (SB 434), which would require public transit agencies across the state to collect survey data as a first step toward ensuring ridership safety.

Together, says Lee, these laws “shift the burden of being safe away from individuals and onto public agencies.”

The Commission on the State of Hate, part of California’s Civil Rights Department, was created to strengthen the state’s efforts to combat the surge in hate crimes and hate incidents and to foster improved relations across its diverse communities.

Wednesday’s public forum was the commission’s first, the intent being to solicit input on recommendations for how to achieve its aims. “The goal of the forum today is to listen,” said Commissioner Cece Feiler, who noted that she is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and immigrants to the U.S.

Tracking the numbers

Brian Levin directs the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State-San Bernadino and is a veteran when it comes to tracking hate, with close to four decades including playing a key role in the first Supreme Court case to affirm the constitutionality of hate crimes laws in 1993.

“We are hitting this crescendo,” said Levin, as data show the number of hate crimes reaching new records even as they grow more violent.

Pointing to FBI data, which Levin stressed is inherently flawed given the lack of reporting across law enforcement agencies, he noted in 2020 there were 8,263 reported hate crimes – defined as crimes motivated by prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, religion, sexual

New cultural landmark rises in Historic...

Local design firm Theoforma, was brought on to the project, incorporating natural elements like bamboo and rattan into the design. The aesthetic of the Philippine islands can be found throughout the space, from the fabrics and artisanal items, to furniture from Cebu, and Los Angeles based Filipinx American artists decorating the walls. Every detail was chosen to bring pride and heritage into the space. The permanent supportive housing portion of HiFi Collective opened in fall 2022 with Linc Housing providing the supportive services to residents, thanks to funding from Los Angeles County.

Now at 100% occupancy, HiFi Collective is home to 63 formerly unhoused people, with SIPA and Linc working in close partnership to ensure the entire community thrives together in their new shared space.

“We are beyond excited to reopen our doors and physically root ourselves back in the very neighborhood that SIPA has served for decades,” stated SIPA Executive Director Kimmy Maniquis in a release.

Maniquis added: “SIPA will remain committed to serving youth and families, and are prepared to bring back our after school programs, cultural

health

support to the community of Historic Filipinotown.”

SIPA was founded in 1972 by a group of young Filipino American activists including founders and early leaders –Royal Morales, Al Mendoza, Helen Brown, Paul Chikahisa, Joe Abella and Jeanie Abella, who were inspired by the Civil Rights and Anti-War movements of the 1960s.

The founders wanted to address the lack of resources and opportunities for the Filipino American community in Los Angeles, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and social services.

In its early years, SIPA focused

on organizing community events and cultural activities to promote Filipino heritage and identity. However, as the organization grew, it began to offer a wider range of services to the community, including job training, youth development programs, health education, and social services. Today, SIPA is one of the largest and most wellrespected Filipino American organizations in the country, serving 3,800 people every year.

SIPA’s legacy continues to be felt in Los Angeles and beyond, as it has inspired many other Filipino American organizations and businesses to emerge and thrive across the state of California, and beyond. (Inquirer. net)

A mixed-use space, with permanent supportive housing, replaces SIPA’s headquarters in its 3200 W. Temple St. location for 30 years. Contributed photo

programming, mental

services and basic needs

Bohol named UNESCO Global Geopark

by PIA-LEE BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — Bohol has been named as the Philippines’ first Global Geopark, joining sites and landscapes of international geological significance.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endorsed the addition of 18 new sites from around the world, including the Philippines, to its network of outstanding geoparks, showcasing some of the most beautiful sites of natural beauty around the globe.

The 18 new designations bring to 195 UNESCO Geoparks in 48 countries, covering a total surface area of 486,709 square kilometers, equivalent to twice the size of the United Kingdom.

“Two UNESCO member states are joining the network for the first time: New Zealand and the Philippines,” UNESCO said in a statement.

The other new Global Geoparks are Cacapava and Quarta Colonia (Brazil), Lavreotiki (Greece); Ijen, Maros Pangkep, Merangin Jambi and Raja Ampat (Indonesia); Aras and Tabas (Iran); Hakusan Tedorigawa (Japan); Mount Kinabalu (Malaysia); Waitaki Whitestone (New Zealand); Sunnhordland (Norway); Jeonbuk West Coast (Republic of Korea); Cabo Ortegal (Spain); Khorat (Thailand), and Mourne

‘We are hitting a crescendo’...

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orientation, or similar grounds –with cases of aggravated assault trending upward. There was a 12% increase in reported hate crimes in 2021, according to FBI numbers. Data for 2022 is currently unavailable. States, meanwhile, continue to prosecute barely a fraction of reported hate crimes cases, with Texas prosecuting just five of the “hundreds and hundreds” brought before courts there. California, Levin added, is “pretty

decent… and even we’re low.”

Anti-Black, anti-gay and antiJewish attacks were among the highest recorded, though Levin says targeted groups vary by city, with Los Angeles seeing more anti-Black attacks and San Francisco, with a larger Asian population, seeing more attacks targeting the API community. And while Levin notes there have been more attacks between and among minority groups the overwhelming majority are fueled by right-wing extremists

and white supremacists. With PRIDE month here, Levin called the “demonization and genocidal language” now being aimed at the LGBTQ+ community a “warning sign” and he urged greater vigilance and reporting in the runup to PRIDE related events.

“When we see residents of our state being maligned,” he said, “I don’t care what their faith or identity is. The laws of California mandate that we have to protect our civil rights.” 

Fil-Ams continue to have low vaccination...

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Philippines, told me he already got his vaccine, and he turned out to be fine, then we thought, we should be okay, too,” she added.

File photo shows Chocolate Hills in Bohol. Philstar.com photo Gullion Strangford (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

Bohol Island’s Global Geopark status was announced during the 216th session of UNESCO’s executive board, which was held in Paris, France. The UN agency said Bohol Island’s geological identity has been pieced together over 150 million years, as periods of tectonic turbulence have raised the island from the ocean depths. The geopark abounds in karstic geosites such as caves, sinkholes and cone karst, including the famous cone-shaped Chocolate

Hills at the center of the geopark.

UNESCO described the Philippine area as having “scenic and varied landforms and structural features.”

“The Geopark features one of the six double barrier reefs in the world and the only barrier reef in Southeast Asia,” it said.

the first vaccine that was available (one dose Johnson & Johnson) was not that effective and those who will be vaccinated first will serve as guinea pigs to test if the vaccine works or not,” said digital creator Aireen Marquez, 46, a mother of two teenage boys.

She also says most of her family members back home work as frontliners so they were required to get vaccinated, even despite personal beliefs.

getting treatment for the virus was and has always been completely thought of.

UNICEF: Filipino children among most at risk from ‘overlapping’ climate hazards

by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines is among the world’s most dangerous countries in the world for children in terms of exposure to multiple types of overlapping climate and environmental shocks and stresses, according to the latest UNICEF East Asia and Pacific report, ‘Over the Tipping Point.’ At least 96% of children in the Philippines face more than three different types of “overlapping”

climate-related hazards or stresses, much higher than the global average of 73% and the regional average of 89%.

This means that at least nine out of ten Filipino children are at risk of experiencing several types of climate shocks like coastal flooding, water scarcity, heatwaves, air pollution, tropical cyclones or vector-borne diseases. With climate shocks increasing in frequency, the effects of these hazards may be more amplified among children who are already vulnerable to begin with due to

non-climate shocks like the COVID pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, among others, according to UNICEF.

This leads to a “polycrisis” — “a situation with multiple nearsimultaneous shocks with strong interdependencies,” UNICEF stated in its report, which sought to measure the compounding effects of several environmental shocks in the East Acia and Pacific Region.

“Other human-driven trends amplify these effects, leading

The UNESCO Global Geopark designation, created in 2015, recognizes “geological heritage of international significance.” Geoparks serve local communities by combining the conservation with public outreach and a sustainable approach to development.   PAGE A5

Marquez, who has lived with her family in Hawthorne for more than three years when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, admitted that when the vaccine became available in late 2020, they opted to wait to get vaccinated due to their exposure to a lot of misinformation on social media.

The deadly coronavirus, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus or COVID-19, wrought havoc on mankind at the onset of 2020. Millions of people were affected and perished due to the lack of adequate and appropriate information about this infectious disease.

Originally identified in China in 2019, the virus is characterized by symptoms, including fever and cough, and is capable of progressing to severe respiratory symptoms and in some cases death, especially in older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

The World Health Organization (WHO), after more than 100,000 cases in 114 countries and over 4,200 deaths, declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

At the beginning of the pandemic, WHO told the public that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission was to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. People were asked to protect themselves and others from infection by staying at least one meter apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently.

"My family are mostly soldiers, nurses, lawyers, police officers and doctors. They interact with the public that's why they need to be vaccinated. Everybody seemed to be fine after getting the vaccine so all our fears about the effectiveness of the vaccines eventually faded off,” said Marquez.

But she says their vaccine hesitancy also did not last that long as they were left with no choice but to get jabbed.

“My husband’s employer required all employees to have the vaccine so when he went to get his vaccine, me and my sons also got ours,” she recalled.

The WHO defines vaccine hesitancy as the delay in the acceptance, or blunt refusal of, vaccines.

The United Nations-sanctioned agency also described vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019. Conversely, vaccine confidence relates to individuals’ beliefs that vaccines are effective and safe.

Marquez, meanwhile, points out that being a frequent traveler, full vaccination is also a must.

“We have no choice but to comply with the government’s travel rules. We always visit our parents in the Philippines,” she added.

“I heard some myths surrounding the COVID-19, like the vaccine affecting reproductive system and menstrual cycle, but my own judgment as a parent and as a person in the medical field has almost always prevailed,” said David, pointing out that her family are all vaccinated, especially her children.

Data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Services showed that as of April 2023, Asian American children got the highest vaccination rate at 84.1% and 81.5% for 5+ years old and 12+ years old, respectively.

