060323 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

THE U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on two cases this month that could prohibit consideration of race in college admissions, undoing a 45-year history of Affirmative Action dating back to 1978.

Last October, conservative activist Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, filed a lawsuit against Harvard claiming it discriminated against Asian-American applicants. Lower courts found no evidence of that claim, and no students testified against the current race-based policies at Harvard or in a separate suit involving the University of North Carolina.

Still, given the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, many expect an end to the policy, which supporters say has helped boost enrollment in colleges and universities for historically underrepresented groups.

“Progressives, patriots, and free thinkers of all colors and creeds and sexual orientations need to unite in the struggle to preserve the core American principles of inclusivity and

California governor and Democratic lawmakers at odds over billions in health care funds

SACRAMENTO — When Gov. Gavin Newsom took office four years ago, the Democrat went after Republicans on the national stage as they sought to gut the Affordable Care Act. Key to his ambitious health care agenda: reinstating the fine on Californians who don’t have health coverage, which had been eliminated at the federal level.

It was a tough sell for a new governor, and Newsom needed strong allies among state Democratic leaders, who at the time, in 2019, voiced concern about essentially levying a new tax on Californians unable to afford the rising cost of health care. Democrats, who, then as now, controlled the state legislature, ultimately backed Newsom in exchange for a promise: The state would levy the fine but use that money to provide financial assistance to offset out-ofpocket costs for Californians purchasing health insurance on the state exchange, Covered

Duterte rejects calls to become anti-drug czar

by EDITH REGALADO Philstar.com

DAVAO CITY — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected calls for him to become drug czar in the administration of President Marcos, saying it seems improper for him to take on the post as he respects the current leadership.

“Mukhang hindi na rin tama (It doesn’t seem right anymore), pastor, because there is the president duly elected and it is his duty to

enforce the law and solve crimes,” Duterte said during his “Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa” TV program hosted by evangelist Apollo Quiboloy over SMNI channel on Wednesday, May 31.

Duterte said he wants to give way for the current leadership to address the country’s drug problem, which he believed is on the rise again.

The calls for Duterte to become drug czar came amid an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the alleged abuses

projects

MANILA — The Marcos Jr. administration approved on Friday, June 2 what an economic official called “crucial” projects that would support the government in hitting its development targets.

At its meeting, the National Economic and Development (NEDA) board — which is chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — greenlighted the P23.4-billion TPLEX Extension project and the Investment Coordination Committee’s (ICC) guidelines for public-private projects of local government units.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the projects would help the administration attain its goals, as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 20232028.

The TPLEX Extension project is a 59.4-kilometer, 4 lane extension highway that, if completed, would connect the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. It is an unsolicited offer that would “stimulate economic activity, alleviate road congestion, provide better and safer road access,” Balisacan said.

Now that it has secured the NEDA board’s nod, the TPLEX Extension project would undergo a Swiss challenge, wherein rival bidders can challenge the project’s proponent, San Miguel Holdings Corp. In

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — With four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in strategic locations throughout the Philippine archipelago, the United States has achieved historic milestones in enhancing its force posture in the IndoPacific region alongside its allies. This was asserted on Thursday, June 1 by the U.S. Department of Defense, which listed its achievements aimed at making its presence in the region more mobile, distributed and resilient. Among these

by BEATRICE PINLAC Inquirer.net

historic achievements are the following:

• Forward deploying a U.S. Marine Littoral Regiment – the Marine Corps’ most advanced formation – to Japan by 2025, significantly enhancing combatcredible deterrence;

• Launching a series of new force postures initiatives with Australia, including increased rotations of U.S. bombers and fighters at Australian bases, alongside expanded maritime and ground forces cooperation;

• Expanding U.S. rotational access by designating four new EDCA sites

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — Securing a nonimmigrant visa to the United States for some categories will be more expensive starting June 17, said the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Mark McGovern, Consul General of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, said Thursday that the application fee for visitor visas for temporary business or tourism and other non-petition based nonimmigrant visas, such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185.

The fee increase was initially to take effect May 30 but had since been deferred to June 17.

“The reality is there has been no increase in the visa fees since 2011. That was the last time an increase was done. And all of the fees that we do for the visas are based on a cost of service study,” McGovern said in a news conference at the U.S. Embassy. He noted, however, that the cost hike is not exclusive to the Philippines as it will likewise be implemented in U.S. embassies across the globe.

THE Philippine government on Friday, June 2, launched the eGov PH Super App, an integrated platform designed to make it easier for the public to do business with state agencies.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Information and Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy led the launching of the mobile application in a ceremony in Malacañang.

In his speech, the president lauded the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for launching the app, saying it will provide the public with a hassle-free transaction and lessen corruption in government.

“This is what we are pushing for. This is what e-governance is about — to bring it all together, to make it simple and available and accessible,” Marcos said.

“I am very, very happy that we are going in this direction. There is another part of this that is extremely important, that is sometimes we do not talk about, and that is the lessening of corruption,” he said.

The president stressed the importance of digitalizing government services, saying it would be “useful, easy and convenient” for ordinary Filipinos.

He said maximizing the use of new technologies would also

Duterte rejects calls to...

committed during his administration’s war against illegal drugs.

The ICC probe was based on government data, showing that 6,181 people were killed duing Duterte’s anti-drug war.

Rights groups have questioned the figure, claiming up to 30,000 people may have been killed including bystanders and innocent civilians.

“Let us give Marcos the greatest elbow room leeway to do his job in just one year. In fairness sa mga pulis, ‘yan ang problema It’s a matter of leadership (police),” Duterte said.

When he was still presidentelect, Marcos said he was open to the idea of having his predecessor (Duterte) leading the fight against drugs.

Marcos said Duterte asked him to continue his drug war

even if it becomes modified.

This developed as Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go — close allies of Duterte — earlier proposed the idea of the former president’s becoming the drug czar.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said during a Senate committee hearing last week that he would support moves to designate Duterte as drug czar. 

EDCA sites boost defense posture in...

at strategic locations in the Philippines; and

• Building upon decades of defense cooperation with Papua New Guinea, including through the conclusion of a new Defense Cooperation Agreement and a shiprider agreement to enhance PNG’s maritime domain awareness. As far as the Philippines is concerned, the Pentagon said the new EDCA sites will “strengthen the interoperability of U.S. and Philippine armed forces and allow us to respond more seamlessly to shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.”

In order to boost collective capabilities across the IndoPacific, the U.S. is standing with regional allies and partners as they contribute to peace, stability and deterrence.

The United States is doubling down on these efforts by:

Coordinating closely with the Philippines on defense modernization, including through the expeditious conclusion of a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap, and to identify investments in priority defense platforms and force packages over the next five to 10 years that will bolster combined deterrence and capacity to resist coercion;

Supporting Japan’s decision to acquire new capabilities that strengthen regional deterrence, including counterstrike capabilities. In January 2023, the Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) welcomed Japan’s updated national security documents particularly its decisions to acquire a

counterstrike capability and to substantially increase its defense budget over the next five years;

Launching the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology in May 2022 to drive co-development and co-production of major defense platforms. The U.S. is also delivering results for the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), launched in 2022 to provide space-based maritime domain awareness to states across the region, supporting greater transparency by enhancing partners’ abilities to monitor and police their waters.

It is investing over $1.2 billion (P67.49 billion) in security cooperation initiatives across the Indo-Pacific region, including one of the largest investments in history in to bolster Indo-Pacific partners’ capability and capacity, maritime domain awareness and resilience against coercion.

The U.S. Defense Department said bilateral and multilateral exercises in the region have grown in scale, scope and complexity, and the U.S. participates in combined operations that enhance interoperability, boost deterrence and demonstrate shared resolve against coercive behavior, including “Balikatan” with the Philippines.

Balikatan, which recently featured more than 17,600 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military, as well as Australian forces, for the first time featured

littoral live fire and cyber defense elements to support deeper interoperability between the U.S. and the Philippines.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s seventh trip to the Indo-Pacific comes at a time when the department is doing more than ever with U.S. allies and partners to strengthen peace, stability and deterrence at the heart of a free and open regional vision.

U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the EDCA sites where American troops will have greater access could be used “for whatever the Philippine government invites the United States to do” but these are not U.S. military bases.

The Pentagon said the U.S. is not seeking permanent bases in the Philippines with the new EDCA sites as it gave assurance that activities are responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed the Japan and United States Coast Guards for the first trilateral exercises focused on search and rescue operations yesterday.

Known as the “PCG-JCGUSCG Kaagapay Trilateral Exercise 2023,” the week-long activity is being conducted in Mariveles, Bataan.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752) and the Akitsushima (PLH32), carrying the Japanese coast guards and their crew, arrived in Manila on Thursday to engage in professional exchanges and joint operations with their Philippine and U.S. counterparts. 

Marcos administration approves 2 ‘crucial’...

turn, San Miguel Holdings has the right to match the counter proposals. The second project that NEDA board approved outlines the guidelines and procedures for processing PPP proposals of LGUs that require ICC action under the Philippine BOT law.

Balisacan explained that the guidelines “provide a streamlined process for LGUs to pursue PPP projects.”

As it is, the Marcos Jr. administration has unveiled an infrastructure program composed of 194 “flagship projects” cumulatively worth P8.3 trillion.

Balisacan said that, as of

reporting, 68 out of the 194 flagship projects are “currently ongoing”, while 25 have been approved for implementation. Meanwhile, 9 projects are awaiting government approval and the rest are “either in the process of project preparation or pre-project preparation.” (Philstar.com)

Hike in US visa fee takes e ect...

“We have to bring American citizens. We pay for them to be here. We have increases in salaries for our local staff. The increase in operating our facilities. The increase in shipping over visa foils. All these prices have gone up. The cost of service study that we have done on a global scale for regular visas brings it to about $185 per visa,” he said. Among their other considerations, according to McGovern, are the costs of building and maintaining their facilities, staffing their operations, and providing secure and reliable

visa documents to the people.

But, he said, the “good news” is that the U.S. visa is now worth 10 years, which means it will last longer despite being costlier.

Application fee hikes will also be felt for those seeking certain petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary workers, which will increase from $190 (P10,685) to $205 (P11,527).

For a treaty trader or investor visa applicant, meanwhile, the processing cost will rise from $205 (P11,527) to $315 (P17,713).

Asked if there are more application fee increases expected moving forward,

McGovern said, “I hope we don’t see any more hikes in the future.”

According to the U.S. Embassy, it processed around 188,038 non-immigrant visa applications between October 2021 and September 2022. McGovern also touted the drop in the waiting period for non-immigrant visa interview appointments — from almost two years to five months since October 2022.

“We’re trying to get that number even lower. We’re hoping to have it within two to three months by the end of 2023,” he said. 

Government launches eGov PH Super...

get rid of “fixers” who ask for money in exchange for facilitating transactions with government agencies.

The president said the government “did a survey of how people used the internet in the Philippines and the result was quite enlightening. They say, 95 percent of their daily activities, the shopping, the paying, the bank, even the payments to government, 95 percent are done online.”

“We hope with the beginnings of this e-governance system, that a senior living in an isolated place, isolated island somewhere who, by the time we will have connectivity, can just go on to their phone (and transact),” he said.

Marcos stressed the country needs “high-impact” innovations to compete on an “even basis” with the United States and Europe.

“Government as well must be able to identify and utilize highimpact innovations to improve its own governance and transform itself into an agile bureaucracy that is responsive to the people’s needs,” he said.

“This is not something an option that we might want to examine. This is something that we need to do. We have no option of not doing this. This is something that is required,” he said.

The president said the launch of the online platform is a “very good step” in attaining his administration’s goal of full digital and economic transformation.

Local governments have already started to digitalize, the president said. “Now, what we have to do is to consolidate all of those systems in place. Allow them to communicate with each other in a way that is useful for the consumers, for the citizens in terms of, again, the business that has to be conducted with government.”

