060723 - Southern California Midweek Edition

US, ASEAN defense leaders commit to expanded training programs

DEFENSE chiefs of the United States and of members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have committed to working together for more training opportunities — from fellowships for emerging leaders to expanded regional maritime law enforcement programs.

Austin met with Southeast Asian defense leaders on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies ShangriLa Dialogue held in Singapore over the weekend.

They discussed “priorities for expanding cooperation in support of regional stability, security, and prosperity” after the U.S.ASEAN relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. This means enhancing programs in areas like trade, the maritime sector, and

PH, US, Japan boost maritime security ties

MANILA — Boosting cooperation in promoting maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines joined Japan and the United States in trilateral talks through their respective top military chiefs. Gen. Andres Centino, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff; Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff of the Japan Joint Staff (JJS); and Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S.

Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) met last Saturday for the fourth AFP-JJS-USINDOPACOM Trilateral Leaders’ Engagement on the margins of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 20th Asia Security Summit, also known as the “ShangriLa Dialogue.” Organized by Centino and the Philippines, the meeting focused on the leaders’ shared perspective on regional issues and enhanced collaboration among the Philippines, Japan and the U.S. with trilateral opportunities at their disposal. Aquilino reaffirmed the USINDOPACOM

commitment to expanding cooperation between the U.S. and its allies to address regional security issues, deter unlawful maritime activities, and support the use of international law to resolve disputes in the Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders also looked into the importance of expanding multilateral activities and the significant potential for enhancing Philippines-Japan-U.S. cooperation.

“They also reiterated the importance of increasing defense capabilities and mutual  PAGE 2

SENATORS and members of the House of Representatives welcomed the "newest and good additions" to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Cabinet following his appointments of Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. and Teodoro Herbosa as secretaries of the Departments of National Defense and Health respectively.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said both have prior experience in the field already, "hence, they can hit the ground running."

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Teodoro and Herbosa are "a good addition" to the Marcos administration.

Sen. Mary Grace Poe said she trusts that their expertise and experience in their respective fields will "help them carry on the gargantuan tasks that lie ahead."

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Teodoro and Herbosa were "welcome additions to the President's immediate official family" as "their wealth of experience

MORE than 600,000 Americans have lost Medicaid coverage since pandemic protections ended on April 1. And a KFF Health News analysis of state data shows the vast majority were removed from state rolls for not completing paperwork.

Under normal circumstances, states review their Medicaid enrollment lists regularly to ensure every recipient qualifies for coverage. But because of a nationwide pause in those reviews during the pandemic, the health insurance program for lowincome and disabled Americans kept people covered even if they no longer qualified.

Now, in what’s known as the Medicaid unwinding, states are combing through rolls and deciding who stays and who goes. People who are no longer eligible or don’t complete paperwork in time will be dropped.

The overwhelming majority of people who have lost coverage in most states

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028, his administration's blueprint in the next five years to increase the exports of goods and services from the country, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said on Tuesday, June 6.

Marcos gave the greenlight to the proposal during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday where he discussed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) its efforts to mitigate and address the impacts of the global economic outlook.

"Well, we presented to the President the proposed Philippine Export Development Plan which DTI formulated pursuant to the Export Development Act of 1994. As already mentioned, this defines the country's export thrusts, strategies, programs and projects and we sought the President's approval which we got with just some couple of additions to the plan," Pascual said during a Palace press briefing.

Pascual said the plan aims to address challenges "that we face in various sectors of the economy particularly those sectors that potentially could be involved in exports."

MANILA — The Philippines should acquire more bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as the bivalent jabs donated by Lithuania are insufficient for the vulnerable population, an infectious disease expert said on Tuesday, June 6.

“If we will prioritize our healthcare workers and the elderly, there will be around two to three million of them. We hope that we will be able to acquire more... These bivalent vaccines are very important,” Dr. Rontgene Solante said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

More than 390,000 doses of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines

donated by the Lithuanian government arrived late Saturday, June 3.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said it had resumed negotiations with the COVAX Facility regarding its donation of around 1,002,000 bivalent vaccines, which were supposed to arrive last March.

The delivery of these vaccines had been put on hold due to the lifting of the state of calamity, discontinuing the implementation of measures to address the pandemic.

Solante added that the immunocompromised and those with comorbidities should also be prioritized in the rollout of the

MANILA — Corrections are still being made to the controversial bill that seeks to create the Maharlika Investment Fund, delaying its transmittal to Malacañang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva told reporters at the Senate on Tuesday, June 6 that Congress has not yet transmitted the enrolled copy of the Maharlika fund bill for Marcos’ signature as “perfecting

amendments” are still being applied to it.

An enrolled bill is the final version of a legislative proposal that has been certified as correct by the secretary of the Senate and the secretary general of the House of Representatives, and signed by the Senate president and the House speaker.

In this case, Villanueva said, there is no enrolled bill yet as the secretariat is still rectifying errors in the measure, including two sections that provide for different prescriptive periods for

launch at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace, Manila on

photo are (from left) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier and Governor Felipe Medalla, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. PNA

photo by Alfred Frias

PH, US, Japan boost maritime...

security cooperation to the benefit of all Pacific nations,” a USINDOPACOM statement read.

“This engagement is another demonstration of the strength of our alliances which underpin the security of a free and open IndoPacific,” it added.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III met with Southeast Asia defense ministers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and TimorLeste in Singapore to exchange

views and discuss priorities for expanding cooperation in support of regional stability, security and prosperity.

All these countries being part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Austin emphasized the vital role the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus continues to play in driving multilateral cooperation to address regional challenges.

Southeast Asian defense ministers and heads of delegations reaffirmed their

support for U.S. cooperative activities in the region, including in key forums such as the ADMM-Plus.

Austin also highlighted ongoing U.S. support to regional maritime security initiatives, including through the ADMMPlus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security, expanded U.S. Coast Guard regional maritime law enforcement programs, the U.S. Maritime Security Initiative, and the IndoPacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness initiative. g

Lawmakers welcome ‘newest, good additions’...

and knowledge in defense and health strengthen the Marcos Cabinet."

Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul "Boboy" Tupas, chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security, said in a statement that with Teodoro's "extensive experience in leadership and legislation and expertise in legal and administrative aspects, I am confident that the defense and security of our nation are in good hands."

In a statement, BHW Partylist Rep. Angelica Natasha Co said Herbosa "brings to the Department of Health a wealth of wisdom earned from a long career devoted to healing people, caring for communities, and working with stakeholders of the health sector."

'Competence, integrity, honesty'

"I know them both personally and have worked with them in the past. Their competence, integrity and honesty is beyond question based on my experience working with them," Escudero said.

Pimentel said the DND's challenge is the "growing geopolitical tensions especially the one concerning ChinaTaiwan-U.S. (United States)."

The DoH, the senator said, "has a full plate given the many health problems that Filipinos face.

He said the DoH's "new approach should be 'value for money' and put value in all our resources."

"Hence, [the] DoH should not be wasteful and value even those items donated to us," Pimentel said in a text message.

Poe said the new secretaries "are crucial in deciding and implementing strategies in addressing the various health issues we are facing and in upholding the country's territorial integrity against various threats."

"Focus and commitment on the job coupled with straight and true service will fortify our health and defense sectors and deliver the services our people deserve," she added.

Teodoro served as Defense secretary before and is a former congressional representative of Tarlac's first district. He holds a master's degree in law from Harvard University.

Herbosa had served as Health undersecretary. Also, he had served as an official of the Philippine General Hospital. g

Corrections keep Maharlika bill from...

violations of the proposed law.

“It’s still with us. The ball is still with the Senate Office of the Secretariat and it’s being finalized, still in the process of cleaning up the bill and typographical errors and clerical errors and to avoid inconsistency,” he said partly in Filipino.

The third reading copy of the Maharlika fund bill provided to reporters by Sen. Mark Villar’s office has two sections on the prescriptive period of offenses committed under the proposed law, one of which provides for a 10-year period, while another provides for a 20-year period.

Villanueva said Villar, who sponsored the measure in the Senate, has written to Senate

President Juan Miguel Zubiri through Senate Secretary Renato Bantug for the secretariat to look into the errors and for the enrolled bill to reflect what was approved in plenary.

“Considering that during the deliberations of the period of amendments, the sponsor conveyed the committee’s firm position that they are firm with the 10-year prescription. So there’s no way that you can have 20-year or another provision that is not aligned with the sponsor’s position,” Villanueva said.

