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DATELINE USA

Undrafted Fil-Am Kihei Clark joins Utah Jazz Summer League roster

IN recent basketball news, the spotlight was often directed to Filipino Kai Sotto. Still, there’s one Filipino-American basketball player who is also determined to establish his name in the NBA, Kihei Clark. Despite being undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, Clark’s journey took an exciting turn when he received an invitation from the Utah Jazz to show his basketball skills in the next Summer League.

This considerable opportunity gave the talented Fil-Am player to prove his skills and secure a spot in the league. The Salt Lake City Summer League, happening on July 3-6, will be his opportunity to impress NBA coaches and scouts.

After the summer league, he will continue playing in the Las Vegas off-season on July 7 until July 17. As mentioned earlier, he will join the Utah Jazz, a team that has promising

No longer just for ‘fun’: DOT launches new ‘Love the Philippines’ campaign

by

MANILA — It’s official! The Philippines is bidding goodbye to its longtime tourism slogan, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

On its 50th anniversary celebration on

Tuesday, June 27, the Department of Tourism introduced the new tourism campaign “Love the Philippines” that is eyed to promote the country and its tourism offerings beyond fun. The tourism agency retired the popular slogan that replaced “Wow Philippines” after 11 years.

“It’s More Fun in the Philippines” was launched in 2012, during the tenure of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. by the DOT and BBDO, one of the country’s awardwinning advertising agencies.

In August last year, Tourism Secretary

Reshuffle of top police officials halted by DILG

by dexter CAbAlzA Inquirer.net

MANILA — In a rare move, the head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday, June 27 halted the reshuffle of some senior officials in the Philippine National Police.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the reassignment of eight high-ranking PNP officials announced on Monday, June 26 were “currently just recommendations” and not yet in effect.

“There are processes that should be followed. The list of the officials should be submitted to the Napolcom (National Police Commission) first for confirmation. After that, it shall be subjected to the President’s approval,” Abalos

MANILA — The country’s economic growth remained robust in the second quarter, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by around six percent, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

Outgoing BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said in an economic forum that the economy likely expanded by around six percent from April to June this year.

“But what we know, the numbers I have seen and the forecasts I have seen from the staff, (it) is going to be more than six percent. Whether it’s higher or lower than the first quarter, we don’t know.”

The Philippines booked a GDP growth of 6.4 percent in the first quarter, albeit slower than the 7.1 percent in the fourth quarter and eight percent in the first quarter last year, but faster than the market expectation of 6.1 percent.

Taiwan seeks security cooperation with Philippines

by AnA MArie PAMintuAn Philstar.com

TAIPEI – With the Philippines and Taiwan facing the same threat, security cooperation may be possible between the two, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Jaushieh Wu said.

Wu said he could not go into details about possible security cooperation, but that “this is one area that we

Senate to seek inquiry into ‘unadvised’ landing of US military aircraft at Naia

should think about.”

Another area, he said, is coast guard cooperation and disaster response.

Taiwan is optimistic of improved ties with the Philippines under President Marcos.

Wu told The STAR in an interview here Tuesday, June 27 that his government welcomed U.S. moves to strengthen the defense

by FAith Argosino Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos is seeking a Senate inquiry into why a United States air force aircraft purportedly landed “unadvised” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), last June 26.

Marcos, who heads the Senate committee on foreign relations, filed Senate Resolution 667 on Tuesday (June 27), directing the

appropriate panel to probe the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the US military aircraft on June 26.

In the resolution, Marcos said a Boeing C-17 strategic transport aircraft operated by the United States military, which has nine military crew and one passenger onboard, landed at Naia around 8:08 a.m. from Guam and departed the airport 10 hours later at around 6:10 p.m. before heading

GOLDEN. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center), in between Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (to his left) and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and other officials celebrate 50 years of Philippine tourism at the Tent City of The Manila Hotel on Tuesday, June 27. Marcos enjoined Filipinos to be the country’s

advocates, and influencers to tell the world about the

fun places, meals

adventures

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

‘Economy likely grew by a robust 6% in Q2’

rosette Adel Philstar.com

No longer just for ‘fun’: DOT launches...

Christina Frasco, however, said it’s about time to “evolve” and “move on” from the campaign.

She thanked those who developed the tagline which she said earned merits and successes.

The tourism chief said the new tagline now takes into consideration “everything that we’ve been through,” referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We must evolve and we must move on taking into consideration everything that we have been through,” Frasco said.

Taiwan seeks security...

PAGE

capabilities of the Philippines, such as setting up additional U.S. military installations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

He brushed aside concerns that setting up the U.S. military facilities under EDCA, two of which are in the northern Philippines just across the sea from Taiwan, is a provocative act directed at China.

“What is causing provocation in this region is China’s expansionism,” Wu said.

“As far as I can see, there are prospects for better relations between Taiwan and the Philippines under the current President BBM,” Wu said. “Some of his public statements concerning Taiwan have been welcomed by Taiwanese people. For example, he spoke about the importance of peace and stability in this area. He spoke about the need to oppose unilateral change of status quo in all these areas, including South China Sea.”

During Super Typhoon Yolanda, he said the Taiwan air force was able to deliver a planeload of relief goods in the Philippines before China exerted pressure, “and therefore we had to stop.”

Wu lamented that this is part of the “cognitive warfare” being waged by China against Taiwan –“saying that geopolitics these days is a conflict or dispute or competition between the United States and China. And therefore our countries should stay away from this conflict, countries should stay neutral.”

The cognitive warfare, he said, is in line with the “hybrid warfare” being waged by China against what it considers as its renegade

province. Beijing has threatened to one day retake Taiwan, by force if necessary.

“They are threatening Taiwan, day in and day out, and initiating hybrid warfare,” Wu said. “Cyber attacks. Disinformation campaign. Infiltration. Or cognitive warfare. Things that are under the threshold of real gunfighting. So this is what China has been waging against Taiwan. And other than that there is also economic coercion.”

Wu stressed that Taipei is open to “peaceful dialogues” with Beijing, but the Chinese insist that the Taiwanese must accept the one-China, two-systems model of reunification – something that he said cannot be accepted if Hong Kong is the model.

At this point, Wu said, public opinion polls show that the Taiwanese simply want to maintain the status quo, which is that Taiwan “is an autonomous state.”

“To us, we are not run by China,” he said. “Taiwan runs by itself. We have a president, publicly elected. We have a parliament, publicly elected as well, and we have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have a Ministry of National Defense and we even have an independent currency note, which is New Taiwan dollar. And therefore, Taiwan is not part of the PROC.”

He expressed hope that Chinese economic pressure would not be “overestimated” by the international community, noting that the massive investments promised by Beijing to the Philippines during the previous administration did not materialize.