“I am aware that like any other vaccines and some medicines, there could be a lot of side effects,” explained David, who is also certified corrections health care professional and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Being in the medical field for more than 17 years, David, a mother of three children with ages 7-10 years old, pointed out that, “I always see to it that I educate my family especially my children (with regard to COVID-19 vaccination and treatment).”

David, 41, also believes that her long-time experience as a health worker has helped her become more discerning about COVID-19 related issues.

“I always believe in the power of science and medicine,” she added.

A loss of trust in health authorities has been a reported key determinant of vaccine confidence, with misconceptions about vaccine safety being among the most common reasons for low confidence in vaccines.

According

to the study “Social Media Use and Misinformation

Among Asian Americans During COVID-19” by Stella K. Chong, Shahmir H. Ali, Lan N. Ðoàn, Stella S. Yi, Chau Trinh-Shevrin and Simona C. Kwon, social media has been crucial for seeking and communicating COVID-19 information.

However, it has also promulgated misinformation, which is particularly concerning among Asian Americans, including Filipino Americans, who may rely on in-language information and utilize social media platforms to connect to Asia-based networks.

This study noted that Asian American social networks are distinct from other communities. These networks may include family in other Asian countries and include dissemination of non-English information on social media.

In the same study, it showed that Asian Americans, who comprise 5.5% of the U.S. population are leading users of internet and mobile technologies, evidenced through higher ownership of smartphones, laptops, and wireless networks.

Approximately 94% of Asian American households, the study stated, own a smartphone in the U.S, which increases access to the internet and social media for entertainment, information seeking, and social connectedness.

In particular, Asian Americans (many of whom are first generation, foreign-born immigrants) utilize the internet and social media to seek and receive up-to-date health information.

Based on a Pew Research Center report, social media also allows for cross-national social connectedness to family and friends in home countries, and the efficacious transfer of health, political, economic-related information in native languages.

True to this report’s findings, Marquez says her constant communication with immediate family in the Philippines through social media platforms like Facebook also swayed them against getting immunized early.

“Back home in the Philippines, when my brother, a member of the Armed Forces in the

It was noted that despite the prevalent use of social media among Asian Americans including Filipino Americans, there has been limited research on Asian Americans' pattern of social media use by age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Frequently, Asian Americans are not included in national datasets on social media use and engagement.

The lack of disaggregated data on Asian Americans reportedly took its toll on a young Filipino American adult whose naviety on COVID-19 misinformation cost her her job.

A 25-year old Fil-Am, based in Downtown LA, who requested anonymity, used to work as a medical assistant at a physical therapy clinic in Torrance. However, she lost her job for refusing to be vaccinated due to a fear of unwarranted side effects of the COVID vaccine.

Prior to heightened pandemic scare, Mary (not her real name), said she spent most of her time on various social media apps and platforms. Her apparent failure to decipher a misinformation from a fact about COVID-19, led her to a more unfortunate “side effect."

“It’s really frustrating that I opted to get fired than to get the vaccine which efficacy, I believe at that time, had yet to be fully established. I was so scared that I might not be able to bear another child if I get that antiCOVID shot,” said Mary, who has a 4-year-old daughter.

Charles Lawrence Chamorro, an administrator of the popular Southern California (SoCal) Pinoys social media group, is adamant and more discerning of the information being disseminated on these social media platforms.

“I got vaccinated. I was not afraid and did not get affected by social media posts,” Chamorro remarksed when asked if his active engagement in social media affected his discretion to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Distrust in vaccine efficacy and safety

Despite extensive exposure to misinformation on social media, some middle-aged Filipino Americans, especially those who work in the medical field, are sharing different perspectives.

Though Tatum David, a registered nurse (RN) at Liberty Healthcare, acknowledgeed the existence of “myths” around COVID-19, she said her family’s judgment with regard to taking any vaccine, medication and

Husband and wife Jerome and Jam Libiran, both RNs from Santa Clarita, were among the first to take chances on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jam, 33, who works at a dermatology clinic in Santa Monica, and Jerome, an RN at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Thrive, know that during those trying times, they need to completely trust the system.

“The moment the vaccine became available for frontliners, we didn’t hesitate to grab the opportunity to be protected as we know we would need it to have a fighting chance to survive the virus, just in case, we’ll catch it. We didn’t hesitate to get the vaccine because we trust the process. We’re briefed on how it has been tested and proven effective. We believe that it will be our first line of defense during the battle of COVID,” the couple, who has a two-year old son, said.

Jerome recalls that during the onset of the pandemic, they would have monthly staff meetings on new protocols and updates on COVID-related cases.

“These regular updates and information sharing from the hospital management on the vaccines’ development have greatly helped us in appreciating the importance of being protected from the virus,” he noted.

Of the 4.2 million Filipino Americans in the United States, around 506,000 are based in Los Angeles, according to the 2019 data of Washington-based polling firm Pew Research Center (PRC).

An estimated 4%, or about 150,000, of nurses in the U.S. are Filipino.

An earlier study showed that over 30% of the 205 nurses who have died are Filipino American, though the group makes up just 4% of the nursing workforce. In California, where about 20% of nurses identify as Filipino, they account for 11 of the 16 COVID-19 deaths in the profession, or nearly 70%, according to the California Nurses Association.

Among health care workers as a whole, the outsized impact of the virus on Filipino Americans is likely much greater.

In California

where more

UNICEF: Filipino children among most...

PAGE A4

to more shocks, thus creating knock-on effects on several interconnected systems and sectors,” UNICEF added.

Based on data from several climate- and environmentrelated research institutions, the Philippines has an "extremely high" (more than five) number of hazards, shocks or stresses.

Recurring climate hazards

Climate hazards striking the country simultaneously could also be “eroding” people's capacity to mitigate its effects, the report stated.

“The recurrent climate hazards, shocks and stresses do not have isolated impacts — they have cascading effects on a host of other risks. Droughts, floods and severe weather, coupled with other environmental stresses, compound one another,” the UNICEF study noted.

As climate hazards occur more frequently, the likelihood that climate shocks will take place in closer succession could also increase — a pain point in countries like the Philippines where typhoons have become more severe in recent years.

UNICEF cited as an example Typhoon Pepeng (Parma), which hit the Philippines in 2009 and was “accompanied with another

associated hazard — floods, which killed nearly 512 people and caused economic losses of US$798 million.”

This was immediately followed by Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), which hit the country during the same year, “causing torrential rainfall and further flooding, compounding the damage caused by Parma,” UNICEF stated.

“Aside from killing an additional 500 people, there were economic losses of $323 million, creating a multiplier effect that exacerbated the impacts of each hazard,” the UNICEF report stated.

Climate hazards can also lead to “secondary multiplier effects” when they impact those with different vulnerabilities in social, economic, human and ecological systems that are interconnected.

Floods increase the risk of water-related infectious diseases due to contamination, and floods and cyclones increase the risk of malaria and dengue due to the appearance of more mosquito breeding sites.

East Asia and Pacific region most impacted by overlapping hazards

“More than any other region, children in the East Asia and Pacific region are having to survive multiple, often overlapping climate and environmental

hazards and shocks,” according to UNICEF.

Children in the region today face at least a six-fold increase in climate-related disasters compared to their grandparents.

For the last five decades, countries in the East Asia and Pacific region have also witnessed 11 times more floods; 4 times more storms; 2.4 times more droughts and 5 times more landslides, the report found.

“With temperatures and sea levels rising and extreme weather such as typhoons, severe floods, landslides and droughts increasing, millions of children are at risk,” the report stated.

UNICEF laid down recommendations to better protect children from the effects of overlapping climate stresses. Among others, it stressed the need to provide children with continued access to the services they need, which will require investments in “climate-smart and disaster-resilient education, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene services.”

UNICEF also called on countries to provide robust child protection and social protection systems that are “climate-responsive” and the use of strong early warning, risk management and disaster preparedness systems. g

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, like the staff of a beauty salon in Diliman Quezon City, welcome the approval of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) bill at the House of Representatives committee level on Thursday, May 25. The bill, a consolidation of eight measures, states that it is discriminatory to deny an application for or revoking a professional or other similar kind of license, clearance, certification on, or any other similar document, except marriage license, issued by the government due to the applicant’s SOGIESC.

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Bracing for another super typhoon

THE country has suffered grievous loss of lives, crops and property from typhoons of varying strengths, so people must be familiar by now with preventive safety and mitigation protocols.

In this dry season, the country is bracing for another super typhoon, which has just pummeled Guam. Mawar, which will be called Betty when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility this weekend, roared across the U.S. territory as a Category 4 cyclone with winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour, according to reports.

Editorial

Super Typhoon Yolanda, which flattened large swathes of Eastern Visayas in 2013, was a Category 5 cyclone. A Category 4 cyclone, however, is powerful enough, and Mawar could still pick up strength as it moved toward the Philippines. Weather experts have issued sufficient alerts and tracked the likely path of the typhoon, so the places expected to be hardest hit are known. Local government units, working with the national government, must be fully prepared for the cyclone.

Residents in coastal communities must be readied for evacuation to sites with decent

accommodations, with adequate health and sanitation facilities.

Those in charge of the evacuation centers must remember that COVID-19 is still around, with highly transmissible coronavirus subvariants posing a threat particularly to the vulnerable elderly and the immunocompromised. The Arcturus strain of COVID is also known to infect even young children.

With the typhoon approaching, some local governments have urged their farmers to harvest crops even if the timing is slightly premature. Rescue teams and equipment are being readied, while houses and other structures made of light materials are being lashed to the ground. Light fishing boats are being secured inland.

Mawar is the first super typhoon to enter the country this year, and the second cyclone after Tropical Depression Amang struck the Bicol region in April. Climate change has fueled extreme and unpredictable weather disturbances,

• The only majoritarian President since Marcos Sr.

explain the startling political developments last week:

and we have seen the images of Mawar wreaking havoc in Guam. This powerful cyclone is barreling toward the Philippines. There is no excuse for being unprepared. (Philstar.com)

12 years

political powerplay.”

THAT is how Filipinos should look at the presidency of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., aka BBM. As president, BBM should serve from noon of June 30, 2022 to noon of June 30, 2028, exactly six years.

