060923 - Northern California 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 Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore recently.

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 addressing transnational crimes.

Medicaid purge begins,

Marcos tells Philippine envoys: Go find foreign partners but observe neutrality

changes that the pandemic has brought.

However, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Wednesday, June 7 that Marcos clarified that the Philippines should remain independent and neutral in terms of foreign policy, which means not siding with the views of other countries.

“We do not subscribe to any notion of a bipolar

world. We only side, of course, to the Philippines, not to the U.S., not to Beijing, not to Moscow. That’s very much being independent in what we do,” Marcos said.

PCO said that Marcos met with recently appointed chiefs of mission and ambassadors in Malacañang  PAGE 2

MANILA — A Muntinlupa court has denied former Sen. Leila De Lima’s petition for bail on her remaining drug case.

Her lawyer Boni Tacardon relayed this to reporters on Wednesday, June 7. “Sad to inform you that the Court denied [former] Sen. Leila’s Bail application,” he said.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the instant petitions and motions for bail are hereby denied,” the ruling penned by Presiding Judge Romeo Buenaventura dated June 7 read.

“The presentation of the prosecution’s evidence-in-chief set on June 19 and 26, all at 2:00 in the afternoon shall proceed as scheduled,” the ruling from the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256 said.

‘staggering

numbers’ of Americans lose coverage

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 low-income 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

PH, US, Japan boost maritime security ties

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — Boosting cooperation in promoting maritime security in the IndoPacific 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 on Saturday, June 3 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 “Shangri-La 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

Corrections keep Maharlika bill from getting sent for President Marcos’ approval

by XAVE GREGORIO Philstar.com

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

With this denial from the Muntinlupa court, de Lima will remain in detention during the trial of her last drug case.

Presumption of guilt

In this specific case, de Lima faces the same conspiracy to commit drug trading charge along with six others.

The court resolved the bail petition filed by de

Sara Duterte says Imee Marcos, not Romualdez, pushed me to run for VP

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte belied claims that Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was a big factor in her decision to run for her current office in the 2022 national elections, saying that it was Senator Imee Marcos — the sister of the president — who urged her.

Duterte made these claims on Wednesday, June 7, supposedly in reply to Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga who supposedly said that Romualdez played a huge part.

According to the vice president, it is an insult to thousands

of people and groups who urged her to seek the country’s second highest office and partner with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Speaker Martin Romualdez had absolutely nothing to do with my decision to run for vice president. To say that he ‘tremendously helped in pushing for’ my vice presidential bid is acutely inaccurate — an insult to thousands of groups and individuals who incessantly implored me to reconsider an earlier decision not to join national politics,” Duterte said.

"And it was Senator Imee Marcos who eventually persuaded me to run as vice president

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed Filipino ambassadors to look for non-traditional partners in terms of trade, security, and defense, saying that the country needs to cope with the

Senators gather to ratify the Maharlika Investment Fund bill at the Session Hall on May 31, 2023. Philstar.com photo by Mong Pintolo

As

Marcos tells Philippine envoys...

earlier. Among the envoys present are the following:

- Chief of Mission Carlos Deymek Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

- Ambassador Henry Sicad Bensurto Jr. (Republic of Turkiye)

- Ambassador Renato Pedro Oabel Villa (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

- Ambassador Raul Salavarria Hernandez (Sultanate of Oman)

- Ambassador Paul Raymund Pasion Cortez (Portuguese Republic)

- Ambassador Joel Francisco Ignacio (Republic of India)

- Ambassador Maria Angela Abrera Ponce (Malaysia).

“We are constantly now, after all the changes that have been imposed upon us, like the pandemic economy and the world situation, looking for what we sometimes referred to as non-traditional partners in trades, in any

kind, in security and defense issues,” Marcos said.

“All these things, we are always looking for partners,” he added.

The chief executive also urged the ambassadors to be open in discussing with him any opportunities that can be beneficial to the country.

“I’m sure you have heard that we are prioritizing agriculture, energy, all of the infrastructure development, and digitalization. Now, if there are opportunities that would come up, you should explore them and if they’re promising enough, then we’ll take it up. We’ll try to see if something can come up. There’s no harm in trying and kung anuman ang mangyari (whatever happens), at least we tried,” he said.

“So let us keep looking at those areas. And also what I found many times, you go there and you talk about agri and something else comes up,” he added.

Marcos has maintained that his administration would implement

an independent foreign policy, saying that the Philippines would be a friend to all and an enemy to none. Experts however believe that such a vision would be hard to implement, as the Philippines cannot be neutral.

But within a year of his presidency, Marcos was able to restructure ties with the United States (U.S.), which was seen by experts to have weakened under his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte — who openly preferred ties with China rather than the western superpower. This was evidenced by the identification of four additional sites for the Philippines’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the U.S. Marcos clarified though that reviving ties with the US does not mean closing doors to China.

Earlier this year, the President visited China for a state visit — marking the Asian powerhouse as the first country he visited in 2023. g

Corrections keep Maharlika bill from...

sections that provide for different prescriptive periods for 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, June 3 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

PH, US, Japan boost maritime security...