Marcos also said the government has been working on the delivery of national IDs, which will be “the central focal point for the dissemination of information and the dissemination of services.”

He admitted that the IDs were “a little unsatisfactory because what we call an ID is essentially a picture of an ID. There’s no data that backs it up.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday, June 1 said around 37.3 million printed national IDs had been turned over to Philippine Postal Corp.

In a related development, the president expressed support for the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Initiative and urged government agencies to educate Filipinos on how to utilize e-wallet and other digital payment apps.

Speaking during a meeting with

the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure Cluster in Malacañang Thursday, the president said such an initiative would help prop up economic activities, particularly with the inclusion of micro, small and medium enterprises.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has teamed up with the payments industry to have a national quick response (QR) code standard for digital payments.

The digital program will be particularly useful for merchants, business owners and other forms of local transport.

The QR codes and digital payment apps will make savings and loan applications in banks a lot easier for farmers, fisherfolk and small businesses, PSAC members told Marcos.

PSAC member and Globe Telecom President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ernest Cu said the QR codes and other digital payment apps are a “home run” for the government.

Cu acknowledged the importance of educating the public, adding that the country has a “very high technology adoption rate.”

“We have to do it. It’s a grassroots-level approach. There are also videos on YouTube, and we also have TikTok to get people to educate themselves. And if you use the app regularly, you will see it being offered to you on the app,” he said.

BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said the initiative will create a “big” impact on financial inclusion.

PSAC lead convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz was also present during the meeting with Marcos, along with Union Digital president and CEO Henry Rhoel Aguda, Bank of the Philippine Islands Chief Operations Officer Ramon Jocson and PLDT Inc. President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio. Aside from rallying support for

Paleng-QR Ph Plus Initiative, PSAC made new recommendations for the president’s approval.

The council recommended that the Development Academy of the Philippines, in partnership with the National University of Singapore-Institute of Systems Science, conducts a Philippine Civil Service Digital Leadership Program for mid-level to senior civil servants on digital leadership and agile thinking.

Also on Friday, the president issued an Executive Order for all government offices and local government units to implement an integrated financial management information system (Ifmis) in their transactions with the general public.

Signed on June 1, EO 29 is in line with the Marcos administration’s commitment to improve bureaucratic efficiency through digitization, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The order was recommended by the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure group to help promote efficiency, transparency and ease of doing business between the private sector and the government.

The circular also urges government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCC) to implement an Ifmis.

Marcos also ordered the creation of a Public Financial Management (PFM) Committee, composed of representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DoF), Commission on Audit (CoA), and the Bureau of Treasury (BTr), to help in the transition to full digitalization through the Ifmis.

The committee will create a five-year plan for the development and implementation of the Ifmis.

The DICT will provide the committee with technical and policy support. 

RHYTHMIC. The Philippines’ Breanda Labadan performs in the ball event of the apparatus finals at the 14th Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Rizal Memorials Sports Complex in Manila on Friday, June 2. The 16-year-old rhythmic gymnast will also compete in the finals of the individual all-around event where a top 10 finish assures her of a ticket to the World Championships in Valencia, Spain in August. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

GOV’T SUPER APP LAUNCHED. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the launch of the eGov Super App PH in Malacañang on Friday, June 2, 2023. PNA photo by

California governor and Democratic lawmakers...

California.

But Newsom, now in his second term, has since backed off that promise. His administration is holding on to revenue raised from the so-called individual mandate — the requirement that people have health coverage or pay a fine. And his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, which is being debated in the state legislature, funnels the money to the state’s general fund.

That is infuriating fellow Democrats who accuse him of breaking a promise and disregarding the millions of Californians who can’t afford their deductibles and copays.

California began fining the uninsured in 2020, raising an estimated $1.1 billion over the first three years — and the Newsom administration projects it will bring in more than $700 million more over the next two years, bringing the projected five-year total to $1.8 billion, according to the state Department of Finance. Democratic leaders said Newsom’s tactic of holding back the money for the general fund is a “rip-off.”

“Money from the mandate should stay in health care,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins told KFF Health News, arguing the state should be distributing money now to help people afford health coverage. “I don’t know what we’re waiting for. We’ve got to figure out a way to make health care more accessible, and there’s no question that the cost of health insurance is a barrier.”

Democratic lawmakers are expected to continue ratcheting up pressure on Newsom in hopes of reaching a deal by their June 15 deadline to pass a budget bill.

“We’ve always felt that the money is meant to bring insurance costs down,” said Democratic Assembly member Phil Ting, chair of the Budget Committee.

Newsom in 2019 stumped for the individual mandate amid concerns over rising insurance premiums, vowing to reduce Covered California consumer health care costs while setting himself apart from then-President Donald Trump, who was attacking the insurance mandate as unfair.

Congressional Republicans had gutted the federal penalty — part of the Affordable Care Act — in 2017. Newsom argued it would still work in California to lower health care costs, and to help him achieve his goal of universal

health care — the centerpiece of his ambitious health care agenda. Newsom now argues that federal health insurance subsidies that offset the cost of monthly premiums are sufficient. And, in the face of a projected $32 billion state budget deficit, Newsom says California cannot afford to spend the money and further reduce out-of-pocket costs. He argues spending the money to slash deductibles, for instance, “would be “unsustainable.” His proposed budget would instead keep the money for the state’s general fund, to be used for anything California wants to spend it on.

But health care advocates who lobbied in favor of the fine, as well as many Democratic lawmakers, say the funds could be lifesaving and should be distributed now.

“The individual mandate was not intended to create funds for other government programs outside of health care,” said Democratic Assembly member Jim Wood, of Santa Rosa, chair of the Assembly Health Committee, at a heated budget hearing this spring. “The clear intent of the legislature was that this money was meant to go to affordability.”

Wood said he might have rejected Newsom’s plan if he had known the revenue it generated would be deposited directly into the general fund. “I don’t think I would have supported it,” he said.

“It just feels like a violation of what we thought we were doing.”

Soaring out-of-pocket health care costs, for insurance premiums and deductibles for instance, are leading people to forgo health care. In California, a staggering 52% of residents report having skipped or delayed treatment in the past year for financial reasons, according to a recent survey by the nonprofit California Health Care Foundation.

(KFF Health News publishes California Healthline, which is an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.)

Diana Douglas, a lobbyist with Health Access California, which was part of the coalition that backed the state’s coverage mandate in 2019, said Newsom must recognize soaring costs and spend the money now on affordability assistance. “This penalty money should be used to help Californians afford coverage and care.”

Health insurance plans offered by Covered California are continuing to get more expensive.

Deductibles for a midtier

insurance plan, for example, will jump to $5,400 next year, according to Covered California, up from $4,750 this year and just $3,700 two years ago.

And even many Californians who are purchasing coverage are putting off treatment in the face of high costs. A survey by Covered California in 2022 found that 48% of its consumers delayed important medical care due to cost. Newsom this spring dodged a question by KFF Health News about the criticism he is facing over his push to retain the mandate money, saying simply he’s “proud” to have established the state coverage mandate and noting that federal premium subsidies are available for Californians purchasing coverage via Covered California. His administration defended the push to funnel money into the general fund, saying revenues would be repaid to a special health fund and be available to use on health care eventually, if the federal government cuts back existing premium subsidies.

Administration officials argue that Newsom is essentially borrowing the money and say it’ll be repaid later — though lawmakers have expressed concern that he’ll never make good on that promise.

Critics and some Democratic lawmakers say holding back the money is a double whammy for low- and middle-income residents who are struggling to pay for coverage, and argue that it amounts to a tax on the poor.

“It feels like we’re trying to save it on the backs of our low-income communities,” said Democratic state Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who represents the state’s San Fernando Valley.

Democratic lawmakers this year are backing an alternative proposal, championed by Health Access California, to spend revenue from fining uninsured residents on increasing health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income people. They would be making good on a deal advocates secured with state Democratic lawmakers last year to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs in Covered California and scrap deductibles entirely for a mid-tier plan.

“We need to make sure people not only have health coverage, but that they can also afford to actually use it,” said Ronald Coleman Baeza, a health care lobbyist with the California Pan-Ethnic Health

 PAGE A7

State Treasurer Fiona Ma o cially announces candidacy for Lt Gov

Backed with key endorsements and funding, Ma seeks to become state’s first elected Asian American and second elected woman Lieutenant Governor

SACRAMENTO – State Treasurer Fiona Ma on

Wednesday, May 31 formally announced her bid to become California’s Lieutenant Governor in 2026.

Ma, a Democrat and Certified Public Accountant, would be the state’s first elected Asian American Lieutenant Governor and the second woman elected to the position. She would also be the first CPA to be elected Lt. Governor of the state.

“With more than two decades of experience in public office, I am uniquely qualified to be California’s second-highest ranking elected official — where I will continue to be a powerful advocate for improving our state’s housing supply, environment, education systems and economy,” said Treasurer Ma. “California needs proven leadership to take on bold action to meet our ambitious climate change and energy goals, level the playing field and attract better quality jobs for all Californians while expanding access to healthcare, housing and education. I am committed to ensuring California remains an economic leader and powerhouse, investing in the small, family-owned businesses and the people that are the foundation of our success.”

Ma, 57, has been serving as California’s 34th State Treasurer since 2019. She was first elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for Treasurer in the state's history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.

As the state’s banker, Ma helped steer the state’s finances through the COVID-19 pandemic. She has grown and revamped the state’s affordable housing and homeless housing programs, funded clean energy projects to create new jobs, and dramatically increased Californians’ ability to save for college, retirement, live with a disability and achieve a better quality of life. At the same time,

she has bolstered support for K-12 and higher education. She also has been a strong advocate of divestment from fossil fuels at the state’s pension funds. Her office processes $2.5 trillion in payments within a typical year and provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio that currently averages over $200 billion – a significant portion of which is beneficially owned by more than 2,200 local governments in California. She serves as agent of sale for all state bonds and is trustee of billions of dollars of state indebtedness.

Ma previously served as a member of the California Board of Equalization from 2015 to 2019 and the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012.

She has built a reputation as a solution-oriented public servant and adept at building unlikely coalitions to overcome California's most complex problems. Prior to serving as Speaker pro Tempore, she was Assembly Majority Whip and built coalitions during a state budget crisis to pass groundbreaking legislation that protected public education and the environment while expanding access to health care. As an Assembly Member, she authored 60 bills that were signed into law by two different governors. Her successful legislation to ban toxic chemicals in baby products, known as phthalates, became a model for federal legislation that was authored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2008. She chaired the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence and

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma File photo/www.treasurer.ca.gov

More and more AAPI families choosing CA charter public schools for their child’s education

Charter schools are helping students succeed in college, career and life

AS student enrollment in public schools across the state continues to change, one notable trend is the large increase in Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) families choosing a charter public school for their child’s education over the past decade.

According to an enrollment analysis by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) of California Department of Education (CDE) data, AAPI enrollment in charter public schools grew by 78 percent from 2012-2023, outpacing enrollment growth for all students (66 percent).

AAPI students now represent six percent of charter public school students in 2023, up from three percent in 2012. These numbers suggest a growing sentiment that charter public schools provide the education options that parents and students want in a public school.

Some of the most common AAPI background of students at charter public schools include Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, and Korean. Charter public schools like the O’Farrell Charter School in San Diego and Yav Pem Suab in Sacramento were founded to bring high-quality educational options to AAPI communities.

“For three decades, charter public schools across California have offered families the opportunity for their children to receive a high-quality education with the rigor and supports needed to help students enter college and succeed,” said Mr. Oliver Sicat, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of Ednovate Schools and a Board Member of the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association. “Charter schools offer families the opportunity to be creative with design, curriculum, and supports to ensure students don’t just finish high school but are positioned well for what comes next: to enter college and succeed.”