“Of course we don’t want to impose,” Wu emphasized. “We hope the Philippine

government can think through some of the things that will be in the interest of the Philippines.”

China had initiated the so-called nine-dash-line claim over the South China Sea. When the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated the claim in 2016, Taipei pointed out that it could not comment on the ruling because it was not consulted or asked to participate in the arbitration. Taiwan’s position on the issue is unchanged.

“We support the rights of freedom of navigation and freedom of overflights,” Wu said.

He stressed that Taiwan does not want to be “a provocateur.”

“We don’t want to offend anyone. We don’t want to cause any conflict in this region,” he said, adding that Taipei simply wants to preserve the status quo with China and resolve disputes over the South China Sea through peaceful dialogue.

If China wages war on Taiwan, he noted, “who will be the next target? I think it might be the Philippines.”

“We think that the best way for us at this moment is for Taiwan and other claimants of the South China Sea to enter into peaceful research of the natural resources (in the sea) or engage in scientific endeavors together or jointly develop the resources,” he said.

“As far as I can see, there’s prospects for better relations between Taiwan and the Philippines under the current President BBM,” Wu said. “As long as there’s a desire on the part of the Philippines, Taiwan will be there to work together with the Philippines. After all, the Philippines is the closest neighbor to us.” n

“So, the Philippines will continue to be fun. But now also it will have a very substantial approach to its branding campaign,” she added.

‘Change in traveler preference’

In a presentation, Marie Adriano, marketing firm DDB Group Philippines’ brand and strategic planner, cited that there was a change in the preference of travelers who are now going beyond leisure.

Adriano said that given this shift, “brand enhancement is imperative to stay competitive and relevant.”

She said the group conducted social listening that showed the change in travelers’ associations with the Philippines.

“Love is the positive theme they associate with our country, frequently mentioned in high volumes globally,” Adriano cited.

“And while fun remains a positive thing and certainly part of the Pinoy DNA, there’s less volume of mentions,” she added, explaining the new enhanced tourism campaign.

Not the first attempt

This was not the first try to replace the eleven-year-old slogan. In 2017, former Undersecretary Kat De Castro, said there were also plans to revamp the slogan as a study found that it was not enough to attract tourists from Europe and the United States.

“The new campaign under Secretary Wanda Teo will be more specific in terms of destination and what activities tourists can

do,” De Castro was quoted by Spot.PH as saying in 2017.

That plan did not push through and Teo’s admin instead launched an international video campaign dubbed “Experience Philippines.”

The video campaign, featuring a blind Japanese tourist enjoying the Philippines, however, drew flak after allegations that the concept of the video was copied from a tourism campaign in South Africa.

Marketing firm McCann World addressed the plagiarism allegations and took full responsibility for it, saying it was inspired by a real story of a visually-impaired foreigner who found home in the Philippines.

“We take full responsibility as ALL ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized by McCann Worldgroup Philippines. However, we underscore that there has never been any intention to copy others’ creative work,” it said.

Fast forward to 2023, the DOT once again made headlines after a campaign featuring Filipina nurse May Parsons, with the tagline “We give the world our best,” was spotted in the United Kingdom and went viral.

Frasco, however, said the bus ad was not an official slogan of the DOT that would replace the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign. The ad is a project by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications (OPACC) as part of its branding campaign led by Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano.

Meanwhile, the move to launch a new tourism campaign is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement during his first State of the Nation Address when he mentioned his vision to enhance the Filipino brand of tourism.

It is also part of the government’s push to make Philippines a “tourism powerhouse” in Southeast Asia, in accordance with the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023 to 2028. n

likely grew by

Amid the external headwinds brought about by elevated inflation and the aggressive rate hikes delivered by global central banks led by the US Federal Reserve, the Cabinetlevel Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) decided to maintain this year’s GDP growth target at six to seven percent.

The country’s GDP expansion accelerated to 7.6 percent last year from 5.7 percent in 2021 with the full reopening of the economy as the strict COVID quarantine and lockdown protocols were lifted.

The country slipped into recession in 2020 with the GDP shrinking by 9.5 percent as the economy stalled due to strict mobility restrictions

6%...

imposed by the government to slow the spread of COVID-19 infections.

“Our own forecast is the GDP growth will be above six percent this year. Of course, it’s hard to grow when your base is larger,” Medalla told participants of the economic forum.

For the first quarter, he said spending in hotels and restaurants jumped by 23.8 percent in the first quarter, while car sales zoomed by 44.8 percent from January to May this year.

Likewise, tourism-related revenues amounted to P214 billion in the first quarter as the number of international tourists reached 1.47 million from January to April this year.

He added that there is also revenge spending by Filipino

consumers.

“Pent-up demand has been a key growth driver,” the BSP chief said.

Medalla pointed out that the current circumstance have allowed the BSP to prioritize its mandate of price stability by bringing back inflation back to within the two to four percent target range.

In the same forum, National Economic and Development Authority

Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the Philippines performed remarkably over the past decade, with GDP growth posting between six and seven percent.

Unfortunately, the streak was interrupted in 2020 by mobility restrictions and policy response challenges

PAGE 4

‘Economy

a robust

Senate to seek inquiry into ‘unadvised landing’...

to its original destination in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

“According to a source, the Manila International Airport Integrated Command and Control Center was not given any advisory on the arrival of aforesaid aircraft,” Marcos said in the resolution.

Citing the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Marcos added that the alternate airport of the aircraft “for contingencies” was Clark International Airport instead of Naia.

Marcos also wanted the appropriate panel to probe the actual number and identities of those onboard the military aircraft and the lack of coordination between CAAP, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department National Defense, among others.

“In light of the recently revealed U.S. request for the Philippines to temporarily house Afghan Special Immigrant Visa

Reshuffle of top police officials...

said in a statement.

applicants, the continued escalation of geopolitical tensions in the IndoPacific Region, and the re-emergence of internal security threats, it is crucial for the State to carefully scrutinize the activities of foreign militaries in the country, particularly those which appear questionable or which are shrouded in secrecy,” she said.

On June 9, Marcos disclosed that her brother’s administration agreed to a supposed discreet plan, granting the US’ request to provide a safe haven in the Philippines for Afghans suspected to be “American spies” who fled their country.

Prior to baring the information from the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Marcos filed on June 8 a resolution seeking to probe the said plan, questioning the PMS’ decision to keep the results of the “technical coordination meeting” from the public. n

In special orders dated June 26, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. reassigned eight generals, including the regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The reassignment orders were signed by Maj. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, head of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, and Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, the fourth in command as acting chief of directorial staff.