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 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 ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security, expanded U.S. Coast Guard regional maritime law enforcement programs, the U.S. Maritime Security Initiative, and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness initiative. g

POURING. A sudden heavy downpour forces motorcycle riders to take cover along EDSA in Kamuning, Quezon City on Tuesday, June 6. State weather bureau PAGASA said a low-pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility has developed into Tropical Depression Chedeng, the country’s third tropical cyclone for the year. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Court junks De Lima’s petition for bail in...

Lima and co-accused Joenel

Sanchez, Franklin Bucayu, Ronnie Dayan and Jad Dera.

De Lima argued before the court that the “prosecution failed to show proof evident of the conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading between her and her co-accused.”

In weighing the petitions for bail, the court noted that the accused are facing a non-bailable case which leaves to the prosecution the burden to prove strong presumption of their guilt. Since the prosecution’s evidence is mostly testimonies, the weight will depend on the credibility and the witness’ competence, bias and manner of testifying, the court said.

“Considering the foregoing and after a careful review of the totality of prosecution’s evidence, the Court is convinced that the evidence of guilt against all the above-named accused for the crime of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading is strong,” the ruling read.

The court said that it found that the prosecution proved prima facie, or on first impression, the agreement and decision to trade illegal drug among the accused by three things: By using Bilbid inmates to sell and trade illegal drugs, evidence that Bilbid inmates; by receiving proceeds from illegal drug transactions and by raiding Bil-

bid while excluding inmate and co-accused Jaybee Sebastian, who died in 2020.

On the argument that the prosecution witnesses lack credibility and their testimonies have inconsistencies, the court said that it was not convinced.

“While the Court notes that indeed there were inconsistencies and contradictions in the statements of the prosecution witnesses, the same are not sufficient to discredit the credibility of their testimonies,” the ruling read.

It also held that the contention that no corroborating object such as illegal drugs or document evidence like a money trail of the payments was inconsequential.

The court however stressed:

“[I]n finding the evidence of guilt strong, the Court does not in any way prejudge what the final outcome of the case will be.”

“The culpability or innocence of the accused will still be decided on the basis of all evidence presented by the parties and only after trial on the merits of the case,” it said.

Last case

This is the only remaining drug case De Lima is facing. De Lima has long asserted her innocence and said cases against her were politically motivated. These were filed during the administration of former

President Rodrigo Duterte, who had not hidden his disdain for the lawmaker.

The former lawmaker won her first case when she challenged the sufficiency of prosecution evidence against her.

She won her second case on the ground of reasonable doubt—this was after the star prosecution witness recanted his testimony against her and admitted he was pressured to make false allegations. But the Department of Justice has already asked the separate Muntinlupa court to reconsider its ruling that cleared de Lima in her second drug case.

De Lima earned Duterte's ire for her investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings in the "war on drugs," which is now the subject of an International Criminal Court investigation.

State prosecutors initially charged de Lima with drug trading, but they later amended it to accuse the senator of conspiracy to commit drug trading inside Bilibid. De Lima supposedly benefitted from illegal drug trading when she was justice secretary. Her cases, alongside those against journalist Maria Ressa, have gained international attention. Calls from abroad for the cases to be dismissed have been rejected as meddling in domestic issues. g

Sara Duterte says Imee Marcos, not...

— and it was a decision sealed only after President Bongbong Marcos agreed to the conditions I set before running for VP,” she added. “There was no Speaker Romualdez in the picture.”

Duterte said Barzaga may have been badly informed about the story.

“Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. was obviously badly informed or made to believe a lie,” she said.

“Meanwhile, a person who cannot distinguish between attack and humor has no place in politics — especially if one fails to understand that political bickering is just a facet of democracy and should not be used to equate with governance. On

added.

Duterte ended by saying that Marcos’ administration still has her support, and that it remains “strong and stable.”

“Let me reiterate this, however — the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is stable and strong. It has my all-out support and the support of the majority of the Filipino people,” she added.

It is unclear what caused a rift between the two leaders, but Romualdez and Duterte have been key fixtures during the presidential campaign of Marcos — with the now-Speaker acting as the vice president’s campaign manager.

In a video recorded during Romualdez’ oath-taking ceremony

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

PHILIPPINE National

Women’s Soccer Team 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.

manage her campaign.

“I would like to personally thank, publicly thank Congressman Martin Romualdez for taking me in in Lakas-CMD, and accepting the challenge to be one of my two campaign managers during the last elections. It was not without irritations and challenges but you did very well, 32.2 million votes, you did it all,” Duterte said in her speech.

It could be recalled that after close ally and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was removed as a senior House deputy speaker, Duterte bolted out of the Lakas-CMD party.

Arroyo, who was replaced by Pampanga 3rd District Rep.

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

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

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)

KING 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

Jordan Clarkson and Justin Brownlee FIBA photos

Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee lead Gilas’ 21-man pool for Fiba World Cup

MANILA —Naturalized players

by Lance agcaoiLi Philstar.com pines last month in Cambodia. Kouame, meanwhile, helped the national team qualify for the Asia Cup during the 2021 qualifiers before he suffered a knee injury last year.

Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee, and Ange Kouame bannered the 21-man Gilas Pilipinas pool for the FIBA World Cup 2023 in August.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas unveiled its pool for its historic hosting of the World Cup late Tuesday, June 6.

NBA star Clarkson, who played in the fourth window of the Asian Qualifiers last August, will be part of the team’s buildup with fellow naturalized players Brownlee and Kouame.