But Sen. Francis Escudero told DWIZ on Saturday that these changes to the bill are beyond “perfecting amendments” and can only be corrected by Congress through a joint resolution.

“The consecutive provisions are not the same, the [prescriptive period] changed. It’s not a matter of style,” Escudero said in Filipino.

But Villanueva insisted that these can be corrected as long as there is no enrolled bill yet.

“You know, we’re all human beings and you know, during that time it’s already three in the morning, 2:30 in the morning, typos happen, mistakes in numbers can happen,” he said.

He continued: “And that’s the main reason why the bills will have to go through the Senate secretariat and the House of Representatives secretary general to look into it before it is sent to the Palace as an enrolled bill.” g

More bivalent vaccines needed...

bivalent jabs. In a department memorandum, the DOH stated that those eligible to get the bivalent doses are health care workers and senior citizens for their third booster shot.

Arcturus wave is over

Meanwhile, the Philippines has survived the critical stage of the Arcturus subvariant as positivity rates nationwide are declining.

“Based on what we can see, the downward trend of positivity rates and hospitalization rate, I

think we have passed that critical stage of the Arcturus [wave],” Solante said.

The latest COVID-19 Biosurveillance Report of the DOH showed there are 44 cases of the XBB.1.16 subvariant detected in the country. g

DAMAGED. A closer look at the Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio on Tuesday, June 6. The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire that gutted the famous landmark on May 22 was purely accidental in nature, attributed to the explosion of a car battery inside the storage room. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. talks with Health officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire and Teodoro Herbosa. Malacañang photo

Fil-Am who plays soccer in Brazil also kicks it with PH nat’l women’s team

PHILIPPINE National Women’s Soccer Team soccer player Reina Bonta, 24, is one of only four non-Brazilians in a professional Brazilian women’s club based in the city of Santos.

Her team, Santos FC, competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Paulistaleagues.

Before joining Santos FC last March, the defensive forward in October had joined the Philippines national team, which is bound for 2023 Women’s World Cup. Bonta played high school soccer at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd and college ball at Yale.

She is the daughter of Rob Bonta, first Filipino American Attorney General of California who was also first Filipino American in the California State Legislature.

Reina’s father, who was a soccer player at Yale himself, was among her coaches when she started out with Oakland club Bay Oaks.

Her subsequent youth soccer for the De Anza Force was particularly grueling, she told SoccerAmerica.Com.

After school, she had to commute by public transportation – Uber plus trains and skateboard—to the team’s practice field across San Francisco Bay from her home in Alameda, California.

De Anza Force 98 won the 2013 Elite Clubs National League (ECNL U-14) national title and reached the ECNL national final four three other times.

Aside from touring Brazilian cities for Santos, Bonta has

traveled with the Philippine national team to Tajikistan and Cambodia. “It’s such a blessing to be able to represent both an iconic club and a history-making national team,” Bonta told Soccer America. (Inquirer.net)

OF THE ROAD. In a vibrant display of creativity and passion, die-cast car enthusiast groups showcase a collection of unique miniature Philippine jeepneys at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday, June 6. These crafts that pay tribute to the iconic Philippine jeepney are on display until June 12.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Reina Bonta started with the Philippine National Women’s Soccer team last October. Photo from Instagram/@reinabonta

US, ASEAN defense leaders commit to...

addressing transnational crimes.

“[Austin] emphasized the vital role the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)Plus continues to play in driving multilateral cooperation to address regional challenges,” a readout from the U.S. Department of Defense said.

“Southeast Asian defense ministers and heads of delegation reaffirmed their support for United States cooperative activities in the region, including in key forums such as the ADMMPlus.”

Washington has been supporting Southeast Asian peers through an ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security and the IndoPacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative. The initiative is part of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy to help partners through training and through familiarity with new technology.

Austin also highlighted the U.S. Coast Guard’s expanded regional maritime law enforcement programs. The USCG is currently holding

Marcos okays PH Export Devt...

"And our proposal is actually in line with the Philippine Development Plan which was earlier released by the administration. This export development plan will capitalize on export growth opportunities considering market trends and the available or existing competencies in the Philippines among our industries," the DTI chief said.

"It seeks to undertake an industry development centric approach to make the Philippines a major player in the global economy and achieve sustainable development goals," he added. g

As Medicaid purge begins, ‘staggering...

their first-ever trilateral exercises with counterparts from Japan and the Philippines that focus on search and rescue operations as well as countering piracy and smuggling of weapons.

The trilateral exercises also open professional exchange opportunities for experts and to improve women’s role in the maritime space.

The U.S. and ASEAN will be launching their first fellowship program in September for up and coming defense leaders in the region. (Kaycee Valmonte/ Philstar.com)

were dropped because of technicalities, not because state officials determined they no longer meet Medicaid income limits. Four out of every five people dropped so far either never returned the paperwork or omitted required documents, according to a KFF Health News analysis of data from 11 states that provided details on recent cancellations. Now, lawmakers and advocates are expressing alarm over the volume of people losing coverage and, in some states, calling to pause the process. KFF Health News sought data from the 19 states that started cancellations by May 1. Based on records from 14 states that provided detailed numbers,

either in response to a public records request or by posting online, 36% of people whose eligibility was reviewed have been disenrolled.

In Indiana, 53,000 residents lost coverage in the first month of the unwinding, 89% for procedural reasons like not returning renewal forms. State Rep. Ed Clere, a Republican, expressed dismay at those “staggering numbers” in a May 24 Medicaid advisory group meeting, repeatedly questioning state officials about forms mailed to out-of-date addresses and urging them to give people more than two weeks’ notice before canceling their coverage.

Clere warned that the cancellations set in motion an avoidable revolving door. Some people dropped from Medicaid will have to forgo filling prescriptions and cancel doctor visits because they can’t afford care. Months down the line, after untreated chronic illnesses spiral out of control, they’ll end up in the emergency room where social workers will need to again help them join the program, he said.

Before the unwinding, more than 1 in 4 Americans — 93 million — were covered by Medicaid or CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to KFF Health News’ analysis of the latest enrollment data. Half of all kids are covered by the programs.

About 15 million people will be dropped over the next year as states review participants’ eligibility in monthly tranches.

Most people will find health coverage through new jobs or qualify for subsidized plans through the Affordable Care Act. But millions of others, including many children, will become uninsured and unable to afford basic prescriptions or preventive care. The uninsured rate among those under 65 is projected to rise from a historical low of 8.3% today to 9.3% next year, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Because each state is handling the unwinding differently, the share of enrollees dropped in the first weeks varies widely.

Several states are first reviewing people officials believe are no longer eligible or who haven’t recently used their insurance. High cancellation rates in those states should level out as the agencies move on to people who likely still qualify.

In Utah, nearly 56% of people included in early reviews were dropped. In New Hampshire, 44% received cancellation letters within the first two months — almost all for procedural reasons, like not returning paperwork.

But New Hampshire officials found that thousands of people who didn’t fill out the forms indeed earn too much to qualify, according to Henry Lipman, the state’s Medicaid director. They would have been denied anyway. Even so, more people than he expected are not returning renewal forms. “That tells us that we need to change up our strategy,” said Lipman.

In other states, like Virginia and Nebraska, which aren't prioritizing renewals by likely eligibility, about 90% have been renewed.

Because of the three-year pause in renewals, many people on Medicaid have never been through the process or aren’t aware they may need to fill out long verification forms, as a recent KFF poll found. Some people moved and didn’t update their contact information.

And while agencies are required to assist enrollees who don’t speak English well, many are sending the forms in only a few common languages.

Tens of thousands of children are losing coverage, as researchers have warned, even though some may still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. In its first month of reviews, South Dakota ended coverage for 10% of all Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in the state. More than half of them were children. In Arkansas, about 40% were kids.

Many parents don’t know that limits on household income are

significantly higher for children than adults. Parents should fill out renewal forms even if they don’t qualify themselves, said Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. New Hampshire has moved most families with children to the end of the review process. Lipman, the state’s Medicaid director, said his biggest worry is that a child will end up uninsured. Florida also planned to push kids with serious health conditions and other vulnerable groups to the end of the review line.

But according to Miriam Harmatz, advocacy director and founder of the Florida Health Justice Project, state officials sent cancellation letters to several clients with disabled children who probably still qualify. She’s helping those families appeal. Nearly 250,000 Floridians reviewed in the first month of the unwinding lost coverage, 82% of them for reasons like incomplete paperwork, the state reported to federal authorities.

House Democrats from the state petitioned Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to pause the unwinding.