A joint turnover and assumption ceremony — with Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PNP’s No. 2 as acting chief for administration, serving as the presiding officer — was scheduled in Camp Crame on Tuesday morning, which was moved to late in the afternoon, until it was eventually called off.

In stopping the action of the PNP leadership, Abalos, who sits as Napolcom chair, cited Section 6(3)(f) of Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2019-001, stating that “the assignment/designation of the [concerned positions]

shall be submitted to the Commission for confirmation prior to the submission of the same to the President for approval.”

“Civilian control over the police is a hallowed principle of our fundamental law. Rest assured that the Napolcom will carry out its duty to oversee and enhance the administration of the PNP,” Abalos said.

Changes

Under Acorda’s orders, Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who was formerly the intelligence

director, was named the new acting regional director of the NCRPO.

He would replace Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, who was named the new chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR).

Interestingly, Nartatez was among the five brigadier generals who were reassigned in early May when Acorda implemented a “minor reorganization,” his first reshuffle in the PNP.

Before being named as chief of the intelligence

service, Nartatez headed the Directorate for Comptrollership for barely a week—which was assigned to him by former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin days prior to his retirement and was criticized by some officials as a midnight appointment.

Okubo would have been among the NCRPO chiefs with the shortest stint, serving for only four months, after being appointed in February also by Azurin.

Meanwhile, then DPCR director Maj. Gen. Mario Reyes was designated to head the Directorate for Logistics, while Maj. Gen. Jon Arnaldo replaced Nartatez as the new Directorate for Intelligence chief.

Brig. Gen. Ronald Oliver Lee was designated as the new chief of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, replacing Arnaldo.

Maj. Gen. Eric Noble, director of the PNP Academy (PNPA), was named the new head of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, while Brig. Gen. Samuel Nacion would

Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. delivers his opening statement during the press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

File photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta / Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID relief grants open to CA small nonprofits, businesses through June

by Selen Oztruk Ethnic Media Services

WHILE COVID relief grants have phased down nationwide since the end of the federal health emergency declaration, California has announced a new one.

Through June 30, small nonprofits and businesses with 26 to 49 employees in 2021 or 2022, and who paid COVID sick leave, are eligible for a grant ranging from $5K to $50K through the state’s Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) program, outreach partner CalNonprofits has announced.

The program, created by California Assembly Bill 152 and administered through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), offers grants funded to match sick leave provided, on small businesses’ payroll records, between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Eligible businesses and nonprofits must have a physical presence in California.

Robert Gibbons, director of education and advocacy at CalNonprofits, said the bill “was a tailwind piece of legislation for COVID aid toward the end of the pandemic. We were very involved in advocating for this legislation to include small nonprofits, who were previously not given the opportunity to apply for state-reimbursed grants. This issue has become cumbersome in the sense that small nonprofits now have to go back and identify their COVID sick leave with payroll providers and apply for funds, and we’re here to make that process as easy as possible.”

Since being informed in very late May that small nonprofits would be eligible for SPSL alongside other businesses, Gibbons has spearheaded CalNonprofits’ advocacy work at the community and legislative level in

collaboration with the small business lending platform Lendistry, which the state chose to execute the program and vet applicants.

“One of the most potentially confusing aspects of the grant application for small businesses is employee headcount, given that it shifted drastically for many companies during the pandemic,” he added.

The challenges that may arise during the SPSL filing process do not owe to a lack of interest on the part of nonprofits — “the Lendistry folks were impressed to see that our webinars have turned out more than three times the numbers of small businesses,” said Gibbons — but rather to the limited bandwidth of many small nonprofits.

“That’s where CalNonprofits comes in,” he continued. “Call us, email us, and we will advocate on your behalf as the go-between between you and your payroll provider.”

“CalNonprofits is the only partner working with Lendistry in California to identify eligible nonprofits, and advocate for them through the application process. This sets a precedent for more inclusivity with the way that we think about helping nonprofits in the context of state legislation,” Gibbons added.

An FAQ page for SPSL written by CalNonprofits and geared specifically toward nonprofit applicants is available at https://docs.google.com/document/ d/1u89v2Wpgmr5IdGhI2v5tAiVE_lUXfO4xHY7HC3_sM1I/ edit.

An informational webinar on the grant program, hosted by CalOSBA, took place on Monday, June 26. Eligibility requirements, an application guide, FAQs, and an application portal for the program is available at the California SPSL website (https://caspsl.com). n

Larry Gadon disbarred by SC for profane remarks

by Jean Mangaluz Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) unanimously voted to disbar anti-poverty czar Larry Gadon following profane remarks made against female veteran reporter Raissa Robles.

“By a unanimous vote of 15-0, the Supreme Court En Banc resolved to disbar Atty. Lorenzo ‘Larry’ Gadon for his viral clip where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks

against journalist Raissa Robles,” said the SC Public Information Office on Wednesday, June 28.

The SC said that it found the clip to be “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”

The highest court of the land also emphasized that there is no room for sexism or misogyny in practicing law.

“The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually,

academically and, equally important, morally. There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism. The Court will never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court,” the SC said.

According to the SC, Gadon violated Canon II on Propriety, of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which states that the lawyer must always “act with propriety and maintain the

Undrafted Fil-Am Kihei...

PAGE 1

first-round drafts.

Jazz’s picks include Keynote George (no.16), Taylor Hendricks (No.9), And Brice Sensabaugh (no. 28). After the summer league, they will head to Las Vegas for a match with Denver, Minnesota, and Phoenix.

Kihei Clark’s notable collegiate performance and impressive achievements

and a Chinese AfricanAmerican father, Clark had already graced the Philippine courts in 2018. He played with another Fil-Am player Jalen Green in the prominent NBTC All-Star Game.

appearance of propriety in personal and professional dealings, observe honesty, respect and courtesy, and uphold the dignity of the legal profession consistent with the highest standards of ethical behavior.”

Gadon failed to realize that lawyers must avoid scandalous behavior, said the SC.

The SC also said that Gadon has six more administrative cases filed against him at the Office of PAGE 7

Reshuffle of top police officials...

PAGE 3

be the acting PNPA director.

Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro from the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Management was named the acting director of the Highway Patrol Group.

Acorda’s third

It would have been the third revamp implemented by Acorda, following the May 8 major reshuffle of some senior police officials that affected the third and fourth highest posts of the force’s command group.

The previous reassignment orders of Acorda did not face any problems with the DILG chief.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the current positions of the

officials would be maintained.

“Let’s wait for the official announcement of when the new schedule will be for the formal assumption of office and turnover of these positions,” she told reporters.

“But until such time that there is already a new schedule, the concerned officers will remain in their current positions,” she added.