But then, this is a President who won with an unprecedented mandate, the largest electoral win ever for a president since Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr.’s historic victory in 1969. With 31.629 million votes, BBM has the largest number of votes ever by any president.

BBM chalked up this record (according to a tally made by Albay Second District Congressman Joey Salceda):

• He won all regions, except Regions V (Bicol, home region of opposition presidential candidate Leni Robredo) and VI (Western Visayas).

• Largest vote share (59 percent) since Marcos Sr.’s reelection in 1969 (61 percent).

• Largest margin (32 percent) since Magsaysay (37 percent).

The BBM mandate indicates two things: One, for the first time in more than half a century (53 years), the nation is united behind a single leader and two, his awesome mandate means the people believed in BBM’s promise of sweeping changes, for deep economic and social transformation.

Among those changes: Lick poverty for good (to less than 5 percent of the population from the present more than 26 percent); unify the nation and end divisive and debilitating politics; make Filipinos upper middle income; double infra spending to P9 trillion in six years from P4.5 trillion under Duterte and thus modernize the economy; make the Philippines march in cadence with the world’s most dynamic economies and vibrant democracies.

Such reforms cannot be achieved in six short years. Hence, the need for BBM to groom his successor, this early. That successor is, of course, a relative.

We now must view then the Marcos Jr. presidency from the prism of 12 years, if not longer.

That is the only way to

• The demotion or ouster of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the sole Senior Deputy Speaker of the 314-member House of Representatives. The vote was taken 7:40 p.m. of May 17, 2023, with less than 20 congressmen physically present, and the principal protagonists were physically absent – Arroyo herself, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and the new Senior Deputy Speaker, Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. GMA’s ouster from a largely ceremonial position was a coup attributed to Speaker Martin, who was silent like a Sphinx for four solid days before making a statement that surely incriminated him (he talked about nipping a coup in the bud).

• The resignation two days later, May 19, of Vice President Sara Duterte as chair of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democratic Party which launched her VP candidacy in May 2022.

It was a noisy resignation. Her leadership as VP, she said in effect, “cannot be poisoned by political toxicity or undermined by execrable

Up in smoke

original neoclassical architecture designed by Tomas Mapua and Juan Arellano preserved, as it was rebuilt from the destruction in the World War II Battle of Manila.

Toxic means poison. Execrable means carabao dung. You don’t describe the politics of a ruling party in those disgraceful terms.

As if using toxic and execrable were not enough, Sara posted on Instagram, “Sa imong ambisyon, do not be tambaloslos” (“For your ambition, do not be like tambaloslos”).

According to usually unreliable Visayan and Bicolano folklore, tambaluslus is a wrinkled, dark colored, hairy creature with long, thin and wobbly legs, hooves and big joints, long arms and fingers, the mane of a horse from head to toe, a wide mouth, large vicious teeth, a penis as long as its height and large testicles with the diameter of an umbrella. It misleads people in the forest and rapes humans and animals. Despite its huge penis and balls, the monster is largely powerless.

People speculated that Sara’s tambaloslos refers to Speaker Martin.

Martin, who was named after BBM’s father (FM, as in Ferdinand Martin), is infinitely a much more charismatic, likable and powerful person

than the largest of the tambaloslos species.

Martin comes from a distinguished family of statesmen, jurists and politicians that predates the rise to power of then Ilocos Norte congressman Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. The Romualdezes come from a “holy” family. Their ancestors were Spanish priests and nuns on both sides. They are no strangers to power and powerplays. Their playground was the highest echelons of politics and society. Their terrain is Manila and Leyte. And yes, they know how to handle revolts and coups.

After People Power of 1986, the now legendary Romualdez wealth was practically intact, untouched by sequestration, politics and powerplays.

Before FM’s Imelda, the most famous of the Romualdezes was Daniel Zialcita Romualdez. He was speaker from 1957 to 1962. Imelda is a cousin of Daniel.

According to Wikipedia, Daniel Romualdez’s father was Don Miguel Lopez Romualdez, assemblyman for Leyte and mayor of Manila during World War II. His mother was Brigida Zialcita of Manila.

Daniel Romualdez’s father

was the second of the three sons of Trinidad “Tidad” Lopez, eldest daughter of Spanish friar Don Francisco Lopez of Granada, Spain (later of Burauen, Leyte), and Daniel Romuáldez of Pandacan, Manila, a tuberculosis survivor and cabeza de barangay. His paternal grandfather Daniel was owner of the Malacañang Gardens, the huge expanse of land dedicated to entertaining guests of Philippine presidents. Supreme Court Associate Justice Norberto Romualdez was Daniel’s uncle. Another uncle, Dean Vicente Orestes Romuáldez y Lopez, was the father of Imelda Marcos and grandfather of the current Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez. Romualdez’s great-grandfather was involved in the Sumuroy Revolt but narrowly escaped Spanish execution when he was allowed by David Dulay to visit his ailing mother. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * * Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com

THE TikTok generation will probably ask: what’s a stamp?

That will be the reaction to the loss of the priceless collection of antique and rare commemorative stamps that went up in smoke, literally, in the fire that razed the Manila Central Post Office from late Saturday night until Sunday morning.

The TikTok generation might care about the destruction of the National ID cards that were being readied for snail mail distribution. Those expecting official documents, registered mail and parcels, which must still be sent by traditional postal service, might also be worried.

As for those rare stamps, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) has said these weren’t just the collection of the Central Post Office but the entire national stamp collection. That was part of our heritage that got torched in that inferno.

The building itself is a national heritage. Since its concrete shell survived the fire, it can and must be rebuilt, with the

Reconstruction, unfortunately, is going to be costly and will take time. And it’s unlikely to be given funding priority by the administration, which is warning of fiscal collapse from unsustainable military and uniformed personnel pensions (although funding for foreign junkets is bottomless). The country is already buried in P13.86 trillion debt as of endMarch, over P1 trillion of which was incurred in the first nine months alone of Marcos 2.0.

* * * For the steep fire toll, there must be a serious effort to determine if negligence played a role in the conflagration. With the dramatic drop in the use of snail mail, was there also a weakening of official interest in protecting what’s housed in the Central Post Office?

Some quarters harbored more sinister suspicions, that the fire was deliberately set off and allowed to get out of control so the site, with its prime location, can be sold by the government

for mixed-use commercial development.

Manila Mayor Honey LacunaPangan has reassured the public that this isn’t going to happen to the site, which the National Museum had declared in 2018 as an “important cultural property” and by the National Historical Institute as a heritage zone.

The National Museum’s designation entitled the postal building to state funding for its protection, conservation and restoration. Where did the funding go?

The ugly speculations persist, because of details emerging that indicate failure to comply with fire safety standards in a structure that serves as a repository for highly combustible materials.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel have said the building lacked water sprinklers – a basic requirement for all commercial establishments, so it must also be a requirement in government offices.

There was no fire alarm system, the BFP said. Were there night guards on duty? They must have been asleep in the pancitan when the fire roared across the basement where the mail and parcels were stored.

By the time the fire trucks

began arriving – and that area teems with fire stations from neighboring districts – the fire was already raging. It quickly spread all the way to the fifth floor.

BFP personnel explained that the enclosed space trapped the heat and fanned the fire. The intense heat caused even the powerful bursts of water from the fire hoses to swiftly evaporate, and the fire trucks quickly ran out of their loads of water. The BFP said several trucks had to get water from the Pasig River and even the water fountains in Liwasang Bonifacio. It took 30 hours to declare the fire completely out.

* * *

In other countries, places that hold important documents and precious artifacts are environment-controlled for temperature and light. This is the reason why flash photography is prohibited in exhibits of priceless artwork and antiquities.

After reconstruction, the government might want to turn over the postal building to the National Museum instead of PHLPost, which doesn’t deserve to be entrusted with heritage property. Museum personnel are expected to understand the importance of providing the appropriate environment for different types of objects.

At the same time, there must be a serious effort to identify old structures in Manila that deserve to be preserved or restored.

In many countries that I have visited, there are “old towns” or old quarters that have been preserved, and they are almost always top tourist draws. Old houses have been converted into lovely boutique hotels, quaint shops and restaurants that usually feature local fare. Property values in such enclaves are typically among the highest in the country. China is dotted with such enchanting old villages. Even tiny Singapore, with hardly any land to spare, has preserved its colonial era shophouses amid its concrete jungle.

* * *

In Manila, sadly, it has been a struggle to preserve anything even within Intramuros. The city is a microcosm of the unplanned, anything goes, kanya-kanya mindset that has characterized development all over the country.

Compare Intramuros with the walled enclave in the Old Town of Cartagena in Colombia, and the way that old haunt of novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez has been developed into a tourist destination, and you will be green with envy.

The Central Post Office, an imposing landmark that’s featured in postcards of Manila,

could have served as a focal point for an Old Manila development that can include Binondo, portions of Sta. Cruz, Quiapo and San Miguel districts. (TikTok generation: what’s a postcard?) But it’s too late now for this.

Considering the cost of reconstruction, which the Government Service Insurance System says it can bankroll (if its assets aren’t forcibly included in the Maharlika fund), there are proposals to just turn over the postal building to the private sector – with the non-negotiable provision that its basic structure cannot be altered.

Proponents say the building can be converted into a neoclassical hotel, as Singapore has done with some of its colonial era government buildings, or a music hall. Similar proposals have been made to save and restore the old train station in Paco, Manila, whose concrete columns and platform remain intact.

The postal office inferno at least has ignited conversation on the need to protect heritage structures. Perhaps a preservation mindset can rise from the ashes of this disaster. (Phistar.com)

* * *

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

TONY LOPEZ

ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

Fil-Ams continue to have low vaccination...

than 39,000 health care workers have contracted COVID-19 and 191 have died — Filipino Americans comprise about 12% of all health care workers and 11% of health care support jobs, like assistants in nursing homes.