Advocacy coalitions in both Florida and Arkansas also have called for investigations into the review process and a pause on cancellations.

The state is contacting enrollees by phone, email, and text, and continues to process late applications, said Tori Cuddy, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Cuddy did not respond to questions about issues raised in the petitions.

Federal officials are investigating those complaints and any other problems that emerge, said Dan Tsai, director of the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services. “If we find that the rules are not being followed, we will take action.”

His agency has directed states to automatically reenroll residents using data from other government programs like unemployment and food assistance when possible. Anyone who can’t be approved through that process must act quickly.

“For the past three years, people have been told to ignore the mail around this, that the renewal was not going to lead to a termination.” Suddenly that mail matters, he said.

Federal law requires states to tell people why they’re losing Medicaid coverage and how to appeal the decision.

Harmatz said some cancellation notices in Florida are vague and could violate due process rules. Letters that she’s seen say “your Medicaid for this period is ending” rather than providing a specific reason for disenrollment, like having too high an income or incomplete paperwork.

If a person requests a hearing before their cancellation takes effect, they can stay covered during the appeals process. Even after being disenrolled, many still have a 90-day window to restore coverage.

In New Hampshire, 13% of people deemed ineligible in the first month have asked for extra time to provide the necessary records. “If you're eligible for Medicaid, we don't want you to lose it,” said Lipman.

Clere, the Indiana state representative, pushed his state’s Medicaid officials during the May meeting to immediately make changes to avoid people unnecessarily becoming uninsured. One official responded that they’ll learn and improve over time.

“I’m just concerned that we’re going to be ‘learning’ as a result of people losing coverage,” Clere replied. “So I don’t want to learn at their expense.”

President Marcos gave the greenlight to the proposal during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday, June 6 where he discussed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) its efforts to mitigate and address the impacts of the global economic outlook. Malacañang photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

Mayon, Taal volcanoes acting up - Phivolcs

by Bella Cariaso Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised Alert Level 2 over Mayon Volcano in Albay amid increased sulfur emissions and rockfalls from the summit’s lava dome.

Phivolcs also monitored increased activity in Taal Volcano in Batangas, but said raising the alert level is not yet warranted.

In its Monday bulletin, June 5, Phivolcs said rockfall events in Mayon have increased in frequency since the last week of April. These increased from an average of five per day to 49 events per day recorded from 5 a.m. of June 4 to 5 a.m. of June 5 – along with a total of 318 rockfall events and 26 volcanic earthquakes since April 1, 2023.

“The electronic tiltmeter monitoring shows the upper slopes to be inflating since February 2023 and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still inflated, especially on the northwest and southeast, since 2020,” Phivolcs added.

According to Phivolcs, it also recorded 576 tons per day of sulfur dioxide emission on April 29, compared to an average of 162 tons per day on May 23.

“These low-level volcanic earthquakes, ground deformation

and volcanic gas parameters are overshadowed by recent steep increases in rockfall events which may possibly lead to further dome activity,” Phivolcs added.

“This means that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption,” Phivolcs added.

State volcanologists said the public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the six kilometerradius Permanent Danger Zone to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides.

“In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Mayon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” the Phivolcs added.

Taal under monitoring

There is no need yet to raise Alert Level 2 at Taal Volcano, Phivolcs said.

“This is not yet an indication to increase the alert level from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2. There are other parameters that we are looking at before we raise the Alert Level to 2, including the

increase in seismicity, another is the volcano is inflated, among others,” Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said.

According to Bacolcol, Phivolcs will continue to monitor Taal Volcano in case its heightened activities will result in another eruption. “Again we are closely monitoring the volcano. If there is an increase in the parameters, we will inform the public,” Bacolcol said.

On Sunday, Phivolcs reported that Taal released at least 5,831 tons per day of sulfur dioxide and an upwelling of hot volcanic fluids has been occurring at the main crater.

“The degassing we experienced yesterday (Sunday) is decreasing. Degassing is the interplay of magma, water and gas movement. This happens when volcanic materials are mixed with water. The degassing is accompanied by sulfur dioxide,” Bacolcol said.

Phivolcs said the volcano’s plume emissions reached 3,000 meters high.

Bacolcol added that the plumes produced volcanic smog or vog affecting municipalities of Balete, Laurel and Agoncillo, Batangas.

“The vog was accompanied by sulfur dioxide. We cannot see this but we can actually smell it. That is why yesterday, residents in Balete, Agoncillo and Laurel were affected by the foul smell,”

China, PH eye space partnership

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

COOPERATION in space exploration between China and the Philippines could lead to a Filipino astronaut joining Chinese astronauts manning a space station, a ranking Chinese Embassy official in Manila said on Monday, June 5.

aims to promote people-topeople exchanges and mutual understanding between our two countries. I think that with this, we make potential cooperation between our two countries," Lingpeng said. He said that early this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

had "a very successful visit to China, and President Xi Jinping and him have emphasized the importance of the cooperation in wide areas."

Lingpeng said Manila and Beijing can "explore many ways to enhance our cooperation, including space cooperation." g u PAGE 7

China Embassy Counselor Dr. Ji Lingpeng pondered such a possibility in a press briefing following the announcement of the six Awards for Promoting Philippine China Understanding (Appcu) laureates for 2023.

Lingpeng was one of the resource speakers at the ceremony.

China recently sent three astronauts to space. Beijing also reportedly plans to send its astronauts to the moon to space. Beijing also reportedly plans to send its astronauts to the moon before 2030, and is interested in bringing along foreign partners.

Lingpeng said China's space technology has developed rapidly the past years. He noted that of the 17 active astronauts in the world, six are Chinese. "Yesterday, three Chinese astronauts have come back to the earth safely."

"I think... this [Appcu]

OFWs deserve better

IN a country where overseas Filipino workers have been raped, tortured, mauled and bitten by their employers’ pet lion, murdered and the bodies burned and stuffed in a freezer, it would be the height of negligence if Philippine embassy personnel fail to help any OFW fleeing from abusive circumstances.

Yet the government of Kuwait has suspended the issuance of new visas to Filipinos and demanded an admission of infractions and an apology from the Philippine government for providing shelter to OFW runaways in the Gulf state. Kuwait apparently remembered that in 2018, Manila had apologized after the Philippine embassy not only provided shelter to runaway OFWs but also for encouraging them to escape from abusive employers.

Editorial

This time, the Department of Foreign Affairs has stood its ground and refused to apologize, although it has not closed the door on negotiations with Kuwait. There are, after all, some 268,000 Filipinos working in the Gulf state, remitting about $597 million to their home country last year.

On the other hand, the grievous abuses suffered by OFWs in Kuwait also cannot be overlooked. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration counts 196 OFWs who have died in Kuwait since 2016, with close to 80 percent of the deaths attributed to physical abuse. In 2017 alone, the Philippine embassy in Kuwait recorded 6,000 cases of OFW abuse, sexual harassment and rape.

Rodrigo Duterte, during his presidency, openly lamented reports of OFW abuse, disappearances and suicides in Kuwait. In February 2018, following the discovery of the body of Joanna Demafelis in a freezer, he ordered a ban on OFW deployment to Kuwait, and urged Filipinos in the Gulf state to come home. Despite these developments, Filipino maid Constancia Lago Dayag was murdered in Kuwait in May 2019. In December 2019, Jeanelyn Villavende was raped by her male employer and beaten to death by his wife. Following negotiations, the deployment ban was eventually lifted. But on Jan. 21 this year, domestic worker Jullebee Ranara was raped and brutally murdered. Reportedly pregnant, her remains were found in the Kuwaiti desert, burned and the head smashed. The suspect is her employer’s 17-year-old son, who has been arrested. After Ranara’s murder, the Philippines stopped the first-time deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait. Within days of the murder, at least 114 Filipino maids left the Gulf state. Kuwait then announced the indefinite suspension of all new visas for Filipinos.

Biden: ‘It’s never a good bet to bet against America’

The United States averted an unprecedented crisis after the U.S. Senate passed on Thursday the “Fiscal Responsibility Act” that suspended the debt ceiling to 2025, a day after the House of Representatives passed the measure.

The passage of the bill, which received strong bipartisan support, came just a few days before the June 5 deadline set by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who implored legislators to swiftly act before the United States runs out of money to pay for its debt and other financial obligations, which could lead to a potentially catastrophic default because of its global impact.

Created by the U.S. Congress in 1917 under the Second Liberty Bond Act, the debt ceiling sets the limit on the amount of money that the U.S. government can borrow to pay for its bills and other obligations, among them payment for federal employees,

Commentary

CLOSE to 24 million people proudly identify as members of the diverse and valued Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in our country.