Brownlee also had an impressive stint for Gilas, debuting in the final window last February and bringing back the Southeast Asian Games gold to the Philip-

Only one of the three naturalized Filipinos in Clarkson, Brownlee, and Kouame will make it to the final roster.

Gilas also tapped 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, ending the speculations of his unavailability after he recently expressed that he remains committed to the national team.

Coach Chot Reyes also said the team needs the Filipino prodigy, who is still chasing his NBA dream with an upcoming Summer League stint in July.

Also part of the initial roster are Japan B.League stars Dwight Ramos, the lone player to see action in all Asian Qualifier windows,

US, ASEAN defense leaders commit to...

PAGE 1

“[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 ADMM-Plus.”

Washington has been

PAGE 1

supporting Southeast Asian peers through an ADMMPlus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security and the Indo-Pacific 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

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)

AsMedicaid purge begins, ‘staggering...

eligibility was reviewed have been disenrolled.

Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and Jordan Heading.

June Mar Fajardo, who played in the past two World Cups, was also called up along with his fellow PBA stars Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram, Chris Newsome, and Calvin Oftana.

Returning Gilas player AJ Edu also made it to the pool as well as Korean Basketball League champion Rhenz Abando, who debuted for the national team in last year’s third window and the Asia Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas is slated in Group A, kicking off its campaign against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at Philippine Arena before facing Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. g

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

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.”

(Hannah Recht/KFF Health News)

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

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, June 4, 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 on Sunday, residents in Balete, Agoncillo and Laurel were affected by the foul smell,” 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.

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

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.

“I don’t see any urgency for 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.

“And I am supportive of it. It doesn’t need to be just one sector. Why not include everyone when you talk about antidiscrimination? Other people get discriminated against too,” he added.

Villanueva is the son of Jesus Is Lord Church founder and incumbent Cibac party-list 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. 

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. 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

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.

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 (Monday), three Chinese astronauts have come back to the earth safely."

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

"I think... this [Appcu] 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." 

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. 

For all of us, this generation and the next, there is simply no place in our lives for litter. And yet...it’s everywhere we look, and unfortunately, it does belong to all of us. So, let’s come together and create a litter-free Clean California once and for all.

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.

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.

Babe’s Eye View

BABE ROMUALDEZ

THE United States averted an unprecedented crisis after the U.S. Senate passed on Thursday, June 1 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

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.

THE National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), a nonprofit focused on improving the life of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander older adults and their families, recently received questions from readers. Here are a few of the questions, and NAPCA’s answers:

1. Do I still need to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID is still with us. In late March the U.S. still averaged 19,500 cases per day, 585,000 per month. For older adults, COVID is still dangerous. The risk of severe cases that require hospitalization is pretty low for people under 18. If you are 65 and over, the risk is 36 times higher and the older the higher. So older adults are strongly recommended to stay up to date with the most current vaccine. If your last shot was before Sep. 2022, you should get an updated bivalent vaccine and then it provides protection against both the original COVID virus and the Omicron strains that are

There

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

payment for federal employees, 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

infecting people right now. The COVID virus changes like the flu virus so it is important to get the most recent updated vaccine to get the best protection.

2. What type of COVID-19 vaccine should I receive? And how many times?

Because the protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccine fades much more quickly for people 65 and older and people who have underlying conditions, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to allow an additional dose of the updated (bivalent) vaccine for these populations. No matter how old you are, if you have not gotten a shot since September 2022, you definitely need one!

If you are 65 or older or if you have underlying conditions, it may be a good idea for you to get an extra dose of bivalent vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to decide whether it makes sense for you.

3. What is Medicaid redetermination (Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Provision) and how does it affect my Medicaid?

Medicaid eligibility is required to be renewed periodically, but

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

during the COVID public health emergency, Medicaid disenrollment has been paused in every state by federal provision. However, the continuous coverage requirement ends on March 31, 2023. Your state checks whether you still qualify for Medicaid coverage and will be able to resume Medicaid disenrollments starting April 1, 2023. The disenrollments will not occur all at once, as the process will be spread out across most of 2023 and the first part of 2024. To be prepared for Medicaid redetermination, make sure your contact information is updated so that you can receive any communications your state sends you. When you receive a Medicaid packet or letter in the mail, you need to fill out the renewal form and send it (with requested documents if applicable) to the address provided. If you are ineligible to renew your Medicaid, you will qualify for a special enrollment period to find and enroll in a new health insurance plan in time for your loss of Medicaid coverage.

4. What option do I have if I lose Medicaid after unwinding Medicaid continuous enrollment condition?

There will generally be three options for those who are no

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

longer eligible for Medicaid as the result of the Medicaid unwinding process.

Option 1: You can re-apply for Medicaid to find if you still qualify. If your income level or medical need changes, you might qualify for Medicaid in your state. You can apply any time, and there’s no limit to the number of times you can apply.

Option 2: You may be able to get low-cost, quality health coverage through the ACA Marketplace. Submit a new or updated Marketplace application and provide the proof of the last date of Medicaid between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024, then you will be eligible for this temporary Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You will have a 60 days’ window after you submit your application to select a Marketplace plan.

Option 3: You may be able to sign up for Medicare without paying a late enrollment penalty. If you now qualify for Medicare but didn’t sign up for it when you first became eligible, you have a limited time (SEP) to sign up without paying the usual penalty. Your SEP starts the day your state notifies you that your Medicaid coverage is ending and continues for 6 months after

between 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

your Medicaid coverage ends.