Acorda earlier assured the PNP members that “promotions, assignments, and designations will be based on merit, ability and moral ascendancy, thereby placing the right people on the right job.”

He tasked the members of the Senior Officer Placement and Promotions Board—composed of

officers duly authorized to vet, select and recommend PNP officers due for promotion, and placement to key positions—to conduct proper deliberations “to ensure that their recommendations are fair, objective and acceptable to all.”

Abalos, in his promise to cleanse the PNP of scalawags, ordered last April an independent Napolcom investigation of the October 2022 raid that yielded 990 kilos of “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P6.7 billion.

On June 9, 50 police personnel, including high-ranking officials, were named respondents in the criminal complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman for their involvement in the anti-drug operation. n

Clark started his basketball career at the University of Virginia in 2018. He played a significant role in leading the Virginia Cavaliers to the NCAA National Championship in 2019.

He showcased his remarkable ball-handling skills, ability to control the game’s tempo, and court goals. Despite not having a towering height, Clark makes up for his defensive tactics.

The move often frustrates opponents due to his unwavering on-ball pressure. In addition, his court skills also extend beyond the U.S. basketball courts.

Born from a Filipino mother

Kihei Clark’s exceptional performance in the game led him to win the title of AllStar Game MVP. Philippine basketball legend Robert Jaworski himself awarded him the recognition.

Overall, this FilipinoAmerican basketball achiever’s journey is proof of his determination and perseverance. From his exceptional college career to his remarkable performance in the Philippines, Kihei Clark has proven himself as a vital force inside basketball courts.

As he joins the NBA summer league, he can establish his name in the professional league and continue inspiring other new basketball players, particularly in the FilipinoAm community. (Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net) n

‘Economy likely grew by...

PAGE 2

during the height of the pandemic, resulting in a sharp contraction of 9.5 percent.

“Nevertheless, the economy demonstrated remarkable resilience. In 2022, the full-year growth reached 7.6 percent, surpassing the government’s official target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent. The first quarter of 2023 also brought good news, as growth remained strong at 6.4 percent, indicating a continued recovery and a return to the high-growth trend observed before the pandemic,” Edillon said.

Edillon added that two main factors have played a significant role: consumption on the demand side and services on the supply side.

“The reopening of our economy, largely facilitated by the relaxation of mobility restrictions, provided a boost to household spending, particularly as people eagerly resumed travel. The services sector, which includes retail, tourism, transportation, and education, benefited the most from the reopening, as it encompasses high-contact industries,” she said. (Philstar.com) n

Kihei Clark

Photo from Instagram/@kihei.clark

Features OpiniOn Gun culture

In Cebu last week, police armed with a court warrant raided the home of the barangay captain of Baclayan in Boljoon town, and arrested Elderson Han Baldezamo Mabalatan on gun charges. The police reported confiscating from the village chief two .45-caliber pistols and a hand grenade.

Earlier on March 20, another village chairman who is president of the local association of barangay captains, Angelito de Mesa of Barangay Masaya in Bay, Laguna, was arrested following a police search of his home. The raiders reported seizing an M16 rifle equipped with a silencer and telescope, a 9mm machine pistol, ammunition and magazines for the guns.

Editorial

The country has tough laws against illegal gun possession, with stiff penalties as provided under Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act passed in 2013. Yet loose firearms continue to proliferate, promoting deadly violence that has marred politics and elections.

In this part of Asia, the Philippines has the second highest intentional homicide rate, ranking only behind Myanmar. Apart from thousands of drug suspects killed in

the previous administration, the country has a long string of murders targeting activists, journalists and legal professionals.

Every electoral exercise in this country is marked by lethal violence, with candidates seeing murder as the ultimate tool for eliminating political rivals. The massacre of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others at his home has been linked to his family’s feud with the rival Teves clan. Deadly violence is employed even in races for the smallest unit of government, the barangay.

With the elections for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan set this October, the Philippine National Police says it is monitoring at least 49 active and potential private armed groups across the country. Whether the PNP can actually crack down on those groups is another story. Many private armies are maintained by influential politicians who are

themselves keepers of large arsenals.

If a barangay captain can have an unlicensed grenade in his possession, think of what higher ranking officials are keeping. The alleged mastermind in Degamo’s murder, Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., his two sons and his brother, Bayawan town Mayor Pryde Henry Teves face charges over a cache of guns and explosives found in his

PBBM: Balancing US-PH-China relations

University of Foreign Studies

“BY preserving the Philippines’ diplomatic relationship with China, while strengthening ties with the United States and regional allies, Marcos Jr. is performing a delicate balancing act.”

lecturer Jenny Balboa described the foreign policy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in her article titled, “Marcos Jr.’s delicate balancing act between China and the United States” published last April at the East Asia Forum, an Australia-based international policy forum centered on the Asia Pacific region. Being virtually at the

center of the intensive competition between the United States and China, we obviously have to deal with both nations even as we also need to thresh out individual issues with them. However, there have been developments that indicate the willingness of both nations to continue to restart the conversation with each other, as seen in the recent visit of U.S. State Secretary

Antony Blinken to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who described the meeting as “very good,” saying that both sides “made progress and reached agreements on some specific issues.”

As President Xi himself acknowledged, the world needs the relationship between the two giant nations to be “generally

property. Arnolfo Teves said the weapons were planted by the raiders.

The easy availability of all sorts of guns and even grenades plus the weakness of the criminal justice system have created a culture of violence and impunity. As the barangay and youth council elections approach, the PNP will have to do more than merely monitor private armed groups. (Philstar.com)

The views expressed

This was how Tokyo Asian

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Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

PAGE 10 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with U.S. President Joe Biden Malacañang file photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

US, China pour aid into Batanes, PH island closest to Taiwan

by Frances Mangosing Inquirer.net

BASCO —

Rival

superpowers United States and China are pouring aid into Batanes, the Philippines’ northernmost island closest to Taiwan, which Beijing considers its territory.

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco announced the new forms of assistance pledged by Washington and Beijing during the island province’s 240th founding anniversary on Monday, June 26.

Cayco said the United States Agency for International Development and the Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology would set up a Starlink premium service for a faster internet service across Basco, the provincial capital.

U.S. Embassy officials are also scheduled to visit next month, she added.

“They said they will bring some good news about our requests for assistance,” she noted in her speech, without offering other details.

But Cayco said she also sought China’s help for food security.

“The Chinese consulate in Laoag (City in Ilocos Norte) has pledged more than P3 million worth of assistance to develop a production farm in [the municipality of] Itbayat. Chinese officials were here last month and vowed to continue helping us,” she said.