They’ve played and continue to play an integral part in the growth and history of the United States, starting – quite literally – by connecting the country by their instrumental role in building the Continental Railroad. They have been soldiers during wars overseas and fighters for equal rights on American soil.

They are healthcare professionals and technology experts and entrepreneurs: In 2020, the U.S. Census identified 612,184 Asian-owned businesses that employed 5.2 million people – the highest among all U.S. minority groups. All reasons to stand tall, most certainly. Yet when it comes to cardiovascular health – most specifically, learning CPR and having the confidence to perform this potentially lifesaving procedure – we fall woefully

the military, Social Security, Medicare, interests on national debt and others. Under the compromise bill – which will be signed by President Biden the minute it reaches his desk – the debt ceiling has been suspended until 2025, allowing the government to borrow more. It’s evident that the United States continues to face many challenges, among them the situation in the Indo-Pacific region with China’s continuing aggression as demonstrated in a recent incident just last week. According to the account by the U.S. IndoPacific Command, a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace over the South China Sea when a Chinese J-16 jet “performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver” in its intercept when it flew “directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the U.S. aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence.”

A similar incident was also reported by the U.S. INDOPACOM in December last year when a Chinese J-11 fighter flew in front of and

within 20 feet of the nose of an RC-135 reconnaissance plane that was flying over the South China Sea, almost causing a collision, with the American pilot forced to take evasive maneuvers.

The biggest challenge that the U.S. faces – in fact the whole world – is the war in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, the U.S. has led western nations in providing humanitarian, financial and military support for Ukraine. According to the data collected by the Ukraine Support Tracker of the Germany-based Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the U.S. has earmarked over 73.1 billion euros (or more than $78 billion) for Ukraine. A few days ago, the U.S. also announced another $300-million arms package that includes air defense systems and tens of millions of rounds of ammunition with the caveat that these should not be used for attacks inside Russia.

There is absolutely no doubt that U.S. military might continues to be formidable and as strong as ever – as it should be, considering the challenges they are facing worldwide.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, the U.S. had a record-high military spending of $877 billion in 2022. In terms of technology, there is no doubt that America is still leading the race, with technologically advanced military equipment continually being developed, many of them being deployed and tested in the Ukraine war. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently established the Office of Strategic Capital that would provide long-term financing to U.S. technology companies, including startups engaged in critical technologies considered to be vital to U.S. national security. These include advanced materials, next-generation biotechnology and quantum science.

“We are in a global competition for leadership in critical technologies, and the Office of Strategic Capital will help us win that competition and build enduring national security advantages,”

Secretary Austin said during the launch last December of the OSC, which aims to bridge that critical gap between

The bene ts of learning CPR

short. Take a look at these sobering statistics:

• In a survey of AAPI individuals, only 26 percent reported feeling confident enough to perform Hands Only CPR. This easy to learn form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation requires only two steps – call 911 and push hard and fast – and can be just as effective as conventional CPR.

• Just under 70 percent of respondents reported that fear of hurting the person who needed CPR would prevent them from attempting it.

• Only 46 percent of respondents, not even half, said they would attempt CPR at all if they saw the need.

Knowing this potential lifesaving procedure and having the confidence to perform it are imperative if we want to save ourselves and each other. Which leads to this other heartrelated whammy: Compared to other ethnic groups, individuals from South Asia have a higher proportional mortality rate from ischemic (coronary artery) disease.

One reason undoubtedly is because 1 in every 20 nonHispanic Asian adults smokes

cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking raises the risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer – three of the leading causes of death among Asian Americans.

More disturbing news: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting are less likely to receive bystander CPR – which, even in the general population, is less than half.

We in the AAPI community are smart. We’re strong. We have the wherewithal to change these statistics. That starts with doing all we can to enhance our own heart health. To stop smoking or not even start. To eat fewer processed foods and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. To incorporate more movement into our lives.

And, equally as important, to accept the challenge of the American Heart Association to Be the Beat for our families, our friends, and for total strangers by learning Hands-Only CPR.

Granted, CPR won’t save every life. Sadly, only about 10 percent of the 350,000 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting survive it. But if you are or

you know one of those survivors, isn’t knowing this procedure worth it? Especially when you consider that performing CPR during cardiac arrest can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

That makes increasing awareness of the importance of bystander CPR “extremely important throughout the AAPI community,” said Michelle A Albert, M.D., M.P.H. FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer President. “It is time to do better and shift the numbers so that every single household in America has at least one person who, at minimum, knows HandsOnly CPR.”

Which brings us back to Be the Beat. This fun name with serious implications calls on us all to find songs with 100 to 120 beats per minute, which is the AHArecommended rate to perform chest compressions during CPR. The organization has even teamed with the Elevance Health Foundation to create a Don’t Drop the Beat playlist.

Most of us will recognize at least some of the songs: “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees. “One Dance” by Drake, Wizkid, Kyla. “Off the Wall” by Michael Jackson. “Ring

the laboratory and full-scale production, which is referred to as the “valley of death” in the industry. Secretary Austin said he is determined to give emerging technologies the support they need to develop sophisticated military hardware that would enhance the defense capabilities of the U.S..

The U.S. is also at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) –considered as the “bold new frontier” of technology – as it dabbles in AI-directed drones or bots that can pilot modified F-16 fighters, thereby lessening the risk or threat to human lives. Last March, for instance, the U.S. Air Force said it would field a “nominal quantity” of 200 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighters and 1,000 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones that would serve as wingmen that would be operating alongside the piloted NGAD fighters. This development certainly showcases that U.S. technology is still very much superb.

While some pundits predict that the 2024 U.S. presidential election would be even more divisive than ever, history has shown that no matter how

polarized U.S. politics may seem at the moment, at the end of the day, Americans will close ranks to fight any kind of threat. This is evident in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that was faster than any other major economy in the world, and the passage of the debt ceiling bill despite months of acrimony between Republicans and Democrats.

During his second State of the Union speech in February, President Biden acknowledged that indeed, they “face serious challenges across the world,” but he also emphasized their progress and resilience as a nation and people, emerging from every crisis stronger than when they entered it.

And the U.S. president issued this warning: “Those who bet against America are learning just how wrong they are. It’s never a good bet to bet against America.” (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. * * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

of Fire” by Johnny Cash.

Each beat equals one compression: Deep, quick, and by the time the song ends, first responders answering your 911 call will quite possibly be there to take over. You can step aside, knowing you gave your all to help save a life. You granted hope to an individual, to a family, to a community – be they AAPI or otherwise, you were there. And you knew what to do.

Pexels.com photo by Raven Domingo

* * * 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.

* * * Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, is the PresidentElect, American Heart Association, Director, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, and Simon H. Stertzer, MD, Professor of Medicine & Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine

During this stalemate, the Philippines should review its deployment policy and consider finding new destinations for OFWs other than Kuwait.

There are many other countries without the notoriety of the Gulf state in treating migrant workers. OFWs deserve better. (Philstar.com)

Gov’t urged to refocus on pre-pandemic economic goals

MANILA – Economists from the academe and financial markets on Tuesday, June 6 urged the government to set its sights back to pre-pandemic targets now that the economic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) contagion have waned.

Roberto Galang, dean at the Ateneo de Manila’s (ADM)

John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSM), said the government needs to “refocus efforts on fundamental problems that were glossed over by the pandemic.”

“The Philippines has fully recovered from the pandemic and has returned to a comfortable growth path,” he said in an interview.

Galang said high on the administration’s “to-do list” should be the rehabilitation of the country’s congested transport infrastructure.

“Manila airport (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) is suffering from intense congestion, which three years of limited travel has allowed us to forget,” he said.

More investments are needed in power plants and bulk water supply, which were also put

in the backburner during the pandemic, he added. Galang, a noted expert on agricultural logistics, also called for a revitalization of the agricultural sector, by stimulating more investments in better farming technology and building a more efficient system for moving produce from the farm to consumers.

“The country’s economic outlook for the rest of the year is positive, although the risk of food inflation remains possible due to El Niño,” he said.

Galang’s appeal came on the heels of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) latest projection on the country’s medium-term inflation path.

“The May 2023 inflation outturn of 6.1 percent is within the BSP’s forecast range of 5.8 to 6.6 percent, consistent with the overall assessment that inflation will remain elevated over the near term before gradually decelerating back to target range in fourth quarter of 2023, in the absence of further supply-shocks,” the BSP said in a statement on Tuesday, June 6. Alan Tan, chair of ADM’s economics department, said “the economy is poised to

grow at its average pace of 6.5 percent this second quarter. This is supported by softening inflation and lowering global oil prices.”