Ednovate schools are a network of public, tuition-free, high-performing college prep high schools in Los Angeles and Orange County that primarily serve first-generation college-bound students. They have a 99 percent college acceptance

rate for their students.

California charter public schools are preparing students for college with focused learning content in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), global studies, language immersion, and various arts programs. As a result, charter public school students are being prepared to succeed in college, career, and life regardless of race, gender, religion, or zip code.

CCSA’s report Charter Public School Students in Focus: Asian American & Pacific Islanders found that AAPI charter school students from low-income communities outperform their traditional public school counterparts in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, on average. This difference is more strongly seen in ELA, where 44 percent of charter school students met or exceeded grade-level standards, compared to only 30 percent of district students.

“Students of all backgrounds deserve educational opportunities as creative and responsive to their varied interests as they are,

State Treasurer Fiona Ma o cially announces...

PAGE A4

spearheaded legislation that strengthened laws protecting victims of domestic violence, consumers and working families; prevented the spread of Hepatitis B; increased access to quality health care; and expanded equal rights for all Californians.

From 2002 to 2006, she served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and championed a human rights campaign to end human trafficking in massage parlors and close prostitution rings. She led an effort to create the city's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program to empower small businesses to more easily participate in public works projects.

1992 and holds a Bachelor’s

Degree in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a Master’s

Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF), an MBA from Pepperdine University, and an Honorary Doctorate from the RIT. She is a Member of the Vatican’s Council for Inclusive

Capitalism, Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, serves on the Board of California Women

Lead, asa member of the CalCPA society, is an Honorary Chair and Spokesperson for the San Francisco Hepatitis B Free Campaign, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Treasurer Ma is also active with the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) and has served as the 2020 Chair of the ABLE Committee and Member of the Legislative Committee. She is married to Jason Hodge, a full-time firefighter and Oxnard Harbor Commissioner.

and charter public schools provide successful school models that give every child the ability to achieve their own and their families’ aspirations,” said Myrna Castrejón, CCSA President and CEO. “California parents have said time and time again there need to be more high-quality choices for public education to be competitive in a global job market.”

The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools.

Parents interested in learning more about charter schools or to find a charter in their area may visit https://info.ccsa.org/tagalog.

(Advertising Supplement)

Treasurer Ma first became involved in public service in 1994 when she was elected president of the Asian Business Association, where she began advocating at San Francisco City Hall and the State Capitol on behalf of minority business owners. Her work resulted in her election in 1995 as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, where she advocated for socially responsible contracting for minorities and women in San Francisco, ultimately producing a report to Congress detailing 60 top policy recommendations to help small businesses grow and prosper in the 21st century.

Also in 1995, she was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board of San Francisco by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. That year she started her public service career as a part-time district representative for then-State Senator John Burton and served as Burton’s district representative until her election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. For Burton, she was responsible for helping constituents with MediCal, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, franchise and employment development department taxes, and professional licensing.

From 1989 to 1993 she worked for Ernst & Whinney in the real estate tax group, before starting her own accounting practice in San Francisco. Today Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services firms in the world and considered one of the "big four" accounting firms.

Treasurer Ma has been a licensed CPA in California since

We’ll take it.*

Are we ready for

AI?

AS early as 2017, some lawmakers have already expressed concern about the impact of the adoption of technology using artificial intelligence on the country’s workforce. Today AI is being used not only to run machines that clean floors but also to craft speeches, compose music and even produce virtual performers that can compete with real K-pop stars.

Such developments can render many skills obsolete. Experts have warned of massive job displacements around the world, but at the same time opportunities for new employment with upskilling and retooling.

Is the Philippines ready for AI?

The World Economic Forum, in a recent report, estimated that about 83 million jobs will be lost as a result of the adoption of AI-enabled technology across the globe. The shift will create new employment opportunities, but this is estimated at only 69 million by 2027, or a net loss of 14 million jobs –about two percent of current global employment. In record keeping and administrative work alone, the WEF projects 26 million in lost employment by 2027. Many countries are moving to confront the problem.

In the Philippines, a study released last March by tech giant Cisco and Oxford Economics projected millions of jobs disappearing by 2028. The study noted that the top areas of displacement are likely in low-skilled agricultural work with up to 1.2 million jobs lost, wholesale / retail with 880,000 and manufacturing with 380,000.

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO

THE good news over the Senate's passing of the Maharlika bill nearly one year into President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration is that it indicates that he still has the very strong support of that Senate, which traditionally easily turns opposition as soon as a president stumbles. After all, each of this gang of egotists thinks that because of their nationwide votes they are all "presidentiables."

Why, even former President Rodrigo Duterte — whom Marcos has largely ignored and whose equidistant foreign policy vis-à-vis the U.S. and China he has scrapped — seems to have supported the bill, going by the affirmative votes of his trusted lieutenants Christopher Go and Ronaldo de la Rosa (who I hope read the bill). That kind of political support, and I suspect his high satisfaction ratings if a poll is to be taken now, makes him a very powerful president to do what he likes.

The passage of the bill seeking to create a Maharlika Investment Fund (although a final version would have to be

The country is a leader in business process outsourcing, but the BPO industry is one of the most likely to be heavily impacted by rapid advances in AI-enabled technology. Industry players, while acknowledging the potential job displacements, are also stressing their emphasis on upskilling and retooling of their workforces even as they adapt to rapidly evolving techology.

With proper adaptations to AI, the study by Cisco and Oxford Economics estimates that about 1.3 million new jobs can be created in wholesale / retail, 490,000 jobs in transportation and 460,000 in construction. Transitioning to an environment that will meet the skills requirements, however, will be a challenge in this country where even grade school reading comprehension is poor.

Crafting regulation governing AI technology can also be complicated for tech-challenged lawmakers, even with assistance from experts. Upskilling, retooling and lifelong learning for older workers will require close coordination among various sectors in both the government and private sector. The country has no choice but to be prepared for the future of the global economy. (Philstar.com)

Maharlika: The good and bad news... and the ugly

formulated by a joint committee of House of Representatives and the Senate) points to an important character of this president. Once he sets his mind on something, he won't give up. That's both good and bad. Woe to us if he becomes obstinate on a clearly disastrous policy — as I think his all-out embrace of the U.S. and truculent stance towards China is.

The bad news over the Maharlika fund can be encapsulated in one Filipino word: "Sayang." In the Indonesian case, the setting up of its sovereign fund was not a stand-alone law. It was just one of the over 70 provisions of a law (called the Omnibus Law on Job Creation) intended to stimulate economic growth, and overhaul the country's legal system to make it more attractive to local and foreign investments. The Indonesian sovereign fund was therefore just part of a grand plan to grow its economy.

While many provisions of the omnibus law in Indonesia met with stiff resistance from labor groups, mainly over the lifting of minimum wage laws by sector, the very fact that it was formulated and passed into law sent a signal to the global business community that Indonesia had a plan on

growing the economy.

Indonesia Indonesia's approach would have been more efficient and, well, cheaper for us. Each law passed by Congress, especially those the president has certified as "urgent," requires the expenditure of political capital and some form of pork barrel. If Marcos just included all the economic laws he wants passed, it would have needed only a one-time use of his political capital, a "wholesale price" as it were. Now he would be buying retail, and it would require many expenditures of political capital for each law he wants passed.

What I may call as the ugly news over the Maharlika bill is that it will hardly contribute to the economy's growth, and would even draw resources from obviously necessary infrastructure and education programs. Indeed, while three of the biggest broadsheets had as their banner headline the passing of Maharlika, two business dailies bannered the fact that the national government's debt was at a mind-boggling P14 trillion, an all-time high representing 61 percent of our GDP.

This is hardly the time for overseas government and

private funds to invest in a Philippine fund, which would have an initial funding of $5.5 billion, puny compared to existing sovereign funds. Markets have become so volatile, heading south, mainly because of the global impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine: why would they invest in a country, which will even be in the crosshairs of economic sanctions by a China angry that suddenly that it agreed to provide the U.S. with a platform for war against it? Perhaps Marcos isn't telling us the whole story about why he is pushing for the Maharlika Fund: He knows where to get the tens of billions of dollars to invest in it?

An analogy for the Maharlika fund would be if a middlelevel executive with maxed-out credit cards, a house mortgage to pay for years, three children going to college was convinced by a glib-tongued "wealth manager" to invest in a mutual fund which invests his money in stocks. I doubt if the Fund can get top-notch finance men to run it. For being so quiet about this fund, even if they know it's a cockamamie idea at this time, the very highly paid Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Bangko Sentral head Felipe Medalla should be ordered to

run it.

Unsinkable aircraft carrier, USS Pilipinas

The U.S. wants two additional sites under the EDCA, one in Subic Bay (Naval Operation Base Subic) and another in Palawan (Forward Operation Base, Ulugan Bay), reliable sources said. This would bring to 11 the Philippine camps that the U.S. would use in case of war mobilization or actual war. Former president Rodrigo Duterte had called them "platforms for war."

The sources said that the U.S. actually had Subic Bay and Basa Air Base as preferred locations and priority sites under EDCA as they had designed and built Subic and Basa (near the Clark Air base) and used them in an actual war (in Vietnam). Their PR strategists however preferred to announce first the relatively unknown Philippine military facilities so Filipinos could "ease into" the idea of the return of American military bases.

The first batch of EDCA sites announced during the Aquino 3rd's presidency were: Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija (the country's biggest camp); Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro; Antonio

bulaga pa rin’ – still surprised

IN spite of the very public disagreements and prophecies of doom, people were still surprised that the longest running noontime show in Philippine broadcast history got shut down or, in the account of one of the hosts, got shut out – literally. In local lingo: “ Na bulaga pa ri n.”

Some may have assumed that “Eat Bulaga ” was too big to fail. From a business standpoint, it certainly did not make sense to throw out the baby with the bath water unless the new owners had something better to replace it with. We can only assume that it was a clash over cash, character and culture more than a difference of opinion.

But let’s all refocus on the “ Na bulaga pa rin ” observation.

Perhaps it is in our human nature to assume that all will go well even when the signs, the rumors or even the writing

is on the wall. Before the Eat Bulaga trio were shut out of “their” show, I came across the vlog of Bernadette Sembrano, who shared her thoughts and feelings about once again being out of a job or retrenched at ABS-CBN.

In the world that is Philippine media, the harsh truth is that it is not enough to do your job. In some cases, you could get into trouble for doing your job, you could simply be an innocent bystander in the room and become collateral damage, like many Channel 2 employees, or someone’s greed and blind ambition might cause your displacement from a program or a job.

Someone might want your job or want a program to succeed at any cost, including “throwing them under the bus.” You could also be labeled or grouped with the “enemy” simply because, as a media person, you keep the doors open for all, while others have their colors and allegiance.

If you find the right “Maritess” in media, I am

sure you will hear of wellknown individuals who were made to REPORT IN PERSON to an offended tycoon or taipan because of comments or opinions expressed on the air, even if they were fact and truth. One even went as far as bending the knee in order to keep his job.

On the opposite end, a host who managed to invite and interview a King Maker in his home station ended up being branded as a “loyalist” and ostracized. No matter how well liked his program was, he and his team were treated as mere content producers and time-fillers, low budget and no acknowledgments. As far as being “shut out” goes, I remember losing two shows in 30 minutes within a distance of 50 meters and witnesses state that I was merely collateral damage.

I was co-hosting a radio program with a well-known economist who was calling out a businessman on tax obligations. After several days of including the subject

matter in the program, Friday rolled around and the show’s executive producers sheepishly told us that the radio station will be doing a “reformatting.”

Translation: You have just been pulled out of a show. A senior executive decided to get rid of my co-host even before anyone complained, and I was in the “blast zone” because someone wanted to take over the primetime program on radio. I shrugged my shoulders and walked on to the TV studio nearby where I did my two-minute editorial for the morning show and right after my spiel, the floor director came over and once again used the magic words: “We will be doing a reformatting.”