A National Nurses United (NNU) report released in September 2020 entitled, “Sins of Omissions”, indicated that at least 329 RNs have died of COVID-19 and related complications since the beginning of the pandemic. The data collection tracked deaths up until February 11, 2021, and also found that at least 3,233 health care workers, including RNs, have died from the virus.

Of the 329 deaths, 83 individuals were of Filipino descent, according to the NNU report.

“Eighty-three (26.4 percent) of the 314 registered nurses, for whom race/ethnicity data is available, who have died of COVID-19 and related complications are Filipino.

They make up four percent of registered nurses in the United States,” the report said.

Among the 170 RNs of color who have died, nearly half (48.8%) have been Filipino. The data comes from 314 registered nurses for which race and ethnicity data is available.

In Los Angeles alone, about 23.1% of the total employed registered nurses are Filipinos, based on a study by University of California (UC) San Francisco (UCSF).

Historical trauma, religion

In a study entitled “The Role of Religions in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review,” the authors recognized that “culture, religion and health are closely intertwined, profoundly affecting people’s attitudes and behaviors as well as their conception and experience of illness and disease.

Wherever in the world they live, most Filipinos — especially those who grew up mostly in an environment full of myths, superstitious beliefs and strong religious ties — are still somewhat governed by these cultural and ancestral influences.

But Roy Caballero, an elder at Rosewood Methodist Church in Los Angeles, dismissed these influences and pointed out that he has not encountered any form of misinformation at churches, at least within his own congregation.

When asked if religious leaders in his place of worship have, in any way, influenced his decision to get inoculated, Caballero said, “No, my church just informed us about safety protocols.” “Our church observed all government directives. Yes we closed for a while but continued our worship services online. We opened as soon as the government said it was safe,” he added.

The 70-year-old Caballero, who lives in Glendale, admitted that he previously had no plans of getting the vaccine because he believed that following the safety protocols would protect him against COVID-19.

However, his hospitalization in 2021 necessitated the administering of the vaccine.

“I had a back injury for surgery and they required me to get vaccinated along with other vaccines like pneumonia and flu. And it was okay by God’s grace,” he recalled.

With a bit of knowledge on medications having worked with pharmaceutical companies before, Caballero said, “personally, I try to avoid all of them including vaccines. But I wouldn’t be a stubborn old man and refuse doctor’s orders,” he opined.

Caballero’s decision to be vaccinated, he said, is likewise influenced by close family ties.

“My sister and daughter are nurses and they’ll be the first ones who will scold me if I don’t cooperate,” he added.

Lerma Silo, 73, who migrated to the U.S. when she was in

her late 60s, said she never considered taking any other forms of medication in lieu of vaccine since she really got scared when she heard a lot of elderly people dying because of COVID-19. “My daughter told me not to take any chances. The moment the vaccine arrived and ready, I got it,” she said.

Silo, a devout Catholic from Gardena, was convinced that fervent prayers and early vaccination saved her life when she got exposed to the virus.

In her late 60s, Letty (not her real name) from Torrance, had a long compelling time before her daughter, who is a doctor, could persuade her to get vaccinated.

“With all the news coming out in social media saying this is just a simple case of flu but became a conspiracy theory, and a money making plot by pharmaceutical firms, and targeting and getting rid of elderly and sick people to save on pension funds and health care benefits were really just too much to bear then,” said Letty.

But with her daughter’s assurance, she eventually agreed to get the Moderna vaccine.

Asian American seniors aged 65 and older were on top of the vaccination rate chart of LA County Department of Public Health at 86.5%.

Preliminary observations from The FILLED Project (FILipino Lived Experiences during COVID-19) published by the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health revealed that “health outcomes for Asian American subgroups are often aggregated, masking unique experiences and disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically among Filipino Americans.”

From April to August 2021, the FILLED Project launched a cross-sectional online survey between among Fil-Am adults in Southern California to document community issues and outcomes during the pandemic.

Among 223 participants, 47.5% were immigrants, 50.9% identified as essential workers, and 40.6% had a pre-existing health condition before the pandemic.

Despite high rates of health insurance (93.3%), 24.4% of the sample did not have a regular health care provider.

Most respondents felt that the COVID-19 vaccination was a personal responsibility to others (76.9%) and the majority had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (82.4 %).

On COVID-19 impact, participants reported moderatesevere changes in their daily routines (73.5%), access to extended social support (38.9%), housing issues (15.4%), and access to medical care (11.6%).

This study was believed to be the first community-driven effort highlighting Fil-Am community experiences with the vaccine in Southern California, where the highest proportion of Fil-Ams in the United States reside.

The FILLED-commissioned survey noted that the observational findings may help community leaders, policy makers, and public health researchers in the design, development, and implementation of post-pandemic intervention strategies used by community-partnered projects that address Fil-Am and subAsian group health disparities at grassroots to societal levels.

Despite being one of the largest and most-rapidly expanding ethnic groups, the Fil-Am community's needs are poorly understood.

The survey further noted that “often aggregated with other Asian American groups, the social and economic diversity among Asian sub-ethnic groups is masked and overlooked compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Systemically, the pervasive 'model minority myth' harms sub-ethnic Asian groups as it universally stereotypes Asians as healthy and smart, erasing the diverse and unique

sociopolitical, migration experiences, and/or cultural histories distinguishing Asian Americans across generations.”

The FILLED survey likewise pointed out that “such biases contributes to the lack of inlanguage and/or culturally appropriate health services and prevention material for immigrant Asian Americans whose primary language is not English; this exclusionary action skews surveillance reports with an abundance of not only English proficient individuals, but with higher income or education attainment, and more likely to utilize services or participate in research.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic thus revealed and exacerbated existing disparities among ethnic minority and marginalized groups, especially with the allocation of resources, funding, culturally appropriate outreach, and community utilization of preventative services (e.g., screening, vaccinations, etc.) Specifically, individuals with preexisting health conditions were at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, intensive care, and death,” the survey added. (By Donnabelle Gatdula Arevalo/AJPress)

This article is a two-part reporting series on the COVID-19 misinformation’s impact on the Filipino American community in Los Angeles County. The Asian Journal is commissioned by the Ethnic Media Services under California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Myth Buster Initiative II.

G7, QUAD back Marcos call for adherence to ‘rules-based order’

MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s advocacy to uphold rules-based international order has earned support from the member states of Group of Seven (G7) and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), Malacañang said on Friday, May 26.

The expression of support was relayed to Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko through a letter sent to her on May 20.

Garafil said the letter contains Koshikawa’s report on the outcome documents of the recently-concluded 2023 G7 and QUAD summits hosted by Japan.

Citing Koshikawa’s letter, Garafil said the twin summits resulted in the issuance of “consequential decisions encompassing matters related to the Philippines.”

“The outcome document of the recently-concluded 2023 Group of Seven and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue summits in Japan strongly supported President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on his position to adhere to the international rules-based order and maintain peace and stability in the region,” she said.

Koshikawa informed Garafil that during the G7 summit, the leaders had reaffirmed their resolve to meet global challenges and further champion shared international principles and values.

To maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, the G7 leaders had

emphasized their commitment to strengthen coordination with regional partners, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Koshikawa said.

ASEAN is eyeing an economiccooperation thrust in the IndoPacific.

Under the concept, ASEAN seeks to deepen economic integration, ensure financial stability and resilience, and strengthen trade and investment by supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 and other free trade agreements including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Koshikawa, Garafil said, had also emphasized the G7 leaders’ stance that there is “no legal basis” for China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea (SCS).

Garafil said the G7 leaders had likewise expressed “strong” opposition to Beijing’s militarization in the SCS, stressing the universal character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its pivotal role in setting out the legal framework in all activities in the oceans and seas.

Meantime, Koshikawa told Garafil that the QUAD leaders, during the May 20 summit, had reaffirmed their vision of a “peaceful, prosperous and stable” region which respects sovereignty and is free from any form of intimidation and

coercion.

Garafil said QUAD leaders had also affirmed their commitment to follow four principles, which include investing in the future prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and maintaining and strengthening stability in the region in accordance with international law and work to strengthen and reform the multilateral system.

“Other principles are respect for the centrality, agency and leadership of regional institutions while firmly working in and alongside each other, and transparently work together in open dialogue to deliver responsive and sustained economic and social value,” Koshikawa’s letter read.

“By working together in creating a brighter future for all, the decisive actions in the summits concretize steps towards upholding an international order based on the rule of law and strengthening outreach to the Global South,” it added.

The G7 is an informal bloc of industrialized democracies such as the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom (UK). It meets annually to discuss issues such as global economic governance, international security and energy policy.

On the other hand, the QUAD is a security dialogue between the US, Australia, India and Japan. All democracies and vibrant economies, member countries tackle security, economic and health issues. (PNA)

Asian Journal WKND

A CSPA victory after several lawyers said the case was hopeless, on an encore 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 PAGE B2

LIFESTYLE CONSUMER GUIDE COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

Joshua’s acting matures

in Regal’s ‘Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan’

By IzA IglesIAs ManilaTimes.net

AFTER suffering from major delays because of the pandemic, the highly anticipated film adaptation of Bob Ong’s bestselling novel “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan” starring Joshua Garcia has finally arrived.

The mystery-thriller by celebrated director Chito Roño was first meant to be an entry to the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival. However, co-producers Regal Entertainment and Black Sheep decided to pull it out.

Indeed, good things come

to those who wait as three years after its initial release, the film can is now available to a larger, global audience via streamingplatform Prime Video.

“Times have changed, and people’s behavior have change. After the pandemic, they seem to prefer to stay at home. And during the pandemic, the digital format became really strong,” Regal Entertainment CEO Roselle Monteverde said in media conference.

“That’s why we thought of bringing this to streaming platform because of its audience

Why Alma cried over 2015 interview with Karen Davila

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

ALMA Moreno admitted that the public’s reaction to her 2015 interview with Karen Davila affected her negatively, saying she only got over it after she realized she did not need to prove herself to anyone.

It can be recalled that the broadcaster interviewed Moreno when the latter was running for a senatorial position

immediately made headlines at the time after netizens pointed out how Moreno seemingly had a hard time answering Davila’s questions.