Food sufficiency has been a priority for the far-flung island province,

Filipinos in Russia unfazed by mutiny, opted to stay – DFA

by Beatrice Pinlac Inquirer.net

MANILA — No Filipino in Russia has asked to be repatriated after the recent power struggle between the military and a mutinous paramilitary group, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Monday, June 26.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said there are 10,000 Filipinos in Russia.

At least 8,000 of them are in the capital Moscow, he added.

“Filipinos are advised not to undertake unnecessary travels outside their region,” he said.

Last Saturday, June 24, the embassy urged Filipinos to adhere to Russia’s rules.

It had also asked them to refrain from posting “political comments on social media.”

The advisory came after Wagner, a para-military group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, took control of two cities south of Moscow and began an advance toward the capital.

especially during typhoons and earthquakes, as well as concerns over a possible Chinese military action against Taiwan. Farming and fishing are the main sources of food and income for the Ivatans.

Strategic location

An island chain and the country’s northernmost province where the Pacific Ocean merges with the South China Sea, Batanes is located less than 150 kilometers from its nearest point to the south of Taiwan. It has six municipalities and a population of 18,000.

Both the United States and China have been actively helping the strategically located province in recent years.

Analysts have said that self-ruling Taiwan is a potential flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, with Washington as its most important backer.

Beijing considers the island a part of its territory

and has not ruled out taking it by force if necessary.

In April, Filipino and American troops trained to defend Batanes from potential aggressors as part of the “Balikatan” military exercises.

Cayco said at the time that their residents were worried that the island would get caught in the crossfire amid the tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan.

The repeated calls to the national government from local officials to build bigger seaports and airports in anticipation of hosting thousands of Filipino repatriates in the event of a crisis over Taiwan appeared to be finally making headway.

Cayco said in the same speech that the Philippine Ports Authority would help in planning the construction of a seaport and their architects would soon start training for its planning. n

Larry Gadon disbarred by SC for...

the Bar Confidant, and four cases at the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

“Although these cases have yet to be decided, the volume of administrative complaints filed against Atty. Gadon indubitably speaks of his character,” said the SC.

Gadon was also cited in contempt for his baseless allegations of bias against Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

This followed Gadon’s new appointment as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation last Monday, which was met with criticisms from different

“In Rostov-on-Don, taken over by the Wagner group momentarily, there are 10 Filipinos. All indicated they were safe,” de Vega reported through a message to INQUIRER.net.

“The crisis has been resolved due to Belarus’

intervention. But even during the crisis, no Filipino asked for repatriation,” he said.

De Vega added that should anyone seek repatriation, assistance funds would be available.

In the meantime, he is urging Filipinos in Russia to stay indoors.

The situation was defused by evening after Belarus could broker a truce between Russia and Prigozhin. This included his safe exile.

Prigozhin has a longstanding rivalry with two top officials in the Russian military. n

groups following his long history of profane remarks.

Victims of Gadon’s tirades typically included critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Gadon had already been previously suspended by the SC due to the same remarks against Robles. On top of his disbarment, Gadon still faces cyberlibel and safe spaces cases. n

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega Inquirer.net photo

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco Photo from the Facebook page of Batanes

PBBM: Balancing US-PH-China...

stable.”

I personally saw how China has developed into the economic giant it is today, and marveled at the progress it has achieved over the decades, having first visited Beijing in 1974 just before we opened formal diplomatic relations with China in 1975.

I was then a news reporter for Channel 9 when I joined our basketball team, led by Basketball Association of the Philippines president Lito Puyat and the country’s top basketball players that included Ramon Fernandez, Sonny Jaworski and Francis Arnaiz, embarking on our “basketball diplomacy.”

My uncle, then-Philippine Ambassador to the United States Eduardo Z. Romualdez, was appointed by President Marcos Sr. to head the delegation.

At that time, China was nowhere near what it is today. We stayed at the only major hotel in Beijing – the Friendship Hotel with big rooms and only one restaurant – which was more like a guesthouse for official visitors. We had the

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

opportunity to meet Deng Xiaoping, the architect of China’s modernization and economic transformation.

Subsequently, we were formally received by Premier Chou En-lai at the Great Hall of the People.

In 1983, I was back in Beijing with then-Ilocos Norte Governor Bongbong Marcos and several local leaders then, like Olongapo mayor Richard Gordon, Tawi-Tawi governor Nur Jaafar and Laoag City mayor Rudy Fariñas. My next trip to China was in 2005 when we visited Shanghai with

the late Philippine STAR publisher Max Soliven. We were hosted by businessman Carlos Chan. The changes were remarkable, with five-star hotels and bustling shopping centers indicative of the economic transformation that was happening in China.

In September 2011, I was part of the business delegation of the late President Noynoy Aquino during his official visit to China, and it was apparent that our neighbor had become very prosperous, with the Chinese becoming

the second biggest consumers of luxury items.

Contrary to misconceptions that we are pivoting towards one country at the expense of another, President Marcos Jr. has definitely made it clear that he is balancing the relationship with the two superpowers, and I think he is doing an excellent job – improving our country’s relationship with the United States while continually reaching out to China.

In the Q &A session at the ASEAN Leadership Forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies during his official visit to the U.S., PBBM was asked: How can he maintain a stable relationship with Beijing while still defending Philippine sovereignty?

The president’s reply was on point: “The same way that we maintain our relationship with the U.S. We constantly consult with our allies. We constantly keep our lines of communication open.”

Indeed, China is talking with us and as the president noted, he is seeing some progress in the situation

regarding fishing rights in the West Philippine Sea. He knows, however, that desired results don’t happen overnight. “These things do not come very quickly… but we are slowly making progress because the key to that was really the improved communication between the Philippine government and the Chinese government.”

We do have a lot of serious issues with China regarding our territorial waters, but we continue to squarely face them head on. Our nation has faced so many challenges, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have also received help from our partners. For my part, President Rodrigo Duterte gave clear instructions that we needed to get life-saving vaccines for Filipinos. It was a great honor when President Duterte awarded me with the Order of Sikatuna for our efforts to procure Moderna vaccines and subsequently received substantial vaccine donations from the United States.

Upon instructions of President Marcos, we continue to make strengthening economic ties our number one

priority in the U.S. Our defense strategy is already obviously being handled by our Department of National Defense, especially now with the appointment of Gilbert Teodoro as the new defense secretary.

This week, Senate President Migz Zubiri came to Washington, D.C. for a working visit. He had extensive interaction with U.S. lawmakers such as Senators Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas and Tim Scott of South Carolina. I am pleased that SP Migz is very much into energy development, knowing fully well that our country’s energy requirements are growing. Together with Senator Tolentino, SP Migz discussed a number of issues that include the reauthorization of the General System of Preferences and the defense procurement for our AFP modernization program. (Phiilstar.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

with Chinese President Xi Jinping Malacañang file photo

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Success story: A life was saved on Citizen Pinoy, this Sunday

FILIPINA frontliner from Florida, Janice, was diagnosed with myelofibrosis – bone marrow cancer. She had already been receiving several treatments including blood transfusions and medications, but none of these had worked.