As I went through that, I took comfort in a prophetic message I received that said: “In losing everything you will have only me. But in having me, you will have everything,” so I coasted along, doing side hustles and trusting in God’s provision.

I remember someone once referring to a TV station as

a snake pit that gave him all the needed training to be in government or public office. The public often has the impression that TV shows fold up or talents leave because the program was not rating or was unprofitable. That is not usually the case. People just avoid saying or admitting or mentioning the word “fired,” because it complicates an already one-sided industry reality.

How can you be “fired” if you were not officially “hired?”

Talents are self-employed individuals placed on a list by a production team. We provide services, we are not employed. That’s the loop hole the DOLE keeps a blind eye on. You lose a show, or you have been reformatted. You are never fired because firing someone also has legal and labor implications.

In media, especially broadcast, you don’t even get your “walking papers” or pink slips. You hear whispers. The worst period I can recall when I was in ABS-CBN was during

Bautista Air Base which uses the same airstrip as Puerto Princesa International Airport; Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base, which uses the same airstrip as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. These were obviously intended as forward operating bases for a war in the South China Sea.

The second batch announced under Marcos, Jr.'s term are: Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac island in Palawan; and Cagayan North International Airport Lal-lo, Cagayan. The three in Isabela and Cagayan are for a war over Taiwan.

The U.S. now has a new unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Pacific, the USS Pilipinas, said a sarcastic comment in a tweet by a U.S. navyman. (ManilaTimes. net)

* * *

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

* * *

Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao

Twitter: @bobitiglao

Archives: www.rigobertotiglao.com

Book orders: www.rigobertotiglao. com/shop

a time when the way people would find out they no longer had a show or were out of a job was from “Maritess.” Even bosses were such cowards that they just spread the rumors or sent a production assistant or EP to do their dirty work. Sadly, the faithful few who were left behind at ABS-CBN as well as Eat Bulaga now read about their loss on social media and the news.

In my days as a kid, I used to watch the TV show “The Lone Ranger” and his sidekick Tonto, who was an exceptional tracker. He knew what was coming or where someone had gone, and he did this by watching the horizon for signs and placing his ear close to the ground. That explains why “ si Maritess , hindi na bulaga .” (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. * * * E-mail: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com

‘Na

leaves one person dead, 77K a ected – NDRRMC

MANILA — Cyclone Betty (Mawar) left one person dead and over 77,000 individuals affected, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Friday, June 2. In its latest report, the NDRRMC said the country’s second cyclone of the year has affected 77,801 people in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

PH gets Muslim-friendly destination title

MANILA – The Philippines was named as this year's Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination at the prestigious Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced on Friday, June 2.

The Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023 recognizes destinations, organizations, companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on the Muslim lifestyle travel segment.

The Emerging Muslimfriendly Destination of the Year (non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member) title, given to the Philippines on June 1, is awarded to destinations that cater to the unique needs and preferences of Muslim travelers.

“This award is an affirmation of our collaborative efforts towards positioning the Philippines as a preferred destination for Muslim travelers, and strategically developing our Halal Tourism portfolio across our regions. This global recognition also opens up enormous opportunities for our country to introduce our rich and diverse culture and heritage evident in our Muslim communities, and our immensely beautiful destinations, including Mindanao,” Frasco said.

The Muslim travel market is seen to significantly propel the growth of global tourism industry with arrivals of Muslim travelers expected to hit 140 million by end of 2023 and about 230 million in succeeding years, with estimated expenditures of $225 billion by 2028.

In the Philippines, the Department of Tourism is developing the halal tourism portfolio and has placed it high on the priority list in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028.

The DOT has also implemented a wide range of services and amenities designed to cater to Muslim travelers. These include the comprehensive inventory of Halal-certified dining options and efforts to increase Halal accreditations for tourism enterprises, the conduct of Halal awareness orientations with tourism stakeholders, and information dissemination on the values, beliefs and practices of Muslim-travelers.

Recognizing global trends and preferences of Muslim travelers, the DOT continues to pursue sustainable tourism development initiatives, and recently inked a significant

agreement with global health and wellness tourism leader Agora to position the Philippines towards providing quality medical and wellness tourism offerings, especially to the Middle Eastern market.

It also organized the very first Mindanao Tourism Expo and successfully staged the MICECON in Davao early this year, and led the Mindanao Tourism Convergence in Zamboanga City in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense.

DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar accepted the award on behalf of the DOT and CrescentRating and HalalTrip, for recognizing the efforts of the Philippine government and tourism stakeholders.

“We hope to continue the great stride on tourism promotion and economic boost in our country for our Muslim brothers and sisters who are arriving in the Philippines and who are surely welcome to visit and explore our more than 7,000 islands with majestic white sand beaches and warm people,” she said. (PNA)

Advocates sound alarm as SCOTUS...

PAGE A1

multicultural democracy,” said

civil rights lawyer Lisa Holder, president of the Equal Justice Society (EJS) in Oakland, California.

Holder spoke with reporters last week during a news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services. She noted Affirmative Action is the best way to undo the historical legacy of inequality and discrimination in higher education, adding that California schools would become more segregated without it.

“We’re looking at apartheid schools where children of color are not getting access to opportunity.

That is un-American,” she said.

Holder noted the consensus among social scientists that diverse educational environments are 35% more productive than those that are more homogeneous.

Students who testified before the high court in both the Harvard case as well as a separate case involving the University of North Carolina – also filed by Blum’s group – stressed the advantages of being part of a more diverse student body.

Echoes of Roe v. Wade

In its 1978 Regents of University of California v. Bakke decision, the Supreme Court ruled that schools’ use of Affirmative Action policies to enhance student diversity is constitutional.

Tomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and former member of the Los Angeles County Board of Education – where he served for two decades – worries this current court is poised to overturn that longstanding precedent.

will overturn it just as they did with the Dobbs ruling last year overturning Roe v. Wade.

“I consider that to be the likely outcome,” he said, noting the Supreme Court revisited the issue of race conscious Affirmative Action in higher education on three separate occasions. Each time the court majority reasserted that the Bakke precedent continued to be the law.

“So, overturning that precedent would be extraordinary and on a par with the Dobbs decision of last year,” Saenz said.

He also predicted that opponents of Affirmative Action would seek to expand the court’s rationale. “This case will have nothing whatsoever to say about Affirmative Action in employment or contracting. And anyone who asserts otherwise, is misleading you,” Saenz said.

“You will hear folks from the right assert that somehow this Supreme Court decision also means that ethnic studies, even critical race theory, must be eliminated from schools.” On the contrary, Saenz says the decision will say nothing about curriculum.

Impacts on campus diversity

John C. Yang, president and CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) reiterated that lower courts found no evidence of discrimination against Asian-Americans in Harvard’s admissions process, which is the basis of the lawsuit.

“An admissions process considering race… remains necessary to ensure that equally qualified students from communities of color have the same access as privileged white students,” Yang said.

Asian-Americans are being discriminated against is just belied by these simple facts,” Yang continued. If Affirmative Action is overturned, he anticipated campus diversity at Harvard would decrease from 14% to 6% for Blacks and from 14% to 9% for Latinos.

“At the end of the day, we have to recognize that we are not in a race-blind society. Our lived experiences should not be up for debate,” Yang said.

What about legacy admissions?

Michele Siqueiros has been supporting greater college access for students of color since 2004, and says it hasn’t been that long since women, Black, Latino, Indigenous and Asian-American students were even permitted to attend universities. “Affirmative Action alone was never intended to be the panacea,” said Siqueiros, president of The Campaign for College Opportunity, a California-based non-profit.

“We must do everything in our power to provide all students an equal opportunity to pursue a college education,” she stressed, adding that with the anticipated SCOTUS ruling more will need to be done to ensure universities do not discriminate against students of color.

Siqueiros also pointed out that conservative opponents of Affirmative Action have nothing to say about legacy admissions –which can account for a quarter or more of all admissions at Ivy League schools like Harvard –or about recruiters exclusively visiting rich, wealthy, and predominantly white high schools.

One person was reported to be dead, and one individual was injured, it added.

Betty left minimal damage on the country’s agriculture and infrastructure.

According to the NDRRMC, the initial cost of damage to infrastructure was estimated at around P68,695. Meanwhile, the cost of damage to agriculture was initially pegged at P25,000.

“The effects were very minimal. Our preparations paid

off,” Raffy Alejandro, NDRRMC spokesperson, told ABS-CBN News Channel. The government has provided assistance amounting to P9.74 million to residents affected by Betty.

Betty—which brought heavy rain and strong wind, and enhanced the southwest monsoon (habagat) —left the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, June 1. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

‘A glimpse of the Philippines’: DOT expresses support for new Malacañang heritage mansions

by CATALINA MADARANG Philstar.com

THE newly-opened heritage mansions in Malacañang will provide local and foreign tourists a “glimpse” of Philippine history. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed this in her statement of support for this tourism initiative called Malacañang Heritage Tours. It was launched last Tuesday, May 30.

The initiative was led by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

“The Department of Tourism welcomes and extends its full support for the Malacañang Heritage Tours, initiated by our First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. We thank our First Lady for this remarkable initiative which provides local and foreign tourists a profound glimpse into our history, culture, heritage, and tradition,” Frasco said.

The Malacañang Heritage Tours comprises three mansions that were opened to the public for the first time—the Bahay Ugnayan, the Teus Mansion and the Goldenberg Mansion.

The Facebook page Presidential Communications Office (PCO) posted pictures that showcased some parts of these houses.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led its opening ceremony on that day. Located at the Malacañang compound, the three historical sites feature different themes and exhibits.

Bahay Ugnayan tells of Marcos’ journey to the presidency, touted as the “Road to Malacañang,” starting from his childhood days.

The Teus Mansion, meanwhile, was the presidential museum where memorabilia of past Philippine presidents were displayed.

These items were previously housed at the presidential museum and library in Kalayaan Hall.

Last, the Goldenberg Mansion, which Marcos described as a “very beautiful old house,” is now available for commercial reservations for special events and exhibits.

To invite more visitors, on June 1, the Facebook page of Malacañang Heritage Tours posted details on how to book a

“guided tour.”

Halina’t bisitahin ang mga museo sa Malacanang! Narito ang ilang impormasyon mula sa araw at oras na bukas ang mga museo hanggang sa kung paano magbook ng isang ‘guided tour’!” the post reads.

It is currently open for free from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking bids for Maintenance of Way (MOW) Specialty Vehicles. Bid documents may be obtained at https://metrolinktrains.com/ doing-business (free registration). Electronic Bids are due by 2:00PM (PT) on 06/20/2023.

The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration.

For further information, contact Brian Jacob, Senior Contract Administrator, at (213) 452-0316 or jacobb@scrra.net.

6/3/23

CNS-3706173#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

“We don’t know when it will come down,” Saenz said. But given the court’s stated views on race-conscious Affirmative Action policies, he expects the justices Network.

He noted 28% of the incoming Harvard class are AsianAmericans and their numbers have quadrupled since 1978 when the Bakke decision was issued.

“Any suggestion that somehow

“There are a lot of practices in higher education that should be challenged and removed,” said Siqueiros. “It’s really unfortunate that Affirmative Action is the one that’s being attacked today.” (Peter White/Ethnic Media Services)

California governor and Democratic lawmakers...

Although Newsom and his Democratic allies have passed major expansions in coverage, the state does not have universal health care. Experts say more than 2.5 million Californians remain uninsured, including unauthorized immigrants who earn too much to qualify for MediCal, and lawmakers are growing increasingly agitated that not all residents who are insured can afford to use their coverage.

“There was a clear commitment that these dollars were going to be used to bring down heath care costs, and we haven’t done it,” said Assembly member Pilar Schiavo, a Democrat representing the Santa Clarita Valley, who introduced a bill that would require any revenue raised from the individual mandate be permanently set aside for health care. Though it died this year, it can be revived next year, and advocates say they will continue pressing Newsom to distribute the existing money to

Covered California consumers.