The actress-politician recalled this during a vlog with comediantalent manager Ogie Diaz, who asked if she considered her then-candidacy as a “trauma.”

“Hindi, kasi ‘pag may dalahin ako, lagi akong nakakapit sa taas. Parang dumaan lang sa akin—nalungkot ako, nasaktan ako pero after no’n kailangan

lumaban sa buhay e,” she said. “Hindi pwedeng [‘pag] nadapa ka o kung anong mangyari sa ‘yo ay hindi ka na babangon.” (No, because when something weighs on me, I always hold on to Him. It will just pass by. I will be sad and hurt, but I will soldier on in life. You should not stay down after you stumble.)

When asked if she took to heart the bashing she got at the time, Moreno admitted, “Nung una dinamdam ko ‘yon.

in 2015. The said interview

CSPA VICTORY! After the Embassy denied his visa, Atty Gurfinkel (extreme right) proved that Florjan (2nd from left) was eligible under the CSPA! After previously consulting with about three or four other lawyers, who all said that there was no hope for Florjan to come to the U.S. because he had already aged-out, his sister, Florida (3rd from left) had almost given up. Fortunately, Florida’s husband, Ricky (extreme left), was the building superintendent at the New York City office of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel and he asked the leading

immigration attorney to review their case. Atty. Gurfinkel saw that Florjan was eligible under the CSPA and was able to appeal his case and get the

Joshua Garcia Photo from Instagram/@garciajoshuae

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

that 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 an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 28 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)

Dingdong says ‘audacity wanted’ in the biz

By Armin P. AdinA Inquirer.net

KAPUSO ‘Primetime King’ Dingdong Dantes believes actors like himself need to be audacious to flourish in the business, but reminded them to be conscious of limits, to have the courage to take risks but remain responsible.

“Especially as actors, we always have to take risks. Otherwise, if we remain complacent in what we do, that’s what your viewers will always see. So as artists, we always have to push the limit, be audacious, be bold, be wild in a sense,” the actor-host told the Inquirer at the sidelines of his launch as the first Filipino ambassador for the global lifestyle brand Police held at the SM Mall of Asia branch of Ideal Vision in Pasay City on March 25.

The “Family Feud” host said his new role reminds him of the value of discovering one’s full potential. “Come to think of it, if you’re not going to push your limit, you will never know that you need to do that. And I think this is what I appreciate about the campaign, it’s the tagline ‘audacity wanted,’” he explained.

Dantes also noted publicist Frank Briones’ remarks when he was introduced to the members of the media who came to the launch: “‘It’s good

Inquirer.net photo to be audacious, it’s good to be bold, it’s good to take risks,’ as long as the fundamentals are established. You cannot be a risktaker in everything. If you take risks, it should be calculated.”

He has constantly emphasized this need to still establish boundaries in navigating through the quirks of the business. “Whatever happens, you have to be responsible for

Dennis set to star in international series ‘Severino’

by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

DENNIS Trillo will take on the lead role in the upcoming international series “Severino,” which is based on the true story of a priest named Juan Severino Mallari, the first documented serial killer in the Philippines.

The project and Trillo’s casting were first announced during the Cannes Film Festival in France on Wednesday, May 24, as reported by Variety.

The actor shared a part of the publication’s report along with an information sheet of Mallari, through his Instagram Stories.

CreaZion Studios, the television studio behind the project, also announced Trillo’s casting by showing a poster for the film via its Instagram page on Thursday, May 25. It added that the series is currently under development and is set for international distribution.

“Our goal is to be part of the wide-scale production of elevated Asian projects,” CreaZion Studios chief creative officer Real Florido was quoted as saying. “With ‘Severino’ underway, one of the biggest series in the region, we are

excited to continue diversifying and expanding our market potential by partnering with outwardlooking producers and projects.”

Other cast members and further details on the series have yet to be disclosed as of this writing.

Meanwhile, Trillo recently starred in the hit TV series “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” in which he portrayed the characters of Crisostomo Ibarra as well as his alter ego Simoun. g it,” he said, the father in him kicking in.

A doting dad to Zia and Sixto, his two children with Kapuso “Primetime Queen” Marian Rivera, Dantes said raising kids is a journey full of discoveries.

“There is no perfect manual for that, but it’s your own instinct to adapt, what you think is best for your kids, you’re the only one who knows that as a parent. And I think that’s one of the greatest gifts that a parent can receive,” he shared. Dantes is at one of his busiest moments as an actor-host these days. “Many of those, I should have done at the time when the [COVID-19] pandemic hit. That is why we’re full throttle now, and I hope it goes on. Especially in movies, we want Filipino films to be revived again. So in the upcoming movies, both local and foreign, I hope the people will go back to the theaters,” he shared.

Aside from the daily game show “Family Feud,” he is also set to appear in the Kapuso family drama series “Royal Blood” and the GMA Public Affairs film “Firefly.” He also appeared in a promotional material for the global lifestyle brand with British race car driver Lewis Hamilton shown in New York. He will also fly to Tokyo next month for the gathering of all of the brand’s ambassadors from different parts of the world. g

KathNiel among Outstanding Asian Star nominees at Seoul International Drama Awards

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

CELEBRITY couple Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo are among the Filipino nominees for the Outstanding Asian Star category of the 2023 Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA). This particular category

recognizes six artists from six different countries — South Korea, China, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan — though people are also allowed to vote artists not from their own country.

Nominated alongside the KathNiel duo are “Maria Clara at Ibarra” star Barbie Forteza, singer Julie Anne San Jose, and a previous SDA winner Dennis

Trillo.

Highlighting the category are the nominated Korean artists going head-to-head with another namely “Taxi Driver” star Lee Jehoon, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” star Park Eun-bin, Girls’ Generation member Yoon-ah, and exes Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo.

Dennis Trillo Photo from Instagram/@thecreazionstudios

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla star in the hit nightly series “2 Good 2 Be True.”

ABS-CBN photo

Dingdong Dantes

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

South Bay community celebrates caregivers at 2nd annual Mayfest in Carson

CARSON – The South Bay community saw what was a well-attended event celebrating caregivers at Mayfest this past Sunday, May 7. Awardwinning Filipino pop rock band Introvoys headlined the Main Stage at Mayfest 2023 at the Carson Civic Center this past Sunday May 7. On the outdoor stage, Wish USA artists such as ZupaNova, Avon Rosales and DJ Morgan Ashley performed outside the Wish Bus flanked by an array of cars from classic cars to import tuners. Ther well-attended indoor and outdoor family-friendly event boasted two stages of amazing performances, a car show, a fashion show, featuring Miss Philippines USA and Los Angeles Kids Fashion Show, games, awards and prizes. WIth the help of City of Carson Councilmembers Jim Dear and Arleen Bocatija Rojas and Mark Alipio of Ca Care Association, Mayfest recognized caregivers, agencies and care providers who are exceptional leaders in care and whose services are valuable to the community.

This fundraiser event for CA Care Association was brought to you by W Group Foundation and Mic Diaz Presents with the support of co-presentors Wish USA, Asian Journal, Paco’s Place and So Jannelle TV, and is sponsored by Winners Insurance and Financial Services, Ophir Administrative Services, Avanti Home Doctors Inc., Remitly, Avanti Home Doctors Inc., Marketing in Care, Sleep M, Touching Hands, Elegant Care

Villa JM Homecare Solutions, Inc., Accelerated Health Home Care, Inc., WYCOTAX, Divine Care Services, LLC and Keller Williams Costa Mesa, Miss Philippines USA, MovEssential, ZupaNova, Kahoy Kollection, Olivia Quio Clinical Skincare, Avon Rosales, Michelle Molina, Humble Castle, CARROA, L.A. Rose Cafe, Sisig Restaurant, The Noypitz, Caviteña Bistro and Kusina Filipina Los Angeles. Local dance groups such as The Project, Wreckognize, Drowzy

and Teezy Fam, Hollywood Dance Moms, Broadway Jazzers, Make Your Mama Dance and iDance Line Dancers, fitness enthusiasts Movessential Jump Crew,award-winning FilipinoAmerican rapper C-Tru who has collaborated with rappers DMX and Snoop Dogg joined the lineup of new talents and some of the best performers in the community including the Carson High School Marching Blue Thunder, South Bay Coastliners, The Jive, Imelda Bosing, Caren

Mempin, International R&B recording artist Honore, D E N E Y, Playback Jukebox and many more.

This fundraiser event is for the CA Care Association, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of California’s most vulnerable residents in assisted living communities. They promote selfdetermined and person-centered home and community-based programs to preserve, develop and enhance licensed adult and senior care.

To show our appreciation for caregivers, agencies, and care providers, who make incredible contributions to individuals and the community, we are asking you to donate to the efforts of CA Care Association by donating at www.mayfest. care/donate!

For information about the Mayfest event and donations to CA Care Association, please contact event organizers, Wallace Goodwin of W Foundation at (818) 447-9374, and Mic Diaz of Mic Diaz Presents at (213) 6779768. g

Avon Rosales

Caregiver and Care Provider Recognition

Miss Philippines USA

Honore and ZupaNova feat Iakopo

Mayfest Car Show

Introvoys

Honore and Didi Caneda

Mayfest Crew

Photos by Jason Bascon

C-Tru

Paco Arespacochaga

Sheryl Cruz’s daughter graduates summa cum laude in US

by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

SHERYL Cruz is one proud mother as she witnessed her daughter graduate with honors on May 25 in San Francisco, California.

The actress posted her well-wishes for her daughter who finished her degree in Psychology from the San Francisco State University.

“Wishing you a very bright future filled with opportunities & limitless growth with boundless achievements that will make you a positive, courageous, prosperous, an individual that will exude confidence and grace under pressure with wisdom beyond your years. I’ve seen your sacrifices & hard work; I’m so delighted it paid off so wonderfully,” Sheryl wrote on Instagram.

She also greeted her daughter with a birthday message. Ashley turned 22. She is the daughter of the actress with her non-showbiz ex-husband Norman Bustos. g

KathNiel among Outstanding...