Meanwhile, market analyst Astro Del Castillo, president and managing director of First Grade Holdings, said he is more optimistic about the second semester of the year because “the worst of the inflation surge is now behind us.”

With all the pandemic restrictions gone, he said, the economy is once again poised to resume its forward momentum.

However, Del Castillo warned that food security and the energy situation in portions of the country must be addressed sooner rather than later.

It was noted that provinces like Occidental Mindoro, and to a lesser extent, Oriental Mindoro, have been suffering from rotating brownouts since the onset of the dry season.

Del Castillo said the government should lay the groundwork to enhance domestic food production to avoid situations like the recent onion supply crisis, which began late last year and extended to the opening weeks of 2023. (PNA)

Mayon, Taal volcanoes acting up...

he added.

“Based on the reports that we received, some residents experienced difficulty in breathing, throat and eye irritations. This is an indication of the prevalence of sulfur dioxide. We are advising the public to stay indoors and close their doors and windows or if necessary move to a safer place,” Bacolcol said.

The official noted the possibility that the vog will reach Tagaytay City cannot be ruled out.

“It will depend on the winds. There was a time that the vog reached Metro Manila, I think that was last year,” Bacolcol said.

Entry into Taal Volcano island – especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures – is prohibited, as there is always a danger of sudden phreatic explosion.

Stockpile

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed their field offices in the southern Tagalog and Bicol

regions to prepare for the possible eruption of Taal and Mayon volcanoes, respectively.

“The concerned regional field offices have been directed to stockpile on their family food packs (FFPs) and ensure that they have sufficient standby funds as part of the preparation for both the Taal and Mayon volcanic unrest,” he said.

Gatchalian ordered their local officials to get the “historic data” in their respective regions to include the number of families affected, number of municipalities affected and the duration of the volcanic unrest.

“The historic data will be very helpful in determining the approximate number of FFPs that need to be stockpiled. It is very important to closely monitor the activities of Taal and Mayon and updates be sent in real time,” Gatchalian told department regional directors.

Phivolcs reminded that Taal Volcano is a permanent danger zone. It also observed a slight increase in sulfur dioxide emissions in the past two weeks.

Passage of ‘Sogie’ bill vs sexual, gender discrimination not urgent – Villanueva

by BeatriCe pinlaC Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva sees no urgency in passing a proposed measure penalizing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (Sogie).

The Sogie bill has made little headway since it was first filed 23 years ago.

Now in the 19th Congress, it remains pending in Senate committee level for nearly four months.

This was since it was referred back to the Rules committee panel headed by Villanueva.

This situation takes place, despite the fact that the measure already secured the approval of the chamber’s committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality.

Asked on Tuesday, June 6 to flesh out the developments of the Senate bill, Villanueva said, “I don’t know who is following it up or saying it is a priority measure because it is not, to begin with.”

The legislator pointed out members of his committee had also submitted letters and aired reservations about the Sogie bill.

that particular measure,” he said.

Villanueva then began listing measures that Congress would prioritize for the second regular session in July.

Among these bills are the proposed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act, and the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.

All of these bills are listed as priority bills of the Marcos administration, but these are not referred to the Senate rules committee.

“These are all in plenary, and I believe, like what I hear from my colleagues as their majority leader, these are the priority measures we need to act upon once Congress returns,” Villanueva said partly in Filipino.

He also renewed the push for an anti-discrimination bill that would cover all sectors under its umbrella, instead of limiting it to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community.

Villanueva said seven lawmakers, including Senator Imee Marcos, are already pushing for this approach.

one sector. Why not include everyone when you talk about anti-discrimination? Other people get discriminated against too,” he added.

Villanueva is the son of Jesus Is Lord Church founder and incumbent Cibac partylist representative Eddie Villanueva, who had also previously disrupted House deliberations on the Sogie bill. Unlike the measure’s journey in the Senate, Sogie bill is already inching forward in the House of Representatives. It has already secured the nod of the House women and gender equality panel. g

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

DSWD Bicol regional director

Norman Laurio reported that they have already alerted the provincial Quick Reaction Team and the chiefs of the Municipal Action Teams.

“We have instructed the QRTs and the MATs to have close coordination with their respective LGUs and provide updates if necessary. We will coordinate with PDRRMO (Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) for any updates or advisory,” he said.

No flights

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) on Monday barring aircraft from flying 10,000 feet from the surface of Taal and Mayon volcanoes due to unrest.

Flights are also advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, “as ash from the sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.”

In Bicol, CAAP operates seven airports: Bulan, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Naga and Virac, and the Bicol International Airport. g

“I don’t see any urgency for

“And I am supportive of it. It doesn’t need to be just

Sen. Grace Poe says NAIA privatization long overdue

by CeCille Suerte Felipe Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has started soliciting private sector proposals for a 15-year contract to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and senators have expressed support for the NAIA’s privatization.

“The privatization of NAIA is a proposal not only whose time has come, but is well past its due,” Sen. Grace Poe said on Monday, June 5.

Sen. Francis Escudero agreed with Poe.

“The private sector, I believe, is by far more efficient than the government,” he said.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, said glitches that messed up flight schedules at the NAIA could have been averted if the modernization of the airport’s air traffic control systems had been undertaken years ago.

“We have seen how the transformation of the MactanCebu International Airport by a private consortium and its improved services and facilities have positively impacted on tourism and passenger experience,” Poe said.

The DOTr and Manila International Airport Authority have submitted their joint proposal to pursue the privatization of NAIA through solicited bidding. g

LACMTA will receive Proposals for MA105918Metro C (Green) Line OCS Spring Tensioner Assemblyat the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. A Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Virtual Meeting: Online. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. MA105918. For a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Veda Sargent at sargentv@metro.net.

6/7/23

CNS-3707671#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

The Asian Journal MDWK

Kim on sister’s miraculous recovery, dealing with fake friends

By mArinel Cruz Inquirer.net

IT’S as if nothing happened to her,” said actress-TV host Kim Chiu about her big sister, Lakam, who was hospitalized last month.

According to Kim’s Instagram updates on her sister, Lakam was brought to the hospital on April 19 and was in the intensive care unit (ICU) until April 23. She regained consciousness on April 25 and was discharged days later. However, Kim chose not to share what Lakam’s illness was.

“I have been a devotee of Padre Pio. He really works miracles. It’s true! This is another one for me. I didn’t know what to do. I really thought my Ate wouldn’t be able to pull through. I was really scared for her. I couldn’t do anything but pray,” Kim told reporters during her launch as the newest brand ambassador of the sanitary napkin brand, Sisters.

Asked what was going through her mind at the time her beloved sister was fighting for dear life, Kim said: “I went blank. My energy was so low that I also got sick. I didn’t know where I would get strength from, because my Ate has always been the person I run to when I’m feeling down. I just stayed at the Padre Pio chapel in Libis for a whole day.”

Right and left hand

Thankfully, Lakam is now OK. In fact, Kim was already able to return to work, as host of the noontime gameshow,

“It’s Showtime!,” on April 28. Sobrang OK na siya. God is good, indeed. My sister and I have been through a lot while growing up. She sacrificed so much for me. She’s my right hand, and also my left hand. That’s why when that happened to her, I felt lost,” Kim admitted. “I will always be here for her. I promised her that we will grow old together.”

The actress then told reporters: “It happened in a snap of a finger. That’s why you should all take care of your health. If your body is telling you that it’s already tired, then get some rest. Matindi ang inabot ni Ate. I’m very thankful that she survived it.”

Kim said her longtime boyfriend Xian Lim also showed emotional support. “He was always at the hospital. He would drop by after taping,” she said, adding that they are “very happy” when asked to describe the status of their romantic relationship.

Catholic travel: A journey with God

By Amrylois Ferido AJPress

When asked to share pointers on how to maintain a harmonious relationship with siblings, Kim said: “Misunderstandings and quarrels with your sisters are unavoidable. You should both learn to compromise. If one is extremely annoyed, the other should leave the room first and return when everyone is a lot calmer and less angry. As they say, ‘Don’t fight fire with fire.’ It’s similar to how you deal with a boyfriend, mas matimbang nga lang.”

True friend Kim was also asked to share the traits she looks for in a “true friend.” To this, she replied: “It’s difficult to find true friends in show biz. We’re all busy and hardly see each other. Also, show biz is an environment where people could sometimes become bitter and envious of others.