She was in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant.

Her sister, Jerrimee, who lives in the Philippines, is a perfect match. Being a blood relative donor also meant that the chances for success would be greater.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy denied Jerrimee’s application for a medical visa. Time was of the essence, and desperate to find help, Janice’s family posted their appeal on social media.

Their story was brought to the attention of Citizen Pinoy head writer Mouse Munoz, who in turn referred the situation to leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Atty. Gurfinkel filed for Humanitarian Parole and requested for expedited processing since the situation is a matter of life and death. After persistent and numerous follow-ups, Jerrimee’s humanitarian parole visa was approved and she was able to enter the U.S., underwent tests, and donated her bone marrow to her sister.

Janice’s cancer is now in remission and her

SEE HOW A LIFE WAS SAVED ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Janice (bottom photo) was diagnosed with myelofibrosis and was in desperate need of a critically urgent stem cell transplant. Her sister, Jerrimee (top photo, center), who is in Cavite in the Philippines, is the perfect match. However, the U.S. Embassy refused her application for a medical visa. Desperate, Janice’s husband, Jeff, took to Facebook and was posting and pleading in hopes that the U.S. Embassy would see the urgency and grant Jerrimee her visa. The pleas on social media reached leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (top photo, right), who was able to file for Humanitarian Parole and had the process expedited. Watch this life-saving success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 2 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Janice, a frontliner from Florida who dedicated her life saving others, now needed a life-saving bone marrow transplant for herself.

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

DO cellphone radiation shields work?

No, the so-called “radiation shields” for cell phones do not work, and therefore are not effective in protecting the user from radiation, reports the FTC in the United States. If anything at all, this shield “lulls” the user to complacency and thus the user is subjected to a more prolonged radiation exposure because of the false sense of security the unsuspecting consumers will have. While the association between cell phone use and some type of brain tumors is still unclear, it is best to avoid and minimize any type of radiation exposure from whatsoever source. To reduce radiation exposure from cell phones, we recommend the use one of the hands-free devices now commercially available. Can skin ointment be used for the eyes?

No, most definitely, no. Skin lotions, creams, gel, ointments, and solutions, are for topical (external or skin) application only and are not safe for the eyes. There are specific drops and ointments for the eyes. Never use any other preparation, except those prescribed by healthcare professionals specifically for the eyes, which are always labeled “Ophthalmic” or “For ophthalmic use.”

How does tobacco hurt the smoker?

Besides the tissue irritation on the breathing pipes and lungs caused by the fumes and the various toxic chemicals in the cigarette, tobacco also thickens the blood, which makes the smoker (active or passive) more prone to thrombosis (blood clot formation) in the arteries and veins, and aggravates arteriosclerosis (hardening of the artery). On top of this, smoking also speeds up the process of arteriosclerosis (especially the arteries of the heart and brain, abdomen and legs). Smoking can also cause cancer of the breathing pipes and/or the lungs and cancers in other organs in the body in either gender. Stained teeth and fingers, smoker’s bad breath and a household that smells like tobacco fumes are

queries

the more minor effects of smoking.

What causes palpitation?

Palpitation (pounding heartbeat, harder and faster than normal) could be due to extrinsic causes like ingestion of a stimulant (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolates, some medications, etc.) and/ or cigarette smoking, or due to intrinsic causes like coronary or heart valve diseases. The person feels the heart thumping in his/ her chest which could lead to some degree of discomfort and anxiety. When this happens regularly, in spite of abstinence from the extrinsic causes listed above, prompt medical consultation is recommended.

Are body moisturizing lotions safe?

Yes, in general, hand and body lotions in the market are safe. The frequent (two or more times a day) use of hand and body lotion is recommended because our skin needs moisture to keep it comfortable, healthy and as young looking as possible. Caution: some people may be allergic to some of these commercially available skin moisturizers.

Does diabetes cause blindness?

Most definitely, especially among persons whose diabetes is untreated, poorly treated or simply brittle and hard to treat. The blindness is due to what is termed diabetic retinopathy. A significant number of blindness in the world today is caused by diabetes. Once the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is confirmed, prompt and appropriate therapy should be instituted. The diabetic should be disciplined enough to religiously follow the prescribed medical regimen if the complications of the disease, like blindness, leg gangrene, etc. are to be prevented.

Can hydrogen peroxide be used for gargling?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide could be used for gargling, but ask your dentist first since he/she knows your dental condition better and can advise you accordingly. Hydrogen peroxide, together with sodium fluoride and other common ingredients (like triclosan) in toothpastes, help prevent tooth decay, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), tartar and plaque formation, and halitosis

(bad breath). Hydrogen peroxide is a substance that is incorporated in many toothpaste preparations in the market today. Baking soda is another. For children, the anti-plaque and antigingivitis effectiveness of toothpaste are still not proven.

What is cardioversion?

Cardioversion, as the term suggests, means converting the heart rhythm from an abnormal one to a socalled normal and regular sinus rhythm, either by medications or by electrical (shock) “zapping.” The term is most often used to imply electrical cardioversion. This is done when the type of abnormality of the rhythm of the heart is one of the dangerous forms that adversely affects the vital signs of the person or one that could potentially cause cerebral emboli (blood clots from within the heart) traveling to the brain resulting in stroke. The two paddles (“zappers”), held one in each hand of the cardioverting personnel (a physician, a nurse or a medical technician) are applied on the mid-chest of the patient and the heart is “electrically shocked” to a normal rhythm or to a safer, more benign form of irregularity. In some persons with a heart disease, it may not be possible to convert the rhythm to a perfect sinus rhythm. In these cases, the goal is to convert the rhythm to an acceptable more benign rhythm. Does surgery make cancer spread?

No, this is a myth. Doing surgery or “opening the patient up” does not cause metastasis (spread) of the cancer. In general, cancer proliferates rapidly to invade surrounding tissues and distant organs. The misconception resulted from the refusal of patients suspected or confirmed to have cancer to be operated on early when first advised and had delayed the surgery so much that the malignant tumor had already spread beyond help before acceding to have the operation. So, when the surgeons operated on them that late, invariably the cancer had already spread all over. When the patients soon expired, people blamed the surgery as the cause of the spread. Today, almost everybody knows that prompt detection

Success story: A life was...

doctors expect her blood levels to be back to normal within the year. A life has been saved.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 2 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

PH Embassy celebrates Philippines Migrant Workers Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. –

The Philippine Embassy recently celebrated Migrant Workers Day in a day-long event with members of the Filipino community from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Consistent with the theme “OFW: Saan Mang Panig ng Mundo, Galing at Katatagan Mo’y Hinahangaan,” video messages of the Administrator Arnel Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Secretary Susan Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were conveyed, emphasizing the huge contributions made by the Overseas Filipino Workers in nation-building and reiterating the continued support of the Philippine government for their welfare. Moreover, Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas called on the leaders and members of the Filipino community to work together in harmony to achieve higher goals for the community.