“We need to keep our promises,” Schiavo said. “If you have insurance that you can’t afford to use, or you’re afraid to go see the doctor because of how high that bill might be, then you don’t truly have access or universal coverage.” (Angela Hart/ KFF Health News) This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

‘Betty’

Malacañang Palace

Photo courtesy of Malacañang Photo Bureau

Asian Journal WKND

visa through U.S. citizen Wendel, who is now her husband. Since then, Allen has become a U.S. citizen herself, and she petitioned her parents. Nanay had no problem with her case. But Tatay Florentino encountered several obstacles when the family tried to handle it themselves.

CONSUMER GUIDE COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

He had worked in Iraq, which created issues. He also had to go through three sputum tests. But most importantly, his NBI records showed a criminal matter and arrest warrant from over 40 years ago.

of having a broken taillight, which he never

Anne praises ‘Eat Bulaga!’ amid mass departure of hosts from TAPE

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

HOST-ACTRESS Anne Curtis offered words of support for the hosts of “Eat Bulaga!” as the noontime variety show sees the exodus of numerous hosts from Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE).

Anne renewed her commitments as a national ambassador for UNICEF Philippines alongside “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano, who is marking 40 years in show business alongside 25 years as a part of UNICEF.

The co-host of “It’s Showtime!” — the main competitor of “Eat Bulaga!” since 2009 — was asked about the recent developments of the long-running noontime variety show which saw recent departures from equally longtime hosts.,

“We will always look up to ‘Eat Bulaga!’... They have set the benchmark for noontime variety shows,” Anne said, expressing further praise for the show’s hosts and crew.

Following the announcement of “Eat Bulaga!” main hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon that they would be parting ways with TAPE last May 31, other hosts of the show seem to have followed suit.

Gloc-9 remembers humble beginnings in ‘Kamusta Ka Na’

By Dolly Dy-Zulueta Philstar.com

FOR popular Pinoy rapper Gloc-9, who is everyone’s “Paboritong Makata,” life comes full circle as he reminisces his humble beginnings in a song that he has crafted. He calls it “Kamusta Ka Na,” and it tells the story of his life, beginning as a dreaming lad from the municipality of Binangonan in the province of

starlit night and wishing that he would one day become a part of the constellation of famous rap stars. And, now, he certainly is.

The song is a simple yet profound introspection. It is a monologue, with Gloc-9 talking to his younger self and looking back to the time when he bravely and boldly took the road less travelled. It was a road strewn with seemingly countless rejections, a journey he took despite being armed only with an unwavering belief that each

a

trial he has surpassed is a step closer to turning his dream into a reality. His journey has turned out to be a very successful one, and what a ride it has been for Gloc-9! His career has spanned 25 years, and he continues to ride the waves. According to his manager, Asintada Management’s chairperson and CEO Thea Pollisco, a.k.a. Mrs. 9, our Paboritong Makata feels that age is starting to creep in,

Rizal, gazing at the sky on

AN 8-PESO CRIMINAL CASE FROM 1979 ALMOST PREVENTED TATAY FLORENTINO FROM JOINING HIS FAMILY IN THE U.S. When U.S. citizen

Allen (4th from left) petitioned her parents, Nanay (2nd from left) had no problems, but Tatay

Anne Curtis Photo from Instagram/@ Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola and Ryan Agoncillo all filed their resignations addressed to Romeo Jalosjos Jr. as seen in an

Visa issued despite a criminal record...

had the chance to take care of.

Consequently, he pled guilty for the offense charged and paid the P8.00 fine. He thought the case had been settled, until it surfaced some 40 years later, preventing him from joining his family in the U.S.

Lost records and damaged files due to fire, flood, or termites did not help Tatay Florentino’s case either. Fortunately, Atty. Gurfinkel handled the case, gathering documents and requesting court records, and guiding the client every step of the way, until his visa was finally issued.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 2 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite

Manila heartthrob Piolo Pascual leads the

spring-ful of ‘All Star’ concert

live at

Pechanga Resort Casino, July 16

providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising

Arjo, Maine on being meant for each other

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

WHILE Maine Mendoza was still being paired with Kapuso heartthrob Alden Richards, regulars of the then Eat Bulaga’s Kalyeserye were rooting for their “budding romance” to stand the test of time. As Lola Nidora would say to “Yaya Dub,” Mendoza’s moniker, their “love” would reveal itself sa “tamang panahon” (at the right time)

Fast forward to the present, Mendoza is now set to marry actor and Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde after several years together despite the staunch fanaticism of the Alden-Yaya Dub, or “Aldub” love team.

Talk about right timing, it turned out that Atayde and Mendoza have long had a crush on each other, and that was even before they even crossed paths for the first time during the story conference for their 2018 film “Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles.”

Ang feeling ko, it was more of a sincere thing. I’ve always had a crush on her, and I’ve always had a thing for her, but there were no chances of meeting her,” Atayde said during an exclusive interview with entertainment magazine, Mega, which was published on Thursday, June 1. Mendoza, for her part, admitted that their feelings were mutual, although she clarified

that it wasn’t love at first sight.

“Same thing! I’ve always had a crush on him. We just matched: our personalities are opposites, but somehow our differences make up for what we each lack,” she told the magazine.

She claimed that it wasn’t only after a “series of conversations and getting to know this and stuff like that” that she fell in love with her now fiancé.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I saw him, and I love him.’ Walang gano’n I wouldn’t consider it as love at first sight. Does it really happen in real life?” she continued.

As they started dating, the “Cattleya Killer’ star said that their initial shyness towards each other wavered as a “feeling PAGE B3

ONE among a series of nonstop entertainment comes this spring with famed actor-singer Piolo Pascual, leading several other topnotch singers as Sam Milby, Catriona Gray, and Erik Santos, among others, in a live concert only at Pechanga Resort Casino on Sunday, July 16 at 6 p.m.

Pechanga Resort Casino, conveniently located off Highway I-15 in Temecula Valley, Southern California wine county, is well-known for hosting only the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers aimed to provide the ultimate experience, especially to its Filipino American patrons.

Famously known as Piolo, the actor-turned-film producer appeared as somewhat ‘iffy’ to film production before but said during an interview that so many supporters backed him up to pursue the much higher stakes in producing films.

Apart from getting busy in his new chosen career to create more Filipino movies abroad while “diversifying” and “breaking out internationally,” Piolo couldn’t turn his back from other public engagements and has accepted more television and live performances locally and abroad.

Just like Piolo, Sam and Catriona, a real-life couple who just announced their engagement in February, continue to tame the limelight through their acting and singing performances. Milby is a Filipino American actor, and Gray was formerly crowned 2018 Miss Universe.

Erik Santos, an actorsinger, commercial model and television host, has recorded countless famous hit songs and was the first Grand Champion of the ABS-CBN singing competition “Star in a Million” Season 1 in 2003. Santos has been referred to as the “Prince of Pop.”

One of the biggest hitmakers in the Philippine music industry, Yeng Constantino, is a singersongwriter whose hit songs fanned the movies and television channels.

The gang for “All Star” won’t be complete without

the presence of talented music artists in the likes of KZ Tandigan, Kyla, Iñigo Pascual, Jason Dy, and Zephanie — who have all become successful in their respective singing engagements.

Hurry! This “All Star” concert only happens once. Secure your tickets from the Pechanga Box Office, or by calling 888-8108871, or visit www.pechanga. com.

Pechanga Summit features a 40,000-square foot area for entertainers, concerts, live sporting events, trade shows, weddings, or any large groups to book.  In total, Pechanga now offers 274,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor contemporary meeting and event space, which significantly enhanced the amenities, space and visibility of Pechanga’s event offerings.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and

most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,400 of hottest slots, 152 table games, a 1,100 room and suite hotel, dining, luxury spa, and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.pechanga. com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

(Advertising Supplement)

Andrea takes new acting challenge

By cHristina alpad ManilaTimes.net

THOUGH she has been in showbiz for more than a decade now, young actress Andrea Brillantes is still eager and energized to take on roles she has never done before. Enter digital series “Drag You and Me” where she plays a ‘drag queen’ for the first time.

“In accepting projects, I always aim to do roles that are different and challenging,” the 20-yearold said in Filipino at a media roundtable.a

“I love watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and I find drag queens fascinating so I got excited when they told me I’ll be doing this series. It’s also my first time to hear of this concept in the Philippines with a young cisgender woman in the lead so it was an easy yes for me when they asked if I want to do it,” she added.

A modern family rom-com drama about drag culture that celebrates love in all of its forms, Drag You and Me revolves around the life of the fearless and fabulous Betty (Brillantes), also known by her drag name Valentine Royale.

Because of her family’s financial situation, Betty ends up joining

Manila Queen Supreme, the grandest drag competition in the country. Her fellow competitors are unaware that she is a woman and not a real drag queen.

Her drag queen dreams get complicated when her friendship with Jason/Shania (JC Alcantara), a male-bisexual drag queen and her fiercest competitor, blossoms into something more. Their journey as young individuals will get even more interesting because of their drag sister and Jason’s mentor, Charlie (Christian Bables), and his indifference towards Betty.

As certified drag fan and

follower of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Brillantes said she’s already aware of the difficulties of dressing in drag, which include sitting for hours on the makeup chair.

“I also grew up wearing heels and performing on stage so I kind of knew what I was getting into. But when we did my first lip sync battle for the show, I realized how different it is from just watching.”

Along the way, Brillantes learned that it takes guts to be a drag queen.

“You have to be witty to entertain people. You have to be explosive on stage but don’t do it

Gloc-9 remembers humble...

and yet he remains passionate about his craft, but this time as a beacon for young rap artists to follow, instilling in them the very same fire that he once had.

Gloc-9 has, in fact, been actively releasing several other projects recently. These include the launch of XXV, which is their first collaboration with Greyhoundz since 2006, as well as a song titled ‘Kwentong Barbero’ with newly signed Universarl Records artist Ramdiss.

Going back to his brand new offering last May, “Kamusta Ka Na,” the single artwork of the song was made by CLMarts. It’s out on your favorite digital streaming platforms. g

PAGE B1 Gloc-9 Philstar.com photo

Anne praises ‘Eat Bulaga!’ amid...

PAGE B1

Maine Mendoza, Arjo Atayde

Photo from Instagram/@mainedcm

Andrea Brillantes plays young and determined Betty who transforms into drag queen Valentine Royale in ‘Drag You and Me.’ Photo from Instagram/@blythe

The story behind Deia Amihan’s name, according to mom Iza

By MArinel Cruz Inquirer.net

FOR actress Iza Calzado, who gave birth to Deia Amihan in January, choosing what to name her daughter wasn’t an easy decision to make.

When Iza finally came up with what she thought was the perfect one, she said she was surprised to learn that the name resonated with the challenges and victories she personally encountered growing up.

In this article, Iza goes to great lengths in explaining how she arrived at such a name for her first born. “Ben and I went on a trip before I announced my pregnancy.

In Mallorca (Spain), I posted a picture and captioned it, ‘Deia, you’re so stunning.’ A friend of mine commented, ‘If I had a baby girl, I would also name her Deia,’ This made me look at what it meant. It’s a Latin word that means goddess of joy. This resonated with me because my baby is bringing me so much joy at the moment, and then, of course, she’s like a goddess to me,” Iza told Inquirer

Entertainment in a recent interview.

Touching experience

The new mom said it was harder for her to pick a second name. “I had several choices.

I said maybe ‘Tala’ because the very first name that I wanted for my child is something meaningful to me. Tala was the name of a role I played as a baby in the TV show ‘Ora Engkantada.’ Janice de Belen was my mom. I said that if it was just Deia, parang bitin,” the actress recalled.