So consider yourself lucky if you have people you consider

Continued on Page 9

FAITH is an important part of the Filipino community, bringing many together as one big family guided by God. Just this May, Ivy Manalang, Vice President of Marketing at Asian Journal, went on a pilgrimage in Israel. Alongside her was her best friend Teena Boeckmann, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Rev. Fr. Jasper Bautista, Rev. Fr. Nico Mendoza, and fifty other pilgrims from the Philippines.

This pilgrimage was a meaningful experience filled with grace for Manalang as well as those who were with her. Not only was this trip filled with faith, but it also allowed for attendees like Manalang to experience different foods, culture, and scenery.

The overall trip was life changing for the pilgrims, who made their way to various places that are connected to Jesus Christ and his own journey. Manalang highly encourages other Filipino Catholics to take on this pilgrimage to explore and grow in their faith in God.

While the pilgrims experienced a variety of things, a central part of the trip was to visit the places that are significant to God, allowing for their faith to strengthen. Manalang noted how an important part of why she personally was able to have a grace filled experience was through Archbishop Socrates. He was a point of guidance throughout the pilgrimage, his words inspiring those who listen.

Each place that the pilgrims visited was a wonder in its own and within these experiences, there were moments where one could truly see the deep connections that they all made. On the fifth day of the pilgrimage, Manalang detailed how the group visited the Church of Nativity. Here they celebrated mass and then were able to line up and kiss the birthplace of Jesus Christ, which is an experience no one could ever forget.

Manalang described how she felt complete sanctity while in the church. Upon leaving, she was overcome with an immense amount of courage, which she knew was something that only God could give her. Visiting this sacred place left her in awe of the wonders of God, especially in the emotions that she felt during and after the visit.

Not only did they witness the area that marked the beginning of Jesus’ life, but they were also able to see the place in which he was crucified as well as laid to rest. “We are saved because there is no one who has loved us as much as the Lord. It is love that saves,” Archbishop Socrates emphasized to the pilgrims as they traveled to the Holy Sepulcher (Holy Tomb) of Jesus. In this area, they felt Jesus’ complete presence as they were able to see the very place in which reminds them of his love.

“Today when you kiss the tomb, when you kiss the place where the body was laid for preparation for burial. I would propose that you say thank you. Thank you because you have never been loved by anyone as much as Jesus,” Archbishop Socrates added, reminding the pilgrims of the very reason that they were there, to become more connected with God and this love he has for each and every one of them. His words were a true inspiration and a well of guidance for those in attendance. Inside the tomb, Manalang described how they were all able to pray as well as speak those words of gratitude for what He had done for them.

Another significant part of the journey was a moment that took place earlier in the pilgrimage. The pilgrims were able to visit the place in which Jesus performed his first miracle, making wine out of water. This miracle took place at a wedding in Cana, where the pilgrims made their way to a church located in the area in order to have mass. Alongside mass, the church was holding a renewal of vows for 13 couples.

This was incredibly special for Manalang as she was reminded of her husband. The mass for her was “touching, spiritual, and emotional” and she hopes to return to Israel again someday in order to renew her own vows with him.

Archbishop Socrates also had many inspirational things to say about couples, where he emphasized how they stay together if they are willing to always forgive each other as well as ask for forgiveness. “If you are here (to renew your vows), it is not because you have been romantic for decades. If you are here, it is because you have chosen to be humble and ask for forgiveness,” he expressed, declaring how the perfect symbol of love is how Jesus had died on the cross for everyone’s sin. In forgiving our sin, the ultimate act of love was carried out by God, where this love should reflect in the relationships one has.

Throughout this journey, it is clear how much power words can hold and the emotions they can evoke. Words are also however powerful in the form of song. During the pilgrimage, Manalang describes how they were accompanied by a choir who sang songs that elevated the overall experience. When

the pilgrims visited the Chapel of Ascension, they were able to touch the rock where Jesus ascended. The experience was already filled with such emotion, however, when the choir sang “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” (I Will Not Forget You), the memorable moment became even more heartwarming.

While the pilgrimage took those in attendance through a spiritual journey, there were also moments in which they were able to take in the fact that they were somewhere far from home. The new sights, foods, and cultures in which they experienced, filled the trip with fun. One part of the trip, near the end, was a moment where Manalang and her best friend Teena were able to enjoy and swim in the Dead Sea. This site is popular amongst tourists, depicting how this pilgrimage was also meant for a time of relaxation and exploration.

“This is a bucket list trip with my best friend, Teena. I celebrated my 50th birthday and while in Bethlehem the birthplace of our savior, Teena celebrated her 47th birthday. Grateful to survive cancer & all the blessings we received from our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us like no other,” Manalang expressed her gratitude towards the pilgrimage, showing how the trip is something that has become a part of her life that she will never forget.

She highly encourages other Catholics, especially those within the Filipino community, to take a pilgrimage in order to find themselves as well as deepen their connection with God. The trip was made possible by Catholic Travel Inc, a company who has been organizing many pilgrimages since 1961. The following link will lead you to their website, where you can learn more about fulfilling your own pilgrimage: https://catholictravel.com.ph/about-us/. They can additionally be contacted at the following number: (+632) 8523-2523.

In addition to checking out the website,

Pictured at the Church of Nativity, from left to right is Father Nico Mendoza, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, and Father Jasper

Pictured above are Archbishop Socrates Villegas (middle), with Ivy Manalang (left) and her best friend Teena Boeckmann (right).

The lovely choir that journeyed along with the other pilgrims, whose voices graced the presence of all who heard them sing.

Taken at the Church of Nativity, the pilgrims happily gathered in this photograph, where they were filled with gratitude for the birth

Kim Chiu with sister Lakam

Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

‘Eat Bulaga’ introduces new hosts

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

LONGEST running noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga” aired live on Monday and introduced a new set of hosts nearly a week after original hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon parted ways with production company Television and Production Exponents Inc. (Tape Inc.).

The new hosts are Paolo Contis, Buboy Villar, Betong Sumaya, Alexa Miro, Cassy Legaspi and Mavy Legaspi.

The fresh faces opened the show performing the song “Best Day of My Life.” This was followed by a game where they gave out cash prizes and iPhone 14 to the audience.

Local girl group XOXO and Kokoy de Santos joined them as guest performers.

Longest running noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga” aired live on Monday and introduced a new set of hosts nearly a week after original hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon parted ways with production company Television and Production Exponents Inc. (Tape Inc.).

The new hosts are Paolo Contis, Buboy Villar, Betong Sumaya, Alexa Miro, Cassy Legaspi and Mavy Legaspi.

The fresh faces opened the show performing the song “Best Day of My Life.” This was followed by a game where they gave out cash prizes and iPhone 14 to the audience.

Local girl group XOXO and Kokoy de

Continued on Page 10

Kim on sister’s miraculous recovery...

From Page 8

true friends here; those you can share secrets with, those you can laugh and be silly with.”

She continued: “It’s not a secret that Bela (Padilla) and Angelica (Panganiban) are the people I run to when I need advice about my personal problems. As for friends who eventually became traitors, that’s an old story. It’s as if you don’t know what happened. These days, we’re friends again.”

Kim was referring to the quarrel she had in 2013 with actress Maja Salvador over exbeau Gerald Anderson. The two girls have reconciled since. “Life is too short to dwell on awful things. I realized this during the pandemic lockdowns. I’d rather dwell on matters that I consider important to me. You’ll never know where you’ll end up tomorrow or next week. Let’s just work on ensuring our happiness. For me, being happy is part of living a healthy lifestyle.”

Kim is currently beaming with pride because she has just finished a “vacation house” that she had built especially for her 63-year-old father, William.

Catholic travel: A journey with...

From Page 9

Catholic Travel Inc. also has the following representatives who you can reach out to:

Joy Gonzales

Phone Number: +639988421351

Email: joy.catholictravel@ ymail.com

Rakel Madelo

Phone Number: +639189108658

Email: rakel_madelo@ yahoo.com

Furthermore, Manalang also recommends Olive Tree Tours, who guided the pilgrims in their general travels. While the journey was filled with faith, there was also fun and exploration that took place. Manalang and other pilgrims were guided by Arlet Aro Odeh Kara’a and Mohamad Kawasmi. Olive Tree Tours was founded by their president Akram Albasel, who can be contacted

by the following:

Phone Number: +972-545777678

Email: akram@ olivetreetours.co.il

Their website has additional information regarding their tours: http://olivetreetours. co.il/.