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One new category at the awards show is the Idolchamp Artist Award, created due to the global popularity of Kpop, where idols from ENHYPEN, PENTAGON, and Girls’ Generation, are nominated.

Meanwhile Kim Ho-joong and EXO’s Baekhyun are up for the Outstanding Drama Original Soundtrack award. All three aforementioned awards will be voted by the general public through voting app “Idolchamp.”

Voted winners will be invited to the 18th Seoul

International Drama Awards taking place on September 21.

The SDA previously announced that 344 series from 44 countries and regions, the largest number of entries to date, were submitted this year including 15 from earthquake-stricken Türkiye and a debut submission from Greece.

Julie on back-to-back concert with Sarah

By Jan milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPUSO star Julie Anne San Jose answered a social media user’s question if she’s willing to have a back-to-back concert with Kapamilya star Sarah Geronimo.

In her guesting at “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Boy read the question of the social media user.

Si Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose ang pambato ng Kapuso pagdating sa concert performance. Curious kami kung handa ba siyang mag-perform kasama si Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo? Lalaban kaya siya sa isang back-to-back concert with Sarah G?” Boy asked. Unang-una, Tito Boy, hindi po ako lalaban because there is only

one Sarah Geronimo. There can only be one Sarah Geronimo,” Julie replied.

“It would be an honor, of course, na maka-duet po si Miss Sarah. Because I really look up to her,” she added.

Boy then paraphrased the word “lalaban” and then asked Julie if she’s willing to have a “back-toback” performance with Julie.

“More on like maghahanda yes po, of course. Definitely,” she said. “Kasi nga po she’s one of the people that I really look up to and isa siya sa mga naging influences ko rin sa music,” she added.

When asked if she’s willing to have a duet with Sarah, Julie said “It would be such an honor. I love her.” g

Joshua’s acting matures in Regal’s...

“The Glory,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Bargain,” “Anna,” “Accused,” Japan’s “War of Trap” and “First Love, Hatsukoi” and Thailand’s “Finding the Rainbow” are just a few of those series vying for recognition.

“It’s true that these are one of the fabulous and the successful series in the market, but we know well that every single entry is produced by the great efforts of the numerous people who are concerned,” said the SDA organizers. “We can proudly say the SDA is the only festival in Korea that we can meet various series around the world like even from Greece, Norway, Israel and Australia.”

Last year, Kapamilya actress Belle Mariano received the Outstanding Asian Star award. Other Filipinos like Trillo who have won at the SDA include Alden Richards and Dingdong Dantes. g

is wider. This can be watch not just in the Philippines. It would be better for our film to be seen in other countries as well,” she added.

“Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan” follows the story of Galo (played by Garcia), a Manila-based student who returns home to an island where he was raised by his grandmother, Mama Susan after learning she is ill. Galo writes in his journal the string of mysteries he uncovers which lead him to question his sanity. This is Garcia’s first solo lead role and what makes it even more special is that he gets a chance to work with veteran actress Angie Ferro who plays Mama Susan.

“I always wanted to experience working with Regal. Apart from that, this is also my first project with director Chito. I’m really enjoying the process when it comes to my career. Whatever happens, I’ll be happy,” Garcia mentioned.

“I am really impressed with Ms. Angie because at her age, she memorizes all the lines even if they were very long. I’m just so happy I get to share the screen with her. It’s a different experience when you get to work with veteran actress like her.

“I’m so thankful because she’s been guiding me all through out. Even if she’s focused on her scenes, and I remembered she had a two-page lines in one scene, we never had any issues because her memory is still sharp,” Garcia added.

The 25-year-old heartthrob also shared that a lot of things have changed since they started working on the project, especially when it comes to his perception in life.

“During those times, I was very immature. I can’t say I’m mature now, but I know there’s progress. I learned that the simpler, the better. I also learned to take care of the people who has been giving me importance because not everyone truly cares,” he ended. g

Why Alma cried...

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Syempre tao lang naman ako na normal na nasasaktan. Iniyak ko din ‘yon.” (At first, I felt hurt. I’m just a human who gets hurt. I cried over it.)

“Pero after no’n wala na— kailangan maging matibay ako e,” she added. “Sa lahat ng ayaw ko kahit nung araw—ayokong magself-pity.” (Then after that, I moved on because I needed to be strong. I hate wallowing in selfpity even before.)

Diaz brought up Moreno’s interview with Davila, which the actress then regarded as a “lesson” for her.

“Hangga’t maaari nga hind ko na inoopen ‘yon e. Hindi na namin pinag-uusapan,” she said, noting how she came to a point when she thought of finishing her studies because of the criticisms thrown at her. “Kaya

lang, hindi ko para patunayan ‘yung sarili ko sa lahat. Hindi ako ‘yun.” (As much as possible I don’t open up about it. We don’t talk about it… I do not need to prove myself to everyone. It’s not me.) Moreno then stressed that even if she wasn’t able to finish her studies, she is content that her children did, and that they will not experience what their mom had been through. “Kung ano ‘yung dinanas ko, ayokong madanas ng mga anak mo…kasi mahirap, masakit,” she stated. “Pero at least ngayon—tingnan mo ko— nandito pa rin ako. Lumalaban pa rin.”

(I do not want my kids to experience what I had been through because it was hard and painful… At least now—look at me—I’m still here, fighting.) g

Actress Sheryl Cruz attends her daughter, Ashley Bustos’ honors convocation ceremony in San Francisco, California, United States on Thursday, May 25. Photo rom Instagram/@officialsherylcruz

Alma Moreno Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/Ogie Diaz

Singer Julie Anne San Jose GMA photo

Where nothing fades

followed this life path.

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend

Rodel G. BalaGtas

AS I attended the First Mass of a newly ordained priest, his words during his homily impressed me. He said:

“New vestments, new chalice, newly ordained priest. These are all things that will fade away, and yet what we are reminded by the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord is that while most things fade away, the one thing that remains constant is God’s invitation to join Him in heaven where nothing fades and can be fully alive and truly one with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus shows us how the Spirit continues to guide us, and we can be united with God in heaven. But before we do so, our

mission is to go and to teach all the nations, with the assurance that God is with us always, until the end of the world.”

The new priest connected well with the innermost longing of those attending his First Mass, which is to be with God in heaven. And he had chosen a vocation to help people realize this longing. Indeed, in the priesthood, he will show people the way to heaven, “where nothing fades away.”

Filled with joy, energy, passion, and idealism, this young priest prepared himself well to accomplish this mission.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, he would assure himself that God is with him in this challenging work. He was a fresh face among priests, yet his “freshness” inspired us priests who had been in service for many years. It reminded us of our precious gift of priesthood and why we

On this Pentecost Sunday, we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all of us. We pray that we may remind people to aim for eternal treasures and God’s intimate desire for us to be with him in heaven, our true home.

We pray that many more young people may follow the “road less traveled” of the priesthood. May they be inspired to help people set their minds on things above and not merely on things of the world. May many more young people sacrifice their lives to serve God and His people!

* * * 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.

Barbie, David in South Korea for ‘That Kind of Love’ filming

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

BARBIE Forteza and David Licauco have kicked off the production for their upcoming romantic flick “That Kind of Love” as they arrived in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Forteza and Licauco, donning their warmest outfits, were spotted posing by a hamok or a traditional Korean house, as seen in photos uploaded on Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s official Instagram page on Thursday, May 25.

“We’re happy to start our Thursday morning with new updates from #BarDa in Korea. #ICYMI: Barbie Forteza and David Licauco are currently in Korea to shoot their upcoming movie ‘That Kind of Love,’” its caption read.

The Kapuso talent agency also shared glimpses of the actor enjoying his time in South Korea, where he was seen exploring the city.

“David Licauco is one handsome ginoo as he explores Seoul,” Sparkle GMA Artist Center said in the caption.

The “Maria Clara at Ibarra” star appeared to be enjoying Seoul so far, as seen on his Instagram post which featured a glimpse of an airport, coffee shop, restaurant, and a shopping mall.

“Touchdown Seoul,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Forteza seemed to be enjoying feasting on the country’s delicacies, as she showed photos of a Korean army stew and fried chicken on her Instagram Stories. Reports of the “Maria Clara at Ibarra” stars’

Extra wages for late or missed meal breaks should be paid immediately

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

atty. C. Joe sayas, JR

Q: OUR employee handbook says we’re supposed to get meal breaks before the end of the 5th hour of our shift, but work gets so busy that I don’t have a chance to clock out to eat until the 6th or 7th hour. During our busiest times, it’s normal to go the whole day without being able to clock out for lunch.  We just grab a quick bite while doing paperwork. Another co-worker complained about the lunches to our  manager, who said that’s just the way it is in our business. Everything is on a deadline so we have to  finish work before we can take breaks.

A new guy at work says we’re supposed to get an extra hour of pay when we get a late or missed  lunch.

The manager said he understands that’s the law, but that we have to contact payroll to let them  know whenever we have a late or missed lunch to request extra pay. If we don’t, we don’t get paid.

But the company already makes us clock out and in on a biometric timeclock, so payroll already  knows about our lunches. Why do we have to call the payroll lady every day we get a late or missed lunch?  Seems like they’re just going trying to make it harder for us to get paid. I asked around and most of us  don’t get those extra wages for late or missed lunches. A few guys knew about it, but said it was too much  hassle to have to call payroll every time it happened because they give you attitude and make you jump  through loops until you give up.

I’ve worked at this company a while, so if I earned an extra hour of pay each time I had a late or  missed lunch, I’m owed a decent amount of money. We work hard here, and not being able to take proper  lunches makes it harder. I don’t think I’m asking for free money, just what’s fair. The law says I earned  that, right? Can I

sue to get that money?

A: Yes, under California law, you earned those meal premium wages, and you  and your coworkers can pursue a lawsuit to get paid what the company owes you. In fact,  one or more of you can bring a class action so that all employees who had to miss their  lunch or take it late can recover the premium wages owed to all of you by your employer.