Iza said the name “Amihan” is special to her because it was the character she played in the original version of the fantasy series “Engkantadia.” She explained: “That role really made an impact on me. As a warrior,

Amihan was very empowered. She made a lot of sacrifices, some of which I can’t even make in my own life. I also feel like my child and I battled a lot already. I’ve always thought she’s a warrior, so I wanted something really strong for her.”

The actress then recalled a touching experience when she successfully battled COVID-19 in 2020. “When I was in the ICU, there was one nurse who was about to take my blood test. I asked her, “Mamamatay na ba ako?” She said, “’Di ka mamatay. Lalaban ka, kasi ikaw si Sangre Amihan. God blessed me with this life and another with my child. I will pass on the story to her.”

The actress is married to British

businessman Ben Wintle. She started slowly going back to work in April by agreeing to public engagements, endorsement launches and magazine shoots. “I can’t stay away from my baby for over four hours,” she stressed, adding that returning to work full-time is still up for discussion.

“I just realized that I’m the one who is clingy. I have my praning moments, too,” she admitted. “That’s how I am now. Although Ben and I are relatively chill parents, we do have our moments.”

Iza continued: “Mothering and parenthood can be healing, and for me, they have been. They bring a lot of things to the surface. They make me remember my own parents, and at the same time, make me look forward to the future, being with this child and carrying on with building our life together.”

‘Mamavengers’

The actress then said that she was grateful to have been given help whenever she needed it. “I will not pretend to be Darna and do everything by myself. I’m so glad for the help and support of the people around me. I don’t have parents anymore and Ben is often away,” she said. “Of course, you can’t keep bugging friends. I have people whom I call my “mamavengers”! They have been helping me even before I gave birth, and especially during the first two weeks after.”

We then asked Iza what she considered the best advice she has received from her mommy friends so far. She said: “The best advice was that there’s no ‘best advice’ because there will be a lot and it can get overwhelming. You don’t have to listen to all of them. People will always have something to say. You should know who to listen to. At the end of the day, it’s just you and your baby.” g

Arjo, Maine on being meant for each...

of contentment” became the key to their relationship.

“At first, puro hiya-hiya , but it grew so quick when we got to know each other. But the

moment we went out, there was a feeling of contentment that we can’t explain, and it just went smoothly for us. We just blend well together,” he said.

The celebrity couple met on July 28, 2018. According to Atayde during the couple’s engagement video, this was the same date that Mendoza posted the now-famous “Arjo cutie”

line on Twitter five years back. The couple announced their engagement in July 2022, although they have yet to share the details of their wedding, as of this writing. g

Andrea takes new acting challenge...

too much or you’ll don’t end up being cringey. You have to really find that balance.”

Nevertheless, Brillantes said she would still accept the role in a heartbeat, especially after realizing the effect that drag brings.

“It’s so much fun, I feel perfect when I’m in my drag persona,” she chuckled.

“I’m always conscious of my right side of face and would prefer posing on the other side but when I’m in drag, I feel confident in every

angle. My nose is small, my lips are all out and my eyes are the cutest. I feel invincible when I’m Valentine Royale.”

In ending, Brillantes and the rest of Drag You and Me cast hopes their series will shed light not just on drag community but the life of LGBTQIA+ members beyond the stage.

“The more platform we have, the more we can inform the general public of the plight of LGBTQIA+ members. Besides drag community, we also tackle coming out to your

Ice Seguerra, Janno Gibbs, Ruby Rodriguez show love for ‘Eat Bulaga’

by Alex BrosAs Inquirer.net

THREE former hosts of “Eat Bulaga!” have shared their sentiments after main hosts Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, bid farewell to TAPE Inc., the producer of the longest-running noontime show.

Ice Seguerra, who started her showbiz career in Eat Bulaga as the talented child wonder Aiza Seguerra, said she has mixed feelings about the Eat Bulaga hosts’ departure. Seguerra was a contestant at the “Little Miss Philippines” segment of the noontime show in 1987, before becoming a mainstay.

“Hindi ko naiintindihan ang nararamdaman ko. Lungkot ba o saya (I don’t know what I am feeling. Sadness or happiness)?” he said in an Instagram post on May 31, the same day that TVJ were told by TAPE executives to cease from airing their show live. He attached his selfie with Tito, Vic and Joey at the Eat Bulaga set.

the lack of respect. I’m sad about the separation of Eat Bulaga and TAPE. There would be people whose lives will change. It’s sad that it came into this.)

On the other hand, the actorsinger said that he also felt relieved because these people are now free to go elsewhere.

“Pero masaya ako dahil malaya na sila. Bakit ka mananatili sa isang relasyong hindi ka naman masaya. Hindi rin ako natatakot sa kinabukasan ng programa. Ang Eat Bulaga ay Eat Bulaga. Kahit saang network sila mapadpad, walang paltos silang makakalipad,” he said. (I am happy because they’re free now. Why stay in a relationship where you are not happy? I am not worried about the future of the show. “Eat Bulaga” is “Eat Bulaga.” Wherever network they would end up in, they would surely soar.)

Meanwhile, Janno Gibbs and former comedienne Ruby Rodriguez also took to Instagram to share their thoughts about the Eat Bulaga brouhaha.

family and friends so it is my hope that through this show, we can also encourage people to be their true selves,” Brillantes ended.

Drag You and Me is directed by JP Habac and also stars Romnick Sarmenta, KaladKaren Davila, Ice Seguerra, Jon Santos, Cris Villanueva, Albie Casiño, Lance Carr, PJ Endrinal, Jeric Raval, Amy Nobleza, Noel Comia Jr., and Yves Flores, with special guests from ‘Home from the Golden Gays’ — Flor Bien Jr. and Rico Reyes. g

Seguerra said that he was feeling sad about the parting of ways between TAPE and the Eat Bulaga hosts, and the number of people whose lives would take another course because of this.

“Malungkot ako sa nangyayari. Sa kawalang respeto. Malungkot ako dahil sa hiwalayang Eat Bulaga at TAPE, mayroong mga taong mag-iiba ang lagay sa buhay. Nalukungkot akong umabot sa ganito,” she further said. (I’m sad with what happened, with

“Maraming Salamat @ eatbulaga1979 na minsan ay naging maliit na bahagi ako ng inyong pamilya,” said Gibbs. (Thank you, @eatbulaga1979 of which I was once a small part of your family)

“TVJ. my mentors, idols, and most of all, friends. I love you with all my heart. @helenstito @angpoetnyo Bossing!!!!” she said.

Meanwhile, Kapuso heartthrob

Alden Richards, whose stint with Eat Bulaga launched the widely

Ice Seguerra, Ruby Rodriguez and Janno Gibbs Photos from Instagram/@iceseguerra, @rodriguezruby and @jannolategibbs

Iza Calzado with daughter Deia Amihan Photo from Instagram/@missizacalzado

Liza, Enrique together in recent photo amid split rumors

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

A DAY after Ogie Diaz cited insiders confirming Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s supposed breakup, the pair were spotted together in a photo shared by the actress’ former road manager.

Maquie Raquiza Sarmiento, Soberano’s former road manager who’s now based in the United States, showed photos from her recent visit to the Philippines through her Instagram page on Wednesday, May 31.

One of the photos she posted was a snap of her, Soberano and Gil with several other companions, wherein the pair can be seen sitting beside each other.

“Hanggang sa muli Pilipinas,” Sarmiento captioned her post. (Till we meet again, Philippines.)

It was not immediately known when exactly the photo was taken, but Sarmiento appears to have returned to the country in May.

Nonetheless, Sarmiento received messages of gratitude from hopeful fans who were delighted upon seeing the couple together in a photo.

Diaz earlier said that insiders confirmed to him the pair’s split, claiming that it was the actress who decided to part ways with the actor to focus on her career.

Soberano and Gil, who have been in a relationship since 2014, have yet to publicly comment on the matter as of this writing. g

Internationally acclaimed hip-hop dance group Junior

New System joins the star-studded Philippine

Independence Day celebration in Carson on June 10th

NON-STOP entertainment for Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Carson starting at 11 a.m. featuring the best Filipino American entertainers in Southern California will now also include Hip-Hop Dance Group Junior New System. After a string of championships in Philippine competitions in 2014, Junior New System had a foray of overseas participation in shows such as Asia’s Got Talent in 2015, World Championships of Performance Arts (WCOPA) in 2016, and America’s Got Talent in 2018.

Headlined by TV host and actress, Pops Fernandez, the Philippine Independence Day event will take place on Saturday, June 10th, from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Veterans Park, located at 22400 Moneta Avenue in Carson. The celebration is open to the public and admission is free.

Food and display booths are also lined up for the day’s activities. Flag raising ceremony will kick off the day’s ceremonies at 7:30 a.m. and a parade of various regional organizations from the Philippines and America at 10

Ice Seguerra, Janno...

successful Kalyeserye segment with “AlDub” partner Maine Mendoza, alias “Yaya Dub,” also shared two Instagram posts.

“Always and forever… @ eatbulaga1979,” he captioned one post where he also showed a picture of himself with the EB logo behind him.

Another post showed him back-to-back with Vic.

Aside from Tito, Vic, and Joey, the present crop of co-hosts of the show have also submitted

their resignation from TAPE, namely, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Allan K, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Ryan Agoncillo, sa revealed in a letter posted on Instagram by Vic’s wife, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, who herself was also a part of Eat Bulaga

Luna also revealed that aside from the co-hosts, the “writers, sales, production and cameramen followed suit immediately after TVJ’s resignation.” g

a.m.

Other performers include Garth Garcia, Janice Javier, Alexis and Jojo Riguerra, Prime Note Ensemble, Nicole and Carlo David, UCLA Tinig, Nicole Santiago, Gems of Polynesia, and Angel. Bonilla. Hosts include Jules Graeser, Charmie Morales, Joseph Gelito, Annie Nepomuceno, and former Miss America 2001 Angela Grey.

Philippine Independence Day Celebration in the City of Carson is the largest and longest running known Filipino

cultural celebration nationwide. The City of Carson is home to the largest concentration of Filipinos outside of the Philippines and Philippine Independence Day is an annual event that draws thousands of Filipinos and non-Filipinos of all ages from all over Southern California.

The celebration is a joint undertaking of the City of Carson and Filipino Community of Carson with sponsorship from Watson Land Company, Kayumanggi Lions Club, and World Remit.

Moira breaks silence on cheating, ghost writer allegations

By IzA IglesIAs ManilaTimes.net

SINGER-songwriter Moira dela Torre has finally broken her silence amid several accusations surrounding her career and married life.

On Tuesday, May 30, the 29-year-old artist posted an official statement two days after lyricist and composer Lolito Go wrote on Facebook that dela Torre is “more of an oppressor than a victim.”

“I never imagined that I would find myself in a situation where I have to explain and defend my decision to leave a marriage, as well as justify the state of my mental health,” dela Torre began.

“It is truly disheartening that I am being questioned and asked to prove my worth as a songwriter and artist. However, despite the overwhelming circumstances, I feel a strong inner calling to stand up for myself and protect my integrity,” she added.

Go had alleged that “95 percent of Moira’s hits” were composed by her estranged husband Jason

Marvin Hernandez and that she asks for his service as a ghostwriter for her songs and compositions, claiming that she even negotiated for P20,000 per month which was “insulting.”

Wanting to “set things straight once and for all,” dela Torre countered that she “never employed a ghostwriter.”

“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with immensely talented artists who treat each other with respect and acknowledge the contributions we all bring to the table. Every song I have created is a true reflection of my deepest emotions and experiences,” she continued.

Dela Torre said she is willing to provide evidence, including screenshots of conversations and recordings of her songs, which will undoubtedly validate and disprove the accusations against her.