A financial literacy

seminar was conducted by tax and investment expert Raymond Abrea to present to OFWs several investment opportunities in the Philippines, which could grow their hard-earned money.

On-site services and virtual consultation were setup with representatives of the Social Security System, Pag-Ibig, Overseas Filipino

Bank, Migrant Workers Office-Washington DC, and the Philippine Embassy, including the Overseas Voters Registration Unit.

The OFW Got Talent singing competition and performances of local talents Raina Chan and D’ Neis Siblings provided entertainment throughout the day. Consul General Arribas, Assistant Labor Attache Marie Josephine Borromeo and Ms. Grace Valera of the Global Migrant Heritage Foundation served as judges and declared Bernadette Gray, Tony Boy Velasco, and Rosie Conde as the major winners of the singing competition.

The fun-filled event was organized by the Philippine Embassy’s Migrant Workers Office-OWWA Washington DC under the stewardship of Labor Attache Saul de Vries and Welfare Officer Mae Codilla, ably assisted by volunteers from the Association of International Dynamic Educators, Inc (AIDE), an organization of U.S.-based Filipino teachers.

(PH Embassy Release) n

The Embassy team with the volunteers, and contestants of the Embassy’s 2023 Migrant Workers Day celebration.

Photos courtesy of PH Embassy

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) was able to acquire a Humanitarian Parole visa for Jerrimee (3rd from left) so she can donate her bone marrow to her sister, Janice.

Supplement)

Philippine Tax and Investment Expert Raymond Abrea conducts a financial literacy seminar.

‘My Taiwan Story’ interactive event engages New Yorkers and tourists at the Oculus

THE Taiwan Tourism Bureau hosted the interactive “My Taiwan Story” event at the Oculus in the World Trade Center on June 2324, aiming to captivate New Yorkers and tourists, and inviting them to explore the wonders of Taiwan.

The “My Taiwan Story” event showcased various aspects of Taiwan’s tourism industry. A prominent installation spelled out “TAIWAN,” representing Tasty delights, Authentic culture, Iconic landmarks, Wellness and sustainability, Adventurous activities, and Nature’s treasures.

Attendees witnessed a traditional tea ceremony, admired oil-paper umbrellas, and listened to sounds of waves from Orchid Island and Taiwan’s forests. Promotional booths offered experiences like tea leaf appreciation, glass bead bracelet creation, 360-degree VR video viewing, and interactive

games. China Airlines and EVA Air, renowned Taiwanese carriers, participated in the event, fueling public interest in visiting Taiwan.

Participants also had a chance to win prizes such as Taiwanese snacks, tea bags, paper lanterns, and eco-friendly tote bags by completing onsite tasks. China Airlines and EVA Air generously sponsored round-trip economy class

tickets from New York to Taipei, allowing winners to experience Taiwan’s beauty firsthand. The event attracted a significant crowd of enthusiastic participants. At the media reception, Ambassador James K. J. Lee of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York expressed admiration for Taiwan’s natural landscapes, vibrant cities, cultural heritage, and cuisine.

PAGE 15

My Taiwan Story event at WTC Oculus

Authentic Culture - Meinong Paper Umbrellas

Tasty Delights - Taiwan Tea House

Cycle Route No. 1 Buzzer Loop Game

Gastronomic gem: Kalye goes beyond Filipino street fare

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

IN the heart of New York City’s Lower East Side, lawyer-turned-restaurateur Rob Mallari D’Auria, and his husband, Henry, have embarked on an extraordinary journey. Their recently opened restaurant, Kalye, is not just about savoring the vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine—it’s a bold statement of resilience and a tribute to the city they love.

Fueled by their passion for the city and inspired by the challenges of the pandemic, Rob and Henry saw an opportunity to contribute to its recovery by venturing into the world of gastronomy, offering a taste of Filipino delights while embracing the diverse palates of their customers.

The idea took shape back in 2020 during the pandemic when Rob, who had just moved to the States, found himself in Times Square, captivated by the bright marquee lights. He shared, “We love the city so much that we wanted to help it get back on its feet. One way of doing that was to have our own storefront, either a food or non-food store.” Eventually, they settled on the concept of a restaurant, drawing from Rob’s Filipino background.

Rob’s journey to the United States began in 2017 when he was taking a course in Boston. He would travel regularly to New York to meet

“Our goal is to introduce Filipino food to a broader audience and make it more accessible,” Rob told the Asian Journal. He also showed us how to make their hero product, the ube sliders, using ube buns, longganisa patties, Swiss cheese, onion-bacon jam, and pinakurat aioli.

up with family and do some sightseeing. He met Henry during one of those visits. What started as a chance encounter at the Museum of Modern Art’s bar, The Modern, blossomed into a long-distance relationship. Rob had to move back to the Philippines, where he had

a law practice. They later decided to meet in Paris for the Christmas holidays in 2017, solidifying their commitment to start a longdistance relationship. In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rob made a move to the States, and the couple tied the knot

in an intimate ceremony. Kalye’s Journey

The process of opening Kalye was not without its hurdles. From conceptualization to obtaining licenses and permits, and recipe development, it took them around a year and a half before they could finally open their doors in late 2022. Rob admits that finding quality and committed staff has been one of the most challenging aspects of running the restaurant, but he is grateful for the team they have now, many of whom have a background in Filipino culture.

Kalye sets itself apart by blending fast-casual and casual dining, offering a fusion of Filipino and familiar flavors. Rob explains, “The mission of the restaurant right now is to educate non-Filipinos about Filipino cuisine.”

They started with an easily recognizable dish like their signature ube sliders, which are longganisa burgers with pinakurat aioli in ubeflavored buns.

While the idea from the getgo was to build something that was fast casual, they have pivoted into something more casual, introducing sisig, tapa, inasal, and lechon to the menu. Gradually, they are going to introduce more traditional Filipino dishes like adobo, karekare, and sinigang. The goal is to introduce customers to Filipino cuisine through familiar dishes and then

Kalye’s storefront on the Lower East Side showcasing the word Kalayaan, done by Filipino-American author Kathryn Serrano who recently released her book Kalayaan (Filipino Heroines of World War II).