California’s meal break law was first enacted in 1916, and was an early example of  workerprotection laws aimed at health and safety in the workplace. The law is clear that  the money earned for missed or late meals are wages, not penalties. So that’s not free  money; you and your co-workers earned it.

As explained by the California Supreme Court, meal premium wages are “designed  to

pay those meal premium wages immediately when they  were earned. And like you suggested, they should have done that based on the timeclock  records they already created in real time.

Since the law requires employers to keep those accurate time records of when  employees take meal breaks, company records of late or missed breaks create a  presumption that the employees are owed meal premium wages. So rather than the  employees having responsibility for asking to be paid the meal premium wage—and  having to struggle through whatever obstacles an employer puts in the way of that  happening—it was your employer’s strict responsibility to either: (i) pay the meal premium  wage immediately; or (ii) collect and keep proper proof that they didn’t have to pay a meal  premium wage because they actually placed you off duty and you chose not to properly  take your meal break.

Based on what you described, the employer owes you these extra wages. It would  make sense for you and your co-workers to speak with an experienced employment  attorney about your rights to recover your earned premium wages.

* * *

compensate employees for hardships… employees should not be made to suffer.”  Much like overtime, these wages are meant to compensate employees for the hardship of  working very long hours without the 30-minute meal break. The California Legislature  believes all workers should get the breaks to maintain their health and safety.

Because it’s a wage, the law requires that meal premium wages be immediately paid  when earned, just like overtime. So your instincts were right about your employer’s  suspicious requirement that employees have to ask to be paid or else lose the chance.

Your employer was obligated to

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. Your inquiries are confidential  and at no cost. You can call 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.]  (Advertising Supplement)

As explained by the California Supreme Court, meal premium wages are “designed to compensate employees for hardships… employees should not be made to suffer.”

Barbie Forteza and David Licauco

Photo from Instagram/@sparklegmaartistcenter upcoming Pocket Media Productions film were confirmed by the network earlier this month, which will be directed by Cathy Camarillo. The romantic-comedy marks the follow-up project to the Kapuso stars’ loveteam, dubbed as “BarDa,” following the success of the historicalfantasy drama. g

Getting around the six month residency requirement to file a divorce in California

Barrister’s Corner

GENERALLY, you must have resided in California for at least six months in order to file a divorce in this case.

Under Family Code Section

2320, a judgment of marriage dissolution (divorce) may not be entered unless one of the spouses has been a “resident” of California for six months and of the county where the proceeding is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition. This poses a problem for divorcing couples that has not resided in California for at least 6 months.

Couples that moved to California from other states or other countries are faced with this problem because they cannot get divorced until they satisfy the residency requirements. Even a bigger problem is when they need immediate temporary orders from the California Court regarding child custody, child support, management and control of community businesses and property.

The solution for this type of problem is filing nullity or legal separation petition rather than

a divorce and amending the petition later on to convert it to a divorce once the residency requirement has been met by one of the parties. Millar v. Millar. Unlike a divorce, there is no residency requirement to filing an Annulment or a legal separation.

The advantage of this strategy is you would immediately have access to the courts and can ask the court for immediate temporary orders needed to maintain the status quo or preserve the marital assets. If domestic violence is involved in the case, the domestic violence issue can be heard in the same court room by the same judge that would be hearing the divorce case. In addition, service on the legal separation petition (to be amended later to a divorce) will also start the clock on the six-month “waiting period” for finality of a judgment terminating marital status, optimizing the time-frame within which the parties will be legally restored to “single” status. As far as the county where to file the legal separation or nullity, venue is proper in the county where either party resided at the time the petition was filed pursuant to CCP 395(a).

Once the parties have satisfied the residency requirements, the Petition may be amended from legal separation to Dissolution without permission from the

Court as long as notice is provided the opposing party under Marriage of Dick. The Petitioner would also be in a safer position if the intent to amend from legal separation/ nullity to a divorce is stated in the initial Petition.

* * *

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, P.C.  This article is not a solicitation..

* * *

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board 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.

Vehnee Saturno wants to see more Pinoy artists on the concert stage

By Boy ABundA Philstar.com

FOR prolific music composer Vehnee Saturno, there is a greater chance for more Filipino artists to showcase their vocal talent if only there is an effort to minimize the number of foreign acts landing on our shores for live entertainment.

In case you haven’t noticed, bookings for shows this year have picked up a ton, especially with international singers coming in for concerts.

“As a composer, of course, I prefer to see many of our local artists perform on the concert stage because in other countries, their local artists dominate the music scene. Well, I have nothing against international singers coming into the country but if we could only lessen (foreign acts) the better, so we can get to highlight more the artistry of Filipino talents,” Vehnee said in our virtual “kamustahan.”

As a member of FILSCAP (Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), Vehnee is well-aware of the situation of Filipino songwriters, especially when it comes to performance royalties because the organization does not only support the songwriting journey of its members but also collects

and distributes royalties.

“FILSCAP is responsible for monitoring the proper usage of music of Filipino songwriters and it is also in-charge of ensuring that the members get their performance royalties. Pero ang malungkot are the performance royalties that FILSCAP is collecting is only 30 percent for local (composers). Why? It’s because TV and radio stations are playing foreign music more often than OPM (Original Pilipino Music).

“Based on the FILSCAP report on performance royalties, it’s 70/30 — 70 percent goes to foreign music and only 30 percent to OPM. The same (percentage) goes for shows.

“That’s really disheartening. Paano ang mga composers na Pinoy? If you go to Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of the world, they embrace their music that’s why most of the songs they play are their local music and performed by their artists,” he observed.

The seasoned songwriter wishes for a law that mandates all TV networks and radio stations (both AM and FM) to use or play majority of Pinoy songs.

Vehnee became famous after he wrote Be My Lady, the same song that catapulted Concert King Martin Nievera to stardom. Not many people know that the late legendary balladeer Matt Monro delivered a rich rendition of the said classic ditty in the ‘80s.

Other songs Vehnee composed became top careermaking hits to such music artists as Jessa Zaragoza with Bakit Pa?; Louie Heredia, Nag-iisang Ikaw; Jaya, Dahil Tanging Ikaw; Donna Cruz, Only Me and You; Randy Santiago, Para Sa ‘Yo; Rachel Alejandro, Mr. Kupido; Sarah Geronimo, Forever’s Not Enough; Ariel Rivera, Sana Kahit Minsan; Simple Lang and Sa Aking Puso; Rodel Naval, Muli; and many more.

Aside from being a notable tunesmith, Vehnee is equally active as a record producer, working with big-name stars and new talents. Having been around the music industry for 43 years now, Vehnee continues to create heart-rending songs and help discover Filipinos who have exceptional vocal talent.

In fact, he is encouraging all talented kids (four to 12 years old) and teens (13 to 19 years old) to join in One Gaia Foundation’s Singing Soul Contest 2023. The foundation will hold a three-day audition, from June 6 to 8, at The New Musicbox located at Timog Ave. cor. Quezon Ave., Quezon City.

“This is open to all teens and kids who have star quality and excellent voice quality — Filipino or half-Filipino — whether they are from the province or Metro Manila because the objective of One Gaia Foundation is to help these talented kids realize their dream of becoming a singing star.

“I also believe there are still many talented Pinoys waiting to be discovered. Some of them are from the provinces and they have no means to showcase their talent while others cannot afford to come to auditions due to financial reasons.”

Those who want to join but are currently in the province, Vehnee said they have regional partners where they can submit their audition videos. Singing aspirants who will go to physical auditions, on the other hand, are required to bring a copy of their birth certificate and backing track or minus one edited to two minutes in a USB. They can also bring their own guitar.

Registration at the venue will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and actual auditions will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Vehnee, together with Leslie Loh, founder of One Gaia Foundation, and UK-based Jamaican partner Ferdi Morris, will choose six teens and six

kids who will compete in the Grand Finals on Aug. 18. Grand winners — one teen and one kid — will receive a cash prize of P300,000 each, a trophy, recording and management contracts. They will also get to participate in the music festival in Brazil. Second placers will get P150,000 each and third placers, P50,000 each.

“What’s good, the remaining finalists in the Top 12, will become part of a group that we are going to form because as I’ve said, the objective of the foundation is to help them realize their dream. Since nakapasok sila sa Top 12, all of them definitely have excellent vocal talent and they will also undergo training not only in singing but also in dancing and acting. Hopefully, they all succeed,” Vehnee said. Before he entered the music industry, Vehnee first trained in the Philippine Air Force when he was 17 “but I didn’t pursue it kasi hindi ko makita na magiging sundalo ako.” He then went to Manila and worked as a Xerox machine operator, meter reader and collector. “Pakiramdam ko pa rin walang mangyayari sa buhay ko at kailangan may gawin ako. Dahil may talent naman ako sa songwriting noong high school pa, binalik ko ‘yun and I concentrated on songwriting.” His first composition was Ikaw at Ako which was recorded in 1980. After a year, he wrote Rafael Centenera’s song Ikaw Ang Dahilan.

“I was 25 years old when I started in the industry. Marami pa kong nasulat before Be My Lady became a hit and the rest is history,” Vehnee enthused. Get to know more about the certified hitmaker in our exclusive conversation. Below are excerpts.

What does music mean to you?

“Buhay at kaluluwa ko ang musika. If I were to be born again, I would choose again to be a songwriter.”

Who is your favorite artist?

“I believe many of us love David Foster. He’s the idol of musicians, arrangers and composers.”

What are you when you’re alone?

Laging bumabalik sa akin ‘yung panahon na nag-uumpisa pa lang ako — bata, mahirap, walang pera (laughs). That’s why, I’m very thankful for the blessings that I have been receiving. I’m the eldest in the brood of 10 so imagine how we struggled before. Life was hard kaya lumuwas ako from Cabuyao, Laguna to work in Manila in order to help my parents.”

What is it like to be you?