Plus, you can try to apply for Medicare Savings Programs to get assistance for your Medicare copays and/or deductibles.

5. I am eligible for Social Security retirement based on my 40 working credits and eligible for spousal benefits based on my husband’s Social Security credits. I am 62 soon and trying to claim spousal retirement which is higher than my worker’s benefit. How much would it be and how do I apply for it?

You could apply for spousal retirement benefit once you reach the age of 62 if your husband already started receiving his retirement. The rule is that depending on your age upon claiming, spousal benefit can range from 32.5% to 50% of your husband’s primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the monthly benefit the retiree is entitled to at full retirement age (FRA). When you apply for spousal benefit at 62, you will receive 32.5% of the husband’s PIA permanently. The longer you wait to claim the spousal benefit until your FRA, the bigger the monthly amount grows. The maximum amount you can receive is up to 50% of his PIA. If your husband

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

took his retirement earlier than his FRA, your spousal benefit in turn will be counted based on his reduced amount.

When you apply for spousal benefit, you must apply for both your worker’s benefit and spousal benefit at the same time. Social Security pays worker’s benefit first, then adds enough of the spousal benefit to make up the difference and match the higher amount..

* * *

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

* *

*

The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages. If you have additional questions regarding the items discussed in the article, or around the topics of Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act or other senior benefits, there are 3 ways you can reach us: Call our Senior Assistance Center at: (English) 1-800-3362722; send an email to askNAPCA@napca. org; or send via mail to NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101.

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

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

Where do we go from here: Jodi, Joshua and Gabbi on ABS-CBN-GMA 7 collab

by MARINEL CRUZ Inquirer.net

SOMETIMES, there are events in our lives that need to happen no matter how painful because it’s going to redirect us to something more beautiful.”

Thus said actress Jodi Sta. Maria, referring to the controversial nonrenewal of broadcast network ABS-CBN’s franchise in 2020 that eventually led to a groundbreaking collaboration with rival channel GMA 7: The romantic drama series “Unbreak My Heart.”

The series, currently streaming on the Viu app and airing on the Kapuso network, also features Joshua Garcia, Richard Yap and Gabbi Garcia.

“ABS-CBN was hit with a double whammy at the time. A few months into the pandemic, it was announced that our franchise would not be renewed. What happened was that nadapa ka na nga, nasubsob ka pa nang sobra. I believe most of us thought, ‘Where do we go from here?’ ‘How do we move forward?’ It’s hard to refer to it as a ‘blessing in disguise.’ If you will try to look back, you will realize that there were things that you couldn’t find any logical explanation for,” Jodi told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent interview to promote the series that was shot on location in Switzerland and Italy.

“If ABS-CBN was still on free TV, I don’t think this partnership with GMA 7 would be possible at all. There will still be that rivalry.

I also don’t think the partnership with other streaming platforms would happen. I’m just so thankful that I’m part of this redirection,” the actress pointed out.

‘No more competition’

“Today, there’s no more competition. Everyone is considered an ally. We are doing this for the audience and for the people working in this industry. This was the best thing that came out of a painful past experience,”

Jodi declared.

Meanwhile, Gabbi Garcia, the Kapuso network’s main figurehead in the landmark project, agreed with Jodi and said: “I also didn’t think it was a ‘blessing in disguise’ because a lot of people got displaced as a result of what happened. I’m friends with a lot of people in ABS-CBN. Nobody wanted that to happen.

“I’m just so grateful that, at least, something good came out of it. Let’s pray that more doors will open for everybody. I also hope that there will be more partnerships because, after all, we’re all in one industry,” Gabbi pointed out.

Discussions

In December 2022, executives of both networks began discussions for the collaboration.

ABS-CBN’s production unit,

Dreamscape Entertainment, was tasked to develop the show. In February 2023, the cast and crew flew to Europe to shoot the series.

In “Unbreak My Heart,” romance blossoms between a young man (Joshua) and a woman (Jodi), who is incidentally searching for her estranged daughter in Europe. After their relationship fails, a twist of fate brings him and her daughter together.

Asked what viewers can expect from the series, Joshua, who plays the lonely and troubled Renz, said: “This features different stories of love. It is also about how a number of characters try to ‘unbreak’ their hearts, meaning heal from previous experiences. You can learn a lot from the series, depending on which perspective you hold. It tells the struggles of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Europe, as well. It also shows the undying love of a parent, a partner and a friend.”

Not the typical boy-meetsgirl story For Gabbi, “Unbreak My Heart” is not the typical boymeets-girl story. “A lot of twists are going to happen. As one of the actors, I get to read the script first. I tell you, every time there’s a fresh one, we always look forward to reading it. There’s always something new and exciting in terms of character development of all the leads in the series. This definitely offers a different flavor to the audience. They should watch out for the crazy love story that happens among our characters, as well as with Papa Chen (Richard).”

An interesting promotional teaser for the program described it as such: “Destiny finds its way to show you a love that’s beyond

ordinary.” When asked whether or not she believes in the idea of destiny, Gabbi replied: “My character, Alex, doesn’t believe in destiny but, as Gabbi, I do. My mom would always tell me when I was younger, ‘Kung para sa ‘yo, para sa ‘yo.’ That’s destiny for me. I would always get frustrated when I was a kid, especially when my contemporaries in the industry—those I see doing VTRs with me—are already professional actors. She would always say to me: Your time will come.”