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

Top to bottom: Kalye’s prized specialties - ube sliders, chicken inasal, lechon and their two kinds of sisig - pork belly and mushroom.

‘Tayo na magpugay’: Bruno Mars composes new Filipino song as thanks for fans

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

‘My Taiwan Story’...

PAGE 13

He invited international travelers to visit Taiwan.

Claire Wen, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in New York, emphasized Taiwan’s appeal as a travel destination. The “My Taiwan Story” event aimed to foster understanding of Taiwan’s tourism resources and characteristics through its installation and interactive activities, inspiring attendees to visit Taiwan and create their own stories.

To further promote Taiwan, the online event “Discover My Taiwan Story” will run from June 25 to July

7 on MyTaiwanStory.com.

Participants can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win round-trip economy class tickets from New York to Taipei.

In an effort to attract international travelers, the Tourism Bureau launched the promotional campaign “Taiwan the Lucky Land.” Independent travelers have the opportunity to participate in a lucky draw, with rewards of NT$5,000 in e-tickets or accommodation vouchers. For more information, visit the official website of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau at 5000.taiwan.net.tw. n

Your queries...

PAGE 12

and early operation in the treatment of cancer gives the best chance for a cure for a greater number of patients with malignancy.

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. * * *

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 Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, bestowed by then Indiana Governor, later a Senator, and a presidential candidate, the late Honorable Evan Bayh. 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.

MANILA — Award-winning Filipino-American singer Bruno Mars had a funky and entertaining two nights back in the Philippines, and he left something special for his Filipino fans.

A day after his second concert at the Philippine Arena — Bruno performed back-to-back nights on June 24 and 25 — he uploaded on his social media accounts a special song thanking fans for coming out to see him after five years.

The video see Bruno teaching some of the Hooligans, his band, the words “Tayo na magpugay” or in English “Let’s pay tribute,” which they all sang as clips of Bruno’s concerts played.

Bruno was on the guitar as they sang “Tayo na magpugay” and “Dancing in Manila,” and it felt like an extension of his concerts where everyone in attendance were enamored by his vocals.

As a clip of confetti raining down inside the Philippine Arena ended the

Photo from Twitter/@BrunoMars video, Bruno still managed to yell out “Mahal kita, Manila!”

On both nights, Bruno sang a number of his hits from across the years including “Treasure,” “Marry You,” “When I Was Your Man,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” and “Just The Way You Are.”

Bruno also performed songs from his Grammy-winning album “24 Magic,” such as “Versace on the

Floor,” “Finesse,” “That’s What I Like,” “Calling All My Lovelies,” and the album’s eponymous lead single. Toward the end he even sang a medley of hits he was involved in: “F**k You” by CeeLo Green, “Young, Wild & Free” by Wiz Khalifa, “Grenade” where he asked for more dramatic smoke; “Talking to the Moon,” “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B., and Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.” n

Gastronomic gem: Kalye goes beyond...

PAGE 14

expand their palates with more traditional options.

Rob’s mother, who used to run a restaurant herself, has been instrumental in shaping the menu. He shares, “I asked her for recipes, and while she gave me a general idea of the ingredients, I put my own identity into the recipe.” The result is a blend of his mother’s traditional flavors and his creative touch.

Since his first idea was to sell handheld food items inspired by street food, Rob wanted to use kalye as the name of the restaurant.

“It’s just funny that the same year that we opened, another Kalye Bistro opened up in Queens, and I love them because, you know, we basically help each other,” he says. “Most of the Americans or non-Filipino speakers don’t know how to pronounce it correctly; most of them pronounce it like scale, now we’re educating them how to pronounce it, and that’s a start.”

Since its opening, Kalye has received mixed feedback from customers and made adjustments based on their suggestions. Rob acknowledges the importance of being open to observations and feedback, even if it can be initially challenging.

“We learned a lot from

our customers, and I think the idea of having a startup business that is open to observations and feedback from customers worked to our benefit,” Rob says. “It’s painful. It’s the beginning, they said, ‘I think your business concept is a lot of baloney.’ It’s hurtful because it’s my baby. But I get home, and then I realize they’re saying something of value. They’re telling me that I could do better.”

Despite opening during a pandemic, Kalye has been well-received, attracting a diverse clientele. Rob has noticed an increase in Asian American customers, possibly due to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month last May and a sense of solidarity within the Asian community. Moving forward, he envisions Kalye becoming an entry point for younger Asian Americans to explore and appreciate their culinary heritage.

It also took a while to find the right people to join their team, something that Rob found challenging.

“The most difficult part of running a restaurantit’s really difficult to find a quality, committed staff,” he shared. “I’m happy that the composition of my staff now, I would say, is close to perfect. A lot of them are Filipinos, some are from the

Philippines or at least some background of the Philippine culture, and that helps a lot.”

The restaurant’s revenue has been boosted by participating in street fairs, such as the ones run by the Philippines Fest group. These events have not only brought in revenue but also helped spread awareness about the restaurant among a wider audience.

In these street fairs and bazaars, Kalye offers handheld food items like burgers, lumpia, and empanadas, and it’s not lost on Rob that the restaurant’s initial concept was to offer mostly these items.

“Truth be told, I’d say half of the revenue of the restaurant now is coming from these street fairs, and I’d say a big portion of the people coming in to dine in are people who came to know us because of these street fairs,” Rob reveals.

In addition to the delectable food, Kalye showcases artworks by Filipino artists, which are for sale. Rob’s passion for supporting artists led him to open a nonprofit called Artist Assist Initiative.

“Most of our artists are Filipino artists or artists from the Philippines, but eventually we’ll also invite non-Filipino artists who are in the Lower East Side area to have their artwork hang on

our walls. All the proceeds of the sale will go to the artists.”

Rob D’Auria’s journey to introduce Filipino cuisine to New Yorkers through Kalye is a testament to his love for both his heritage and the vibrant city he now calls home. With each plate served at Kalye, Rob and his team aim to create an immersive experience that goes beyond just a meal. Through their fusion of Filipino and familiar flavors, they hope to educate and inspire diners to explore the depths of Filipino cuisine and appreciate its unique blend of tastes and traditions.

As Kalye continues to thrive and evolve, Rob remains dedicated to his mission of sharing Filipino culture and flavors with the diverse population of New York City. He hopes to expand the restaurant’s reach, perhaps even opening additional locations in the future.

Through Kalye, Rob and Henry are not only contributing to the city’s culinary landscape but also creating a space where people can gather, connect, and celebrate the richness of Filipino cuisine. With their passion, creativity, and unwavering determination, Rob D’Auria and Kalye are paving the way for a greater appreciation of Filipino food and culture in the heart of the Big Apple. n

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