All of these resources can surely allow for you to experience the very same wonders of grace and travel that Manalang, and her fellow pilgrims have experienced. Not only will your own faith grow but you will gain memories that will last a lifetime.

“I want him to be able to breathe fresh air. I want him to feel relaxed all the time. It’s cold there. I’m so happy because I’m able to fulfill one of my dreams for him and for my family. Actually, everything I do is for my family. I also want to be able to reward myself with something new for all the times I was away because of work. This inspires me and gives me the energy to work some more,” she pointed out.

Kim, who is involved in several business ventures, claimed she has no mentor to consult with in relation to her investments. “However, I know how it feels to not have money, that’s why I know how to save up now that I have more. The idea that I would return to having nothing is a terrifying thought for me. That’s why I work hard.”

She then recalled a memory of when she was younger and was still struggling financially. “I lived in different provinces

while growing up. I went to school in cities such as Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Mindoro, General Santos, Zamboanga, Ormoc and Tacloban. My siblings and I were sent to different places because we have relatives there who were willing to finance our schooling.

CARSON, California – Carson High School AEE has named Carl Gabriel Paraon Francia Valedictorian top student for his graduating class of 2023.

Carl, the son of Julius and Charity Francia, leads his class with a weighted grade point average (GPA) of 4.476. Carl is headed to University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) this fall with a full ride where he will be taking up Mechanical Engineering. His classes include Advanced Placement (AP) in World History, English and Literature, US History, US Government and Politics, Macroeconomics, Computer Science Principles, Psychology and Calculus AB/ BC.

“We are so proud of his hard work, discipline and determination that led him to this tremendous achievement” good job Carl – Parent.

Every year, from April to May, we would feel lost and confused because we don’t know yet where we would be sent to so we could study,” she said. “That’s why when I finally had work, I told my siblings, ‘You will finally be able to graduate. We’ll all be OK.’”

Pictured are the pilgrims who took this journey with God. All Filipinos, marking the deep connections the community has with their faith. Taken at the Basilica of the Annunciation.

A photo of the 13 couples who renewed their vows at the church in Cana.

community

Actor John Regala passes away

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

SEASONED screen actor John Regala died on Saturday, June 3. He was 58.

His wife, Victoria Scherrer, told ABS-CBN News of the actor’s passing.

“He died at 6:28 a.m. of cardiac arrest due to liver and kidney complications at the New Era General Hospital,” said Scherrer.

She added that Regala had been “under critical care for three weeks until he expired.”

Regala is a known character actor who starred in a number of ‘90s films.

Born John Paul Guido Boucher Scherrer to actors Mel Francisco and Ruby Regala, Regala’s first showbiz foray was the ‘80s youth show “That’s Entertainment.”

In the 1990s, he became known as the antagonist of mostly action films. His film credits include “Alyas Baby Face,” “Primitivo Ebok Ala: Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama,” “The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us!” and “ Batas Ko ay Bala .” His most recent films in the 2000s include “ Zombading : Patayin sa Shokot si Remington,” “The Road” and “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.”

Fiesta in America 2023 set on August 19 in New Jersey

FIESTA in America, the biggest indoor trade and culture exposition in the U.S. East Coast, will mark its 26th anniversary at Court A of American Dream (the 2nd largest mall in the USA), East Rutherford, New Jersey on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Over 10,000 Filipino-Americans and 50,000 additional mall visitors are expected to attend.

“If you’re thinking of capitalizing on the growing Philippine market and the strong household income of Filipinos in the United States, this is the event to go to,” said Fernando Mendez, founder and CEO of not-forprofit Fiesta In America.

The indoor festival, popularly known as Philippine Fiesta, has been attended by more than 250,000 consumers, primarily Filipinos, since its inception.

The festival is also supported by hundreds of brands from the Philippines, the U.S., and other countries eager to tap into the lucrative Filipino-American market in the New York-New Jersey area.

He won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the latter 2011 film starring Jeorge E.R. Estregan. On TV, he appeared on “Captain Barbell,” “Encantadia (2005)” and “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. ”

Anne Curtis ‘so proud’ of Erwan Heussaff for ‘Oscars of culinary world’ win

By Deni Rose m afiniDaD-BeRnaRDo Philstar.com

ACTRESS and TV host Anne Curtis is so proud of restaurateur and content creator husband Erwan Heussaff for winning the Social Media Account category of the 2023 James Beard Awards, considered by many as the culinary world’s “Oscars.”

“Dahlia and I are so proud of you mon amour,” said Anne as a comment in Erwan’s post showing his medal.

“I’m still shaking. We made it!!” he said on Instagram.

Founded in 1990, the annual James Beard Awards recognizes “exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system.”

Erwan won the Social Media Account category of the James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Awards

division, which “recognizes excellence in a single foodrelated post or compilation of up to three posts that clearly represents the social media account’s intention.”

Erwan prevailed over fellow nominees and content creators Andrew Huang, Ewa Huang, and Jeromy Ko of “Nom Life,” and Kalamata’s Kitchen Staff behind “Kalamatas Kitchen - Of Course It’s Kid Friendly.”

Besides Erwan, nominated for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific is Chef Aaron Verzosa of Archipelago in Seattle, Washington, which serves “Pacific Northwest cuisine through progressive Filipino American flavors.”

Two Filipinos are nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Chef Vince Bugtong

of ABACÁ in San Francisco and Chef Margarita Manzke of République in Los Angeles, both in California.

Kris pens emotional birthday greeting to son Joshua amid separation

By evangeline valDeRRama Inquirer.net

AS she is physically unable to be with her firstborn son Joshua on his 28th birthday, Kris Aquino will miss out his celebration and would just shop for new clothes for him to be delivered by a visiting “super special someone.”

In an Instagram post, Aquino said Josh’s birthday is a mix of happiness and sadness for her because she would be absent on the special day of her son, who is staying in the Philippines with some relatives, while she continues her stay in California in the United States for treatment of her autoimmune diseases.

Kuya, I miss you, and I love you so much… You’re where you want to be, surrounded by so many who love & care for you,” Kris shared, capturing her initial message.

“Yesterday was only the 4th time in 1 year of being in the (American flag) that mama went to a mall because I wanted to be the one to choose your new clothes. I’m so proud of you! Because of your discipline, jogging & swimming every day, you’ve already lost more than 20 pounds,” added the TV host-actress.

The Queen of Talk further revealed her strong desire to personally give Joshua the gifts she bought and prepared for him, but it may take a while before she can return to the Philippines. She said that she would need to semi-isolate in three weeks because her immunity went down.

“Some people who love & miss you from here + 1 super special person will arrive in a few days to personally bring home all your gifts,” Aquino

Kris Aquino with Josh Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino said. “You promised me you’ll spend Christmas up to my birthday here. Please keep praying for all of us? Happy Birthday to our super guapo Kuya, I love you so much & yes I’m taking care of myself.” Aquino did not say who the “super special person” she was referring to, but she recently confirmed that she is in a new relationship with a certain “Marc,” referring to Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, who has been visiting her in the U.S.

“Stewarding Fiesta in America is my little way of promoting our culture, our products, and the beauty of our land as Fil-Ams’ beacon of pride,” said Mendez.

“Our mission has always been to connect Filipino entrepreneurs with mainstream business and Fil-Am consumers through a festival that highlights immigrant-centered services, Filipino products, heritage, and talent,” he added.

Fiesta in America brings together bigname brands in the U.S. and the Philippines, along with local small businesses, all under one roof. The event has grown so much that it has become one of the most effective platforms to promote micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as Philippine tourism. Over the years, it has evolved into a melting pot for Filipino and multicultural engagement.

Mendez and his partner, Laura Garcia, are also organizing the People’s Ball Gala on Aug. 13 at the Marriott Newark International Airport, New Jersey. The gala will be attended by over 400 influential leaders, movers, and shakers in the Fil-Am community in the U.S. East Coast.

“Fiesta is uniquely located at the junction of Filipino culture and U.S. diversity marketing,” said Mendez,      He explained that concerts by Philippine artists and young talents from the New York metro area “actually comprise only half of what Fiesta In America is all about.”

The consumer expo segment commands equal attention, Mendez asserted. “Nostalgic immigrants and non-Filipinos intrigued by what the Philippines can offer pack the Trade Pavilion to load up on products not available in U.S. stores. Many are on the lookout for hot spots in less-touristy Philippine towns and provinces. Motivated by the dollar’s strength, they look out for real estate to invest in or for retirement, as well as medical, dental and eye-care services whose rates are a fraction of comparable U.S. healthcare services. Beyond the product showcase, attendees avail themselves of free health screenings and free workshops on various subjects from small business to startups to healthy food preparation. They dine on Philippine regional specialties in the food court, and enjoy artistic as well as fun activities for all age groups throughout the venue.”