Destiny

Josh agreed with Gabbi and said: “Everything that’s happening in our lives is part of a bigger story. This will all lead to what is meant for us in the future.”

While Jodi claimed to believe in destiny, too, she offered this interesting thought to mull over. “I have been thinking about the idea for days now. Has everything really been written for you and you’re just walking the story of your life, or do we have some sort of freedom to control the narrative of our stories? If you’re going to ask me now, my answer would be, I believe that even before we were conceived in the minds of our parents, there has already been something that’s laid out for us.

“But we cannot negate the fact that we have to be responsible also for the choices we make in life. Yes, maybe life has destined you to be a writer, for example, but if you don’t act on the opportunities given to you or if you don’t take care of the gifts meant for you, then how will this materialize? For me, it’s 50-50. Yes, you’re destined for something, but you also have to do something to achieve it,” she explained.

Anne Curtis ‘so proud’ of Erwan Heussa 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 food-related 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.

by IZA IGLESIAS ManilaTimes.net

LONGEST running noontime variety show "Eat Bulaga" aired live on Monday, June 5 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. While some viewers welcomed the major change, it did not sit well with most social media users.

"The 'New' Eat Bulaga is not

by JERRY DONATO Philstar.com

KELVIN Miranda wishes and aspires to portray and pursue varied roles and stories, as he expressed in a previous interview with this paper. His web designer-gamer-cosplay geek character named Norman is another answer to that. Now streaming on Netflix, the film Missed Connections sees Kelvin’s Norman as someone who falls in love with a “grocery girl” and is loved by another “grocery girl,” also known as “gingerhead.” It’s in stark contrast to his Ralph, a friend and admirer of the human clone Hope, in the Afternoon Prime series, Unica Hija, which concluded last March.

“Yung pagkatao niya is very awkward (He has a very awkward personality) and he is an NBSB (no girlfriend since birth),” described Kelvin of Norman in a recent virtual one-on-one with The STAR. “An introvert, who only talks about things he is interested in and has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). That perhaps explains why he is a perfectionist when it comes to finding the (right) someone (girl) for him. Kung sino talaga yung gusto niya, yun talaga ang gusto niya (He only falls for someone he truly loves).”

Norman has made a special connection at varying levels with the artist-entrepreneur Mae and social media influencer Julia, played by Miles Ocampo and Chie Filomeno, respectively. The website-forum called “Missed Connections” plays a role in this contemporary tale about love triangle.

Based on Kelvin’s recollections, after taping his weekly scenes for Unica Hija, he would report for work on the set of Missed Connections. The young actor found his schedule at that time challenging, but he delivered the goods, as one may put it. He had to be in the shoes of privileged Ralph in Unica Hija and entered the world of young professional Norman in Missed Connections.

“It was challenging and enjoyable for me because I got to learn how to show the differences (between the characters) and of the projects I was doing,” said Kelvin, “but the entire process was fun.”

With the show touching on the “Love-in-the-time-of-social-

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, Al-

lan 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."

new hosts Kelvin believes the right girl will come

media-apps” idea, the Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent said he acknowledged the uses of social media platforms and face-to-face as formal and valid ways for people to meet up and get to know each other.

“It’s still up to the persons how they will talk (or start the conversations and move forward from there),” added he. “Nagkakaroon lang ng missed connections kapag hindi kayo nagkaintindihan (Missed connections happen when both parties don’t understand one another or misread the signals). I’m not favoring the online or face-to-face way (or I’m not thinking that one is better than the other).”

Kelvin furthered the discussion by saying that people usually have some expectations in creating connections. He also shared that they have the gift to choose “like whatever you want (in life) or whoever you want to be with.”

Asked about the qualities he is looking for in a girl, Kelvin had this to say: “I don’t believe in (having an) ideal girl or ideal woman. For me, as long as na totoo (she is true to herself)… hindi siya hinahanap talaga, kumbaga darating siya kung para sa’yo talaga (The right one is not someone you look for. That person will come in the right place, at the right time in your life).”

Following his line of thought, one could say that Kelvin believes in making real connections — and a relationship is a work in progress.

“There are people who have been together (for a long time), but they fall out of love,” said he, who worked with Miles for the first time and considered the experience a good one. “She’s professional and loves her craft.

She’s collaborative,” added Kelvin.

As for Miles’ character, he said that Mae is a hopeless romantic. “Kung ano yung pinanghahawakan niya sa pagmamahal, sa pag-ibig (Whatever she holds on to love), parang kahit ilang beses pa siyang masaktan, kahit ilang beses pa siyang mabalewala (and no matter how many times she has gotten hurt or ignored), for as long as she sees a chance, she will take the opportunity. She is also jolly.”

With his Norman, Kelvin likes the fact that the character knows what he wants in love and life and never gives up easily to chase it. How does it feel that his film is being showcased on the most popular streaming platform?

“Nanumbalik yung feeling sa akin na sobrang saya at nakaka-proud (I had the same feelings of happiness and pride) dahil siyempre nakikilala yung pelikulang Pilipino sa buong mundo (because another Filipino film gets to be introduced to the world),” answered Kelvin, whose happy memories about the time when his 2019 movie, Dead Kids, premiered on Netflix, came rushing back. These happened when he saw again its logo with the letter “N” and heard the signature sound. “This is a big thing to me and I feel so happy to be part of the film.”