“Well, perhaps those who wish to also get to where I am now or ‘yung mga gusto na maging katulad ko, maging humble ka lang. ‘Yung blessings binibigay ni Lord ‘yan pag alam N’ya na dapat ibigay. In my 43 years, wala akong tinapakan maski sinong tao. I respect everyone. I work with people as a professional. Whatever blessing that will be given to you, always keep your feet planted on the ground because in the end, lahat tayo iisa lang ang pupuntahan.”

What means to you the most?

“’Yung blessings pa rin na binigay sa akin ni Lord. Siguro ako kumbaga sa milyong tao, ako ang isa sa nasabugan ni Lord ng talent na ganun. And through that blessing, I am able to share at kung kailangan tumulong, tutulong tayo.”

What is your family like?

“Simple lang rin. I appreciate every blessing that is given to me. I am not dreaming of a luxurious life. Galing ako sa hirap pero simple lang kami bilang pamilya. Of course, sanay naman tayo ng walang pera pero sasabihin ko ng tapat na mahirap talaga ang walang pera. Alam ko yung ganung sitwasyon.”

What are you like as a husband?

“I am a loving and loyal husband. Of course, you know women constantly change their minds and sometimes because of that, arguments happen.

In my case, I try not to argue with my wife (singer and vocal coach Ladine Roxas) kasi kung makipag-debate ka pa, hindi ka naman mananalo kaya huwag ka na lang kumibo (laughs). We’ve been together for 23 years now.”

What do you want right now?

“With so many blessings the Lord has been giving me, I want to give back by helping other artists to make a mark and to discover more talented

Vehnee Saturno Photo from Instagram/@vehneesaturnomus

Elisse Joson on balancing profession & parenthood

By Bot Glorioso Philstar.com

MANILA — Elisse Joson knows how tough it is for mothers like her to divide her attention between work and family. But with proper time management, the  Kapamilya actress believes all things can work out just fine.

“I don’t know how I am able to juggle being a mom and an actress. It just happens, although there’s always gonna be some flaws no matter how I try to really fix my schedule.

But at the end of the day, as long as  mababalikan mo ‘yung mga ma-mi-miss  mong  roles in life,  tuloy-tuloy naman ‘yun. It’s gonna work,” said Elisse on the sidelines of her formal launch as brand ambassadress of Miutiso. Her partner McCoy de Leon, Elisse added, has been so supportive of her every endeavor that he never fails to do his role as a dad to their daughter Felize, who turned two years old last April 10.

“He’s a very hands-on dad,” she beamed. “He takes good care of Felize whenever I’m at work like today. And vice-versa. If he has work, it is me who is looking after our daughter.”

She never denied having a guilt feeling every time she would miss her unica hija’s activities.

“May guilt naman talaga na I’m missing out on her day because every day, there is something new that is happening (to her growth). But I make sure to make up for it once I get home,” she said. “When I don’t have work, I spend it (time) with her. So far, that kind of setup is fine.”

Elisse, too, appreciates how Star Magic is being considerate about her schedule so she can have some quality time with her family. “Every time I make a personal day-off, especially a family-related matter, they understand and they give it to me.”

As an actress, Elisse is giving viewers more reasons to stay tuned to the Kapamilya drama series Dirty Linen for effectively portraying her character Sophie Madrigales, the aggressive exgirlfriend of Zanjoe Marudo’s Aidan Fiero.

“I also watch Dirty Linen, not just my scenes but the show itself. Sometimes, I read the comments but I intentionally don’t read them all because I don’t want them to affect my work,” she shared. “As an actor, we can feel if we did a good job on a particular scene. So, I feel like it should not matter what others would say or think. ‘Yung mga negative na iniisip, I feel like that’s a good thing that they hate me and yet I don’t want to base my acting, my work on what they are saying.”

What she is eager to do is to take on roles outside of her comfort zone, “something that I’ve never done before because I am now more confident to say that I can do them. Parang ‘yun yung nararamdaman ko, parang

mas may tapang (na ako).”

Elisse feels it is high time for her to accept projects that will all the more put her acting to the test given that she has been around showbiz for over a decade now.

“I am not getting any younger.  Hindi natin alam gaano pa ang itatagal ko sa  industry  na ito  so might as well do it now,” reasoned Elisse.

“Strike while the iron is hot. Who knows, it might lead to better opportunities for me and my family. So,  parang mas game  talaga ako ngayon to accept roles,” she added.

Besides, she feels that she still has so many things to learn when it comes to her craft. “I feel like a newbie because there are still a lot of different characters that I want to do. I’m now more open to do something different.”

Aside from Dirty Linen, Elisse is also working on a new soap titled Pira-Pirasong Pangarap under Dreamscape Entertainment.

“I’m excited for this because my character is far different from Sophie of Dirty Linen. I must admit it’s difficult for me in the beginning, to slip into a different character and mold the character to make it believable. But I feel that once we get the hang of it, it can be easy, kayang-kaya,” she said.

Asked how supportive McCoy is of endeavors she dips her hand into, Elisse replied, “Very (supportive),” and added that having a partner who is also into acting can be an advantage.

“With our work, since mas nagexplore kami with the characters that we have, when we get home, at the end of the day, we talk about our performances. So,  parang ‘yun ‘yung nagiging one of our bonding moments. Isa ‘yun sa na-e-enjoy ko ngayon, ‘yung we watch each other’s shows or movies and then, we criticize each other. We also ask for help from each other.”

Meanwhile, Elisse is happy that Miutiso, a brand she is now endorsing, complements her taste when it comes to things she uses at home.

Miutiso is a Chinese variety store chain that offers a wide range of reliable and affordable household essentials.

“More than the beauty side or fashion-related things,  nakakatuwa na mas malawak na ‘yung nakukuha ko na market with my lifestyle now, which is not just about work but also my everyday life as a mother. And this is the brand that matches my needs in everyday living with my family, with the baby. It’s a one-stop shop, where you can get most of the things you need,” the Miutiso brand ambassador said.

“Before, I thought that you have to spend a lot to get beautiful things for the home. But I realized later on that you have to be practical in purchasing the things that also fit your taste. You can buy good stuff at a reasonable price.” g

and Miutiso founder and CEO James Chua during her formal launch as celebrity

Vehnee Saturno wants...

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individuals as well.”

What do you think about life?

“Life is too short and you never know when your last day will be. So, always be kind to others. Also, don’t forget to give thanks to the Lord for the blessings you’ve received. And No. 1 for me is to never, never step on someone.”

What is your love language?

“I’m not showy but in some occasions, I surprise my ‘kumander’ with gifts. S’yempre paminsan-minsan, alam mo naman ang gusto ng mga babae — bag, sapatos o damit.”

What’s the best thing about you?

“I can say I am humble and I help other people as long as I can. Hindi ako madamot, tutulong ako hangga’t kaya ko.” g

Jimmy Santos turns to buy-and-sell of soda cans,

bottles in Canada

BEST known for his funny image back home, former “Eat Bulaga” mainstay Jimmy Santos chose to go on a more informative route as he shared his experience of recycling drinking cans and bottles in Calgary, Canada.

Santos took to his personal vlog, which was uploaded on his official YouTube channel Jimmy Saints last Tuesday, May 23, to share a glimpse of Canada’s recycling system, where he was spotted at a recycling center.

“Ako po ay nandito sa tinatawag nilang ‘South Pointe Bottle Depot.’ Ang ibig sabihin niyan, binabalik po at magbebenta ng mga lata rito, ‘yung mga pinaglalagyan ng mga tubig, softdrinks ay talaga namang dinedeposito dito at binebenta nila,” he said.

(I’m here at what they call a “South Pointe Bottle Depot.” This means that they return their cans, as well as water and softdrinks containers which are then being deposited then sold at a certain value.)

The former “Eat Bulaga” host also said that every can or bottle is worth a certain value, citing it as one of the reasons why Canadian residents are required to recycle them.

“Malaking bagay ‘yan kaya ito po ay ibinahagi at ipinakita ko sa inyo ang sistema ng mga nagbebenta ng bote dito,” he

Sarah, John Lloyd to reunite in upcoming film under Viva

By HannaH Mallorca

Inquirer.net

SHIPPERS of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz’s onscreen romance are in for a treat as they are set to star anew in an upcoming film six years after their last pairing in the hit “Finally Found Someone.”

said. “Maganda, masaya at kunswelo dahil nakakatulong sa pagre-recycle ang mga ibinenta nating bote, karton, at ‘yung mga nabubulok po na ginagawang fertilizer,” he added, noting that biodegradable waste have a purpose as well.

(It’s a big thing for me to share the system of how they sell the bottles here. It’s a good, nice, and fulfilling thing to help in recycling bottles, cartons, and biodegradable waste since they can be converted into fertilizer.) Santos, however, didn’t clarify in the video if he has already settled in Canada for good.

It’s also unknown if the actorcomedian has departed from “Eat Bulaga,” although he was last seen in the noontime show’s Christmas episode of its “Bawal Judgmental” segment in 2021. (Inquirer.net) g

The actors’ reunion project was announced by Geronimo’s agent, Viva Artists Agency, on its official Instagram page on Thursday, May 25, as it shared photos of them linking their arms with each other.

“LOOK: Our #AshLloyd hearts [emojis] @justsarahgph and John Lloyd Cruz in a new movie together? YES!!! [emojis] #SOON,” its caption read.

The “Tala” hitmaker also took to her Instagram account to express her excitement for the movie. Geronimo and Cruz’s

supporters seemed to be excited about the reunion project, including former co-star Miles Ocampo, who played the role of Rose, sister of Geronimo’s character, Laida Magtalas. However, some hoped that the actors would challenge themselves with a heavy genre in the movie, as seen in the comments of Viva’s post.

The “AshLloyd” team-up first gained recognition after starring as Laida Magtalas and Miggy Montenegro in the 2008 film “A Very Special Love,” and was followed up by its sequels “You Changed My Life” and “It Takes A Man and a Woman.”

The actors also joined forces in the romantic-comedy “Finally Found Someone” in 2017, where Cruz admitted at the film’s press conference that he didn’t have a chance to date his leading lady because “timing has always been an issue.” g

Jimmy Santos Photo

Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz

Photo from Instagram/@vivaartistsagency