Meanwhile, Go also alleged that while Hernandez committed an offense against dela Torre, he PAGE B7

“I would like to thank the dedication and hard work of Councilmembers Jim Dear and Arleen Rojas to ensure the success of the Philippine Independence Day this year. The event allows the community the opportunity to see and experience the richness of Philippine history and culture,” said President of the Filipino Community of Carson, Elito M. Santarina. For more information about the event, please contact city staff at Veterans Park at (310) 830-9991 or (424) 202-1463. g

Moira dela Torre

Photo from Instagram/@moiradelatorre

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano with the actress’ former road manager Maquie and her husband. Photo from Instagram/@maquie_raquiza_sarmiento

A Blessed Trinity Sunday to all of you!

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas

LET’S celebrate! Hieu Nguyen, who we adopted as our seminarian and spent his parish internship and diaconate year with us, is now an ordained priest! We witnessed his journey to the priesthood when we listened to his homilies and saw him interact with and minister to parishioners.

Indeed, Fr. Hieu Nguyen is God’s wonder! His vocation story has impressed us:  from being a Doctor of Physics, he is now a “Doctor of the Soul.” What a dramatic journey for him and a pleasant surprise for his family, friends, and all!

His amazing vocation story and those of his classmates reveal God’s hand working in the present. Yes, God is actively engaged in our lives. He would never stop calling people to serve him through the ministry of ordained priesthood or religious life and lay pastoral work.

The world needs artists, poets, teachers, and, yes, preaches, pastors,  and priests, not just engineers, physicians, architects, accountants, politicians, economists, business people, and the like. We need men and women who can express through

art, music, liturgy, and oral and written word the human heart’s longings and God’s designs for the world and humanity.

And so, how fittingly fabulous that on this Sunday’s Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity—a celebration of God’s mystery-we witness Fr. Hieu celebrate his First Mass in our parish! Praise God for all his wonders!

Last week, as I spent my annual retreat reading John O’Dononue’s book Eternal Echoes, Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong, I could not help but reflect on the challenges of our secular culture and seeing the critical work of revealing the Sacred in our midst. O’Donohue’s insights on the presence of God in the world and humanity are fascinatingly relevant to the challenges of our times. Here’s a compelling excerpt from his book:

We lament today the absence of God and the demise of the sacred. Yet it is we ourselves who have killed God. The world today is just as full of the sacred presence as it was centuries ago… Dostoyevsky said, “If God does not exist, everything is permitted.” All the horizons become flattened, and the wells dry up. We no longer walk the earth with wonder. We have purchased the fatal ticket. Instead of being guests of the earth, we are now crowded passengers on the runaway train of progress and productivity; the windows are

Being fired after getting sick

darkened, and we can longer see out. The gadgets and games in each compartment are quite fascinating. There is constant theatre. Public relations experts offer sensational help in manicuring the image and searching out the best sound bite. Even if we wanted to alight, no one seems to be able to stop the train.

We desperately need to retrieve our capacity for reverence.

Each day that is given to you is full of the shy graciousness of divine tenderness. It is lovely practice at night to spend a little while revisiting the invisible sanctuaries of your lived day.

Each day is a secret story woven around the radiant of wonder. We let our days fall away like empty shells and miss all the treasure.

May we never despair as we continue to respond to God’s call to bring faith, hope, and love into the world through the ministries of the Church.

Congratulations and manifold blessings to Fr. Hieu Nguyen!

Thank you to his parents for offering their son as a gift to the Church!

* * *

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.

Gary gives update on son Gab following motorcycle accident

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

SINGER Gary Valenciano

shared positive updates about his son and fellow artist Gab who was involved in a motorcycle accident last week in the United States.

The elder Valenciano was renewing his commitments as a national ambassador for UNICEF Philippines alongside host-actress Anne Curtis.

This year marks Gary’s 25th year working with UNICEF and his 40th year in show business. Following the contract

Why your written notices to employer can better protect you illegal?

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

atty. C. Joe sayas, JR

Q: I GOT along great with my former boss, but I could sense our new manager didn’t like me  from her first day. When I was out sick in March, she re-assigned one of my biggest tasks to another  employee.

After I complained, she adjusted my work schedule though I had been previously allowed to  leave work early a few days a week for night school. I complained to our General Manager, who allowed  me to keep my old schedule, and reminded my manager that I was a valued, long-time employee.

Unfortunately, that General Manager left for another job in the end of March. In April, I got  sick again. I e-mailed my manager to let her know I was very sick and couldn’t come into work. I kept  her updated via e-mail, and after about a week she asked when I was coming back to work. I told her I  was still very sick, and she said I would need to give her a doctor’s note when I came back.  I eventually tested positive for Covid. I let my supervisor know. But it took me a while to get  better, and my supervisor kept telling me to send a doctor’s note even though I could barely drag myself out  of bed. Eventually I was able to speak with my doctor remotely and he said my symptoms all pointed to  long Covid. I e-mailed my supervisor to let her know, but I didn’t hear back from her right away. I  emailed her later that evening asking for a form to apply for medical leave. That was on a Friday. The  following Monday, I received an email from HR saying that I was terminated for absenteeism and job  abandonment.

I was pretty upset, but I let it go at first since I wanted to focus on getting better. But this made  me think my employer was looking for the first excuse to get rid of me. Was my firing

A: It is likely that your employer violated multiple California employment laws.  Under the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), employers with 5 or more employees  must allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of medical leave without fear of  losing their jobs. You are eligible for CFRA leave if you worked for your employer for at  least 12 months and worked at least 1, 250 hours within the past 12 months before the  medical leave. It sounds like that applied to you.

So you being fired after being out sick for 3 weeks, and shortly after you had made  known your intention to apply for medical leave, likely violated your rights under CFRA.

It also appears that your employer violated a number of provisions of the  California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) by: (1) committing unlawful  disability discrimination in deciding to fire you due to your long Covid; (2) refusing to  provide you a reasonable accommodation for your illness; and (3) failing to engage in a  mandatory interactive process to assess the possibility of a reasonable accommodation.

A disability under FEHA includes any physiological disease that affects your  respiratory and musculoskeletal systems and limits any of your major life activities,  including the major life activity of working. What you describe appears to fit in that  definition. A reasonable accommodation for such disability would have been the CFRA  leave you had requested to allow you time to recuperate and then come back to work.

It is good that you emailed your employer to notify it of your sickness and  your request for leave. By simply ignoring your request for medical leave, your employer  failed FEHA’s requirement that employers “engage in a timely, good faith, interactive

process with  the employee … to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, in response to a request for  reasonable accommodation by an employee … with a known physical or mental disability or known  medical condition.”

The employer further and separately violated FEHA’s requirement that employers  “make a reasonable accommodation for the known physical or mental disability of an … employee,” such  as by allowing a medical leave to allow an employee to recover and return to work.

And then, ultimately, your employer’s decision to terminate your employment in  order to “dodge the bullet” of your long Covid violated FEHA’s prohibition against  discharging an employee on account of an actual or perceived disability.

Note that both CFRA and FEHA authorizes recovery of attorneys’ fees and  litigation costs in the event you prevail on your claims. This legal remedy enables  employees to consult with counsel, who can help you on a contingency (no recovery, no  fee) basis. In this way, meritorious claims can be pursued without the employee having to  pay the upfront costs of a court action.

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

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Gab Valenciano (left) with his parents, talent manager Angeli Valenciano and singer Gary Valenciano.

Photo from Instagram/@gabvalenciano

How important is it to have a living trust?

Barrister’s Corner

THINKING about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $184,500 in gross assets and you do not have a living trust (even if you have a will), your beneficiaries would have to open up a probate case before title to the assets can pass to them. When I say gross asset, I mean regardless of how much debt you owe on them. For example if you own a house valued at $350,000 at the time of your death, it does not matter that your mortgage balance is $300,000, a probate case has to be opened in order to pass title to that property. The same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, a professional practice, bonds, equities, etc.

This is a very low threshold to exceed specially in California where real estate prices, even after the economic crisis, remains in the upper end of the curve among the 50 states. Commencing a probate case is expensive and a very slow process. Someone qualified will have to file a Petition with the probate court to have someone appointed as executor or administrator. The Petitioner’s attorney gets paid a statutory rate for attorney’s

fees commencing with 4% of the gross estate. The probate referee will have to be paid for appraising the assets of the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium on the bond would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of administering the estate such as selling some of the assets to satisfy the estate’s obligations and to divide the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries and creditors file certain claims. The probate court file would be public record.

On the other hand if you have a living trust, your estate can avoid the entire court system and court supervision. In certain situations, the process may also save you estate taxes which may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basically, you and/or your spouse can be named as the initial trustee of the trust while you are alive. The trustee is the person who manages the trust. This means you retain control of all your assets the same way as if you never had a trust. For revocable trusts, you can later on, at any time during your lifetime, revoke the entire trust if you change your mind.

The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away. This can save your heirs time and money. Since the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value and your beneficiaries’

identities would not become a public record. Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust. If you are contemplating setting up a trust or have an existing trust that needs to be updated because your family circumstances have changed over the years, you should set an appointment with an experienced attorney that understands and can competently advise you in the law.

* * * 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 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, P.C. 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. (Advertising Supplement)

Gary gives update on son...

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signing, the singer was asked if he had heard from Gab and his recovery.

Gary recounted that Gab was side swiped on the freeway by a sports utility vehicle (SUV), but Gab is miraculously well, save for some bruises on his elbow.

“He’s already back at work... and crazier than ever,” Gary added with a smile.

Teen Clash stars look back on their favorite scenes from series

By Charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com

MANILA — As iWantTFC and Black Sheep’s series Teen Clash wrapped up its final episode last week, the cast members looked back on their fun moments while filming. The show was based on the hit Wattpad story of the same title.

Aljon Mendoza (as Ice) shared in a media conference that his scene with Nikki Valdez, who played as his mother, was one of his favorites. “When I hid behind the couch (was a favorite). It was a funny moment but I enjoyed (filming) it at the same time. I felt our chemistry as mother and son. Kasi naramdaman ko siya eh so nagbigay din ako,” he recalled. He and loveteam partner Jayda Avanzado (as Zoe) also loved the No Way But Up singing part. Jayda herself wrote the track. “That song is literally my baby so to see it come to life was such an emotional moment for me na alam mo yung makita mo na yung kanta na pinaghirapan ko to be put into a series. So that’s always one of my dreams — one of my songs to be part of a soundtrack.  That was a big moment for me and that was a fun scene to shoot,” she stated.

from Aljon who had been so “patient and understanding.”

“And he was really my partner through all of this. Through the good and the bad. It was not a perfect process but I wouldn’t change it for the world really. I was just so happy to witness his growth not only being an actor but also individually and his own person also,” she said.

“I’ve seen you go (through) so many things and I’m just so happy that I got the privilege to get to witness that and even in your personal life as well. I just wanna say that I’m very proud of you and I’m thankful to have you in my life,” Jayda told Aljon.

As for Ralph Malibunas (as Ken), his most unforgettable scenes from the series included the “rooftop scene” and when the two rival groups “clashed.” He told The STAR, “We were able to show that it’s an art. We were able to show our side that we can actually do it, especially the kissing scene (with Gail Banawis (as Ayumi).”

“It really took a lot for the two of us,” commented Gail.

Ralph said in jest: “Wala pong nag-toothbrush nun.”

that scene just fine.”

Kobie, for his part, recalled a clip from Episode 8 (the “hangover scene”) with Andi, Aljon, Zach Castañeda (as Xander), Luke Alford (as Lloyd) and Ralph. They all “felt tired but the energy” was there, shared Kobie.

Gab shared photos of the incident on his Instagram account last May 22, recalling that the accident caused him to be “a good 70 feet away from the collision.” He was thankfully in full gear.

“This is the first accident in my entire life that I did not expect or see coming. Been riding for close to two decades and still, new unexpected experiences to learn from,” Gab said at the time.