From the streaming platform, Kelvin is also seen on TV via the GMA action-comedy series, Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis, where he plays the diligent student Gary, who idolizes Police Major Bartolome, portrayed by Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. With that, Kelvin’s talent and visibility are showcased and felt on both traditional and new media platforms.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in the ‘Big Apple’ on Citizen Pinoy

IN this episode, leading U.S.

Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and the Citizen Pinoy team return to New York City to answer some (immigration) inquiries from Kapamilya in the city.

Kenneth, the brother of Filipi-

no actor Gerald Anderson, would like to know why their mother is always denied a tourist visa every time she applies at the U.S. Embassy.

Mommy Evangeline used to have a green card, but she gave it up when she decided to return to

the Philippines and live in General Santos City. She has been applying for a tourist visa to visit Kenneth in New York, or even to watch Gerald in one of his U.S. shows, but she keeps getting denied.

ROHNERT PARK – With the pleasant weather in June, come to Graton Resort & Casino to share your luck! Every Saturday in June, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., the PRESS FOR CASH DRAWINGS will be held. This is your chance at $1 Million Cash! 100 winners guaranteed!

And, from now to June 29, every Thursday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Up To $300,000 Spring Bling Slot Tournaments will be held, with a top prize up to $10,000 cash, and 50 winners guaranteed at each tournament! All reward members get one free entry into each tournament.

In addition, the pool is opening NOW! Come soak up the sun at Graton’s resort style pool. Sip on ice-cold drinks, enjoy delicious food, and listen to poolside tunes all summer long with DJ performances every weekend. Day passes, cabanas and daybeds are available daily. See you poolside!

Graton Resort & Casino offers a full gaming experience with 3,000 slot and video poker machines, more than 130 table games including Blackjack, Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker, and a live poker room. The high limit lounge is a luxurious getaway tucked off the main casino floor where players enjoy a VIP experience. Breathe easy in the casino’s popular 9,000 square feet non-smoking gaming area which offers 300 slot machines and video poker. Graton Resort & Casino’s award-winning hotel ensures a first-class experience during your stay. The AAA 4-diamond hotel boasts 200 premium rooms and suites filled with modern luxuries and a full house of amenities, including our award-winning full-service Spa & Salon, fitness center and more.

Dining options at the casino include 630 Park Steakhouse for

luxury dining, Tony’s of North Beach for authentic Italian cuisine, and Boathouse Asian Eatery for an eclectic mix of Japanese and East Asian cooking. The Marketplace is the spot for casual dining and features everything from burritos to award-winning barbeque at Everett & Jones. Graton’s six bars and lounges feature something for everyone – from the sports lover at G Bar to the high energy of the Sky lounge to live music five nights a week throughout the casino.

Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California's wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com or call 707-5887100. (Advertising Supplement)

JERICHO Rosales couldn’t contain his excitement to return to acting, as he unveiled a sneak peak of his character, Cenon Santiago, in the upcoming prison series “Sellblock.”

Rosales took to his personal Instagram page on Sunday, June 4, to share some behind-thescenes photos of himself as Cenon Santiago, where he was seen wearing a prison uniform while getting a mugshot at what appears to be a police station.

“I’m just very happy to be acting in front of the camera again. Hi to my #SellBlock fam. You all are amazing,” he said. “I’m honored… and happy I’m not waking up at 3am tomorrow. [tongue out emoji] Sweet meme.”

Rosales’ last teleserye was Halik” with Yen Santos and Sam Milby, which ended in 2019, while he made the romantic-comedy film “The Girl in the Orange Dress” with Jessy Mendiola in 2018. Fellow celebrities including Iza Calzado, Piolo Pascual, and Dimples Romana also

State Treasurer Fiona Ma officially announces candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

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

SACRAMENTO – State Treasur-

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

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

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

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

As the state’s banker, Ma helped steer the state’s finances through the COVID-19 pandemic. She has grown and revamped the state’s affordable housing and homeless housing programs, funded clean energy projects to create new jobs, and dramatically increased Californians’ ability to save for college, retirement, live with a disability and achieve a better quality of life. At the same time, she has bolstered support for K-12 and higher education. She also has been a strong advocate of divestment from fossil fuels at the state’s pension funds. Her office processes $2.5 trillion in payments within a typical year and provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio that currently averages over $200 billion – a significant portion of which is beneficially owned by more than 2,200 local governments in California.

She serves as agent of sale for all state bonds and is trustee of billions of dollars of state indebtedness. Ma previously served as a member of the California Board of Equalization from 2015 to 2019 and the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012. She has built a reputation as a solution-oriented public servant and adept at building unlikely coalitions to overcome California's most complex problems. Prior to serving as Speaker pro Tempore, she was Assembly Majority Whip and built coalitions during a state budget crisis to pass groundbreaking legislation that protected public education and the environment while expanding access to health care.

As an Assembly Member, she authored 60 bills that were signed into law by two different governors. Her successful legislation to ban toxic chemicals in baby products, known as phthalates, became a model for federal legislation that was authored by U.S.

Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2008. She chaired the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence and spearheaded legislation that strengthened laws protecting victims of domestic violence, consumers and working families; prevented the spread of Hepatitis B; increased access to quality health care; and expanded equal rights for all Californians.