For his civic engagement, Mendez received the 2016 Phoenix Award from the JCI Philippine-New York (Jaycees) in recognition of Exemplary Community Leadership. He has also been profiled several times in the Fil-Am Who’s Who. In 2021, he received the 5th Dr. Jose Rizal

Circle of Excellence Awards for his ability to get people to work together through the annual Fiesta in America. He was also “knighted” in 2022, with the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Long Island, Chapter (KORLI).

Speaking from his midtown-Manhattan office, two blocks from Grand Central Station and Pershing Square, Mendez, CEO and President, says he did not come from nowhere or just about anywhere. He had just finished a four-year stint as Art Director in an advertising agency in Billings, Montana, when the urge to move to the biggest city of them all nagged at him like the heckling sound of a hundred chickens at his grandfather’s backyard poultry farm in Caloocan, where he grew up.

In Billings, he established himself as an award-winning graphic artist, with a portfolio that boasts the rare distinction of having won a competition to design the logo of the city of Montana in 1984. It’s an unimaginable feat that a Filipino designed the seal of Billings.  Mendez also designed the winning logo of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) in 2003 upon incorporation from being a Committee. Winning art contests is nothing new to Mendez, who started his apprenticeship and future career in design as art editor of The Varsitarian, the student newspaper of the University of Santo Tomas, where he graduated with a Fine Arts degree, majoring in Advertising.

Back then, Mendez won a number of inand-out-of-campus art competitions that served as his passport to key positions in Manila’s advertising industry upon graduation in 1974. Notable among these was his last position as art director at Philippine Advertising Counselor (PAC), a leading ad agency in the Philippines, prior to moving to the United States.

He became the youngest art director at the agency, where he worked on blue-chip accounts, including San Miguel Beer, Marlboro, Singer, and Scott Paper. Among the many logos he designed were those for Insular Bank of Asia & America. He also won awards as art director of these multinational accounts on top of many other distinctions won in numerous art competitions in illustration, painting, graphic design, and print advertising.

‘Fiesta in America’ organizers are inviting sponsors, exhibitors, advertisers, and attendees to participate in the 2023 Fiesta In America and the People’s Ball Gala.

For more information, email info@ fiestainamerica.com or visit www. fiestainamerica.come

‘Eat Bulaga’ introduces new...

From Page 9

Santos joined them as guest performers.

“The ‘New’ Eat Bulaga is not that I used to watch. TVJ is irreplaceable indeed,” Twitter user @honeygalvez22 wrote.

“You can use the logo, you can use the opening song, you can even use the terms and words TVJ uses, but these new wannabes will never personify the term dabarkads. Not in the slightest. And we all know that certainly this is fake. #FakeBulaga,” posted by user @GeraldPGrana.

“My mother immediately switched to Netflix after seeing the new hosts of EB. Not because she hates the hosts, but for her, it will never be her most loved noontime show

without TVJ, JoWaPao, Maine, Alden, Ryzza, Ryan, AK, etc. Change the name please! Dont use EB,” said @itsmelendel.

On May 31, the iconic trio TVJ announced they are leaving Tape Inc. after 43 years. This was followed by the resignation of Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo, Allan K., and the remaining writers, sales and production personnel and cameramen.

A day after, Tape Inc. said that while they are “saddened” by the turn of events, they remain committed to “provide quality entertainment” to the public.

On Monday, Tito Sotto said in a television interview that

they are in talks with a number of networks and will announce where they will be bringing their new show in the coming days.

“We have yet to decide. We agreed among ourselves that by June 7 we will be ready to announce,” Sotto said.

“If things work out the way we want it to, perhaps at least maybe the first week of July we would be able to air,” he added.

There have been reports from showbiz insiders that TVJ will open a new noontime show produced by Brightlight Productions of Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez in TV5. Brightlight is a block timer and producer of “Rated Korina.”

Actor John Regala Philstar.com photo

Erwan Heussaff wearing his James Beard Awards 2023 medal Photo from Instagram/@erwan

Laura Garcia and Nanding Mendez of Fiesta in America

Who is an honest debtor or one in good faith?

THE honest debtor is the only debtor who can get a discharge in bankruptcy. But who is an honest debtor? If we go by layman’s definition just to get an idea of who an honest debtor is, then the honest debtor is one who is in good faith when he files for bankruptcy. Of course, this definition is still vague. Courts analyze the issue of good faith and thus the issue of the honesty of the debtor in question on a case-to-case basis and based on the past and present conduct of the debtor in connection with his debts, and his bankruptcy. Although the right to bankruptcy is enshrined in the American constitution, it’s up to the courts to determine who actually is an honest debtor.

So let’s examine an actual case I handled a long time ago. Debtor was married, had no non-exempt assets, and had zero income when her chapter 7 case was filed. She wanted to discharge $90K of credit cards.

A portion of those cards about $60K debtor used to gamble. Her husband was self-employed as a “handyman” making about $2500 a month but was supposed to inherit $3.0M from his father. However, his brother was full of greed and managed to keep all of the $3.0M for himself. Almost like a Cain and Abel relationship between the brothers.

After the case was filed, one creditor objected to discharge claiming that debtor had filled out the credit application stating that she earned $48K a year. Another creditor also objected to discharge of their credit card on the same grounds. Both creditors said that if they had known the truth that she actually had no income, they would not have given her any credit.

The UST filed a motion to dismiss chapter 7 case pursuant to 11 U.S. C. § 707 (b)(3) with prejudice. This section of the bankruptcy code allows the court to dismiss a case for bad

faith, or based on the “totality of circumstances” of the case, even if there is no presumption of abuse under the means test. What does “with prejudice” mean? This means that if the court grants the UST motion to dismiss, debtor can never ever file for any kind of bankruptcy in the United States. It’s the same as having the “A” carved on your forehead to identify you as having been tried and found guilty of “adultery”. It doesn’t mean that you’re a straight A student. I don’t understand why that society should do this to their own citizens who should have their own freedom to have sex with whoever they want; this is between consenting adults after all. At least, this is more humane than the “honor” killing of their own daughters by members of their own family for something as insignificant as your sister wearing a pair of jeans. This is a definite escalation of having the scarlet “A” tattooed on your forehead. This probably just applies to their women. If you’re a man, then I guess it would be tattooed on your ass where there’s no public exposure. The court granted the motion to dismiss with prejudice and this is what the court said:

“There is no rational basis for believing that she could repay her debts with gambling proceeds because she had no history of actually winning any significant amount of money, at least not enough to justify over $50,000 in cash advances. Compare In re Karelin, 109 B.R. 943, and In re Kong (even giant gorillas need debt relief it appears) 239 B.R.815. Likewise, there was little rational basis for relying on her husband’s potential stock market profits. The Debtor herself acknowledged that her husband had always lost the money he invested and had never seen any significant profit (apparently husband did not have a brain structure similar to Warren Buffet, but had one that was more similar to the giant gorilla aforesaid). The debtor’s husband admits that in 9 of the last 10 years, he experienced net losses on the stock market. The one year he made a profit, it was less than $5,000. Furthermore, the Court finds that the Debtor

did not reasonably rely on the possibility that her husband’s brother might actually pay the $1.0M he owed given that:

1. Over 20 years had passed without compliance 2. His brother King Kong would thump his chest loudly every time he asked for his share of the $3.0M or acted like Al Pacino in “Scarface”, bring out his AK 47 and say “say hello to my little friend” to obtain and keep his interest in the family business of making high end coffins made from yellow jade from magic mountain 3. The fact that no one ever pursued any legal action like hiring mobsters to enforce the contact in question…

Finally, the debtor’s reliance on assistance of any kind from the genie in Aladdin’s lamp that she claimed she had just obtained in a flea market in Tijuana and was close to obtaining the password for the genie to pop out was questionable. In sum, none of the debtor’s wishful thinking, even though done on a starless night of a blue moon was a legitimate basis for accumulating additional, unnecessary debt. If, for example, she had incurred those obligations in order to meet daily living expenses or to pay medical bills the situation might be different. Unfortunately, however, that is not the case here.”

Obviously, the court found that debtor was in bad faith and considered the totality of circumstances to dismiss her case with prejudice.

If you have too much debt and need relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

* * *

Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone. Each case is different. There is no absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article.

* * *

Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

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

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.

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.

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