Jayda likewise mentioned the ending of Episode 9 and the “mini-fight” in Episode 5 as memorable for her. “We got to the core of our characters and when we shot, that was the last scene we ever shot for the series, it was emotionally charged,” she said, referring to the ninth episode. When he and Jayda started this project together, Aljon said they really made an effort to get to know each other to show their “authentic feelings” on screen. After taping the series, his “admiration” for Jayda had “grown.” He described his loveteam partner as “hardworking” and “kindhearted.”

Jayda, who was teased for her “Bambi look” (Disney young deer character) on Aljon, thanked her co-star. “I have so much respect and admiration for him. I always say this, that I really do feel so blessed that he was chosen to be my partner for this project.”

The actress-singer further shared that she learned so much

Gail jokingly retorted, “Ikaw ang hindi nag-toothbrush. Because that was the first kissing scene so we wanted to make it as authentic as possible, like not practicing or whatever.”

The showbiz newcomer also mentioned the part where she, along with Jayda and Fana (as Sab), were conversing with their face masks on. “We were really tired at that time. Parang umaadlib na kami nun eh. It was just so authentic and raw. And we really felt finally comfortable being Ayumi and Sab in that scene. Our behind-the-scenes friendship came out,” she shared.

On the other hand, Andrea “Andi” Abaya (as Mandy) said the most striking scenes for her were when her character learned that the kiss Zoe and Ice shared was fake and the confrontational act with Kobie Brown’s Josh and Fana’s Sab. Referring to the latter, she said, “It was so fun to do because I was able to create chemistry with both Kobie and Fana. It’s not easy to create chemistry, right? It’s something that you really have to build up and I’m glad that we were able to do

“We had so much fun even though it was very late. I super enjoyed that scene. And you could see it if you watch it in the bar parang lasing po kami (we appeared drunk) and having a hangover, and Aljon and Luke were at the bar to confront us, and also Andi.  And I like that also because me and Mandy had a moment also,” he recounted. Fana’s favorite scenes were the No Way But Up part, the clash with Kobie’s Josh over Andi’s Mandy and the encounter with Jayda’s Zoe and Gail’s Ayumi. Zach and Luke also mentioned the same “hangover” scene, as what Kobie narrated earlier about the eighth episode. Zach said, “At that time we were really tired like super puyat to the point na medyo delirious na yung ibang cast. It fits the scene because the scene was, we would wake up from a hangover. So, it’s perfect.” Luke, for his part, commended Aljon for being a “generous actor,” especially with their scene where they had to memorize lengthy lines but they were able to pull it off with just one take.

Likewise, Zach, Luke and Markus Paterson (as Jude) shared that the confrontation scene in Episode 9 was memorable for them.

Some of the cast members got teary-eyed when they delivered their farewell messages to their respective characters. They also gave direk Gino a group hug when he got emotional saying his goodbye speech to Teen Clash, his first project post-COVID-19 pandemic.

“You guys are family. You guys are my kids and thank you for being there. I’m gonna treasure this moment kasi mahirap yung pinagdaanan natin. I started with a teen genre and this is my first time doing a series and nag-full circle siya. And I’m so happy that I got you guys as my team, my cast and of course, Kookai (Labayen, writer.) Thank you so much,” he stated. g

Dawn Zulueta ‘overwhelmed with love, pride’ as son graduates from high school

by anne PasaJol Inquirer.net

DAWN Zulueta could not seem to contain her happiness for her eldest child Jacobo for reaching a new milestone—graduating from high school.

The actress documented her son’s graduation ceremony through a video shown on her Instagram page last May 27.

Zulueta also showed Jacobo wearing a shirt printed with the mascot of Fordham University in New York. It was not immediately confirmed if Jacobo will be pursuing his college education in the said university. “It’s taken me a while to formulate the words to express what wants to burst out of my heart. I speak for your Papa also when I say how overwhelmed with love and pride we are for you what you’ve worked hard to accomplish,” she said.

“Now that you’re off to new beginnings and greater heights, know that you’ll always have your family, and all your Titos, Titas, Ninongs and Ninangs whom you can count on for emotional and moral support,” she continued.

Zulueta wished for Jacobo to stay “good natured [and] respectful,” with the actress vowing to him that she will always be present whenever he needs her.

“I now have to keep reminding myself that it’s time to let you go so you can begin to spread your wings. But don’t worry because I’ll never outgrow being your doting (worry wart) Mama. I’ll never be too far away, too busy, or too tired if you should need me,” she stated. “I love you from here to eternity.”

“Fly and soar high, my Son. Keep making us proud, and may our Heavenly Lord bless and keep you,” she concluded. g

Teen Clash cast members hold a finale media conference in Quezon City to officially bid farewell to their characters in the iWantTFC and Black Sheep series. Photo shows (from left) Ralph Malibunas (as Ken), Gail Banawis (as Ayumi), Markus Paterson (as Jude), Luke Alford (as Lloyd), director Gino M. Santos, Jayda Avanzado (as Zoe), Aljon Mendoza (as Ice), writer Kookai Labayen, Andrea Abaya (as Mandy), Kobie Brown (as Josh), Fana (as Sab) and Zach Castañeda (as Xander).

Photos Courtesy

Dawn Zulueta, her husband Anton Lagdameo and their son Jacobo.

Photo from Instagram/@dawnzulueta

Paolo explains why he loves Yen

ACTOR Paolo Contis explained why he loves Yen Santos.

In Nelson Canlas’ podcast, Paolo said he loves Yen because of simple things.

Sobrang simpleng bagay lang,” he said.

“When the whole thing started, this whole crucifixion started, there was a time or there was every opportunity; she had every opportunity to tell me or to leave, but she stayed,” he added.

Paolo said the actress made him feel that she was not affected by the controversies.

“Sa totoo lang, ang laki-laking bagay. Kasi nung mga time na ‘yun, pinag-uusapan namin na

Society 1 reimagines ChimeTV with new leadership

The cable network will join Society 1’s growing group of media companies

mahirap, yes. Nagkaroon pa nga ng time na nag-hiatus din siya sa social media. Pero she did everything she could to not get affected, as long as nakakapagusap kami and okay kami,” he said. “Hindi mo ba mamahalin ‘yun? During the time that some of my friends, some of the people who actually believed me were leaving, someone stayed. Kumbaga, nung lahat palayo, siya papalapit,” he added.

Paolo confirmed in an interview with Boy Abunda last January that he and Yen are officially a couple after months of speculation. (By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)

PASADENA – ChimeTV, the only Asian-owned TV network in English showcasing API programming, is joining the Society 1 umbrella of companies. Media mogul Takashi Cheng will serve as ChimeTV’s new top executive, following founder Faith Bautista’s departure.

Society 1 is no stranger to media roll-ups. Last year, they announced a strategic investment into Character Media who has produced the longest standing API awards show Unforgettable Gala. Prior to this, Society 1 initiated a roadmap with GoldenTV, an API-centric streaming platform and corresponding professional community designed to logically connect stakeholders and deliver original content to subscribers. GoldenTV launched earlier this year across most major OTT providers.

Spectrum TV Select® video tier. Under Cheng’s leadership, ChimeTV will focus on introducing new and original programming to subscribers across the globe. In addition, Society 1 will deploy capital to enhance ChimeTV’s existing technology infrastructure and accelerate their content acquisition strategy. “As Chief Creative Officer, my goal is to elegantly bridge the traditional cable viewership and the new generation of streamers by giving them differentiated API content through multiple conduits. Our ecosystem enables a more seamless transition between cable viewers and streamers,” adds Cheng.

the COVID-19 pandemic and is set to open Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival this month.

ChimeTV’s announcement to join Society 1 comes as May, which is Asian Pacific Heritage Month, just finished, reflecting on a difficult year for the API community which has been plagued by an increase in hate crimes and bigotry. “Often times, people fear the unknown. By educating the masses about history, origins, culture and contributions, we can start the process of healing and foster a new era of understanding and acceptance,” said Bob Rose, president of ChimeTV.

of Southern California’s Asian American community.

Membership at Society 1 offers access to exclusive events and experiences, designed to enhance the presence, influence, and participation of Asian Americans in the most elite circles of society. Society 1 advocates for a sustained commitment to justice and ensures that people from historically marginalized communities are given a voice and platform. Changemakers help brand partners build inclusive decision-making practices and promote diversity in the workplace. Follow Society 1 on Instagram @ officialsocietyone.

Moira breaks silence...

“Jason and Moira are both Christians, but it seems like Jason is the only one faithful to the teachings of [Jesus] Christ. Yes, he did something wrong. But there was no third party on Jason’s side. He never fell in love with anyone else. His only sin was he listened to the call of flesh and availed of illicit massage service because Moira couldn’t fulfill his sexual needs.”

He furthered that before Hernandez could admit his sin, dela Torre wanted out of their relationship and the timing couldn’t be perfect since she had a reason to break up with Hernandez.

Go even dropped a hint about who the other guy was saying, “Someone who will ‘dance in the rain’ with her and call her ‘binibini.’ I’ll leave it to you to guess who I am referring to,” he said.

Netizens then concluded it was 21-year-old musician Zack Tabudlo.

Dela Torre in return said in her statement, “I did not cheat on Jason. It is unfair that I find myself in a position where I have to defend my name and even explain why I did not deserve to be cheated on.”

In ending, the artist shared that her “focus is on the path towards healing, as the weight of trauma still lingers heavily in [her] heart.”

“This process is not only essential for my own well-being but also for the well-being of those dear to me who have unwaveringly stood by my side throughout these challenging times – my loving family, my dedicated band, my friends, who have all been my source of emotional support. Their presence has been my anchor, grounding me during these turbulent moments,” she wrote.

“I hold onto hope that, one day, when the dust settles and clarity is restored, I will have the capacity to embrace a love that is faithful and genuine. I take solace in the knowledge that I am Moira-an artistwho will bravely navigate these challenges and emerge stronger than ever,” she concluded.

Dela Torre and Hernandez married in January 2019. In May 2022, the two decided to call it quits through a joint statement where Hernandez admitted that he had been “unfaithful” to dela Torre during their marriage. g

Takashi Cheng explains, “We have a healthy audience of nearly 20 million eyeballs across all our companies. Each media asset has a unique connection to the other, but all are unified in their commitment to raising the profile of API content and propelling API creators.”

ChimeTV received major recognition after inking a deal with Charter Communications, Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice services, and carries ChimeTV on its

Cheng’s experience speaks for itself. He got his start in entertainment during the Writer’s Guild of America Strike of 2007. Since then, he’s penned and produced more than two dozen films and shows. Throughout the years, Cheng has been vocal about his will to tell stories from across the Asian diaspora and break the norms or traditions that often discourage API communities from sharing their truth. Most recently, Cheng served as executive producer of Ken Jeong’s latest project, The Great Divide. The film spotlights the backlash many Asians experienced and witnessed during and following

As demand for AAPI content grows, the Society 1 group of companies are poised for growth. According to Parrot Analytics, the share of global demand for Asian language content reached 25% in the first quarter of 2023, up from about 15% in the same period in 2020. Additionally, the supply of content was 4.7% greater than demand in the Asian language category, an improvement from 9.8% in the first quarter of 2020.

In the coming months, Society

1 will announce new initiatives at ChimeTV and programming options for subscribers to view bundled content on GoldenTV.

Society 1 is a privately funded members club founded by highly esteemed members

Meanwhile, ChimeTV™ is the  only 24/7 Asian Americanfocused general entertainment programming cable network, delivered in English, that is Asian American owned. It will feature content that is entertaining, uplifting, aspiring, funny, and informative while shining a positive light on AAPI communities to promote Asian love, culture and stories. ChimeTV™ will focus on Asian excellence in entertainment, music, film, beauty, sports, the arts and business, while promoting faith, family and culture. CHIME: Creating History In Media Entertainment! Follow ChimeTV™ on Instagram @watchchimetv. (Advertising Supplement) mentioned there was no third party on the part of Hernandez but it is dela Torre who found someone else.

Paolo Contis and Yen Santos

Photo from Instagram/@paolo_contis