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

Treasurer Ma first became in-

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

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

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

Treasurer Ma has been a licensed CPA in California since 1992 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF), an MBA from Pepperdine University, and an Honorary Doctorate from the RIT.

She is a Member of the Vatican’s Council for Inclusive Capitalism, Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, serves on the Board of California Women Lead, asa member of the CalCPA society, is an Honorary Chair and Spokesperson for the San Francisco Hepatitis B Free Campaign, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Treasurer Ma is also active with the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) and has served as the 2020 Chair of the ABLE Committee and Member of the Legislative Committee.

She is married to Jason Hodge, a full-time firefighter and Oxnard Harbor Commissioner.

SOMA block party, ground murals unveiling, June 10

Block party celebrates community, new ground murals, and permanent slow streets in the South of Market

SAN FRANCISCO – The South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is hosting the SOMA Block Party, a free all-ages community event on Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at SOMA Slow Streets: Mabini, Bonifacio, Lapu Lapu, Rizal, and Tandang Sora Streets.

The SOMA Block Party is in celebration of the permanent designation of the first ever Slow Streets in the South of Market (SOMA) and the unveiling of eight new ground murals on SOMA Slow Streets.

The block party and ground murals were two of the Slow Streets enhancement methods that were voted on by the community. Three artists from the community, Rea Lynn de Guzman, Cherisse Alcantara, and Kacy Jung, were commissioned to design and paint eight ground murals along SOMA Slow Streets. The ground mural designs reflect the Filipino, Chinese, and Russian culture and heritage of the majority of the residents and workers in the area. These ground murals were painted with the help of community members.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the SOMA Block Party to unveil the ground murals and officially open SOMA Slow Streets.

The SOMA Block Party will fea-

ture music, food, games, tabling by community-based organizations, activities, and performances.

SOMCAN launched the SOMA Slow Streets Project and Campaign on August 2023 under its Reclaiming Our Space (ROSe) Program that combines art, design, and community planning to organize, empower, and increase the civic engagement of the community around urban planning activities in SOMA Pilipinas, Filipino Cultural Heritage District. Slow Streets in San Francisco started as a COVID-19 pandemic program by SFMTA to provide much needed space for people to be outside at a safe distance. These Slow Streets were designed to limit through traffic at a reduced speed on certain residential streets and allow them to be used as a shared space for people traveling by foot and by bicycle.

SOMA Slow Streets were an essential addition to the district, not only as a pandemic-era solution but also for the overall safety and well-being of the community comprised of residents, workers, seniors, and elementary and middle school students. The SOMA neighborhood is the entrance and exit to major freeways such as the 101, I-80, and I-280 and continues to have the highest severe and fatal injuries per mile to pe-

SOME of us may already be doing a good job at wrecking our heart, besides other organs in our body, but for the others who may not be as innovative and cunning, here are eight easy and simple ways to accomplish the job more efficiently and effectively.

• If you are not a cigarette smoker, start smoking or inhale as much secondhand smoke as possible. If you are, continue this very dangerous and expensive habit. Out of the 1.3 billion smokers around the world, one dies from smoking every 6.5 seconds. Smoking kills 5.4 million each year. This is projected to rise to 6.5 million by 2015, and 8.3 million by 2030. One billion will die from tobacco use in this century alone. Besides heart disease, smoking causes cancer of the lungs and other organs, besides causing emphysema and air-hunger. Secondhand smoke is no less a brutal killer. People who quit smoking lower their risk of heart disease to the level of nonsmokers in just 2 years and protect their loved ones from secondhand smoke.

• Binge daily, 3 times a day or more, on saturated animal fats like red meats (pork, beef, especially processed foods like bacon, hamburgers, ham, hotdogs, sausages, etc.), french fries, junk food, and foods with trans-fats. Do not eat any vegetables, fruits, nuts, oatmeal, bran, and other hi-fiber foods because these lower cholesterol, are good for our immune system, and lower our risk for cancer. Besides, these are healthy foods, good for our body. They will not damage but protect our heart, colon, brain, kidneys, liver, etc. So, stay away from Mediterranean diet and other health diets, and binge on fast foods and other unhealthy diet. Your aim is to wreck your heart (body, life) anyway.

• Throw away the scale. Just take in all the calories you can grab, especially carbohydrates (rice, bread, cookies, candies, ice cream, sweets, and many people’s favorite beverage, the mega sugar-loaded soft drinks, which I call the ‘liquid candy,’ the poisonous potion). Allow yourself to put on as much weight as possible. Forget about the gorgeous body curves, ladies. The fatter, the heavier, the faster we can damage the heart, and obesity will also give you the privilege of getting diabetes, heart stack, stroke, and even cancer. So, do not read food labels and learn about the calorie-fat-sodium-trans-fat contents. Just don’t watch your diet, because losing 10 pounds alone will lessen the risk for heart attack by 50 percent and help lower cholesterol,

blood pressure, and the risk of cancer too. So, stay heavy. Fat is cute, anyway.

• Be a couch potato. Be lazy.

Live a sedentary life. Do not exercise. Do not move a muscle, except the fingers needed to click on the TV remote control, as we gorge on junk food while watching the soaps, sports, or game shows, comfortable in a couch; or doing social media on your laptop or cell phone. Lack of exercise weakens not only our body but our heart and brain. Believe it or not, it also impacts our psyche. For those who are overweight, dieting and counting calories would be more effective with daily exercise in achieving the target more effectively. So, why exercise? It will only help bless you with a healthy body lengthen your life.

• Eat more salt. Don’t listen to your doctor. Add salt to everything you eat, even before tasting the food. Just keep on shaking. This will raise your blood pressure and cause damage to the arteries in your body, including those that supply blood to your heart. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk for stroke and heart attack. If you lower the salt intake, it will help lower your chances of developing high blood pressure, and among those already with hypertension, it will greatly help in maintaining a normal blood pressure. Eating a lot of salty foods also increases the chances of developing cancer of the stomach. For flavoring, go the natural way and use pepper, garlic, onion, oregano and other no-sodium food seasoning. But I want to warn you that this will NOT damage your heart.

• Sleep and rest as little as possible. The TV shows are exciting and worth the time. You can nap while you drive, anyway, and you can also snooze on the job. If you want to harm your heart, why even have rest and relaxation, which are simple and natural pleasures that are healthy. Those who lack sleep are prone to heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke. These conditions and diabetes become harder to manage and control when sleep and rest are not adequate. Why even sleep? And if you are suspect to have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), do not have a Sleep Study, because this will clinch the diagnosis of OSA, and require CPAP to prevent you from holding your breath for a long time, hundreds of times at night depriving your brain, heart, and other organs of oxygen, and increasing your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, strokes, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. Remember, sleep is not important unless you want to be healthy and well.

• Do not pay attention to stress or depression. Both have adverse impacts on the heart, besides the mind and, actually, on the whole being. The earlier they are managed, the easier they are to cure. Stress and depression increase the risk for heart attack by more than 30 percent and also lead to weakened immune systems, which predisposes these people to other illnesses as well. So, why prevent stress and depression? Allow them to overwhelm and control you.

Almost 1.6 million people die from heart attack (or 3 every minutes), 136,000 from stroke, about 75,000 from diabetes, and about 263,000 from cancer each year.

Those seemingly effortless 7 steps are, indeed, very tempting. But since they are obviously dangerous alternatives that only guarantee sickness and misery, the more prudent and wiser “one-step” option is living a healthy lifestyle and growing self-reliant and happily to as close to a hundred or so.

However challenging and often frustrating growing older might be, the blessing of a long and fairly healthy life is a privilege. While getting old is a problem, growing old is a solution, in spite of all the aches and pains that come with the package. Life is tough, and more especially so for the seniors. Growing old is, indeed, not for sissies or the faint of hearts.

But let’s be realistic and face it, we’ve got only one other option. That option is to stop aging. And the only way to achieve that alternative is to die young. Not a palatable nor a more attractive alternative, indeed. Since we cannot control and direct the winds in our voyage through this sometimes-harsh ocean of life, we can at least, to quote a wise man, “adjust our sails,” and find happiness and peace during our journey and wherever fate takes us.

* * *

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.

* *

*

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

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions...

PAGE 9

destrians and cyclists.

SOMA Slow Streets also provided more open space in the SOMA which has the least amount of park space per resident in the entire city.

However, on December 6, 2022, only 16 of the 18 Slow Streets throughout San Francisco were granted permanent designation by the SFMTA Board of Directors. One of the two Slow Streets that were not part of the designation were SOMA Slow Streets.

SOMCAN launched a campaign with the strong support of community members and community-based organizations for the reinstatement and permanent designation of these much-needed Slow Streets in the SOMA. The campaign culminated with the delivery of more than 300 postcards signed by community members along with several community members voicing their demands in person for SOMA Slow Streets at the SFMTA Board of Directors meeting at City Hall last March 21.

On May 16, the SFMTA Board of Directors unanimously voted for the reinstatement and permanent designation of SOMA Slow Streets.

For more information about the SOMA Block Party, email info@ somcan.org or call (415) 2557693. (SOMCAN Release)

Jericho returns to acting ‘in front of the...

expressed support for Rosales’ acting comeback, as seen in the comments of the latter’s post.

Reports of Rosales headlining “Sellblock” was confirmed by U.S.-based media outlet Variety in March 2022, which will be produced by ABS-CBN and Manila-based BlackOps Studios Asia.

Cherry Pie Picache, Tirso Cruz III, Ronnie Lazaro, Rosanna Roces, Mon Confiado and RK Bagatsing. However, details about the premiere date and plot are yet to be disclosed. “Sellblock” marks the actor’s return to showbiz after a four-year

break from showbiz, sharing to

the name of the company in the report. “The projects I’m working on take time, patience and a lot of effort. I’m determined to make them happen. My dream is to make excellent projects here, then showcase them abroad. That’s what we’re working on. It takes a lot of time to write and produce stuff, but I’m patient enough,” he was quoted as saying.

Ricky, the building superintendent where the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel is in New York, asks Atty. Gurfinkel if he has any pointers to share for Ricky’s sister who would like to naturalize.

Florida, Ricky’s wife, has a sister who lives in England. She wants to know what options are available so they can bring her sister to America.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 11 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement) Ricky

(Clockwise, from left) Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel with Florida, with Kenneth, and with Ricky.

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

(left) shares a light moment with Atty. Gurfinkel (right) at the latter’s law office in downtown New York City.